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[Nexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/14/nexon-launching-free-to-play-ghost-in-the-shell-fps-in-first-hal/#comments Nexon has announced that it will release an online PC FPS called Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in the first half of 2014, in partnership with Kodansha Ltd., the comic book publisher behind the long-running Ghost in the Shell series.

Stand Alone Complex will be based on the Japanese animated series of the same name and will offer up a cooperative battle mode, as well as other ways to battle with and against cyborgs. Considering the game is coming from Nexon (the maker of games like Maple Story, Combat Arms, and Dragon Nest), it probably comes as no surprise to learn the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex will be free-to-play and supported by microtransactions.

We've got almost a year to wait for this one, but Nexon also points out that it is only the first of a few different games it will be making with Kodansha as part of a deal announced in December 2012.

JoystiqNexon launching free-to-play Ghost in the Shell FPS in first half of 2014 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animecomic-booksghost-in-the-shellghost-in-the-shell-stand-alone-complexgitskodanshamanganexonpcstand-alone-complexThu, 14 Feb 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 adds Manga, MUZU apps; upgrades Aussie FOXTEL with Kinect]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/xbox-360-adds-manga-muzu-apps-upgrades-aussie-foxtel-with-kine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/xbox-360-adds-manga-muzu-apps-upgrades-aussie-foxtel-with-kine/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/xbox-360-adds-manga-muzu-apps-upgrades-aussie-foxtel-with-kine/#comments ImageThe Xbox 360 has added a couple new entertainment apps for your audio-visual pleasure. Starting things off, in the States, there's the Manga app, which enables users to view full length episodes, movies and clips from the Manga Entertainment catalog.

For the northern parts of North America, MUZU.TV will we available to Xbox Live customers in the United States and Canada. MUZU is a ... (*googles*) apparently, it's a music video site, with over 40,000 mini musicals on demand.

Finally, Australians have upgraded FOXTEL with Kinect functionality. The virtual controls on that stuff aren't what one would call efficient, but Kinect compatibility is still worth it for the joys of "Xbox Pause" and "Xbox Play" functionality.

Continue reading Xbox 360 adds Manga, MUZU apps; upgrades Aussie FOXTEL with Kinect

JoystiqXbox 360 adds Manga, MUZU apps; upgrades Aussie FOXTEL with Kinect originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>foxtelmangamanga-entertainmentmicrosoftmuzumuzu-tvxboxWed, 16 May 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Phoenix Wright movie to premiere at AM2 convention this June, no objections]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/phoenix-wright-movie-to-premiere-at-am2-convention-this-june-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/phoenix-wright-movie-to-premiere-at-am2-convention-this-june-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/15/phoenix-wright-movie-to-premiere-at-am2-convention-this-june-no/#comments

Ace Attorney, feature-length film, is hitting North American shores this June at the AM2 (anime, manga and music) convention in Anaheim, California. Ace Attorney, directed by Ichi the Killer's Takashi Miike, debuted as a feature film in Japan earlier this month.

AM2 will hold two exclusive screenings at the Anaheim Convention Center, one for passport holders only and one with pass holders preferred and general audience as seating permits. The AM2 convention runs from June 15-17.

While this isn't exactly a widespread theatrical release for Ace Attorney, it does open the doors for US screenings. Keep your eyes on your local independent theaters for a chance to see all the cartoony flair (and hair) of Phoenix Wright in reality.

Continue reading Phoenix Wright movie to premiere at AM2 convention this June, no objections

JoystiqPhoenix Wright movie to premiere at AM2 convention this June, no objections originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>am2anaheimanimeconventiondsmangamobilemusicnintendoPhoenix-Wright-Ace-Attorneyphoenix-wright-movietakashi-miikewiiWed, 15 Feb 2012 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix releasing transforming arcade game 'Gyrozetter,' anime and 3DS title to follow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/18/square-enix-releasing-transforming-arcade-game-gyrozetter-ani/#comments Let's imagine, for a moment, that we're all 10 years old again. (If you're actually 10 years old, good work.) Can you think of anything even remotely as cool as an arcade game about cars that transform into robots, where the arcade cabinet transforms too? Damn right you can't, because it's the best idea any living human being has ever had.

The arcade game in question, Super Speed Transforming Gyrozetter, is developed by Square Enix and transforms to reveal control levers as the player's car transforms into its robot counterpart. Cars have been licensed from Toyota, Mistubishi, Mazda, Mitsuoka and Subaru, making for an entirely authentic giant transforming robot experience.

The cabinet serves as the flagship for an entire Gyrozetter gaming/manga/anime franchise devised by Square Enix; a serialized manga based on the game is already in print, and both an animated feature film and 3DS game are reportedly in the pipelines. Trademark filings uncovered by Siliconera indicate that Square Enix has plans to expand the franchise to Europe after a successful Japanese launch, although we find it improbable that the arcade game itself will ever be exported outside of Japan.

Gallery: Super Speed Transforming Gyrozetter (Arcade)

JoystiqSquare Enix releasing transforming arcade game 'Gyrozetter,' anime and 3DS title to follow originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animearcadeeuropegyrozetterjapanmangasquare-enixSuper-Speed-Transforming-GyrozetterSun, 18 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Firefall dev diary features Orson Scott Card, reveals planned free manga comic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/firefall-dev-diary-features-orson-scott-card-reveals-planned-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/firefall-dev-diary-features-orson-scott-card-reveals-planned-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/02/firefall-dev-diary-features-orson-scott-card-reveals-planned-fr/#comments Here's the latest developer diary for Red 5 Studios' Firefall, which outlines the general backstory for the upcoming free-to-play co-op multiplayer shooter. Red 5's CEO Mark Kern, who served as team lead on a little indie title you may have heard of called World of Warcraft, walks us through the tale of Crystite and a dying future Earth, beset by an alien race called the Chosen.

He also introduces writer Orson Scott Card, who talks about how he put the story together for what's "essentially ... a post-double apocalyptic world." Card's also working on a manga with his daughter Emily Card, to be published free on Red 5's website in conjunction with Udon Comics.
The manga is supposed to be available sometime before the game is due out later this year.

JoystiqFirefall dev diary features Orson Scott Card, reveals planned free manga comic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicdevdiaryemily cardEmilyCardfirefallmangamark kernMarkKernorson scott cardOrsonScottCardpcred-5-studiosudon comicsUdonComicsSat, 02 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan gets God of War manga as Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/japan-gets-god-of-war-manga-as-ghost-of-sparta-pre-order-bonus/#comments Tatsuya Egawa, creator of the risqué manga Golden Boy has been tapped by Sony to produce a short God of War: Ghost of Sparta manga as a pre-order bonus in Japan. It's intended to provide backstory for franchise newbies, but also gives Kratos an oddly proportioned head. Seriously, look at that thing!

JoystiqJapan gets God of War manga as Ghost of Sparta pre-order bonus originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>God-of-War-Ghost-of-Spartagolden-boyjapanmangaplaystationpre-orderpspReady-At-DawnsonyTatsuya-EgawaThu, 21 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Yakuza PSP crosses over into TV and manga]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/yakuza-psp-crosses-over-into-tv-and-manga/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/yakuza-psp-crosses-over-into-tv-and-manga/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/yakuza-psp-crosses-over-into-tv-and-manga/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sega wants you to believe these three guys are tough. That's sort of a requirement for accepting them as protagonists of a new Yakuza TV series, based on the PSP's Black Panther: New Yakuza Chapter and bearing the same title. Japan's TBS and MBS stations will begin showing the live action adaptation, featuring an original story, every Tuesday night starting October 5. Later, the episodes will be available for rental on Japan's PlayStation Store.

In addition to the TV series, a Yakuza manga will be released, also starring the PSP game's protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. It'll be serialized in Weekly Young magazine. That's ... a lot of Yakuza. And that's not even taking the other upcoming Yakuza game into consideration.

JoystiqYakuza PSP crosses over into TV and manga originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-panther-new-yakuza-chapterJapanmangaplaystationpspSegasonytvYakuzaFri, 27 Aug 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Viz publishing Kirby manga in North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/viz-publishing-kirby-manga-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/viz-publishing-kirby-manga-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/16/viz-publishing-kirby-manga-in-north-america/#commentsDo you ever want to go beyond the Kirby games, and explore the deep backstory and complex, rich cast of characters in the Kirby universe? If so, you'll be pleased to hear that manga/anime publisher Viz Media is releasing a 25-volume Kirby manga in North America, joining Zelda and Pokemon manga.

The manga by Hirokazu Hikawa follows "Kirby and his friend, Chirby," trying to return the Star Rod while being pursued by King Dedede. Essentially, it's Lord of the Rings, but with an infantile pink monster who devours everything instead of a hobbit. The first volume will be out September 2010.

[Via Anime News Network]

JoystiqViz publishing Kirby manga in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicskirbymangaviz-mediaWed, 16 Dec 2009 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Takeuchi on marketing Lost Planet 2 across our planet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/takeuchi-on-marketing-lost-planet-2-across-our-planet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/takeuchi-on-marketing-lost-planet-2-across-our-planet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/takeuchi-on-marketing-lost-planet-2-across-our-planet/#commentsLost Planet 2 may be produced in Japan by Japanese developers at a Japanese company, but it's rooted in Western design philosophies -- namely, the art of shooting. In a Capcom published developer interview, producer Jun Takeuchi explained the company's marketing strategies in and outside of Japan.

"In foreign countries that account for a large share of sales," Takeuchi said, "we are going to rely on the brand recognition of Lost Planet and emphasize the new features in the game, as well as four player co-op mode." To emphasize the parts of the game that Japanese gamers might be more interested in, Takeuchi suggested, "we're going to focus on pushing the concept of 'enjoying four player co-op mode' instead of the fact that this game is an action shooter." In other words, Capcom's hoping to make Lost Planet 2 sound as much like Monster Hunter as possible.

Additionally, as part of its "Single Content Multiple Usage" multimedia initiative, Takeuchi said that Capcom may extend Lost Planet to manga as a promotional tool in Japan.

