Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Paper, Scissors, Stone registered by LucasArts and BioWare in Australia]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/paper-scissors-stone-registered-by-lucasarts-and-bioware-in-au/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/paper-scissors-stone-registered-by-lucasarts-and-bioware-in-au/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/paper-scissors-stone-registered-by-lucasarts-and-bioware-in-au/#comments Ryan Langley is a level designer at Halfbrick Studios, so he's used to putting secret rewards in hard-to-find places, but in this case he found one. He discovered that both LucasArts and BioWare have filed for a classification in the Australian government for a computer game called Paper, Scissors, Stone. Unfortunately, we have no idea what that is at all.

The classification does mention that it's related to "science fiction themes" and that the game will have "online content." When you combine that with the fact that both LucasArts and BioWare are listed on the mark (along with publisher EA), it's possible that, even despite the M rating for mature audiences, this could have something to do with the upcoming The Old Republic MMO. A standalone minigame of some kind? That's just a guess, but yes please on that.

At any rate, we'll probably hear about this one soon. In the meantime, you might want to start practicing your hand signals.

JoystiqPaper, Scissors, Stone registered by LucasArts and BioWare in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biowarehalfbrick-studiosioslucasartsminigamestar-warsStar-Wars-The-Old-RepublicThe-Old-RepublictitletwitterWed, 30 Nov 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision announces new sports game for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/activision-announces-new-sports-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/activision-announces-new-sports-game-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/activision-announces-new-sports-game-for-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Titled Big League Sports, Activision's new game is taking inspiration from the many other minigame compilations available on the console. Due for release in North America this holiday season, the new game emphasizes "a singular focus on putting players in the most thrilling situations while competing in their favorite sports." The "favorite sports" it speaks of? Tennis, basketball, football (American style), soccer, lacrosse and hockey, with each sport featuring its own "hit the shot and the buzzer" moment, although we're not sure exactly what that means (some kind of tension mechanic?).

The final version of the game will feature 22 events across six different sports and various game modes, including single game, marathon, and tournament. There's also going to be a character creation mode which, you guessed it, means there is a strong chance the game will have Mii support. Look for Big League Sports this holiday season.

JoystiqActivision announces new sports game for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbig-league-sportscompilationmiimiisminigameminigame-compilationTue, 14 Oct 2008 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[MLB Superstars pitches us some new screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/mlb-superstars-pitches-us-some-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/mlb-superstars-pitches-us-some-new-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/mlb-superstars-pitches-us-some-new-screens/#commentsFiled under:


Click image for new screens

If you're asking yourself why we're continuing to cover this game, know that it's sort of turned into a sick obsession for us. Taking widely recognized baseball players and making their likenesses compete in minigames that are anything but their sport of choice is like taking a gardener and asking him to build a rocket and land on the moon. It's just plain silly.

But, then there are small, tiny rays of hope that manage to break through the thick protection of cash-in that is the outer crust of MLB Superstars. That ray of hope? The Philly Phanatic. It can't be all* bad now, can it?


*Yes, it can. And probably will be.

JoystiqMLB Superstars pitches us some new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k2k-sports2ksportsbaseballmajor-league-baseballminigameminigamesmlbmlb-superstarstake-twoMon, 29 Sep 2008 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Wii Fanboy takes a hammer to Our House]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-takes-a-hammer-to-our-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-takes-a-hammer-to-our-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/24/e308-wii-fanboy-takes-a-hammer-to-our-house/#commentsFiled under:


Majesco had a solid line-up of games at E3. Cooking Mama: World Kitchen looks promising and, until I got my hands on it, Major Minor's Majestic March also looked very good. Suffice it to say I was kind of shocked at just how lackluster Our House is, considering it was next to these games at Majesco's booth.

Our House is going to need a lot of renovations before it's ready for a final inspection.

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy takes a hammer to Our House

JoystiqE308: Wii Fanboy takes a hammer to Our House originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308joystiqfeaturesmajescominigameour-houseThu, 24 Jul 2008 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Wii Fanboy sets records in Guinness World Records: The Videogame]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/e308-wii-fanboy-sets-records-in-guinness-world-records-the-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/e308-wii-fanboy-sets-records-in-guinness-world-records-the-vid/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/23/e308-wii-fanboy-sets-records-in-guinness-world-records-the-vid/#commentsFiled under:


Aside from knowing the game exists, I didn't have anything else to go on when I came across Guinness World Records: The Videogame at my closed-door session in the back of the Warner Bros. meeting room at E3. When the game was revealed, I figured it would just be another cookie-cutter mini-game compilation that didn't hold much value. Actually, I was wrong, as Guiness World Records is a pretty fun title.

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy sets records in Guinness World Records: The Videogame

JoystiqE308: Wii Fanboy sets records in Guinness World Records: The Videogame originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308guiness-world-recordsguinness-world-recordsguinness-world-records-the-videogamejoystiqfeaturesminigameminigamestelltale-gameswarner-brosWed, 23 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Hamtaro tries extra hard to scare off older gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-hamtaro-tries-extra-hard-to-scare-off-older-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-hamtaro-tries-extra-hard-to-scare-off-older-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-hamtaro-tries-extra-hard-to-scare-off-older-gamers/#commentsFiled under: ,

You shouldn't be ashamed if you're an adult (or even just a non-elementary schooler) who's played a Hamtaro game. People who've tried Ham-Hams Unite for the Game Boy Color or the GBA's Ham-Ham Heartbreak know that the sickeningly cute series can translate into a fun adventure game. Even Ham-Ham Games, which strayed away from the adventure formula and landed itself in minigame territory, wasn't half bad.

