As cult hit fighting game, Skullgirls has been known for its wild visuals, vivid animation, and frantic fast-paced action, with the title officially set to receive its long-awaited debut on PS Vita next week.

In a new post from the PlayStation Blog, Lab Zero Games CEO Peter Bartholow announced Skullgirls 2nd Encore will release for PS Vita on April 5th, 2016, with the new release bringing the PS4 version to portable form with newly-added content and features.

Bartholow explained that while the title was previously expected to release last summer alongside the PS4 version of the game, the game's sheer amount of hand-drawn animation and visuals (which is averaged at about 1,500 frames per character) contributed to the game's delayed release, along with balancing and quality adjustments specifically for the Vita, and with the studio's work on Arc System Works coming to Japan.

A launch trailer was shared ahead of the game's release next week showing the game in action on PS Vita, with the title to also add several new features and content, including all five DLC characters, new Challenges, Trails, Survival Mode, and a full set of Trophies with a Platinum.

In addition to the new content, the studio also brought in some new alterations specifically for the Vita, such as the addition of customizable macros that can be used on the PS Vita's front touchscreen, where tapping specific zones of the touchscreen can call in assists, switch characters, and more.

The PS Vita release of Skullgirls 2nd Encore will also feature cross-play with the PS3 and PS4 versions of the game, along with local multiplayer support on the PSTV for an extra player. The title will also support Cross-Buy with the PS4 release, allowing users to get either version for free with their original purchase.

Along with the PS Vita release of the game, the studio also shared that the Skullgirls PS4 theme will soon be available for sale featuring two new pieces of artwork, along with a free Dynamic Theme based on the studio's upcoming project, Indivisible, that will be coming soon. Skullgirls PSN avatars will also be releasing on the PlayStation Store over the next few weeks.

With the completion of the PS Vita version of the game, Lab Zero also announced that the final patch for all versions of Skullgirls 2nd Encore will be on its way to bring multiplayer lobbies to the game, which will allow eight players to fight or spectate, where two players rotate in to fight in a match, while the other six watch the fight play out while waiting.

A new "All Play" feature will also be added where eight players can enter a lobby and be paired up to fight at once, allowing for players to be matched up with another player as soon as the match they are currently in concludes.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore will release for PS Vita on April 5th, 2016 - in the meantime, you can check out the title's launch trailer below:

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