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Joyswag: DS Lite and My DoItAll [update]
Update: Contest is closed, folks! Thanks to everyone who entered and keep an eye on your email to see if you're our lucky winner!The fine folks at TOMY have hooked us up with a copy of My DoItAll, as well as the sweet Crimson DS Lite you see above. One lucky reader will be able to get their mitts on this fabulous prize pack, so let's get to it! Here's what you'll need to do to enter: Leave a comment telling us how you keep your life organized (example: PDA, post-it notes, butler, etc.) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person per calendar day This entry period ends at 2:59 pm ET on Wednesday, April 8. We'll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive a Crimson DS Lite (ARV: $130) and MyDoItAll for the DS (ARV: $30) For a list of complete rules, click here
Pangya: Fantasy Golf coming to PSP this summer
Is Hot Shots Golf not cute enough for you? Tomy is bringing the Korean PSP golf series, Pangya, to PSP this summer. The game will offer thousands of character and equipment customization options and 18 playable characters. The release of Pangya: Fantasy Golf will be Tomy's first foray into the PSP scene here in the States.Check out a Japanese language trailer after the break.
VC Friday: Pop-Up Onslaught!
It's a pretty cool WiiWare day on the PAL Wii Shop. Hudson decided to spring its WiiWare FPS, Onslaught, on an unsuspecting audience. Somehow, we doubt PAL gamers will mind waiting an extra month or so for Snowboard Riot and playing an online FPS in the meantime.The other game up today is something that we personally think looks delightful: Pop-Up Pirate!, the WiiWare version of the classic toy in which players stick swords into a barrel until someone accidentally stabs the imprisoned pirate. Fun for the whole family! Onslaught (1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points) Pop-up Pirate! (1-4 players, 500 Wii Points) Onslaught footage can be viewed after the break, along with a commercial for the Pop-Up Pirate toy (since we couldn't find any video of the Wii game).%Gallery-37658%%Gallery-43939%
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: My DoItAll
Tomy's My DoItAll may not be the most anticipated title on the DS, but it's kind of perfect for the Nintendo Channel's DS demo service. We're totally curious about the kid-friendly personal organizer "game" and its suite of activities, but not "pay money" curious. Now we can check it out for free, with no risk other than the possibility that we'll find it awesome and be forced to hide our enjoyment of a children's non-game from our Joystiq colleagues.That's the only new demo on the North American Nintendo Channel this week. If you missed the Big Bang Mini demo, it's back now, and we don't mind broadcasting to the world that it's worth checking out. The full list of available demos and new videos is after the break!%Gallery-18714%
Tomy's printer-equipped Xiao digital camera hits Japan
We already caught a brief glimpse of Tomy's Zink printer-equipped Xiao digital camera earlier this month, but with the Friday release date now upon us, we finally have a few more details about the would-be Polaroid successor. That includes word of a price for both the camera (¥34,800, or just under $370), and the paper you'll need to actually print photos which, at ¥880 (or about $9) for 20 sheets, likely won't have you plastering your walls with the 2x3-inch shots, even though they do actually have adhesive backs. Interestingly, you can also use the camera to print photos from any IrDA-equipped cellphone, but unfortunately not via WiFi or Bluetooth, which would be a tad more welcome. If that's got you intrigued, you should have a slightly easier time picking one up when it launches internationally next spring, although by then it'll likely also be competing with Polaroid's own Zink-equipped camera.
