Joystiq

Pokemon Plus Nobunaga's Ambition could have been Dynasty Warriors: Pokemon

Mike Schramm — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 EST

The newest Pokemon title will combine Nintendo's popular catch-em-all creatures with the Japanese historical setting of Nobunaga's Ambition, but it turns out that wasn't the first choice of historical periods. Originally, according to the latest Famitsu, the spinoff was going to combine Pokemon with the very popular Tecmo Koei Dynasty Warriors series and its historical setting, which is instead based on the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history.

Nintendo felt the Dynasty Warriors series was a little too violent to be matched up with its cute little creatures, however, and so Tecmo Koei pitched the series known more for strategy than action, which Nintendo eventually agreed with. Famitsu also says that though both companies are working on the game, Tecmo Koei is heading up day-to-day development during production.

Pokemon Plus Nobunaga's Ambition could have been Dynasty Warriors: Pokemon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The World Ends With You cameo in Kingdom Hearts 3D notice of 'something' new

JC Fletcher — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST

Kingdom Hearts producer (and theoretical Final Fantasy Versus XIII lead) Tetsuya Nomura told Famitsu that the appearance of The World Ends With You's Neku Sakuraba in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance portended other things for the character in the future.

According to Andriasang, Famitsu asked Nomura if Neku's appearance provided notice of a sequel to the Shibuya-based DS RPG. Nomura didn't quite confirm a sequel, but he did say that the appearance suggested "something" that Square Enix is working on.

Last year, Nomura said he wanted to make a sequel to TWEWY "when the time is right." Perhaps the time will be even closer to right two minutes from now, when you've watched the new trailer above (featuring Neku).

The World Ends With You cameo in Kingdom Hearts 3D notice of 'something' new originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Famitsu reveals new Vita games

Justin McElroy — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST

In this age of A/V overload, it's rare that you get the opportunity to really flex those imagination muscles, but today presents just such a chance. Famitsu got its hands on nine Vita games, but since details are scarce on some and we don't know if others will actually come to America, it's the perfect opportunity to revitalize that atrophied fantasizing gland.

A big chunk of the nine were previously announced Ubisoft games (including "Luminous Electronic Symphony," which we assume is the Vita Lumines game). But the magazine also featured some new titles like Game Arts' Ragnarok Odyssey, a "hunting action" game that borrows elements from MMORPG Ragnarok Online and, presumably, the Monster Hunter series. Also, D3's bringing Dream Club Zero to the portable, but since it's a port of a 360 dating sim/visual novel that will never, ever come to the U.S. you probably don't want to waste too much imagination on that one.

Perhaps the most intriguing on the list is Acquire's Sumioni, a 2D action game with an inky art style (as you can see in the screen Siliconera ran). Apparently, you'll use both touch pads and an analogue stick to brush away enemies with your ... magical, brushy, ink powers. (C'mon, imagination!)

Rounding out the list is Moe Moe Daisensou Gendaiban++, the latest in a strategy series that mysteriously hasn't caught on in the US.

Famitsu reveals new Vita games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gaze upon the 3DS circle pad attachment

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:45:00 EST

Last night, we reported on rumors of a wacky 3DS circle pad attachment coming from Nintendo. They're rumors no more, as a picture of the leaked Famitsu article revealing the "SECRET SCOOP" has surfaced.

There it is, in all its glory. Say goodbye to any aspirations of pocketing your 3DS if you get one of these. It is, of course, perfect for Monster Hunter Tri G, as it adds three additional shoulder buttons along with that second stick. As Capcom and Nintendo proved with the Classic Controller Pro, Monster Hunter players demand nothing less than a simulacrum of the PS2/PS3 controller. And this should probably turn out to be ... not terribly uncomfortable for playing that game. At home.

Oh, we just realized -- this adds a new 3D feature to the system. If you look at both circle pads and position your eyes just right, you should see one circle pad floating above the 3DS.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]

Gaze upon the 3DS circle pad attachment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 3DS Fatal Frame spinoff uses 3DS cameras as in-game camera

JC Fletcher — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:00:00 EST

It's kind of the perfect idea: match the Fatal Frame series, in which characters see and fight ghosts through a camera lens, with AR tech like that in the 3DS. And, if early reports out of the latest Famitsu are accurate, we'll soon get the opportunity to see if that idea is executed perfectly.

Called "Spirit Diary," the game interacts with an included "AR Notebook" whose functions are curently unknown. In the game, you and a young girl investigate the cursed book. Other modes include AR minigames and a battle mode in which players fight using "spirit pictures" of themselves.

It is currently unknown whether this game will be published by Tecmo, who handled most previous Fatal Frames, or Nintendo, who published the Wii Fatal Frame -- and then neglected to release it outside of Japan.

[Image: Fatal Frame 4]

Report: 3DS Fatal Frame spinoff uses 3DS cameras as in-game camera originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Famitsu leak says Persona 4 coming to Vita

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST

The Playstation 2's swan song, Persona 4, will reportedly be receiving a fairly hefty re-release on the PS Vita, according to A ndriasang's recent leak of an upcoming issue of Famitsu. The massive RPG was well-received in the console's twilight months, and will only be massiver once its hits Sony's new handheld (under the subtitle The Golden). The site reports the version will include a new character named Mary, additional voice overs and some kind of wireless functionality that lets online friends help you out in a pickle.

The magazine also reportedly announces Persona 4: The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena, a fighter designed by BlazBlue creator Arc System Works for Xbox 360 and PS3. The title will let you brawl as select characters from Personas 3 and 4, and has a new storyline which follows the events of the latter game. Given the lineage of the developer and franchise, we assume that it's going to be absolutely bananas.

Update: Famitsu has posted its full report on the games to its website. Go check it out for more details!

Report: Famitsu leak says Persona 4 coming to Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3DS moves 200K+ units after price drop in Japan, hits 1.5m total

Christopher Grant — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:15:00 EST

After a precipitous drop-off in sales, Nintendo dropped the price of the 3DS worldwide and, in Japan at least, the early numbers show a strong consumer response. After enjoying a steep 40 percent discount on August 11 -- from ¥25,000 to ¥15,000 -- 3DS sales spiked up the week of August 8 through 14. Japanese business pub Nikkei pegged sales at 207,000 units while Famitsu publisher slash game publisher slash market research group Enterbrain puts sales a little higher at 214,821 units.

Either way, that's the highest week of sales since the console's February debut, when it managed to move nearly 375K units in a week. As a result, the console has finally clipped past the 1.5 million mark in Japan six months after its release, and just two months after reaching the big million. We'll have to wait a bit longer before we learn how last week's price drop affected sales in Europe and North America.

3DS moves 200K+ units after price drop in Japan, hits 1.5m total originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grasshopper Manufacturing 'Lollipop Chainsaw' for PS3 and 360 [update]

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST

Being a secondhand report of data out of an early leak of Japanese mag Famitsu, it's only right to approach the news of Grasshopper Manufacture's Lollipop Chainsaw for PS3 and Xbox 360 with skepticism.

The reports also describe it as a game about a cheerleader raised by zombie hunters, who uses her acrobatic training and a chainsaw to destroy zombies ... which certainly sounds like a Suda game. Additionally, the zombies will spray pink blood on the screen when destroyed, something that Siliconera says is meant to convey a "pop" feel.

According to Andriasang, Suda 51 is serving as creative director, with the very busy Akira Yamaoka working on sound. It's reportedly 70% complete, and will be published by Kadokawa Games.

Update: Famitsu has posted the first artwork and screenshots of the game, including the above screen.

Grasshopper Manufacturing 'Lollipop Chainsaw' for PS3 and 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Capcom reveals Ixion Saga, plans limited alpha in Japan next month

Mike Schramm — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST

According to Famitsu, Capcom has announced a new title called Ixion Saga, a PC-only multiplayer combat game where three classes (Strikers, Casters and Blasters) will do battle in eight versus eight online matches. There's also a PvE element, so players will be able to form "unions" with other players and take on other creatures.

There will be a limited alpha on July 28 in Japan, and the game is due for release there sometime next summer. Capcom has had some success with online titles already, releasing a Monster Hunter MMO in Japan, but this is the first we've heard of an original MMO IP.

Capcom reveals Ixion Saga, plans limited alpha in Japan next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS 'several years' away, Sakurai says

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

When Nintendo announced that Smash Bros. was en route to its Wii U and 3DS systems, longtime fans of the fighting series may have, in elation, momentarily forgotten how much time elapses during the announcement and launch. As creative lead Masahiro Sakurai explains in his weekly Famitsu column (translated by 1UP), the next game is "several years" away from completion.

"It makes me cringe," he laments, referring to the two game projects being added to his plate. "And I'm not sure it's the smartest thing to make gamers wait for several years, but the early announcement was made chiefly in order to attract new team members." Apparently all of his studio's resources are currently being poured into Kid Icarus: Uprising for the 3DS. "We've got no plans whatsoever -- we've got two new games out there in the open when there's no extra time to work with them at all."

At least with these games, Sakurai knew ahead of time. With the Wii's Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo head Satoru Iwata announced the game before Sakurai even knew it was a project he would be working on. "With previous projects I had a game design document in place before forming a team, but with this I don't have the time for that. I won't be able to look at every aspect of the game and balance out all the characters by myself this time," he writes.

Before the Wii U announcement Sakurai's studio, Project Sora, "had intended to make a 3DS Smash Bros.," but doubled up after seeing the Wii U. "If we went solely for the Wii U, the HD graphics would really bump up the visual effects, but then we'd be stuck in another arms race. If we made this game another extension over the previous one, we'd have to cut out the new things we could possibly do on the 3DS hardware and compete with ourselves again over the size of the character roster and the amount of gameplay we can put in it."

If your heart stops every time Iwata takes the stage at a press conference, just imagine how Mr. Sakurai reacts.

Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS 'several years' away, Sakurai says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Armored Core 5 due in Japan this October

Justin McElroy — Wed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST

Talk about not a moment too soon! Here we were in an utter panic about what we'd wear this Halloween (we were torn between Ghostsama bin Laden and Green Lantern) when our answer comes direct from the new issue of Famitsu -- albeit via Andriasang.

Armored Core 5 is arriving in Japan in October, according to the mag, which should give us plenty of time to pick a robot costume, cobbled together from cardboard boxes and colored tinfoil. Plus, considering the game won't come to North America until early 2012, think how avant garde we'll seem!

There's apparently even going to be a closed beta for the game just prior to the Japanese launch. We can only hope we get some invites stateside, so we get an inkling of what foil colors to stock up on.

Gallery: Armored Core 5 (5/11/11)

Armored Core 5 due in Japan this October originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Muramasa dev Vanillaware creating 'Grand Knights History' for PSP

JC Fletcher — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST

The latest (leaked) issue of Famitsu brings word of a new project from Vanillaware, creators of Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Odin Sphere. Vanillaware's Grand Knights History is a new RPG for PSP to be published by Marvelous -- with whom the dev worked with on Muramasa -- and planned for release this summer.

Players control the leader of one of three warring factions -- "Logress, the ancient kingdom," "Union, kingdom of the knights," or "Avalon, kingdom of magic," -- and take part in turn-based battles accompanied by a group of knights. Grand Knights History is said to include some kind of innovative online play that Vanillaware has yet to explain, but it involves connecting with other players during battle -- and allows for "infinity" players.

Chances are we'll hear more about the online system soon, as the game is reportedly 70 percent complete. And knowing Vanillaware's previous output, we can't wait to see the first screens.

Muramasa dev Vanillaware creating 'Grand Knights History' for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hudson 3DS titles listed as canceled in latest Famitsu

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST

This week's Famitsu notes that several Hudson 3DS titles have been canned, according to Andriasang. The current list includes some of the planned 3DS titles like Bomberman, Bonk and Omega Five, which were all announced last October.

Hudson has gone through a serious shift since the Konami takeover earlier this year. Konami is set to take full control of the company and replace Hudson's CEO with its own next week.

Update: A Konami spokesperson tells Wired the publisher hasn't "distributed any official list of Hudson products yet."

Hudson 3DS titles listed as canceled in latest Famitsu originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Revival Selection brings RE4 and Code Veronica to 360, PS3

Justin McElroy — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:36:00 EST

PFFFFSSSS!

Sorry, but that's the closest onomatopoeia we could come up with for the sound of confetti coming out of a giant cannon. What's the occasion? Why, it's the one millionth port of Resident Evil 4! It's a big honor, and it goes to Biohazard (Resident Evil): Revival Selection, a set of high-definition updates of RE 4 and Code Veronica, that Famitsu says is headed to 360 and PS3. According to Andriasang, the full title may be "Resident Evil Revival Selection HD Remastered Version," and fair warning: If we have to type that out in full every time, we'll never cover this game again.

The updates, which have only been announced for Japan at the moment, will feature RE 4's bonus Ada Wong scenario, "Separate Ways."

Dirk the Daring was unavailable as of press time to comment on the possibility of these upstarts shattering his record. That said, if any STARS agents come up missing, we'll make Singe's belly the first spot we check.

