Anime at the gates!
Capcom press release inadvertently lets slip on possible new features for North American release
Capcom's plans to release the Wii-exclusive all-star versus fighter Tatsunoko vs. Capcom in North America and beyond must have been the worst-kept secret of this year's E3, with websites and blogs reporting the news days in advance. The official press release that coincided with the expo, however, announced several details that make the international release of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (now subtitled Ultimate All-Stars) just that little bit more exciting, in particular the addition of five new characters and online play.
The jucier details of the (now unofficial) press release read as follows:
This “newer” version of TvC, currently dubbed Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, removes one character due to licensing issues, and adds five new ones, online gameplay, more mini-games and an enhanced story mode.
Features:
- 26 fan-favorite characters from the Tatsunoko and Capcom universes face-off in this stylish 2D fighter
- Tag-team battles and customized two-character fighting techniques produce a wild, dazzling spectacle
- Wi-Fi Online gameplay allows worldwide matches
- Four battle modes include Friend, Rival, Free and Ranked Battles
- Match-ups are not restricted to just “Friends”
- Earn Points and Titles (for Title Creation) for all to see
- All-new VS gameplay mechanics creates a new way for fans to return to the series
- More than 20 Mini-game provide additional multiplayer fun
- Enhanced control schemes offer a simplified control scheme option and allow use of the Classic Controller and Gamecube Controller
- Wii-exclusive
Someone at Capcom must have jumped the gun with the initial press release as it was quickly revised and the more explicit details translated into fluent legalese:
TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS is new version of the game that released in Japan in arcades and on the Wii in December 2008. Capcom is looking into adding new features to the game, including possible additions of several new characters from both Capcom and Tatsunoko, and is exploring the option of online gameplay. TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS will work with a number of different control devices, including Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller and various third-party joysticks designed for the Wii.
Being Nintendo fans I'm sure we're all used to a little feigned ignorance on the part of major publishers (just try asking Nintendo of America/Europe about the upcoming Pokemon games, for one) so a gaffe like this on Capcom's part should make us more than a little optimistic about the inclusion of these new features. Online play is a prerequisite feature for versus fighters these days so the success of this somewhat obscure title may very well hinge on its inclusion.
For more news on all things shamelessly violent stay tuned to Nintendo Life!
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User Comments
1. Damo
05 Jun 2009, 14:16 BST
LOL, you've gotta love it when companies have to backtrack on press releases they've already issued. I think the fact that they did the first one is a pretty solid indication that we're getting online play.
2. KnucklesSonic8
05 Jun 2009, 14:27 BST
Yep yep.
3. Drake
05 Jun 2009, 14:36 BST
The one that was cut is Hakushon Daimaou - The only Tatsunoko character in the game I actually knew before
Well, unless they add a Samurai Pizza Cat for the western release
4. Objection_Blaster
05 Jun 2009, 15:04 BST
I don't know any of the character as far I can recall, and I'm still excited.
5. Hyper Knuckles
05 Jun 2009, 15:15 BST
Online multiplayer!? YES!!
6. Bass X0
05 Jun 2009, 15:26 BST
Its sad when Battle of the Planets means nothing to people.
7. Terra
05 Jun 2009, 15:39 BST
This is looking all that much better.
8. Pikamander2
05 Jun 2009, 15:39 BST
I'll buy it on day 1.
9. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999
05 Jun 2009, 15:43 BST
Finally! Some good news! Online mutiplayer, more characters, and more! But what's the Tutsunko?
10. Moai Head
05 Jun 2009, 15:52 BST
Super Smash Bros. Fan1999 - Tatsunoko is a Japanese anime studio with a ton of popular franchises, the most famous of which are Speed Racer and Gatchaman (Battle Of The Planets outside Japan).
11. Terra
05 Jun 2009, 15:57 BST
Ah, I'd always heard of Battle of the Planets by It's Japanese name. No wonder I hadn't heard of it.
12. That Guy from Faxanadu
05 Jun 2009, 16:12 BST
"possible additions of several new characters" is good enough for me. At least Casshern is still there, and in the end we will (probably) get more characters than Japan.
13. City Of Delusion
05 Jun 2009, 16:34 BST
@12: They've pratically confirmed 5 newcomers and 1 removed. They didn't want to officially confirm it (hence the revision), but that's what they said. Watch their forums for more confimation.
14. TwilightV
05 Jun 2009, 17:49 BST
My wish list:
Capcom:
Tron Bonne (Tron!!!<3)
Ken (for the whiny fanboys who won't buy it if he's not in)
Tatsunoko:
Go Mifune (aka Speed Racer, because he's the one US audiences are most familiar with)
Yattaro (aka Speedy Cerviche, because a robot ninja cat is awesome)
Yatterman-2 (Because Yatterman is just plain incredible)
15. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999
05 Jun 2009, 19:47 BST
All I ask for the Capcom side is Mega Man (Any form will do, but preferably the original).
16. Spiderkid
05 Jun 2009, 20:39 BST
@15: Mega Man Volnutt is already in the game, as well as the classic Roll.
From Capcom I'd like to see Dante or Nero, and Samanosuke, and I'm expecting one of the new faces from SFIV, most likely Viper. As for Tatsunoko a Samurai Pizza Cat would be great, as would Speed Racer.
17. TwilightV
05 Jun 2009, 20:39 BST
@15: They have Volnutt from Legends.
EDIT: Ninja'd!
18. RadioShadow
05 Jun 2009, 21:08 BST
"The one that was cut is Hakushon Daimaou - The only Tatsunoko character in the game I actually knew before".
But they were like the funny ones. Oh well. 5 new characters is going to be interesting. [nudges Capcom to put in Phoenix Wright]. Well if Roll, a robot who was built NOT to fight was put in, then a lawyer can be in it.
19. Atlantis1982
05 Jun 2009, 21:56 BST
Phoneix Wright would be an interesting addition. His big combo would be a huge OBJECTION that hits the opponent a bunch of times or just one BIG blow.
20. That Guy from Faxanadu
05 Jun 2009, 22:06 BST
@Atlantic: Phoenix Wright would be PERFECT for the series! Hard attack is probably his famous forefinger... I can see it happen.
21. shogunhitokiri
05 Jun 2009, 22:16 BST
I'd like to see characters from Resident Evil like Jill, Leon, or Claire added but either way, I am really looking forward to this game.
22. PhoenixAran
06 Jun 2009, 04:43 BST
I kept scrolling past this, not realizing what it was, and I finally clicked on the link.
I am now buying this game.
23. Buster13
06 Jun 2009, 05:14 BST
First the fact that the game was coming to America was leaked, and now they're trying to cover up an accidental press release. Capcom has just had a terrible time of keeping secrets with this title, huh?
Not that I care that much. The more info, the better. This game is quickly becoming on of my most anticipated titles.
24. Super Smash Bros. Fan1999
06 Jun 2009, 06:08 BST
Reply to Moai Head Post 10#: Thank you very much for the information. I knew of Speed Racer, but not that Tutsunko made it.
Characters I want (Keeping it to just five, which is easy.):
Capcom:
Original Megaman (Mega Man series): My most wanted character, they have Roll, why not the original Mega Man?
Ken Master (Street Fighter series): Mario is to Luigi, as Ryu is to Ken.
Cammy (Street Fighter series): She would be an hot female character!
Leon Kennedy (Resident Evil series): If Capcom would put one M rated character in, this would be it.
Tatsunoko:
Speed Racer (Speed Racer series): The only character from the Tatsunko series that I know of.
Despite my wishlist, I can live without them.
Note: Since we're going to get five new characters, minus one that is taken away, and that the Japanese roster has 26, that means that
American are gettting 30 characters. More then enough for me, I'm tried of Brawl and want a new fighter, this is what I call an solution to Nintendo extermly disappointing fighting game.
25. plankton88
06 Jun 2009, 06:36 BST
Time to break out the Hori Fighting stick. I knew I bought it for some reason.
26. brandonbwii
06 Jun 2009, 06:49 BST
I watched Gotchaman as kid on Cartoon Network when it was known as G-Force I believe. It was later released as a saturday morning cartoon called Eagle Riders. I am unfamiliar with the name Battle of the Planets though.
27. LegendofPasta99
06 Jun 2009, 13:39 BST
I'm not big on anime. Besides, most of the 1-on-1 fighting games I've played have had weird balance issues with regards to the character selections. This would have to be something REALLY special for me to get on board.
28. Pikamander2
06 Jun 2009, 17:37 BST
I wonder if someone will make a tier list for the game.
29. LEGEND MARIOID
06 Jun 2009, 21:28 BST
Battle of the Planets was awesome! One of the many reasons I want this game.
30. Popyman
09 Jun 2009, 05:29 BST
I want:
Tatsunoko: Speed Racer and SoulTaker.
Capcom: G-Red from Gotcha Force.