5bp | "DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!"

It feels as if I’m trapped in a weird time warp, what with all these Phantom Breaker videos coming out and me STILL not playing the game. OK, perhaps I’m impatient or just too focused on all that 2D art flashing around or something – the wait is getting a bit tedious at this point. Anyway, you know the drill: an Amazon pre-order nets you the omake-packed Special Edition at $39.99 (a super deal!) and if you’re feeling extra sociable, you can also pontificate on the game and the state of 2D fighters in general over at the game’s Facebook page. Oh yeah, there’s an awesome CONTEST over on the official site, so if you didn’t click that first link in the post, you might want to go ahead and do that now…

With 2D fighting games on somewhat of a roll these days, it’s nice to see yet another developer enter the fray with a sweet-looking console title. Set to be published in North America this February by 7sixty Games, Phantom Breaker is an Xbox 360 exclusive from developer 5bp that, according to the press release, “takes its cue from classic 2D brawlers, offering a host of spectacular special moves, high-impact combos and a counter system that’s easy to pick up but takes a lifetime to master…” I’m pretty awful at fighting games compared to the top masters out there, but I do love excellent sprite-based artwork like the stuff found in the game trailer and screens below.

Also, for the collectors out there, the game will be available in a Special Edition that includes a mini strategy guide, desk calendar featuring characters from the game and two double-sided posters. Amazon has this listed at $39.99 (which is a steal for a nice set like that), so make sure to pre-order this pack if this looks like something you’ll be down with. Check out the game’s Facebook page and sign up if you like what you see – 14 pretty cool screenshots await below the jump…