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TGS 08: PSP Wi-Fi Store opening Oct. 15 in Japan; all future first-party titles to be downloadable
Sony has announced that all future first-party PSP games will be available through download in Japan, beginning later this year via the Wi-Fi Store. The store is scheduled to open in Japan on October 15th with the firmware v5.00 update. Games to be sold by direct download include Secret Agent Clank (11/20), Patapon 2 (11/27), and LocoRoco 2 (12/4) (these titles will also be available on UMD).There is currently no date for the release of the store in North America or Europe. We're also wondering how downloadable games' pricing will compare to standard UMD retail prices (considering that direct downloads save on packaging, shipping and a slew of other costs). We'll update as soon as we hear anything.
TGS08: Sneak through the Tenchu 4 demo
You know, we've been watching Tenchu 4 for a bit now and we're holding out hope that it won't totally suck. Call us optimists or whatever, but we really thing the game can be a solid Wii title. For one, it's Tenchu and our fond memories of the early games keeps us hoping that the franchise will return to its roots again. Secondly, there isn't much in the way of compelling stealth-based games on the console, so a solid entry in the genre would benefit the library of games, in our eyes. Plus, it has kittens. Above, you'll see the first video of three that takes you through the entire demo build available at TGS 2008. Head past the break for the other two.%Gallery-25071%
TGS 08: Konami whips out Castlevania for PS3, Xbox 360
Konami is showing off a teaser for an upcoming Castlevania title on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at its TGS booth, reports ITmedia (translation). The 10-second clip features your typical creep wielding a glowing-red sword and includes some text about a father, his family and a curse -- and, predictably, no hints about actual gameplay. Series producer Koji Igarashi was apparently as surprised as we all are, claiming he didn't expect Konami to make the game announcement this soon. IGA didn't elaborate further, leaving the door open for just about any imaginable outcome (we're gonna go ahead and rule out beach volleyball). At least it can't get any worse for the series ... right? [Via IGN; image credit: ITmedia]
TGS08: Marvelous announces Discipline for WiiWare
As if they hadn't done enough, Marvelous has revealed another new Wii game: Discipline, a WiiWare "real-time simulation" game directed by Doshin the Giant and Tail of the Sun director Kazutoshi Iida. We have very little information about this game, other than an intricate logo (it is a perfect ... logo!), a few cryptic screens, and a picture of a real-life version of the bizarre alien object seen in the game -- a disgusting-looking Wiimote surrogate. The game apparently involves escaping from a moving prison with the help of this device. It kind of looks like it gathers information about nearby objects? We'll find out more soon.[Via NeoGAF]
TGS08: Monster Hunter 3 features Classic Controller support, split-screen coop
So, here's some gameplay footage of Monster Hunter 3 (tri-). It's so incredibly gorgeous that we didn't mind typing out Monster Hunter 3 (tri-), which we've just done a second time. It looks pretty far beyond what is expected from a Wii game. Most importantly, it still looks like Monster Hunter.It should be great comfort to Monster Hunter fans (also known as Japan) to learn that it should play like Monster Hunter, as well. Capcom revealed Classic Controller support for the sequel at TGS. We fully expect a specially-branded Monster Hunter 3 Classic Controller to appear soon. They also revealed that two players can play together in a split-screen mode while offline. The screen is divided horizontally.
Brains-on with NeuroSky and Square Enix's Judecca mind-control game
We already know that NeuroSky is bringing us the mind-reading Mindset for your gaming pleasures, but we got a first-hand look at the device here at TGS. At first glance, the headset may appear to be just another white set of over-the-ear headphones, but a little boom that gets all cuddly with your forehead measures how well you are concentrating on in-game objects. While this may sound like a bunch of hoopla, keep in mind that mega-developer Square Enix is already on board with "Judecca," a zombie thriller that forces you to concentrate your way into seeing your enemies. After holding up your hand, you then concentrate on a glyph that glows in direct relation to your ability to concentrate, opening up what's called your Devil's Eye. Once you're in a zen-like state, you can see Judecca's zombies and unleash some kill. You can also show your concentration skills enough to walk through walls, naturally. In our limited time trying the tech with Judecca, we were indeed able to induce some sort of concentrative state, even with the distractions of a giant Japanese gaming convention. As for how long we'd want to play something like this before switching to something involving, say, just pushing buttons and killing enemies, we're not so sure. NeuroSky promises the device in Spring 2009 for a price somewhere between $50 and $80. Hit the break for a couple shots of the device and a very tense gamer.
TGS 08: Watch the Tekken 6 trailer
Surprising almost no one, Tekken 6 has been officially announced for a fall 2009 release on the PS3/Xbox 360. The new English language trailer takes us to the magical world of Tekken, where kangaroos and pandas can hold grudge matches against fat people. Who says games aren't art?%Gallery-1673%
Halo 3: Recon, the trailer
You want details? We don't got 'em. But, there might be something hidden in the video. Watch the new video above, or head over to Bungie's "Meet Our New Game" page to download the goodness of the Halo 3: Recon trailer, available in both Quicktime and Windows Media flavors.Bungie / Microsoft really didn't agonize over choosing a name for Halo 3: Recon, did they? Maybe this hints at a slew of Halo 3 Fill-In-The-Blank titles that'll stretch your H3 experince from now until the year 2041, when your brain just gets dropped right into the game. Who knows, by then you might actually be able to just get an injection that'll make you Master Chief.By the way, this Halo 3: Recon video footage is also available in sparkling high-definition on the Xbox Live Marketplace, so if you're really jonesing for something to pick apart and agonize over for the next umpteen months, then get to downloading. It's free and waiting for you.%Gallery-34046%
See the first gameplay trailer for Sega's Bayonetta
It may be taken off-screen and, as such, not the best quality, but here it is: the first public look at gameplay from Bayonetta, the PS3 and Xbox 360 action title Devil May Cry director Hideki Kamiya is working on for Sega. And ... it looks like it plays a lot like – ready for it? – Devil May Cry. Check out the full trailer after the break.
Step back Chief, Halo 3: Recon announced
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/step-back-chief-halo-3-recon-announced/'; Straight out of Microsoft's keynote address at the Tokyo Game Show comes confirmation of the new Halo 3 campaign that has been the subject of much speculation of late. The prologue, Halo 3: Recon, will cast new recruits in the steel-tipped boots of an ODST recon marine, giving series vet Master Chief a long-deserved breather when the addition rolls onto the front lines a bit later than expected in fall 2009.Update: The trailer is here -- and more details here.%Gallery-34046%
Joystiq live from Microsoft's TGS 2008 press conference
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/joystiq-live-from-microsofts-tgs-2008-press-conference/'; 10:40PM ET – We're sitting tight, listening to a panel of reps from Capcom, Square Enix, and Namco Bandai discussing the current realities (crises?) facing the Japanese gaming industry. Appropriately enough, we're waiting for Microsoft's John Schappert to take the stage and deliver his TGS keynote. We'll keep taking notes here, and begin updating as soon as things get underway.11:03PM ET – Finally! The lights are down and the screen is on. They're playing a The Last Remnant trailer. Very slick, as is to be expected from a Square Enix RPG. 11:06PM ET – John Schappert is on stage, reminding us that TLR will premiere exclusively on Xbox 360 this November – the 20th to be exact. He thanks the preceding panelists for sharing their insight (read: We better pay more attention to Microsoft). Schappert brings up his background as a Super Famicom developer (dude's the real deal) – wants to help Japanese creators bring their games to the world. Says we need three key things.
Roll up your pants, the Flood confirmed in Halo Wars
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/roll-up-your-pants-the-flood-confirmed-in-halo-wars/'; Stop your speculating, the Tokyo Game Show gives us all sorts of goodies, like the fact the the Flood is going to be in Halo Wars, which is coming "sometime" in 2009. Our own Chris Grant, esquire is jaunting off to a meeting about Halo Wars as we type this very post, and he's going to do some investigating to find out if the Flood is a playable race, or just something thrown in to make life a living hell for everyone. Now, if you got to play as Gravemind, that would be pretty cool.
