summer-2012
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Best Buy's Summer Gaming Blowout begins today
Best Buy's Summer Gaming Blowout includes massive deals on Just Dance 3, Rayman Origins, Crysis 2 and a bomb of other games, running from today, August 12, through August 18.Just Dance 3, Rayman Origins, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Tekken Hybrid and Crysis 2 are running $10 each, along with a handful of other motion-sensitive and visually enchanting titles. Check out all the games and accessories right here.
Spy vs. Spy for iOS coming this summer, includes online multiplayer
We're going to ruin the fun for you, but it's in the service of announcing some other fun. The message above, obscured by reverse alphabetical cipher, reads: White and black spies resurface -(stop)- iPad -(stop)- iPhone -(stop)- iPod Touch -(stop)- online two players -(stop)- this summer -(stop)- this message will self destruct in five seconds -(stop)-So, to translate that all the way into legible English, WB's Spy vs. Spy remake will be released this summer on iOS, and will feature online multiplayer for two players. You can look forward to stealing your friends' important secrets, and planting bombs in their wall safes. But, like, in a way that it's totally all right to look forward to.
New Little King's Story graces Vita in North America this summer
Finally, the Vita followup to the best game of 2009 is coming stateside. New Little King's Story, a new game based on the Wii action/strategy game, will be released as a download this summer by Konami.Featuring a less cutesy art style and a new storyline (and lacking the hand of creator Yoshiro Kimura), New Little King's Story sees King Corobo trying to reclaim his lost lands from the Demon King. Players will recruit and grow their Royal Guard from their own kingdom, and then basically throw all those people at enemies.We might admit to being a bit ... cautious ... about the new art style and loss of Kimura's guidance, but at least with this announcement, we'll have the opportunity to judge for ourselves.%Gallery-156445%
War Wings is now 'Damage Inc,' coming this summer from Mad Catz
Mad Catz has revealed that War Wings: Hell Catz, announced last year, has been renamed Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII. As the rather unwieldy title implies, Damage Inc. is a flight combat game set in the Pacific theater of World War II, beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor and progressing through "23 historically accurate missions and 100+ mission objectives." The game will also feature online co-op and versus multiplayer. Damage Inc. will be released on Xbox and PS3 this summer.And, if you're still wondering why a peripheral manufacturer would be dabbling in publishing, meet the Pacific AV8R Flightstick. The stick will be included with the collector's edition of Damage Inc, which has yet to be priced. Strangely, the Damage Inc. website showcases a PC version of the stick, though no PC version of the game has been announced.We'll be giving the game a spin at E3 next month. In the meantime, check out some fresh trailers and screens.%Gallery-154583%
DJ Max Technika Tune carried to North American Vitas this summer
Last year, Sony Computer Entertainment Korea announced a Vita version of Pentavision's arcade game DJ Max Technika. Today, Pentavision revealed the adaptation with a new trailer – and revealed that it'll be coming to North America this summer.Called DJ Max Technika Tune, the game is due on both PSN and retail, published by Pentavision Global in North America. It features the usual touch-based rhythm gameplay for the series – in which you tap icons in time to a scroll bar, on two divided segments of the screen.However, the video also teases some unspecified "tune" feature using the rear touchpad. We've watched the end of the trailer a few times now, but the word "tune" and flashing lights just doesn't reveal any secrets to us.Update: This piece originally stated that PM Studios would be handling North American publishing, which isn't accurate. Pentavision Global is handling North American publishing for DJ Max Technika Tune.
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus coming to Japan this summer, limited edition arcade stick in tow
The XBLA/PSN port of Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus will roman cancel its way into Japanese living rooms sometime this summer, according to Siliconera's translation of Famitsu. Still no word on a North American or European release date, however, but a Japanese release window is a good sign that things are progressing in some fashion.Despite years of inactivity brought on by legal troubles and developmental purgatory, the Guilty Gear series still holds a very special place in the living, beating heart of the fighting game community. So much so, in fact, that arcade parts manufacturing powerhouse Sawna Denshi is producing a limited edition Guilty Gear arcade stick for the PS3, set to launch alongside the game's Japan release.The stick will be available from Ebten for ¥13,980 ($171.95) when it does launch, but since Sanwa only operates in Japan, we doubt it'll make its way to any domestic retailers that don't specialize in importing esoteric wares from the Land of the Rising Sun.
'Bunny Must Die,' declares Rockin' Android
Rockin' Android, which translates and updates Japanese fan games for Western release, has issued an ultimatum, in the form of its next game's title. Bunny Must Die: Chelsea & the 7 Devils is an "exploration-based platformer" due this summer on PC and unspecified consoles, in which a bunny-suited girl explores the "Devils' Labyrinth," picking up additional weapons like the "Hyper Heels," getting through traps, and solving puzzles.Bunny also gets time manipulation powers, allowing her to slow, stop, or reverse time. Perhaps by the end of the game she can find some reasonable clothes as well. Check out a PC demo at the official site.
Ms. Splosion Man platform 'splosion: coming to PC, iOS, Windows Phone
Like playing Ms. Splosion Man, but have an intractable grudge against your Xbox 360? Twisted Pixel is bringing its concussive platformer to several new platforms, including PC (on both Steam and Games for Windows Live), iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone 7. The porting process is a multi-studio endeavor, requiring the talents of not only Twisted Pixel, but Iron Galaxy, Fire Hose Games, and Panic Button Games as well.The PC version appears identical to the XBLA release, but the mobile game is a "unique experience" designed specifically for touchscreens -- using a virtual d-pad. You'll be able to find out how well these new containers withstand explosive force this summer.
Square Enix's mystery game is browser-based Crystal Conquest
The fantasy game teased by Square Enix recently is called Crystal Conquest, the company revealed today. It's a browser game for the Japanese Yahoo! Games service, which seems to combine real-time strategy and action. Two teams of 20 players, trying to defeat one another using summoned creatures and special abilities in a side-scrolling brawler-type environment. Players can assign those skills from decks of cards they've assembled before going into battle.Square Enix will hold an alpha test for the game from April 12 through April 16, for which it's taking email signups through April 9. The game will be available to all (in Japan) this summer.
Magical Drop V due this summer
It's been a while since we heard about Magical Drop V, the new entry in Data East's venerable puzzle series, which contains another Data East puzzle game, Ghostlop, within it. In fact, it's been since E3 of last year. So we contacted publisher Ignition to make sure it was still happening, and if so, when.An Ignition representative told us that the puzzle game is now due this summer. There is as yet no update on platforms, so until we hear differently it's still PC first, and unspecified consoles after.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy serenades the west this summer
The adorable Final Fantasy rhythm-action game for 3DS is coming to North America and Europe. And yes, it's still called Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy ("pronounced 'theater rhythm,'" Square Enix explains.) The publisher announced plans to localize the franchise-celebrating music game today, bringing along "more than 70 musical scores spanning 25 years."Players will tap and drag to the beat of classic Final Fantasy music in modes inspired by "battle," "event" (cutscene), and "field" sequences. Square Enix has dated the release for Summer in both North America and PAL regions. You can relax in the sun this summer, tapping glowing icons over Tidus's face.%Gallery-151254%
Jet Set Radio tags XBLA, PSN, PC this summer, Sega holding graffiti contest
Sega's extremely subtle teaser turned out to be for an update of Jet Set Radio after all! Sega is re-releasing the beloved Dreamcast skating/vandalism action-adventure this summer on XBLA, PSN (for PS3), and PC download -- under the proper name. None of that "grind" nonsense. The in-progress screens show an HD presentation that looks just like the original, but smoother.Sega hasn't said anything about whether you'll be able to import your own graffiti images as was possible in the Dreamcast version. The publisher is, however, holding a contest to solicit eighteen winning images for inclusion in the game. Prizes include copies of the game, a solar-powered Bluetooth speaker system, and Jet Set Radio hoodies and beverage shakers.%Gallery-148852%
Klei Entertainment teases XBLA 'Mark of the Ninja' with text adventure
If you can make the right choices in this interactive text adventure, you too can see a teaser video for Klei Entertainment's upcoming Xbox game Mark of the Ninja.Due this summer, Mark of the Ninja is a side-scrolling "stealth ninja game" with heavily stylized graphics, that involves reticle-targeted ninja devices like a grappling hook, caltrops, and throwing knives. Judging by the clip (and the preceding text game), the goal is to set up traps for unsuspecting enemies, and kill them undetected.The video suggests that Mark of the Ninja is a Microsoft Studios-published game, which, combined with the release window, makes it a very likely candidate for a Summer of Arcade promotion.
Natural Selection 2 demonstrates Darwin's theory in new video
With the advent of antibiotics, platinum credit cards and thermal underwear, the purist's notion of natural selection remains a long-forgotten, useless ideal -- at least until the aliens attack. Sequel to a 2002 Half-Life mod, Natural Selection 2 will act as a survival-of-the-fittest simulation for both sides: Players will inhabit the bodies of aliens and Marines to see which traits will be passed on to the following generations. We're guessing large teeth and precise trigger fingers will make the cut, but not necessarily on the same species.Natural Selection 2 is set to launch this summer, but those who pre-order will get early access via the beta on Steam.
Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown headed to XBLA and PSN in summer 2012
The pioneering Virtua Fighter series hasn't seen a release in North America since 2007. Sega just announced plans to bring the latest version of Virtua Fighter 5 over -- as a downloadable game. Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown is based on the 2010 arcade version, which adds new costume options, dynamic arenas and, most importantly, "a full overhaul of Virtua Fighter 5's mechanics, balance and animations." 19 playable characters will be available, including the sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi, who returns from Virtua Fighter 3. Sega is planning to release Final Showdown next summer. If you're at PAX, you'll be able to play the arcade version at the nearby Gameworks. Rather than set up console demos at the show, Sega has brought in full arcade machines to show off Final Showdown.
