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Drum Master DS to rock Japan this Summer
You've heard it was coming, took a gander at some screens and even seen some video of it in action. So, you're probably wondering just when you'll be able to get your hands on the game, right? Well, Japan will be receiving it this Summer, but for everyone else, that's still undetermined. Hopefully, we'll get it sometime this year also.Of course, Europe will probably get it in 2010 (sorry, guys).
Gundam comes to America, gets a silly title
According to IGN, Namco Bandai confirmed today that Gundam Musou will be released in North America under the new moniker Dynasty Warriors: Gundam. It is scheduled to come out towards the end of summer on both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 platforms. The game sold well in Japan, but not up to Namco Bandai's expectations. They had expected it to have an attach rate of over 50% though, which seems a tad high for this game. So maybe they were being a bit overly optimistic. Regardless though, it makes sense that they would expand the release market to increase their revenue return. Hopefully this will be better than their previous PS3 Gundam attempt. The Japanese reviews were favorable, and the Dynasty Warrior games have always been a guilty pleasure of mine, but the graphics don't look real hot and the DW formula has grown a little stale. Also that new name bugs the hell out of me. It's descriptive sure, but it makes me think of this guy.
Keep up the neighbours with four player Drum Master
Namco Bandai have announced that Taiko: Drum Master will feature a four player mode in its forthcoming DS incarnation. Previously popular in the arcades and on PS2, the rhythm action title is based on Taiko, the Japanese drum. The game will support download play from one cart, so maybe you'll want to start persuading a friend to head down to your local import shop. Players can drum along to a variety of musical styles, ranging from Jpop to classical via the theme from Super Mario Brothers. You'll also be able to customise your drum with a selection of cute costumes. With this due out in summer, and Ouendan 2 on its way soon, it looks like rhythm action fans are in for a treat over the coming weeks.Screens after the break.
Giant stompy Gundam scans
These may not be the newest Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 scans, but they are big and beautiful ... much like the mecha themselves. In fact, it seems to be the full set from last week, but now that we can get the full picture, along with the gameplay footage we've seen, we're starting to get a little excited. We feel a powerful need to slice and dice, and not in the Cooking Mama-sort of way.
Rock 'em sword 'em robots
It's a Gundam!! Namco Bandai has launched the official site for its recently-announced Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 title. Set to hit Japanese stores this July 28th, the 20-plus-year-old franchise shows no signs of slowing down with its second game for the Wii console in just a few months. We spotted footage of the FPS in action at the teaser page, and have embedded them for your mecha-loving enjoyment after the post break. The barren setting looks unimpressive, but the videos give you a good idea of how the Wii remote will be used for melee combat and aiming with ranged weapons. Judging by what we've seen so far, Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 might be our first chance to finally wield something resembling a lightsaber on the Wii!
X3F has more Pac-Man to give away
Update: This contest is now over. For a list of winners, click here.Were your hopes dashed earlier today when we revealed the winner of yesterday's Pac-Man giveaway? Were your spirits crushed? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then we have a nice fat ray of sunshine for you! We've scored 6 additional copies of Pac-Man to give away and we're not wasting any time. The rules are the same as yesterday. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Tomorrow, we'll select 6 winners at random. We'd like to thank Gamerscore Blog and Uncle Gamer for hooking us up with these fresh download codes. Also, if you're still not happy with the improved odds that 6 copies bring to the table, you can hit up Xbox MVP, Mordeux, who has three copies to give away. There's so much free Pac-Man floating around, it's insane.What are you waiting for? Get commenting!General contest stuff: Only one entry per person. Winners will be chosen at random using a number generator at Random.org. Winners will be contacted via email with individual download codes.
Namco Bandai releases new screens for Space Station Tycoon
The good folks at Namco Bandai sent us a press release today, chock full of fresh new screens for the upcoming Wii title Space Station Tycoon. Developed by the folks behind the Xbox Live Arcade title Outpost Kaloki X, the game's announcement certainly piqued our interest and these latest screens, which are available past the break, only increase our desire to play this game.[Via press release]
Smash Court Tennis: for boys and girls
Namco is promoting their new PSP exclusive tennis game, Smash Court Tennis, with a strange emphasis on gender. The game allows you to create your own tennis star, male or female. As these videos show, the character customization looks to be rather deep, something that can be easily appreciated in games. The graphics certainly represent the sport quite well; let's hope the gameplay can do the same.
