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Archetype, Hero of Sparta 2 on iPad, PES 2010 coming
A few high profile apps have made their way over to the iPad recently. First up, Archetype is that first-person shooter that ran surprisingly well on the iPhone. It's now available on the bigger device with updated HD graphics and a redesigned HUD to take advantage of the bigger screen space. Additionally, the game has been updated since launch with a new level and a Rocket Arena gametype. The app is US$4.99 on the iPad, compared to the iPhone's $2.99 version. Gameloft has released their Hero of Sparta 2 app in an HD iPad version as well, bringing God of War-style action to Apple's tablet. HoS2 features new weapons and enemies across 12 different levels, and unlike the first Hero of Sparta for the iPad, word is that this one runs and looks great. If you were a fan of the first game and need something new to play on the iPad, you can buy Hero of Sparta 2 now for $9.99. And finally, at GDC Europe last week, Konami announced that it would be bringing Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 to the iPad. This series is also known as Winning Eleven, and it's supposed to be head and shoulders above most other soccer franchises out there, so seeing the brand new version out on the iPad is a nice coup for soccer fans. The app is due out in October of this year, just about a month after the new version of the game arrives on consoles. Unfortunately, there's no word on price yet, but given the premium nature of the title and Konami's pedigree, we're probably talking about a $9.99 game here as well.
New at Japanese DS stations: Yosumin, Winning Eleven
Japanese DS owners (i.e. everybody) will have some new demos to try at DS download stations this month, in the form of Square Enix's puzzle game Yosumin and Konami's adorably named World Soccer Winning Eleven DS Goal x Goal! We're hoping that the availability of both of these games will lead to more information, especially about Yosumin. We've already learned from the screens that Winning Eleven features a slot machine that dispenses attribute points.Yosumin is the rectangle-clearing puzzle game first seen here as a demo, which, being a puzzle game, is somewhat of a departure for SE. We're watching this one with interest, because if it's successful, Square Enix's DS offerings may begin to diversify further. Also it's cute.
Winning Eleven DS Goal x Goal: Screens x Screens
Check out some screens from the other Eleven. This isn't the soccer RPG from Level-5, but rather the plain-vanilla soccer game from Konami. With RPG elements. Or at least, a shop. Winning Eleven DS Goal x Goal is the sequel to the game that released as Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 in the U.S.So why would we be interested in a DS soccer game? Well, it's got some bonus minigames! If that helps. Oh, and it's got 2-on-2 Wi-Fi play. Also, despite the fact that reviews for the first Winning Eleven DS game were mixed, people really enjoy those Winning Eleven games, we've heard.
PES 2008 demo on XBLM, too good for US and Canada
Some of you have been anticipating the release of this demo onto the Marketplace for a while now and we're happy to say that your wait is over. Ready for download this very moment off of the Xbox Live Marketplace is a hefty 1.18GB demo of Konami's Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008. And to our European fanboys, do you remember all the times you've complained about the US getting exclusive XBLM content that wasn't available to you? Well, this is one of those times you get content the US doesn't, because the Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 demo is not available to Asia or North America Xbox Live members. You lucky devils.
Japan receives new additions to budget lineup
Budget conscious importers can cheer as Japan's "The Best" lineup continues to grow. While American gamers rarely get new additions to the Greatest Hits lineup, Japan's offering has been far more generous. The newest batch of titles to enter budget status include the following: Magna Carta Portable Valhalla Knights Super Robot Taisen MX Portable Boku no Natsuyasumi Portable World Soccer Winning Eleven 10 Ubiquitous Evolution It's evident from this update that Japan sure does love their role playing games. The games will be priced at 2800 yen ($23) and will be available starting June 28th. Let's hope that other divisions of Sony will learn and add some more budget titles as well.[Via Siliconera]
Winning Eleven 2007 demo free kicks XBLM
Sure, today may be a momentous day because we have an Arcade release that is neither retro nor nonexistent, but we also have a footy demo just in time for humpday. That's right, we have a demo of (deep breath) Winning Eleven Pro Evolution Soccer 2007. Whew! That's a mouthful. The demo clocks in at a whopping 1.3 GB, so you may want to go fix yourself a sandwich while it's downloading.Go grab the demo and tell us what you think.
DS releases for the week of February 5th
We haven't had a lot of excitement when it comes to weekly releases lately, but this week makes up for it. Count 'em -- we've got three new titles this week that all look pretty good in their respective genres. Now the only problem is coming up with enough money to support our habit. They never talk about game-buying in those anti-drug ads, but we'll tell you ... sometimes our need for new games makes us consider knocking over the occasional convenience store. Not really. Please don't call the cops. We don't handle enclosed spaces too well. This week in the U.S. Diddy Kong Racing Lunar Knights Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 For the rest of the world, check after the jump.
Rumor: Konami cancels PS3 Gradius, several others [update 1]
If the latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine is to be believed, Konami has quietly cancelled several of their upcoming PS3 and Wii projects. IGN reports that an updated release list for the company has been shortened by no less than six games, one of which was a Playstation 3 version of side-scrolling shooter, Gradius. Of course, since mere absence doesn't confirm outright cancellation, it would be best to treat this as a rumor for now. One potential explanation is that Konami has now made enough progress on some of these titles (if they were even in development to begin with) to warrant less ambiguous descriptors. If "New Action Game" turned into Castlevania: Polka of Purgatory, the publisher would likely choose a grander announcement than simply having it pop up on a standard release list.The removed titles are as follows: Gradius Series (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball (PS3) New Action Game (PS3) New Role Playing Game (PS3) New Action Adventure Game 2 (Wii) Role Playing Game (Wii) Games still appearing on the release list include two sports titles, a music game and an "action adventure" for the Wii. Pro Baseball Spirits, Winning Eleven and Metal Gear Solid 4 are also still slated for the PS3.[Update: This rumor is bogus.]
Japanese trailer for Winning Eleven
This is one of those ads that we kinda wish would get aired outside of Japan, though maybe with onscreen text translated, simply because there's a lot crammed into a very small package. The music, the expressions on the guys' faces ... it's just perfect. And pretty damned funny, too. Anyone up for soccer?Check out the video after the jump.
Winning Eleven DS site gets updated with new commercial
The Japanese website for Winning Eleven DS World Soccer updated today, including a new commercial for the game. Upon viewing the commercial, if you're hungry for more soccer goodness on the DS, you can check out some of the You Tube videos here and here.See also: Winning Eleven delayed in Japan Winning Eleven bundle includes carrying case as well Winning Eleven special edition DS [Via Go Nintendo]
DS releases for the week of October 16th [update 1]
Big week, Nintendo fans! Looks like the winter glut of games has begun ... and so many of us already blew our gaming wads for the month on Wii preorders! Guess it's time to start making some sacrifices, since this week brings us a new Nintendogs as well as the latest published by Atlus, Contact. Grasshopper Manufacture's new offbeat RPG is our pick for the game of the week, though there's a good possibility that anything with the Nintendogs logo might just outsell the Bible, much less any games that dare to compete.DS: Contact Disney's American Dragon: Jake Long, Attack of the Dark Dragon Disney's Chicken Little: Ace in Action Justice League Heroes Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning, The Lionel Trains: On Track Nintendogs: Dalmatian & Friends SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab GBA: Justice League Heroes: The Flash SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 And for our counterparts in the UK, the exciting release this week is Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007, which hits shelves on the 20th. As always, availability is subject to manufacturer delivery.[Update 1: Changed category from Interviews, which this ain't, to news, which it is.][Via Joystiq]4 leaves take 5 4 good, 6 feet under. A shame, really.
Winning Eleven headed to the Wii
Wiinning Eleven? Oh, we couldn't resist. In any case, the extremely popular soccer sim (which almost consistently dominates European sales charts immediately upon release) is coming to the Wii, complete with (you guessed it) a revamped control system designed specially for the system. As cool as a "power boot" clip-on ankle-brace for the Wiimote would be, however, we think it'll be something slightly more traditional. Strangely enough, the CVG article mentions whispers of that very insanity taking place in EA's camp, with the FIFA series. Bizarre. Winning Eleven is a brilliant series, and it's great news for Nintendo to have the series aboard. Note to the confused: Winning Eleven is also known as Pro Evolution Soccer in many parts of the world, including Europe. In retrospect, shouldn't it be called Pro Evolution Football over there? Hmm.
TGS 06: Every PSP game previewed
There are way too many PSP games at this year's Tokyo Game Show. Because not all of us have time to read all the impressions and previews of all the games coming out, PSP Fanboy has created this nifty guide for all the games that were previewed. You'll get a thumbs up or a thumbs down from the major video game news sites. If a game looks like it might be a real winner, we'll award it "The Official PSP Fanboy Entranced Korean Award." These are the games that'll end up in Korea on giant PSPs, luring people to their eventual doom. And, that's pretty cool. Read on to see all the previews!
TGS 06: Which games support wireless? [Update 1]
The good folks at IGN have compiled a fantastic list of games that support ad-hoc (local) wireless and infrastructure wireless. It's been slow to start, but more and more games have been adding support for internet play and downloadable levels, and they should be commended. The games that use Infrastructure mode include: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Monster Hunter Portable 2 (downloadable levels only) Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Kingdom of Paradise 2 (downloadable items only) Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology (online leaderboard & downloadable levels only) Mahjong Fight Club P-Kara While this isn't a huge list of games, it's a huge improvement over the early years of the system's life. I'm happy with the support we get from heavy-hitters like Ratchet & Clank and Metal Gear Solid.[Update 1: This list is only of games present at TGS. There are tons of other games that feature wireless support that aren't on display.]
Pro Evo Soccer exclusivity proves enigmatic
Furious footie fans were quick to cry foul when Microsoft announced at the Leipzig Games Convention that Pro Evolution Soccer 6 was to be a 12-month, next-gen exclusive for the Xbox 360. The initial wave of anger has since been replaced with confusion, as several remarks from Konami seem to indicate that Microsoft was already celebrating a goal which they hadn't quite scored yet. Has Microsoft been caught in a lie or is this merely a case of misinterpretation and marketing hyperbole? The story thus far: After the initial announcement, Konami shoots down claims that Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is exclusive to the Xbox 360, pointing out that the game is a planned "multi-platform release" in order to satisfy "as many people as possible." Konami was right to take issue, as Microsoft never claimed to have total exclusivity. The deal only encompasses next-generation platforms. That means the PS2 version, sure to be the most widely played one, remains unaffected. Next, 1UP has a chat with series producer Shingo Takatsuka and triumphantly reveals that "Winning Eleven is not exclusive to Xbox 360." Well done, especially considering that Microsoft was speaking about Pro Evolution Soccer and not Winning Eleven. Same game, different regions. Microsoft is certainly to blame for not clarifying further, but nabbing Pro Evolution Soccer affects European territories, the only place where the series goes by that name. Takatsuka goes on to say that Konami "never said exclusive for one year on the next-gen platforms. We said this year. We were agreed that it was this year." The agreement largely occurs by default, as the man admits that the PS3 entry in the series has no chance of being completed before 2007. Next Spring is the earliest date it could see release and even then, it would be the Japanese Winning Eleven first, followed by the European edition. Can Konami put together the European release before 12 months have elapsed? Absolutely, especially if they want to prove Microsoft wrong. It would seem that Microsoft could be accused of being overly vague but not of being untruthful. Both Microsoft and Konami are correct and the confusion thus far is only due to different naming conventions and choice marketing words. Still, it'll be interesting to see which really lasts the longest -- Microsoft's 12 months or Konami's development time on a PS3 Pro Evolution Soccer 6. The race is on. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in.] Read -- Microsoft's original announcement. Read -- Konami denies 360 exclusivity. Read -- Series producer chimes in on the situation.
