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PlayStation Vita TV puts Vita games on a TV, out in Japan on Nov. 14 [update: specs]
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has revealed the PlayStation Vita TV, a miniature system that plays Vita games on the television. The Vita TV has slots for both Vita games and memory cards, allowing users to play games on their tellies with a DualShock 3. It'll support 1,300 games, including Vita, PSP, and other PlayStation offerings. Like the Vita, Vita TV will also support PS4 Remote Play through a future system update. Vita TV also enables streaming services such as Hulu. The PlayStation Vita TV will cost 9,954 yen including tax when it launches November 14 in Japan, that converting to around $100. There'll also be a bundle that includes a DualShock 3 controller and 8 GB Vita memory card for 14,994 yen after tax, or around $150. Update: Sony Computer Entertainment's press release provides some specs on Sony's littlest new device. The Vita TV comes in at 6.5cm by 10.5cm, and weighs just 110 grams. It connects to the TV via HDMI, supports Wi-Fi, and has an internal memory card of 1GB. Also, Vita TV can connect to two DualShocks at once, this functionality applied with PSOne games in mind. Full specs are below the break. Update 2: Our pals at Engadget have a great eyes-on gallery with Vita TV.
Capcom details Deep Down [update: trailer!]
At Sony's pre-TGS press conference, Capcom's Yoshinoro Ono spilled a few more details on the mysterious Deep Down, the fantasy PS4 RPG first unveiled at the console's reveal back in February. First and foremost, the game is bizarrely set in 2094 despite its medieval looks - it's not exactly clear why that's the case, but Ono did mention players being able to read the "memories" of items. We suspect there's some kind of Assassin's Creed-type tomfoolery going on here, but whatever it is, it's certainly curious. Ono reiterated Deep Down is an online multiplayer RPG, but added that it will feature automatically generated maps, enemies and equipment. We'll look to find out more at the Tokyo Game Show itself, where Ono announced Deep Down will be playable. If you're waiting for a release date, you'll have to hold out a bit longer - Ono hopes to reveal more once the PS4 launches in Japan in February, 2014.
Grasshopper and GungHo's first collaboration is Lily Bergamo, for PS4
Lily Bergamo is a new PS4 game from Grasshopper Manufacture and GungHo Online Entertainment, the two companies announced at Sony's Japan conference today. It's due out in 2014. It's a "supreme action" game with a female lead, and it may include some form of smartphone integration. GungHo purchased Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture – responsible for Killer is Dead and Lollipop Chainsaw – in January.
Final Fantasy 14 PS3 players will be able to play PS4 beta for free [update]
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn players that begin their quest on the PS3 will be able to play the PS4 version's beta for free, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today. The beta for the PS4 version of A Realm Reborn will launch alongside the console in Japan on February 22. Update: A Square Enix Europe press release confirms players will be able to carry over character data when transitioning from PS3 to PS4. The date noted in the press release is also February 22, indicating the PS4 beta will likely begin globally on that day.
PS4 launches in Japan on February 22 [Update: 19 launch games]
During the Sony Computer Entertainment Japan press conference this morning, Sony announced the PS4 is coming to Japan on February 22, 2014. Japan can pre-order the console starting October 5. The console will be available sans PS4 Eye camera for ¥39,980 ($401). A special "Limited Pack" run of consoles, which includes console, controller, download voucher for Knack and one year warranty, will also be on sale for the same price at launch – in fact, all PS4 consoles will come with a free copy of Knack in Japan. Finally, a bundle including the camera will be on sale for ¥43,980 ($442). The PlayStation 4 launches in North America on November 15 and in Europe on November 29. Late last month, Sony revealed the full PS4 launch line-up, which includes a smattering of retail games as well as PSN downloads. Update: Sony has sent out a press release confirming 19 different games will be available alongside PS4 at launch. Hop past the break to see what's coming this February.
Final Fantasy X, X-2 HD remasters to be bundled with special edition Vita
The Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 HD re-releases will be available as part of a bundle with a special edition PS Vita, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today. The unique Vita captures that iconic Macalania Spring scene from FFX. Awww... No release date or other details regarding the bundle were given, but it appears that the bundle will feature the new 2000 model of the PS Vita.
Phantasy Star Nova announced for Vita
Sega announced Phantasy Star Nova at Sony's Tokyo Game Show press conference this morning, a Vita entry being developed by established RPG studio Tri-Ace. Nova is set in the same world as Phantasy Star Online 2, but can be played both offline or in online co-op for up to four players. It's due to be released for Japan in 2014. Sega also revealed sales of PSO2 are now up to 650,000, with 500,000 of those coming from downloads. The MMO reached 500,000 sales in the summer.
Soul Sacrifice Delta due out in March 2014 for Vita
Soul Sacrifice Delta is due out on Vita in Japan in March 2014, Keiji Inafune revelaed at the Sony Japan conference. Soul Sacrifice Delta is a new version of Soul Sacrifice, and it's more than a "mere update," Inafune said: "This is a brand new version with brand new elements and brand new items which gives the unique flavor of Soul Sacrifice." Soul Sacrifice Delta will be playable at Tokyo Game Show.
