Look at that little face

Something wicked this way comes �And while many would attempt to block her path, pointing to an increasingly large roster, already bolstered with the addition of seasonal DLC characters and free-to-download bosses, there is no escaping fate, no escaping destiny, no escaping the fact that Sylvie Paula Paula is stepping back into the ring in King of Fighters XV, and is doing so in just seven short days.

Making her debut in 2016's King of Fighters XIV, and also popping up in the femme-friendly SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, Sylvie Paula Paula is a relatively new addition to the KoF universe, though has made her impact felt via her air-raid-siren personality and wild array of colorful, cumbersome, Met Gala esque fashions. Much like Tekken's Lucky Chloe, Sylvie Paula Paula offers a vibe of cheerful wholesomeness, but with the volume cranked up to ?deafening levels.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGffinSuRQ8&t

A master of ele?ctromagnetic energy, Sylvie distracts her opponents with her childlike demeanor and Everyday Is Christmas attitude, before zapping them with Emperor Palpatine-esque waves of pure powah. Behind her adorable face and cuddly character lies a girl whose hobbies include "Collecting the fingerprints of good-looking men", and whose best friends are listed as "The ones in her head". She also dislikes "Not Cute Things" and "Beards" �so we're clearly dealing with somebody who is Absolutely Fine.

Sylvie Paula Paula will join KoF XV on May 16, the latest DLC character for Season 2, following messrs. Shingo Yabuki, Kim Kaphwan, and Goenitz. Sylvie will be followed by the Middle Eastern vigilante Najd at a later date, along with additional updates, characters, and balance changes. It may seem I'm being a tad harsh on young Sylvie here, but honestly, I love her design, and if KoF XV was my main game I'd def??init??ely be adding her to my team. WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

The King of Fighters XV is available now on?? PlayStation, PC, and Xbox Series X.

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There is no 'I' in 'T E A M'

Devolver Digital, in association with silly studio Pastagames, has lifted the lid on a delightful-looking multiplayer puzzle platformer, KarmaZoo, currently ??in development fo?r PC and console platforms.

In KarmaZoo, teams of 10 randomly gathered players must use spirit, synergy, and even sacrifice in order to navigate a near-endless range of procedurally generated stages, all created within a pixel-perfect realm known as "The Loop". The 10-strong team must capitalize on a huge menagerie of characters, (including a returning PixelCat), abilities, and perks in order to ensure that the whole squad, (well, not always? the whole squad), is able to find their respective path through the level and, hopefully, get to the finish line unscathed.

Helping your teammates, leading the herd, and even committing self-sacrifice so that others may continue will all earn your character the precious resource, Karma, which can be used to unlock new characters, perks, stages, and much more. Check out the action in this announcem???ent trailer.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=34FTzOMPSB?o&t=2s&ab_channel=Gematsu

In addition to The Loop, KarmaZoo also supports several local multiplayer modes, in which you can challenge friends and family to a variety of party-style games, such as being the first to reach the summit of a mountain,? races through auto-scrolling mazes and labyrinths, and other quick-fire mini-games. Conquer as many as possible to claim your rightful place on top of the celebratory "Totem".

KarmaZoo looks like a great time-filler �especially for those homestead gatherings �sporting cute graphics, fun characters, and a nice spirit of teamwork and camaraderie. Definitely worth keeping an eye on this rel?ease as we closer to its launch window. KarmaZoo is scheduled to launch this summer on PS5, PC, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.

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Who doesn't love an escort mission?

Capcom has released the second episode of Leon and the Mysterious Village, the short-but-adorable anime series produced to help fan the flames of hype for this week's highly anticipated Resident Evil 4.

The second episode, titled "A Promise Between the Two", sees young Leon Kennedy come face-to-face with missing girl Ashley Graham, whom he must escort out of the strange town and, presumably, back to The White House. Of course, as Resident Evil 4 veterans will be more than aware, keeping Ashley out of the hands of the village's weird doomsday cult is easier said? than done. Leon, H?elp indeed.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=q99mSnhXbtM?&ab_channel=capcomasia

A ground-up remake of the 2005 GameCube classic, the hotly-anticipated release captures all of the creepy cult shenanigans. gory head-splitting chaos, and panicky damsel-in-distress action of the original title, spruced up with brilliant new visuals, alternate twists on the narrative, and sporting an overhauled approach to its movement and combat mechanics. You can check out our own Zoey Handley's review of the new title right here.

Resident Evil 4 launche?s on PlayStation, PC and Xbox platforms on March 24.

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Axe you nicely

As we near the launch of Resident Evil 4, Capcom has released the first episode in a series of (very) short anime (mis)adventures detailing the events of one Leon Kennedy and his journey through the strange, European countryside �For your approval: Leon and the Mysterious Village.

Produced by Nippon Animation and stylized in a colorful & sunny style, not unlike the cheery work of Hayao Miyazaki and classic "globalized" anime shows of the '80s, episode one "Looking for ?Ashley" sees Leon stumble across a strange town occupied by a party of friendly locals. It works out incredibly well for our young hero, as you can imagine. But why waste your time reading about it when you could simply be watching it. Are you sitting comfortably?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lppo5cNxrhk&a??mp;ab_channel=capcomas??ia

It would be a safe assumption that we will see other anime shorts during the Resident Evil 4 launch period, and nobody would blame you for having the strange feeling that we've been here before. In one of the best marketing campaigns in gaming history, Capcom supported the launch of 2021's Resident Evil Village with a delightful series of shorts featuring puppet variations of that game's main villains. (And boy, I really miss those puppets). Clearly, Capcom has decided that the "??creepy cute" aesthetic is the way to go when it comes to promoting its flagship survival horror franchise.

We'll be sure to post all of the Leon and the Mysterious Village episodes here on Destructoid as they premiere. Resident Evil 4 launches March 24 on PlaySta?tion, PC, and Xbox?? platforms.

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YA! YA! YA! YA!

The wallet-troubling merchandisers over at Good Smile Co. have opened pre-orders on the next gaming superstar joining its enormous range of ridiculously adorable Nendoroid figurines �And this time around, it's a true icon of the medium, with the coming of Street Fighter legend Chun-Li!

As with all Nend??oroid releases, Chun-Li stands a dinky 100mm in height, (that's just under four inches), and comes complete with a stand and several faceplates and?? accessories �allowing fans to stage The Strongest Woman in The World in all manner of dynamic poses. The additional Faceplates include a business face, a cute smile, and even a tearful expression, though why you'd use that is beyond me. Accessories include alternate hands, a Kikoken fireball, and Chunner's famous Lightning Legs kick!

If you'd like your own pocket-sized Chun-Li to stand guard over your desk, then you can pre-order her right now over at the official Good Smile Co. store and other toy retailers. Nendoroid Chun-Li retails for ¥8,400, (or roughly $58 USD), not including shipping, handling, or any potential customs charges. Chun-Li is expected to ship in the summer of 2023. Surprisingly, this is only the first of the Street Fighter Nendoroids. Given the huge roster of characters on offer, one would think Good Smile would have ??tapp?ed this market long before now.

YA-TA!

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Save some Willow from the holidays!

Success Corporation has announced that it will launch a PC port of modern cute-'em-up Cotton Fantasy in January 2023. Following on from its previous release on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, the colorful shmup will launch on Steam under its far superior Japanese moniker of Cotton Rock 'n' Roll!

Developed by Studio Saizensen to coincide with the series' 30th Anniversary, Cotton Rock 'n' Roll sees the titular witch-in-training continue her broomstick-riding, monster-blasting ways as she takes to the skies for 10 stages of hyper-energetic pew-pew action. As always, our mop-topped hero is not alone, and players can choose from several classic characters and g??uest stars including Appli, Ria, Fina, Kawase, and Luffee, don't forget to seek help from Cotton's bestie �the sexy space fairy Silk.

//www.??youtube.com/watch?v=sZXAT32-eC8&ab_channel=INI??NGames

Along with a brand new story mode, packed with shenanigans and candy, Cotton Rock 'n' Roll will feature a handy Training Mode, allowing players to practice their skills on a particularly tricky part of the adventure. Online leaderboards will also let the best of the witches show off their finest scores and times. While I will admit that the concept of the 100% Cotton franchise making a comeback in the 2020s couldn't have been further from my mind, it is definitely still cool to see these long-forg??otten franchises dusted off, decades later, f??or one more spin through the stars.

Cotton Rock 'n' Roll launches on PC, (via Steam) on January 5, 2023 �It is available now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch as Cotton Fantasy.

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No bones about it

Publisher Kitbox Games, in alliance with developer Sundae Month, has announced that the very silly but entirely wholesome title Pupperazzi will come wagging its tail on Nintendo Switch in ea??rly 2023, following from its release on PC and Xbox One back in January of this year.

Pupperazzi's concept is utterly delightful i??n its simplicity: You are a budding social media hound (pun fully intended) who is searching for internet stardom via the medium of doggie photos??. Camera in hand, the player simply strolls around towns, beaches, and cityscapes, getting snap-happy on any and all four-legged friends that cross their path. Build up a portfolio of the finest puppy pics online and then bask in the glory of upvotes and having your pics turned into NFTs (That last bit doesn't happen).

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j_0yGFPSQo&??ab_channel=KitfoxGames

Pupperazzi features a wide variety o??f Good Boys and Girls, including terriers, pugs, labradors, shibas, and so many more. And, when not taking great photos, you can pet your new doggie pals, play fetch, dress them up (if you're terrible), arrange parties, and enjoy various other activities. Don't forget to take them *checks notes* skateboarding. As you receive acclaim for your pupperazzi skills, you'll also get the opportunity to upgrade your camera equipment �buying new filters, lenses, and effects. It's all very charming and wholesome, and most certainly a stress-free way to unwind on a lazy afternoon.

Pupperazzi launches in early 2023 on Nintendo Switch. It is available now on P??C and Xbox On??e.

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Well, that escalated...

Do you know who has tons of fans? Me? Well, you're very kind but no, I'm kinda lonely... Erm... Anyway, the answer I was looking for was Guilty Gear yo-yo spinner, Bridget, as demonstrated by the huge amount of fan art, cosplay, and other prjects dedicated to the young lassie online. Case in point: This wonderful fan animation, pr?oduced by the super-talented artist/animator Liz Caingcoy.

The 45-second short sees our gal making the most of a bright and sunny afternoon, taking to the streets with her yo-yo and plush companion, Roger, in tow. It's a pretty delightful affair, and who ??could possibly expect things to get surprisingly... out of hand. The animation is masterfully created out of textured wireforms, which were designed and built within the software package Autodesk Maya. This gives the short its curious and highly recognizable "'90s PlayStation Cutscene" vibe.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiwbfME8g-o

If you take a look at some of Caingcoy's tweets, you can see the Bridget model in its raw form, which spotlights the authentic textures applied to  Bridget in order to perfectly replicate her Guilty Gear Strive style. Be sure to check out some of Caingcoy's animations over on her YouTube channel, and hey, if you're a develo??per in need of an animator, it's worth noting that she's currently loo??king for work.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now o?n PlayStation and PC platforms.

