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More support from Namco-Bandai
Namco-Bandai's Japanese press site has unveiled that the company plans to bring two new games to the Wii platform. Though only Final Furlong was playable at E3, the company is showing strong, strong support for the fledgling console.Many are speculating on the possibility of Time Crisis 4; while the Wii is obviously capable of doing a full FPS, a lightgun game would certainly be a welcome addition. How about another Tales game, or a Baten Kaitos sequel? Oh, those crafty Japanese corporations, always keeping us in the dark. Any ideas as to what Namco's rolling out?
Mage Knight Apocalypse web site goes live
Namco Bandai Games has launched the official web site for Mage Knight Apocalypse, the action-RPG set in the popular Wizkids tabletop universe. Promising an involved storyline to go along with its hack and slash sensibilities, Apocalypse should be available by the end of the summer. Read GameSpot's recent interview with senior producer David Georgeson, and check out the trailers and gameplay vids at GameTrailers.
Trusty media for Trusty Bell
Xboxyde has posted several screenshots of Namco Bandai's upcoming game Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream. Yes, that Chopin. The game stars the tuberculous pianist and his friends Polka and Allegretto. Together, the group traverses a land where fatally ill people are given super powers. That's right, super powers. I guess any RPG for 360 is better than nothing, right? [Via 360Era]
Namco Bandai's new Xbox 360 RPG to star Chopin, the composer
Famitsu recently previewed Namco Bandai's latest project, an Xbox 360 RPG known as Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream. The game will star Frédéric François Chopin, the famed 19th century composer, along with fictional characters Polka and Allegretto, as the trio traverses a dream world where the terminally ill* (in the real world) are granted special powers. (Yep, that pretty much sums this one up. Nothing more to say here...) *Chopin died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 39.
RPGs on their way?
While the Wii has an impressive line-up of games coming its way, there isn't much in the way of RPGs. Sure, Square-Enix has announced Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles and Dragon Quest Swords, but neither are what we'd call classical role-playing experiences. But wait! There's hope!First off, on June 20th, Namco will unveil another game in their long-running Tales series. While this game is by no means confirmed for the Wii, there is a very suspicious "unannounced RPG" coming to the Wii from Namco-Bandai. Connect the dots?Along similar lines, Square-Enix has registered the name "Friends of Mana" as part of their World of Mana series, which already includes Children of Mana for the DS and Dawn of Mana for the PS2. Will it be released for the Wii? C'mon, it could happen.Maybe we're just grasping for straws, but both companies have shown strong support for the Wii. Would it be so massive a surprise if the Wii got some sword-slashing, magic missile-casting action?[via Cubed3]
Wii impressions: Final Furlong
Gimmick. Clutch the Wiimote in one hand, the nunchaku in the other, and shake your wrists up and down. You call that a game?Visually, there's nothing to hold your interest, and because all you need to do is shake, there's really no reason to watch the race. Is Namco Bandai targeting the blind demographic with this one?
Ridge Racer 7 for PS3 announced
Namco Bandai has announced that Ridge Racer 7 is in development for the PlayStation 3, and the game will be making an appearance in some form at E3 next month. That means more Reiko Nagase booth babes! It could also mean a potential spot for RR7 in the PS3's November launch lineup, although no firm release date has been set. Series vets Hideo Teramoto and Masaya Koyabashi are in charge of the project, and the newest Racer is expected to support 14-player online racing.While last year's Ridge Racer PSP received strong scores, the most recent console offerings for PS2 (RR5) and Xbox 360 (RR6) haven't fared so well. Ditto for the DS version. The PS3 will be the franchise's seventh different platform in as many years.
Soul Calibur movie rumors resurface
More than two years ago Warren Zide's Anthem Pictures scooped up the film rights to the Soul Calibur series. With the recent discovery of a teaser website, there's a possibility that the movie adaptation is now underway and set for release in 2007.According to 1UP, Anthem has teamed up with 2nd Degree Media and will shoot the film in Canada, China, and Romania. A trio of no-name producers is reportedly signed on to the project. Namco Bandai did not respond to 1UP's query.
PlayStation 3 spring launch is "impossible"
Namco Bandai president Takeo Takasu has gone public with his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the PS3's launch date. Takasu told Bloomberg, "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible." In response, Sony issued a vague rebuttal, stating, "Nothing has changed with our plans."But if Namco Bandai, a company that helped boost the PlayStation brand in the past, is still in the dark, then it's safe to assume (as recent certification setbacks have implied) that the PS3 will not launch in Japan within the next few months. But Takasu isn't necessarily concerned, just as long as Sony's next-gen console hits retail by the winter shopping holiday season.[Thanks, The1 & gaminghobo]
