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Fat Princess ninjas won't be lonesome anymore
Yesterday, Titan Studios teased ninjas for Fat Princess. But what's a ninja to do without the help of their mortal enemies? Looks like PSN's online cake-fest will continue the ages-long saga of the epic battle between ninjas ... and pirates. Predictable? Yes, but far from unwelcome.Who else thinks Titan should go one step further and announce Pirates versus Ninjas ... versus Zombies for Fat Princess?[Thanks, HeavyToka!]
Pirates vs. Ninjas (vs. Mushroom Men) Dodgeball coming May 12
SouthPeak just announced a release date for the retail Wii version of its XBLA sports/fighting/party game, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball. Obviously the game didn't make its winter release, but finally, on May 12, Wii owners will be able to pit internet memes against each other, in order to determine, once and for all, who can take a hit to the face better. With the Wii version, naturally, you'll be able to use motion control to deliver those hits to faces. According to the game's official site, the Wii version allows you to pick between the following teams: Pirates, Ninjas (of course!), Zombies, Robots, Aliens, Monsters ... and Mushroom Men. We missed those guys! %Gallery-30671%
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Gin Rummy, Shred Nebula, Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball
XBLA is packed to the brim this week with three full releases landing on the Xbox 360's download service. All told, we have Gin Rummy, Shred Nebula, and Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball. One of them is a wacky sports game, one is a space shooter, and one is a card game. See if you can guess which is which! Failing that, you could always just watch the latest episode and find out if any of these are worth your time and money. [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon). [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
XBLA triplets are born: PvN Dodgeball, Shred Nebula, Gin Rummy
It was once rare for Xbox Live Arcade to receive two games in a single week. Heck, it was once rare for XBLA to receive one game in a single week. And here we are, getting three in one week. All told we have Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball, Shred Nebula, and Gin Rummy. So, we've got a party sports game, a space shooter and a card game. The only question now is whether or not anyone will want to open their wallents after the veritable treasure trove of games that dropped in August. Both PvN Dodgeball and Shred Nebula will set you back 800 Microsoft Points. Gin Rummy is a mere 400. All three are now available on Marketplace for your perusal. Gallery: Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball (XBLA) Gallery: Shred Nebula (XBLA)
Hands-on: PvN Dodgeball's new multiplayer modes
We recently got a chance to play some dodgeball with Blazing Lizard. Specifically, we're talking about the company's new Xbox Live Arcade game, Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball. Even more specifically, we got a chance to try out the game's various multiplayer modes. Those following the game may recall that originally the game was to contain only a no-rules, non-traditional version of dodgeball, but Blazing Lizard decided to delay the title in order to add some more traditional modes. We got to try out both of these new modes as well as the original free form mode known as Combat Dodgeball. Read on for our hands-on impressions of each mode.
XBLA Threefer this week: Shred Nebula, PvN Dodgeball, Gin Rummy
This week on Xbox Live Arcade we get not one, not two, but three new games. Lined up in a row -- like so many ducks -- we have: Shred Nebula (800 / $10) Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball (800 / $10) Gin Rummy (400 / $5) Shred Nebula is a space shooter that utilizes strafing mechanics instead of the twin-stick format we've become used to in games like Geometry Wars. It also boasts online dogfights for 8 players. Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is ... um ... dodgeball. It now sports three different gameplay modes -- in addition to the single-player story mode -- and can be played by up to 8 players. Finally, there's Gin Rummy, which is ... Gin Rummy. It supports 4 players online and contains six different versions of Rummy. Will any of these wind up on your digital shelf? %Gallery-5889% %Gallery-11478% Source -- Shred Nebula on Xbox.com Source -- Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball on Xbox.com Source -- Gin Rummy on Xbox.com (not live as of this posting)
This Wednesday: XBLA dodges balls, plays cards and ... shreds nebulas?
