The first Bleach: Blade Battles shipped in October 2006 and the sequel reaches market roughly 1 year later. Whereas the original game featured a cast of 23 characters, BBB2 boasts 36 fighters with familiar faces mixed in with fresh new ones such as Kaname Tosen, Gin Ichimaru, and Sosuke Aizen. The cackling Inner Ichigo is also new in the game who attacks with a maniacal spinning move and sword strokes that span a wide expanse. Up to four players can compete in the Free Battle Mode or a solo players can engage the Story Mode.

At the outset, only fourteen characters are playable as follows on the hero selection screen:

First Row: Renji Abarai, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Rangiku Matsumoto, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa
Second Row: Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Shinji Hirako, Hiyori Sarugaki
Third Row: Yasutora Sado, Uryû Ishida, Orihime Inoue, Yammy, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques

As objectives and conditions are met, additional characters are unlocked to round out the cast of Soul Society Shinigami, Bounts, Arrancar, and Vizards

Jan Code: 4948872151191

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» The moon appears as a crescent in the sky before the camera pulls back quickly to take in scenes of battle between Soul Society captains and others in crisp animated sequences.

» Press START on the title screen and the following options pop up:

Story Mode
Battlers Mode
Free Battle
Training
Tutorial
Shop Urahara
Option

» If you leave the title screen alone, a butterfly outlined in blue light flaps its wings above the "Now Loading" text and sprinkles blue dust over it. A four-players CPU controlled battle is then shown where everyone is engaging each other with swords, running motion, and jumping attacks.

» At the outset of the game, only 14 characters are playable but placeholders for an additional 22 characters are shaded in the character selection screen.

» Nine stages are available to fight on in the beginning but an additional 7 stages may be unlocked.

» The game controls are as follows:

Cross / Jump - press again in mid-air for a double jump
Square / Medium Attack
Triangle / Strong Attack
R1-Trigger / Defend
L1+R2 / Special attack

The D-pad or L-Analog thumbstick may be used for movement.

» The game engine keeps the orientation of two fighters facing each other at all times. If you roam around the screen, an arrow on top of your character will pivot and swivel to always face the opponent.

» In STORY MODE, players take on the role of Ichigo at the outset. The game begins with an text-based introduction that's accompanied by a voice-over which sets up the storyline of the game.

The first battle in story mode is against the blonde mushroom-haircut vizard named Shinji Hirako. If you defeat him, the next battle places you in the shoes of Shinji's compatriot Hiyori Sarugaki who's a fierce wolverine of a girl against Ichigo. Defeating Ichigo will branch the story off to an interactive sequence between Ichigo and the vizards Shinji and Hiyori. The third battle pits Ichigo against 15 Hollows that appear on the stage and offer little resistance. Afterwards, Ichigo encounters Inner Hollow Ichigo and the fourth battle pits Ichigo against both Shinji and Hiyori except this time, you play as Shinji on the side of Hiyori (who's controlled by the CPU) against Ichigo.

Despite the two-against-one advantage, Ichigo is a formidable opponent with the power of Inner Ichigo aiding him. The fifth battle gives the player the role of Ichigo who goes up against Inner Ichigo. After defeating Inner Ichigo, Episode 1 comes to a conclusion and Episode 2 begins with Rangiku Matsumoto as the protagonist. Rangiku's first battle has her facing off against 5 opponents led by Izuru Kira who are all out for her hide. After each successful bout, you'll be given the option to save your progress to memory card.

» Crates may be broken open during battle to unleash bonuses or traps such as a menacing looking bear maw. Background objects are also destructible - there are some bombastic cylinders of leaky waste in the first level which explode after being hit a couple of times. Anyone that's close enough to the blast radius will lose significant HP.

» Each stage has at least two levels upon which to roam - a foreground and a background that is usually higher than the foreground area.

» All of the dialogue in the game is accompanied by voice acting performed by the original cast of the Bleach animated series.

» The full cast of characters in the game is as follows:

Ichigo Kurosaki
Rukia Kuchiki

Byakuya Kuchiki
Gin Ichimaru
Grimmjow Jeagerjaques
Hiyori Sarugaki
Ikkaku Madarame
Izuru Kira
Jushiro Ukitake
Kaname Tosen
Kenpachi Zaraki
Kisuke Urahara
Kon
Luppi
Mayuri Kurotsuchi
Momo Hinamori
Orihime Inoue
Rangiku Matsumoto
Renji Abarai
Sajin Komamura
Shigekuni Yamamoto
Shinji Hirako
Shunsui Kyoraku
Shuhei Hisagi
Soifon
Sosuke Aizen
Toshiro Hitsugaya
Ulquiorra Schiffer
Ururu Tsumugiya
Uryu Ishida
Yachiru Kusajishi
Yammy
Yasutora Sado
Yoruichi Shihouin
Yumichika Ayasegawa

This document is ©NCSX 2007. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.