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Must be talking to an angel...

The retro gaming aficionados over at Hamster are continuing on their current trend of pulling out bafflingly bizarre and outrageously obscure arcade titles for your approval �And this week's entry is no different, with the arrival of Nichibutsu's unique, star-gazing... shmup? Mischievous Angel.

Released to? arcades in 1984, (as Itazura Tenshi), this surprisingly novel little release sees the player don the wings of a starbound angel, who is tasked with recreating the constellations in order to impress his pretty angel pal. Using non-linear, eight-way directional gameplay, our heroes travel through a gridded starscape, lining up stars in a "dot-to-dot" fashion in order to complete various ??famous star signs and constellations, such as The Big Dipper... umm... Jerry The Cowboy... and... Alan... The Cowboy.

Check out the action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Old Classic Retro Gaming.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M9ut_Ovm3w

As the not-so-mischievous angel lights up the sky, they must also avoid attack from sensible villains such as alien invaders, witches, and flying jesters. Fear not, as grabbing a bow and arrow will offer up temporary firepower to fend off these ne'er-do-wells. Because he's al??so Cupid?.. or Kid Icarus?.. or something. Following several cosmos of action, our young lovers must be reunited in a recurring bonus stage so wholesome and melancholy that is has to be seen to be believed.

Mischievous Angel is, despite its admittedly dated mechanics, a pretty unique and cute take on the shmup genre, with a delightful concept and some sweet visual design ideas. While hardly a smash hit of the arcade circuit, it is undeniably an original ??idea, and it is nice to see this quirky release curated in the Arcade Archives range.

Mischievous Angel is avail??able to download now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8.

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Doctor Shmup

If you fancy something a lil' cute 'n' weird for your retro fix this week, then you're in luck, as Hamster has reached into the Namco back catalog and pulled out one of the developer's few horizontally scrolling shmups, the totes adorbs Ordyne, now available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Released to Japanese arcades in 1988 and capitalizing on the high-color, high-goofball attraction of Konami's Parodius, Ordyne sees a highly intelligent professor, Dr. Tomari, take to the skies in order to rescue his kidnapped sweetheart Kana, who has been abducted by his rival, Dr. Kubata. Accompanying the good Doctor on his quest is loyal sidekick Sunday Chin. SUNDAY CHIN. What follows is action exceptionally similar to Gradius/Parodius, with familiar enemy patterns, pacing, and power-ups. Still, the Konami titles are sound examples of the genre, and thus, so is Ordyne.

Check out the colorful action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Were1974.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rHIWgljPGQ

As they battle through each stage, Tomari and Chin can gather crystals mid-flight, to be spent at a series of anti-gravity stores, run by a typical doe-eyed anime gal. Much like Sega's Fantasy Zone, our heroes can then purchase speed boosts, extra lives, shields, and many other items in order to give the duo the edge in battle. Oddly, the weapons?? are time-limited, meaning that you'll only maintain that edge for so long before returning to your default for??m. What kinda shop offers that service?

Ordyne would eventually receive a port on the PC Engine �a form that would eventually see the game head west for the first time ever. It hasn't featured on all that many Namco compilations over the years, so remains something of an oddity even today. If you'd like to get your wings on in on a bright-eyed rescue mission, then Ordyne is available to download now on PS4 a?nd ?Switch, priced at around $8.

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More fun merch from Fangamer

Not content with offering some super cool merchandise from indie smash Hades, Fangamer has lifted the lid on its latest collection of physical goodies, which are all based upon Finji's awesome fantasy adventure game, Tunic.

Tunic fans can visit the Fangamer store today to pick up this very cheerful shirt, emblazoned with new artwork of our foxy hero and their myriad enemies.  Designed by artist Jorge M. Velez, the new shirt comes in women's and unisex styles, and features a suitable "leafy-green" color palette. Additionally, a trio of additional clothing items �including another T-shirt, a hood??e?d sweatshirt, and a zip-up jacket �are all current?ly in the works, and will form a line known as the "Sacred G??eometry" collection.

In collaboration with Stumpy Frog and Mango Mage records, Finji is also planning to release Tunic's beautiful and evocative score on vinyl, with Terence Lee and Janice Kwan’s soundtrack pressed to a stylish and delightfully colored four-LP collection.  The set is available to order right now at the Mango Mage Records store, retailing for $119.99 USD, (not including shippin??g costs).

Be aware that the vinyl set? is not expected to ship until the third quarter of 2023.

Last, and by no means least, Fangamer has worked with designer Saber Murphy to create this absolutely adorable plush toy of our brave hero. Literally described as a "Huggable Fox Plush", the soft toy comes complete with sword and shield and brings one of gaming's dinkiest but most loveable heroes to light in squeezable glory. Having previously purchased plush toys from the Fangamer range, I've been very impressed with their quality, and this little dude will be a must-buy for the Tunic faithful.

A price and release date for the plush was not revealed, but you can sign up for notification right now. Be sure to visit the Fangamer of your nearest territory, be it the North American, or European version.

Tunic is a?vai??lable now on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

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Toy Story

This week's Arcade Archives entry is coming to tug both your heartstrings and your marionette strings �Pulled out from Hamster Corporation's big bag of Namco classics, it's cartoonish obscurity Toy Pop, now available to download on PS4 and Nint??endo Switch.

Released to Japanese arcades in 1986, before later making its way to the Sharp X1 home computer, Toy Pop is a top-down, multi-directional shooter set within a colorful toy-based kingdom. Our heroes, Pino and Acha, are two dolls who must rescue their friends from the spell of the w?icked witch, Mayjo. The two puppets climb the 44 floors of May??jo's castle, freeing their friends and gathering food, treasures, and hearts in jovial, single-screen action.

