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[Virtue's Last Reward merch sales going towards Sandy relief efforts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/virtues-last-reward-merch-sales-going-towards-sandy-relief-effo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/virtues-last-reward-merch-sales-going-towards-sandy-relief-effo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/virtues-last-reward-merch-sales-going-towards-sandy-relief-effo/#comments Virtue's Last Reward merch sales going towards Sandy relief effortsAs the Eastern Seaboard tries to recover from the devastation left in Hurricane Sandy's wake, it's encouraging to see Aksys Games doing its bit to help. The publisher is selling a limited supply of the Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward watches originally bundled with pre-orders, with all proceeds going to American Red Cross' Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

The watches are based on the ones characters wear in the 3DS and Vita sequel to 999. Each watch is going for $20, and there's a one-per-customer limit. You can purchase them through Aksys Games' online store.

JoystiqVirtue's Last Reward merch sales going towards Sandy relief efforts originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsaksys-gameschunsoftnintendoplaystationplaystation-vitavitazero-escape-virtues-last-rewardThu, 15 Nov 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Virtue rewarded: Zero Escape demo out for Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/virtue-rewarded-zero-escape-demo-out-for-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/virtue-rewarded-zero-escape-demo-out-for-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/virtue-rewarded-zero-escape-demo-out-for-vita/#comments Virtue rewarded Zero Escape demo out for VitaA demo for Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is now available for the PlayStation Vita. If you don't recall, Virtue's Last Reward is the sequel to 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, which was released on the DS in 2010. The game is a visual novel with some point-and-click puzzle elements, all revolving around a sinister game of death (is there any other kind?).

You can grab the demo now on PSN.

JoystiqVirtue rewarded: Zero Escape demo out for Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aksyschunsoftdemoplaystationplaystation-vitapsnvitazero-escape-virtues-last-rewardWed, 03 Oct 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[There's 'Zero Escape' for 999 fans on 3DS and Vita]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/theres-zero-escape-for-999-fans-on-3ds-and-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/theres-zero-escape-for-999-fans-on-3ds-and-vita/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/28/theres-zero-escape-for-999-fans-on-3ds-and-vita/#comments Aksys Games and Chunsoft are springing a deathtrap on us all, with another really cool in-game watch to look at. The game we know as "Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die", a semi-sequel to 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, is officially coming to North America ("by year's end") as Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward.

The adventure game will be sold on both 3DS and Vita (and both digitally and retail on Vita) and will feature extensive voice acting. You'll be able to play in both English and Japanese, so you can practice your Japanese reading while you try to save a group of strangers from a nefarious game of death.

JoystiqThere's 'Zero Escape' for 999 fans on 3DS and Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsaksys-gameschunsoftextreme-escape-adventure-good-people-dienintendoplaystationplaystation-vitavitazero-escape-virtues-last-rewardTue, 28 Feb 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die' has 999 connections]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/extreme-escape-adventure-good-people-die-has-999-connections/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/extreme-escape-adventure-good-people-die-has-999-connections/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/25/extreme-escape-adventure-good-people-die-has-999-connections/#comments
We can't say for sure if the new 3DS/PlayStation Vita game from the 999 team is meant to be a true sequel to 999 but, as you'll see in this trailer, "Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die" (as it's being unofficially translated online) is definitely related.

The "Nonary Game" and its associated watches -- each one bearing a number that is assigned to one of the unwitting participants -- return, in a new blue "Ambidex Edition." Even Zero, the mysterious, masked perpetrator of 999's deathtrap, appears in the trailer.

New additions include 3D (meaning polygonal) character designs in-game, instead of only hand-drawn character portraits. This group of dupes is made up of all new people, as well. There's also some kind of creepy rabbit.

Joystiq'Extreme Escape Adventure: Good People Die' has 999 connections originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>999chunsoftextreme-escape-adventure-good-people-diegood-people-dieplaystationplaystation-vitavitaThu, 25 Aug 2011 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[999 team back with new Vita, 3DS title]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/999-team-back-with-new-vita-3ds-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/999-team-back-with-new-vita-3ds-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/999-team-back-with-new-vita-3ds-title/#comments The team behind 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors is reuniting for another "extreme escape" game. Andriasang reports, via information in Famitsu, that the new game for Vita and 3DS will be called Gyokugen Dasshutsu Adv: Zennin Shiboudes in Japanese -- Gyokugen Dasshutsu translates to "Extreme Escape." 999 was called Gyokugen Dasshutsu: Ku Jikan, Ku Nin, Kyu no Tobira in Japan, meaning the game may not be a direct sequel, but could take place in the 999 universe.

The new game will recruit 999's director and character designer to take on another sinister scenario. Initial details should be available shortly, but we'll have to wait a little longer before international plans blow out.

Coincidentally, 999 is on sale today through Amazon. It's a trap!

[Thanks, Aaron.]

Joystiq999 team back with new Vita, 3DS title originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>999-9-hours-9-persons-9-doorsChunsoftdsextreme-escapeGyokugen-Dasshutsu-Adv-Zennin-ShiboudesnintendoplaystationpspsonyWed, 24 Aug 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS overrun by Lovable Zombies in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ds-overrun-by-lovable-zombies-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ds-overrun-by-lovable-zombies-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/26/ds-overrun-by-lovable-zombies-in-japan/#commentsChunsoft's latest DS game is a departure from both of the things the developer is known for (sound novels and Mystery Dungeon games). Zombie Daisuki ("I Love Zombie," or as Siliconera translates it, "Lovable Zombie") is an action-strategy game in which players use the stylus to circle groups of adorable rotting humans and direct them toward the malevolent humans who have made them this way. Your zombies will attack enemies on sight. It sounds kind of like a Pikmin or Little King's Story-style experience, except with minions that can be distracted by both raw meat and cute animals.

In addition to this zombie-wrangling gameplay, there's a multiplayer "deadsal" ("dead" plus "futsal") game and a boss rush mode for up to four players -- no doubt inspired by Monster Hunter. Chunsoft will unleash the zombie love plague on Japan in January.

JoystiqDS overrun by Lovable Zombies in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionChunsoftdsjapanlovable-zombienintendoStrategyzombie-daisukiTue, 26 Oct 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aksys localizing '999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors' adventure game [Update: it's official!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/rumor-aksys-localizing-999-9-hours-9-persons-9-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/rumor-aksys-localizing-999-9-hours-9-persons-9-doors/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/09/rumor-aksys-localizing-999-9-hours-9-persons-9-doors/#commentsThose of you with a penchant for reading a lot of text in your DS games (or, to put it another way, those of you into adventure games) have something new to look forward to: Chunsoft's Extreme Escape: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, a graphical text adventure released in Japan last December, appears to be receiving an English localization. Siliconera first spotted a listing for the game on Gamefly and has now posted English screenshots of the interactive novel/room escape game. It appears that publisher Aksys plans to call the game 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors.

999 is a graphical text adventure with a sort of Saw-like premise. Nine people are trapped on a cruise ship and somehow wired to explode. A sadistic mastermind requires them to work together (but only in groups of up to five people) in order to open the nine doors that correspond to the nine passengers and escape from the rooms in which they're held.

We're contacting Aksys to find out more details about when the game will escape to retail.

Update: There's now a big 999 image at the top of Aksys's site. In case you didn't believe before, the localization is now confirmed! We've also put the press release after the break.

Continue reading Aksys localizing '999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors' adventure game [Update: it's official!]

JoystiqAksys localizing '999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors' adventure game [Update: it's official!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>999999-9-hours-9-persons-9-doorsAdventureAksys-GamesChunsoftdslocalizationnintendoFri, 09 Jul 2010 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer: a primer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/shiren-the-wanderer-a-primer/#commentsWhile previous Shiren the Wanderer video releases from Atlus have focused on the story, this walkthrough spends more time discussing the basic gameplay of the roguelike -- perfect for those of you who have no idea what we're talking about when we refer to Shiren as a "roguelike" game.

Atlus project lead Scott Strichart also introduces the new difficulty settings -- easy mode allows you to keep your items and levels after dying! -- and the methods of control for AI partners, ranging from fully automated to fully player-controlled. Atlus calls this video a "walkthrough," but it's really more of an overview. In any case, might as well start studying up now in preparation for the February 9 release.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer: a primer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftroguelikerpgshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3videoWed, 27 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Puppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/26/puppets-promote-shiren-the-wanderer-4-in-japan/#commentsShiren the Wanderer 3 hits North America on February 9, but Chunsoft and publisher Spike are already preparing to release Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan. There, the roguelike dungeon crawler is a big enough deal to warrant television advertising! And that's a good thing, because these TV ads for Shiren 4 (after the break) are absolutely wonderful, featuring puppets(!) of Shiren, Koppa, and monsters in the new tropical island setting.

Of course, if you were to go into this game based on the sunny commercials, you might be a bit surprised when you're murdered repeatedly by monsters, losing all items and progress each time. We hope someone gets the idea to sell Shiren puppets.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Puppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan

JoystiqPuppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialjapanpuppetsroguelikerpgshiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-4spikeTue, 26 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The key to Shiren the Wanderer's story]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/the-key-to-shiren-the-wanderers-story/#commentsA beautiful, atmospheric trailer (after the break) introduces us to the story of the new Shiren the Wanderer ... such as it is. Basically, Shiren's master, knowing that Shiren likes dungeons, gives him the key to the Karakuri Mansion, which is a big dungeon. There's more, like a cursed princess and some time travel stuff, but the essence is that Shiren goes into another dungeon. It's rather lucky for us that Shiren's wanderings are so often directed toward dungeons and dungeon-type environments.

Atlus also highlights Shiren's pal Koppa in the trailer, allowing us to hope that the company will choose to bundle the game with Sega's Koppa Wiimote stand.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

Continue reading The key to Shiren the Wanderer's story

JoystiqThe key to Shiren the Wanderer's story originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 25 Nov 2009 15:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/shiren-the-wanderer-turns-up-in-february-minus-online-features/#commentsAtlus announced a North American localization of Sega and Chunsoft's Shiren the Wanderer at E3, and hasn't said much about it until now. The company just dated the game for February 9 and released a bunch of screens & art for the punishing roguelike, along with a bit of sad news regarding the online connectivity.

"Despite our best efforts, the North American version of Shiren will not include the Rescue, Versus, or Item Transfer online features," Atlus's Aram Jabbari said in the announcement. "However, the downloadable dungeon content from the Japanese version will be included on the disc." Jabbari said that Atlus felt compelled to alert fans because "the absence of these features may influence some fans' decision to purchase the game."

The most identifiable feature of any Shiren game -- repeated, unavoidable death -- should remain intact.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsoftrelease-dateroguelikeshiren-the-wandererThu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Explore the latest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon this October]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/explore-the-latest-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-this-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/explore-the-latest-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-this-october/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/29/explore-the-latest-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-this-october/#commentsPokémon addicts starting to get antsy about when they'll be able to satisfy their pathological need to purchase new Pokémon games just need to hold out for a few more months. Nintendo has announced an October 12 release date for the latest in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Explorers of Sky, in North America.

Explorers of Sky is an updated version of Explorers of Time and Darkness, with new starter critters and new "Special Episode" missions that reveal more about the Pokémon characters in the game. Explorers of Sky also includes new wireless features, including the ability to share a "demo dungeon" and trade items locally.

Gallery: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (DS)

JoystiqExplore the latest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon this October originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftDSexplorers-of-skyexplorers-of-the-skyNintendopokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonrpgWed, 29 Jul 2009 12:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Mystery Dungeon for WiiWare: first trailer and details]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-for-wiiware-first-trailer-and-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-for-wiiware-first-trailer-and-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-for-wiiware-first-trailer-and-details/#commentsSurprise! The WiiWare Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games, first revealed in a McDonalds-distribted flyer, are real, and are headed for Japan on August 4. Players will be able to share save data throughout all three games, so they can level up a persistent team.

The three games (Advance! Fire Adventure Team, Go! Storm Adventure Team, and Aim! Light Adventure Team!) each feature a different set of starting Pokemans. And in this game, your team can cooperate even more than in other Pokemon games, by piling up and attacking enemies simultaneously. The WiiWare game also features the "rescue" ability found in recent Shiren the Wanderer games, in which friends can revive your team over the Wi-Fi Connection.

After the break, we've embedded a trailer that details these features -- and shows off the adorable little Pokemon.

[Thanks, Alilatias]

Continue reading Pokemon Mystery Dungeon for WiiWare: first trailer and details

JoystiqPokemon Mystery Dungeon for WiiWare: first trailer and details originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftpokemon-mystery-dungeonroguelikerpgwiiwareWed, 15 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-shiren-the-wanderer-wii/#commentsWe read Atlus's late night press release announcing plans to localize Sega's Shiren the Wanderer 3 with utter shock. We had long since resigned ourselves to never seeing the console 3D version of Chunsoft's roguelike, and we were afraid that we had merely dreamed that Atlus had picked it up with plans to release it in 2010. But, sure enough, the game was available for play in Atlus's booth, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to check it out. Full disclosure: we didn't die in our play session, which should give fans of Shiren on the DS a rough idea of how long we were able to play.

Continue reading Hands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

JoystiqHands-on: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atluschunsofte3-2009roguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wandererMon, 08 Jun 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The few new features in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/the-few-new-features-in-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/the-few-new-features-in-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/16/the-few-new-features-in-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-th/#commentsThe official site for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky now features new screenshots and info for Chunsoft's latest roguelike, which is a slightly updated version of Explorers of Time/Darkness. It's the Mystery Dungeon equivalent of Pokémon Platinum, basically -- same game, with a few new Pokemans and new quests. Thanks to the Pokemaniacs at serebii.net who immediately got to translatin', we can all read about the added content.

The critters featured in Platinum will show up in Explorers of the Sky, including Shaymin and the new, wormy Origin Forme of Giratina. At least two new sidequests will be available, which help fill in the game's story. "Genius Igglybuff" stars the leader of the Wigglytuff Guild (in his past as an Igglybuff, and man is this getting weird to write) on an adventure with a Smoochum, a Wooper, and a Budew; "In the Dark Future" follows the game's ending, which means that we probably shouldn't talk too much about it, in the interest of keeping spoilers locked safely away in a Pokéball.

[Via Serebii]

JoystiqThe few new features in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftexplorers-of-the-skypokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonroguelikerpgMon, 16 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explore Clearer Screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explore-clearer-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explore-clearer-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/15/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explore-clearer-screens/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo has started distributing media for Chunsoft's Pokémon Mystery Dungeon threequel, Explorers of the Sky, starting with clearer versions of the screens that debuted in those CoroCoro scans.

To the amazement of nobody, it looks exactly the same as the first two. This was as inevitable as the game itself existing, but hey, you know you'll still be buying it once the localized version is announced. And at least now we get a less blurry look at some of the new starter monsters, such as Riolu and Vulpix. Hit up our gallery for the rest.

JoystiqPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explore Clearer Screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftexplorers-of-the-skypokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonroguelikerpgThu, 15 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pokemon to Explore the Sky in new Mystery Dungeon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/pokemon-to-explore-the-sky-in-new-mystery-dungeon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/pokemon-to-explore-the-sky-in-new-mystery-dungeon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/13/pokemon-to-explore-the-sky-in-new-mystery-dungeon/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The latest edition of CoroCoro is off the presses, and look: new Pokémans!

Okay, well maybe "new" is stretching it. The game you see above is Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky, a sequel to last year's respectable Explorers of Time/Explorers of Darkness duo. The screens in the scans posted by Gamekyo are teensy, so we're not sure you'll get much out of those, but there is confirmation on the five starter Pokémon: Vulpix, Riolu, Eevee, Shinx, and Phanpy.

CoroCoro states that Japan will get its hands on the Chunsoft-developed roguelike this spring. While we cross everything for a 2009 release in the west, hit up Gamekyo for the full scans, including some cute Pokémon art.

JoystiqPokemon to Explore the Sky in new Mystery Dungeon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcorocoroexplorers-of-the-skypokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonroguelikerpgTue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[For Famitsu, 428 equals 40]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/for-famitsu-428-equals-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/for-famitsu-428-equals-40/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/26/for-famitsu-428-equals-40/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Famitsu 40/40 has lost some of its lustre in recent times. Since 1998, the magazine has awarded nine perfect scores, but three have come in 2008, including one for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

However, even we found the latest game to receive the honor surprising. 428: The World Doesn't Change Even So is a "visual novel," a graphical text adventure from roguelike kings Chunsoft that keeps player interaction to a minimum. In other words, it's very unlike any other game to receive a flawless Famitsu grade. In fact, it's unlike most other games, period.

We haven't posted a great deal about 428. That's not because we don't find it interesting -- we definitely do. It's because, as Alisha has noted, a game of its ilk is almost entirely impenetrable to our western eyes. Suffice to say, it has now been instantly promoted from "intriguing curio" to "must-own import." Not that a release outside Japan will ever happen.

JoystiqFor Famitsu, 428 equals 40 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>428adventurechunsoftfamitsujapanmagazinesegasound-novelvisual-novelWed, 26 Nov 2008 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Monster Hunter 3, two Sega games honored by TGS organizers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/monster-hunter-3-two-sega-games-honored-by-tgs-organizers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/monster-hunter-3-two-sega-games-honored-by-tgs-organizers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/monster-hunter-3-two-sega-games-honored-by-tgs-organizers/#commentsFiled under: ,


CESA announced their list of the best games of TGS 2008, known as the "Future" category of their Japan Game Awards. Of the twelve games given the award (in no specific order), three are on Wii.

Of course Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 got a nod; nothing short of not calling it Monster Hunter 3 will keep this from being a ridiculous hit in Japan, and that held true at TGS as well, with the game commanding ridiculous lines. But the two other Wii winners may be more of a surprise: Chunsoft's Sega-published visual novel 428: The World Doesn't Change Even So, and Prope's experimental Let's Tap. Sega must be very happy right about now!

For the sake of Nintendo fandom, we'll include the DS winners here as well: the Phoenix Wright spinoff Gyakuten Kenji and Dragon Quest IX, which wasn't even playable.


[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqMonster Hunter 3, two Sega games honored by TGS organizers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>428capcomcesachunsoftlets-tapmonster-hunter-3segatgs-2008tgs08Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Wagon Wheels' March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/promotional-consideration-wagon-wheels-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/promotional-consideration-wagon-wheels-march/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/promotional-consideration-wagon-wheels-march/#commentsFiled under:



It seems as if it wasn't that long ago when rumors of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen coming stateside first appeared, querying our next command. But here we are, less than two months away from the 3D remake's September 16 release, and Square Enix already has its marketing engine for the game running. The publisher has certainly done its part to push summer along by keeping the past couple of months busy with quality releases.

This week's edition of Promotional Consideration pulls out a page from the latest issue of Nintendo Power to bring you Square Enix's new DQIV ad. Join us past the post break!

See also: A Dragon Quest IV comic strip draws near! Command?

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Wagon Wheels' March

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Wagon Wheels' March originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adartepiazzachunsoftdqivdragon-questdragon-quest-ivnintendo-powerprint-adpromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationsquare-enixwagonSun, 27 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Not quite 428 screens, but a few]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/not-quite-428-screens-but-a-few/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/not-quite-428-screens-but-a-few/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/not-quite-428-screens-but-a-few/#commentsFiled under:


Titles like 428 -- a clear member of the outstretched-hand club, even if it's not box art -- make us wish we had a Japanese Wii. Also, that we could understand Japanese. That's probably pretty important when it comes to Sound Novels, and from these shots from the suspenseful 428: The World Doesn't Change Even So, the story looks like it might be worth following.

Y'know, if we could. Instead, we'll just have to sift through the images and try to reconstruct the surreal story they paint. And we'll have to be happy with that, since the chances that we'll see an English version are somewhere between negative 15% and a cold day in hell. Too bad -- we really wanted to know what was going on here.


[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqNot quite 428 screens, but a few originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>428chunsoftjapansegasound-novelsuspensevisual-novelWed, 09 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Here comes the Heavenly Bride, all dressed in a DQV promotional trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/here-comes-the-heavenly-bride-all-dressed-in-a-dqv-promotional/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/here-comes-the-heavenly-bride-all-dressed-in-a-dqv-promotional/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/28/here-comes-the-heavenly-bride-all-dressed-in-a-dqv-promotional/#commentsFiled under:


Though Dragon Quest IV hasn't even washed up onto U.S. shores yet (look for it in September), Japan is gearing up for Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride's release on July 17th with a new trailer.

We can't complain too much about the wait, however, as publisher Square Enix has already announced that it will be bringing its DQV and DQVI (both originally released for the Super Famicom) remakes to the states eventually, having kept the two games in Japan for over 15 years. Comparatively speaking, a one- or two-year wait for DQV DS isn't that long!


[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqHere comes the Heavenly Bride, all dressed in a DQV promotional trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artepiazzaCattle-CallchunsoftDQ5dqvdragon-questDragon-Quest-5Dragon-Quest-5-Hand-of-the-Heavenly-Bridedragon-quest-venixhand-of-the-heavenly-brideJRPGremakerpgsquare-enixsuper-famicomtrailerSat, 28 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/new-shiren-2-screens-are-all-that-and-a-bag-of-shiren-chips/#commentsFiled under:



We couldn't decide which was more awesome -- these new screenshots for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert, or the fact that Chunsoft went out of its way in 2001 to promote the original Game Boy Color title, Shiren the Wanderer GB2, with bags of steak-flavored chips (In case you're late to the party, STW DS 2 is a roguelike remake of STW GB2).

So, we went ahead and featured both the crisps and an image of Shiren's long-lost and perpetually hungry brother, Pekeji, in our article image. Hopefuly, publisher Sega will have a similar potato chip promotion with STW DS 2! Even better, maybe they'll eventually localize the chips along with the game?

See also: Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared


[via Inside Games]

JoystiqNew Shiren 2 screens are all that and a bag of Shiren chips originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipschunsoftfushigi-no-dungeongame-boy-colormystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 25 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Imabikisou's screenshots are slowly creeping up behind you]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/imabikisous-screenshots-are-slowly-creeping-up-behind-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/imabikisous-screenshots-are-slowly-creeping-up-behind-you/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/imabikisous-screenshots-are-slowly-creeping-up-behind-you/#commentsFiled under: , ,



By themselves, these Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen screens barely register on the "scary scale" -- a highly advanced, experimental fear-measuring instrument that we purchased through eBay. When sorted into a collection, however, such as our massive gallery below, the images begin to grow a feeling of unease in your stomach as you peruse each shot.

Maybe it's the fact that none of the characters' faces are ever completely shown? Or perhaps it's the ambiguous, likely supernatural conflict that presumably connects all the images? We just hope that Sega decides to eventually bring this Chunsoft-developed visual novel, a port of a PlayStation 3 title (with two new chapters), to the States! Lock your doors, pull your curtains shut, and peek past the break for a creepy Imabikisou trailer.

Continue reading Imabikisou's screenshots are slowly creeping up behind you

JoystiqImabikisou's screenshots are slowly creeping up behind you originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftimabikisoukaimei-henplaystation-3portsegavisual-novelWed, 25 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Price Drop: Shiren the Bargainer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/13/price-drop-shiren-the-bargainer/#commentsFiled under:

If our constant championing of the genre has you ready and willing to try out a roguelike as soon as a cheap one comes along, then here's that discount dungeon crawl you've been waiting for!

In what looks to be a permanent price drop, retailers such as Amazon and GameStop have marked down their copies of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer to $19.99, in-store and and online. Now you don't have to feel guilty about spending money on such a throwback game (with throwback graphics to match).

If you won't buy it for the fun of the game, buy it so that Sega will bring its sequel to the states!


[Via NeoGAF]

JoystiqPrice Drop: Shiren the Bargainer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonchunsoftgamestopmystery-dungeonprice-dropsegashiren-the-wandererFri, 13 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/09/shiren-gb2-shiren-ds-2-compared/#commentsFiled under:



No more than a week after Shiren 3 for the Wii shipped in Japan, Chunsoft already has a teaser site and screenshots out for its next Shiren the Wanderer game for the Nintendo DS -- Fushigi no Dungeon: Furai no Shiren DS 2: Sabaku no Majou (Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer DS 2: Demon Castle in the Desert). It's a long title!

Seeing that this roguelike is a remake of a Game Boy Color title, we thought that this batch of new images would make for a great opportunity to compare the updated game's visuals to the original's. While we expected Shiren DS 2 to look pretty much exactly like the first Shiren DS game released in March, we're surprised by how similar Shiren DS 2 and Shiren GB2 (GBC) look based on the shots released so far.

Jump into our comparison gallery to see what we mean!


[Via Famitsu]

JoystiqShiren GB2, Shiren DS 2 compared originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcomparisongame-boy-colormystery-dungeonroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 09 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/08/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials-revisited/#commentsFiled under:

We're aware that we write about the Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer games much too much, especially considering that it's a niche series representing such a hardcore genre. But after playing Shiren the Wanderer DS, Chunsoft's remake of the original Super Famicom game and the first Shiren game brought stateside, it's hard for us to think of anything else but the other five Shiren titles that've yet to touch soil outside of Japan.

Chunsoft's recent announcement for Shiren the Wanderer DS 2, another remake, this time porting Furai no Shiren GB2: Sabaku no Majou (Shiren the Wanderer GB2: Demon Castle in the Desert), originally a Game Boy Color title, has only stoked the flames of our yearning. Though it's reckless to assume Sega will eventually localize the game as it did with the SFC remake, we've thrown caution to the wind, blinded by our optimistic heart's promises.

With that explained, hopefully you'll forgive us for featuring another piece on roguelike commercials less than two months after our installment on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon ads. Bring your talking weasel past the post break for two Japanese commercials from Shiren the Wanderer GB2's original 2005 release.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials, revisited originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialdemon-castle-in-the-desertfurai-no-shirengame-boy-colormystery-dungeonremakeroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererSun, 08 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 no longer a mystery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/shiren-the-wanderer-ds-2-no-longer-a-mystery/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The latest issue of Famitsu confirms the rumored DS sequel to Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer. Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 is actually based on the second Game Boy game, Sabaku no Majou (Magic Castle of the Desert). It appears to be built on the same engine as the first DS game. The scans don't disappoint, featuring a ton of screens and character art of the new roguelike.

This new DS game will interact with the Wii Shiren the Wanderer 3 in some way, allowing players to "lend a hand." We believe this means that Shiren DS 2 players will be able to "rescue" Shiren 3 players over Wi-Fi, much like Shiren DS players can rescue each other.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer DS 2 no longer a mystery originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikerpgscansegashiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-2Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren 3's clockwork bosses]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/shiren-3s-clockwork-bosses/#commentsFiled under: ,


Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3's setting, the Clockwork Palace, has given developer Chunsoft license to pit Shiren against some supremely freaky-looking mechanical monsters. Just the very existence of monsters in a Mystery Dungeon game is cause enough for fear, as any single one of them can kill you and erase all your progress. It almost seems like overkill, then, to design enemies that actually look creepy at all.

Famitsu has revealed some of the boss creatures found in the dungeon, including the five Ikusa Oni, a sort of Power Rangers-type organization, but made of monstrous samurai, and the Clockwork Kasha, a flaming cart with a Noh mask.

The Clockwork Giants aren't particularly frightening, but they're certainly weird. Both are mechanical heads with one pair of appendages each; one has hands and the other feet, and both have totally metal eyebrows.

JoystiqShiren 3's clockwork bosses originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonroguelikerpgsegashiren-the-wanderershiren-the-wanderer-3Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Two videos for third Shiren]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/two-videos-for-third-shiren/#commentsFiled under:


Usually with these niche and traditionally Japan-only titles, we spend the post complaining about missing out on another potentially great game, as we did with our last Shiren the Wanderer post. But with Sega's recent localization for the Shiren the Wanderer DS remake and with the Wii game's U.S.-friendly title -- Shiren the Wanderer 3: Karakuri Yashiki no Nemuri Hime (Shiren the Wanderer: The Sleeping Princess in the Clockwork Palace) -- this game has a relatively good chance of making it to the states!

The clip above is from the Wii game's opening movie, one of two videos posted at Sega's official Shiren the Wanderer site. It's got airships, the titular Clockwork Palace, and everyone's favorite white weasel, Koppa. The other video, a four-minute promotional trailer, has all that and shots exploring the roguelike's dungeons, including their new enemies. Take a diagonal step past the post break to watch it!

Continue reading Two videos for third Shiren

JoystiqTwo videos for third Shiren originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 May 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonopeningroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererMon, 26 May 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/25/promotional-consideration-dqiv-commercials-were-weird/#commentsFiled under: ,



With the Dragon Quest IV DS remake announced for the US and Europe this week, we thought it'd be good a time to dig up Enix's commercials for the original Famicom game's release in Japan. They're completely different from the retro ads used last November when the DS remake shipped.

As with Squaresoft's chocobo commercials for Final Fantasy IV on the Super Famicom (launching a little over a year after Dragon Quest IV), these ads were just plain odd! They show hardly any in-game video, relying on logos and recognizable theme music instead. Gather your party and meet us in the fifth chapter, past the post break, for the commercials.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Dragon Quest IV commercials were weird originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 May 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artepiazzachunsoftcommercialdqivdragon-questdragon-quest-ivdragon-warriorenixfamicomheartbeatnesoverturepromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationremakerpgsquare-enixSun, 25 May 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chunsoft reveals a suspenseful non-game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/chunsoft-reveals-a-suspenseful-non-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/chunsoft-reveals-a-suspenseful-non-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/chunsoft-reveals-a-suspenseful-non-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


In Japan, developer Chunsoft isn't just known for inventing the Mystery Dungeon subgenre of roguelike RPGs. They're also responsible for the development of the "visual novel" genre: graphical text adventures that focus on telling a story with very little player involvement. Chunsoft calls these Sound Novels, a name they have trademarked.

The company has announced thier latest Sound Novel as a Wii release. Like most other Chunsoft Sound Novels, the "suspense drama" 428: The World Doesn't Change Even So uses real photographs as backgrounds for its text; while early releases featured silhouettes, the later Sound Novels now use real actors as well. Also like other Sound Novels, it has approximately 0% chance of being released outside of Japan.

JoystiqChunsoft reveals a suspenseful non-game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>428adventurechunsoftsegasound-novelvisual-novelThu, 22 May 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren taking another turn on the DS?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/22/shiren-taking-another-turn-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

According to an unsourced rumor found on the French site wiiz.fr, Sega and Chunsoft are already planning a second Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer game for the DS. Like the current Shiren, Shiren the Wanderer DS 2 is purported to be a remake of a classic Shiren roguelike, this time 1996's Shiren the Wanderer GB for the Game Boy.

Seems like a cheap game for Chunsoft to develop: just remake the Shiren GB dungeons in the Shiren DS engine and send it out the door. Shiren fans would no doubt be pleased to have another set of dungeons in which to die!

JoystiqShiren taking another turn on the DS? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftremakeroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererThu, 22 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanboy Review: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-fanboy-review-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-fanboy-review-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/25/ds-fanboy-review-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-2/#commentsFiled under:


When I received a box on my doorstep last week, I was honestly expecting something else. But, that something else never came. Instead, I received a package that contained both Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness. And while I would've been fine with just turning around and handing the games off to our readers, I knew that my responsibilities would not allow that. Oh no, I must review the games!

And that's what I'm doing here. After a week of putting the duo of titles through their paces, I'm finally ready to weigh in on this latest pair of Pokemon spin-off games. Having not played the first Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, I found it fairly weird that all of the Pokemon speak like, well ... like human beings. But that wasn't enough to stop me from getting into the game. What did I think of my time with this latest entry? The latest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games aren't too shabby!

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2

JoystiqDS Fanboy Review: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chunsoftexplorers-of-darknessexplorers-of-timejoystiqfeaturesNintendopokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonPokemon-Mystery-Dungeon-Explorers-of-TimeFri, 25 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/20/promotional-consideration-fushigi-no-commercials/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.

In advance of this coming week's Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 2 releases, Nintendo has commissioned two commercials to herald the dungeon crawlers, one for each edition, Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.

Once again, this sequel adopts Chunsoft's Fushigi no Dungeon (Mystery Dungeon) design to allow gamers to play as a Pokemon. It's a solid set of titles, by most reports, but many genre veterans consider them inferior to games like The Nightmare of Druaga and Shiren the Wanderer.

Nevertheless, kids are crazy for the Pokemon branding, and the original GBA/DS Pokemon Mystery Dungeon releases went on to sell over 5.5 million copies worldwide. And that's why we now have a major publisher supporting an extremely niche genre with two separate commercials.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Fushigi no Commercials originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftcommercialexplorers-of-darknessexplorers-of-timemystery-dungeonnintendo-64pokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonpromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererSun, 20 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shed some light on the mystery with these Pokemon Mystery Dungeon trailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/shed-some-light-on-the-mystery-with-these-pokemon-mystery-dungeo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/shed-some-light-on-the-mystery-with-these-pokemon-mystery-dungeo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/18/shed-some-light-on-the-mystery-with-these-pokemon-mystery-dungeo/#commentsFiled under:


Anxious individuals counting down the days until they'll get their hands on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon will likely find the video above (and the other, which is past the break) chock full of the kind of stuff worth seeing. Like, different kinds of Pokemon. And traversing various environments in the game.

You all pretty much know what you're getting into, right?

Continue reading Shed some light on the mystery with these Pokemon Mystery Dungeon trailers

JoystiqShed some light on the mystery with these Pokemon Mystery Dungeon trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChunsoftNintendopokemonpokemon-mystery-dungeonPokemon-Mystery-Dungeon-Explorers-of-TimeFri, 18 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Quest V date confirmed for Japan -- July 17th]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/dragon-quest-v-date-confirmed-for-japan-july-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/dragon-quest-v-date-confirmed-for-japan-july-17th/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/dragon-quest-v-date-confirmed-for-japan-july-17th/#commentsFiled under:


If you've been anxious to hear an official announcementon Dragon Quest V: Tenkuu no Hanayome's (Bride of Heaven) release date, you'll be happy to hear that you can finally mark your calendars ... for the day someone else in Japan can buy the game. Square Enix has posted three updated screenshots and confirmed the rumor we reported just two days ago about a possible July 17th release for the 3D remake.

While this is all great news, we're anxious to hear when Square Enix plans to finally bring DQV (and DQIV DS!) to the states, as the original Super Famicom game never left Japan. While we're at it, when are we getting the next non-remake for the series, Dragon Quest IX?

JoystiqDragon Quest V date confirmed for Japan -- July 17th originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artepiazzaCattle-CallchunsoftDQ5dqvdragon-questDragon-Quest-5Dragon-Quest-5-Hand-of-the-Heavenly-Bridedragon-quest-vJRPGremakerpgsquare-enixWed, 16 Apr 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[New screenshots, Koppa stand preorders for Shiren 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-screenshots-koppa-stand-preorders-for-shiren-3/#commentsFiled under:



Ever the pessimists, we're having a hard time convincing ourselves that Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 will ever make it stateside. Yes, we thought the same about the Shiren game that just hit the DS when localization rumors materialized, but we doubt that sales for the niche title impressed Sega, compelling the publisher into adding the Wii sequel to its North America release schedule.

So, until monkeys fly out our butt someone announces a localization deal for Shiren 3, the only way you'll play this revamp of the revered roguelike is an expensive import -- provided that it's compatible with Freeloader. If you're shelling out the big bucks, why not grab the Koppa Wii remote stand, too? NCSX has the stands available to gamers who put down their $65 (plus shipping and handling) for an early preorder. Though Shiren 3 isn't due until June 5th, the import shop has a limited amount of stands, so reserve soon!

Those of you who've played the DS remake of the SNES game -- all four of you -- and aren't sure if Shiren 3's additions are enough to warrant a purchase, make sure you check out the new boss characters in the Famitsu link below!

Read - Preorder Furai no Shiren 3 at NCSX
Read - New Furai no Shiren 3 screenshots

JoystiqNew screenshots, Koppa stand preorders for Shiren 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftkoppancsxpreorderroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererWed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren the Wanderer 3's Japanese release date, adorable bonus revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/shiren-the-wanderer-3s-japanese-release-date-adorable-bonus-re/#commentsFiled under: ,


Back in January, Sega announced a delay for the Japanese version of Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3, bumping the title back from February into June. Today, Sega announced the official release date, confirming that it (probably) won't be bumped further: June 5th.

We're inclined to think that Sega delayed Shiren until production of the limited preorder bonus was finished, but Chunsoft was probably working on the game or something. The two events do happen to coincide, however: along with the release date announcement, Sega sent out a real picture of the Koppa Wii remote stand, which we want almost enough to import the game.

JoystiqShiren the Wanderer 3's Japanese release date, adorable bonus revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftkoppapreorderroguelikesegashiren-the-wandererFri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Shiren's dungeon delights and dangers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/shirens-dungeon-delights-and-dangers/#commentsFiled under:


Despite middling reviews and a limited audience due to its hardcore nature, Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer has established an impressive following, mini-communities of masochists spread about the internet's gaming districts. Of course, the dedicated GameFAQs forum is bustling with dungeon-crawling discussions, but NeoGAF and the Penny Arcade Forums are also fine venues for settling your roguelike affairs.

These communities are valuable hubs for not only finding a hero to rescue your felled wanderer, but also for trading stories of Shiren's grand escapes and even grander deaths. It was these sort of tales for the original Super Famicom release that impelled @Play's (a regular column on the roguelike genre) John Harris to seek the game and write up his own playthrough narratives. His accounts in turn inspired many other gamers -- including us -- to try out the Shiren, so you can imagine our anticipation to hear his impressions of Chunsoft's DS port.

John's latest @Play article is a must-read for any Shiren fan; he defends the title against misinformed reviewers, provides an introduction for those of you who haven't decided if Shiren is for you, and shares a huge list of tips for surviving your dungeon trip -- like how to decrease your chances of starving to death! Even if you aren't a Shiren fan yet, here's an opportunity for you to become one! Hit the "Read" link below for John's in-depth piece.

JoystiqShiren's dungeon delights and dangers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chunsoftmystery-dungeonsegashiren-the-wandererSat, 29 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST