Rumble Roses XX (working title) First Look

Though Konami's Xbox 360 follow-up to the PlayStation 2's Rumble Roses was announced for Japan, there was no official word of the all-female grappler appearing in the US. That situation changed today with Konami's announcement that the all-women wrestler, dubbed Rumble Roses XX, is bound for Microsoft's upcoming console in the States. The game is the second entry in the franchise, which began last year on the PlayStation 2 with Rumble Roses. For the new 360 entry in the series, the Japan-based developer is aiming to buff out its wrestler with new features and improved graphics that will take advantage of Microsoft's new console.

The short trailer released along with today's announcement shows off many of the elements the series is known for: scantily clad women, an audience that reacts to the action in the ring, over-the-top fighting, and rock music. However, it only hints at what to expect from the upcoming game. The game is slated to include more than 20 playable characters, including the two poster girls, Reiko and Dixie, as well as all the popular ladies from the first game. You'll be able to take your lady brawler into a variety of different solo modes and face off against the other wrestlers to unlock additional opponents. You'll also find new modes, such as tag team, which lets you take a pair of ladies through a host of differently paired foes. In addition to offering some dramatic moments, such as team breakups and accidental attacks on your teammate, the mode will let you perform the expected special team combos. The new battle royal and elimination modes will test your skills in tough fights. Arguably the biggest and best new element to Rumble Roses, aside from the added polygon counts on the character models, is the inclusion of online play for what appears to be two players. Though all of this may sound like a pretty daunting challenge, you'll find that all the wrestlers in the game have a greater number of moves to master, which, in some cases, results in a whole new feel for the fighters.

However, despite all the new features, Rumble Roses XX isn't forgetting its roots. Besides the returning characters from the original, the game is bringing back many systems seen in the first game. The persona system returns, which changes your wrestler's appearance and fighting style based on whether your wrestler is good or bad. You'll find a specific set of costume-change moves, as well as crowd receptions based on your fighter's virtues.

Combat will be a mix of old and new, with fan-favorite moves and tactics such as traditional suplexes, as well as kicks and elbows, in full effect. You'll be able to perform character-specific attacks that will show off their personalities. You'll also be able to string these attacks together to create devastating combos. Taunts, which reflect your wrestler's good or bad nature, will let you play to the crowd or simply rile your opponents. A superstar system will reward characters who are popular with the crowd with enhancements that give them an advantage during the match.

Rumble Roses XX for the Xbox 360 in the US has yet to be announced. Look for more on the game as it becomes available.