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VC Friday: Thursday edition [Update 1]
And the Nintendo of Europe site leaks another morsel of info! Not long ago, news of Nintendo selling music appeared in our RSS feed weeks early, only to lead to a dead link after it was hastily pulled by Nintendo. And now another slippage has occurred, with Nintendo accidentally revealing (what we suspect are the contents of) tomorrow's PAL Virtual Console update: Earthworm Jim and Shining Force II.Once again, the news appears in our RSS feed (as seen here) while the story itself has been yanked from Ninty's site. All being well then, tomorrow's VC update for Europe and Australia should read something like this: Earthworm Jim -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points These aren't set in stone yet, so we'll label this as a rumor, but it looks likely. Also: "Hurray!" for both of these.Update: And it's confirmed: those are your titles for this week, PAL people! [Thanks, Lanceh!]
Metal Slug 7 holding out for a hero
We would never have associated gravelly-voiced Welsh songstress Bonnie Tyler with Metal Slug, but some genius at Ignition combined the two for the latest Metal Slug 7 trailer. Against all expectations, the rousing '80s power anthem "Holding out for a Hero" is the perfect companion piece to SNK's game.Not that we're Bonnie Tyler fans or anything, obviously, because we only listen to totally manly music like, uh, Slayer and stuff. Yeah. As for the game itself, it still looks awesome, despite some importers suggesting it's not all it should be.%Gallery-16835%
We believe in Metal Slug 7 videos
We've heard some pretty bad things about how the Japanese version of Metal Slug 7 turned out, and that's so sad! Because it continues to look so awesome in trailers! Look at this one, in which a giant walking robot mows down tanks, trucks, helicopters, and even another giant walking robot!We're just going to continue thinking it's awesome until we play the final US version, for our own sakes. It's a lot more fun to watch videos like this (and several more new videos at IGN) and look forward to playing it. There'll be plenty of time to be disappointed later. And at least it isn't Commando: Steel Disaster.%Gallery-16835%
DS Daily: What could be manlier, Contra 4 or Metal Slug 7?
We know Metal Slug 7 hasn't released yet (we're counting the days!), but the latest trailer for the title proved one thing to us: this game is going to be one manly time. But, what to do, as Contra 4 already takes up space on our shelf of manly stuff? Are we to take it down for Metal Slug 7? Can the two co-exists as incredibly awesome and manly games? Which one do you think is more manly and buff?
Michael Bay presents: Metal Slug 7
The latest trailer for Metal Slug 7 gets a computer-generated "brushed steel and industrial noises" presentation usually reserved for commercials about truck sales ... or movies for dudes. It makes huge, bombastic claims: "THE ULTIMATE CHARACTERS." "THE ULTIMATE WEAPONS." "THE ULTIMATE GAME." Like a Michael Bay movie, Metal Slug 7 is full of big explosions, big machines, and big explosions. And like the average Michael Bay movie, it's going to be a challenge to get all the way through it. However, unlike, say, Transformers, we expect to enjoy Metal Slug 7 for as many as two hours. Probably more!%Gallery-16835%[Via press release]
E308: Mega Man 9 video lets you start memorizing a level now
Our operative (me) couldn't even get through the Plug Man level featured in the E3 Mega Man 9 demo. The heroes at Gamersyde, however, succeeded in that task, and recorded the event as well. That means a whole level of Mega Man 9 for your viewing pleasure, in only slightly shaky cam-vision. Or at least as much of a level as was available: the bosses were not present in the demo, with only a "Coming Soon" window in their place.We can't embed the video, but we think seeing Mega Man 9 in action is worth having to click on a link.
E308: Mega Man 9 in motion -- enough said
If JC's glowing Mega Man 9 impressions didn't get your heart pumping, we can only assume that you have no heart. (You might want to go and get that checked out.) As for the rest of us, who sit here clamoring for more Mega Man 9 -- ask, and you shall receive.The video up top shows the opening for this WiiWare title, filled with Dr. Wily trickery. The story is completely cheesy in a "that's just how it was back then" way, making the game even more spot-on oldschool. (Also, take note of the Chun-Li lookalike. We love you, Capcom!)After the break, you can check out some gameplay action and see all those disappearing blocks that JC mentioned. GameTrailers also talked a bit with Capcom developers to squeeze out a few more details on the title, so it's worth checking out. Just click on the blue link below and you'll see what we mean.
