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Konami code hidden in upcoming online chess game
Online Chess Kingdoms is going to be unlike any chess game before it. For example, it's one of the only chess games I can think of that has a story mode. As Konami producer Jason Ray wrote in a recent interview with IGN, "There is no reason to have a story mode, but the game is far more interesting with it." Jason's right: chess doesn't need a story. Heck, it doesn't even need a GOOD story. Almost anything will beat staring at the Chessmaster's menacing face.Besides a story mode, there are other things that should make this game appear on your radar. Firstly, it'll support Infrastructure multiplayer, so you can lay down the chess smackdown to people around the world (strangely, it doesn't feature Ad-Hoc multiplayer). Secondly, the game allows you to use the infamous Konami code. What will the code unlock? Wer'e not sure yet, but hopefully, it'll be good as the cheat from DDR Ultramix.
Medal of Honor hype on IGN
IGN has a huge blow-out on the upcoming PSP Medal of Honor Heroes. They have one written-by-a-marketing-team write-up that features profiles of the in-game characters: Generic McAmerican, Jimmy Paterson, William Holt and John Baker. Snore... The other is an interview with the game's producer, Peter Choi. It very similar to a previous interview, but it's great to know that he understands some of the things PSP fans are looking for from a game: 32 player online (Infrastructure) multiplayer. I can't stress enough how awesome that sounds. "The game is also optimized to have very short load times, which is hugely important for gamers on-the-go." (Yes!) "User Hosted Server feature along with official EA Nation Server games, are both fully customizable and have very detailed leaderboards and stat tracking." (Yes!) If all that hype wasn't enough for you, then you might want to check out the newest trailer for the game. It looks a lot like the previous videos, but with even sharper, prettier graphics.
New game for the Wii: Heatseekers
And lo, yet another game is bequeathed unto us mortals. Codemasters (responsible for the well-received Heroes of the Pacific) have announced that their new dogfighting sim, Heatseekers, will be coming to the Wii (and other major formats) in March of 2007. From what we could gather, the game seems to be a robust combination of arcade After Burner-type combat and an actual jet sim, but it's difficult to siphon through the utter dreck that is the interview in question. The answers read like a 1996 press release, spouting off nonsense like "hang onto the edge of your seat", and "kick the tires and light the fires" rather than actual information. Still, the game sounds exciting, and we think the Wiimote is a great fit for a joystick-style control scheme. From the interview:"You can pull G in over 30 flyable fighters and their amazing variants, and you'll see another ten flying alongside (and exploding into fiery frags) during the game."Mmm, we can't wait to "pull G". Are you guys excited?[Thanks, Erich!]
Vice City Stories: flying, driving and more
The folks over at IGN got a chance to play with the upcoming Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. We're expecting great things from it, and it looks like we won't be disappointed. The preview goes over the handling of vehicles, and surprisingly: they all work quite well. Riding a helicopter seems to run without a hitch, which is quite a technical marvel, considering how the game must render all of Vice City while you're in the sky. The ATV controls seem to be realistic and based on physics. It's a little difficult to get used to, but as IGN notes: "this is exactly how it should be."The missions of Vice City Stories will be a bit more complex than the simple quests provided by Liberty City Stories. Missions will have you traveling across all kinds of environments: you may be in a car chase, then go on the ground, only to get inside a helicopter, and end in a race on the ocean. The potential depth of these missions is really exciting, especially when you consider the game has very short load times. It looks like Rockstar has created yet another technical benchmark for the PSP, and I can't wait for the game's release on October 31st.[Thanks, steve!]
Hardware Wii pr0n!!!11111
Forget the momentary lapse into 1337speak, but we're just easily exciteable. Good 'ol Matt Cassamassina has a wonderful four-minute session with the Wii, lovely fondling its every curve and crevice. It's quite detailed, and shows off everything you're ever wanted to see. You know. Under the flaps, places where eyes cannot regularly roam. Enjoy.[Thanks, Nmaster!]
