Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogobig.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Water saplings! Add soil! Dilute serum!: Gardening Mama dishes out the orders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/water-saplings-add-soil-dilute-serum-gardening-mama-dishes-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/water-saplings-add-soil-dilute-serum-gardening-mama-dishes-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/water-saplings-add-soil-dilute-serum-gardening-mama-dishes-o/#commentsFiled under:

Wiiz has another six screens of Gardening Mama, Majesco's game for people who, like us, think gardening is a bit rubbish and not really worth our time. Naturally, we think simulating this activity through our DSes is perfectly fine, mainly because it doesn't involve getting wet feet and cold hands. So we're massive hypocrites. Sue us.

These new screenshots deal with some of the new tasks we'll face as virtual gardeners. We're told to "Add more soil!" "Water the sapling!" "Dilute the serum!" "Squash those viruses!" No matter what she or her garden is going through, Mama greets all of these challenges with the same reaction: that calm (yet determined) smile. We doubt we'll manage to be quite as composed.

JoystiqWater saplings! Add soil! Dilute serum!: Gardening Mama dishes out the orders originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cooking-mamacooking-mama-limitedgardeninggardening-mamamajescominigamesMon, 26 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo games account for almost half of 2008 software sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nintendo-games-account-for-almost-half-of-2008-software-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nintendo-games-account-for-almost-half-of-2008-software-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/nintendo-games-account-for-almost-half-of-2008-software-sales/#commentsFiled under:

In case you needed it confirmed yet again: Nintendo totally wins at selling stuff. Gamasutra went through the NPD statistics for 2008 software sales with a fine tooth-comb, and discovered that Wii and DS titles formed almost half of all games sold during 2008.

Of the 268 million games sold in the U.S. last year, 132 million (49%) were for Nintendo platforms, compared to 86 million (32%) for Sony consoles, and 50 million (19%) for Microsoft. Furthermore, the Wii software tie-in ratio isn't looking too shabby: an even six games per system, an identical figure to that of the PlayStation 3.

For more statistics that make us want to joyously high-five a bobcat, hit up Gamasutra.

JoystiqNintendo games account for almost half of 2008 software sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmicrosoftnpdsonyMon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Professor: suggesting Brain Age helps is 'charlatanism']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/professor-suggesting-brain-age-helps-is-charlatanism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/professor-suggesting-brain-age-helps-is-charlatanism/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/professor-suggesting-brain-age-helps-is-charlatanism/#commentsFiled under:

Brain Age games don't necessarily make you smarter, and it is "charlatanism" to make such a claim. Those are the conclusions drawn by one Alain Lieury, professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Rennes. The professor's findings were picked up by The Times, which loves itself a good story (from 2006).

Lieury surveyed 67 ten-year-old kids in his study, which compared the impact of Brain Age on intelligence with pencil and paper-based puzzles and going to school (in case anybody was seriously entertaining the thought of homeschooling their child with a DS).

The Times covers the precise results of the study in its article, but the long and short of it is: Brain Age won't help you raise an army of miniature geniuses and take over the free world. Boo. "The Nintendo DS is a technological jewel. As a game it's fine," writes Lieury in his new book, Stimulate Your Neurones. "But it is charlatanism to claim that it is a scientific test."

Which is great and all, but is anybody terribly surprised by this?


[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqProfessor: suggesting Brain Age helps is 'charlatanism' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brain-agebrain-age-2brain-trainingkawashimatrainingMon, 26 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First TMNT shots packed with Turtle power]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/first-tmnt-shots-packed-with-turtle-power/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/first-tmnt-shots-packed-with-turtle-power/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/first-tmnt-shots-packed-with-turtle-power/#commentsFiled under:


Click to embiggen.

Though it's been out in the open for some time, Ubisoft today officially confirmed development was underway on TMNT: Smash Up. There are only two screens to date, featuring all four turtles doing their green-skinned, katana-wielding thang, but they look really promising (and possibly hint at a 2.5D game?).

The combination of '80s nostalgia (fun fact that we refuse to be embarrassed about: we had Turtles wallpaper right up until we moved out of home at 18) and the involvement of Super Smash Bros. Brawl developer Game Arts will ensure this game won't escape our attention easily. Check out both shots in Large-O-Vision here.


[Via press release]

JoystiqFirst TMNT shots packed with Turtle power originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightinggame-artsteenage-mutant-ninja-turtlestmnttmnt-smash-upubisoftMon, 26 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/full-guitar-hero-metallica-track-list-revealed-wii-version-arr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/full-guitar-hero-metallica-track-list-revealed-wii-version-arr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/full-guitar-hero-metallica-track-list-revealed-wii-version-arr/#commentsFiled under:


It looks like we might get our wish: Guitar Hero: Metallica will consist mostly of songs from the band's first five albums, with only eleven post-1991 tracks appearing. Metallica's official site has leaked the full track list, which also contains twenty songs from artists such as Queen, System of a Down, Slayer, Motörhead, and Thin Lizzy. You can view the full line-up past the break.

Also, some less-than-great news: the release of the Wii version is set to lag behind the competition. Whereas the Xbox 360 and PS3 will be ready for March 29, Metallica themselves (or whoever writes on the website pretending to be the band) say we can expect the game "in the Spring, most likely in early May." Sad But True, indeed.

Continue reading Full Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late

JoystiqFull Guitar Hero: Metallica track list revealed, Wii version arriving late originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-heroguitar-hero-metallicametallicamusicrhythmvicarious-visionsMon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[de Sequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/de-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/de-sequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/de-sequel/#commentsFiled under:


Last year's de Blob found a squishy, colorful place in all of our hearts and, more importantly, sold enough copies to make THQ keen on a sequel. Speaking to IGN, a representative for the publisher expressed pleasure at de Blob's performance worldwide, promising that we can "expect to see more of de Blob in the future." We'll hold you to that, THQ.

Something else of interest in IGN's article: NPD data shows that de Blob sold 230,000 copies in North America between September 22 and the end of 2008, whereas Wario Land: Shake It! moved only 150,000 copies in the exact same period. de Blob isn't just a third-party "core" success -- it's even outsold a rival title from Nintendo!


[Via NeoGAF]

Joystiqde Sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue-tonguede-blobplatformpuzzlesequelthqSat, 24 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Magazine Preview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-heroes-in-a-magazine-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-heroes-in-a-magazine-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-heroes-in-a-magazine-preview/#commentsFiled under:

The latest issue of NGamer magazine has a preview of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brawler that was originally revealed last month.

It's officially titled TMNT: Smash Up (surely a blatant attempt to evoke memories of a certain other brawler), will feature arenas that change throughout scraps (so you'll change locations as you fight, as happened in Power Stone 2), and will see players defeating their opponents by either knocking them off the stage (à la -- oh! -- Super Smash Bros.) or emptying their health meter entirely, which can be refilled with pizza, natch.

There will be no motion-controlled attacks (though waggle isn't ruled out for other aspects, and there will be context-sensitive moves), and what is described as a "dark, gritty" graphical style. Turtles co-creator Peter Laird is penning the single-player story, but what we really want to know is the character roster; currently, only the Turtles and Splinter are confirmed. We're calling shotgun on Krang.

JoystiqTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Heroes in a Magazine Preview originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fightingngamerteenage-mutant-ninja-turtlestmnttmnt-smash-upSat, 24 Jan 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Wi-Fi mode revealed for Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/24/new-wifi-mode-revealed-for-chinatown-wars/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rockstar is remaining mostly tight-lipped about the Wi-Fi modes in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, but Stephen Totilo used tickling the fact that he is Stephen Totilo to lure an interesting tidbit from the developer.

By swapping Friend Codes (yes, they're present), players will be able to send mapped waypoints to one another via the sorcery that is Nintendo Wi-Fi. This is executed using the miniature map that appears on the touchscreen, and works very much like the satellite navigation tech you may have in your car. By tapping on a location on your map, the game draws the shortest route to that point. You can then transmit that data to a buddy.

The idea here is that players will work collaboratively, helping each other to uncover hidden items, complete missions, and generally find their way around the very large Liberty City. This may turn out to be only one small part of Chinatown Wars' Wi-Fi play, but it's still really nifty!

JoystiqNew Wi-Fi mode revealed for Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiongrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warssandboxtake-twoSat, 24 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lucasarts whips up Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lucasarts-whips-up-indiana-jones-and-the-staff-of-kings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lucasarts-whips-up-indiana-jones-and-the-staff-of-kings/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/lucasarts-whips-up-indiana-jones-and-the-staff-of-kings/#commentsFiled under: ,



Wow. So, we might have to lie down for a bit. This teaser trailer for Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings has appeared online to bring a chink of light to our usually miserable Fridays. We are strongly resisting the urge to cartwheel like loons, or to joyously mash our keyboaHJFRAUHIW4RFUIH. Thanks, LucasArts!

Even though this CG teaser shows nothing in terms of actual gameplay, if the finished product can match this for variety, we should have a winner. It'll be on Wii and DS this spring.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqLucasarts whips up Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>indiana-jonesindiana-jones-and-the-staff-of-kingslucasartsstaff-of-kingsFri, 23 Jan 2009 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB confirms Guitar Hero Metallica songs, presence of succubi]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/esrb-confirms-guitar-hero-metallica-songs-presence-of-succubi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/esrb-confirms-guitar-hero-metallica-songs-presence-of-succubi/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/esrb-confirms-guitar-hero-metallica-songs-presence-of-succubi/#commentsFiled under:


The ESRB just rated Guitar Hero Metallica, and in its synopsis gave away lyrics to four of the songs that would appear in the game. Thanks to Game Informer, we knew about the presence of "Armed and Ready" by MSG, but Destructoid discovered three fresh specimens:
  • "Am I Evil?" by Metallica
  • "Whiplash" by Metallica
  • "Mommy's Little Monster" by Social Distortion
Some of the lyrics that the ESRB pointed out include "sweet and timely whore, take me home" and "We're gathered here to maim and kill." My, they are terribly rock 'n roll, aren't they? Also CONFIRMED: one of the selectable guitarists is "a fantastical succubus with cleavage and panties."

