Capcom Vs Tatsunoko Iso Wii Wbfs
A port of Capcom's Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes to the Wii seemed eminently likely, given that the arcade game uses some kind of 'Wii-compatible' hardware. Capcom has made it. Home » Wii Deportes, Wii MultiJugador, Wii Online, Wii Otros » TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS (Online) CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS (Online) CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS (Online).
Versus series.
The game was originally released as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes only in Japan in 2008 for arcades and the Nintendo Wii. Later, a newer version called Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars was released for Wii in Japan, North America and Europe, featuring five new characters not available in the original version, but removing one Tatsunoko character from the previous version. The release date for the Japanese edition was on January 28, 2010, January 26, 2010 in North America, and January 29, 2010 in Europe.
The game received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its approachable gameplay for newcomers and depth for veteran players. However, reviewers had mixed experiences with its online component, and found Arcade mode lacking in replay value. Capcom announced in April 2010 that the game was a commercial success.
Promotional art and character design was handled by Shinkiro, with some guest art produced by Ippei Kuri (famed Tatsunoko artist), The animated sequences were all produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The Ultimate All-Stars ending art (which replaces the animated endings from the Japanese version) was done by the artists at UDON. The game was produced by Ryota Niitsuma.
Gameplay Edit
In the game, each player has a team of two, switching their characters at any time, and even performing two special moves at the same time (which, however, uses up three special bars). However, the game's two large characters, Tatsunoko's Gold Lightan and Capcom's PTX-40A, fight on their own without a partner. There are also mini-games and the option for a simplified control scheme. The game has support for the Classic Controller and the Gamecube Controller as well. The buttons are listed as 'Assist' 'Weak' 'Medium' and 'Strong'.
Universal mechanics are similar to Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Characters can call their partner to do a predefined Variable Assist attack. Characters can tag with another character, performing an attack upon entry called a Variable Attack. Performing a Variable Counterattack also lets the player tag out with another character. Snapback is an attack that forces the opponent to switch characters should it land. Hyper Variable Combination lets characters of one team perform their Hyper moves, attacks that require a stock of level, at the same time, whereas Delayed Hyper Cancellation cancels a current Hyper move of the character with another Hyper move of the character's partner. Each character has a launcher to send the opponent to the air, allowing the character to do an Aerial Rave.
There are also new universal techniques found in the game. Variable Aerial Rave lets the character switch to his or her partner while in mid-air. Mega Crash is a defensive maneuver that frees the character from the opponent while sacrificing a part of his or her life and two stocks. Assault is an offensive variation of Mega Crash. Baroque is a mode where the character sacrifices the red portion of the their life - activating the mode cancels the current attack animation, allowing the player to extend combos and deal more damage relative to the amount of red life that is sacrificed. Baroque ends when the character stops or performs a Hyper move.
The large characters (Gold Lightan and PTX-40A) cannot do the universal techniques that require a partner due to their single-character limit.
Plot Edit
The city is safe tonight, but not for long. An ancient evil from another universe has come to consume time and space by causing many universes to merge together into a worldwide crisis. Heroes, Villains, and the like from these worlds must fight to survive and find the evil that caused this crisis and destroy it.
However, once they get to this evil, can they win? Because if they can't, all is lost.......
Ready? FIGHT!!
