Most gamers know Square Enix for its Final Fantasy series of RPGs. What you might not be aware of is that they also make toys, like their Play Arts Kai posable figures. The Play Arts Kai line (sometimes abbreviated as PAK)  more often than not star characters from their own games (although Hatsune Miku and Batman, among others, have also joined the ranks). At the recent Jump Festa in Japan, prototypes of Cloud Strife and Barret Wallace in the style of the Final Fantasy VII Remake were on display.

Don’t they look spiffy? I am especially impressed with Barret’s look.

As these figures are still in the prototype phase, the design could still change drastically. But let’s think happy thoughts!

What’s your opinion on these new figures? Do you own any other Play Arts Kai? Let us know in the comments!

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[via GameSpot]

Today marked the final Super Smash Bros.-dedicated Nintendo Direct and, boy, was it a doozy. Not only did it go into further detail about Final Fantasy VII‘s Cloud Strife‘s upcoming inclusion, it also announced the overall top pick for the Fighter’s Ballot poll along with another combatant. So without further ado, here are the new fighter’s joining the roster:

Bayonetta (of the Bayonetta series)

Bayonetta

Coming up as the top pick in Europe and amongst the top five in North America, Bayonetta was the winner of the Fighter’s Ballot. The Umbra Witch’s fighting style will focus on stringing together combos of various attacks. Her move “Witch Time” slows down the movement of any opponents nearby. Bayonetta’s signature stage, The Umbra Clock Tower, features moving platforms and and an alternate version of the stage. Bayonetta and her exclusive stage are scheduled to launch in February 2016. The download can be purchased for the Wii U or 3DS for $5.99 or both systems for $6.99.

Corrin (of Fire Emblem Fates)

Corrin

If you are asking the question, “Who the heck is Corrin?,” odds are that you haven’t been following the development of Fire Emblem Fates. This fighter (you can select the gender, just like Wii Fit Trainer and Villager) has the ability to transform into a dragon and pull off powerful attacks including ones that pin your opponents. Corrin looks to be available to download in February 2016, on individual platforms for $4.99 each or together for $5.99.

Cloud Strife (of Final Fantasy VII)

WiiU_Cloud_screen_04_bmp_jpgcopy

We were briefly acquainted with Cloud in the previous Nintendo Direct, but today we were able to look more deeply at the mechanics of his fighting style as well as see what makes Midgar, his exclusive stage, special. As we saw before, Cloud will have two costumes available, his original SOLDIER uniform along with his outfit from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. And just like in FFVII, our hero will have his “Limit Break” ability, which can be activated once the limit meter is full. The meter fills as Cloud takes and gives damage as well as when he performs his Down Special Attack. Let’s talk about the Midgar battle stage. Throughout the stage, summon material will appear, allowing players to wreak arena-wide damage from which only the summoner is protected. Expect cameos from summon spirits like Ifrit, Ramuh, and Shiva. Cloud’s DLC will be available later today, costing either $5.99 for individual consoles or $6.99 for both the Wii U and 3DS.

If you thought that was it, you are wrong. Dead wrong, in fact! There were a host of new Mii Fighter costumes revealed too. From top to bottom, they are: Ashley, Geno (yes, Geno from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is in Smash (sort of)!), Chocobo Hat, Bionic Armor (available for both genders), Takamaru, Tails, Knuckles, and Gil. The Geno and Chocobo Hat costumes will launch with the Cloud DLC while the others will be released in February 2016.

Ashley Dec_MiiFighterCostume_artwork_Geno

Dec_MiiFighterCostume_artwork_Chocobo-Hat Bionic-Armor Takamaru Tails Knuckles Gil

But wait, there’s more! Like all Smash Bros. characters, Bayonetta, Cloud, and Corrin will be getting Amiibo. Our wallets weep.

What is your favorite part of the news? Post in the comments!

Today’s Nintendo Direct revealed many games and DLC, but nothing came out of left field as much as the announcement that Final Fantasy VII‘s Cloud Strife, would be joining the roster of Smash Bros. The spiky-haired hero bears about the same appearance as he did in Final Fantasy: Crisis Core. Cloud’s two costumes (the only ones shown anyways) were his traditional battle attire and his outfit from Advent Children.

His battle stage, the city of Midgar, appears to have the series’ summon creatures, like Ramuh and Odin, pop up as hazards. Cloud’s attack moves include his final limit break, Omnislash. The little title message on the top of the screen from the original game remains intact (see image below).

cloudsmashlimit

What do you think of this announcement? Post your opinions in the comments!

Join Derek, Juan, Shane and a late to the show Josh as they discuss the last week in video games!

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This Week

First Amiibo sale in Canadia.

Zelda Wii U footage.

The Game Awards.

Is Tofino the most west coast town in Canada?

Street Fighter 5 PS4 & PC exclusive.

Nintendo sells $1 Billion worth of Amiibo’s.

Shulk Amiibo Gamestop conspiracy.

Josh shares some Gamestop insider secrets.

FF7 ported to the PS4. For $16?!

RIP Ralph Baer.

Tekken 7 Lucky Chloe controversy.

GTA 5 Online.

Amiibo Hunter.

Papers Please.

Fantasy Life.

Winner of Pokemon Omega Ruby

Kim Saralegui!

This Week’s Listener Mission Objective

What game do you want to see remade and on what console?

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