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Arc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineup
MonkeyPaw Games will make five of its PSOne Imports and Classics available to Vita users tomorrow, when the new firmware adds PSOne support to the handheld. Alundra, Arc the Lad 1 and 2, Vanguard Bandits, and the recently released Tomba will all be playable on Vita in North America starting tomorrow, the publisher told Joystiq.The overall list of supported PSOne Classics for tomorrow's Vita launch, outside of MonkeyPaw's offerings, is largely a mystery. When announcing the feature at E3, Sony showed off a selection of games including Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII, Wild Arms, Twisted Metal 2, Cool Boarders 2, and Jet Moto, but didn't say if those games would be part of the launch lineup.MonkeyPaw hopes to have the rest of its PSOne games on Vita "soon."
Europe gets PSN Imports section this week with three new games
If that local flavor isn't your thing, Europeans, then you may want to check out the new PSN Imports section. Sony's going to start hocking some retro Japanese games in your region, the PlayStation Blog revealed today -- the new initiative on PSN will feature "direct-from-Japan PS One imports and Classics." First up: Cho Aniki, Arc the Lad and Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special. Now, we know what you're thinking: Arc the Lad is totally a RPG, with tons of text and stuff. Yes, it is, but relax: the game's entirely in English, based on the US release by Working Designs. As for the other two, well, they're in the universal language that is shooting everything in sight.
Two more Arc the Lads rated by ESRB
The first Arc the Lad game was re-released on PSN this week. According to the ESRB, it won't be the only game in the series to become a PSOne Classic. Ratings have appeared for both Arc the Lad 2 and Arc Arena Monster Tournament on PSP and PS3. In their original disc-based incarnations, the two games interact: Arc Arena Monster Tournament is an arena monster fighting game that takes monster info from Arc 2. Both were originally released in North America as part of Working Designs' Arc the Lad Collection. All that's left from the collection for possible PSN release is Arc the Lad 3 -- well, that and a documentary, cardboard standees of the characters, analog stick covers and a memory card case. Maybe for PlayStation Home?
Alundra and Arc the Lad on PSOne Classics Oct. 12
Two PlayStation action RPGs originally published by Working Designs will be released on PSN tomorrow -- though, because they're digital, there won't be any room for cloth maps, toys, or other trinkets. Sorry! The upside is that the digital releases of Alundra and Arc the Lad, published by MonkeyPaw Games, will only run you the customary $5.99 PSOne Classics price. In its press release, MonkeyPaw teased that it "[plans] to promote the titles with some of the historical swag from the titles' original releases." What could that mean? We're following up with MonkeyPaw to find out. These two games won't be in the new PSOne Imports Store, as they were both officially localized and released here. They'll be in the regular PSOne Classics area instead.%Gallery-104801%%Gallery-104806%
Another PSP RPG appears!
Rezel Cross is another original RPG for the PSP to be released by Sony. The game has character designs by Eiji Kandeda who also did character designs for Aquarion and a script written by the team who wrote Arc the Lad III & IV. It is currently planned to be released in Japan this spring. The story revolves around five protagonists who have received the super natural power Rezel because of some comet that returns every thousand years. Meanwhile, numerous wild animals have transformed into crazed beasts. While the heroes set out to stop the beasts, they discover an evil force that wants to use the Rezel power to take over the empire. The game is split into 20 chapters and the heroes gain the powers of teleport, time pause, psycho kenesis, transformation and x-ray vision as they progress. In addition, the battles are in full 3D with an XMB like interface and the heroes get skill points to unlock new abilities and Rezel Arts as well as Hyper Rezels. [Via The MagicBox]
PSone downloads begin on 11/22... in Japan
In just a few hours, Japanese PS3 and PSP owners will be able to download and play PSone games on their PSPs. The following titles will be available for only 525 yen (less than $5) each: Resident Evil Director's Cut (Capcom) Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol.1 (Konami) Konami Antiques MSX Collection Vol.2 (Konami) Bishi Bashi Special (Konami) Arc the Lad (SCEJ) Jumping Flash! (SCEJ) Hot Shots Golf 2 (SCEJ) Silent Bomber (Bandai Namco Games) Tekken 2 (Bandai Namco Games) Playback of the games requires the newly released 3.00 firmware. PLAYSTATION 3 owners will be able to play the downloaded games on their home consoles in the future.[Via IGN]