Characters Edit
Capcom Edit
| Playable Fighters | Game origin |
|---|---|
| Alex | Street Fighter III |
| Batsu Ichimonji | Rival Schools: United by Fate |
| Chun-Li | Street Fighter II |
| Frank West(Ultimate All-Stars only) | Dead Rising |
| MegaMan Volnutt | Mega Man Legends |
| Morrigan Aensland | Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors |
| PTX-40A/Ivan | Lost Planet: Extreme Condition |
| Roll | Mega Man |
| Ryu | Street Fighter |
| Saki Omokane | Quiz Nanairo Dreams |
| Kaijin no Sōki | Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams |
| Viewtiful Joe | Viewtiful Joe |
| Yami(Final boss) | Ōkami |
| Zero(Ultimate All-Stars only) | Mega Man X |
Tatsunoko Edit
| Playable Fighters | Anime origin | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Casshan | Neo-Human Casshan | The main character of Neo-Human Casshan. Tetsuya Azuma transformed himself into a cybernetic warrior named Casshan in order to combat the robotic menace that faced his world. He is accompanied by his robotic dog Friender. |
| Doronjo | Yatterman | An attractive blonde who leads Boyacky and Tonzra in their attempts to locate the Dokuro Stone, and constantly bosses them around. |
| Gold Lightan | Golden Warrior Gold Lightan | A gigantic golden robot, he can transform from a lighter to a huge mechanical superhero. |
| Hakushon Daimaō(Cross-Generation of Heroes only) | The Genie Family | One of the main characters in the show, Hakushon is a genie who must grant the wish of whoever sneezes near him, usually resulting in comedic shenanigans. |
| Ippatsuman | Gyakuten! Ippatsuman | Sokkyu Go is the heroic main character who has sworn to fight against evil, especially the syndicate Skull Lease. |
| Joe the Condor(Ultimate All-Stars only) | Science Ninja Team Gatchaman | Joe Asakura is an expert marksman, driver and the tough guy of the Gatchaman team. |
| Jun the Swan | Science Ninja Team Gatchaman | A pretty young girl who is the electronics and ballistics expert for Science Ninja Team Gatchaman throughout the many Gatchaman series. |
| Karas | Karas | One of the titular karas; humans appointed as superpowered agents. Able to transform into a car, an aircraft, and an armored crusader; the skilled swordsman sets out to defeat his evil predecessor. |
| Ken the Eagle | Science Ninja Team Gatchaman | Ken Washio is the leader of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman throughout the many Gatchaman series. He is known to be a level-headed and capable leader. |
| Polymar | Hurricane Polymar | Takeshi Yoroi is martial arts expert who designed a special ability enhancing suit in order to fight crime and entitled himself Polimar. |
| Tekkaman | Tekkaman: The Space Knight | A super-powered robot suit managed by Joji Minami, designed to fight aliens that were seizing control of the earth. |
| Tekkaman Blade(Ultimate All-Stars only) | Tekkaman Blade | Also known as D-Boy, Blade was a space explorer who was tranformed into a techno-organic warrior by an alien race known as the Radam. Blade escaped and made his way to Earth, where he battled against the Radam invasion along with the Space Knights. |
| Yatterman-1 | Yatterman | The male protagonist of the Yatterman series, Gan Takada is the 13-year-old son of a famous toy designer. He forms a fighting team with his girlfriend Ai, and names himself 'Yatterman No. 1'. He wields a kendama with great skill in battle. |
| Yatterman-2(Ultimate All-Stars only) | Yatterman | The female protagonist of the Yatterman series, Ai Kaminari is the girlfriend of Yatterman-1, and she and Yatterman-1 combat the crime together. Her weapon is an electric short rod. |
CameosEdit
| Capcom characters | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Akane Yagyū | Featured in Soki's ending. |
| Arthur | In Soki's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Astaroth | In Soki's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Axl | In Zero's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Baby Head | In PTX-40A's ending. |
| Bilstein's Ghost | In Tekkaman Blade, and Joe the Condor's endings. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Blodia | In PTX-40A's ending. |
| Brad Garrison | In Frank West's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Dave | In Doronjo and Joe the Condor's endings. |
| Debilitas | In Joe the Condor's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Demitri Maximoff | In Joe the Condor's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Devilotte | In Doronjo and Joe the Condor's endings. |
| Dr. Light | In Roll's ending. |
| Dr. Wily | In Zero's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Fiona Belli | In Joe the Condor's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| G. Kaiser | In PTX-40A's ending. |
| Gigi | In PTX-40A's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Gourai | In PTX-40A's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Gustaff | In PTX-40A's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Hauzer | In Karas' and Saki's ending. |
| Hayato Kanzaki | In Tekkaman Blade's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Hewie | In Joe the Condor's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Hinata Wakaba | In Batsu's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Hornisse | Featured in the background of the Gesellschaft stages. |
| Huitzil | In Roll's ending. |