E308: Mega Man 9 feels more like a 10
While Capcom's press conference was going on elsewhere in the LA Convention Center, their meeting room harbored a poor, neglected Mega Man 9 station. Due to the unique situation, I was able to stand and play Mega Man 9 for a good 20 to 25 minutes. The demo was limited to two levels, which weren't named. Judging from the bosses' appearance in their intros (which are straight out of Mega Man 2), I played Plug Man's stage and Concrete Man's. Concrete Man looks almost exactly like Guts Man from Mega Man. Whoever they were, they had some damned hard stages.First I should talk about the presentation. It looks just like an NES game in motion. It is exactly like a new Virtual Console game appeared out of an alternate history. The look is clean and colorful. It's the real thing. And the music comes straight out of classic Mega Man compositions. The stage intro music is the classic Mega Man 2 tune, and the rest of the music I heard was original compositions in the style of the series. The only hint of newness was found in the control explanation sheet -- the minus button will eventually go to the "Challenge List," a feature that wasn't yet revealed.
Parish: 'Mega Man 9 may save video games'
When someone leads off an article like that, it's hard not to highlight it. 1up's Jeremy Parish thinks Mega Man 9 is a great idea, but not just because it looks neat, and not because of nostalgia. In his estimation, the return to the style of Mans 1-6 signals an admission on Capcom's part that NES-era technology suits the series best in gameplay terms. Mega Man X and other spinoffs worked well on other systems, but Mega Man is best on NES. "The inescapable truth is that Mega Man, at least the incarnation represented by a plucky little Astro Boy knock-off fighting googly-eyed robo-critters, works best as an 8-bit game."He admits at one point that the 8-bit design could simply be an appeal to nostalgia or a budget-saving tactic, but it's a lot more fun to believe that Inafune et al. are doing what they're doing for an artistic reason. Even the ugliest Wii games are attempts to represent games in a "modern" way -- generally the best 3D that the budget will allow. While No More Heroes uses 8-bit elements for flair, the idea of intentionally regressing, of making a game look "worse" than the technology will allow in the interest of gameplay, seems bold and clever. Of course, some people happen to think the style of NES Mega Man games is every bit as attractive as any modern game on its own merits.
Metal Slug 7 rescues North America this fall
Ignition Entertainment has finally offered some hint as to when Metal Slug 7 will be released stateside in a press release sent out today. The company specified a fall release for the SNK Playmore-developed (and co-published) run-and-gun sequel. "Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public," said Ajay Chadha, Ignition president. "Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms," said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. Good thing this was a textual release and not an audio announcement, because it would have been really hard to say that with his tongue that far in cheek.Along with the release window, Ignition sent out the American boxart, which, we are happy to say, isn't completely different from the great Japanese art. The contrast has been increased, and the logo has been moved into a more prominent position and framed by explodies, but we fully approve of those minor changes.%Gallery-16835%
Rumor: WiiWare gets equipped with Mega Man 9
What looks like scanned images of Nintendo Power have appeared, which are too small for us to be sure if they're real. But we think they are! And if that's true, then Mega Man 9 is a WiiWare game! Not only that, it's a WiiWare game in the 8-bit style of the NES Mega Man games! It would be hard to imagine being more thrilled! Forget E3 -- the game of the year has already been revealed!According to the accompanying post on the Mega Man Network, the game is being developed by the Mega Man Zero/ZX creators, Inti Creates, and will feature the following bosses: Magma Man, Galaxy Man, Jewel Man, Concrete Man, Hornet Man, Plug Man, Tornado Man, and Splash Woman. Splash Woman? We're going to go stand in front of the mailbox now.[Update: better scans found here.][Via NeoGAF]
Metal Slug 7 site updates with new screens
The official site for upcoming SNK title, Metal Slug 7, has updated with some new goodies for fans. For those of you who want to know more about the cast of the game, there's an updated character profile page. Also, you'll find a boatload of screens showing off gameplay, the rankings screens and "Combat School," which looks like training missions.You can find all of the new screens in our gallery below, so head on in and check out the eye candy.%Gallery-16835%[Via Go Nintendo]
Website or command center? You decide
Don't tell us the delay for Commando Steel Disaster was caused by a bunch of web developers anxious to show off their fancy animations before the game was released. The official website for this hot run-and-gun title has gone live, and is an admittedly cool little package featuring screenshots, concept art and the original trailer.That trailer is good and all, but this is a war those badass little sprites are fighting. Get some fitting tunes and the blood will really rise! Commando Steel Disaster is set for an release on August 19 in North America, so there's plenty of time to get in some Metal Slug action before then. It's pretty much the same thing.%Gallery-18362%[Via press release]
Metal Slug 7 boxart will soon wrap copies of Metal Slug 7
The appearance of a boxart image for Metal Slug 7 means that SNK is one step closer to putting the game in boxes and shipping it out to stores in Japan (which happens on July 17!). Then, some time in the future, it'll get shipped out to the U.S. Then, shooting stuff time! Even without the portent of Metal Slug on the way, we'd be happy with this boxart, which can only be described as classic SNK -- detailed, colorful hand-painted art that would be right at home adorning the box for a $300 game. Hopefully SNK realizes it would be cheaper to keep the same awesome art for the American box, rather than replacing it with something boring.
