Skullgirls Encore returns to PSN tomorrow

Skullgirls, the highly addictive 2D fighter from Lab Zero Games, will be returning to PlayStation Network in North America as Skullgirls Encore tomorrow, February 11. Lab Zero Games is hopeful for an EU launch next week, while there's still no ETA for XBLA yet.

"And unfortunately we're not even submitted for XBLA yet – there was some political wrangling over how this patch would work, and it's just now been resolved. So we should be able to submit early next week, now," Lab Zero Games said. "360 was always expected to take longer because there are more companies involved in the transition. The actual work involved will be less complicated for us, though."

Skullgirls was temporarily removed from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Games Store late last year following a change in publisher. The game was slated to return in early 2014, but under the new name Skullgirls Encore and with a lot of new features:

• Literally hundreds of gameplay and balance tweaks
• Faster gameplay
• The new “Drama” meter keeps combos from getting too long without compromising creativity
• Hugely expanded training mode, and still some of the best tutorials in the fighting game genre
• Improved online play
• Gorgeous new stages, with new music from the amazing Michiru Yamane
• Five free DLC characters coming in 2014

The good news is that anyone who previously purchased Skullgirls will receive the Encore edition and DLC Character Color Bundle for free. The Color Bundle will also be free with new purchases, but only for a limited time. Coinciding with the new launch is a new fighter named Squigly.

All of Skullgirls Encore's DLC characters — of which there are five — will be completely free for a limited time after release.

[PS Blog]