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Famicom Detective Club is a pair of visual novels for people new to the genre
Nintendo's re-release of the Famicom Detective Club games is an interesting time capsule of the visual novel genre.
Resident Evil: Revelations listed for Xbox 360, PS3 by Korean ratings board
Resident Evil: Revelations may be about to reveal itself on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, if a listing on Korean ratings board GRB is accurate. According to GRB, Capcom Entertainment Korea applied for the survival-horror shooter to be rated for 360 and PS3. Revelations came out for 3DS earlier this year. Capcom sees Revelations as something similar to the survival horror of the original Resident Evil. After a mixed critical response to the more action-oriented Resident Evil 6, it may well be good timing for Revelations to come to home consoles.
Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2 to be Japan's next hit DS game
With Dragon Quest VI in stores in Japan for almost one whole week, Square Enix wasted no time in announcing another upcoming Dragon Quest game for DS. The latest new announcement is Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2, a sequel to the Pokemon-like DS Dragon Quest spinoff from 2007. The new sequel, out April 28 in Japan, will feature over 300 catchable monsters and online multiplayer for up to eight people. And in a post-Dragon Quest IX Japan, with millions of people happily playing online, this game would seem to have a built-in audience. [Via Andriasang]
Celebrate the launch of The Legendary Starfy, only a month after it happened
Nintendo announced today that it will hold a launch event for The Legendary Starfy at its Nintendo World Store in New York City on July 11. You may be looking at your copy of Starfy right now and wondering if another one is coming out -- no, this is for the one that came out on June 9.The event will run from 1-3 p.m. and will feature Starfy-themed contests, face painting, balloons, and even a life-sized Starfy mascot character. That seems like a lot of attention for a game from a developer who usually doesn't even take credit for the games it works on. Good for TOSE.
Proof that Starfy in English is really happening
We still can't believe that Nintendo has actually decided to grace us with a Starfy game -- in the same year that we're given a Rhythm Tengoku game. Why didn't we ever see the previous games? It's not like Nintendo of America didn't trust TOSE to create a good platform game. What's next, Kuru Kuru Kururin?Whatever the reasoning, it appears that Nintendo is finally going to give us a Starfy game for reals. Look at those screens! Localization is happening! The Legendary Starfy is launching in North America on June 8. Head into our gallery if you feel prepared for five points of cuteness.%Gallery-50003%[Via IGN]
This Wednesday: Peggle, Crystal Defenders & NCAA Basketball MME [update]
PopCap Games' alarmingly addictive Peggle and Square Enix's Crystal Defenders will both be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade this Wednesday, March 11 for 800 ($10) each. That is, if Major Nelson and his podcasting co-host, e, can be trusted (we think so!). This week's Peggle release isn't all that surprising, seeing that a recent press release confirmed a March release, but hearing that Crystal Defenders will complete this Wednesday's XBLA twofer, well ... that's just out of left field. Not that we're complaining or anything, we're just overjoyed that Bjorn will be giving our 360 an incurable case of "Extreme Fever." Update: NCAA Basketball MME is out too! (No demo available.) [Thanks, Liam G.]
Stafy vs. the Cloud in a Hat
Some developers use the extra screen on the DS to display a map. Some use it to display an inventory. Still others put commands and special attacks on the touchscreen. For Densetsu no Stafy 5, at least in one area, TOSE decided to use the second screen for a giant, sentient snowball in a hat. Or maybe it's a cloud? A cloud makes more sense. The little guy appears to create strong winds with his breath whenever he's awakened. When sleeping, he generates a strong current of total cuteness. In fact, if there's anything the latest Stafy screens have in common, it's that the bottom screen is tuned for optimum delivery of cuuuuuute.
Two glorious minutes of Stafy action
Talking of stars (tenuous link ahoy!), GameTrailers has posted a Japanese launch trailer for Densetsu no Stafi 5 (Legend of Stafy 5). Every aspect of the title seems to be covered here, from Stafy's various incarnations to the co-op adventure that the brave little star undertakes with sister Stapy.There's also some impossibly cute "dress Stafy up" mode (visible at around 1:32 in the trailer) which we omigosh must play now.
Deal: Final Fantasy Tactics for $20
PSP had a number of excellent SRPG games to choose from during last year's holiday season. Final Fantasy Tacticsc: The War of the Lions was one of them. The quintessential PS1 game got a makeover when it moved to PSP, with beautiful new cutscenes and a whole bevvy of new quests. The game is now available for a 50% discount on amazon.com -- $20. If you missed out on this title last year, this may be a good time to jump. [Via CAG]
Cuteness overload in these new Legend of Stafy 5 screens and boxart
It's been a little while since we got some eyecandy for Legend of Stafy 5. Well, that's changed, as Dengeki has uploaded a couple of new screens from the upcoming title, including the game's boxart. And, we don't have to tell you how damn cute the game is. It's like that Mikey kid times a billion.Head on over to Dengeki for the screens.
Stafy is even more adorable in motion
Must resist ... urge ... to .... squeal ...... too late!We've said it before, and we'll say it again a million times -- Stafy is so cute! With his happy giggles, his bright smile, his bulging eyes, and his overall star quality, you just have to love the little guy. (Yes, you do.)Some new trailers for Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daiiru Kaizoku-dan (which are actually Japanese commercials) show Stafy and his somewhat playable sister, Stapy, getting in and out of all kinds of trouble. You also get to check out his transformations, which might just put you into a coma from cuteness overload. (Consider yourselves warned.) At least you can say "import!" with a big smile on your face.Check after the break for an equally precious video showing off Stafy's latest adventures.
