Monthly Archives: April 2011

BIT.TRIP SAGA Coming to 3DS

That’s all six games, Beat, Core, Void, Runner, Fate, and Flux, coming to the 3DS, in one cartridge. Aksys Games has also stated that the game will also have Stereoscopic 3D. No word yet on how some of the games will function (Some are no-brainers, others like Flux make me wonder). So for those who always wanted to play the games but didn’t have a chance (or you’re too rightfully scared to buy them off WiiWare), now you can play all six games on the go. Aksys has no release date yet, but I’m guessing we’ll be getting it this year.

Also, now I get the meaning of that 3D Commander Video picture that circulated the interwebs sometime ago.

via Kotaku

Holy Shit! An Intellectual PSN Debate!

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From what I’ve read of the big PSN crisis, it usually comes from two angles. There’s the legal/economic side where people are looking to sue Sony, hunt down whoever hacked their PSN service, ensure their financial security. It’s either “Fuck you hackers!” or “Fuck you Sony” and people just going crazy pointing fingers. Then there’s the other side where people are taking advantage of the situation to remind us that competitive services are still alive and well.

I'm tired of looking at this damn ball logo all over the headlines.... why not join the fun?

I can’t deny that I’m a little worried myself, and others on TWF have expressed similar concern. Continue reading →

Now Even You Can Look Like Souji Seta (Or Is It Yu Narukami? Pah!)

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Thanks to Persona 4, wearing glasses is cool again. Cospa is make a pair of these glasses, worn by the main character in Persona 4. The cool thing about these is that it’s not just for show; These can also be worn with prescription lenses, so the ocularly-challenged can wear these too. They do cost roughly $89 dollars, and since this is coming from Japan, I doubt they’ll be taking most health insurances (including Medicaid….dammit!). But screw it man, these glasses look freaking awesome! Hopefully they’ll be selling these in the Fall. You can order these at the AmiAmi website. I also recommend reading comment from user Unbeknownst2U from Destructoid on which frames are right for you.

Okami and God Hand sequels are a possibility, if fans want them

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Why yes, he is about to spank an enemy.

Motohide Eshiro, producer of Okamiden, mentioned the possibility of Okami and God Hand sequels in an interview with Gamesradar. However, that all depends on whether there’s a demand for them.

“We’re certainly willing to explore the option of another Okami game if the market is there for it. If people want it, we’ll be pleased to deliver it.” When the cult popularity of God Hand was brought up, Eshiro said “I personally am quite the fan of God Hand – I thought it had really dynamic gameplay of focusing not on blocking but on constantly dodging and moving. It was really fun and refreshing, and it would be great to see that turned into a series. Once again, it boils down to demand – how many people want it, what kind of ideas we have that would be fresh and make it worth exploring again, and we could come up with a plan that could fit the users’ needs and the market’s needs at the time.”

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PSN users’ personal info compromised, over 70 million affected

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This is a rough time to be a PlayStation Network user. PSN being down for the past 6 days as bothered many, but was more of an inconvenience than anything else. But now Sony admits that all of its users have had their personal information compromised from an external intrusion.

The PlayStation Blog goes on to list what information has been acquired. Apparently, everyone’s “name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID” has been obtained by the person(s) behind this. Further information that could have possibly been stolen as well consist of “profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers.” If that wasn’t enough, Sony says that, while there is no evidence that credit card information has been obtained, to take measures as if your credit card number and expiration date have been acquired.

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Soul Brother takes over Adult Swim

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If you’re looking for a fun way to kill some time on the internet, and enjoy a game with solid platforming and exploration, then I got just the thing for you.

Adult Swim’s latest browser-based game from Superflat Games, Soul Brother, is akin to titles such as An Untitled Story and VVVVVV. You control the soul of a person who just recently died, and you now have the ability to possess the various creatures you come across. The catch is, you can only possess someone when you die. Doing something like jumping into a spike pit will instantly have you take control of another creature on the same screen. And since different creatures have different abilities, such as being able to move blocks or double jump, switching bodies often is vital if you plan on finding all 33 gems of wisdom.

