We may not be getting the April Fools' Day promise of Bimmy and Jammy in River City Girls 2, but WayForward's beat 'em up still plans to mine the past for some classic heroes. Instead of pure goofs, the real stars of Double Dragon are ready to get into the action as DLC this summer.

It's not a joke, but it's still played as over-the-top as one would expect from the River City Girls games. The DLC addition sees Dan Avidan and Arin Hanson of the Game Grumps voicing the ??brawlin' mainstays �Billy and Jimmy Lee, respectively �as previewed in the brief reveal teaser below.

Billy and Jimmy will be available on all platforms River City Girls 2 is currently on, so they'll be throwing down on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. According to the announcement, they've been among the most requested characters to be made playable in the sequel since it debuted, which shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. WayForward has history of its own with the Double Dragon series, after all. I still blast the Double Dragon Neon soundtrack on a regular basis!

In addition to laying enemies out with their staple attacks, Billy and Jimmy have been integrated into the story mode with fully-voiced scenes.?? A??vidan and Hanson also teamed up with series composer Megan McDuffee to provide a new vocal song.

Both characters will be premium DLC, so you'll need to pay to bust heads as the duo. WayForward is cooking up a free update, as well, tossing in two more shops, new accessories, a Double Dragon-themed motion comic, a??nd other fresh addition?s. More details will be revealed closer to the DLC's summer launch. 

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WayForward announced a major addition to River City Girls 2 with the launch of a four-player online mode. Beat 'em up fans have been brawling with up to three friends locally for a while, but now online co-op extends to four players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. 

This follows some recent patches that have been put in place to improve balance and perf??ormance. Animation was increased to 60FPS on PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC along with upgraded Switch performance. Combos and juggles have also been adjusted for a more user-friendly experience. Those who already t??raversed the mean streets from end to end can continue to do so with repeat playthroughs of New Game+.

[caption id="attachment_400060" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot via WayForward[/caption]

Return to River City

To get everyone up to speed on the series, WayForward shared a River City Girls series trailer. The games flip the script on the River City Ransom story, this time tasking Misako and Kyoko with rescuing their kidnapped boyfriends. The sequel ups the stakes and has our heroes brawling with the yakuza to take the city back. It's all set to lively pixel art visuals and a scorching soundtrack by Megan McDuffee. The Sean "Jacksepticeye" McLoughlin-voiced Godai narrates the overview below. 

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

After the first game's 2019 debut, River City Girls 2 made its way to consoles and PC in December 2022. As as a spinoff to the Kunio-kun / River City Ransom series, WayForward carved a nice little niche of its own. If you're looking to get into the series, WayForward introduced new digital bundles that pack in all three games. River City Girls, River City Girls 2, and River City Girls Zero are all included for a $74.99 bundle price. 

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The girls are back in town

River City's brawlers are back in action next week. River City Girls 2 has locke??d in a North American and European launch date of December 15?.

The latest beat 'em up from WayForward is set to arrive digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The sequel to 2019's River City Girls still follows Misako and Kyoko, as well as their boyfriends Kunio and Riki. Newcomers Marian (of Double Dragon fame) and Provie (from River City Ransom: Underground) also join the cast, rounding it out to six playable characters. And they'll need all tha?t extra help to take on the Sanwakai syndicate that's turning R?iver City upside down.

River City Girls 2 has already launched in Japan and Asia, but the western version saw a bit of a delay. Thankful???ly, it hasn't taken too long for the brawler to get a launch date here.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIlPRmaIJL8

Heading on down to River City

In River City Girls 2, players can take on up to four-player co-op with more characters, moves, enemies, and a larger world to explore. A big appeal of River City Girls 2 is online play. While the original River City Girls only had co-op in local play, the sequel will let players brawl through the levels together over the internet. That will dou?btless make tho??se hang-outs a little easier to organize.

WayForward is also teasing a nonlinear world and more RPG-like character growth for the brawlers. All that, alongside some serious vocal talent and a new OST from Megan McDuffee, seems like a major draw for River City Girls 2.

Me? I'm just ready to crack knuckles and bust heads in the streets of River City again. River City Girls 2 seems well-set to deliver just that.

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School bell getting set to ring

Tomorrow sees the launch of WayForward's double-fisted schoolyard sequel River City Girls 2... At least that's true for players in Japan, who will be?? taking Kyoko, Misako, and their newfound friends on another rambunctious rumble through the mean streets of the trouble-filled 'berg.

And yet, western fans are still to receive an official release date for this side of the globe �This is a curious development, given that WayForward is a U.S.-based developer and the game is seemingly ready to rock. To this end, the studio has released a new statement offering an update on the situation.

