Joystiq

Soul Sacrifice is Keiji Inafune's Vita game, features gruesome magic

JC Fletcher — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:15:00 EST

While Sony's Japan Studio is the only listed name on the teaser video for Soul Sacrifice, a new Famitsu story adds some other names to the roster. Former Capcom exec, current Comcept/Intercept head, and Neptunia mk2 weapon Keiji Inafune is in charge of planning on the Vita game for his company Comcept.

That would mean Soul Sacrifice is the Vita game he semi-accidentally announced, and then attempted to unannounce, earlier this year. Inafune is working with developer Marvelous AQL, with composers Yasunori Mitsuda and Wataru Hokoyama providing music.

The game allows players to cast powerful magic spells, but requires a payment ("Sacrifice") for each. You can sacrifice objects, but the most powerful spells require you to give up parts of your character's body - in an example given, you give up an eye to summon a Gorgon. The player has been enslaved by a sorcerer, and captured in a small cell, when a demonic book appears that allows the player to experience past magical battles - which you can do with up to four players.

Head to Famitsu now to see many, many screenshots and pieces of ~~Comcept~~ concept art.

Soul Sacrifice is Keiji Inafune's Vita game, features gruesome magic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

"I don't think I mentioned anything about PlayStation Vita," Keiji Inafune told me in an interview this morning. His answer -- an outright lie -- elicited laughs from myself and his translator, both of us having attended his state of the Japanese game industry panel yesterday at GDC 2012 -- where he teased a PlayStation Vita project.

"I can say that I got in trouble from Sony," he said. Uh oh! Unsurprisingly, Inafune wouldn't budge on any more details, only adding that, "You should be able to hear something more in detail soon." That's right, folks -- even important devs like Keiji Inafune can't just walk around saying whatever they want about unannounced projects all willy nilly.

But don't fret, fans, as Inafune plans on launching his already announced Nintendo 3DS project, King of Pirates, worldwide. "For all my titles, I'm looking to do worldwide publishing. I can't say who is publishing because it could be Marvelous directly or maybe they're going to find another publisher in the US," he said. "But the plan is to do it worldwide."

Keiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune reveals 'King of Pirates,' heading to 3DS in 2012

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST

Ex-Capcom head of production, Keiji Inafune, has yet another pot on the stove. His company, Intercept, announced its next game last night: "King of Pirates" for the Nintendo 3DS, which brings Inafune back into console development (as previously hinted). The game is apparently set on a massive ocean, "where heroes fight for ambition, justice, and their lives," according to a note from Inafune. 4Gamer reports that the game is planned as a trilogy, and features some form of multiplayer.

The teaser trailer, however, doesn't go very far in explaining what the game is actually about, though it seems to indicate some form of ship battle game -- the official website describes it as "pirate action adventure." The trailer does let slip some other information, however, such as who's publishing the game, namely Marvelous AQL, makers of the Harvest Moon series.

Currently, King of Pirates is only slated for launch in Japan, though we'd be surprised if it didn't end up in other territories eventually. In fact, according to Inafune's own development philosophy, it's almost guaranteed to arrive elsewhere.

Gallery: KAIO - King of Pirates

Keiji Inafune reveals 'King of Pirates,' heading to 3DS in 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xseed publishing Vanillaware's online RPG 'Grand Knights History'

JC Fletcher — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:45:00 EST

XSEED has picked up Vanillaware's recent PSP release, the turn-based RPG Grand Knights History, with the intention to publish it in both UMD and digital releases this winter. Rising Star Games will publish it in Europe at an unspecified time. Vanillaware, if you can't quite place the name, is the developer of absurdly pretty 2D games like Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Odin Sphere, and the upcoming Dragon's Crown.

Grand Knights History depicts a war between three European-style nations, Union, Avalon, and Logres. Players choose one of the factions, recruit teams of soldiers, and face off against the other two armies in battles that take place over 30 hours. Each team member is fully customizable.

During TGS, I spoke with producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto, from development partner and publisher Marvelous, who explained the unique online functionality of this title -- the part that he thinks will help appeal to western audiences. "The way it works is you have these four parties online," composed from within a group of 32 characters you've built. "When you're online, you can take direct control of one of these; the other three will battle automatically. The other three parties are synced up to the server. But if you can't get online, all four will fight on their own."

While the online play is seen as a feature to draw in western players, the choice of gameplay system displays what seems to be a uniquely Japanese view. "The reason this was chosen: we did Muramasa: The Demon Blade with Vanillaware previously," Hashimoto said, "an action game. Some people are good at action, and some people are not. So with this game -- everybody can play a turn-based battle, and so every player will be able to get through the story and see the end, which is what we wanted."

Gallery: Grand Knights History (PSP)

Continue reading Xseed publishing Vanillaware's online RPG 'Grand Knights History'

Xseed publishing Vanillaware's online RPG 'Grand Knights History' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Little King's Story sequel coming to PlayStation Vita [update]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST

According to a purported Famitsu leak, one of the best games of 2009 (which most people didn't play) will see a sequel on Sony's new handheld. Andriasang reports that a sequel to Marvelous's Pikmin-ish town-building action strategy game, Little King's Story, was announced for the Vita in this week's Famitsu. The title of this new game translates to "The King, The Demon King and the Seven Princesses: New King Story," and it features new designs for the characters.

Yoshiro Kimura headed this game with Cing, Town Factory, and other assorted developers; he's since left Marvelous for Grasshopper Manufacture, and Cing has gone bankrupt, leaving the identity of this game's developer somewhat of a mystery. Of course, it's premature to worry about things like that when we don't even know the game is real, something we're attempting to confirm with Marvelous now.

Update: Andriasang has more details. Konami is publishing the new game instead of Marvelous, though Marvelous is still involved in some way. The Vita release has more "realistic proportions" in its characters, and a full touch-based control scheme. And it'll be playable at Tokyo Game Show in Sony's booth.

Rumor: Little King's Story sequel coming to PlayStation Vita [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax review: Impressed for time

JC Fletcher — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST

Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax takes the gameplay of a traditional JRPG, and squeezes it all into 30-second chunks. Inspired by this feat of game design magic, I decided to see if I could fit my whole review into 30 seconds as well.

Gallery: Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax (XBLA)

Continue reading Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax review: Impressed for time

Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax review: Impressed for time originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let Travis Touchdown show you how to play No More Heroes with Move

JC Fletcher — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST

Say you're interested in No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, but you have no imagination. How best to communicate the Move controls to you? Japanese publisher Marvelous has figured it out, by having someone dressed as Travis Touchdown demonstrate the game using the PS3 motion controller.

That way, you won't be confused at all about what motions to perform, and whom you'll be manipulating when you make those motions! Just for reference, we're reasonably certain the controls work even if you aren't wearing a Travis Touchdown costume. You won't have to worry about that until a Kinect version of No More Heroes comes along.

Warning: he goes through most of the second assassination, so if you'd consider that a spoiler, don't watch.

Continue reading Let Travis Touchdown show you how to play No More Heroes with Move

Let Travis Touchdown show you how to play No More Heroes with Move originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half-Minute Hero XBLA's optional HD look revealed

JC Fletcher — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:30:00 EST

The XBLA version of Half-Minute Hero changes the original beyond cutting it down to all "Hero 30" mode and adding a crazy new name. As revealed in screens on the newly launched website, Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax gives players the option to replace the retro-ish pixelated look with a new high-res style that renders all the characters as adorable, circle-faced sprites. The "classic" look will also be available.

Siliconera reports that there are 62 new missions in the XBLA version, and describes the online mode as a "race against other players to save the world." Like any part of this game isn't a race! Super Mega Neo Climax will be out June 29.

