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New details drop for Onechanbara port
Ever since it was revealed that D3 would bring Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers to the Wii, we've been pumped to play it. That is mainly due to the game being all about a hot chick killing zombies while barely clothed. It's basically a recipe for success. But what of this Wii port? What features can we look forward to? Some things were hinted at back at E3, but we never got definitive word. That is, until now.D3 has confirmed that the game will feature co-op play, complete with unique characters with their own individual weapons and combos, so you can feel awkward in front of a friend when you're getting weird sensations from a scantily-clad babe destroying screens full of zombies in showers of blood. Aside from the co-op, the roster of game modes has been expanded to include Free Play Mode, Survival Mode and Quest Mode, in addition to the main Story mode. With these new features, the game sounds better than ever. Any of you excited for what is sure to be some great mindless slaughter?%Gallery-28067%[Via Go Nintendo]
North America soon to join in on the Alien Crushing
If you thought Hudson was done announcing WiiWare games, you were dead wrong. In fact, Bomberman Blast was just a warmup for the real WiiWare announcement, which we all knew was coming, but we're elated to see: Alien Crush Returns is coming to North America! A few new screens came with the announcement, which you can find in our gallery. Chris Kohler's impressions of today's Japanese release suggest that this news is, in fact, a good thing. According to the press release, "Alien Crush Returns is the only pinball game for WiiWare that lets gamers compete head to head online." It also happens to be the only pinball game for WiiWare. As with Bomberman Blast (and Star Soldier R), Hudson will host periodic online tournaments, starting with one near the unspecified launch period. %Gallery-19346% [Via press release]
Alien Crush remake heading to North American WiiWare
Nintendo's WiiWare service has apparently sparked a renewed interest in developing games with one pixelated foot rooted in the past. Following both Capcom and Konami's head start, Hudson has likewise decided to dip into its archives, returning with news to bring the Wii-make of its TurboGrafx-16 sci-fi pinball game, Alien Crush, to North America. Descriptively titled Alien Crush Returns, the download was released today in Japan and is based on the 1988 classic, which itself is available on WiiWare's sister service. While a date for the game's North American debut has not yet been announced, Hudson notes the follow-up will again be played across two screens and an unspecified number of boards, each no doubt filled with galactic baddies with a lust for silver balls. Most interesting, however, is news that Alien Crush Returns will support two-player online play as well as include online leader boards, with Hudson promising multiple online tournaments for the pinball-obsessed to throw down with their E.T. crushing skills. %Gallery-30489%
Alien Crush: new screens before it returns to Japan
Just one day before the Japanese release of Hudson's Alien Crush Returns, we're treated to new screens of the remake/sequel of the glorious Turbografx-16 pinball game. The one above appears to be one of the new boss levels (briefly seen in the trailer), in which you fire pinballs at a grotesque alien rictus. Also highlighted: the two-player versus mode -- which is based on score and time, as far as we can tell, and not simultaneous multiplayer, but we doubt it, because that sounds amazingly insane -- interfering with each other's shots, sharing flippers, and generally just having a frustrating old time. Just knowing that a new Crush pinball game is being released tomorrow somewhere makes the world seem like a happier, warmer place. %Gallery-19346%
Alien Crush Returns to Australia
PAL regions got the first official release of the amazing pinball game Alien Crush just last year via the Virtual Console. According to the OFLC, the new WiiWare version is Australia-bound as well. Not to be too presumptuous, but this suggests a worldwide release as well. We never doubted that Hudson would make Alien Crush Returns available around the world, but it's nice to have some evidence. Also rated: Tetris Party and something called Pit Crew Panic, another Hudson Wii game. We have no idea what that is -- some kind of racing-related thing, sure, but ... could it really be a whole game about replacing tires and such? %Gallery-19346% [Via Siliconera]
D3 wants to add extra spice to Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers
It was pretty clear during D3's E3 presentations of Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers that the company wants to make some changes to the original Japanese game, because they didn't let us play the retail Japanese copy used as a display, suggesting that they plan to mess with the controls. Also they told us that they were going to add stuff. Siliconera got an even better idea of the kinds of additions D3 is thinking of. According to their talk with D3, new stages and enemies not found in Onechanbara R, as well as other characters from the Onechanbara series, may make their way into the new game. More work than is absolutely necessary going into an Onechanbara game? What a strange time we live in.%Gallery-28067%
E308: Dress up with Onechanbara
If there's one essential zombie-killing accessory that's often overlooked in survival guides, it's the feather boa. If you don't look good, you won't feel good, and if you don't feel good, you're not kicking a bunch of zombie ass. You can't argue with that; that's science. That's why Onechanbara is awesome: it represents a fusion of high fashion aesthetics and a dedication to efficient killing ... and it's all coming to you at a budget price. There's nothing more you can ask for, except screenshots, and hey! They're right here. %Gallery-28067%
E308: Onechanbara ogled
D3 showed off an early version of Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers in their conference room. And by "early version of Bikini Zombie Slayers," I mean "final Japanese version of Onechanbara Revolution." The retail game. Even so, I wasn't allowed to play it! Isn't that weird? And not in the funny, campy way that Onechanbara is usually weird. I did get to watch the game in motion, and found the visual upgrade over the PS2 version impressive. Apparently the price is getting a downgrade from the Japanese release: the D3 rep said that while they had yet to set a price point, it'll be marketed as a budget game. D3 also had the costumes from the Onechanbara movie in their booth -- all four square inches or so of costume. I did geek out a bit.
