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Japan's Resident Evil 6 bundle costs $1,300: nets you a leather jacket, doesn't make you cool
Engadget has seen plenty of limited edition items looking to lighten the wallets of oil barons and hedge fund managers alike. Now Capcom's readying its bundle for Resident Evil 6's Japan launch and it includes protagonist Leon's leather jacket -- available in sizes S, M, L and XL. A complete set of as-yet unrevealed "tablet cases", supposedly emblazoned with character designs will also arrive in the set, as those wealthy enough to afford the 104,000 yen ($1,300) set presumably have at least four devices to garnish with Resident Evil livery. Japanese one-percenters can hit up the preorder site -- with their choice of jacket size -- at the source below.
Voice actor brokers unlikely alliance between Wesker and Legion
Here's something we didn't expect to see today, or ever: Mass Effect's Geth Legion and Resident Evil's Albert Wesker engaging in a bit of friendly trash talk.The two characters make fun of Charlie Sheen and discuss forming an alliance, in a video that serves as a goodbye of sorts from voice actor D.C. Douglas (who plays both) to the two characters. We're guessing the "goodbye" to Wesker is premature, something the pair even jokes about a little, but it's fun anyway.
Capcom's Svensson embarrassed by 'Revelaitons' covers, optimistic about RE6
Capcom's Senior VP of planning and business development, Christian Svensson, responded frankly to a few of the company's recent issues at GDC last week, and perhaps most interesting was his complete surrender on the misspelled Resident Evil: Revelations box art."It's embarrassing. I can't really sugarcoat it," he admitted to Game Informer, saying that multiple departments were responsible for checking it, and that procedures had since been updated to make sure it doesn't happen again. "There are only about 90,000 units that have the misprint. If you've got it and it's shrink-wrapped, that's a new special edition, that's our new strategy," Svensson joked.Svensson declined to comment on the abrupt cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3, and offered a "never say never" on a US release of Ace Attorney Investigations 2. Asura's Wrath sales, according to Svensson, "went about almost exactly how we thought it would."And Svensson also bends the knee a little bit concerning the announcement of Resident Evil 6 and its proximity to other Resident Evil titles, but is unapologetic about making that title the biggest in the series yet. "The plan is the biggest Resident Evil game ever. We're not messing around," said Svensson. The plan is working, too, because "pre-orders for Resident Evil 6 are off to a fantastic start. The best start a Resident Evil game has ever had."
How Resident Evil 2 helped Keiji Inafune become the indie dev he is today
Back in the mid-90s, now acclaimed Japanese developer Shinji Mikami was passionately toiling away on the first game in a soon-to-be hit franchise: Resident Evil. It was to be published by Capcom, but the company had reservations about the new intellectual property -- so much so that it nearly canned the project outright. Ex-Capcom global head of production Keiji Inafune recalled his side of the story during an impassioned GDC 2012 speech yesterday.Inafune claims he watched from the outside as Capcom's support for Resident Evil faded, and while he worked on other titles within the same company. Mikami fought for the fledgling game, eventually getting it published for Sony's PlayStation. The rest, of course, is zombie-ridden history.When Capcom began work on a sequel, Inafune says he got himself involved in a production role. "While Mikami focused on the game, as the producer, it was my mission to sell this title to as many people around the world," he said to a room full of attendees. But with the massive success of the first RE title, Inafune's role as salesman was relegated to a cake walk. "With my previous title Mega Man Legends, it was pretty challenging to even book a round of press appointments. No one was interested in hearing about a new Mega Man title," Inafune said. "However, the scenario was completely different with RE2. Once we announced the project, the requests poured in."
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City trailer has character(s)
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City might not be the new hotness for the series (try this week's Resident Evil: Revelations) or the most anticipated franchise announcement (that's Resident Evil 6), but it is set to include some familiar faces. See them cringe as they fire indiscriminately at zombies!
Nintendo Slide Pad for 3DS review
First impressions stay with you. Take our first look at the Nintendo 3DS, for example. Our first thought? "Hey, where's the second analog stick?" Given all the gaming genres that benefit from it, it's almost unthinkable for a major portable console to launch without an extra analog stick. It's like Mario without the mustache, Charlie Sheen without the tiger blood or Donald Trump without the dead marsupial or whatever the heck that thing is on top of his head. Unfortunately, Nintendo decided to release the 3DS without that second analog. So folks who want to get their dual stick groove on right out of the box can only hope the Big N has a change of heart when it eventually releases the 3DSi Lite XL Advance. (We're just kidding about the name, of course, but you never know...) In the meantime, Nintendo's got a peace offering of sorts to tide by 3DS owners: the Circle Pad Pro. Slated for a February 2012 release in the US, we got our grubby hands on its Japanese equivalent, the "Slide Pad" during a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. So is it worth the $20 price of admission? Read on to find out.
Man ransoming unreleased Resident Evil GBC prototype ROMs to the Internet
Two prototype versions of the Game Boy Color port of Resident Evil are waiting in the wings for an imminent release; news that strikes us as rather serendipitous considering that we were just talking about that game last week. Like all great news, however, there's a bit of a catch.We're not talking about something awesome and legit, like an official 3DS eShop release, we're talking about ROMs. What's more, the ROMs for these two prototype cartridges, one containing most of Jill's campaign and the other containing an earlier build, will only be released to the internet if the anonymous seller's "fundraiser" reaches its $2,000 goal by the end of February.Now, that sounds more like extortion than a fundraiser, but the third party running the sale maintains that the benefactor in question is actually taking a substantial loss at that price point. That sounded reasonable at first, but the more we think about it, the less we buy it.It's true that some rare games can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, but those games tend to exist in extremely limited quantities and also tend to be remarkably verifiable; Stadium Events for the NES and the European version of Kizuna Encounter for the Neo Geo immediately spring to mind. Those are actual games, though, and not ROMs. Unless this collector destroys these cartridges after the ROMs are posted, the $2,000 entry fee is nothing but pure profit, since the cartridges can still be sold afterwards. Don't get us wrong, we love the idea of preserving the gaming industry's wackier moments. What we don't love is the idea of someone coercing a substantial amount of money from a dedicated fan base by ransoming the distribution of a product that they have no right to distribute. To paraphrase a brilliant professor of archeology, "They belong in a museum!"
Mystery Sony-branded Arc appears in Resident Evil trailer, Umbrella Corp. doesn't comment on rumor or speculation (video)
While most rumors of a high-definition Arc were laid to rest with the reveal of the LTE'd Xperia Ion and the sumptuous Xperia S at CES, it hasn't quite stopped smartphone fans poring over the web for a sniff of its possible existence. This time -- get that salt shaker ready -- it's a cameo in the trailer for the latest cash-in release from the Resident Evil franchise. The hardware is certainly that of an Xperia Arc, but it's the first time we've seen a Sony-branded version -- no Ericsson here. Although it's not enough to convince us just yet that we're looking at a super-screened Arc, with Sony rumored to be readying plenty of phones for 2012, it looks like the Arc HD rumor zombie may need another bullet in the head. [Thanks Alex]
Have fun following this Resident Evil: Retribution movie trailer
As sure as death and taxes, there will always be a new Resident Evil movie. The trailer for the latest, subtitled Retribution, can be seen here. Michele Rodriguez is back, even though she totally died in the first movie. Like they expect us to believe that someone could just come back to life!Update: The original video in this post mysteriously went private on YouTube, we've replaced it.
Capcom behind 'No Hope Left' viral ads (or widespread graffiti, depending on your perspective)
The "No Hope Left" ad campaign spotted in a variety of locations across Europe has been pinned to Capcom. At least that's according to The Sixth Axis, whose intrepid reporter schlepped down to the Vauxhall station in London after seeing an image pop up on the viral ad campaign's website. He spotted an ad company (Primesight) credited for the faux graffiti and emailed them to confirm who had bought said ad. He was told, "Panel number is 2375 03 Parry Street. The company advertising on it is CAPCOM." This makes a lot of sense, given the "O" in "No" looks like a stylized biohazard symbol (the name of the Resident Evil series in Japan). It would also not be surprising at all for a video-game company to post adverts marauding as graffiti, though we doubt this will draw as much ire as previous attempts. Either way, it looks like we'll find out more tomorrow, as the ads all point to a reveal on January 19, 2012. Here's hoping tomorrow doesn't accidentally coincide with the real zombie apocalypse. Boy would that be a lot of egg on Capcom's face, eh? [Image credit: NoHopeLeft.com]
Brains for lunch: Capcom's Japanese bar menu revealed, kind of
Cap Bar, Capcom's bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is set to open Jan. 25, complete with game kiosks, a Capcom merch store and a Capcom-themed menu -- including the following four teaser dishes: - Ace Attorney pasta and rice - Monster Hunter allaculte and meat - Devil Kings salad and soup - Resident Evil "Brain Cake" dessert Aside from the Brain Cake -- "Zombies are targeting your brain. Equip the blade and fight!" as Capcom describes it -- the other dishes appear to be a tad vague, even for a teaser menu. Just saying, we wouldn't walk into a bar in the states and order the "meat," but maybe that can fly in Shinjuku. %Gallery-144739%
Nintendo to release Circle Pad Pro to US through Gamestop: February 7th for $20
That extra analog stick and three shoulder buttons -- they make all the difference and net you additional street cred in the process. Following up on its Japanese release of the Circle Pad Pro over the weekend, Nintendo has stated that it will release the accessory to the US exclusively through Gamestop on February 7th with a retail price of $20. Though still relatively unknown in American gaming circles, the Circle Pad Pro is cited as running for 480 hours on one AAA battery, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nintendo has stated that upcoming games will need to be optimized for the device but suggest that it can bring tighter controls to titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Also, it makes your 3DS mildly huge. Click the break for the full PR and a quick video guide of the Circle Pad Pro's features.
Nintendo 3DS SlidePad coming to the US under the name Circle Pad Pro?
Last month, Nintendo quietly unveiled the SlidePad -- a battery-powered "extended slide pad" for the 3DS, slated to hit the Japanese market on December 10th. At the time, there was no indication that the add-on would be coming to North America anytime soon, but according to Capcom, it's on its way. Speaking at New York Comic Con last week, Capcom's Ryan McDougall confirmed that the attachment will indeed arrive Stateside by February 7th, alongside the company's new 3DS game, "Resident Evil: Revelations." It's not clear whether the add-on will arrive for other games released before February, but it may very well have a different name by the time it does. According to Siliconera, Nintendo has already filed a Japanese trademark for the name Circle Pad Pro, which could be the moniker we'll be seeing in the West. Nintendo, it should be noted, has yet to confirm any of this, nor has it mentioned anything about US pricing, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more.
Capcom wants to violate your expectations, but in a good way
Capcom has never been one to shy away from aggressively utilizing its core intellectual properties, however iteration often translates to evolution, which can be interpreted as abandonment by the minds of die-hard fans. But, that might not be such a bad thing. "We think that certainly some people's expectations will be violated, but that's, in our minds, a good thing," said producer Masachika Kawata, speaking on the Resident Evil series during an interview with Gamasutra. "It will hopefully get people to play something that they weren't expecting." Resident Evil has arguably seen more drastic paradigm shifts than any other Capcom franchise, with the upcoming Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City fully embracing the shooter seeds planted by Resident Evils 4 and 5. Kawata views the situation as one of diversity rather than exclusion, however, implying that the Resident Evil franchise has expanded to accommodate many different genres underneath its IP umbrella, including shooters. Of course, survival horror is still an integral part of Resident Evil's brand image, and Kawata's own Resident Evil: Revelations is said to be "core-fan focused" in a way that makes it similar to Capcom zombie romps of yore. Still, every relationship needs a little spark now and again: "I'm thinking that if we would have brought out all these Resident Evil titles, and they were all focused on survival horror, absolutely I think people would be really sick of Resident Evil."
Resident Evil: Retribution brings back Alice, adds Barry and Leon
If you're anxiously awaiting the next Paul W.S. Anderson Resident Evil joint, we've got to ask: "Why?" We can't imagine anyone is dying to see another one of these trainwrecks (in 3D again, no less!), but if you are, some new details on Bloody Disgusting may interest you. Milla Jovovich will reprise her role as Alice in the next film, which now has an official title: Resident Evil: Retribution. Her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson, will once again direct. Resident Evil: Retribution currently has a tentative release date of September 14, 2012. Sienna Guillory, who played Jill Valentine in the second film (and made an appearance in the last movie), will return, she has said on Twitter -- though BD says that role is being recast. Also, according to BD, Barry Burton and Leon S. Kennedy will both make appearances in Retribution. Filming for Resident Evil: Retribution will begin in October.
Watch 32 minutes of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
It's not the best quality footage, but Capcom's done us all a solid and uploaded 32 minutes of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City gameplay, direct from its Comic-Con booth. Honestly, we feel pretty bad for the zombies. These Umbrella operatives are strapped to the nines, and with giant Hunters running around, it seems it just isn't safe for a zombie to wander the streets at night any more.
Resident Evil 4 HD and RE: Code Veronica X HD infect the US this September
Fresh news out of Comic-Con for zombie hunters and presidential-daughter-babysitting-simulator enthusiasts alike: the previously announced HD remakes of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica X will be shambling and moaning onto US shores this September. RE4HD lands on September 20, with Code Veronica X HD's charmingly incomprehensible plot following a week later on September 27. That's a few weeks after the far superior Japanese launch, not that we're bitter or anything. Both titles will be available at your local brick & mortar, through the PlayStation Network and as Xbox Live Games On Demand titles.
Resident Evil games assembled in 15th Anniversary Box
Without looking, we'd like for you to tell us where all of your various and sundry Resident Evil games are located right now. Your copy of Resident Evil 4 is out of its box, lying face-up on the entertainment center? Code Veronica is in a box in the attic? Resident Evil 2 is in the oven? You clearly need a better way of keeping tabs on them -- like, for instance, having nearly all of the franchise's main entries enclosed in Capcom's recently announced 15th Anniversary Box. The bundle, which will be available in Japan through e-Capcom this September, contains the three PSOne Resident Evils, Revival Selection (the HD remastering of RE4 and Code Veronica) and soundtracks for the two games in the Revival Selection. Resident Evil 5 is not included in the package, but the Box does include a spacer in which to keep your copy. Voila! No more scratched, misplaced or broiled discs.
Capcom claims RE: The Mercenaries 3D save controversy won't happen again
Speaking with Capcom Unity last Friday, Capcom USA VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development Christian Svensson said that, given the upheaval and generally bad reaction caused by Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D's peculiar save system, it's unlikely that we would "see something like this happening again." He also maintains that there was "never quite the malicious intent the conspiracy theorists out there would have you believe," and that RE:TM3D's inability to reset saves was a conscious design decision aimed at maintaining the "arcade fighter" feel of the title. Regardless of why they did it, it's good to hear the team claiming that it won't happen again. We're just dying to reset our Mega Man Legends 3 saves.
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D trailer does a roll call
In case you were wondering just how many hired guns are jam-packed into Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D for Nintendo 3DS, this latest trailer from Capcom gives us a quick rundown.
