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Talking Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z with Keiji Inafune and Yosuke Hayashi
Walking around the Tokyo Game Show floor, we just happened to run into Keiji Inafune, famed (and infamous) Japanese developer and creator of notable franchises like Mega Man and Dead Rising, not to mention the upcoming Soul Sacrifice and Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z. We snagged a few minutes of his time to discuss the latter two, specifically how it's been working with Team Ninja on Yaiba, and whether he'd like to continue working with the studio going forward. An Inafune fighting game? It could happen.After the break, find part two of our interview with Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi, during which we discuss Yaiba and the studio's partnership with Inafune.
Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi on appealing to everyone with Dead or Alive 5
We caught up with Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi during the Tokyo Game Show for a quick chat about Dead or Alive 5 and Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, the studio's upcoming collaboration with Keiji Inafune's Comcept.This interview is split into two parts. The first, dealing with Dead or Alive 5, can be seen above. The second part concerns Yaiba and Mr. Inafune. Keep an eye out for part two later today, because we just happened to run into someone very closely involved with Yaiba's development (and Soul Sacrifice ... and Mega Man).
Seen@ Tokyo Game Show 2012: The purrfect presentation
Despite being primarily dominated by the women of Dead or Alive 5, Tecmo Koei's booth was also host to a slew of other games, one of which must have involved whatever it is that's happening in the pictures above and after the break. Now, our Japanese is a little rusty, but we think this is what the cat said as we walked by: "As you can meow see, our new mew-ser interface (accessed via the paws menu) is kitten better every day."
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition launching with then-available DLC characters unlocked
When the special feature-laden Wii U version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 eventually comes out at some unknown point in the future, any DLC characters and/or stages that have already been released on the PS3 and 360 versions will automatically be available, series producer Katsuhiro Harada said during a private Namco Bandai event this week.Though the Wii U version includes unique gameplay modes and costumes, Harada feels that it is important for all versions of the game to be in parity with one another when it comes to character availability. He also stressed that the DLC content recently discovered on the Xbox 360 version's disc does not represent the game's entire DLC road map, and that "not all of the content that we've planned for the PS3 and 360 has been revealed yet, so there's still some stuff left."
Super Joystiq Podcast Special: TGS 2012 Day 2
It's the final press day of the Tokyo Game Show, and the boys are back for one last broadcast from Japan.For the second and final day of TGS before the masses are let in, Richard and Jordan return to discuss the Sony booth, Sony's VR headset, interviewing SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano, Hatsune Miku, shopping at the show, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and women's kickboxing.Thanks for hanging out with us on these TGS 2012 specials, keep an eye out for more, non-audio content out of the show on our TGS 2012 page.Listen to the Super Joystiq Podcast: Subscribe to the Super Joystiq Podcast in iTunes Super Joystiq Podcast is also available in the Zune Marketplace Add the Super Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator Download the MP3 directlyDetails about each segment are available after the break.
Drilling for a new core in Lost Planet 3
When I started playing Lost Planet 3, I felt it immediately. Intrinsically, I knew it was made by a different team than the first two games. Lost Planet 3 has a distinctly western feel to it, and its trappings should be comfortable to anyone that has played a third-person shooter made in the last few years. Left trigger to aim, right trigger to shoot – dodge, take cover, reload, repeat. Familiar, perhaps, but by no means is that a bad thing.Lost Planet has, in fact, changed hands, moving from Capcom itself to California developer Spark Unlimited. It's too early to tell if the change will give the franchise the shot in the arm it needs after Lost Planet 2, but what I experienced seems like a step in the right direction.%Gallery-162351%
Joystiq scores over 9,000 in Dragon Ball Z: Kinect
During Namco Bandai's TGS 2012 showcase event, I got a chance to try out Dragon Ball Z: Kinect. This might be a good time to admit that, yes, I was young once. Check out the video above for my experience with the Kinect-powered kamehameha simulator. Just be warned it ... it gets a little geeky in there.
Dragon's Dogma gets Dark Arisen expansion in 2013 [update: new modes video]
Capcom is bringing a "major expansion" to Dragon's Dogma in 2013. The company divulged little else about the expansion, called 'Dark Arisen,' beyond the above teaser. We also have a few appropriately dark screenshots below the break.Capcom also tells us that two free modes are being patched into the RPG later this year. Following the 'Easy' mode released last month, the 'Hard' mode cranks things up the other way but with the promise of extra loot. Meanwhile, 'Speedun' rewards players who beat the game in an allotted time.As for the expansion, Capcom promises to spill the beans soon. Until then, strength in numbers, Arisen.Update: We also have a short video for the new Hard and Speedrun modes after the break.
Engadget tries out the 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro
Nintendo released the first official image of the 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro only yesterday, and now we've seen it in person on the show floor at the Tokyo Game Show. In the grand Circle Pad Pro tradition, Capcom is showing off the peripheral with the latest in the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter 4.Our co-buddies at Engadget got some hands on time with device, noting that it does make the system bulkier, but it's less of a concern this time around, as the 3DS XL is already pretty large to begin with (what with the XL and all). The unit is also very comfortable, though it suffers from one flaw seen in the 3DS model: it blocks the cartridge slot. Head over to Engadget for some fresh images.
Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony's new PS3, 'Prototype-SR' and assorted gaming peripherals
After a few humid and sweaty days in Tokyo, TGS 2012 is drawing to a close. While the public days continue through the weekend, us media types are headed back to our respective homelands until next September. The lasting impression from the week -- aside from eating massive amounts of gyoza -- will undoubtedly be the news Sony dropped the day before the show started at its own press event. A new, even slimmer PS3 is on the way and two new colors for the PS Vita were outed -- at least for Japan. On the show floor, though, we encountered some peripherals well-suited for other gaming tech like Nintendo's 3DS XL, Xbox 360 and PC rigs. You can peek at those for yourself in the Sony Tokyo Game Show gallery that follows and relive all the action in the wrap-up that lies just beyond the break. Also, don't forget to check out our pals over at Joystiq for more coverage from this week's happenings. %Gallery-166241%
Neurowear wants to read your mind, geotag your feelings (video)
Geotagging your photos? Old hat -- Neurowear wants to geotag your mood. The folks that brought animated cat ears to the human race is now using NeuroSky's brainwave-reading headgear to suss out your emotional state and share it with your friends. We dropped in on the group at Tokyo Game Show to take a look at an early prototype. After strapping a familiar Mindwave mobile headset to this editor's skull, a companion iPhone app sprung to life, reading off relaxation levels and assigning cartoon faces to the user's mood. The reading could then be recorded on a map, tagging how the user felt at a given location and time and allowing them to share that information with their friends. Had a great time at a new coffee shop? Now you can prove it, and encourage your social contacts to join you. It's an interesting idea, but its still a long way from hitting the app store -- the demo we were given was only a concept app, and the geotagging portion of the demonstration was simulated. It may be awhile before you can tweet your feelings directly. Need another way to express yourself? Don't worry -- Nerosky is adding a brainwave controlled tail, dubbed Shippo, to its line of cranium controlled animal parts. Check it out (as well as our quick neurotagging demo) after the break. %Gallery-166239%
Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)
Sony's second generation 3D visor didn't make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo's premier gaming event. In addition to the headset's substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation's demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable -- and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick -- creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn't add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don't believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break.
Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on (video)
At the end of August, Razer outed a black and green-cloaked version of its BlackShark gaming headset. The original unit first broke from cover just ahead of E3, but on that particular show floor, the aviator-inspired set of cans was sporting the blue and orange hues consistent with its Battlefield 3 branding. Here at TGS, we were able to take a closer look at the version that lacks a game-specific allegiance. The hardware is identical with the lone exception being the new paint scheme. If you're unfamiliar with the BlackShark, the headset does a stellar job of recalling classic pilot units complete with detachable boom mic for use with your PMP of choice. The $120 peripheral also features quite comfy heavily-padded, leather-esque earcups and the same material wraps the headband with a dash of bright green stitching -- all held over from the BF3 model. We weren't able to test the audio quality on the show floor, so until our review unit arrives, consult the gallery below and the video that just past the break for a closer look. %Gallery-166225%
Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video)