[Via Destructoid]

JoystiqESRB confirms Guitar Hero Metallica songs, presence of succubi originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionesrbguitar-heroguitar-hero-metallicametallicamusicvicarious-visionsFri, 23 Jan 2009 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Onechanbara takes to the streets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/onechanbara-takes-to-the-streets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/onechanbara-takes-to-the-streets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/onechanbara-takes-to-the-streets/#commentsFiled under:


At the risk of recycling the same joke a little too often, D3 has pressed on with its range of live-action viral videos promoting Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. Today's pop culture-spoofing clip tells the tale of zombie rap duo "Rest-n-Peace" bemoaning the alleged unwillingness of Asian girls to sleep around. So yes: although tongue-in-cheek, this could be deemed fairly offensive.

That's why we're giving you fair warning now: if you thought the most recent videos in this series were a bit close to the bone, you're probably going to find the clip past the break more distasteful. The amount of female flesh on display here means this is NSFW -- unless you have an incredibly tolerant, slightly pervy boss.

Continue reading Onechanbara takes to the streets

JoystiqOnechanbara takes to the streets originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiond3onechanbaraonechanbara-bikini-zombie-slayerstamsoftviralFri, 23 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[One million Wiis sold in Australia, Club Nintendo faring less well]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/one-million-wiis-sold-in-australia-club-nintendo-faring-less-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/one-million-wiis-sold-in-australia-club-nintendo-faring-less-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/one-million-wiis-sold-in-australia-club-nintendo-faring-less-we/#commentsFiled under:

According to market research bods at GfK, the number of Wii owners in Australia just reached the big one-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, 111 weeks after the platform's launch.

That's a new record for fastest-selling hardware in Oz -- previously, the DS shifted a million units over its opening 152 weeks. The handheld was never going to compete with its bigger brother, however: the sale of 685,000 Wiis during 2008 made sure of that.

Oh, and hey, while we're at Nintendo of Australia's site, let's check out the progress on the local Club Nintendo! Oh, look at that: it's still not functional. Color us not amazed in the slightest.

[Via PALGN]

JoystiqOne million Wiis sold in Australia, Club Nintendo faring less well originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabusinessclub-nintendomoneyrecordFri, 23 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[The early years of Phantasy Star Zero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/the-early-years-of-phantasy-star-zero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/the-early-years-of-phantasy-star-zero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/the-early-years-of-phantasy-star-zero/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's something: early on in its development, Phantasy Star Zero bore more than a passing resemblance to the original Phantasy Star Online on the Dreamcast.

Unseen64 has assembled a collection of work-in-progress Zero screens and concept art, and the similarities are striking: according to these, Sega was also planning to include the opening Forest stage that featured in Phantasy Star Online, right down to the awesome dragon boss! Unseen64 says neither are featured in the final game (sadly, we have yet to play Zero ourselves, so we'll take their word for it).

Other changes from the initial build include noticeably different character design, changes in the way items and currency are distributed (to make sure the game ran smoothly and looked as pretty as this), and a selection of monsters that missed the cut.


[Thanks, Joe!]

JoystiqThe early years of Phantasy Star Zero originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>phantasy-starphantasy-star-zerorpgsegasonic-teamFri, 23 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MadWorld presents: Creative Murder 101]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madworld-presents-creative-murder-101/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madworld-presents-creative-murder-101/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/madworld-presents-creative-murder-101/#commentsFiled under:


It's not about the number of victims you mindlessly slaughter in MadWorld -- it's how you do it that counts.

Take this guy above: bound by a tire, sign through the skull, and then chucked into a wall of spikes. See? Effort. A bit of flair. It's about chainsawing enemies mid-air while riding your chopper at breakneck speeds, or seeing just how many roadsigns can be wedged into a single cranium. Down with uncreative killing!

JoystiqMadWorld presents: Creative Murder 101 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionmadworldplatinum-gamessegaFri, 23 Jan 2009 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fanboy Poll: New Play Control!: too pricey, or just right?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/wii-fanboy-poll-new-play-control-too-pricey-or-just-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/wii-fanboy-poll-new-play-control-too-pricey-or-just-right/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/wii-fanboy-poll-new-play-control-too-pricey-or-just-right/#commentsFiled under:

Next month, Nintendo will debut its New Play Control! (or NEW PLAY CONTROL!) line of games in the west, beginning with Europe. Naturally, we really like the idea of great GameCube games with added 16:9 widescreen support and waggle-based controls, and it could be a licence to print money for Nintendo, if Mario Power Tennis' chart-topping debut in Japan is anything to go by.

Will us westerners gobble up these repackaged games as keenly as Japanese gamers? It's likely to depend heavily on pricing -- the games look set to cost $30 in the U.S., and £30 in the UK. Is that too much, just the right amount, or too little (you maniac)?

