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Namco Bandai climbs out of the red with pair of million-sellers
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, Namco Bandai's "Content" division -- which includes both home-console and arcade games, in addition to music and video products -- increased sales just enough to post a modest operating income of ¥3.09 billion ($38.5 million). In turn, the company turned around from the previous fiscal year's net loss to scrounge up ¥3.78 billion ($46.9 million) in profit. The publisher put out 88 games (including individual iterations of multiplatform titles) across six systems, selling roughly 20.9 million software units in the 12-month period. Its efforts were focused primarily on handheld releases, with 30 games on DS -- plus three more for the 3DS launch -- and 29 for PSP. The company's two bestselling titles during the fiscal year, however, were for home consoles: 2009's still-kicking Tekken 6 accounted for 1.15 million unit sales on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US alone, and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 sold 1.1M units worldwide on those same consoles, according to the company's financial highlights document [PDF]. While Naruto performed above initial expectations, Enslaved failed to muster numbers in line with even the revised sales forecast reset by Namco Bandai in November. Ninja Theory's action-adventure had to settle for 730,000 units sold across PS3 and 360, falling short of the hoped-for 800K mark. As for Splatterhouse and Majin, the publisher did not report their individual sales, as both titles' performances seemingly fell below 400K units (Namco Bandai's cutoff line for "Main Game Titles," as they appear in the financial highlights report). For the current fiscal year, which began April 1, Namco Bandai forecasts continued gains resulting in ¥8 billion in profit. The publisher has plans to release 90 games during the period, including 26 titles bound for PS3. Props to anyone that can name three of them! (No googling.)
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom for $10 on Amazon
There are very few problems that can't be solved by a giant buddy like Majin. Walls? Smashable. Enemies? Smooshable. Devaluation as a result of the inevitable march of time, as well as a severely lacking promotional campaign? ... Yeah, that's trickier. However, if you click on over to Amazon, you can be the benefeciary of this unfortunate force and pick up Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom on Xbox 360 for a little under $10. Wow, a great deal and an opportunity to medidate on the truth that every living being has its frailties? Don't mind if we do.
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom review: The buddy system
If the phrase "escort mission" tickles your gag reflex, then you'd be forgiven for overlooking Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom. After all, this is a game that promises nothing but hours and hours of adventures with a largely computer-controlled sidekick. You wouldn't even be swayed if somebody told you that your partner obeys your commands. You've been down this road before, and you know it ends in a ditch. But this Majin fella, he's not so useless, in fact, you wouldn't last an hour in the dangerous ruins of this ancient civilization without his help. He's a bodyguard, a medic, and a handyman. He even carries out your orders as you intended them! You may start to wonder: who is escorting whom, exactly? %Gallery-97995%
Amazon offers discounts on Metroid, Majin and AC: Brotherhood
"No, Joystiq, I don't need any more games," you whisper to yourself. "I've got this huge 2010 backlog already -- heck, I haven't even played Bayonetta yet, and that came out in January." Your plight is shared by many gamers, but there's little point in protesting. You're going to pick up one of these deals and remain excited until you receive it, play past the intro and then place it on your to-play pile. Amazon lightning deals now offer to extend your intimidating backlog with Metroid: Other M for $30 (that's one dollar off for every cutscene eye roll) and Uncharted: Drake's Fortune for $15. Upcoming lightning deals also hint at a reduced price for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (going live at 6:15PM PST), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Outside of lightning deals, you'll also find Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom for $23. "Well, that is pretty tempting," you mutter. "Maybe I'll check those -- wait, how do you guys know what I'm saying before I've even read this post? Is this a trick? Maybe if I say something unexpected ... garlic cannonball! Flamingo scabbard! Gravity donut! Okay, stop it! This is... this is scaring me." [Thanks, Vallanthaz]
Majin and the music of the Forsaken Kingdom
In the latest Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom dev diary video, composer Sahashi Toshihiko discusses the process of creating music for Game Republic's buddy game. It turns out that before the Forsaken Kingdom, he had experience in the Magic Kingdom -- he created music for Tokyo Disneyland.
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom gets $20 price drop at Amazon, Gamestop
While Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom hasn't been entirely forsaken by publisher Namco, it has seen its release date bumped up by a week at the last minute and now, its seen its price slashed considerably by at least two different online retailers. Siliconera spotted that the new $39.99 price at both Amazon and Gamestop though only the latter shows the lower price across both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases. Amazon only shows the lower price on the PS3 release. With little in the way of pre-release buzz, the price cut may be a shrewd move to help move some units, something Namco could really use. We've asked the publisher if this new, lower price will be available everywhere across both releases. We'll let you know what we find out.
