Joystiq

DoDonPachi Maximum hits iOS Oct. 26 with iPhone 5 compatibility

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:00:00 EST

Cave's previously Windows Mobile-exclusive bullet-hell shmup DoDonPachi Maximum is headed to an iDevice near you this Monday, October 29, according to Siliconera. The game, which includes ships from DoDonPachi: Blissful Death and DoDonPachi: Resurrection, requires an iThing no older than an iPhone 4 or an iPad 2, though that does translate to iPhone 5 screen resolution compatibility. The universal app will cost $6.99 at launch, and then jump up to $11.99.

DoDonPachi games (and bullet-hell shooters in general) are a much bigger thing in Japan than they are here, generally speaking, and that may have to do with the Japanese arcade vibe. So to get the most out of your iOS purchase here's how to get that authentic Japanese arcade bullet-hell-playing experience at home: Lock yourself in the smallest closet you have, fill it with smoke, and then hire someone to be better than you at every game you own.

DoDonPachi Maximum hits iOS Oct. 26 with iPhone 5 compatibility originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Saidaioujou, Cave's latest shmup, to hit Japanese Xbox 360s next year

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST

Cave's newest arcade shoot-em-up, DoDonPachi Saidaioujou, is coming to Japanese Xbox 360s next spring, the company announced today. Saidaioujou hit the country's arcades back in April.

The shmup specialists only just released 2011's Akai Katana on Western shores, so it may be a while before Saidaiojou's brand of vertical bullet-hell reaches us. In the meantime, we can look ahead to the game's dress-up shtick.

Your ship's abilities and the game's difficulty depend on which outfit you choose for your supporting "elemental doll." Naturally, the skimpy bikini results in the hardest difficulty - though all the outfits look pretty skimpy, as you can see in the arcade game's trailer above.

In addition to HD visuals, a new easy mode, and a 360-specific mode, the console port will receive a new elemental doll. Presumably with new outfits. Presumably skimpy.

Saidaioujou, Cave's latest shmup, to hit Japanese Xbox 360s next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave Vita games reportedly canceled as COO resigns

JC Fletcher — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Mikio Watanabe, Cave's executive vice president and COO, is leaving the company as of May 31 for personal reasons, according to a press release issued by the company today. Watanabe will continue as representative director until the next shareholder meeting in August. Following his departure, CEO Ito Masahito will become the only remaining representative director.

At the same time, the latest Famitsu magazine (reported by Andriasang) lists two Vita games by the publisher as canceled. One of the games is a Vita release of its casual/social castle building game Shirotsuku; the other is an unspecified shooter.

If you're feeling worried about the seemingly vulnerable company, now might be a good time to remind you that Akai Katana Shin, the company's latest Xbox 360 shooter, is out in North America this week.

Cave Vita games reportedly canceled as COO resigns originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Two hearts collide in Bug Princess 2 for iOS next week

JC Fletcher — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:30:00 EST

Cave's iPhone ports are always of a high quality, to the point that it's kind of unsettling to see so much craziness happening on your phone's little screen. They're also populous -- and to that point, here's news of another one.

Cave will release a port of the 2006 arcade sequel Mushihimesama Futari to the App Store on April 5. In keeping with its no-nonsense (or no crazy Japanese titles, which is equivalent to nonsense for many of us) iOS naming policy, it's called "Bug Princess 2." Easy!

The game will be available for a promotional price of $4.99 for 4 days; it'll be $6.99 after that.

Two hearts collide in Bug Princess 2 for iOS next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Akai Katana trailer is a whirlwind of introduction

JC Fletcher — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST

This trailer for Akai Katana goes by pretty quickly and can be intensely confusing, so consider it practice for the real game.

This crazy shooter from Cave is coming to Xbox 360 in Europe and North America thanks to Rising Star Games, who has been publishing niche Japanese stuff in PAL territories forever, and is only just starting up in America. Rising Star promises more details about the American version (currently set for Q2) soon, giving you more time to figure out what's happening in the video.

Akai Katana trailer is a whirlwind of introduction originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dodonpachi Resurrection re-resurrected in HD for iPhone

JC Fletcher — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST

It's getting difficult to keep up with all the Dodonpachi variations on the App Store. We were confused when we read the latest press release from developer Cave -- we thought Dodonpachi Resurrection was already available on iPhone.

It is! The game coming March 15 is Dodonpachi Resurrection HD, which updates the resolution of the iPhone release for iPhone 4 or newer devices. To celebrate the release, it'll be on sale for four days, for $10.99 (vs. its regular $13.99 price). Espgaluda II HD, a previous refresh of an iOS shooter, will be the same price.

Does that still sound expensive? You can read about the reasoning behind Cave's pricing here.

Gallery: Dodonpachi Resurrection HD (iOS)

Dodonpachi Resurrection re-resurrected in HD for iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave's Watanabe on the benefits of premium app pricing

Heidi Kemps — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST

Conventional wisdom says that expensive iOS and Android games don't sell, but in a speech at GDC, Mikio Watanabe, COO of shmup developer Cave, frankly stated the exact opposite. In a presentation entitled "Japanese Retro and Social Games on Smartphones," Watanabe gave advice to developers looking to port their companies' legacy IPs to the rapidly blossoming smartphone and tablet markets.

His advice? For starters, keep the games running at a good clip instead of focusing too much on graphical clarity. "When games are running quickly, the human eye misses tiny imperfections in the visuals," he noted, encouraging developers to try to shoot for an average of 50 FPS or better. To increase the profitability, he encouraged developers to include unique and interesting DLC to spur in-app purchases.

Continue reading Cave's Watanabe on the benefits of premium app pricing

Cave's Watanabe on the benefits of premium app pricing originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave's Dodonpachi Maximum coming to Windows Phone on March 7

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST

Apparently not satisfied with bringing bullet hell madness only to iOS devices, Cave has announced a new Dodonpachi for Windows Phone. Entitled Dodonpachi Maximum, the game brings features ships and enemies from both Dodonpachi Blissful Death and Dodonpachi Resurrection.

Weapons are fired automatically, leaving players only with the task of lining up their shots and navigating Maximum's many, many bullets. Thankfully, the game also features adjustable difficulty for less nimble fingers. Dodonpachi Maximum will be available March 7 for $5.

Gallery: Dodonpachi Maximum

Continue reading Cave's Dodonpachi Maximum coming to Windows Phone on March 7

Cave's Dodonpachi Maximum coming to Windows Phone on March 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Super Mario 3D Land, Resident Evil Revelations talks at GDC

JC Fletcher — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:45:00 EST

Super Mario 3D Land director Koichi Hayashida will present a postmortem talk at GDC entitled "Thinking in 3D: The Development of Super Mario 3D Land." Attendees will be required to cross a pit of moving blocks while being chased by evil purple versions of themselves in order to attend.

Or, what will actually happen is that Hayashida will discuss developing for 3D devices, and "share development philosophies learned from Mario creator and legendary Nintendo designer, Shigeru Miyamoto."

Another 3DS-centric talk is "Revealing the Truth About Resident Evil Revelations," presented by producer Masachika Kawata. And Cave COO Mikio Watanabe will discuss "Retro and Japanese Social Games on Smartphones," bringing attention to the company's recent endeavors in porting crazy shmups to iOS.

Super Mario 3D Land, Resident Evil Revelations talks at GDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave mercifully provides Dodonpachi Blissful Death on iOS this week

JC Fletcher — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

We'll be transparent about this: we had to look up the difference between Dodonpachi Blissful Death, the new iOS game announced by shmup developer Cave, and current App Store release Dodonpachi Resurrection. How embarrassing.

It turns out that Blissful Death (known in Japan as Dodonpachi Daioujou) is the direct predecessor to Resurrection, first released in 2002. Cave is bringing the classic bullet-hell shooter to iPhone 4 and above this Thursday, February 9, at a price lower than Cave tends to charge for its iOS releases: $4.99. It comes with multiple difficulty modes, for those of us prone to involuntary phone-smashes.

Cave mercifully provides Dodonpachi Blissful Death on iOS this week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave to put projects on hold, refocus on social gaming

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST

It's easy to forget sometimes that video games are a business, as well as a means of artistic expression and recreation. Even developers like Cave, whose sterling reputation is due almost entirely to its long-time devotion to the incredibly esoteric bullet-hell genre, have to make tough decisions in order to continue existing.

The Deathsmiles developer's fiscal outlook isn't shaping up to be quite what it had expected, and as a result the company will be placing unknown projects on hold in order to devote more resources to social gaming, Andriasang reports.

Originally expecting to earn ¥1.4 billion ($18.9 million) in sales between June 1 and November 30 2011, the company now anticipates earnings of ¥1.3 billion ($16.8 million), which has prompted Cave to change its forecasted operating gain of ¥10 million to an operating loss of ¥31 million for the period. Operational earnings for the entire year were lowered from ¥310 million to ¥50 million.

In a nutshell, people aren't buying as many infuriatingly difficult games as expected, which is surprising considering how popular masochism has become recently.

Cave to put projects on hold, refocus on social gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Portabliss: Bug Princess (iOS)

JC Fletcher — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:30:00 EST

Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Bug Princess.

The iOS App Store has taken away almost all of the "mystique" from Cave games. For years, if you wanted to play one of the company's brilliant shooters, you had to find an arcade that had an import cabinet (good luck!) or import one of the console ports yourself, an effort that often required modifying your system. The scarcity added an element of allure.

Now, Cave games couldn't be more accessible. You can download a Cave shooter from anywhere you can get a wi-fi signal -- or even elsewhere, if you don't mind eating into your 3G limit. As if to symbolically mark the final transition from rare oddity to easily acquired pastime, Cave has renamed its 2004 shooter Mushihimesama to the notably less exotic Bug Princess for its iOS release.

Continue reading Portabliss: Bug Princess (iOS)

Portabliss: Bug Princess (iOS) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave and Microsoft's Deathsmiles 2X experiment turned out pretty well

David Hinkle — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Cave's decision to offer Deathsmiles 2X as a "Games on Demand" title in North America back in May has paid off. In an interview with Siliconera, Cave game development manager Makota Asada said that, as "an experiment," the offer "was pretty good for what we were expecting." So good, in fact, that Asada said Cave would be willing to try this again. "Yes, we do think we might do it again in the future."

According to Asada, it was Microsoft who approached them looking to dip its toes into the digital imports waters. Deathsmiles 2X is, obviously, a sequel to the company's previous shmup, which was offered as a retail disc in North America. "Because our titles are shooting games, language is not that important, so we decided to try it along with Microsoft," Asada concluded. No matter what language you speak, we can all agree things need to get shot -- and Cave is pretty good at that, so kudos to them.

Cave and Microsoft's Deathsmiles 2X experiment turned out pretty well originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave crafts casual Castle Creator for iPhone

JC Fletcher — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EST

The next iPhone game from Cave isn't a shmup, nor is it a music/dating game. It's kind of a strategy game, actually. In Castle Creator, you build a castle and the town around it, and then battle with other players' towns. Originally released in Japan on the GREE network, it's now headed to iPhone.

Siliconera caught the announcement on a recent Deathsmiles stream event, and then found the trailer Cave posted to YouTube (above). Before you watch the trailer, let us prepare you with the following two pieces of information: first, "Shirotsuku" is the Japanese title of the game, and it means roughly "Castle-making," and second, this is definitely the best trailer music you're going to hear today.

Cave crafts casual Castle Creator for iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles iOS getting update August 6, see it on Ustream August 5

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST

The iOS version of Cave's delightfully spooky/cute and incomprehensibly difficult bullet-hell shooter Deathsmiles will be receiving its first major update on August 6. In addition to new costumes and music, Cave will also be importing new weapons from two of its other shooters, Guwange and Dodonpachi Resurrection. At the moment, it's unclear whether or not these items will be included in the update, or will appear as for-pay DLC.

The full update will be showcased on Ustream on August 5 by producer Masa King, who will also be making a "surprise announcement" of some kind. Our guess? Deathfrowns.

Deathsmiles iOS getting update August 6, see it on Ustream August 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave developing shooter for Windows Phone 7

Jordan Mallory — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 EST

As far as Deathsmiles developer Cave is concerned, Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform can go to hell. Bullet-hell, that is! Makoto Asada, head of Cave's Game Development Department, has announced via dev-blog that the company is currently developing a shooter for Microsoft's burgeoning smartphone OS.

Beyond the fact that development is somewhere between 20 and 30 percent complete, details are scarce. No screenshots or other information have been given, though the announcement refers to the game as an original title, which more than likely means it won't be a port of Cave's recent Deathsmiles release for iOS (above). It's also safe to assume that the game will be bewilderingly difficult.

Cave developing shooter for Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rising Star picks up KOF XIII, Dodonpachi Resurrection for PAL territories

JC Fletcher — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST

Those of you in Europe hoping to pick up King of Fighters XIII won't have to make the awkward decision of which region to import it from. You'll get your very own release of SNK's latest HD fighter this October on either Xbox 360 or PS3, thanks to Rising Star Games.

Rising Star Games is also bringing something to Europe that, to date, hasn't been announced in North America: the Xbox 360 port of Cave's shmup Dodonpachi Resurrection. That'll be out in November. Find the rest of Rising Star's slate of upcoming games after the break.

Gallery: Dodonpachi Resurrection (360)

Continue reading Rising Star picks up KOF XIII, Dodonpachi Resurrection for PAL territories

Rising Star picks up KOF XIII, Dodonpachi Resurrection for PAL territories originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles comes to iPhone July 7, see it on Ustream July 1

JC Fletcher — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST

This month, Cave gave the iPhone version of Deathsmiles a "2011" date. We didn't have to wait long to find out when in 2011 -- and we won't have to wait long to play it. Cave announced that you'll be able to enter Deathsmiles' moe gauntlet on July 7. For the first four days, it'll be priced at $4.99/£2.99/€3.99, then the price will go up to $8.99/£5.49/€6.99.

If you're uncontrollably thrilled about the new iPhone shmup, you'll be able to get an early look at it on Friday, July 1. Cave is hosting a Ustream "live sneak peek" event introducing Deathsmiles and revealing new content for the iPhone version. The 30-minute broadcast will be translated into English on the fly, for those of you who are into Cave shooters but not so into them that you learned Japanese.

Gallery: Deathsmiles (iOS)

Deathsmiles comes to iPhone July 7, see it on Ustream July 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles upon iPhone this year, new trailer arrives today

JC Fletcher — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:40:00 EST

Do you want to play games on your iPhone, without being accused of being a "casual gamer"? Here you go: Deathsmiles. If someone regards you in a manner that suggests they doubt your core-ness while you're playing a Cave shooter, you can be secure in the knowledge that that person is so wrong. Also, don't worry so much about being a core gamer, you hypothetical person.

The iPhone version of the side-scrolling arcade/Xbox 360 shooter is due sometime this year. Prepare yourself with the trailer after the break and the new screens in our gallery.

Gallery: Deathsmiles (iOS)

Continue reading Deathsmiles upon iPhone this year, new trailer arrives today

Deathsmiles upon iPhone this year, new trailer arrives today originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles 2X unavailable in Canada and Mexico

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 20 May 2011 09:25:00 EST

Deathsmiles 2X was supposed to be "available in North America" this week as the first Games on Demand import, except that the definition of "North America" seems to come with some caveats. The game is only available in the United States, halted at the borders for Mexico and Canada.

Won't someone give Deathsmiles 2X's a VISA? A Microsoft representative told Joystiq: "We're always listening to community feedback and work closely with our partners to determine the best approach for releasing games in other regions, but have no additional details to share at this time." Ruh-roh.

Siliconera reports that developer Cave is currently "coordinating" with Microsoft on the issue.

Deathsmiles 2X unavailable in Canada and Mexico originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 May 2011 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles 2X going straight to Games on Demand next Tuesday [update]

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 May 2011 10:19:00 EST

The Xbox 360 "Games on Demand" digital retail service has, until now, only featured games that were already available on disc in a given region. Cave is bucking the trend by sending the shmup sequel Deathsmiles 2X directly to Games on Demand in North America, skipping a disc release in the region.

Cave is also skipping localization for the $30 game -- it'll be released in Japanese, which, for a shmup, shouldn't be a problem. Deathsmiles 2X will launch via Games on Demand next Tuesday, May 17. In the Facebook post announcing the unique release, Cave said it "will be giving this format a try for getting some of our Japan-only shooters released overseas." It's kind of an ideal solution for the company -- it gets to self-publish its shooters in North America, without the expense of localization, manufacturing or distribution.

~~Oddly, Cave told Siliconera that you'd have to use a credit card to buy the game; it can't be purchased with Microsoft Points.~~ (Note: When purchasing Games on Demand titles, the payment option defaults to credit card, though normally users have the option to switch it to Microsoft Points.)

After the break, you can watch some footage of the game that's also unlocalized (because we grabbed it from the Japanese website).

Update: Microsoft told Joystiq that you will be able to use Microsoft Points to purchase Deathsmiles 2X. Retrieve the pieces of that points card from the shredder!

Continue reading Deathsmiles 2X going straight to Games on Demand next Tuesday [update]

Deathsmiles 2X going straight to Games on Demand next Tuesday [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Nin2-Jump trailer is pretty much a movie

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:30:00 EST

We wouldn't blame you for considering this Nin2-Jump "trailer" to be more like a tiny film. If you're on the fence about Cave's platformer, which is due out this Wednesday on XBLA, we suggest you watch the five-minute flick from start to finish, then get your 400 points ready.

Continue reading New Nin2-Jump trailer is pretty much a movie

New Nin2-Jump trailer is pretty much a movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Death Smiles 2X' rated by ESRB, Cave publishing

Justin McElroy — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST

Our mothers always said "If death smiles at you once, you should try to wrap up your personal affairs. But if death smiles a second time, he's probably just flirting."

Imagine our disappointment then when we read the ESRB listing for Death Smiles 2X to find it was not, as we'd assumed, a dating sim set at River of Styx High, but rather an Xbox 360 follow-shmup to Cave's bullet hell release Deathsmiles (seen above).

Cave will take over publishing duties from Aksys on the game, which features shooting "various projectiles (bombs, bullets, lasers, arrows, etc.) at elephants, pigs, goblins, bats, and monsters in constant air battle." ... OK, so that's probably a better concept than ours.

Probably.

'Death Smiles 2X' rated by ESRB, Cave publishing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Way too much Akai Katana Shin footage

JC Fletcher — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST

After the break, you'll find four videos of Akai Katana Shin, the (unfortunately region-locked) Xbox 360 version of Cave's latest arcade shmup, including one clip of the console-exclusive "Zetsu" ("Absolute") mode, one "expert mode" clip, one "beginner mode," and finally a new trailer. This may prove to be too much sensory input for your brain. Just a warning.

After watching this, it's kind of a bummer to think that it's stuck in Japan, but the good news is that it's possible to justify the purchase of a Japanese Xbox 360 and this game by comparing the cost to that of an arcade board. Right? Sure. Or you could wait for someone to localize it.

Continue reading Way too much Akai Katana Shin footage

Way too much Akai Katana Shin footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nin2-Jump casts a shadow on XBLA April 27

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:50:00 EST

Hey, Joystiq Biomass -- does anyone know the steps you have to take in order to establish a national federal holiday? We'd like to pitch Uncle Sam on turning April 27 into "National Silhouette-based Platformer Day," as it was recently announced that Cave's shadow-puppety XBLA title Nin2-Jump will arrive worldwide on the 27th, right alongside the similarly backlit action-platformer Outland.

As promised, Nin2-Jump will arrive on the platform at 400 Microsoft Points ($5), and the proceeds of your purchase will go to the Red Cross' Japanese disaster relief efforts.

Nin2-Jump casts a shadow on XBLA April 27 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave's Akai Katana now available for home arcades

JC Fletcher — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Allow us to dispel any casual thought of picking up an arcade cabinet and populating it with new games. Cave has put the circuit board for its latest arcade release, Akai Katana, up for sale on its international online shop. The price? 220,000 yen, or $2,597.73. Rather a lot of money for a single game -- one that requires you to already have a JAMMA-compatible cabinet, and one that's already been announced for a much cheaper home release.

However, there are some important mitigating factors to consider: for that $2,600, you also get a poster and a screwdriver shaped like a red sword (or ... akai katana, in Japanese), for use with the volume adjustment setting on the board.

The board available through the website is a special version of the game, intended for home use. It only supports free play, so owners can't charge quarters or tokens, and it has balance tweaks and an optional higher difficulty level, which weren't found in the arcade version.

Cave's Akai Katana now available for home arcades originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST

The same encapsulating virtual reality display that led to the memorable Kinect hack from last week now has an altogether new and exciting purpose. A group of students from FH-Wedel Germany have turned the CAVE hardware and a Wiimote into a gigantic, all-encompassing version of Fruit Ninja.

Continue reading Fruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology

Fruit Ninja becomes life-size using CAVE technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Kinect Hacks: Navigating your virtual apartment

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST

Some Kinect Hacks seems to have some practical applications to us tech-savvy folks who don't have access to our own mad scientist laboratories. This ain't one of them: Researchers at the Dundalk Institute of Technology have hooked a Kinect up to a virtual apartment, as seen in the video below.

Continue reading Kinect Hacks: Navigating your virtual apartment

Kinect Hacks: Navigating your virtual apartment originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave porting Deathsmiles to iPhone for spring release

JC Fletcher — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:15:00 EST

Along with its big Xbox 360 release announcement, shooter company Cave had some good news for iPhone fans at its event over the weekend. Deathsmiles, the flying-magical-girl shooter released on Xbox 360 last year, is coming to iPhone and iPod Touch. "From arcade to Xbox 360," the trailer reads; "and then, from Xbox 360 to iPhone."

Deathsmiles will be released in spring. Unlike packaged games, Cave can self-publish on iOS, and it's been good about localizing its games in a timely manner. So the insane shooting action in the trailer after the break need not be tinged with sadness.

Continue reading Cave porting Deathsmiles to iPhone for spring release

Cave porting Deathsmiles to iPhone for spring release originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave shmup Akai Katana coming to 360 in region-locked Japan release

JC Fletcher — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST

Akai Katana ("Red Katana," or, we suppose, "Red Sword," depending on how much translation you need) is a horizontal scrolling shooter released in arcades last year by shmup master Cave. During an event last week, the developer announced that the game is coming to the Xbox 360 in an upgraded version called Akai Katana Shin.

Shin adds redone graphics, an unspecified new gameplay system, a new stage, and a 16x9 mode that redesigns enemy and bullet patterns to fit better on a widescreen display. The original version will also be available on the disc, which is due in Japan on May 26 in both standard and limited editions.

Unlike some other Cave Xbox games, the company announced that Akai Katana Shin will be region-locked when it arrives in Japan. "Hopefully one of our publisher friends will be interested as it looks grand." Aksys Games published Cave's Deathsmiles last year, so Cave does have at least one "publisher friend."

Continue reading Cave shmup Akai Katana coming to 360 in region-locked Japan release

Cave shmup Akai Katana coming to 360 in region-locked Japan release originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave's 'Nin2-Jump' makes a play for XBLA

Ludwig Kietzmann — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST

Cave has announced Nin2-Jump (as in "Nin Nin Jump"), a distinctly styled action game coming to Xbox Live Arcade later this year. The developer, known for creating eccentric shooters like Deathsmiles and Guwange, unveiled the new game at an event in Akihabara, Japan.

Nin2-Jump sees an agile little ninja jumping and swinging through a seemingly hand-illustrated shadow play, viewed by a young audience (depicted as silhouettes in the foreground) that visibly delights in his actions. The two-dimensional hero, dubbed "Nin Ja," can hook his chain onto objects to propel himself through the air or damage enemies, and can gather scrolls throughout the game's 50 stages to empower a destructive dash.

According to Andriasang's preview, the game will offer leaderboard support for both the arcade mode (which values level completion times) and a separate score attack mode. As with N+, it's nice to be reminded that ninjas are never above asynchronous competition.

Update: Siliconera reports that Cave does plan to release Nin2-Jump internationally.

Continue reading Cave's 'Nin2-Jump' makes a play for XBLA

Cave's 'Nin2-Jump' makes a play for XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mushihimesama Bug Panic breaks out on iPhone Nov. 18

JC Fletcher — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST

Cave's iPhone bug-smashing action-adventure spinoff, Mushihimesama Bug Panic, will incite insect-related hysteria on November 18, when it will launch on the App Store. If you're panicked about spending too much on a non-shmup Cave game, you'll be happy to know that for the first four days of release, it'll be available for $4, a buck off its regular price.

Check out some new screenshots of Princess Reco's quest to save the insect kingdom (by destroying insects) in our gallery, and then head past the break to see the trailer, which isn't new -- but we can't stop watching it again anyway, because the music is so damn catchy.

Gallery: Mushihimesama Bug Panic

Continue reading Mushihimesama Bug Panic breaks out on iPhone Nov. 18

Mushihimesama Bug Panic breaks out on iPhone Nov. 18 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

iPhone's Mushihimesama Bug Panic! features former Castlevania composer

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST

We haven't heard from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (and subsequent 'Vanias) composer Michiru Yamane since she left Konami early this year. Good news for those of you wondering what she's been up to: we found her in a Cave!

... game. A Cave game. For iPhone. The trailer for Mushihimesama Bug Panic, after the break, reveals that Yamane provided the music for the iPhone original, alongside Mica Nozawa. Judging by the trailer and its energetic pop theme, Yamane's work is very different from her Castlevania style. As for the game, it's also a departure. It's not a shmup (for once) -- it's an action-adventure game starring Princess Reco from the shooter Mushihimesama.

Continue reading iPhone's Mushihimesama Bug Panic! features former Castlevania composer

iPhone's Mushihimesama Bug Panic! features former Castlevania composer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guwange coming to XBLA on Nov. 10 for $10

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

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

Cave, creator of bizarrely titled shooters EspGaluda 2 and DeathSmiles, has announced that its next bizarrely titled shooter, Guwange, will land on Xbox Live Arcade November 10. Guwange, first released in arcades in 1999, is a vertically scrolling shooter set in Japan's Muromachi period and will mark Cave's XBLA debut. The game includes the original Arcade mode, an easier Arrange Mode and the somewhat mysterious "Blue" version, a remixed mode that increases difficulty.

Gallery: Guwange

Continue reading Guwange coming to XBLA on Nov. 10 for $10

Guwange coming to XBLA on Nov. 10 for $10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deathsmiles standard edition available next week from GameStop

JC Fletcher — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:20:00 EST

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

If you want to play Cave's Xbox 360 shmup Deathsmiles, but don't need a big box or a faceplate, you'll be able to pick it up cheaply next week. A listing on GameStop.com revealed a standard version of Deathsmiles, coming out for Xbox 360 on September 28 for $29.99.

A representative of Aksys Games confirmed the release to Joystiq, saying that "the Deathsmiles Standard Edition will be $29.99 at GameStop for now." If you buy this and then something falls on your Xbox 360, cracking your current faceplate ... be sure to tell us. We'll do our best to be sympathetic while marveling at this unlikely, ironic happenstance.

Deathsmiles standard edition available next week from GameStop originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave adds three more shooters to the Xbox pile

JC Fletcher — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:30:00 EST

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

We'd say Cave is putting more bullet-hell shmups on the Xbox 360 than we can handle, but that's hardly descriptive, since one is more than we can handle. The developer has announced ports of three more of its classic shooters for Xbox, including one two-game collection.

Dodonpachi Resurrection will be released in Japan on November 25, with new graphics and new gameplay modes, and will include a voucher for Dodonpachi Resurrection 1.51, the latest version released to arcades. In 2011, Cave is planning to release a two-pack of exceptionally weird games: Pink Sweets and the all-pig-girl Muchi Muchi Pork.

Cave adds three more shooters to the Xbox pile originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave announces two more shmups

JC Fletcher — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST

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

Now that Cave shooters like Deathsmiles on Xbox 360, the upcoming XBLA release of Guwange and the iPhone's EspGaluda 2 are being made available to gamers worldwide, the announcement of a new Cave game is less depressing and more exciting -- because no longer do shmup fans have to assume they'll be paying $100+ to import them.

The next slice of bullet hell from the developer is Akai Katana ("Akai" meaning "red," and "katana" meaning ... "katana"). The teaser trailer doesn't do much to teach us about the game, instead showing anime characters looking pained. It's safe to assume that some of those characters will be able to fly and fire upgradeable weapons while dodging screen-filling bullet patterns. Cave will hold location tests for the arcade game in Akihabara next week, so there will be more information (and probably off-screen footage) then.

The company also announced (PDF) an iPhone port of DoDonPachi Daifukkatsu for this summer. You can see an intense trailer for that after the break, as well.

Continue reading Cave announces two more shmups

Cave announces two more shmups originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cave shmup Guwange to be released worldwide on XBLA

JC Fletcher — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST

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

Cave, famous for its insane bullet hell shmups, is taking full advantage of the reduced risk of self-publishing downloadable games. Following the worldwide iPhone release of Espgaluda II, Cave's Makoto Asada announced that the company is planning to release the 1999 shmup Guwange on Xbox Live Arcade worldwide. In a separate post, Asada showed some work-in-progress screens.

"The release date and price are not yet decided," Asada said, but the game will receive an English localization for the XBLA version. In the meantime, if you crave Cave, Deathsmiles is in American stores now, published (and put into a really big box) by Aksys.

[Thanks, dirtybeefz!]

Cave shmup Guwange to be released worldwide on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Experience EspGaluda 2's 'unbelievable bullet density' on iPhone April 10

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST

Cave, developer of niche shooters like Deathsmiles and Dodonpachi, is not only releasing a new game in North America, it's self-publishing. How is this possible for a small company and a relatively obscure genre? It's an iPhone game!

Cave's Yukihiro Masaki announced that the iPhone port of EspGaluda II will be available worldwide on the App Store on April 10, for a promotional $4.99/3.99 Euro/￡2.99 price. If you're not sure about playing a hardcore shooter on the phone, there will also be a "Lite" version available for free.

EspGaluda II is the same game whose Xbox 360 version was released region-free as an experiment. It would appear the company is still experimenting! See a trailer after the break.

Continue reading Experience EspGaluda 2's 'unbelievable bullet density' on iPhone April 10

Experience EspGaluda 2's 'unbelievable bullet density' on iPhone April 10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Wanna play EspGaluda 2? Import the standard edition

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:15:00 EST

It's been nearly half a year since we first reported that the Cave-developed shooter EspGaluda II wasn't likely to see a release outside of Japan. It looks like that's all but assured now, as Cave producer Makoto Asada gives Kotaku some importing advice. According to Asada, of the two versions of the game, only the standard edition will be region-free, meaning it will play on any Xbox 360. Meanwhile, the Limited Edition of EspGaluda II remains region locked, as Cave "didn't have enough time to get the application in before pressing," thus making the disc playable only in Japanese consoles.

So, importers beware and stay away from that Limited Edition come EspGaluda II's February 25 release. Beyond that, you could always wait to satisfy your shmup craving until the North American release of Cave's Deathsmiles instead.

Wanna play EspGaluda 2? Import the standard edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments