patapon-2
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Royal Navy sailors given PSPs to 'encourage studying'
So, umm, this is kind of awkward. We're sorry to tell you, British Royal Navy, but it would appear that you've been duped. We know that the electric engineer everyone trusts so much – Reginald, that con artist! – has spent hours convincing everyone at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire how important it is for him to have a Sony PSP for "studying," but we have to tell you: It's a gaming system! He's just using it to play games! And so even though Reginald said it would be a "smashing idea" for you to buy 230 consoles and spend £50k in the process, we're not so sure this is the best way to educate British sailors. The pre-loaded engineering software may help, but who's to stop users from spending hours with Patapon 2 instead? And no matter how much they claim to be learning about naval combat from SOCOM: Tactical Strike, we're pretty sure that's a lie as well. We hope you've learned from this, and will think twice next time that dastardly Reginald proposes a gaming system as education. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Get your Pata on with Patapon 2 for $14
Amazon is just laying on the PlayStation sales today, with Patapon 2 being slashed to a measly $13.98. Okay, so it's not like Patapon 2 was terribly expensive in the first place, but come on, $14! For the price of two delicious hamburger combos, you could be playing this year's premiere drum-sequence-battle game. With the money you save off the regular $20 price tag, you could still buy one hamburger combo and you'd have something to play after lunch.Right there? That's a win-win.
Canadian Best Buy offers $30 inFamous, $10 Patapon 2
According to Best Buy's "Summer of Savings" flier, Canadian gamers are getting some seriously discounted games. PSP owners can pick up Resistance Retribution ($15) and Patapon 2 ($10), while PS3 owners will be able to get this summer's big PS3 blockbuster, inFamous, for only $30. Once again, these deals are Canada only -- our American readers can finally be jealous of our mounty-lovin' friends up north. [Thanks, Bryan!]
Patapon shirts coming Home this week
This Thursday, May 6, is the release date for the digital release of Patapon 2. It's also the day on which you can show off your love for the franchise by donning Patapon clothing within Home. They'll be available from the Threads store in the mall, though there's no word on whether they will be free or not. Acting as walking billboards is one thing, without having to pay for the pleasure. Having said that, we wouldn't mind seeing those male tees made available in real life. If you agree, you can let the appropriate people know by indicating your favorite tee on the official Home forums or in the comments of the latest PlayStation Blog post. While you're in Home you may notice a video interview with the producer behind Patapon 2, Christian Hinojosa-Miranda, on the big screens. Check it out, he might have answered one of your questions.
UMD-less Patapon 2 officially released for PSP, another brick in the wall?
Joystiq reported back in April that Patapon 2's release would be a UMD-less affair, and now it's officially here. The followup game is now available as a digital download on the PSN, and as a redemption code voucher in retail locations. The sans-UMD format is a United States only test for Sony, and certainly leads us to wonder if that UMD-less PSP could possibly, potentially be in the works. The $19.99 title is available today, disc-less PSP available in your wildest dreams.
Joystiq Review: Patapon 2
At a glance, Patapon 2 looks almost identical to its 2008 predecessor. However, Sony's Japan Studio has, as it did with Loco Roco 2, expanded upon the original game, resulting in a sequel that retains the simple gameplay and charm of the original but offers a much larger list of features and levels.Once again, a sequence of drum beats is used to issue commands to your Patapon troops, though the sequel adds new layers on top of these mechanics. It's as addictive as its predecessor, with the extra bells and whistles making it just that little bit deeper -- though not at the expense of its immediate simplicity. You'll be humming "Pon Pon Pata Pon" before you know it.%Gallery-27797%
Patapon producer 'listening to' requests for PS3 version, more sequels
Patapon 2 is finally coming to the PSP in North America. While associate producer Chris Hinojosa-Miranda couldn't precisely explain why the title has taken so long to reach its final destination, he did say that the added time provided more focus on localization and translation. (Even still, we manged to spot a few lingering instances of "Engrish.")Hinojosa-Miranda told us that the development team continues to get requests for a downloadable PS3 version of Patapon that features online modes, which he says the studio is "listening to." The team is also looking at licensing out more of those popular Patapon plush dolls (in case you missed the first batch). Will there be a Patapon 3? "There's such a critical love for Patapon, the characters, the story overall, and the music especially ... there's a good chance that the franchise will continue," Hinojosa-Miranda suspects.Expect our Patapon 2 review shortly. %Gallery-27797%
Pata with a friend: Patapon 2 multiplayer trailer
Sony has released a trailer for Patapon 2 featuring its new multiplayer mode. The multiplayer mode allows up to four Hero Patapons to play at once, with the overall goal being to carry a magical egg to the end of the level. As we learned during our hands-on time with the game at TGS last year, all four players will have to execute their commands in unison. If not, everyone has to start again -- ouch. See it all for yourself in the trailer after the break.
Patapon 2's 'retail box' revealed
Click to embiggen. Yes, it's true. Patapon 2 won't be available on UMD when it arrives in America. Instead, it'll be a PlayStation Store exclusive title. This digital distribution experiment won't avoid retail altogether, as you'll still be able to buy Patapon 2 in stores. The boxed package will include a printed manual and a voucher to download Patapon 2 off the PlayStation Store. Yes, you'll need a Memory Stick, and yes, you'll need a wi-fi connection (or a PS3 connected to the internet).It's unclear how mainstream consumers will respond to this change. However, we're all for it -- being able to legally download games mixes the convenience of Memory Stick gaming with developers earning money to pay their bills. All in all, it's a win-win.%Gallery-27751%
Patapon 2 won't be sold on UMD, retail to sell PSN vouchers [Update]
An ArsTechnica "source" -- who has apparently given the site solid intel in the past -- claims Patapon 2 won't have a physical, UMD-based existence when it releases May 5. The game will allegedly be sold on the PSN for $15, with the retail copy, which will be nothing but a PSN redemption code, priced at $20. Customers will also apparently be able to purchase the game through the websites of "certain retailers."If true, this UMD-less Patapon sequel's invasion appears to be a test run, for not only for digital distribution, but for Dave Perry's anti-UMD PSP2. We've contacted Sony for comment and will update if we hear anything.Update: Sony's senior director of corporate communications sent us the following statement: "We're considering a digital only format for the Patapon 2 release as a one time test case as we continue to explore consumer preferences for digital content. The downloadable game will be available on May 5th at both retail and via the PlayStation Store. We remain focused on providing superior games and entertainment experiences in both the UMD and digital formats and are working closely with our partners to deliver the best PSP line up in our history. "%Gallery-27797%
Patapon promotional game for PC and Mac lets players make own wallpaper
Sony and Spil games have released an official Patapon 2 promotional Flash game for PCs and Macs. The pint- shot glass-sized Patapon experience isn't necessarily for gods of the beat, but it's a nice introduction to the series for those who've never played the game -- and shame on you, if that's the case.Players are scored and unlock images on the three levels in the Flash game, which supposedly allows them to put together their own Patapon-themed wallpapers. We couldn't get that feature to work, but perhaps it's still having the gremlins worked out. The Patapon Flash game is available March 9-16, so "pata-pata-pata-pon" (rush) and "pon-pon-pata-pon" (attack) it while you still can.
Patapon 2 priced and dated for North America
Cinco de Mayo won't be the only celebration going down on May 5 this year; Patapon 2 will also be released in North America on that date. The rhythm game from SCEI will go on sale at the suggested retail price of $19.99 -- just like the original. And, hey, if you pre-order the game now, you get free downloadable mariachi-pons.**just kidding about that last part.
Patapon march into LittleBigPlanet, new trailer released
The vicious music-loving Patapon warriors are marching into LittleBigPlanet. The PlayStation.Blog has revealed a brand new costume for Media Molecule's platformer -- although sans a corresponding price and release date. In addition to revealing this DLC, Sony has also released a very dramatic new trailer for Patapon 2, which you can see after the break.%Gallery-27751%
Patapon 2 pre-order bonus is: Patapon 2 demo
Looks like Sony's continuing the trend of offering playable demos as incentives for pre-ordering its games. The company has done it for Resistance Retribution on PSP and Killzone 2 on PS3, and next up is Patapon 2.Gamestop's website reveals a $20 price tag for the upcoming sequel and a release date of 5/5/09. According to the site, those who pre-order the game will be able to download a demo, available starting March 13th. Those who played the original Patapon won't really need to grab this demo -- the first game is, essentially, a demo of the sequel.%Gallery-27751%[Thanks, slycooper_rocker!]
Patapon 2 Valentine's card reveals release info
Sony just sent us a Valentine's Day card. Guess what it had? A UMD demo of Patapon 2 ... and a release date! What a nice surprise. According to the card, we can expect Patapon 2 this May.
Patapon 2 gets vague 'Spring/Summer' release date for US
We're not exactly sure why SCEA is taking so long in bringing these PSP games over to America. A new fact sheet for the game revealed a "release date" of sorts for the upcoming sequel: Spring/Summer. The game, which has been available in Japan since late last year, more than doubles the amount of content to play with. New multiplayer modes add even more depth to the game.SCEA has released brand new screenshots and the official box art (above). Considering how good the original Patapon was, we're sure the wait for the sequel will be worth it.%Gallery-27751%
CES 2009: The gaming sliver of Sony's ginormous booth
Sony's a pretty big company. Shocker, right? They're busy putting out things like new digital cameras, wafer-thin displays, televisions that show realistic 3D images, and some new piece of tech that replaces your brain with a network of recycled Memory Sticks. Amazing.Still, with all that going on they do still manage to churn out games. Only a tiny part of their booth at CES was dedicated to gaming, but they managed to fit in Patapon 2, Killzone 2, Resistance: Retribution, Flower and an in-progress EyeToy game. Check them all out in the gallery below.%Gallery-41560%
Adorable Japanese Patapon 2 commercial
If Patapon 2 weren't adorable enough, this Japanese commercial for the upcoming PSP action game takes it a step further -- by introducing little kids! Watch as the magical drums make them march in line, jumping over ... sheep? Well, no one said this was going to make sense.
Worldwide PSP releases for the week of November 23
Oh Asia, why do you do this to us ... Just why? Rub it in why don't you. We're so jealous. So very jealous.NA Games Mytran Wars EU Games: Buzz! Brain Bender Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 3 Asian Games: Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki Set Higurashi Daybreak Portable [Limited Box] Hoshiiro no Okurimono Portable Kenka Banchou 3: Zenkoku Seiha Lost Regnum: Makutsu no Koutei (Ertain the Best) Moe Moe 2-ji Taisen Ryoku Deluxe Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin Patapon 2: Don-Chaka Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX: Tag Force 3
TGS 08: Patapon 2: bigger, badder and more badass
How big is Patapon 2? Well, take the original game ... and then multiply it by two. The upcoming PSP-exclusive sequel will feature a staggering amount of content which makes the original seem rather diminutive. While the first featured 37 levels, Patapon 2 Don Chaka will feature over 80. There were 187 weapons and items in the original -- and over 500 in the new game. Not only that, Patapon 2 will also feature a new multiplayer mode.While critics and fans have embraced Patapon's unique gameplay, the new content expansion should make the sequel much more appealing to newcomers and veterans alike. The core gameplay remains largely untouched -- each of the face buttons represents a certain sound, and pressing button combinations to the beat will command the Patapon to march, retreat and attack. However, they've added a new twist to the formula. Enter: the Hero Patapon.Players wanted a more personal interaction with their Patapon. With the Hero Patapon, they'll get just that. The Hero has an expanded set of moves and greater HP, making it far deadlier than the standard Patapon. While Patapon were fairly expendable in the original, players will want the Hero to stay alive. As it can be named by the player, many may think of it as their own unique "pet" in the game.%Gallery-27751%