We don't even know what that means, honestly. What you just read is the nonsensical result of Microsoft deciding to unleash three thematically varied games on Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday. How are we supposed to tie a space shooter, a card game and a meme-based dodgeball game into a coherent headline? Oh, and just wait till you get to the part where we explain what each game entails. Here we go: The showdown between pirates and ninjas (also, robots and zombies) begins in earnest with the release of Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, a lighthearted celebration of long-dead cultures and non-fatal projectiles. The game and its 8-player online matches can be had for 800 ($10). Similarly priced is Shred Nebula, which immediately defies expectations by being utterly devoid of guitar-playing space clouds. In fact, it offers "deep multiplayer space combat" for up to eight players online, along with Adventure, Score Attack and Deathmatch modes. Finally, there's the online-capable and sufficiently self-explanatory Gin Rummy for 400 ($5). That about does it for this paragraph. %Gallery-5856% Gallery: Shred Nebula (XBLA)
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball Wii: it's official
Gamecock pseudo-unofficially confirmed the existence of a Wii version of the Xbox Live Arcade Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball during E3. Today, they sent out an official press release announcing their intent to release the Wii Dodgeball this winter. Aside from the obvious difference in which box you turn on to play it, the Wii version of the meme-off will feature new teams (we're hoping for bloggers), new game types including story and challenge modes, and multiple control schemes. Included in the press release are the first three screens, which look, unsurprisingly, like the Xbox game in lower resolution. Which, for the simple, cartoony environments and character models, is just fine. %Gallery-30671%
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball coming to Wii
Just a week or so before the game lands on XBLA, we get word that Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will be coming to the Wii this winter. In addition to eight-player, seven-team pirate-on-ninja action, the Wii version will include "all-new story and challenge modes, along with several customized control schemes." We don't know how much they'll be asking, but with the 800 point XBLA asking price, we're hoping for "not a heck of a lot more than $10." Wow, PS2, PSP and now XBLA. What can't you port onto that thing?
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball on XBLA starting Sept. 3
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball developer Blazing Lizard announced today it expects the title to release September 3 on XBLA for 800 MS points ($10). If short-term memory is kicking in, that date for an XBLA release probably sounds familiar because omni-directional shooter Shred Nebula will apparently release the same day. Blazing Lizard's Studio Director Chris Stockman tells us PvN will feature two variations on dodgeball. Traditional: Where old-school rules apply and players can't cross the line. Then there's Enhanced: Players will have special moves for the four races in a crazy free-for-all. The four initial races in the game are Pirates, Ninjas, Zombies and Robots -- an additional group (we're guessing Aliens) will be available as DLC a month later. [Via X3F] %Gallery-5856%
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball releases Sept 3rd
After experiencing a delay or two, Gamecock has finally revealed the release date for their sure to be XBLA hit, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, and it's coming sooner than you expect. The newly new official Dodgeball release date is Wednesday, September 3rd with pricing still yet to be announced. Remember too that not only are pirates and ninjas featured in the game, but we've already heard that zombies AND robots will be tossing around red balls too. Insta-buy? Maybe ... but only if the game's dodgeball physics engine is up to par and if there's an option to always have ninjas win. %Gallery-5889% [Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
E308: A whole lotta list -- upcoming Wii games and release dates
Wii got game. Oh, and games, too. Nintendo posted a list with a metric ton of games and release dates, including ones from third parties. You can check out the list for yourselves in our gallery below; you might be pleasantly surprised (or sorely disappointed). One thing we noticed: The Conduit was nowhere to be found (perhaps because High Voltage has yet to reveal a publisher for the title). Goosebumps: HorrorLand seems like a strange edition to the Wii's lineup (since the book series was in its prime over a decade ago), and GameCock added Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball to the company's Wii repertoire. Other than that, we didn't notice too many surprises. Is there any other software on the list that you think deserves an honorable mention? %Gallery-27711% [Via press kit]
Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball honors Chuck Norris
It goes without saying, really. We all honor Chuck Norris in our own way, seeing as not honoring him is rewarded with a quick and painful death. Still, the developers of Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball have seen fit to include a Chuck Norris based achievement in the upcoming XBLA title. Entitled "Chuck Rules!" the achievement is unlocked by beating the Ninjas Story Mode. Frankly, we're a little puzzled as to why the achievement is named after Norris, as he himself is not a ninja, though we expect he has killed his fair share of ninjas. That said, we've learned not to question Chuck Norris -- or the things related to him -- so we'll just leave it at that. Hit the source link for the full list of Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball achievements. [Via XBLArcade]
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball delayed, extra content promised
