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ABC News wants your Virtual Console questions
ABC News' "Be Seen Be Heard" is preparing a segment about the Wii, in which they'll be interviewing Amber McCollum, a product tester at Nintendo. In a very lazy Web 2.0 move, they're asking viewers to send in videos containing questions for Ms. McCollum. So if you have any questions about the Virtual Console, please send them in! And if you happen to accidentally, you know, say the name of the site, we wouldn't object.We personally want to know about the development process: are the games basically dumped ROMS or do they have to be reprogrammed for the Wii? If so, why? These are the best questions we can think of, because repeating "RONDO OF BLOOD" over and over again while staring intensely into a camera isn't a question.What kind of questions do you have about the VC?[Via Game|Life]
Import VC games possible: Europe edition [update 1]
We recently brought you the news that Nintendo was still open to the possibility of bringing import Virtual Console games to the American Wii. In an interview with Eurogamer, a Nintendo UK spokesperson indicated that they're open to the possibility in PAL-land, as well. This possibility has added significance for European gamers, because it opens the door not only to Japanese and US games previously unreleased in Europe, but superior, faster NTSC versions of previously released games (PAL versions of which suffer from slowdown even now on the VC).So, European Fanboys, what would you like to see on the Virtual Console? Rondo of Blood? How about Dracula X? Or maybe that Castlevania game that only got released in Japan on the PC Engine Super CD Rom? The possibilities are endless.[Update 1: added a link to previous VC story.][Via Game|Life]
Castlevania: SOTN possibly coming this month
Rumor has it that the March 2007 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly confirms the release of XBLA title Castlevania: Symphony of the Night sometime this month. Yup, Castlevania: SOTN within' the next few weeks. Though it is entirely possible that EGM confirmed the release date with Konami weeks ago, but since then could have been delayed. We don't see why the game couldn't be ready for a February release (we already know what the achievements will be), but you know how that infamous Microsoft certification process works. Cross your fingers and wish upon a star, but no matter we're still slapping a rumor tag on this one. Come on fanboys, can we get a Castlevania in February for the win?[Thanks, Aaron W.]
The Symphony of the Night we won't get
Some gamers may feel jaded about the lack of improvements the PSP version of Symphony of the Night will feature. If Rondo of Blood can get the full 3D makeover, certainly this beloved PS1 classic can also receive some extras? Well, more isn't necessarily better, as seen by the Saturn version of this beloved adventure game.1UP showcases the horrors of the Saturn version, filled with unnecessary extras that actually detract from the experience more than add to it. This episode of Retronauts shows you the horrors of a great game ruined by an overly ambitious port design. Let's be glad that our version of Symphony of the Night won't be as horrific as this.
The return of Richter Belmont in Rondo of Blood
Ever since Castlevania was announced for PSP, many people have been asking a few questions. Firstly, why remake Rondo of Blood? Easy: it's the only Castlevania game to never have met a US release. As revealed in an IGN interview with Castlevania's producer, Rondo of Blood is the crucial "turning point" in the series. While many loved the changes made in Symphony of the Night, most gamers have missed out on many of the finer details of the classic's story, simply because Rondo of Blood was never released. (Castlevania X for the SNES was a "port" of sorts. However, it strayed significantly from its origins.)Rondo of Blood takes place 5 years before Symphony of the Night, and explains many origins of the characters found in the revered PS1 classic. Players will be treated to seeing Richter Belmont, "the last Belmont," fighting Dracula himself. Who is Shaft and how does he control Richter in Symphony of the Night? Who is Maria Renard? These questions will be unearthed through Rondo of Blood.While Nintendo's handhelds have met great additions to the Castlevania franchise, the future of the series may stay on the PSP. When speaking to IGN, Koji Igarashi revealed his love of the platform. "If the PSP version of Castlevania does great ... [doing sequels] is something I'd love to take a look at."See also:Tales From the Crypt: Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UPPlaying Dirty: Dracula wears eyeliner: Part 1 & Part 2
Konami Gamers' Day: feel like you were there
You like-uh the Castlevania, yah? Good! Here's more video from the fine folks at 1UP. Hey Konami, where was my invite to your awesome Konami Gamers' Day? Join me as I feel neglected by Konami, and watch these videos: it'll feel like you're actually at Konami Gamers' Day!After the break, you'll see tons of Castlevania footage, Coded Arms, and Brooktown High.
Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles & Symphony of the Night heading for PSP!
