Q1 2012
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Capcom Digital Collection arrives on March 27 in US, March 30 in Europe
The Capcom Digital Collection gathers eight of Capcom's most recent XBLA offerings into a $40 package: 1942: Joint Strike, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 (curiously, not the first game), the two-game Final Fight: Double Impact title, Flock!, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil with "It Came from Uranus" DLC, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3.Downloading each title a la carte will cost $100 total and a good chunk of your HDD space -- but more patient, frugal fans of The House that Hadoukens Built can spin a disc and try these previously download-only XBLA titles on March 27. Across the pond, gamers will have to wait until March 30 before they can put on some pants and head on over to the local shoppe to snag a copy.That is how you guys spell "shoppe" over there, right?
XBLA House Party kicks off on Feb. 15 with Warp
We knew that Warp, Alan Wake's American Nightmare, Nexuiz, and I Am Alive would be participating in Microsoft's 2012 Xbox Live Arcade House Party promo, and we knew that the party would start on February 15, but we didn't have a clue as to how the specifics of the boogeying would progress. Today, Microsoft revealed that Warp will be the party's first attendee, arriving on February 15 for the nice price of 800 MS Points ($10), followed up in the proceeding three weeks by Alan Wake's American sojourn, the almost-but-not-quite-Quake multiplayer shooter Nexuiz, and one man's journey through the depths of human survival in I Am Alive.Like Warp, Nexuiz will only cost 800 MS Points ($10), while the other two titles will run 1200 MS Points a pop ($15). As always with these XBLA promos, Microsoft is offering an extra 800 free MS Points to anyone who grabs all four games within a defined time period (between Feb. 15 and Mar. 13 in this case). As for what to do with those extra points ... well, might we suggest hanging onto it for the upcoming launch of Fez? 'Cause that's totally what we're doing.
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2 fights for Gamindustri Feb. 28
Hyperdimension Neptunia mk2, developer Idea Factory's second trek into the world of Gamindustri, will arrive in North America on February 28, courtesy of NIS America. Europe will actually get to experience the (virtual) console wars a bit earlier, on February 24. This time, players control the younger sisters of the girls-as-consoles from the previous game. Which, in Hyperdimension Neptunia logic, means they're based on portable consoles -- the protagonist is "Nepgear." And Keiji Inafune is there for some reason!%Gallery-145248%
Shank 2 cuts in on February 7 in North America, February 8 in Europe
Shank 2 will leap onto, shoot, stab, stab, shoot, slice, throw a grenade at, and shoot digital platforms starting February 7, when it arrives on PSN and PC in North America. The worldwide XBLA release, along with the European PSN version, will follow on February 8. The price is set for $10, € 9.99, or 800 Microsoft Points, depending on your choice of platform and continent. Shank 2's marquee feature is a new co-op survival mode that pits two players against a never-ending supply of enemies, so start looking for a friend with the same violent predilections you have. ... Actually, when we put it that way, that sounds like a bad idea.
Silent Hill HD Collection, Downpour and Book of Memories all coming in March
You know what they say about March: In like a lion, out like a twitchy, messed up sex monster. That is to say that Konami has revealed that Silent Hill HD Collection, Silent Hill: Downpour and Silent Hill: Book of Memories will all be released this March. Breaking it all down, HD Collection will be released on March 6, Downpour on March 13 and the Vita exclusive Book of Memories on March 27. Then again, maybe a March release makes sense, what with the madness and all. Check out some new screens of the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 iteration, Silent Hill: Downpour, in the gallery below.%Gallery-144415%
Armored Core 5 mechs a date with retail: March 20
If you surprised yourself by becoming a superfan of Dark Souls, here's the next ... totally different From Software-developed game for you to try. Publisher Namco Bandai announced that mech action game Armored Core 5 will be released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America on March 20 -- which just happens to be five years to the day after Armored Core 4 came out. A European release will follow on March 23. If you pre-order from GameStop, you'll get some extra stuff with which to outfit your giant robot: the "Heavy Assault Pack," which comes with extra weapons and parts. This stuff can be used in the competitive multiplayer, which would seem to give an advantage to GameStop buyers on release day. That hardly seems sporting.
Haunt spooking XBLA on January 18 for $10
NanaOn-Sha's spooky Kinect game, Haunt, may have missed its original launch ... erm ... year, but it turns out that it won't be by much. A representative from the studio told Joystiq this evening that the game will be available via Xbox Live Arcade, on January 18 for 800 MS Points ($10). Haunt is materializing exclusively on XBLA and is the first of several neat Japanese Kinect projects first announced at Tokyo Game Show in 2010.