Resident Evil: Revival Selection brings RE4 and Code Veronica to 360, PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gran Turismo 5 creator wants monthly updates, plans premium car upgrades

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST

Gran Turismo 5 may be out in stores, but its creators don't consider their work complete just yet. Since its release, Polyphony Digital's racing game has already received a few updates, with more on the way. Series creator Kazunori Yamauchi explained to Famitsu that "it would be good to have one update every month."

Of particular note for car enthusiasts would be the expansion of the game's premium car offerings. Although the game launched with over a thousand cars, only one fifth of the vehicles are represented with "premium" models, which feature higher resolution textures, fully modeled interiors and undercarriages, and damage modeling. Yamauchi promised that new premium cars would be made available for download, but Andriasang notes that he failed to confirm whether or not the updates would be free.

Although the team is working on adding new features and updated models into GT5, there are a few items you shouldn't expect via patches: new cars and courses. "They may be added as expansion content," Yamauchi explained, "or we may leave it until the next title."

Gran Turismo 5 creator wants monthly updates, plans premium car upgrades originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Super Mario Bros. Wii tops 4M in Japan, says Enterbrain

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:15:00 EST

Japanese publisher Enterbrain has revealed in this week's Famitsu that New Super Mario Bros. Wii has gone quadruple platinum in the region. NSMBW is Nintendo's first game on the console to achieve that status, having sold 4,001,276 copies as of Sunday. The title will celebrate its one-year anniversary on the market on December 3.

Nintendo financial documents reveal that NSMBW had reached global sales of 16.7 million units by the end of September. That's like, if you're being strictly mathematical about it, nearly triple-quintuple-plus-double platinum.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii tops 4M in Japan, says Enterbrain originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Yakuza team developing sci-fi shooter 'Binary Domain'

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:48:00 EST

A rumor inside a rumor has Yakuza and Super Monkey Ball creator Toshihiro Nagoshi working on a game called Binary Domain, which will allegedly be developed by the Yakuza team alongside western developers. Andriasang reports game development will be done in Japan, with voice work produced overseas. The title will apparently be announced officially in Famitsu this week, but so far scans of the Japanese magazine haven't surfaced. Siliconera reports the details about the game come via a Japanese message board that wrote out the specifics.

Binary Domain is reportedly a third-person shooter ... featuring robots. The game is reportedly intended to launch globally, but there's no mention of a release window. We should find out if the rumor holds up, later this week.

Rumor: Yakuza team developing sci-fi shooter 'Binary Domain' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Armored Core 5 retargeted for early 2011

Mike Schramm — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST

We're nearing the end of 2010, and with it comes not only the sweet sounds and scents of the holidays, but the yearly retreat of a few popular game titles to the next calendar year. Armored Core 5 is the latest game to join the migration -- a big announcement last January promised the game in 2010, but Famitsu is now reporting that From Software has pushed the date into early 2011.

Mech enthusiasts with their calendars marked might be disappointed, but the news shouldn't overheat anyone else's thrusters, as we've already almost got more games to play this holiday season than seems necessary.

Armored Core 5 retargeted for early 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Persona 2: Innocent Sin update announced for PSP

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST

Atlus is currently refreshing PSone RPG Persona 2: Innocent Sin for the PSP. Announced in Japanese mag Famitsu (via Siliconera), the release will be in line with that seen in Persona, adding widescreen visuals, gameplay tweaks and a new animation for the opening (the original movie will also be in there for purists). Shoji Meguro, who was in charge of the Persona remake, will direct this project.

Persona 2 actually released in two parts as Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment. The latter made it to North America in late 2000, but Innocent Sin has never been officially localized for distribution. We're following up with Atlus to see if it plans on bringing Innocent Sin stateside this time around.

Update: Atlus has "no comment" on a North American release of Persona 2: Innocent Sin.

Persona 2: Innocent Sin update announced for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Developers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST

In case the red consoles didn't sufficiently alert you, 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. for Famicom and NES. To commemorate the occasion, Famitsu spoke to a group of prominent developers about the impact Shigeru Miyamoto's masterpiece had on them and the industry.

"The reason I entered the industry," Capcom's Keiji Inafune said, "was because I encountered Mario and learned how interesting games can be. Thank you, Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto." Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed a similar sentiment, saying "It's the game that made me enter the game industry." Bethesda's Todd Howard said that Super Mario Bros. was the beginning of "the genre where the hero always follows the correct path."

Our favorite quote is from Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. "Also, I can't say much," he said, "but there was also 'Kintamario.'" Yes, yes there was.

Developers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright a full collaboration

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:15:00 EST

If you were surprised by the announcement of a Professor Layton and Phoenix Wright crossover game (WHAT), you're not the only one. Even Capcom's global head of production, Keiji Inafune, exhibited some disbelief over the adventurous collaboration in a recent interview with Japanese mag Famitsu (translated by Eurogamer).

"I thought it would be impossible," he said, citing the careful handling of the Phoenix Wright character within Capcom, as well as creator Shu Takumi's insistence on trying new things (see: the upcoming Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective). "Nobody but Hino could have thought of it." Akihiro Hino, CEO of Level-5, was apparently instrumental in conceptualizing and then realizing this 3D battle of the brains. And there will be a bumping of heads between the two logic-minded protagonists, Inafune said, "before they join hands and take on a really big challenge."

Whether you're rooting for the spiky hair or the fabulous top hat, you'll be happy to know that neither Capcom nor Level-5 seem satisfied with a meet-and-greet cash-in between their cherished properties. "It wasn't a case of licensing out the Phoenix Wright characters and demanding our licence money. That isn't a collaboration, and users would see that," Inafune said. "For this standalone game, we wanted to create a great history, which would have been impossible if both parties were not fully involved."

Inafune: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright a full collaboration originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Itagaki: 'The era of pursuing technical strength has ended'

JC Fletcher — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:47:00 EST

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

When he was at the top of Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki was seemingly obsessed with high-end graphics and processing power, choosing to work exclusively on the first Xbox for technical reasons. With his new Valhalla studio, Itagaki has shed that aspect of his public persona as well.

At a party for Famitsu Xbox 360's hundredth issue, Itagaki and Shinji Mikami recorded an installment of Itagaki's "Valhalla Freaks" column, during which the Dead or Alive creator declared that "the era of pursuing technical strength has ended," adding, "From here on out, we should pursue what makes games interesting and fun." According to Andriasang, Itagaki suggested that Japanese developers should share technology like some Western companies do.

Xbox 360 marketing chief Jouji Sakaguchi then undercut Itagaki's message about pursuing technical strength by announcing that the monitors for Xbox game demos at this year's Tokyo Game Show would be larger than last year's.

Itagaki: 'The era of pursuing technical strength has ended' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Famitsu: White Knight Chronicles coming to PSP in 2011

David Hinkle — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:03:00 EST

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

Level-5's White Knight Chronicles may have had some issues, but it's not stopping the company from pursuing a sequel, set to be released in Japan next month. It would seem the series is also extending to Sony's PSP, as the latest issue of Japanese mag Famitsu (via Andriasang) reveals a PSP entry set for a 2011 launch.

While White Knight Chronicles 2 wraps up the story of Leonard and the events set in motion by the first game, the PSP game will introduce a new story and characters. "And then, to a new world," the text on the teaser page announces. "White Knight Chronicles New Project. A story of your avatar and new allies, told on the PlayStation Portable, is set to start in 2011."

Famitsu: White Knight Chronicles coming to PSP in 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namco Bandai announces new action game Knights Contract

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:05:00 EST

According to Siliconera, this week's edition of Famitsu outed Namco Bandai's current project: A frantic, Bayonetta-esque action game titled Knights Contract. You play as the titular, scythe wielding soldier named Heinrich, who must slay groups of gruesome enemies while protecting Gretchen, a witch who has cursed you with immortality. Why are you protecting the witch who put a curse on you? We have no idea. Probably because she's pretty, and you're a knight?

If that sounds like a winning combination, you can check out the debut trailer for the game just past the jump. Right now, it's only slated for a 2011 release on 360 and PS3 in Japan, but we think fighting monsters with agricultural hand tools is a concept the whole world will be able to get behind.

Continue reading Namco Bandai announces new action game Knights Contract

Namco Bandai announces new action game Knights Contract originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza PSP spinoff 'Project K' named, dated for Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:45:00 EST

When Toshihiro Nagoshi revealed the PSP Yakuza spinoff "Project K," he suggested that it was so different from the main console series that it may not even bear the "Ryu ga Gotoku" name (the Japanese title of the series). Nagoshi, apparently remembering how nice it is to make money, has revealed that the PSP game will feature the series name after all.

The spinoff has been named Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou ("Black Leopard: New Yakuza Chapter"). A Famitsu article about the game (summarized by 1UP) also announces a September 22 Japanese release date for Kurohyou, which stars a new, younger character who isn't a gangster.