Hamtaro's handheld history was enough to make us consider picking up Hi! Hamtaro Ham-Ham Challenge once it released on the DS, but E3 swiftly changed our minds. Throwing up and spitting out everything that made Hamtaro bearable in the first place, the new game is not only a collection of minigames, but it features educational ones designed for young children. Basically, it looks like Brain Age for five-year-olds, with cute little hamsters taking the place of Dr. Kawashima.

Don't fret, though, Hamtaro fans. There is another title based on the license that came out in Japan last year, which seems to return to the adventure-like goodness we know and love. Unfortunately, that's not the game releasing this summer, and that's not the game Natsume decided to show off at E3. Hopefully we'll see it get localized soon enough, so that we can forget Ham-Ham Challenge ever existed.

JoystiqE308: Hamtaro tries extra hard to scare off older gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alphadreamalphadream-corporationchildrene3-2008e308educationalham-ham-challengehamtarohi-hamtaro-ham-ham-challengekidsminigamenatsumetrainingWed, 16 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Goosebumps: HorrorLand steals E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-goosebumps-horrorland-steals-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-goosebumps-horrorland-steals-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-goosebumps-horrorland-steals-e3/#commentsFiled under: ,


Never mind Wii Music or Wii Sports Resort -- as we hinted earlier, Goosebumps: HorrorLand is the real star of this year's E3 Media and Business Summit.

Nintendo might not have mentioned this innovative title during the company's press conference today, but we have a feeling that this was the twinkle in president Satoru Iwata's eye when he mentioned a big paradigm shift in the global game market. Yes, a paradigm shift towards more Goosebumps games.

Just when you thought you had put R.L. Stine's corny ghastly novellas behind you, the series pulls you back in like a possessed wooden dummy carved from the coffin wood of an ancient sorcerer. Publisher Scholastic is basing this Wii game on Goosebumps spin-off HorrorLand, a new book series centered around a haunted theme park.

The graphics aren't impressing anyone -- it almost looks like the duct-tape holding the system's two GameCubes together came loose -- but there are shooter segments, carnival-themed minigames, and, uh, portions where you run on a log with a swamp monster. Mark our words, when you slide this game's disc into your Wii, you will say, "Wow!"

JoystiqE308: Goosebumps: HorrorLand steals E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3e3-2008e308goosebumpsgoosebumps-horrorlandhorrorlandminigamerl-stinetrailerTue, 15 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/09/wark-two-chocobo-trailers-waddle-into-view/#commentsFiled under:


Making sure that you get the message -- the message being "Chocobos are really cute; buy our Chocobo games" -- Square Enix has posted trailers for its two recently revealed fall-bound Chocobo titles, Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+ and Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes.

As you might be able to tell in the promotional clip and the game's title, Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon is an enhanced port of Chocobo's Dungeon (released in the U.S. for the Wii this week) with more focus on Final Fantasy regular Cid. Given the nature of roguelikes, this DS release doesn't look like that much of a "downgraded" experience compared to the Wii version!

The Chocobo and the Magic Storybook clip isn't nearly as epic, but if you're enough of a Chocobo fan to have read this far into the post, you'll likely want to watch it anyway. Jump past the break for more of the flightless, chubby bird.

Continue reading Wark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view

JoystiqWark! Two Chocobo trailers waddle into view originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobochocobo-dungeonchocobo-taleschocobotalescidcid-and-chocobofinal-fantasylabyrinth-of-timemaze-of-timeminigamemystery-dungeonportroguelikesquare-enixtrailerWed, 09 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix announces new Chocobo Tales, Chocobo roguelike]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-announces-new-chocobo-tales-chocobo-roguelike/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-announces-new-chocobo-tales-chocobo-roguelike/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/square-enix-announces-new-chocobo-tales-chocobo-roguelike/#commentsFiled under:



As a promotion for its Virtual World -- yes, it's a virtual world titled Virtual World -- Square Enix held a special event in the beta 3D space unveiling two new Chocobo titles for the Nintendo DS -- Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+ (fall 2008) and Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes (winter 2008).

Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+, as you can guess, will be a roguelike starring Final Fantasy figures Cid and Chocobo. This will actually be Square Enix's fourth Chocobo Mystery Dungeon entry, an enhanced port of Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon for the Wii, now with new jobs and a storyline told from a new perspective (Cid's).

The chances of this one coming to the U.S.? Given the current "surge" of roguelikes hitting the States, it's very likely we'll get this one! You can preview some of Cid and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon's first screenshots in our gallery below.

The second title, Chocobo and the Magic Storybook: The Witch and the Girl and the Five Heroes, follows 2007's Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, a minigame collection with RPG and card-battling elements. If you remember our favorable review for the original game, we called it "just about the cutest thing ever." Screenshots below!



[Via Duckroll]

JoystiqSquare Enix announces new Chocobo Tales, Chocobo roguelike originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chocobochocobo-dungeonchocobo-taleschocobotalescidcid-and-chocobohandmaze-of-timeminigamepuzzleroguelikerpgsquare-enixTue, 08 Jul 2008 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Catch' criminals, 'rescue' patients by running them over]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/catch-criminals-rescue-patients-by-running-them-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/catch-criminals-rescue-patients-by-running-them-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/06/catch-criminals-rescue-patients-by-running-them-over/#commentsFiled under:


We weren't expecting much from Emergency Mayhem, a Crazy Taxi-styled emergency services title peppered with minigames, but these video previews for the police car and ambulance modes look really fun! For a game with such a distressing past -- having been announced and canceled for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 in 2004, exchanging publishers and developers several times since -- we wouldn't have been surprised if this turned out to be a wreck.