Various special abilities can be found hidden within gift boxes, and every few stages players are treated to an apple-catching bonus round to help boost that all-important score. Save your friends, defeat Mayjo, collect the apples, and restore order to toybox town. It ain't Lies of P, that's for damn sure.

Check out the eye-watering, adorable action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Were1974.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyTkWyu4ac8

Toy Pop was something of a rarity, rarely seen outside of its native Japan, it was also one of the few mid-'80s arcades not to find its way onto the N?intendo Famicom platform. It is, undeniably a very charming and irrepressibly cute title, with wonderful little heroes, fun enemies, and spritely visuals, designed by the dearly departed "Mr. Dotman" Hiroshi On??o. All of this action is backed with a fun ragtime score composed by arcade veteran Junko Ozawa. It's a very delightful little package.

It's quite sad, on reflection, that the Toy Pop brand did not evolve, as Pino and Acha seem like loveable characters who could have turned their wooden hands to a variety of different arcade genres. If you'd like to check out their fun little odyssey, then Toy Pop is availabl??e to download now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8.

The post Is Arcade Archives’ Toy Pop Namco’s cutest-ever release? appeared first on Destructoid.

Good Fortune

Fun news for retro block-busting fans this week, as publisher Forever Entertainment has announced a return for the classic puzzle series, Magical Drop. Magical Drop VI, developed by studios Hig??hball Games and Storm Trident, ??is scheduled to launch later this winter on Nintendo Switch.

Magical Drop, for those less inclined, is a cute 'n' colorful arcade puzzler that first launch in 1995, at the height of the "tile-puzzler" craze. Playing from one of a number of cute avatars, all based upon the Tarot, players must cherry-pick colored orbs from a rapidly descending playfield before firing them back in an effort to match the rainbow-infused patterns together. The goal of Magical Drop is to cause a chain reaction, and thus the player is encouraged to set up several moves ahead of time, that can all be triggered with one final, scalpel-precise move, (hence the series' Japanese title "Chain Reaction").

Developed by Data East and published by SNK, several Magical Drop games were released to arcade and home platform markets throughout the mid-'90s. The series' most recent release, Magical Drop V, launched on Steam in 2012 and was an enormous disappointment, riddled with bugs and issues that often rendered it incompletable. The game was eventually pulled from sale. This new release will no doubt be looking to capture the charm and characte?r of classic entries while delivering engaging gameplay within a variety of single and multipl??ayer modes.

The visual style depicted here looks a bit "Flash game," but I remain hopeful, as Magical Drop happens to be my personal favorite of all the tile-puzzle franchises. My character of c??hoice? Empress... Bu?t then... you knew that already, right? Shock-freakin'-horror.

Magical Drop VI is currently in development for Nintendo Switch.

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When the bough breaks...

Endless nightmares, hand-drawn weirdness, and twin-stick shmup action sound like a pretty bizarre list of ingredients for a video game concept, but that hasn't stopped Japanese indie studio Neotro from mixing 'em up and creating the fascinating new release, NeverAwake, which launches today on PC.

NeverAwake is a twin-stick shmup set within a terrifying, never-ending?? sleep. A young girl, Rem, is plagued by a litany of daily troubles, all of which have suddenly chosen to manifest themselves into her dreams as unholy nightmares. Now trapped within a dungeon of her own plights and worries, Rem is forced to face each and every one of her fears, conjuring up an array of firepower and other abilities to take down the nasties.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-HMu7sdhas

Be it violent neighborhood dogs, the mean girls from high school, trips to the surgeon, or even those horrid vegetables she has to eat at mealtimes, Rem must steel herself against her own brain spiders, conquering these demons once and for all if she is ever to escape this literal nightmare and return to the waking world. NeverAwake boasts around 80 looped levels of action, complete w?ith an array of grotesque bosses, hand-drawn visuals, an arsenal of dynamic weaponry, and even multiple endings, all painted aga??inst relentless, blood-pumping shmup action.

NeverAwake is available now on PC via Steam. You can also purchase the new title bundled with a digital artbook and the game's soundtrack. For console fans, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch ports of NeverAwake will launch in January 2023, with physical editions to follow on ??both platf??orms.

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Say, you look mighty familiar...

Nope, you're not seeing things. These familiar little characters, whom you no doubt recognize from the 1986 hit Bubble Bobble, first made their gaming debut two years earlier. They were the enemy characters in Taito's formative platformer Chack'n Pop, which is, incidentally, this week's entry?? to Hamster's Arcade Archives ran??ge.

Released in arcades in 1984, before finding its way to a host of preliminary console platforms, Chack'n Pop is a painfully cute cartoon adventure starring a globular character with comically extendable legs. Players are tasked with guiding Chack'n, (for that is his name), through a series of mazes, utilizing his extra-long appendages to clamber over wal??ls, attach to ceilings, and sq?ueeze through small gaps. Standing in Chack'n's way is a posse of "Monstas" and Mightas," who must be either avoided or subdued with a supply of bouncing explosives. Chack'n is, it appears, a real demolition blob.

Chack out the action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Old Classic Retro Gaming.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zGVrPT3Bls

Chack'n Pop would be a hit in Japanese arcades thanks to its cute 'n' colorful nature, before heading into the home via a series of ports on platforms such as the Famicom, the SG-1000, the FM-7, and MSX. The game's true legacy, however, lies in its introduction of various famous sprites, that Taito would reuse as enemy characters in Bubble Bobble, arguably the title that truly put the developer on the global gaming map. Chack'n himself is considered an important part of company history and has since made cameo appearances in later releases such as Bubble Memories, NY Captor, and Ben Bero Beh.