| Jessica McCarney | In Frank West's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Kyosuke Kagami | In Batsu's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Lilith | Assists Morrigan in her Level 3 Darkness Illusion Super Combo. |
| Mega Man | In Roll's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Ohatsu | Featured in Soki's ending. |
| Pyron | In Tekkaman and Joe the Condor's ending. |
| Raizo Imawano | In Batsu's ending. |
| Red Arremer | In Soki's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Roberto | Featured in Soki's ending. |
| Santana | In PTX-40A's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Servbots | Featured in the background of the Gesellschaft stages. |
| Sexy Silvia | In Viewiful Joe's ending. (Cross-Generation of Heroes only) |
| Tenkai | Featured in Soki's ending. |
| Vector | In Roll's ending. |
| Vile | In PTX-40A's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| X | In Zero's ending. (Ultimate All-Stars only) |
| Xavier | In Doronjo and Joe the Condor's endings. |
| Wayne Holden(Implied) | Implied to be the suited 'Pilot' in PTX-40A. |
Development Edit
Origin Edit
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom was conceived when Tatsunoko Production asked Capcom to develop a game with Tatsunoko characters. Capcom producer Ryota Niitsuma was interested in producing a fighting game, and agreed with other Capcom employees that Tatsunoko's characters would be better suited for a Versus game than a Street Fighter game.[1] The resulting project was the seventh Capcom-designed entry in the Versus series and the first in over seven years.[2] In the 2000s decade, fighting games were less popular and plentiful than in the mid-1990s, with multiplayer competition shifting towards other genres.[3]
The research and development team started work in parallel with Street Fighter IV. 'Capcom [hoped to] bring back the fighting genre into the mainstream market [...] with a serious fighting game for very hardcore fans, and another with a slightly lowered barrier to entry,' Niitsuma said.[4]Eighting, Capcom's hired developer, took on the job in early 2007. The design of the game was a departure from the complex attack systems of the Street Fighter series, and of certain Vs. titles. The game is built around a simplified three-button attack system (light, medium, and strong); it was inspired by the control systems commonly used by both the Vs. series and the Wii, which allows intricate moves to be performed with basic control inputs.
On May 22, 2008, Capcom announced the game, titled Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, for release in Japanese arcades.[5] The arcade cabinets' system board was proprietary hardware based on the Wii.[6] Beta units were sent to test locations in Tokyo (July 10–13) and Osaka (July 25–27). By September, the game was 70% complete, and a Wii version was announced for Japanese release. Capcom gradually revealed the game's cast until release. It was released in Japan on the Wii on December 11, 2008, and an arcade version followed in mid-December 2008.
The game is the first Capcom-designed Vs. installment to be rendered fully in 3D. Tatsunoko vs. Capcom and its graphical characteristics were optimized for the Wii, which prevents the game from being ported to other consoles without completely re-building the game. Niitsuma explained that its Wii exclusivity was also due to a lack of Capcom fighting games for the console, and because the Wii's casual quality matches the Vs. series trait of accessibility. The producer suggested that porting a sequel would be easier, but that Capcom would gauge the reception of the Wii game before making such plans.[7]
On November 7, 2012, Capcom USA's senior vice president Christian Svensson revealed that Capcom's rights with Tatsunoko have lapsed, meaning Capcom is no longer authorized to sell Tatsunoko vs. Capcom physically or digitally.[8]
Fighters Edit
When choosing candidates for the Tatsunoko and Capcom character rosters, the development team was free to nominate any character it wished.[9] However, the team faced limitations on its Tatsunoko candidates; Niitsuma explained; '[the development team] had to consider licensing issues. Once [they] had that list [they] had to figure out how to make a balanced fighting game. On top of that [they] wanted a good balance between male and female characters.' Selection emphasis was placed on main characters, rather than on villains. Certain characters were denied by Tatsunoko Production without explanation to Capcom. Niitsuma said: 'We weren't privy to a lot of their decision making process. They didn't share a lot of reasons with us. When they said no and we asked why, they wouldn't tell us, but would give us another suggestion'. Tatsunoko Production disallowed characters from Genesis Climber MOSPEADA or Samurai Pizza Cats, despite the high number of fan requests for the latter.[10] The eponymous characters of Tatsunoko's Muteking, The Dashing Warrior and Nurse Witch Komugi were among those planned for inclusion, but were eventually scrapped.[11][12][13] The finalized Tatsunoko cast consists of characters that the team enjoyed in their youth. At one point, Go Mifune from Mach Go Go Go (known as Speed Racer in International territories) was considered as a potential fighter, but difficulties on assembling a moveset aside from those enabled by his car made him difficult to implement.[14]