Thinner, lighter PS Vita remodel coming to Japan Oct. 10 [update]
During Sony's pre-TGS conference, a new PS Vita Wi-Fi remodel was introduced to the world. The PCH-2000 is 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the original Vita, has a more rounded design, and a new LCD screen compared to the existing Vita's OLED offering. The new model will come in black, white, lime green, light blue, pink and khaki. This remodel, which comes bundled with a 1GB memory card and has six hours of battery life for gaming, is available for pre-order through Japanese retailers right now, ahead of its October 10 launch, coming in at 19,929 yen (including tax), which converts to around $200. Sony Computer Entertainment's press release also notes a new micro USB slot for data backup and charging, along with a new power indicator and notification indicator at the top of the portable. Update: Our friends at Engadget went eyes-on with the new Vita model, so you can too.
Watch the Sony Japan press conference right here [update: it's over!]
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is holding a livestream press conference in an hour, which you can watch right here, above this cluster of text. Convenient. Now that we know the PS4 is launching on November 15 in North America and have a list of launch window games, will Sony finally announce those details for Japan? There isn't much else to reveal about the next generation of PlayStation. Will the PS3 and PS Vita be in attendance? We're not sure what to expect, so keep an eye on the front page for all the pertinent details. Update: It's all over, but there's a replay of the conference for your watching enjoyment.
Square Enix's TGS 2013 line-up includes Lightning Returns, Thief
Square Enix has posted the selection of wares and sundries it'll showcase during this month's Tokyo Game Show festivities, and while the list is primarily what you'd expect, there are a couple of interesting omissions. High-profile highlights include Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy, Drag-On Dragoon 3/Drakengard 3, Thief and Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. The publisher will also be showing off a small handful of Square Enix Partners titles, such as Wolfenstein: The New Order and Psycho Break, the Japanese title for Shinji Mikami's The Evil Within. Missing from the list, however, are Final Fantasy 15 and Kingdom Hearts 3, neither of which have been heard from since back at E3. But hey, Gardening Mama is totally on there, and that's all that matters.
Capcom's Deep Down is an online multiplayer RPG for PS4
Capcom's Deep Down, first unveiled at February's PS4 reveal event, is being teased as an online multiplayer game. As 4Gamer reports, at a conference in Tokyo today Capcom revealed it'll exhibit the PS4 role-playing game at the Tokyo Game Show in late September. Today's new teaser doesn't show much of the game, or the new Panta Rhei engine it's running in. For a better, less haunting idea of what's up with Deep Down, we'll refer you back to its first trailer, complete with swords, arrows, and an irate dragon.
Microsoft returning to Tokyo Game Show 2013
After skipping last year's festivities, Microsoft will return to Japan's annual Tokyo Game Show as an exhibitor this September, according to Gematsu's translation of the official exhibitor's list. While not explicitly stated, we feel safe in assuming this has something to do with that Xbox One thing everyone's been talking about lately – a bold prediction, surely. Sony's traditional attendance also continues this year, as does Nintendo's traditional absence from the proceedings. Other returning staples of the event include Capcom, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix and Tecmo Koei. The sales corner even looks to be well stocked this year, so hopefully we'll find some Hatsune Miku cosplay digs that fit us this time, unlike last year.
Tokyo Game Show theme this year is 'GAMES: Limitless Evolution'
Tokyo Game Show's annual tagline for 2013 is significantly less wacky when compared to those used in previous years, and we're kinda bummed out about it. Whereas other TGS events have been embodied by excellent phrases like "GAME: Dancing Your Heart" and "Game, it's so energetic!" this year's slogan is "GAMES: Limitless Evolution," which is lacking a certain je ne sais quoi. Japanese artist Ippei Gyoubu's female personification of the event (full-size here) is as fantastic as ever, though: "In this year's main visual," the announcement reads, "character 'She' who is the core of games wears a wide variety of devices and tools as parts and she is now going to transform herself into 'something' beyond the reach of imagination to dynamically represent 'GAMES: Limitless Evolution' which is the main theme of Tokyo Game Show 2013." The conference will take place between September 19 and 22 at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba, where officials expect an estimated 200,000 visitors. Last year, the Tokyo Game Show broke its previous attendance records by drawing a total of 223,753 folks over the course of four days.
Tokyo Game Show breaks attendance records again
The Tokyo Game Show continues to attract increasing numbers of attendees, breaking attendance records every year. This year is no exception: 223,753 people attended TGS 2012, up from 222,668 in 2011 and 207,647 in 2010.Oddly, attendance on the first public day, Saturday, was way up (94,989 people versus 86,251 last year), but fewer people attended on Sunday than in 2011. Perhaps the Monster Hunter lines were more efficient, and more people got that out of the way on Saturday.TGS will return to the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan from September 19-23 next year.
