Top fighting franchises set to show down

When it comes to fighting games, crossovers are nothing new (refer Marvel vs. Capcom, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe). But two competing fighter franchises going head to head? It's always been but a dream… until now. Capcom's iconic Street Fighter universe is set to collide with Namco Bandai's exceedingly popular TEKKEN in not one but two upcoming fighting titles, one developed by each publisher.

Street Fighter X TEKKEN will be Capcom's contribution, which will introduce TEKKEN characters into the 2D planes typical of the Street Fighter series, whereas Namco Bandai's TEKKEN X Street Fighter will bring Street Fighter characters into the 3D arenas of TEKKEN.

Despite the apparent collaboration, both Capcom and Namco Bandai appear to treat the games as a healthy competition, with each publisher firing good-natured potshots at the competition.

"This is history we're making," says Street Fighter series producer Yoshinori Ono of Capcom. "Two fighting games that have rivaled each other are finally standing on the same stage. This isn't just a showdown between TEKKEN and Street Fighter, but a decisive battle for Capcom and Namco Bandai Games Inc., so I'm going to give it my all.

"The ultimate dream match-up is about to be realised," adds TEKKEN series director Katsuhiro Harada of Namco Bandai Games. "With this astonishing collaboration a new chapter in fighting-game history begins. The Street Fighter and TEKKEN development teams have a great relationship. However, I see this new project not as a collaboration, but as the competition of the century between two legendary fighting-game franchises.

Before this issue of Game Console went to print, it was announced that Ono and Harada were set to square off in a match of TEKKEN X Street Fighter at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany on August 19th. The smack talk intensified in the lead-up to the event. "Since it is by invitation of the TEKKEN team, I expect Harada to have various underhanded surprises planned," says Ono. "Knowing this I still plan to participate in the event while overcoming any obstacles he may have planned so that I can show them what a real fighting game is all about.

In retaliation, Harada had the following to say: "We weren't able to settle things at ComiCon, but I'll face him again this time in Europe at Cologne! Blows are exchanged in place of civilities – that's how it's done at the Mishima Zaibatsu.