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From Software goes port crazy on PSP in Japan
According to the latest issue of Famitsu (via PSPHyper), From Software plans to follow up its port of Tenchu: Shadow Assassins with some more PS2-to-PSP ports, so we hope you like games about silent, deadly ninjas, and gigantic, destructive mechs.First, From Software plans to port Tenchu 3 (also known as Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven) to Sony's handheld as Tenchu 3 Portable in August in Japan. Following up that title will be Armored Core Silent Line Portable, destined for a November release, and Tenchu Korenai Portable, which is scheduled for a January 2010 release. Finally, From Software plans to finish off its porting spree with, yep, you guessed it, some more Armored Core, with Armored Core Last Raven Portable set to release in March 2010. Oh, and one last game that is surprisingly neither Tenchu nor Armored Core -- Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable, which is planned for a December release. There's no word if any of these titles will be available outside of Japan, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.
Imports on VC this Monday: Bomberman '94, Detana!! Twinbee
After five months of total inactivity, during which time it focused on WiiWare, Hudson is returning to the Virtual Console this Monday. Just like the last set of TurboGrafx-16 games so long ago, the two games announced for next week are imports! This means, at the very least, that Hudson has not abandoned the Virtual Console.You may be familiar with Bomberman '94 as the Genesis/Mega Drive Mega Bomberman. The original PC Engine version was only released in Japan. This one features kangaroos that Bomberman can ride (who can also take an explosion for him). Detana!! Twinbee is an absolutely beautiful vertical-scrolling cute-em-up from Konami, in a series rarely seen in North America. Being imports, both games will cost 700 Wii Points. And being Hudson Virtual Console games, we can't be sure they'll actually show up on time.[Via VC Reviews]
Japanese gamers eager for Resident Evil: Long Line
As Famitsu shows us, Japanese gamers were anxious to get their hands on Capcom's latest run-and-gun shooter entry in the survival-horror genre, Resident Evil 5, lining up before stores opened early in the morning. In fact, some of them even purchased the Xbox 360 bundle, as evidenced here.Of course, most of the individuals picking up Capcom's latest were young men, but Famitsu said some females were getting in on the action as well. Sadly, Famitsu doesn't say which version of RE5 sold better, so the fanboys will have to stick with their delusions as argument topics for now.%Gallery-43985%
BlazBlue throws a beatdown on PS3, Xbox 360
Arc System Works, the folks behind popular 2D fighting franchise Guilty Gear, are planning on bringing their high-def 2D fighter, BlazBlue, to the Xbox 360 and PS3 IGN reports. Currently only available in Japanese arcades, the title is being ported to home consoles in the region, with release aimed at this summer. Notable additions to the console port include a story mode, with individual stories for each character available. This story mode will offer branching storylines based on the battles you win, as well as the choices you make while playing. Director Toshimichi Mori says the story mode easily offers 30 hours of gameplay. On top of that, gamers can look forward to online support for battling folks around the globe, as well as DLC, which Arc has planned, yet no specific items were mentioned. The console version of the game will also provide all characters with Astral Heat special moves, which were only given to a select few boss characters in the arcade version of the game.
Nintendo: No plans to bring Classic Controller Pro to U.S.
Well folks, clear some room, because your hopes and dreams are about to come crashing down ... now: Nintendo has no plans to bring the Classic Controller Pro to the United States. In fact, that's exactly what a kind Nintendo spokesperson said: "At this time, we do not have any plans to launch the Classic Controller Pro in the United States." Of course, that doesn't mean you can't have one, if you really want it that badly.
Street Fighter Online DLC includes 'Obama' skin
Online fighter Street Fighter Online: Mouse Generation is offering up some goodies in time for Valentine's Day. First up are some chocolate avatars for use in-game. We're not sure why you'd want one, but hey, that's your business.More interesting is a piece of DLC that provides players with an in-game character that bares resemblance to current U.S. President, Barack Obama. Titled the "YES WE CAN!" pack, this bit of DLC unlocks several different skins for fighters, including the already mentioned Obama clone. We'd ask about a John McCain skin as well, but that guy has already been beat up enough.[Via Kotaku]
Warning: Space Invaders Extreme 2 screens approaching
Finally! After NCSX pretty much confirmed its existence, Famitsu has come to our rescue with some new details and screens for Space Invaders Extreme 2. We know the game's power-up system is getting the once-over and being fleshed out a bit more in the sequel, and that a Bingo Fever mode is being added. Considering how great the first game was, you can bet we're extra excited about this.Hit up Famitsu here to check out the screens and details. Or click here if you want the Japanese translated for you (badly).
Hudson brings Fishing Master to the DS
Hudson's Fishing Master World Tour on Wii caught our eye, and now the game is being adapted for the DS, exchanging motion-based controls for the stylus and touch screen. As big fans of Animal Crossing: Wild World, we've enjoyed quite a bit of fishing on our DS. Although AC's fishing is a bit more on the tranquil side, Hudson's offering looks to be a bit more intense. Don't worry: Hudson presents Super X-Treme Bass Fishing sponsored by Mountain Dew this is not.Hudson's Fishing Master DS (Mezase! Tsuri Master DS) is due for release in Japan on April 23.%Gallery-43511%
Super Famicom Classic Controller available at Play Asia [update]
Update: Wow, that was fast. The controller is sold out. Uh, people must have way more money than we do. Send us one, plz?If you're looking for more of an authentic experience when playing those Virtual Console games, then know that Play Asia is now allowing folks to order the Super Famicom Classic Controller. Of course, if you want that authentic experience, you're going to have to pay for it. The controller is going for a whopping $70 at the site. Frankly, we'd advise tracking down a SNES controller and doing one of those wireless hacks to the thing. It's got to cost a lot less than seventy freakin' dollars.%Gallery-20586%[Thanks, MoFro!]
Dissidia vids: Squall and Zidane in EX Mode
Fan service is a good thing when it's done to enhance the gaming experience and not just make up for a lack of substance. In the case of Dissidia: Final Fantasy, there are a lot of solid, new gameplay elements which fit in well with the dazzling flash that Final Fantasy is known for -- so it's got the best of both worlds. Nothing sums this merging of innovation and style more than the EX Mode. You'll see why when you watch the embedded video above when Squall and Zidane show off the Renzokuken and Trance, respectively. The timed-input events, and the visceral, swift action makes Dissidia look like the most exciting PSP title this (Japanese) holiday season. It makes us sad to remember that a North American release has yet to be heard of.
Wii Warm Up: The most important import
After having some quality time with a pair of imports yesterday, we got to wondering: what imports would you want to be able to download from the Virtual Console? With generations of consoles supported by the service, there's plenty of old school imports to ponder downloading. So, what will it be? We've already gotten some great imports in the past (Sin & Punishment, Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels), but what would you like to be able to play in the future?
Top 5: Gaming in Japan
Musicians have Vienna. Catholics have the Vatican. And gamers have Japan. While many significant contributions to the world of gaming have come from outside the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is the unassailable fountainhead of modern video gaming. It's the birth and workplace of gaming giants such as Hideo Kojima, Shinji Mikami, Yuji Naka, and probably others. To say that Japan is a place that hardcore gamers need to check out is an understatement at best. Recently, I took a week to visit my brother who teaches English at a Japanese university near Nagoya. Hundreds of thousands of words could be used to describe the wonderful food, the beautiful temples, and the unique culture of the country. But being a life-long gamer, I paid special attention to the distinct connection between the country and the gaming scene we all know and love. For the Top 5, I usually come up with a topic, then list the top five items for that topic in order. For this edition, it was truly difficult to narrow it down to only five. With that in mind, here's my best attempt at listing the Top 5 gaming elements of my time in Japan. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, check out What Are You Playing?, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Items of Import: Let's Enroleplaying Games!
After a lot of deliberation, Joe Player finally decided to try importing a game from Japan. It was nerve-wracking, clicking through to an online retailer and perusing the list of unusual titles. With fingers poised above the keyboard, he hesitated -- would his credit card information be safe? Should he choose express post? How long would delivery take?He was worried -- did he make the right choice? Was his Japanese sufficient to play the game? He'd learned hiragana in classes, and picked up some ninja phrases from fansubbed episodes of Naruto. Would it be enough? He would soon find out.Welcome to the inaugural edition of Items of Import, a new weekly feature that will make you feel a little less worried about your import choices. Sometimes playing a game in Japanese can seem like a daunting task. But make no mistake: Items of Import is here to nurture you, guide you, and teach you the ways of Japanese games. Keep checking this space for your dose of import impressions and language lessons. #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } COMMENT NEXT >>
Deal: 25% off imports at Play-Asia
Both the PSP and PS3 have incredibly generous region settings, which allow you to play games from all around the world -- no mod chips required. Importing games for both of Sony's platforms is easy, and Play-Asia's sale makes it even easier. Right now, they're providing 25% off all of their in-stock items. Here's our recommendations:PS3 Battle Fantasia - $42 DualShock 3 (white) - $45 (out of stock) PSP Bleach: Heat the Soul 5 - $33 DJ Max Portable 2 - $38 Every Extend Extra - $8 Pump It Up Exceed Portable - $10
Joystiq looks at South Korea's PC Baang culture
No PlayStation, No Nintendo, No Sega. In a sprawling metropolis on the brink of a technological revolution what place would eschew console gaming? It was South Korea, and for the longest time there was an embargo against Japanese made imports. In the embargo's wake an unstoppable PC gaming utopia and a molding of an anomalous social culture evolved. With the government push for broadband access and the proliferation of PC Baangs, online PC-game rooms, a remarkable 70% of South Korean internet users have played some kind of MMOG. The Korean MMOG invasion on the western market has spurned resentment but some MMOs like Nexon's Maple Story found a successful niche. What is fascinating, are not the endless failed imports or the lucky few that do succeed in the US but the radical differences in our gaming cultures. Joystiq's Geoffrey Brooks is residing in Seoul, South Korea for the summer. Indulging his senses in this part of the world Brook posits about South Korea's PC Baangs and the masterful technological wired revolution and contrasts it to the lagging-behind United States. It's a must read, especially if you know nothing of the PC gaming culture in South Korea other than asking "isn't Starcraft big there?"
Make your PSP waterproof with Aquatalk
Ever had an urge to play your PSP while in the shower or taking a bath? Yeah, us too, but we all know it's probably not a safe idea having electronic devices so close to the water. There is one solution though, and that would be a bag series called Aquatalk.While Aquatalk looks like a slightly upgraded ziplock baggy, it's supposed to keep your PSP waterproof. It should do so because it's covered in four layers of protective coating and has a secure anti-leak zipper seal. At 740 yen a bag (roughly seven dollars and a chunk of change), it better deliver. The bag is good for both fat and slim PSPs. It's a pretty cool concept being able to get some gaming done while making one's self clean in the bath. We might actually give this one a try ... well, only if someone wants to lend us their PSP for an experiment. One warning though, we probably wouldn't recommend this for scuba diving; you wouldn't want to get distracted playing Loco Roco when a shark comes to bite your head off.
Friday Video: Game creation is our sanctuary in life
To celebrate Sega's announcement that more imports were coming to our Virtual Console, we thought we'd feature the Sega-est, import-est thing we could possibly think of: the Sega-themed sim/RPG/shooter Segagaga. Sure, it's a Dreamcast game and not a Genesis game, but it is all about the love of Sega.Segagaga is a game in which Sega fans are put in charge of the failing company and work along with programmers and lots of Sega characters to save it. When the game came out, Sega was doing dandy, but, well, now it's a little ironic. However, the whole thing is a giant love letter from Sega to itself, and it stands as the Sega-est thing in the universe. If you don't feel a little bit of Sega love in your heart, then ... we won't say anything about you, because some of you will deny it in comments anyway just to be contrary, and we don't want to give you any ammo.The intro movie is posted above; check after the break for a couple of different versions of the inspiring theme song!
IMPORTSHOCK! More Sega imports on the way
It seems that Sega managed to get a satisfactory amount of attention for releasing Alien Soldier, despite putting it out on the same day as Super Mario Bros. 3. They announced that they're going to continue releasing import games on the American Virtual Console (at the same premium price, of course). Maybe now we'll see stuff that is completely new to the U.S.; Alien Soldier and Golden Axe III were both Sega Channel games.This is wonderful news! Slowly, companies are getting the idea that the Virtual Console is good for more than just "greatest hits" -- that it allows players to discover games they hadn't, or couldn't have, played before. Too bad the import Mega Drive game we really want, Treasure's Yuu Yuu Hakusho Makyou Toitsusen, has a license that will make worldwide release difficult, if not impossible.
Chinese MMO publishers hit the market
China's relationship with MMOs goes much deeper than just RMT scams. In his latest editorial on the Chinese game business for Gamasutra, Shang Koo gives an appraisal of the public offerings of NetDragon and Giant Interactive, two of the premier Chinese game publishers to emerge from the recent gaming boom in the East. Giant Interactive, which is set to premier on the New York Stock Exchange starting this Wednesday, is the publisher responsible for Zhengtu Online, the second-most popular game on the continent since it was released last year. NetDragon, which itself is set to appear on the Hong Kong stock exchange this Friday, developed Eudemons Online and is working with Ubisoft on the upcoming Heroes of Might and Magic.Koo looks at the ways that game sales are affected by the differences in the developer/publisher relationship in China, and forecasts gloomy days ahead for companies trying to license their titles in the enormous Chinese game market, which today is largely dominated by home-grown titles.
Wii update renders Freeloader useless
And don't expect Nintendo to do anything about it. The recently released and pointedly punctual Wii system update 3 added limited USB keyboard support but removed the system's ability to run Datel's Freeloader discs. Originally intended for Nintendo's previous console, the Freeloader would (usually) allow the user to play Gamecube games from other regions, an ideal tool to help pass the time between those lethargic localizations. Nintendo told Eurogamer that due to the Freeloader's status as an unofficial product, there was nothing they could do to "fix" the problem.If you still hope to play your imported Gamecube titles, you can either dig your old system out of the closet or stare at that new Wii clock while you wait for Nintendo to abandon its draconian console region encoding policies. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
