Dubbed BlazBlue Portable, the PSP edition of the 2D fighting game runs mostly feature-for-feature with its arcade and console counterparts, but adds a few new modes to the mix, including the survival-esque "Legion Mode" and four-player Ad Hoc wireless play for two fighters and two spectators.

BlazBlue Portable will arrive in Japan on February 25, 2010 for the hefty asking price of 5040 yen for the UMD version, 4500 yen for the digital download version. A big batch of PSP quality screens awaits you at Famitsu.

『ブレイブルー ポータブル』新たなモードを追加してPSPに [Famitsu]

Yes, there's a little gameplay mixed in to the newly released trailer for BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, but if you consider yourself a fan of the new fighting series, you've likely seen some gameplay footage from various arcade location tests. But if you like seizure inducing flair, this is the animation heavy intro you've been waiting for.

Thanks to notMordecai for the tip!

Besides appearing in Sabra (think Maxim for Japan), she's also getting her own boob mouse pad. Once again, the 32-year-old is claiming to be 23. Lies!

この人どこへ向かおうとしてるんだ・・・自称23歳"エロカワ声優"たかはし智秋のおっぱいマウスパッドが発売決定 [はちま起稿]

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will be getting an expansion of sorts in BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, featuring at least one new character. That new addition would be Tsubaki Yayoi, a previously unplayable character featured in the original BlazBlue. According to details from Famitsu, we'll also get new stages and a refined HUD.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift will reportedly make an appearance at Japanese arcades soon, with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports expected later. Thanks to Gantz for the heads up!

BlazBlue's blend of high-resolution, gorgeously animated sprite based fighters and three dimensional backgrounds makes for a stunning presentation. Pretty though BlazBlue may be, the brawler has a depth that belies its 12 character strong roster, a bizarre cast of fighters slashing through an equally bizarre story line.

Should you educate yourself in the library of fighting education that is BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger?

Loved
A Deep Dozen: BlazBlue's roster may not have the numbers of Street Fighter IV, Soulcalibur IV or Tekken 6, but for a new franchise, twelve fighters is pretty respectable—especially when each character is so unique. No two characters play alike, with some having character specific health bars or custom interface icons that expand upon Arc's already deep fighting system. That variety comes with a price, though, as players who feel comfortable with protagonist Ragna may be bewildered when trying out Arakune or Carl.

You Are Soooo Good Lookin': Everything in BlazBlue, from its characters to its backgrounds to its win notifications, is overstuffed with lovingly rendered detail. The amount of work put into character animations is simply stunning, even if a few characters animate slightly better than others. BlazBlue's stages, which expertly mesh NPC sprites and 3D environments offer plenty of eye candy. Whether you personally enjoy the game's art style, however, will be up to you.

Lag? What Lag?: Taking BlazBlue online via Xbox Live feels surprisingly like playing someone in the same room. We had a few spurts of lag at the very beginning of our online matches, but once the action kicked off, the experience was unexpectedly smooth.

I Like To Watch: The game's online fighting mode supports up to four spectators, a mode I found key to enjoying my online experience. After watching more experienced BlazBlue players go at it as a spectator, I better understood how some of the fighters played, all the while getting an eyeful of the game's visuals without the distraction of having to fight for my life.

Shortcuts: By default, BlazBlue's control set up allows special attacks to be mapped to the right analog stick, making the learning curve less steep, letting the player enjoy more of the game's flashier moves. Hardly revolutionary, but it makes getting up to speed on the unfamiliar fighting system with a stock gamepad that much easier. For better balance online in online matches, this option can be toggled off in game settings.

We Got Modes: The console port of BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger comes with a wealth of options, including an expanded story mode, a match replay theater, unlockable galleries and more. One-on-one fighting may be the draw, but if you're simply soloing, there's no lack of modes to explore. I quickly grew tired of the dialogue and voice acting in the game's storytelling, but fans willing to put up with BlazBlue's fiction will be rewarded.