As for Capcom candidates, the development team hoped to include Phoenix Wright and Franziska von Karma from the Ace Attorney series, but while the latter's use of a whip made her easy to incorporate, the problems the team had with the former's game mechanics (specifically his movement and the Ace Attorney text bubbles) prevented them both from getting in.[15] Other Capcom characters who were considered for inclusion were Arthur from Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ingrid from Capcom Fighting Evolution and Street Fighter (as shown in the game's Secret File book, she was however used as a test character model), Charlie Nash,[13]Ibuki[13] and M. Bison[13] also from Street Fighter, a Tyrant (unclear which one specifically) and Leon from Resident Evil,[13]Date Masamune from Sengoku BASARA,[13]Hsien-Ko from Darkstalkers,[13]Zero Gouki from Cyberbots,[13] Tiara from Gaia Master,[13]Rouge from Power Stone,[13]June from Star Gladiator,[13]Nero from Devil May Cry[13] and The Smith Syndicate from Killer7.[citation needed]
On September 9, 2009, Capcom announced the Japanese release of Ultimate All-Stars and starting on that day, periodically revealed the game's new characters; however, the full cast was leaked through JavaScript code on the game's official Japanese site.[16] With the exception of Hakushon Daimaō, who was removed due to unspecified licensing issues, every playable character from the original Wii release was included. Hakushon Daimaō was also removed in Ultimate All-Stars version's Japanese release, due to both his unpopularity with players, and the game's status as a localization of the North American version.[17]
The new characters encompassed Frank West from Dead Rising, Zero from Mega Man X, Yatterman 2 from Yatterman, Joe the Condor from Gatchaman, and the title character from Tekkaman Blade.
LocalizationEdit
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom Iso Download
On May 6, 2009, Capcom listed two 'mystery games' as part of their Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 lineup. The Nintendo Power magazine revealed 'Capcom Mystery Game #1' to be the North American localization of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, with the new subtitle 'Ultimate All-Stars'. It was playable at the company's E3 booth.
European and Australian releases were announced on later dates. The game was originally unintended for release outside Japan, but was localized by Capcom due to positive fan reception. Tatsunoko Production assisted Capcom with its character licensing issues; while Tatsunoko Production holds such rights in Japan, they are licensed to companies such as Time Warner in other countries. Niitsuma said that acquiring character licenses was difficult, as it was largely done one at a time, and characters cleared in North America had to be checked separately in Europe. Another issue was the possibility that Eighting would be occupied with other projects. Time constraints led Niitsuma to replace the character-specific minigames of Cross Generation of Heroes with 'Ultimate All-Shooters', an expansion of PTX-40A's minigame.
Artwork by UDON replaced the animated character-specific endings.[18]
A Capcom press release in June 2009 stated that the North American release would have more mini-games, an 'enhanced' story mode, and support for online play. The roster would be expanded by five characters, but would lose one unnamed Tatsunoko character.[19] However, Capcom later revised this press release, as it was incorrect, with the statement that they were 'looking into adding new features to the game, including possible additions of several new characters from both Capcom and Tatsunoko and [...] exploring the option of online gameplay.
Director Hidetoshi Ishizawa admitted that, just as Cross Generation of Heroes was not initially planned to be released internationally, neither was Ultimate All-Stars planned to be released in Japan. However, fan appeals and the research and development team's own hopes resulted in the game's Japanese localization.[20]
ReleaseEdit
An official launch event for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars was held at the Nintendo World Store in the Rockefeller Center on January 23, 2010, featuring autograph signings by Niitsuma, giveaways, competitions, and playable demo kiosks. Hundreds of fans were expected to attend between 11 pm and 3 pm. The game was released in North America on January 26, in Japan on January 28, and in Europe on January 29.
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom Iso Dolphin
Certain versions of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars are bundled with a Mad Catz arcade stick, whose artwork was produced by Japanese artist Shinkiro. Pre-orders from GameStop included eight of thirteen lenticular trading cards. As a buying incentive, Capcom's Japanese online store offered a Secret File compilation book of concept art, illustrations and design notes; it is the twenty-seventh volume of the Secret File series, which was originally published between 1996 and 1999 as a supplement to Capcom games of the time.[21]
The store also included an audio CD with four vocal tracks from the game: the opening song from Cross Generation of Heroes, 'Across the Border', sung by Asami Abe, Ultimate All-Stars English re-recording of this song, sung by Anna Gholston, with rap by James C. Wilson; and the Japanese and English versions of Roll's theme song.
