Azure Striker Gunvolt is a new handheld title from comcept inc’s Keiji Inafune and Inti Creates. The upcoming 3DS exclusive features 2D platforming action, reminiscent of the Mega Man series…which makes sense, considering Inti Creates developed the Mega Man Zero saga for the GameBoy Advance, and comcept inc. is led by Mega Man illustrator and designer Keiji Inafune.
The side-scrolling action game was originally announced at the BitSummit Indie convention in Japan, and came with a teaser trailer with narration from Inafune. As the trailer’s original text and language are in Japanese, and Azure Striker Gunvolt was revealed at a Japanese video game convention, there was some speculation that the title would release this Summer for Japan, with other regions following later. According to Japanese-gaming forefront Siliconera, Inti Creates CEO Takuya Aizu has confirmed that Gunvolt will release this Summer for both Japan and North America, through the 3DS eShop. Due to the localization process, and in-game translation, “if [Azure Striker Gunvolt] is released in Europe”, it will come at a much later date.
Keiji Inafune and comcept inc. are also involved with Team Ninja and Spark Unlimited for the upcoming hack-and-slash game Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z. Yaiba is an off-the-rails deviation from the Ninja Gaiden series, where players take control of a revenge-fueled ninja, resurrected through technology, hell-bent on killing his murder Ryu Hayabusa…all during a zombie-apocalypse. Last year, comcept inc. also held a Kickstarter campaign for Mighty No. 9, another 2D action-title influenced by classic Mega Man games. The Kickstarter campaign was amazingly successful, as comcept inc. received over $1,000,000 within the first 72 hours.
It seems that a new, official Mega Man title may never come, but comcept inc. seems to be delivering the “totally not Mega Man” games that fans have been asking for. 3DS owners, are you excited for Azure Striker Gunvolt?