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Look at the characters of Neverland Card Battles
Click for high-resolution image. Can you say no to a face like that? Of course not! Yukes' upcoming Neverland Card Battles for PSP is (surprise, surprise) a card-based SRPG coming out in October. Once again, these anime heroes will have to embark on a journey with magical cards in hand to save Neverland from impending doom (insert dramatic music here, please).Check out the characters in our updated gallery:%Gallery-29219%
Neverland Card Battles brings even more SRPG action to PSP this Fall
PSP really is THE system for SRPG fans, with classics like Disgaea and Final Fantasy Tactics taking center stage last year. This year, the trend continues with R-Type Tactics and now ... Neverland Card Battles. Coming this Fall, this SRPG comes from the folks at YUKES (with distribution being handled by Atlus).A war between human and demons wages on in Neverland, and players must control the Dominators to prevent an evil god from awakening. By using special Spectral Cards, players will be able to banish the evil Hellgaia and save Neverland from certain doom."The original Japanese version of Neverland Card Battles was extremely well-received and caught our attention as the best trading card game out there," said Ken Koyama, Manager of Product Development at YUKE'S Company of America. "We have enhanced and optimized NCB for the portable experience, and will offer one of the finest card-strategy games ever created for the PSP this fall."%Gallery-29219%
XBLA: Double D Dodgeball, Coffeetime Crosswords & Live Draft Tracker
It looks like we were in for a surprise on the Xbox Live Arcade after all. Available now for download are three new Arcade titles -- well, two and a half.First up is Coffeetime Crosswords, a crossword puzzle game with over 150 puzzles. Coffeetime Crosswords features a co-op mode for up to 2 players (local only) to work together to solve difficult puzzles. Coffeetime Crosswords is another stellar Konami release, weighs in at 42MB and is priced at 800MS points.Double D Dodgeball from Yukes is a dodgeball game (Sup, powers of deduction?). Featuring up to 4 players locally or 8 players online, D-triple is described as a retro-style dodgeball game. The tiny 17MB download is also priced at 800MS points. Originally D-triple was scheduled to hit the XBLA on July 30, so either it was pushed forward, released by accident or something secret was supposed to release but was postponed.Lastly is the EA Fantasy Football Live Draft Tracker, which isn't exactly an Arcade game, per se. The Tracker acts as the middle man between EA's online fantasy leagues. Using the tracker commissioners who host league drafts offline and in-person can import your fantasy league settings. Once settings are established, players can select their picks with the tool and then upload completed drafts to their online accounts on EA's Fantasy Sports website. The tracker is priced at 400MS points.
Gaming to Go: NEVES
Tired of blocks yet?Thinking of expanding your horizons a little? Perhaps you need more from the gaming life than just a few simple squares. Perhaps you want...shapes?Good news! NEVES has them. Seven of them, in fact, which is enough to create like a jabillion 500 different puzzles. You, dear reader, can have these pointy shapes too. There's this demo thing freely available on the net, or you can dig a little deeper in your pockets and shell out two tens for the real deal.Yuke's puzzler takes classic Chinese tangrams into the modern realm with great success. Solving one of the many short brain teasers in NEVES is an experience decidedly different from a typical video game, emphasizing peaceful thinking over sweaty palms and razor-sharp reflexes.Sound appealing? If gaming breaks are the only way you stay sane, NEVES might be just what you need to unwind. Come along with Gaming to Go and see for yourself why a relatively unknown title in the DS library is one worth checking out!%Gallery-5249%
Double D Dodgeball coming to XBLA on July 30
It's rare that we find out Xbox Live Arcade release dates this early, but it's right there in green and black in the above trailer: The July 30 release for XBLA will apparently be Double D Dodgeball. So, the question we have to ask ourselves now is, "Should we care?"Let's do pros and cons. Pro: Yuke's Future Media Creators is a really wonderful name for a video game company. Cons: The gameplay-free trailer above is really terrible and DDD is competing against another dodgeball game that pits pirates against ninjas. Well, that equals one pro and two cons ... looks like you can begin the forgetting about Double D Dodgeball process whenever you're ready.
