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[The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/the-troubled-history-of-kingdom-hearts-reflects-square-enixs-ow/#commentsIn his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games.

The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own
This Tuesday brought the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix's American release date, and with it, feelings of ambivalence from people like me who once thought the strange pairing of Square and Disney would do more than tread water for a decade. I worked at a mall GameStop when the first installment launched in the fall of 2002, and even though I'd outgrown Disney (and had begun to outgrow Square), Kingdom Hearts felt like the first true RPG of the PS2 era, outclassing the at-the-time-recent Final Fantasy X, which relied on the same pre-rendered - albeit prettier - backgrounds that evoked the previous console generation's limitations.

Regardless of how you felt about the characters on display, turning away from our in-store TV during the Kingdom Hearts demo reel proved nearly impossible; Square's technical wizards worked overtime to ensure that an army of 2D Disney characters would look and move perfectly in real-time 3D - and they still do nearly 11 years later. For fans of Japanese RPGs and classic animation, the tag-team of Square and Disney felt like some impossible dream that somehow came true, despite the odds against it. After leaving the Capcom legacy behind in the mid-90s, the existence of Kingdom Hearts seemed like a second chance for Disney to make their games more than just cheap tie-ins sold on marketing alone.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix (2/25/13)

Continue reading The troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own

JoystiqThe troubled history of Kingdom Hearts reflects Square Enix's own originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyKingdom-Heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixOpinionplaystationps3Square-EnixFri, 10 May 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Actor teases new Kingdom Hearts voice work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/25/actor-teases-new-kingdom-hearts-voice-work/#comments Voice actor teases Kingdom Hearts work, could be HD RemixJesse McCartney is a voice actor for the Kingdom Hearts series; he's played Roxas for a few different games now. Earlier today, McCartney tweeted that he was "recording the next chapter" of the series, along with a picture of Roxas on a monitor, which you can see above. Unfortunately, the tweet and picture featuring the game have been removed; however, an earlier update confirmed McCartney is currently "behind the mic" working on something.

The question remains: what game in the Kingdom Hearts series is McCartney working on? The likely answer is it's the North American release of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix, which features Final Mix, Chain of Memories, and 358/2 Days. Time will tell.

JoystiqActor teases new Kingdom Hearts voice work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actingactordisneyjesse-mccartneykingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixplaystationps3square-enixvoice-actorFri, 25 Jan 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disney acquires Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, LucasArts included]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/30/disney-acquires-lucasfilm-for-4-05-billion-lucasarts-included/#comments Disney acquires Lucasfilm for $405 billion, LucasArts includedDisney has just announced its purchase of Lucasfilm Limited, the umbrella corporation responsible for all things Star Wars, Indiana Jones and pretty much anything else George Lucas has ever had his hand in. The purchase will set ol' Walt back $4.05 billion.

Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and LucasArts are all included in the purchase price, meaning that Disney has not only found a way to profit from the production of movies that it isn't making, but also how to get Jar-Jar Binks into a Kingdom Hearts game.

The company also announced that Star Wars 7 exists and is aiming for a 2015 release date, which makes this the most insane thing ever. Lucasfilm co-chairman Kathleen Kennedy will become president of Lucasfilm under Disney, and will also act as executive producer on "new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant."

JoystiqDisney acquires Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion, LucasArts included originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbuyoutDisneygeorge-lucasindiana-jonesIndustrial-light-and-magickingdom-heartsLucasArtsLucasfilmpurchaseskywalker-soundstar-warsstar-wars-7Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura: 'It'd be unusual' if Kingdom Hearts II HD didn't happen]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/nomura-itd-be-unusual-if-kindgom-hearts-ii-hd-didnt-happen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/nomura-itd-be-unusual-if-kindgom-hearts-ii-hd-didnt-happen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/03/nomura-itd-be-unusual-if-kindgom-hearts-ii-hd-didnt-happen/#comments Nomura 'It'd be unusual' if Kindgom Hearts II HD didn't happen"It'd be unusual" for there not to be an HD update for Kingdom Hearts II, series director Tetsuya Nomura told Famitsu magazine. As Gematsu reports, following last month's announcement of 1.5 HD Remix, Nomura admitted a second HD update for the Kingdom Hearts series is probably going to happen.

With Kingdom Hearts, Chain of Memories, and 358/2 Days being bundled in 1.5 HD Remix, we'd wager our limited edition Goofy figurine on a second update including the remaining major releases, namely Kingdom Hearts II, the PSP's Birth by Sleep, and the recent 3DS game 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

Nomura also dished a few more details on 1.5 HD Remix. Rather than upscaling old character models, the update will simply feature those used in Dream Drop Distance. Also, the gameplay is being tweaked to be closer to Kingdom Hearts II's - which should mean there's no need to fear the return of the first entry's temperamental camera.

JoystiqNomura: 'It'd be unusual' if Kingdom Hearts II HD didn't happen originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kh2kingdom-heartsKingdom-Hearts-2kingdom-hearts-iikingdomhearts2playstationps3square-enixtetsuya-nomuraWed, 03 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[See and hear Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix for yourself]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/see-and-hear-kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-for-yourself/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/see-and-hear-kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-for-yourself/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/24/see-and-hear-kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-for-yourself/#comments
The first trailer for Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix not only gives you an idea of what the series looks like with its new coat of paint - it also lets you hear Goofy's Japanese speaking voice.

JoystiqSee and hear Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix for yourself originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-15-hd-remixplaystationps3Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix announced for PS3, features remastered PS2 games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/19/kingdom-hearts-1-5-hd-remix-announced-for-ps3-features-remaster/#comments Kingdom Hearts 15 HD Remix announced for PS3Square Enix has revealed Kingdom Hearts is finally on its way to current-era home consoles. In typical wacky naming fashion for the publisher, the bundle including HD remastered versions of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts - Re:Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will launch in 2013 under the banner of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix.

No stranger to re-releases, the Kingdom Hearts franchise will further update the PS2 re-release of Chain of Memories - originally a GBA game - to the PS3. Final Mix was a Japanese-exclusive re-release of the first game, which added new content found in the North American version of the game. Though the DS-exclusive 358/2 Days would probably see the most tweaking to get it to land on home consoles, speculation based on a Famitsu report is the PS3 release will only feature remade cutscenes from in the handheld title and not its gameplay.

Additionally, Square Enix revealed a browser-based, online social card game set within the Kingdom Hearts universe, according to the same Famitsu report.

Joystiq has a team in Japan for TGS 2012 - which officially begins tomorrow - and will look to have Square Enix explain exactly what the PS3 bundle includes and whether the company plans to bring it stateside.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix announced for PS3, features remastered PS2 games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DisneyKingdom-Heartsplaystationps3Square-EnixTGS-2012Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura considering 'HD technical test' for Kingdom Hearts anniversary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/nomura-considering-hd-technical-test-for-kingdom-hearts-annive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/nomura-considering-hd-technical-test-for-kingdom-hearts-annive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/09/nomura-considering-hd-technical-test-for-kingdom-hearts-annive/#comments Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance will finally make its hands-on debut at the Tokyo Game Show later this fall -- but does that news really do anything for you? In the latest issue of Japanese gaming mag Dengeki PlayStation (as translated by Andriasang), Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura explained that it's becoming difficult to get new players into the series with each new iteration. We get the hesitation -- we've played all the Kingdom Hearts games, and still can't follow a majority of their plots.

Nomura mentioned a plan to help bring new players into the fold: As a celebration of the franchise's 10th anniversary, he hopes to release an "HD technical test" of the series. Could that mean remakes of the first two, past-gen games? Maybe a teaser trailer similar to that of Final Fantasy VII HD which Square Enix will undoubtedly never follow up on? We'll try to squeeze some answers out of those lollygaggers during TGS next month.

JoystiqNomura considering 'HD technical test' for Kingdom Hearts anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dshdjapankingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3dkingdom-hearts-3d-dream-drop-distancenintendosquare-enixtgs-2011Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft 2 headlines game-related Lightning Deals on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/starcraft-2-headlines-game-related-lightning-deals-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/starcraft-2-headlines-game-related-lightning-deals-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/starcraft-2-headlines-game-related-lightning-deals-on-amazon/#comments It's time once again to save on a seemingly random selection of nine games -- the Amazon Gold Box is loaded with game deals today. The Deal of the Day is Starcraft 2 for $39.99, but if that's not the craft you're after, you can also pick up the World of Warcraft Battle Chest right now (until 11AM EST, at least) for $18.

Hints for upcoming deals suggest that savings for Dragon Age and Kingdom Hearts games are on the way, along with Bulletstorm. Find the full schedule, with hints, after the break.

Continue reading StarCraft 2 headlines game-related Lightning Deals on Amazon

JoystiqStarCraft 2 headlines game-related Lightning Deals on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonbulletstormdeal-of-the-daydragon-agegold-boxkingdom-heartspcplaystationps3Starcraft-2world-of-warcraftworld-of-warcraft-battle-chestTue, 19 Apr 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts 3D to feature all new Disney worlds, Nomura says]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/kingdom-hearts-3d-to-feature-all-new-disney-worlds-nomura-says/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/kingdom-hearts-3d-to-feature-all-new-disney-worlds-nomura-says/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/kingdom-hearts-3d-to-feature-all-new-disney-worlds-nomura-says/#comments Famitsu recently had a chance to chat with Tetsuya Nomura, the zipper-loving director of the Kingdom Hearts franchise. In the interview (translated by Andriasang), Nomura revealed that new "gameplay systems" are in the works for the next iteration of the game, Kingdom Hearts 3D for the 3DS, and that some of these mechanics may even find their way into the long-awaited (but still unannounced) Kingdom Hearts 3.

For example, both Sora and Riku will be playable characters in the upcoming game, and Nomura is promising some differences between the two characters. The reason why Sora and Riku appear as they do in the first Kingdom Hearts game hasn't been explained, with Nomura simply teasing that it is "a secret" and necessary for the story.

Perhaps the most exciting revelation from the interview is Nomura's intention to include brand new Disney worlds for the upcoming sequel. Although Traverse Town and "other original creations" will make a reappearance, it'll be interesting to see exactly what Disney worlds make it into the next game. Frankly, we're not even entirely sure what Square Enix has yet to dig up from the Disney vault.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts 3D to feature all new Disney worlds, Nomura says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdisneydskingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3dnintendosquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraThu, 18 Nov 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded at GameStop or Amazon, get puffy stickers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/buy-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-at-gamestop-or-amazon-get-puffy-sti/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/buy-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-at-gamestop-or-amazon-get-puffy-sti/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/buy-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-at-gamestop-or-amazon-get-puffy-sti/#commentsIf you pre-order Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded from GameStop or Amazon, you can kind of make your DS look like the Japan-exclusive Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days DSi. Kind of.

Square Enix announced that pre-orders of the DS jaunt through Jiminy's memories will include the above sticker sheet, containing 32 2mm-thick stickers with various emblems from the series. The offer has yet to show up on either retailer's site, but if you wish upon a star (or wait a bit) we're confident it will appear.

Continue reading Buy Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded at GameStop or Amazon, get puffy stickers

JoystiqBuy Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded at GameStop or Amazon, get puffy stickers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondsgamestopkingdom-heartsKingdom-Hearts-Recodednintendopre-ordersquare-enixSun, 14 Nov 2010 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts Re: coded being re: leased January 11]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-being-re-leased-january-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-being-re-leased-january-11/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/06/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-being-re-leased-january-11/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Square Enix has announced the release date of Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded, for those of you who have devoured Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep already and are eagerly awaiting your next fix of spiky haired Disney fanfic. The publisher will release the prettied-up DS port of the mobile game on January 11, 2011.

New Yorkers will be able to get their hands on Jiminy Cricket's journal (or, rather, inhabit it as Sora) this weekend. Re: Coded will be playable at Square Enix's New York Comic-Con booth, #1823.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts Re: Coded (DS)

JoystiqKingdom Hearts Re: coded being re: leased January 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dskingdom-heartsKingdom-Hearts-Recodednintendorelease-datesquare-enixWed, 06 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts 3DS development underway, to follow Re:Coded]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/kingdom-hearts-3ds-development-underway-to-follow-re-coded/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/kingdom-hearts-3ds-development-underway-to-follow-re-coded/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/kingdom-hearts-3ds-development-underway-to-follow-re-coded/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fans eager for a new Kingdom Hearts console game will have to wait even longer, it seems. In an interview with Famitsu, designer Tetsuya Nomura revealed that the next game in the franchise will be the 3DS game, first unveiled at E3 earlier this year. "Next is Kingdom Hearts 3D," he told the magazine. "The time frame for 3D is after Re:Coded."

According to Nomura, development is already underway on the project and will only accelerate once the Final Mix team is done working on that Japan-only PSP release. "We'd like to announce it as soon as possible," Nomura said of the 3DS game, seemingly ignoring the fact that he was technically announcing the game as he spoke.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts 3DS development underway, to follow Re:Coded originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdskingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3dnintendosquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraThu, 23 Sep 2010 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[New Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded trailer is a genre-bender]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-trailer-is-a-genre-bender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-trailer-is-a-genre-bender/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-kingdom-hearts-re-coded-trailer-is-a-genre-bender/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The latest Japanese trailer for Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded features some startling freshness for the action-RPG series: gameplay segments featuring different genres. Footage of turn-based combat, platforming and even a Space Harrier-style shoot 'em up wait in the trailer below.

Continue reading New Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded trailer is a genre-bender

JoystiqNew Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded trailer is a genre-bender originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsKingdom-HeartsKingdom-Hearts-RecodednintendoSquare-EnixWed, 21 Jul 2010 07:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded getting graphics and combat upgrade, FF13 cameo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-getting-graphics-and-combat-upgrade-ff/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-getting-graphics-and-combat-upgrade-ff/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-getting-graphics-and-combat-upgrade-ff/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The latest Famitsu has an interview with Square Enix producer Tetsuya Nomura about Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded, the game originally leaked by a voice actor and then officially announced at E3 last week. The title is indeed a remake of the mobile phone game from Japan -- Square Enix found that none of the phones required to play the game were sold in North America, so it decided to bring it to the Nintendo DS instead. The hardware will bring 3D models into some parts of the game, and the battle system will be different, incorporating some elements from 358/2 Days, though Nomura says it will be more casual than that game.

And the extra development time will allow Square Enix to sneak some more characters in, too, including Final Fantasy XIII's Lightning. Which sounds great to us -- in fact, we'll take anyone but Hope. Man, Hope is really annoying.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Re:Coded getting graphics and combat upgrade, FF13 cameo originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dskingdom-heartsKingdom-Hearts-Recodednintendosquare-enixWed, 23 Jun 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/preview-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/preview-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/17/preview-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep/#comments At last year's E3, I got a chance to check out Kingdom Hearts' first North American outing on handhelds, 358/2 Days (or, as Google's automatic calculator called it when I just searched to make sure I had the name right, 179 Days). I recall being impressed at how they managed to ape the solid experience the game delivered on PS2 on a portable platform, albeit at the cost of a bit of visual power and general gameplay depth.

To describe Birth By Sleep using these terms would be awfully irresponsible. If 358/2 Days was Square-Enix's attempt to emulate the franchise's previous offerings on a handheld, then Sleep represents the fruits of the studio's developmental labor. It's not just an attempt to squish the core franchise down to a smaller format -- it's a fully realized extension of said franchise.

Continue reading Preview: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

JoystiqPreview: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-RPGe3-2010kingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepplaystationpspsquare-enixThu, 17 Jun 2010 20:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded for DS revealed in Square Enix E3 lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-for-ds-revealed-in-square-enix-e3-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-for-ds-revealed-in-square-enix-e3-lineup/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/kingdom-hearts-re-coded-for-ds-revealed-in-square-enix-e3-lineup/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Square Enix has announced its lineup of games to be shown at E3, and, while there may be surprises yet to be revealed, the company has already unveiled a rather big one. Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded, a new DS game by 358/2 Days developer h.a.n.d., will be on display at the show.

The game sounds like an action-RPG remake of the Japan-only mobile game Kingdom Hearts: Coded, in which a virtual Sora retraces his steps through the original Kingdom Hearts. "Jiminy Cricket is looking over the journal he used to document his first adventure with Sora when he discovers a mysterious message," according to the description of Re:Coded included in Square's E3 press release. "He didn't write it - so how on earth did it get there? King Mickey is determined to find out, so he and his friends decide to digitize the journal and delve into its deepest secrets. Inside this "datascape" dwells a second Sora who is about to embark on a grand adventure of his very own."

The game currently has a "TBD" release date. Square Enix didn't specify how much of the game would be shown, but considering it's just been announced, we expect little more than a trailer.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts Re:Coded for DS revealed in Square Enix E3 lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-RPGdshandKingdom-HeartsKingdom-Hearts-RecodednintendoSquare-EnixWed, 09 Jun 2010 13:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep coming stateside September 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-coming-stateside-september-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-coming-stateside-september-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-coming-stateside-september-7/#comments A trailer embedded in a post on the U.S. PlayStation.Blog has revealed that Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, which had previously been promised to hit North American store shelves this summer, has received a firm release date of September 7. If you're extra enthusiastic about vanquishing the Heartless, the post explains that you'll also be able to pick up a hardware bundle that includes the game, an unannounced movie, a 4GB memory stick and a "Mystic Silver" (that's fancy-speak for "plain ol' silver") PSP-3000 on the same day.

The PlayStation.Blog post didn't mention a price for this package -- we'd guess it'll be around the usual $199.99 price point that other PSP bundles are currently being offered for, but we've contacted Sony to try and get a more official number. In the meantime, check out the brand new, ever-so-brief trailer for Birth by Sleep that's posted above.

Update: A press release accompanying this announcement just arrived in our inbox, revealing a handful of the game's auspicious cast of voice actors: Mark Hamill, Willa Holland, Jesse McCartney, James Woods and Leonard Nimoy. Oh, Nimoy, our oldest friend. It's been too long.

Update 2: A Square Enix representative confirmed the bundle will retail for $199.99.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep coming stateside September 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundleKingdom-Heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleeprelease-daterpgsonysquare-enixMon, 17 May 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura mentions three more Kingdom Hearts games in interview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/nomura-mentions-three-more-kingdom-hearts-games-in-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/nomura-mentions-three-more-kingdom-hearts-games-in-interview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/25/nomura-mentions-three-more-kingdom-hearts-games-in-interview/#commentsAn interview with Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura, printed in the Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Ultimania guide book, outs the planning of three new games in the Disney/Square action RPG series. And one of them is, for real, Kingdom Hearts III. However, Nomura hasn't started the actual production of the title -- evidently he's busy with Final Fantasy Versus XIII, which is apparently a real game that people are working on.

"We won't take up KH3 until we've reached a certain target with FF Versus XIII," Nomura said, according to Andriasang's translation of the text provided by FF-Reunion. One of the two additional Kingdom Hearts games will be out this year. Another, due later, features multiple protagonists like Birth by Sleep.

Nomura also dashed any hope of another super-deluxe re-release like the Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix. "The voice actors for the overseas version are all high caliber, so it wouldn't be bad to release a Final Mix version," he said. " ... However, because for KH2FM+ we released Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories as a set, we have the feeling that people's expectations for the content of a Final Mix have become extremely high. I'd like to say this here -- we won't do anything that big ever again. (laughs)."

JoystiqNomura mentions three more Kingdom Hearts games in interview originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyKingdom-Heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepremakerpgspecial-editionsquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraThu, 25 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep to be born unto the U.S. this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-be-born-unto-the-u-s-this-sum/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-be-born-unto-the-u-s-this-sum/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-be-born-unto-the-u-s-this-sum/#comments Square Enix is sure hoping that the recent release of its long-in-production RPG hasn't caused you to forget about its other long-in-production RPG: The PSP-exclusive Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep. The company recently sent a jolt through the series' dormant U.S. fan base by announcing that the title will come stateside sometime this summer.

According to Squeenix's press release announcement, the North American version of the game will include new features, such as "an extra boss and additional multiplayer options," as well as something called "Crown Stickers." That certainly sounds like powerful weapon in the fight against the Heartless. We hear those guys hate stickers.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep to be born unto the U.S. this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepkingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepq3-2010release-datesquare-enixsummer-2010Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix summons strong sales for first nine months of fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/square-enix-summons-strong-sales-for-first-nine-months-of-fiscal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/square-enix-summons-strong-sales-for-first-nine-months-of-fiscal/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/square-enix-summons-strong-sales-for-first-nine-months-of-fiscal/#comments According to Square Enix's financial report covering the first nine months (ending this past December) of its fiscal year, the company is going to finish its annual business cycle with plenty of glistening gil. Overall, the company's profits are up 48 percent from the same period last year, and it forecasts a profit of ¥10 billion (which is far less shocking when converted to $112 million) for the fiscal year ending in March 2010.

The company's games division saw limit breaker sales and profits during the period due to Dragon Quest IX, Final Fantasy XIII, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Batman: Arkham Asylum -- which it obtained as part of the Eidos buyout. Square Enix's games group saw sales of ¥72 billion ($806 million, a 97 percent increase over last year), along with a profit of ¥18 billion ($202 million, a 99 percent increase during the same time). Kupos to you, Square Enix.

JoystiqSquare Enix summons strong sales for first nine months of fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-asylumbusinessDQ9Dragon-QuestDragon-Quest-9-Sentinels-of-the-Starry-Skiesdragon-quest-ixDSeidosfinal-fantasy-xiiifinancialsfy-2009fy-2009-2010fy-2010JRPGkingdom-heartsLevel-5Nintendoq1q2q3rpgsquare-enixMon, 08 Feb 2010 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura working to 'realize' Kingdom Hearts III, explains Sora's furry origins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/nomura-working-to-realize-kingdom-hearts-iii-explains-soras/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/nomura-working-to-realize-kingdom-hearts-iii-explains-soras/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/06/nomura-working-to-realize-kingdom-hearts-iii-explains-soras/#comments Two noteworthy pieces of information came out of a recent Famitsu interview (as translated by Andriasang) with Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura regarding the prolific Disney-Final Fantasy mash-up franchise, Kingdom Hearts. The first isn't all that surprising -- when questioned at the end of the interview about Kingdom Hearts III, Nomura simply replied "Regarding III, fans and partners alike are pressing us for it, so we'll work to realize it as soon as possible."

Here's the more intriguing (or disturbing, depending on how you look at it) tidbit -- when asked about Sora's character design, Nomura remarked that the Disney staff made a few alterations to his outfit, explaining his stupid big shoes and pants. He went on to reveal that, in addition to wielding a chainsaw-sword instead of a giant key, Sora once possessed a tail and "beast-like ears." That can only mean one thing in our book: Furry. We'll take outrageously baggy pants over unsettling therianthropy any day of the week.

JoystiqNomura working to 'realize' Kingdom Hearts III, explains Sora's furry origins originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyfurrykingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3sorasquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraSat, 06 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep sells over 400K in debut week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-sells-over-400k-in-debut-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-sells-over-400k-in-debut-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/14/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-sells-over-400k-in-debut-week/#comments It seems Kingdom Hearts fanfare is still strong in Japan. Birth By Sleep, the franchise's latest entry, sold over 400,000 units in its first two days of sales, according to a report by Media Create. The PSP-exclusive prequel has claimed the best-performing handheld debut for the franchise so far, besting 358/2 Days' 300K and Chain of Memories' 200K.

Like every other major Square Enix game before it, Birth By Sleep had an accompanying limited edition hardware bundle. Expect to see PSP sales spike during our Japanese hardware sales report later this week.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep sells over 400K in debut week originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepjapankingdom-heartssalessquare-enixThu, 14 Jan 2010 22:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep intro video released]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-intro-video-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-intro-video-released/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/11/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-intro-video-released/#comments The latest portable iteration of Squeenix's keyblade-wielding franchise, Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, also known as "Not The Card-Battling One" or "Not The One With The Stupid Numbers On The Title," recently got released in Japan. Without hesitation, its purchasers set to capturing its visual delights, which they then posted on the internet. One such delight is the game's intro video, which we've posted after the jump.

As you might've guessed, it's rich with spiky-haired children wielding weapons bigger than they are, slow-motion running, and that one song that's been in every Kingdom Hearts game ever. It was even in the Kingdom Hearts manga, which is impressive as books typically aren't capable of playing music.

[Via Siliconera]

Continue reading Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep intro video released

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep intro video released originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyintrokingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleeprpgsquare-enixvideoMon, 11 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Finally! A 7-minute Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep trailer in Japanese]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/finally-a-7-minute-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-trailer-in-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/finally-a-7-minute-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-trailer-in-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/finally-a-7-minute-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-trailer-in-ja/#comments You might have noticed a serious dearth of Disney characters speaking in Japanese on Joystiq lately -- we sure have, and it's just tearing us to bits inside. Thankfully, Square Enix seems to have taken note as well, recently updating the Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep website with more than just wallpapers (though you'll find three of those on there, too). How about the entire seven-minute-long trailer from Jump Festa 2010?

We've embedded it above, though if you're dying to know what the people in it are actually saying, we suggest you check out the full translation right here. And then, once you have it in English, you might ask your nearest Kingdom Hearts fan to translate further.

[Thanks, G. Finnsson]

JoystiqFinally! A 7-minute Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep trailer in Japanese originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepdisneygameplayjump-festa-2010kingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepmultiplayersquare-enixtrailervideoMon, 28 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura has more unannounced games, one 'not entirely new']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/nomura-has-more-unannounced-games-one-not-entirely-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/nomura-has-more-unannounced-games-one-not-entirely-new/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/22/nomura-has-more-unannounced-games-one-not-entirely-new/#comments 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.

JoystiqNomura 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3rd-birthdayfamitsufinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-agito-xiiikingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepsquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraTue, 22 Dec 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Swag Saturday: Soul Calibur / Kingdom Hearts travel pack (DS/PSP)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/swag-saturday-soul-calibur-kingdom-hearts-travel-pack-ds-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/swag-saturday-soul-calibur-kingdom-hearts-travel-pack-ds-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/05/swag-saturday-soul-calibur-kingdom-hearts-travel-pack-ds-psp/#comments
[Image credit: mrlerone]
Update: The comments have closed and the winner will be contacted shortly. Thanks to everyone for participating!

If you're anything like us, you'll be spending a decent part of your holiday stuck in the seat of a train, bus, automobile, or aeroplane, heading towards wherever "home" is for the upcoming holidays. We know how nice it can be to pick up a new game or two for the travels ahead, and in the spirit of that we're giving out a DS/PSP travel pack for this week's Swag Saturday including both Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Tell us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story (keep it clean, folks! -- no "mile high club" stories!) and we'll pick one winner at random to receive the travel pack early this week. As always, keep an eye on the email address tied to your commenting name to find out if you've won!
  • Leave a comment telling us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- which may have to do with the Ubisoft Petz franchise)
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day
  • This entry period ends at 9:31PM ET on Sunday, December 6
  • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS ($35 ARV) and one copy of Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny for Sony PSP ($40 ARV).
  • For a list of complete rules, click here

JoystiqSwag Saturday: Soul Calibur / Kingdom Hearts travel pack (DS/PSP) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgiveawayjoyswagkingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3582-daysNintendosoul-calibursoul-calibur-broken-destinyswag-saturdaySat, 05 Dec 2009 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jesse McCartney confirms Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep localization]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/jesse-mccartney-confirms-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-localiza/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/jesse-mccartney-confirms-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-localiza/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/jesse-mccartney-confirms-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-localiza/#comments It may seem like an unlikely source for video game news, but pop singer Jesse McCartney's Twitter account has confirmed the localization of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. Square Enix hasn't announced a US release for the PSP prequel, but considering the franchise's penchant for making money, it certainly was never in doubt.

Birth by Sleep would be McCartney's third foray into the Kingdom Hearts universe, having previously voiced Roxas in Kingdom Hearts II and 358/2 Days. Kingdom Hearts Union suggests that McCartney may be voicing Birth By Sleep's "new" character, Ventus (pictured, right) -- y'know, the one that looks exactly like Roxas (pictured, left).

JoystiqJesse McCartney confirms Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep localization originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepjesse-mccartneykingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepsquare-enixTue, 01 Dec 2009 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep not releasing on PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/rumor-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-not-releasing-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/rumor-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-not-releasing-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/23/rumor-kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-not-releasing-on-psn/#comments There's a rumor circulating around the wild wild web right now that says Square Enix may not be looking to offer Kingdom of Hearts: Birth by Sleep via digital distribution on PSN, possibly adding insult to injury for all PSP Go owners out there. The rumor originated from Twitter user Magunus, who apparently attended a recent PlayStation event in Japan (we can't figure out which event this is referring to, and there's no mention on the official Japanese blog) where a clerk confirmed it, citing "copyright issues."

This strikes us as odd not only because of the tenuous nature by which this has been reported, but because a lot of Disney Interactive's titles have been made available via digital distribution in the past. We've contacted both Square Enix and Disney Interactive about this and will be sure to let you know what we hear back.

[Via Sankaku Complex (site NSFW)]

JoystiqRumor: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep not releasing on PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneydisney-interactive-studioskingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleeppsnsquare-enixMon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's the requisite Kingdom Hearts PSP]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/heres-the-requisite-kingdom-hearts-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/heres-the-requisite-kingdom-hearts-psp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/heres-the-requisite-kingdom-hearts-psp/#comments Every major Square Enix release comes with a limited edition hardware bundle in Japan. The upcoming PSP-exclusive Kingdom Hearts prequel is no different. This Birth by Sleep silver PSP-3000 will be available on January 9, 2010 for ¥22,000 (about $250). Unlike other LE bundles, this package only contains the branded PSP system you see above and a copy of the game.

We're a little disappointed that Square and Sony didn't make a special edition PSP Go bundle, as that's something we'd love to see. Perhaps that's being set aside for when Square Enix finishes its other big PSP games: The 3rd Birthday and Final Fantasy Agito XIII.

Continue reading Here's the requisite Kingdom Hearts PSP

JoystiqHere's the requisite Kingdom Hearts PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepbundlejapankingdom-heartslimited-editionpsppsp-3000square-enixTue, 17 Nov 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Kingdom Hearts character is Sakaguchi's doppelganger]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-kingdom-hearts-character-is-sakaguchis-doppelganger/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-kingdom-hearts-character-is-sakaguchis-doppelganger/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/new-kingdom-hearts-character-is-sakaguchis-doppelganger/#comments Exhibit A: Image, left. The creator of the Final Fantasy franchise, Hironobu Sakaguchi. Observe the slightly arched brow. The dark, even surfer's tan. The exquisite mustache and soul patch combo. The look of general disinterest.

Exhibit B: Image, right. The recently revealed character from Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, Master Eraquis. Observe the similarly bowed eyebrows. The sun-kissed skin tone. The Guy Fawkes-esque facial hair. The expression of consternation.

What do you think, dearest readers? Is it a cameo, or pure coincidence? We're leaning towards the former. We mean, just look at those eyebrows. Look at them! At the very least, they're identical eyebrow twins.

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqNew Kingdom Hearts character is Sakaguchi's doppelganger originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameofinal-fantasyhironobu-sakaguchikingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepThu, 15 Oct 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix looking to develop more best-selling IPs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/square-enix-looking-to-develop-more-best-selling-ips/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/square-enix-looking-to-develop-more-best-selling-ips/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/29/square-enix-looking-to-develop-more-best-selling-ips/#comments RPG juggernaut Square Enix already has a handful of reliable internet protocols intellectual properties in Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts -- however, the company is looking to expand its portfolio of best-selling franchises. In a recent interview with Reuters, Squeenix's Yoichi Wada explained that the developer is hoping to have eight flagship IPs, each installment in which will be capable of selling two million units. He added that with the company's average development time of two years, one of these flagship games could be released every quarter.

So, where are these other five franchises going to come from? According to the interview, Square Enix is cooking up two or three potential blockbusters which should drop by late 2010 or early 2011. For the other IPs, the company may not need to look further than its recent Eidos acquisitions -- a haul which includes the recently successful Batman: Arkham Asylum. We certainly wouldn't mind seeing more of Bruce Wayne on a biennial basis.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqSquare Enix looking to develop more best-selling IPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-asylumdragon-questeidosfinal-fantasykingdom-heartssquare-enixyoichi-wadaTue, 29 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep gets ad hoc multiplayer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-gets-ad-hoc-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-gets-ad-hoc-multiplayer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/21/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-gets-ad-hoc-multiplayer/#comments According to RPG Site, a recent V-Jump article on Squeenix and Disney's upcoming PSP collaboration Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep revealed an intriguing facet of the spiky-haired title: It includes a three-player cooperative mode using the handheld's ad hoc capabilities. The co-op mode pits players against the "Mirage Arena," which allows Keyblade-wielders to tackle standalone co-op missions, or set up multiplayer rematches against the core game's toughest bosses. In addition, Mirage Arena visitors will have special protective abilities with which to heal their friends or bolster their defenses.

It sounds like a pretty interesting feature -- and should placate PSP owners who've been miffed about 358/2 Days' multiplayer mode. No reason to get upset gang! At least your game's title isn't completely ridiculous.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep gets ad hoc multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ad-hocco-opdisneykingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepmultiplayersquare-enixMon, 21 Sep 2009 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/japanese-gamers-want-persona-4-phoenix-wright-anime-series-and/#comments Japanese gaming pub Dengenki recently polled its readers on what series they'd like to see translated into anime form. The Top 10 list looks nearly exactly the same as our own wishlist:
  • 1. Persona 4
  • 2. Phoenix Wright
  • 3. Okami
  • 4. Kingdom Hearts
  • 5. Idol Master
  • 6. Metal Gear Solid
  • 7. Yakuza
  • 8. BlazBlue
  • 9. Persona 3
  • 10. Atelier Rorona
Atlus' PS2 RPG Persona 4 tops the list, managing to beat out some big names like Kingdom Hearts and Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps the success of Persona: Trinity Soul reminded readers that the franchise works in serialized TV format? While we'd certainly like to see another Persona anime, an adaptation of Phoenix Wright seems like a no-brainer. Capcom, are you reading this?

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqJapanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActionAdventureanimeatelier-roronaAtlusblazblueBlazBlue-Calamity-TriggerCapcomClover-Studiosdengenkiidol-masterkingdom-heartsmetal-gear-solidNintendookamipersona-3persona-4phoenix-wrightReady-At-DawnRPGShin-Megami-TenseiShin-Megami-Tensei-Persona-3Shin-Megami-Tensei-Persona-4WiiyakuzaThu, 17 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Birth by Sleep awakens in this 'new' Kingdom Hearts trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/birth-by-sleep-awakens-in-this-new-kingdom-hearts-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/birth-by-sleep-awakens-in-this-new-kingdom-hearts-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/birth-by-sleep-awakens-in-this-new-kingdom-hearts-trailer/#commentsThe DS-based 358/2 Days hasn't arrived in the States yet, but Japan is already preparing for the next installment in the hugely popular Kingdom Hearts franchise. The PSP-exclusive prequel, Birth by Sleep, should be arriving in Japan this winter, and Square Enix is prepping its marketing muscle by opening the game's official website -- and with it, debuting a new direct-feed trailer for the masses. (An off-screen capture was taken at last year's exclusive Closed Mega Theater at TGS.)

This story-heavy trailer shows off a number of Disney movies in action, like Cinderella, Snow White and Alice in Wonderland. (Hey, where's Stitch?) Birth by Sleep will be a huge presence at Tokyo Game Show soon, so expect our hands-on reporting later this month.

[Via PSPHyper]

JoystiqBirth by Sleep awakens in this 'new' Kingdom Hearts trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepkingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepsquare-enixtgs-2009trailervideoFri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep has three separate adventures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-has-three-separate-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-has-three-separate-adventures/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-has-three-separate-adventures/#comments An interview with Tetsuya Nomura in the latest issue of Japan's Weekly Famistu finally sheds more light on PSP's installment in the Kingdom Hearts series, Birth By Sleep. 1UP reports that, in the article, the series' creator reveals that the game's three main characters will be playable in their own, separate campaigns, complete with unique boss battles. Nomura also estimates that each character's play-through should take about 15 hours.

Famitsu's story also mentions that Birth By Sleep will incorporate the worlds of Cinderella and Lilo & Stitch, the latter set in deep space before the cute-yet-calamitous creature crash lands on Earth. Nomura notes that a release date for the game likely won't be announced until after Final Fantasy XIII's is, but that it's still expected to hit Japan this winter.

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep has three separate adventures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disneyfamitsukingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepsquare-enixtetsuya-nomuraTue, 25 Aug 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep to awaken Japan this Winter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-awaken-japan-this-winter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-awaken-japan-this-winter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/23/kingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleep-to-awaken-japan-this-winter/#comments
Square Enix has been awfully quiet about its upcoming PSP-exclusive Kingdom Hearts prequel. Birth by Sleep takes place ten years before the events of the original PS2 game, and sets to explain some of the long-unexplained mysteries surrounding the franchise. Although we haven't seen much of the game since TGS last year, it looks as though Square Enix is getting ready to put the finishing touches on the game, readying it for a winter release across the Pacific.

If Birth by Sleep follows the footsteps of its DS brethren 358/2 Days, it should only take about half a year for the game to be localized and released stateside. It seems likely (but unconfirmed) that we'll be playing Birth By Sleep in English before next summer rolls around.

[Via PSPHyper]

JoystiqKingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep to awaken Japan this Winter originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>birth-by-sleepjapankingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-birth-by-sleepsquare-enixSun, 23 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-order Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for $29]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/pre-order-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days-for-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/pre-order-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days-for-29/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/pre-order-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days-for-29/#comments
Square Enix is partnering up with online retailer amazon.com yet again, this time offering a $5 off coupon on their already discounted pre-order rate for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. The game, which is finally coming out next month in the US, can be purchased for $28.99, shipped. That essentially negates the "Square Enix tax" of their DS games. Not bad, right?

Use coupon code KINGDOM5 when checking out to get the discount.

JoystiqPre-order Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for $29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondealkingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3582-dayssquare-enixMon, 17 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nomura: The Kingdom Hearts Keyblade was originally a chainsaw]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/nomura-the-kingdom-hearts-keyblade-was-originally-a-chainsaw/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/nomura-the-kingdom-hearts-keyblade-was-originally-a-chainsaw/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/nomura-the-kingdom-hearts-keyblade-was-originally-a-chainsaw/#commentsIn an interview with Famitsu, Square Enix character designer and Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura revealed some secrets about the early history of the franchise.

The ensemble-cast design of the games, for example, stemmed from a disagreement between Square and Disney over the protagonist: "Square wanted to make a game starring Mickey Mouse," Nomura said, as translated by 1UP, "and Disney wanted a Donald Duck title. Meanwhile, I wanted neither." The resulting compromise was "a game featuring lots of characters without focusing on any particular one."

The Keyblade weapon, despite being an early component of the game, was not Nomura's first idea for a signature weapon. "Actually," he said, "the first weapon I showed Disney was a chainsaw. It was this chainsaw-like weapon that I had a rough sketch of when I first showed my concepts to Disney."

Disney reacted pretty much like you would expect Disney executives to react to the heavy use of a chainsaw in a game about Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck: "Everyone got this scrunched-up look on their face and nobody said a word in the entire room. Dead silence. And I thought 'No, I guess this wouldn't work, huh?'"

It occurred to us that the chainsaw was the perfect Nomura weapon, because the teeth on the chain are reminiscent of those on a zipper.

JoystiqNomura: The Kingdom Hearts Keyblade was originally a chainsaw originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSkeybladekingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3582-daysNintendotetsuya-nomuraWed, 08 Jul 2009 21:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinite Space takes space at top of Japanese charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/infinite-space-takes-space-at-top-of-japanese-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/infinite-space-takes-space-at-top-of-japanese-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/19/infinite-space-takes-space-at-top-of-japanese-charts/#commentsPlatinum Games' first release may not have been a sales phenomenon, but the company has found (relative) success with its second, the DS sci-fi roleplaying game Mugen Kouro (Infinite Space). It was a slow week for Japanese software sales, which allowed Infinite Space's 38,394 copies to put it at the top of the Media Create sales chart for last week, its first week in stores.

The three spots below that on the chart also belong to DS games: last week's top seller, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days sits at #2, followed by Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Sloane and Machale's Mysterious Story. The #5 position is held by Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires on PS3.

Gallery: Infinite Space


[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqInfinite Space takes space at top of Japanese charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ace-attorney-investigationsDSinfinite-spacekingdom-heartsmedia-createNintendonude-makerplatinum-gamesrpgsalessegasloane-and-mchales-mysterious-storyFri, 19 Jun 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-kingdom-hearts-358-2-days/#comments
Though the development team for Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days shied away from E3 this year due to the ever-present danger of Swine Flu, the game itself made an appearance, as computer software is impervious to most biological pandemics. As a result, our time with the game was completely unguided. Not that it mattered -- the game is classic Kingdom Hearts. Not card-based brawler Kingdom Hearts, not kart racer Kingdom Hearts, but the classic action-RPG Kingdom Hearts we fell in love with when it first landed on PS2.

Forget about the wide chasm between the graphical capabilities of the PS2 and the DS -- the game looks phenomenal. The controls have been ported over brilliantly, the only noticeable difference being the camera controls, which are now bound to the touch screen. The game also comes with an ad-hoc four-player multiplayer mode in which members of the shadowy Organization XIII compete for points whilst embarking upon a mission. Points come in the form of crystals dispersed throughout the level -- attacking your fellow players will knock the crystals out of them, which will probably lead to hilarious real-life bloodshed.

With no inkling of the game's story or the micromanagement mechanics, our walkaway impression of the game was simply this: It is the Kingdom Hearts gameplay and visual aesthetic you know and love (plus a few bonus features) operating on the DS with remarkable accuracy. Despite the game's stupid, inaccessible title, our interest has swiftly moved from "non-existent" to "piqued."

JoystiqHands-on: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2009kingdom-heartskingdom-hearts-3582-daysNintendoWiiThu, 04 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST