You may or may not have been able to
buy a clearanced copy of
Astro Boy for the GBA earlier today, but
we do know that Treasure, the developer of that 2D masterpiece (and we're not talking about
the mechanized monstrosity that was the PS2 version),
will be sticking to its 2D guns in the next generation (if only for the Xbox 360).
Here's what a rep for the company that made Ikaruga and Gunstar Heroes had to say about the matter:
"There is no major difference in terms of gameplay for the games that we develop regardless of whether it is for
console or handheld because they are all based on 2D action." Then, "...we take pride in developing our games with an
elite and dedicated staff, which is small, so it will take longer to develop an Xbox 360 title."
Whoa, an Xbox 360 title? So we take it then that 2D action, or at least the style of it (with 3D-realized characters
and backgrounds), will be coming to the next generation of consoles, one way or another. Whether the idealistic young
Astro Boy can make console manufacturers pay for discriminating against
2D titles in the past or not is a question for another
time, however.
Engadget
TUAW