Suda 51
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No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise footage is light on gameplay, heavy on badassery
Japanese publisher Marvelous just uploaded a quite lengthy and quite new trailer for the Xbox 360 and PS3 port of No More Heroes. It's all in Japanese, but it speaks the universal languages of crazy bosses and near-naked-babe quite well. Aside from that, it also shows how much better the game looks compared to its Wii counterpart -- all of those Ps really make a difference. Be sure to check out the last few seconds of the trailer, which show us the Japanese version of the game just may not be censored after all. The original censored Wii game certainly didn't have that much blood in it!
No More Heroes 2 is last installment on Wii, next game on new Nintendo platform
Clarifying an earlier statement that No More Heroes 2 would be the franchises' last installment on the Wii, creator Suda 51 told 1UP that the upcoming sequel is "the last iteration for this current platform." Suda believes there will be a "Wii 2," and he'd like to do another "game in the series on the next Nintendo platform." It appears we're now just waiting on Nintendo to unveil the Wii HD (or Wii 2). Then we can ask Mr. 51 about when we can expect an HD-ified No More Heroes.
Dress Travis Touchdown for this No More Heroes 2 contest
A few months ago, Marvelous and Famitsu held a No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle contest in Japan, allowing fans to submit t-shirt designs for possible inclusion in Travis Touchdown's wardrobe. Today, Ubisoft announced that it is giving American fans the chance to outfit Travis as well. From now through September 5, you can submit a t-shirt design to Ubisoft through this site. Suda 51 will personally select the winning design. Amusingly, this is the only contest we can remember whose official rules state that the prize has an approximate retail value of $0.00. That's the most exciting nothing we've ever considered competing for!
Suda 51: next No More Heroes won't be on Wii
Awesome news for No More Heroes fans: creator Suda 51 told Edge that he wants to continue the series. "I really want to make NMH a big franchise," he said, "and with this second episode have bigger success." Slightly less awesome news for certain No More Heroes fans: if the series does continue past Desperate Struggle, it probably won't be on the Wii. "I think this is the last NMH that is going to be developed on Wii," Suda said. "To expand NMH to new possibilities, we need a new platform. Wii is a great platform, but we've done everything we can with it now." Recent comments from Suda suggest that he's looking toward the Natal-enhanced Xbox 360 for at least one future project -- and No More Heroes was originally planned as a 360 game. Perhaps he's realized that charging Travis Touchdown's beam saber could be made even more embarrassing without a Wiimote prop. In any case, it may be a bummer for Wii-only gamers, but at least if No More Heroes comes out on one of the other consoles, the "hardcore" types will be able to admit it's wonderful without having to say something nice about the Wii.
Mizuguchi, Suda 51 weigh in on E3's new motion controllers
In this week's Famitsu, three major Japanese developers discussed this year's E3 and how they feel about the various motion technology displayed. Grasshopper Manufacture's Suda 51, Q Entertainment's Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Level-5's Akihiro Hino all somewhat agree on what they see as the future of gaming. "Hardware-wise, it was all about Project Natal," Mr. Suda said, as translated by 1UP, noting his excitement on the possibility of creating a game specifically based around its technology."It's not a shift from 2D to 3D or in the number of polygons, but it's games trying to open up an entirely new door," Mizuguchi agreed, continuing, "I thought it would take longer, but it's happening faster than I expected." Ironically, when the trio chose the most exciting games at E3, the list quickly filled with Western-developed games, from Splinter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2 to The Beatles: Rock Band. Could they resist the ubiquitous Final Fantasy name drop? No, no they could not. "The visual quality was so impressive that I doubted it was even a game," Hino said of AC2, adding, "Final Fantasy XIII is the same way." Impressed/interested by the motion technology but still loving AAA-franchise sequels? Sounds like the whole game industry right now.
Suda 51: Middle market is key to refreshing Japanese game industry
GamesIndustry.biz spoke to No More Heroes/Killer 7 creator Suda 51 at the Nordic Game Conference, and while it may seem like an odd fit to ask the Grasshopper Manufacture head -- who isn't known for big sales numbers -- about marketing, that's exactly what GI did, discussing the slowing Japanese market. Suda approached the problem from a game design perspective. "Well, there are a lot of core gamers, and a lot of lighter users playing on platforms such as the DS," Suda said, "but there's nothing in-between. I think it's going to be very important for games to be created for that middle audience, and that will help bring the market back on-track."Responding to a follow-up question about Grasshopper's signature style, Suda named some mass market games with their own distinct styles. "For example, Call of Duty, LittleBigPlanet or BioShock -- you can feel different core elements in each of those games. Burnout Paradise is my favourite [smiles]."
Ubisoft hints at publishing No More Heroes 2
The above video is from an Ubisoft teaser video for some E3 coverage they'll be ... you know what? We'll tell you about that another time, stay focused. As you can see in the screen, the female staffer has a helpful Post-it note stuck to her foot that includes the acronym NMH2 as in ... No More Heroes 2. If we're reading the signals right, it not only means the game will be at E3, it means that Ubisoft has picked up the publishing rights. Here's hoping we haven't missed the mark.
