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Project X Zone gets 'Ghost' demo on eShop next week
Fanstravaganza Project X Zone already has an "Imperial" demo available for download on the 3DS eShop, but the game's official Nintendo page says there's another demo coming on July 2. The second demo is called "Ghost" and will give players a look at a completely different segment of the game. Project X Zone (pronounced "Project Cross Zone," because Japan) is a turn-based strategy RPG that mashes up characters from Namco Bandai, Capcom, and Sega franchises. The game came out in Japan last year, and just recently arrived here in North America.
Dear Import Gamer: You can do better than Super Robot Wars UX
This is a column by Kat Bailey dedicated to the analysis of the once beloved Japanese RPG sub-genre. Tune in every Wednesday for thoughts on white-haired villains, giant robots, Infinity+1 swords, and everything else the wonderful world of JRPGs has to offer. Twitter followers have recently asked me: "Is Super Robot Wars UX worth importing?" The short answer is no, but the reason I won't be importing Super Robot Wars UX pretty much cuts to the heart of what irritates me about both the Super Robot Taisen franchise and Namco Bandai in general. Super Robot Wars UX is filler. It's the game that's meant to bridge the gap while we wait for more entries in the main story arc. I know this because Namco Bandai has been releasing games just like it for roughly 15 years now. When I think of Super Robot Wars UX, the first thing that comes to mind is Treyarch's early work in the Call of Duty franchise. Games released to plug the gaps between major entries. And being a strategy RPG series that is mostly known for having a lot of licensed mecha anime shows, such filler entries aren't that hard to make. There is a lot of love for the Super Robot Wars series, especially in Japan. It's one of Namco Bandai's flagship franchises. It's as if instead of going into a precipitous decline around the time of Star Wars Episode 1, LucasArts turned around and started putting out one to two Star Wars games per year. And not only that, they had found a way to cross it with Babylon 5, Star Trek, and Dr. Who in a way that inspired not rage but glee among the hardcore fans. That's Super Robot Wars in a nutshell – a strategy series that seamlessly mixes a lot of Japan's most beloved mecha franchises.
Nintendo Direct trailers: Monster Hunter Tri-G, Kingdom Hearts 3D, more
Nintendo's inaugural "Nintendo Direct" presentation in Japan also came with a host of new trailers for 3DS games. Above, new footage of Kingdom Hearts 3D, which we regret to inform you, continues to be called Dream Drop Distance. After the break, you can see two videos for Monster Hunter Tri-G, and a couple of new games. The first is a retail game from Banpresto called Lost Heroes, which puts Ultraman, Gundam, and Kamen Rider characters in the same dungeon-crawler world, and is thus super unlikely to see release outside of Japan. The second is an eShop game called Nimble Sakura Samurai, a simple action game in which you dodge and slice enemies. There are even more videos than that on Nintendo's site, if you want to see trailers for Dillon's Rolling Western or Koei's fashion game FabStyle.
Sega lighters set on fire what Nintendon't
Now that there's a lighter in the shape of a Sega Saturn, we think Segata Sanshiro would insist that people start smoking. Through November 6, retailer Net-You is accepting pre-orders on these beautiful Sega Hard Memorial Zippo Lighters made by Banpresto, which feature the likenesses of the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Saturn, for ¥10,500 (roughly $115) each. That's quite a bit more than you'd pay for the real systems in Akihabara, but, then, the real systems can't get your "just light the bag" charcoal started. Now is time to the 68000 cigarette on fire![Via Andriasang]
Atlus lasciviously announces Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier
As we followed the Japanese version of Infinite Frontier Super Robot Taisen OG Saga, we found ourselves in awe of the lavishly animated battle sequences. But another visual element was prominent in screens of the RPG -- and by "prominent" we mean "spilling out". Somehow, developer Monolith Soft had managed to fill a game about robots with busty girls. The inclusion of KOS-MOS from Monolith's Xenosaga acted as sort of a bridge between the two groups; after all, she is both busty and a robot. Atlus has officially announced a US release for the RPG (surprise!), a more traditional role-playing spinoff of the Super Robot Taisen tactical RPG series. In its riotously funny press release, the company promised a "stacked action RPG" with "so much game ... you may just get lower back pain from the effort!"Super Robot Taisen OG Saga Endless Frontier comes out April 28th. Like Legacy of Ys, every copy will be a boxed edition with a bundled soundtrack CD.%Gallery-14186%
Gundam vs. Gundam gets first customized PSP-3000
We knew that several new games were going to be bundled with a PSP-3000 pack in Japan, and Gundam vs. Gundam just so happens to be one of them. The interesting thing about this bundle is that the PSP-3000 has a special Gundam-themed embossing on its backside; this will be the first PSP-3000 model -- which we know of at the moment -- to feature such extra fan service. We wonder if the other Japanese bundles (Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Patapon 2 Donchaka) will also receive this boutique-style enhancement. We'll just have to wait and see.The Gundam vs. Gundam bundle will launch alongside the standalone game on November 20 in Japan. It will retail for ¥24,840 ($236.23).
