Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Zombies!!! looking for new developer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/zombies-looking-for-new-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/zombies-looking-for-new-developer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/zombies-looking-for-new-developer/#comments It appears that Zombies!!! is in search of new brains to develop its video game adaptation. Speaking to Big Download, Zombies!!! license holder Twilight Creations stated it is currently looking for another company to develop the game and "cannot disclose the status of [former developer] Big Rooster."

Wait, what? Who asked about Big Rooster?

Big Rooster is the Madison, Wisconsin, developer that had the video game adaptation of Talisman pulled from it, publisher Capcom later stated there was a "misfire" in its development. We've reached out to Big Rooster to find out if the company had any comment, but apparently Big Download had the same experience contacting the developer as we did, with emails yet to be returned and the phones being "disconnected."
[Image: BoardGameGeek]

JoystiqZombies!!! looking for new developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-roosterboard-gameboard-gamesboardgamezombieszombies-board-gameMon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq hands-on: Halo Interactive Strategy Game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/joystiq-hands-on-halo-interactive-strategy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/joystiq-hands-on-halo-interactive-strategy-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/joystiq-hands-on-halo-interactive-strategy-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Interactive level design to the max!

The Halo Interactive Strategy Game is a crown of shame, aiming a Christmas-ruining SPNKr at happy children everywhere. Sure, I tempered my expectations of a board game based off a video game -- especially an "interactive" one. But after imposing it on my regular game night friends, the Halo board game's missed potential let me down. Building the map was fun. Playing capture-the-flag, deathmatch, or an objective-based contest wasn't.

The game is full of weak and unclear rules and an optional DVD just distracts from the strategy. This could have been a chess-like adaptation of Halo, but it just ends up feeling sorry.

Gallery: Halo Interactive Strategy Game

Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Halo Interactive Strategy Game

JoystiqJoystiq hands-on: Halo Interactive Strategy Game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardboard-gameboardgamebungiehalohands-onimpressionsjoystiqfeaturesjs-twittermicrosoftoff-the-gridThu, 06 Nov 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Zombies!!! board game to eat video game brains]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/zombies-board-game-to-eat-video-game-brains/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/zombies-board-game-to-eat-video-game-brains/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/25/zombies-board-game-to-eat-video-game-brains/#comments It's time to get the shotgun out of the cupboard, as Twilight Creations announced plans to bring its popular tile-based board game, Zombies!!!, to Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network as well as Steam in 2009. The company describes these as the 'initial' platforms for the project, and we fully expect Zombies!!! to scuffle onto others should the creeping undead take hold.

Interestingly, the game is being handled by Wisconsin-based Big Rooster, the same Big Rooster that recently had another tabletop-to-video game translation, Talisman, canned by would be publisher Capcom. Here's hoping that Zombies!!! doesn't suffer a similar fate, or at the very least if it does it can drag itself up from the grave.

[Thanks, J]

JoystiqZombies!!! board game to eat video game brains originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-roosterboard-gameboardgameboardgamestilesundeadzombieszombies-board-gameSat, 25 Oct 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Dokapon Kingdom trailer is a delight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dokapon-kingdom-trailer-is-a-delight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dokapon-kingdom-trailer-is-a-delight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-dokapon-kingdom-trailer-is-a-delight/#commentsFiled under:



Atlus sure knows how to make a trailer exciting -- you can forget needing that cup of coffee after watching this.

While our interest was only mildly piqued before by the adorable-looking boardgame-meets-RPG known as Dokapon Kingdom, this video really managed to put the title on our radar, nearing the "Do Want" list. As for destroying friendships? That's fine by us. We never really liked those people we called "friends" anyway. Atlus also promises an enriching single-person experience, too, in case you've already burned those briges long ago without developer Sting's help.

Dokapon Kingdom should be hitting American shores on October 14th, retailing at $40.

JoystiqE308: Dokapon Kingdom trailer is a delight originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atlusboard-gameboardgameboardgamesdokapondokapon-kingdome3-2008e308rpgstingWed, 16 Jul 2008 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA brings Monopoly to the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/ea-brings-monopoly-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/ea-brings-monopoly-to-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/24/ea-brings-monopoly-to-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

People who love a nice, long bout of Monopoly but don't trust the dirty, sneaky banker not to cheat might be interested in EA's decision to bring the beloved board game to the Wii. The title will include multiple game boards to "pass Go" on, including the classic board and the new one from Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition (see the semi-related Stephen Colbert skit posted after the break, just for fun).

There's also a new mode you can play called the "Riches Mode," which is a faster and more party-friendly way to get your Monopoly on. It starts out with a minigame (which, in the Wii version, will utilize motion controls -- think sawing yourself out of jail, for example). Whoever wins gets to choose how many pieces they'd like randomly dropped onto the board. If your piece lands on an unoccupied space, you come to own it. If you land on someone else's space, though, you have to pay them. There's no money involved, so you just end up giving them a property or something of the sort. Meanwhile, if your piece lands on a space like Chance, you have to do whatever the card tells you.

One downfall, however, is that the Wii version (like the PS2 game) will not have online play. You'll have to turn to the Xbox 360 version for online multiplayer.

Don't forget to check out why Monopoly is a threat (via Stephen Colbert) after the break.

Continue reading EA brings Monopoly to the Wii

JoystiqEA brings Monopoly to the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameboardgameeaelectronic-artsmonopolyriches-modeThu, 24 Apr 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a trip to Dokapon Kingdom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/take-a-trip-to-dokapon-kingdom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/take-a-trip-to-dokapon-kingdom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/take-a-trip-to-dokapon-kingdom/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Usually our irrational love for hybrid games is sated on the DS, but not the Wii. In the instance of Dokapon Kingdom, though, gamers (with Japanese or modded Wiis, at least) can experience a quirky mix on Nintendo's non-portable system, too.

So, what particular combination does Dokapon consist of, you ask? Simply enough, this title is a board-game meets RPG. From what we can tell, the Wii version is actually a port of the PS2 game that was released last November, but it's probably safe for us to assume that most of you never played it the first time around.

Should you be interested, the game releases in Japan this June. If you don't have a Wii capable of playing Japanese games and are worried that Datel's Freeloader might not work, though, you can look into the non-port DS version of Dokapon instead.

In any case, we've made a gallery of Dokapon Kingdom for your viewing pleasure (aren't we just the greatest?), and also posted some Famitsu screens that can be seen beyond the break.

Continue reading Take a trip to Dokapon Kingdom

JoystiqTake a trip to Dokapon Kingdom originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameboardgamedokapondokapon-kingdomhyrbidjapanportrpgstingTue, 08 Apr 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hurry Up and watch this trailer!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/hurry-up-and-watch-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/hurry-up-and-watch-this-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/20/hurry-up-and-watch-this-trailer/#commentsFiled under: ,

Finally! A game about a cartoon hedgehog who runs fast! We've had that idea for years, and while we're a little upset that someone got to it before we did, we're just glad to see it happen. "Probably the cutest hedgehogs to be seen on the Nintendo DS" will be out on the 28th, according to the press release (which sounds kind of like it was written by Napoleon Dynamite).

Yes, we know that Hurry Up Hedgehog! is based on the popular (?) board game Igel Ärgern. But putting it in the same medium as Sonic the Hedgehog still hits close to home. Just like European board game enthusiasts would laugh if a Sonic the Hedgehog board game were to come out -- which has probably already happened.

JoystiqHurry Up and watch this trailer! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgamehedgehoghurry-up-hedgehogoxygen-interactiveThu, 20 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A history: Video games to board games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/a-history-video-games-to-board-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/a-history-video-games-to-board-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/a-history-video-games-to-board-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


If you think video games based on movie licenses are bad, did you ever check out board games based on video game licenses? Professional blogger Yehuda has compiled a great little trip through the land of video game to board game conversion.

He begins with the early games like Berzerk, Pac-Man and Donkey Kong (pictured). Quick recap of a few of those game's gameplay mechanics: In Berzerk you would flick the back of your guy and his arms would swing up knocking over the bad guy in the next tile; Pac-Man you pressed as hard as you could over marbles to make them pop into the protagonist, and in Donkey Kong there was actually a rubber band inside the arm to drop barrels -- if you got through a full game without a malfunction you were very lucky.

Yehuda takes us all the way from the strong beginnings in the '80s to the modern seventh generation in gaming. Definitely a gasp-inducing bit of nostalgia for any kid whose parents thought buying the board game was a reasonable equivalent to the video game.

[Via Raph Koster's Website]

JoystiqA history: Video games to board games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameboardgameDSGameCubePS2PS3PSPWiiXboxXbox-360Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Chess looks comfortingly like the real thing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/wii-chess-looks-comfortingly-like-the-real-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/wii-chess-looks-comfortingly-like-the-real-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/20/wii-chess-looks-comfortingly-like-the-real-thing/#commentsFiled under:


We find it inherently amusing that Wii Chess is -- minus a few frills -- the same game as countless other titles on the market, many of which can be bought with a small handful of spare change. Despite this, we still suspect Wii Chess' no-nonsense approach to the world's favorite strategy game could be a commercial hit for Nintendo; certainly, the budget price tag won't harm its chances.

There's a couple of things to note about the above video, however. One: that elevator music is freakin' hideous (and on that note, we'd really like MP3 support in this please, Nintendo). And two: where are the optional Nintendo-themed pieces?! To have Mario and Peach playing the king and queen would have been an excellent little touch. Other Nintendo games get outstanding fan service, so why not this? Two words: Missed. Opportunity.

[Thanks, Troy!]

JoystiqWii Chess looks comfortingly like the real thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameboardgamebudgetstrategytouchgenerationswii-chessThu, 20 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New details on Wii Chess remind us that the game exists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/new-details-on-wii-chess-remind-us-that-the-game-exists/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/new-details-on-wii-chess-remind-us-that-the-game-exists/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/12/new-details-on-wii-chess-remind-us-that-the-game-exists/#commentsFiled under: ,

Considering it's a Nintendo game, there's been astoundingly little fanfare for Wii Chess. The game's Wikipedia page is absolutely barren, while a release date has only just appeared (January 18th), and then only for Europe. Despite the lack of information, Nintendo obviously reckons this could have broad appeal, as it's slapped the "Touch! Generations" logo on the corner of the box, which roughly translates as: "Your Gran and her friends will like this."

Anyway, further details finally emerged on the title today, with CVG reporting that Wii Chess is to retail for a budget price of £20 / €30 (we'd presume the game's budget status will be preserved if and when it reaches other markets -- our educated guess would be $30 for the U.S.), and that it will support both local multiplayer and games played over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. We're also promised a number of graphical styles, which hopefully means Nintendo-themed boards and pieces, including Goomba pawns and knights that look like Yoshi.

And yes, that is the German boxart. We travelled the seven seas of the internet searching for an English version, but returned empty-handed. Still, at least you now know the German word for "chess." Never know when that might come in handy.

JoystiqNew details on Wii Chess remind us that the game exists originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gameboardgamebudgeteuropeonlinestrategytouchgenerationswi-fiwii-chessWed, 12 Dec 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wednesday XBLA update adds Carcassonne 'King & Baron']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/wednesday-xbla-update-adds-carcassonne-king-and-baron/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/wednesday-xbla-update-adds-carcassonne-king-and-baron/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/03/wednesday-xbla-update-adds-carcassonne-king-and-baron/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sierra and Microsoft have revisited the grid-based fortified town of Carcassonne, as the XBLA rendition of the popular European board game has gotten a new downloadable expansion titled "The King and Baron" as part of today's regular XBLA update, which also includes block dropper Tetris Splash.

With an asking price of 300 Microsoft Points ($3.75), the download is the second such expansion following the already available "River I & II," and adds a set of five additional tiles described as 'interesting configurations of Town pieces,' as well as pair of new rules. We're not exactly sure what they mean by "interesting" ... perhaps they glow.

The new rules are designed to award those players with either the largest city or the longest road at the end of the game with a pair of icons placed next to their avatars and Gamertags. But it's not just for looks or bragging rights, no sir! With this expansion, the player with the biggest city, identified by a newly added 'portly' King icon, will receive one point for each completed city in the game, while the player with the mightiest of roads, denoted by a 'crafty' Robber Baron, will take home one point for each completed road in the game -- and you know how much we love to pile up them points.

JoystiqWednesday XBLA update adds Carcassonne 'King & Baron' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baronboardgameCarcassonneexpansionkingXBLAXbox-360Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:26:00 EST<![CDATA[German board game creator having his works recreated on DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/german-board-game-creator-having-his-works-recreated-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/german-board-game-creator-having-his-works-recreated-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/06/german-board-game-creator-having-his-works-recreated-on-ds/#commentsFiled under:

We have a secret obsession with board games. Whether it be Arkham Horror, Settlers of Catan or Crimson Skies, we love getting the crew together and throwing down. And, with this latest news, our day just keeps getting better.

German board game creator Dr. Reiner Knizia will be bringing some of his games to the DS, thanks to publisher Merscom. Having never played any of the fellow's games, we still find ourselves interested. But, that's probably because the man has won more accolades than we have fingers and toes.

JoystiqGerman board game creator having his works recreated on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgamekniziamerscomThu, 06 Sep 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft bringing Cranium board game to Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-cranium-board-game-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-cranium-board-game-to-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/ubisoft-bringing-cranium-board-game-to-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Between Wii Sports, Raving Rabbids and Wario Ware, the Wii is the perfect system for making a fool of yourself at parties. With challenges that involve impersonating celebrities, sculpting modeling clay and manipulating friends like puppets, Cranium is the perfect board game for making a fool of yourself at parties. Put them together and you have a perfect storm of embarrassment that will set your party ablaze with sudden attacks of modesty.

UbiSoft's Cranium Kabookii, revealed at this week's Leipzig Games Convention, will feature Wii-controlled twists on Cranium's usual mix of word puzzles, trivia, performance and artist challenges. Special decoder glasses will allow one player to see super-secret on-screen hints, and the game will come in custom international editions so the pop culture questions will be intelligible to players in France, Canada, Spain, the UK and the US. The game is due out in December.

Gallery: Cranium Kabookii

JoystiqUbisoft bringing Cranium board game to Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgamecraniumpartypuzzleWiiFri, 24 Aug 2007 12:26:00 EST<![CDATA[E307: Mario Party DS media explosion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/e307-mario-party-ds-media-explosion/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/e307-mario-party-ds-media-explosion/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/e307-mario-party-ds-media-explosion/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well, call it a controlled explosion, kinda like a smart bomb -- but we're still pretty pleased to see some sweet new media from a brand new DS game. Er, mostly new, considering it's a franchise title. Still, Mario Party on the DS sounds like a winner, though we would prefer more than just local wireless play. Mario Party could only make Game Night that much more fun, amirite? Oh well, enough complaining -- check out the images in our gallery and the spankin' new trailer after the jump.

Continue reading E307: Mario Party DS media explosion

JoystiqE307: Mario Party DS media explosion originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gameBoardGamedse3e307galleryHudsonHudsonsoftmario partymario party dsMario-PartyMario-Party-DSMarioPartyMarioPartyDsMinigamenintendoscreensscreenshotvideoWed, 11 Jul 2007 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Tabletop style]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/wii-warm-up-tabletop-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/wii-warm-up-tabletop-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/wii-warm-up-tabletop-style/#commentsFiled under:

With the news that Jenga is coming to the Wii, and with the Wii so perfect for certain other games (DS/Wii Pictionary, maybe?), we're curious what else you might possibly be interested in. One of the best parts about board games on XBLA, for example, is the lack of setup or cleanup (which is always nice), but how many games really translate well? Also, are such games better suited for download services or budget titles?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Tabletop style originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gameBoardGamebudgetdownload serviceDownloadServicejengapictionarywii wareWiiWarewwuMon, 09 Jul 2007 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Atari confirms Jenga for Wii, DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/atari-confirms-jenga-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/atari-confirms-jenga-for-wii-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/06/atari-confirms-jenga-for-wii-ds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Atari today dribbled out screenshots along with a press release confirming the existence of a Jenga game for the Wii and DS to be released in November. The game doesn't appear to be much more than a stylized table-top Jenga with exotic backgrounds and textures, but according to Atari it features a "wealth of exciting new enhancements, power-ups and twists that are possible only in the videogame world". Bombs? Gravity-defying bricks? We'll have to wait and see. Jenga could be a lot more exciting with the right power-ups.

Gallery: Jenga (Wii, DS)

JoystiqAtari confirms Jenga for Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariboardgamebudgetdsjenganintendowiiFri, 06 Jul 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A road map of Itadaki Street]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/a-road-map-of-itadaki-street/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/a-road-map-of-itadaki-street/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/26/a-road-map-of-itadaki-street/#commentsFiled under:


Having never come out in the US, the Itadaki Street franchise is somewhat of a mystery. But the series has been thrust into our attention with its entry on the DS and the included Mario and Dragon Quest characters. We know we like the characters, and we are vaguely aware of a board game of some kind, but how exactly does the game play?

Siliconera, who previously helped us identify all the Dragon Quest folks, has a piece up now about the game that's half review, half tutorial. It's an excellent resource for the Itadaki curious, and should help you in your soul-searching about whether or not you're interested in a Japanese board game about property.

JoystiqA road map of Itadaki Street originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gameBoardGamedqdragondragon questDragonQuestdsds liteDsLiteitadakiitadaki streetItadakiStreetmarionintendoqueststreetTue, 26 Jun 2007 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: June 25, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/today-in-joystiq-june-25-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/today-in-joystiq-june-25-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/today-in-joystiq-june-25-2007/#commentsFiled under:

Flickr user Universal Donor made a smaller version of Carcassonne to fit in an Altoids tin. "I know this stupid, but I like creating versions of my favorite games that can fit in an Altoids tin," he writes -- we think it's cool, though. Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
The Guessing Game: Sony's E3 showing
Joystiq at the Ninja Gaiden Band concert
Today's most retro action game: Die Hard (NES)

News
Believe it or not: Zelda in Smash Bros Brawl
F-Zero X, Street Fighter II Turbo rush onto Virtual Console
Nintendo officially bigger than Sony in Japan
New games this week: The Darkness edition
PSP firmware hack drives Lumines sales
Nicole Kidman the pretty face of More Brain Training DS
Newsweek's Croal, MTV's Totilo hands-on with Manhunt 2
This Wednesday: Carcassonne taunts from the castle wall
Pokemon takes Wii online in US
Concept trailer for LEGO Universe: building, battling, bricking
Sony tells PSP devs to get creative, attract customers
Romero unearths unreleased Doom music
Insomniac lands 8th in the '50 Best Companies to Work For' list
Analysing the $1mil acquistion of WoW database site
Shadowrun developer gets honest (or scary)
Square Enix: No PS3 games (Final Fantasy XIII) until after April 2008
Third-party HDMI cable coming for non-Elite Xbox 360
Turrican remake released, rocks you like a Hurrican
ESRB seeks to rate game trailers
GameTap 'leaks' franchises coming to service
Cory Barlog talks E3 inside the developers studio

Rumors & Speculation
Rumor: Hitman film trailer premiering with Die Hard

Culture & Community
MacArthur Foundation funds NYC school to teach 'Gaming Literacy'
Wiimote mod gets NES Zapper zappin' again
Nintendo hearts the environment
College librarians urged to think like gamers, play more games

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: June 25, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gameBoardGamecarcassonnedaily recapDailyRecapMon, 25 Jun 2007 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Atari building Jenga game for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/rumor-atari-building-jenga-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/rumor-atari-building-jenga-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/21/rumor-atari-building-jenga-game-for-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A forum member at NeoGAF reports that Atari may be showing a previously unannounced game at this year's E3: Jenga for the Wii. We can all guess the central mechanics (pull the block out, cringe, repeat), but Jenga as a full-fledged video game? If the rumor is true, we'd love to see how Atari fleshes out the concept. Perhaps a Warcraft-esque RTS mode played with Jenga bricks?

[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]

JoystiqRumor: Atari building Jenga game for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atariboardgamejenganintendopuzzlewiiThu, 21 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Escape the ghetto ... Czech style]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/escape-the-ghetto-czech-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/escape-the-ghetto-czech-style/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/29/escape-the-ghetto-czech-style/#commentsFiled under: ,

Building on the success of a board game called Cesta z Ghetta (Out of the Ghetto), an organization called Tady a Ted (Here & Now) recently announced its plans to release a video game designed to educate students about the challenges of poverty in the Czech Republic. Themes in GhettOut! will include dealing with authorities, discrimination, housing, crime, and drugs. Players learn what it's like to live in constant uncertainty trying to sort everything out and live a successful life.

The game will be available as a download, and Here & Now is aiming for a December release. According to the organization, interest in GhettOut! is high in a number of countries, so an English-language release is inevitable. Also distinctly possible: a hip hop music video unveiled in tandem with the game. Seriously.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqEscape the ghetto ... Czech style originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgameedutainmentforeignindependentindiePCTue, 29 May 2007 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Quest, Super Mario, Boy and Girl in Itadaki Street DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/dragon-quest-super-mario-boy-and-girl-in-itadaki-street-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/dragon-quest-super-mario-boy-and-girl-in-itadaki-street-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/dragon-quest-super-mario-boy-and-girl-in-itadaki-street-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Itadaki Street DS apparently didn't have enough characters to choose from-- the entire Mario and Dragon Quest casts are just too limiting, you know? Besides, nobody can relate to wacky characters like a plumber and a plumber's brother, who is also a plumber.

Square Enix has nicely included some characters who will do less to draw players' attention away from the serious business of strategic board game play: "Boy" and "Girl." They look just like we would if we were three feet tall and didn't have noses!

We've got some screens of Boy and Girl, and of Itadaki Street in general, after the break. And check the link for character art and a few board layouts.

Continue reading Dragon Quest, Super Mario, Boy and Girl in Itadaki Street DS

JoystiqDragon Quest, Super Mario, Boy and Girl in Itadaki Street DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardboard gameboard gamesBoardGameBoardGamesboydonkey kongDonkeyKongdqdragon questDragonQuestdsds liteDsLiteenixgirlitadakiitadakistreetmarionintendonintendo dsNintendoDssquaresquare enixSquareEnixstreetwarioFri, 11 May 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Today in Joystiq: May 1, 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/today-in-joystiq-may-1-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/today-in-joystiq-may-1-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/01/today-in-joystiq-may-1-2007/#comments Just remember, though we may complain about non-gaming properties translated into a video game with poor results (we're looking at you, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), the art of milking a franchise over every medium imaginable is an age old practice. (Image Credit) Check out the highlights for today:

Joystiquery
Joystiq Hands-on: Devil May Cry 4 (PS3)
Readers pick best webcomic: time to retire
Today's most if-it-happened video: Fallout 3 footage

News
Former WoW and EverQuest programmers working on sci-fi MMOG
Sony eyes May 16th for PSP Go!Cam in PAL regions
New Gears of War maps hit this Thursday
Kutaragi already planned PlayStation 4, 5, 6 and cold fusion
D3 brings Puzzle Quest and friends to XBLA
Tomb Raider: Anniversary, day and date on GameTap and more
SMU's Guildhall awards game design degrees
Dragon Quest IX screenshots! All hail cel-shaded graphics!
More Sadness details squeezed out of Nibris, the saga continues
Atari to cut workforce by 20%
Don Bluth trying to make Dragon's Lair movie
PETA talks God of War goat
Jaffe un-promises, Calling All Cars delayed
EA channels Wii Sports and comes up with EA Playground

Rumors & Speculation
Why is the PSP not putting up a video fight?

Culture & Community
Jaffe reviews the reviews of Calling All Cars
Guitar Hero controller modded for correct-handers (lefties)
Action games are broken, let's fix them!
Hironobu Sakaguchi Mixtape: Beef with Kutaragi
Game Boy fabric versus Game Boy metal
Sims 2 and H&M bring us adver-gaming v2.0
Super Mario Bros. played with eyes closed

JoystiqToday in Joystiq: May 1, 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 May 2007 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bay watchBayWatchboard gameBoardGamedaily recapDailyRecapTue, 01 May 2007 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: HP's Misto]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/joystiq-impressions-hps-misto/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/joystiq-impressions-hps-misto/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/joystiq-impressions-hps-misto/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

HP showed off another research and development project, Misto, at its recent game media event. Misto is basically a coffee table with a touch-sensitive display rigged underneath its glass. That's not to say it's not impressive for a coffee table or a display; we've just seen similar projects, and other creative, homebrew game tables.

Misto's demos relied on a few simple applications to prove its touch sensitivity. I moved puzzle pieces around the screen. I browsed through photos. I looked at houses I couldn't afford; Misto is currently in-use with at least one realtor although not available for general consumers.

While a coffee table interface would be fun for certain games, Misto's current version misses big by only recognizing one touch at a time. Sure, there are technical reasons why it and many other devices can't juggle multiple users. But for the table to have the social gaming applications HP mentioned, that untouchability is a major oversight. If Misto ever makes it to market -- perhaps for virtual/actual Settlers of Catan or other social board games -- it needs to accept two or more touches at a time before we want one.

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: HP's Misto

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: HP's Misto originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board gameBoardGamecoffee tableCoffeeTablegame tableGameTablehpmistoresearchtableThu, 12 Apr 2007 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[A few more Itadaki Street screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/a-few-more-itadaki-street-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/a-few-more-itadaki-street-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/a-few-more-itadaki-street-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,

Any time mascot characters from different game companies converge, it's a big deal. As mascot-converging deals go, it doesn't get much bigger than Itadaki Street DS, which forcefully jams the worlds of Dragon Quest and Mario together onto a game board. There's also the fact that another long-time Square Enix franchise heading to the DS is likely to cause a sales supernova. We enjoy keeping tabs on this game in anticipation of that upcoming cosmic event.

While you wait for that June 21st release date, and ponder learning how to read "slime" in Japanese (????), why not take a look at some new screenshots?

Continue reading A few more Itadaki Street screens

JoystiqA few more Itadaki Street screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardboardgameboardgamescrossoverdqdragondragonquestdsds liteDsLitegamesitadakilitemarionintendonintendo dsNintendoDsqueststreetsupersuper marioSuperMarioFri, 06 Apr 2007 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[You Don't Know Jack full episodes online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/20/you-dont-know-jack-full-episodes-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/20/you-dont-know-jack-full-episodes-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/20/you-dont-know-jack-full-episodes-online/#commentsFiled under: ,

Previously only available in bite-sized DisOrDat pieces, the online version of You Don't Know Jack has been fleshed out to include a full round of trivia. Each week a new episode is released featuring several questions, including a DisOrDat as well as Jack Attack, a fast-paced match-the-pair question. All of this is wrapped in a creamy coating of narration provided by the witty (and covertly insulting) Cookie.

Jellyvision will still roll out 3-4 DisOrDats per week in addition to the full episodes. It's enough Jack to make you feel like you actually do know ... Jack.

JoystiqYou Don't Know Jack full episodes online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgamecasualflashonlinequiztriviaTue, 20 Mar 2007 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[New Super Mario Bros. hits the board game circuit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/31/new-super-mario-bros-hits-the-board-game-circuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/31/new-super-mario-bros-hits-the-board-game-circuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/31/new-super-mario-bros-hits-the-board-game-circuit/#commentsFiled under:


Man, Japan gets all the best stuff! The above are two different board games (Crystal Attack and The Tower variety) based on the smash hit New Super Mario Bros. and, while they do not look entirely like the traditional board game, they certainly bring the kid in us out. With moving parts and warp pipes, we would love to import ourselves both of these, but in all honesty the price is a bit too steep.

The games are set for a March release in Japan and will cost importers $45 USD for the Crystal Attack version and $35 USD for The Tower version. The site makes no mention of shipping and handling costs, but we're sure it has to be at least $10 USD a piece.

Anyone going to pre-order this?

JoystiqNew Super Mario Bros. hits the board game circuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boardgamedsdslitelitemarionewsupermariobrosnewsupermariobros.nintendonintendodsnintendodsliteWed, 31 Jan 2007 12:55:00 EST