Pair of new Ace Combat trailers
Ace Combat fans will be excited by the new (highly promotional) preview of the upcoming PSP-exclusive Ace Combat X on IGN. They reveal some of the features, such as the Medal System, Color Variation and Free Mission. The mini games listed include Touch and Go, Mid-Air Refueling Practice and Carrier Touch & Go. While it doesn't sound too exciting to me, I'm sure those of you that were fascinated by planes will be absolutely enthralled.If you don't really feel like reading about these features, IGN has also posted two new trailers of the game in motion. Graphically, it looks impressive, but it seems like that's a given for most PSP games these days. The game comes out in October.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon review [update 1]
Is it us, or is IGN scoring tougher? Not that we think this a bad thing. In fact, we admire brutal honesty if a game is not up to par. Just because the title says Final Fantasy Pokemon, doesn't mean it will be great. Just look at Final Fantasy X-2 Pokemon Dash. From the sound of it, turning into an actual Pokemon seems pretty rad. After all, Ash and the others shouldn't have all the fun. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is throwing a different ball your way by showing the softer side of these normally lightening-hurling captured creatures. And as the good Pokemon you are, you join the Rescue Team and help out any pals in danger while trying to figure out why you are a Pokemon. Best thing about it -- you finally understand what the heck those little guys are saying when they scream "Pika!" While IGN gave the game compliments for Pokemon doing what it does best in gameplay, they were disappointed in the game as a whole, claiming it hasn't really evolved in the direction they had hoped. Their main complaints rest in the repetitive battle system, rarely used touch screen and drab GBA appearance. Best way to describe it -- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is a mere placeholder until the real Pokemon comes out on DS. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon was rated a 6.5, making it a "passable" game. [Update: Fixed a typo]
Cooking Mama adds some sizzle to the Wii
Cooking Mama happens to be one of our favorite relatives. She taught us well in Cooking Mama DS and now she is back in the kitchen (no misogynistic undertone intended) for the Wii with Cooking Mama: Cooking With International Friends. By the sound of it, there could be a ton of dishes to choose from all around the world. That's just us guessing but it would be nice to learn how to properly chop up meat for a big bowl of Zharkoye. Check out the screens to get a glimpse of this Wii title. We anticipate that it will be similar to the DS version with actions like chopping, stirring, slicing and dicing. An element we are hoping for would be flipping burgers or sauteing vegetables using the Wiimote.
TGS 06: Which games support wireless? [Update 1]
The good folks at IGN have compiled a fantastic list of games that support ad-hoc (local) wireless and infrastructure wireless. It's been slow to start, but more and more games have been adding support for internet play and downloadable levels, and they should be commended. The games that use Infrastructure mode include: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Monster Hunter Portable 2 (downloadable levels only) Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Kingdom of Paradise 2 (downloadable items only) Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology (online leaderboard & downloadable levels only) Mahjong Fight Club P-Kara While this isn't a huge list of games, it's a huge improvement over the early years of the system's life. I'm happy with the support we get from heavy-hitters like Ratchet & Clank and Metal Gear Solid.[Update 1: This list is only of games present at TGS. There are tons of other games that feature wireless support that aren't on display.]
Need new wallpaper? Think Assassin's Creed [update 1]
IGN has some fancy artwork from the PS3 exclusive that wasn't, Assassin's Creed. The artworks are all very large and very pretty. They're just right for that spiffy new desktop background you've been looking for. Now if we could just scrub out that pesky IGN watermark ...Update: Fixed tiny grammatical error.
Giant Wii FAQ
We'll be honest...you probably know all the information in this rather gargantuan FAQ from IGN. It was written for an audience that doesn't obsessively check video game news sites every day (nerds!...we love you guys), and as such, it's an extremely comprehensive database on pretty much everything about the Wii, updated with all the new information from the September 14th event. If you need a little refresher course, or just want to link one of your living-under-a-rock friends and do a little grassroots marketing, head on over to IGN (and try not to get buried in advertisements).