Konami gives Microsoft a wag of their finger
Seems the PR for Microsoft misstepped in their elucidation of the 12-month exclusivity deal struck with EA Sports and Konami for FIFA and Pro-Evolution Soccer, respectively. PES (also known as Winning Eleven) producer Shingo Takatsuka called Microsoft out, saying their "presentation was misleading... We never said exclusive for one year on the next-gen platforms. We said this year. We were agreed that it was this year." We all know repeating your point means you're either firm in your resolve or very angry about an agreement being misconstrued. Microsoft's wicked claims have caused trouble for Konami and even Sony (confusion about the announcement, most likely). Takatsuka clarified that the 360 version of Winning Eleven is exclusive until the end of 2006 (a PS3 version is in the works for an estimated spring of 2007 release). FIFA may be in the same boat, although EA hasn't released any official announcements. Well Microsoft, you caused quite a ruckus, but your attempts to confuse and mislead consumers and developers were in vain! Although it was most certainly not intentional, it's still a pretty lame move. A tip of the hat, you do not get.
Kicking back with Winning Eleven 2007
There are some great previews coming out of Leipzig, and GameSpot has a look at Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 that compares the game now with the build available earlier this year at E3. The control scheme for this forthcoming DS title seems very similar to older versions. The DS's left trigger feints, the right trigger is for a dash, and the d-pad moves your player. The Y button shoots, and the X, A, and B buttons all perform various passes. For anything more complicated, a series of buttons is required. Further, they report the game seems to be playing faster now than at E3, and the movement and graphics seem to be improved. Unfortunately, for the purpose of the preview, only the single player mode was activated, but GameSpot reports the following menu options: world tour, network, Konami Cup, original team, and training. Sounds like a bevy of options for the soccer fan with a DS.
Microsoft head butts FIFA, Pro Evo Soccer into exclusivity
Speaking at the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has announced that if you want to play the most graphically impressive footy games without gallivanting outside and running the risk of getting someone's head lodged in your chest, you'll have to do it on the Xbox 360. In what is sure to be a valuable coup, both FIFA 2007 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 are bound exclusively to the Xbox 360 for a period of 12 months. The latter game is hugely popular in Europe and may prove to be quite a head butting killer app for Microsoft's next-generation console. The exclusivity doesn't include current generation consoles, it seems, but a significantly improved 360 version of Pro Evolution Soccer with Xbox Live support would likely prove irresistable to most. As for FIFA, well, it has "ultra realistic player motion and delivers complete responsiveness due to its ability to branch animations and the real-time calculation of real human biomechanics," according to producer Hugues Ricour. "Essentially our software engineers are writing human decision-making code." Look forward to not making a decision at all regarding the console when you buy a next-gen soccer game in 2007.
Winning Eleven delayed in Japan
The Japanese release date for Winning Eleven DS originally read September 21. It has been replaced with Fall 2006. Don't you hate those types of "release dates"? They drive us crazy. No real explanation has been given as to why the game was delayed. Also, if you were planning on importing the special DS Lite bundle with Winning Eleven (which we all know you were going to do) be prepared to wait. They delayed that as well. The US release date is still sometime "early next year," but who knows. We wouldn't be surprised to see that get pushed back into something like "Halfway between Summer/Fall/Winter -- doesn't matter, your waiting."
Winning Eleven and yet another DS bundle
Because we need options when we're looking to buy a DS Lite, and Nintendo knows us for the bundle junkies we are, Konami's World Soccer Winning Eleven will be bundled with the Jet Black DS Lite in late September. Of course, the black Lite is being released September 2 in Japan, but the Winning Eleven version is reportedly prettied up with a special graphic a la the Pikachu Lite. What'll it be? Konami's not telling yet ... but we're holding out for a sweet headbutt shot. And bad news, soccer fans -- looks like this bundle is only going to be offered in Japan for now. [Via The MagicBox]