JoystiqTakeuchi on marketing Lost Planet 2 across our planet originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomjun-takeuchilost-planetlost-planet-2Lost-Planet-Extreme-ConditionmangamarketingMicrosoftXbox-360Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Koei drops assets, plot details for Fist of the North Star Musou]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/koei-drops-assets-plot-details-for-fist-of-the-north-star-musou/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/koei-drops-assets-plot-details-for-fist-of-the-north-star-musou/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/14/koei-drops-assets-plot-details-for-fist-of-the-north-star-musou/#comments
Hokuto no Ken, it means no worries for the rest of your days ...
Koei recently sent over a handful of screenshots from its recently announced video game adaptation of the Fist of the North Star anime series, Hokuto Musou, which is due out in Japan in 2010. Thankfully for those of us who aren't manga aficionados, these screens were accompanied by a brief primer on the series' plot. We won't bore you with the entire premise, but instead offer you this highlight from Koei's description:

"Channeling their energy into a single deadly blow, players can strike their victims and cause them to violently explode on screen. Gamers can also let loose with Kenshiro's signature move- a ruthless flurry of ferocious punches, triggering the instantaneous breakdown of internal organs, and death."

Yes, please.

Gallery: Fist of the North Star

JoystiqKoei drops assets, plot details for Fist of the North Star Musou originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animefist-of-the-north-starhokuto-musoujapankoeimangaMicrosoftXbox-360Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Naruto, Tales artists create special costumes for Tekken 6]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/naruto-tales-artists-create-special-costumes-for-tekken-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/naruto-tales-artists-create-special-costumes-for-tekken-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/naruto-tales-artists-create-special-costumes-for-tekken-6/#comments
Tekken 6 continues to expand its repertoire of manga-inspired special costumes. Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, is collaborating with Namco Bandai by creating an alternate outfit for Lars (seen above). This is the second costume from a famous mangaka for Tekken 6, the first being CLAMP's design for Jin.

In addition to Kishimoto's outfit, Tekken 6 will also feature an alternate costume for Zafina designed by Mutsumi Inomata, character designer of Tales of Destiny and Tales of Graces (after the break). While some were afraid these costumes would remain a strictly Japan-only affair, Siliconera reports that all three of the special costumes revealed so far will be available in the US version as well when it launches on October 27th.

Continue reading Naruto, Tales artists create special costumes for Tekken 6

JoystiqNaruto, Tales artists create special costumes for Tekken 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animecostumemangaMicrosoftnamco-bandainarutotekkentekken-6Xbox-360Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen to hit PSP in April]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen-to-hit-psp-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen-to-hit-psp-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/28/bamboo-blade-sorekara-no-chousen-to-hit-psp-in-april/#comments
Anime fans rejoice: Toraji "Kojir?" Ishida and his fierce clan of fighters are coming to the PSP. Bamboo Blade, the popular manga series from the producers of Gun Sword, will see new life on Sony's handheld this April in Japan, according to Saiani.net. Bambo Blade follows the exploits of luckless high school Kendo instructor, Kojir?, and his band of female trainees as they battle for all-you-can-eat sushi. Oh, and honor.

Bamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen for the PSP is a story-driven card-battle title with voice work from the cast of the original anime, which ended in mid-2008. Card-battles? Bamboo? Does it get better than that? Well, it will if a publisher decides to bring it Stateside.

JoystiqBamboo Blade: Sorekara no Chousen to hit PSP in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animebambo-bladecard-battlegadget-softmangaWed, 28 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WiiWare manga service quietly launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/wiiware-manga-service-quietly-launches/#commentsFiled under: ,


As promised, Sunsoft's WiiWare manga reader has just debuted on Japan's WiiWare service with Princess Ai, and Siliconera has posted a brief walkthrough to, well, reading Princess Ai on your Wii.

It sounds straightforward, if a little unwieldy. Turning English subtitles (all translation work has been done by Tokyopop) on is easily done via the options menu, though this does mean you'll have to center on each speech bubble to make the subtitles appear (by pressing the A button), as opposed to smoothly scrolling through the manga.

Meanwhile, the + and - buttons allow for zooming in and out, and accessing the next page is done by pressing left on the D-pad. There's also an option to listen to background music, five tracks from the newly released Princess Ai soundtrack, though how you people read and listen to music simultaneously we'll never know. Madness, we say.

Gallery: Princess Ai

JoystiqWiiWare manga service quietly launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>localizationmangaprincess-aisunsoftTue, 20 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan now to have two WiiWare manga services]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/japan-now-to-have-two-wiiware-manga-services/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/japan-now-to-have-two-wiiware-manga-services/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/22/japan-now-to-have-two-wiiware-manga-services/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Sunsoft's WiiWare manga viewer, through which users can download manga for a fee, is a great idea. At least, Shonen Jump seems to think so. At their Jump Festa event, the publication offered demos of a WiiWare service called Mangaon, branded with the name of Jump's online manga site Jumpland.

Posters indicate that the service, also available on DSi, will have some kind of "game" element -- a 3D world with original characters to interact with. This could be the navigation system for the manga. The real draw here is Jump's stable of manga: One Piece and Dragon Ball were on display in the demo.

Surprisingly, the web version of Jumpland actually includes a site for English-language manga, and, of course, Shonen Jump is outrageously popular in the West, so it's not entirely unbelievable for Jump to consider bringing this service over.

