Dodge the Double Ds? The Dodge Ball Time Line

By nestlekwik

Imagine the rush I received when my e-mail inbox alerted me to an e-mail about a new game entitled Double D Dodgeball. As a blush came across my face when I clicked on the message, imagine my disappointment when these screens came up. I'm puzzled as to how double Ds fit into this, but Yuke's has announced the newest title in the long-running virtual sport of dodge ball.







I'm not sure where Yuke's is going with what appears to be a laser light show, but we're hoping the game play holds up.

- Eight-person multiplayer
- Four modes: Exhibition, Player Match, Ranked Match and Tournament
- GamerScore achievements and online leaderboards
- Four ball types with multiple playing surfaces
- Select between Eastern and Western rules

That sounds pretty earnest to me for a game costing me $10. But ... will it hold up to Kunio-Kun's crew of motley dodge ballers?



What gamers mostly bill as the dodge ball video game of epic proportions. Super Dodge Ball was the second title produced by Technos Japan in its Kunio lineage (The U.S.-named Renegade was the first, with the third becoming the even more infamous River City Ransom). This was the NES version, while ...



This was the Technos arcade version. While not spotted too often any more, I believe most gamers aren't missing out on much by only nabbing the NES version. These versions follow the "Eastern Style" of dodge ball referred to in the Double D Dodgeball descriptions, where defeated players are hosted in an "outfield." Unfortunately, if a player in the outfield takes down a member in play, they are not permitted back into play like in traditional Eastern rules.



The Neo-Geo MVS arcade release of Super Dodge Ball takes the Kunio crew into more brutal three-on-three combat with some downright creepy characters. New to the version were super reversals, powered-up team moves and multiple super throws made possible by Street Fighter-esque quarter circle commands. This version is certainly more worth the time to find than its original arcade release.



Released near the GBA launch, Super Dodge Ball Advance didn't fare too well with reviewers if I recall correctly. In fact, there is a stack of these sitting in my local Wal-Mart. When will they learn no one is going to buy these at $30? Anyway, the game is definitely a low point in the series, but portable dodge ballers may get some redemption with ...



Super Dodge Ball Brawlers! This Nintendo DS effort was crafted by Arc System Works ("those Guilty Gear guys") and has hit the U.S. market this week thanks to Aksys Games. The title is to my knowledge the first Kunio game openly marketed as a Kunio game in the United States. Now we're making progress! We'll bring you a full review of this new title once we secure it later in the week.

So, while you await Ninjas vs. Pirates Dodgeball or Double D Dodgeball, be sure to track down these Kunio legends and practice up. While the Kunio special moves might not apply in the new titles, duck, catch and throw never changes.

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