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Outfit your Hyrule Warriors with costume DLC, now available
If you missed out on pre-ordering Hyrule Warriors to snag retailer-exclusive costumes inspired by Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Ocarina of Time (or wanted more than one set of said costumes), there's good news waiting for you in the eShop, as four costume packs are now available for $0.99 each. Note: While the full game can be purchased via Nintendo's website, the DLC waits in the wings of the Wii U eShop. The Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword and Ocarina of Time costume packs each provide Link and Zelda with costumes inspired by the respective game. A fourth pack, called the Demon King Costume Set, provides two new costumes for Ganondorf - one inspired by his appearance in Ocarina of Time and one inspired by Twilight Princess. All of the costume packs now for sale are the same as those given to customers who pre-ordered (or in the case of the Ganondorf costumes, those in Club Nintendo) so be careful not to make a double purchase. [Image: Nintendo]
Dead or Alive 5 Last Round to hit PC, but online play's in limbo
The Dead or Alive series is coming to Windows PC for the first time, with DoA 5 Last Round confirmed for a Steam launch alongside console versions on February 17, 2015. However, much like the fighter's array of characters, not everything will be covered by launch time. According to its Steam page, Last Round will arrive on PC without online modes, and it will take up to three months for them to be patched in. Publisher Koei Tecmo didn't offer any explanation for the belated online play in this week's press release or on the Steam page. The listing simply states that "online modes for Dead or Alive 5 Last Round will be added in a patch within three months of release."
Team Ninja's Ni-Oh is not dead-oh, needs 'a little time'
We wouldn't blame you if you didn't remember the announcement and reveal of Tecmo Koei's Ni-Oh - it's been eight years since the game reared its samurai armor-clad head during a non-playable demo at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show. Since then, it went dark and was later revived as a Team Ninja project - albeit a very quiet one. However, the wait may finally be coming to a close. "I have heard rumors that it's been stopped, but it's actually very much in development," Team Ninja Producer Yosuke Hayashi told GamesBeat in an interview. "We still need a little time before showing it off, but it is starting to come together and feel good. You should definitely keep an eye out for it in the future." Ni-Oh will have some fairly infamous company, should it ever actually see the light of day: Duke Nukem Forever and Aliens: Colonial Marines also saw numerous periods of quiet and multiple developers jumping onboard before release, and well ... we don't really have to tell you how well they went over. But then, Xbox 360 game Prey was also in that boat, and it was ... alright.
Hyrule Warriors takes Twili Midna for a twirl next week
Hyrule Warriors' next DLC delves into the Legend of Zelda's past and retrieves one of the series' most memorable companions as a playable character. Reprized in her True "Twili" form as seen at the end of Link's GameCube and Wii adventure, the Twilight Princess pack brings Midna and her wiles to the Wii U hack-and-slash on November 27. Zelda series producer Eiji Anouma explained on Miiverse why the Twilight Princess returns in Hyrule Warriors as Twili Midna rather than her more familiar form. "When I was developing Twilight Princess," Anouma wrote, "I thought it was such a waste to let a beautiful princess like her only appear in the ending. Now Koei Tecmo Games has made my wish to see more of her come true."
Hyrule Warriors review: Moblin warfare
Though The Legend of Zelda series includes some of the most beloved games of all time, Hyrulean protagonist Link has seen some less than stellar adventures in the hands of developers not named Nintendo. Capcom's Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages Game Boy games were excellent, but both relied on gameplay elements and graphics borrowed from Nintendo's own The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. More notorious are the three CD-i games which transplanted Link into a wholly new gameplay style that's best described as a hybrid of the sidescrolling stages of the second Legend of Zelda game and an unending litany of poor design decisions. The less said about the games' baffling take on Nintendo character design, the better. Despite this disappointing history, Nintendo has now granted Koei Tecmo – more specifically, its most notable developers, Omega Force and Team Ninja – the rights to craft their own Legend of Zelda entry, a melee-focused Wii U spin-off dubbed Hyrule Warriors. It would be difficult to match the depressing legacy left by the CD-i entries, but it seems an even more daunting task to match Nintendo's pedigree of sterling high-fantasy adventures. Fortunately for fans of both The Legend of Zelda and Koei Tecmo's flagship musou brawlers, Hyrule Warriors is successful on nearly every level.