New methods of crushing aliens
The WiiWare sequel to Alien Crush is officially the hottest thing ever, even though we're not entirely keen on the new 3D look -- and even though we prefer Devil's Crush to Alien Crush. Among the many reasons it's super hot (reason the first: DUDE ALIEN CRUSH RETURNS) are the new ball upgrades. Reverse Ball allows you to instantly send the ball back the way it was moving. Split Ball enables multiball on the field. Boost Ball boosts the speed of the ball. Strangely, these new "Action Balls" will be available as DLC. We don't know if they're otherwise unlockable, or if they'll be paid DLC or just time-released. They aren't the only Crush DLC, either -- new stages for the game's Story Mode will be available as downloads. %Gallery-19346%
Alien Crush site goes live, offers up loads of content
Hudson has just launched the official Japanese site for upcoming WiiWare title, Alien Crush Returns. Within the site, you'll find a lot of content, including a nice video, along with several screens. Also, if you have some knowledge on translating Japanese, you can find some nice control explanations right here. Overall, it's a pretty neat site that you should check out. Be sure to hit up our gallery below, as well. %Gallery-19346% [Via Go Nintendo]
D3 bringing sex and violence to the U.S. with Onechanbara
We've been hoping for a localized version of Oneechanbara Revolution, the motion-controlled Wii entry in Tamsoft's once-budget horror action franchise, since D3 Publisher revealed the game at last year's Tokyo Game Show. The company just announced that we're getting our wish: the series is headed to the U.S. for the first time, under the title Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers.Players will control one of two sisters, Aya and Saki, who slice up piles and piles of zombies, stopping only to shake the tainted blood off of their swords (lest they become slower and get stuck in zombies more often). Getting blood on the girls, however, triggers a "Rage Mode" in which Aya and Saki attack with increased speed and strength, while their health decreases.After No More Heroes, we have been slavering for some more sword-based action. Now we're looking forward to E3.
Oneechanbara movie uses its budget the wrong way
The Oneechanbara movie continues to be our favorite upcoming import-only movie based on an import-only game about girls in bikinis slaughtering zombies. It's a big genre, but we think we can say this with some certainty.Even so, this latest trailer raises some concerns about the movie. Specifically, why the CG blood? It would actually cost more than the normal goop used in movies, and the producers didn't quite spend enough to ensure that it didn't totally look ridiculous. Oh, that reminds us -- WARNING: This video features blood, sort of, and may not be suitable for children sensitive to the sight of computer-generated Jell-O.[Thanks, zizzy!]
WiiWare now worthwhile: Hudson reveals Alien Crush sequel, more
Look at that. Look at it. That is a screenshot of a new Alien Crush game. Even if it is a little ugly, it's the most beautiful thing ever. If we didn't already have a Wii, we'd be camping out for one right now based on this alone -- seriously. And it's WiiWare! With online leaderboards! (Online leaderboards for Alien Crush? Where would you get an idea like that?) Just like with the Virtual Console, Hudson has proven that they know how to support a download service. Alien Crush is coming out in Japan in August, and it had better come out worldwide near that time. Including the stuff shown today (and Star Soldier R), Hudson has ten WiiWare titles planned. This AMAZING NEWS was revealed at a Hudson event in a Brazilian restaurant in Shibuya, along with Blue Oasis, a virtual fish-tank type game that interacts with the Forecast Channel. It'll be out sometime this year. Hit the break for screens, as well as some new Tetris and Bomberman images! %Gallery-19346%
Oneechanbara movie trailer keeps the low-budget spirit
The first trailer for the Oneechanbara movie should allay the concerns of anyone who thought D3 Publisher's cheap zombie-slashing game series would forget where it came from. Oneechanbara is staying true to its low-budget roots by, apparently, having a very low budget. Roughly half of the trailer is composed of game footage, followed by a quick look at Eri Otoguro as Aya, in an impressive "leaning kind of sideways, because she's hurt or something" scene. We suppose this trailer -- with little content other than a few seconds of a girl in a bikini -- would fit the definition of a "teaser" pretty well.[Via Kotaku]
Oneechanbara: so not-awful it's Revolutionary
Dengeki had a playtesting session of D3's Oneechanbara Revolution, and from what we can gather based on automatic translations, they quite enjoyed the (costumes in the) game. They also seemed to think that the new controls, while requiring a bit of practice, work out well for the action game and create an enjoyable flow. They didn't think it was awful, which is news for the series.While the idea of learning controls seems antithetical to the Wii ideal, at least they're fun. Oneechanbara Revolution includes a practice mode in which you can just slice up endless hordes of zombies, in order to facilitate the learning process.Along with the English-unfriendly impressions, there is a nice set of new screenshots. We're fascinated by whatever that on-screen display is in the practice mode.