Amazon unbags Catz 2 sale
Wait! Before you roll your eyes and scroll past this post in search of non Petz news, we want to make sure you know that unlike the DS and PC versions, Petz Catz 2 isn't your garden-variety shovelware pet sim.It's more of a light RPG adventure in which you, a kitten, set out to retrieve a magical top hat from a mean wolf. Of course, along the way, you'll have several different minigames and side quests which you can pounce into, instead. Also, you can put hats on cats.If that short description -- or the prospect of adorning cats with hats -- interests you at all, Amazon has the game on sale for a super cheap $7.99 until the end of the day. If you're more of a puppy person, you can also pick up the palette-swapped canine complement, Petz Dogz 2, for only $9.99. [Via CAG]Read - Petz Catz 2 for $7.99Read - Petz Dogz 2 for $9.99
Smackdown vs. Raw '09 tags in with debut trailer
We didn't know wrestling was still popular enough to warrant an annual release, but over the weekend THQ dropped the trailer for WWE: Smackdown vs. Raw 2009. The video showcases the latest feature for the upcoming title, co-op story mode. While we're sure there is still a group of fans clamoring for a "chair-shot to the face" good time, we wonder if we really need another WWE game every year? Madden's annual release already gets us annoyed but we understand the reasoning behind it, but does including one new addition and swapping some characters in the roster really need another $60 price tag?
WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw 2009 announced, first details revealed
THQ's WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw series has, for the longest time, been underwhelming in terms of offering unique experiences between its annual releases. We could even say the series has been suffering from a mild case of Madden syndrome. With the announcement of this year's iteration: Smackdown! vs. Raw 2009, however, things finally look like they're going to change. First and foremost, the series is finally getting the much needed online gameplay and DLC support that fans have been clamoring for in the past years. Unfortunately, specific details on the DLC are still being kept secret. Senior creative manager Cory Ledesma does hint, however, at the possibility of updating the WWE roster via DLC. As for the second major addition, say hello to the brand new "Create-A-Finisher." This tool allows players to create unique ultimate signature moves by piecing together over 500 animations. Also, a re-vamped career mode makes its debut, now allowing for the first time a co-op season with stronger emphasis on tag team action. As for the roster, so far only Chris Jericho, Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Undertaker, and John Cena have been revealed. A final number for the roster has not been announced.
Deal of the Evening: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for $30
Wrestling is a strange phenomenon. There are avid fans and there are those who simply find it absolutely confusing. Not the event itself, but the fact the world has allowed it to remain for so long. This deal isn't for them -- it's for you, the fans. Amazon currently has a deal for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008 for the low price of $30. This is much less than watching a match on Pay-Per-View, so really, you'd be doing yourselves a big favor.
Slot this NEVES demo into your schedule
In case you haven't already raided the cookie jar for the last of this month's housekeeping money after hearing of NEVES' universal price drop, allow us to further test your resistance.Yuke's Company has placed an excellent (albeit brief) flash demo of the elegant puzzler on its site, giving interested parties access to three of the game's 500 puzzles. There's a time limit on each, and we cut it pretty fine with the third, but pulled through like heroes in the end. The controls in this PC demo are a pretty close approximation of those in the DS version, so if you like this, get reaching for your wallet. Just be warned that far harder puzzles await you in the real thing![Via Siliconera]
It's a good week for NEVES
Yuke's Company announced yesterday that their tangram-based puzzle game NEVES was awarded an "Editor's Choice Award" from Children's Technology Review, a magazine about educational toys, games, and software. Not only is it great for Yuke's and publisher Atlus that their game is getting some praise from educators, this award means that someone -- at least one magazine editor -- played their game. And we're not saying that NEVES is forgettable -- with a small release like NEVES on a console with tons of great puzzle games, it's easy to slip through the cracks.Also in the press release about Yuke's Company's good news is some good news for everyone else: a universal price drop has been enacted for NEVES, to $19.99. %Gallery-5249%[Via GamesPress]
Bikinis and bodyslams in Smackdown Vs Raw commercial
We recognize that this SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 commercial does a great job of selling the game to its core demographic, but, to us, it's a sad reminder of what the World Wrestling Federation has become. Remember how the Bushwackers used to stomp around their downed adversaries? Remember when you thought the Undertaker was for real and that someone was surely going to die by the match's end? Remember Hulk Hogan running up to the ring with an American Flag in tow, ripping apart his sleeveless yellow shirt to reveal his oiled chest to a throng of frenzied, heterosexual men, everyone chanting, "U-S-A! U-S-A!" Gone are those glory days -- the greatest days, some would call them. THQ's commercial is representative of what the WWE has celebrated in their stead: gratuitous displays of flesh, jackasses walking around with open shirts like that's the proper order of business, and crotch-chop gestures accompanied by some scoundrel telling you to "suck it." If you're exhausted with our nostalgia-tinged rant and would rather watch an extended, minute-long version of the ad, bring your best moves past the post break.
