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D&D Tactics coming soon to PSP
If you're a PSP owner looking for a deeper roleplaying experience than the Untold Legends series provides, you might want to check out what GameSpot has to say about Atari's Dungeons & Dragons Tactics. While not quite Neverwinter Nights, D&D Tactics includes character customization similar to its PC-based big brother. Race, class, alignment, skill points, and even body style and portrait selections are all here, in addition to 40 quests that each require you to assemble a small party beforehand. The dungeon crawling takes place in a generic Dungeons & Dragons world (similar to the Xbox's D&D Heroes), although it would be nice if Atari had leveraged the unique appeal of one of the franchise's many realms. D&D Tactics ships in February and is being developed by Kuju Entertainment (Battalion Wars, Crash Twinsanity).See also: Metareview - The Lord of the Rings Tactics
Second-rate school baits applicants with second-rate handheld system [update 1]
A small Canadian university by the name of Lakehead has angered some of its conservative alumni with a clever recruitment campaign that makes fun of POTUS #43 and offers students the chance to win one of four PSP handhelds or a Smart Car lease. Lakehead knows who they're after: liberal, environmentally-conscious Canadian youth with who tend to root for the underdog in a contest and who should have spent less time playing games and more time studying. Now if Sony or Nintendo could come up with a viable e-learning application, schools might offer all incoming freesh a gaming handheld in the way that some universities now offer iPods and laptops. [Thanks, Mike.] [Update 1: Dubya's #43, not #42, as originally stated. Oops.]
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Hardcore gamers have a soft spot for the DS at PAX
Recently, we provided hard evidence that to children, the DS is far, far greater than that other handheld. Now, dear readers, we're ready to offer incontrovertible truth that the same standard holds when one looks to the few, the proud, the hardcore gamers. They're everywhere in the photos from PAX -- the Nintendo DS is just insidious like that. But hey, when you're waiting around, what better way to pass the time?Another picture after the jump.
FIGHT!!! PSP fanboy engages in battle of wits
Ahhh, having so much inter-network bickering going back and forth today really gets my blood flowing. I thought I, as I usually tend to do, should continue to stir the ever-increasingly volatile pot.I bring you a transcript of a PSP fanboy's pure genious, as he engages in an online instant messenger battle with the enemy. In one corner, I present David, the now undisputed lord of PSP fanboys, and in the other corner, I present Twisted Imp, the hoof-footed, tail-having devil who questions the PSP and represents all that is evil in the world. In the famous words of Big John McArthy, "Are you ready? Are you ready? LET'S GET IT ON!"
The verdict is in: children prefer the DS
Vinnk, a blogger and Ninty devotee at 4 color rebellion, is also a teacher in Japan. And in his off time, he makes children cry. Doesn't sound like someone we want on our side -- at least until the whole story comes out. Vinnk often takes his trusty DS Lite to school and allows the children to play with it. This is a practice of which we heartily approve (get 'em young!). However, on the day in question, his students found not the DS Lite they'd come to love nestled inside Vinnk's blue Nintendo case, but a Sony PSP. The students were so horrifed and disappointed that one even began to cry. He asked them if they wanted to play with the PSP. They weren't interested. He showed them a game, and they stared at him, stoic, as loyal to the DS as samurai to their lord. It almost makes us want to cry. Score one for the DS -- as though it needed to win any more battles. [Thanks to Andrew at PSP Fanboy, where we're sure they're hanging their heads in shame.]