Ridge Racers 2 rips you off
I once wrote about Ridge Racers 2: "Doesn't it seem like there's nothing particularly new or noteworthy about this version?" Unfortunately, my statement was a bit too accurate about the game. According to an IGN preview, it appears that the sequel is barely a sequel at all. The game features the same graphics engine and the same courses as the original launch title. Yes, there's a few new stuff: there's 10 new tracks, and two new gameplay modes. But with longer load times, is this "sequel" really worth the additional $20-30 it'll cost over the original? I'd say no. If Namco's going to rip-off gamers like that, IGN has it completely right:"There's no word on a US release. That may be for the better though."
MP3 vids: Samus blasting, ships blowing up
A delicious, full-course meal of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption videos has been served up by IGN. As one of our most anticipated launch titles games coming in 2007, we soak all things up Metroid Prime 3 related and absorb it into our bodies, using it to sustain our life force.These videos showcase not only some mouth-watering gameplay, but also a dazzling attention to detail in the graphics. The particle effects look better, textures look more crisp, and a cutscene of Samus floating out in space causes us to convulse in excitement. We really can't wait to get our hands on this game at launch in 2007.
IGN gives Bounty Hounds a 7.0
Andrew has had his game he's lushed over, and I think it's been clear that Bounty Hounds has been my baby. I've been waiting impatiently for reviews to start trickling in, and it seems IGN has finally granted my wish.However, according to reviewer Juan Castro, it seems that I may have gotten my hopes a bit too high as Bounty Hounds, which was released Sept. 12, appears to suffer from some gameplay issues that stop the game from reaching its full potential.Positives Looks and performs better than just about any PSP title; High attention to detail, especially in enemy units; More than 500 weapons available; Most menus and interfaces are easy to navigate; and The game's wireless multi-player deathmatch helps keep the game from getting old. Negatives Players don't have full control of the camera. It can only be centered behind your character, which usually ends in your character being shot at by off-screen enemies; No auto lock-on combined with the frustrating camera makes for unnecessarily hard boss fights; and Repetitive combat. With all that said, IGN gives Bounty Hounds a 7.0, which isn't too bad, but definitely disappointing. Bad cameras have historically crippled action games of this ilk, but I was hoping Namco could pull through for me. However, I, like hopefully many of you, won't turn my back on the game due to one bad review. How 'bout we take a wait-and-see approach, eh?(Via IGN)
An absolutely mammoth Madden interview [update 1]
IGN's got the goods, folks: this seven-page interview reveals more about Madden Wii than every past publication on the game combined. The interview covers the exact passing controls, special moves with the Wiimote, defensive manuevers, graphical capabilities, the kicking game...it's quite a read. Of note is that the Wii version won't be "dumbed down" as the initial 360 version was; it contains every single mode and feature that long-time fans of the franchise have come to expect. It also contains some new features, such as the "two-on-two" minigame, which re-enacts the classic quarterback/receiver vs. rusher/safety playground game complete with "Mississippi" counting. It truly is a goldmine of information on the game, and the interviewee is extremely candid on most everything...except, strangely enough, online play. He absolutely refused to speak a word about it. Hmmmm.[Update 1: Fixed a small typo.]
New Myst screens unveiled; I think I've seen them somewhere before
If you're a member of the anti-PSP port camp, then I have some bad news for you – Myst, a 13-year-old game, is making its way onto the PSP sometime next year. And to make you even happier, IGN has just posted some new screens of the game in "action."Unlike some ports, developers Hoplite Research/Cyan Worlds, Inc. isn't resting on its laurels and just porting the ancient game to the PSP. The port will have "new adventure scenarios, as well as updating the game's visuals for the PSP's widescreen format," according to IGN.I'm actually pretty excited about this game. I played the hell outta it back in the day and to get it on the go, has me salivating. Oh, and I have a question for you port haters. Why aren't you complaining about the ports on Xbox Live Arcade and Nintendo's Virtual Console, but are always bashing any old-school game or port released on the PSP?(Via IGN)
No more dev-kits? Sounds like a pack of lies...
Kotaku isn't exactly the best source of information and there's a pretty decent counterpoint to their new "mole" who claims that there are no more PS3 dev-kits. Let's first toss up the mole's quote."Sony has run out of PS3 test kits to give to developers. Since the announcement of the European launch being delayed, nobody has any idea what's going to happen with the PS3 port of F.E.A.R... specially since we only have the one PS3. And it's a devkit. In case you haven't seen those things, they sound like giant vacuum cleaners. They're reportedly ridiculously complicated to use, specially when upgrading the firmware. It has just the one controller, and it's not even the proper PS3 one even! It doesn't have those "innovative" changes from the PS3 controller, it's just a Dual Shock 2 with a USB Mini port."All right, first off, we feel IGN is a much more reliable source of information as well as a named "mole" -- namely, Sega. A long while back we talked about Sega's and IGN's reaction to the dev kit. Let's dissect Kotaku's mole now (ignoring the F.E.A.R. comment, which has already been confirmed it's coming to PS3). The dev-kits run quietly, not like vacuum cleaners. Easy to program for and understand, not complicated, not "specially" when upgrading firmware. The controller comment is false, as IGN's comments about how the wireless controllers could detect what machine and port they were plugged into directly imply a wireless setup. Now, if Sony gets bad press, we won't dance around the truth too much. But don't make up stuff to kick them when they're down. The end.
Elebits developer diary
Producer Shingo Mukaitoge has begun a developer's diary for Elebits over at IGN. The first round of what we assume will be many to come has the gentleman discussing the game's origins, as well as presenting a handful of new screens. Quite a bit of the entry is used to talk up the Wii's controller. The versatility of the control scheme and the Konami team's imagination eventually led to the Elebits we see today. The first developer diary is sadly lacking in revealing any new information on the game, but we look forward to further entries down the line to correct this.
Wii's first 3rd-party peripheral is a foam donut
French game publisher Ubisoft is the first company other than Nintendo to announce a peripheral for the Wii. The peripheral takes the form of a small, plastic racing wheel with a slot in the middle for the motion sensing Wii-mote, and is to be bundled with Ubisoft's GT Pro Series and 4x4: World Circuit racing games, although the simple design -- it's basically a foam circle -- suggests to us that it should "work" with pretty much any Wii racer. We'd imagine that the feeling would be similar to that of driving a car after the steering wheel had fallen off the column, and thus hilarity will no doubt ensue. On the one hand, the Wii-eel (Wiil?) could be a great example of the increased immersion that the Wii's controller will allow; on the other, Engadget HQ is chock-a-block with pointless pieces of plastic, so we're sure the novelty of finding a hunk of foam with every Wii game will wear off pretty damn quickly.[Via Joystiq]
Metareview: Loco Roco
The last time PSP Fanboy did a Metareview, it covered another one of my most-wanted games: Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins. It didn't fare too well, with the critics bashing its much-too-high level of difficulty. Garnering only a 73 average, many felt a little disappointed, myself included. [Andrew's note: the game is pretty damn good, but then again, one of my favorite games last generation was Ikaruga.] The other game I've been obsessing over, Loco Roco, has just been released and although it got some poor initial reviews from Gamespot and a nine year old girl, the critics seem to be in agreement that Loco Roco will make you cucoo for Cocoa Puffs. Here are excerpts from the critics: IGN (90/100) - "You'll discover playing Loco Roco is a lot like eating candy, only without the stomachache after an overdose. That sounds absurd but it really gets the point across. It's vibrant, cheery and serves no other point than to make you smile. But, like candy, Loco Roco also ends sooner than you want it to end." The New York Times (90/100) - "With imaginative levels on snowy landscapes or inside whales, Loco Roco uses charm and simplicity of design to create something near perfection. But it's a small perfection, charming in its childlike whimsy but as insubstantial as a summer breeze." GamePro (60/100) - "So much of LocoRoco is so clever and original that it's almost perplexing when it stops being any fun. The fun does run out, though, long before the game is over -- in that sense, the experiment has to be called a failure." Well, it looks like the people of GamePro don't like candy. But, the rest of us can be proud of Loco Roco's impressive 84 average from the critics.