Cats in hats (dogs, too)
Rather than discriminate against either dog or cat fans, Ubisoft is satisfying pet lovers of both persuasions with two versions of their latest game -- Puppy and the Magical Hat and Kitten and the Magical Hat -- both of which are hella cute. They're essentially the same release, the only visible differences being a palette swap between the two animals and switched sound effects (e.g. barks and meows). Oh, and instead of using a dog bone as a pointer, Kitten and the Magical Hat uses a fish skeleton. Cats don't give a damn about dog bones. Other than that, they're indistinguishable, as evidenced by the near-identical trailers and screenshots at their official sites. They both have the same outfits to dress your pet in, the same dolphin-riding action, and the same play-air-hockey-with-a-lion minigame! We can forgive developer Yuke's for taking the easy route with this production, though, as the pair of titles really seems like a lot more fun and full-featured than the usual pet training shovelware we see. Dash (or pounce) past the break for some comparison screens and the K-9 Advantix commercial we referenced in our article image.
SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 improves on predecessors
Last year's iteration of WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2007 was hindered by long load times, lack of commentary and some embarrassingly small crowds. Well, according to IGN, developer Yukes has fixed two of those problems with loading times that are similar to its console counterparts and stadium-filled crowds that show a lot more excitement than previous years. Not only will gamers finally be able to play as their favorite ECW wrestlers, PSP owners will be treated to extra wrestlers Eddie Guerrero, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart and Sgt. Slaughter that consoles owners aren't getting. SVR '08 hits the PSP Nov. 13.
NEVES: it's 'seven' backwards
Siliconera sat down with Yuke's Company of America representative Ken Koyama to chat about their upcoming puzzle game, NEVES. A DS puzzle game is something of a departure for a company best known for WWE wrestling games (and also known, uh, by me as the developer of the weird Playstation fighting game Evil Zone), so it's somewhat interesting that Yuke's decided to do this.In Japan, where the game is called Hamekomi Lucky Puzzle, it actually carries a license: that of the Hanayama Toy Company, whose Lucky Puzzle is a popular toy. We're impressed that rather than simply cloning their tangram game, Yuke's sought a partnership with Hanayama for the DS game. It's also nice to see Yuke's (and Siliconera) giving some attention to what is destined to fly miles under the radar.
WWE: SmackDown Vs. RAW 2008 demo slams XBLM
Wrasslin' fans rejoice, for a demo of WWE: SmackDown Vs. RAW 2008 is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. Honestly, we don't know too much about the title, but the dashboard text lets us know that the latest iteration of the series features Superstar Fighting Styles and a new struggle/submission system. We also know that the game lives up to its beefy participants, weighing in at 1.21 gigabytes. So, go get yourself a protein boost and start grappling already.
Demo for WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 on Live
"Shhh, be quiet!" yelled Juliet from her balcony as Romeo clumsily climbed the nearby trellis. "But why, my love?" he replied, as he found his footing. "Because, silly, I am of Smackdown lineage, and you ... are Raw. For ages our two families have battled, making our love ... forbidden." Romeo lingered on the word for a moment before drawing a golden bauble from his pocket. "What's that?!" said Juliet with a gasp, simultaneously thinking that Romeo was moving a bit fast and how fantastic said bauble would look on her finger. "This," he replied, "is a demo. A demo for Smackdown vs. Raw 2008, now available on Xbox Live." "Oh," said Juliet, who was growing increasingly less interested. "What's it for?" Romeo laughed, "Why it's an undying symbol of our love! For years, this demo will stand as a testament to two star-crossed lovers from the Smackdown and Raw clans who could not copulate for fear that they would be found out." Juliet waited for the explanation to continue for a few moments before asking "Yeah ... but what is it?" "Oh, that," said Romeo. "... I have no idea."
Joystiq hands-on: Neves (DS)
The original Japanese Lucky Puzzle is a classic example of a wolf in sheep's clothing. With only seven pieces, players had to construct a variety of shapes and objects. Should be easy, right? No. Traditional puzzles have painted sides that interlock to ultimately form a rectangle. Unfortunately, players of Lucky Puzzle do not have such things to take for granted: pieces don't lock into each other and more terrifyingly, don't have painted sides. This means pieces can be placed in any way: turned upside-down, flipped around, and placed at any angle. Lucky Puzzle is the inspiration for Yuke's upcoming DS exclusive title, Neves. Their first independently published game in the US, Neves is attempting to capture the brain teasing market that the DS seems to dominate. Like other brain games on the platform, the game is immensely easy to pick up and play. The touch screen is an ideal interface for the game, as it acts as a virtual table for you to move your pieces. Simply drag the seven pieces around, and use your stylus to easily flip them over, turn them around, or change their angle. Because of the ever-present silhouette in the background, the virtual version of this classic Japanese puzzler is far easier to grasp than the real-life counterpart. However, don't expect things to be easy. These challenges are still notoriously difficult, but immensely satisfying. Each puzzle can take a minute, or ten, or thirty minutes, depending on your creativity. Considering there will be over 500 included in the cartridge, there's an abundance of play to experience.%Gallery-7169%
Exclusive wrestlers in PSP SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008
THQ has revealed the SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 rosters on IGN, and the best roster of all might just be found on the Playstation Portable. While there are the same 42 current stars and 8 legends as the home console versions, the PSP version of is getting 3 more legends of wrestling that no one else has. Those 3 are: Eddie Guerrero Sgt. Slaughter Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart Why are there 3 more wrestlers on the Sony handheld than any other? Who cares! You know what they say about looking a gift horse in the mouth, so we'll follow suit, and hope that the promised improvements to the game make this a worthy addition to the PSP wrestling library.
NEVES of steel required to play this puzzle game
Yuke's Company of America announced yesterday that it will bring its grown-up puzzle game NEVES (previously mentioned here as Hamekomi Lucky Puzzle DS in Japan) to the States. According to the press release by U.S. publisher Atlus, players must "think critically as they align pieces and build figures that correspond to a silhouette. Each puzzle features seven wooden blocks, requiring the player to combine them to form specific figures ranging from simple items like a sword or key to more complicated ones such as birds or airplanes." The concept reminds us of a tangram version of the Touch Puzzle mode on Tetris DS, and that was just a single mode in a much larger game. We commend Yuke's for creating games on the more cerebral side, but unique as the concept might be, we hope the title can pack enough variety to warrant more than a passing time investment. There is hope, however, since it will feature more than 500 puzzle pieces to manipulate and game modes including puzzle mode, time mode, versus mode, and count mode. (AH! AH! AH! One puzzle piece! TWO puzzle pieces! sorry, couldn't help it.) Regardless, the DS is looking to be the premiere platform for the puzzle genre, and NEVES will bring a more mature tone when it arrives on American shores later this year. %Gallery-5249%
