If you’re a fan of Mega Man franchise creator Keiji Inafune, you'll probably be aware of the fact that he’s currently busy with the upcoming Wii U and 3DS eShop title, Mighty no. 9.
Despite this, it appears Mr Inafune still has time for other projects. He's working with Japanese developer Inti Creates on a new side-scrolling action game for the 3DS eShop entitled Azure Striker Gunvolt.
In addition to its involvement with Mighty No. 9, Inti Creates' body of work also includes Mega Man 9, 10 and also WayForward's crowd-funded project, Shantae: Half-Genie Hero for the Wii U. This is clearly a very talented studio.
To accompany their latest announcement, Keiji and Inti Creates have released a first-look trailer showing off the game’s hero – Gunvolt — who uses a range of electrifying abilities to zap the life out of a cast of villains.
For those who are still a bit confused as to what's going on, here's a full rundown of the story in text:
In the near future, a new type of psychic power has emerged. A powerful conglomerate, the Sumeragi Group, has brought peace and order to the world. But through its cruel subjugation of those possessing these powers.
A psychic boy named Gunvolt has joined a rebel force to strike back. His goal is to free the world from Sumeragi’s control. Gunvolt’s ability is lightning. He can fire lightning rods at his enemies and zap them.
One day, Gunvolt is ordered to kill virtual pop star Lumen. But he learns that Lumen is the avatar of Joule, a psychic girl. He hesitates to kill her, and this changes his destiny.
He faces psychic opponents. Melac creates wormholes for unpredictable attacks. Daytona strikes with explosions and powerful leap attacks. As Gunvolt fights, his true powers slowly begin to awaken.
Azure Striker Gunvolt will be released in Japan this summer — exclusively on the 3DS eShop – and was originally announced at the BitSummit indie games conference in Kyoto. There's no word on a western release, but we'd imagine it's highly likely.
[source siliconera.com, via gematsu.com]
Comments 76
Please don't tell me that Kaio King of Pirates is cancelled.
This one looks like a Megaman game, actually. Might be a glimpse on what to expect from No 9
Can't watch the video cos on a mobile (and want to save data allowance) but based on images I am getting a Megaman Zero vibe.
And THAT can only be a GOOD THING in my books at least.
Um, the main character has braided rat tail hair...and a midriff top... kinda gross looking but the game looks neat.
Nice. Hopefully will get it soon.
I'm curious about Kaio: King of Pirates too.
Isn't Inafune-san directing too many games at a time?
@sinalefa Hopefully it isn't. According to Inafune, the games been done for quite a while, its just the publishers that haven't gone through with releasing it yet for some reason.
This looks INSANELY GOOD! Will buy!
6 of the last 10 articles have been for 3DS games. The other 4 - an old classic, iPhone ripoffs, Disney layoffs and Wii losing wi-fi.
Have to goback to 11 for a DELAYED Wii U game in W_D.
12 was Drop Blok U, a $1.99 HYML5 port. Hu-rah.
Not blaming Damo or TW, they're just the messengers, but I think Nintendo is sending the message loud and clear at this point, the sound of silence, of a white flag waving.
EDIT - I stand corrected (hate it when that happens) Blok Drop U is NOT a port, it is in fact a Wii U exclusive.
So No.9 will be like Megaman X and ASGunvolt is gonna be like Megaman Zero. Cool!
@rjejr A WiiU dedicated news site may certainly contrast with the great variety of articles posted to NL. Or even the WiiU section of Nintendo.com shows many upcoming indie/retail games that sends an opposite message of silence I think. Other than that not sure what you want announced?
Cool, looks a lot like Mega Man Zero, but with its own twists. Hopefully it turns out to be a blast.
Oh my god, Keiji! Do ever take a break?!
But yeah, this game has a very distinct MegaMan Zero/ZX vibe. Inti's style even persists through the music!
I love it! I want it! And the fact that this video has english subs heavily implies interest/plans to release it in the west!
Mmmh, I spot a really good game !
@WaveBoy Same here.
But I'm definitely looking forward to it + I haven't played Megaman Zero yet (I have seen plently of gameplay footage of it though). This game looks great!
PLEASE GET A RELEASE EVERYWHERE!
@rjejr
No wonder that 3DS gets all the news, with it being the best selling platform last year, it will have more games.
I am happy with the indie games being released on Wii U soon. I will get Blok Drop U today and looking forward to Scram Kitty and Shovel Knight.
Finally, if Senran Kagura had a Wii U installment....
What happened to King of Pirates, Inafune?