Desperately Struggle not to freak out at new No More Heroes 2 details
The latest Famitsu issue, in addition to some stuff about Metal Gear or whatever, also features a blowout article about the latest game from Kojima's friend and colleague Suda 51, No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle. The article shows that the UAA assassin's organization and its liaison, Sylvia Christel, have returned, along with (necessarily) new assassins like the #50-ranked Nathan Copeland. Desperate Struggle occurs three years after the events of the first game, and Travis Touchdown has been called back into action after Bishop from Beef Head Video is captured by gang members, according to IGN's translation. To take on these new assassins, Travis Touchdown has developed new techniques -- like dual wielding beam sabers, as seen in the scans. It may just be because the scans are tiny, or because we're insane for No More Heroes, but it seems the graphics have been refined for this adventure. We'll find out on the 30th when a new trailer debuts!
Rumor: Grasshopper Manufacture working with Square Enix
The website for Suda 51's development company, Grasshopper Manufacture, features a list of the No More Heroes developer's "principal business partners" -- publishers and developers with whom the "video game band" has worked. The products of each company's collaboration with Grasshopper can be identified (well, kind of in the case of EA and Q? Entertainment, both working with GHM on a currently unknown "action-horror game"), with one exception: Square Enix. According to the site, the only work done for Square Enix has been sound design for RAD, and GHM doesn't count the companies for whom it does sound work as "principal business partners."It's possible, then, that Square Enix could have plans to publish an unannounced Grasshopper Manufacture game. The company has at least one project in the works that it has yet to divulge details on -- the mystery game with the Kennedy quote that we believe to be a Front Mission series entry. The more GHM games in the world, we say, the better![Via Siliconera]
Suda considering MotionPlus, online play for No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle
"Give us MotionPlus!" That seemed to be the most popular response when we asked you what changes you'd make to No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle. Luckily for us, Goichi Suda seems to agree (does he read Wii Fanboy reader comments? If so, hai, Suda!). Speaking to IGN (hit the break for the full video interview), the maverick developer discussed how he'd like to utilise Wii MotionPlus in the No More Heroes follow-up, despite not having touched the add-on yet. 1:1 beam katana action? Um, yes please. He's also "very interested" in online play, though sounded slightly less committed to the idea when he discussed it with CVG, describing it as "still up in [the] air." We'd probably take MotionPlus over some online mode, though if Suda feels like adding both to Travis' next outing, we suppose we can accept that as well. %Gallery-34131%
Flower, Sun, and Rain in North America in 2009
No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle might be the biggest news of TGS involving Suda 51 and the letters "D" and "S," but it's not the only such news. Marvelous and XSEED have confirmed a US release for the DS remake of Suda 51's PS2 adventure game Flower, Sun, and Rain, which stars Sumio Mondo, a man forced to relive the same day, in which a sunny resort is blown up by terrorists.Of course, the game is coming out in Europe this November, so waiting until the US release may only be a cost-cutting measure on the part of impatient Suda fans. But we're happy to be able to go into a store -- eventually -- and buy it!%Gallery-12911%[Via press release]
Suda and team recount making of No More Heroes
Toilets seem to go hand-in-hand with Goichi Suda and No More Heroes. Around the time of the game's release, Suda mischievously compared making the game to defecating, and he's now revealed that he was inspired to make No More Heroes while perched on the porcelain throne. This in turn led to the title's quirky save mechanic, as seen above.These are just two nuggets from a "Making of No More Heroes" piece at the Official Nintendo Magazine site. Suda also mentions how Johnny Knoxville influenced the character of Travis Touchdown, while artist Katsuyoshi Fukamachi and assistant director Toshihiro Fujikawa reflect on the myriad challenges they faced during No More Heroes' eight-month development cycle, including the chaotic final weeks, which both describe as a "total nightmare." It's definitely worth a read, partly because Suda is one of the industry's most entertaining and frank interviewees, but also because he's talking about one of the best Wii games of the last twelve months.%Gallery-4611%
EA hoping to sign up more Japanese developers
Having already come to an arrangement with Japanese star developers Goichi "Suda 51" Suda and Shinji Mikami to publish a mysterious horror franchise*, who could blame EA for stalking showing interest in other Eastern talent? Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, David DeMartini, who oversees the EA Partners program and a board swathed in secret plans, candidly admits, "EA looks at the top 20 developers in the world and we try to sign anything those guys are working on." DeMartini explains that deals such as the Suda/Mikami one represent "something that is very unique and very special," despite being, like many of our relationships, "slightly uncomfortable for both parties." We're dying to see the results of EA's collaboration and share DeMartini's unshaken hope that it "will serve as a springboard to a successful formula that we can apply to some of the other great Japanese designers." You know, like Gackt.*It's the franchise that's mysterious, not the horror. We're quite certain it'll have obvious, horror-inducing things like ghosts or Rihanna albums.
Suda and Mikami love EA
Nothing makes EA sound like a warm, welcoming place than two people used to dealing with Japanese publishers. 1UP interviewed Suda51 and Shinji Mikami about their new horror game with EA, and the two have nothing but good to say about their treatment from the mega-corporation. Suda was impressed with the communication: "We actually don't even communicate that much when working with a Japanese publisher, but when something happens, we can always get in touch with EA and talk about how we both feel on an issue. Our relationship is extremely good."This deal is four years in the making. Suda presented Mikami with his concept at the end of their collaboration on Killer 7, and the two decided that they work well together. "I mean, Grasshopper has experience in creating action games," said Suda, "but Mikami is one of the top three action game creators in the world." They described how Mikami balances out Suda's weirdness for the audience, and how Suda delivers amazing visuals. Last June they brought ideas, including this horror game, to EA. No concrete information about the game was revealed, but Suda proffered two sources of inspiration (though there is a note in the translation that these are guesses): the Takashi Miike film Crows Zero and the Japanese drama Rookies. So something about high school gangs?
EA publishing new action horror 'franchise' from Suda51, Shinji Mikami
EA has just announced a publishing agreement with eccentric No More Heroes developer, Grasshopper Manufacture. The deal concerns an "all-new action horror game" produced by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and directed by the master of self-referential weirdness, Goichi "Suda51" Suda. The mysterious title, which also boasts the involvement of Q Entertainment, is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Wii. Goichi Suda has nothing but good things to say about EA Partners in the press release, praising the group for sharing Grasshopper's "commitment to quality and innovation," all the while respecting its "independence as a studio, which is very empowering." EA Games' Frank Gibeau is equally polite, saying, "It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide. Franchise, you say? Of course, neither of them say anything about the actual game. Way to leave us hanging, guys!
Jamming to Wario Land: Shake It!
Click for image that isn't cropped If you're the type of person who is big into the music in games, then we've got a post for you. Combine the visual excellence and tight controls (which don't overuse motion control, by the way) with this audio assault and we're sure Wario Land: Shake It! is going to be the Wii title to top this year. Well, actually, the bar was set way back in January, by a little-known game called No More Heroes. We're sure Wario will give Travis a run for his money, though.Head past the break for the video.%Gallery-26293%
Flower, Sun and English Screens
Click to embiggen. Rising Star Games has planted a European release date and the first English language media for Flower, Sun and Rain on the internet. Although the release date (October) is old news grandad, everything else is new, including the very lovely and understated boxart above, featuring a passenger airliner cruising across a calm, salmon-colored sky, a bomb presumably tucked away somewhere on board.Some (very) minor details/impressions we picked up from the screens: We've now got our first look at the memo pad that can be used to make notes. Handy! Somehow, vampires are involved, thus escalating Flower, Sun and Rain's awesomeness. The 3D sections look more crude than we recall. We wonder: will Rockstar be able to better this? Geeks and freaks ahoy! %Gallery-12911%[Via press release]
Flowers, Dungeons, and Pain confirmed for Europe
A new batch of European release dates has suddenly materialized from Nintendo, and is packed with all sorts of exciting confirmations. The most thrilling, for us at least, is the news that Flower, Sun, and Rain will be getting that rumored European release this October, followed by Lux Pain in November. If you want to know where to send your effusive "thank you" letters, Rising Star are the ones in charge of localizing both titles. Other items of interest include a specific launch date for Bakushow, and Euro versions of Pokémon Platinum (big surprise, right?) and Dungeon Maker.But here's a question: what's with DS Novel? It's been hanging around on these lists for the best part of eight months now, and we're still no nearer to learning a release date or what it even is. Check out the full list for yourselves past the break!%Gallery-12911%%Gallery-18526%
No More Heroes remix CD launched nerdily
Game|Life's Jean Snow, along with a very exclusive audience that naturally did not include us (we'd be happy just to be able to buy the CD), attended the launch party for the No More Heroes Dark Side CD, which features remixes of Masafumi Takada's excellent soundtrack by other game and chiptune musicians. The party took place at Shinjuku's 8-bit Cafe, a retrogaming-themed restaurant with displays of classic games, and even a bin full of games for customers to play at any of the systems set up around the shop.Once the event closed, the celebration moved to another bar called 16 Shots -- as in Takahashi Meijin's button-mashing record. You'll never hear a geekier name for a business, at least until our loan goes through.
Zero Punctuation shines the spotlight on No More Heroes
Wii Fanboy favorite No More Heroes is the focus of this week's Zero Punctuation, and it actually gets off fairly easily compared to the roasting received by most games. In between describing Suda 51 as "the 51st result of an illegal Japanese cloning experiment to create the world's most auteur game designer" and fretting over what the game is satirizing and what it isn't, Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw admits he enjoyed playing as Travis Touchdown, and eventually praises Grasshopper's game for its "unpredictable story and quirky aesthetics."Finally, as if we didn't already admire the man enough, he reveals his deep-seated love of Branston Pickle. Way to make us forgive every mean thing you ever said about our favorite games, Yahtzee. Hit the break for the full, NSFW review.%Gallery-4611%
