Xenogears, Einhänder arrive on Japanese PSN
Those hoping to engage in some frantic side-scrolling shooting, or perhaps read an entire CD-ROM's worth of stilted text with religious overtones, will be pleased to learn that PlayStation classics, Einhänder and Xenogears, are now available for purchase and download on the PSN. And if you'd like to maintain that joyous feeling, you'd better not read the rest of this post, which goes on to append "Japanese" to "PSN."
Gamasutra reports that the cherished Square pair, along with four other titles, Astronaka, Rakugaki Showtime, Raystorm and Fighters' Impact, are now available on the Japanese PSN (we warned you!) for ¥600 ($5.56) each. An unconfirmed NeoGAF translation of Dengeki PlayStation magazine asserts that these games form the first half of 12 classic Square Enix titles to be committed to PSN.
According to Square Enix USA, there are currently no plans to bring any of the titles to the American network.
Gamasutra reports that the cherished Square pair, along with four other titles, Astronaka, Rakugaki Showtime, Raystorm and Fighters' Impact, are now available on the Japanese PSN (we warned you!) for ¥600 ($5.56) each. An unconfirmed NeoGAF translation of Dengeki PlayStation magazine asserts that these games form the first half of 12 classic Square Enix titles to be committed to PSN.
According to Square Enix USA, there are currently no plans to bring any of the titles to the American network.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Noshino @ Jun 25th 2008 3:52PM
Time to invest on Japanese classes...
Titanium_Orchid @ Jun 25th 2008 4:12PM
More like time to buy a Japanese Playstation
Fatass of Rebuttalness @ Jun 25th 2008 3:55PM
Because Square knows that there's no market for those games over here. Why bring over two of your greatest titles when your American fans'll eat up your next cliched RPG effort? Excuse me for being a little bit sore, but I haven't had much to like about Square lately.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:00PM
What do the two have to do with each other? I'm pretty sure many people would buy their next RPG regardless of whether or not these games are in the PSN.
Fatass of Rebuttalness @ Jun 25th 2008 4:08PM
What I'm saying is that these are niche titles (especially Einhander) and Square already has a great market in America of people who'll buy anything with the name Final Fantasy on it.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:10PM
I think they should release them elsewhere though. Both games already have US version. It can't be too much work to get them ready for release on the PSN. Even with a niche audience, surely they would turn a profit.
LuckyTurner @ Jun 25th 2008 3:57PM
Upon dropping Einhander on the PSN, Squenix is free to extract $10 from my wallet.
A beautifully designed shooter that my brother was somehow conned to trade for "Beyond the Beyond".
syrik zero @ Jun 25th 2008 4:04PM
Dude, I agree! Einhander was so much fun! I've yet to purchase something on PSN but that would put me over and I would have to get it.
Odog4ever @ Jun 25th 2008 4:36PM
Einhänder was the shit. That is all.
I wish Square would release it on XBLA but that will probably never happen. And I'm two lazy to blow the dust off of my PS2 to play my copy. I guess I have one more reason to get a PS3 one day.
David @ Jun 25th 2008 9:29PM
I waaaant Eihänder!!!!! that game was so freaking awesome...I would gladly pay 10 bucks to have that game on the ps3 (and you are able to play it on the psp too!).
Too bad Squeenix thinks that no one in the US knows about that game. I remember they were asked about that game in an interview and they said that no one here knew about it or something along that line. That's one of the few ps1 game that stand the test of time and can still be played today (32 bit era titles aged horribly...most fully 3d games are unplayable nowadays...have you seen Driver 1 recently...or even Gran Turismo 2?)
Where's the online petition to beg Square to bring this game to the US PS store? there's gotta be one around...
David @ Jun 25th 2008 9:33PM
I waaaant Eihänder!!!!! that game was so freaking awesome...I would gladly pay 10 bucks to have that game on the ps3 (and you are able to play it on the psp too!).
Too bad Squeenix thinks that no one in the US knows about that game. I remember they were asked about that game in an interview and they said that no one here knew about it or something along that line. That's one of the few ps1 game that stand the test of time and can still be played today (32 bit era titles aged horribly...most fully 3d games are unplayable nowadays...have you seen Driver 1 recently...or even Gran Turismo 2?)
Where's the online petition to beg Square to bring this game to the US PS store? there's gotta be one around...
(your brother traded Eihänder for Beyond the Beyond?...wow you must hate your brother haha)
David @ Jun 25th 2008 9:34PM
I waaaant Eihänder!!!!! that game was so freaking awesome...I would gladly pay 10 bucks to have that game on the ps3 (and you are able to play it on the psp too!).
Too bad Squeenix thinks that no one in the US knows about that game. I remember they were asked about that game in an interview and they said that no one here knew about it or something along that line. That's one of the few ps1 game that stand the test of time and can still be played today (32 bit era titles aged horribly...most fully 3d games are unplayable nowadays...have you seen Driver 1 recently...or even Gran Turismo 2?)
Where's the online petition to beg Square to bring this game to the US PS store? there's gotta be one around...
(your brother traded that game for Beyond the Beyond?...wow you must hate your brother for that)
David @ Jun 25th 2008 9:37PM
wow sorry for that...wasn't my fault...glitch in the matrix?
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 3:57PM
*sigh* Why do we get so few PS1 games in our PSN store?
RanWitScissorz @ Jun 25th 2008 3:57PM
I personally greatly enjoyed Einhänder when I was younger, I will have to contemplate this as my first PSN purchase.
Jakka @ Jun 25th 2008 3:57PM
Let's use some logic.
If you would be interested in buying this games, chances are you have a PS3 to download them on.
If you were willing to choose an expensive console like PS3 over 360 or Wii, chances are you prefer Sony / are a fanboy.
If you are a fanboy/prefer Sony , chances are that you own a PS2 too.
If you own a PS2,it supports backward compatibility.
Conslusion: Screw the Japanese exclusivity, buy the goddamn CD versions of Ebay etc.
J-son @ Jun 25th 2008 4:03PM
Yeah, but Einhander is like $60 on ebay. I'd much rather pay $10 and be able to play it on my PSP.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:03PM
All PS3s support PS1 BC, so I'm not sure why you included a PS2 in your logic. Also, there's something to be said for the convenience or not having to swap out discs or worry about buying used games with scratched discs. These PS1 games can also be transferred to, and played on, PSPs.
Zertoss @ Jun 25th 2008 4:05PM
All PS3s can play PS1 games. No need for a PS2 for that.
Rocketboy @ Jun 25th 2008 4:14PM
Jakka's Logic = Fail
Jakka @ Jun 25th 2008 4:17PM
Oh...I didn't know about the PS1 support.
I always thought that "no backward compatibility" meant absolutely no BC at all.
Looking at it now,my comment sounds totally retarded.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 25th 2008 4:18PM
Tell me about it I just bought a couple used games the other day and not one works 100%. It's sad how a lot of people don't take care of their games. Even worse shitstop won't let me return them.
Jakka @ Jun 25th 2008 4:19PM
@ Rocketboy
Touché,I haz logic failed.
Fatass of Rebuttalness @ Jun 25th 2008 4:20PM
"Even worse shitstop won't let me return them."
Whoa whoa whoa whoa. Every Gamestop store has a seven day used game return policy - you can return 'em even if it's cuz you don't like 'em. Go back and get the manager, and if the manager doesn't let you return them have him call district manager.
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:34PM
"I always thought that "no backward compatibility" meant absolutely no BC at all."
Yes, and we can thank sites like Joystiq and the hordes of anti-Sony fanboys for that. They did indeed put up several headlines proclaiming the that the new PS3's had "no BC". I complained about those headlines back then for exactly this reason. You aren't the first person I've seen that was confused about this. PS1 BC has always been software based, so every PS3 model has had the exact same PS1 BC.
Jakka @ Jun 25th 2008 5:32PM
Thanks for the info.
Mauricio @ Jun 25th 2008 4:00PM
Einhander: Greatest shooter ever.
mundox @ Jun 25th 2008 6:19PM
Agreed...
Markez (MKWii 4339-2878-5120) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:01PM
Xenogears was ok, in my book. Not great, not terrible. If I recall correctly though it had an absolutely brutal amount of dialogue. Think I caught a glitch on the last disc that prevented me from ever getting out of a specific area and finishing the game, sure was a blast.
nightmare452 @ Jun 25th 2008 4:04PM
AAAAaaaahhhh !!! *drools uncontrollably to the state were he is forced to change all his clothes*
Seriously, NICE !! Xenosaga is pretty good, and Einhänder was good as well. (this sentence seems redundant, eh)
Why don't we get any PS1 games (since the can be played on my PSP, that makes it so worth it).
Although, if I had to pick from all the ones Japan has over us, Metal Gear Solid would be it!
Noshino @ Jun 25th 2008 4:08PM
....Xenogears....not Xenosaga....
Didn't Square sell the Xeno name to Namco? Which went on to become Xenosaga?
nightmare452 @ Jun 25th 2008 4:41PM
My bad, typo...
deaftly @ Jun 25th 2008 4:05PM
I remember einhander being batshit crazy hard, i'll def buy it again when it hits the us.
Agathos @ Jun 25th 2008 4:05PM
So I've re-collected a good bit of my old PSOne classics that got traded off for pizza in College, including mint copies of the FF's, Xenogears, Grandia, the two Suikoden's, RE series, etc. along with my errotic tastes for strategy RPGs with sprites (Rhapsody, Vandal Hearts, etc) Found most on half.com for reasonable prices and they've been a blast to play back through again. The idea of getting some like this for $5 and being able to play them on my PSP is definitely tempting but what do they look like do they get stretched?
I'm assuming I can buy the game once and then move and the save file for it between the PS3 and PSP?
Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:08PM
I hope you meant "erratic".
Fatass of Rebuttalness @ Jun 25th 2008 4:09PM
"along with my errotic tastes for strategy RPGs with sprites"
Whoa there.
Nick the Hero of Canton @ Jun 25th 2008 4:11PM
Einhander is one of my all time favorite games.
Einhanderkiller @ Jun 25th 2008 7:13PM
One of my favorites, too.
dabamf @ Jun 25th 2008 4:11PM
That is gay.
Rocketboy @ Jun 25th 2008 4:12PM
If Xenogears was brought to PSN in the states, I do believe it would be time for me to finally buy a PS3.
Heck, I'd probably even pick Einhander as well. I loved the demo, but never saw it for a price I wanted to buy it for.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 25th 2008 4:14PM
I still have a number of square games for PS1, but I'd instantly rebuy all of them if they came to the north american PSN, if only to help boost sales so they bring even more that I don't have over here!
Agathos @ Jun 25th 2008 4:15PM
Ugh! That's what I get for blasting out a post in a meeting, one letter can make so much difference... please excuse me while I go hang myself in shame.
umm....hello??? @ Jun 25th 2008 4:18PM
fortunately I kept all my Squaresoft games, so both Einhander and Xenogears are on my bookshelves full of games...maybe time to revisit memory lane...
Ibere @ Jun 25th 2008 4:20PM
Xenogears is my favourite RPG ever. Not for everyone, but it is such an immersive game. It's a shame they totally raped the story with Xenosaga.
me @ Jun 25th 2008 4:26PM
wait... all ps3s play ps1 games? Could have swore the 40's didn't have backass compatibility?
Brodie-san @ Jun 25th 2008 5:39PM
The 40s lack the emotion chip and do not play PS2 games. As it has been already stated above, PS1 BC is software based. All PS3s can play PS1 games.
Ryzeki @ Jun 25th 2008 5:40PM
All PS3 have Backwards compatibility with PS1, the only BC lost was with PS2 in the case of the 40GB version. This is because PS1 is fully software emulated, whereas ps2 was partly software and hardware. Ps2 can become again part of the BC if they make a working emulator.
That said, I loved xenogears and lost my copy so I would definately re-buy it, and I always wanted to try einhander but never found a copy.
umm....hello??? @ Jun 25th 2008 5:42PM
I have the 60gig PS3 so I don't have to worry about crap like that....
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 25th 2008 5:00PM
....sorry, I'll reply to this article in a minute, I'm in pain, I've just been kicked in the balls again....
Draco Basileus @ Jun 25th 2008 5:21PM
Hey, maybe this tiem they actually ship a completed Xenogears, instead of the half baked mess that was the original.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the game (still can't get some of the songs out of head), but the last third of it was one of the biggest "WTF" moments in my life. It was like the prelude to the MGS games, little action, non-sensical story, and a crap load of cut scenes that tried to tie the story together.