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Double Dragon Trilogy returns on smartphones, along with your wasted youth
Retro gaming maven DotEMu is putting a street brawl triple-threat in your pocket later this year, releasing Double Dragon Trilogy for Android and iOS. The mobile-optimized godfather of arcade beat 'em ups is packing a handful of modern accoutrements like a new difficulty mode, (unspecified) Bluetooth controller support and leaderboard implementation for each OS' multiplayer services. It's possible that the titles themselves may not have aged all that well, but, nonetheless, we're happy to see DotEmu keeping the classics available for anyone who wants a nostalgia fix.
Double Dragon Trilogy brings classic arcade brawling to iOS, Android
Retrogaming emulation specialist DotEmu revealed that it will bring the classic arcade beat-'em-ups Double Dragon, Double Dragon 2: The Revenge, and Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone to iOS and Android devices in the upcoming mobile compilation Double Dragon Trilogy. The package will include faithful ports of all three games in their original quarter-munching glory, along with a new "Story" mode that awards bonus unlockables and achievements as players progress through the trilogy. A new mobile-specific difficult mode tones down the brutality for players who struggle with touchscreen controls, while Original and Expert difficulty modes are also available for series veterans. Other bonus features include gamepad support, optional remixed soundtracks, and Bluetooth co-op play. Double Dragon Trilogy is set to launch via the iTunes App Store and Google Play by the end of the year.
Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition comes to Mac
The remastered version of Eric Chahi's Another World has taken a tour across a variety of platforms, and now makes a stop in one more ecosystem: the Mac App Store. Publisher DotEmu has released the remake on Mac, with optional and switchable HD graphics. The more platforms the better, because everyone should play it.DotEmu also has an update on the way for the iOS version, adding support for controllers including the iCade. The touch controls aren't bad in this version, but buttons are usually preferable.
Another World now available on BB10, several other classics on the way
Eric Chahi's seminal game work, Another World, is now available on BlackBerry 10 devices (so ... uh, those of you with a Z10, though it also works on PlayBook). And not just any version, but the 20th Anniversary Edition, which adds updated graphics, a remastered soundtrack, and some gesture controls. The game's one of several titles that publisher DotEmu is bringing to BB10, including notoriously difficult shooter R-Type. "Another World 20th Anniversary is our first title on Blackberry. It's currently available on Playbook and Z10, and in the upcoming weeks on Q10," DotEmu CEO Xavier Liard tells us. As for the future? "Of course we are considering bringing all our Android games to BB10, but the next game to be most likely released would be R-Type." Given that DotEmu also publishes Neo-Geo titles on Android, it's not a surprise that the company is also considering bringing those titles over, though there's nothing to announce just yet. "We can't say yet if it will be on BB10 or not as it is SNK Playmore decision," CTO Romain Tisserand says. With Another World priced at $5 -- a dollar more than its iOS version -- we expect similar pricing across the board. But then again, we always hope it'll be less expensive to re-buy 20-year-old games. The price of nostalgia, eh?
Another World: Anniversary Edition comes to BlackBerry 10
Classic games publisher Dotemu has announced a port of the Anniversary Edition of Another World for the BlackBerry 10 OS, which means you can play the game on the new Z10 or BlackBerry's Playbook. This is the same version that appeared on iOS systems a little while ago..The Anniversary Edition of the game includes the ability to switch between old-school and updated graphics with just a swipe of your fingers, as well as both original and remastered soundtracks, controls made just for the touchscreen, and three different difficulty modes. Fans can pick up the game for $4.99 on BlackBerry's AppWorld ecosystem right now.
Over 40 Sega classics for $10 on PC
Do you like Genesis games? DotEmu gives you the chance to drink from the Sega firehose, with a $10 bundle of over 40 downloadable Genesis (and Master System) games for PC. The contents are similar to Steam's Genesis classics packs and the Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection discs, but the price is a bit more appealing.In addition to the headliner stuff like all the Sonic games, Golden Axe and Columns, we'd like to point out that this bundle gets you both Gunstar Heroes and Alien Soldier, two hardcore run-and-guns by Treasure that are easily worth paying $10 for alone.
The Last Express rolls onto iPhone and iPad September 27
Over 15 years on from when it first set out, Jordan Mechner's The Last Express is arriving on iOS this Thursday, September 27. In collaboration with French distributor DotEmu, Mechner re-released his 1997 adventure game on PC last year, but this year it comes to iPad and iPhone with some iOS-friendly tweaks.The Last Express is set on the Orient Express in 1914, combining an evocative, momentous time with romance, murder, and intrigue. Initially conceived in 1993, four years of high-end development took its toll on financial reserves, and than in turn hurt marketing and shelf life. While the game was a commercial disaster, it earned high acclaim from mainstream outlets like USA Today and Newsweek, an incredible achievement for a game of its time.If waiting for trains isn't your style, you can download the PC version now on DotEmu and GOG.com, which comes with a walkthrough, making-of video, and soundtrack.
All aboard The Last Express on iOS, Mechner's classic adventure revamped
Jordan Mechner, creator of Karateka and a small, obscure franchise called Prince of Persia, is bringing his 1997 game The Last Express to iOS with the help of French developer DotEmu. The Last Express is a real-time, point-and-click adventure game taking place on the Orient Express just before World War I.DotEmu's version includes the entire game, all 20-plus hours of gameplay with a few "enhancements" for iOS devices, Mechner writes, and is expected to launch some time this year.
Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition jumps to Android next week
Back in January, developer DotEmu announced intentions to port Another World: 20th Anniversary Edition over to Android. Here in The States, you may know the series as Out of this World.The Android version will debut on March 16, and has many of the same features found in the delightful iOS port, including enhanced graphics, achievements (on OpenFeint) and remastered sound and effects.
The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour re-released for PC
Retro-game host DotEmu has released, in classic horror-puzzle form, The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour, further supporting our theory that both titles were an extensive viral ad campaign for red Slurpees at 7/11. Both titles are $10 each and available for download here and -- look out there's something over there!
Another World 20th Anniversary Edition headed to Android
After bringing Another World 20th Anniversary Edition to iOS, developer DotEmu has announced that it will soon bring Eric Chahi's classic to Android devices as well. As with the iOS release of Another World (known as Out of This World in North America), the Android version will feature both original and enhanced graphics and (obviously) touch controls. The Android version of Another World 20th Anniversary Edition should be available in "a few months." Assuming it's as good as the iOS port, Android owners are in for a real treat.
PSA: Another World returns on iOS today
We wouldn't want anyone to miss another opportunity to play Eric Chahi's engrossing Another World (Out of this World). So here's a reminder: DotEmu has just released the remastered iOS edition today, playable on both iPhone and iPad for $4.99.
Chahi's 'Another World' teleports to iOS on September 22
Two Eric Chahi games in two months! That's got to be a record. Of course, unlike From Dust, this second game is a remake, but it's still exciting. Publisher BulkyPix announced today that the iOS update of Chahi's classic action-adventure game Another World (known in America as Out of This World) will be released on September 22 as a universal iPhone/iPad app, for $4.99 / 3,99€ / £2,99. The new version includes remastered graphics, which can be toggled with a two-finger swipe. It also has the option to use "new intuitive touch controls" or a virtual D-pad -- we're desperately hoping at least one of them will work. The iOS remake also adds new difficulty levels -- both easier and harder than the original -- and remastered sound. This all sounds great, but, once again, we're wary of those controls.
Irem Arcade Hits brings Ninja Spirit to Mac app store
You can buy Ninja Spirit from the Mac App Store right now for $10. Well, OK, it's part of the Irem Arcade Hits collection by DotEmu, which also throws in games like Kung Fu Master, Vigilante, and Hammerin' Harry -- 18 in all -- but all you really need to know is that this is a convenient delivery system for Ninja Spirit, a truly excellent side-scrolling ninja game. The Mac version is a new release, but there's been a PC version available for some time now -- if that's your platform of choice for arcade collections, you can buy that direct from DotEmu, DRM-free.%Gallery-132061%
R-Type coming to Android September 12
"But wait," some of you youngsters might be thinking. "How can those stickers I'm always seeing on Toyota Celicas and Mitsubishi Eclipses be coming to my phone? Why would I even want that?" Take a seat, junior, you might learn something: Before R-Type adorned the window/bumper of every import with a fat pipe and under lighting, it was the name of one of the most iconic and ground-breaking shooters ever made. And now, retro-game refurbisher DotEmu is bringing Irem's historic xenophobic extermination simulator back to life on September 12, via the Android Marketplace and Amazon's AppStore for Android. All of the items and power-ups from the original are said to be present and accounted for, with touch controls taking over for the obviously absent joystick and buttons. Remakes like this strike us as perfect candidates for the Xperia Play, though no details were given as to whether or not Android devices with buttons will be able to circumvent the touch controls. No price point or Android OS version requirements have been given either, but we'd be surprised if it required anything newer than 2.2.
Guilty Gear Isuka downloadable through DotEmu
Grab some friends this weekend, and indulge in a little (virtual) four-player combat on the cheap. Retro game publisher DotEmu -- the company behind the iPad version of Another World -- just added the two-on-two fighter Guilty Gear Isuka to its DRM-free download shop, for $6.
Eric Chahi's classic 'Another World' coming to iOS
Timed to coincide with the conclusion of Eric Chahi's GDC 2011 postmorterm on his adventure classic Another World, comes the announcement that the game is being ported to iPone and iPad, courtesy of DotEmu and publisher BulkyPix. The game won't hit iOS until later this year, but is evidently up-and-running according to Chahi himself. "The first prototype looks beautiful on iPad; they are doing a great job on it," he said in the announcement. It's unclear whether the iOS version will be based on the 1991 original or the 2006 15th anniversary remastering (or both!), although DotEmu founder Xavier Liard promises his team will "put a lot of love and care to insure that the gamers get best user experience playing this game on iOS."
The Last Express added to GOG
The Last Express, designed by Jordan Mechner and Smoking Car Productions, was made available for purchase and download on DotEmu earlier this month, and has now pulled into another platform for digital distribution: GOG. Set on the Orient Express in 1914, the non-linear adventure was notable for incorporating rotoscoped animation, characters with active agendas, and an intriguing conspiracy that unfolded in real-time -- mostly. GOG is asking $5.99 for The Last Express, which comes with a making-of video. The site promises that more extras will be added soon, while DotEmu has the game, a walkthrough, a making-of video and the soundtrack for roughly the same price. Either way, it's a good deal if you'd like to try an adventure game in which tardy, unmotivated behavior can derail the ideal.%Gallery-115153%
Jordan Mechner's 'The Last Express' now available for download
The wonderful adventure mystery The Last Express has proven to be one of the more elusive titles since it was released in 1997. In fact, the last time the game was actually offered on modern PCs was when GameTap (remember GameTap?) had acquired distribution rights in 2006. Now, The Last Express has been snatched from oblivion by lesser-known digital distributor DotEmu. For $10, the site is offering the game (in five different languages, no less) and "Collector's Edition" goodies like a walkthrough, soundtrack and making-of video. Better hurry and check it out before the game disappears again.
This looks like R-Type of iPhone shmup
It was last November when we first heard that DotEmu was at work porting Irem's classic 1987 arcade shmup R-Type to iPhone. Yesterday, EA Mobile made it official: it'll be publishing the game on the App Store "this summer," but couldn't get more specific due to the unpredictable nature of Apple's app approval process. We had a chance to get our hands on the game at EA yesterday and we've got to say, the port has turned out great, with three control schemes (touch to move and shoot, tilt to move / touch to shoot or an overlaid d-pad and buttons) plus options such as autofire and the ability to switch between full-screen and the original coin-op aspect ratio. Cleverly, DotEmu has created separate on-screen buttons for charged shots and launching the "Force" pod away from the player's R9 fighter. Check out the screens below and we'll let you know when the game hits Apple's virtual store shelves. %Gallery-97919%