ReceptionEdit
SalesEdit
Capcom's former community manager Seth Killian expressed satisfaction with the North American sales of Ultimate All-Stars. '[Tatsunoko Vs Capcom] certainly beat the initial expectations. It didn't set any land speed records, but it was a success,' Killian stated. 'And that's really saying something considering that we're talking about a game that was not only never coming out, but has a title that most people can't even pronounce.'[22] In Japan, Ultimate All-Stars sold 18,913 units as of January 2, 2011,[23] and, as of December 27, 2009, Cross Generation of Heroes has sold 62,805 units.[24]
Trivia Edit
- Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is the second known fighting game that features Tatsunoko characters, the first was Tatsunoko Fight which was developed by Electronics Application (Eleca), published by Takara and released for the original PlayStation console, only in Japan, on October 2000.
GalleryEdit
Box Art Edit
Merchandise and Promotional Art Edit
References Edit
- ↑http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4184/gamasutra_versus_capcom_the_.php
- ↑http://g4tv.com/games/wii/62262/tatsunoko-vs-capcom-ultimate-all-stars/review/
- ↑http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ultimatemortalkombat3/review.html
- ↑http://www.videogamer.com/wii/tvc/preview-1837.html
- ↑http://games.ign.com/articles/875/875970p1.html
- ↑http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6210358/tatsunoko-vs-capcom-ultimate-all-stars-first-look/
- ↑http://www.videogamer.com/news/capcom_no_plans_for_tatsunoko_vs_capcom_xbla_psn_port.html
- ↑http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-08-capcom-can-no-longer-sell-tatsunoko-vs-capcom-due-to-rights-lapse
- ↑http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/tatsunoko-vs-capcom-ultimate-all-stars/preview/e3-09-tatsunoko-vs-capcom-interview/a-2009060815494768059/g-20090602143737971093
- ↑http://kotaku.com/5454192/the-lost-characters-of-tatsunoko-vs-capcom
- ↑http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14143517&postcount=3808
- ↑http://www.destructoid.com/a-better-look-at-the-stuff-cut-fromtatsunoko-vs-capcom-161902.phtml
- ↑ 13.0013.0113.0213.0313.0413.0513.0613.0713.0813.0913.1013.11http://www.siliconera.com/2009/05/17/these-characters-didnt-make-the-tatsunoko-vs-capcom-cut/
- ↑https://www.destructoid.com/samurai-pizza-cats-speed-racer-almost-in-tatsunoko-vs-capcom-161208.phtml
- ↑NGamer, October 2009, page 35, 'Fighting Talk with Ryota Niitsuma, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom's Producer'
- ↑http://wii.ign.com/articles/102/1022808p1.html
- ↑http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/10/22/tatsunoko-vs-capcom-leaves-one-character-out-again/
- ↑http://www.capcom-unity.com/jgonzo/blog/2010/01/08/all-new_endings_in_tatsunoko_vs._capcom:_ultimate_all-stars,_courtesy_of_udon_
- ↑http://www.destructoid.com/e3-09-five-new-characters-coming-to-the-us-tatsunoko-134560.phtml
- ↑http://www.capcom-unity.com/s-kill/blog/2009/09/17/introducing_tatsunoko_vs_capcom_game_director_ishizawasan
- ↑http://www.e-capcom.com/ec/srDispProductListProductLink/doProductTreeLink/1/1/A10002336/10/10/srDispProductList/
- ↑http://www.destructoid.com/bit-transmission-episode-6-with-capcom-s-seth-killian-172324.phtml
- ↑http://geimin.net/da/db/2010_ne_mc/index.php
- ↑http://geimin.net/da/db/2009_ne_fa/index.php
External Links Edit
| System: Wii | Review Rating Legend | |
| Dev: Eighting | 1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid | 4.0 - 4.4 = Great |
| Pub: Capcom | 2.0 - 2.4 = Poor | 4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy |
| Release: Jan.26, 2010 | 2.5 - 2.9 = Average | 5.0 = The Best |
| Players: 1-4 | 3.0 - 3.4 = Fair | |
| ESRB Rating: Teen | 3.5 - 3.9 = Good | |
October 28, 2009 - There are fighting games and then there are fighting games. Brawlers with big names like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Street Fighter have been staples in the industry since Solid Snake was just a gleam in Hideo Kojima's eye; these popular titles have attracted a rabid following and transformed a series of very simple premises into one of the most popular genres in gaming today.
Even though most of these games have similar plots (i.e., the world's greatest fighters have gathered in random, colorful oft-destructible environments to find out who is the world's biggest badass), a few have managed to separate themselves from the pack with innovative gameplay and unforgettable characters. Several developers have managed to make their mark on the genre with none more prominent than Capcom.
The A-List developer/publisher are the minds behind the Street Fighter franchise and the ubiquitous 'Versus' titles including Marvel vs. Capcom, Marvel vs. Street Fighter, and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom ('Tatsunoko' was previously only released in Japan). Each of these games took a large and amazing array of characters from beloved properties like Mega Man, Darkstalkers, Resident Evil, and the X-Men, and combined them with intense and colorful moves and stunning team attacks to create a formula that gamers loved. Once again Capcom is reaching into its inexhaustible well of IP's to provide gamers (particularly stateside gamers) with an all-new fighter.
The original Tatsunoko vs. Capcom was released in December 2008 in Japan and has received a warm reception in its native country. Cross Generation of Heroes, as the game was subtitled, featured characters from several anime series like Yatterman and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, an early predecessor for shows like Power Rangers and Voltron. Like Marvel vs. Capcom and its sequel, Tatsunoko focused on tag team battles and over-the-top action moves. Unlike many of the previous versus titles, Tatsunoko, and the impending U.S. import Ultimate All-Stars, have stripped down the control scheme and added a new coat of polish to bring in those dollars and euros. With all-new characters and attacks this could be the next great fighter to storm the states.
Part of the reason Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was such a popular game was because of its unparalleled roster of heroes. Everyone from Spider-Man to Jill Valentine joined the fray, and combining your favorite heroes and villains to kick the crap out of your friends was a blast. The game's recent re-release on Xbox LIVE and PSN made a big splash years after the last-gen release because of the timeless and addictive gameplay (the development team was wise not to mess with the formula) and allowed Xbox 360 and PS3 owners to pick up the rare title. When Tatsunoko was originally released, critics, industry leaders, and anime fans weren't optimistic that it could successfully make the jump across the Pacific, due to the relative obscurity of many of the Tatsunoko characters, the Japanese anime studio's mostly national fan base, and the difficulty securing the rights to many of Tatsunoko's characters which are licensed to multiple companies in The States. Apparently, all the stars have aligned and so far the results have been astronomical.
Capcom's new stable of heroes includes familiar faces in the Vs.-verse like Roll and Morrigan of Darkstalkers fame, and newcomers like Frank West (Dead Rising) and PTX-40A (the mech-suit from Lost Planet). Tatsunoko's brawlers are less prominent figures mostly hailing from the wacky world of early anime. Developer Capcom's new fighter may have a lot of substance, but that doesn't mean it's toned down the style one bit.
Owing much to its anime roots and the multiple games in the versus series, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom will take a bold look at traditional fighting and even its own predecessors. Signature moves and team combos are hilarious and off the wall and some even lampoon other games. Frank West uses a horde of zombies as wild card companions to attack his foes and even suits up in Mega Man-style armor to release a Mega Buster blast called 'The Real Mega Buster'. Doronjo, an anime villainess and archenemy of Yatterman, explodes herself with a blast meant for her enemies (a reoccurring gag on the 1970's cartoon). Fan service and humor are played up to the extreme in this fighter and with good reason considering how few of them are as popular outside of Japan. Fans of any of the characters will not be disappointed.
Many fighters falter when it comes to control; a long list of would be-Virtua Fighters have wrapped a potentially solid experience in aggravatingly dense and complicated controls. Thankfully, Tatsunoko will simplify gamers' lives with a three button attack scheme. Sounds like a step in the right direction, but gamers may have to find that out for themselves. Sadly, not much has hit the infosphere since E3 2009 (it is worth mentioning that Tatsunoko garnered the critic's award for Best Fighting Game). With any luck, the addictive gameplay, visually stunning attacks, and classic (if ambiguous) characters will make Tatsunoko vs. Capcom's U.S. debut as unforgettable as Capcom's other fighters, and as strong as the legacy it follows.
By Leon Hendrix III
CCC Freelance Writer
Game Features: