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Bases still loaded: Jaleco isn't dead
Jaleco hasn't left the game industry following its buyout by Game Yarou. In fact, it's going to be business as usual at the Jaleco offices, with the only difference being that hopefully there will be some business. Gamasutra reports that under Game Yarou's ownership, Jaleco Limited will continue normal operation, and "operate its Tokyo office independently of Game Yarou." The Wii action RPG Ougon no Kizuna (official site here) is still in production and scheduled for a May 28 release in Japan.Since the press release announcing the buyout specifically mentioned reasons why Jaleco was leaving the game industry, we suspect that this was more a change in plans than a simple miscommunication.
Jaleco quits gaming, purchased for 1 yen
Jaleco, best known for its Bases Loaded series of baseball games, has been sold by its owner, Jaleco Holdings, for 1 yen. Japanese online game company GAME YAROU has decided to become Jaleco's new holder, agreeing to take on an accompanying ¥700 million ($7.8 million) in outstanding loans.According to Kotaku, Jaleco Holdings is bailing out of the games industry due to "increasing competition in recent years." As you all know, said competition went as far as to actually release games in recent years.
VC Tuesday: Shooting cars and Shootanto
It's an extremely low-key week on the Japanese Virtual Console, with only two obscure-ish 8-bit titles available for download. Ninja-kun, the precursor to Ninja Jajamaru-kun, is kind of unique, in that it's a vertically-oriented action platformer. But a vertically-oriented action platformer without the complex level designs of something like Kid Icarus or Metroid just means a lot of jumping straight up. We think it's super-cute, though, and we'd enjoy the opportunity to buy it. S.C.I.(Special Criminal Investigation) is the sequel to Chase H.Q. What's so special about the criminal investigation this time? You can shoot at your fleeing suspects. Ninja-kun: Majou no Bouken (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) S.C.I. (PC Engine, 1 player, 600 Wii Points) We can't help but be envious of Japanese Wii owners who are now able to download the single WiiWare title this week: Shootanto looks hilariously ill-conceived and poorly made, and is probably great fun to play and laugh at. Shootanto (1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)
Ougon no Kizuna's smaller quests
Most of what we've seen of Jaleco's Ougon no Kizuna has involved big, big bosses. But while fighting huge hulks is an important part of the game, it's also characterized by much smaller tasks involving (generally) smaller characters, who then form "bonds" with Lian, the protagonist. The formation of these bonds affects the game's storyline.Famitsu has introduced two of Kizuna's 100 subquests. The first involves helping a girl named Aliche pass her test to become a water priestess, and the second seems to involve training a group of soldiers called "Resolvers" who are currently being trained in a less-than-serious manner.
XSEED placates forum, will 'look into' Ougon no Kizuna
XSEED seems to have replaced companies like Atlus and Mastiff as the go-to publisher for random imports, after releasing a couple of Wild ARMs games, Victorious Boxers Revolution, and other Japanese games, and announcing a localization of Namco Bandai's Game Center CX DS game.NeoGAFer "Hero of legend" sent an inquiry to XSEED about the possibility of picking up Jaleco's sketch-filtered action RPG (or just action game, we don't actually know!) Ougon no Kizuna. He actually received a response from a "Ken," who we assume is XSEED marketing and business development head Ken Berry. The statement, while entirely noncommittal, is at least not entirely dismissive of the idea: "Thank you very much for writing us about Kizuna, we will definitely look into it."Now, if you want to see dismissive, check out what he said about Shiren the Wanderer 3: "Shiren 3 is a request that we've received before, but Shiren the Wanderer sold pretty poorly on the DS so it's very hard for us to justify bringing over the Wii version when we're likely to lose money on it."
More giant bosses in Ougon no Kizuna
The latest Famitsu scan of Jaleco's ARPG Ougon no Kizuna introduces some of the protagonists' traveling companions and other NPCs, who are basically a bunch of unremarkable fantasy-anime character designs, all decked out in some intricate robes. These are presumably the people with whom Lian attempts to form the "bonds of gold" referred to in the title. But who cares about humans when there are awesome hulking monsters to look at? For example, this guy here, Lanbos, is a giant zombie monster who also seems to be inside-out. That is one creepy monster. Another boss shown in the scans, Argos, seems to be a huge, bipedal hippopotamus man. The scans also show the cool-looking 3D world map, which reveals some Norse influence in the form of the world's name, "Midgardr."
Get up close to Ougon no Kizuna
How much are we freaking out over Jaleco's Shadow of the Colossus-esque Ougon no Kizuna (Bonds of Gold)? Long answer: obviously a heck of a lot, considering we're already comparing it to the majesty of Shadow of the Colossus. Short answer: UIVJM(*RIWV%WOV&IUPO/WF.While we previously only had scans on which to base our assessment, IGN now has full screens, allowing us to really scrutinize the unique art style of the game -- we don't think we could ever get sick of that pencil filter effect in screens, and seeing it in motion will hopefully be just as impressive. Two other shots follow the break, but we'd also urge you to hit up IGN for the full-size versions. It's blimmin' lovely.
Ougon no Kizuna: Jaleco's new action RPG
The latest Famitsu reveals a new game from Jaleco with a bit of a Shadow of the Colossus vibe. Ougon no Kizuna (Bonds of Gold) features big, climbable bosses like Team ICO's game, though not quite as big. These bosses also have specific weak points, though in this game you use the Wiimote pointer to find them. The non-boss gameplay involves using the Wiimote and Nunchuk to fight crowds of enemies. In addition to the main quest, Ougon no Kizuna features 100 sidequests involving helping townspeople and, of course, killing monsters. With the game scheduled for a winter release, we're sure we'll find out a lot more very soon.
Virtually Overlooked: Irritating Stick
This is pretty out-there for a Virtual Console request, for plenty of reasons. Okay, so Irritating Stick is a PlayStation game, which is more likely to show up on the PS3 than the Wii. And okay, there'd be no point in doing it without Wiimote integration -- more on that later -- meaning it should be WiiWare or something rather than an emulated VC game. Also it's kind of annoying (the name is accurate). But none of that matters, because it's a game called Irritating Stick, and that's hilarious, and I want to talk about it. And if it would be good anywhere, it would be good on the Wii.
VC Friday: City Turf Karate
Ask people to name the first Commodore 64 game that comes to mind, and we're willing to bet that more than half would mention International Karate +. Despite coming out on loads of different platforms back in the late-1980s, System 3's chop-'em-up is still most widely recognized as one of the C64's biggest hits, and is now available on the Virtual Console for ... slightly more than its 1987 price!Neo Turf Masters is a rather gaudy, fast-paced take on ruining a good walk golf (though if reviews are to be believed, it's heaps better than the other golfing options on the VC), while City Connection completes the bill. As usual, you can check past the break for footage of all three. City Connection -- NES -- 500 Wii Points Neo Turf Masters -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points International Karate + -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Wii Points * * Only in Europe.
The VC Advantage: Honda City Connection
Here's something I didn't know until I went Wikipedializing: the comically squatty car that serves as the player avatar in City Connection isn't just a broad caricature of small cars. It's actually based on a real automobile, the Honda City. The City, went on to be known as the Jazz in Europe, as did its future models, but it was renamed in Japan in 2002 to the Fit. Which means that I have just discovered that I'm in the process of purchasing an updated version of the car from City Connection. Retro games are in my blood. Personal anecdote aside, I wonder how Honda felt about the City's portrayal in City Connection. On the one hand, it is being used to destroy cop cars, and it crashes irreparably on contact with any cat. On the other hand, it handles really well in the game, and can jump. Pretty much any time City Connection comes up, it's as an excuse to talk about the music. In that vein, enjoy the guitar version of the level one theme! I'm pretty sure you will enjoy it. And after the break, a vintage Japanese City Connection commercial!
Science Training for kids
Denjiro Sensei no Fushigi na Jikkenshitsu (Professor Denjiro's Mysterious Laboratory) isn't about manufacturing Chemical X or assembling interocitors or any other activities you'd associate with mysterious laboratories. Instead, it deals with regular old science, which is itself awesome (and blinding).Mysterious Laboratory contains quizzes about elementary-level science, including topics like weather, magnetism, electricity, and geology. But it also features minigames that both simulate experiments that can be done at home and instruct kids on how to perform the experiments themselves. Some of the activities include creating boomerangs and some kind of air cannon! Some of the minigames do not involve events for kids to replicate: seen here, the "hit a burglar with lightning" minigame.
NIS offers contest to win a game and viral candy
While that may sound disgusting, it's not. In fact, we find this Puchi Puchi Virus candy to be almost as appetizing as the budget priced game due out this summer. Now, though, there's a chance for you to get your hands on both the delicious snack and the game it's themed after. In order to promote their upcoming game, NIS is having two contests, in which the prize is a Puchi Puchi Anti-Virus kit. The kit include anti-virus pills (aka candy), information about Puchi Puchi Virus, and the game itself. The deadline for both contests is May 20th. For one, you must draw your own version of an infected person, name it, and send in the artwork. For the other, you must come up with your own "wacky" virus, name it, and write about what it does.If you're interested in entering, just click the "read" link below for more information. Gallery: Puchi Puchi Virus [Via GamerTell]
A class in Puchi Puchi Virology
We've been interested in Puchi Puchi Virus for about a year because of its art, but throughout that whole year we've failed to learn one important piece of information about the game: how to play the game. It's something with, like, triangles and stuff, right? GamesRadar has posted a preview of the game that covers, in detail, this vital aspect of the game (the entire game). Basically, you tap three same-colored virii to create a triangle around them. Clicking any of the corners of this triangle causes it, and any virii inside the triangle, to disappear. If a virus stays onscreen too long, it turns to stone and can't be used to form a triangle.It's nice to know that there's an interesting puzzle game to go along with the silly pop-culture references.
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling
Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri is a Japanese Wii game dedicated to pimping out Japanese Dekotora (i.e., "decoration trucks). While that concept may or may not impress you, the customization options in this game look almost limitless. The developers really thought of every inch of the truck when it comes to decoration (although, you might need to be a decent artist to make yours look good). Also, we're not automobile experts, but being able to make your truck bounce around in traffic looks pretty amusing.A title like this is unlikely to be localized, but with the recent release of the Wii Freeloader, that's fortunately not much of an issue anymore.
Today's most edible swag: Puchi Puchi Virus candies
If there's one thing we enjoy more than getting free stuff in the mail here at Joystiq, it's getting stuff that is both free and edible, which is why we were only too happy when a package showed up today from NIS America promoting the publisher's upcoming foray into the world of casual gaming with Jaleco's Puchi Puchi Virus. We'll admit we had our misgivings about the change in direction, particularly given the company's traditionally niche role-playing and strategy roots, but if all of their side quests turn out as milk chocolate covered in a thin candy shell, we may well have to revise our stance altogether. Were we not thinking with our stomachs, the notion of consuming food based around a puzzle game with 'virus' in the title could be cause for concern. Also sealed in the box, aptly labeled 'Anti-Virus Kit,' is the game as well, so expect impressions soon -- assuming the candies themselves do not do us in.%Gallery-16732%
Latest Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri shots bring out our inner trucker
As a one-time fan of Sega's 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker on the Dreamcast, it saddens this writer that Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri is such an unlikely candidate for localization. Jaleco's first Wii game allows players to pimp giant trucks with various lights, symbols and insignia (the literal translation of "Dekotora" is "Decoration Truck"), before taking them on the road. Even in Japan, this is considered to be a slightly obscure sub-culture, meaning these new Dekotora screens are probably as close as we'll get to haring around the highways of Osaka in a 60-foot articulated juggernaut, sporting badly-drawn lightning bolts on our ride.Strap in tight and hurtle past the break for more shots.
NIS targets casual audience with obscure puzzle game
We remarked on Puchi Puchi Virus's vivid 2D art when we saw the first screens in March, but we never thought we'd saw the game again. It was just another low-profile Japanese puzzle game. But Nippon Ichi has surprised us by announcing that they're localizing Puchi Puchi Virus for a U.S. release in February. The press release mentions a website, but that site has yet to go up.Since NIS's usual fare has very little casual appeal (and by 'casual' we mean 'people who have less than 15 hours a day to spend playing games), they have decided to bring out a nice, light puzzle game as their first DS release. Of course, they're still being true to themselves-- it's just about the most random Japanese game they could find.
NIS goes casual for the Nintendo DS
Our first thought when told of a new game from console strategy stalwart NIS America, the North American arm of Japan's Nippon Ichi, was of another fun yet grueling turn-based grind fest along the lines of Disgaea or Phantom Brave. Knowing that it's for the Nintendo DS only got us more excited, as we've been pining for one of these games to make the leap to Nintendo's touchable handheld for some time. Unfortunately, our hopes – and hearts – were broken when we ultimately learned that NIS's latest localization effort is a casual puzzler from Jaleco called Puchi Puchi Virus. As the company's initial venture into the world of puzzle games, NIS notes that it is careful to distinguish its game from traditional block droppers and other "ordinary puzzle games," and describes Puchi Puchi Virus as having "a more intuitive system of object linkage." In this game, the object is to link together icons in triangular patterns in order to erase them and ultimately clear the screen, while simultaneously working to satisfy each stage's different victory conditions. In addition, this game looks to be the first of several casual games undertaken by the publisher, as NIS has also unveiled a cute, wing-laden version of its logo to symbolize this new push to court the ever-popular casual crowd. This is fine. We can share you, NIS. But make no mistake if you begin to hang out too much with your new casual friends, and leave strategy enthusiasts sitting alone at the table staring at a cold dinner night after night, we're calling for an intervention.
Let's play Food Identifying Game!
Forget all those history, literature, and art questions on Jeopardy. Nep League DS has officially asked the greatest question in the history of game shows: "What is this?" That's right, in Nep League DS, you can compete to test your skill at knowing what different foods are called! There are also other games about dodging a monster by identifying kanji and picking a route on a runaway minecar by answering questions.The game is based on a TV show that uses a strangely distributed approach to its questions: each member of a team of five gives one character of the answer. We wonder how that will work on the DS? Game sharing? Online? Passing the DS around? Just answering the whole question yourself?
