Tatsunoko vs. Capcom was a game that wasn't supposed to be able to make it stateside due to licensing concerns, but due to fan demand, Capcom has made it happen. In a press release posted earlier today, Capcom has announced some additional features will indeed be making it into the US release of the Wii fighting game after being rumored for the last couple of weeks.
First and foremost, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom will have an online mode via the Wii's WiFi online. The online features will include Friend battles, Rival battles, Free battles, and Ranked battles. While it's not explicitly stated it in the press release, I'm assuming that Capcom will be using the same roll back style algorithms used in Street Fighter HD Remix and GGPO. After the disappointing online modes featured in Smash brothers on the Wii, hopefully this should satisfy the appetite for online play in a traditional fighter for Nintendo's console.
In addition to the online mode, Capcom has also announced that one character would be cut from the roster due to licensing issues, however, in its place five new characters would be added. It's not mentioned who the character is that was cut, but Gatchaman, Hurricane Polymer, and Casshern were all mentioned in the press release as available in game. With E3 currently showing off a build of the game, it shouldn't be long before the details of the new characters (and the cut one) are available.
The game will also feature new mini games as well as an 'enhanced' story mode.
As a small side note, Seth Killian on the Capcom Unity forums has also stated that several of the glitches that were in the original release of the game will be addressed. No word yet though on the glitch that affected combos if played in 4:3 or 16:9 modes.
The current release date for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom in the US is Winter 2009.
UPDATE -
Capcom has sent out a retraction on the original Tatsunoko vs. Capcom press release. According to the new press release (featuring a lovely apology for sending out the wrong one), Capcom has stated that they are only looking into the possibly of adding online play and new characters. As of right now, neither are confirmed.
I don't know what to think of this, but after getting the fan base hyped up over the inclusion of online play, this change is a major let down. While it isn't saying that online play isn't going to happen, the back peddling is a bit disappointing. Hopefully Capcom gets this worked out otherwise they may have a bit of a mess on their hands.
On the plus side, to me, this almost sounds like the information they revealed yesterday simply was not supposed to be out in the open yet rather than an outright denial. Perhaps some issue with the online infrastructure that has Capcom concerned enough to keep their options open?. We'll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
New press release and 'apology' is below:
Hi everyone,
Yesterday, an incorrect version of the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom press release was sent out. The correct version is now available on the press center.
Also, you can find the text for the correct version of the release below.
Thanks!
-Capcom PR Team TATSUNOKO VS CAPCOM™ ULTIMATE ALL-STARS COMES TO NORTH AMERICAN Wii™ OWNERS THIS WINTER
The Latest in Capcom’s Popular VS Series Combines Beloved Japanese Anime and Capcom Characters
LOS ANGELES, CA, E3 Expo — June 2, 2009 - Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that the next entry of the company’s popular VS fighting series, TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM™ ULTIMATE ALL-STARS will be coming to Wii™ this winter.
TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS pairs well-known characters from Capcom’s roster of games with some of Japan’s most beloved characters from anime powerhouse Tatsunoko Production. From Capcom’s 30-year history comes characters like Ryu and Chun-Li from the Street Fighter® series, Morrigan from Darkstalkers® and company mascot Mega Man® Volnutt from Mega Man Legends. Tatsunoko’s near half-century of Japanese animation excellence is represented by the likes of Ken the Eagle and Jun the Swan from the Science Ninja Team Gatchaman® anime (known in North America as Battle of the Planets or G-Force), cybernetic warrior Casshan and comedic action hero Yatterman No. 1. All together, there are more than 20 colorful combatants to choose from in order to form the ultimate tag team combination.
Gameplay will instantly set fighting game fans’ fingers twitching, combining elements from Capcom games like Street Fighter and previous entries in the VS series, TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM ULTIMATE ALL-STARS is a fun fighting game designed for all levels of players. Players choose from the combined roster of fighters to create their favorite two man/woman/cyborg/robot tag team, rotating on the fly between the two players throughout the course of each match. Those new to the genre will appreciate the game’s bright visual style and simplified four-button fighting controls. Hardcore Capcom fighting fans will dig in to the game’s depth, uncovering huge Aerial Rave combos and unique Variable Assists, gorgeous Ultimate Hyper Combos, and Variable Combinations that combine the capabilities of two members of the player’s tag-team to unleash huge damage.
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.
About Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd.
Tatsunoko is a Japanese animation company founded in 1962. The studio debuted in 1965 with its first TV series Space Ace. Since then, the studio has produced numerous original works. The studio boasts highly popular characters which transcend time and space. Its most renowned works include Speed Racer and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, which are also highly acclaimed overseas. More information can be found on the company’s Japanese website at http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp.
ABOUT CAPCOM
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil®, Street Fighter®, Mega Man® and Devil May Cry®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom can be found on the company web site, www.capcom.com.
Capcom, the Capcom logo, Resident Evil, Mega Man, Darkstalkers and Devil May Cry are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd., in the U.S. or other countries. Street Fighter is a registered trademark of Capcom U.S.A., Inc. Gatchaman is a registered trademark of TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION CO., LTD. “Tatsunoko VS Capcom” is developed and published by Capcom Co., Ltd., partially licensed by TATSUNOKO PRODUCTION CO., LTD. Wii and the Wii logo are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.