New Xbox Experience coming Nov. 19
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/new-xbox-experience-coming-nov-19/'; Finally on Nov. 19, you can kiss that old Xbox experience goodbye as you welcome the shiny New Xbox Experience, and all the Avatars, group chatting and other new features it brings in tow. That's worldwide, by the way.We're hearing this and a lot more in our TGS 2008 Microsoft press briefing liveblog. Come join us. Gallery: New Xbox Experience
Microsoft confirms Tekken 6 for 360, fall 2009
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/microsoft-confirms-tekken-6-for-360-fall-2009-release/'; A rumor we first reported on in Jan. 2007 has finally become reality. Microsoft confirmed during its pre-Tokyo Game Show 2008 press conference that Namco Bandai's Tekken franchise will appear on Xbox 360. Tekken 6 will, according to Microsoft, appear on the console in "fall 2009." The sixth installment in the series – which has been a PlayStation mainstay since the original launched in 1995 – was expected to continue console exclusivity on PS3. It will, instead, ship for both consoles simultaneously.
99 Nights 2 coming to the Xbox 360
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/99-nights-2-coming-to-the-xbox-360/'; No, seriously! We're not sure who exactly was demanding it (we'd like to have a nice, long chat with them, by the way) but a follow-up to actioner 99 Nights -- 99 Nights 2 -- is coming to the 360.When is it coming? How will it be different from its predecessor? Why is it not called 100 Nights? We're hoping to hear more soon.
Resident Evil 5 groans and staggers onto Xbox 360 March 12
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/resident-evil-5-groans-and-staggers-onto-xbox-on-march-12/'; Biohazard 5, or better known on our shores as Resident Evil 5 will finally be coming to the Xbox 360 after a long delay that saw it get pushed from April 2008 to almost a year later. Well, better late then never we saw, as long as we get to have fun blasting infected people. Is that too much to ask? We liked what we saw back in June, and are keeping our fingers crossed.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope comes to Japan Feb. 19, NA on Mar. 3
var digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/star-ocean-the-last-hope-comes-to-japan-feb-19-na-on-mar-3/'; You might want to add space trunks to your Christmas lists this year, because according to the Microsoft press conference at Tokyo Game Show, you'll be taking a dip in the Star Ocean: The Last Hope on Mar. 3, just a couple of weeks after our friends in Japan on Feb. 19.We're really sorry about that "space trunk" gag, by the way. We're still shaking jet lag.
TGS 2008: No More Heroes 2 debut trailer
"I will be back" is all beam katana-wielding Travis Touchdown can utter in this debut trailer for No More Heroes 2, before he presumably jumps into battle against a woman with six metallic arms beckoning him to fight. Other than its existence and a possible second title (the trailer calls it both NMH2 and NMH:Desperate Struggle), we've got nada on the game or its platform (should it decide to venture away from the Wii). Check out the (currently unembeddable) trailer here.
TGS08: No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle trailer! [update 2]
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/No_More_Heroes_sequel_VIDEO'; Not even sure if we can hold it together long enough to write some intelligent commentary about this announcement. Marvelous said that they'd reveal a game from a charismatic game creator at this year's TGS; they've revealed the creator to be Suda 51, and the game to be a sequel to No More Heroes, the best Wii game ever. Called No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle, the game once again stars Travis Touchdown, and once again takes place in Santa Destroy. We don't know much else -- in fact, we're only assuming it's another Wii game -- but we know it's GOTY 2009, unless it takes longer to develop, in which case it will be GOTY 2010. We would like to wish everyone else at TGS good luck trying to get us to pay attention to their announcements. [Update 2: Marvelous's TGS press release (PDF) confirms that it's a Wii game. The best part? It's already scheduled for release in Europe (in February or March of 2010) and the US (January 2010).] [Update: We'll leave it on Wii Fanboy for now, but "Desperate Struggle" sounds suspiciously like one of those clever subtitles given to DS games.] %Gallery-34131% [Thanks, sn1per!]
Little King's Very Cute Little Trailer
We're completely dying of charm here. The TGS trailer for Cing's Little King's Story has dialed the quirky adorableness to levels that are potentially hazardous to human sanity. Look at Howser the Bullknight and his faithful companion, Pancho! One of the job classes is "Carefree Adult!" Seriously, every aspect of this game has been designed by Science to melt hearts and fill the air with joyous laughter. We're going to have to do our very best to overcome our natural aversion to games about ordering a bunch of people to build stuff for you and try this. Speaking of which, we're looking forward to finally reading more hands-on impressions from TGS! %Gallery-24969%
