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Katamari minigame rolls into town
If you've either: a) not played Katamari Damacy because you don't have a PS2 or b) not played Katamari Damacy because you're a grump and the whimsical nature of the game makes you want to hurt something--preferably a kitten--then now's your chance to get a little taste without plunking down for the whole experience. The Japanese Katamari Damacy website has a cute flash-based minigame where, you guessed it, you have to roll stuff up into a ball. Sure, it doesn't capture the toy-like feel of the 3D game, the weight and momentum of your katamari isn't as realistic, but for a free webgame, she ain't bad.[Thanks, White Rose Duelist]
Tekken Dark Resurrection details for PSP [Update 2]
Yes, a non-2D fighter is coming to the PSP, and its name is Tekken Dark Resurrection. The summer Japanese release will drop the 5 from its title--the arcade incarnation was known as Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection--but add a number of features such as time attack, practice mode, and mini-games, as well as Ad-Hoc wireless multiplayer. Also included will be the two arcade-original characters Dragonuv and Lili (along with updated stages and hopefully more items for character customization), which could make this purchase a bit more worthwhile for owners of the PS2 version of Tekken 5, a game that has taken its lumps with its victories. For fuzzy pics of the best game starring ursine and marsupial fighters, check out the GAF forums for a few timely scans. Maybe we'll finally catch a glimpse of Jet Li as an in-game "boxer" (well, probably one of the Tekken fighters) when it gets closer to the movie's release date. Maybe. [Update: Clearer screenshots have now been released by Gpara and Watch Impress, so a few prettier pics have been posted below as well. Thanks, Tim! Official pics are available as well. Thanks, creamsugar!] [Thanks, Jon D, Agent X, & Kevin]
Katamari checkboook wants to roll up purchases into your life
These Katamari Damacy-themed checks are much cooler than the Garfield checks plain blue checks I have! They feature the Prince, his Katamari, and the note: "HELLO I AM A CHECK PLZ CASH ME LOL / KATAMARI DO YOUR BEST ^_^."I want a Katamari-themed debit card; seriously, who uses checks anymore? That's rhetorical, you don't have to answer it.[Thanks, Jory; via BoingBoing]
Frame City Killer not killing until Summer
For those of us looking forward to playing as the mysterious assassin named Crow in Namco's (already delayed) Frame City Killers, we'll now have to wait until summer. Of course, this is the part where we say its a good sign that developers are spending more time refining their games instead of releasing garbage... but it doesn't help. We'll have to wait a little while longer before we see anything running Unreal Engine 3.[Via Joystiq]
Official We Love Katamari Damacy T-Shirts
Namco, the Japanese game development company behind Pac-Man, Tekken and Ridge Racer, and Panic, the company behind several excellent Mac software titles (Apple in fact asked them to create the underlying software for what was to become iTunes - Panic turned them down) seem at first slightly odd partners to create licensed T-shirts together. But once you realise that Keita Takahashi, the creator of the cult hit We Love Katamari Damacy was part of the decision, the partnership is totally understandable. According to a press release, Panic called up Namco saying "we loved the game and amazingly, Takahashi thought it'd make a great partnership, both of us outsiders in our respective fields. That's about it!" So there you have it - the first line of official We Love Katamari Damacy T-shirts. The shirts along with the official soundtrack "are the only goods he's ever approved for manufacture." The $24.95 shirts will be in short supply until after Christmas (we've heard that one before) and are currently only available in Japan, Korea, Canada and the U.S. [Thanks, Daniel and Mikey]
Soul Calibur III to (not) come to the 360?
In the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, it was rumored that Soul Calibur III would be making its way to the Xbox 360 as a special edition next spring, with "prettier scenery... and at least one or two exclusive characters," but probably no online play. (What-even with next-gen Live?) Contrary to this hearsay, however, comes word from netjak.com that Namco reps who have spoken to the series creator specifically about this issue have denied any plans for a 360 version of SCIII, special edition or not. Rumors are rumors, but prospective 360 owners who love their 3D fighters are hoping the Soul series creator is seriously out of touch this time (or simply very good at keeping secrets). SCIV wouldn't be a bad consolation prize, though. [Thanks, Martez]
The skinny on Soul Calibur III's music man
Pro-G recently scored a Q&A session with Junichi Nakatsuru, the sound director for Soul Calibur III. They discuss everything from playing trombone in a high school brass band to the future of gaming music. The highlight of course, is when Nakatsuru reveals his most embarrassing musical moment... playing the air keyboard at a live concert after his equipment malfunctioned. [Thanks, JamesO]
Donkey Konga bongos on sale for $10 at EBGames.com
[UPDATE: Ah, back to $19.99. Sigh... Thanks, Steven.] This sale comes and goes with some regularity these days, but if you've got a hankering for some bongo drummin' (whether for Donkey Konga or Jungle Beat on the GameCube), then check out this product page for some new $9.99 drums at EBgames.com. Throw in a cheap used game or two for free shipping (and a discount on the used goods with SAVER and CAG15 codes, as well as an Edge card if you've got one), and you've got the makings of a pretty decent drumming circle for Cube-enabled homes. The only questions that remain now are whether Odama will still support the drums for its military pinball game, and whether the Revolution will still support traditional GameCube controllers and their ports. Even people who don't own GameCubes (namely, this post's author) salivate at the possibilities. Only 92 left (as of 9:35 PM ET)! Of course, hoarding for profit is strongly discouraged; 4-player drumming, on the other hand, is something we roundly applaud. (Just don't forget to pick up a game to play with 'em!) [Via CAG (registration required); thanks, Doylerulez and Tricky]
We Love Katamari review round-up
The sequel to the quirky cult-hit Katamari Damacy hits stores tomorrow. We Love Katamari promises more of the same. But has the novelty worn off? Or are you fiending for this new fix? Current reviews: 1UP (85) Cheat Code Central (90) Edge Magazine (80) EuroGamer (90) IGN (80) GamePro (80) GameSpot (84) netjak (97) PSM Magazine (90) Siliconera (85) [via Metacritic]
Taiko Drum Master set is $20 at BestBuy.com; buy it now!
Last night, we received word from the ever resourceful CAG forums (registration required) that the Taiko Drum Master bundle with drum peripheral was on sale for $19.99 at BestBuy.com. If you've never played Taiko Drum Master, it's one of the best rhythm/music party games you can find for the PS2. Think of it as a cross between DDR and Donkey Konga... all right, Namco made Donkey Konga for Nintendo, too, but Taiko's played with two sticks, just like the real Japanese instruments! [UPDATE: online stock sold out. Thanks, Peak. Try in-store?]
We Love Katamari coming to America... with bad box art!
Puzzle game may seem like a strange genre to squeeze junk-rolling oddball Katamari Damacy into, but I guess that's the closest approximation to categorizing the most lovable (yet darkly foreboding) game I've played. Well, the sequel, We Love Katamari, is finally making it to American shores next month, and I'm sure you're joining me in holding your breath until the day it's released, too. The only thing I'm not waiting for is the currently planned U.S. box art. One word: UGH! Compared to the original's surreal Western packaging (or the serene version of the Japanese CD soundtrack), this version actually cries out for some focus-group testing (on an almost original Xbox-controller level). Compare this with even the sequel's Japanese (or even Korean) covers in this preview from early August (see the actual art planned there), and I think you'll agree that something's amiss with Namco's American marketing team. People are angry, and they aren't gonna take it anymore! Considering all the speaking engagements Katamari's creator has had since the release of the original, it's hard for me to believe this relative artistic stinker made it through the publisher's approval process. Personally, this illustration belongs on the back of the game case, not the front. Can anyone throw together an insert mod for me? [UPDATE: Hopefully, you didn't mistake the joke image I found online and included with my post above with the genuine article that can be found below. Just in case you didn't take the time to examine it, the joke image reads: "We Boycott Katamari.") If you missed it in my post, take a look at the officially planned, but still atrocious image ripped from GameFly below, and feel your raw hate begin to rise to new heights (don't say we didn't warn you): http://www.1up.com/do/imageDisplay?id=2176237] [via gewgaw]
Namco launches Soul Calibur III site
Namco have launched the official site for their latest game in the Soul Calibur series, Soul Calibur III. The flash site gives a rundown of the game's story (obviously not the biggest concern for fighting games), custom character creation function as well as video clips of the game in action. The title will be available exclusively on the PlayStation 2 platform from October 25th this year. So if you wanted to know Soul Calibur fighter Taki's height and favorite weapon (it's two ninja swords by the way) then get on over to the flashy flash site.
EA rolls over Katamari, nabs co-publishing rights
We love Katamari. The same can't be sad for EA. But honestly, this isn't as bad as it sounds. Namco has signed a deal with EA to co-publish "We Love Katamari" in Europe. Which means, yes, EA will be making a fast buck, er euro, but it will also help Katamari reach the hearts of Europeans throughout the territories. Everyone's a winner, right? [via Pro-G]
Soul Calibur III non-exclusive?
UPDATE: As of 10:13 or so, GameStop has taken down the link. So the mysterious, I suppose will linger on a bit longer until an official announcement is made. Thanks, CapAmerica for the tip. A few very observant readers have noted that GameStop is now accepting pre-orders for Soul Calibur III on the Xbox (which, it claims, will be playable on Xbox Live). No release date is set (though the PlayStation 2 version is still scheduled for October 25th), and there is no confirmation from Namco on whether or not this is true or just wishful thinking on GameStop's part. I'd bet it's true, since the game sold pretty well on all three consoles (no word on a GameCube port just yet) and Namco is a company, so naturally it's going to want a profit. Sony might get an exclusive on the game for a few months, but never fear - sooner or later it's bound to hit at least one other console. [Thanks, master x 24 and Efren Abrego]
1UP spotlights Katamari sequel
The lucky folk in Japan have gotten their sweaty, eager hands on the Katamari sequel, while we have to wait. BOO! All we can do is read about the game for now. (Import not withstanding.) In a four page piece, 1UP take a look at Katamari, it's sequel, and the developers. It's nice to read that originally, they didn't think there should be a sequel. A refreshing change, when it seems all games these days are designed with franchises in mind. It's a rather enlightening look at a mindbending game.
We Love Katamari screenshots
As in screenshots of the sequel, not the fact that we just happen to love screenshots of the game. It's always tricky to pick a genre to stick Katamari stories in. I mean technically, it's a puzzle game, but it can get pretty frantic, lending itself to action. It involves balls, which could make it a sports title. (HAHA!) Regardless, GamePro have some eye candy for you to amuse yourselves with until we get a release this side of the Pacific.
We Love Katamari is here!
Rejoice my friends, rejoice! All your ball rolling fantasies can come true. Again! Admittedly you'll have to be in Japan to fulfill them right now, but hey, just how badly do you want to roll your balls? 1UP has the goods on the sequel to the most original game of the last few years. Of course, by having a sequel, the game is no longer original, but oh well. The piece is pretty deep, and gives us a lot of details to keep us chomping at the bit until that pesky US release.
Tekken 5 reviewed
"Tekken 5, why that game is ancient!" I hear you cry, but wait. Our friends overseas are only now receiving the ass kicking goodness that is Tekken 5. Eurogamer have dropped a review for our European friends to mull over and, if the strength of the review is any indication, buy the game. The reviewer loved it. Were it a member of the opposite sex, they'd most likely marry it. Possibly. Interesting trivia: Tekken 5 is the second most popular arcade game in Japan. You learn something new every day. (Nobody said it had to be useful.)
1UP Loves Katamari
1UP get up close and personal with everyones favourite ball rolling game. Specifically with the co-op mode, which, of course, they got to do at E3. *yawn* Two players control one, yes, one katamari, with each player controller half of it. So teamwork is imperative. Well, unless you like bugging your fellow player by refusing to go in their direction. Ah, to be seven again...
Donkey Konga 2 review marched to the beat of the editor's drummer
Peterb has sent in an interesting story. Apparently Gamespy posted a heavily edited review of Donkey Konga 2, with favorable copy (and a final score) that was not part of the reviewer's original piece. Uh-oh. One take is that this is unethical, and an example of everything that's wrong with gaming journalism and its apologists. Another take is that this is more of the same and an example of how rushed we all are to get content - whether it's good, or not. The idea that Gamespy would do such a thing makes me wince. Editing a review is more than just touching grammar; but to change the entire intent of the piece? That's unethical. If Gamespy wants to remove the authors' names from their reviews, that's one thing. But if they offer writers credits, then they have to represent their brand, and their talent. After all, they hired the scribes. Don't they trust them?