Have your say in our poll past the break!

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Poll: New Play Control!: too pricey, or just right?

JoystiqWii Fanboy Poll: New Play Control!: too pricey, or just right? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donkey-kong-jungle-beatmario-tennismetroid-primenew-play-controlpikminplay-on-wiipricingwii-de-asobuFri, 23 Jan 2009 14:34:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Friday: Tee up and club some Monsters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/vc-friday-tee-up-and-club-some-monsters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/vc-friday-tee-up-and-club-some-monsters/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/23/vc-friday-tee-up-and-club-some-monsters/#commentsFiled under: ,


Yours truly has hazy memories of spending an entire summer holiday glued to Mario Golf, unlocking Metal Mario, and jumping on the bed after fluking a hole-in-one (shamefully, I was nineteen at the time). And now, it's the fifteenth N64 game to appear on the PAL Virtual Console. Hell yeah! It might suffer heavily from the N64 fuzz, but for our money it's still the best in its respective series. It's accompanied this week by Wonder Boy in Monster Land.
  • Mario Golf -- Nintendo 64 -- 1,000 Wii Points
  • Wonder Boy in Monster Land -- Master System -- 500 Wii Points
Videos of each follow the blue text.

Gallery: Mario Golf (Nintendo 64)

Continue reading VC Friday: Tee up and club some Monsters

JoystiqVC Friday: Tee up and club some Monsters originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaeuropefridaygolfmario-golfmaster-systemn64palplatformsportswestonewonder-boyFri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Trailer R]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/another-trailer-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/another-trailer-r/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/another-trailer-r/#commentsFiled under:



Here's another look at Another Code R, courtesy of the official Japanese site. This is the lengthiest clip we've watched yet, and is a useful summary of everything we've seen to date: the point-and-click mechanics, the puzzles, the cut-scenes (that also utilize the rest of the game's cel-shaded style), and heroine Ashley doing her hilarious miming thing.

We could contentedly watch this game all day (and probably will when we finally acquire a copy, and are forced to stare at the screen for hours, frustrated by our lack of puzzle-solving smarts), but you know what would be even nicer? A localized version. Get on it already, Nintendo!

Continue reading Another Trailer R

JoystiqAnother Trailer R originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureanother-code-rcingtrace-memoryThu, 22 Jan 2009 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft planning mysterious new music game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ubisoft-planning-mysterious-new-music-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ubisoft-planning-mysterious-new-music-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ubisoft-planning-mysterious-new-music-game/#commentsFiled under:


Do we really need more music game peripherals cluttering up our homes? Well, no, obviously not, but that could be a very real danger we have to face in the not-too-distant future, because Ubisoft is planning some sort of new music game for the Wii and other platforms. superannuation found this job listing posted at Gamasutra, asking for a lead designer on an "exciting new cross-platform music-based game."

We've no idea what Ubi is plotting, but the company has plainly grown envious of the money pie being scarfed down by fellow powerhouse publishers EA and Activision, and intends to do something about it. There's the possibility that this might not even involve plastic instruments, but if it does ... well, isn't it time your folks checked into their retirement home? Isn't that for the best?

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqUbisoft planning mysterious new music game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jobsmusicrhythmubisoftThu, 22 Jan 2009 16:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Guillemot accidentally confirms Red Steel 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/guillemot-accidentally-confirms-red-steel-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/guillemot-accidentally-confirms-red-steel-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/guillemot-accidentally-confirms-red-steel-2/#commentsFiled under:

Ubisoft has stopped short of saying HEY GUYS RED STEEL 2 IS TOTALLY COMING, but we can be reasonably certain it's on the way.

Previously, the game's producer has talked openly about the sequel to Ubisoft's Wii launch slash-a-thon, and now it seems Ubi CEO Yves Guillemots has really given the game away, with a careless slip of Gallic tongue.

Speaking at a conference call earlier today, Guillemots announced that "We have lots of products coming for the Wii next [fiscal] year. We have Red Steel --," before halting himself mid-sentence and apologizing. Whoops! Call us wild rumor-mongers if you like, but it's safe to assume that the next word out of Guillemot's mouth would have been "2."

Gallery: Red Steel

JoystiqGuillemot accidentally confirms Red Steel 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionred-steel-2ubisoftyves-guillemotThu, 22 Jan 2009 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Licensed music, multiplayer modes in Chinatown Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/licensed-music-multiplayer-modes-in-chinatown-wars/#commentsFiled under:

Keeping track of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has proven hellish, if only because there is so much to the game. Fortunately, we picked up some chunks of new information from Stephen Totilo's excellent write-up, so we're going to try and glue these disparate pieces into a coherent post.

Firstly, one of the more fundamental changes to the 3D GTA formula is found in the police system. As in the home console and PSP games, your "Wanted" level wavers depending on how much crime you wreak, but here, escaping the police is not an option. Instead, you'll have to wreck a certain number of police cars before your Wanted meter falls.

