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Naruto: Clash of the sequel
Tomy continues to dish out Naruto games faster than you can blink, this time promising a Clash of Ninja Revolution sequel for the Wii. Although the odds of a sequel were likely, news of the game was recently confirmed in the latest issue of Shonen Jump. Developer 8ing promises that the fighting game will have even more characters than before, including Choji and Kiba. Is there anyone else that you Naruto fans are hoping will make an appearance?Shonen Jump also reports that there will be destructible and explosive objects added in to make the fights more interesting, as seen in Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2. Furthermore, the westernized version will have exclusive story elements and environments not seen in the Japanese game.The only other news we have on Clash 2 for now is that it will support multiple control schemes, including the GameCube and Classic controllers.[Via Siliconera]
Introducing unique baseball title Major DS
Tomy, who you're more likely to know for their involvement with Naruto than a sports title, is releasing a pretty sweet baseball game in Japan this July. It's called Major DS and, aside from just being a baseball title (enough for this sports fan), it has great appeal in its unique control scheme. As you can witness in the video above, pitching and batting is handled by utilizing the stylus on the touch-screen. It looks like MLB Power Pros is getting a run for its money soon ...Any sports fans think Tomy is on to something here with Major DS? We're wondering how import-friendly it is, ourselves.
Tomy passes over Naruto RPG 2 localization in favor of Naruto RPG 3
After yesterday's news of Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 heading to the DS, most bloggers and gamers alike speculated that it was a localization of Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan. Thanks to Siliconera's astute readers, though, this was soon cleared up.As it turns out, the game is actually the English version of Naruto RPG 3: Reijuu vs. Konoha Shoutai. Siliconera's commenters noticed that the screens were actually from the third Japanese RPG in the series, and then Spencer Yip confirmed the facts with a representative from Tomy.Are any of you Naruto fans upset by Tomy and D3's decision to skip over the second game? If so, vent your frustrations in the comments -- that's what they're here for.%Gallery-22877%
Naruto takes another path
Ninja-loving RPG gamers, take note: Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2, a sequel to the game released in North Amerca last October, is heading to Nintendo's handheld. D3 and Tomy announced the title today, which Siliconera rationally speculates is a localization of Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan. Even so, the North American version will have the added feature of online play via Wi-Fi. This will involve some type of multiplayer battling, which will most likely be turn-based. Path of the Ninja 2 will also include thirty playable characters from the anime and manga.Naruto fans can expect to get their RPG on again this September.%Gallery-22877%[Via press release]
Pictures galore from ROBO-ONE 13 competition in Japan
The always jam-packed ROBO-ONE competition in Japan was more heated than ever this year, with bi-ped robots tackling others and ripping them limb from limb. Okay, so maybe that's somewhat of a stretch, but you can rest assured some serious throw downs, um, went down. Interestingly enough, we heard that an i-SOBOT competition was also included (infighting, anyone?), and that the Maru family's King Kizer took home the gold. That's all well, fine and good, but we know what you're after -- take a (long) look at the hundreds of photos waiting in the read link below.[Via MAKE]
New Naruto trailer is a step in the right direction
While we're still far from being obsessed with Naruto, the latest DS game did manage to catch our eye. Even after giving it some play time at GDC, our very own JC wrote that he found it was "openly an attempt by D3 and Dream Factory to pretty up a disappointing Japanese Naruto game -- the surprising thing is that it worked.". Suffice to say, we're going to keep our eye on the next game.And here it is, Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Retsuden II. As you can tell from the trailer above, the game is polished. We don't have to tell you again that we're excited for this, do we? What do you all think?
Naruto sets its sights on Europe
Have you been needing a Naruto fix, Europe? Nintendo announced today that Clash of Ninja Revolution will be hitting European stores on March 28th. The game might not get the ramen-filled welcome that it received here in the U.S., but if you're looking for a fighter and have no plans to freeload Brawl, then Naruto might be your best bet. The press release also boasts that the "European version of the game features the largest number of playable characters from the Naruto series and introduces several prominent and popular characters for the first time." We're not sure if this means there are extra characters for Europe, though, or if that's just a poorly worded way of telling us about the features available in Clash of Ninja Revolution. We suspect the latter.[Via press release]
GDC08: Naruto: Ninja Destiny sneak-attacks with quality
Naruto: Ninja Destiny is quite a surprise. It's openly an attempt by D3 and Dream Factory to pretty up a disappointing Japanese Naruto game -- the surprising thing is that it worked. Screens and trailers don't convey the shockingly beautiful graphics, which run at a constant 30 fps. Developer Dream Factory upped the framerate and changed the graphical style to a more cel-shaded look for the American release. It worked! I don't usually have much motivation to be personally interested in a Naruto game, but I was somewhat convinced by the appearance.As for the gameplay, it's an openly mash-friendly 3D fighter, controlled with the d-pad and buttons. There are two attack buttons, a jump, and a special "jutsu" attack that uses energy from the chakra meter. The jutsu attacks are these huge flashy sequences of attacks. The touch screen holds a random assortment of recovery and booster items that restore health, chakra, and also have other in-game effects.The game comes out next week, so we don't have long to wait until we find out if longterm play is as fast-paced and fun as it is in brief gameplay sessions.%Gallery-15479%
It's your destiny to see this Naruto trailer
We've kind of been gushing over this game since getting our eyes on it for the first time. That's not because we're huge Naruto fans or anything, but because Naruto: Ninja Destiny looks like it could be a great fighting game, which is something the DS needs more of. Oh, how we like our fighting games.Any of you out there excited for this, as well?%Gallery-15479%
NARUTO: Ninja Destiny gets beefed up for North America
Even though Japanese gamers know their way around a video game, it would seem that Tomy and D3 are doing all they can to make sure NARUTO: Ninja Destiny is better than its Japanese cousin when it arrives in North America. What they've done is smoothed out the framerate, increasing the tension of combat. Nobby Matsuo, the associate producer from Tomy , says "the gameplay experience markedly different is what you would be used to if you played the Japanese version in terms of the button responses, attacks and the speed of the combat. It's a lot more frantic, it's a lot faster." Hey, we're all for fast combat in a ninja-based game!Other improvements include an overhauled story mode, where the North American storyline is completely different from the Japanese version of the game. The single player campaign will take place between episodes 100 and 140.%Gallery-15479%
NARUTO: Ninja Destiny hits stateside next month
Ninja fanatics will be glad to know that a new title based on NARUTO is on its way to the DS in the form of NARUTO: Ninja Destiny. And, even better is that the title is due for release next month. It's no secret that those of us outside of Japan really have no kind of great fighting game (although we're hoping that changes eventually), so any kind of suitable title in the genre is something we're definitely fine with.Head past the break for the full press release.
Hands-on with battling i-SOBOTs
While browsing the monstrosity that is CES 2008, we happened upon a pair of i-SOBOTs attempting to utterly demolish each other. Was there really any other choice but to stop and snap a gallery's worth of pics to prove it? %Gallery-13108%
Takara Tomy's Rhythmbits do a little dance
Takara Tomy's Walkiebits sure caused quite a stir when they first landed a few years back, and now the firm is cranking out another variation that's sure to be a holiday favorite. The slew of new Rhythmbits arrive in a variety of vivid colors, measure in at just 1.85-inches in length, sport interchangeable shells and bust a plethora of moves when they hear music. These little bundles of fun are set to take Japan by storm later this week for ¥1,575 ($14) apiece.[Via NewLaunches]
Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT gets reviewed, videoed
If you thought an introductory video was enthralling, wait till you check this out. Waziwazi was able to get some time alone with Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT, and while a thorough review would've certainly been enough, those folks went the extra mile and videoed quite a bit of the creature acting up. Reviewers found the bot to be "hilarious and easy to operate," and while they weren't exactly keen on the infrared remote, it was said to be "awesome fun" nonetheless. Of course, we aren't asking you to take our word for it, so head on over to the read link for a fairly in-depth review complete with box shots and lots of in-action video.
Introductory video shows off i-SOBOT's features
We know, you're actively looking for ways to stay calm and patiently await the arrival of your US-bound i-SOBOT, so we're thrilled to pass along an introductory video to tide you over. The clip goes through and lists everything that comes bundled in with the bot itself, and the animated creature also shows off a few moves, phrases and modes. Granted, we hold a special place in our heart for any miniature mech designed to handle full-fledged somersaults and shamelessly rock out with an air guitar, but we're pretty sure you'll enjoy the vid, too. Go on, it's waiting after the break.
Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT available for pre-order in US
We knew it wouldn't be long, but we weren't counting on being able to pre-order Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT in America today. Of course, we aren't kvetching or anything, but Amazon is now accepting orders for the creature here in the US of A, and the asking price is at the low end of what we were bracing for. So go on, secure your place in line for $299.99 -- it ought to ship real soon.[Via I4U News, thanks Luigi]
Takara Tomy's i-SOBOT headed stateside?
We're not exactly sure how much we trust i-SOBOT's MySpace page, but if you're a believer, this creature will be headed to America real soon. Interestingly, it purports that the primary reason for making the leap to the US is to "study our culture," which is likely a suave way of suggesting that its totally scoping out our defenses as the clan back home develops a sufficient takeover strategy. Nevertheless, word on the street has this bad boy landing stateside before Christmas for $300 - $350, so there's still a few months left to prepare for the seemingly inevitable invasion.[Via Gearlog]
Takara Tomy's Transformers MP3 player gets photographed
Yeah, we've got a soft spot for all things Transformers, and while Takara Tomy's Transformers MP3 player isn't the most advanced DAP on the block, the fun factor is undeniable. Thankfully, the folks over at PrimeDiary were able to wrangle one of these bad boys up for themselves and snap a few photographs. Needless to say, we're envious, but go on and click through for a couple more shots of the MP3 player fanboys just have to have.
Use your imagination and pretend you have an actual toy
What's more enjoyable for little girls than playing with a fashion doll? Playing with a fake fashion doll on the DS, of course! Licca-chan DS allows kids to play with an inferior, poorly-rendered, digital version of the popular Japanese doll, for what is likely to be a greatly increased cost!Drawing clothing designs and turning them into dresses for the doll is about the only benefit to this thing. You can make a fake cake with the fake doll, but is it really going to be any better than Cooking Mama? Or just a regular cake? There's no other reason to choose this over a normal plastic doll. Well, actually, we don't know anything about fashion dolls, but we can't imagine purchasing a DS version of, say, a Spider-Man action figure.Oh, we just realized who the audience was for this thing-- people who want to play with dolls, but don't want to be seen playing with dolls. In other words, girls who are slightly too old for Licca-chan.
Ninja Council votes to lower its price
This discount for Naruto: Ninja Council 3 only two months after its release probably isn't a good sign, but if you're a fan of the blonde-haired ninja, you were probably planning on picking this game up anyway. Might as well do it now while Amazon has its price cut down to $19.99! The online shop makes a point to ship all orders totaling over $25 for free -- it's how they get you -- so try to muster up $5.02 worth of stuff to take advantage of that offer.Understanding that this anime/manga license has been around the block more than some of our ex-girlfriends, we've embedded a trailer for the game past the post break to jar your memory. Apparently, you can expect to fight a butt-ton of ninjas.
