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Onechanbara's Aya goes nude for Playboy
Sex sells, and nobody knows that more than the folks at D3 Publisher and Playboy, who have just teamed up to promote the mag's review of Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad -- complete with some pictures of the game's lead heroine, Aya, in the buff. You're going to click over for the article, right? It's a pretty good review. We've read it. Like 4 times.[Via Go Nintendo]Source - (NSFW) Playboy review for Onechanbara
Hot girls slicing up zombies is something we can immediately identify with
If you've ever lamented the lack of localization love shown to some of Japan's more obscure titles, you've probably overestimated their Western appeal. Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing for D3 Publisher, demonstrates considerable expertise in the matter, telling GameDaily about some of the discernible elements one seeks out in import-worthy titles. "Among the titles we have access to, we localize the ones that will have a certain appeal and are about pure fun experiences," she explains. Also, "we thought there was a bunch of gamers who'd dig hot girls slicing up zombies; its something that I think most gamers can immediately identify with."Before we reach for our intellectual facades in unison, let's hear what David Pava, president of a marketing consultancy called "Problem Solver," thinks about the upcoming OneChanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. "There is still that deep story in the game," he says, noting that recent advertising has "to get people aware of the game and make them understand the basic concepts of the game." Presumably, the Bikini Zombie Slayers subtitle failed to make it clear that the slayers (and not the zombies) are the ones wearing the bikinis.%Gallery-35486%
Galactrix coming to PC on Feb. 24, XBLA date unconfirmed
The stars are pointing to an almost simultaneous release of Puzzle Quest Galactrix on DS, PC and XBLA; currently, the Xbox 360 version is the only one not "officially" confirmed. GamerBytes noticed earlier today that Xbox.com listed a February 24 release date for the RPG puzzle title. The page is, as of this writing, still live with the date. Of course, a problem with that release date is that it marks a Tuesday ... which doesn't really fit in with that whole Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday thing. Oh yeah, also, it says "2/24/2008," which would be last year.Publisher Aspyr has confirmed the Feb. 24 PC release date, which follows the confirmation of the DS date a couple of weeks ago. By Grabthar's hammer, we hope Galactrix hits that Wednesday. We'd rather avoid another six-month wait like we endured with the original Puzzle Quest.%Gallery-16892%
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix warps onto DS Feb. 24
D3Publisher announced today that Puzzle Quest: Galactrix will jump into retail on stardate 62402.24 (February 24, 2009). Demos are currently playable on PC in both Flash-based and downloadable form. Versions for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC are planned for "early 2009." We've sent Bothans to gather more intel on a specific release date for our home systems, because like our obsession with The Real Housewives of Orange County, we prefer to keep our gem-shifting vice behind-closed-doors.
Resistance is futile: Puzzle Quest Galactrix launches Flash demo
A Flash demo is available now for those looking to try Puzzle Quest's sci-fi follow-up, Galactrix. The rules may be slightly different (the no extra turn for 4-of-a-kind is a doozy), but be warned, star gazing gem shifters: the refined spice which made the fantasy realm of Puzzle Quest so addictive is still quite potent in this new form. Galactrix is expected to arrive the relatively near future for Nintendo DS, PC, XBLA and PSN. The demo doesn't seem to take prisoners, so hit the enemy with lasers and use shields when opportunity allows.[Via X3F, Evil Avatar]
Puzzle Quest: Galactrix demo trialable online
Figured you'd like to know that there's a Puzzle Quest: Galactrix mini demo now available online at playpuzzlequestgalactrix.com. The flash demo of D3 Publisher's upcoming Xbox Live Arcade release of Galactrix gives a sampling of the gameplay, the powerups and the overall experience. Just watch out for that General Tarn and his abuse of the Trident Laser. He's a Trident Laser madman. [Via Evil Avatar]
D3 Pub riding 'Ben 10' wave this holiday
D3 Publisher is boasting to MCV that versions of Ben 10: Protector of Earth for Wii, DS, PSP and PS2 have sold a collective 2.5 million copies worldwide. While not nearly as impressive as Gears of War 2's feat of selling 2 million in one week, we suspect the cost of development for Ben 10: PoE was quite a bit less (and D3's metric perhaps a bit lower). The title has been in the Top 40 UK software sales consistently since launching October 2007. This bravado is not without apt timing, of course, as the publisher is gearing up for the release of Ben 10: Alien Force in February. Expect mediocre reviews for the game and a hefty profit margin for D3 -- behold the power of a licensed IP.
