Though Sega released Anarchy Reigns in Japan in July, the publisher has really dragged its heels with the western release. Even developer Platinum Games was surprised when Sega delayed its multiplayer beat 'em up into the first quarter of 2013, but at least we now have a solid release date: January 8, 2013 in North America.

"Very few games fall under its genre of as a melee-based online multiplayer brawler, so I think we've been able to supply a new kind of excitement that you can't find anywhere else," Platinum executive director and producer Atsushi Inaba said in today's announcement. "While some time has passed since its Japan release, I look forward to having gamers in North American and Europe enjoy the Anarchy!"

The game's lineup of fighters includes returning pugilists from Platinum's MadWorld, some weird and wonderful new creations, and the wicked Bayonetta. She was pre-order bonus DLC in Japan, but it's not yet known how she'll arrive in the western release.

Anarchy Reigns is hitting Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Europe launch will follow on January 11. Has it been so long that you've forgotten what Anarchy Reigns is about? Observe: