Joystiq

Here's Bayonetta in Anarchy Reigns

JC Fletcher — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:50:00 EST

Sega and Platinum Games issued a spectacularly flashy reminder of Anarchy Reigns' existence today, showing off the inclusion of Bayonetta (as free bonus DLC in Japan; details are forthcoming elsewhere).

She's as bombastic, overpowered, and frequently nude as ever, and her combos seem to transition into Anarchy Reigns' system just fine. Now you'll be able to experience the MadWorld/Bayonetta crossover fight you never thought to want. The game is due in July.

Here's Bayonetta in Anarchy Reigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta making a cameo in Anarchy Reigns

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Bayonetta may not be getting a big sequel to her high-kicking 2010 debut just yet, but she will be making a cameo appearance in this year's Platinum Games console release, Anarchy Reigns. Famitsu has the exclusive reveal of Bayonetta's guest appearance in the game, alongside ... pretty much zero other news about her inclusion in the game.

Given the inclusion of MadWorld's Jack Cayman as a playable character, we're taking a wild guess that Bayonetta will take the same route. We've reached out to Sega in the meantime for more info.

Bayonetta making a cameo in Anarchy Reigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hideki Kamiya offers director commentary for Bayonetta

David Hinkle — Sun, 01 May 2011 16:30:00 EST

Look, you can interpret the "story" of Bayonetta however you wish, but there's only one definitive authority on the game: director Hideki Kamiya. Because people were uploading so many commentary and walkthrough videos, Kamiya thought he'd offer his own.

So over the course of the next however long it takes, Kamiya will be replaying the entire game, offering his own insights and anecdotes from the game's developments on the Platinum Games blog. Honestly, we can't wait to hear what he has to say about that whole "masturbating angel" scene.

You'll find the first two videos just past the jump.

Continue reading Hideki Kamiya offers director commentary for Bayonetta

Hideki Kamiya offers director commentary for Bayonetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 May 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AvP, Modern Warfare 2 on XBL Games on Demand, Bayonetta next week

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST

Let's just start this post by advising readers not to purchase Modern Warfare 2 via Xbox Live Games on Demand. The game was just added to the service and currently commands a price of $60. Please, if you must purchase Modern Warfare 2, buy it elsewhere -- like, literally anywhere else. You'll save some money.

Now, with that out of the way, two other games are now available on demand, namely Aliens vs. Predator and Rapala Tournament Fishing. The former will set you back $30 while the latter can be reeled in for $20. Finally, Sega has also announced that Bayonetta will strut her way onto XBL Games on Demand next week for an undetermined price. We're going to guess it's lower than $60.

AvP, Modern Warfare 2 on XBL Games on Demand, Bayonetta next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Payonetta: Two grand for a pre-assembled Bayonetta model

Randy Nelson — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST

Want a fantastic-looking Bayonetta figure but lack model-making skills? Kyoto's Mr. Big is happy to sell you a completed resin "garage kit" of the Platinum Games heroine for ¥180,000 ($2,186). Too rich for your blood? Good news: You can buy the unfinished kit by itself for only $558 in Japan.

Continue reading Payonetta: Two grand for a pre-assembled Bayonetta model

Payonetta: Two grand for a pre-assembled Bayonetta model originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

Ludwig Kietzmann — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST

Vanquish
Shinji Mikami is still playing the game of Telephone he started in 2005. With Resident Evil 4, he revitalized Capcom's stagnant survival-horror franchise by turning it into a strictly paced shooter, where standing your ground (you couldn't move and shoot at the same time, remember?) was the only way to advance. The idea made it all the way across the ocean -- mostly intact -- and eventually found its way into Epic's Gears of War.

The Mikami-led team at Platinum Games, in turn, heard all the bits about military meatheads and enemies that can be demolished without remorse, but the part about lumbering man-tanks got garbled. Instead, we get a protagonist that can slide across the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

At its nuclear-powered core, Vanquish still honors Resident Evil 4's balance of risk and reward. It's an exceptionally hectic shooter where rocketing in and out of critical engagements is key -- but if your suit overheats, you're slow again. And then you're dead.