I just finished playing through the game and I have to say it’s pretty fun. It’s not a very long game, only taking me a little under an hour to beat. Then again, I was in a rush and only got 24 of the gems. But I do plan on playing it again when I have more time, in order to get them all. Plus, I love the pixel art style. So if you find yourself bored and with nothing better to do, then do yourself a favor and check out Soul Brother. I highly recommend it.

Via: Joystiq

Nintendo focusing more on software, 3D Zelda: A Link to the Past could happen

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There’s been a lot of talk about Nintendo going around, especially with all the rumors and information surfacing, and now Shigeru Miyamoto continues to tease us with more news about their plans, as well as what to look forward to. According to Miyamoto, Nintendo’s been focusing on hardware lately, which would explain why we haven’t been seeing much software from Nintendo recently. However, he says that the focus will shift towards making more games

Miyamoto states that Nintendo will be creating “meaningful and high-value games” downloadable through the 3DS’ eShop. He also says that there are going to be more game remakes on the horizon for the handheld, and happened to mention that a remake he’d very much like to see is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

A 3D remake of A Link to the Past? Sprite looks hopeful.

Personally, I’d love to see it happen. It would be great to replay the game with a new two-layered look, and it’s nice to see some popular Nintendo games getting remade. But I can’t wait to hear more about Nintendo’s new titles, and I’m curious to see what games are going to be available on the eShop service.

All I know is that this year’s E3 looks like it’s going to be a crazy one thanks to Nintendo.

Via: Destructoid
Source: Next-gen Biz

Kung Fu Theater: Fight! Dragon! (aka Tatakae! Doragon!)

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Two rape faces, and what appears to be the opening to Japanese "Little House on the Praire".

While roaming the aisles at an FYE I frequent, my eyes came upon a most curious little treasure. A kung fu television show. Now, of course, such an idea is not unheard of. The classic David Carradine TV show aptly named “Kung Fu” is one of the most popular examples. And other shows like “The Green Hornet” had elements of Kung Fu in them, with that show having a pre-stardom Bruce Lee. But this item was different. It was a genuine production from Japan, and starred people who were (gasp!) actually Asian. The box proudly proclaimed that it was “available for the first time in the U.S.” and that it starred Bolo Yeung (most well known as Chong Li in Bloodsport) and Yasuaki Kurata (numerous Shaw Bros. movies and probably known to more modern audiences as the Kung Fu master Fumio Funakochi in “Fist of Legend“). After seeing that I could get my Kurata on, and that it cost only twelve dollars, I bought the show immediately.

Getting home, I realized a few things: First, the box art was…odd. It had a picture of Bolo, true, but it was one of him from Bloodsport. And there was some random dude who was not Yasuaki Kurata posing behind him. Moving on from that, I would find out that Bolo’s character lasts a mere 2 episodes of this 26 episode show. Despite these early issues, I can gladly say that “Fight! Dragon!” is one of the best investments I ever made, and is a grand example of schlocky, Kung Fu action at its best.

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Final Fantasy Type-0 Website Up, Music Kicks Ass

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Square Enix has launched the website for Final Fantasy Type-0. To complement it, it’s got some kickass music to go along with it. Unfortunately, the other two at the bottom right are blacked out and not up yet. Bummer too, cause this music seems to indicate that some serious shit is about to go down in this game. And you know what, I believe it, what with the gratuitous amounts of blood I’ve seen in the trailers recently. Now, the thought of blood in a game is nothing new. But for a Final Fantasy game, it’s pretty rare, with one of the few instance I recount occurring in Final Fantasy VIII (how do you think Squall got that scar?). I’ve also seen blood in one of the earlier Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailers, but for some reason, it looks to have been toned down from the more recent trailers.

Anyways, I’m getting ahead of myself here. Final Fantasy Type-0 was under the name Final Fantasy Agito XIII since its debut. It was part of the universe of Fabula Nova Crystallis. Last fall, the name of this entry was changed to Type-0 after someone in the dev team (Not sure who) saw that the game deviated a bit too far from the original intent of the game (and the overarching story/world structure of FNC). Although the name change has distanced itself from the other two games in the world, it is still part of the same universe.

Final Fantasy Type-0 is slated to release on the PSP this Summer in Japan.

Miyamoto Hints at New Hardware, Pikmin Game and Zelda’s 25th Anniversary

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It was only a matter of time with all the rumors of a new console that we would hear an official statement from the folks over at Nintendo. Fan favorite, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that there is indeed a new console on the way, though not all the rumors may be true. Not much more was given in details, but that’s what E3 is for, right?

In the meantime, he was sure to bring up the 25th anniversary of the Zelda series, which hopefully leads into another awesome party over at Nintendo World that I can actually make it to.

Thankfully, Miyamoto has made a few more confirmations : a new Zelda, Mario, Mario Kart and Pikmin along with new AR games for the 3DS. I love the AR games we got, and Face Raiders so hopefully they start making games that use that system and have a lot of substance too.

I haven't yet played the second Pikmin and already can't wait for the third!

Might have to play/review Pikmin 2 soon if the third one is coming out, stay tuned!

Via Destructoid

Video Game Music w/ the James Episode 5 : Jazz Jackrabbit

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When I think oldschool Epic Games, the first thing that comes to mind naturally is Unreal Tournament. Originally I was going to tie the the composer, Alexander Brandon to Jazz Jackrabbit’s music, but I would have been mistaken. From what I researched, Jazz Jackrabbit 2 is credited to Brandon, but the first is to a guy named Robert A. Allan. Regardless, the soundtracks to both games kick ass, but I’m here to talk about Jazz Jackrabbit.

I miss the days when they were still called Epic Megagames…

For those of you who don’t know, Jazz Jackrabbit is a PC platformer developed in 1994. Many elements are borrowed from Sonic the Hedgehog, with the inclusion of a gun and various types of ammo to the mix (long before Shadow would infamously bring guns to the Sonic universe might I add).

The first sign of really good music occurs quite early actually, when you get to the second area, Tubelectric.

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Piece By Piece: Dynasty Warriors 7

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Someone just told Zhao Yun that McDonalds does not have a "McJustice Burger".

“Piece by Piece” will be a unique segment for me. It will be very rare, as it can only apply to long runners like the subject here, Dynasty Warriors. By virtue of either not lending itself to analysis, or just needing a more specialized breakdown, games in this article are not reviewed so much as they are observed. Judgement will still be rendered, but not in the definitive “score” format I use elsewhere. In this, we will look at what the newest installment did right, and what it did wrong. And when all is said and done, we will determine whether or not this was a step forward for the series, a step back, or a step in no direction (more of a hop, really).

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Undercover Survey Shows Video Game Retailers Are Good at Keeping Mature Games out of Children’s Hands

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The Federal Trade Commission conducts a yearly undercover survey throughout the United States that monitors how often retailers prohibit the sale of mature products and tickets to minors. They sent 13-16 year old teenagers into stores and movie theaters across the country to see if they were able to purchase items for mature audiences, such as M-rated video games, R-rated movie tickets, Parental Advisory Labeled music CDs, R-rated DVDs, and even Unrated DVDs.

Now, I have some news for all those people who complain about mature video games easily falling into the hands of poor innocent children. Video game retailers proved to have the highest enforcement rate…by a long shot.

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Team Ico Just Delayed Everything

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And I mean everything. The Team Ico Collection (which has Ico and Shadow of the Colossus) and The Last Guardian have all been delayed. *sigh* My Ps2 is aging pretty badly, and it won’t be long before it bites the dust and stops working (it’s a 2002 PS2). I’ve never owned Ico nor Shadow of the Colossus (I do have the demo of Ico though). How much more longer do I have to wait for these two game to get released on the PS3? Till my PS2 dies? *hardsigh*

Fumito Ueda, director of The Last Guardian, stated in a letter to fans, “All the members of my production team are working together at a fast pace to develop and release the game in First Party Studio quality.” He goes on to apologize and states that he’ll announce new dates soon.*hardersigh*

Team Ico Delay [via Kotaku]

Skullgirls Dev Nets Themselves One Hell Of A Composer

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Michiru Yamane. Not many may know that name. But if you played any Castlevania game after Symphony of the Night, then you know her music. Reverge Labs, developer of the all-girl fighting game Skullgirls, has revealed that Yamane will be the composer for the game. In the announcement video, she was told to make the music jazzy. She also mentioned that this is her first time working for an American company, and that she “always wanted to write my own jazz.” She says that she will be making music that complements the hybrid anime/comic style and the mood of the game. You can see the video here. Skullgirls is set for release this Summer.