MAIN -- SONY -- MICROSOFT -- NINTENDO -- PC -- E3 BUZZ 
Old Fighters Are New Again
Product: Samurai Showdown, King of FIghters XII
Company: Ignition Entertainment USA
Date: 06/14/2009
Avaliable On:

Ignition Entertainment is reviving a much-beloved license in the form of Samurai Showdown, coming exclusively to the Xbox 360. This is the game's third 3D iteration and it will include 11 old characters, plus 13 new ones. The setting will take place in feudal Japan around the year 1791 and will feature Western coachmen of Japan. You'll even be able to play online with friends through matchmaking. Samurai Showdown is set to burst onto 360's everywhere in November 2009.

Next up is King of Fighters XII. Now, I know what you are thinking, but this is not just another port. This is an all new game celebrating the 15 year anniverary of the series. This 3-on-3 matchup will offer 22 characters and specific exclusives depending on whether you purchase it for the 360 or the PS3. The 360 will use a true skill-ranking algorithm for online play, whereas the PS3 will exclusively have clan support. Otherwise, the versions are identical.

Expect to see all new scripts and art, as the dev team spent 18 man-months on each character. That adds up to a hefty investment on the part of the dev team. Those King of Fighters fans who are tired of the same old thing just might have something special to celebrate this July with the game's release.

Psibabe aka Ashley Perkins

GameVortex PSIllustrated