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Virtually Overlooked: Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode
Welcome to our weekly feature, Virtually Overlooked, wherein we talk about games that aren't on the Virtual Console yet, but should be. Call it a retro-speculative. Golgo 13: Top Secret Episode isn't exactly a great game. In fact, it's more like an awkward agglomeration of a lot of not-that-great games into one game that is mostly mediocre. But somehow, out of its many imperfect elements, it manages to deliver an impressively James-Bond cool story that motivates players to continue the experience.
US gets equipped with Mega Man Star Force cartoon
Mega Man series fans have something else to look forward to in the near future, besides the never-ending stream of spinoffs and sequels. Viz Media has licensed the anime adaptation of the latest spinoff, Mega Man Star Force (Ryuusei no Rockman in Japan) for US audiences.The story is some baffling thing about a human kid merging with an alien entity called Omega-Xis to become Mega Man, which we're sure will make more sense after we play the game. It makes us a little nostalgic for the sparse robot vs. robot storyline of the original Mega Man series, but not the original Mega Man cartoon. Do you think the cartoon will be good enough to promote a game with three versions? We make fun of Capcom for all the Mega Man overload, but we're huge fans and will no doubt fill our TiVos with episodes of this series.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes comes to US this summer
Believe it! The popular anime franchise is finally getting a PSP game. Ultimate Ninja Heroes will allow Naruto fans to assemble a team of three characters (out of a roster of 20) to duke it out against another team of three. Pairings must be thought through carefully, as new abilities will be unearthed based on character combinations. An interesting idea, to say the least. According to 1UP, the fighter is supposedly exclusive to the US, with no Japanese release planned at the moment. But, Heroes looks suspiciously like the Japanese PSP Naruto game, so we're going to take that bit with a grain of salt.Ultimate Ninja Heroes will hit PSP systems this summer. Check out 1UP for more details, and some breathtaking pictures of the game.
DS makeup game defies mockery with sales potential
We were all set to make fun of Cosmetic Paradise, but then we thought about it and realized that a makeup game on the DS will probably be something of a hit in Japan. Here's our reasoning: All people in Japan have at least one DS-- including little girls. This may be marketed as a "training" game for cosmetics, and the word "training" opens the sales floodgates. Using the stylus to apply makeup is probably a lot of fun for people who like dolls and stuff. We admit, then, that this game is a good idea, from a business perspective, at least. And it does seem to have some adventure game elements, which we support. What do you think? Are there any little DS fans in your family that would enjoy this kind of thing?
Gundam Seed brings hot mech-on-mech action
Who would've thought that a licensed anime game could ever look so enticing? Ruliweb got some hands-on time with the newly released Japanese import, and it looks absolutely fantastic. The battles look like a blast (pun intended), with some miraculous mech action on display. The game has all the production values from the original anime, from TM Revolution's intro to Souichiro Hoshi's grating adolescent voice. Gundam fans will have a tear come to their eye when they see Victory flash on the screen, with See-Saw's ending playing in the background. Is this not some truly spectacular fan service?Check after the cut to see more screens of the game. For more details, check out our previous coverage.[Via PSP-Vault]
Football simplified and awesomefied
As a manga-based sports game, Eyeshield 21: Field Saikyou no Senshi Tachi has more in common with Mutant League Football than any release of Madden. The different teams have special attacks corresponding to their bizarre mascots (e.g. Devil Bats and guitar-playing Spiders), and players celebrate touchdowns by firing automatic weapons into the air. What's not to love? As Siliconera's import preview explains, Eyeshield 21 cuts the American sport down to its very basics. The abridged playbook offers only four options, you don't actually control your character when running, and almost every gameplay aspect is handled through timed mini-games with the Wii remote. This streamlined approach might sound like all the fun has been taken out of the game, but Eyeshield 21 keeps players entertained with continuous action and a high-octane soundtrack. If you're still not convinced, head past the post break for some gameplay footage.
Fate goes big-head chibi
Some of our readers expressed great hope for Capcom's newly unveiled PSP fighting game, Fate. The game, which is based on a popular anime series (which is, in turn, based on a popular adults-only hentai series). The series has captured the attention of a wide audience, some who have been allured by the maturity of some of the characters.A new magazine scan reveals that the Fate game is going in a completely new direction. Characters will be portrayed in the chibi artstyle, meaning they'll feature very large heads and eyes. This form, meant to be appealing to children, shows how this once adults-only series has transformed into something completely different. Will fans of the series approve of this startling new art direction for the series?[Via PSP-Vault]
Powerpuff Girls adapted to anime, anime adapted to minigames
This news manages to be both supremely weird and completely banal at the same time. It's interesting conceptually, but mechanically, it's another licensed minigame set. Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z is the made-for-Japan adaptation of the Cartoon Network show, which was itself inspired by anime. And just like you would expect for any anime, or, for that matter, anything popular in Japan (see also: food and walking) Powerpuff Girls Z is getting its own DS game. This has to be the most derivative game ever in terms of source material-- just surpassing the game adaptation of Street Fighter: The Movie.