"We need a bit more time in the oven for the North America/European version in order to deliver the best, most full-featured experience possible," writes WayForward on Twitter. "As of now, we're still expecting to? launch the game before the end of 2022. When we have an exact date nailed down, or if anything changes, we'll let you know. We know you're all eager to battle your way back through River City [...] and we're just as eager for you all to play it."

//twitter.com/WayForward/status/159774256?2902777862?s=20&t=jJdQYvY6s0MQLI80EsDvHA

While the statement still does not provide full clarity, it can be perhaps taken that the Japanese version of River City Girls 2 might not feature all of the features planned for launch, such as the all-new four-player co-op modes. Previous advertising for the JPN launch did note that multiplayer action would "follow in a later upda??te". So perhaps the game doesn't quite feature all of its expected content, even this close to launch. The Japanese version has English language support, so it would seem that localization is not the problem.

Whatever the reason, it seems that our favorite schoolgirl sluggers will have to remain in detention for now, eagerly awaiting the moment when they can take to the avenues and alleyways alongside Kunio, Riki, Marian, and Provie. Will we see RCG2 this side of the holidays? It?'s looking pretty tight, to be ??honest. But we can probably rest assured that the smack-'em-sequel is en route.

River City Girls 2 is in development for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Be sure to check out our previous write-ups on both River City Girls and River City Girls Zero, as well as our interviews with director Adam Tierney, and awesome composer Megan McDuffee.

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Beat Street

WayForward is still showing out the upcoming roster of River City Girls 2 �We already know that Kunio, Riki, and Double Dragon's Marian will be joining Kyoko & Misako on their latest rampage through the thug-filled 'berg, and now we can take a look at sixth scrapper Provie, rounding out our rauc??ous roster??.

If this cool-looking lass feels familiar, then you might have seen her kicking ass and taking names in Conatus Creative's cult 2017 release River City Ransom: Underground, where she made a name for herself as a hip-hop lovin' pop 'n' lockin' fighter �having combined?? her love of breakdancing?? with Brazilian martial art capoeira. Taking time out from her own vigilante squad, "The Flock", Provie will be ably helping the River City Girls in their fist-flinging battle against the powerful Sabu crime family.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9rJZMWam-A

River City Girls 2 was first revealed way back in the summer of 2021, with the team at WayFor??ward drip-feeding characters, features, and rad new 'choons since the title's initial reveal. While we are still yet to receive a western release date for the sequel's launch, (it's getting a little tight on that "2022" release date now). The sequel, though similar in design to the 2020 original, will feature several new features including simultaneous four-player co-op action, and a variety of stylishly designed new boss characters.

River City Girls 2 is in development for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Be sure to check out our previous write-ups on both River City Girls and River City Girls Zero, as well as our interviews with director Adam Tierney, and awesome composer Megan McDuffee.

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Who needs Bimmy & Jimmy?

WayForward has released an eye-bruising new trailer for its upcoming sequel River City Girls 2, which is currently waiting in the wings for its inevitable launch on PC and consoles �The new video allows Kyoko and Misako to take ?a moment out of the spotlight, instead focusing on one o??f the duo's new sister-in-arms, the mighty Marian!

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oIrSsN-MSE

You might remember the sexy slugger from her turn in the classic arcade brawler Double Dragon, where Marian played the unenviable role of the Damsel in Distress. Bored of waiting for brothers Billy & Jimmy Lee to get the job d??one, Marian focused on honing her body, mind, and fighting abilities to ensure that if there was any future beatdowns to be dished out, she would be the one doin' the dishin'.

Marian appeared in the original River City Girls as one of a number of cameo shopkeepers, but is finally strapping on the gauntlets to take to the street herself. Armed with an array of ground and pound grapples and haymaker strikes, this former abductee turned MMA monster is ready to help Kyoko, Misako, and her other allies in another adventure, (or should that be "ABventure. God...DAMN), against the ruthless Sabu crime family.

If our heroes weren't tough enou?gh before, then shit just got a whole lot tougher.

River City Girls 2 will launch later this year on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Be sure to check out our previous write-ups on both River City Girls and River City Girls Zero, as well as our interviews with director Adam Tierney, and awesome composer Megan McDuffee.

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But who will play Abobo?

River City Girls 2 director Bannon Rudis sent me a cryptic message on Friday. "There is a play in Japan. I have no info on this."

That's the kind of mystery I live for, so I got to researching, and eventually found out that a theater company called Solid Star (Heaven Eleven, Yu x You) is putting on a River City Girls play based on the original game. It's set to be performed live from December 7th to 11th, 2022. That's quite the limited run! And the cast is massive, maybe larger than that of the original game. Is that even possible? Bannon tells me that neither he nor River City Girls 2 writer Adam Tierney have anything to do with this production, so like Willie Scott once sang, "Anything Goes."

