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New Rockman ZX Advent screens and character art
Capcom released a ton of screens today for the new Megaman ZX sequel, Rockman ZX Advent, and they show exactly what we want to see in our Megaman games: running from left to right and shooting at robots, all delivered in gorgeous hand-drawn 2D. We could look at stuff like this all day. Coincidentally, that's kind of our job.In the first ZX, kids use "Biometals" ("Livemetals" in the Japanese version) to transform into robots similar to X and Zero from the Megaman X series, as well as a fused ZX form. The kids from last time, Vent and Aile, have been replaced by a pair of functionally-identical crimefighting children, called Grey and Ashe.They operate a new Biometal, called Model A, which enables transformation into a dual-wielding robot seemingly based on Axl from Mega Man X7, a game that we're glad is on the PS2 (so we don't have to like it).We've included character designs and a selection of screens for you. Bask in their 2D-ness after the break, won't you? We shrunk them down a bit from Dengeki's original display, to make the basking more successful. Over-enlarged DS screens are not cool.
The V-Code: boatloads of data via barcode
Remember the good ol' days when you could count on your barcodes to be nothing more than a handful of straight lines? Those days were long gone once the whole 2D barcode craze swept the industry (look at pretty much any package that's been shipped to you to see what we mean), and now we've taken one more step down the slippery slope of complexity with the introduction of the "V-Code" from MobileAMA. The basic idea is to animate a 2D barcode, significantly growing the size of data that can be represented -- throw a cameraphone into the mix, and you can probably see where they're going with this. MobileAMA would like to see users get their ringtones, wallpapers, and other garden variety phone knickknacks using their V-Codes, though with carriers generally doing a decent job offering content to their subscribers and Bluetooth becoming virtually ubiquitous, we think they've probably got an uphill battle on their hands.
First Riviera: The Promised Land video released
Back in August, Famitsu broke news of Sting's Rivieria: The Promised Land, the GBA tactical RPG, being ported to the PSP. Well now, the first video has been released, and you can see it here. Although, most of the text that accompanies the video is in Japanese, you can still get the gist of what the game is all about, just in case you haven't previously played it. While the graphics do look a bit crisper, the main "upgrade" from the GBA version is the inclusion of voice acting.On Sting's official site, they have loads of Riviera PSP content available for download. C'mon, I know you're a sucker for cutesy 2D sprites![Via DCEmu]
TGS 06: More Metal Slug Anthology screens uncovered
I don't think I can ever get bored of Metal Slug's super expressive and detailed sprites dying ultra-violent deaths, and this year's Tokyo Game Show kicking off today, Gamespot has uncovered a cache of new screens for us all to drool over.Now, in case you don't already know, Metal Slug Anthology is a collection of six previous Metal Slug games. It is set to ship Nov. 7, 2006 and will support two-player wireless multi-player.God, I love this franchise and to think we get six games in one really gets me excited.(Via Gamespot)
Metal Slug to feature "blood, blood and more blood"
Now that Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins has come and gone, it seems like I need a new lethally difficult 2D game to pine over. As previously revealed, the Metal Slug Collection will feature six Metal Slug games. IGN UK recently got some hands-on time with the game, and squealed in delight to see "blood, blood and more blood," as in the original Japanese release. (I wonder what the ESRB will have to say about that...) Although the game looks stunning on the PSP screen, the writer had a few concerns with the game. Firstly, it will be very short, considering how each game in the series clocks in at about an hour long. Although SNK is adding extras, they're limited to just concept art. Also, the load times seem unnecessarily long as of now (considering how this game isn't too technically advanced, the load times should be non-existant). Finally, the menu designs seem just slapped on together sloppily. Hopefully, SNK will fix these issues before the game releases in September.
Epyx returns to PSP
The retro compilations keep on coming to the PSP. If the Genesis-era of gaming is still too new for you, then you'll be glad to know that the popular line of Commodore 64 games published by Epyx are making a comeback. Impossible Mission will hit in January and California Games will follow in May. The Last Ninja trilogy will be making a comeback as well. Although these games will be remakes, they won't be 3D:"You gotta keep the gameplay mechanics the same or else it ceases to be the original game and you're only using the game brand to sell games," Kale (System 3 founder) said. "It ceases to be Impossible Mission or California Games or what have you. ... What we're doing is we're incorporating the original gameplay and mechanics and bringing the gameplay up to date."The remakes will also be available on the DS and Nintendo Wii.[Via DS Fanboy]
First-ever Earthworm Jim video delights
The Atari love continues today, as impressions and videos from their "Atari Spotlight" slowly trickle in. Another PSP game featured at the event was Earthworm Jim. While the screenshots we've seen so far have looked really good so far, seeing the game in motion has elevated its desirability to an even greater level. Like Ultimate Ghouls 'n Goblins on the PSP and New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, 3D graphics have been really changing the look and feel of 2D games... for the good. Our pal Jim looks to animate quick brilliantly. The platforming looks absolutely spectacular, with Jim have access to a plethora of moves, including a super-charged jump aided by his suit. While the combat and hit detection appear to be lacking right now, this very early demonstration of Earthworm Jim shows a lot of promise.Download - Gamespot's VideoRead - Gamespot's Hands-OnRead - AMN's Hands-On
Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins: It doesn't get any easier [update 1]
Akiko Nagashima, artist at Capcom had this to say about the 2D genre:"Recently, it seems like side-scrolling action games and shooters are in short supply. Maybe it's because of this that there doesn't seem to be very many high-precision-, skill-, and timing-based games on the market any more."It's true that side-scrolling games are in short supply, but that doesn't mean that we at the Fanboy don't love them. In fact, every new video update provided by the team at Capcom has had us craving for more and more. Gamespot has been kind enough to show us titilating new footage from the second level of the game, and unsurprisingly, it seems even more difficult than the already-insane first level. Bring it on![update 1: fixed a misspelling]
Sony files for the spiffy new Eye Toy
Remember that neat little "secret component" everyone was talking about last month in regards to some extra hardware? You know... the next-gen Eye Toy? Well here's the return of it as Sony has filed big number 2006-178948, which is the patent for a new camera that "will recognize every move and position of an object and will translate these actions accordingly to an object inside a game." What used to take multiple cameras now takes one, thanks to a patented mapping technique.It's like motion capture for the average Joe. But what ever happened to that Israeli company called Prime Sense? Weren't they supposed to come into the scene with their own interactive device which sounds a lot like this one? Well at any rate, Sony is on the move to get this camera inked in their name. Let's hope they don't step on any toes with this, because they haven't had the best of luck in the patent area lately.Could the camera also have videoconferencing features added into it as well? Thanks to Avistar and company (and the magic of licensing), this new Eye Toy could be your next long-distance video phone. Yet another testament to Sony's desire to bring the PlayStation brand out of "For gamers only" territory and into a wider audience.[Thanks, Fan]
2D's glory -- in top five form
This one brought a soft spot to my heart though I'm not sure exactly why. Perhaps it's my old-school gaming nostalgia kicking in, but there's something quite charming about a 2D game in this world of uber three-dimensional madness. Fond memories aside, the good folks at Game Daily put together a nice little list of the "Top Five Most Gorgeous Looking 2D Games." With a mix of old and new, the list's cherry-on-top is the Guilty Gear series -- a personal favorite of mine. If you've never played this insanity-filled fighting series, I suggest you go to your local video store and rent it right away. Other honorable mentions include the PSP titles Loco Roco and Lumines, a couple Yoshi titles, and Metal Slug.
Researchers teach computers to turn 2D images into 3D
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University appear to have solved a problem long thought impossible, teaching computers to turn static 2D images into 3D models. It was apparently a hot area for research in the 1970s but was virtually abandoned in the 80s after attempts to devise the machine learning necessary proved too demanding for the computers of the time. The key to Carnegie Mellon's research, apart from better machines, is the ability for computers to detect visual cues (such as a car) that can be used to differentiate between vertical and horizontal surfaces -- easy for us humans, but enough to turn even the most powerful computers into an incoherent mess. Apart from turning your vacation snapshots into a whole new experience, one of the big applications for this technology is obviously robotics, where it could boost their vision systems, improve navigation, and basically endow them with one more skill necessary to keep us in line after the uprising.
