ninja-reflex
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Valve, Nunchuck release Ninja Reflex over Steam
Valve and Nunchuck Games have tiptoed around caltrops and poison rice balls in order to release Sanzaru Games' "ninja party game" Ninja Reflex over Steam. The game, recently released for both the Wii and DS, leverages Valve's Steamworks tool set, adding some 50 new achievements not found in the previous versions. Even better, the companies hint at an in-game "basket" of Easter Eggs lifted from the Half-Life and Portal universe. Whatever that means, we want it. Beyond the added achievements, the appropriately dubbed "Steamworks Edition" also carries an attractive asking price of just $9.95 $8.95, making the alternative $39.99 Wii and $29.99 DS versions seem laughable by comparison. The game is up on Steam now, and is next on our list of things to get -- right after we finish eating this rice ball.
DS releases for the week of March 3rd
Look sharp, DS owners -- there are a couple of solid choices competing for your funds this week. Our own beloved Shiren is wandering onto shelves alongside the Eco Creatures, and that's not all that's hitting stores. For gamers still wrapped up in other great recent releases, there may be some tough choices ahead. Time to start that stack of games that you'll still be working through by December!For our friends in Europe -- we sure hope you happen to be Dora the Explorer fans .... Anno 1701 Bubble Bobble: Double Shot Chicken Hunter Eco-Creatures: Save the Forest Homie Rollerz Imagine: Figure Skater Let's Ride! Friends Forever Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer Ninja Reflex Petz: Bunnyz
Catch these Ninja Reflex screens in your chopsticks
It's no Wii, but the DS still has its fair share of mini-game compilations. Nevertheless, the crucial ingredient of ninja means we feel compelled to cover Ninja Reflex, EA's forthcoming selection of ninja-based party games.More information on the once mysterious title has stealthily found its way to our inboxes, including the news that the game will feature a series of six reflex-honing martial arts challenges. These include such exercises as hunting koi with your bare hands, taking down attackers with either shurikens, nunchucks, or a samurai sword, testing your quickness against the flash of a firefly, and catching flies with chopsticks. Regrettably, there is a crushing lack of painting fences or waxing cars.Having prepared with EA's game, we appreciate some people will want to go one step further, and become a full-time ninja. If you are one such person, you'll want to head here for full instructions. Thank us later.%Gallery-15605%[Via press release]
What does a four-player game need? Five players, of course!
Not one, not five, but ... well, actually it is five. Five ninja; no more, no less for this trailer from upcoming game Ninja Reflex. And doesn't that strike you as odd? With a four-player game, it seems the odd-man-out isn't so much a friend of the four enjoying the game, but the group whipping boy, there only to serve drinks to thirsty players and watch them enjoy their Wii from afar, silent longing for a day when he too can experience the pleasure of motion-based gameplay. And, dude: what is up with the kid with the chopsticks? Seriously?%Gallery-11356%
Ninja Reflex boxart screams, 'No ninja, no ninja, no'
What game will win the title of "Worst Ninja Boxart" this year? The battle is fierce, and only the most specially trained in the art of the bad box will prevail. In one corner is the stealthy Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the DS. So stealthy, in fact, that it remained hidden during its November release date. The challenger is Ninja Reflex, a game involving the most sacred of ninjitsu techniques: partying. What box will reign supreme in the sacred art of fail? And will there be any newcomers brave enough to enter such a grueling competition? Patience, young student, will reveal the answers to these questions.[Via GoNintendo]
Wii, DS ninja party game strikes from the shadows in March 2008
Right on time, agents from EA have stepped from the shadows to confirm details surrounding the previously revealed Ninja Reflex, a "ninja party game" for the Wii and DS. The game, which will ship in March 2008, will be co-published by both EA and the appropriately named Nunchuck Games, and is being developed by Sanzaru Games, a new California studio founded earlier this year by seven former Activision devs with an obvious ninja obsession. And who can blame them?While we presume that a Wii-based ninja party game will have us lurking from the rafters and terrorizing the family cat, EA notes that Ninja Reflex's gameplay will center on performing challenges and testing reaction time " with millisecond precision" as players try to earn the right to wear the coveted black belt. There is also promise of four player multiplayer matches, and while we've grown weary of traditional party games, we imagine there's nothing quite as satisfying as the crunch that comes from leaving your best mates blackened and bloodied as they beg for mercy after being beaten senseless at the business end of your Wii remote.
