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Dead or Alive Dimensions goes live in North America May 24
After finalizing the Japanese release date for Dead or Alive Dimensions, Tecmo Koei has provided a specific release date for the 3DS fighter in North America. You can start counterattacking busty ninjas in Ridley's lair, collecting player profiles over StreetPass, and unlocking figurines that you can pose and photograph, on May 24 -- the exact same day BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 arrives on 3DS. As in Japan, Tecmo Koei is offering 34 costumes through SpotPass, and giving you two opportunities to get each. One costume will be released every day from May 24 through June 26, and again from June 28 through July 31.
Dead or Alive Dimensions hits US and Japan in May
Dead or Alive Dimensions was one of the games whose release date was affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, with its March 24 release bumped to an unknown future date. Today, Tecmo Koei offered a new, final date for the 3DS fighter in Japan: May 19. The DLC schedule for SpotPass-distributed costumes has also been adjusted, with one new costume per day available for free from May 19 through June 21. The downloads will be offered again from June 23 through July 26. This release date news coincides with Nintendo of America's Q2 release list, which puts Dead or Alive Dimensions' North American release sometime in May -- the same month as BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2. How did the 3DS become a fighting game destination?
Ninja Gaiden 3 has complex multiplayer mode, will be more accessible
Ninja Gaiden 3 will feature some form of multiplayer gameplay, according to an interview in the April issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine. Project lead Yosuke Hayashi characterized the mode as "complex," but didn't offer a comparison to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2's online co-op missions. He noted that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions would launch at the same time, unlike past iterations in the series. Additionally, NG3 will supposedly be more accessible to new players, while retaining the challenge that fans have come to expect from the franchise. "We know that many fans feel good about the difficulty level, but we are taking a slightly different approach," Hayashi said. "It's not that the game is going to be easier -- nothing like that. It's just that we are trying to make a whole game, a more exciting game that can be enjoyed by anyone, but at the same time, hardcore gamers will be able to feel and appreciate what the series is about." Hayashi said that the franchise's main character, Ryu Hayabusa, will be the only playable character this time around, and that the game's story "will focus more deeply on Ryu Hayabusa's life and lifestyle and feelings and thoughts." Our first question -- how does Ryu feel about ninja dogs? And, say, giant flaming armadillos? This stuff's important!
Dead or Alive Dimensions box art deemed too leggy by ESRB [update]
The artwork adorning the cover of Dead of Alive Dimensions for 3DS when it hits the US this May will look more or less like it did on the Japanese release, with one change: no inner-thigh. Tecmo tells Joystiq that the ESRB found the original art (left) too racy because it showed too much of Kasumi's right leg. In response, the company's art department whipped up an alternate cover (right) with more, well ... coverage of the highly offensive area. Whatever -- we'll still like this vetoed cover much better. Plus, it's completely leg-fee. Update, March 24: In what seems like some backpedaling in order to make nice with the ESRB, Tecmo has told 1UP the following: "[T]his whole thing is getting blown way out of proportion. The truth is that when we submitted the box art as-is from Japan, there were a few parties both internal and external who thought there might be some issue with the image. Nobody 'demanded' anything be changed, it was just pointed out. You have to pick your battles, and covering up that small bit of the image seemed to be harmless. Honestly, if you look at the comparisons between the Japanese and US box shots, it's not like the image loses anything after the edit. "The ESRB has been very helpful working with us on recent projects. If the box art was something we felt really strongly about, we would have kept it as-is. But we just didn't really see the harm in editing it to make it appropriate for everyone involved." [Image: aussie-nintendo]
DOA Dimensions, Warriors: Legends of Troy postponed indefinitely in Japan
Two more games have been moved out of their original Japanese release dates following the recent earthquakes. Tecmo Koei announced today that Dead or Alive Dimensions for 3DS and Warriors: Legends of Troy for Xbox 360 and PS3 won't make their scheduled March 24 and March 31 releases. The publisher did not offer a new date for either release. There's little chance of Warriors' North American date being affected by this shift, since it's out -- but we're checking with Tecmo about the Western release dates for DOA Dimensions. The game was never dated in North America anyway, so the question of whether it's been delayed might be complicated.
First SpotPass-distributed DOA Dimensions costumes revealed
It wouldn't be a Dead or Alive game without patently ridiculous costumes that would humiliate the characters beyond recovery. The 3DS's Dead or Alive Dimensions has a novel way of distributing these confidence-destroying garments: online distribution through SpotPass. That means that any time your 3DS comes in contact with a wi-fi signal, it might automatically download one of 28 costumes, released over time by Tecmo Koei. One of the costumes, Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi told Famitsu, will only be available for download on launch day! That's March 24 for Japan; no North American date has been specified.
GDC: Tecmo teases Ninja Gaiden 3 reveal for E3 2011
Tecmo has released a new video to kick off this week's GDC festivities, and who better to deliver a kick than Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa? Yes, it's the first trailer for Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden 3, the first game in the series to be developed since the departure of former Gaiden guru, Tomonobu Itagaki. Alas, the trailer doesn't offer up any gameplay, though fans will be happy to know that it's still replete with the sword-driven gore the series is known for. The video shows a bloody Ryu -- something we saw in the first Ninja Gaiden 3 teaser image -- stabbing ... well, stabbing the viewer from a first-person perspective. We'd like to think of it as a subtle metaphor for the series. Specifically, Ninja Gaiden 3 is going to kill you. A lot. The video concludes with a note that the game will make an appearance at E3. Rest assured, we will be there.
Iwata chronicles the history of Samurai Warriors
For his latest Iwata Asks interview, Nintendo's Satoru Iwata put the spotlight on one of the less-examined 3DS launch window titles: Tecmo Koei's Samurai Warriors: Chronicles. He speaks to Hisashi Koinuma, who is in charge of the Warriors series at Koei, and who has been with the company since 1994. Koinuma offers a few details about the 3DS game, like the fact that you can use the touch screen to select from a party of four warlords at any time, but the most interesting things he has to say are about the series in general. For example, while most non-fans can't really tell the difference between the Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors series, except that all the names are Japanese in the former and Chinese in the latter, Koinuma reveals that there are design considerations that separate the two. "In Dynasty Warriors 2, you fight on a wide-open field, but castles are more representative of the Sengoku (Warring States) period, so in Samurai Warriors, we decided to feature castles and the characters surrounding them in order to create a difference." Koinuma also offered the following information, which we didn't expect to be mentioned so openly: "The games in the Samurai Warriors series can be played by pure button-mashing."
Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll launch trailer looks great, sounds humiliating
There's some surprisingly beautiful imagery in this trailer for next week's Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll. And some silly names, though we shouldn't be too surprised in a game called "Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll." Watch it after the break, with the sound off so you don't hear the words "Chancellor Zofor."
Dead or Alive: Dimensions trades 'play patterns' via StreetPass
Super Street Fighter IV 3D's StreetPass functionality has collected "figurines" fight each other whenever two people with the game pass each other within local wireless communication distance. In his recent investor briefing, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata described the StreetPass integration of another 3DS fighter, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, and it's a bit more hands-on. "In Tecmo Koei's Dead or Alive: Dimensions," Iwata said (according to Nintendo's translation), "the character parameters, which shall be determined by a player's play pattern, shall be exchanged and, as the result, you will receive a challenge from the character, [Tecmo Koei says]." If we're reading Iwata's description accurately, the game will determine your play-style over time, and then broadcast an AI character based on these patterns over StreetPass to challenge other players.%Gallery-115426%
Samus won't be playable in Dead or Alive Dimensions
Recent Dead or Alive Dimensions gameplay footage revealed the presence of a Metroid-themed level, complete with Ridley getting all up in the fighters' business. At the end of the clip, a spheroid Samus rolled in, leading many to believe she was being teased as a playable character for the 3DS fighter. Speaking to Eurogamer, Team Ninja leader Yosuke Hayashi countered this assertion. "This time she's not playable," Hayashi said. "But Samus Aran will be shown in the game. She comes to help the player. That's the collaboration shown there [in the trailer]." Hayashi suggested that a playable Nintendo character ran counter to the team's goal with Dimensions, which is "basically to create the best version of Dead or Alive." As for that non-playable appearance, it'll be an unlockable bonus. Hayashi encouraged players to find out how to unlock the bounty hunter helper on their own.
Dead or Alive Dimensions has Ridley stage, Samus cameo roll
Nintendo's collaboration with Tecmo's Team Ninja didn't end with last year's Metroid: Other M. A new trailer for 3DS fighter Dead or Alive Dimensions reveals a dangerous arena encircled by lava and stalked by Ridley, the winged nemesis of Samus Aran. He's not one for mild-mannered spectating, instead spitting fire and taking an unfortunate combatant for an undignified tour around the ring. The trailer also shows that Samus has been authorized to drop a power bomb in the middle of the stage. It's flashy, and detonated without the preface of trashy fighting words -- umm, not that any DOA fighter could handle the deadpan delivery of her Other Monologues. See the video after the break, along with a trailer that shows off more gameplay and many of the game's slightly more realistic environments. You'll probably recognize a few from Dead or Alive 3 and Dead or Alive 4.
3DS 'launch window' to include more than 30 games leading up to E3
Did you hear? It's got a built-in pedometer! The 3DS measures your steps as you walk -- right there in your pocket! Even better: You can pull the thing out whenever and snap all kinds of pics -- the thing's got three cameras! And get this: It also pipes out music, browses the internet and even plays games. True, you've already got a pile of old DS games (and now defunct DS devices) that you could be playing on your new pedometer, but more than 30 three-DEE titles are expected to be released during the 3DS "launch window" (which begins March 27 and promptly closes on June 7 with the start of E3). We've listed 24 of the apparent launch-window releases after the break (though Nintendo's being coy about exact dates), including Nintendo's own Nintendogs + cats and Pilotwings Resort, plus a hearty helping of third-party support; with notable newcomers, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked (previously unannounced outside of Japan) and Crush 3D, a possible port of the 2007 PSP platforming puzzler from Sega. Don't look at the date ambiguity in dismay -- see it as an opportunity! Beginning in late March, you can walk to and from GameStop in anticipation of a new batch of games each Tuesday for ten whole weeks, and the 3DS will count your steps -- each and every one of them! And just imagine how many Street Passes you're going to rack up?