New Bikini Zombie Slayers footage is light on the bikinis, zombies, slaying
Sex sells. And the developers behind Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers know it, as their game features attractive ladies in sexy outfits. There's also something else in the game that rivals the popularity of hot chicks: lots and lots of carnage. Plus, there're zombies. And extras! There's a lot in this package, that's for sure.This latest trailer for the game takes some CG cutscenes from the game and combines them into one new trailer. With a steamy shower scene, you'll also see some pre-rendered combat, as well as some sunglasses-wearing guy who likes to punch girls in the stomach. Come on, dude, hasn't your mother taught you anything? You're not supposed to hit a lady ...Who's anxious to slice down some zombies with us in February?%Gallery-28067%
Puzzle Quest and expansion puzzling PSN this winter
For PS3 owners somehow unacquainted with Puzzle Quest, we suggest stocking up on antibiotics and extra time. D3Publisher has revealed plans to bring not only the original Puzzle Quest but also its recent fan-named expansion, Revenge of the Plague Lord, to the PlayStation Store this winter, a move that according to our calculations will make it scientifically impossible not to have lost sleep playing the puzzle-RPG hybrid.Both titles will be released as a single purchase and download, though the publisher has not announced how much the time sink combo will cost. We're currently waiting to hear back from our man on the street, who's diligently checking the alleys to see how much a twofer of digital crack goes for these days, anyway. [Via PS3F]
D3 Publisher reveals European PSP download lineup
D3 Publisher will be extending its range of newly announced PSP downloadable titles to Europe. While there is no pricing info nor release date, the company has listed which games it will be making available for download in Europe in Q4 2008. These are Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, Cube, Practical IQ, Dead Head Fred, Beta Bloc and Super Pocket Tennis. So, for the most part these releases are the same as D3 Publisher's upcoming US downloadable releases, with the exception of Beta Bloc and Super Pocket Tennis. We'll update you with a release schedule and pricing as soon as we find out. If the price is right, a number of these games would make a perfect impulse buy.[Via Press Release]
D3 Publisher bringing Puzzle Quest, Dead Head Fred, more to PS Store
Finally! D3 Publisher, we applaud your decision to bring your PSP catalog to the PLAYSTATION Store. You're not bringing just one obscure game onto the Store -- you're making available a number of games, from big-budget releases to obscure cult classics. Best of all, you're making them available for cheap! Here are the releases:September 18, 2008 Cube - $9.99 Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords - $14.99 October 2, 2008 WTF: Work Time Fun - $9.99 PQ: Practical Intelligence Quotient - $9.99 October 16, 2008 PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient 2 - $14.99 Dead Head Fred - $14.99 To find out more about each of these titles, simply click on their names. You'll find all our news, previews and reviews of these games.
Game professionals create Bangai-O levels in the spirit of charity
IGN, D3, and The Guildhall have teamed up to host an exclusive Bangai-O Spirits level contest between game industry professionals. The winner will have a $10,000 graduate fellowship donated to The Guildhall in his name -- which means that some graduate assistant is going to pay the rent with one of these Bangai-O levels. IGN has all nine levels, from designers at Infinity Ward, Infinite Interactive, and other such prestigious studios, available for download and voting. It's really interesting to see what people who think about levels for a living do with the Bangai-O rule set. Harvey Smith, lead designer of Deus Ex, made an arena for super-annoying FastBots; Infinite's Steve Fawkner replicated the Atari classic Warlords. All of the levels -- many of which tend toward the baroque -- are great, but our favorite is the simplest one: Shane Hensley's "Pinball Wizard," designed to imitate a pinball playfield. It looks stark, but explodes into bullets in a way that is startling even for Bangai-O. %Gallery-16997%
RocketBowl scheduled for Sept. 10th XBLA release
Admittedly, we may be a bit late on this announcement, but who ever said late news isn't important news? (Don't answer that.) Ahem, over the weekend, D3 Publisher announced that their "refreshing twist on a classic sport" RocketBowl will be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade on Wednesday, September 10th for 800 Microsoft points. What exactly is RocketBowl? Picture bowling, on 10 crazy courses with ramps and other doodads, Xbox Live multiplayer, equipment upgrades and (of course) bowling balls that are rocket propelled balls of death. Genius! Now only if we could get our hands on one of these rocket-powered bowling balls for some real life pin action. Though, we hear they're illegal in twenty-seven states and all of Europe.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
DS Fanboy Review: Bangai-O Spirits
If you've ever played a Treasure shooter, or almost any Treasure game outside of, say, Stretch Panic or Wario World, you know a bit about what to expect from Bangai-O Spirits. For years, Treasure has been creating incredibly strange games with overt humor and colorful graphics overlaid on top of complex mechanics and piles and piles of enemies. Each game has a "gimmick" that drives the gameplay and defines the player's abilities: swapping colors in Ikaruga, throwing in Gunstar Heroes, and so on. Bangai-O Spirits has all the hallmarks of a Treasure shooter. It doesn't take itself seriously, but provides more than enough of a challenge for any gamer. It features the same gimmick as the other Bangai-O games, and will be instantly familiar to fans of those. In fact, it seems to be the ideal Treasure game. At the same time, it completely subverts the usual Treasure dynamic, with brilliant results. %Gallery-16997%
See (hear?) Bangai-O Spirits' sound loading in action
We know that we we've already told you about Bangai-O Spirits' wonderfully ludicrous way of sharing custom level designs between friends, but we don't think you really get the full impact until your see it performed live. We witnessed a demo at E3 and, frankly, it changed our lives. Also, if you like to keep track of this sort of thing, you should know that "sound loading" has taken the lead on our list of "Things We Most Hope That A Time Traveler From The Past Sees and Has Their Mind Blown to Smithereens." Congrats, D3. You did it.
E308: Not the right place to try Bangai-O Sound Load
I went to D3 Publisher along with Joystiq's Justin McElroy to look at Bangai-O Spirits. Justin brought his mysterious space phone along, and I saw an opportunity. After I looked at the new Treasure stages (which include detailed pixel images of the Bangai-O robot and other things made out of stage elements), I asked if we could try out the Sound Load feature -- live. Justin loaded up a level on YouTube, stuck an earphone up to the mic, and the D3 rep started the Sound Load, but to no avail. "Transfer failed," "Too quiet," "Too loud." That doesn't mean it's a finicky feature, necessarily, just that it's not the ideal feature for the loudest place ever. Owners of the Japanese version haven't really reported problems. I have full faith that it works great in regular noise situations. I asked the D3 rep if there would be downloadable stages on the US website, and he told me that they were planning a YouTube channel. Furthermore, I was told that Japanese stages would work in the U.S. build. %Gallery-16997%
E308: More Bangai-O shots fired off
For the past few months, we've bombarded you with regular updates on Bangai-O Spirits like so many missiles. You might even say that we have an obsession, and you'd be right: we adore -- nay, love -- Bangai-O. If we were in charge of this scummy joint, it wouldn't even be DS Fanboy, but Bangai-O Fanboy. All employees would have to work while dressed as Riki or Mami. All readers would have to provide photographic proof that they owned the original, Japan-only N64 game. But we're not in charge -- we're snivelly, subservient slaves to our paymasters. So the most we can do is upload these ten new screenshots and hope that you view them. %Gallery-16997% [Via press release]
Treasure talks more Bangai-O Spirits
"Hardcore action awesomeness." That's how Treasure rep Arthur sums up Bangai-O Spirits (2:28), and we're struggling to concoct a more befitting description. The lucky blighters at Gamespot's "On the Spot" show got a chance to chat to Arthur (and his colleague Kaori) about the game, which launches later this year in the States. The first few minutes are dedicated to chatting about and showing off some of the now-familiar shooting action and the level editor, while the second half deals with the game's amazing Sound Load system. Arthur admits that this idea "took a lot of explaining to Nintendo," but then demonstrates how easy it is to share files (5:20) -- simply holding two DSes closely to one another does the trick. This idea still seems like witchcraft to us, but we absolutely love it. Arthur also confirmed that there was no official U.S. database planned to host Bangai-O sound files (9:05). Not that this should bother you -- after all, there's at least one other (really accessible) way to share your masterpiece of a level. %Gallery-16997% [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
Kindred Bangai-O Spirits
Bangai-O Spirits is packed with amazing features -- the level editor, the Sound Load system, the shooting of stuff. But as if that weren't enough, it also has co-op. It's local, and limited to two players, both of whom require their own cartridge, but everyone should probably have their own Bangai-O Spirits anyway. You can be joined by another shooty robot in any stage in Free Play -- which means any stage. This includes stages you've created yourself or transferred via Sound Load. IGN's Daemon Hatfield reports a lot of slowdown, especially in multiplayer, but slowdown in Bangai-O games is inevitable given the nature of the super attacks, and may even be part of the design. %Gallery-16997%
