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Wii Fanboy Review: Block Breaker Deluxe
When Pong evolved, we got Breakout. When Breakout evolved, we got Arkanoid. Then, when Arkanoid evolved, we got ... Block Breaker Deluxe? Not that we'd call Block Breaker Deluxe revolutionary in any way, even though it's fun to play. Take Breakout, slap on some tacky '80s visuals, then throw in '70s disco/porn music for good measure, and you pretty much know what to expect from Gameloft's WiiWare offering.
Searching for more than words in Nintendo's latest demo offerings
This week was a bit of a let down in terms of demos -- then again, it's hard to follow up the excitement of Arkanoid. It seems like Nintendo didn't even try, though. While we were interested in the demo the first time around, Cake Mania 2 already had its heyday. Then, there's Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, which we can't help but be underwhelmed by. Last and maybe least, the only other new demo is from Crosswords DS, which now offers the wordsearch game in addition to crossword puzzles. We guess beggars can't be choosers.Since things always look better in list form, check out the full list of demos available for download after the break.
DS releases for the week of June 16th
What a fabulous week! We've got breaking, cooking, exploring, invading, and so much more, in all the major regions! If it's all a little painful on the wallet, well ... the last few months have been lighter on releases, and now we're gearing up for summer -- and the DS just went from zero to sixty in nothing flat. Arkanoid DS Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard Imagine Rock Star Petz: Dogz Fashion Space Invaders Extreme Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 3 Wacky Races: Crash & Dash
Essential Extras: Taito's paddle controller
Let's just get this out of the way first thing: the import paddle controller works on the U.S. versions of Arkanoid and Space Invaders Extreme in both the DS Lite and Phat. But with that answered at last, the question that remains is: should you go to the trouble of importing the Japan-exclusive peripheral? We've been test-driving both titles, with the paddle and without, and it definitely adds to the experience. Arkanoid without the paddle is fun, but not terribly engaging, and seems like the kind of game that would work only as a temporary diversion. For a budget title, that's fine! But with the addition of the paddle -- which turns the purchase into something decidedly not budget -- Arkanoid really comes to life as an exciting way to spend some time with your DS.%Gallery-25232%
Taito game screens invade our weekend
Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS come out next week, at which point we'll be able to look at the equivalent of thousands of screenshots every minute as we actually play the games. Until then, we've got some more screens of both games to enjoy, courtesy of a Square Enix press release. In case you want to stare at boxart (which means that this is probably directed at DS Fanboy staff), we have high-resolution images of both.On the subject of the boxart, we just noticed that both games' logos use variations of the same font. The things you learn when you ... hastily composite a box image!%Gallery-19376%%Gallery-14613%
Ponder the paddle as you watch Space Invaders Extreme videos
Space Invaders Extreme is out next week, at which point we'll be able to put paddle speculation to rest. The Arkanoid DS demo found on the Nintendo Channel doesn't support Taito's paddle controller, but, it turns out, neither did the Japanese demo. That means it's still possible for the retail Arkanoid and its contemporary to include paddle support -- don't offload your paddles on eBay just yet. Besides, Square Enix told Game|Life in April that the U.S. games would still support the paddle, though of course that could have changed!We can confirm that these two Space Invaders Extreme videos are awesome. We have proof: the awesome videos. Two minutes of single-player gameplay are in the video above; a multiplayer video, featuring a different musical track, follows after the post break.%Gallery-14613%
DS Daily: Does the lack of paddle support make you rethink your purchase?
For us, the lack of paddle support in the demo for Arkanoid DS has us rethinking whether or not we're going to pick up the game, as a lot of the appeal for us was being able to play with the awesome paddle. Now, we're kind of forced to wait and see.What about you all? Feel the same way? Are you already settled, either way, on what you're going to do?
This just in: We might have imported a paddle controller for nothing
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/U_S_Arkanoid_demo_has_no_paddle_controller_support'; Grab a box of Kleenex or, if that's not an option, your shirt's sleeve. You see, we just went to check out the new DS demos available for download on the Nintendo Channel and found only one: Arkanoid DS. No, no, that's not the sad part at all. The sad part is what happened when we downloaded the demo. Upon getting it onto our DS and booting the demo up, we prepared for a wonderful time with our imported paddle controller, as it's been sitting on our work space's desk for a couple weeks now while we anticipated the release of Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme. But, after booting up the demo, we found the title only supports two control schemes: stylus and d-pad. Talk about d'oh!What will this mean for the final build of the game? Will it also not include support for the paddle controller? It looks like that will be the case, but what about Space Invaders Extreme? Should we expect the same fate for that title?%Gallery-19376%%Gallery-14613%
New, colorful demo this week on the Nintendo Channel
There's only one new demo available on the Wii's Nintendo Channel, but it's a title we've been wanting to try for a long time. If you guessed Space Invaders Extreme, well, we wish. It is the next best thing that Taito and Square Enix have to offer, though: Arkanoid DS. Should you happen to be unfamiliar with Arkanoid, we have to ask -- where have you been the last twenty years? In all seriousness, we're sure you've encountered this Taito classic in some form or other, which involves breaking blocks pong-style. We have our DS-Fanboy-branded scientific lab monkeys trying out the demo as we speak, so we'll be sure to deliver some impressions soon for those of you without Wiis. The other games available are essentially the same from last week. Here they are in list form: Brain Age 2 Brain Age Flash Focus Crosswords DS Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Worms: Open Warfare 2 High School Musical: Makin' the Cut! The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Arkanoid DS %Gallery-19376%
Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid websites are polar opposites
Both the Arkanoid DS and Space Invaders Extreme websites went live yesterday, and they couldn't be more different. Going to the Arkanoid website is like going to a Saturday brunch with your mother, while going to the SIE site is like hitting up a night club twelve hours later, staying out until 5 AM, and puking up everything you've had to drink before bedtime (we mean that in the best of ways).If you want something more descriptive than a simile, the Arkanoid site is cleaner and more organized than its Invaders counterpart (and it's also silent), but we think that may be because there's no "Extreme" in its title to live up to. Those who prefer trippy visuals and loud music on their web browsers, though, should head on over to the SIE page (consider this a sound alert for those of you in "not safe for audio" workspaces). If you've visited the Japanese website for this title before, you'll know what to expect, as it's exactly the same.As it stands, there's not much to do on either site except read about the games. We were hoping that little demos or browser games would be present, but alas, our wants were denied. At least we'll see the real things in only two weeks.%Gallery-19376%%Gallery-14613%[Via press release]Source: Arkanoid DS official websiteSource: Space Invaders Extreme official website
Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS in a color explosion
Taking a look at these new Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS screens, it's clear that the games are going to be nothing short of trippy. We can't wait. It's unfortunate that those of us outside of Japan will have to import the paddle controller, but that's just a small price to pay for such a tantalizing pair -- we're just grateful we don't have to import the software, too.Square Enix also announced the European release date for these titles, which is July 4th. Luckily (for this blogger), those of us in the U.S. and Canada won't have to wait as long to get these in our greedy little hands, as the North American date is June 17th.Browsing through our galleries will give you a taste of the craziness that is SIE, while the Arkanoid DS pictures will show you some of its cool-shaped levels. We're definitely more stoked for the former, but maybe that's just us. How about you? Which revamped Taito classic are you looking forward to more?%Gallery-14613%%Gallery-19376%[Via press release]
DS Daily: Tough choices
The next few months will be filled with a lot a great releases -- perhaps too many. Super Dodgeball Brawlers, Bangai-O Spirits, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, Etrian Odyssey II, Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid DS, Rondo of Swords, Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles, Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, and The World Ends With You are just a few that we can name on the spot, and all of these will be out before July starts. Unless you have abundant amounts of currency, though, you probably can't afford to buy that many games in such a short period of time. Also, money isn't the only problem. Supposing that you could afford everything you wanted, you wouldn't even have the time to play them all. Narrowing down the field is tough, but necessary. What games that are coming out in the next three months do you consider must gets? And they don't have to be chosen from the games listed above, so go nuts.
DS Fanboy poll: Our paddle predicament
So that's it: Taito's amazing paddle controller won't be leaving Japan. But really, if Square Enix thinks we're going to take this lying down, and be forced to play Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid sans paddle, then it can think again.We're over the initial shock now, beyond the tears and the tantrums punching walls in a really manly fashion, and we're thinking about the future with a clear head. At the next possible opportunity, we're importing a paddle controller. We've not even played Arkanoid or Space Invaders Extreme yet, but we're utterly convinced that these games need this peripheral. What about you lot?%Poll-12399%
Arkanoid DS headed up North American creek without a paddle
The thrill of pinching that tiny, twisty knob between your thumb and forefinger, guiding your sliver of a "space vessel" as you protect its only companion, a dot, capable of utmost destruction, but ultimately helpless, has been lost, abandoned. Taito will ship Arkanoid DS to North America on June 17 without its protruding peripheral, banking on a $19.99 budget price to sell the antiquated, breakout formula. True 'Noidians will have to double the investment and turn to import retailers to assemble the authentic experience -- currently, only available in pink.More promising is Taito's Space Invaders Extreme, a "re-imaged" version of the original, which reminds us a lot of last year's excellent Pac-Man CE for XBLA -- both touching up fundamental elements with a contemporary aesthetic. Space Invaders Extreme will be released alongside Arkanoid DS on June 17 for $19.99, and will be available for DS and PSP. Gallery: Arkanoid DS Gallery: Space Invaders Extreme
So the paddle isn't coming to North America?
Okay, we're confused. It looks like, based on a press release that got sent out today, that the paddle controller that came bundled with Arkanoid DS in Japan won't be seeing a release in North America. That is, basically, an unforgiveable crime. Seriously, why would you even want to try to play the game without it?Another notable tidbit of info from the press release is a confirmation that both games will be budget priced at $19.99, which will help shoulder some of the cost of having to import the paddle controller (sadly, Play Asia only has pink paddles in stock anymore, so you'll have to wait or settle for that color). Both games are slated for a June 17th release this year.%Gallery-14613%%Gallery-19376%
Downtrodden Taito U.S. employee confirms Arkanoid and Space Invaders
With the boxarts, prices, and release dates on Gamestop's website, it seems like a pretty sure bet that Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS will indeed be published by Square Enix in North America. However, in the absence of an official press release like the one that just came out for Europe, we could use all the confirmation we can get. Two recent bits of information help cement the notion that these games really will come out.First, Arkanoid has finally joined Invaders as a game rated by the ESRB. The E rating has finally shown up on the ratings board's website, indicating that it is planned for release. Second, Keiji Fujita, the sole Taito rep in the U.S., confirmed it directly in a Gamasutra interview. "Arkanoid was released last year in Japan, and Space Invaders Extreme [was released in February]. In fact, these two games will be published by Square Enix in the United States." Since they're being published by Square Enix, though, Fujita has nothing to do with them -- with the only Taito console games to come out this year.If we want more Taito games (and we do), then we should maybe consider buying at least one of these two. Fujita said that the future of Taito games, at least as published by Square Enix, hinges on the success of Invaders and Arkanoid.
Arkanoid screens make the waiting harder
If you're trying to hold out any time a sale pops up, or you just happen to find yourself browsing one of many online retailers from which you could easily pick it up, finger hesitating over that "add to cart" button, then we're not helping. And listen, we're sorry, but there are new Arkanoid screens, and then old screens in the gallery, and what were we supposed to do? Ignore them? We're suffering as much as you are.%Gallery-19376%
Import your games for cheap during Play-Asia's Easter Egg Sale
If you're keen on importing games, it seems like there's no better time than now. Play-Asia is having an "Easter Egg Sale," which means that all in-stock items that weren't released in the past thirty days are 20% off. The sale ends on March 31st, but you might not even want to wait that long, as items are going out of stock quickly. Some games that might be worth picking up: Ouendan 2 -- $24 (it's been on sale before, but $24 is the cheapest we've seen it) Taiko no Tatsujin - $39 (you've gotta love the cute little Taiko drum) Arkanoid DS w/ Paddle Controller - $39 (yes, this is being localized for Europe and likely NA, but it's not too bad of a deal if you're impatient) Paddle Controller - $16 (or, you can just get this -- currently only available in pink) Archaic Sealed Heat - $16 (not the most import friendly, but you should be able to get by on a tactics title -- especially for this price) Power Pro Kun Professional Baseball - $23 (one of the best baseball options for the DS) Choushoujuu Mecha MG - $16 (mmm, mechas) Daigasso! Band Brothers - $39 (another good rhythm game, with lots of instruments included) Feel free to add any of your own import recommendations in the comments below.[Via CAG]
Square Enix confirms awesome trio for Europe [update 2]
Update 2: And now any mention of the paddle peripheral has disappeared again from our press release! We're confused as can be at the moment, but we're contacting Square Enix for clarification ... now. Stay tuned!Update: Silly us, we totally overlooked some critical parts of the press release. It mentions an "optional paddle controller" for Arkanoid DS, which causes us to think the game could release in a bundle including the peripheral. We've also included the full press release past the post break.Oh, happy days!Square Enix just confirmed a tremendous triumvirate of releases for Europe, with Space Invaders Extreme, Arkanoid, and Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift all due in the region this summer.Fantastic news, but there are two questions we urgently need answering. One: will the two Taito titles enjoy the same budget price that looks likely for the U.S. release? And two: will we be getting the wonderful paddle controller for said games? We can't think of any reason why we shouldn't receive such a peripheral, but the lack of an announcement is concerning.%Gallery-5422%%Gallery-14613%[Via press release]
Checking out the first Arkanoid DS TV spot
As you all know, we're dying to get our hands on Arkanoid DS. We've also kept our fingers crossed for months, hoping the game would be localized to our region. In the meanwhile, the latest TV spot for the game from Japan will have to keep our incredible desire to play this (and use its very kickass paddle peripheral) at bay.[Via Go Nintendo and GamePressure]
