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The mystery begins in our inboxes
This cryptic letter landed in the inboxes of Nintendo fans up and down the land, ahead of Professor Layton and the Curious Village's release on February 10th. We're only really posting this because we appreciate when a company puts a bit of thought into promoting its game, and this isn't the first time we've been charmed by promotional material for Level 5's adventure game.Professor, we look forward to reading your future correspondence, to helping you unravel the many riddles of St. Mystere, and to enduring your quasi-British accent!%Gallery-12504%[Thanks, brownkidd!]
Professor Layton and the Curious Accents
The good news is that a new English-language Professor Layton and the Curious Village trailer has appeared, on GameStop's website, of all places, and it basically confirms that the American version of the game will feature full voice acting in its cutscenes.The bad news is the voice acting.We really don't want to cast any aspersions on what looks like a truly fantastic puzzle adventure game, and we don't want to suggest that the game is in any way bad. But we just can't let voice acting like this go by without comment. Apparently, Nintendo wasn't able to solve the puzzle of where to find people who speak with British accents. %Gallery-12504%[Update: the trailer has shown up on Gametrailers, and has been added to the post.][Via NeoGAF]
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 1/14-1/20
The DS version of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games premiered last week, immediately shooting to the top of the charts. Only Wii Fit could keep the game from taking the number one spot. Aside from Mario & Sonic and the Professor Layton sequel, though, most DS games found themselves in the bottom half of the top twenty. Rune Factory 2 even threatens to slip off completely after a few promising weeks.As for the hardware numbers, it's the same old story. The DS continues to sell well, and once again takes the #1 spot with Japanese gamers.Hardware: DS: 91,000 Wii: 76,000 PSP: 65,000 PS3: 32,000 PS2: 13,000 Xbox 360: 4,400 The Japanese software numbers for the week of 1/14 are listed after the break.
Layton to solve European cases next month?
It looks like Europeans may get a break when it comes to Professor Layton and the Curious Village, as a rumor shows the title releasing alongside its U.S. version next month. With a date of February 10th, that would mean it is releasing on the same day here and in Europe.As good as GameFront usually is with these sort of things, we're still not prepared to accept this as confirmation. Sure, Nintendo is releasing Advance Wars 2 to Europe around the same time as us in the U.S., so this isn't something that is entirely out of the question. But, until we hear more, we're going to remain skeptical.%Gallery-12504%[Via Go Nintendo]
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 1/7-1/13
The PSP might be inching closer to the DS in hardware sales, but the dual-screened handheld continues to dominate the software charts. Half of the games in the top twenty were DS games, while the Wii, PSP, PS2 and PS3 shared the other half.Many of the top games were old favorites, but relative newcomers like Final Fantasy IV and Rune Factory 2 did well, too. Professor Layton 2 continues to help its predecessor sell more copies, giving the original Layton a chance to reach one million sales. For the most part, though, it was a quiet and predictable week in the Land of the Rising Sun.Hardware: DS: 103,000 PSP: 84,000 Wii: 82,000 PS3: 34,000 PS2: 15,000 Xbox 360: 5,500 The software sales can be seen after the break.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/31-1/6
The big news with last week's sales numbers is not that the DS managed to top 300,000 again, but that the New Super Mario Bros. broke five million in Japan. Not only that, but the game took the sixteenth spot in today's Famistu chart. Also showing legs is Mario Kart DS, which sold 68,000 copies to take the number eight spot. While it's no surprise that Mario Kart does well week after week (after week), we didn't expect it to make the top ten. We're also happy to see some new DS blood enter the ring, with Rune Factory 2 selling 56,000 in its debut. The rise in sales from the previous week was most likely due to the New Years holiday, which is a popular shopping period in Japan. These numbers are almost certainly not sustainable, though, so we should see a big difference next week. Of course, we fully expect that the DS will end up on top, as always, with a smattering of its games in the top ten. Check after the break to see the numbers, with NSMB sales tacked on for good measure.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/24-12/31
We were finally able to get our greedy little hands on the Japanese sales numbers from Famitsu for the week of 12/24, and came to find that the DS had another great week.Unsurprisingly, the DS took the top spot in hardware sales, moving 195,000 units. While this was a drop from the week before's incredible numbers, it certainly isn't a bad showing for the three-year-old handheld.In terms of software, Final Fantasy IV is continuing to sell well, meaning that more remakes in the series are sure to follow. The other Square-Enix remake on the charts, Dragon Quest IV, managed to go platinum this week. Mario Party DS, meanwhile, was the only other DS game to make the top ten, as the Professor Layton sequel slipped to the number eleven spot.To see the hardware and software sales numbers for the the week of 12/24, check after the break.
