Set for release this summer in the West, River City: Tokyo Rumble will launch on the Nintendo 3DS courtesy of Natsume. The game features the Kunio-kun and Riki back at it in a new River City Ransom adventure, this time facing off against a new gang who has arrived in Tokyo looking to take over their school.

According to Hiro Maekawa, the president and CEO of Natsume, this was a perfect opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, and one of the grandfathers of the beat-’em-up genre, with Maekawa stating…

“We know there’s a loyal fanbase of the River City series in North America who have been asking for more of these addictive games to play!” […] “Whether you’re a longtime River City fan or new to the series, there’s plenty of side-scrolling action to love.”

Ahead of the launch this summer, Natsume has plans on giving gamers an opportunity to see the title in action at this year’s upcoming E3 event in Los Angeles, California.

The game will feature the return of Kunio, Riki and others as the friends battle against the rival gang throughout the Tokyo area using chains, weapons, bottles, fists and feet to beat the crap out of anyone who stands in their way. Much like Shodai on the SNES it’s also possible to go around and take on side-quests to earn some extra cash and buy items and whatnot along the way.

Minoru Kidooka, the CEO of Arc System Works, commented about their partnership with Natsume in bringing River City: Tokyo Rumble to the Nintendo 3DS this summer, stating in the press release…

“River City its celebrating its 30th anniversary in Japan in 2016, and we’re excited to be part of the celebration,” […] “We’re very excited to be continuing our partnership with Natsume, which included Gotcha Racing and Brave Tank Hero in 2015.”

The game will sport local and online play, as well as unlockable content, including new stages, characters and songs as players make progress through the levels.

It’s a shame we don’t get more River City games on the larger consoles and PC because I could sink hours into them. Shin Nekketsu Kōha is still one of the absolute best side-scrolling beat-’em-up games ever made and one of the best I’ve ever played.

Fans of the River City Ransom franchise can look for River City: Tokyo Rumble to launch on the Nintendo 3DS this summer.