Gallery: Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax (XBLA)

Half-Minute Hero XBLA's optional HD look revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hero 30 Second set for August 4 in Japan

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 26 May 2011 03:00:00 EST

After suffering a couple of delays, PSP title Hero 30 Second now has a new release date of August 4 in Japan. The news was announced on the Hero 30 Second blog, in which Producer Takagi Kenitirou apologized for the delays and thanked fans for waiting.

The sequel to Half-Minute Hero tasks players with completing grand RPG quests in only thirty seconds. The original Half-Minute Hero is also expected to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade, though an official release date has yet to be announced.

Hero 30 Second set for August 4 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns headed to DS and 3DS

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:40:00 EST

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns will launch simultaneously on the DS and 3DS in North America this summer. A 3DS Harvest Moon was previously revealed, but we weren't aware of the dual platform launch.

The latest Harvest Moon plot revolves around two towns torn apart by a rivalry over food. As a new farmer, players will have to choose between the crop-lovin' Eastern-styled town of Konohana or the meat-meat-meat, European-styled Bluebell. In time, players will bring a truce between the towns -- likely by developing an industrial farming complex that buys out both towns and places all the local farmers into indentured servitude.

Continue reading Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns headed to DS and 3DS

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns headed to DS and 3DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Muramasa dev Vanillaware creating 'Grand Knights History' for PSP

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

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

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

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

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

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Marvelous cancels multiplatform RPG nobody knew existed

JC Fletcher — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:45:00 EST

No More Heroes and Harvest Moon publisher Marvelous Entertainment's latest financial report includes the sad news that the company has decided to cancel an "epic RPG" that was in development for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The loss of the title comes as a surprise to us, because Marvelous never told anyone about it in the first place. Marvelous hinted at an original IP for "new hardware" back in 2010.

Marvelous reported ¥245 million ($2.9 million) in losses from the development of this title, which is especially impressive in proportion to the company's operating profit of ¥409 million ($4.9 million), of which the digital contents division (the part that makes games) brought in ¥89 million. That operating profit, by the way, is a great improvement over last year's ¥1,208 million ($14.6 million) loss.

Marvelous cancels multiplatform RPG nobody knew existed originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let's get unsettled with this Night of the Sacrifice trailer

JC Fletcher — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST

Marvelous's two-player Wii horror game Ikenie no Yoru (Night of the Sacrifice) is much scarier-looking than any game starring pastel human silhouettes should be. After the break, you'll find blood-splattered walls, creepy noises, and -- who just leaves a mannequin on a couch? Why would you do that?

Continue reading Let's get unsettled with this Night of the Sacrifice trailer

Let's get unsettled with this Night of the Sacrifice trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hero 30 Second delayed a second time

JC Fletcher — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST

Marvelous has reset its own countdown clock for Hero 30 Second, delaying the PSP sequel's Japanese release from February 10 to an unspecified 2011 release. This follows a delay from November into February. Marvelous cited "various reasons" and offered apologies, but no further explanation. Just before making this dramatic announcement, Marvelous released the trailer you'll find after the break. It's a super-epic boss battle in the series' super-speed style.

Hero 30 Second has yet to be announced for release outside of Japan. The predecessor, Half-Minute Hero, was published in North America by Xseed.

Continue reading Hero 30 Second delayed a second time

Hero 30 Second delayed a second time originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twitter caption contest launched for Half-Minute Hero sequel

JC Fletcher — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST

As practice for the kind of quick thinking required to play Hero 30 Second ... and to promote Hero 30 Second (mostly that last one), Japanese publisher Marvelous has launched a Twitter caption contest. Participants are asked to come up with clever captions for a selected screenshot in 100 characters or less.

Of course, given the nature of the game, participants are also limited to 30 seconds. After you've come up with your impromptu masterpiece, it'll go on the "Twitter30" website and your own Twitter feed. As 1UP notes, it's technically a Japanese contest, but there's likely someone at Marvelous who will be able to read and appreciate your frantic attempts at humor.