Though reviews haven't been kind to Emergency Mayhem (the game hits stores this week), we think the minigames look like a good break from all the high-speed chases and siren-whining. You can defuse bombs, administer CPR, and even help someone cough out a fly. According to these two clips, you can also get some sort of bonus by running over criminals and patients. When that gets old, you can add spice to your emergency duties by crashing into crowds of pedestrians without consequence.

Gallery: Emergency Mayhem

Continue reading 'Catch' criminals, 'rescue' patients by running them over

Joystiq'Catch' criminals, 'rescue' patients by running them over originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 May 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acclaimcodemasterscrazy-taxidrivingemergency-mayhemminigamesupersonic-softwareTue, 06 May 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Used and Zapper-less: Link's Crossbow Savings]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/used-and-zapper-less-links-crossbow-savings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/used-and-zapper-less-links-crossbow-savings/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/17/used-and-zapper-less-links-crossbow-savings/#commentsFiled under:


Even without any discount, the Link's Crossbow Training and Zapper bundle is already cheap at $20, but if you're looking for a way to pick up the pack-in game without being taxed for the extra plastic, Game Deal Daily has just what you need! The Woot-styled online shop is offering used, standalone copies of Link's Crossbow Training for only $4.95 (plus shipping and handling.)

Really, for a minigame collection with only an hour or two worth of content, that price sounds on target. Buy it now before the sale ends! You can finally find out what we were talking about when we said the game reminds us of your mother!

[Via CAG]

JoystiqUsed and Zapper-less: Link's Crossbow Savings originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionbundlelinks-crossbow-trainingminigameNintendoshooterusedWii-ZapperzapperZeldaThu, 17 Apr 2008 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/joystiq-impressions-wii-fit-mini-games/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Sure, Wii Fit is about health and lifestyle, but I'm looking forward to the games; I sampled some of the lesser-known modes at the recent Nintendo Media Summit. We've already played with the hula-hoop, soccer, ski-jump, and other basics, so I jumped straight to tightrope walking, floating in a bubble, and other later unlockables. But first, I warmed up with jogging.

Gallery: Wii Fit

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-games

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Wii Fit mini-games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mini-gameminigamenintendo-media-summi...nintendo-media-summit-08Wiiwii-fitwiifitTue, 15 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Away: Shuffle Memory]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/away-shuffle-memory/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/away-shuffle-memory/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/08/away-shuffle-memory/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The official website for Mistwalker's Away: Shuffle Dungeon is up, with something to help pass the time while waiting for the dungeon crawler's eventual release: a Flash minigame based on Concentration/Memory (click on the circle with the word "open" on it). Away: Shuffle Minigame (that's the official title!) comprises three levels of Memory played on a 6 x 3 grid, with the goal of flipping matching pairs of cards to reveal portraits of Away's characters.

For the first two levels, it's straightforward enough: you have 60 (and then 50) seconds to find all nine pairs, just like any other Memory game. In the third level, all the cards are blank but three: one pair to match, and one card that resets the locations of those two cards. Oh, and the rows of cards are constantly moving around. At the end, you're awarded with a desktop wallpaper. Have fun! Or just download the wallpaper here (1024x768, 1280x1024).

JoystiqAway: Shuffle Memory originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aq-interactiveawaydungeonmemoryminigamemistwalkerrpgwallpaperTue, 08 Apr 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Life, liberty, and the pursuit of a perfect tea ceremony']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-a-perfect-tea-ceremony/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-a-perfect-tea-ceremony/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-a-perfect-tea-ceremony/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bangkok-based Studio Nocturne has kept busy cultivating its games and shopping them around for interested publishers, so it's understandable that we haven't heard much about Housewife Superstar or Makeup Diva since last year's Game Developers Convention.

As chauvinistic as Housewife Superstar's title sounds, it's a tongue-in-cheek production in which players master a collection of minigames in their quest to become the perfect stereotypical Japanese housewife. Those minigame activities include mochi making, flower arranging, traditional fan dancing, and, of course, hosting a tea ceremony. Sounds like a bizarre scenario, right? Well, that's what people thought about Cooking Mama, and look at how that turned out!

Studio Nocturne has brought in Insert Credit's Brandon Sheffield to handle the game's story, a name some of you might remember from his wonderful work on Barnyard Blast's script with Sanuk Software, another Thai developer.

Let's go through these details one more time:
  • offbeat title from a little-known, DS/Wii-exclusive developer
  • strong, colorful art direction
  • peculiar premise for strange minigames
  • promises of a humor-filled script
Color us excited! Color us badd, too, because we want to sex this game up. Hit the gallery below for screenshots and artwork from Housewife Superstar.

Joystiq'Life, liberty, and the pursuit of a perfect tea ceremony' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandon-sheffieldhousewife-superstarhousewifesuperstarminigamestudio-nocturnethailandWed, 05 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Promotional Consideration: Return of the reused assets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/10/promotional-consideration-return-of-the-reused-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/10/promotional-consideration-return-of-the-reused-assets/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/10/promotional-consideration-return-of-the-reused-assets/#commentsFiled under:



Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.

Revisiting last week's theme of recycled assets, we're taking a look at the familiar artwork seen in a recent print ad for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Unlike the Flower, Sun, and Rain commercial which repurposed an old promotional music video to great effect, this one's a forgetful piece, the video game equivalent of a comic book cover with a generic superhero-team action shot.

