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DS Phat browser not available in stores
If you have a DS Phat but not a DS Lite, you probably won't mind the news that the $35 Opera-based DS Web browser hitting June 4 for your system won't be available in stores. You're probably just the sort of rebellious, go-it-alone type that will get what you want by any means necessary, even if that means purchasing online. But you're probably also the sort of mind-bogglingly cheap skinflint that would sooner flush their sister's asthma inhaler down the toilet before spending money on shipping. So we find ourselves at an impasse.Nintendo isn't releasing names of all the online shops that will carry the Phat browser, but did point out that it will be available on its own Web site. We don't know if many Phat owners will be willing to part with the cash, but those who will probably appreciate being able to do so in the privacy of their own home, far from the whispers and quiet giggles of the Lite enthusiasts. Do they not realize that their stares are daggers?
Jaffe reviews the reviews of Calling All Cars
David Jaffe plays by his own rules, mister. So don't think you can go around town giving a 6.7 to Calling All Cars and he won't have anything to say about it. Because he totally will. In an admittedly pretty even-tempered blog response to Gamespot's middle-of-the-road score, Jaffe tries to explain why he thinks the problems that the site has with the game (lack of content, etc.) aren't really that big a deal.Jaffe's real beef is with the criteria by which his $10 game is being judged. He says he wanted to create "a trash talking fun ass time with your buddies," and feels like it's that goal on which the review should be based. (Surprising no one, Jaffe feels the game is between an 8 and 10 in this category.) But in the same breath (or is that keystroke?) he goes on to admit that it may not be fair for him to ask that. The post continues as an interesting, slightly schizophrenic, view into how a developer deals with watching their baby enter the world. Go ahead Dave, wear that heart on your sleeve, we still think you're a maverick. ... A maverick of caring.
Yuke's chats up improvements in next Smackdown!
Knowing the number of WWE fans that read PSP Fanboy, I'd feel wrong not sharing some details from Gamespot's recent interview with Yuke's. Here's what fans can expect in Smackdown! vs Raw 2008: A big focus this year is making more differentiated, and complex fighting styles A vastly improved and more realistic animation system, with more animations than ever before, and a motion blending system The motion blending system also allows for better controls of your wrestlers ECW's inclusion means lots more weapons in the game 24/7 mode will allow the gamer to experience the ECW invasion and as always work their way through the ranks to become WWE champ Yuke's wants Smackdown! to be one of the premier fighting games on all the systems. We'll have to wait for the title's release to see how they do.
Taito Legends coming to US
Fans of classics collections, Taito, or alien invaders better sit down for this. Destineer Studios (Full Metal Alchemist: Dual Sympathy) has announced they'll be releasing Taito Legends Power-Up in Q2 of this year. Surprisingly, this collection doesn't include Bubble Bobble or Puzzle Bobble (Bust-A-Move in the US). This upsets me because when I think Taito, I think of bubble belching dinosaurs. If not those, what classic games does it include? Full list after the jump ...
Fans get their wish: ECW coming to SmackDown vs Raw 2008
A while back, I asked what readers wanted to see from SmackDown vs Raw 2008. One of the most requested additions was that of ECW wrestlers. Well, either someone was listening or they think just like PSP Fanboy readers. THQ is saying ECW will have a "significant" presence in this year's wrestler. ECW superstars, arenas and luckily weapons will be in the game. On the gameplay front, THQ said "realism and strategy are at the forefront". There will be a new submission system, new rosters, more interaction areas, more outside the ring action, new online community additions, and finally a combined season and general manager mode. Sounds like this will be the best WWE game yet! [Via Gamespot]
Rumor: Microsoft will publish bargain-priced US Project Sylpheed
Never trust retail listings as concrete evidence of future releases, but GameStop has an interesting page up on its website for Square Enix's Project Sylpheed, here spelled Silpheed. What makes the listing all the more bizarre is its bargain price of $39.99 and its publisher, Microsoft Game Studio (which, oddly enough, is also listed as the developer).Of course, the actual developer, Game Arts (Grandia, Lunar series), has used many publishers -- Grandia II, for example, saw Square Enix publishing the title in Japan and Ubisoft publishing in US and Europe. We don't feel this has anything to do with Microsoft trying to butter up Square Enix while Final Fantasy XIII's exclusivity is supposedly in discussion, but that Square Enix had no interest in distributing the title outside of Japan. But, if the $40 price is accurate, how much faith does Microsoft have that US audiences will embrace the game? There's so much about the listing that feels shaky.No announcements have been been made by Microsoft, Game Arts or Square Enix. According to the listing, Project Sylpheed will be released July 11.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Metareview: Puzzle Quest
If you weren't able to quite tell from the demo whether you liked Puzzle Quest or not, maybe the reviews of others will help you. Other than these reviews, we'll have a review of Puzzle Quest up soon. But enough of that for now, what did the critics say?