Chack'n Pop is avai??lable to download now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, priced at around $8.

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Shrine like a Star

Natsume Inc's long-awaited sequel Pocky & Rocky Reshrined finally hit PS4 and Nintendo Switch platforms last month, bringing with it nostalgic visuals, great gameplay, and some classic, old-school adventure. It was well recei??ved by both critics and fans, for the ?most part.

While players heaped praise on the franchise's authentic return, many were left understandably frustrated by Natsume's baffling decision to loc??k the game's multi??player modes, only accessible once the player has completed Story Mode and bagged themselves 10,000 in-game coins. A bizarre choice, frankly, given Pocky & Rocky's natural propensity for co-op action and its fun cast of new characters. To this day, critics and players have been rendered utterly confuddled by the user-unfriendly decision.

Perhaps realizing the error of its ways, Natsume has released a new cheat code that will allow you to jump into the co-op action with your buddies immediately, (spotted by Japanese video game fan Gosokkyu/GSK).

All you need do is arrive at the Pocky & Rocky Reshrined main menu and enter the following inputs:

• Left, Left, Left, Left
• Right, Right, Right, Right
• Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right

Once you complete this sequence, the auto-save symbol should appear. Now you can access the Free Mode, giving you access to the full roster of characters, and two-player co-op. While I understand that purists might suggest that the multiplayer mode is a "reward" for finishing the game, it was simply a foolish move to lock such an intrinsic part of the Pocky AND Rocky experience away from the player base from day one. Still, it's a very cute, very fun, and ver??y challenging sequel. Well worth a look.

Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is available now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

The post How to unlock Pocky & Rocky Reshrined multiplayer from the start appeared first on Destructoid.

What a pity, you don't understand

Last week, fans got the surprising but welcome confirmation that cult classic Lollipop Chainsaw was to receive a full remake. As revealed by Dragami Games�CEO Yoshimi Yasuda, the cheesecake 2012 adventure will be returning in 2023 sporting an updated look, a sparkly new engine, and all of the monster-mashing, zombie beheading action that makes the original release such a fun curios?ity.

In a new statement, Yasuda has directly addressed fan concerns regarding potential changes being made to the new version of Lollipop Chainsaw. In particular, worries regard?ing th?e loss of some licensed music, increasing studio censorship, and clarifying previous comments that this new take on Juliet Starling's escapades would feature a more "realistic" look, words that were severely misinterpreted.

"We have taken notice that there has been speculation that the remake will change the story," writes Yasuda. "We believe that Lollipop Chainsaw‘s story is a huge part of what fans love about the original game, and we, the development staff, feel ?the same. As ??such, the story will not be changed in the remake. Additionally, we do not intend to change the aesthetics of the game."

"The mention of how the game will have a more 'realistic' look in the previous announcement was meant to refer to how we will make use of the advanced rendering technolo?gy available ?in current game consoles. We do not wish to change Juliet’s design, and the assumption that we want to is baseless. We were the ones who created Juliet’s model data after great trial and error 10 years ago, and feel attached to her more than anyone else."

//twitter.com/yasudaD5/status/1546970153?06??9461510?s=20&t=1CBhEjRkNc4x_2IGMJyJSA

Elsewhere in the statement Yasuda reiterates the team's disappointment in regards to losing some of the Lollipop Chainsaw sou??ndtrack, but notes that some of the original music will be retained. On the thorny subject of censorship, Yasuda is a little more obscure, noting that the team is "negotiating with platform holders" to keep the title "as close to the original version as possible. Hmm... That statement is unlikely to allay those particular concerns.

I do think people are going a tad overboard with their worries here. This is simply a remake of an already pretty janky, middling title. Given that the Dragami Games team consists of many of Lollipop Chainsaw's original dev squad, then they already "get" the brand. This isn't their first rodeo. Pragmatically, the absence of Suda51 and James Gunn is mostly irrelevant. Sure, it would be great to have the duo on board if this was a genuine sequel, being written, designed, and built from scratch. But, as a rem?ake, all the material required to make a quality rele??ase is already on the workbench, it simply needs reconstructing.

Lollipop Chainsaw is currently in development at Dragami Games.

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You gotta dust her the right way

It has been 20 years since everybody's favorite Half-Genie Hero sashayed her way onto the Game Boy Color and into our hearts. From Pirate's Curses, to Risky's Revenges and even Seven Sirens, there's ??no denying that the magical gal and?? her fellow Scuttle Island denizens rank among the most likable, cheerful, and enduring characters of modern gaming.

To celebrate her 20th anniversary, boutique outlet Limited Run Games has opened pre-orders on this delightful ?statue. The figurine stands around 10 inches tall, (including the base), and spotlights shapeshifting adventurer in her classic genie garb and posed coyly at the viewer. There is no pajama Shantae variant, but we can't have everything.

As a fun addition, anybody who has been collecting the ongoing range of acrylic character standees will find that, once they are inserted into the base, that the statue lights up Shantae in all of her glory. It should be clearly stated that the acrylic figures are previous sale items and are NOT automatically included with the statue. An additional set of acrylics �depicting five Shantae game covers �are available in a bundle.

If you fancy a Shantae statue of your very own �and who wouldn't? �then she is available to pre-order now over at the official Limited Run Games store. The statue is $134.99 USD or $159.99 with the acrylic bundle, (not including shipping or any potential customs charges). Pre-orders will close on? August 28, with the statue expected to ship in 2023.

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Fun in the Sun

Spike Chunsoft has announced that the murderous cutie-pies that make up the Danganronpa elite are set to bring their summer shenanigans to new platforms. Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp is officially headed to PS4, PC, and mobile platforms, and will be with us as so?on as next month.