Twitter caption contest launched for Half-Minute Hero sequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Night of the Sacrifice' horror game features mysterious Balance Board function

JC Fletcher — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Ikenie no Yoru, or "Night of the Sacrifice," is a newly announced Wii horror game from Marvelous Interactive, and it's just as mysterious as the possibly-haunted mansion in which it's set. This is partly because so little has been revealed: All we have to go on is a translation of a Famitsu magazine article about the game and an accompanying trailer, also from Famitsu -- but even the trailer raises more questions.

The clip shows semi-realistic characters interacting with silhouetted, stylized Feel the Magic-esque characters. Additionally, the Famitsu article reveals that Night of the Sacrifice will somehow integrate the Balance Board, the creepiest of all Wii peripherals. How exactly will that work?

We have a lot to learn before the game's March 24 release in Japan.

Continue reading 'Night of the Sacrifice' horror game features mysterious Balance Board function

'Night of the Sacrifice' horror game features mysterious Balance Board function originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous caps 3DS game development at $1.8M per title

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST

During a recent investor call, Marvelous Entertainment, the publisher best known for its Harvest Moon games, revealed its budget range for 3DS game development. According to the transcription of the call's Q&A session (as translated by 1UP), a Marvelous representative said that, "while costs vary based on game content," the company would spend an estimated ¥50 million to ¥150 million ($600K to $1.8M) on the development of a single 3DS game. Currently, Marvelous has two 3DS projects in the works, a Harvest Moon game and a zoo sim called Animal Resort.

Not surprisingly, Marvelous' 3DS spending money is significantly higher than the ¥4.4 million to ¥43.9 million per title (roughly $50K-525K) Japanese companies spent on developing (regular) DS games last year, according to data gathered by TGS sponsor and promotional organization CESA. More interestingly, Marvelous' ¥150-million cap for a 3DS game represents a figure more than double the cost of the last year's most expensive Japanese PSP title, which, while unnamed, cost ¥59.2 million to develop by CESA's account. (The cheapest PSP game cost its maker just ¥3 million.)

If Marvelous' budget is indicative of other companies' 3DS game costs -- and, certainly, some of these guys are likely to splurge -- then developing for the platform could prove more expensive than for Wii, where last year's most expensive Japanese project topped out at ¥116 million. In an era when budget gaming is dominating the handheld market, and following the disastrous combination of costly PSP game development and rampant piracy, the 3DS could be as ill-fated as the 3D technology that requires you to wear glasses.

Well, that, or it'll just "print money" ... in 3D.

Marvelous caps 3DS game development at $1.8M per title originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous profits in fiscal Q1 -- by cutting back on game releases

JC Fletcher — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST

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

Marvelous Entertainment has, in the recent past, been reporting disappointing earnings. Well, not even "earnings." Losses. To combat those losses, the company reduced its slate for fiscal 2011, a strategy that appears to have worked.

In its last fiscal quarter (which ended June 30), Marvelous's digital content division had ¥71 million ($829,000) in profit. The same quarter last year saw $1.5 million in losses! According to Siliconera's summary of the report, the boosted performance has more to do with reduced costs than game sales -- sales were actually down 55.4% year-over-year. Marvelous released just three games in the quarter, including No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise.

Marvelous profits in fiscal Q1 -- by cutting back on game releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No More Heroes 2 finally coming to Japan with deluxe edition

JC Fletcher — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST

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

Marvelous has finally gotten around to announcing a Japanese release date for No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle. Suda 51's revenge-themed action sequel will be released in Japan on October 21 -- nine months after the game's North American release.

Marvelous is compensating for the delay somewhat by offering a lovely "HOPPER's Edition" that contains the game, a soundtrack CD, a DVD recapping the events of the first game, and a new "No More Heroes 1.5" movie written by Suda 51, detailing what happened between the two games -- which means, we guess, that Travis didn't spend the whole time watching wrestling in his motel room. We hope. Those interested in this version will have to provide some compensation of their own, to the tune of ¥8,980 ($102). A regular edition will also be released for ¥7,140 ($81). Early purchases of either version will come with an "erotica comic" featuring character artwork and a recap of the previous game.

