Q1 2012
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Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Party 9, more coming in Q1 2012
Nintendo dropped its Q1 lineup on us this morning, offering highlights like the inexplicably GameStop-exclusive Circle Pad Pro and the best news of the year. But there's a lot more in the lineup than those two items -- for example, we now have a specific release date for Masahiro Sakurai's 3DS Kid Icarus: Uprising: March 23. On the 3DS eShop, Nicalis's ports of indie hits VVVVVV and NightSky are scheduled for eShop sometime in Q1, as is WayForward's Mighty Switch Force, a port of Zen Pinball, and Mutant Mudds. Nintendo will bring Kirby's Block Ball to the Virtual Console in the quarter as well. Mario Party 9 will launch on Wii March 11, preceded on February 27 by PokePark 2: Wonders Beyond. The only listed WiiWare title is, again, from Nicalis: La-Mulana sometime in the quarter. The DS lineup is ... light, with only the February release of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 really worth mentioning. But you can see the full list of announced releases on all three platforms, after the break.%Gallery-141688%
The Last Story is Europe's next Wii RPG, coming Feb. 24
Now that North America has a confirmed release for Xenoblade Chronicles, it's time to start pining non-stop for another Wii RPG. It's either that or be happy, and we can't have that. Nintendo has officially dated the European release of Hironobu Sakaguchi's The Last Story. It'll be released on February 24, giving Euro players the chance to finish two of the "Operation Rainfall" games before Xenoblade even comes out in North America. The action-RPG features both a single-player story mode, about a mercenary named Zael aspiring to become a knight, and online modes including co-op and deathmatch for six players.
Ninja Gaiden 3 leaps to retail in March 2012
We've got good news and we've got bad news, folks. Let's start with the good: Ninja Gaiden 3 will arrive on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 next March, with a Wii U version to follow at some point after that. Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi told as much to a crowd of journalists in San Francisco this afternoon, according to our reporter on the ground. Now, friends, the bad news: despite a new easy mode, and the notorious absence of a known masochist at the helm, we're still quite confident that Ninja Gaiden 3 is gonna be super duper hard. Like, way hard. Maybe you haven't played the other two? 'Cause they're both pretty hard games, guys.
Catherine has a date in Europe: Feb. 10, 2012
Catherine's publisher in Europe, Deep Silver, is hoping for a lucrative intersection between Valentine's Day, nightmarish puzzle scenarios, and indecisive bachelors. The creepy, curious blend of block shoving and relationship anxiety will arrive in PAL territories on February 10th, the Friday closest to that saccharine holiday for sentimental sweethearts. (NO, we're not bitter. If you called every now and then you'd realize that.) Catherine will be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in a standard edition for £44.99, and less cheaply (£54.99) in the "Stray Sheep Edition." That's the pizza box that comes with a "seductive" poster, a pair of coasters and the "RAVE" shirt that you should never, ever wear.
Rhythm Heaven Fever spreads to North America in February
Open the latest issue of Nintendo Power and you'll find yourself looking at four pages of heaven. Rhythm Heaven, specifically. The magazine drops the news we've been waiting for: an official release window for the Wii iteration of Nintendo and Tsunku's musical minigame series, titled Rhythm Heaven Fever. It's set for February 2012. The article introduces several of the vibrantly cartoonish, inexplicable activities in which you'll engage, including seesaw inspection, tambourine practice with a monkey instructor, and protecting your date from an onslaught of soccer balls. [Thanks, Aileen!]
Catherine tempting Europe in February
Catherine, the game that can be described feebly as a romantic nightmare puzzle sim type thing, is heading to Europe in February 2012. Deep Silver is taking care of Atlus' curious cargo over there, and announced the release window today alongside a double-sided cover for first-edition copies. The flip cover shows Catherine, a mysterious and illicit temptation for the protagonist. Reverse it and you'll find Katherine, his long-term girlfriend that's making a move toward marriage. "This way consumers will get the opportunity to select their personal preference," Deep Silver says, "as to which of the women in his life the game's main character, Vincent, should choose." If your game cases are proudly displayed in the living room, we suggest you go with the K-lady.
Sony bringing 12 first party Vita launch titles to Europe, including Uncharted and Wipeout
Sony kinda has a thing for Europe, as evidenced by today's PlayStation Vita event in London. SCEE worldwide studios SVP Michael Denny took to the stage to reveal the February 22, 2012 first party launch lineup for the PlayStation Vita, which includes titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Wipeout 2048. The list of 12 games adds to the two from Namco we already expected by February 22 -- namely Ridge Racer and Touch My Katamari -- and reveals a cadre of "in development" titles, even outing a couple we'd yet to hear about. Presumably the EU's first party launch lineup isn't far off from North America's, but we'll assuredly find out more definitively in the near future.
Jak and Daxter Collection coming in February 2012
High-definition goatee news now, with Naughty Dog sharing further details on the disc-bound Jak and Daxter Collection, set to hit PlayStation 3 in February 2012. Most remastered trilogies can match the features boasted by this one, such as 720p resolution, Trophies and stereoscopic 3D support, but none can claim to have this kind of titular escalation. You get Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (subtitle), Jak II (Roman numerals) and Jak 3 (plain ol' numbered sequel). Remastering duties on the Jak and Daxter Collection fall to Mass Media, a company that survived a stint and closure under THQ, where it ported the Full Spectrum Warrior games to PlayStation 2. According to Naughty Dog co-president Evan Well, Mass Media is "working closely with our team at Naughty Dog. A brief reminder of the games being assembled here can be found in the trailer above. We're also reminded to institute a law preventing anyone from writing "duo" if it's preceded -- as always -- by "dynamic."
Gotham City Impostors outed on Jan. 10, open beta starts in Dec.
With Batman wholly occupied in dismantling disastrously conceived punitive institutions, it's up to a gang of loyal imitators to clean up Gotham City proper. Starting the week of January 10 on PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, you'll be able to assist either The Bats or -- if you can tolerate their edgy substitution of "s" -- The Jokerz in 12-player online battles for the unusually coveted, crime-ridden city. Gotham City Impostors will undergo an open beta in December, so if you're interested in the game's premise, character customization or odd weaponry, visit the official site and sign up for a WB ID. With a bit of luck you'll get an early tour of what Condé Nast calls "a gloomy, demented place that should have been razed by an orphan."
Ridge Racer: Unbounded unleashed March 6
Though the title implies otherwise, Ridge Racer: Unbounded's development period has been given strict bounds. Developer Bugbear absolutely must be finished making the surprising new racer by March 6 of next year ... because that's the release date. Namco Bandai also released a new trailer focusing on multiplayer gameplay. Luckily, that's been captured within some pretty clear limits as well. Specifically, the little window above.
Bit.Trip Saga and Complete ride a Rising Star to Europe
Bit.Trip Saga for 3DS and Bit.Trip Complete for Wii came out in September here in North America, collecting all six WiiWare Bit.Trip games into convenient new formats and, in the case of Complete, adding new challenges. Not that there wasn't enough challenge to be found already. For those of you in Europe looking for a more portable, three-dimensional and/or expanded Bit.Trip experience, Rising Star Games has signed on to publish Saga and Complete in that region, in the first quarter of 2012. Complete on Wii will include a soundtrack sampler, just as it does in North America. It's a nice way to kick back and relax when not playing the games -- you certainly won't do any kicking back while playing them. Maybe some kicking.%Gallery-138323%%Gallery-138322%
2012 goes Silent Hill crazy with Book of Memories, HD Collection, and Downpour launching in Q1
Originally slated for Fall 2011, Silent Hill HD Collection is now heading to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 24, 2012. Konami is also putting Silent Hill's first PlayStation Vita outing, Book of Memories, in the handheld's launch window of February 2012 (Vita itself hits retailers on February 22). Rounding out the survival-horror trio of launches, Silent Hill Downpour falls to retail sometime in March. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game was pushed back to the murky "Q1 2012" earlier this month, but it seems that Konami has cleared things up. Here's hoping you're ready for a surprisingly macabre beginning to 2012!
UFC Undisputed 3 definitely shipping February 14
Though THQ originally assigned a January date to UFC Undisputed 3, it went on to defy the name and dispute that ship date. During an investor call, CEO Brian Farrell revealed the new release date: February 14. It's a day for togetherness, after all, even if said togetherness involves a sleeper hold in the middle of an octagonal arena. Earlier today, THQ sent out media for "PRIDE Mode," featuring a roster of fighters from the PRIDE Fighting Championships, presumably battling over whose self-assuredness is most justified.%Gallery-138222%
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City chasing down Leon on March 20, 2012
Grab your vial of T-Virus antidote and a swath of bullets, as Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is set to launch just five short months from now on March 20, 2012. Unfortunately for PC owners, the wait will be a bit longer, as the game will initially launch on just Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the PC version launching at an unnamed date after that. Beyond revealing the launch date, Capcom also ran down the contents of the game's "Special Edition," which contains a "Steelbook with exclusive art," an "Umbrella Security Service" patch, a "stylized foil sleeve" (what?), a "Spec Ops Field Unit" patch, and eight bonus weapons. And hey, if you pre-order at GameStop, BestBuy, or Amazon, you'll snag yourself a bonus outfit for each of the game's playable characters. Maybe it'll make Bertha look less creepy, eh?
PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle: be an earlier adopter on Feb. 15
Uh oh, Sony's smart idea technicians have figured it out. The number one reason to purchase new gaming hardware, in its most expensive and least supported state, is to flaunt it in front of friends with fewer pixels. Pre-ordering the PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle -- starting at "select" retailers today -- will not only grant you a few extra goodies, but access to the system one week before its proper launch. In North America, the PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle includes a 3G + Wi-Fi variant of the hardware, a system case, a 4GB PS Vita memory card, and a copy of Little Deviants, a wacky minigame showcase of the Vita's abilities. That'll be $350, or $50 over the 3G Vita's suggested retail price. Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi only Vita will get a First Edition Bundle in Canada for $300. Of course, the biggest value here is that you can pick the bundle up on February 15, 2012. Yes, we know we're being petty and materialistic, but just look at the screen on this thing. Oh, no, it's not available to the masses yet, friend. This right here, this is the power button. Oh, you wanted to see Uncharted? Well ... how about, um, Little Deviants? That's a game that ... nobody else has, you know.
Soulcalibur 5 fight stick coming courtesy of Mad Catz
You'll be able to 8-way-run in style next year, as Mad Catz is introducing a Soulcalibur 5-themed version of its Tournament Edition FightStick, shipping for Xbox 360 and PS3 to coincide with the launch of Namco's latest. Fittingly, it's called the "Soul Edition," though it thankfully doesn't claim to take the soul of its user in exchange. Like the Soul Edge, however, SC5's fight stick is composed of mythical, unknown parts (Mad Catz isn't telling just yet). The "Soul Edition" fight stick will launch in January 2012 alongside Soulcalibur 5, though we've yet to receive an official price.%Gallery-137701%
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection slithers into Europe on Feb. 3, 2012 [update: US on Nov. 8]
Konami has announced a European release date for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, an enhanced assembly of Hideo Kojima's playful, odd and utterly Byzantine stealth saga. (Well, most of it.) It'll be in shops for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on February 3, 2012. We've contacted Konami via uncompressed codec to confirm the HD collection's North American release date, which most retailers and rental outlets still list as November 8th, 2011. [Update: Konami has confirmed that date.] A Limited Edition packing a 450-page 250-page art book will also be available, as will this repeated reminder of what you're getting in the box: Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The Subsistence edition of MGS3 also includes Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. The nested novelty of playing an MSX game inside a PS3 port of a PS2 game sounds too good to resist!
SSX comes shredding in a few weeks late on February 14, 2012
Despite carving out a January 2012 launch window for itself earlier this year, it seems that SSX won't be making its way down from the peak (of ... uh ... development? or something?) until February 14, 2012. EA's official SSX site unceremoniously unveiled the release date on its front splash page, floating mysteriously above a snowy backdrop. Before the game's arrival on Valentine's Day, might we suggest practicing your transitional snowboarding slash wingsuit skills? You'll never know when a deadly descent (or descents, of course) will suddenly appear, ya know?
Soulcalibur V launches on January 31, 2012; Ezio sneaks into the game
The rumors are true! Assassin's Creed: Revelations protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze is the secret guest character in Soulcalibur V, the latest trailer reveals, and it looks like he's coming packed with all of his trusty pointy objects. And a crossbow! Namco Bandai also revealed a January 31, 2012 launch date for Soulcalbur V, and handed over the above trailer. Hidden wrist-blade Soul Edge, anyone?
Microsoft has record Q1, rakes in $17.37 billion in revenue (updated: Skype plans revealed)
Q1 of 2012 (don't ask...) was good to Microsoft. Very good in fact. The company posted a record first quarter revenue of $17.37 billion, a 7-percent increase over the same period last year and slightly higher than the $17.26 billion that was expected. The big hero was Office which accounted for $5.62 billion of that income, though sales of Windows stayed flat and fell somewhat short of expectations. The company's $5.74 billion in net income was also a significant jump of 6-percent over the same time last year. For a few more of the financial particulars check out the earnings report after the break and the spartan spreadsheets at the source link. Update: Wondering what Microsoft plans to do with the newly acquired Skype? Well, details are thin, but during today's earnings call the company revealed it did plan to integrate the VoIP service and its technologies into Lync, Live Messenger and Xbox Live. Soon you may not only have to listen to your friend gloat after every kill in Call of Duty, you might have to watch him do a celebratory dance in his Lazy Boy too.