Originally released on Nintendo Switch in late 2021, Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp is an expanded and revamped version of the "Ultimate Talent Development Plan" board game, as featured in Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. Starring a huge cast of characters pulled from across Kazutaka Kodaka's wild whodunnit franchise, Danganronpa S sees our guys and girls hanging out, fighting monsters, and ga?thering cool new gear during a vacation on the myst??erious "Jabberwock Island."

//youtu.be/NeGtGEztbNQ

While Danganronpa S boasts the sly sense of humor, cheesecake fanservice, and striking visual aesthetic of its contemporaries, it was chastised for a heavy reliance on grinding, as well as its love affair with tiring gacha and microtransaction mechanics. While our own Eric Van Allen found a lot of fun in seeing all of these famous faces cross over, he al?so ??noted that the gameplay required to enable said interactions was repetitive and tedious.

In the eyes of many Danganronpa fans, Ultimate Summer Camp is a wonderf??ul idea on paper, packed out with dream meetings for the series' long-time fans, but the execution is weak. No pun intended

Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp launches on PS4, PC, and iOS and Android platforms July 21. It is available right now on Nintendo Switch as part of the Danganronpa Decadence collection.

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Does Not Come with Puppy

The sun is shining, the weekend is just around the corner, and Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders on this ridiculously adorable Nendoroid of Guilty Gear's mysterious, straight-faced apoca??lypse lover, Ramlethal ?Valentine.

Like so many of her compadres in the mammoth Nendoroid range, (though only the second pulled from A?rc System Works' anime fight franchise), Ramlethal stands a dinky four inches in height, (and most of that is her big ol' hat), and is authentically bedecked in her bladed coat and hot pants combo. Packaged with Ramlethal are Lucifero and her semi-sentient greatswords, an alternate set of arms, and an alternate face plate �so you can have grumpy or grump-and-shouting. C??lear stands allow Ramlethal and her swords to defy gravity, giving the impression that they are floating in place. Nice touch.

So, if you want a teeny world-eater of your very own, then the Ramlethal Valentine Nendoroid is available to pre-order now over at the Good Smile Co. online store. Ramlethal retails for ¥9,500 (roughly $70 USD), not including shipping or any potential customs charges. Ramlethal is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2023. And if you want here to have a pal, then be sure to check out the Dizzy Nendo as well.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC.

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Who do you voodoo?

Yes indeed, we are less than a month away from the long-time-coming launch of anime fighter DNF Duel and publisher Nexon is still dropping character reveal trailers. Who's that clomp, clomp, clomping her massive-ass shoes down ??the hallway? It's the pint-sized voodoo queen herself, Enchant??ress!

Bedecked in Gothic-Lolita fashions and wearing an equally heavy look of mischief, Enchantress might be the smallest and youngest competitor to enter the DNF Duel ring, but what she lacks in size she makes up for in frightening black magic abilities. An expert in the ways of voodoo and the dark arts, Enchantress is a??ble to conjure up projectiles and other weaponr?y twice her size, while also holding her own in CQC thanks to her super cute broomstick.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAbrqLes3dQ&t

If that wasn't enough, then the opposition might also find themselves on the business end of her scary stuffed toy companion, who can be given life and form, offering up several attack options, and even growing to monumental size to finally ?put the hexclamation mark on the battle. A true puppet player, Enchantress and her sinister arts are certainly not to be taken lightly. Spooky!

While the fighting game community is understandably frothing at the mouth due to the reveal of a certain Capcom sequel, I think we'd all be fools to sleep on DNF Duel. With gameplay designed by Guilty Gear's Arc System Works, (ably assisted by fight fanatics Eighting), and a really cool,  varied roster of characters, DNF Duel is looking better and better by the week. Throw in the previously announced rollback netcode and several single-player features, and I think we hav??e ourselves an underdog contender worth keeping an eye on. I can't wait to check i?t out...

...But who to pl?ay? There's ?too many cool characters!

DNF Duel will launch on PlayStation and PC platforms June 28 �after you take a look at Enchantress, why not check out the previous character trailers for Berserker, Grappler, Hitman, Inquisitor, Striker, Ranger, Dragon Knight, Vanguard, Kunoichi, Crusader, Ghostblade, Launcher, Troubleshooter, and Swift Master.

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Ba-dawm, bawm-bawwwm... Fox-yyy

Fun news for adventure-loving PlayStation fans this morning, as indie outfit Finji has announced that its celebrated adventure title Tunic will bring its adorable brand of exploration and mystery to both PS4 and PS5?? this September.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKlcpXPvB2o

Released on PC and Xbox platforms back in March of this year, Tunic? is the tale... tail of an intrepi?d young fox who goes on a dangerous quest to free the soul of a once-legendary hero known only as The Heir. Our nameless hero explores the dense forests, ancient ruins, and dark, dingy caverns of a strange, fantasy kingdom, gathering the all-important pages of an ancient document that is said to contain the power to free The Heir from their prism prison. Battle monsters, solve puzzles, and uncover myriad secret pathways en route to glory.

Tunic received almost universal praise from critics and the video game community, praising its stylish but cute visuals, challenging combat, and its seemingly endless array of secrets and mysteries to be unfurled. With great boss battles, a fantastic and immersive soundtrack, and a compelling story of bravery, courage, and determination, Tunic won over almost all players and critics who encountered it, and is now getting ?set to spread its fine spirit among a whole new ??audience of players on PlayStation.

Tunic launches September 27 on PlayStation platforms. It is available to purchase right now on PC and Xbox. For further reading, you can check out our own Zoey Handley's thoughts on the pint-sized adventure right here.

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Horsepower coming to consoles

It's taken almost five long years, but indie outfit Mane6 has announced that its equestrian hoof-'em-up is kickin' the dirt, snortin' steam, and getting ready to let rip on console platforms �Them's Fightin' Herds will finally come galloping onto PlayStation, Xbox,?? and Nintendo Switch pl??atforms this fall.

Originally released for Steam Early Access way back in 2018, before receiving its full PC release in the spring of 2020, Them's Fightin' Herds is a hyper-stylized 2D fighter that sees some very silly mares duking it out in some hard hoofin' one-on-one action. From crazy-eyed alpacas and magical unicorns, to yee-hawing ponies and even a grumpy lil' goat, TFH combines cartoon quality art and animation with solid, old-school mechanics for a uniq?ue ??fighting game experience.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=92rTB2wyPPo

Originally conceived as a My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fan game, developer Mane6 quickly readjusted its design plans when Hasbro lawyers came a'callin. This proved to be the best thing that could happen for the project, however, and with fresh designs from Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust at hand, the Mane6 team embarked on its own original scrapper. A true passion project, Them's Fightin' Herds has seen more intensive and passionate developer support than many fighters 50 times its size and?? popul?arity.

The console edition of Them's Fightin' Herds will launch for $19.99. A Deluxe Edition, available for $39.99, includes a season pass for four new upcoming characters, as well as new stages and other cosmetics. You can check out all of the details by moseying on over to the Maximum Games Store.

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"Nearly 100 amazing indie games" lined up for this year's Wholesome Direct showcase

There's not enough time to hear about (much less play) all of the worthwhile video games in the collective cooker, and even if we narrow down our scope to certain genres or moods, our brains can only hang onto so much information at once. But we can try! So while June is going to be another busy month for live-streamed game showcases, I've once again got my eye on t?he Wholesome Direct, a celebration of cute and cozy upcoming indie games.

The Wholesome Direct is back for 2022, and the event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Pacific on June 11. Here's a teaser trailer with a?? preview o?f some of the curated games.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Easppal2KtQ

On the docket so far, we've got:

• Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, a visual novel about listening (and being a barista) in a fantasy version of Seattle.
• Mail Time, a "cottagecore" delivery adventure game with a glider.
• PuffPals: Island Skies, a farming life sim that looks too pure for this world.
• SCHiM, an eye-catching platformer about jumping between shadows.
• Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, a storybook adventure with musical puzzles.
• Terra Nil, a serene building game about revitalizing ecosystems in wastelands.
• And a few more, as teased in this video.

Some of these might've been on your radar, but most o?f them are probably new to you.

The showcase will air on YouTube on Saturday, June 11, and you can expect to see "new game reveals?, exclusive footage, and even games that will launch during the show.?"

[caption id="attachment_322168" align="alignnone" width="2560"] _Frogun.[/caption]

Ac?cording to the organizers of Wholesome Direct 2022, there will be "nearly 100 amazing indie games in total." Odds are, you'll see something tha?t clicks with you.

For me, just based on the teaser trailer, I know I'm down for Frogun. I continue to be a mark for colorful 3D platforms that throw back to the PS1?? era, ??and this one's a cutie.

As much as we've learned to keep our guards up during these past two summers with too many tedious streams, I think spreading the good word about "uplifting, compassionate, cozy video games" is a? noble task?, and it's one that's worth tuning in for again this year.

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But I found some anyway

Good Smile Company's range of pint-sized Nendoroid figures are well known for their wholesome adorability... But I think this latest effort takes things to a whole new level of cuteness. The intrepid Aloy �protagonist of Guerrilla Games' acclaimed Horizon franchise �is taking ai??m at your heart and wal?let.

Like the many Nendoroid releases before her, Aloy stands a dinky four inches in height and comes sculpted in high-quality painted PVC plasti??c. Aloy comes packaged with three faceplates: a sweet grin, a little grumpy roar, and a winking/aiming expression. Aloy comes loaded for ??bear with her trusty spear, bow & arrow, and even a power-enhancing Focus segment. As a cool little extra, the Aloy Nendoroid also comes with a super-scaled-down version of the reconnaissance machine: The Watcher.

While Nendoroids are well known for their fun detailing and petite nature, Aloy here has really captured my heart, and might be my favorite Nendo since Overwatch's Sombra, which debuted way back in 2018. If fancy an Aloy for your very own, then you can pre-order the new Nendoroid ove??r on the official Good Smile Co. website. Aloy will retail for ¥6,500 (or roughly $50 USD), not including shipping or any potential customs charges, and she?? is expected to ship in October of this year.

Oh, and if you want even more Horizon goodies for your bookshelf, then be sure to check out the recent Horizon Forbidden West set from The LEGO Company, which hit high street shelves? just last week.

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Down on Jollity Farm

'Tis the season for bleating about your business successes, and that includes the anime-lovin' boys 'n' gals over at Marvelous. The Japanese publisher has proudly announced that its farming RPG, Rune Factory 5, has achiev??ed an impressive 500,000 shipments and digital sales since its 2021 launch.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq1B5qLpL0k

Originally released in Japan last May, before hitting these shores in March of this year, Rune Factory 5 tasks players with carving out a small niche for themselves within the quaint, sunny village of Rigbarth. As with its predecessors, the sequel combines repetitious farming action with world exploration and social interactions to create a cute, custom, slice-of-life adventure for its players. Rune Factory 5 also features a monster-taming mechanic, allowing ?ranchers to build up their own menagerie.

