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TGS07: Square Enix announces Kingdom Hearts: Birth of Sleep
Square Enix has unveiled a trio of new Kingdom Hearts titles for gaming on-the-go. Though none of them are Kingdom Hearts III, the PSP title Birth of Sleep appears to be a single-player adventure similar in style to KH2. According to 1UP, the main character looks eerily similar to Zack from Final Fantasy VII and Crisis Core: FFVII.No release date was given for Birth of Sleep. Square Enix also announced KH: 358/2 Days for DS and KH: Coded for mobile phones.[Via Joystiq]
TGS07: Kingdom Hearts confirmed for DS
There's some great news for Kingdom Hearts fans and DS owners -- the handheld is indeed getting a KH game, and it's apparently not a follow-up to the GBA title. Details are sketchy out of TGS at the moment, but the game is going multi-version for multiple platforms (as rumored). It seems the DS exclusive, which is known as Kingdom Hearts 358/2 is the "darkest" of the bunch, according to IGN. Brief trailers for the DS title, as well as those for the PSP and mobile phones, were shown behind closed doors at the show, and no release dates have been mentioned as yet. The only other thing we know at this time is that the events in all games take place near those in Kingdom Hearts 2.
Rumor: (A) Kingdom Hearts game slated for DS
Way back in May, Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura said the company faced a difficult decision about where to send the next Kingdom Hearts title. When faced with choosing between the DS, the PSP, and mobile phones for your multi-million dollar franchise, what's a company to do?Clearly, they should make multiple games -- not just multiple versions -- and cover all the bases. Rumor has it that there are three different Kingdom Hearts games in the works: Kingdom Hearts for Playstation 3, Kingdom Hearts 0 for PSP, and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories 2 for the DS, which we assume is a follow-up to the GBA title. As rumors go, this one seems pretty viable, and we anticipate confirmation within the next few days ... unless Square Enix has an entirely different game afoot when it comes to this franchise.
Rumors: Okami Wii, Kingdom Hearts prequel and 'GTA Batman'
The latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly has once again provided some juicy rumors care of the Quartermann column. Q has added some kindling to rumorang fire of Okami for the Wii, suggesting that Capcom is already developing an upgraded port.On the Square Enix front, rumor has it that Kingdom Hearts has a "series of prequels currently in-the-works for a number of consoles and handhelds." That would fall in line, at least partially, with what Tetsuya Nomura said back in May that the next KH game would not be KHIII but rather a spin-off for portables.The third rumor presented is that "a popular studio" is working on an open-ended, Grand Theft Auto-style title based on Batman.
Square Enix opening US merchandise store midnight tonight
If you've got any marrow or plasma to spare, you'd better go get it sucked out now because at midnight tonight, Square Enix opens the online merchandise store to the United States. The online store has been available to Japanese consumers for quite some time now, offering everything from Dragon Quest stationary to replica Gunblades from Final Fantasy VIII.The US store will have a modest opening, sticking mostly to figurines. A full list and descriptions of featured items are available after the break.
Square Enix launching US online store
Role-playing game powerhouse Square Enix have put up a teaser site for an upcoming online merchandise store. Though we're not expecting software titles to be sold, figurines from Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy are likely (we saw a huge display of fine-crafted figures from those series at Tokyo Game Show last year) and probably clothing with various logos.Our prediction for best-sellers? Anything with a Slime character on it: key chains, styluses, plush dolls, etc. Our prediction for worst-sellers? Anything sold with actual slime on it. Ew. No date has been given for the grand opening of the store.[Via 1UP]
Square Enix teases us with upcoming Kingdom Hearts news
A short interview was conducted with some members of the Square Enix PR department by the folks over at RPGamer. While there isn't that much truly invigorating information, we thought it'd be nice to bring you up to speed on some of the anticipated titles that, we hope, make their way onto the PS3. Also of note are Square Enix's tentative plans for the PlayStation Store. Enticed? Summary below. The PS Store is too young to decide if content is worth posting, says Square Enix. Would we really want another version of a Final Fantasy game anyway? We'd love to see something like Einhander make its way onto the store, though ... The next Kingdom Hearts title (they didn't specify whether it would be the third main installment or another off-shoot title) will get announced at the Tokyo Game Show. Also not-yet-officially-announced is a special party hosted by Square Enix on June 26. It will take place at the PlayStation Store in San Fransisco. More details on that later. We're fairly sure that the Kingdom Hearts announcement will be for an offshoot title for a handheld. Not sure why; just a gut reaction. As for the PS Store, while it is young, it will never get older if developers don't give it worthwhile titles. In fact, in our latest podcast, we sort of touched on the topic -- Japan is getting a ton of PS One titles and we've gotten none for the past couple of months. Surely this will change soon, Sony?
FF Dissidia magazine scan reveals Smash-ing possibilities
Here is Dissidia, the newly announced Final Fantasy game for PSP. Our less-than-infantile understanding of Japanese makes it difficult to decipher a recently leaked Japanese magazine scan. We understand that it's a one-on-one 3D "battle" game -- could this game be a fighting game, in the style of Smash Brothers? The pictures certainly allude to that. It isn't Ehrgeiz like we predicted, but we think it's pretty darn close. The game will reunite characters from across the franchise, including the Warriors of Light from the first Final Fantasy, and Zidane and Kuja of Final Fantasy IX fame.Nomura's Kingdom Hearts-esque character designs are in full effect, and the title appears to have some console-quality graphics. It may not be what most of us expected, but we can't wait to find out more.[Via NeoGAF; Thanks, Jamal!]
Next Kingdom Hearts game coming to portables
Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura recently told Famitsu that the next installment in the Kingdom Hearts franchise won't be gracing consoles and won't even be Kingdom Hearts III. Instead, portable gaming enthusiasts look to be the ones who are lucking out, as he said the next title in the franchise will be another spin-off set to grace handheld platforms. "[It] would be hard to choose if to make the game for the PSP, NDS or the cell phone," he said, leaving us a bit puzzled in the statement's wake.Why would it be a hard decision? For one, a spin-off title from the franchise already released on the GBA, so there is some familiarity with Nintendo's hardware on his side. Plus, the Nintendo DS is the hottest handheld on the market, so wouldn't it be in his company's best interest to bring it here? Sure, we can understand the difficulty of deciding between the DS and cell phones, but we really don't think the PSP is in the running much, unless it looks to be a graphically-heavy title.
Next Kingdom Hearts to be portable spin-off, not KHIII
Ever wonder what "King" Mickey was really doing in the World of Darkness -- or how he got his mitts on that keyblade? Well, Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura has told Famitsu that the next Kingdom Hearts game will explain just that, CVG reports. Nomura isn't talking Kingdom Hearts III (as EGM speculated), but rather a spin-off entry bound for portability. "[It] would be hard to choose if to make the game for the PSP, NDS or the cell phone," teases a rough translation of Nomura's comments to Famitsu.The designer hinted that the side-story would play "slightly different" than the rest of the Kingdom Hearts series. "I want to ... change the system a little," said Nomura, adding, "The multi-developing makes me want to put it on something else [other than consoles.]" Sounds like Nomura isn't interested in sharing any one game on multiple platforms. So when can we poll the rest of Square Enix on this issue?
Rumor: New Dead or Alive will be PS3 exclusive
Insert your own jiggling pun here, EGM is reporting the rumor that Team Ninja's crafting a new Dead or Alive title that will be exclusive to the PS3. There's no word on if this is a new branch of the series or the Dead or Alive 5 that alleged joker, smoker and midnight poker Tomonobu Itagaki confirmed last November. Also slipping from Quarterman's silver tongue: Capcom may be working on a new version of the original Mega Man, remade for the PlayStation Network (what's the appropriate gift for the 100th Mega Man? Glass? Sapphire?). Oh, and, lest we forget, Q says a new Disgaea for PS3 and a new Kingdom Hearts (not Kingdom Hearts 3) are on the way. What's that? You want more? Well, only the first hit is free: You'll have to buy this month's EGM for more details.
Nomura talks Kingdom Hearts: could it go to PSP?
Kingdom Hearts Network has translated a recent issue of Famitsu. This particular issue is of interest because there is an interview with Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura. In the interview, Nomura talks about the future of Kingdom Hearts: "The announcement time of a new KH project might be announced soon." Of particular interest to PSP owners: "The multi-developing makes me want to put it on something else without thinking. If we follow this idea, it would be hard to choose if to make the game for the PSP, NDS or the cell phone." Not the best translation, but I think we all get the idea. Kingdom Hearts on PSP could be the best team-up for PSP owners since Final Fantasy and Disney. [Via DCEmu]
We have information on Kingdom Hearts not-3
We know that the next Kingdom Hearts game isn't going to be a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 2. We were imagining that it'd be a spin-off like Chain of Memories and we figured right. Sora will not be involved in this spin-off and it won't be on the PlayStation 3. Chances are it'll be stuck on a portable system. Either the PlayStation Portable or the Nintendo DS. Following the trend, it's more likely to pop up on the DS, though going to the PSP would really put an A-list title in its library.So what does the game entail? Oh, darn, that would've been a great pun if I waited. Anyway, you'll get it. You'll play through the story of how Mickey came into possession of a keyblade and what went down in the world of darkness. There's going to be a pretty big focus on Roxas (or Sora-X if you like that better... Breath of Fire 2 really started the whole Name-X thing. Awesome). We'll keep you posted on the new information as they become available.