One Piece Unlimited Adventure gets stretchy, swingy
We'll admit to being somewhat negligent in our anime viewing. To put a fine point on it, we don't know the first thing about One Piece. But we know brawlers, and any such game where you can play as a stretchy-arm guy is okay with us.One Piece Unlimited Adventure uses limited "swing attacks" that are activated by waggling-- specifically, shaking the Wiimote. The high-speed pummeling shown above is such an attack. Check the link for pictures of all the other (significantly less stretchy) characters and their swing actions, and click the post break for a couple of screens.
Osu! Tatakae! Nodame Cantabile!
We've already helped a student pass his exams in Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, and then we reunited a little girl with her dead father in Elite Beat Agents, so what's the next challenge on our rhythm-gaming plate? Turning our eyes towards Namco Bandai Games' Nodame Cantabile, it looks like we'll be conducting music with a ragtag class of students. The Nintendo DS has been home to many manga/anime licenses, so it's no surprise seeing the shoujo series appear on the handheld. Judging by what we've seen so far, the game plays like a simplified version of Ouendan. Players tap a series of floating notes in time with the music, filling up a "life" gauge with each successful hit. Missing a beat depletes the gauge, ending the level when the gauge is emptied. A flash demo of the game has been put up to promote Nodame Cantabile DS, and you don't even need to know any Japanese to play! Check it out after the post break. [Via NeoGAF]
New trailer for Naruto Ninja Council 3
Naruto: Ninja Council 3 is approaching its May release, and to promote it, D3 Publisher has released a new trailer. The trailer shows a lot of what we expect from Ninja Council games (Naruto-styled brawling), and also what we expect from action games on the DS (stylus activation of special moves).But what we didn't expect was how varied and weird the touch screen stuff would be! There's all kinds of stuff happening on that bottom screen. Check after the post break for the video, and click the link for a big screenshot-cluster thing.
First HD DVD/DVD Twin disc hits U.S. in June, along with new HDi features
Add one more dual format disc type to the pile, as Bandai Visual will bring the HD DVD/DVD Twin disc to the U.S. June 26, with the release of its bestselling OVA Freedom, and will also be one of the first releases to include HDi network capabilities. As opposed to the combo releases so far that have HD DVD on one side, and DVD on the other, the Twin disc allows up to three layers of either HD DVD or DVD content on the same side of the disc, no flipping necessary. Your old-school DVD player might have trouble with the disc, so its been limited to Japan-only releases so far. Bandai's been working with Microsoft and Memory-Tech to tweak the VC-1 codec for Japanese anime, and the company says after this they will start releasing other HD DVD and Blu-ray titles in Japan and overseas. The SRP for Freedom Vol.1 (of 6) is $39.99 and while we don't know much about the series beyond its mix of CGI and 2D animation, it does heavily represent that most holiest of foods, ramen.
Building a better video game anime
With similar, heavily Japanese influences behind both video games and anime, it's no surprise that there's heavy overlap between fans of both art forms. But what happens when the two worlds actually meet? Anime blogger Azure Flame finds out with a look at what makes a good video-game inspired anime.The short essay is a little less than comprehensive -- it doesn't even mention the near-ubiquitous Pokemon anime, but the advice for making a good game-based cartoon is still useful. In short: a good game-based anime builds on the world and the story established in the game without being limited by the source material. We agree, and we're still waiting for the Super Mario Bros. anime that explores the plumbers' super-secret outer space battles between giant robots with enormous swords. Don't pretend you haven't pictured it yourself.
DS Daily: Adapting anime
We recognize that the fanbase for video games and anime overlap quite a bit, and so do a lot of companies out there. It's no surprise, then, that popular anime properties get adapted into game form quite a bit. We've seen it on the DS with Fullmetal Alchemist and Bleach, not to mention the ultimate in anime tie-ins: the Jump Super Stars series.If you like anime, does this kind of thing have any influence on you? Do you get excited hearing about a game version of your favorite show, despite the years of punishment licensed games have dealt us? Or do you get worried that a game will somehow tarnish the reputation of the source material? And if you don't like anime, have you run across any anime-based games that you love separate from the license? The GBA slot in our DS is often occupied by Sega and Treasure's brilliant Astro Boy: The Omega Factor despite our not being the most devoted Astro Boy fans.