Taiko Drum Master headed to DS
Poor Sony. First we stole Crash Bandicoot, and now it's Taiko Drum Master, which previously appeared (outside of the arcade) on the PS2. But the move only makes sense, for a number of reasons; in 2004, the PS2 was on top. Now it's the DS, and publishers can't fit their popular properties on the dual-screened handheld quickly enough. Second of all ... it's a rhythm game, and as we've seen, there's really no better platform for rhythm games. Namco Bandai is trying to be all secretive about the controls, but let's see ... rhythm game ... DS ... anyone out there have any idea how this might work? If you said "touch screen," you're probably correct. If you said something else, like "donkey face" or "mudpie," you might want to check for, uh, insanity. Or something.Game|Life's Chris Kohler has a translation of the partial songlist from the Japanese version (including the Mario theme!), which is set for this summer. There are also a couple of scans, and you can check those out after the jump.
Because we love you, free Pac-Man from X3F
We enjoy nothing more than giving away free stuff. Well, we might enjoy late night walks on the beach just a little bit more, but that's beside the point. The point is this, Godfree over at Gamertag Radio was nice enough to hook us up with a free download of Pac-Man for Xbox Live Arcade. In celebration of the upcoming Pac-Man World Championship, we're giving it away to one lucky commenter. Yeah, we know. It's a retro game and we only have one copy, but it's free! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Tomorrow, we'll pick a comment at random and email the download code to the author. Couldn't be simpler. If the odds of winning our single copy frighten you, don't forget that The Xbox Domain is giving away 5 copies. Good luck.General contest stuff: Only one entry per person. Winner will be chosen at random using a number generator at Random.org. Winner will be contacted via email with the download code.
Gundam 0079 revealed, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core announced
We have yet to get the first Gundam game in the US, and Bandai Namco is already moving on to another one. Whereas SD Gundam SCAD Hammers used the pudgy lil' SD Gundam characters, this one is based on Gundam 0079, which is serious business. We've got a scan featuring the first images from the game after the break.Also announced, but not yet shown, was a Wii version of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core-- this is apparently 2D Fighter Announcement Week. We're a little scared to see how a precise 2d fighting game will use the Wiimote, and we're hoping that we can skirt the issue with configurable Classic Controller functionality. At least until Hori gets around to releasing a wireless joystick.
Beautiful Katamari website frightens children
Finally confirmed last week, the official website for Beautiful Katamari Damacy is now open. The website is covered with Japanese Kanji, so don't expect to get too much out of it aside from the freaky, freaky pictures. Those familiar with the game will feel right at home. Those unfamiliar with the game, however, are likely to feel a creeping sense of dread. There are some new screenshots available on the site. Search them out if you dare. If, on the other hand, you'd rather not delve into this colorful website of madness, you can always check out our Beautiful Katamari gallery.Anyone looking forward to facing the fear and giving this game a spin?[Via Joystiq]
First Beautiful Katamari screens roll out
Officially confirmed earlier this week, the first screens of Beautiful Katamari Damacy are rolling in (see what we did there?). The handful of screens show off what we've all grown to love about Katamari Damacy: giant balls of stuff. The image above contains a katamari that has grown to a size of over 7,000 kilometers. The second shot displays a much more diminutive katamari (only 13 centimeters tall). Of course, Katamari Damacy shots wouldn't be complete without a rainbow enveloped shot of the King of All Cosmos. Hit the "read" link to check out all three new shots.
Tales of the World: new mythical screens
Namco Bandai continues teasing us with new screens from Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology. These screens showcase some popular guest stars from previous Tales games, and also the new character creation mode. We also received a video that raised some concerns: it sounded like the original voice actors from the previous Tales games are not being used. Check out the rest of the screens, and a new video, after the break.
Beautiful Katamari in Famitsu, but no sign of Wii [update 1]
There's a beautiful set of scans on Beautiful Katamari from the most recent Famitsu, but there's no sign of anything Wii-related; all the news is about the PS3 and the 360. It's enough to make a Nintendo fan weep. We want to roll up big balls and hear the screams of the city folk. We want to roll our big balls online, and we want to use our Wii remotes. What gives? Throw us a bone here, people! Does this mean the rumors are dead? Not at all; the game is only half-completed, after all, and from the scans, we can't pick out any reason to avoid the Wii and we don't seem to be alone in that sentiment; many of the comments at Jeux France seem to share that view. Let's hope that, as Beautiful Katamari nears completion, the folks at Namco Bandai figure out that there is extraordinary demand for a Wii Katamari.[Update 1: That was fast! Looks like we were tossed a bone after all 1UP has the following quote from Jun Moriwaki, director of Beautiful Katamari. "The Wii is also one of our platform choices .... However, the controller for Wii is quite unique so being able to overcome the different issues will be the key." That'll do, director. You go work on that, and we'll be waiting.]
Beautiful Katamari Damacy confirmed for PS3 & Xbox 360, not Wii
Though series creator Keita Takahashi never intended to roll his Katamari into a deflated mass of has-been ingenuity, according to the latest Famitsu scoop, Namco Bandai is content to do so without him. As rumored, the Japanese publisher will revisit the katamari concept for a fourth time, now on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Director Jun Moriwaki has also expressed interest in adapting the series for DS and PC (using a keyboard), but remains reluctant about a Wii version. Moriwaki explained that Wii's controller presents certain difficulties that the dev team has yet to overcome. Update: 1UP has posted Moriwaki's comments about a possible Wii version: "The Wii is also one of our platform choices... However, the controller for Wii is quite unique so being able to overcome the different issues will be the key."Dubbed Beautiful Katamari Damacy, this new version won't reinvent the sticky ball, but will super-size it. Famitsu reportedly displays a katamari growing to 10,000-km proportions (Earth is just 2,742 km larger). Beautiful will also introduce online play, likely featuring co-op and competitive modes. Famitsu reports that the game is roughly 50% complete, but still without a release date in Japan.
XBLA Pac-Man world championship next week!
Fancy yourself to be pretty good at Pac-Man? Are you really good, like "best in the world" good? Microsoft and Namco Bandai have announced the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. The initial tournament period will begin on April 25th and last through May 9th. On April 25th the Xbox Live Arcade leaderboards for Pac-Man will be reset and registered gamers will compete for high score. The 9 highest scoring players from around the world will be flown to New York City on June 5th for the final round. Additionally, Pac-Man fans in the US and Canada can compete in the Pac-Man FANatic contest, in which participants will create videos demonstrating why they are the biggest Pac-Man fans around. The winner of the FANatic contest will also be flown to New York as a wildcard entrant (where we imagine he will be instantly eliminated by much more skilled players). We're hoping along with Joystiq that some of the best video entries will wind up on Marketplace.The winner of this grand finale will be crowned by the creator of Pac-Man himself, Toru Iwatani.More details and a few caveats after the break.
Love! New Smash Court Tennis screens
Ready for a game of tennis? Namco Bandai recently sent us some new screenshots from their upcoming PSP-exclusive Smash Court Tennis, and it certainly looks like ... well, tennis. At the very least, this game will feature Game Sharing, so friends can play against each other with just one UMD. Namco's support of this feature has been quite nice, as it can also be found in the upcoming Naruto fighter. Now, if only Namco can combine these two great tastes into one game: Smashing Naruto Ultimate Ninja Tennis Heroes, anyone?
Fast & the Furious: too little, too late
Really Namco? You're making a Fast and the Furious game for PSP? We're sorry to be rough on you, but we don't believe anyone really cares. We're busy trying to debunk myths about our favorite handheld, and attempts to repackage bad PS2 ports from yesteryear with "new" features on PSP simply won't cut the mustard. No amount of additional content will save this recently gold game from disaster, unless the core gameplay lives up to our high standards. We're being mean, but PSP fans are smarter now, and we expect more from our games.You can check out the offending press release, after the break.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes comes to US this summer
Believe it! The popular anime franchise is finally getting a PSP game. Ultimate Ninja Heroes will allow Naruto fans to assemble a team of three characters (out of a roster of 20) to duke it out against another team of three. Pairings must be thought through carefully, as new abilities will be unearthed based on character combinations. An interesting idea, to say the least. According to 1UP, the fighter is supposedly exclusive to the US, with no Japanese release planned at the moment. But, Heroes looks suspiciously like the Japanese PSP Naruto game, so we're going to take that bit with a grain of salt.Ultimate Ninja Heroes will hit PSP systems this summer. Check out 1UP for more details, and some breathtaking pictures of the game.