Enslaved underperforms for Namco, Naruto exceeds expectations
Namco Bandai may have suffered less terrible losses in the first half of its fiscal year compared to last, but several of the publisher's major titles aren't expected to hit sales goals. Andriasang has a list of comparing the company's hopes for its software to the harsh reality, with Ben 10 Ultimate Alien Cosmic Destruction and Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja: Storm 2 being the overachievers. Ben 10 is expected to have 800K sales -- 100K over forecast -- and Naruto may move a million copies, 300K more than planned. Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is expected to sell about 800K units, which is still good, but the publisher expected it to sell a million. Other titles expected to underperform, according to the company, will be the as-yet unreleased Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom with 300K units (-700K below) and Splatterhouse at 350K (-650K below). Enslaved deserves better so, with some luck, hopefully Monkey and crew will have a longer tail than Namco expects.
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom devs on just who Majin is
Majin, like Denver: The Last Dinosaur before him, isn't just your friend -- he's a whole lot more. According to Game Republic art director Sousuke Miyaura, he's "the personification of all nature," able to devour the creatures of darkness that pollute the world. He's also there for high-fives.
Hot Pursuit demo, Undead Nightmare highlight today's XBLM releases
Right on schedule, the Hot Pursuit demo arrives on Xbox Live Marketplace, joined by a "pack" of wild (western) zombies. Head past the break for the complete listing of today's releases.
Majin Forsakes the Kingdom a week early
Namco Bandai can't wait to introduce you to Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom. The publisher announced that the North American release date for Game Republic's adventure, starring Tepeu and his awesome monster pal, has been moved forward a week from November 30 to November 23. If you can't wait to play the game, a demo is available right now for Gold subscribers on Xbox Live Marketplace, and will be available on PSN later today. It features the first level of the game, in which Tepeu encounters the giant monster who would become his friend. Of course, not knowing how that plays out, Tepeu probably sees it as "encountering a giant monster," which is less heartwarming.%Gallery-105981%
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom preview: a lovable beast
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom is the kind of game you want to love. It has a winning premise, made all the more charming by the immediately likable Majin -- a towering beast that forges a strange friendship with a thief, Tepeu. The two characters balance each other surprisingly well, with Tepeu's cunning and speed matched by the Majin's adorable dimwittedness and hulking force. Namco Bandai calls it "partnership gaming," and it's seemingly the latest trend in games -- if Enslaved and The Last Guardian are any indication. Coupled with some beautiful art, and some interesting gameplay mechanics, Majin should be a winner. But perhaps developer Game Republic isn't up to the task. While Majin is unlikely to be the train wreck that was their last project, Clash of the Titans, it's likely to find a similar fate as its (arguably) greatest hit so far -- Folklore. Like Majin, Folklore also had a rather original and intriguing concept. Yet, in spite of great art and some fun gameplay, it didn't have the polish expected of a genuine blockbuster title. Like its predecessor, Majin stumbles around greatness, but doesn't always hit the mark. I loved the various implementations of "partnership gaming" in my preview demo. You control Tepeu, but never the beast. Tepeu is a rather capable bloke, able to reach places the beast (obviously) can't. He's quite skilled with his staff, but the enemies they face have a power that renders Tepeu powerless: seeming immortality. Outside of a few stealth attacks, only the beast has the force to finish off the inky creatures, meaning Tepeu will have to use his wit to lure enemies into traps, and gain the upper hand on his foes.%Gallery-86981%
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom begins its tale November 25 in Europe
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom producer Daisuke Uchiyama announced this morning at GamesCom that the game will hugginate European retail on November 25. The game already has a scheduled North American date of November 30. Uchiyama said the "20 to 30 hour" adventure will release with DLC costumes for Majin (he's the big guy) and the boy, Tepeu, as pre-order bonuses in the States -- the costume packs will be available for download on Xbox Marketplace and PSN soon after. In Europe the costumes will depend on the country, but the plan is to release them later as separate downloadable outfits. %Gallery-97995%
Meet Majin, visit the Forsaken Kingdom on November 30
If, like us, you've been waiting patiently for your formal introduction to your giant, super-powered, super-huggable BFF Majin, now you can schedule your playdate for November 30. That's the date that Namco Bandai revealed for the North American release of Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom, Game Republic's new adventure about hanging out with the most wonderful stone giant guy ever (and also fighting or something). Join us in scouring the gallery below for any evidence of a Boy and His Blob-style hug button, won't you? We mostly see a lot of fighting in here.%Gallery-97995%
Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom trailer gives us golem envy
We know our first thought after watching this Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom trailer should be, "Wow, look at all the pretty colors," or "Hey, this looks like it's going to scratch our Ico and Beyond Good & Evil itches pretty definitively." However, our minds are only addled with raw, unchecked jealousy. How come we don't have a giant, lovable, moss-covered golem companion? We wouldn't make him fight monsters or lift gates for us. We'd only ask that he let us pet his grassy head, and occasionally ride on his back, and go on the most magical adventures together. Curse you, Namco Bandai! You knew our weakness for giant, adorable companions, and you exploited that weakness without remorse.
Namco Bandai predicts sales for Dead to Rights, Splatterhouse
During a recent investor's presentation, Namco Bandai relayed some projections for a few of its top titles -- specifically, recent releases Clash of the Titans and Dead to Rights: Retribution and upcoming Splatterhouse and Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom. The presentation is available here, though due to the fact that it's in some foreign language (what are they speaking, Klingon?), we defer to Siliconera's translation. For Clash and DtR, Namco Bandai isn't expecting either to clear a million units: each is projected to sell around 700,000 copies. That's certainly nothing to scoff at. Namco Bandai has higher hopes for Splatterhouse and Majin, however, predicting sales of one million for each. Really? A million units? Sure, we've heard that "sex sells," but charmingly bumbling monsters and bloody, deformed hockey mask-garbed behemoths? People can't possibly be into either of those things, right? [Via Siliconera]
Watch Majin and the Clever Puzzle
Despite starring a lovably clumsy-looking monster, Game Republic's Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom appears to have puzzles that require a bit of human-style finesse. In the clip above, the player commands Majin to open a gate, just the first step in luring a pack of beasts to its explosive death. And that's the big difference between Majin and your ordinary Pet Monster -- Majin will help you round up scary shadow wolf creatures, while My Pet Monster, bound in orange handcuffs, simply smiles dumbly at you. Check out two additional gameplay videos after the break, which demonstrate "Majin and the Human Catapult" and some stealthy combat. %Gallery-91015%
Majin and the Giant Collection of Screens
Click to enter the Forsaken GalleryNamco Bandai sent out a Majin-sized update for Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom, bestowing upon us forty new screenshots of the boy and his behemoth. Game Republic seems to have hit upon the secret formula for emotional resonance: the quiet-looking, overgrown ruins of stone buildings, and the pair of explorers therein, give Majin game a strong Ico vibe. Just replace Ico's reedy, ethereal princess with an enormous, moss-covered Muppet and you've got Majin. Which is fine with us -- more games should take Ico as inspiration. And to be honest, Yorda would have been way more helpful if she were twenty feet tall. %Gallery-89245%
Majin and the Forsaken Trailer
He's huge, he's covered in foliage -- he's Majin, and in this latest trailer for Maijn and the Forsaken Kingdom, we get to see him and his friend some guy fighting the evil forces that have made the kingdom so forsaken. Majin may be cuddly, but he won't hesitate to straight up drop a wall on some monsters. He will emit lightning, should the situation require it. In addition, we see that even without his BFF Majin around, the kid can do some platforming and acrobatic fighting on his own. Majin is currently scheduled to arrive on PS3 and Xbox 360 this summer.
Meet your giant new pal: Namco Bandai announces Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom
Namco Bandai has announced that it's localizing Majin: The Fallen Realm, Game Republic's action-adventure about a boy and his giant, adorable monster pal. The game, now called Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom, is expected to release in North America on both PS3 and Xbox 360 this summer. According to the publisher's press release, Majin stars a "cunning young outsider" who explores a kingdom that was mysteriously overwhelmed by a "dark force" one hundred years prior. During his travels, he meets Majin, a super-strong monster, and the two explore the kingdom together. Gameplay-wise, the player works with the AI-controlled Majin, who acquires new abilities throughout the game, as they solve puzzles, fight enemies, and navigate ruins together. Namco Bandai calls it an "emotional journey of courage and respect." %Gallery-86981%