Japanese software sales chart, Aug. 14-20: Yes, it's Mario again
I'm sure by now Mario is haunting Kaz Hirai's dreams. It seems like the plummer just won't give up that top spot, but more importantly, the Nintendo DS once again had seven games in the top 10. And that's not even counting another of which is a Gameboy Advance title.1. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 103,774 / 2,835,7082. Tamagotchi no Puchi Puchi Omisetchi Gohiikini (DS) - 65,554 / 400,4293. Shaberu! DS Oryouri Nabi (Cooking Navi) (DS) - 55,759 / 346,719 4. Brain Age 2 - Nintendo (DS) - 45,978 / 3,031,4115. Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS) - 41,813 / 3,119,1086. Daito Giken Pachislot Hihouden (PS2)- Daito Giken - 39,070 /*NEW*7. Rythm Tengoku (GBA) - 29,911 / 88,0898. Tetris DS - Nintendo (DS) - 26,791 / 781,1109. SD Gundam G Generation Portable (PSP) - 25,716 / 217,94310. Brain Training for Adults (DS) - 25,139 / 2,713,284I guess the one good thing for us PSP fanboys is at least Gundam is holding down that ninth spot, right? But in its third week of release, it barely beat out Brain Training, which has been out for 67 weeks.(Via Games Are Fun)
Japan hardware sales chart, Aug. 7-13: More of the same
Those damn Japanese are at it again with their never-ending obsession with the Nintendo DS Lite. Last week, it seemed the PSP was possibly staging a comeback, but a surge in DS Lite sales that almost topped 200,000 nipped any thought of that in the bud.- DS Lite 196,719(19,866)- PSP: 41,289(1,315)- PS2: 26,547 (96)- GBA SP: 3,051(822) - Gameboy Micro: 2,031(265)- Xbox 360: 1,204(1,042)- Gamecube: 940(99)- DS Phat: 934(596)- GBA: 23(14)- Xbox: 6(5)I'm tired of thinking of reasons to why the DS Lite is handing the PSP its ass. Sony is going to have to do something to turn the momentum back in its favor very quickly, or any thought of winning in Japan will be lost. Maybe Sony can start by getting some games on its system that will compete with the DS Lite's. Oh well, there's always next week, right?(Via PSP Advanced)
Japan software sales chart, Aug. 7-13: The DS kicks back
Another week, another software sales chart. Let me just say, I find it insane the Nintendo DS has games selling this crazy. Honestly, what is the deal here? Does Nintendo package a hit of crack in every box or something? This week, seven out of 10 games belong to the Nintendo DS.1. New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - 117,706 / 2,731,934 2. Tamagotchi Shop 2 (DS) - 66,564 / 334,875 3. Melty Blood: Act Cadenza (PS2) - 64,980 / *NEW* 4. More Brain Training (DS) - 59,585 / 2,985,432 5. Cooking Navi (DS) - 57,257 / 290,960 6. Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS) - 44,201 / 3,077,295 7. Brain Training (DS) - 38,954 / 2,688,146 8. SD Gundam Generation G Portable (PSP) - 36,592 / 192,227 9. Fist of the North Star Pachislot (PS2) - 33,951 / 116,507 10. Kirarin * Revolution: Kira Kira Idol Audition (DS) - 33,332 / *NEW* As you might have noticed, New Super Mario Bros. reclaimed the top spot, knocking off Gundam, which spiraled down to the eighth spot. Wow, what a drop. Gundam was the fastest one-week selling PSP game ever, but I don't think it's going to break any more records with its extreme drop in sales. I had a DS and really liked it, but, after awhile, there weren't really any games that interested me, so I sold it. But now with all these games selling so well, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm missing out on something here. (Via PSP Advanced)
Japanese hardware sales, 31 July - 6 August: heavy meta
Though we may frequently appear to be aloof, apathetic or altogether addicted to awe-inspiring alliteration, the Joystiq crew is actually attentively attuned to the needs of its readers and commenters. We know what you want, and what you want is what we know -- that is to say, we'll teach you how to make an official Joystiq Japanese sales chart post in the comfort of your very own home! Step 1: Create a terrible introductory paragraphThe introductory paragraph helps ease the reader into the wealth of information provided by one of these posts. It functions like a soft mattress placed in-between the reader and the pit of rusty nails that is the weekly onslaught of numbers. Make sure that the introductory paragraph is self-referential, wildly incoherent and not even remotely related to the actual sales numbers. You may introduce a second paragraph if you feel the mattress needs to be thicker, though it's recommended that you implement a silly allegory to maintain interest and "humor."A third paragraph, however, is most certainly not recommended. It will only serve to anger those that are eager to reach the actual information. Step 2: Insert the sales information obtained from Media Create:The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 163,572 13,281 (7.51%)- PSP: 49,352 6,748 (15.84%)- PS2: 25,987 464 (1.75%)- GBA SP: 2,784 555 (24.90%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,928 162 (9.17%)- Xbox 360: 1,389 857 (38.16%)- DS Phat: 1,159 371 (24.25%)- Gamecube: 904 135 (12.99%)- GBA: 34 25 (277.77%)- Xbox: 14 3 (27.27%)Step 3: Create a final paragraph (must be worse than introductory paragraph)In your final paragraph, you may opt to analyze the week's sales trends (the Xbox is always a hilarious topic), possibly referring to coinciding NPD reports or pointing out how the DS Lite outsells everything, in the universe, ever. Alternatively, you may use it as a denouement to any running jokes you regrettably started in Step 1. [Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, 24 July - 30 July: incredibly incalculable increase
Just as several wily commenters predicted last week, the original Xbox suddenly (and quite mysteriously) experiences a sales increase over its impressive tally of zero this week. The resulting percentage rise is so incredibly gargantuan and intimidating that it simply cannot be comprehended by the human mind, at least not without the aid of divine omnipotence or persistant alcohol poisoning. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 176,853 85,600 (32.62%)- PSP: 42,604 6,666 (18.55%)- PS2: 26,451 4,163 (18.68%)- Xbox 360: 2,246 774 (52.58%)- GBA SP: 2,229 724 (24.52%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,766 356 (25.25%)- DS Phat: 1,530 4,814 (75.88%)- Gamecube: 1,039 37 (3.44%)- Xbox: 11 11 (infinite)- GBA: 9 11 (55.00%)Other points of interest this week include the Xbox 360's flirtation with the fourth position in the charts (and the huge gap between it and the PS2), the DS Phat's return to unpopular status and the vaguely demonic number of new PSP owners. [Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, 17 July - 23 July: bad comparison week
The most interesting parts of this week's chart reside at the very top and at the very bottom, much like a decapitated body with Lamborghinis for feet. Nintendo's magical, dual-screened device continues to dominate Japan, raking in the cash like a pickpocket with eight magnetic arms. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 262,453 121,595 (86.32%)- PSP: 35,938 655 (1.86%)- PS2: 22,288 1,639 (6.85%)- DS Phat: 6,344 5,477 (46.33%)- GBA SP: 2,953 334 (12.75%)- Xbox 360: 1,472 367 (33.21%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,410 171 (10.82%)- Gamecube: 1,076 148 (15.95%)- GBA: 20 8 (28.57%)- Xbox: 0 10 (100.00%)It's as clear as Daniel Day-Lewis' acting ability -- while the DS Lite enjoys brisk sales that trump the rest of the chart combined more than three times over, the Xbox finally languishes in the lowest point possible. Its performance in this part of the world may not have been entirely deserved, but it still turned out to be more embarassing than a discus-throwing competition where each disc has been replaced by a custard pie.(Worst. Comparisons. Ever.)[Source: Media Create]
New trailer for GUN Showdown (PSP)
GameTrailers has a new preview vid for Gun Showdown, the PSP extension of last year's multi-platform romp through the Wild West. Short-lived as the original adventure was, developer Neversoft was praised for the game's compelling narrative and addictive gunplay. Showdown retains the familiar free-roaming style, but UK-based Rebellion has added new story missions, quickplay modes, and a variety of wireless multiplayer content (including Texas hold 'em) to GUN's portable cousin. Get back in the saddle at the end of Q3.See also: Metareview - GUN (Xbox)
Japanese hardware sales, 26 June - 2 July: You've got red on you
Oh, the horror. Be sure to keep angry fanboys and dubiously trained pet bulls away from the monitor this week, as it displays an awful lot of red. Even the mighty DS Lite experiences the strange sensation of slipping, possibly caused by the tight grip of an overweight sibling. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 153,566 3,456 (2.20%)- PSP: 25,935 1,198 (4.84%)- PS2: 23,133 2,334 (9.16%)- DS Phat: 3,504 6,628 (65.42%)- GBA SP: 2,919 829 (21.91%)- Xbox 360: 1,897 728 (62.28%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,443 59 (3.93%)- Gamecube: 1,002 195 (16.29%)- GBA: 17 8 (32.00%)- Xbox: 8 2 (20.00%)As a commenter jokingly suggested last week, it's awfully difficult to resist the temptation of traveling to Japan and purchasing 10,000 Xbox consoles, just to ... exacerbate things. [Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, 19 June - 25 June: the bigger they are
... the harder they fall. The Japanese population's brief rekindling of their romance with the DS Phat, showing a massive 1559% increase in sales last week, seems to have died out for now. Our obese friend takes the sharpest fall this week, with slimmer, trimmer machines like the Game Boy Micro and DS Lite faring better. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 157,022 15,535 (10.98%)- PS2: 25,467 4,730 (22.81%)- PSP: 24,737 84 (0.34%)- DS Phat: 10,132 12,616 (55.46%)- GBA SP: 3,784 858 (18.48%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,502 208 (16.07%)- Gamecube: 1,197 195 (19.46%)- Xbox 360: 1,169 238 (16.92%)- GBA: 25 5 (25.00%)- Xbox: 10 5 (33.33%)The rest of the chart seems intentionally unremarkable, with the Lite reigning on top and the spinless Xbox sweeping the ground floor. Very soon, it will be expected to clean up the explosion of confetti and glitter accompanying the launch of the Noble Pink DS Lite.[Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, 12 June - 18 June: Phat's back