Report: Bladestorm plots new dynasty on PS4, Xbox One, PS3
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War and Nightmare is preparing a three-way attack on PS4, Xbox One and PS3, according to reports. The new version of the 2007 real-time tactics game was unveiled for PS4 at Sony Japan & Asia's press conference on Monday, and now Gematsu and Siliconera claim this week's Famitsu confirms PS3 and Xbox One versions, too. According to Gematsu, the enhanced revision returns to the original's Hundred Years' War campaign, but also introduces a new "Nightmare" section that takes place in a fantasy world. The PS4 trailer seems to tease that when a dragon suddenly lands in the middle of a battle, which we don't seem to remember from our history lessons - not that we remember our history lessons. Anyway, Gematsu adds we can expect more otherworldly critters to show up, like goblins and cyclopes, and ones that the players get to control, too. For now, the new Bladestorm remains confirmed for Japan only, where it's due to launch later this year. Nonetheless, you can charge past the break to check out the PS4 trailer.
Best Buy, Amazon offer Hyrule Warriors pre-order costumes
GameStop won't be the only retailer with special costumes for Link and friends when Hyrule Warriors battles for control of your Wii U on September 26. Best Buy and Amazon have also opened some special chests and ... Dun-dun-dun-DUN! ... have pulled out some exclusive costumes as well. Fans of the latest Legend of Zelda game should head over to Best Buy, where you'll get Skyward Sword-themed costumes for Link and Zelda when you pre-order the game. Those who prefer their Hero of Time to be a bit darker should opt for Amazon, which has Twilight Princess-themed costumes for the tunic-wearing swordsman and Hyrule's most-kidnappable princess. And don't forget, no matter where you pick up the game, if you're a Club Nintendo member who registers your copy before October 23, you'll receive two costumes for Zelda baddie, Ganondorf. [Image: Nintendo/Tecmo Koei]
Hyrule Warriors' adventure mode has NES Zelda appeal
Nintendo offered new details on Hyrule Warriors during a Nintendo Direct livestream last night dedicated to spilling new beans on the game. The Tecmo Koei-developed offering will include an adventure mode that features a NES-style map inspired by the original Legend of Zelda. In it, players hack through levels with unique victory conditions, such as "defeat 300 enemies in 10 minutes," acquiring and using classic items from the Zelda series to find rare goods like heart containers. Additionally, Zelda fans will appreciate the familiar ability to chop away at grass in Hyrule Warriors and attack the chicken-like Cuccos, which will attack players after enough unjust damage has been done to the creatures. The livestream also touched on the game's leveling and skill/equipment crafting system; we've embedded the full Hyrule Warriors Direct stream for your viewing pleasure. Hyrule Warriors will launch September 26 for Wii U, and those that register their copies on Club Nintendo by October 23 will receive two Ganondorf costumes. [Image: Nintendo]
Zelda villain Ganondorf playable in Hyrule Warriors
Ganondorf, often depicted as the Big Bad of The Legend of Zelda series, will be playable in Hyrule Warriors, out September 26. This particular rendition of the Triforce of Power-wielding villain features a long mane of red-orange hair and holds a large, wicked-looking broadsword. Nintendo announced the news during its special Hyrule Warriors-themed Nintendo Direct stream, which we'll have more information on soon. In the meantime, you can view the stream in its entirety on the official Nintendo site. [Image: Nintendo/Tecmo Koei]
Hyrule Warriors gets its own Nintendo Direct stream next week
Nintendo is bringing Hyrule Warriors directly to you in another idiosyncratic broadcast on August 4, with an English version confirmed courtesy of Nintendo of America. The game's Nintendo Direct airs on YouTube and the company's site, and the Zelda-themed carnage is set to begin at the not-so-friendly time of 8PM PT/11PM ET. The news follows confirmation Ocarina of Time's Sheik, Darunia, and Princess Ruto join the Wii U game's cast of heroes - you can see all the playable characters unveiled so far in the video up top. However, there's one must-have inclusion we're still waiting on... Hyrule Warriors hits Europe on September 19 and North America on September 26. In the interim, check out our E3 preview to see why Joystiq's Danny Cowan describes the game as the Zelda beat-em-up you never knew you wanted. [Image: Nintendo]
Samurai Warriors 4 tenth anniversary edition hits PS4 in October
Koei Tecmo celebrates a decade of historical brawling with an upcoming anniversary collector's edition of Samurai Warriors 4 arriving for the PlayStation 4 in October. Samurai Warriors 4: Special Anime Pack includes a Blu-ray copy of the Samurai Warriors: Legend of the Sanada anime, an official soundtrack CD, and a retail PS4 copy of Samurai Warriors 4. The set also offers a bundle of character customization DLC, adding extra costumes and armor sets for several featured fighters. Samurai Warriors 4 launches in North America on October 24. The Special Anime Pack retails for $74.99. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War charging back onto screens
Flanking us from left field, Koei Tecmo announced Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War & Nightmare is currently in development. Going by Siliconera and Gematsu's translations, it's an enhanced remake of the 2007 real-time tactics PS3 and Xbox 360 game. As returning producer Akihiro Suzuki said in Famitsu, Koei's "looking to expand upon the foundation of the original game, but we also intend to introduce a load of new elements into the game." It's one of those "...wha?" announcements that means Koei Tecmo can get away with holding back platforms and release details for now. So even if a Western release is on the cards, we probably won't hear about it for a while.
Midna lends Link a hand in new Hyrule Warriors trailer
Twilight Princess' lovable imp Midna headlines the latest gameplay trailer for Koei Tecmo's Zelda-fied brawler Hyrule Warriors, showcasing an array of powerful attacks using gigantic phantom hands and summoned creatures. Midna is the latest in a string of Hyrule Warriors character profiles, following up on previous trailers featuring Link and Impa. Hyrule Warriors launches as a Wii U exclusive in North America on September 26. [Video: Koei Tecmo / Nintendo]
Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL
2014 is the year of corporate name reversals, it seems. After Namco Bandai became Bandai Namco, Tecmo Koei and MarvelousAQL have decided to get in on the act. Or, as we should say now, Koei Tecmo and Marvelous Inc. It might seem odd, but there is some sense to the moves. When Tecmo and Koei merged in 2009 the resultant company was called Koei Tecmo in Japan, while Western Branches were named Tecmo Koei. Tecmo was the bigger name in the West with the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series among others, so putting the Tecmo name first was a smart move. Five years on, the company wants to move forward under a common name globally, and now we have Koei Tecmo Europe and Koei Tecmo America.
Mila joins free-to-play DOA5U: Core Fighters roster
If the barebones introduction to Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate known as DOA5U: Core Fighters hasn't offered enough content for your tastes, you'll be pleased to learn that a new character has joined Tecmo Koei's free-to-play fighting game. For a "limited time," those who download DOA5U: Core Fighters will receive pugilist Mila at no additional charge. One more character would not be an impressive addition to the expansive Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate cast, but the stripped down Core Fighters only offers four fighters by default, making this addition a sizable upgrade for a game that still features a $0 price tag. As usual, additional fighters can be purchased at $4 a piece, while adding a proper Story Mode will set you back $15. According to the most recent PlayStation Blog update, the addition of Mila comes as a sign of gratitude to fans who have downloaded DOA5U: Core Fighters over 1.3 million times. There's no word on when Tecmo Koei will end this free offer, so those tempted by the addition of Mila's MMA combat style should find the nearest PlayStation 3 and download the game tout de suite. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Agitha, Lana join Hyrule Warriors' playable cast
Nintendo and Tecmo Koei have revealed a pair of new playable characters featured in the upcoming Zelda-themed beat-'em-up Hyrule Warriors -- newcomer sorceress Lana and previously announced Twilight Princess veteran Agitha. Lana wields powerful lightning spells in combat, while Agitha enters battle with a deadly parasol at her side. Also appearing in Hyrule Warriors are Twilight Princess boss Argorok and Usurper King Zant, among many other cameos and callbacks to previous series entries. [Image: Nintendo / Tecmo Koei]
Link discovers pyromania in new Hyrule Warriors trailer
The defining feature of each of Tecmo Koei's "musou" games is the ability to destroy legions of enemies with a few massive strikes, and in that regard, the Legend of Zelda-themed Hyrule Warriors lives up to its pedigree. Above you'll find the latest footage released by Tecmo Koei. It depicts Nintendo icon Link using one of the game's bigger weapons. "Bigger," in this case, refers both to the size of the staff, and the damage it inflicts on enemies. Standard attacks fire a barrage of rings that blast foes unlucky enough to stand in front of Link, while more powerful strikes create flaming whirlwinds, explosive blasts and even summon meteors to crush Link's enemies to bits. In related news, the latest issue of Famitsu (courtesy Siliconera translation) claims that Hyrule Warriors will feature Agitha as a playable character. It's unknown what the self-described "Princess of Bugs" will bring to the large-scale brawler, but it's nice to the see that the oddball character has a life beyond her origin in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Hyrule Warriors is slated to appear in Japan this August, with a European launch following on September 19, and the game's North American debut on September 26. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Kasumi clone 'Phase-4' joins Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate roster
Because Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate can never have enough slight variations on franchise protagonist Kasumi, the developer has unveiled "Phase-4," a new character who is quite literally a clone of the series' most famous kunoichi. Unveiled alongside the 1.07 patch (which squashes a handful of bugs, but is otherwise largely focused on fleshing out Phase-4), this latest iteration of Kasumi shares a few of the original's moves, though as you can see in the above trailer, Phase-4 adds a unique, smoky touch to everything she does. Even her alternate costumes are mysterious. They all seem to bear the trademark hyper-sexuality that Team Ninja infuses into all of its games, but Phase-4's various costumes generally revolve around a hood, making her the most brooding, angsty version of Kasumi to date. Publisher Tecmo Koei has a long history of releasing dozens of paid DLC offerings for its games, and Phase-4 is no exception. Those hoping to add the new fighter to Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate face a $6 cover charge. Assuming you've got that kind of cash, Phase-4 can now be found on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Hyrule Warriors is the Zelda beat-'em-up you never knew you wanted
The next Zelda game coming to the Wii U is anything but traditional fare for the series. Instead, it follows a different set of traditions, basing its core mechanics on Tecmo-Koei's Dynasty Warriors franchise. Rather than putting players in the midst of history-inspired battles in ancient China, the upcoming Hyrule Warriors for the Wii U takes its cast and settings from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series. Choosing one of nine characters (including series mainstays Link, Zelda, and Impa), players embark on a quest to save Hyrule from vast enemy armies. In the context of the Dynasty Warriors series, this amounts to mashing the attack button and slaughtering thousands of weaklings who dare to get in your way.
Female Tengu trolling Dead or Alive Ultimate later this month
Another character set to join the ranks of the Dead or Alive fighters has been revealed, and this one is quite a monster. Literally. The character is Female Tengu, a gender-swapped version of the Dead or Alive 2 final boss, Tengu. Team Ninja tweeted teasers of the character earlier in the week, but it was through Japanese magazine Famitsu that the developer announced this would be a new character and not a costume for an existing character. That being said, judging by her reveal trailer, her fighting style and combos are very similar to the original Tengu's, if not downright identical. Well, at least they ditched the male's giant nose, if only to replace it with some huge hair. Seriously girl, how long it take you to get ready in the morning? Dang! Female Tengu joins a(nother) clone of Kasumi and a young girl with Lolita fashion sense as some of the franchise's freshest faces. She will be released to console versions of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate in Japan later this month. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