Remember that awesome game that 1UP was talking about? It's finally revealed! Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles is a completely remastered version of Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. This long-forgotten entry in the Castlevania franchise was only available in Japan on the PC Engine Duo, a system I can't even remember existing. The PSP version features a brilliant graphical overhaul, which looks lightyears ahead of any of the DS Castlevania games.Oh, and if that weren't enough, the game comes with a port of Symphony of the Night, considered by many as the best Castlevania of all time.Go past the cut to see a video of the game in action. Expect to see even more of this new PSP-exclusive Castlevania on The 1UP Show tomorrow.[Via 1UP]
Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles unveiled for PSP
After six years of nonstop support for Nintendo's portable devices, Konami is finally branching out to Sony's side of the handheld market with Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles -- a port of the PC Engine Duo's Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. The title, announced at their annual Gamers' Day press event, contains not only a graphically-enhanced version of Rondo of Blood with a 3D facelift, but the original version as well as -- are you ready? A straight port of the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, complete with full-screen graphics and a newly glossed over translation. 1UP managed to wrangle the exclusive on this portable bombshell with a hands-on preview, complete with screenshots and video. Seeing as how Rondo of Blood is regarded as one of the best in the series, this is an absolute no-brainer for fans. The inclusion of Symphony of the Night serves to make it one for fans of video games, period.Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles is currently slated for a Fall, 2007 release.
Bigger 360 Mem Unit resurfaces, forced back down
GameStop has quietly removed the "Microsoft Xbox 360 Memory Card 512 MB" item from its website, after offering up the upgraded Memory Unit for pre-order yesterday. With news that Xbox Live Arcade titles will soon exceed the prior 50MB limit, come expectations for a new Memory Unit model -- an upgrade from 64MB to 256MB was seemingly confirmed last spring.Either GameStop was acting on a whim, or Microsoft now plans to bump the new MU up to 512MB which, according to the retailer's initial listing could be released as early as March 1 andlikely priced at $49.99. Could that date (early March) also be a clue as to when we can expect Symphony of the Night on XBLA? Don't count on it. But the throwback Castlevania is "approaching."
Castlevania PSP confimation?
NeoGAF forum goers are wondering if PLAY magazine has confirmed Dracula X: Rondo of Blood for PSP. In the Letter from the Editor page, Dave Halverson says "Can you say Dracula X meets Symphony of the Night". Later on in PLAY's Most Anticipated games of 2007 page Dave lists Dracula X: Rondo of Blood for PSP as his #3 choice. Why would Dave put Dracula X as a PSP game if it wasn't coming to the portable? Especially on a list of anticipated games of 2007. That still doesn't explain his comment about Dracula X meets Symphony of the Night. Maybe Symphony of the Night is coming to the PSP as well, or some new game that combines elements of both. Of course the less exciting prospect could be that he was just referring to Symphony of the Night coming to Xbox 360 and Dracula X to PSP. I suppose we'll just have to wait for an official announcement to find out for sure, but this info is interesting none the less. [Via PSPUpdates]
XBLA file size limit raised to 250MB? [Update: nope]
[Update: Looks like 1UP was off by just about 100 emm bees ... alright, exactly 100 emm bees. The official XBLA file size limit has been raised to 150MB, not 250MB.]It seems that the upcoming Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will no longer be the exception to the rule -- 1UP's Luke Smith reports that the Xbox Live Arcade file size limit has been bumped up from 50MB to 250MB. The move should allow less agile developers to slip beneath the Limbo pole without winding up in a painfully awkward position. Just ask last year's Lumines Live! how chopping a game into 50MB chunks can make microtransactions even harder to swallow.Luke also notes that with Microsoft's approval, certain games might even span 450MB. Returning to the earlier Limbo analogy, this would likely be reserved for developers that insist on wearing full suits of armor to the party. The relaxed rules may lead to games becoming more bloated, but the developer is surely better off worrying less about compression and more about, you know, making a good game. It's worth nothing that owners of the Core Xbox 360 are adversely affected by this decision, as they still find themselves restricted by measly 64MB memory cards (remember those quaint little things?). Microsoft is likely already working on larger memory cards, though even the rumored 256MB variant won't be able to hold many games, much less a 450MB title. [Thanks, Jonah!]