Uncharted Waters Online releases new Aztec-themed update
The team at Tecmo Koei is wasting no time getting a jump on the new year, as it's already released a brand-new update to Uncharted Waters Online. The new content, titled Aztec Update: The City of Golden Culture Revealed, is centered around Tenochtitlan, the capital city of the Aztec empire. The patch adds a new city-building mechanic and allows enterprising architects to experience the new player-driven economy and construct a city from scratch after choosing from five categories (frontier city, city of culture, commerce city, armed city, or central city). The update also features a new level quest, a docking system that allows player ships to be anchored, and new player recipes, all of which look to add quite a bit of depth to the empire-building MMO. Learn more at the official Uncharted Waters Online website.
Dead or Alive Dimensions trailer emerges
The Nintendo World trailer for Dead or Alive Dimensions combines the first real gameplay footage of Team Ninja's handheld fighter with some less real 3D effects. You'll know the simulated 3D when characters actually come out of the screen. Included in the trailer is footage of the digital command list in action, along with some kind of StreetPass-based multiplayer called "Street Fight," similar to the statue-fighting mode in Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition -- virtual characters battle it out automatically whenever two systems "see" one another. Also shown is "Internet Play," in which ... well, that one you can figure out.
Dynasty Warriors 7 coming to North America on March 22
The seventh iteration -- if you can believe it -- of Tecmo Koei's long running tactical action series, Dynasty Warriors 7, will be released in North America on March 22, followed by its date with the UK three days later. This one's getting the full PlayStation 3 treatment, including 3D and Move support, plus online co-op play. The game will also be available on Xbox 360, according to the official site. Additionally, fansite Koei Warriors has posted more bullet points about the game, including revelation of an apparent "free-roam" mode, dubbed "Chronicle Mode," in which players can select from the game's more than 60 characters and no doubt wreak havoc across Romance of the Three Kingdoms-era China. They'll have "support animals," like elephants and pandas, on their side, too. You know, it's okay if you choose to sit out this particular Dynasty. The game's tag line hints that there are likely more on the way: "Evolution never ends."
Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll unite for Feb. 8 release
Having been delayed back in February, Tecmo Koei's fantasy action-RPG, Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll, finally has its official release dates. North America will be able to battle through hordes of monsters as a team of three warriors on February 8, 2011, while Europe will be able to follow on February 11. Unfortunately, though the release date has changed for the Omega Force-developed PS3 game, the name hasn't: It's still called "Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll." We wish it the best of luck.%Gallery-102565%
Tecmo Koei CEO quits, Koei founder steps up
If there's anyone who knows about manipulating the balance of power, it's Kou Shibusawa, who created Koei's classic war games Nobunaga's Ambition and Romance of the Three Kingdoms -- and, in fact, created Koei in 1978, in partnership with his wife. It turns out Shibusawa (real name Yoichi Erikawa) didn't need that tactical expertise to achieve the CEO position at Tecmo Koei Holdings, because he just inherited it when current CEO Kenji Matsubara left the company. According to Andriasang, Matsubara cited "personal reasons" for his departure, announced during a board meeting. Matsubara's exit coincides with the release of Tecmo Koei's earnings for the period from April 1 through September 30. The company made 11.069 billion yen in sales ($136.48 million), 27.5% lower than last year. The report noted successful releases for Metroid: Other M and Quantum Theory, and that losses were due in part to the delay of Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll, and to investments for titles coming out in the next quarter -- which includes last week's Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage.
Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage review: Going south
If I said, "ATATATATATATATATAT!" and that held any meaning to you, then congratulations: Somebody's made a game just for you! If reading that caused your forehead to crinkle, then buckle up because we're going though the looking glass. For those lost in translation, Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage is a third-person beat-em-up based on the 1980s anime series that begot cartoons, animated features and (ta-dah!) video games. The central campaign follows the conquests of its titular hero, Ken, a battle-axe with a heart of gold and a thing for purple-haired ladies. %Gallery-104050%
Sample Ken's Rage on October 19
You may be feeling one of two (valid) concerns about Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage, even if you're tentatively interested in the title. It might get repetitive like other Warriors games. You might not want to see that many people explode like water balloons full of blood. Luckily, Tecmo Koei is giving you an easy, low-risk way to find out if your concerns bear out: a demo. On October 19, the publisher will release a demo for the manga-inspired massacre game on both PSN and XBLA. It won't take you long to determine your tolerance for both bloodsplosions and endless waves of punchables.%Gallery-104050%
