Even though the Arcade market is nothing like it used to be in Japan (or anywhere else for that matter). A lot of people still visit the arcades in Japan, and fighting games are one of the most popular genres among Japanese Arcade players. So Examu and Nitroplus (Japanese publishers) sure did a great thing when they combined Arcade fighting with famous visual novels in their game “Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel“(the Japanese Aracade version got released in April this year). As visual novels are super popular in Japan (and other parts of the world as well). And Nitroplus Blasterz just happens to be full of well-known visual novel characters.

Visual novel Characters such as (the text is borrowed from Wikipedia):

Ein (Phantom: Phantom of Inferno)
Mora (Vampirdzhija Vjedogonia)
Al Azif (Demonbane series)
Ruili (Kikokugai: The Cyber Slayer)
Saya (Saya no Uta)
Anna (Gekkō no Carnevale)
Ignis (Jingai Makyō)
Sansei Muramasa (Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa)
Echika (Tokyo Necro)
Saber (Fate/stay night)
Ouka (OKStyle mascot)
Super Sonico (console only)
Homura (Senran Kagura)
Aino Heart (Arcana Heart)

Nice indeed. However, Nitroplus Blasterz is up against a lot of tough competition. As you´re already able to play awesome fighting games such as “Persona 4: Arena Ultimax,” “Blazblue Chrono: Phantasma,” “Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-“, “Skullgirls” and “Ultra Street Fighter IV.” Not to mention upcoming fighting games such as “Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax,”and  “Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4.” Even so, I’m quite sure that Nitroplus Blasterz will do rather well, as I like what I’ve seen from the game so far. And I have to say that I like the fighter roster as well. I mean, you got 14 playable fighters and 18 support fighters to enjoy.

In other words, there are 32 fighters in “Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel” in total, and that should offer quite a lot of fighting style variations, surprises, crazy combos, unique special attacks and interesting fights (Player Vs Player or Player Vs computer). Especially since Nitroplus Blasterz uses a five buttons system (light, medium, heavy attack, heavy action and escape action), you can even interrupt an opponent’s attack by performing the Infinite Blasts move. Then you got the ability to pick two support characters as well (which the players will be able to summon to assist them in their fights).

So if you´re a fighting fan, then I bet that you are quite excited for “Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel.” Well, don´t hold your breath. Because Nitroplus Blasterz won´t be released outside of Japan before some time next year (XSEED Games will handle the North American version, and I bet that Marvelous Entertainment will handle the EU/PAL version). So it remains to be seen whether “Nitroplus Blasterz” will be worth the wait or not, and if it´s worthy of our time and money. I should also mention that it´s going to be rather interesting to see whether “some” groups will start to rant over the mere thought of “Nitroplus Blasterz”…

Anyhow, what do you guys and girls think about  “Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel” so far? Let us know in the comment section!

Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround

More by Robin Ek:

• New Old Pixels is to bring the original ‘Toki’ arcade game, to original retro hardware
• The 2D pixel art PvPvE extraction shooter, ‘Project S.U.N.D.I.A.L.’, is coming to Steam on April 27th
• The 1-4 player egg cracking adventure, ‘CRACK’, is coming to Steam on October 26th
• The unique horror game ‘Hoarder’ is coming to Steam in 2027
• The cozy first-person warehouse sim ‘BOB LOGISTICS’ is coming to Steam in Q4 2026

Tags: Examu Inc, Heroines infinite duel, Nitroplus Blasterz, PS3, PS4, XSEED