Castlevania punctures XBLA's 50MB size limit
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, considered by many to be the best game in the series, is set to bend the rules by exceeding Microsoft's imposed size limit on Xbox Live Arcade titles, which is currently set at 50MB. The exact size of the download was not revealed.Microsoft explains to GameSpot that the 50MB cap is so that XBLA titles can fit on memory cards and played on a friend's console, and that SotN would be an exception to the rule. Though we do enjoy the fast downloads, now that background downloading is possible (and hard drives potentially expanding), perhaps Microsoft ought to raise that size limit to a point where all of Lumines Live can be downloaded as one purchase.Sony has implemented a cap of 500MB for downloadable titles, though the downloads currently (and annoyingly) take center stage. Symphony of the Night, when it is released (date as of yet unknown), will have a demo that does stay under the 50MB limit.See Also: Enough talk, have at this Castlevania XBLA video
Castlevania on XBLA, hot whipping action
Oh, we have waited for this day. We present to you the first video footage of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for Xbox Live Arcade. Fresh from CES, the video shows off the opening scene of the game, in which you play out the prologue (and determine the main character's beginning stats). Worth noting is the fact that the video contains both the original music and voice acting from the Playstation version. If Konami has managed to squeeze the game and all of its (amazing) audio into 50MB, we'll be very impressed. The footage is unfortunately very shaky, but we'll take what we can get. And just for the record, we were not the ones playing. Because we would totally kick Dracula's ass, and, you know, actually hit him.[Via Joystiq]
Enough talk, have at this Castlevania XBLA video
Warning: Watching this CES video may lead to excessive yearning and gnashing of teeth upon the realization that the game in question, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is not yet available for download on Xbox Live Arcade. To cope with this inescapable sensation, distract yourself by contemplating your existence as a miserable little pile of secrets (sadly, Dracula neglects to mention exactly what a woman is). Joking aside, let's ask a serious question: are "fresher" console titles like this more welcome on XBLA than popular coin guzzlers?
Whip it good at the Belmont Hotel
You could almost convince yourself that the name of this British bed and breakfast is a coincidence, but just look at that sign. We would be utterly unsurprised to see a whip or three hanging on the wall inside. In fact, if there's not a whip, we'd consider it time well spent to travel to High Wycombe and hang one there ourselves. We bet they have a lot of braziers, and that they do a ripping good business in turkey and pot roast.
Most wanted PS1 to PSP games 2 [Update 1]
We've been reviewing the PSP playable PS1 games that have been released thus far, but are they what we really want? We listed what we'd like to see from the PS1 library last month, but Modojo has their own list now. The list includes the predictable like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, but it also includes more cult games like Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (the ending of which made me cry). To see the rest of the list you'll have to go read the article. After you've done that though, come back here and let us know what games that you'd like to see make the leap from PS1 to PSP. [Thanks Justin ][Update 1: Linked to our previous list of Most Wanted PS1 games]
ContraVania: a gaming mashup
We're no strangers to the work of Jim Welch who, through his website, maintains a strict regimen of drawing daily. His end products are, often, amazing and instill in us feelings of envy and jealousy. We wish we could produce such lovely pieces of art. Instead, our destiny seems to be on the business end of a laptop, captured in a cage and left to blog until our fingers are tiny nubs and the last sliver of light has disappeared on the dungeon wall.Video has been, as always, embedded into the post past the jump.Past illustrations: Metroid + Mario = Metrio? Yoshi gets reimagined
ContraVania: a gaming mashup [update 1]
We're no strangers to the work of Jim Welch who, through his website, maintains a strict regimen of drawing daily. His end products are, often, amazing and instill in us feelings of envy and jealousy. We wish we could produce such lovely pieces of art. Instead, our destiny seems to be on the business end of a laptop, captured in a cage and left to blog until our fingers are tiny nubs and the last sliver of light has disappeared on the dungeon wall.Video has been, as always, embedded into the post past the jump. Update: now with working video!Past illustrations: Metroid + Mario = Metrio? Yoshi gets reimagined
VC Friday: vampires and cities
To those in Europe: don't forget to check out today's Virtual Console updates, because there are some sweet games available now.SimCity (SNES) -- 800 pointsSuper Castlevania IV (SNES) -- 800 pointsBaseball (NES) - 500 pointsIce Hockey (NES) -- 500 pointsR-Type (TURBOGRAFX) -- 800 pointsSuper Probotector was scheduled for today, but we've heard it was a no-show. Not like you needed it today, not with that lineup! Planning on buying any of these? We definitely recommend Super Castlevania IV.
Our most wanted PSone games
We have faith that one day, the PlayStation Store will be accessible via PSP without the need for a PS3, and will flourish into a glorious realm of classic games, one that will be untouched by the competition. Of course, homebrew users will rip their own games ... but for the rest of us, this is my personal wishlist of PSone games that I'd like to see available for download.