No More Heroes 2 finally coming to Japan with deluxe edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous plans new IP, 3DS Harvest Moon for next fiscal year

JC Fletcher — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST

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

The reduction of new IP coming out of Marvelous Entertainment isn't as total as we'd heard. In a recent investor Q&A summarized by air-be and translated by Siliconera, the company revealed that it will have original IP in the next fiscal year, for "new hardware." The current fiscal year ends March 31, 2011.

This hardware is likely to be something other than the 3DS. The company refers to that system explicitly when discussing its plans to release a Harvest Moon game on Nintendo's extradimensional handheld. That Harvest Moon game, by the way, also won't be ready until the next fiscal year, which means that you won't be planting crops deep into the ground -- with visible depth -- at the 3DS's launch.

Marvelous plans new IP, 3DS Harvest Moon for next fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous focuses on PSP development in fiscal 2011

JC Fletcher — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:00:00 EST

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given the company's recent executive pay cuts and low sales figures, that Marvelous Entertainment is looking to cut costs in fiscal 2011 by reducing its lineup of games slightly. Siliconera points out a slide from the company's latest earnings report (Japanese PDF downloadable at the bottom of the window) that shows only ten releases for the period between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. That's down two from the previous year. The biggest move comes from the DS lineup, which is reduced from six games to just one.

Also unsurprisingly, Marvelous is putting emphasis on PSP games. PSP development was the segment of Marvelous's game business that paid off in the last year, and the publisher is putting out more games there -- four -- than anywhere else in fiscal 2011. That includes the RPG Fate/Extra and the humiliating fighter Ikki Tousen: Xross Impact, as well as two currently unannounced games.

The rest of Marvelous's lineup includes the already-released No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise on PS3 and 360, Harvest Moon: Twins' Village on DS, one unknown PS3 game, and two unknown Wii games.

[Via Siliconera]

Marvelous focuses on PSP development in fiscal 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No More Heroes remakes outsold the original by a little

JC Fletcher — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:15:00 EST

We're not going to say that No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise is a hit, but those of us in constant fear of Marvelous running out of money can breathe a sigh of relief, as the remake has brought a little cash in (more considering that the game is a port and therefore probably less expensive to produce).

In fact, both versions managed to make it into the Media Create top ten, with the PS3 version's 16,000 copies securing a #7 position and the Xbox 360 version's 15,000 copies at #8. Both of these actually outperformed the Wii original, which sold 11,700 copies in its debut week back in 2007.

Now that we think about it, however, the real story might be that 15,000 people in Japan bought an Xbox 360 game in a single week.

Gallery: No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3/Xbox 360)

No More Heroes remakes outsold the original by a little originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No More Heroes: Wii vs. Xbox 360

JC Fletcher — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:03:00 EST

No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise was released in Japan last week, allowing the site PS360 to set to work comparing the new HD version (in this case the Xbox 360 release), ported by Feelplus, to the Wii original. After the break, you can see the intro to both versions, presented in split-screen. We suggest watching them in full-screen, because you can't really compare resolutions or detail inside a tiny window. You can, however, see noticeable differences in texture detail, and especially shading -- the Xbox version has crazy high-contrast shadows on everything. You can also hear the new Japanese voice acting, which sounds totally silly.

The second video compares load times between the Xbox 360 version installed to the hard drive and the Wii's disc-based version. Surprisingly, in some cases, the Xbox game takes much longer to load! While that's not a huge deal-breaker, Siliconera reports that users are complaining on Amazon about freezing as well. It's hard to determine how widespread the issue is, because it's an Xbox 360 game released in Japan, and thus probably not in that many hands.

Continue reading No More Heroes: Wii vs. Xbox 360

No More Heroes: Wii vs. Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yasuhiro Wada stepping down from Marvelous position

David Hinkle — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:36:00 EST

"Personal reasons" mark the departure of Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of the Harvest Moon franchise, from Marvelous Entertainment Inc., Kotaku reports. Wada will relinquish his current position at the end of the month, but will continue to serve the company in an advisory capacity.

Wada has been critical of Marvelous as of late, voicing his concerns about the publisher's lack of brand recognition. While we'd agree that not every gamer out there knows about Marvelous, we'd also argue that producing one of the best games of 2009 is certainly a big step toward gaining consumer trust.

Yasuhiro Wada stepping down from Marvelous position originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japanese Nintendo downloads: Zombie in Wonderland, Karate Champ

JC Fletcher — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST

Marvelous's World Game Parade brings a "world game" that actually has yet to release anywhere but Japan: Akaoni Studio's Zombie Panic in Wonderland, a sort of spiritual successor to the DS's Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ. Also on Wii is one of the original fighting games, Karate Champ, in its original arcade form -- though we doubt it supports the dual-joystick interface of the original.

Karate Champ (Arcade, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Zombie in Wonderland (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points)
Pokosuka Racing (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 500 Wii Points)
Write to Memorize: English Notebook (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Write to Memorize: Picture Notebook (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
G.G. Series Exciting River (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Ah! Nikaku Tori (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
Shooting Down King (DSiWare, 1-4 players, 500 DSi Points)
Hachi-One Diver Story (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)

Japanese Nintendo downloads: Zombie in Wonderland, Karate Champ originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New trailer for No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise adds to our frustration

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST

Other than providing a more specific April release date of the 15th (in Japan at least), the latest trailer for No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise which we've dropped after the break does little but fill us with frustration. First and foremost, we don't have any idea what it says because the whole thing's in Japanese. Second, the quick cuts don't give us enough of a chance to ogle the newly HDified graphics in the Xbox 360 and PS3 port. Third, we wanna see pure madness produced by that light ... sword (not a saber, that's for sure) if the game's gonna be in HD.

We might normally say something at this point about hoping for the best when the game arrives at retail, but this one's a Japan-only release, folks. Time to bust out that extra milk money (and Japanese dictionary) for the import copy, eh?

Gallery: No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3/Xbox 360)

Continue reading New trailer for No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise adds to our frustration

New trailer for No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise adds to our frustration originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous licenses Western WiiWare games for Japan

JC Fletcher — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:15:00 EST

Marvelous Entertainment, faced with low sales and financial trouble, is turning to a relatively low-cost source of new material to publish: Western WiiWare games. The publisher just started a new label, World Game Parade, to release localized Japanese versions of some WiiWare games originally developed and published outside of Japan.

In March, World Game Parade will release Zombie in Wonderland (called Zombie Panic in Wonderland outside of Japan) and Bit Man!! (Bplus's Bit Boy!!). Katamuki Spirits (Equilibrio) and Rakugaki Hero (Max & the Magic Marker) will follow in April. WiiWare sales figures aren't normally released, so we may have to wait until Marvelous's next earnings report to determine the effectiveness of the plan. We can confirm right now that the logo is adorable.

[Via Andriasang]

Marvelous licenses Western WiiWare games for Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming stateside in April

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST

Considering the extent to which Farmville has enraptured the hearts and minds of 95 percent of the Facebook-using populace, we're not surprised that Natsume has decided to bring yet another installment in the Harvest Moon franchise to the States. According to the publisher, American store shelves will play host to Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley for the PSP in April.

The game will task you with staving off the expansion of The Funland Corporation's chain of amusement parks into your home town of Leaf Valley. You'll do so in the most logical manner imaginable: by repeatedly performing various agricultural chores. Yeah, that'll show 'em!

Editor's Note: This announcement was posted earlier on Joystiq PlayStation. We apologize for the excessive publication of this news.

Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley coming stateside in April originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise delayed in Japan

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:31:00 EST

Japan is currently in the midst of a No More Heroes drought. Not only has Marvelous yet to give a release date to No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (which is out this week in North America!), the publisher has also announced a delay for the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 port of the original game, called No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise.

Originally set for release on February 25, Heroes' Paradise won't be delivering upgraded graphics and inappropriate new costumes for the female characters until April. Siliconera postulated that Marvelous is moving things into its next quarter in an attempt to boost profits in that period.

Gallery: No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3/Xbox 360)

[Via Siliconera]

No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise delayed in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST

Marvelous Interactive executives have taken a pay cut in response to a bad earnings forecast due to the publisher's low sales figures. Executives will take a 15-17 percent cut in pay, directors will be hit 25-43 percent, while the CEO will take a 77 percent reduction.

What's unclear is if this is a sign that executives are taking responsibility for what happened, or if there simply isn't enough money in the coffers to pay them.

[Via Siliconera]

Marvelous execs take pay cuts in the face of losses originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Play a Half-Minute Hero demo for a few minutes next week

David Hinkle — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:00 EST

If the thought of buying before trying seems as alien as making a sandwich out of textbooks and old toilet paper tubes, then you'll want to keep reading: Rising Star has announced that a demo of Half-Minute Hero will hit the EU PSN next week. Dubbed "Hero Mode," the demo will allow players to select between three missions included in the final game.

Half-Minute Hero features a series of quick challenges blending together a menagerie of genres, such as RPG, RTS and even shoot-em-ups. It's currently set to release in Europe on February 12.

[Via Videogamer]

Play a Half-Minute Hero demo for a few minutes next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Rising Star regains rights to Marvelous games after stock sale

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST

Even though Marvelous Entertainment just sold off its controlling stake in European publisher Rising Star Games, Rising Star will continue to bring Europeans Harvest Moon, No More Heroes and other Marvelous games.

Due to low sales in the West, Marvelous sold its stake in Rising Star to Japanese publisher Intergrow. When this deal was announced late last week, it led to speculation that Rising Star and other publishers would then have to license Marvelous games on a case-by-case basis to publish them in Europe. However, Rising Star managing director Martin Defries told MCV that Rising Star has reacquired the publishing rights in Europe. "I am delighted to have secured further additional backing from an important Japanese company, whilst continuing our content relationship with Marvelous Entertainment," Defries said.

Sales would suggest that an unfortunately small number of people are affected either way, but it should be comforting to some of you to have a reliable pipeline for Marvelous products.

Report: Rising Star regains rights to Marvelous games after stock sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half-Minute Hero finds time for Europe

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST

If you've been following Joystiq, you should be familiar with Half-Minute Hero, the zany RPG in which the apocalypse threatens to arrive every thirty seconds. Rising Star Games is taking care of the European release of the game, which will be readied on February 12th, 2010.

A press release describes Half-Minute Hero as a "love-letter to 8-bit classics," thanks to its retro ~~inspired~~ graphics. Disturbingly, Rising Star Games' Martin Defries says "it's a game which keeps on giving - but like an inexperienced teenager: 30 seconds at a time." We're not entirely sure what that's supposed to mean, but we would advise not keeping your kids around this guy.

Half-Minute Hero finds time for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No more driving around Santa Destroy in No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

JC Fletcher — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST

When Suda51 said there were big changes in store for the open-world segments of No More Heroes, we didn't expect a change this big. According to GameSpot's preview, roaming around Santa Destroy in search of t-shirts and Lovikov Balls (and odd jobs) has been nixed in Desperate Struggle in favor of a world map.

It should speed up the pace of the game significantly, and we know there were plenty of complaints about these segments of the game, but we'll personally miss tooling around the city on the Schpeltiger. You can read way more details about the game at GameSpot, though we wouldn't necessarily suggest it if you're trying to live a spoiler-free lifestyle.

No more driving around Santa Destroy in No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle trailer bonanza

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:45:00 EST

Three brief new trailers for No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle have appeared online, each highlighting a different aspect of the game. The first trailer (after the break), from GoNintendo, shows off the cute retro-themed job minigames that Grasshopper has added for Travis's second outing. There's some kind of motorcycle racing game, a training game in which you kick weights back at your trainer, and ... oh, no. A plumbing game that's like the bane of our existence, Pipe Dream. Great.

