BlazBlue

BlazBlue
Genres	Fighting, Visual Novel (main series)
Developers	Arc System Works
Publishers	^JP Arc System Works ^NA Aksys Games ^EU Zen United ^WW H2 Interactive (PC)
Creators	Toshimichi Mori Yūki Katō
Platforms	Arcade, various home and handheld console systems
First release	BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger November 19, 2008[1]
Latest release	BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend April 23, 2015
Spin-offs	XBlaze series, anime series, manga, and novels

BlazBlue (ブレイブルー BureiBurū) is a fighting game series developed and published in Japan by Arc System Works, and later localized in North America by Aksys Games and in Europe by Zen United. An anime adaptation aired in the fall of 2013. The BlazBlue series has sold 1.7 million games as of August 2012.^[2]

Games

Main series

Title	Details
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Original release dates: ^JP November 19, 2008 ^NA June 30, 2009 ^EU April 2, 2010	Release years by system: 2008 – Arcade[3] 2009 – PlayStation 3,[3] Xbox 360[3] 2010 – PlayStation Portable,[4] Microsoft Windows[3]
	Notes: An arcade port exclusive to the Windows Store was released on December 21, 2012[5] The original PC release was stripped down from GFWL and released on Steam on 2014 by H2 Interactive without online play incorporated[6]
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Original release dates: ^JP November 20, 2009 ^NA July 27, 2010 ^EU December 3, 2010	Release years by system: 2009 – Arcade[7] 2010 – PlayStation 3,[7] Xbox 360[7]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Original release dates: ^JP November 21, 2012 ^NA March 25, 2014 ^EU April 23, 2014	Release years by system: 2012 – Arcade[8] 2013 – PlayStation 3[8] 2014 – PlayStation Vita[8]
	Notes: The PlayStation 3 port was updated to version 1.1 on May 14, 2014 in North America, the Vita version released with version 1.1 patched in[9]
BlazBlue: Central Fiction Proposed release dates: ^JP November 19 2015	Proposed system release: 2015 – Arcade[10]

Updated versions

Title	Details
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II Original release dates: ^JP December 9, 2010 ^NA May 10, 2011 ^EU May 10, 2011	Release years by system: 2010 – Arcade[11] 2011 – PlayStation 3,[12] Xbox 360[12] 2011 – PlayStation Portable,[11] Nintendo 3DS[11]
	Notes: The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of BlazBlue: Continuum Shift were updated for free to Continuum Shift II via a downloadable patch[12] The portable versions do not feature online play
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend Original release dates: ^JP December 17, 2011 ^NA February 14, 2012 ^EU February 24, 2012	Release years by system: 2011 – Arcade[13] 2011 – PlayStation 3,[13] Xbox 360,[13] PlayStation Vita[13] 2012 – PlayStation Portable[13] 2014 – Microsoft Windows[13]
	Notes: The PlayStation Portable port was only available in Japan, this version does not feature online play[14] The Steam version was initially not available for purchase in European countries,[15] the regional lockout was dropped on May 19, 2015[16]
BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend Original release dates: ^JP April 23, 2015 ^NA June 30, 2015 ^EU October 29, 2015	Release years by system: 2014 – Arcade[17] 2015 – PlayStation 3,[17] PlayStation 4,[17] PlayStation Vita,[17] Xbox One[17] 2016 – Microsoft Windows
	Notes: Dubbed as BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma 2.0 in arcade release The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 versions feature cross-platform online multiplayer Unlike the original Chrono Phantasma release in North America, Extend features a localized Library Mode

Spin-offs

Title	Details
BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale Original release dates: ^JP January 27, 2010 ^NA August 2, 2010	Release years by system: 2010 – DSiWare[18]
	Notes: 3D arena fighting game
BlazBlue: Clone Phantasma Original release dates: ^JP December 26, 2012 ^NA August 21, 2014	Release years by system: 2012 – 3DS eShop[19]
	Notes: 3D arena fighting game
XBlaze Code: Embryo Original release dates: ^JP July 23, 2013 ^NA June 24, 2014 ^EU September 18, 2015	Release years by system: 2013 – PlayStation 3,[20] PlayStation Vita[20]
	Notes: Visual novel set 150 years before Calamity Trigger
Eat Beat, Dead Spike-san Original release date: ^WW February 25, 2015	Release years by system: 2015 – iOS,[21] Android[21]
	Notes: Rhythm game starring Dead Spike, Ragna the Bloodedge's signature special move[21]
XBlaze Lost: Memories Original release dates: ^JP April 9, 2015 ^NA August 11, 2015	Release years by system: 2015 – PlayStation 3,[22] PlayStation Vita[22]
	Notes: The sequel to XBlaze Code: Embryo.
BlazBlue: Battle Cards Original release date: ^AUS April 30, 2015 ^CA May 6, 2015 ^NA May 14, 2015	Release years by system: 2015 – iOS[23]
	Notes: Card battle game starring characters from the BlazBlue franchise.[23]

Other media

Novels

• BlazBlue: Phase 0 (2010)
• BlazBlue: Phase Shift (2011–2012)
• BlazBlue: Bloodedge Experience (2014)
• BlazBlue (2010–2014)

Manga

• BlazBlue: Chimelical Complex (2010–2011)
• BlazBlue: Official Comics (2010–?)
• BlazBlue: Remix Heart (2012–2014)
• BlazBlue (Monthly Dragon Age version, 2013)

Anime

• BlazBlue: Alter Memory (2013)

Other

• An official radio show, BuruRaji (ぶるらじ contraction of "BlueRadio"), was produced and aired on Nico Nico Douga, featuring the antics of the game's voice actors through chibi versions of their characters, in the same style as the Teach Me, Miss Litchi! game segments.
• An official yonkoma gag manga series, BuruMan (ぶるまん contraction of "BlueManga"), has been published infrequently on the official website.
• Two comedic audio dramas have also been produced, titled BuruDora (ぶるどら contraction of "BlueDrama"). A light novel based on the game and written by Mako Komao, titled BlazBlue: Phase 0, was published by Fujimi Shobo; it is set before the Calamity Trigger storyline.

Playable characters

Character	Calamity Trigger	Continuum Shift	BBSMBBR	Chrono Phantasma	Clone Phantasma	Central Fiction
Amane Nishiki	N	N	N		N
Arakune			N		N
Azrael	N	N	N		N
Bang Shishigami			N
Bullet	N	N	N		N
Carl Clover			N		N
Celica A. Mercury	N	N	N	^e	N
Es	N	N	N	N	N	^b
Hades Izanami	N	N	N	N	N
Hakumen			N		N
Hazama	N		N
Hibiki Kohaku	N	N	N	N	N
Iron Tager			N		N
Izayoi	N	N	N
Jin Kisaragi
Kagura Mutsuki	N	N	N	^a^b^c^f	N
Kokonoe Mercury	N	N	N	^a^b^f	N
Lambda -No.11-	N		N	^e	N
Litchi Faye-Ling			N		N
Makoto Nanaya	N	^a	N
Mu -No.12-	N	^a^b^c	N		N
Naoto Kurogane	N	N	N	N	N
Nine the Phantom	N	N	N	N	N
Noel Vermillion
Nu -No.13-		^g	N		N
Platinum the Trinity	N	^a	N
Rachel Alucard
Ragna the Bloodedge
Relius Clover	N	^b^d	N		N
Taokaka
Tsubaki Yayoi	N		N		N
Valkenhayn R. Hellsing	N	^a	N		N
Yūki Terumi	N	N	N	^a^b^f	N
Total	12	19	5	28	10	33

Notes

• ^a : Downloadable character.
• ^b : Available as a console-exclusive content.
• ^c : Can also be unlocked via normal gameplay.
• ^d : Playable in Continuum Shift Extend.
• ^e : Playable in Chrono Phantasma Extend/Chrono Phantasma 2.0.
• ^f : First appeared in the console/pre-2.0 arcade version of Chrono Phantasma.
• ^g : Appears as Lambda -No.11-'s Unlimited form.

Events and merchandise

Two official events have been held in Japan in June 2009 and February 2010, called BuruFesu 2009: Riot Summer (ぶるふぇす 2009 -Riot Summer-) and BuruFesu: Spring Raid (ぶるふぇす -Spring Raid-) (contraction of "BlueFestival"), respectively. A variety of other merchandise, including posters, artbooks, apparel, and figurines, has also been produced.

References

1. http://www.1up.com/news/blazblue-officially-coming-consoles
2. "BlazBlue hits 1.7 million copies sold worldwide". Joystiq. 2012-08-02.
3. "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger". GameSpot. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
4. "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Portable". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
5. "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Is On Windows 8 App Store For Like $7". Siliconera. December 21, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
6. Hannley, Steve (February 13, 2014). "BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Now Available on Steam". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
7. "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
8. "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
9. "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Version 1.1 Patch Out On May 14". Siliconera. May 12, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
10. Barder, Ollie (July 15, 2015). "'BlazBlue Central Fiction' Announced Along With Location Test Details". Forbes. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
11. "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
12. "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Patch V1.03 Coming This May". Aksys Games. April 15, 2011. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
13. "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
14. "BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend And BBQ Mode Comes To PSP In May". Siliconera. February 17, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
15. "Fight! BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend On PC". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. December 12, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
16. "Arc System Works Universe BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend Now Available in Europe on Steam". Arc System Works. May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
17. "BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend Hits North America This Summer". IGN. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
18. "BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
19. "BlazBlue: Clonephantasma". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
20. "XBLAZE Code: Embryo". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
21. MacGregor, Kyle (February 25, 2015). "There's a new BlazBlue rhythm game and it's out now". Destructoid. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
22. "XBLAZE: Lost Memories". GameSpot. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
23. "BlazBlue: Battle Cards". Retrieved July 18, 2015.

External links

• Official website