Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard was not a very good game. In fact, it kind of made our hearts hurt a little bit to play it. So, when we read that D3 had trademarked another Matt Hazard title, we were going to just let the opportunity to write about it slide by.

But that's when we read that the new title was "Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond," which really yanked the decision out of our hands. C'mon, "Blood Bath and Beyond"? That's hilarious. We're not sure if it's for the "retro" XBLA/PSN Matt Hazard game announced in February or a new sequel, but either way, a great name. ... Not that we'll play it.

We take no pleasure in admitting that Puzzle Quest: Galactrix on the DS was a poorly designed, loading-time-riddled heart breaker. So, it's with no small amount of trepidation and a modicum of hope that we report the XBLA version of the game will arrive on April 8 for an undisclosed price. [Update: Just heard back from D3. Galactrix will run you 1600 points, or $20.]

Though its DS counterpart hurt us and hurt us badly, we're hoping that the XBLA version fares much, much better. We're not sure all the problems can be fixed by porting the game to a different box, but we'd love nothing more than to be proven wrong.

There is one overriding fear present as we watch the Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard launch trailer. It's clear that the developers are attempting to create a parody of some of gaming's most tired stereotypes. That's a neat concept, and one we can get behind. The fear is that if the game doesn't have decent gameplay -- a likely possibility at this point -- all the humor in the world doesn't matter. Without fun gameplay, you see, all you're left with is a title full of gaming's most tired stereotypes.

At least the trailers are funny, though.

Xbox.com has updated its previous listing of Puzzle Quest Galactrix to note a February 25 release date. If this date holds, it means the XBLA version will not require a six-month wait again, arriving in XBLA's virtual retail space around the same time as the DS and PC versions.

We contacted publisher D3 and the company could not confirm the date nor pricing at this time. For those who still haven't tried Galactrix, the follow-up to multi-platform sleeper hit Puzzle Quest, there's always the Flash-based demo available. However, we recommend anyone with addictive personality traits not come within a parsec of the title.

[Via GameBytes]

It looks like even a crack squad of bikini-clad samurai won't be able to hold off an acquisition of D3 by fellow Japanese publisher Namco Bandai. That latter has revealed plans to effectively buy out D3 by purchasing all of its stock. Namco has already made deals with D3's board which have resulted in it obtaining a 70% stake in the company. It has offered to purchase the remaining 30% at a share price of ¥62,000 (US$686)

In a press release announcing the proposed buyout, Namco notes that D3 would benefit from Bandai's reach into other mediums (toys, TV, arcades, movies/music); the sharing of game engine technology; cooperative development of mobile titles; and the rights to use Namco-owned properties (characters, etc.) in its Simple series of budget games.

We'll let you know when -- and if -- D3 has tekken the offer.

[Via VG247]

Source - Bandai Namco plans D3 buyout [andriasang.com]
Source - Bandai Namco Q3 Management Plan [press release: PDF]

If you've ever lamented the lack of localization love shown to some of Japan's more obscure titles, you've probably overestimated their Western appeal. Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing for D3 Publisher, demonstrates considerable expertise in the matter, telling GameDaily about some of the discernible elements one seeks out in import-worthy titles. "Among the titles we have access to, we localize the ones that will have a certain appeal and are about pure fun experiences," she explains. Also, "we thought there was a bunch of gamers who'd dig hot girls slicing up zombies; its something that I think most gamers can immediately identify with."

Before we reach for our intellectual facades in unison, let's hear what David Pava, president of a marketing consultancy called "Problem Solver," thinks about the upcoming OneChanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers. "There is still that deep story in the game," he says, noting that recent advertising has "to get people aware of the game and make them understand the basic concepts of the game." Presumably, the Bikini Zombie Slayers subtitle failed to make it clear that the slayers (and not the zombies) are the ones wearing the bikinis.

This is it, folks. The final trailer you're going to see before Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers releases next week. If zombie slaughter, scantily clad ladies, and ridiculous dialogue interest you in the least, then you'll want to check this trailer out (we've embedded it after the break, as it's rated M). It has all of those things, not to mention big, bold text.

The stars are pointing to an almost simultaneous release of Puzzle Quest Galactrix on DS, PC and XBLA; currently, the Xbox 360 version is the only one not "officially" confirmed. GamerBytes noticed earlier today that Xbox.com listed a February 24 release date for the RPG puzzle title. The page is, as of this writing, still live with the date. Of course, a problem with that release date is that it marks a Tuesday ... which doesn't really fit in with that whole Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday thing. Oh yeah, also, it says "2/24/2008," which would be last year.

Publisher Aspyr has confirmed the Feb. 24 PC release date, which follows the confirmation of the DS date a couple of weeks ago. By Grabthar's hammer, we hope Galactrix hits that Wednesday. We'd rather avoid another six-month wait like we endured with the original Puzzle Quest.

We might be doing Reiko's outfit a disservice by calling it a catsuit. Catsuits are demure next to her little ensemble, which is basically the front of a vest and a set of skintight chaps, with some fishnet underneath.

We kind of can't believe that Onechanbara is really coming out on February 10. We've been talking about this silly game since September 2007!

Following the recent Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers trailers, we feel obligated to warn you that the one after the post break contains real gameplay footage. If you came in hoping for more oatmeal-faced zombie analogues mugging in pseudo-sitcom vignettes, you will be disappointed. However, those of you who wanted to see bikini-clad ladies cleanly slicing through hundreds and hundreds of zombies will be well-served by this surprisingly excellent-looking trailer. And if you want more footage, IGN has a few new videos as well.

We don't know which hypothetical group of Onechanbara fans would be considered weirder. We won't make any judgments, in any case. This is a safe place to like Onechanbara.

[Thanks, yanya!]

The live-action Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers ads have taken a unique and creative approach to game advertising. Trailers tend to be totally dry affairs stitched together from in-game CG and occasional gameplay, but D3 decided to indulge in ridiculous skits set in a world where zombies live alongside humans, and suffer discrimination (or worse) just for eating people being different.

Did you find the ads funny? Did they affect your opinion about the game at all? And even if you didn't necessarily dig these particular skits, do you think publishers would do well to explore this kind of content as a break from the usual trailer format?

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.

Okay, we aren't sure who D3 is after with these live-action Onechanbara ads. They're corny, but at the same time approach an uncomfortable level of (implied) lasciviousness. Well, we say we aren't sure, but we have a pretty good idea. We've seen enough Spike TV to know how companies think they should advertise to dudes. It's kind of a good thing for them we're already interested in Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers.

The newest trailer seems to violate the rules of the world set up in the previous trailers. In other ads, zombies live normal lives and act pretty much like people, but humans hate them anyway. In this trailer ... the humans don't really seem to hate him. And that's the most analysis anyone will ever apply to these ads! Enjoy after the break.

We're glad to see D3 getting so much mileage out of that one fake arm, by the way.

Did you like the live-action Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers "Birthday Party" trailer? Maybe you found the silly vignette and its broad acting amusing, or, perhaps, charming? We kind of found its rough edges refreshing as a counterpoint to most superslick advertising. If you found something to enjoy in that previous trailer, then feel free to proceed past the post break for the latest Onechanbara-inspired skit by D3.

If you groaned, zombie-style, at that previous trailer, you're probably not going to like this one either. There's a bit of gameplay footage at the end, but there's a lot of silliness before that.