When you're not steering the authorities into buildings, you'll be able to take in the same slow-motion stunt jumps and 24-hour day/night cycle that were in other GTA games, and Totilo confirmed the presence of licensed music, minus the vocals; for what it's worth, one Rockstar rep described the soundtrack as "familiar." Typically, there will also be in-jokes to appreciate, with several missions named after other games, such as "Pursuit Farce" and "Street of Rage."

Most excitingly, Chinatown Wars will have multiplayer modes. Aside from the online leaderboards we already know about? We're not sure, but we look forward to finding out!

JoystiqLicensed music, multiplayer modes in Chinatown Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarsandboxtake-twoThu, 22 Jan 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA officially announces Spore Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ea-officially-announces-spore-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ea-officially-announces-spore-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ea-officially-announces-spore-hero/#commentsFiled under:

Spore's arrival on the Wii has been stretched out over such a protracted period of time it would make evolution itself blush. Will Wright first confirmed the project way, way back in October 2007; optimistically, we placed the game in a list of titles to look out for in 2008.

Nevertheless, let's say it again: Spore is coming to Wii. Yay! This time, to make things feel extra official and important, EA made the announcement, revealing that Spore Hero, a game built from the ground up for the Wii, would focus on "creativity and evolution." And that's really all we know for now, aside from the fact that the game will release this fall.

Considering it's taken EA the best part of fifteen months to announce the thing, and given the first game's reputation, we wouldn't be amazed to see some slippage. One to watch out for in our "Games for 2010" list, perhaps.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqEA officially announces Spore Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamaxissimulationsporespore-heroThu, 22 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Keeping it pricey]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/ds-daily-keeping-it-pricey/#commentsFiled under:

We're always talking about bargains, and with good reason, but today we want to discuss the other end of the scale: your most outrageous, costly gaming buys.

We're talking about the $980 you dropped for that rare Hot Summer Phat, or the $90+ you put on your flatmate's credit card for Electroplankton. Obviously, it'd be nice if you could keep this DS-related, but you're welcome to mention non-DS rarities you forked out for.

JoystiqDS Daily: Keeping it pricey originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdebayrareThu, 22 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Renting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/wii-warm-up-renting/#commentsFiled under:


Renting at the start of a console's lifespan always made sense to us (and the N64 kid): at a platform launch, all games carry a premium price tag, so borrowing your games is plainly a good idea.

However, the Wii is now well past its second birthday, and cheap games are absolutely plentiful. Renting therefore seems redundant, but a quick Google search will reveal plenty of places willing to sling you a Wii game for a few bucks, so somebody is borrowing them.

Are you one of those people, and if so, why? Maybe there's a good reason to rent that we haven't thought of. Are current economic woes causing people to explore cheaper ways of playing games?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Renting originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rentalsrentingwwuThu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom reassures Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/capcom-reassures-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/capcom-reassures-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/capcom-reassures-australia/#commentsFiled under:

Here, Australia and New Zealand, take a few long, hard breaths into this paper bag, because everything's going to be okay. Capcom has moved to quash fears that the collapse of Red Ant, Capcom's distributor down under, would delay Capcom releases in the region.

The good folks from Capcom PR just mailed us to say that Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop wouldn't be moved from its original Aussie and Kiwi release date of February 27, and that future Wii titles such as MotoGP and Neopets Puzzle Adventure would still be released "in line" with other PAL territories.


[Via press release]

JoystiqCapcom reassures Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrationaustraliacapcomdead-risingmotogpneopetsred-antWed, 21 Jan 2009 21:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Brownie Brown interested in DS version of Mother 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/brownie-brown-interested-in-ds-version-of-mother-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/brownie-brown-interested-in-ds-version-of-mother-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/brownie-brown-interested-in-ds-version-of-mother-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The lack of a localized Mother 3 on the Game Boy Advance must rank as one of Nintendo's more heinous crimes, but that's not to say they can't get out of our bad books. All it would take is, oooh, let's say a DS version of the classic RPG and A MILLION DOLLARS. Or, y'know, just the game.

And look, Nintendo, Mother 3 co-developer Brownie Brown is happy to indulge us! Speaking to Siliconera, company President Shinichi Kameoka said Nintendo just needs to give the go-ahead. "If we were asked to make [a DS version of Mother 3]," he said, "then we would definitely like for fans abroad to play the game."

The ball is very much in Nintendo's court, then. Until they take a swipe at it, there's only one way to sample (and fully comprehend) Mother 3's myriad delights.

JoystiqBrownie Brown interested in DS version of Mother 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brownie-brownearthboundgbaitoimothermother-3portremakerpgshigesato-itoiWed, 21 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[3D Picross causing meltdown of Japanese brains in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/3d-picross-causing-meltdown-of-japanese-brains-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/3d-picross-causing-meltdown-of-japanese-brains-in-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/3d-picross-causing-meltdown-of-japanese-brains-in-march/#commentsFiled under: ,

Quiet as you like, Rittai Picross (Picross 3D) recently slinked its way onto Nintendo of Japan's release schedule, with a launch date of March 12th. As a puzzle game, Picross has never really relied on lashings of dialog, so this may just be import-friendly enough to consider buying!

That said, we do sort of fear this funky-looking update to the excellent first game. If any puzzle game on the DS has made us feel thick as mince, it was the later stages of Picross. Adding a third dimension risks driving us ever so slightly mad, as we attempt to wrap our mushy minds around the concept.


[Via Siliconera]

Joystiq3D Picross causing meltdown of Japanese brains in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>picrosspicross-3dpuzzlerittai-picrossWed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Niki - Rock 'n' Ball rolls onto WiiWare next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/niki-rock-n-ball-rolls-onto-wiiware-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/niki-rock-n-ball-rolls-onto-wiiware-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/niki-rock-n-ball-rolls-onto-wiiware-next-week/#commentsFiled under: ,


Bplus' Niki - Rock 'n' Ball will hit the North American WiiWare service on January 26, according to the press release that just rolled across our desks. Niki, you may recall, is the second game from Austrian outfit Bplus, who released Plättchen -- Twist 'n' Paint back in September.

The critical reception for Plättchen wasn't too hot, but the one Niki review we've seen to date is actually pretty positive! (B)Plus, the game is half the price of its predecessor!


[Via press release]

JoystiqNiki - Rock 'n' Ball rolls onto WiiWare next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bplusniki-rock-n-ballplatformplattchenpuzzleWed, 21 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Next on Sega's release schedule: 30 employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/next-on-segas-release-schedule-30-employees/#commentsFiled under:


For a "recession-proof" industry, there sure is heck of a lot of people losing their jobs in the games business. Sega of America has joined EA, Pandemic, Eidos, Free Radical, and others in this disturbing trend, asking thirty of its workers to clear their desks, all in the name of "[reducing] cost structure and ensure long-term success." Sad face.

Also, concerned face. What a scary time it is to be employed in this any industry! Needless to say, our best wishes go to those who were laid off; we hope you find work soon, guys and gals!

JoystiqNext on Sega's release schedule: 30 employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developerlayofflayoffssegaWed, 21 Jan 2009 12:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Winter held up by unadventurous publishers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/winter-held-up-by-unadventurous-publishers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/winter-held-up-by-unadventurous-publishers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/winter-held-up-by-unadventurous-publishers/#commentsFiled under: ,



n-Space's Winter harks back to the days of early Resident Evil games, featuring as it does claustrophobic corridors, a jumpy-as-hell atmosphere, and gruesome monsters. If that sounds promising, the footage above will probably only convince you more of the game's potential. Although a bit glitchy in places, this took only six weeks to create.

Now here's the sad part of this story: Winter is another of the Wii's lost games. n-Space enjoyed a hugely positive response after pitching the project to numerous publishers in 2007, but Creative Director Ted Newman has told IGN that the game "got hung up with the sales and marketing groups." The game was put on hold, and n-Space instead focused on Target Toss Pro: Bags, presumably a title that appealed more to the suits.

IGN's interview with Newman manages to be simultaneously depressing and enlightening, but is definitely worth your time. Understandably, n-Space is happy to bring this to market, but they'll need a publisher first. Interested, Sega?

JoystiqWinter held up by unadventurous publishers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessn-spacesurvival-horrorwinterWed, 21 Jan 2009 11:52:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Where in the World ...]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/ds-daily-where-in-the-world/#commentsFiled under:

... has your DS been?

Your DS likes to travel, you know! It enjoys seeing new cultures, and meeting new people. We know because it told us.

So today's question: where in the World have you taken your DS? Has anybody's handheld travelled with them to all seven continents? Well, okay, Antarctica is probably a tricky one, but ... has your portable seen the other six? If so, it's seen more of this planet than us!

JoystiqDS Daily: Where in the World ... originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdtravelWed, 21 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Celebrities]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/21/wii-warm-up-celebrities/#commentsFiled under:


Not so long ago, Nintendo was content to advertise its biggest franchises with kids rapping awkwardly on a sofa. Since then, things have changed somewhat. In a bid to capture more and more of the expanded audience, Ninty is throwing the celebrities at us, such as those in the UK advert above (Harry Redknapp's evident confusion during the Brawl segment is something we shall always enjoy seeing).

How do you view slebs being used to endorse some of your favorite gaming products? Is it a horribly cynical marketing ploy, or simply a very cunning tactic on Nintendo's part? Also, do you know of anybody who was nudged toward a Nintendo-branded system by one of these adverts?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Celebrities originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingcelebritywwuWed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Capcom's Aussie distributor going under]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/capcoms-aussie-distributor-going-under/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/capcoms-aussie-distributor-going-under/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/capcoms-aussie-distributor-going-under/#commentsFiled under:

The distributor of Capcom, Konami, Midway, and (arguably less relevantly for Wii owners) Bethesda games in Australia has officially gone into receivership.

According to this page at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website, Red Ant has been crushed underfoot by the giant, hulking boot that is the ongoing global economic crisis.