The second trailer, from IGN, features quick clips of fighting from all three playable characters (plus Jeane the cat! Plus NSFW language). The third, from 1UP, features Shinobu being really creepy.

Continue reading No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle trailer bonanza

No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle trailer bonanza originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox 360 release of No More Heroes may be censored in Japan

JC Fletcher — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

Japanese retailer Amiami includes a note on its listing for the Xbox 360 version of No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise that suggests that because it is based on the North American version of the Wii original, it is likely to carry the CERO Z rating (think an ESRB M rating, but harsher) when it is released in February. Because it is the North American version (with "bloodshed" intact), the site says, it will hold a special appeal for game fans.

The same message doesn't appear on the PS3 version's listing, suggesting that it'll be the same censored game that was originally released in Japan. CERO Z-rated games often don't get displayed on shelves, so if this is accurate, it'll ensure that only the hardcore will even know about the Xbox 360 version of the game. That would limit sales severely, if sales weren't already limited severely by its status as an Xbox 360 game in Japan.

Gallery: No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise (PS3/Xbox 360)

[Via Siliconera]

Xbox 360 release of No More Heroes may be censored in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases

JC Fletcher — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST

Pretty much everyone can guess why No More Heroes is being released again -- Marvelous needs money. During a Q&A presentation (PDF link, Japanese) about its fiscal Q2 2010 earnings, Marvelous boldly revealed that three out of its four 2009 Wii releases lost money, though it didn't say which was the winner.

Muramasa sold 47,000 units in Japan, the company said, not specifying American sales. Arc Rise Fantasia, which will be published Stateside by Ignition, sold 45,000 copies. Little King's Story sold 26,000 copies in Japan, 37,000 copies in North America, and 67,000 in Europe. Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga, which came out in September in North America, sold just 16,000 copies (Japanese sales, which started in October, are not mentioned). Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility on Wii somehow sold 57,000 units in 2009 despite being a 2007 release in Japan, a 2008 release in America, and not out until October in Europe and Australia.

Because of lower development costs, Marvelous said, PSP software was more successful, with four out of five releases making money on similar sales numbers. Half-Minute Hero was Marvelous's overall best-performing title, at 70,000 copies sold.

[Via Siliconera]

Marvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ignition and Marvelous have a Deadly Premonition

JC Fletcher — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Ignition Entertainment, partnering with recent publisher BFF Marvelous Entertainment, has announced a new survival horror game for Xbox 360 called Deadly Premonition. The game is the second original work from Access Games, who created the PS2 stealth game Spy Fiction, and also codeveloped The Sky Crawlers and Ace Combat X.

The game stars an FBI agent investigating a murder in ~~Silent Hill~~ a rural town full of unexplained events, mysterious characters, and, apparently, dripping blood. It will feature exploration and driving in addition to fighting creepy Jawas. Ignition predicts an early 2010 release.

If this game looks familiar to you, you have a really good memory! It was announced back in 2007 as Rainy Woods, and was a multiplatform release at the time. It's now been renamed and targeted just at the 360.

Gallery: Deadly Premonition (Xbox 360)

Ignition and Marvelous have a Deadly Premonition originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half-Minute Hero can't rescue Quebec

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

If you're looking for a UMD version of Half-Minute Hero in Quebec, stop trying. A Destructoid reader looking for the game was surprised it had skipped a release altogether in the Canadian province -- and it's all thanks to the law. "Canadian distribution is always tricky because of the bilingual law that Quebec enforces, so for titles with limited distribution we do not create a second bilingual version specifically for Canada because it's too expensive. Unfortunately, that's what happened to Half-Minute Hero," an XSEED representative stated.

Thankfully, digital distribution offers a workaround. PlayStation Network appears to be exempt from Quebec's bilingual laws, so a simple visit to the PlayStation Store is all it takes to bypass the French language police.

Half-Minute Hero can't rescue Quebec originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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