Looks like the "MegaMan Zero" equivalent to Mighty Nr.9
Western release please, my money is yours for the taking
@Bliquid Oh I understand he's saying there's no Wii U news to be had. What I'm saying is that his sample of the first dozen articles posted on the site isn't quite the reality of how much involves the Wii U this year. In fact I've yet to be convinced the Wii U is getting any less amount of retail/download titles than 3DS this year. It may even be getting more in fact.
Looks a heck of a lot more interesting than Mighty No. 9; that's all I'll say.
@rjejr It's not a port. It was made for the u an is unavailable elsewhere
@faint - Thanks for the correction on Blok Drop U, I edited my previous post w/ this:
I stand corrected (hate it when that happens) Blok Drop U is NOT a port, it is in fact a Wii U exclusive.
I mean I hate being wrong, being corrected is obviously good so I don't make the same mistake twice. Sorry that was worded poorly.
Looks boring.
Looks great!
Not much is revealed of the level design, but the gameplay itself looks fast and fun. Insta-buy.
@sinalefa @Bliquid @WiiULoveGBA - I'm not blaming NL, they report what they get. And since my previous post 2 more articles have posted about 3DS games but still no Wii U news. And here I have to disagree w/ Sinalefa's comment:
"No wonder that 3DS gets all the news"
No, 3DS should not get ALL the news. Alot? Yes? Most? Yes? But All? No.
I understand it's a small sample size, but it's not 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, it's now 14 posts in a row. That's not so small anymore.
Here's the thing, this time last year - yes the Wii U has been out for almost 1 1/2 years now - so this time last year many people were responding to the lack of Wii U support when it was only Lego City and Rayman got delayed by saying - "oh, Wii U has only been out a few months, wait until next year". Well now it IS next year. And what does Wii U have? A nearly 3 month wait until MK8, and then we are still waiting on dates for all the games we were waiting for dates last year, Bayonetta 2, X, SSB. Yes Shovel Night, Children of Light and Scram Kitty will be out, but they are DL only, and they aren't Nintendo games. Are we still waiting for "next year"?
Apollo sums up my thoughts on that. .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlbKn8_p3vk
(BTW, the irony doens't escape me on my use of that clip based on how the movie ends, just saying maybe Iwata could use a little Apollo motivating.)
This looks like a must buy!
Would love to play this on Wii U ! I always prefer big screen ! Looks awesome so far!
Looks pretty cool.. I do love me some Inafune games. However, what's up with Gunvolt? I wasn't sure if he was a guy or not...
@rjejr So the definitive version of Guacamelee coming to Wii U isn't Wii U news?
@rjejr
I never said 3DS should get all the news, but your sample seems to confirm it is that way.
About indie games, whether they are first or third party makes no difference to me, as long as they are good, and even then NES Remix 2 could count as a second party, plus they also promised the GBA games for April or so I think. Maybe the Wii U makes less noise newswise, but as @WiiULoveGBA mentions, the content is coming.
@rjejr So what do you want Nintendo to do? Make more news about a handful of games for the Wii U? They can't really control how much 3rd party support each console gets. The 3DS will clearly get more news
@MrWalkieTalkie That sounds suspiciously like Rodea the Sky Soldier, and if it's anything like /that/ game, then...
Well, we'll be waiting for a while.
Megaman Zero!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God this game reminds me so much of that glorious series that graced the GBA and the DS--later released as a collection in 2010. The gameplay looks exactly like it.
Definitely has that fast-paced action feel from Megaman Zero games <3
Can't wait.
I'm throwing money at the screen but nothing is happening.
hoping for EU release!!
please!
@Shotgunryugan You need to buy the "Megaman Zero Collection" for the DS, then. It released in 2010, and my god, it was epic. So much nostalgia from the GBA days.
Is there any news about an estimated release period?
@Unca_Lz - "So what do you want Nintendo to do? Make more news about a handful of games for the Wii U?"
I suppose that's a rhetorical question, but I'm going to answer YES anyway.
@sinalefa - Sorry, your right. I went back and reread it and saw the "all" so focused on that as it's been my focus today, my misinterpretation.
@IceClimbers - "So the definitive version Guacamelee coming to Wii U isn't Wii U news?"
Yes, that and MK8 sets were covered YESTERDAY. I never said Wii U wasn't covered, just not in the last 14 posts. Now it's up to 15, and I think TW is mocking me, its about SSB but it's about a 3DS level, it even has 3DS in the title.
Is today officially 3DS day and nobody told me? Did I miss the memo? I'ld actually feel a bit the jerk if "all 3DS news" today was advertised as such.
@rjejr: My point is that the Wii U and the 3DS are not competing for the spotlight, and they shouldn't
@EpicMegaman64 Summer of 2014 in Japan, as was said in the final Paragraph of the article.
This game looks a whole lot like Megaman ZX Advent.
I know Inafune got sick of Capcom's crap and quit so he can't make Megaman games with Megaman characters but I'd like Megaman ZX Advent's storyu to conclude as it ended in a cliffhanger.
What's with japan and belly shirts is that like a thing over there?
@-Crystalline- I have that collection and both of the ZX games - I don't like the scaling though that happens with the 3DS XL. And the stretch needed to reach the dpad and the L button. Don't like the amount of cutscenes in the first ZX either. (Especially with the discomfort my hands get if I am going to play it for half an hour I want to be playing it not messing around).
Probably play them on a DSi XL when I get around to getting one.
@IceClimbers Why do you say it is definitive ? (If definitive means there is absolutely no way it could ever be made any better). Very few things I think are definitive (All I can think of is the Final Cut of Blade Runner and Richard Ellmann's Biography of James Joyce). If there any bugs at all I think that by definition it is not definitive. (A version with those fixed would be better).
this looks better than mighty no. 9 simply because it actual pixelated art rather than 3d rendering.
Looks a lot more interesting than Mighty Number 9, mainly because this looks more like a successor to the Rockman Zero games, the best Megaman games ever made.
I could go for a Mega Man Zero 5.
Anyone complaining probably hasn't played the best Inti-Creates games. Mega Man X1-3, Mega Man 9, and Mega Man Zero 1-4 are all incredible games. If you've played them I can't imagine not being hyped up for this.
WHOAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
I am sold sold SOLD!
first 10 secs i was hooked. That music!! the gameplay!! its megaman zero with a twist, and thats not a bad thing at ALL!!
@umegames i agree and i will buy any game inafune has made for the consoles i own
looks hard..........................I WANT IT O_O
I wish this was coming to Wii U as well, too bad. Either way, I'll probably get this on my 3DS and Mighty Number 9 on my Wii U. That way I can play different versions of Mega Man on the devices.
@rjejr
Can't help if there's more 3DS news. When stuff happens, it gets reported. Sometimes it's all Wii U news, sometimes all 3DS news, sometimes a bit of both.
But pertaining to Wii U news, we literally JUST got DKC Tropical Freeze, which is yet another superb 10/10 retail gem on the Wii U. We've got indie games out the wazoo lined up for the next 60 days, particularly of note- Shovel Knight and Scram Kitty, not to mention quite a bit of good VC coming as well (Mario Kart, Metroid Fusion, Klonoa, M&L Superstar Saga).
We just got news today via a tweet that Watch Dogs absolutely, positively is not cancelled on Wii U and is most certainly coming (haven't seen it on this site, but you can find the article elsewhere).
Most importantly, we've got less than 90 days until Mario Kart. They're currently announcing limited editions, pre order bonuses and accessories for the game. Nintendo is also running a promotion with Pennzoil starting today for Mario Kart (again, haven't seen an article today) in North America. Further news entails Amazon stock for MK8 pre orders selling out in NA, limited edition already sold out on Amazon Germany, the game is racing to number on on Amazon France, it's pre orders are rivaling PS4 sales in Japan... so yeah, there's news.
Nintendo is gearing up for Mario Kart 8 months in advance with advertising, promotions, limited editions, sales, pre order bonuses and the like. Far from waving a white flag. Besides, the only way they could really wave the white flag is to come out and say "we're not making any more games". As long as they're continuing to make games for the Wii U, there is no "surrender". Besides, they're not at war here, it's just a business, like every other store in the world. They make products, and customers buy them. And as of right now, they're setting the stage for their biggest product of the year.
I Like how you guys don't list Megaman Zero under Inti Creates works when this is not only inspired by but based off of Megaman Zero.
HOLY CRAP THIS LOOKS LIKE MEGAMAN ZERO! This alone makes it a must buy. It looks amazing. There is really no other action game quite like Megaman Zero so I'm ecstatic for this.
As for this game, I'm actually really impressed. The majority of indie/eShop games are, how do I say this politely, not that good. So when a good one comes around every now and then, I'm on it. This looks like a really good game. Like others have pointed out, very reminiscent of Mega Man. I never played MM Zero, but I have played the X series, and this very much reminds me of Mega Man X.
Yes, I'll take this,Azure Striker Gunvolt, as well as Shovel Knight, Scram Kitty, Fast Racing Neo, Art of Balance HD, Mighty Number 9, Shantae The Pirate's Curse, Shantae Half Genie Hero and whatever else good that comes our way. I used to not care about indie games. But there's some really good ones nowadays, hard to ignore...
Awesome, reminds me of the megaman zero games.
This will be good. Let's hope for a worldwide release!
Megaman, anyone? Looks pretty cool, hopefully it also comes to the west!
Looks interesting. Can't wait to see more about this game.
@JaxonH - "Sometimes it's all Wii U news"
Oh, come on, its never, ALL Wii U news, well unless its all bad. Though I realize my interpretation of bad - W_D delay, is your interpretation of good - not canceled.
I am really impressed by the MK8 info, though it kind of bothers me that I'm impressed just b/c Nintendo finally did the right thing and started advertising a game. Advertising shouldn't be impressive, it should be a routine daily occurrence for a company selling both hardware and games.
And I like indie games. Each month I get indie games w/ PS+ (Brothers is really good, ibb and obb was meh) but they are icing on the cake to Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry, Bioshock Infinite and Dragons Dogma:Dark Arisen. I would never sign up for PS+ just to get indies, and I didn't buy a Wii U just to get indies. I want - no I expect - more full blown retail games for my $350. DKCTF is out, and 90 days is a big hole to fill. Bayonetta 2 or Yarn Yoshi or X or SSB in mid April would have done the job nicely. Or MK8 in mid-April and one of those others late May, the order isn't important
Here's a problem (relevant) I have - big games at E3 should be out before the next E3. So all those games I named should be out by June. If 1 or 2 slip, ok, but nearly all of the games you show at E3 should be out before the next 1. And if the games aren't going to be released, at least give them dates. Just announce a date, that would put Wii U in the news. Nintendo is just way too slow.
So ok, games are coming, no white flag, no surrender. Wii U is the ugly stupid stepchild that you ignore while you brag about your beautiful bright honor student (that would be the 3DS) on Facebook. You'll stick the ugly kid on the Christmas card once a year, but 99% of your FB posts are about the other kid. And we all know thats not right or fair, but thats the way some parents are unfortunately. Nintendo is that parent, and I married the wrong kid.
@rjejr
I would say the "ugly kid" gets the same quality of gifts as the bright one, just not with the same regularity.
With MK8 getting advertising (as I think SM3DW did as well), I feel that Nintendo is putting their money on the games they perceive to be system sellers. Which would explain their poor marketing of W101. The bad part of this is the self fulfilling prophecy of such stance.
@JaxonH
Just to let you know yesterday I received my copy of Tropical Freeze, and so far (starting World 2) it has exceeded my expectations. What a beautiful and polished game. Loving the hidden exits and the new skills when using Cranky and Dixie.
@sinalefa - "Which would explain their poor marketing of W101."
I know they didn't market it to the masses, but it had it's own ND and they released a demo for it immediately after.
[I bought my Wii U the next day in part just to play that demo. The demo was the 3rd and final reason, Pikmin 3 had just come out and Pokemon Rumble U was due in a couple of weeks. I wouldn't have bought it for any 2 of those 3, and it was very close decision at that.]
I'ld like to see Nintendo do a MUCH better job w/ demos on the Wii U - as usual the 3DS gets it's fair share. There were actually a bunch of demos in store that never made it to homes, people at home w/ kids sometimes buy games based on demos. And they need to be more frequent w/ the ND. They had us waiting around forever for that last 1. They should schedule like the first Wed of every month or whatever. Everybody keeps talking about all these eShop games coming out - and there are 1 or 2 3rd party games - so why not 1 ND every month on a set schedule?
Ya know what? I'm sort of getting tired of this same song and dance. This is why I don't whine about Nintendo and how it reuses IPs. This guy's behind two new IPs now, and THEY BOTH PLAY LIKE FREAKING MEGA MAN. That's the freaking difference between a new IP and a new way to play. You can make 1,000 new faces, but I won't be impressed if I realize they all should be one face.
I can understand M.N.9, but now this game is also a "Mega Man-ish" game. It's sad that this guy can't escape that one style of game play.
@rjejr
I think all of us would love a monthly ND, even if nothing new was announced in some of them.
I agree about demos. I bought 101 day 1 because of it. I would have killed for a 3D world demo. And now again for MK8
@rjejr
I hear you about the 3 month gap, but there ARE games coming out. Lego Hobbit, Cabela's Hunt Something Or Another, and Transformers are 3 off the top of my head (wait, Transformers might be after MK8, but still you get the point). There ARE games, there's just no major retail releases you or I are interested in. The same goes for other platforms. We're talkin about 90 days on Wii U til next release we're buying. Try 9 months on PS4 for me, when Arkham Knight releases in October. There ARE games between now and then, but like Wii U, nothing I'm interested in. I know you paid $350, so did I, but gaming consoles are long term investments- already I have amassed 35 retail releases on my shelf, at least 1/3 of them exclusives, already there have been THREE games hitting my all time favorite list, and my most hyped 5 games of 2014 are all exclusive to Wii U. Trust me, we're getting our due. It's just a long term proposition is all.
Now you actually made a prize point concerning E3. In fact, you nailed my sentiments to the tee. Games shown should be released by the next E3, although 1 or 2 here and there is no biggie for me. With that said, only a couple games Nintendo showed for Wii U won't be out, and the few that fall into that category (Smash, Bayo2, X) should be releasing VERY shortly after. Nonetheless, you're right. Or at the least they should PLAN to release them by that time. However, if a game still won't be out by next E3, but will release within a few months after, I say it's ok to show the E3 before. Otherwise, they'd have to reveal the game only a month or two before release. That's too short.
As for the ugly child, others may call this child ugly but to me, she's a beautiful princess. And frankly, I don't care how others perceive her to be, all I know is how I perceive her. And with primo releases like NSMBU, Pikmin 3, W101, Zelda Windwaker HD, Wii Sports Club, Super Mario 3D World, DKC Tropical Freeze, and soon Mario Kart 8, I don't see any ugliness in her. In fact, this is the year she will blossom into a fine young lady, with exclusives such as the aforementioned Mario Kart 8, as well as Smash Bros 4, X, Bayonetta 2, Sonic Boom, Fast Racing Neo, and whatever else her mother blesses her with by year's end.
That's ol' Jaxon's point of view anyways
@NINTENCHIP
Hey, everybody's good for something, right? Maybe this is the only kind of game he can make well, but I say that's ok by me. I mean, he can account for all my gaming needs when it comes to this type of game. He fulfills his purpose. May be a small purpose, but appreciated nonetheless.
@sinalefa
This brings me great joy to hear! The game is breathtaking, and just knowing that you're enjoying it as much as I did makes me happy. Cheers!
@rjejr Advertising is all bad. Bill Hicks got it 100% correct. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHCs3v_mFkM if it is good you should trust people enough to make their own mind up without having to resort to trying to manipulate them.
@unrandomsam - "Bill Hicks got it 100% correct."
Never trust a man w/ a mullet. Thanks for the clip though, it was pretty funny.
Oh, and marketing doesn't need to be manipulative. Letting people know the Wii U exists, or a game on it exists, lets people decide for themselves if they want it. That, and people are sheep, they don't like thinking for themselves, Marketeers may be scum, but what about food critics? How is somebody elses tongue supposed to be able to tell if my tongue would like a food or not? I had Kraft mac and cheese for dinner, the really crappy box stuff, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. People need ads to know what exists, but reviewers and critics prove the masses are sheep.
@sinalefa - "I would have killed for a 3D world demo."
Kind of weird that game didn't get one, Target had NSMBU I think before the game even came out. And since SM3DW was the first open world multiplayer Mario I really expected them to have one, not at home but in stores. I was in Target today and looked at the Wii U but didn't even bother checking to see if it had any new demos. MK8 should get one though I think, that game brings excitement.
@JaxonH - Sincerely, you are going to make a very fine parent some day.
The infamous E3 when Reggie announced the twice delayed SSBB date, they also covered MK Wii. Both those games released within a month of each other, the following March and April (US). I know I always seem to find something to complain about, but games can come out closer together than 100 days.
I really wanted Lego Hobbit until I found out it only covers the first 2 movies. The Lego Movie videogame just came out, couldn't they have held off on Hobbit until Dec? My kids are still playing Lego Marvel. I'm stilling waiting for a Lego Smaug toy. your'e never too old for Legos when it's giant red dragons.
Enjoy the weekend.
Can't. Live. Without it!
@rjejr
You as well...
@rjejr
You as well...
This game kinda reminds me of the Strider remake, I never played the Zero games but this looks awesome.
But this guys outfit...he looks like a trap!
@-Crystalline- Oh I am aware of that collection, though sadly I can't find it anywhere here on Puerto Rico, guess they sold out or whatever.
If I can't find it in the few stores I haven't checked, then I'll probably end up buying it on Amazon or ebay
@JaxonH I guess, but I'd like to have seen something at least somewhat different. Maybe a brawler with a similar theme? Maybe something that's a bit more of a "bigger, more complete experience"? They're usually so straight forward: "Jump/Shoot the bosses. Jump/Shoot the big boss. Credits.". I'd like to see some flexibility with his game design.
Do want, really badly. Reminds me of the Megaman ZX games like crazy, which is fine, because I LOVED those.
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