JoystiqJapan now to have two WiiWare manga services originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comicsjump-festamangamangaonshonen-jumpMon, 22 Dec 2008 20:07:00 EST<![CDATA[White Knight Chronicles prequel manga goes live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/white-knight-chronicles-prequel-manga-goes-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/white-knight-chronicles-prequel-manga-goes-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/white-knight-chronicles-prequel-manga-goes-live/#commentsFiled under:


Level-5's first big PS3 RPG, White Knight Chronicles, is hitting Japan very soon. In order to get the populace ready for this epic adventure, the official Japanese site now features a beautifully illustrated prequel manga. Simply click on "Special" at the top of the site to get a peek at the first issue. Sure, it's in Japanese, but for fans that are eagerly awaiting this game, this is a nice way of seeing the expansive world of WKC.

JoystiqWhite Knight Chronicles prequel manga goes live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comiclevel-5mangawhite-knight-chronicleswhite-knight-storyWed, 10 Dec 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[WiiWare manga releases next month, has English text]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wiiware-manga-releases-next-month-has-english-text/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wiiware-manga-releases-next-month-has-english-text/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/wiiware-manga-releases-next-month-has-english-text/#commentsFiled under:


Remember Sunsoft's plans to start releasing manga over WiiWare? After several months of hearing diddly-squat, we've finally got confirmation that Princess Ai will be the first title delivered through the service. On January 6, Japanese Wii owners will have access to the first three chapters for 500 Wii points. Subsequent chapters will be released in pairs for 200 points a time. At fifteen chapters long, that means Princess Ai will set you back 1700 points, a pretty competitive price when compared to the paper-based version.

Better still, one of the comic panels released by Sunsoft reveals subtitles in English -- Siliconera speculates that this could mean Sunsoft plans to localize its WiiWare manga viewer in the west. If that goes well, who knows what else could come our way?

Gallery: Princess Ai


[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqWiiWare manga releases next month, has English text originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>localizationmangaprincess-aisunsoftThu, 04 Dec 2008 18:16:00 EST<![CDATA[To Love-Ru: Milk-squirting joins butt-slapping]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/to-love-ru-milk-squirting-joins-butt-slapping/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/to-love-ru-milk-squirting-joins-butt-slapping/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/25/to-love-ru-milk-squirting-joins-butt-slapping/#commentsFiled under: ,

We thought we'd seen the most risqué content To Love-Ru had to offer with its bottom-slapping minigame -- we were wrong. Kotaku discovered that one of the more innuendo-laden minigames involves squirting, um, milk at a strawberry held by Lala, pink-haired alien girl and love interest of protagonist Rito.

Those with an interest in either of the activities mentioned in our title will be able to import this from August 28th. Meanwhile, if you missed it first time, the full (N entirely SFW) trailer is past the break.

Continue reading To Love-Ru: Milk-squirting joins butt-slapping

JoystiqTo Love-Ru: Milk-squirting joins butt-slapping originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanmangamarvelousto-love-rutouchingMon, 25 Aug 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chi's Sweet Home is very sweet indeed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/chis-sweet-home-is-very-sweet-indeed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/chis-sweet-home-is-very-sweet-indeed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/chis-sweet-home-is-very-sweet-indeed/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chi's Sweet Home is a manga and anime series about a lost kitten who gets adopted by a loving family. Interchannel-Holon is turning it into a heartbreakingly cute DS game that combines comic-style storytelling and graphical text adventuring with adorable and weird minigames. Depending on the date, different minigames will be available, ranging from throwing a ball for Chi to ... kitten sumo? It also includes the requisite interactivity, allowing you to pet, feed, and otherwise care for little Chi.

It's easy not to love the soulless, polygonal Nintendogs, but Chi's face could easily sway even the most stalwart pet-game hater. This isn't a standard pet game, in any case -- it's an adventure game starring a pet.

JoystiqChi's Sweet Home is very sweet indeed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catschis-sweet-homeinterchannel-holonmangapetsTue, 08 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Popular manga Blazes way to DS as an RPG]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/popular-manga-blazes-way-to-ds-as-an-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/popular-manga-blazes-way-to-ds-as-an-rpg/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/popular-manga-blazes-way-to-ds-as-an-rpg/#commentsFiled under:

World Destruction isn't the only RPG Sega is cooking up for the DS right now. The company is also slaving over a DS adaptation of Blazer Drive, Seishi Kishimoto's popular manga set in a futuristic Tokyo where society has developed "Mystickers," adhesives which contain various elements (electricity, ice, light, etc.) and assist in day-to-day life.

Certain individuals -- known as "Blazers" -- can activate Mystickers on their skin, and this plot mechanism plays a role in the Blazer Drive game. In the title's turn-based battles, Mystickers can be applied to characters using the stylus to let them attack, use special skills, or generate combos. Players fill the boots and spiky hair of Shiro and Tamaki, two Blazers.

A localization of Blazer Drive looks unlikely, but to be honest we're surprised that it's even getting a game of its own -- the manga can't be more than three months old! Check out more screens beyond the break.

Continue reading Popular manga Blazes way to DS as an RPG

JoystiqPopular manga Blazes way to DS as an RPG originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blazer-drivelicensemangarpgsegaMon, 30 Jun 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Absolutely Lovely Children exist on the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/absolutely-lovely-children-exist-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/absolutely-lovely-children-exist-on-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/absolutely-lovely-children-exist-on-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

More manga/anime adaptations head DS-ward, this time in the form of Zettai Karen Children (Absolutely Lovely Children). Konami grabbed the license for the series and is making it into an RPG for the DS, which comes out on September 4th in Japan.

We never heard of Absolutely Lovely Children before, well, yesterday, but the story focuses around three young girls with ESP. It's not uncommon for people to have ESP (in this manga/anime-verse), but these ten-year-olds have the highest level of the power. The government thus forms them into a seemingly elite unit known as "The Children."

Since more details on this recently-announced-yet-soon-to-release game have yet to surface, it might be worth checking out some of the screens below to see if the style appeals to you. Keep in mind, though, that Zettai Karen Children DS: Dai-4 no Children probably won't be localized outside of Japan.


[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqAbsolutely Lovely Children exist on the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>absolutely-lovely-childrenanimeespjapankonamimangarpgzettai-karen-childrenzettai-karen-children-ds-dai-4-no-childrenThu, 26 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[To-Love-Ru: Do I have something on my butt?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/to-love-ru-do-i-have-something-on-my-butt/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/to-love-ru-do-i-have-something-on-my-butt/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/23/to-love-ru-do-i-have-something-on-my-butt/#commentsFiled under: ,



File this one as another crazy Japanese game. We knew about To-Love-Ru awhile back, but we never knew it'd be like this. As you can see in the video above, the main goal of the game seems to be slapping young ladies on their bottoms. Well, maybe not slapping them so much as clearing evil little things away from their backside.

Move over, Doki Doki Majo Shinpan. There's a new almost-obscene title in town.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqTo-Love-Ru: Do I have something on my butt? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dokidokimajoshinpanjapanmangamarvelousto-love-rutouchingMon, 23 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai publishing Square Enix-owned Soul Eater]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/namco-bandai-publishing-square-enix-owned-soul-eater/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/namco-bandai-publishing-square-enix-owned-soul-eater/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/18/namco-bandai-publishing-square-enix-owned-soul-eater/#commentsFiled under: ,

Square Enix was awarded the Wii license for the Soul Eater manga by the property's publisher ... Square Enix. Their Soul Eater: Monotone Princess is a third-person 3D hack & slash set in the manga's universe. Despite the apparent nepotism, Square Enix's publishing arm and its little video game business aren't as exclusive as they may seem: for some reason, Namco Bandai has the license for a DS game based on the franchise. Namco Bandai has chosen to create ... a third-person 3D hack & slash!

Despite being developed by different companies for different systems, Soul Eater: Medusa no Inbou (Medusa's Plot) looks extremely similar to the Wii game, in terms of environment, perspective, and overall presentation (cutscenes involving dialogue delivered by still character portraits). Two games in the same genre based on the same license will naturally look similar, but we think this goes beyond a signature look. Or maybe not. Compare for yourself after the break!

Continue reading Namco Bandai publishing Square Enix-owned Soul Eater

JoystiqNamco Bandai publishing Square Enix-owned Soul Eater originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionmanganamco-bandaisoul-eatersquare-enixWed, 18 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Metal City makes for awesome action figures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/detroit-metal-city-makes-for-awesome-action-figures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/detroit-metal-city-makes-for-awesome-action-figures/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/17/detroit-metal-city-makes-for-awesome-action-figures/#commentsFiled under: ,

Upon first seeing Detroit Metal City: Death Shout, we came to a conclusion: the game was the perfect amount of crazy for us. It's no secret that we enjoy odd things here at DS Fanboy, so we'd like to point out that the game is now getting action figures, allowing you to act out scenarios you might not find in the Japanese title.

As you can see to the right, Johannes Krauser II came out wonderfully in his action figure. He's not only available as you see him there, but also in another costume. Joining him for this run of action figures is also the band's drummer.

So, anybody want to pick these up for us? Our birthday is, uh, soon or something.

JoystiqDetroit Metal City makes for awesome action figures originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3d3-publisherdetroit-metal-cityheavy-metalkissmangametalminigamesmusicrhythmTue, 17 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Great Wise King: a new shooter based on familiar material]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/great-wise-king-a-new-shooter-based-on-familiar-material/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/great-wise-king-a-new-shooter-based-on-familiar-material/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/great-wise-king-a-new-shooter-based-on-familiar-material/#commentsFiled under: ,


Daiseiou, which means "Great Sage King" or "Great Wise King" is a manga based on the Chinese Monkey King story that has been adapted and remade countless times, most recently in the game world as Starfish's The Monkey King: The Legend Begins.

It appears that the legend is continuing: Starfish is working on a game based on Daiseiou, which is also a 2D side-scrolling shooter with the player as the Monkey King flying on his cloud (though this one also features Space Harrier-style segments). For two games in the exact same genre about the same subject matter from the same developer, the styles couldn't be more different -- Daiseiou's detailed, painted-looking style is a sharp contrast from the colorful chibiness of The Monkey King. There's nothing but a single (but pretty excellent) piece of artwork on the official website right now, but you can see plenty of screens at Famitsu.

JoystiqGreat Wise King: a new shooter based on familiar material originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daiseioumangashmupshooterstarfishTue, 10 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Castlevania manga preview reveals existence of Wii game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/rumor-castlevania-manga-preview-reveals-existence-of-wii-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/rumor-castlevania-manga-preview-reveals-existence-of-wii-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/04/rumor-castlevania-manga-preview-reveals-existence-of-wii-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Previews magazine product description (as presented on retail website BadgerComics.com) for a new manga based on Castlevania: Curse of Darkness includes a list of the manga's selling points, including planned promotions by Konami and publisher Tokyopop. According to the list, the manga will be: "Cross-promoted with the 2008 video game releases, which include games for the Nintendo Wii and DS (Fall 2008)." The text reads differently in the preview image (seen above), with specific platform references excised. However, it does still read "2008 video game releases."

Unless someone at Previews just made a huge typo, not only is there a Wii Castlevania game (as has been rumored many times), but it's coming out this year, along with Order of Ecclesia on the DS. Is it wrong that we kind of hope they're talking about Rondo of Blood on the Virtual Console instead of another 3D game? An original 2D console Castlevania is far too much to expect. We're actually kind of excited about the Curse of Darkness manga on its own merits! Too much Castlevania for our poor hearts to take!

[Via Wiiz]

JoystiqRumor: Castlevania manga preview reveals existence of Wii game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actioncastlevaniakonamimangatokyopopWed, 04 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zelda manga confirmed for North America]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/zelda-manga-confirmed-for-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/zelda-manga-confirmed-for-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/02/zelda-manga-confirmed-for-north-america/#commentsFiled under:

Turns out, the rumor is truth. Everyone looking to dive into Link's adventures in Hyrule, this time in paper form, rejoice. Well, you can celebrate if you live in North America. Everyone else, this tidbit of info doesn't really apply to you.

But, we digress. Your hands will no longer need hold a controller or some kind of portable gaming device in order to experience Link and the happenings in his world. Word on the Hyrulian fields is that the manga will be available for your reading pleasure come this October.

[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqZelda manga confirmed for North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>legend-of-zeldamanganorth-americaocarina-of-timevizzeldaMon, 02 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bleach: Dark Souls presents bright, colorful screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/bleach-dark-souls-presents-bright-colorful-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/bleach-dark-souls-presents-bright-colorful-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/bleach-dark-souls-presents-bright-colorful-screens/#commentsFiled under:

We know many of you enjoy the Bleach. Whether it's the anime, manga, or very capable fighting game on the DS (and, we suppose, on some smaller level, the cleaning product), you folks are fans. In fact, you all just might convert us!

And with the Japanese sequel finally making its way to North America, we're pretty close to taking the plunge and checking out what you all have been going on about. In the meantime, we'll have to settle for the new Bleach: Dark Souls screens in our gallery. Give them a look yourself, then tell us why we need to be as excited about this game as you are!

JoystiqBleach: Dark Souls presents bright, colorful screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animebleachbleach-2ndbleach-dark-soulsbleach-secondmangasegaWed, 14 May 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tokyo Majin comes back to gaming for its 10th anniversary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/tokyo-majin-comes-back-to-gaming-for-its-10th-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/tokyo-majin-comes-back-to-gaming-for-its-10th-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/tokyo-majin-comes-back-to-gaming-for-its-10th-anniversary/#commentsFiled under: ,

Marvelous and developer Asmik Ace will release a DS game based on the Tokyo Majin Gakuen franchise on August 21. The supernatural anime and manga series are in turn based on the Tokyo Majin Gakuen: Kenpucho series of adventure/RPG games on the PlayStation and Playstation 2.

Last year, ADV licensed Tokyo Majin, about high school students who fight the undead, for American release. The DVDs are still coming out as of this month, but the series' web site goes nowhere. We're not sure what that says about ADV's confidence in Majin, though we doubt they're going to pursue this DS game. We aren't sure if it's popular enough over here for another company to try to grab some of the revenue, either.

JoystiqTokyo Majin comes back to gaming for its 10th anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureanimeasmik-acemangamarvelousrpgtokyo-majinWed, 07 May 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[The World Ends with manga and ringtones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-world-ends-with-manga-and-ringtones/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-world-ends-with-manga-and-ringtones/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/16/the-world-ends-with-manga-and-ringtones/#commentsFiled under:


Not long ago, Square Enix launched an official website for The World Ends With You, which had nothing on it besides a pointless countdown. While the website actually has stuff to look at now, it's still relatively "meh" as far as official sites go.

The Square Enix Members page is a different story, though. There, you can check out a creator's roundtable, as well the first chapter of the translated manga by Shiro Amano (with more chapters to come). Another neat feature is that by clicking on the few colored bits of the manga, you can unlock TWEWY ringtones. They can be downloaded for free once you're finished reading the chapter (this blogger's favorite of the ones offered is "It's So Wonderful.")

The website also reports that the official soundtrack for the game will be heading to iTunes soon, which is good news if you don't mind having DRM "protected" music.

[Via GamerTell]

JoystiqThe World Ends with manga and ringtones originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mangaringtonesroundtablerpgshiro-amanosquare-enixwewyworld-ends-with-youWed, 16 Apr 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First decent screens of Soul Eater]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/first-decent-screens-of-soul-eater/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/first-decent-screens-of-soul-eater/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/first-decent-screens-of-soul-eater/#commentsFiled under: ,


We're vaguely excited about Soul Eater, even though we aren't sure we should be. We aren't the biggest anime fans in the world, but the comments on the initial Soul Eater post suggest that there's good stuff to be found in this universe, and the concept of a school for weapon creation certainly holds promise.

But as high-quality as Square Enix's games usually are, and as interesting as this game concept sounds, we have to be wary of non-RPGs from the company. There are a lot more The Bouncers, Ehrgeizes, and King's Knights in Square's history than there are Einhänders. For that matter, the crowds of generic enemies suggest a possible Kingdom Hearts-alike, which seems like a good idea given the sale of Kingdom Hearts.

JoystiqFirst decent screens of Soul Eater originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadventureanimemangasoul-eatersquare-enixFri, 11 Apr 2008 22:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix's new Wii game: some anime thing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/square-enixs-new-wii-game-some-anime-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/square-enixs-new-wii-game-some-anime-thing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/10/square-enixs-new-wii-game-some-anime-thing/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Square Enix has announced their fifth Wii game (fourth if Crystal Bearers doesn't pan out, of course), and, for the first time, it's not a Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest spinoff. Instead, it's a licensed anime/manga game! Soul Eater: Monotone Princess is based on the Soul Eater manga (and the anime that just started this week) about students in some kind of crazy school where they learn to make living weapons.

Normally we'd groan about a licensed game, but Soul Eater is an action game! It has adventure elements, of course (those still portraits of the manga's characters have got to tell the story sometime!), but it looks like a pretty cool bit of 3D weapon-based brawling.

JoystiqSquare Enix's new Wii game: some anime thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionanimemangasoul-eatersquare-enixThu, 10 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Zelda manga releasing to North America later this year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/rumor-zelda-manga-releasing-to-north-america-later-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/rumor-zelda-manga-releasing-to-north-america-later-this-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/rumor-zelda-manga-releasing-to-north-america-later-this-year/#commentsFiled under:

For this blogger, the only manga experience accrued has been in the form of reading the greatest thing ever made. Other than that, this blogger has no experience with the medium. So imagine how excited we were when we received Josh's tip about The Legend of Zelda manga possibly releasing to North America.

The rumor stems from a listing for the manga at Canadian retailer RightStuf. It says the 200 page book will be releasing on October 7th of this year and published by VIZ.

Considering the lack of concrete evidence supporting the claim, we're going to keep this one marked as a rumor for now.

[Thanks, Josh!]

JoystiqRumor: Zelda manga releasing to North America later this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artbookcomiclegend-of-zeldamangazeldaFri, 04 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Legend of Zelda manga coming stateside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/legend-of-zelda-manga-coming-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/legend-of-zelda-manga-coming-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/04/legend-of-zelda-manga-coming-stateside/#commentsFiled under:

Usually, we don't often partake in "the mangas." Sometimes you have to read them backwards, which makes our heads hurt, and frankly, we don't think our black jeans are comically baggy enough to pull the whole "manga reader" look off. That said, we think we'll be forced to make an exception for a Legend of Zelda manga that's reportedly coming stateside.

In an effort to make no more than one manga-related post per month, we also wanted to let you know that GoNintendo got its hands on the cover for the Phoenix Wright manga headed our way. It's totally uninspiring, save for the presence of Godot, the coolest prosecutor since Sam Waterston. ... Crap, are we going to have to buy two mangas? We're going to have to go get our jeans let out.

JoystiqRumor: Legend of Zelda manga coming stateside originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>legend-of-zeldamangaphoenix-wrightzeldaFri, 04 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hayate the Combat Butler returns to the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/hayate-the-combat-butler-returns-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/hayate-the-combat-butler-returns-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/hayate-the-combat-butler-returns-to-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A few days ago, another dating sim hit Japanese shelves, making us wonder just how many of these types of games Japan gets in any given month. Like many, this one is based on a Japanese manga (which was later developed into an anime and video game) called Hayate the Combat Butler.

The first video game based on the manga came out last summer. Hayate no Gotoku! Ojousama Produce Daisakusen Boku Iro ni Somare! just recently released, though, and comes in two different versions. The main difference in the two versions is the setting, as one takes place at a rich girl named Nagi's school, while the other takes place at her mansion home.

The game has a Pygmalion/My Fair Lady type of storyline, in which the butler of the house must train Nagi for an Ojousama (lady) contest. You control Hayate the teen butler, and must pick out Nagi's clothes, scout out her opponents, and take her out on dates (to relieve her stress, of course). Ultimately, your goal is to make the bond between Hayate and Nagi as strong as possible.

We're going to bet that this shows up in the Japanese sales charts sometime soon -- any takers? Also, if you're interested, you can check past the break to see the boxarts and some screens.

Continue reading Hayate the Combat Butler returns to the DS

JoystiqHayate the Combat Butler returns to the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>datingdating-simhayate-no-gotokuhayate-the-combat-butlerjapanmangaojousama-produce-daisakusen-boku-iro-ni-somaresimTue, 18 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ban-kai!: Sega to bring Bleach DS sequel stateside]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/ban-kai-sega-to-bring-bleach-ds-sequel-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/ban-kai-sega-to-bring-bleach-ds-sequel-stateside/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/07/ban-kai-sega-to-bring-bleach-ds-sequel-stateside/#commentsFiled under: ,



Likely surprising no one considering the popularity of the Bleach manga/anime series, Sega announced its plans to publish Bleach: Dark Souls (or Bleach DS: 2nd Kokui Hirameku Requiem, as it's known in Japan), the follow-up to Bleach: The Blade of Fate, this summer in North America.

The Treasure-developed 2D fighter features a number of improvements on the original:
  • an exclusive storyline that takes place in between the series's first and second season
  • 44 playable characters (The Blade of Fate has 26)
  • 30 new Power-up Cards and Power Crystals
  • Bleach encyclopedia containing "fun and interesting facts about the entire Bleach universe"
All that comes on top of the game's four-player online battles and multi-plane stages. Hit the gallery below for English-translated screenshots from Dark Souls, or check past the break for a two-minute trailer from the Japanese release.

Continue reading Ban-kai!: Sega to bring Bleach DS sequel stateside

JoystiqBan-kai!: Sega to bring Bleach DS sequel stateside originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2danimebleachdark-soulsfightermangasegatreasureviz-mediaFri, 07 Mar 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Flash of the North Star]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/flash-of-the-north-star/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/flash-of-the-north-star/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/flash-of-the-north-star/#commentsFiled under: ,


Got a few minutes to kill? Spend it killing with your fists of stylus-enhanced rage. Spike has created a Flash demo of the Fist of the North Star game and made it available at the official website, allowing you to first enjoy a tutorial that demonstrates the controls, and then, as Kenshiro, take on some enormous guy in a fight. Just click around the navigation buttons under the DS on the demo page and you'll get to all the content.

The tutorial isn't terribly necessary -- click numbers in order, drag back and forth between lines pointing at each other -- but we recommend it, because it basically amounts to a little bit more game. There's a decent challenge to be found in some of the tasks, mostly because of the timer. The back-and-forth motions, for example, require some decent speed and accuracy. Of course, this is made somewhat more difficult by the substitution of a mouse for the stylus.

[Via Inside-Games]

JoystiqFlash of the North Star originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demofist-of-the-north-starmangaspikeTue, 12 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A video game about a manga about a board game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/a-video-game-about-a-manga-about-a-board-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/a-video-game-about-a-manga-about-a-board-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/31/a-video-game-about-a-manga-about-a-board-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

Shion no Ou is a manga and anime series about a girl who sees her parents murdered, then watches as the murderer walks off with the "king" piece from the family's shogi board. She subsequently begins playing shogi in order to find the killer. Over time, the mute (from trauma) Shion begins enjoying the game, while continuing to search for clues about the shogi-playing killer's identity.

Sounds like a neat premise for a manga, but also the basis for a weirdly intense shogi game. It is targeted directly at the intersection between the board game, murder-mystery and junior-high drama crowds. Oh, and of course it includes a "learn to play shogi" mode, so go ahead and add the DS training game enthusiasts to the list!

JoystiqA video game about a manga about a board game originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mainichimangashion-no-oushogiThu, 31 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rosario + Video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/rosario-and-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/rosario-and-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/26/rosario-and-video/#commentsFiled under: ,


Capcom has released a trailer of their game adaptation of the conceptually wacky manga series Rosario + Vampire (Rosario and the Vampire). As you'd expect for a game based on manga and anime, the trailer spends most of its time showing some anime footage, then fits some actual gameplay in at the end.

Past the adventure-game-style location searching, past the cutscene of the poor protagonist being bitten by his vampire girlfriend (what did he expect?) and past the clicking-on-floating-hearts minigame, you can catch a glimpse of the unusual touchscreen-based combat. On the bottom screen, it looks just like an Ouendan-type thing. On the top, it's a 2D fighting game!

JoystiqRosario + Video originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureanimecapcommangarosariorosario-to-vampireSat, 26 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Doki Doki Majo Shinpan manga is just like you'd imagine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/doki-doki-majo-shinpan-manga-is-just-like-youd-imagine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/doki-doki-majo-shinpan-manga-is-just-like-youd-imagine/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/21/doki-doki-majo-shinpan-manga-is-just-like-youd-imagine/#commentsFiled under:


Good to see that the official Doki Doki Majo Shinpan manga, which has been collected into trade paperback form, stays true to the series' hallmarks. It is in fact a manga about a guy compelled by an angel-thing to go poke girls until they reveal themselves as witches.

It's significantly more unsettling in the manga, because, while it lacks the agency of the games (you're watching girls get poked instead of taking part), the ways in which these poor girls get messed with falls outside of the limitations of the game. One girl is stuck in a gigantic spider web, for example, and another has her Neo Geo Pocket knocked out of her hands by her own breasts when Lulu the "angel" begins harrassing her.

The poor Neo Geo Pocket.

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqDoki Doki Majo Shinpan manga is just like you'd imagine originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doki-doki-majo-shinpanmangasnkwitchMon, 21 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Phoenix Wright manga judged fit for Western release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/phoenix-wright-manga-judged-fit-for-western-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/phoenix-wright-manga-judged-fit-for-western-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/15/phoenix-wright-manga-judged-fit-for-western-release/#commentsFiled under:

Further demonstrating the insane success of our favorite lawyer adventure game series, Del Rey Manga, publisher of Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes, will be translating the official Gyakuten Saiban manga and releasing it in the U.S. The first volume of Phoenix Wright is set to be released on August 26th, at a retail price of $13.95. Amazon, of course, is preselling it for $2 less.

The manga features all the familiar Phoenix Wright characters you know, love, and object to, along with new characters, in completely new cases. With Apollo Justice on the way next month, we're glad to have a line on some new content, even if it's somewhat less interactive than the games.

[Thanks, Eric Flatness!]

JoystiqPhoenix Wright manga judged fit for Western release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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