Hated
Tutorial Required: BlazBlue may be a new franchise, but that doesn't mean that Arc System Works has catered to the new player with some of its design decisions. The mechanics have a relatively steep learning curve, thanks to a roster that's arguably too diverse, too stuffed with crazy characters. Even the naming conventions attached to the fighting system—Heat Gauges, Barrier Bursts, Astral Heats, Distortion Drives—seem designed to confuse the player unfamiliar with the game's language. Even the rounds are called "rebels." Fortunately, the limited edition version of the game comes with an extremely helpful tutorial DVD. Buy it. Watch it.

Everything Goes To 11: Sometimes, there's just too much going on. Too much in BlazBlue is over-designed, resulting in visual confusion that's often hard to filter out. The cast of characters, while pleasantly wacky at times, is heavily populated with a level of unwelcoming bizarre that might have turned you off to the Guilty Gear series in the first place.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is ultimately a fantastic product, hopefully the start of a long-running franchise that can be added upon with new characters, refined move sets and improvements to the interface. The technique is there, with a fighting system that requires some serious investment, as are the visual fireworks that give the game its unique graphical appeal. Whether BlazBlue's anime aesthetic choices are something you'll find appealing will be a matter of personal taste.

Under the skin, it's a wonderful game.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger was developed by Arc System Works and published by Aksys Games for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 30. Retails for $59.99 USD. Played through Arcade Mode and Story Mode with multiple characters on Xbox 360, tested online Multiplayer modes via Xbox Live.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

Developed by Guilty Gear creator Arc System Works, the console game features not only polished animations, but an exclusive story mode and the ability to toggle between Japanese and English voices as well. Game's out today in North America.

「BLAZBLUE」発売でゲームシティのコスプレ店員さんがノエルのコスプレ他 ゲーム発売情報 [Moeyo!]

The high-res 2D fighter joins a short list of PS3 titles that support Remote Play, allowing PSP owners a chance to play the game almost anywhere, even if they're away from their home consoles. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger was just released in Japan—and you can see footage of the game's Remote Play function in action at Gamersyde—with the North American version due to ship next week.

We quickly double checked with publisher Aksys Games who confirmed that the domestic version of the game will also support PSP Remote Play.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger [Gamersyde via One Last Continue]

These shirts are by Triumvir, who are continuing their run of game-related lines following last year's Street Fighter II run.

They're each available in three colours (white, red & black), and will be available for preorder later this afternoon from Triumvir's online store.

Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Arc System Works' latest 2D fighter are getting the big box treatment by Aksys. The set not only contains a very pretty box and the game itself, but a 2-disc, 42-song soundtrack set and a bonus disc containing tutorials from the experts at Dustloop.com and Shoryuken.com. The video walks you through each character, showing you the ins and outs and delivering special tips for getting the most out of your favorite fighters.

How much would you pay for this much BlazBlue? That's the best part. The limited edition set is $59.99, the same price as the game alone. In fact, players who've already pre-ordered the game are getting a free upgrade to the limited version. If you've not pre-ordered yet though, you might want to get that done now, as the limited edition set is first-run only, with the second run consisting of the game all by itself, looking sad and lonely.

Check out the Xbox 360 version of the limited edition below, which is exactly the same as the PlayStation 3 version, except for the lack of blu-ray and a bit more green.

Out June 25, the home version of BlazBlue will add a substantial single-player story mode, one touted to take 30 hours to complete.

The game will also get a boost from its arcade version with full online multiplayer support, downloadable content and an animated sequence from anime studio GONZO.

The latest issue of Famitsu Weekly breaks the news that BlazBlue will make the jump to consoles this Summer. So far, that's only for the Japanese audience. Failing a North American or European localization—which we're assuming someone will be smart enough to pick up—an import may be in order.

1UP's recount of the Famitsu story notes that the home version of BlazBlue will add a substantial single-player story mode, one touted to take 30 hours to complete.

The game will also get a boost from its arcade version with full online multiplayer support, downloadable content and an animated sequence from anime studio GONZO.

Gamers will have to decide which hi-res 2D brawler they would prefer to invest their time in this Summer, as SNK Playmore recently announced the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 port of The King of Fighters XII for a release in July.

BlazBlue Officially Coming to Consoles [1UP]

Anime Expo [Official Webpage]