Friday Video: Erina collects another paycheck
As if we weren't already all about action games, recent developments have given us a taste for waggle-style action games. In this video for the new Oneechanbara Wii game, Official Aya Model Erina demonstrates the Wii controls for the bloody game. Also she wears her Aya outfit. Obviously, right?Oneechanbara's controls are much more motion-y than No More Heroes'. You're really (sort of) swinging your sword around and cutting through thousands of zombies. Surprisingly, while we totally think No More Heroes balances button-mashing and waving around perfectly, all the waggling in this looks fun and exciting. We're probably only swayed a little bit by the fact that it's being shown off by a bikini-clad model! While you're in an Oneechanbara mood, check out some new screens at the link. They're screens of the game, by the way.
Oneechanbara takes the Revolution on the road
It seems that a significant portion of any Oneechanbara game's budget is earmarked for hiring gravure idol Erina to dress up like Aya for publicity events. Judging by the game, a rather large percentage goes to the Aya Model Fund. This time, to promote the February 7th release of Oneechanbara Revolution, Aya stopped by Dengeki's offices, along with a dude in half-assed zombie makeup, to pantomime slashing up the website's staff. The two also made similar stops at GAME Watch and Famitsu, as well as other publications, no doubt. We'd make a joke here about threatening violence in retaliation against negative reviews, but we're pretty sure that these websites will find a way to review the game harshly, if they end up reviewing it.
Oneechanbara Screenshot Revolution
An exciting innovation from D3 can be found on the Oneechanbara Revolution website: screenshots that take a really damn long time to load! Also they move or something. Apparently the "Revolution" in the game's title refers to the range of movement in the promotional screens. D3 has updated the website with two "3D Screenshots" -- images whose perspective can be changed by moving the mouse, allowing for a 3D view of the game. It's basically like those QTVR panoramas that, five years ago, everybody thought would be important right now. Except important, because they're about video games.Of course, we hate to say it, but Oneechanbara isn't necessarily the best subject for high-tech screenshot technology. From pretty much any angle, all there is to see is gooey blood and zombie chunks.[Via Siliconera]
Oneechanbara Revolution is definitely not a budget game
We wondered when we heard about D3's Oneechanbara Revolution whether it would be part of the Simple budget series from which the Oneechanbara games originated. Well, actually, we suspected that it wouldn't be, since Oneechanbara VorteX on the Xbox 360 had crossed the full-price barrier, and since a series of Simple Wii games had been announced independent of this new Oneechanbara.But we continued to hope. We can forgive a repetitive, low-tech game for the right price, especially if it's in the action genre we crave. However, at full price we find it harder to overlook the obvious issues with the game (not that it matters, since it's a Japan-only release). We now have extremely definitive proof that Oneechanbara Revolution is not a budget game: the price. NCSX is taking preorders for the title at a price of $58, and Amazon.jp lists the game's retail price at 6,090 yen ($55), with Amazon selling it for $46. D3 is including somewhat of a consolation prize with every copy, in the form of a soundtrack CD. The music's the most entertaining thing about the game anyway!
Midnight drag racing on the DS, Simple-style
D3 Publisher's Simple DS Series Vol. 22: Age Age THE Zero-yon Shinsha (the name translates to something like The 400-meter Midnight Drag Race) actually looks kind of neat for a Tamsoft-developed Simple series game. The idea of a drag-racing game on the DS, we think, is somewhat novel, though we aren't sure if it'll translate into interesting gameplay. We also think the anime-style presentation looks pretty nice, too, even if we're pretty sure we'd hate having our view of the race obscured by our character's constant emoting. We confess that in this game, we'd spend less time racing and more time in the car-washing minigame, because hey, car-washing minigame. There are also scratchable lottery tickets and Simple-series-themed slot machines that we think are pretty clever! They should distract nicely from the main game about driving in a straight line for a very short time.