Best Buy thinks Diablo 3 is coming out on February 1, 2012 [updated]
Best Buy apparently believes Diablo 3 isn't far off from launch in North America, as a Rochester, Minnesota-based Twitter user spotted a display for the game in a local Best Buy store showing a February 1 launch for the game alongside a countdown timer. The image was subsequently picked up and pushed to Twitter, where we first saw it. Bizarrely, the tweet has since been pulled, but we snagged the image (addressed to former Joystiq previews editor Arthur Gies -- thanks Arthur!) and tracked down the Best Buy to confirm its existence. A store employee politely assured Joystiq of the endcap's existence and noted the February 1 launch date, which will coincide with a midnight opening (at least at her location). We've reached out to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision for comment, but, well, this looks pretty legit. Oh, and it also doesn't hurt that Best Buy's web store is showing a February 1 launch date for the game. The last official word we heard from Blizzard ("early 2012") was in September 2011, after the game was delayed beyond its original 2011 launch window. When we checked back up with the company during BlizzCon back in October, we were told nothing more solid was ready to be announced in terms of a launch date. Update: UK retailer Gameplay is showing a February 3, 2012 release date for the game, adding more fuel to the fire. Thanks to Twitter user @JKeverne for the tip! Update 2: This piece originally credited the photo to a Canadian Twitter user, which is accurate as to its origin with us, but not accurate to the credit of the photographer. Rochester, Minnesota Chatty Pics user "sasquatchxing" tells us that he took the photo (as well as a second) and uploaded them to image service Chatty Pics before taking to the Shacknews forums. Update 3: It gets more interesting! When we called the Rochester, Minnesota Best Buy this morning, a manager explained that the sign has been taken down as a directive from the store's "GM" (general manager), not because the manufacturer had asked but because the manufacturer has been "not very firm" in picking a launch date. As many had guessed (per the misspelling of "February," among other things), the signage was made in-house and not sent by Blizzard. If you happen to spot any similar signage in your local big box retailer, don't hesitate to contact us! Update 4: Blizzard community manager Micah "Bashiok" Whipple has responded on Twitter (though not to us), where he said both "The word is lol" and "We can't really keep every individual retail shop from making up a date," as well as "Retailers will not know a date until it's officially announced through a press release," in response to questions from followers. We're still waiting on official response from Blizzard.
Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition peels out on January 17
As prognosticated by retailers last month, Sony has officially revealed Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition. As expected, the game packs in the original GT5 with a host of extra content, including every update through Spec 2.0 right on the disc and a voucher for five pieces of downloadable content. Finally, if you're looking for a little extra flair, the Blu-ray case will include a reversible insert that features the Red Bull X2011 supercar. Gran Turismo 5 XL Edition launches January 17 for $40.
Boo: Scarygirl sneaking up on PSN and XBLA this month
TikGames is following its licensed Scarygirl release on PS Minis with a new PSN/XBLA game, published by Square Enix. Called simply "Scarygirl," the platform-action game is based on a graphic novel about a girl with a tentacle arm and pirate garb, who goes on a no doubt scary adventure to discover the meaning of her dreams (which are also frightening.) In local multiplayer, she's accompanied by the kung-fu rabbit Bunniguru, with whom she can perform tandem special moves. Scarygirl will begin her jaunt on XBLA January 18. A PSN release will follow on January 24, with a PC version due in "early 2012."%Gallery-143071%
Amy to launch next week with a mysterious price structure
Developer VectorCell may be trying to tell us that things won't be normal in Amy -- its prices and release dates are more complicated than they first appear. Amy will drop in Europe on Jan. 11 for XBLA and PSN, and the US version will launch on Jan. 11 for XBLA. The US PSN edition launches on Jan. 10. That wasn't so hard -- but we haven't yet gotten to the prices. Amy will cost $12.99 (€9.9, £7.99) on PSN, and 800 MS Points on XBLA. 800 MS Points converts to $10 (€7.82, £6.46), which, for the mathematically challenged, is $3 less than the PSN version. It must cost a lot to come out a day early, or maybe this is just another way for VectorCell to keep us in the dark. The game is also coming to PC, but VectorCell says it won't be until "several months after the PSN/XBLA version, and we can't announce a date yet because we haven't totally finalized our distribution deals." What a twist!
Apple to announce Q1 2012 earnings on January 24
It's that time of the year again, folks. People are busy making resolutions and companies are busy preparing earnings statements. Apple updated its investor relations website and confirmed it will hold its Q1 2012 earnings conference call on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm PT. The press release with all the details will hit the wire shortly before the call starts. Expect Apple to announce a record quarter. Apple was one of the most visited online retailers during the holiday shopping season, which should help boost Mac and iPad sales. iPhone sales are also expected to increase now that the iPhone 4S is rolling out worldwide. Last quarter, iPhone sales slipped, an unusual hiccup which CEO Tim Cook blamed on rumor-mongering. You can listen to the conference call online and visit TUAW for all the analysis of Apple's holiday quarter.
Abobo's Big Adventure arrives on January 11
Abobo's Big Adventure is a free-to-play Flash game from I-Mockery that sends the Double Dragon strongman through a carousel of old NES settings and parodies. And if you're anything like us, you've been waiting for its release ever since that debut trailer first burned your eyeballs out with its awesomeness. Well good news, friends: The wait is almost over, as I-Mockery has announced a release date of January 11 for the title, confirmed on the official website. The bad news is that only gives you eight too-short days to make your peace with the world before your mind succumbs to the insanity of this one as well. Better work fast.
Vlambeer's Super Crate Box hits iOS on January 5, 2012
We've been unabashed in our love for Vlambeer's Super Crate Box, so we were more than a little excited to discover that the incredibly difficult, multiplayer survival-shooter ... thing has a launch date for iOS: January 5, 2012. The news was revealed via Vlambeer's official site a little while back, actually, but we somehow missed it (we're gonna pin it on too much eggnog). Vlambeer fans will no doubt be wondering whatever happened to the game's previously announced September 2011 launch window, as we were. It turns out that, between the Radical Fishing debacle and the PC/OS X version of Super Crate Box being a bit of a mess in terms of code, the porting took longer than expected. The game's launch is now officially official, though, as it's already been submitted to and approved by Apple for a January 5, 2012 launch. Vlambeer tells us it'll be a universal App (meaning one purchase works for both iPod Touch/iPhone as well as iPad), though pricing hasn't been set just yet.
BioShock 2 brings dystopia to OS X in January 2012
It's been nearly two years since BioShock 2 first came out on consoles and PC -- but, oddly enough, the game's still not finished being released. Next month, the game finally gets ported to Mac OS X and, like the first BioShock, the work is being done by Mac dev Feral Interactive, who will also handle distribution of the game online. Maybe you're staunchly opposed to buying games from Feral Interactive's website, for fear of the game being untrainable and potentially disease-ridden? Gamersgate will also be offering the game as a bundle with the first, so you can totally chill out. BioShock 2 for OS X will become available at some point next month, but if you really want to give Feral your money early the company is already accepting pre-orders.
PlayStation Vita's 25-game North American launch lineup, pricing laid bare
When PlayStation Vita arrives in North America on February 22, 2012, it's bringing the cavalry. More specifically, 25 games will launch alongside the console in late February, with another 10 filling out the "launch window" from both Sony internal and third party studios. Sony says the games will range in price from $9.99 to $49.99, though the company isn't pinning specific prices to any of the titles. Interestingly, several titles are listed as "PSN Only," including Escape Plan, Plants vs. Zombies, and Hustle Kings - we've reached out to Sony for clarification on how that will affect pricing. The full list is available after the break, as well as an enormous list of accessories that you'll be able to pick up on or near launch.
Army Corps of Hell bolstering Vita launch lineup on February 22
If Nathan Drake's Golden Abyss adventure and the future racers of Wipeout 2048 just don't do it for you, perhaps Square Enix's "Pikmin from Hell" can. Army Corps of Hell has just been announced as coming to the Vita on launch day, February 22, for both North America and Europe. Alongside the announcement comes a volley of new screens, which we've dropped into a gallery for you just below. If you've ever wondered how a few dozen cartoonish imps look as they're about to face off against a giant demon, here's your chance! (Spoiler: it's pretty adorable.)%Gallery-141984%
Ninja Gaiden 3 arrives on March 20, pre-order or get collector's edition for DOA5 demo
Tecmo Koei is ensuring that we'll all be laden with giant, heavy video game boxes on March 20, making us perfect targets for ninja assassins. Hmm. That's the newly announced North American release date for Ninja Gaiden 3. It's also the date on which the Collector's Edition will become available, only at GameStop and EB. The "truly deluxe package" includes an art book, soundtrack CD, and "Duel of the Masked" figure. Most importantly, you'll get a four-character Dead or Alive 5 demo. Even if, for whatever reason, you decide you don't need that figurine or the rest of the Collector's Edition, pre-ordering any version of the game at GameStop or Amazon will get you a two-character DOA5 demo. If you choose GameStop, you have access to Ryu Hayabusa and Hitomi, while Amazon grants you Ayane and Hayate.
Dustforce trailer shows polish, polishing
When we saw the protagonist walk into an old stone building in this Dustforce trailer, we felt a thrill. "This place looks like it could be really dusty," we thought. "This is going to be awesome." And then the broom-wielding character walked into a room full of flying books and scrolls, trailing dust like exhaust. And then it was awesome. We'll get really hyped about cleaning again in January -- that's the new release window, according to a YouTube comment from developer Hitbox Team.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 lets you use the Vita as a PS3 controller
In an announcement of new Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Vita media (in our gallery), Capcom shared some kind of weird news about the portable port: it allows you to use the Vita as an "Ultimate Controller" for the PS3 version. We're guessing this means you'll be able to use the touch controls when playing the console version. We're sure Hori and Mad Catz are raising their collective, corporate eyebrows at the "Ultimateness" of that option, but more options are always welcome. In addition, the Vita version will offer "exclusive Gold Herald" color options for the characters, essentially making the game look like a battle between Academy Awards. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will be released on February 15, concurrent with the Vita's week-early "First Edition" hardware bundle, providing an escape from Little Deviants.%Gallery-141701%
