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FFVI Advance previewed, adored
1UP's given FFVI Advance the preview treatment, and they are effusive in their praise. However, they're quick to note that the additions and improvements are few. This is very nearly the same game, just as it was released on the SNES -- the backgrounds have not been redrawn and the sound suffers compared to what we've become accustomed to. The added content is slim -- a few new fights, some of which we've seen. But that's okay, because Final Fantasy VI, naked and unadorned, remains one of the most beloved entries in a renowned series. It would seem somehow wrong to dress up a game that is already responsible for so much of what we enjoy in RPGs today.
Japan set to implode: Dragon's Quest IX is a DS exclusive
You heard it, folks: at Square-Enix's annual Jump Festa event, they let the bomb drop: the next entry in the venerable Dragon's Quest series, entitled Dragon's Quest IX: Defender of the Stars (another silly "DS" subtitle) will be coming exclusively to everyone's favorite little handheld. This is huge news: this franchise is second only to perhaps Final Fantasy in Japan, and still one of the most respected names in gaming worldwide. Having the title being developed exclusively on a Nintendo system is a clear show of faith from SE (they're also releasing a Final Fantasy XII sequel, Revenant Wings, sometime next year), and hopefully, even more Wii and DS support will follow.Development of the game is being passed over to Level 5 (also working on White Knight Story for the PS3), and it'll feature a four-player co-op mode as well. Of course, there's no definite release date, but the team mentioned that they'd like to have it out sometime in 2007.Let this news wash over your Tuesday, and make it full of glee and joy. Bring on DQIXDS![Thanks to everyone who sent this in, and GoNintendo for the pic!]
Crystal Chronicles to be shown at Jump Festa
According to German gaming site GameFront, Square-Enix will have Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on-hand at Jump Festa, a gaming/anime/manga event held in Japan, taking place on the 16th and 17th of this month. The only information missing is just what version, or versions, of the game will be at the show. Will we see the new DS game or that installment that is Wii-bound? We'll update you as soon as we receive confirmation.[Via Go Nintendo]
Final Fantasy III slated for spring 2007 in Europe
While we, in the states, have been enjoying the game for quite some time (several years less than Japanese gamers, though), European gamers have been waiting on their turn to take part in a fantasy most final, and now we finally have a window of time in which the game will release to the region. While we wish we could have received a more concrete release date, one involving a day and month, we're glad to have at least some idea of when to expect the game.
FFVI Advance screens: we're sensing a theme here
And that theme is blue. Until one sees the screens all together like this, the whole blue thing isn't really noticeable, but all of these pictures run a monochromatic gamut of violet and indigo and back around to slate and cyan. And it's not just the menus, either, but rather an overall motif. It does, however, make every splash of orange really stand out against the blue. We really need to get a hobby that has nothing to do with Final Fantasy .... Check out the ocean of (bluish) screens after the jump.
Square Enix eyes European developers for purchase
Believing Europe could become a bigger market than Japan, Square Enix CEO John Yamamoto has told MCV that his company plans to seek out and acquire a European development studio with the hopes of publishing and developing more "Western" games. How will Square Enix incorporate popular Western themes with its games? We imagine a spiky-haired, amnesiac protagonist who must save the world from an epic disaster brought on by a psychopathic antagonist ... but as an online first-person-shooter. Square Enix has already delved into that territory with the FFVII spin-off Dirge of Cerberus.