Quite possibly the only sane thing we've received from Japan this week, the Japanese hardware sales charts show it like it is -- no silly comparisons, half-truths or fuzzy mathematics in sight. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 141,487 9,460 (7.17%)- PSP: 24,653 2,997 (13.84%)- DS Phat: 22,748 21,377 (1559.23%)- PS2: 20,737 1,756 (9.25%)- GBA SP: 4,642 526 (12.78%)- Xbox 360: 1,407 307 (27.91%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,294 360 (21.77%)- Gamecube: 1,002 41 (4.27%)- GBA: 20 10 (33.33%)- Xbox: 15 5 (25.00%)Aside from the soothing abundance of green, the most noticeable aspect of this week's chart is undoubtedly the DS Phat's performance, indicating either a surge in its popularity or a surge in desperation amongst those who couldn't track down a DS Lite. Perhaps it's time to import a black one from Europe?[Source: Media Create]
Japanese hardware sales, 5 June - 11 June: outnumbered
The sheer volume of words being displayed on the front page of this blog is, quite frankly, entirely ridiculous. It's time for a change. It's time we inundate you with the accountant's best friend and the alphabet's greatest foe. It's time we unleash the Japanese hardware sales charts for the week ranging from 5 June to 11 June and thoughtfully observe their effects on the human body. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 132,027 3,587 (2,65%)- PSP: 21,656 2,939 (11,95%)- PS2: 18,981 468 (2,53%)- GBA SP: 4,116 248 (5,68%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,654 384 (30,24%)- DS Phat: 1,371 212 (18,29%)- Xbox 360: 1,100 145 (11,65%)- Gamecube: 961 163 (20,43%)- GBA: 30 6 (20,00%)- Xbox: 20 23 (53,49%)For those perplexed by the friendly arrows, rest assured that their intention is only to indicate whether a platform's sales have increased or decreased since the last week (followed by the exact difference and a percentage). For those perplexed by the previous sentence, we politely suggest that you try attending school for once.[Source: Media Create]
Tomb Raider remake for PSP canceled [update 1]
According to an announcement on Core Design's web site, the PSP update of Lara Croft's first adventure has been scrapped. The official word: "The video of Tomb Raider: 10th Anniversary Edition that appeared on certain sites was an unauthorised release of an internal presentation of a game that was being developed by Core Design until very recently. It was running on PSP and used a Core-developed engine. However, following a recent review this project has been officially cancelled by SCi."Core's staff and assets were recently acquired by Rebellion Developments (AvP, Rogue Trooper), although SCi still maintains the Core brand name.Update: Eurogamer is now reporting that the remake isn't canceled. Apparently, SCi has just issued a new statement saying the project is back on. PSP owners now have Lara's original adventure, as well as this month's Legend to look forward to.
Japanese hardware sales, 29 May - 4 June: How bizarre [Update 1]
Oh, look. It's the weekly Japanese hardware sales chart. Every time I look around, it's in my face. The ranking, according to number of units sold:- DS Lite: 135,614 149,411 (52.42%)- PSP: 24,595 2,632 (9.67%)- PS2: 18,513 1,285 (6.49%)- GBA SP: 4,364 2288 (34.40%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,270 743 (36.91%)- Xbox 360: 1,245 3 (0.24%)- Phat DS: 1,159 2,967 (71.91%)- Gamecube: 798 318 (28.49%)- Xbox: 43 35 (43.75%)- GBA: 30 14 (31.81%) Whether it's a rare planetary alignment or mass hypnosis, something irregular is surely to blame for this weird state of events. Microsoft's consoles are the only ones not to take a sales plunge this week -- even the DS Phat's fall from grace sends it hurtling past the Xbox 360. How bizarre.[Update: Quite bizarrely, some of the numbers were from last week. Corrected.][Source: Media Create]
Portable LEGO Star Wars II details
Pro-G has some new details on the handheld versions of LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. DS owners will have bragging rights with wireless 2-player co-op mode and 4-player versus mode, as well as customized touch screen controls. PSP gamers also have the co-op mode, in addition to a timed challenge mode that features unlockable characters from the first game. Unlockables are cool, but could introduce some continuity problems for the uninitiated. Then again, keeping track of all the Star Wars timelines ain't like dusting crops, boy! There, I said it.All eight versions of LEGO Star Wars II are scheduled for a September 12 release date.
DS vs. PSP: Tic-tac-toe throwdown [Update 1]
In a complicated process which no doubt involved dark alchemy and at least one blood sacrifice, a clever member of the homebrew community has managed to get the DS and the PSP talking to each other wirelessly. The hot topic under disussion between them is nothing other than Tic-tac-toe, that ancient game born in the absence of our wonderful handheld devices. After loading the homebrew application, users can engage in an epic battle of noughts and crosses, one of them using a DS and the other using a PSP. Very impressive indeed! Will this usher in a new utopia of cross-platform homebrew games, or is it just another Romeo & Juliet yarn in the making?[Thanks Probot!][Update: Check out some discussion on this development over here. Thanks GameCop!]