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth gets reprint, only $30 [Update]
We don't really know why we're sharing this because we thought perhaps putting in our pre-order first and securing a copy for ourselves would be a wise choice before sharing the scoop. But, we've got an obligation to you dear readers and we wouldn't do that to you. If you haven't picked up a copy of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (a PSP port of the PSOne classic) then now would be a good time. Online retailer GameQuest Direct has grabbed reprinted copies of the game and is selling them at 30 bucks. The games will ship June 27, so there's really no reason to hesitate. Go pre-order. [Via CAG] Update: GameQuest Direct informed us they are not carrying exclusive reprints of the game. You can check other retailers for copies as well.
Stafy lets you play with a co-star
Densetsu no Stafy 3 on the Game Boy Advance featured multiplayer minigames that let a second player take the role of Stafy's sister Stapy. Stafy 4 featured Stapy as a playable character in the main game. The latest in the series, Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daiiru Kaizoku-dan, features drop-in multiplayer in certain areas of the game for which you'd like to have a bit of help. (mostly bosses) A second player can take the role of Stapy and join Stafy in fighting bosses via Download Play. Stapy can wall-jump, crouch, and launch a spin attack. And, of course, she does also return for the series' customary dress-up mode and minigames.It may not be news to say that Stafy is cute (in fact, it comes up every time we mention the game) but seriously, go look at the new screenshots at Dengeki. Cuuuute.[Via Dengeki]
Stafy is a star and so much more
This just in: the fifth game in Tose's Densetsu no Stafy series will continue the tradition of making bloggers "awwww" themselves silly with its ludicrous levels of cuteness.New scans from Famitsu confirm that, just like its immediate predecessor, Densetsu no Stafy: Taiketsu! Daiiru Kaizoku-dan won't be light on the saccharine imagery, and also that Stafy has a new friend for his latest adventure: Rampa (?) the space bunny. According to the magazine, Rampa will be able to transform Stafy into other creatures, including a seal and a dragon, which will in turn help our squishy, five-pointed hero progress through the game.We find Stafy's dragon transformation adorable.
Bargain Quests and a Cheaper Fantasy
Looking for a DS RPG, but Square-Enix's sky-high prices have you eying those Volume 9 DS Games carts from across the pond? Bat away those temptations to take to the seas and don an eye patch; consider these Amazon deals instead! Up until tonight, Amazon is offering copies of Final Fantasy III for almost half the game's usual price, marking down the 3D remake to $16.99. If Dragon Quest spin-offs are more your thing, DQM: Joker and Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime are also featured with sub-$20 sales, and those markdowns should stay up while stocks last. Those games should keep you busy for weeks, and you didn't even have to spend £6,000! [Via CAG] Read - Final Fantasy III at Amazon- $16.99 ($29.99) Read - Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker at Amazon - $17.96 ($29.99) Read - Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime at Amazon - $14.99
WWE SmackDown vs. RPG
There's somewhat of a trend forming in DS sports games -- developers eschewing straight sports simulations in favor of bizarre experiences. We've seen it in MLB 2K8 Fantasy All-Stars, and now we're seeing it in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009. THQ has hired Japanese "ninja developer" TOSE (best known for Super Princess Peach, the Stafy games, and being mysterious) to create their latest DS wrestling game.They have bizarred it up indeed, adding an out-of-ring mode in which the backstage area is full of NPCs and rendered environments, much like an RPG overworld. You'll travel around taking on missions and interacting with other wrestlers as you try to level up your character's various attributes, like "Sweatiness," "Shirt-tearing" and "Catchphrases."*It actually sounds like a really cool take on the RPG. It's like Puzzle Quest, but with wrasslin'! Unfortunately, the screenshots so far don't really show anything but creepy 3D models.*not actual attributes
No joke: DQMJ for $25
Though $25 might not sound like much of a sale for a DS game, this is the lowest price we've seen for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker yet. Developed and published by Square-Enix, this Pokemon-esque spin-off of the Dragon Quest series normally retails for $39.99! Amazon will ship the game to you for free, but you'll have to order soon -- before the end of the day, at least -- to buy the monster-collecting RPG at that reduced price. Check out that guy's hair! Wouldn't that cover look great on your shelf? %Gallery-9915% [Via CAG]
Europe gets a date for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
A 2008 release date for Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker was always on the cards for Europe, and Square Enix has now settled on March 14th. Yes, that's a whole 146 days after the Pokémon pretender monster-hunting RPG first arrived in North America, and well over a year since it cropped up in Japan, but heck, are we really all that surprised? We probably don't need to mention that the region won't be seeing any consolatory preorder bonuses. Fellow Europeans are welcome to quash their sense of injustice by perusing our gallery below for some pretty images of the game in action. Pretty images solve everything. %Gallery-9915% [Via press release]
DS Fanboy Review: Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Whether you want to call it "fashionably late" or "missed the party," Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker has finally hit North America. During Q4 and its incredible torrent of releases, DQMJ still manages to stick out as one of the highest-profile titles releasing on the system this year. Is it the real deal, or just another imitator? Read on and find out! %Gallery-9915%
Scouting out Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker is out this week for gamers in North America, and to celebrate, we have a few things for you. Oh, wait, did we say a few? Basically, we have half the game in our gallery below. On top of that, the latest ad is out, and you can watch it here as well. Don't say we didn't do anything for you, because oh, we did. [Via press release] %Gallery-9915%
