During Limited Run Games' LRG3 2021 E3 event, WayForward Technologies announced both a prequel and a sequel to its stellar co-op beat 'em up, River City Girls. The aptly named River City Girls 2 will introduce 2-player online co-op, whereas River City Girls Zero is the English version of a classic Japanese game. Both titles will receive physical releases from Limited Run.
The first River City Girls, released in 2019, is an original WayForward-developed spinoff of the classic River City Ransom/Kunio-kun series. Part 2 takes place shortly after the first game and will once again star Misako and Kyoko, the tough-as-nails girlfriends of Kunio and Riki, who will also be playable. WayForward promises "new moves, new enemies, new recruits, new environments, and the return of an old foe," in addition to humor and a stylish soundtrack.
River City Girls 2 will feature 2-player local and online co-op. It's coming to Xbox Series S and X, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, Switch, and Steam in 2022. If you haven't tried the first game yet, it's included on Xbox Game Pass!
As for River City Girls Zero, it's an enhanced localization of the Japanese Super Famicom game Shin Nekketsu Koha: Kunio-tachi no Banka. The 1994 game was the first time that Misako and Kyoko teamed up with their boyfriends Kunio and Riki to settle matters with their feet and fists. Not only is this the first time the game has been officially localized in English, this version will also include a new intro, new cutscenes, and a new theme song by River City Girls composer Megan McDuffee.
River City Girls Zero will feature 2-player local co-op when it arrives on Switch in 2021. Other platforms will follow sometime in the future.
Thanks to Robert for the heads up on these announcements!