Continue reading Promotional Consideration: Return of the reused assets

JoystiqPromotional Consideration: Return of the reused assets originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dance-dance-revolutionmario-and-sonicmario-mixmario-partyminigameolympicspromotional-considerationpromotionalconsiderationsegaSun, 10 Feb 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What does a four-player game need? Five players, of course!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/what-does-a-four-player-game-need-five-players-of-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/what-does-a-four-player-game-need-five-players-of-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/07/what-does-a-four-player-game-need-five-players-of-course/#commentsFiled under:


Not one, not five, but ... well, actually it is five. Five ninja; no more, no less for this trailer from upcoming game Ninja Reflex. And doesn't that strike you as odd? With a four-player game, it seems the odd-man-out isn't so much a friend of the four enjoying the game, but the group whipping boy, there only to serve drinks to thirsty players and watch them enjoy their Wii from afar, silent longing for a day when he too can experience the pleasure of motion-based gameplay.

And, dude: what is up with the kid with the chopsticks? Seriously?

JoystiqWhat does a four-player game need? Five players, of course! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsminigameninjaninja-reflexparty-gameThu, 07 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Design a very, very, very fine house with Our House]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/design-a-very-very-very-fine-house-with-our-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/design-a-very-very-very-fine-house-with-our-house/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/07/design-a-very-very-very-fine-house-with-our-house/#commentsFiled under:

Building or remodeling a home can be extremely frustrating and expensive -- it can ruin you, if you're not careful. That's why we suggest watching other people toil on TLC and HGTV instead of actually doing any work yourself.

If you're dead set on constructing your dream home, though, you'll be happy to hear that Majesco Europe and Budcat Creations (Blast Works) are bringing that joyful experience to the Wii with Our House. This sim will have you shopping for raw materials at the "Home Store," building the house via remote-based minigames (e.g. hammering in nails, sawing wood), and decorating your new rooms with the stuff you've bought. Finally, you can have the joy of tiling your very own home, right in your very own home.

In addition to its party options with which you can compete against your friends in the different construction stages, Our House will allow you to share your completed designs with the "literal community-building feature" of its Wii Connect 24 Neighborhood Mode. This way, you can see whose taste is most likely to lower everyone's property value. We'll keep you updated with screenshots and a release date, once those are made available.

[Via Press Release]

JoystiqDesign a very, very, very fine house with Our House originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budcat-creationsmajescominigameour-housesimMon, 07 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Strawberry Manuals Forever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/strawberry-manuals-forever/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/strawberry-manuals-forever/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/04/strawberry-manuals-forever/#commentsFiled under:

We're over a year late on this, but you'll have to excuse us on not keeping up to date with the Strawberry Shortcake video games series. Insert Credit pointed us to the delightful fact that Strawberryland Games, Ms. Shortcake's 2006 minigame collection for the DS, comes with a Strawberry-fragranced instruction manual, just like the original dolls! One reviewer even described the booklet as having captured "the scent of Franken Berry cereal."

As amusing as we found this "bonus feature," should companies spend their time, money, and imaginations on such trivial details? Well, it convinced us into talking about a licensed children's game 15 months after its release, so there's obviously some value to this approach.

In fact, we wish more publishers would follow The Game Factory's lead and put out their own appropriately scented manuals. Wouldn't it be cool if Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles smelled like an ashtray when you opened its box? Or if My Horse and Me's manual wafted a farm-like aroma? Okay, so those examples aren't too great; we're sure you can come up with much better ideas.

[Via Insert Credit]

JoystiqStrawberry Manuals Forever originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>instruction-manualminigamescratch-and-sniffstrawberry-shortcakestrawberryland-gamesthe-game-factoryFri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ninja Reflex boxart screams, 'No ninja, no ninja, no']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/ninja-reflex-boxart-screams-no-ninja-no-ninja-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/ninja-reflex-boxart-screams-no-ninja-no-ninja-no/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/ninja-reflex-boxart-screams-no-ninja-no-ninja-no/#commentsFiled under:

What game will win the title of "Worst Ninja Boxart" this year? The battle is fierce, and only the most specially trained in the art of the bad box will prevail. In one corner is the stealthy Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the DS. So stealthy, in fact, that it remained hidden during its November release date. The challenger is Ninja Reflex, a game involving the most sacred of ninjitsu techniques: partying.

What box will reign supreme in the sacred art of fail? And will there be any newcomers brave enough to enter such a grueling competition? Patience, young student, will reveal the answers to these questions.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqNinja Reflex boxart screams, 'No ninja, no ninja, no' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boxarteaelectronic-artsminigameninjaninja-reflexparty-gameSat, 29 Dec 2007 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ninja Reflex screenshots stealthily sneak up behind you (and kill you)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/ninja-reflex-screenshots-stealthily-sneak-up-behind-you-and-kil/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/ninja-reflex-screenshots-stealthily-sneak-up-behind-you-and-kil/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/ninja-reflex-screenshots-stealthily-sneak-up-behind-you-and-kil/#commentsFiled under: ,



Did you know that today is the Annual Day of the Ninja? So if you've been waiting for an excuse to flip out, hit on ninja babes, and assassinate pirates, consider today your excuse.

Electronic Arts is celebrating this sacred holiday by revealing new screenshots and details for its newest party game, Ninja Reflex. Developed by newcomer studio Sanzaru Games (former Activision developers), Ninja Reflex will feature "a series of martial arts challenges to test gamers' reflexes and measure their reaction times with millisecond precision." Up to four players will be able to participate, sharpening their skills and speed in this mashup of Brain Age and ninjitsu action.

The minigames shown so far are predictable, ranging from catch-a-fly-with-chopsticks contests to shuriken-throwing competitions. Hopefully, the final product will have more interesting activities -- and online support, too! Creep into our gallery under the cover of night and check out some of the screenshots EA has made available. Go ninja, go ninja, go!


[Thanks, Troy]

JoystiqNinja Reflex screenshots stealthily sneak up behind you (and kill you) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsminigameninjaninja-reflexnunchuck-gamesparty-gamesanzaru-gamesWed, 05 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Link's Crossbow Training]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/metareview-links-crossbow-training/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/metareview-links-crossbow-training/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/21/metareview-links-crossbow-training/#commentsFiled under:

Four quick explanations for why we're using this lounging lizard for the metareview's post image:
  1. Uh, he's green. Just like Link.
  2. As you can tell from his pose, he's not too impressed with Link's Crossbow Training.
  3. Look at the damn guy. Do we really need to explain ourselves? We wish we could do a metareview on the lizard instead.
  4. Consider the lizard a bonus that we're throwing in with this metareview bundle.
Priced ridiculously low at $20, Nintendo's Zapper bundle seems like an easy buy for most gamers, but for those of you who're waiting for impressions on its pack-in game, Link's Crossbow Training, we've got you covered.

GameDaily -- 80%: While GameDaily feels there's enough in there to keep you playing longer than just an hour or two, the reviewer still wishes there was more to the game: "Although it doesn't have as many options (Practice, four person multiplayer) as Nintendo's famous pack-in, Wii Sports, Crossbow Training will keep you entertained for hours, especially if you love Zelda. And yet, it could have been so much better. Had the developers programmed online leader boards, millions of trigger happy gamers could compete with each other for the best scores."

IGN -- 70%: IGN disagrees and says there's less than an hour's worth of content, but is willing to forgive the game due to its cheap price: "Lasting Appeal: Over in less than an hour. A two-player mode cannot be played simultaneously. Even getting all platinums in levels is not overly difficult. But again, it's only $19.99."

NintendoWorldReport -- 60%: NWR also has some complaints with Link's Crossbow Training's "multiplayer" support: "The game also features a multiplayer mode that misses on almost every level. Up to four players can be chosen, and then any one level can be chosen. Players then pass the Zapper around as they each play the stage alone. This passive multiplayer would make sense if they were doing it to maintain the integrity of high scores, but high scores aren't even recorded when playing in this mode. Overall, just don't expect the game to be a huge party hit, as most of the people will be sitting and watching, awaiting their turns."

JoystiqMetareview: Link's Crossbow Training originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionbundlelinks-crossbow-trainingminigameNintendoWii-ZapperzapperZeldaWed, 21 Nov 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Double take on Duel Love boxart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/double-take-on-duel-love-boxart/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/double-take-on-duel-love-boxart/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/20/double-take-on-duel-love-boxart/#commentsFiled under: ,



Our eyes passed over Duel Love's cover design and dismissed the art as typical shoujo fare at first, but a second glance revealed a disturbing detail -- the shirtless figure in the foreground, Yuuki Jin, has no nipples. Sorry, Bandai Namco, but no nips, no sale.

If you're planning on picking this one up next March anyway, don't miss out on the preorder gift, an "entrance guide" DVD. For the uninitiated, Duel Love has you currying your crush's favor by cheering into the mic while your he wrestles one of his classmates, toweling off his sweaty chest using the DS's touchscreen, and nibbling on his earlobe via a rubbery Ear Pak that slides into the GBA slot*. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there'll be any opportunities for any tweaking minigames, given the dearth of male bumps.

Though many have mistaken Duel Love as some sort of homoerotic adventure, this simply isn't the case! Not only do you play as a female student, but the game is marketed towards women and follows a plot/style very much in keeping with the melodramatic manga popular with girls in Japan. Maybe that explains the missing nipples? Perhaps women just don't find our manly nubs very romantic?

*This last part is untrue and ridiculous.

JoystiqDouble take on Duel Love boxart originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandai-namcoboxartduel-loveminigameTue, 20 Nov 2007 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Oh, oh-oh, oh, ohhhh! It's Mario Party DS!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh-its-mario-party-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh-its-mario-party-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/19/oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh-its-mario-party-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,


We were pretty skeptical of Mario Party DS, having been nonplussed by the previous portable Party (and most of the console versions, as well). In fact, we had resigned ourselves to just not being Mario Party people. But then we saw this commercial, with its bouncy, nonsensical Kidz Bop song, and ... let's just say we were successfully advertised to. If the song is in the game, we're definitely buying it; if it's not, we're still buying it to show our support of the song.

At first we thought this must be some other region's crazy Mario Party commercial with the speech overdubbed into English. It appears on the American Mario Party DS website, though, which means that it must be a U.S. commercial. Is the song even ... language?

[Via GoNintendo]


JoystiqOh, oh-oh, oh, ohhhh! It's Mario Party DS! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hudsonHudsonsoftmario-partyMario-Party-DSmariopartyMinigameminigamesNintendopartyMon, 19 Nov 2007 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario Party DS trailer and screens arrive fashionably late]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/mario-party-ds-trailer-and-screens-arrive-fashionably-late/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/mario-party-ds-trailer-and-screens-arrive-fashionably-late/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/08/mario-party-ds-trailer-and-screens-arrive-fashionably-late/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mario Party's last handheld outing did not end well. In fact, Mario Party Advance was an absolutely witless selection of dour, unimaginative minigames, the vast majority of which were way too simplistic/based on luck to be worth our time. Yes, muggins here had to review it; did you sense any bitterness?

However, we maintain a degree of optimism for the arrival of Mario Party DS in just over ten days. For starters, we're looking forward to seeing how the DS's touchscreen tech is implemented, while the media you can see in this post and elsewhere shows potential. That, and the game has the bestest boxart EVAR.


[Via Games Press]

JoystiqMario Party DS trailer and screens arrive fashionably late originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HudsonHudson-SoftHudsonsoftMarioMario-PartyMario-Party-DSMinigameNintendoPartyThu, 08 Nov 2007 22:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Teenage Zombies won't eat your neighbors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/teenage-zombies-wont-eat-your-neighbors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/teenage-zombies-wont-eat-your-neighbors/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/25/teenage-zombies-wont-eat-your-neighbors/#commentsFiled under: ,



Despite its similarly campy plot and titular promises of zombies, Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Brain Thingys (due next spring) won't be the spiritual successor to Konami's Zombies Ate My Neighbors. Yes, we were fooled too when we initially saw the game announced -- jumping off the couch and doing karate kicks in the air, such was our excitement -- but reading more about Ignition Entertainment's title revealed very few similarities with the SNES/Genesis classic.

Instead of fighting off zombies and their B-movie colleagues, you'll be playing as the undead in this comic book-styled adventure, choosing from one of three reanimated characters, each possessing unique abilities. You'll swap between the three to take advantage of their powers and defend the Earth against invading Alien Brain Thingys.

Also, while Zombies Ate My Neighbors was a run-n-gun shooter from a top-down perspective, Teenage Zombies will be a side-scrolling platformer supplemented with puzzles and stylus-based minigames. ZAPS! (Zombie Assembly Pop-up Screen), one of the minigames, has you collecting dismembered body parts to put together a zombie and regain "unhealth points."

Though Ignition Entertainment's short trailer for Teenage Zombies shows very little in the way of action or the actual game, we've embedded it past the post break anyway. To make up for the brevity and vagueness of the video, we've also pasted some lyrics from Salt-N-Pepa's hit single, "Let's Talk About Sex," reimagined as an ode to zombies. We have a lot of these "fixed" songs just lying around our hard drive, waiting to be shared with you.

Continue reading Teenage Zombies won't eat your neighbors

JoystiqTeenage Zombies won't eat your neighbors originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ignition-entertainmentinlight-entertainmentminigameplatformerteenage-zombiesteenage-zombies-invasion-of-the-brain-thingiestrailerzombiezombies-ate-my-neighborsThu, 25 Oct 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nothing screams 'Rabbids' like a plunger to the face]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/nothing-screams-rabbids-like-a-plunger-to-the-face/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/nothing-screams-rabbids-like-a-plunger-to-the-face/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/nothing-screams-rabbids-like-a-plunger-to-the-face/#commentsFiled under:

The last time we brought you Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 gameplay videos, there was nary a plunger to be found. Fortunately, these new trailers from IGN show us that the rail-shooter minigame has returned.

Despite the fact that we thoroughly enjoy shooting stuff with plungers, especially crazy bunnies, we have to say that these videos just didn't do much for us. Maybe it's because the one embedded above reminds us of being forced to sit in the front row at a movie theater. Maybe it was the pacing, or the lack of music. Then again, perhaps we're over this whole rabbid thing.

Don't get us wrong, we still love the little buggers ... but whatever it is, something is just off. Are we cranky today, or do you feel the same way?

By the way, more plunger videos are embedded after the jump.

Continue reading Nothing screams 'Rabbids' like a plunger to the face

JoystiqNothing screams 'Rabbids' like a plunger to the face originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MinigamePlungersRail-shooterRaymanRayman-Raving-Rabbids-2UbisoftWed, 24 Oct 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a party with all of these Mario Party screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/its-a-party-with-all-of-these-mario-party-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/its-a-party-with-all-of-these-mario-party-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/17/its-a-party-with-all-of-these-mario-party-screens/#commentsFiled under:

JeuxFrance has put up a slew of new Mario Party DS screens, depicting some of the different minigames and game boards within. Mario party DS is easily one of our most anticipated titles for the DS and we're incredibly anxious to get our hands on it and see how the gameplay transitions to the handheld.

Be sure to hit up JeuxFrance and check out 16 fresh screens.

JoystiqIt's a party with all of these Mario Party screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galleryHudsonHudsonsoftMario-PartyMario-Party-DSmariopartyminigameNintendoWed, 17 Oct 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Get down with these new Mario Party screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/get-down-with-these-new-mario-party-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/get-down-with-these-new-mario-party-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/get-down-with-these-new-mario-party-screens/#commentsFiled under:

We're anxious to see how the Mario Party franchise will translate to the DS. While the nature of the titles can easily lend themselves to the handheld gaming scene, the whole multiplayer aspect of it might lose something there. Especially so as the state of Wi-Fi Connect compatibility is still up in the air.

After hitting up our gallery below, be sure to head past the break for a scan.

Continue reading Get down with these new Mario Party screens

JoystiqGet down with these new Mario Party screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gallerymariopartyminigameFri, 12 Oct 2007 17:50:00 EST<![CDATA[UFO Catcher Tengoku]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/09/ufo-catcher-tengoku/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/09/ufo-catcher-tengoku/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/09/ufo-catcher-tengoku/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We still haven't heard word on whether or not Nintendo will ever bring Rhythm Tengoku to the states (Highly unlikely), but Sega has been keeping the rhythm-action title going in Japan with its GBA-to-arcade port and, according to this new find, UFO catchers filled with Rhythm-Tengoku-themed prizes!

Provided that you're proficient with maneuvering a claw to pick up crap, you'll be able to win a number of brightly-colored, long-sleeved shirts with the minigame collection's characters screen-printed on them, as well as pillows shaped like Rhythm Tengoku's iconic, hairy onions. Click the link below to the beat, and check out more photos of the vending machine goodies past the post break.

Continue reading UFO Catcher Tengoku

JoystiqUFO Catcher Tengoku originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>minigamepillowrhythmrhythm-heavenrhythm-tengokushirtufo-catcherTue, 09 Oct 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rabbids just aren't manly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/rabbids-just-arent-manly/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/rabbids-just-arent-manly/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/04/rabbids-just-arent-manly/#commentsFiled under:


Those poor Rabbids. Looks like they may need a testosterone infusion before taking the field against these guys. The latest in the long-running and hilarious promotional campaign for Rayman Raving Rabbids and its sequel couldn't be much more masculine if it tried -- it even features the obligatory fellas-in-a-locker-room bit. Nothing like a bunch of guys in towels to inspire consumer loyalty, right?

Our only disappointment thus far is that this time around, the campaign isn't nearly as pervasive. Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 is slated for release next month, and we have only a few Rabbid videos. How can we live in such a world?

JoystiqRabbids just aren't manly originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Oct 2007 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionminigameRaymanRayman-Raving-RabbidsRaymanRavingRabbidssequelUbisoftThu, 04 Oct 2007 12:04:00 EST<![CDATA[The latest look at Mario Party DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/the-latest-look-at-mario-party-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/the-latest-look-at-mario-party-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/the-latest-look-at-mario-party-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Though we still aren't sure whether Mario Party on the DS will feature Wi-Fi multiplayer or not (though we so hope it does), we're still happy to check out new screens as they're released. Though the game is due next month, we really haven't heard a lot since E3. Then again, beyond the issue of multiplayer modes, is there much to say? We know the format for the game -- after all, we may have played a little Mario Party here and there over the years. And from the screens, particularly these latest, we know it looks good. So bring on the party!

JoystiqThe latest look at Mario Party DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gallerymario-partymario-party-dsmariopartyminigameFri, 28 Sep 2007 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mario & Sonic get their Games on]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/mario-and-sonic-get-their-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/mario-and-sonic-get-their-games-on/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/26/mario-and-sonic-get-their-games-on/#commentsFiled under:


Twenty (!) separate events are planned for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and it looks like we'll be partaking in a variety of traditional summer games with our favorite mascots. Events range from Archery to Rowing to Table Tennis, with a little something for everyone. Siliconera reports that this list is not complete -- that two events are still missing of the twenty -- but if the various race lengths in the Track events are counted separately, then this could be the full list. However, Mike Hayes of Sega Europe mentioned the inclusion of judo earlier this year, so there may well be two other unconfirmed events. Curious about the current list? Race past the jump and check it out.

Gallery: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games

Continue reading Mario & Sonic get their Games on

JoystiqMario & Sonic get their Games on originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gallerymariomario-and-sonicmarioandsonicminigameolympic-gamesolympicgamessonicWed, 26 Sep 2007 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq's hands-on with EA Playground]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/joystiqs-hands-on-with-ea-playground/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/joystiqs-hands-on-with-ea-playground/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/joystiqs-hands-on-with-ea-playground/#commentsFiled under:

Joystiq's Zack Stern recently got a little hands-on time with both the DS and Wii versions of EA Playground, and the results are mixed. While he reports that a few of the games seem pretty fun -- skateboarding and dodge ball are standouts, as we could have predicted (and did!) -- but some of the others seem to lack the depth necessary to keep players interested. The biggest downfall, however, comes in that the cart doesn't offer download play; each player has to have a copy of the title in order to participate in multiplayer bouts. Now, we understand that EA is in this gig to make money, and we can't blame them, but not only is download play one of the handheld's best features, but it also serves as a fantastic marketing tool. Invite a friend over for some multiplayer, get them hooked, and watch as they pick up their own copy of the game. In fact, that's pretty much Nintendo's entire marketing scheme in a nutshell, and download play helps rather than hinders.

The specific problem here, as Stern states, is that EA Playground seems like the sort of title that will fare much better in multiplayer than in single player over the long run. So unless you happen to really love the idea of playground-style minigames, or you have several friends who plan on picking this one up, it just may be a game to skip.

JoystiqJoystiq's hands-on with EA Playground originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaEA-PlaygroundEAPlaygroundelectronic-artselectronicartsminigamemultiplayerThu, 20 Sep 2007 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[MySims improves just in time for release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mysims-improves-just-in-time-for-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mysims-improves-just-in-time-for-release/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/mysims-improves-just-in-time-for-release/#commentsFiled under: ,

GoNintendo offered us an updated look at the DS version of MySims, and we must say that we're pleased to see such vast improvements. The few review scores that are in so far are all over the place, however, so the jury is still out on whether or not the updated graphics will be enough. If you're picking up the DS version, let us know what you think!

The updated screenshots are in the gallery below, along with some older shots for comparison.