I'd love to see Bannon and Adam go to Japan to review this official(?) River City Girls play, but I'm not sure who'll pay to make that happen. Maybe Solid Star will? Even better would be if they shelled out some extra dough to cast my old Road Rules Northern Trail friend Bob Sapp as Abobo. Bob also hit me up just last Friday, for the first time in 25 years, to see how ?I was doing. Having Bannon and Bob come at me on the same day feels like more than? a coincidence.

Solid Star, if you're reading this, I will personally pay for Bob's airfare and lodging if that's what it takes to see him hit the stage in your show. Abobo was the?? role he was born to play.

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And the gorgeous and deadly Sabuko returns

Developer WayForward has released a brand new trailer for its upcoming release River City Girls 2, which not only introduces us to the narrative's wretched hive of villainy, but also de??buts the brawler sequel's chaotic, knuckle-dustin' four-player co-op action.

River City Girls 2 will see schoolyard superheroes Kyoko and Misako take to the streets of gaming's most violent town in order to, once again, serve up their own brand of dopey, two-fisted justice. Standing in their way are a slew of familiar and not-so-familiar faces, including returning gangland boss Sabuko, her obnoxious step-brother Ken, (which die-hard fans will remember from River City Girls Zero), and River City's most hat??ed antagonist �the sibling's ??murderous father Sabu.

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

Fortunately, our hometown heroes will not be charging into battle alone. Not only will Kyoko and Misako be aided by long-time Kunio-kun protagonists Kunio and Riki, but Double Dragon's Marian and River City Underground's Provie will also be stepping up to the plate, bringing their own unique, hard-hitting combat styles. The trailer debuts RCG 2's four-player co-op action, which will help the River City Girls even the odds further against armies of bullies, street criminals, gangsters, and other dangerous roustabouts that stand in th??e way of street justice. Put up yer dukes...

River City Girls 2 will launch later this year on PlayStation, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms. Be sure to check out our previous write-ups on both River City Girls and River City Girls Zero, as well as our interviews with director Adam Tierney, and awesome composer Megan McDuffee. For an exclusive look at the new sequel, check out this feature over on *checks notes* IGN.

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From Chicory to Omori, it was a pretty colorful cavalcade of games

Nintendo debuted a new Indie World Showcase this morning, spotlighting the independent games coming to the system this December and into the new year. It was a lineup that was filled with surprises, new footage, and of course, some surprise "ava??ilable la?ter today" announcements.

Opening the show was Sea of Stars, the classically-styled RPG from The Messenger developer Sabotage Studio. It's got a great look, some good ol' RPG combat, and features some music from Yasunori Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross fame. It's aiming for a holiday 2022 launch.

In the games that followed, there were some dates laid out for indies across the coming months. OlliOlli World locked in a Feb. 8, 2022 launch date for its skateboarding world, and River City Girls 2 has a window of Summer 2022. A few new surprises showed up, like point-and-click mystery throwback Loco Motive and the seemingly heartbreaking musical adventure After Love EP, both targeting the summer of 2022.

On the "out today" front, a few games will be available sometime today on the Nintendo Switch. The headliner is Chicory: A Colorful Tale, a wonderful game that seems very well suited for the Switch. Dungeon Munchies looks like a cool dungeon crawler with a focus on cooking your enemies to make yourself stronger. Puzzle game Timelie gets both a demo and a launch today, and board game collection Let's Play! Oink Games also hits the Switch today.

Finally, closing the show out is Omori, the beautiful and haunting RPG from Omocat LLC that became something of a cult hit around the end of last year. It certainly comes bearing a content warning, but if you're looking for an RPG that doesn't feel like any other RPG you've played in recent memory, it seems well-suited to the task. Omori will hit Switch in spring 2022.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsSBN64IVpI

Here's a list of everything shown during today's Nintendo In?die World Showcase for December 2021, with release dates or windows:

• Sea of Stars - Holiday 2022
• Aliisha—The Oblivion of Twin Goddess - Spring 2022
• Loco Motive - Summer 2022
• After Love EP - Summer 2022
• Dungeon Munchies - Later today - Nintendo eShop link here
• Figment 2: Creed Valley - Feb. 2022, demo today
• Let's Play! Oink Games - Later today - Nintendo eShop link here
• Endling—Extinction is Forever - Spring 2022
• OlliOlli World - Feb 8, 2022
• River City Girls 2 - Summer 2022
• Parkasaurus - Spring 2022
• Don't Starve Together - Spring 2022
• Chicory: A Colorful Tale - Later today - Nintendo eShop link here
• Baby Storm - Jan. 21, 2022
• GRIME - Summer 2022
• Gerda: A Flame in Winter - 2022
• Timelie - Full game and free demo today - Nintendo eShop link here
• Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery - Spring 2022
• Omori - Spring 2022

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