Contra prompts military hearings
We usually have to suspend our disbelief when playing video games, but what if such insane situations were based on real events? Take, for example, Contra, a game in which two marines -- two -- must stop the Red Falcon invasion. Without shirts. Running with this idea, popular comic book blogger Chris Sims took it upon himself to record "The Contra Hearings". Not only does this hilarious take on Contra make us realize how ridiculous the game's scenario really is, but these faux hearings also remind us that the series is so awesomely badass. An excerpt: "SENATOR ARTHUR WEATHERTON (R, NM): With all due respect, Lieutenant, I fail to see how the failure to equip two Marines necessitates a Congressional investigation. Why haven't we heard from the rest of the soldiers involved in the operation? LT. RIZER: Because Lance and I were the total forces committed to the Red Falcon conflict, Senator. SEN. WEATHERTON: ... Oh. Carry on. LT. RIZER: Right. Now, I know that at the time of our deployment, resources were already committed to providing support for the Bionic Commando project, but sending two men to fight an entire army of technologically advanced aliens... I can't imagine that America needed to close the grapple-arm gap that badly. And our equipment was... well, it was sub-par." In case you didn't know, you can unlock the original NES game (and Super C) in Contra 4 for the DS -- which is perfect in its own right. So, we expect you to man up and buy it while it's on sale.
Contra 4 now owning faces for only $20
We understand that there might have been a number of reasons why you haven't picked up Contra 4 yet: you're not a fan of run-and-gun titles you can't handle tough games exploding bridges hindered you from getting to a game store it's too expensive! While there's not much we can to help you with the first three problems, we do have a solution for the fourth -- buy it from Amazon, where the game is now listed for only $19.99. Actually, this could also be a fix for that whole "exploding bridges" dilemma, too. Whoever delivers the game might not appreciate having to risk their life to drop off your package, but that's their problem, now.%Gallery-4738%See also: DS Fanboy Review: Contra 4[Via CAG]
Metal Slug 7 trailer introduces new Super Vehicles
Now, for some less ... awkward SNK news: this trailer for Metal Slug 7 is so not about harassing schoolgirls that you could probably be seen looking at it. You may even be able to bring yourself to buy this game in a store, without a disguise on.There's enough content in the trailer to motivate us to make such a non-incognito purchase, as well. The animation looks wonderful, at least as far as we can tell from YouTube, and there are at least two awesome new vehicles: the Slug Truck, a mine cart thing, and Slug Giganto, a giant robot! Even minor features like the prisoner database sound great.%Gallery-16835% [Via NeoGAF]
Metal Slug blasting up Japan this July
SNK Playmore has slapped a Japanese release date on one of our most eagerly awaited games of the year. Metal Slug 7 will launch there on July 22nd, meaning North America and Europe will probably be left hanging on until later this year.We've no problem with waiting whatsoever, especially since we tried the game ourselves and loved every second. And hey, it's not as though our wallets/unicorn-branded purses will be getting much of a breather in the meantime. Take your sweet time, SNK!%Gallery-16835%[Via Go Nintendo]
Commando: Delay Disaster
Remember when we said that Commando: Steel Disaster's early-May release date "puts Commando mostly out of the way of the late-May/early-June rush of action-oriented DS games?" As it turns out, that's not the case. Lexicon Entertainment announced today that the game would be delayed until May 30th in Europe. You know, right around when every other DS game and their mother comes out. Many of the late-May through July dates are for the North American region, but we're assuming that a lot of you English-speaking Europeans import games without tangible release dates because of the cheap dollar. Does this delay push this game off your radar, then, in favor of other things? Gallery: Commando: Steel Disaster [Via press release]
SNK enlists Ignition to help fire Metal Slug 7 at North America
Ignition Entertainment currently co-publishes SNK Playmore's games in Europe, and they have announced today that the two will partner for the North American market as well. This new partnership has an immediate, tangible benefit for people who think awesome things are awesome: Metal Slug 7.The first game to be published in the U.S. by the two companies is the new DS-only sequel to the popular, and totally badass, run-and-gun series. Since we had yet to hear any concrete confirmation of a localized version, other than the fact that a playable demo of the Japanese game was on display at GDC (a fact that took even SNK's American staff by surprise), this announcement is more than welcome. Even in the early state it was in, Metal Slug was the real thing.%Gallery-16835%
