505 Games today announced that Battle Fantasia, a unique all-action fighting game, is heading to the PS3 and the Xbox 360 in Q1 2009.

Developed by combat veterans Arc System Works, Battle Fantasia is like no other fighter available on consoles, thanks to its unique cast of fantasy-inspired characters, alongside a storyline and script that stays true to its Japanese heritage and manga roots. In fact, 505 Games is ensuring the overall experience is as close as you’ll get to playing a Japanese arcade game in the streets of Tokyo, without ever leaving the comfort of your sofa.

In keeping with the fantasy themes of the game, Battle Fantasia also has elements familiar to fans of role-playing games. Instead of having a standard health bar, characters have hit-points that drain away as they take damage. As a result smaller characters have less health but are faster and harder to hit, whereas larger ones can deal more damage but are lumbering hulks. This means the gameplay experience is unlike any fighter you’ve played before.

Battle Fantasia includes a variety of different modes, including story, practice, survival, time attack, versus mode and online multiplayer. What’s more, by playing through the story mode, it’s possible to unlock new costumes for the fighters, along with a range of artwork by Guilty Gear series legend Emiko Iwasaki.

Battle Fantasia is available in Europe for PS3 and the Xbox 360 in Q1 2009.

Key features:

• A faithful recreation of the awesome arcade game, from the developers of the Guilty Gear series
• Fast-paced, fluid and balanced fighting
• Innovative 2.5D graphics engine
• 12 playable characters with their own range of special moves
• 2-player head-to-head action and online multiplayer
• Artwork and character design by Emiko Iwasaki