Summoning character images for Twin Age
The latest batch of screens from Summon Night: Twin Age reveal fifteen of the game's characters, including the protagonists Aldo and Reiha. The images depict humans, Kascuza (the human-like beast race of the RPG), and some summoned beasts that appear. They can be seen in the gallery below, so be sure to eye them over.Since most Summon Night games don't get localized, we're excited to see how Twin Age turns out. The two GBA titles were fun, be we think the series has the potential to be even greater with stylus integration.Anyone that agrees with us will be happy to know that Twin Age hits North American retailers one week from today.%Gallery-3357%[Via press release]
Custom headphones for Custom Beat Battle Draglade 2
In order to entice customers into picking up the new sequel to last year's brawling pseudo-rhythm game Custom Beat Battle Draglade, publisher Namco Bandai has decided to offer a bonus that makes it seem even more like a rhythm game: free headphones.Japanese gamers who preorder Draglade 2 will receive, along with the game, a pair of over-the ear "Super Beat Headphones" just like the ones worn in the game by the new protagonist, Shibuya Goku Raio. The bonus will be available in limited quantities, though Draglade is a fairly niche game anyway. If you manage to get a set of these through an importer, you can pretend you're in a critically-acclaimed but low-selling action game while you listen to our Muxtape!
Fresh screens from SRW OG Endless Frontier
If perhaps a large chunk of gameplay footage and the screens in our gallery below haven't sold you on this game, we really don't know what to do for you. It's okay that something we present not immediately pique your interest; you're going to like what you're going to like. In case you're receptive to reasons why you should like the game, however, we have several. They're reasons in the form of new screenshots in our gallery below. Outside of that, we really got nothing.Oh wait, there's boobies! People seem to respond to those, right?%Gallery-14186%
11 minutes of SRW OG Endless Frontier's elaborate battle animations
As shallow as it might seem, these battle animations are the only reason why we bother watching these SRW OG Endless Frontier clips, or any video for the Super Robot Wars series, for that matter. It's like loading up a Marvel vs. Capcom 2 combo video to watch an intricate series of strikes pile up with no sign of ending anytime soon.So, here we have eleven minutes of precisely that -- floating HP-damage counts, KOS-MOS's poorly secured top, and team attacks acrobatically combining martial arts and heavy weaponry. What else were you expecting? SRW OG Endless Frontier ships out to stores in Japan this May 29th.%Gallery-14186%[Via Nicovideo]
Brand new screens of Super Robot Taisen A
Super Robot Taisen A Portable is a PSP remake of an old Gameboy Advance S-RPG. Moving onto the PSP means the game is getting a full overhaul with graphical enhancements, reworked weapon tunning and skill part systems, and all-new voice-acting. It's only fitting that a game about robots and upgrading robots gets an upgrade for itself. Want to see these changes for yourself? Then have a look at these new screenshots right here.
Summon Night: Skill Age
Ball lightning is 1) a mysterious meteorological phenomenon, and 2) a pretty neat ability you'll be able to unlock via skill tree in Summon Night: Twin Age! We believe this to be one of Reiha's magical Summoning techniques; more importantly, we believe this to look like something fun to do to bust up some monsters.Atlus seems to be going out of their way to include screens featuring silly, out-of-context quotes in their press releases (along with lots of other new screens, accessible in our gallery). Who are we to turn down an invitation to laughter? Allow us to present the latest in weird Atlus-game quote screenshots: "Man, what a dump. Just perfect for humans."%Gallery-3357%[Via press release]
Heavy mechs and heaving chests: SRW OG Endless Frontier commercial
Though we still have two months before Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Endless Frontier ships to stores in Japan, Banpresto already has a commercial for the Monolith-Soft RPG at its official site. The 15-second spot has everything you'd expect from a Super Robot Wars title -- ornate mechas swinging swords and firing giant canons at each other.Oh, and at some point, KOS-MOS's (Xenosaga) top spills open, exposing her cleavage for no discernible reason. Perhaps it's a special attack? Does it consume SP? We might just have to wait until May 29th comes around to find out!%Gallery-14186%
Twin Age localized, summoned to the US
No more than two weeks after we goaded you into importing a discounted copy of Summon Night: Twin Age, Atlus has announced its plans to translate and bring the ARPG stateside this May 20th. If you're one of those unfortunate kids who made the mistake of following our advice, you have our apologies. Hopefully, you've learned your lesson.As with Phantom Hourglass, Twin Age makes heavy use of the touchscreen, allowing you to explore maps, attack enemies, and cast spells using just your stylus. You'll have two heroes to manage, though: Reiha, a young girl versed in the "magical art of Summoning," and Aldo, a "Summon Beast." There's a lot to play with, too, including side quests, weapon crafting, and alternate story paths and endings.Atlus has already set up a site for the English release, but you should still check out the Japanese page for its web-based demo! Click around the menu, and you'll see what we mean. If you'd rather not leave the safety of DS Fanboy's arms, you can still see more of Summon Night: Twin Age in our gallery below!%Gallery-3357%[Via press release]
