NamcoBandai
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Quickspot hits us quick with some videos
A pair of fresh trailers for Quickspot have been uploaded over at IGN, giving us a better sense of direction in regards to where this game is headed. Just about the same thing as those games in the corner of the bar that ask you to spot the differences in two pictures, we imagine Quickspot will be a lot cheaper solution to those of you who like to spend almost all of your paycheck on those things. Of course, IGN doesn't allow their videos to be embedded, so you'll have to head here to get an eyeful.
Metareview: Trioncube
With news that Trioncube has gone gold, the press have started to receive their copies of the title and weigh in on its value. So far, from what is being said by these critics, the game doesn't offer much to distinguish itself from the bunch and falls in line as a generic puzzler. This saddens us, as not only are we puzzle junkies, but we're ... well, that's it, really. We're just puzzle junkies.So, what did the press say? NTSC-UK (70/100) says the game is a melting pot of great features: "Trioncube's mesmerisingly spartan yet compulsive gameplay, married to the charming presentation, indelible soundtrack and reward trail, often confect to make this feel like a honeyed breath of fresh air." [JPN Import] Nintendo Power (55/100) does not find the game to be unique at all: "The alternate name for falling-piece puzzler Trioncube could be My First Tetris." [Mar. 2007, p.89] Edge Magazine (50/100) finds the game lacking the essential cruelty that comes with puzzle games: "Without the challenge and cruelty that can make a classic, the results here are likeable, confident, and nowhere near essential." [Mar 2007, p.86] GamePro (50/100) thinks the game doesn't bring much to the table: "Trioncube doesn't offer much for a puzzle game. There's little depth or difficulty to be found, and while the odd story is surprisingly entertaining, it isn't enough to keep you playing for long."
Tales of Phantasia 2 for DS?
Rumor alert! NamcoBandai is allegedly planning a load of new, and new-ish, games in their Tales series for Nintendo consoles. The rumor gives titles for three new (potential) games, one of which is headed for the DS. If internet rumormongering is to be believed, Namco is working on a 2D sequel to the oft-ported Tales of Phantasia. We can't comment on the veracity of the rumor's specifics, but it seems likely that more Tales games are headed, in abundance, to every platform that Japanese gamers like. Not only has the series already made its dual-screened debut, RPG-spamming has been their modus operandi since before the DS was popular. Now that the most popular console in Japan by far is also the cheapest to develop for (being a handheld), continuing the trend seems like a Tale of the Obvious.
Two new Tales games for Wii?
Rumor has it that NamcoBandai is planning two new games in their popular Tales series-- well, one new game and one new-ish game-- for the Wii. The PS2 Tales of the Abyss, as the Internet would have us believe, will get an upgraded port on the Wii, with new content and improved loading. In addition, a new game called Tales of Harmony is possibly in the works, which will take place 10 minutes (!) after the end of Tales of the Abyss. Get 'em both (if they're real) and you've got an epic RPG marathon!For unattributable rumors, they seem awfully specific, which makes them either more credible ... or credible enough fakes that we will reward the con artists responsible by believing them. We choose to believe, because the Wii could use some Japanese RPGs! We think that the one-handed Wiimote would be a great, relaxing way to play an RPG.
Magnetism-based monster collecting game from Namco Bandai
A DS game is on its way to Japan featuring something new to a Nintendo system -- a gimmick. Entitled Treasure Gaust: Gaust Diver (and coming in "Crimson Red" and "Deep Blue" versions -- thanks for that trend, Pokémon), the game is based on a popular Japanese handheld toy that requires kids to hunt magnetic fields; when they find one, it apparently generates some kind of trainable monster (thanks for that trend too, Pokémon.) Insert Credit, in their report on the game, equated it with the old Barcode Battler toy, which made Campbell's Soup labels mm, mm, powerful for like one whole summer.While we question the wisdom in training children to intentionally expose their electronics to magnets, we love the idea of using video games to give little practical physics lessons, and we love the idea of tying the real world into gameplay in unexpected ways. This game makes a nice companion piece to the momentum-based Wii game we're working on, TV Buster.[via Insert Credit]
Gundam Seed Rengou vs Z.A.F.T.
The Magic Box has reported that Namco Bandai's Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs Z.A.F.T. Portable (that's a mouthful of a game title) will be hitting Japan on April 5th of this year for 5040 yen. The series was originally on the PS2, but its PSP version will have 2 on 2 team battle that can be played by a single player or 2-4 players via Ad-Hoc. The mech action game is based around the world from Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, one of the most loved versions in all of the Gundam series. Feel free to import the game when it's released if you're a Gundam fan since the PSP has no region lock.
Katamari Damacy to roll trash balls on the interweb... trippy
If you can't get enough of the lovable (if difficult to understand!) Katamari Damacy franchise, you might just have your prayers answered. According to 4Gamer, a Japanese gaming website, the next game is getting hauled over to the PC thanks to publisher WindySoft. Dubbed Katamari Damacy Online, it's due out by late 2007.The online aspect of the game basically seems to revolve around the versus mode battles from the previous titles and planting them in an online scenario. You've got "pet" and "house" stuff to collect and unlock, you can build your own island (perhaps from the very crap you roll into a ball) and get new clothing along your journey.Now, you may be wondering, where does the PS3 tie into this? Isn't this about the PlayStation losing another game to a different platform? Not entirely. Apparently, this deal was struck so Namco-Bandai could get their feet wet in the Korean market, where this game is being developed. If you've been paying attention, Namco and Sony have formed Cellius, where "Cellius will use Sony's Cell chip, which powers PlayStation 3, to create games for the console and content for mobile phones and personal computers." Hmm, is anyone else connecting the dots? Sure, the dots aren't clearly black against a white background, but if the public of Japan and America demand it, perhaps this "Cellius" will distribute KDO to the rest of the world. Anyone agree, disagree, want to roll up some suburban neighborhood into a giant ball of doom?
Do not be alarmed: it's only iDOLM@STER
As one of the Xbox 360's most elusive exclusives, Namco Bandai's Japanese juggernaut The Idolmaster seems to strike a chord with just about every person that comes across it, be it good or bad. While some folk seem to embrace it's cheesy pop trappings and obsessive management gameplay, others flee in the opposite direction out of fear of being caught in an episode of To Catch a Predator.Heavens to Murgatroid! What a terrible reputation!To settle the score on The Idolmaster once and for all, the internet's own Dom Nguyen ventured to Nagoya, Japan and returned with a detailed report on his Idolmaster experience. The deeply involved community. Accidentally punching your idol in the ear. The official Idolmaster towel. Everything you've wanted to know about the sim that has Japanese tweens by the throat, all in a lovely photo blog. Consider yourself learned.
Hellgate: London bound for 360?
During an interview with Next Gen, Namco Bandai's Zach Karlsson speaks to the possibility of Hellgate: London arriving on the Xbox 360. Hellgate, for those who don't know, is sort of a hybrid shooter/MMO for PC. First of all, Karlsson notes that Namco Bandai is looking for a good multiplayer game to bring to consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3. He notes that the online space is essentially a platform in and of itself, thanks to the ease of portability between PC and 360. Next Gen then asks Karlsson if a 360 version of Hellgate is forthcoming. He doesn't confirm it, but states that it is very likely. Given the company's focus on the "online platform" and that EA -- the game's co-publisher -- typically extends its franchises as far as possible, it's definitely looking good.[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Hellgate London 'might' be subscription-based [update 1]
Flagship Studios' Hellgate: London will share many similarities with the typical MMO, including a subscription fee. Make no mistake, Hellgate's online component won't be a string of PvP deathmatch servers, no, included in the multiplayer experience will be an expansive social system that includes guilds and raid-type gameplay.Online, Hellgate will feature all of the single-player missions, plus additional modes, primarily focusing on group PvE instances -- limited PvP gameplay will be available at launch. Additional content will be continually provided by a dedicated team of developers. Sure sounds like an MMO, no?Update: Co-publisher EA has stated that the online pricing model has not been officially decided (more here).