Professor Layton and the Curious Release Date
We officially give up on trying to figure out when Professor Layton and the Curious Village is going to come out. First it was scheduled for December. Then it was moved to February 4th. Then the 18th. Now Nintendo's press site (screenshotted above) lists the puzzle-adventure game with a release date of February 11th. Ostensibly, that's good news, since it's a week earlier than the 18th, but it's only good news if it actually happens.We're just going to go into a store about once a month and be happy if we discover that Professor Layton actually got released. We'll be even happier if that discovery occurs this year. [Via Siliconera]
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/17-12/23
Another week in Japan has come and gone, which means yet another week of ridiculous success for the DS. The hardware managed to top 300k for the week, while heavy hitters like Final Fantasy IV, Dragon Quest IV, and Mario Party DS littered the top ten in the software charts. It was also a good week for baseball game Dorabase, which debuted at the number nine spot with 96k, selling 90% of it's total stock. Hardware: DS: 319,000 Wii: 264,000 PSP: 162,000 PS3: 51,000 PS2: 24,000 Xbox 360: 8,100 Check after the break to see the software numbers for 12/17-12/23 in Japan.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/10-12/16
Be careful with that DS of yours. It may be small and look all cute with its two screens, but that thing is a monster. How else could a system manage an 89,000 boost in hardware sales from last week's already ridiculously high numbers? The DS just continues to blow everything else away, selling 91,000 units more than the competing PSP (which also had a good week in Japan). As for software sales, however, only three of the system's biggest contenders (Mario Party DS, Professor Layton II, and Dragon Quest IV) managed to make it into the top ten. Not only did these three games do well for the week, but their total sales are pretty outstanding. We wouldn't be surprised to see all of them reach the million mark at some point.Check after the break to see Japan's hardware and software numbers for the week of 12/10-12/16.
Professor Layton and The Charming Introductory Sequence
Will our shameless pimping of all things Professor Layton ever stop? Never! Or at least, not until we get our western mitts on all of the games that make up Level-5's adventure game trilogy. Until that happy day arrives, we shall continue to bounce around in eager anticipation like demented children overloaded on tartrazine, pausing only to gorge ourselves on footage of the games in action.The video above is the opening sequence to Professor Layton and The Devil's Box (the second entry in the trilogy, which released to a rapturous reception in Japan last week), and is jam-packed with all the lovely, understated anime stylings that have characterized the Prof's adventures to date. We want!
Japan gobbles up Professor Layton as we watch with jealousy (sales)
While we still wait for our first foray into the Professor Layton series, folks in Japan are enjoying the sequel to Professor Layton and the Curious Village, while Level 5 enjoys some massive sales. In its first day, Professor Layton and the Devil's Box is reported to have sold 200,000 copies in Japan. Not too shabby for first day sales at all (and by "not shabby" we mean "pretty damn awesome"). Considering that the current apple of Japan's eye (Dragon Quest IV) sold a rumored 360,000 copies on its first day, Professor Layton's sales seem pretty impressive.All this news, of course, is only more torture for those of us waiting to play the first game. We know you feel our pain.[Via Cubed3]
Professor Layton screens and art from the future
On the heels of the announcement of the third and final installment in the Professor Layton trilogy, Famitsu has provided us a peek at the forthcoming adventure through time. We've included a small sampling here, but there's a wide array available at the original site, from a couple of screens to concept art -- including a rougher sketch of the setting. It's like watching the game develop right before our very eyes!Now if only we could slip through time and pick up the localized copy of the first game ....
Professor Layton and the tantalizing sequel
We were forced to see screenshots of the second Professor Layton game while still eagerly anticipating the first one, so of course we wanted to torture you in the same way. Look what Japan has two of. These screens aren't exactly the most exciting things to look at, consisting mostly of Luke or Professor Layton reacting to another character's statement. But that's kind of enough. Think about the average Phoenix Wright gameplay session.The screens feature two chapters from the game; in general terms based on the limited information presented in the article (and then clumsily translated): the first chapter deals with Layton and Luke's arrival in the town of Volscens and their subsequent investigation of the Pandora's Box to which the game's title alludes; the second takes place in the purportedly haunted Felzen house, which is related to the box in some way.
More like Professor Delayton
Some slightly troubling news from Nintendo's press site: Professor Layton and the Curious Village has been delayed from February 4th to the 18th. That wouldn't be a big deal, except the game was already pushed back from a December release date. Nintendo just can't seem to solve the puzzle of how to get this game into a store.There doesn't seem to be anything else coming out on the 4th. We don't know what the delay is about. The constantly shifting release date just makes us think that it's never going to come out. [Via Game|Life]
New DS trailer blowout!
The non-disclosure agreements have just expired on what was shown at last week's Nintendo of America Media Summit; naturally, within seconds the Internet has become flooded with information about new games. Rather than post each trailer individually, we've decided to embed the newest DS trailers from this event into one roundup post-- because we're Bloggin' Cowboys! Above, obviously, is a new trailer for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. Check after the break for brand new material on Mario Party DS, Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings, EA Playground, Professor Layton, and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker.
Nintendo conference screenshot roundup
We posted a lot of DS screens revealed at or to coincide with yesterday's Nintendo conference, but there's no way we could do an individual post on them all. Three screens of something we've already seen tons of screens of doesn't exactly warrant its own post. Some of the screens listed have been previously released. Some of the games, we just didn't get to. But we can link to a Japanese roundup post that's loaded with screens, and list the games shown within by title! We promise that as soon as we get more information on this stuff beyond a few screens in a roundup, we'll post it. Until then, check after the break for every game in the roundup, organized in order of appearance on the GAME Watch page.
Inazuma Eleven and Professor Layton 2 trailers
Level-5's Inazuma Eleven gets us interested in soccer the only way anything could: by adding RPG elements and extreeeeeeme anime-ness. Seriously, we'd totally watch soccer if there were more screaming and speed lines. We haven't seen a sports RPG this fun-looking since Acclaim's cancelled Hit the Ice RPG for the NES. Have we even seen a sports RPG since then? No idea.In other delightful Level-5 news, there's some new footage of Professor Layton and the Devil's Box, courtesy of video recorded from a Level-5 presentation. [Via GoNintendo]
Professor Layton and the Excellent Screenshots
We haven't even gotten the first Professor Layton adventure yet, and we're already seeing screens of the sequel. Professor Layton and the Devil's Box looks much like the first game, which is to say, gorgeously lush.The game's scope is expanded from that of its predecessor: the professor and his student Luke have access to a train, which acts not only as a vehicle for traveling to multiple towns (or multiple Curious Villages, if you prefer), but is also the venue for its own puzzles.These screenshots are best coupled with IGN's preview of the game, for the complete screenshot/description package. The Famitsu page has the same information, but in a less convenient language.
Japanese software sales: week ending 02.25.07
Media Create's Japanese sales data for the past week has just been released, revealing a PS3-free Top 30 that is headed by a monster hit (yes) for the PSP at Number One. For more mixed signals, set your dials to receive this week's Top Ten: Monster Hunter Portable 2nd - 705,281 units sold last week (new entry / Capcom, PSP) Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - 80,002 (new entry / Alchemist, PS2) Fire Emblem: Dawn Goddess - 75,359 (new entry / Nintendo, Wii) Sim City DS - 50,826 (new entry / EA, DS) Professor Layton and the Mysterious Town - 49,979 (186,716 sales to date / Level-5, DS) Wii Sports - 47,503 (1,090,736 / Nintendo, Wii) Naruto: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX - 45,792 (new entry / Tomy, Wii) Dragon Quest Monsters Joker - 40,507 (1,174,576 / SquareEnix, DS) Wii Play - 35,811 (944,586 / Nintendo, Wii) Picross DS - 26,693 (183,357 / Nintendo, DS) And here are some lessons we can learn from the big figures: The PSP is ALIVE, and Monster Hunter is the WINNER EA has had a place in Japan, after all (see also: firing the whole Japanese studio was a really clever thing for EA to do) There are as many Wii titles as there are DS games in this week's Top Ten -- Japan is bowing to its Nintendo duarchy