Sad news indeed, and a development that casts doubt over the speedy arrival of future Aussie releases from the aforementioned companies, unless somebody else steps in. It's not as though Australian gamers have it easy to begin with!

JoystiqCapcom's Aussie distributor going under originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrationaustraliabethesdabusinesscapcomdead-risingkonamimidwayred-antTue, 20 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WiiWare manga service quietly launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/#commentsFiled under: ,


As promised, Sunsoft's WiiWare manga reader has just debuted on Japan's WiiWare service with Princess Ai, and Siliconera has posted a brief walkthrough to, well, reading Princess Ai on your Wii.

It sounds straightforward, if a little unwieldy. Turning English subtitles (all translation work has been done by Tokyopop) on is easily done via the options menu, though this does mean you'll have to center on each speech bubble to make the subtitles appear (by pressing the A button), as opposed to smoothly scrolling through the manga.

Meanwhile, the + and - buttons allow for zooming in and out, and accessing the next page is done by pressing left on the D-pad. There's also an option to listen to background music, five tracks from the newly released Princess Ai soundtrack, though how you people read and listen to music simultaneously we'll never know. Madness, we say.

Gallery: Princess Ai

JoystiqWiiWare manga service quietly launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>localizationmangaprincess-aisunsoftTue, 20 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Forbes: Rock Band a 'shameless knockoff' of Guitar Hero]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/forbes-rock-band-a-shameless-knockoff-of-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/forbes-rock-band-a-shameless-knockoff-of-guitar-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/forbes-rock-band-a-shameless-knockoff-of-guitar-hero/#commentsFiled under:



We can only assume that Forbes lives in a world with no GuitarFreaks. In the latest issue of the business magazine, a biographical profile of Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick turns controversial when it accuses Rock Band of ripping off Guitar Hero. According to the magazine, "EA also teamed with MTV to sell Rock Band, a shameless knockoff of Guitar Hero that added drums, bass and a microphone to the world of make-believe rock stars."

Leaving aside the fact that Guitar Hero hardly represents the roots of its genre, such a brash statement feels distinctly at odds with the rest of the (pretty neutral) piece. There's also the role of Harmonix to consider: after all, theirs was the name behind both franchises!


[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqForbes: Rock Band a 'shameless knockoff' of Guitar Hero originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbobby-kotickbusinesseaforbesguitar-heroguitar-hero-world-tourharmonixmusicrock-bandrock-band-2Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Free World of Goo soundtrack gently caresses your ears ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/free-world-of-goo-soundtrack-gently-caresses-your-ears/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/free-world-of-goo-soundtrack-gently-caresses-your-ears/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/free-world-of-goo-soundtrack-gently-caresses-your-ears/#commentsFiled under: ,


World of Goo didn't only look and play wonderfully -- we also fell in love with how it sounded. The cute squealing of gooballs was backed by one of the most varied and memorable soundtracks of 2008.

And now, it can be all yours! 2D Boy's Kyle Gabler spent a weekend compiling and remastering several of the game's marvellous tracks "like they do to Snow White DVDs," and has put it up for grabs here (be warned: at the time of writing, the site is flitting on and offline). We're yet to download and listen to our copy, but we suspect it is the sweetest-sounding 85MB of anything we download this year.


[Via 2D Boy]

JoystiqFree World of Goo soundtrack gently caresses your ears originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d-boykyle-gablerpuzzlesoundtrackworld-of-gooTue, 20 Jan 2009 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaze at the stars in Hoshizora Navi, feel like an insignificant speck]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/gaze-at-the-stars-in-hoshizora-navi-feel-like-an-insignificant/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/gaze-at-the-stars-in-hoshizora-navi-feel-like-an-insignificant/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/gaze-at-the-stars-in-hoshizora-navi-feel-like-an-insignificant/#commentsFiled under: ,

From this March, DS owners in Japan will be able to navigate the night skies, thanks to astronomy magazine publisher Astroarts. Hoshizora Navi (Starry Sky Navigator) was first revealed in March 2008, but now an official site has opened, rich with details.

Apparently, the software comes packed with star charts containing 9,300 stars, the sun, planets, the moon, various constellations, and assorted meteor groups. Also, budding astronomers will be able to view the night sky at any point between 1900 and 2099, and even stargaze from several viewing locations across the globe. To help you differentiate between your Apastron and your Aphelion, there's an onboard astronomical dictionary of more than 400 terms.

But allow us to remind you of the best bit: the Hoshizora Navi cartridge will come with a built-in positional sensor, meaning that as your DS moves, so does the view on your screen, to match your own! It's undoubtedly very clever, even though the tech has clearly pushed the price sky-high -- Hoshizora Navi goes on sale on March 26 for ¥8,190 (around $90)!

JoystiqGaze at the stars in Hoshizora Navi, feel like an insignificant speck originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asciiastro-artsastronomyhoshi-navihoshizora-navinon-gamestar-navistarry-sky-navigatorstarsTue, 20 Jan 2009 13:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Sega: Mature-themed games the way forward]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/sega-mature-themed-games-the-way-forward/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/sega-mature-themed-games-the-way-forward/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/sega-mature-themed-games-the-way-forward/#commentsFiled under:


Click for more MATURE-THEMED imagery.

Sega, the company that put Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games in two million British homes, has seen the future on Wii -- and it's not minigame-shaped.

Rather than follow the herd, Sega intends to aim squarely at a part of the market it feels is being neglected: mature-themed Wii games. Sega's Alan Pritchard and John Clark both hope that the company can capitalize on what they perceive as a lack of "hardcore titles" on Wii, and to be fair to Sega, they're putting their money where their mouth is, by publishing House of the Dead: Overkill, The Conduit, and MadWorld.

On the subject of MadWorld, the publisher has promised that Platinum Games' bloody, stylized action game is a Wii exclusive. A small fuss was kicked up after the game was listed by the OFLC as "Multi Platform," but Sega has already reassured several sites that MadWorld isn't making eyes at other consoles.


Source: Sega on mature-themed games.
Source: MadWorld a Wii exclusive [Via Sega Nerds]

JoystiqSega: Mature-themed games the way forward originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionexclusivemadworldmatureplatinum-gamessegaMon, 19 Jan 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinatown Wars 'complete,' Rockstar makes with the deets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/19/chinatown-wars-complete-rockstar-makes-with-the-deets/#commentsFiled under:

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is well on course to make its March 17th release in North America, with Rockstar revealing to Edge that the game is complete. Edge saw this as a neat opportunity to write another preview of the game, spilling more delicious details into our gaping, GTA-loving maws.

Most of the new information focuses on the PDA belonging to protagonist Huang Lee, essentially a direct substitute for the cellphone used by Niko in Grand Theft Auto IV. From here, you'll be able to view sat-nav minimaps of Liberty City, look at the main map, select weapons, and receive emails. You'll also be able to order weapons from Ammu-nation, which now delivers weapons straight to your safehouse.

Speaking of which, your safehouse in Chinatown Wars is more fleshed-out than ever before, giving you somewhere to show off trophies (awarded, we assume, for completing missions). It also features a whiteboard with pictures of all your contacts -- tapping these lets you access missions. Excellently, these can be replayed, and your best performances uploaded to the game's online leaderboards.

Finally, one of the few concerns we had about the game, the ease of combat, has been thoughtfully addressed. Muzzle flare and tracer lines are both used to make things a little clearer in the heat of battle, and the exact trajectory of grenades is depicted with a green arc on the top screen. All of which sounds great -- we just hope you're old enough to play it!


[Via videogaming247]

JoystiqChinatown Wars 'complete,' Rockstar makes with the deets originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionchinatown-warsgrand-theft-autogtagta-chinatown-warsrockstarsandboxtake-twoMon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hardware shortages blamed for Wii's underwhelming December]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/hardware-shortages-blamed-for-wiis-underwhelming-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/hardware-shortages-blamed-for-wiis-underwhelming-december/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/hardware-shortages-blamed-for-wiis-underwhelming-december/#commentsFiled under:

Let's make this clear: Wii sold a helluva lot of units in North America during December. 2.15 million consoles in a single month is a number Sony and Microsoft can only dream about right now, but there's no doubt that the figures weren't as grand as expected. He who is Pachter predicted the console would clear the 3 million mark, only for the platform to fall short by 850,000 units.

Why the lower-than-expected sales? As usual, analysts reckon they have the answer: more of those accursed hardware shortages. EEDAR's Jesse Divnich and Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel both believe demand outweighed supply for the third December running, with Divnich stating the Wii would have sold "north of 4 million units" if more consoles had been produced in time.

Phew, panic over! Wii's not the next N-Gage or anything!

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqHardware shortages blamed for Wii's underwhelming December originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystbusinessholidaze-2008jeetil-pateljesse-divnichnpdshortagesSun, 18 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More awesome House of the Dead: Overkill art, European date]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/more-awesome-house-of-the-dead-overkill-art-european-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/more-awesome-house-of-the-dead-overkill-art-european-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/more-awesome-house-of-the-dead-overkill-art-european-date/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click to embiggen.

Wow. The build-up to House of the Dead: Overkill's release next month has resulted in some excellent art (be it in the form of comics, limited edition boxart, or swag), and here's something else Overkill-related to crave: this superb, grindhousey movie poster. We dearly hope Sega isn't intending to use this solely for the marketing of Overkill and then forget it forever, because this is precisely the kind of thing that needs to be on our walls. You can see a bigger version of this in our gallery, along with three new screens.

Meanwhile, Sega has confirmed a very spooky European release date of Friday, February 13th. That's just in time to treat your loved one to a helping of black magic and violence! Don't forget your Hand Cannon.

JoystiqMore awesome House of the Dead: Overkill art, European date originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeheadstronghouse-of-the-deadhouse-of-the-dead-overkillrail-shootersegazapperFri, 16 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST