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 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Strap on your tennies, Lode Runner is XBLA bound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/strap-on-your-tennies-lode-runner-is-xbla-bound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/strap-on-your-tennies-lode-runner-is-xbla-bound/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/strap-on-your-tennies-lode-runner-is-xbla-bound/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Confirming months and months of rumors, today Microsoft officially confirmed and showcased their latest Xbox Live Arcade gem and it's none other than ... Lode Runner. Like we said, it has been speculated for a while and now it's really real.

Our peeps over at Joystiq received the scoop and some hands on time with a "very early build" of Lode Runner this morning and, according to them, the re-worked 3D art is already looking good and the gameplay is tried and true. Just take a look at the screenshots in the gallery below and try to tell us it doesn't look fun. Developer Tozai also revealed that they'll be adding some new goodness to the game including multiplayer modes like the four player Hang On and two player mode Journey. Lode Runner on the XBLA still has plenty of development to go through as no release date or pricing details have been announced, but Joystiq was told that a 2008 release was likely. Also, we should mention that our curiosity mirrors Joystiq's as we can't help but wonder if the traditional level editor will be included in the XBLA version. Because we all know level editors are teh hawtness lately, especially Lode Runner editors.



JoystiqStrap on your tennies, Lode Runner is XBLA bound originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lode-runnerloderunnerxblaMon, 07 Jan 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamasutra looks at 20 difficult games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/31/gamasutra-looks-at-20-difficult-games/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Believe it or not, building difficulty into games isn't just about making them more impossible. John Harris over at Gamasutra takes the long route to prove this in an extended look into difficulty in game design. The majority of the feature is spent looking at specific cases of legitimately difficult games, dissecting their design and coming away with lessons learned from each.

Harris concedes that most intelligently difficult games are much older, and typically don't have a "lose" condition. The list includes hair-pulling classics like Defender, Sinistar, and Lode Runner, as well as a few more recent titles like Super Monkey Ball. It's a good read for anyone interested in game design.

John Harris also writes the excellent @Play column for GameSetWatch, which focuses on a long history of games classified as "roguelikes."

JoystiqGamasutra looks at 20 difficult games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defendergamasutragamedesignjohnharrisloderunnersinistarsupermonkeyballFri, 31 Aug 2007 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Five TG-16 games coming to VC next month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/five-tg-16-games-coming-to-vc-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/five-tg-16-games-coming-to-vc-next-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/five-tg-16-games-coming-to-vc-next-month/#commentsFiled under: ,

Not to be outdone by Capcom's Virtual Console plans revealed earlier this week, Hudson has announced five TurboGrafx-16 games coming to the the North American shopping channel this April: Battle Lode Runner, Bonk's Revenge, Bravoman, Dragon's Curse, and Shockman.

Bonk's Revenge builds upon the original adventure's headbutting formula, adding more complex levels and tightened graphics. Battle Lode Runner gets a similar visual upgrade from its Commodore 64 trappings, and it even features multiplayer action.

Dragon's Curse, or Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap in Japan, should be available to purchase by next Monday. Players will be able to take on the forms and powers of five different creatures in this side-scrolling RPG, questing to regain their original human body. Bravoman and Shockman sound like Mega Man spin-offs, and you wouldn't be too far off with that assumption! They're both action-platformers overloaded with robots and larger-than-life bosses.

All five of the Virtual Console games will be priced at 600 Wii points.

JoystiqFive TG-16 games coming to VC next month originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleloderunnerbonkbonkrsrevengebravomanhudsonhudsonsoftloderunnernamcobandainamcobandaigamesshockmanshoppingchanneltg-16tg16turbografxturbografx16vcvirtualconsolewiipointsFri, 30 Mar 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Mystery XBLA game is Lode Runner]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/rumor-mystery-xbla-game-is-lode-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/rumor-mystery-xbla-game-is-lode-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/rumor-mystery-xbla-game-is-lode-runner/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Our man, Godfree, over at Gamertag Radio sent us another tip about our would be mystery XBLA game. Shake the magic 8 ball with us ... "signs point to Lode Runner." Check out this detective work on IloveXBLA.com:

"No joke, I'm fairly certain I figured it out. Let's look at the trail of tips. Ok, so with the current hints down how did I make the connection. Here's my timeline.
  • I originally thought the game must be Bomberman, so I was looking for links between Shinjuku, Montana and Hudson Entertainment the creators of Bomberman. Score! Hudson Soft moved to Shinjuku in 1985 shortly before releasing Bomberman.
  • While on the page I noticed Hudson Software also released Lode Runner for NES, and remembered they are currently doing a DS version.
  • Lode Runner was originally published by Broderbund, who operate out of MONTANA.
  • According to Game Dev Map there are no current game developers operating in Montana.
I don't think it can get any clearer than that. Case closed in my opinion, next week's release is Lode Runner!"

Nice work. We couldn't agree more. Lode Runner is definitely a major franchise worthy of the hype that we've generated seen in the last week. What do you think? Did these guys nail it, or is it something else?

[Thanks, Godfree]

JoystiqRumor: Mystery XBLA game is Lode Runner originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broderbundgamertag radioGamertagRadiogodfreehudsonlode runnerLode-RunnerLodeRunnermontanaPlatformershinjukuSouthland-Interactivethat should be on xblaThatShouldBeOnXblaTozaixblaThu, 21 Sep 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[That should be on XBLA: Solomon's Key]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/that-should-be-on-xbla-solomons-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/that-should-be-on-xbla-solomons-key/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/18/that-should-be-on-xbla-solomons-key/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week it was action puzzler, Lode Runner. This week it's Tecmo's Solomon's Key (submitted by ctrl-alt-del). Solomon's Key, like many arcade puzzlers of its time, has a simple formula. It's easy to pick up and play -- you should be able to get through the first few levels easily -- but it get's much harder as you progress. Equal parts strategy and reflex, Solomon's Key is yet another example of a great game for Xbox Live Arcade (and the ladies love it). Read on to discover its block destroying devilry.

Continue reading That should be on XBLA: Solomon's Key

JoystiqThat should be on XBLA: Solomon's Key originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadebubble bobbleBubbleBobblelive arcadeLiveArcadelode runnerLodeRunnerpower stonePowerStonesolomon's keySolomon'sKeytecmothat should be on xblaThatShouldBeOnXblaxblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeMon, 18 Sep 2006 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: Lode Runner in a "safe place"]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/microsoft-lode-runner-in-a-safe-place/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/microsoft-lode-runner-in-a-safe-place/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/15/microsoft-lode-runner-in-a-safe-place/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After we ran this week's "That should be on XBLA" we got a comment from Ross Erickson, portfolio manager for Xbox Live Arcade. To wit:

"Rest assured, Lode Runner is now in a VERY SAFE place.... :-)"

We decided to hit up Ross' inbox and get a little clarification. Long story short is this: Doug Smith, creator of Lode Runner, has indeed recovered and sold the rights to another company -- a VERY SAFE company (please, not EA). This is significant because many older IPs can get lost in the fray. The fact that Lode Runner has a definite owner bodes well for its future on XBLA (and in general). We know that Mr. Erickson has a soft spot for the game so, here's hoping Microsoft will throw us a bone. A hole digging, robot evading bone.

JoystiqMicrosoft: Lode Runner in a "safe place" originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lode runnerLodeRunnerross ericksonRossEricksonthat should be on xblaThatShouldBeOnXblaxblaFri, 15 Sep 2006 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[That should be on XBLA: Lode Runner]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/that-should-be-on-xbla-lode-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/that-should-be-on-xbla-lode-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/that-should-be-on-xbla-lode-runner/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last week, we gave you Power Stone as a great XBLA candidate. However, after going through the comments, we've decided to revise our rules a little bit. A few of our readers pointed out that they'd rather see a full blown next gen sequel to Power Stone rather than a Live Arcade rehash. You know what fanboys? You're right. From now on we will try and steer clear of games that might actually get legitimate sequels. And with that out of the way, we present this week's pick, Lode Runner (as submitted by BklynKid). A puzzle game of the highest order, Lode Runner has all the right curves in all the right places for an XBLA title. The game is simple, fun, addictive, and easy to play in quick bursts. Read on to find out what makes Lode Runner super special.

Continue reading That should be on XBLA: Lode Runner

JoystiqThat should be on XBLA: Lode Runner originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Sep 2006 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broderbundlive arcadeLiveArcadelode runnerLodeRunnerthat should be on xblaThatShouldBeOnXblaxblaxbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeMon, 11 Sep 2006 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[See Team Fortress 2 and Portal in action]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/see-team-fortress-2-and-portal-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/see-team-fortress-2-and-portal-in-action/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/19/see-team-fortress-2-and-portal-in-action/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lest you missed the news on Joystiq, Valve is releasing Half-Life 2 for the 360. Not only that, but the game will be packaged with Episode One, Episode Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. In celebration of this momentous news, we bring you precious trailers for Team Fortress 2 and Portal.

Team Fortress 2 is, of course, the sequel to the original Team Fortress. You may view a trailer for it at Xboxyde. Portal, a first person puzzler in the vein of Lode Runner and Solomon's Key, may prove to be the most interesting of the bunch, and you can see a video of it embedded in this very post.

I have just one word: gimme. Anybody else excited for this massive package of gaming goodness?

JoystiqSee Team Fortress 2 and Portal in action originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>half life 2HalfLife2lode runnerLodeRunnerportalsolomon\'s keySolomon\'sKeyTeam-FortressTeam-Fortress-2valveWed, 19 Jul 2006 15:00:00 EST