Even Gears of War's train level comes back a little warped. Now there are two trains, and one of them is upside-down.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2010

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
There are more than a few complaints floating around that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow isn't a real Castlevania title. I would argue that Lords of Shadow is more Castlevania than many recent entries in the series. I think fans tend to forget (or overlook) that Castlevania began as a linear action title. For me, the series has never been about completing the map. It's about exploring wonderful and sinister places, which Lords of Shadow packs in spades. When I played the 8-bit Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest as a child, I saw lots of blocky pixels, but what I imagined is perfectly represented by Lords of Shadow. From stinking bogs to dark forests and forgotten castles, all is so meticulously and lovingly crafted that my seven-year-old self was enthralled with every moment.

I'll take that over the same 13-year-old sprites any day.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2010

Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Bayonetta looked like before it was finished

David Hinkle — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST

As ludicrous as Bayonetta is, it was actually much tamer prior to launch. Platinum Games has released some pre-production B-roll, revealing the title's initial menus and gameplay -- specifically of note about the latter is how slow the game was and how much inappropriate slowdown it once employed.

Continue reading What Bayonetta looked like before it was finished

What Bayonetta looked like before it was finished originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST

Before all of you start rushing to Play.com to pre-order Vanquish based on the headline above, we should probably point out that the deal applies only to citizens of the United Kingdom. That said, yes, in addition to the Tri-Weapon Pack included with Vanquish pre-orders at Play.com, pre-order customers will also get a free copy of Platinum Games' Bayonetta.

That means, for the same £39.99 ($64) that every other game this holiday costs, Brits can snag two totally bizarro Platinum Games classics. That is, of course, if they can stop playing Just Dance for a few moments.

Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It takes a certain kind of person to assemble and paint a 67-piece, 1/4-scale model of Bayonetta. It takes another kind of person altogether to spend ¥48,300 ($575) for the privilege to do so.

Continue reading Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only

Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy sale discounts Bayonetta, DJ Hero and Xbox 360 bundles

David Hinkle — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST

Frugal shoppers should take note of a massive Best Buy sale going on right now. It would seem everything must go, as Best Buy is not only discounting Platinum Games' excellent Bayonetta down to $20 on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, but also slashing prices across the board on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and DS games.

If hardware is more you thing, Best Buy has the Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell: Conviction Xbox 360 bundles for $299.99 a piece, with a $50 gift card. Our strong-wristed readers will likely be interested in the DJ Hero bundle, which comes with one turntable controller -- it's only $40 right now.

Wait, what's that sound? It's as if millions of piggy banks cried out in terror, only to be silenced. I fear something -- oh, right.

Best Buy sale discounts Bayonetta, DJ Hero and Xbox 360 bundles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta conjures up budget release in Japan

Alexander Sliwinski — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sega's Bayonetta will be released as a budget title in Japan on September 2 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. As Andriasang (rightly) points out, the cover art for the budget release is demonically ugly, so it's a good thing that it can be reversed to reveal an awesomely artistic pink cover.

Checking with Sega about the excellent twitch-action title releasing at a budget price internationally, a company representative told us the publisher had nothing to announce at this time. Then again, Bayonetta currently retails for a budget-friendly $40, but you can certainly find it for less.

Bayonetta conjures up budget release in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Aug 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta for PS3 is $20 on Amazon today

David Hinkle — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:20:00 EST

You had plenty of ideas for how to spend that Jackson burning a hole in your pocket. Maybe you were going to feed yourself or make a donation to your favorite charity, but we thought you should know that Amazon has discounted the PS3 version of Bayonetta to $20 for the day. It's almost destiny, right?

We understand the PS3 version is the lousier incarnation of the game, so if you've got two Jackson's buried in your pocket, you could instead snag the Xbox 360 version for $36 and change (and still have enough left over for a light meal). Either way, you owe it to yourself to sample Platinum Games' unique brand of craziness -- trust us.

Bayonetta for PS3 is $20 on Amazon today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mario, Sonic, and Profits in Sega's fiscal 2010

JC Fletcher — Fri, 14 May 2010 17:28:00 EST

Despite recent troubles in the North American and European branches, Sega overall had a good fiscal 2010, which ended March 31, financially speaking. The company as a whole saw its operating income rise to ¥36.7 billion ($397 million), a huge increase over fiscal 2009's operating income of 8.3 billion ($89.8 million). Operating income refers to profits minus expenses incurred in running the company -- in case you wondered why we picked up on that random statistic.

The consumer games division made ¥6.3 billion ($68.2 million) in operating income, returning to profitability despite a year-over-year drop of 7.5%. The profits in this division were driven by ridiculously strong sales of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (6.53 million copies!), as well as million-plus sellers Aliens vs. Predator (1.69 million), Bayonetta (1.35 million), and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (1.07 million).

Source [PDF] - Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended March 31, 2010

[Via Andriasang]

Mario, Sonic, and Profits in Sega's fiscal 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta can be yours for $33

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:15:00 EST

Well, not the actual Bayonetta. The sassy lady is not for sale. She's also a fictional character, but that's neither here nor there. However, the PS3 version of the game is currently on sale at Amazon for the staggeringly low price of $32.99. That's practically half-price for an action game whose protagonist is practically half-naked the whole time. You'd better grab it while you can, though, the sale is only on for one day or until the stock is depleted.

Bayonetta can be yours for $33 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 May 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIII, Bayonetta, Modern Warfare 2, more for $30 each at Kmart

JC Fletcher — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:01:00 EST

Kmart isn't a name we turn to often for game deals, but the retailer has made a pretty strong case for our continued attention, with a bunch of limited-time deals that are, frankly, a little ridiculous. How about paying for just the good half of Final Fantasy XIII? At $30, that's essentially what Kmart is offering.

Time-release RPGs not for you? How about Bayonetta, Metro 2033, or Modern Warfare 2 for $30 each? Even Nier's been marked down to $44.99, though that game is ridiculous on its own merits. These deals are only available through May 10, and can be found both online and in-store. See the full list of weekly discounts after the break.

[Via Slickdeals]

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII, Bayonetta, Modern Warfare 2, more for $30 each at Kmart

Final Fantasy XIII, Bayonetta, Modern Warfare 2, more for $30 each at Kmart originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 May 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft confirms Bayonetta/Forza 3 bundle for Japan

David Hinkle — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:15:00 EST

Microsoft is putting on its best marketing face to try and sell some Xbox 360s in Japan, hence a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle -- last week's rumored bundle. The new pack includes a copy of Forza 3 and Bayonetta on top of all the usual trimmings that come with an Xbox 360 Elite -- all for a cool ¥29,800 ($319.48).

It's one of the more unique software bundles we've seen, to tell the truth, but a nice way to entice Japanese gamers. Each title comes from an opposite side of the spectrum: Forza 3 is a diehard racing sim with an emphasis on cool, calculative driving, whereas Bayonetta is a frenetic action game with an emphasis on giant, ambiguous animals and riding motorcycles in space.

The bundle is available to Japanese consumers right now.

[Via Kotaku]

Microsoft confirms Bayonetta/Forza 3 bundle for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega expects profits in fiscal Q4 2010 forecast

David Hinkle — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Sega recently posted quite the surprise for its investors: a revised earnings forecast. In an interesting turn of events, Sega has foregone the doom and gloom of having to admit it will likely earn less money during its Q4 2010 forecast -- the period between December 2009 and March 2010 -- for something a bit more on the cheery side: profits!

First, Sega estimates net sales of ¥380 billion ($4.08 billion), a 9.5 percent decline from its previous estimate of ¥420 billion ($4.51 billion) -- wait, we thought we had good news in here? Aha! Here it is: net income.

Sega previously forecast net income of ¥15 billion ($161 million), but has now adjusted that to ¥18 billion ($193 million). This spontaneous spike in cash money is attributed to "improved profit margins in the pachislot and pachinko machine business and amusement machine business." We imagine sales of Bayonetta and Aliens vs Predator also helped.

And in case you're wondering what the difference between net sales and net income is: Net sales accounts for the total profits a company makes based on the products it sells, while net income takes into account net sales and other operating costs, such as licensing fees and taxes.

[Via GameSpot]

Sega expects profits in fiscal Q4 2010 forecast originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Forza 3/Bayonetta hardware bundle coming to Japan

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST

There's a new Xbox 360 bundle headed to the land of the rising sun, and it's oddly appropriate. Spotted by Siliconera on Japanese retail site Famicom Plaza, the bundle -- apparently slated for an April 28 release -- includes an Xbox 360 Elite with the usual trimmings, along with Forza Motorsport 3 and Bayonetta.

While the pairing might seem strange at first, think about it. What it amounts to is cars and overtly sexual women, which have enjoyed a symbiotic relationship on magazine covers since time immemorial. The bundle clocks in -- get it, racing? -- at ¥29,000 ($312). Siliconera notes that both games normally retail for around $75, making this a pretty good deal for prospective 360 owners in Japan.

Rumor: Forza 3/Bayonetta hardware bundle coming to Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega: MadWorld on Wii a 'mismatch;' Platinum Games needs power of 360, PS3

David Hinkle — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:40:00 EST

Apparently, the lack of commercial success for MadWorld wasn't due to the game being bad or anything -- it was just that it was on Wii. Sega's Mike Hayes told CVG that the game was a "mismatch with the Wii audience," citing that Sega underestimated the amount of Wii owners who also own other consoles. To him, most gamers looking to experience a Mature-rated game are going to do so on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC ... not the Wii.

Hayes was still proud of Platinum's attempt to strike bloody gold on Nintendo's console, but thinks the developer needs the power of the Xbox 360 and PS3 to "realize what they actually want to do." He points to Bayonetta as an example of this, calling it a "very high-quality standard."

And by "very high-quality standard," we think Hayes meant "in Bayonetta, you can suplex a damn dragon."

[Via Industry Gamers]

Sega: MadWorld on Wii a 'mismatch;' Platinum Games needs power of 360, PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sega: we can 'sequel-ise' Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST

In a recent interview with CVG, Sega West president Mike Hayes spoke briefly on the future of the company's portfolio of intellectual properties. Hayes explained, "If you think about it, we can sequel-ise Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol and we can make a hit of something like Vanquish." Those are some mighty bold plans, considering only two of those games have actually been released.

We're fairly unsurprised by Sega's interest in a follow-up to Bayonetta. Not only because it's been a commercial success for the company, but also because the developers need another chance to do all the crazy action sequences they couldn't fit in the first game. Like, for instance, throwing a church at a dragon. Wait, they did that in Bayonetta? How about riding a motorcycle in space? Really, that too? Well, then ... we're stumped.

Sega: we can 'sequel-ise' Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst: Mass Effect 2 outsold everything else 6-to-1 in Jan.

JC Fletcher — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:30:00 EST

If you bought Mass Effect 2 and you like being on the winning "team" when it comes to game trends, high five. According to DFC Intelligence, BioWare's latest spacefaring adventure sold an estimated 1.1 million copies (of the Xbox 360 version) in January -- six times the sales of any other game. Estimating game sales based on GamerDNA activity, DFC also believes that there was a significant uptick in play of Mass Effect as well, "likely supported by the ability to transfer a save file from a completed Mass Effect game into Mass Effect 2 where several key player decisions in the first game could be carried over into the second game."

The other leading Xbox 360 sellers in DFC's estimate include Darksiders (150,000), Bayonetta (170,000) and Army of Two: The 40th Day (175,000) -- with Dark Void somewhat of a surprise bomb (22,000).

Analyst: Mass Effect 2 outsold everything else 6-to-1 in Jan. originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Swag Sunday: Bayonetta (360) [update]

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST

Update: The comments have been closed and a winner has been chosen! Check your commenter email inbox, folks -- it could be you (it could also be that dude right next to you, though).

Look, alright, we'll level with you -- we've got a short supply of schweet schwag hanging around Joystiq Prizeland as of late. That should at least partially help to explain last week's absence of a contest. We also kind of felt like you might've been overloaded with games during our holiday giveaways at the end of 2009. What's that? No, you say? Well we suppose that the first few months of 2010 are unusually flush with quality content, so giving away a bit couldn't hurt, right?

We certainly hope a nine foot tall bullet witch will do it for you, because that's what we've got. One lucky winner (chosen at random) takes home Bayonetta on Xbox 360, chosen from the comments below (please leave one and only one) that are left in the next 24 hours. You tell us what you think is the most annoying song you've ever heard used in marketing a game and you may very well win yourself a vidjagame. How about that?!

Leave a comment telling us what you think is the most annoying song you've ever heard used in marketing a game.
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, due in part to our aversion to snowy owls).
Limit 1 entry per person per day.
This entry period ends at 11:31AM ET on Monday, February 8.
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Bayonetta for Xbox 360 ($59.99 ARV).
For a list of complete rules, click here.

Gallery: Bayonetta

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition. For more info on our policy, click here.

Swag Sunday: Bayonetta (360) [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta moves 1.1m units in Sega fiscal Q3 2010 results

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:00 EST

After surviving harrowing losses of ¥22.8 billion (nearly $254.8 million) during its fiscal year 2009, Sega Sammy Holdings (parent company to Sega, which you've probably sussed out) has managed to revive its faltering bottom line. According to the company's latest financial report, Sega Sammy brought in a net income of ¥16.9 billion ($189.5 million) during the first nine months of its fiscal 2010 (April-December 2009).

This income came in spite of the fact that Sega's total game sales had dropped 13 percent from the same 9-month period the previous fiscal year -- however, thanks to the company's massive restructuring last February, operating income skyrocketed to ¥28.8 billion (about $323 million), which more than softened the blow. The company's highest-selling title was, alarmingly, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, with 5.6 million units sold (and probably counting). Bayonetta, which was only available in Japan (released October 29) during the period covered by the report, came in a distant second with 1.1 million units sold.

It looks like the company's managed to recover from an extremely painful fiscal 2009 -- at a cost.

Bayonetta moves 1.1m units in Sega fiscal Q3 2010 results originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta PS3 patch available worldwide today

David Hinkle — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST

If you've been playing Bayonetta on PS3, there's a chance you've been making sandwiches just as often as you've been vanquishing virtual angels. We admire your productivity during the loading screens, but perhaps it's time to accept the aid of Sega and Platinum Games. The developer has confirmed the worldwide availability of a title update that allows the game to be installed to the hard drive. All you have to do is boot up your game and you'll be prompted to download the update.

Of course, you've also been known to make sandwiches during installations, so ... well, they must be really delicious at this point. That's a win, no matter what.

Bayonetta PS3 patch available worldwide today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta PS3 patch adds hard drive installation option

JC Fletcher — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST

Sega of Japan announced that it will release an update for the PS3 version of Bayonetta tomorrow, which adds an "Install" item to the game's main menu. The patch, first tentatively announced in November, is intended to cut down the long load times that have perturbed Bayonetta's PS3 players.

The update doesn't mean the PS3 game will have achieved total parity with the Xbox 360 version -- visual discrepancies, like frame rate issues, will still persist -- but at least Sega has now taken one step towards improving the experience on PS3. The Bayonetta update has only been confirmed for Japan, but its release just happens to fall on this Thursday, when the PlayStation Store updates worldwide, so we wouldn't be shocked to see it arrive everywhere tomorrow.
[Thanks, Copland]

Bayonetta PS3 patch adds hard drive installation option originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kamiya keen on returning to Bayonetta, considering spin-off

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST

Speaking to Game Informer, Platinum Games' Hideki Kamiya discussed the possibility of a sequel to Bayonetta. Kamiya noted that the Bayonetta team has "love" for the game, saying, "I don't see anything wrong with Bayonetta 2." (If you're reading this, Mr. Kamiya, neither do we.) He elaborated that he'd like to approach a sequel "from a different angle, in the form of a spin-off." Game Informer goes on to speculate that a sequel could star Bayonetta's rival, Jeanne. Honestly, we don't care who stars in the sequel. As long as the action is just as solid as it is in the first game, it really doesn't matter. As long as someone is kicking ass in a stylish, intuitive way, we're sold.

Kamiya keen on returning to Bayonetta, considering spin-off originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK charts: Just Dance on Modern Warfare 2's grave

David Hinkle — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST

For nine straight weeks, the UK's gamer populace has been mesmerized by the siren's song of Modern Warfare 2. Today, that's all changed, with the latest Chart-Track data showing a new entry usurping Modern Warfare 2's top spot: Just Dance. Ubisoft's quirky dance title for the Wii has enjoyed a level of success there we would never have thought possible. Can its performance be attributed to good advertising or simply the United Kingdom's unrestrained love of Kevin Bacon?

And MW2 wasn't even in the second spot, either. Wii Fit Plus managed to grab the silver, while Infinity Ward's shooter was bumped down to a respectable bronze. Newcomers Bayonetta and Darksiders also managed to stay on the list, along with Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2, which stealthily secured the tenth spot.

UK charts: Just Dance on Modern Warfare 2's grave originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK charts: MW2 show continues, Bayonetta and Darksiders debut

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:45:00 EST

Reporting the UK sales chart is starting to feel like being a weatherman in Los Angeles. For the ninth week in a row, Modern Warfare 2 sits atop the all formats chart. If Modern Warfare 2 makes it to ten weeks in a row, we're expecting a communique from Hitchhiker's Marvin.

The next three spots are occupied by a casual alliance, consisting of Wii Fit Plus, Just Dance for Wii and Wii Sports Resort, respectively. Proving that the UK still has interest in games beyond war, sports and losing weight, Bayonetta's hair grabbed the fifth spot on the chart for its debut. THQ's Zelda meets God of War hybrid, Darksiders, also had a strong debut in eighth place. Had it bested the current chart champ, we'd be checking for signs of the apocalypse.

Source - 9 successive weeks at No1 for Call of Duty [GFK Chart-Track]
Source - Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]

UK charts: MW2 show continues, Bayonetta and Darksiders debut originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anything Bayonetta can do, Mega64 does better

Justin McElroy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST

We were unbelievers at the beginning of this new Bayonetta ad (after the break), in which Mega64's Rocco Botte insisted that he could emulate -- nay -- top any of the titular action star's moves. But he's definitely shooting bullets with his feet and he promises repeatedly that his hair is a demon, so now whose face has got egg on it? That's right: Ours.

... Hey, he wouldn't lie about his hair being a demon, would he? No, of course not. Who would lie about that? We're probably just being paranoid.

Continue reading Anything Bayonetta can do, Mega64 does better

Anything Bayonetta can do, Mega64 does better originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Bayonetta

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:20:00 EST

The first thing you should know about Bayonetta is that the story is entirely unimportant. It makes no sense. At all. Period. There's something about two warring clans, one of witches and one of sages (Light vs. Dark -- yada yada yada). There's a "journalist" who inexplicably carries a grappling hook; an ancient god that's being resurrected; and, at one point, there's even a dance-off.

Now, forget about all of that. You'll be skipping through it on your second playthrough anyway. And that's really the point. If you like action games in the vein of Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden, you'll probably start your second playthrough of Bayonetta exactly when I did: immediately after the first.

Gallery: Bayonetta

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Review: Bayonetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Games This Month: January 2010

Justin McElroy — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Traditionally, this is the time of year when we'd be able to put our feet up and savor the calm after the Q4 storm. But in 2010/Two-Thousand-and-Sin/ZOLO, we're stuck with a month of completely decent releases. We've always begged the industry to release games throughout the year, but never stopped to consider the terrible cost: More work for us.

Check out the infuriatingly decent list and plan your purchasing strategy.

Gallery: New Games This Month: January 2010

New Games This Month: January 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photoshoppers repurpose film posters for games

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST

[Image credit: RiffRaff1138]

Care of the forum users at Something Awful, a gaggle of films posters recently got Photoshopped into video game iterations of themselves. Everything from Avatar (Mass Effect) to Jurassic Park (DinoPark Tycoon) got the treatment, though our favorite is undoubtedly what Schwarzenegger's Last Action Hero has become. Now if only someone could get to work on a Breakfast at Tiffany's-derived Bayonetta poster, we'd be all set.

[Via Kotaku]

Photoshoppers repurpose film posters for games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Bayonetta

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:30:00 EST

We may still have a few more weeks before the hair-based weapon wielding Bayonetta arrives on US shores, but that doesn't mean that reviewers haven't gotten their hands on the region-free, fully translated PlayStation 3 Japanese release (and the lucky folks at Official Xbox Magazine seem to have secured an extra early Xbox 360 review copy). Regardless of the downright silly nature of the game's story and characters, Bayonetta has thus far received universal acclaim from the critics. Here's what some had to say.

Edge (100/100): "A beautiful and graceful fighting game that lets imagination loose, and winks before slapping Dante, Kratos and every other hero back to the drawing board."
Eurogamer (9/10): "It's in combat that Bayonetta's splendour is fully revealed ... a blast of creative brilliance, both technically accomplished, strategically deep and infused with rare imagination, Bayonetta represents the pinnacle of its chosen niche."
Official Xbox Magazine (90/100): "Every one of these dazzling battles is thrilling without overstaying its welcome - and also challenges you without being cheap"
Play.tm (95%): "Bayonetta could - and should - breathe fresh life into the ailing Japanese action genre ... an unrivalled showcase of imagination and creativity."

Source 1 - Metacritic PS3
Source 2 - Metacritic Xbox 360

Gallery: Bayonetta

Metareview: Bayonetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta trailer invents unsettling new term: 'hair moves'

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:38:00 EST

Thus far, Bayonetta has exposed us to a litany of disturbing oddities. First we were exposed to the expression "non-stop climax action." Then came the uncomfortable revelation of Bayonetta's "sexy" dancing. And now, we must forever live with the term "hair moves." As the ancient Egyptians figured out long ago, hair is gross. Short of the occasional Rita Hayworth hair toss, hair really shouldn't be moving at all. And it certainly shouldn't be transforming into giant boots, fists or demons.

Alas, this is the proposition you face should you desire to play Bayonetta. You've been warned.

Bayonetta trailer invents unsettling new term: 'hair moves' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch Bayonetta nab enemy weapons, add insult to injury

Randy Nelson — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:15:00 EST

Being the stylish, fashion-way-forward gal she is, Bayonetta (of, um, Bayonetta) likes to accessorize. Sometimes she gets tired of having guns for shoes and hair that can take the form of giant demons, so she ~~politely barrows~~ steals weapons from her enemies, to use against ... her enemies.

In this short-but-sweet clip from next month's Platinum Games action spectacle, we get to watch her do just that -- nabbing a giant mace (not of the "spray into a mugger's eyes" type) and use a very long, forcefully procured spear to pole-dance-kick the hell out of heavenly foes. Best of all, the clip is narrated by a velvety-voiced English woman who sounds just like Bayonetta, if she were real. Which she's not -- so please, stop calling Sega asking for her number. Yes, we're onto you.

Watch Bayonetta nab enemy weapons, add insult to injury originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viewtiful Joe's Kamiya would 'like to finish' series, won't henshin-a-go-go back to Okami

Randy Nelson — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST

Hideki Kamiya, creator of the forthcoming Bayonetta, would be up for making a sequel to his stylish side-scroller Viewtiful Joe if given the opportunity, according to a report by Game Informer. Not so much for Okami, though, which he'd wanted to revisit until he learned Capcom was making Okamiden for DS. "I heard the announcement that someone else would be making a sequel," he told the magazine. "Now I'm just not interested in it anymore."

Kamiya, who left Capcom along with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and other key staffers to form the now-defunct Clover Studio, doesn't retain the rights to any of the IPs he created at either company -- but nevertheless feels that the story of Viewtiful Joe "is incomplete," adding "I'd like to finish it someday."

While that's probably a long shot, Kamiya has already proven he's a man full of amazing ideas, which we'll hopefully see many more of after Bayonetta -- a game he could very well make a sequel to -- is released in the US on January 5.

Viewtiful Joe's Kamiya would 'like to finish' series, won't henshin-a-go-go back to Okami originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bayonetta demo brings climax action to XBLM

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST

Here's a friendly little reminder for all the climax action fans out there: The previously announced Bayonetta demo has arrived on Xbox Live Marketplace. We've been able to spend some time with the demo, and it's probably safe to say that Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden players out there have something to look forward to. But you don't have to take out word for it, because you can try it yourself. Amazing world we live in, isn't it?

Shortcut: Download the Bayonetta demo [Via Xbox.com]

Bayonetta demo brings climax action to XBLM originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European PSN releases for December 3

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST

The wait to try out Sega/Platinum Games' over-the-top, demon/angel-slaying action title Bayonetta is finally over. The demo for the title is the highlight of this week's European PSN update, joined by a whole bunch of DLC for Fight Night Round 4, an Ezio Auditore costume for LittleBigPlanet and roughly 17,000 Rock Band tracks. That's just a quick estimate, but we think it should be pretty accurate.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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European PSN releases for December 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK Bayonetta pre-order bonuses revealed

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

We're not sure why publishers decided that purchasing a game should be more difficult, but the recent trend of retailer exclusive pre-order goodies seems to be here to stay. Case in point: the various pre-order bonuses for Bayonetta in the UK. Those who pre-order at Play.com will receive the Bayonetta Climax Edition, pictured above on the left. Meanwhile, HMV pre-orders get a "Manga's Leading Ladies" DVD, which features "full episodes, trailers and exclusive clips" of something. Perhaps the coolest bonus, though, belongs to game.co.uk, which offers a replica of one of Bayonetta's guns, Scarborough Fair.

All three are being offered for £39.99, so the only decision you really have to make is which bonus you like the best. Well, that and whether or not you ever want to invite a pretty girl into your home.

UK Bayonetta pre-order bonuses revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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