Yakuza PSP spinoff 'Project K' named, dated for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 May 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MGS: Peace Walker's 'Hamaru Gear Solid' ads sure are helpful

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST

Well, they're helpful if you speak Japanese, that is. The latest round of ads for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker out of Japan centers on the escapades of Tom and Dick, two cartoon dudes who really, really like living everyday life as if they were Solid Snake. The duo demonstrate everything from the "heart massage" technique (reviving a downed teammate) to the game's four player co-op functionality, with plenty of goofy animation to boot.

Andriasang noticed the ads over at the "Hamaru Gear Solid" website -- "Hamaru Gear Solid" is the marketing campaign for Peace Walker, based on Hirokazu Hamamura, CEO of Enterbrain (the company that owns and publishes Japanese gaming mag Famitsu), and a pun relating his name to the word "Hamaru" (meaning "to get in"). We've embedded all five for you after the break, should you choose to entertain their sheer madness.

[Via Andriasang]

Continue reading MGS: Peace Walker's 'Hamaru Gear Solid' ads sure are helpful

MGS: Peace Walker's 'Hamaru Gear Solid' ads sure are helpful originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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King of Fighters shooter expanded for PSP

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST

KOF Sky Stage

SNK's odd shooter spinoff, KOF Sky Stage, hasn't even made it out of the arcade and onto XBLA yet, and SNK has already announced a sort of sequel. Neo Geo Heroes is a new vertical shooting game for PSP containing the original Sky Stage as one mode, but also adding even more characters from SNK fighting games.

Kyo, Athena, Iori, and Kula from the KOF series, Terry and Mai from Fatal Fury, Marco Rossi from Metal Slug, Iroha the maid from Samurai Shodown VI, Akari from Last Blade, and even the pilot from Alpha Mission can fly now, apparently, as they're all selectable characters in the game.

Neo Geo Heroes will fly into Japanese retail in July. No plans have been announced outside of Japan for this nor Sky Stage.

King of Fighters shooter expanded for PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lost Planet 2 getting guest characters from Dead Rising, Monster Hunter

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST

[Famitsu]

A handful of Lost Planet 2 screenshots from Famitsu have revealed the game will borrow the stars of two more franchises: Frank West from Dead Rising and the Scaly Knife-Gun Dude from Monster Hunter, the latter being exclusive to the PS3 version of the game. For those of you keeping track, these two join Gears of War's Marcus and Dom (who will only appear in the 360 version), Resident Evil's Wesker, and What's His Face from Lost Planet 2 in the fight against the calamitous, towering Akrid.

Though most of these crossovers seem pretty out of place, we're betting the dude from Monster Hunter will be right at home bringing down monsters the size of football stadiums. That kind of thing is right in his wheelhouse.

Lost Planet 2 getting guest characters from Dead Rising, Monster Hunter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CyberConnect2 working on 'Solarobo' for DS

JC Fletcher — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST

Somehow, developer CyberConnect2 is making a game that is neither Naruto nor .hack. In fact, Solarobo for DS is a spiritual successor to CyberConnect2's 1998 PlayStation game Tail Concerto. Like Tail Concerto, Solarobo is a platforming action RPG starring anthropomorphic animals in walking mechs.

As Red Savarin, you pilot the robot DAHAK-AZI03 on bounty hunting missions. Without weapons, your only method of combat is picking up and throwing objects using the robot's arms. Solarobo is due in Japan this year from Namco Bandai. It features some kind of 1-4 player support, but the details of that have yet to be released -- as does any information about a release outside of Japan.

CyberConnect2 working on 'Solarobo' for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nomura 'not sure' about Final Fantasy Versus XIII at E3

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:20:00 EST

As Square Enix developers are prone to do, acclaimed Final Fantasy lead Tetsuya Nomura recently dropped some vague information about one of the handful of Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII games that was announced like, a million years ago (okay, okay -- in 2006). Apparently, due to the display of the world map not being up to snuff, Final Fantasy Versus XIII may not make an appearance at this year's E3.

"We were hoping to debut it at E3, but we're not sure now," Nomura told Famitsu (as relayed by FF-Reunion.net). "For displaying characters on the world map, we were originally planning on using the method used by 'FF#,' with a small Noctus running about on the screen, but that didn't look too great, so we ended up switching to the method used by 'FF#.'" Allegedly, the "#" designations used by Famitsu in the preceding quotation were an effort to mask the particular Final Fantasy installments Nomura was referring to. "Famitsu had to block them out," explained Andriasang.

Nomura also suggested that Versus might be benched for E3 2010 in order to give other Square Enix titles at the show more time in the spotlight. Nomura did not mention Agito XIII in the Famitsu article, but did note that, in terms of other projects, "There are a number of them, along with some for which we need to begin preparations for a reveal." That's right -- forget about finally showing us more of the game that was announced four years ago, bring on Final Fantasy XV!

[Via Andriasang]

Nomura 'not sure' about Final Fantasy Versus XIII at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey, you got your Street Fighter III characters in my Super Street Fighter IV

Randy Nelson — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST

[Udon Entertainment]

The latest issue of Famitsu has started making the rounds and, as spotted by multiple fan sites, it contains confirmation that three new characters (well, old ones, technically) have joined the already bursting roster of Super Street Fighter IV. Newly added Ibuki, Makoto and Dudley all hail from Street Fighter III (the trio being a ninja, a karate master and a boxer, respectively). The news has the SF community crackling with excitement; even Udon Entertainment, creator of comic books based on the famous fighting series, has caught the "Here comes a new challenger!" fever.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Source -- iPLAYWINNER
Source -- GamersLounge
Source -- Shoryuken.com

Hey, you got your Street Fighter III characters in my Super Street Fighter IV originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: BlazBlue Continuum Shift on leaked Famitsu cover

David Hinkle — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST

Like a villain from some cheesy show back in the '70s, you haven't seen the last of BlazBlue. The latest issue of Famitsu (via Andriasang) confirms that BlazBlue Continuum Shift -- presumably a home console installment of the recently released arcade game of the same name in Japan -- is currently in the works.

What was a one-off fighting game in the summer of 2009 has grown into a full-on franchise, with a PSP port and DSiWare spin-off already out mixing it up amongst fight fans, so the safe bet is that Continuum Shift is a new retail game. However, the info is coming from a leaked Famitsu cover on Enterbrain's site -- which has since been pulled, but can still be seen on Andriasang -- that only mentions the title of the game, so that's all we have to go on right now.

We'll be sure to keep you posted as information becomes available.

Rumor: BlazBlue Continuum Shift on leaked Famitsu cover originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aonuma hopes to show 'playable' build of new Zelda at E3

David Hinkle — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:20:00 EST

The latest carrot to be dangled before the teeming mass of The Legend of Zelda fans comes from a recent interview in Famitsu magazine, via Andriasang. There, director Eiji Aonuma says he hopes that Nintendo will be able to "show something playable" at E3. What? That's, like, four years ahead of schedule! We jest, but it's not like Nintendo really needs to rush anything. It's The Legend of Zelda. You want it, even if it's supposed to be different this time around.

Aonuma wouldn't provide much in terms of how far along the game has come, other than talking up the MotionPlus support and stating the team has "progressed in development since last year" and that the "core areas have come into clear view." We take that to mean the team has finished rendering Hyrule Field.

Aonuma hopes to show 'playable' build of new Zelda at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Super Street Fighter IV Ultra Combos, alternate costumes revealed

JC Fletcher — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:27:00 EST

Recent Famitsu magazine scans have surfaced, revealing new Ultra Combos for Super Street Fighter IV's world warriors and friends. As an added bonus, Eventhubs has actually translated the descriptions of the attacks, so you can get a better idea of what you're squinting at. Chun-Li's Kikosho fireball returns, and now Ryu has a "Metsu-shoryuken" -- a super-powerful Dragon Punch, duh. Most interesting, however, is Cammy's new Ultra Combo: the "Cammy Quick Combo" -- or "CQC" -- a counter move.

The Famitsu issue also features images of new alternate costumes for the upgraded fighting game -- Chun Li's, above, is the most visible from the scan. Thankfully, GameTrailers has posted a much clearer, wha-wha-wha-wooorld exclusive look at the costumes in action, along with some of the new Ultra Combos and rival battles, embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Will]

Continue reading New Super Street Fighter IV Ultra Combos, alternate costumes revealed

New Super Street Fighter IV Ultra Combos, alternate costumes revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online game sharing confirmed for RPG Maker DS

David Hinkle — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST

Image source: Famitsu

The RPG creation game with a very appropriate name, RPG Maker DS, has just raised the bar on itself. Famitsu reports gamers will not only be able to share game data locally, but also online via Wi-Fi Connect. You'll be able to swap the smallest of things, like items and monsters, right up to full games. Now if that doesn't scream replay value, we don't know what does.

Of course, this news really only affects Japanese gamers, as a localization isn't that likely. Still, that's not to say there isn't any hope you'll be able to play the thing, especially considering that there's already an English-speaking community established for the game.

[Via SIliconera]

Online game sharing confirmed for RPG Maker DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spoiler alert: Famitsu's astrologer predicts 2010's gaming trends

JC Fletcher — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

[Wikimedia Commons]

While we have analysts like Michael Pachter to tell us the future of gaming, Famitsu has Yusho Fukuda, a real astrologer (well, as real as an astrologer can claim to be). Why bother looking at market trends and such mumbo-jumbo when the stars have all the information about the game industry's upcoming plans?

What totally specific insights did the cosmos reveal to Fukuda for Famitsu's end-of-year issue? "A game will come out in the first half of the year that will touch off a major boom," Fukuda writes, as translated by 1UP . "And another game will follow upon that in the second half." Also, there will be delays, disputes between publishers, and "we may see a price drop in hardware or software in November."

Fukuda offered predictions for each of the hardware companies as well. Nintendo will advertise a game all summer and release it in the fall; Sony "will release a hit game in 2010 that is based off an older title and will attract attention for games based on history and that feature a large cast of characters;" and Microsoft will sell a game this year involving "adventuring around the world, or examining a map and doing something based off that." Since astrology is a hard science, all of this is 100% guaranteed to happen exactly as Fukuda predicted.

Spoiler alert: Famitsu's astrologer predicts 2010's gaming trends originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nomura has more unannounced games, one 'not entirely new'

David Hinkle — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST

If you're reading gaming blogs on a regular basis, Tetsuya Nomura needs no introduction. While Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is by no means finished, Nomura is already talking about what's next. In the latest issue of Famitsu (via Siliconera; scan can be seen here), he confirms two additional projects: one that is already fairly far along in development and another unannounced project that's "not entirely new."

Aside from Birth By Sleep, Nomura's other known projects include Final Fantasy Agito XIII and 3rd Birthday, a new game in the Parasite Eve series. Keep an eye on Famitsu's site, where the full interview will soon be available.

Nomura has more unannounced games, one 'not entirely new' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Super Street Fighter IV getting 10 new characters in total

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST

Every Street Fighter fan site ever perked up its ears late last week when Famitsu held a live streaming demo of Super Street Fighter IV. The administrators and visitors of said sites immediately began to pick the bones of the demo clean of important gameplay details -- the most fascinating of which comes from the above still image of the game's character select screen. The alleyway brawling enthusiasts of EventHubs.com discerned from said image that SSF IV will add 10 new characters to the game's roster -- four of which are still unannounced.

You can watch a brief YouTube clip of the Famitsu stream after the jump -- it definitely contains the menu seen above. We've contacted Capcom to find out if these fans' assumptions are accurate.

Continue reading Rumor: Super Street Fighter IV getting 10 new characters in total

Rumor: Super Street Fighter IV getting 10 new characters in total originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second Resident Evil 5 episode has playable Jill and Josh

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:25:00 EST

Are you bored with the unspoken, yet powerful sexual tension between Resident Evil 5's protagonists, Chris and Sheva? Yeah, we are too -- that's why we're so excited about these scans from the latest issue of Famitsu (as uncovered by Siliconera), which reveal that the second chapter in the game's Alternative Edition DLC, titled Desperate Escape, will let you play as Jill Valentine and Josh Stone. In case you didn't recognize that last name, Josh Stone is actually a pretty popular British female soul singer. Seems like a weird choice, but what-evs.

Okay, Josh Stone is actually the BSAA member who helps out Chris and Sheva throughout the game -- mostly through the deus ex machina helicopter rescues for which the series is well-known. But wait -- if you're playing as Josh Stone, who's going to come rescue you at the end of the game in a helicopter? This could be bad, folks.

Second Resident Evil 5 episode has playable Jill and Josh originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Famitsu: No More Heroes being ported to PS3 and Xbox 360 [update]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST

Though scans of the actual article have yet to appear, the table of contents for the latest issue of Famitsu reveals a new No More Heroes game for Xbox 360 and PS3, called No More Heroes: Eiyuutachi no Rakuen (Heroes' Paradise).

With recent statements from series creator Suda 51 that the next No More Heroes game would be made for the Wii's successor, and that he sees the current controls scheme as the ideal, we're inclined to believe that this is a port of the original game, undertaken by publisher Marvelous -- much as it has expressed its interest in doing. We'll find out more when we can see the scan!

Update: The scans are up, showing a ported version of the original game with updated graphics and a new "Very Sweet" mode in which all the female characters are wearing less. According to the scan, it'll be out in Japan on February 25.

Famitsu: No More Heroes being ported to PS3 and Xbox 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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