The PS3 backwards compatibility list
Sony's PlayStation site now features a handy little Javascript program that lets you check on any compatibility issues the PS3 might have with the PlayStation catalogue. Instead of a list, however, you have to type in the games about which you are curious into the search box to find out all the glitches.We understand not making a list of every PSOne and PS2 title that has compatibility issues, but at the same time we are not sure to what extent BC problems are prevalent. We are impressed with how detailed every glitch has been chronicled, so that you know exactly how the game will screw up (major or minor) while being played on the PS3. We decided to run of a few searches ourselves: Psychonauts, unlike its Xbox counterpart, "has no major problems" with the PS3. Huzzah! The Ratchet series works fine. The Jak series is okay, except for a handful of issues with Jak X: Combat Racing. Almost surprisingly, every Madden title works well. Only Madden NFL 2007 has some issues with static IP / DHCP and online gaming. Every SOCOM title has at least one or two issues. The Final Fantasy series is a mixed bag. X, XII, and Tactics work, but Anthology, Chronicles, Origins, VIII, and IX have issues. FF VII has one graphical anomaly during one of the first battles in the game. Final Fantasy XI has problems using the PS3's HDD, but a future software update promises to fix that. Mess around the search box and let us know what else you find. Don't throw out your PS2 until you check your favorite titles first.[Via CVG]
Your Week in Nintendo - 11/13/06 - 11/19/06
Been buried in Wii news all week? Never fear, because we're here with the best and brightest from last week at DS Fanboy. Your Week in Nintendo recaps the week's most notable stories, based on relevance and reader support. For the week of November 13th through November 19th, don't miss: 5) The DS on British airwavesWe love us some ads, and this awesome new UK television spot is one of the best we've seen lately. From a good selection of games to a realistic portrayal of a gamer on the go, Nintendo proves that DS lovers are alike no matter where or how they play. 4) New footage from the forthcoming Naruto gameSo good, one commenter thought it was a Wii game. This is one video you won't want to miss, whether you're a fan of the anime or not. If the game lives up to the graphics, you'll be a fan soon anyway .... 3) The Final Fantasy III reviews roll inThe reviews for the redone FFIII are in, and the scores are somewhat surprising. Looks like some people think old school RPGs should remain a thing of the past. But let's try to remember that high seventies doesn't mean we should all go the seppuku route. Not everything should get a perfect score, after all .... 2) Games 4 Girls?GameStop's new Games 4 Girls display is causing a stir across the 'net. Should we be encouraging anyone to play some of these? Cooking Mama, sure, but That's So Raven? No wonder there's a dearth of female gamers. 1) DS Fanboy announces the first Game NightAnd this week's biggest news is right here! Join us on Tuesday for chatting and a few rounds of Mario Kart. Stay tuned for further details about the upcoming hour of power.
What are you playing: turn-based battle edition
Having just picked up a portable RPG title that has never been available in the states before, we're doing our best to win every turn-based round of combat. But forget about us! What about you? What are you playing? It's the holiday season, so there are definitely tons of games to choose from. Plan on placing some bombs in Bomberman Land Touch! or perhaps running your own shop in Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2? Oh wait, you're probably looking to ride the back of a dinosaur, am I right?
Square-Enix profits so big, they crashed an airship
Heh, get it? Cuz, cuz, they like airships and loaded it with too much money, so it crashed. Heh. Heh. Ahem. Anyway, let's take a break from what seems to be an overwhelmingly anti-Sony news day to look at one of Sony's most beloved allies. Squeenix announced today that it expects a 3.3 billion yen ($27.9 million) consolidated net income for their six-month period that ended on September 30th. This is a 32% increase from the previous forecast. Amazing.The massive increase with due in part to "an adjustment in the amount of deferred income taxes associated with consolidated accounting" as well as the Final Fantasy VII movie, Advent Children. So, have they made up for the Spirits Within bombshell of a movie? No way in hell, most likely. Even so, this is good news for RPG fanatics -- they can expect to enjoy their final fantasy many more times, but still call it final. Square got very lucky back in the day... that game saved them and in a way, the RPG genre. It wouldn't be as popular as it is, anyway. Kudos, Squeenix.