While Rune Factory 5 has clearly been something of a success, many critics and fans were left a little disappointed by this latest iteration. While players praised the title's calming nature, eye for exploration, and attractive artwork, criticism was leveled at the title for its in-game visuals. Some in the Rune Factory community also expressed frustration at the title's failure to evolve, ess??entially retreading an almost identical path to the games that came before it.

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Tanuki Patootie

Publisher Deck13 has announced a release date for retro-inspired 3D platformer Lunistice. The anthropomorphic adve?nt?ure game will launch on PC and Nintendo Switch on September 2.

Developed by super-indie outfit A Grumpy Fox, Lunistice recalls the early efforts of the 3D platforming genre, and is reminiscent of the sort of titles that would appear on the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in the genre's formative days. The game concerns our fuzzy hero Hanna the Tanuki, who will run, jump, and fight their way through seven of their own wild and characterful dreams. Lunistice was originally designed with the spe?edrunning community in mind, so look forward to fast & fluent gameplay that rewards precision movement ?and smart stage traversal.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb-tQGSnDvQ

Lunistice has taken a long and twisty road to completion, having started out as a 2D platformer, then becoming an N64-style rail shooter, and also running through several different game engines and even titles! But it seems that both A Grumpy Fox and Deck13 are happy and confident with the game's current development direction, and have thus dropped a fresh new trailer along with a final launch date. It certainly looks authentic to the Crash Bandicoots and Jumping Flashes of old, so fans of pol?ygonal action might want to keep an eye out for?? Hanna's eventual debut.

Lunistice launc?he??s September 9 on PC (on Steam and GOG) and Nintendo Switch.

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Headed to PC later in 2022

Publisher Phoenixx and independent studio Neetpia have revealed a brand new title set within the Touhou Project universe. The Touhou Empires is a brand new real-time strategy title cu?rrently in development fo??r PC. It is expected to launch via the Steam platform later in 2022.

Featuring a huge cast pulled from the cult anime franchise, The Touhou Empires will see players organize armies of cutesy anime girls, (and their fairy familiars), before marching onto the battlefield �gaining ground, building encampments, and engaging in battles with opposing factions. Each of the characters will be readied for battle with their own unique magic spells and special skills, so prepara??tion, knowledge, and planning will be key to conquering your foes.

//youtu.be/ImN9KauZRiE

When you and your posse of maidens have l?aid waste to the A.I., then you'll find that a world of multiplayer awaits, with up? to six players able to engage in cooperative and competitive warfare. While this all sounds pretty neat, I can't help but be utterly amused at the concept of warring factions of Gothic Lolita gals fighting it out in open fields and woodland. It'd be a sight to behold, that's for durn sure.

The Touhou Empires will launch on PC (via Steam) in 2022. English language is supported, so western fans will be able to get in on the action. In related Touhou Project news, Phoenixx announced that PC actioner Touhou Gouyoku Ibun: Suibotsushita Chinshuu Jigoku is headed to Nintendo Switch in Japan this fall.

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That's a mouthful of a moniker

It's time to get your dodge on, as we have news of another bullet-hell blaster making the jump to Switch. As revealed by publisher Phoenixx, the super-cute, super-chaotic Touhou Gouyoku Ibun: Suibotsushita Chinshuu Jigoku will hit the Nintendo Switch this fall, one year on from its 2021 PC release.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD4X0xNxwa8

For those who are less inclined, Touhou Gouyoku Ibun: Suibotsushita Chinshuu Jigoku is a unique release that combines 2D side-scrolling action, shmup-style bullet hell chaos, and card-based elemental battles to create an apocalyptic anime opera. A gaggle of anime gals battle it out in fantasy warfare, with the player utilizing swift movement to dodge projectiles, while also turning the enemy's wide variety of attacks against them. The cast of characters is pulled directly from the long-running shmup series Touhou Project, ?though they are ??choosing to remain (mostly) planted on terra firma for this outing.

So far, Phoenixx has only announced a Japanese release for Touhou Gouyoku Ibun: Suibotsushita Chinshuu Jigoku, and it seems somewhat unlikely that it will receive a localization in the west. Still, the Touhou Project community is nothing if not a dedicated bunch, and will likely pick the new game up via import in order to take its pulse-pounding action on the go. If you'd like to learn more about the game, or see it in action for yourself, then perhaps check it out over on the Steam store.

Touhou Gouyoku Ibun: Suibotsushita Chinshuu Jigoku launches in Japan on Nintendo Switch this fall.

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Rabbity Cat Dog Thing returns

Bandai Namco has announced that Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series �a duet of the for??gotten platforming hero's adventures �will laun??ch worldwide on PC and console platforms in July.

The new compendium features remasters of the 2008 Wii release Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (itself a remake of the 1997 PlayStation original) and the 2001 PS2 sequel Klonoa: Lunatea's Veil. The various other releases in the Klonoa series, such as the Game Boy Advance and Wonderswan titles, will unfortunately not be putting in an appearance. Developed by Monkeycraft, the two featured titles will boast improved 60FPS visual?s, rebalanced difficulty settings, and a new two-player cooperative mode.

//youtu.be/fVvjFTDuIDw

While this particular series has never set the sales charts alight, it has garnered itself a dedicated fanbase thanks to its colorful and charming worlds, intuitive use of genres, and spirited, good-natured protagonist. The Klonoa series will be ce??lebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so 2022 is ?as good a time as any for The Dream Traveler to make their grand return.

While it is admittedly disappointing that the collection is not a true retrospective of Klonoa's entire gaming career, the fanbase will no doubt be stoked to expe??rience their greatest adventures once more, looking, and playing, better than ever ??before.

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series launches July 8 on P??layStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch ?platforms.

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