Deal of the Day: Anime UMDs for $5 each at Gamestop
Your UMD collection can grow like a cancerous universe-creating monster at the prices that Gamestop is selling them at. Akira, Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and Ninja Scroll UMDs are all available at the low price of $5. (For the non-anime fans out there, Dawn of the Dead should fit the bill quite nicely.) Don't forget to use coupon code SAVER for free shipping.[Via CAG][Update 1: All products are sold out! You see what happens when you price UMDs the right way?]
Naruto game announced ... but which one?
You might have to take some notes on this one, because it's a little complicated, especially since the games involved have very long, very similar names. Tomy and D3 Publisher have announced a new Naruto game called Naruto: Clash of Ninja MVZ, to be released on the Wii in the US with exclusive new content.However, exactly which Naruto game it is is somewhat of a mystery. The unruly (but perspicacious) NeoGAF horde thinks that it's not the Wii Naruto (Naruto Shippuden Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX) that just came out in Japan, but rather a port of the Gamecube Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 3 with some new characters, minigames, and, we would assume, new controls. But Gamespot is reporting that we're getting a version of EX with the animations and characters changed to reflect where the US localization of the anime is in the Naruto storyline. We don't exactly know what's going on. There will be a Naruto game of some kind on the Wii this fall, and the rest is obscured by ninja trickery, deployed in a successful attempt to confuse and disorient us.
Friday Video: Sgt. Frog
If you're not a huge anime fan, you may not have heard of Keroro Gunso. That's okay; you don't have to know anything to watch this week's featured video. In fact, it may be even funnier if you have no idea what's going on. Whether you're a fan or not, however, we hope everyone can agree that the trailer for the second Keroro Gunso game on the DS is a pretty wacky finisher for the week. It's bright, it's colorful, and it's monumentally silly. Just sit back and enjoy the trials and tribulations of Sgt. Frog.
Brooktown High's girls become hotter? [Update 2]
While browsing 4chan (NSFW) I came across this anime fan redo of the Brooktown High: Senior Year girls. The basic idea was that the current art for dating sim Brooktown High is unattractive (I can't help but agree). So this image shows what would happen if Brooktown High were made in Japan. I still think the art isn't perfect, but the girls look far more attractive than the current game versions.. Kinda makes me wish Konami just translated Tokimeki Memorial and brought that out here rather than this. Because no matter how good the gameplay is in a dating sim, if the girls aren't hot, who's going to be motivated to play? Would you rather see anime style girls in your dating sims or do you somehow find the original Brooktown High art sexy? [Update 1: Added NSFW clarification] [Update 2: Changed offending words]
Blue Dragon anime coming to TV Tokyo
Blue Dragon's universe is expanding rapidly, and Famitsu reports that an animated TV series is scheduled to air on Japan's TV Tokyo station in April. The Blue Dragon anime is in production at Studio Pierrot -- which has worked on the animated series of such hot properties as Power Stone, Naruto and Bleach -- and is directed by Yukihiro Matsushita, who previously directed the Star Ocean EX animation. Kluke, the female lead in Blue Dragon's main trio of adventurers, is voiced by Erino Hazuki (pictured), while Keiko Nemoto and Daisuke Namikawa provide the voices of group leader Shu and quiet boy Zero (respectively). Now how about some hype for the English-language release of Blue Dragon, Microsoft? We're dying out here.
Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX trailer generates excitement, eyestrain
Takara Tomy have stealth-released a new trailer for Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX, the Wii sequel to the popular Gamecube 3D fighting series, and it's looking ... well, heavily compressed. It's hard to tell how the game looks based on the size and quality of this video. Despite the technical difficulties, there were a few noteworthy things we could glean from the video, and its now-standard use of the "picture-in-picture of person making Wiimote gestures:" There are a lot of characters in the game. They fight each other. Adorable children can control this character-fighting with Wiimote and Nunchuk motions. We can assume that the new one will look at least as nice as the Gamecube versions, and will probably have new characters and some new moves and such. Previous Naruto games have been well-received; we are crossing our fingers that the new one will be just as good, and that the motion control is fun and not gimmicky. We think we should have started crossing our fingers after typing this post.[Note: the link goes directly to a .wmv video.][Thanks, Creamsugar!]
