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This Wednesday: Bust up fools in 'The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai' on XBLA
Announced via Major Nelson's podcast last night, this Wednesday's "Days of Arcade" XBLA game will be the 2D, side-scrolling, three-player co-op beat 'em up (breath), The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. Coming in at 800 ($10), you might remember Dishwasher from GDC 2008 when, among other XNA titles, it was featured as a free download, showcasing the XNA development tools. Be sure to keep a lookout for the X3F Podcast-born achievement that pays homage to Peter Moore's fake guitar playing prowess! And if you're like us and can't spare the extra spacebucks just yet, feel free to window shop in our gallery below.%Gallery-15513%[Thanks Menno!]
Immortal is the toughest raiding achievement in the game
This is extremely interesting. Guildox is a site that tracks raiding progression solely based on earned raiding achievements -- they check the Armory entry of your guild, and then add them to a list of who's toppled which instances and when. But they recently sent us a note about some overall data, and it's fascinating. Below the pulldown bar of the achievement listings on their site, you'll find an "achievement rate" stat. That is the percentage of guilds who've completed the selected achievement as compared to the number of guilds in their system who've completed any of the 10 or 25-man raiding achievements.In essence, that's the percentage of guilds raiding who've completed that achievement. And the toughest achievement in the game right now is The Immortal, which requires you to get 25 people through Naxx without dying once. Only about 1.5% of guilds raiding have finished that one. After that, it's Heroic: You Don't Have an Eternity (take out Malygos in six minutes), and Heroic: Shocking! (bring down Thaddius without crossing charges). The hardest 10-man achievement is the non-Heroic version of the Malygos timed achievement -- The Undying actually isn't too bad, with almost 20% of guilds having attained it.More after the break, including information on the easiest raiding achievements.
BlazBlue confirmed for North America summer release
With its global online support, we expected that Arc System Works' console port of arcade brawler BlazBlue would eventually be released outside of Japan. Now niche publisher Aksys has quietly revealed plans to bring the elegant 2D fighter to North America for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. Like their counterparts in Japan, fighting game fans in North America can look forward to mastering super moves and combos this summer, as players beat the heat by staying indoors away from bears and tiresome physical activity. With King of Fighters XII slated for a July release as well, the only question we're left with is: How will our hands survive? [Thanks, Nick]
BlazBlue throws a beatdown on PS3, Xbox 360
Arc System Works, the folks behind popular 2D fighting franchise Guilty Gear, are planning on bringing their high-def 2D fighter, BlazBlue, to the Xbox 360 and PS3 IGN reports. Currently only available in Japanese arcades, the title is being ported to home consoles in the region, with release aimed at this summer. Notable additions to the console port include a story mode, with individual stories for each character available. This story mode will offer branching storylines based on the battles you win, as well as the choices you make while playing. Director Toshimichi Mori says the story mode easily offers 30 hours of gameplay. On top of that, gamers can look forward to online support for battling folks around the globe, as well as DLC, which Arc has planned, yet no specific items were mentioned. The console version of the game will also provide all characters with Astral Heat special moves, which were only given to a select few boss characters in the arcade version of the game.
Toy Bot Diaries drops to 99 cents, is giving away $10,000
Toy Bot Diaries is a fun little series of platforming games with a physics twist -- you probably saw it on those early iPod touch gaming commercials. It features a little robot jumping around levels with a grappling hook and some magnetic boots. If you haven't picked it up yet, now's the time to do so. IUGO has lowered the price on the whole series, and you can get each of the three versions of the game for just 99 cents a piece. At $4, the game wasn't bad, but at just a buck, it's definitely worth picking up.And that's not all -- they're also giving away $10,000 (and a smattering of gift cards and game codes) for playing through the games. You need to pick up all three games, and then pick up 25 of the "datapad" collectibles from each game, for a total of 75, at which point you'll get a chance to enter your email address for submission into the contest. Getting the datapads isn't hard at all, we're told, and the game is a good time anyway.The contest ends on Monday March 16th, and IUGO says they're not sure when the prices on the games will go back up, so now's probably the time to get with the playing. No better way to promote a game than make the price cheap and give away lots of money.
SFIV Tiger Uppercuts PC this summer, may include Mad Catz fighting stick
For our PC brethren that have been watching 2 million console gamers with envious eyes, know that your time will come, uh, months from now, as Capcom has dropped word that Street Fighter IV could be arriving on the PC as soon as this summer. Capcom vice president of business development, Christian Svensson, even says that Capcom has been in talks with Mad Catz to bundle one of those SFIV fight sticks with the game. "I'm in talks with Mad Catz to figure out how can we actually do some bundles of pads and Street Fighter IV PC," said Christian. However, a release date of "this summer" isn't even set in stone for the game. When asked about the PC version's release, Christian merely responded by saying, "Let's say summer." We have a feeling a lot of PC gamers have some choice words for Christian, but we remember what our teachers told us about assuming.%Gallery-21918%
Multiverse reveals a peek at their upcoming flash development platform
Imagine booting up your computer to play your favorite online game with your friend, except he's in an airport waiting for a flight and you're at home in your office chair. You see a glorious 3-D world from the comfort of your computer monitor, and he sees a two dimensional isometric view from his hunched view over his mobile phone. You use your mouse to click your action buttons and fight monsters, and he just taps the screen with his finger. You're questing together, winning battles together, except you see the world entirely in 3-D and he's seeing it in 2-D.If you're thinking that this scenario is entirely implausible, you would be wrong. MMO tools developer Multiverse has recently unveiled a sneak peek at their upcoming flash toolset by launching the flash based game Multiverse Battle.
Watch the Street Fighter IV opening cinema
In 10 days, the U.S. will receive Street Fighter IV. It's a game that needs no prefacing of any kind. We just thought that you might want to take a break with us and watch the completely awesome Japanese opening cinematic. Seriously, if you watch one video today, this should be it. It's way better than the last trailer we showed you. Akuma totally fights Gouken. You can find the video past the break.%Gallery-39771%
Muramasa: The Demon Blade cuts down Japan this April
Word on the street is that the highly stylish and, well, one of our most-watched games, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, will hit Japanese retail in April of this year. We've got no firm date yet, however an April release in Japan means that we could be seeing it localized in North America this holiday season. It is coming to Europe in November, after all (not taking into account summer placeholders).It's a long wait, but one we'll gladly suffer for what we're sure is going to be a wonderful game.%Gallery-33431%
Fantasia enters Korean closed beta ... on cell phone
This might just be the beginning of the end for MMO fanatics. Sure, it's possible to whip out a laptop to play your favorite online game on the move, but with the upcoming Korean MMO Fantasia, it will be as simple as pulling your cell phone out of your pocket. Imagine your most boring work meeting, school lecture, or family gathering, then think about how much better it would be to discreetly farm for items under the table or desk -- just don't include the resulting termination/expulsion/disowning in your little fantasy.Fantasia has just entered the closed beta phase of its testing in Korea, and developer Lemon Co. hopes to release it in the second half of 2009. Whether this will be limited to the Korean market or not is up in the air at this point. The game is said to feature detailed 2D graphics, a large world map, item trading, a mail system, and even an arena for PvP. On top of this, Lemon is working on cell phone specific features, like a system that sends a text message when an item you're looking for shows up, even if you're not logged in. The bar has been set -- now we wait and see if Lemon can deliver a quality product, and also, if other developers are keen to enter the mix.
Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Arcade Cabinet of Heroes
Looks like we have a new BFF, even if they don't know it yet. As you can see in the image to the right, the cabinet is set to play Tatsunoko vs. Capcom (running off a Wii), which is one of the games we'd most like to import but it costs like a bajillion dollars so we can't. Apparently, these cabinets are just sitting in somebody's kitchen, in Brooklyn. Uh, what does a blog need to do to get an invite? We're already making you famous to our 32 readers with this post. Hook a blog up, already! We totally own a car.In all seriousness, though, we're really jealous of how awesome that kitchen is. %Gallery-32421%[Via NeoGAF]
Outspark announces closed beta for Wind Slayer 2D MMO
Wind Slayer, not to be confused with the sexy Champions Online villain Mind Slayer, was first announced late last year from the MMO's publisher Outspark. It is described as "a 2D side-scrolling MMO that features six classes, character customization and player-versus-player modes." Did we mention it's free?Now, the closed beta for Wind Slayer has been announced for January 7th through January 14th. This short closed beta will be used for player feedback before the open beta begins in February, and an official launch is slated for later this year. Check out their website for more details on entering the closed or open beta.
Check out Swords & Soldiers in action
Upcoming WiiWare game Swords & Soldiers promises to be a fun time. Ever since it was revealed, we've been smitten by a most amazing and charming artistic style, as well as the prospect of some fun and fresh RTS action. It seems like a potent mix, one which demands attention and will not be ignored. And, after watching the trailer above, Swords & Soldiers has our full attention.Swords & Soldiers is currently scheduled for release in February of next year.%Gallery-29716%[Via Go Nintendo]
Tatsunoko vs Capcom site offers resource for importers
If you're like us, you won't let a little thing like a language barrier stop you from importing what is sure to be the fighting game of the year. So, instead of trying to navigate the abundance of Japanese text and all of the menus, or simply just trying different moves with each character in-game, you can simply print out these handy little cards with each character's moves listed on them, allowing you to safely try out each fighter and avoid the frustration of just winging it with each individual in the game. It's a pretty great resource with a lot of info condensed into one place. If you plan on importing Tatsunoko vs Capcom, then you should definitely check this out.%Gallery-32421%Source - Move list sheets (zip file)
Fanswag: Wario Land goes to ...
Another giveaway comes, another giveaway goes. Our latest fanswag, involving Wario Land: Shake It!, has concluded and it's about time we crowned a winner. Who's lucky enough to win our copy? The winner is: Adam N, who is a big fan of Wario Land 3 Congrats, Adam! To the rest of you, we wish you better luck next time. Thanks for entering, thanks for reading and be sure to keep an eye on Wii Fanboy for our next giveaway, which will start up shortly!%Gallery-26293%
Director talks up Muramasa: Demon Blade
When it was announced that Oboro Muramasa Youtouden was headed to North America (under the name Muramasa: Demon Blade), we got all kinds of excited. Not only does the game have a wonderful style all its own, it also looks like a great 2D experience in a world crowded with 3D games. During a recent interview with 1UP, the game's director Jyouji Kamitani answered questions dealing with the origins of the game, the motion controls players can expect and the playable build that will be available during the upcoming Tokyo Game Show.Hit up this link to read the full interview.%Gallery-33431%
Dave Perry: Selling Earthworm Jim was the 'dumbest move ever'
Dave Perry has been feeling a twinge of seller's remorse since washing his hands of former platforming icon, Earthworm Jim. More than that, actually, as the Shiny Entertainment founder admits in a recent interview that, in hindsight, selling off the rights to annelid-made-superhero was probably the "dumbest move ever." The outspoken Wii detractor lays the blame for the miscue largely on the industry's transition away from 2D and into the third dimension in the 90s, his animators at the time unwilling to lay down their pencils in favor of the almighty polygon. Of course, the team eventually went on to create the fabulously tongue-in-cheek action epic, MDK. Now, like Perry, we're left to sit and wonder what might have been as we wait for Interplay to push Jim up from the soil once more.
Point/Counterpoint: 2D vs. 2D
Arguably the two most eagerly awaited Wii games of September have something slightly unusual and wholly awesome in common: they're both 2D. Mega Man 9 and Wario Land: Shake It! have each been widely lauded for daring to ignore the third dimension, but they're still quite different in terms of how they use 2D.Mega Man 9 rejects all modern graphical conventions, taking the player through a timewarp to 1988 with its intentionally blocky, charming sprites. Conversely, Wario Land: Shake It! is straight from the Metal Slug school of design, in that it uses painstakingly detailed, beautiful hand-drawn art. Which do the Wii Fanboy staff prefer? Read on to hear both sides of the argument! NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; }
Full Mega Man 9 DLC revealed
Click image for full DLC details var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Mega_Man_9_Wii_Operation_s_Guide_shows_DLC_release_schedule'; Here in the Wii Fanboy dungeons, we've been squeezing bouts of Mega Man 9 in between blogging today, and have already made an exciting discovery in the game's manual (note: you can browse this without even purchasing the title): an apparently complete list of downloadable content.According to this, five pieces of DLC will become available in the near future, including a Hero (ultra hard) and Superhero (so hard you'll cry) mode, a new Time Attack stage, the chance to play as Proto Man, and the utterly hardcore-sounding "Endless Attack," which is essentially a stage without end. These range from 100 to 300 Wii Points apiece, and you can check up on prices and release dates after the jump.%Gallery-30253%
Splash Woman is doing it for the girls
Following Plug Man's unveiling yesterday, GamesRadar has media and details on one of Mega Man 9's more historic Robot Masters. Splash Woman is the first ever female boss in the series, and grants Mega Man the fantastic-looking Laser Trident when defeated, a weapon that can pass through walls and damage otherwise invincible objects and areas.The actual fight looks excellent, as well: after completing Splash Woman's mostly underwater level, Mega Man has to dodge her trident shots, as she warbles her siren song, calling on her ferocious fishy friends to attack you. It's sort of cute. Head to our gallery for new screens and sprites of both her and Plug Man.%Gallery-30253%