If you've been looking forward to Blazing Lizard's upcoming XBLA release Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, you might want to sit down and re-read our hands-on impressions from last month, as publisher Gamecock just sent word that the game has been pushed back until some unspecified time later this Spring. In an effort to paint a silver lining on the news, Blazing Lizard studio director Christopher Stockman notes that the extra time will let the devs "go back and add in additional content to the game," including new rules and modes for the title's cadre of ninjas, pirates, robots, and zombies. When asked as to the reason for the delay, a spokesperson told us that it "was the addition of different game modes, specifically the mode that works more like traditional dodgeball." That's fine, though we suspect the constant flurry of cutlass swipes and hurled shurikens might have had something to do with it as well. [Via press release]
PvN Dodgeball delayed for new traditional modes
Blazing Lizard has announced that the XBLA release of Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball has been delayed. The reason for the delay is that Blazing Lizard is "adding more traditional rules dodgeball modes where teams stay only on their side and multiple dodgeballs are in play." This is purely speculation, but it sounds like not everyone was happy with the free-form dodgeball rules that were originally crafted for the game. Just how long the game will be delayed is unclear, though the press release notes that the game will arrive "later this Spring." Blazing Lizard's Chris Stockman told us earlier this year that Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball began as a traditional dodgeball game. So, hopefully the company already has some working code in place for the new modes and won't keep us waiting too long. Blazing Lizard also released a handful of new screenshots (perhaps to dull the pain). Peruse them in the gallery below. %Gallery-5889%
EIEIO 08: Hands-on with Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball
click to embiggen I'm a big fan of the Super Dodgeball games, and of the Kunio series in general. I played tons of dodgeball on the NES and GBA, and I've been watching the development of the DS game with more than enthusiasm. So when I first heard about the Xbox Live Arcade Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, I was very curious about a non-Technos take on the sport; what would Blazing Lizard do to distinguish their game from what seems like the final word in dodgeball games? Besides filling it full of Internet memes, of course. Surprisingly, Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball has very little in common with Technos' masterpiece. Aside from the fact that pudgy characters throw balls at each other, the two games play almost totally differently. They might as well represent two totally different sports. %Gallery-5856%
Exclusive: Meet the Robot team of Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball
Don't ask us how we managed it (we've done things of which we are not proud), but we've managed to snag the exclusive details behind the latest team in Blazing Lizard's Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, Robots. We have concept art and details on each team member, including their background and special moves. Not only that, but we've got shots of the Robots' dodgeball court as well. We've piled all the shots and information into a special gallery that you'll find embedded below. Peruse them all and ponder whether or not the combined might of pirates and ninjas can topple the indomitable Robot army. %Gallery-15537%
Pirates vs. Ninja Dodgeball: robot contenders profiled
When we initially heard about Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, our first question was, "what about zombies and robots?" (Actually, we first wondered why pirates had top-billing, but that would've led to a long and pointless debate.) Fortunately, developer Blazing Lizard heard our cry and sent assurance that zombies and robots were, indeed, ready to fight. Our sister site X3F has new, robotic pictures and concept art for the upcoming Xbox Live (and possibly PSN) title. Peruse the gallery below and enjoy robot profiles adjacent to the images. Gallery: Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball: Robots
Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball's new team: Robots
Considering the fact that robots will one day rule us all, we're surprised we never figured out they would be playable in Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball. Honestly, we wish that Blazing Lizard hadn't forced this new choice upon us, as we're having trouble dealing with it. Pirates against ninjas, that was an easy fight (ninjas win, obviously), but robots put a whole new spin on things. Ninja versus robot is harder to call. Sure, one ninja versus one robot and the ninja could probably win. But the robot army of the impending robot apocalypse will be unstoppable. That's just a fact. Then again, there is the zombie team, which would only get larger as the robot army killed the pirates and ninjas. Maybe that would balance things out. Nerdy rambling aside, there is still at least one more team to be revealed according to the official Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball website (in fact, the robots team hasn't even been revealed there). We're still holding out for the lawyers team because someone's going to have to sort out this mess. Also, you may want to check out a recent -- and fairly positive -- TeamXbox preview of the game. Hit the "read" link and check it out.
Pirates Vs. Ninjas site now live, new trailer
As you may have guessed from the headline above, the official Pirates Vs. Ninjas Dodgeball website is now live. The website includes some screenshots (most of which we've seen before), wallpaper, IM icons, and a new video. There are some "coming soon" features as well including forums and the ability to send the page to friends for "free pirate music mp3s." The new video, embedded above, is a cheeky live action affair involving a group of pirates searching for a ninja bandit. Frankly, we really hope Blazing Lizard can deliver on the gameplay here. If not, there are going to be some disappointed Xbox Live Arcade ninjas and pirates come early 2008.