Ninja Reflex screenshots stealthily sneak up behind you (and kill you)
Did you know that today is the Annual Day of the Ninja? So if you've been waiting for an excuse to flip out, hit on ninja babes, and assassinate pirates, consider today your excuse.Electronic Arts is celebrating this sacred holiday by revealing new screenshots and details for its newest party game, Ninja Reflex. Developed by newcomer studio Sanzaru Games (former Activision developers), Ninja Reflex will feature "a series of martial arts challenges to test gamers' reflexes and measure their reaction times with millisecond precision." Up to four players will be able to participate, sharpening their skills and speed in this mashup of Brain Age and ninjitsu action.The minigames shown so far are predictable, ranging from catch-a-fly-with-chopsticks contests to shuriken-throwing competitions. Hopefully, the final product will have more interesting activities -- and online support, too! Creep into our gallery under the cover of night and check out some of the screenshots EA has made available. Go ninja, go ninja, go!%Gallery-11356%[Thanks, Troy]
EA preparing ninja party game for Wii, DS
Think of the greatest party you've ever been to. Hold that image in your head. Wow, it was a magical night, wasn't it? The booze was free flowing, the perfect song was playing and that special someone looked at you across the room ... and smiled. Guess what -- When you compare your very special night with EA's new party game, it looks a little more like a meeting of the Carpet Store Owners of America. Because EA's not just throwing any party, nephew. EA's throwing a ninja party. And there ain't no party like a ninja party, because a ninja party don't stop ... until the floor is coated in blood and everyone is dead.Ninja Reflex is a "ninja party game" for the Wii and DS. And though more details are coming on Dec. 4, that's all we know about it right now. But you don't need to know any more about it to make your purchasing decision. To that end, we'll now be reiterating the salient details for you: Ninja. Party. Game. Now, go fold five bucks into a shuriken and get to pre-ordering![Via NDSF]
Wii Warm Up: Can it possibly be any good?
Even though we found out today that Ninja Reflex is going to be a "party game" of some kind and not an action game or silly ninja-esque training game or whatever we thought it was going to be -- and even though we saw the EA name on it from the start, we're staying positive about the title. Why? Well, because it incorporates one of our favorite themes: tired Internet jokes ninjas. But what do you think? Is it possible for EA to sneak a decent game out under the cover of darkness? Or will it be just another minigame compilation to toss onto the pile?
Ninja Reflex details revealed, hopes shattered
While we're still holding out hope that the game can be one of 2008's gems, the revelation today that EA is making yet another minigame compilation title for the Wii has us down in the dumps. We understand that they're trying to tap into the same audience that the Wii has appealed to (see: every living person on the planet), by making games that can be enjoyed by as wide an audience as possible, but can we cool our jets on the minigame compilations already? Please?Hopefully, EA will understand that a ninja party isn't just a bunch of peeps dressed in black hanging around, playing with some hula hoops. No, a ninja party is something different, where a clan of ninja sneak onto a pirate ship in the dead of night, proceeding to murder every single drunken, disgusting excuse of life that is found within the confines of the creaky, wooden vessel. But, we're sure EA will replace the killing with cookies and milk, or some such other bit of nonsense.
Anniversary aftermath: Next year's awesome games that you forgot about
We spent yesterday going through the big releases that've been announced for next year so far -- Smash Bros. Brawl and/or Wii Fit likely topping your personal "must get" list -- but what about the second-tier games that don't usually receive much press or attention? Though we haven't forgotten about the low-key releases, we've collected a selection of games and media to ensure that these titles stay on your mind too! Read on for our top ten list of awesome 2008 games that you totally forgot about!
Ninja Reflex DS no longer an only child
We spotted a Gamefly listing for some DS game called Ninja Reflex a couple of days ago. Now a Wii game of the same title has appeared on the site, with a release date of March 6. What is it? Nobody Only EA knows! If we had to guess, we'd say it's some kind of ninja-themed training game, which sounds like it might be enjoyable. EA did start up that EA Casual division after all; we can expect more casual-type content. And we welcome the spread of training games to the Wii, although the Wii's party focus may be at odds with training.For us, though, the most important thing about Ninja Reflex is that it allows us to make repeated Duran Duran reference. If you get handed an opportuntiy like this, why-yi-yi-yi-yi don't you use it?[Via Siliconera]
Ninja Reflex is best DS game name ever
We have no idea what this game will be about, but we still felt the need to inform you that Ninja Reflex is coming to the DS. Gamefly recently put this title on its website, leaving us to wonder what exactly it is. It's (oddly) being published by EA, and is supposedly coming out next year in March. There's also this extremely vague website, which may or may not be for the game. Ninja Reflex probably won't live up to its title, but we'll let you know as we get more details.Suicide-inducing ninja related video included after the break!
