Battle vs Chess checkmates stores this Fall @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 27, 2010

News: And no, it's not a sequel to Battle Chess.

In the late 1980s, Interplay released a game known as Battle Chess. It was a pretty standard game of computer chess, but designed with one very important difference. After capturing one of your opponent's pieces, your piece would brutally smash it, stab it or set it on fire. Needless to say, to a pre-teen just learning chess, it was awesome.

Fast forward to today, where SouthPeak Interactive has announced that Battle vs Chess will be released on the DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360 this Fall (provided there's not a copyright infringement lawsuit). While not connected to Battle Chess in any way, Battle vs Chess will be developed by TopWare Interactive and Gaijin Entertainment and offer "familiar chess pieces [brought] to life as richly detailed 3D models." Just like Battle Chess.

New to Battle vs Chess is the "Action Mode." Fighting head-to-head in ways I only dreamed of while playing Battle Chess, when playing in Action Mode, pieces enter into mortal combat in "a beat-'em-up style encounter" which the attacking player doesn't always win. Players will "[use] a variety of weapons, fighting techniques and combos [to] best their opponent [with] a fast-paced flurry of blows and special moves." Full contact chess is obviously right around the corner.

?Battle vs. Chess brings the classic strategy game of chess into the modern world of gaming by maintaining the essential qualities that have made this game timeless while making it more accessible for new audiences,? said Melanie Mroz, SouthPeak Chief Executive Officer. ?Similar to our strategy to build on popular titles, we see this exciting addition to our portfolio as a game that offers a built in user base and adds another key strategy game to our already robust portfolio. Using one of the most sophisticated chess algorithm engines in the world, we look forward to making this animated version a classic among our catalogue offerings of retail and digital downloads, where we continue to see a significant growth opportunity.?

We'll have more soon.