Japanese hardware sales, 30 October - 5 November: Stream-of-consciousness edition
Without further ado, I present the inner workings of my iron-clad genius:well yet another week of hardware sales, I wonder if my post will beat ludwig's, I dunno, we were talking about it earlier and his idea was good as hell, but of course i'd never admit it, damn south africans. when do they even get the wii? i guess probably not for awhile, sucks to be him, but he DID order phoenix wright 2, i wonder if he got it yet, i wanna wait for the american version because of all the typos in the game, why do those bother me so much, oh well, ive plenty of play, guitar hero 2 hasn't even left my tv screen in like days, my roommates are out there right now playing tonight i'm gonna rock you tonight, i really like that song, but man freebird is just too cool, i need to practice it...oh, and not to mention final fantasy 12, or okami which i still havent beaten, or tales of the abyss which I havent even OPENED, or final fantasy V advance, and FFIII in a few days, and yoshi's island 2 and oh yeah those four more games i'm picking up for the wii (twilight princess is 70+ hours?) DAMN YOU VIDEO GAMES my grades are spiraling out of control...well, not really, i got a 97 on my digital design test, take THAT schwartz, wait no one wants to hear about my academic life, well whatever. hell YES battlestar tonight, though i have to set the torrent for it since i'm going to an mc chris concert, which means i better finish this damn post and get on with it. peace out.- DS Lite: 113,09745,584 (28.73%) - PSP: 23,725 2,183 (8.43%) - PS2: 21,832 850 (3.89%) - Xbox 360: 6,580 5,015 (320.45%) - GBA SP: 1,443415 (22.34%) - Game Boy Micro: 1,299 52 (3.85%) - Gamecube: 6473 (0.47%) - DS Phat: 373259 (227.19%) - GBA: 205 (33.3%) - Xbox: 07 (100.00%)[Source: Media Create]
Final Fantasy III battle footage takes to the sea
With less than a week until Final Fantasy III releases to US gamers, our excitement cannot get any higher. We're serious, we already broke one of our excite-o-meters just trying to measure our excitement. As such, the embedded video of some serious scrapping on the high seas manages to increase our interest in the game that much more. We suggest you check it out, after the break.
Video, Lost in a boring Odyssey
Okay, first thing's first: we apologize. Yesterday, we lamented that the Lost Odyssey demo was exclusive to Japan and isn't available to the rest of the world. Having watched a long, long video of the demo on Xboxyde, we take it back. Of course, we'll reserve final judgment for the game proper, but this video is bo-ring. The graphics are nice enough, the CG is incredible, and for all we know the story is great, but the combat ... ick. Sure, not everybody likes turn-based combat, but this is a stretch even for fans. Whoever played this demo almost completely avoided anything that would make the combat interesting. In the entire video, he uses one spell -- though he does stop for some hot trash can kicking action later. Lost Odyssey is obviously designed with Final Fantasy fans in mind, and it probably won't disappoint them. Honestly though, Blue Dragon looks more interesting at this point. If you can manage to sit through this video, tell us what you think. Will it scratch your RPG itch, or will this disc never hit the tray?
Final Fantasy III US site launch
The US site for a little game called Final Fantasy III recently launched and It's chock full of information on the game. While we might have ruined the surprise you undoubtedly would have been overcome with should we had neglected our duties of ruining everything for you, we feel you're better off having known all the information we presented before this site launch. And remember, we know best. Penchants to go on nonsensical rants aside, the US site features a prologue section, along with character biographies detailing the many characters in the game, as well as a breakdown on the game's story and job system.
Circuit City Final Fantasy XII $37.99 -- for real
Circuit City is selling Final Fantasy XII for $37.99 USD starting this Tuesday, a full $12 less than any of the major U.S. electronic retail stores. Yeah, we're surprised by it as well. Not only does today's Circuit City flyer in your local newspaper have the price listed at $37.99, but the online price is listed as $37.99. It's as real as it gets. Of course, this means nothing to those lucky people that caught CompUSA breaking street date.We've even contacted a few Circuit City stores and, just like other retailers, they say their copies are currently sitting in the warehouse ready for distribution -- but they aren't breaking street date. So, Circuit City has the copies, they are $12 less than anybody else and are ready to pick up first thing when the store opens on Tuesday. Come on, not to be completely jaded, but what's the catch?A call has been placed to Circuit City PR to find out if there is something we are missing and why they are selling the game for such an amazing price. The only thing that doesn't jive is that the flyer says Tuesday, but online says Thursday as release.
Final Fantasy XII soundtrack streaming on AOL Radio
Excited about the unrelenting Final Fantasy tide washing over you once again this month? In North America, we'll be treated to the twelfth installment of one of console gaming's most venerable franchises on the 30th of this month and -- like with any Final Fantasy game -- there are some necessities. First, we'll see cosplayers dressed as their favorite androgynous characters , and then the music will permeate our brains.The fine folks at AOL Radio (full disclosure: AOL is our corporate overlord) let us know that they're spinning the "Selections from Final Fantasy XII" CD -- available for pre-order on Amazon -- on their recently relaunched Final Fantasy Radio channel. Not many game soundtracks get released outside of Japan, so ToFu Records should be commended.PC users can follow this link to have a listen. Mac users need to download a program (.dmg file) and use their AIM or AOL screen name to enjoy (see pic above).See also:Joystiq at NYC's Final Fantasy Day festivitiesHappy Final Fantasy music day
Final Fantasy V boxart
It may not be as beautiful as the box for the Japanese version of Final Fantasy III, but it definitely holds its own. Featuring art by famed Yoshitaka Amano, the remake of Final Fantasy V adds to the list of FF games released this Fall. The trend of re-releasing Final Fantasy titles on handheld systems has our mouths watering and our piggy banks practically burning a hole in our pockets. Now all we have to do is twiddle our thumbs and wait. [Via News 4 Gamers]
FFIII figures cute enough to melt any heart
It's a new week, and of course, that means a new challenge for our armchair translators. We're gonna need to know when these go on sale, where they are, and how much milk money we need to shake down to score a few. These Final Fantasy III figures turned up on 4cr's news feed and they were just too cute to resist. And if you're paying attention, you might get to see some Nintendo panties in action. Ah, forum posters and their wacky avatars. [Via 4cr]
Japanese software sales chart, Oct. 2-8: The Gundam Strikes Back
The last time a PSP title was this high in the Japanese software sales chart, it was SD Gundam G Generation Portable, and it was the fastest-selling PSP game to date. And now it's Gundam Battle Royale's turn at trying to upset Nintendo's DS games, which Andrew predicted more than a month ago. Is the guy psychic or something? 1. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 (PS2) - 263,897 / *NEW* 2. Pokemon Diamond (DS) - 254,080 / 1,074,127 3. Pokemon Pearl (DS) - 212,193 / 980,881 4. Gundam Battle Royale (PSP) - 64,986 / *NEW* 5. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 40,114 / 3,233,793 6. Zaidan Houjin Nippon Kanji Nouryoku Kentei Kyoukai Kounin: KanKen DS (DS) - 38,799 / 84,091 7. Minna no Tennis (PS2) - Sony - 32,962 / 416,507 8. Final Fantasy III (DS) - Square Enix - 30,418 / 781,713 9. Brain Training 2 (DS) - Nintendo - 26,600 / 3,288,248 10. Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS) - Nintendo - 22,787 / 3,305,244 While Gundam Battle Royale's sold less than half of what SD Gundam G Generation Portable (155,634) sold in its first week, it was still enough to capture the fourth spot. It seems the Japanese eat up these Gundam games faster than my fat uncle Johnny at Thanksgiving. Has Sony finally found its PSP cashcow? Hmmm.
Joystiq at NYC's Final Fantasy Day festivities
New York City's Times Square was overwhelmed by Final Fantasy fans as Square-Enix premiered the English language version of the upcoming Final Fantasy XII, which will be playable at this week's DigitalLife conference, which starts tomorrow. The trailer, shown to great excitement amongst fans, featured great visuals (as expected) and some truly impressive voice acting. For those of you that have HDTVs, you'll be glad to know that the US version has been enhanced with new anamorphic widescreen (16:9) functionality.Check out a shaky-cam version of the trailer, and some pics from the event after the break.