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 14
PSP Fanboy offers the latest and greatest movie and game trailers, formatted for the PSP in this new weekly feature. Check it out every Saturday. PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com.Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. Kingdom Hearts (Birth By Dream)Download MP4 (22.5MB) | Download JPG The following videos are featured after the break: Halloween, Lair [PS3], This is Living, Illegal Tender
Kingdom Hearts creator working on new series, not KH III
Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura (Sony-era Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts series) has told Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation that his next project would not be Kingdom Hearts III but a new series. "So it probably won't be just one title," he said.Nomura told us to expect multiple Kingdom Hearts announcements this year. Hidden trailers notwithstanding, we've heard nothing (Mushroom Kingdom Hearts was an April Fool's gag), so it sounds like the next KH projects will be moving forward without Nomura. Given the design precedent he set, we hope the future project director and producers can improve upon the current template.Nomura's new series is purported to share some similarities (like character design, natch) with Kingdom Hearts. According to EuroGamer, a full announcement from Square Enix is expected later this year.
Nomura remains vague on Kingdom Hearts 3
Kingdom Hearts 3. The very mention of this title sends a large cluster of people into a spiral of shame and happiness that makes absolutely no sense. How could they possibly enjoy a game riddled with cutesy Disney characters, they might ask themselves. The answer is simple: because the games are awesome. Tetsuya Nomura knows this, so he's remained fairly tight-lipped on the next entry in the ongoing tale of the Keyblade and its wielder (who knows who it may be in the next game). He's still tight-lipped, but a few details emerged that are worth mentioning.Nomura calls the next game "a new series" which can be kind of confusing. He decided to clear it up by adding this: "the next title won't just be Kingdom Hearts III. If it were III, we wouldn't call it a new series." So, if it's not KH3, but it is, then what is it? He speaks of Xehanort and Sora, how they may or may not be involved in the next game. Our thought? There's no more Disney to explore, so they're going to move it onto a more Square-Enix world -- or perhaps loop in movies that aren't specifically Disney. What do you guys glean from this?
Mario + Disney = Mushroom Kingdom Hearts
The April issue of EGM lands on newstands March 13, but the folks at Obvious Diversion have already sampled the goods. The big "news" is Mushroom Kingdom Hearts for Wii. According to the magazine that never lies, it's Kingdom Hearts sans Final Fantasy characters with Nintendo's Mushroom Kingdom folk in their stead. Over 41 characters will be featured in the game that's set to make more money than the Sultan of Brunei could ever dream of. EGM's April issue is a famous launching ground for concepts that seem too good to be true. Remember how excited we were when the realistic Wind Waker remake was announced? Wait. That was an April Fools joke? Think what you may, but EGM hasn't officially confirmed Mushroom Kingdom Hearts as a prank. You might want to place a pre-order this weekend. Go ahead, we dare you.
Kingdom Hearts 3 visuals due out by year's end
Tetsuya Nomura sat down with Famitsu and, among other things, talked about that mysterious trailer unlockable at the end of Kingdom Hearts 2. You know, with the apparently more "Square-Enix" take on the franchise? Those knights seriously look straight out of the designs from Final Fantasy IV. We know that Kingdom Hearts 3 exists, but up until now we've had no idea what to even look for.Nomura admitted that there are plans to give some visuals of the next KH before the end of 2007. You can speculate that the Tokyo Game Show will reveal a trailer, images, or just some printed information. Not much else to say, but feel free to toss in your theories or ideas here. I had a really good one, but... it's been a while and I've forgotten what it is.
Kingdom Hearts series ships 10 million
Kingdom Hearts recently joined an elite group of franchises, its three games now accounting for more than 10 million units shipped worldwide. Still dwarfed by a pair of Nintendo franchises, Kingdom Hearts is nonetheless quickly establishing itself as one of the most successful series of all time.Consider that it's older sibling Final Fantasy -- ranked third among the all-time best-selling franchises -- has managed to move 68 million units; a tall stack indeed, but one that's built on 12 core games dating back to 1987, plus countless spin-offs, remakes, and compilations. To date, Kingdom Hearts (technically considered a FF spin-off) is built on a mere 3 titles; none of which have gone multi-platform (GBA's Chain of Memories will be released for PS2 in an upcoming re-release compilation called Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix +). Kingdom Hearts debuted in September 2002.Appropriately, Square Enix will soon unveil multiple Kingdom Hearts sequels, affirming that this action-RPG is one of the most sought after series in the business. So which platforms will be blessed this time around? Is the primary series' successor safe in Sony's hands?
Kingdom Hearts' Sora goes on a homebrew adventure
Zelda isn't the only homebrew game to make a splash today. DCEmu's forums brings news about Sora's Adventure, which has no reached "version 0.2." It's still unplayable, as it's still very much a work-in-progress, but the trailer (seen above) shows some exciting potential. From the blurry video grab, we see a Chain of Memories-inspired Sora sprite side-scrolling and fighting enemies. An interesting effort, to say the least--I certainly approve of fan-inspired projects over the stealing bootleggers.Hopefully, word of this homebrew game will inspire the over-protective Square-Enix (killers of the ambitious Chrono Trigger remake) to get working on an official version of Kingdom Hearts for the rest of us.