Beloved toy of our youths coming to WiiWare
Warning: you are now entering a Wii Fanboy nostalgia zone; if we get wrapped up in jabbering about our wholesome childhoods over the next 200 words, you've been warned. The cause of this trip down memory lane? The announcement that Tomy would be bringing a Pop-Up Pirate game to WiiWare. Yay!Pop-Up Pirate Wii will emulate the pop-ular children's board/party game, in which players would hold their breath (that bit is optional, but helps) while inserting plastic swords into a plastic barrel containing a pirate. If you chose the wrong slot, the pirate would spring out, startling everybody. As dull as it sounds now we've written it down, it was all the rage back in the '80s, before those damn computer videogame whatchoomacallits came along and ruined everything.Like other board games of our childhood that relied on a steady hand (such as Buckaroo and Operation), we're not yet certain that a videogame version will capture the same ridiculous levels of tension, but still, three cheers for Tomy for at least trying! The chunky, colorful visuals are a great start, in our opinion.Also on Nintendo of Japan's WiiWare page: Simple Series Vol. 2 The Number Puzzle Neo. If ever a series was designed especially for WiiWare, the cheap-but-cheerful Simple series would be it. Both of these will launch next Tuesday in Japan for 500 Wii Points each.%Gallery-37658%[Via Siliconera]
Tomy xiao digital camera has built in Zink printer, the spirit of Polaroids
Like just about everyone else, we miss the Polaroid film format; maybe it's just nostalgia, but we enjoyed having something we could hold on to (and shake) after taking a picture. Polaroids may be dead, but the basic concept lives on -- remember Zink, that company whose technology prints digital photos on the spot without ink? It's joined forces with toy-maker Tomy to make the xiao TIP-521, a digital camera with a printer built in. The xiao has a modest five megapixel resolution, so we might wait and see how Polaroid's own Zink camera turns out, but in either case we're stoked the tactile experience is back.[Via Market Watch]
Takara Tomy's wall-climbing AeroSpider RC car ships this month
We came for the car, we stayed for the promoter. Takara Tomy's previously announced AeroSpider RC car, which mystically scales walls and cruises upside-down, is finally shipping this month in Japan. Cool though that may be, the real news here is the overgrown 4-year old used to show off just how amazing this minuscule vehicle truly is. Head on past the break to see what we mean -- trust us, we wouldn't lead you on like this for nothing.[Thanks, Clyde]
DS Daily: Case couture
When you're looking for a case for your DS, or another non-gameplay-oriented accessory (strap, screen cleaner, sticker, etc.), do you tend toward mass-produced products, like the generally excellent ones from Hori or Keys Factory, or the bizarre puffy ones from Tomy? Or do you prefer a one-of-a-kind homemade item from Etsy?Or are you like us -- you would prefer a nice handmade one, but for whatever reason you bought a Hori case instead, and now you feel kind of guilty for some unspecified reason? You're probably not like us.
E308: Naruto tries out the new Interview Jutsu
We've seen screens, dabbled a bit in gameplay footage -- now it''s time to get a word in edgeways from Glenn Stotz, introduced as a Naruto "product specialist." A paid Naruto fanboy, perhaps? And here we are watching the series for free like suckers, when we should be raking in the cash. Le sigh.Stotz talks about Clash of Ninja Revolution 2, which is a pretty ambitious product with a deep storyline and a huge range of Wiimote gesture controls. It's a fighting game at heart, but we wouldn't mind a fighter that actually tries to present some semblance of a plot. Watch the interview and you'll see that Naruto is a perfect license for doing exactly that....Believe it.
E308: Naruto believes in this new trailer
If all-out battle royales are your thing, you might want to check out the above trailer for Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2. It seems to meld the finesse of a fighting game with the brutality of a brawler, and evidently does a pretty good job of it. Hopefully, the key to winning battles won't just be spamming the Shadow Clone Jutsu over and over again -- we are looking for a nice, balanced fighting experience. If you look closely, you'll be able to see a few on-screen indicators of particular Wiimote movements in combat. Gone are the days of pushing complex sequences of buttons rapidly to execute attacks -- fighting games have evolved somewhat to recognize fluid movements as a valid form of control. It works -- believe it.
Naruto: Clash of the Screens ... 2
As a plucky young ninja, Naruto does heaps of fighting. More fighting than a mob of pre-teens looking to grab that last copy of Pokemon Rangers 2. The difference here is that Naruto -- the anime -- is pretty cool, and occasionally spawns a few decent products -- the games. Today's Naruto game is none other than Clash of Ninja Revolution -- the sequel.We heard about Clash of Nnja Revolution 2 a while back, and it was better-than-bad news, considering the original isn't too shabby. It's not amazing, but hey -- sequels are designed for improvement ... right? If you think the screens in the new gallery below show a promising future for Naruto games on the Wii, let the public know. As a Pokemon-esque anime phenomenon, it's pretty gosh darn entertaining -- and we want awesome games to come along for the ride. Believe it!%Gallery-27866%[Via press release]
Naruto takes his Path in September
If you love Naruto and are ruing the fact that you can't make it to this year's Anime Expo, don't rue too hard. You may not be able to try out Path of the Ninja 2 this July, but your day to get your Naruto RPG on will come soon enough. Tomy announced that the game is releasing this September, meaning you only have to make it through three measly months. In the meantime, there are plenty of other Naruto games out there to keep you busy, or you could pass the time by browsing through our updated gallery below. %Gallery-22877%[Via press release]
Play Bangai-O and Naruto at this week's Anime Expo
Want to get your hands on Bangai-O Spirits before its August release? Then head on over to California and go to this year's Anime Expo. Not only will you get to play this gem of a game, but the entire DS Fanboy staff will envy you for your hands-on Bangai-O experience. Another DS game that will be playable is, of course, Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2. Would you really expect the orange-clad Ninja not to make an appearance? So, if you plan to stop by the Expo, make sure to check out D3 Publisher's booth (901) for some fun times on the DS. Gallery: Bangai-O Spirits Gallery: Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2
Choro Q Penny Racing onto Wii, plus lots more!
The ESRB well isn't totally dry, luckily: just a few days after the announcement that new game reveals would be curtailed, several unannounced games have appeared. Most notable is Penny Racers Party: Turbo-Q Speedway from Tomy, which is likely to be Choro-Q Wii, the party-game-filled version of Takara Tomy's toy-based racing game series.The ESRB database has revealed some other new releases: Gameloft's Wild West Guns, likely a WiiWare game; PDC World Championship Darts 2008, which was released earlier this year in the UK; N-Space's bean bag game; and Beer Pong.On the Virtual Console front, SNK's top-down ninja shooter, Ninja Commando, has been rated for release. Totally sweet!
Takara Tomy's RPG Piggy Bank: level up by saving up
Now here's a novel concept. Takara Tomy's BankQuest is half piggy bank, half old school RPG. Essentially, gamers / penny pinchers can purchase items to help them fend off pixelated ogres and the like by saving more money. The more coinage that gets deposited, the better the journey becomes. So, do you get some kind of prize when you cash it all out to buy your mum something nice, or what?
Tomy Hi-Kara karaoke cube is world's smallest
Sometimes it's best to not ask why. In the case of the Tomy Hi-Kara, which they claim is the world's smallest karaoke machine (unless others have something to say about it), we will simply list off some specifications and dimensions then allow you to judge amongst yourselves, because, really, yeah. The Hi-Kara measures just 2.75 x 2.75 x 2.75-inches in a cube format with a 2.4-inch screen that displays lyrics and happy fun animations. You have to download songs onto a proprietary cartridge from the Hi-Kara website. Finally, a headset / microphone serves microphone and listening duties for up to two people. It comes in white and pink. There you have it. We'll be over here.
Train Girl DS release date and limited edition bundle
Click for bigger image Japanese gamers eager to get their hands on Train Girl DS will be getting a nice bundle come this October. But, wait, before we talk about the bundle, we should probably talk a bit about the game itself, right? Okay, let's go. In Terminal Memory DS from Tomy, you have got to keep the trains running on time. According to some machine translation, it looks like you're charged with maintaining a fleet of trains and ensuring the women in charge of keeping them running on time are doing their jobs. Fun times, indeed!As for the bundle itself, you can see the figure and art book, but also a "talk CD," whatever that is. If you're looking for more information on the game, check out the official web page here. You can also see some other screens at IGN here.[Via Go Nintendo]
Play Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 in French
Tomy confirmed with Siliconera that there are no plans to localize Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan. As you may or may not remember, Path of the Ninja 2 is actually a localization of the third game in the Naruto RPG series, Reijuu vs Konoha Shoutai.Skipping a game in the series is definitely a bummer, but on an unrelated note, Tomy has also added an odd feature to Path of the Ninja 2 -- the ability to play in French. Perhaps this is an indication of one of Naruto's biggest markets. Now, people in France will have an easier time importing the game, and French-speaking Canadians can choose the language they feel more comfortable with. While strange, we wouldn't begrudge these groups the pleasure of being catered to.Siliconera revealed some more details as well, including the fact that people with the North American version of the game won't be able to battle those with Japanese copies. Spencer Yip speculates that this is a good thing, since Japanese gamers will be more apt at the game with their experience, but we're sure some of you Naruto hardcores won't be happy with this development. Gallery: Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2
Tomy localizing Licca-chan doll simulator?
We aren't exactly sure what the "Lovely Lisa" game found on the ESRB database is, but a quick jaunt over to potential Tomy's Japanese website gave us a potential solution. "Lisa" is pretty close to "Licca," as in Licca-chan, their line of fashion dolls. Last year, Tomy released a virtual Licca doll game on the DS, called Licca-chan DS Onna no Ko Lesson (Licca-chan DS Girls' Lessons), a combination of a Licca-chan doll with customizable clothing, and, of course, a suite of minigames.If this is indeed Licca-chan DS, it might be a step toward launching the doll line in the U.S., in which case you can see the future of the pink aisles in Toys R Us. Or it could just be a cheap game that Tomy thinks they could sell.
