Happy 25th Birthday Street Fighter

Street Fighter, or SF, made its debut on August of 1987, and the rest they say is history. Starting out as an arcade game, then Capcom started importing it onto the NES, then to the 2nd and 3rd console generations like the Playstation, Sega Saturn and Dreamcast, then onto the 3rd generation like the PS3 and Xbox.

You remember this guy, right?

My first interaction with Street Fighter was at one of our local arcades near my school, I think I was around 9 or 10 years old then. I'd head there after class just to hang out and buy toys like most kids my age that time do. And then, right then and there, I saw this cool fighter arcade game where a lot of kids were so busy lining up to just to get to have a crack at it; Street Fighter II (although at times there was just one badass player hogging all the glory, and playing time).

Getting to know the original characters like Ryu and Ken, Chun-Li and Cammy, and Guile from the bottom of my heart was really fun. With the Hadokens and the Shoryukens, I'd just button mash myself to death but never really reaching the final boss M. Bison. Then boom! In comes secret character Akuma (geekasm). The epitome of badassery was never the same again (hello air fireballs?!).

Messatsu!!

By the time I reached high school, Capcom and the Street Fighter franchise did something crazy, innovative and awesome at that time; vs collaborations with Marvel. And boy did it really set the bar for fighting games even higher. X-Men Children of the Atom, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Vs. Capcom; these games just kept us hooked both at the arcade and on our PS1 consoles at home. Yeah we were that addicted to it.

Come present time, 2012. A lot of Street Fighter games have been released, new characters have emerged, friendships developed, tournaments and skirmishes won and lost, and despite all that I'm still having a blast and enjoying this amazing franchise.

Cherry blossoms :)

Cheers to Street Fighter for 25 wonderful years of awesome fighting game memories. Thank you to Capcom for developing such a wonderful franchise and keeping it alive and kicking after all these years. For me, this is truly a masterpiece that no gamer should miss. Thanks for the memories!

As a treat to their fans, Capcom Unity made some cool SF avatars.
You can also follow Capcom Unity on Twitter.

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

PS Vita Updates: PSone Classics

After almost 6 months, the PS Vita finally gets the justice it deserves; PSone Classics. With the System Software Version 1.80 available for download, owners now have the luxury to play their favorite classic games on their Vita.

Take a tour

Apart from that, there are other several new features included in the update: you can now use the D-pad and the back touch feature to navigate through your handheld, the Vita browser now has the search button on the top right corner for easy access, the video player can now be adjustable on screen, plus you can link your iTunes onto your device too!

One thing to note though, is the difference on downloadable content available in the US and Europe. Below is the updated list of PSone classics games for the US gamer as of 8/28:

• Arc the Lad
• Cool Boarders 2
• Final Fantasy VII
• Hot Shots Golf 2
• Jet Moto
• Syphon Filter
• Tomb Raider
• Twisted Metal 2
• Wild Arms

Really not enough to satisfy your retro junkies to say the least. For the European list, you can check them out here.

If you haven't bought or upgraded to the PS Vita yet, now's a pretty good time to get your money's worth. And if you've owned one since its release, now is the time for retribution. With PSonce classics and up and coming games to keep you company, you're certainly in for a gaming treat!

You can read more about the PS Vita System Software Update (v1.80) here.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Cynetzone 3D Gaming

Originally starting out as an Internet Café in 2006, Cynetzone Gaming has come a long way and after 6 years, is now known as the first ever 3D console gaming café in the Philippines. Spanning 2 branches in Fairview and Cubao, Cynetzone Gaming offers gamers out there the chance to experience their games on the PS3 / Xbox 360 / Move / Kinect in 3D. Coupled with it's unique kind of gaming environment; 23-inch LCD TVs, 40-inch LED 3DTVs, home theater sound systems, couches, and headsets, you're surely in for a treat!

Huzzah!!!

For just PHP 90 you can enjoy an hour of 3D gaming fun whether it be on the PS3 or on the Xbox 360, if you tag a friend along the price goes up to PHP 110, also for the Dance Central package they would charge you PHP 150; still worth every Peso. Cynetzone Gaming stores are open from 10am until 10pm, surely enough time to swing by and play for an hour or so.

Cynetzone isn't only about games, it's also about meeting new friends and fellow gamers in the country, getting gaming tips, friendships, experiences, and some awesome friendly competition. There are regular EBs by various gaming groups being held here, and even some local fighting game tournaments by Team X-Over! Who says gaming can't be fun?

Got game?

This is certainly the next generation gaming café you shouldn't miss. If you're ever in Cubao or in Fairview, feel free to drop by and experience 3D gaming at its finest!

You can follow Cynetzone Gaming on Twitter.

You can also check out their website.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Persona 4 Arena Review

There's a recent rave in the gaming Twitter-verse and Pinoy Playstation community about a new fighting game developed by Atlus entitled Persona 4 Arena. Who could have imagined that characters from the Persona universe can duke it out vs. style?

It's not over yet!

With its intense gameplay, HD graphics, deep story, and its 13 rosters ranging from characters of Persona 3 and 4, P4A is taking the world by storm. Just launched last August 7, 2012, it is highly recommended that fans of the franchise grab a copy of the game even if you're not a vs. enthusiast.

Another highlight of P4A is that the developers are also the same team who created BlazBlue and the Guilty Gear games. Fans of these two games will certainly get a treat out of this as well.

But..

If you've never played any of the Persona games, you will surely get lost in the story. The events of P4A take place just after Persona 4 and would clearly add depth to its plot. Also, if you're not into anime graphics you might probably pass this on and buy other fighting genres like Tekken or Street Fighter instead.

Clash of the Titans!

Overall, P4A isn't a pushover title. If you're truly a fighting gamer, you'll take on this challenge and battle it out with the best of the best in the Persona universe.

You can find out more about Persona 4 Arena here.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Marvel vs. Capcom Origins Review

Capcom recently dropped the bomb on us once again. I was recently checking my Twitter feed and found out that they're going to release Marvel vs. Capcom Origins; a 2-in-1 game which includes Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes.

Retro 2D fighting game at its finest!

Suddenly I'm 13 again, doing those 10-hit combos, winning, losing, using my favorite character (Wolverine that's you!), bonding with friends, and doing endless hours of gameplay with these 2 games. It certainly made me reminisce those wonder years while growing up. And being the fan boy that I am, I would certainly buy this game! It's only $14.99.

But..

I was wondering why the sudden surprise from Capcom. Are their sales in Street Fighter X Tekken really that bad? I've tried the game and it certainly wasn't really wow to begin with. Or, is Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 not a hit? Hey, 48 total characters that are mostly male dominant isn't too shabby. Don't get me wrong, I like the game and am addicted to it.

Cosplayer Chun-Li is not amused

The thing is, does Capcom need another pushover title to up their sales and generate more revenue? It's nice that the old and the new generation would finally get to experience these games, but maybe they could focus on other things?

This is definitely a classic 2-in-1 game still worth buying. For the new generation of gamers out there, this is a chance for them to try out the roots of this franchise. For the older generation, it is a chance for a return trip around memory lane and dust off those old combos and experiences :)

You can read more about Marvel vs. Capcom Origins here.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.