Melty Blood is a popular 2D fighting game in Japan with fast action and fluid gameplay. It's the kind of fighter that draws in hardcore players who hone their technique and sharpen their skills by practicing hours upon hours against other hardcore players. Actress Again features three groove variations - Full Moon, Half Moon, and Crescent Moon - which govern the moves and combination attacks that a particular character can utilize. The PS2 conversion features new game elements and a brand new character.The PS2 conversion features new game elements and a brand new fighter. The character selection screen contains a total of 25 fighters including Akiha Vermilion, Ryougi Shiki, and Yumiduka Satsuki.

The limited edition of MeltyBlood includes a 2-disc MBAA Soundtrack and a slipcase. The LE version is priced at JPY7800 or US$80.90 from NCS. Please note that Japanese chain store retailers will also receive a Riesbyfe Stridberg NTT telephone card with the limited edition of MBAA but this card was not given away to general distribution.

Product SKU: SLPM-55183
JAN Code: 4512435000174
Japanese Product Name: メルティブラッド　アクトレスアゲイン
Publisher: Ecole / Developer: Type-Moon
Compatibility: Playstation 2 (Japan-Only)
Website: http://e56.info/mbaaps2/

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

Region Lock-out
Please note Japanese Playstation 2 games will not boot on USA or European PS2 consoles due to the inherent region-lockout on Playstation 2 game discs.

» The game modes on the title screen are:

ARCADE
VERSUS
TRAINING
SURVIVAL
OPTION
RANKING

Under the OPTION selection are the following settings:
● GAME SETTINGS - Adjust the difficulty, damage level, win count, round time, game balance, and handicap
● SOUND SETTINGS - Choose Stereo/Monoaural and adjust the volume levels for BGM and SE
● CONTROLLER SETTINGS - Determine the button configuration for the Dual Shock 2 and toggle vibration
● DISPLAY SETTINGS - Move the orientation of the screen and toggle the brightness level
● SAVE/LOAD - Toggle the auto-save feature or save/load data to/from memory card
● EXIT - Return to the OPTION mode screen

» The Game Balance may be toggled to "ORIGINAL" or "ARCADE" settings.

» A total of 25 fighters are listed in the character roster as follows:

1st Row (Left to Right): Aozaki Aoko, Tohno Shiki, Nanaya Shiki, Kishima Kouma
2nd Row: Arima Miyako, Ciel, Sion Eltnam Atlasia, Riesbyfe Stridberg, Sion Tatari, Warachia, Michael Roa Valdamjong
3rd Row: Hisui & Kohaku, Tohno Akiha, Arcueid=Brunestud, Red Arcueid, Akiha Vermilion, Mech-Hisui
4th Row: Yumiduka Satsuki, Len, Ryougi Shiki, White Len, Nrvnqsr Chaos
5th Row: Hisui, Neco-Arc, Kohaku

» After selecting a fighter, players may choose a style from the following:

Crescent Moon Style
Half-Moon Style
Full-Moon Style

» Players may also select a color from 36 available shades including purple, orange, black, etc. For a striking effect, check out some of the colors for Nrvnqsr Chaos in his billowing trench coat.

» Voice acting accompanies the dialogue in the game.

» Either the D-pad or Analog pad on a Dual Shock 2 may be used to control the fighters. However, we think most players will be using some sort of joystick. The controls are responsive and the game feels like to coin-op original in terms of visuals, controls, and the overall experience. Not bad.

» If you play the Arcade Mode with Nrvnqsr, the first opponent is Nanaya Shiki who can't really hold his own with a little pocket knife and some teleportation skills. The next battle is against Kishima Kouma who's a barefoot brawler with skills but no match for Nrvnqsr's repetoire of tricks. The third stage brings in Kohaku with her flying broom and firebombs but we used the crows and the "wolf" to knock her out. Michael Roa's the next contender and he holds a conversation with Nrvnqsr which lasts about 2 minutes. Mike's a bare-chested lightning thrower who's aggressive on the attack. To keep him in line, we sent Nrvnqsr leaping up into the air and did the smackdown with the crows and a few close-range blows. Stage 5 is all about Sion Eltnam Atlasia and while we admire her speed and liberal use of firearms, we sent Nrvnqsr flitting around the screen shadow-style to avoid her shots and do damage on the sly.

» MBAA is a fine conversion and if it's rainy this weekend, we're going to be spending time with the game. If it isn't rainy, then we have a picnic to attend. C'est la vie.

This document is ©NCSX 2009. 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.