Nintendo is starting to make a habit of quietly releasing products at trade-shows they don't attend. Kyoto's premiere gaming outfit still isn't present on the TGS show floor, but Capcom has once again seen fit to trot out the firm's latest kit: The Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL. Just like last year's model, this beefy cradle puts the already large 3DS XL outside the realm of pocket-ability, trading the handheld's slim profile for a luxuriously thick grip. Indeed, the fatty accessory makes the console quite comfortable to hold, adding a smooth, slightly contoured back, larger shoulder buttons and, of course, that all important starboard analog pad. The new Circle Pad's bulk is slightly more forgivable for the size of its host device. Yes, the attachment makes the XL a bit more unwieldily, but its supersized form already made it a non-contender for most pants pockets. Sadly, the accessory still sports its predecessor's greatest fault: it blocks the 3DS' cartridge slot. Gamers will have to get used to undocking their console, or else make a habit of buying more downloadable titles. Mum's still the word on pricing and availability, but the accessory was shown with a copy of Monster Hunter 4, which is due out in March of next year. We wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in early spring. Hungry for more? Check out our gallery below for an eyeful, or peek past the break for quick video overview. %Gallery-166218%
Devil May Cry PC being outsourced, coming after consoles
The PC port of DmC (Devil May Cry) is outsourced to Polish outfit QLOC and is being released after the console versions, Capcom has confirmed to Eurogamer. QLOC has collaborated with Capcom on PC before, having handled Resident Evil: Raccoon City and Street Fighter x Tekken.That leaves Ninja Theory able to concentrate on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of DmC, which arrive in North America on January 15. Capcom is showing them off at the Tokyo Game Show right now, which means we have a new trailer and some screenshots.%Gallery-166122%
Monster Hunter 4 out in Japan March 2013, includes online multiplayer
North America will get Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on 3DS and Wii U in March 2013. Meanwhile, Capcom announced a March 2013 window for the 3DS Monster Hunter 4 in Japan. Unlike the 3DS version of 3 Ultimate, Monster Hunter 4 includes online play for four players.While you're waiting the indeterminate period between now, the Japanese release, and the potential localization, you can check out some gameplay footage in the new TGS trailer above.
Video: Joystiq vs. Akihabara
The Tokyo Game Show is now in full swing, but we've actually been in Tokyo for a few days. On our first day in town, we stopped by the Akihabara district, a definite must-see for any gaming fans passing through Tokyo. We stopped by the Gundam Cafe, retro game store Super Potato (again) and, after a quick Pepper Lunch, Yodobashi, seller of electronics, games, and lots of great toys.
Street Fighter X Tekken Vita producer gives his all in new trailer
We're sure this new trailer for Street Fighter X Tekken does a good job at summarising what's coming to the Vita version. Thing is, we couldn't help but be distracted by the antics of producer Tomoaki Ayano, who absolutely steals the show. Not only does he get super animated when fighting on the touch screen, but he also shows off an array of faces that would make Jack Black jealous. It looks like working with the wonderfully bananas Yoshinori Ono has rubbed off on Ayano.Oh, should you be interested in the actual game you can also check out some shiny new screenshots below. The Vita version of Street Fighter X Tekken arrives on October 23, while impatient types may be heartened by the knowledge of an iOS version out today.%Gallery-166117%
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R coming to Japanese Vitas in 2013
Either Arc System Works is reinvigorating the public's awareness of its Guilty Gear brand for some nefarious purpose, or someone over there must have started reading all of my letters. At any rate, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R will be coming to the PlayStation Vita sometime in 2013.Not to be confused with Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus, which is coming to Japanese PS3 and XBLA sometime this October, Accent Core Plus R is the revised version of Accent Core Plus will hit Japanese arcades near the end of this month.I played a quick round of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R while visiting Arc System Works' booth at the Tokyo Game Show and am thrilled to report that the port feels very solid. Framerates were consistent and my old Sol Badguy bread-and-butter combos came off without a hitch. As is the case with Guilty Gear announcements these days, no information was available regarding a North American launch. Time to write another letter, I guess.%Gallery-166132%
Super Joystiq Podcast Special: TGS 2012 Day 1
Day one of the Tokyo Game Show is down, and the guys are back to report on what they saw.Richard and Jordan made the booth rounds, and plenty of games were played, including Dead or Alive 5, Soul Sacrifice, Resident Evil 6, Lost Planet 3, and Phantasy Star Online 2 for PS Vita. And it wouldn't be TGS without plenty of Japanese flavor, and the anecdotes are plentiful.On-tap for tomorrow's show: impressions of the full Sony booth tour, and the thrilling reveal of whether Richard and Jordan kiss each other ... with their BRAINS!Listen to the Super Joystiq Podcast: Subscribe to the Super Joystiq Podcast in iTunes Super Joystiq Podcast is also available in the Zune Marketplace Add the Super Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator Download the MP3 directlyDetails about each segment are available after the break.
