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It's all go for Capcom and beat em up fans the world over at the moment with two new releases and a new update for Street Fighter IV: Volt.

First up is the much anticipated release of Final Fight bring classic side scrolling beat em up action to the iPhone. As it was upon its original release in the arcades, Final Fight allows its players to choose from one of three characters: Guy, Cody or Haggar. It's then down to that character to rescue a kidnapped woman, Jessica, from a ruthless street gang. With each character offering their own fighting style and abilities, there's plenty to hook beat em up fans. The iOS version includes a finishing move button which allows the player to blow up enemies at any given time, much like the special move seen in games like the Streets of Rage series. Added functionality exists with the ability to join up with a friend for co-op play thanks to the game's Bluetooth network support. Final Fight will be regularly priced at $2.99 but it's currently on offer priced at $0.99 until September 21st as part of Capcom's Super Sale.

Another new release comes in the form of Street Fighter II Collection which for a mere $3.99 offers three Street Fighter II games in one, namely Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II: Champion Edition and Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting. We all know and love this title. For many it was their first taste of beat em up wonder. It's all here in an iOS format with a button command system that fits into the touch screen nature of the system. There's also the addition of a finishing move button and of course there's competitive play via Bluetooth.

Finally, Capcom has updated Street Fighter IV: Volt and added two new characters to the roster: Fei Long and Yun. Due to this update and Capcom's Super Sale, Street Fighter IV: Volt is currently priced at only $2.99 rather than the usual $6.99 price tag. This offer lasts until September 19th so get in there fast.

Beat em up fans rejoice and have a great weekend of fighting!

It seems like only yesterday that Capcom's "little fighter that could," was announced to be coming to the iOS platform.  Masses of gamers waited patiently to learn if Street Fighter IV was the portable combat experience that would prove the iPhone and iPod Touch to be viable for hardcore fans of the genre.  We were pleasantly surprised to learn that not only did the game perform admirably, but it set the standard for how virtual joysticks should be implemented.  Both far and wide, the game was praised for its high quality production values and emphasis on precision and detailed button interactions.  This was the beginning of a new age for the Street Fighter franchise, and the first in a series of evolutions to the game on iOS.

Though later on the game was updated to include several new characters, including the likes of  Cammy and E. Honda, there was always one piece of the puzzle that still seemed incomplete: multiplayer.  Sure, there was a clumsy Bluetooth multiplayer mode, but nothing that could leverage the power of GameCenter.  For this very reason, Capcom went back to the drawing board when it came to their netcode and are now proudly ready to unveil details about their next installment in the Street Fighter brand: Street Fighter IV: Volt.

The new game, which will unfortunately not be available as an update to the current Street Fighter title, will be the first of its kind to implement full GameCenter compatibility with friends lists, as well as a bevy of ranked matchmaking experiences.  Further sweetening the collective pot is the introduction of four new combatants to the arena: Vega, Cody, Balrog, and a mystery character.  Capcom's representatives were coy when addressing questions about price point and launch window, only divulging that the game was aiming for a June or July launch.  As soon as we have more details, rest assured that they will be found here on 148Apps.



Nowadays Capcom is on board the freemium bandwagon in a big way.  One such example of that is their upcoming title Monster Petshop.  Modeled as a hybrid of time management games and Tamagotchi animal raising simulators, the upcoming time sink looks to dip into your inner nurturer, while still forcing players to be ruthless business people.

Players are placed in the kitty litter covered shoes of a pet store owner, specializing in raising unique breeds of monsters.  These interactive creatures that you raise from an egg are you ticket to success, as long as you can avoid becoming too attached to the little buggers.  Any number of different processes that might be done with a traditional Tamagotchi pet are intimately necessary to the creature's survival and ultimate well being, including such tasks as feeding, cleaning up after and even scratching them in their "special spot."  Don't worry, the person demoing the game for me admitted to feeling creepy after uttering the phrase.

Once your pet has reached some level of maturity it can either be bred with other creatures owned by your friends or sold for a profit.  The trick is keeping enough balance that these pixelated little beasts can be constantly reproducing and either building or replenishing your store's stock, while still keeping the critters at peak happiness.  It is a juggling act to be sure, but if you manage to succeed, the imaginary financial windfall could prove to be rather lucrative.

As you become a bigger success as a store owner, abilities to add in new decorations to your shop and options for your breeds will open up, allowing for players to do what they love most in freemium games, customizing the ever-loving hell out of everything.  You can look forward to more details on the game hatching as the title's June/July peak incubation window draws nearer.

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As I stepped into the demo for Dream Park, I couldn't seem to shake this feeling that I have seen this game somewhere else.  Echoes of PC gaming's past were calling out the name of Rollercoaster Tycoon as I was shown the second of Capcom's trio of upcoming freemium offerings.  While the game doesn't expressly feature the ability to build your own rollercoasters, many of the other amusement park design and upkeep mechanics are present in their full glory, silently urging you to indulge your inner Walt Disney.

For those that have ever fantasized about building their own fledgling theme, or rather, "Dream Park," from the ground up, this is the title that will definitely scratch that itch. Players can choose from a park that employs any one of three different themes: Jurassic, Science Fiction, or Fantasy Medieval.  After deciding upon a motif to follow, players then can set off to create rides, modify or upgrade their existing attractions, and better please their consumers.

Once new rides have been put into full operation they will continue to earn a steady income until customers either become dissatisfied with the attraction, or it breaks down. Depending upon the popularity of the ride, you will have to make the tough choice to either repair the ride or sell it for scrap.  These are the kinds of decisions that will plague progression through the lifecycle of this interactive magic land.  But really who are we to complain?  Even the worst day on a Ferris Wheel beats any day in the office...

As you might predict, the more successful your Dream Park becomes, the more money that will be at your disposal for customizing and beautifying the layout of the park.  Even the small touches like adding in proper queue lines for attractions can go a long way towards cleaning up the appearance and  better managing crowds.  Once again, the name of the game when it comes to freemium design is customization, and this is an experience that has it in spades.  Will you chose to indulge your inner control freak?

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[img id="icon175x175.png"]We've got a new champion, Street Fighter IV!

By way of a price drop to $0.99, Capcom has taken over the much coveted number one overall app spot. Last I heard, this could mean $60,000 in sales per day or more. Angry Birds has fallen to number 2 currently. The first time in a while it's been out of the top spot.

How long can Street Fighter IV hold on to the number one spot? What do you think, will Angry Birds attack and get it back? Will Tetris slide its way past both to number 1? We'll keep an eye on it.