Exchange twin Hamiltons for Twin Age
Playing import games can be an expensive hobby, but online shops like Play Asia provide some relief for your wallet, hosting frequent sales for Japan-only titles normally priced at $50+. This latest deal is for Summon Night: Twin Age (or Twin Edge, depending on where you look), an ARPG from Banpresto that makes ample use of the DS's touchscreen for moving and attacking with your characters. GameFAQs has a helpful guide for would-be importers, and there's also a neat demo that appears on the official site if you navigate to one of its sub-pages. Play-Asia will have Twin Age available for you to grab for $19.90 while stocks last.%Gallery-3357%
Super Robot Wars Portable announced
It's time for Japan and importers to get their mecha on. Super Robot Wars A has been announced for the PSP, courtesy of everyone's favorite developer, Banpresto. Not your favorite? You don't count. If you're unfamiliar with the franchise, imagine a game where you could pick any of dozens of gigantic mechas from different anime, games, or whatever and see who is, after all, the most super of robots?The game, originating on the old Game Boy in 1991, brought about a tactical role-playing style weaving in multiple storylines that are too complex for us to get into -- mostly because we don't understand Japanese. Importers should note, however, the menu system for the games are always simple enough for non-Japanese speaking players to understand. So when it releases in mid-June, don't be afraid to get your hands on this one.
Monolith Soft reveals a little more of Super Robot Wars
When Monolith Soft first announced their Infinite Frontier Super Robot Wars OG Saga, many people scratched their heads in puzzlement. An RPG? What happened to the long tradition of strategy games? Why Original Generation? While these screens -- many of which showed up in those scans, just not as clearly -- might not answer any questions, they do offer a deeper peek at the title. You can check them out in the gallery below.By "reveals" here, we really mean to say many of the characters are dressed in somewhat revealing outfits.%Gallery-14186%
Shin-chan improbably heads to Europe
European publisher 505 Games has randomly decided to pick up the Crayon Shin-chan Wii launch game, Crayon Shin-chan: Saikyou Kazoku Kasukabe King. The choice to localize some two-year-old anime game may seem unusual, but Spain apparently has a large Shin-chan fanbase. Previous Shin-Chan GBA games got Spanish releases courtesy of Atari. We can only guess that this Wii game, planned for a March release, is aimed at the same market.It would be interesting to see a game like this given the same treatment that Funimation gave the show for its American release, in which the storylines and dialogue are all swapped out for nonsensical, 'edgy' humor and pop-culture references. And why not? People might get upset when this happens to the anime, but this is a licensed party game. It's not sacred.
Famitsu reveals Monolith Soft's new Super Robot Wars game
In a vaguely shocking turn of events, Nintendo's newly-acquired developer Monolith Soft has partnered with Banpresto to make a new entry in the long-running Super Robot Wars series of strategy RPGs. Oh, except this one isn't a strategy RPG! Infinite Frontier Super Robot Wars OG Saga is actually an RPG with some action elements. The game features traditional RPG combat, with parties, random encounters, and timing-based attacks.Since this is part of the "Original Generation" series and therefore contains Banpresto original robots, the licensing issues that keep most Super Robot Wars games in Japan don't apply to this one. Atlus published Original Generation 1 and 2 on the GBA in the U.S. The fact that it's being developed by a Nintendo-owned company doesn't hurt its chances either. Famitsu scans are available after the break.
Japanese Wii software sales for 2007: How did Wii publishers fare?
The year is almost over, and we could probably debate for hours about which games were the best, but in the end, money talks. So, how did Wii games actually sell in 2007? A kind NeoGAFfer compiled a list that shows how much each Wii game sold this year in Japan, based on Media Create figures up until December 2nd. It's also important, though, to consider how Wii game publishers did this year in Japan (check the stats in the image above). Nintendo certainly had a great year, with over 8 million sales for 17 games. Square Enix also did pretty well for itself with Dragon Quest Swords (the only game released by the company for the Wii before the December 2nd window). As for the other third parties, however, the median game sales seem somewhat poor. Yet, considering the amount of shovelware released this year, it's hard to say that some of them didn't deserve it. Check the list of game sales here to decide for yourselves. You may notice one major disappointment (yes, we're talking about Zack and Wiki) or two, but how many other third-party games, in your opinion, really deserved to sell better than they did?