Ms. Pac-Man waka wakas XBLA this week
Okay, we're prepared to accept all the cries of "hypocrite!" when we say this, but we're excited to announce that Ms. Pac-Man is this week's Xbox Live Arcade release. Normally we trash retro offerings, but as retro games go, it doesn't get much better than Ms. Pac-Man. The superior sequel to Pac-Man (duh), Ms. Pac-Man ups the ante with more speed, more levels, moving fuit, and, um, a bow. We kind of wish Namco had released Ms. Pac-Man to begin with, but then how would they ever have sold us Pac-Man? The game drops this Wednesday and will be available for 400 points. Check out the "read" link for more screen shots.You may now proceed with the shouting.
Didn't Namco already make this game?
If Shanda's Rolling Ball isn't a trademark violation then we don't know what is. Slap a green Martian suit on this kid and the image is indistinguishable from Katamari Damacy. How long before Namco's lawyers make the call to Shanda headquarters?FYI: Shanda is a Shanghai-based publisher that specializes in online games.[Thanks chen]
Trick Sony, download Tekken 5
GamersReports has posted a workaround for PlayStation 3 owners eager to download Tekken 5.Unless you're living in Hong Kong or Japan you're forced to wait until Sony gets around to releasing Tekken 5 in other territories ... or you could cheat the system. This trick is relatively simple, if not inherently dishonest: Create a new user (not sub-user) When entering the credit card info, pick Hong Kong as country, and then a corresponding city After account is created, select 'Add Funds' (a sub-option within 'Account Management') Add $40 (Hong Kong dollars) to your 'Wallet' twice (total should now be 80 HKD); never add more than $50 in one transaction, as this will prompt a validation of the address registered with the credit card Now go to the PlayStation Store and select Tekken 5 Opt to add more funds (bringing Wallet total to 125 HKD) Purchase and download Tekken 5 Sony is no doubt taking measures to lock out this workaround as you read this. Act now if you must. Our advice: sit patient and wait for the official worldwide releases.
Hands-on with Trioncube
Those lucky buggers at GameSpot got their hands on Trioncube, the weird and wacky puzzler headed out next year from Namco-Bandai, and they've got one thing to say -- sure, you may be stacking blocks in Trioncube, but the game takes it beyond regular old blocks. It's quirky. But didn't we know that from the screenshots? Flying cow heads don't exactly scream tame.Unfortunately, they haven't got much to add to what we already knew. Their additions? Whimsical audio, sparse visuals (sparse cow heads?), and it's addictive. Well, Trioncube is a puzzler. If it's in any way playable, it's probably addictive.And yet, even this slimmest of slim previews makes us yearn for the game. We need a good puzzler. Is it February yet?
Legend of Heroes III announced for US audiences
Just like Bleach on the PSP, some franchises seem to get new versions on a much too frequent basis. Such is the case for Namco Bandai's upcoming US release of Falcom's latest RPG, Legend of Heroes III: Song of the Ocean. The series hasn't been too strong at earning critical acclaim, but it doesn't seem like most PSP RPGs can. Considering how PSP owners will have to wait quite a while before either Crisis Core or Final Fantasy Tactics come out, will the latest Legend of Heroes be able to satisfy the RPG urge? We'll find out when it comes out in January.See more screenshots after the cut.See also:Legend of Heroes trailer
Namco-Bandai may be in trouble -- needs 500k games sold
Sony isn't the only one rolling the dice on this generation of gaming -- third party developers are feeling the sting as well. Notably, Namco-Bandai claims to need sales of 500,000 units per game before they turn a profit on PS3 titles. These titles include the well-reviewed Ridge Racer 7 and the pile of... well... you know that is Mobile Suit Gundam. What trash. According to an article over at Bloomberg, graphics alone for high-def games cost about $8.6 million dollars -- around one billion yen. For graphics. One billion. Shoot me... that's insane. Don't actually shoot me, please.A major concern for third party developers not meeting their profit margin is the fact that the number of units may not be what Sony intended -- in fact, the numbers of units is far, far less. We know that Sony is concentrating more on first-party titles for now and with this in mind, we've got a decent hypothesis. What if Sony knows they have too few units out right now for third parties to reel in profits, so they're keeping third parties at bay for now? It would explain why they're releasing mostly first party games -- it only "hurts" Sony. Not others. Yeah, it's pretty far-fetched, but it would be the "right" thing to do.
Metareview - Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire
Logic demands that each launch lineup will inevitably feature a "worst" title; the weakest link. This time around, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire is that game (Genji has narrowly escaped this fate).We pity thle poor fellow who errantly added Gundam to his launch day shopping cart; or worse, the one who will be forced to feign appreciation after discovering this grotesque creation lurking beneath the wrapping paper. Please folks, inform your potential holiday gift-givers. GameSpot (39/100) - "Even if you could get past the horrid frame rate problems, lackluster presentation, and lack of online multiplayer, the gameplay in Crossfire is practically identical to the half-dozen or more Gundam games that appeared on the PlayStation 2. If you're looking for a game to show off what your PlayStation 3 is capable of, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire should be your last choice of all the launch titles." Game Informer (38/100) - "Imagine that you've worked hard and saved for years, and finally bought the luxury sports car of your dreams. You open the door and get in for the first time, carefully adjust the mirrors, program the radio and then, once you're comfortable, take a giant dump on the seat ... That's essentially what you're doing if you spend the money on a fancy new PS3 and choose this as your launch game of choice ... I have nothing positive to say about this game. I even hate the menu screen." 1UP (20/100) - "So, the story is nonexistent, the gameplay is a joke, and the controls are unresponsive. Could Crossfire get any worse? Unfortunately, that's a resounding 'yes.' Poor level design cripples any hopes of enjoyment ... The game is an embarrassment to the Gundam name, and raises suspicions that it was rushed for the PS3 launch."
Dig Dug inflates XBLA, pops it
After some mystery regarding its release date on Xbox.com, Namco's classic arcade title Dig Dug is finally on Xbox Live Arcade, joining other Namco arcade classic titles like Pac-Man and Galaga. After Doom's surprise release two week's ago and last week's Vision cam freebie, Totem Ball, Dig Dug is a return to everyone's least favorite XBLA additions. 400 Microsoft Points ($5 USD) nets you a game you've played dozens of times.So what have they done to entice cynical, reticent gamers? Well, they've added 720p HD support, some XBL Achievements, and the obligatory online Leaderboards, but don't expect any online multiplayer (we're sure they could have come up with something). The only two titles left sitting on the "Coming Soon" list are Contra and Lumines Live!, both with unlisted dates. Who's gonna be next?[image credit: i am 8-bit]
Joystiq hands-on: Ridge Racer 7 (PS3)
Namco Bandai's Ridge Racer 7 is gorgeous. After 36 minutes of waiting in line and 13 seconds of loading screens, we got a chance to play a track of one of the few PS3 games running in 1080p. The attention to detail is impressive, including: Taillights blur and stretch while in tunnels Effective shadowing and reflections against your car When nitro is activated, giant flames blast out from the back of your car and the environments blur accordingly. One thing we noticed was that you could not damage your car -- not by running into other cars, skidding against the side rails, or ramming straight into a wall. And while all tires left tracks, they would disappear by the next lap.Everything else is what you'd expect from a racing game. Is it incredibly realistic? Not really, but the game was still pretty fun, and one of the few titles that pushed the PS3s graphics capabilities. Favorite moment: Everyone in line, myself include, finished the race by drifting our cars to the point where we crossed the finish line backwards.
TGS: XBLA hits Tokyo with Contra and friends
Tucked in Microsoft's TGS press release announcing 1080p support and Japanese HD-DVD info, was a short bit on Xbox Live Arcade's presence at TGS. They revealed the following list of Konami and Namco Bandai titles: Contra Gyruss (previously unannounced) Dig Dug Track & Field New Rally-X (previously unannounced) Rush'n Attack (previously unannounced) Ms. Pac-Man Yie Ar Kung Fu: a "Japan-exclusive Xbox Live Arcade game" and "one of the very first fighting games" will be released in 2007 Some of these we've known about, others we've seen before (Contra was at Microsoft's E3 event, and, oh yeah, it's also ingrained in our consciousness), but there are some interesting additions, including a Japan-exclusive title. Our question is, why is Konami wasting their time with some of these games when all we want are those classic Konami beat 'em ups? You're sitting on a gold mine Konami! Seriously, you're sitting on it. Get up and let us at it. Microsoft's TGS press briefing:Xbox 360 to add 1080p support, PS3 to lose bullet pointHD-DVD add-on hits Japan Nov. 17th for ¥19,800Blue Dragon hits Japan this holiday