JoystiqMySims improves just in time for release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAelectronic-artselectronicartsminigamemy-simsmysimssimulationTue, 18 Sep 2007 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Duel Love: Finally, a game for REAL men]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/duel-love-finally-a-game-for-real-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/duel-love-finally-a-game-for-real-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/duel-love-finally-a-game-for-real-men/#commentsFiled under:

As racy as Doki Doki Majo Shinpan is, its cutesy art style and playful witch themes just doesn't meet our testosterone quota, a standard set by years of exposure to bald space marines and beefy Konami ads. Bandai Namco's Duel Love, however, is definitely something more suited to our virile tastes.

Yes, you play as a female transfer student vying for the affection of effeminate boys, and there are, at the very least, five pairs of male nipples that can be displayed at any time, but at the game's core is a secret fight club in which the shirtless lads duke it out during after-school hours. That's pretty much just like Street Fighter, right? It doesn't get any manlier than that.

Oh yeah, you don't actually trade punches with anyone in the game; instead, you beguile one of the fighters into inviting you to one of his backdoor bouts. Once there, you can cheer him on with the DS's mic to strengthen him and aid his attacks. You'll also be able to wipe him down afterwards in the locker room, toweling off his sweaty physique via a touchscreen minigame.

And if you want to take it further, but aren't sure how he'll react, after you've massaged all the knots out of his muscular shoulders, you can whisper breathlessly, a fraction of an inch away from his ear, "I have always admired you ... senpai," before running out of the room with a single tear trailing down your face.

That last feature might not be officially supported by Duel Love, but we're not going to let that get in the way of our completely heterosexual, red-blooded relationship with Yuki-san!

JoystiqDuel Love: Finally, a game for REAL men originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandaiduel-loveminigamenamcoMon, 17 Sep 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Color the bouncing balls at Ontamarama site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/14/color-the-bouncing-balls-at-ontamarama-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/14/color-the-bouncing-balls-at-ontamarama-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/14/color-the-bouncing-balls-at-ontamarama-site/#commentsFiled under:



We know some of you have some mixed feelings about Ontamarama, but we'll say this: the newly-revealed English-language site is pretty awesome. But then, we're suckers for any chance to color, so maybe we're biased. The new web site actually has a decent amount of content, and the overall design is quite pleasing -- we especially appreciated the stylus pointer when navigating around. The usual fare is all here: story, screens, and downloads featuring wallpapers, videos, and as a nice addition, an avatar package, but it's the extras that got our attention. In addition to the coloring book mentioned above, there are a couple of little minigames to get you hyped for the Ontamarama experience. If only every game site was as rich in fun, random content!

[Via press release]

JoystiqColor the bouncing balls at Ontamarama site originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlusminigameOntamaramarhythmsiteFri, 14 Sep 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Games: Only for vanilla faces?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/carnival-games-only-for-vanilla-faces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/carnival-games-only-for-vanilla-faces/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/03/carnival-games-only-for-vanilla-faces/#commentsFiled under:

You can't really expect much from a budget release like Carnival Games, but Go Nintendo has reportedly received a number of complaints regarding the character creation process in the party game collection, specifically on the lack of darker skin tone choices. Judging by the screenshot above, you're limited to playing as the palest of the pale, completely untanned after having developed a vampiric aversion to the sun.

Though we doubt that developer Cat Daddy Games intentionally limited race and color selection, it does seem a bit lazy on their part; diversity is an obvious point for any game with customizable characters. Perhaps the studio just didn't have the time or resources to implement everything they were hoping to?

JoystiqCarnival Games: Only for vanilla faces? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnivalgamescatdaddygamesglobalstarsoftwareminigametaketwoMon, 03 Sep 2007 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eidos laughs maniacally as it debuts Monster Lab]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/27/eidos-laughs-maniacly-as-it-debuts-monster-lab/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/27/eidos-laughs-maniacly-as-it-debuts-monster-lab/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/27/eidos-laughs-maniacly-as-it-debuts-monster-lab/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Our fantasies of one day becoming mad scientists never left us, our memories of afternoons spent cooking grotesque creatures and malformed bugs in our Creepy Crawlers oven still fresh in our minds. With our bedroom lights turned off and a Halloween-themed cassette tape playing in the background, we'd pull our aberrant creations out of the Mattel kiln, warbling ghoulishly, "Creeeeeeeepy Crawlers," just like in the commercials.

Publisher Eidos, working to realize our childhood dreams, has lifted the curtain on Monster Lab, an original and interesting IP for the Wii due next June. Backbone Entertainment (Death Jr.) is handling development for the dark, Tim-Burton-styled RPG and will offer up to 150 different kinds of mutants for evil geniuses to experiment with.

Players will have over 300 million variations to customize -- via minigames -- their mechanical, biological, and chemical monsters with before pitting them against other brutes in turn-based battles reminiscent of Pokemon. As far as online support goes, multiplayer battles, creature trading, downloadable content, and photo sharing are in the works. Grab your goggles and scamper past the post break for some Monster Lab screenshots. Don't forget to croon, "Creeeeeeeepy Crawlers," as the page loads up.

Continue reading Eidos laughs maniacally as it debuts Monster Lab

JoystiqEidos laughs maniacally as it debuts Monster Lab originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backboneeidosminigamemonsterlabMon, 27 Aug 2007 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Deca Sporta debuts new site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/deca-sporta-debuts-new-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/deca-sporta-debuts-new-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/21/deca-sporta-debuts-new-site/#commentsFiled under:

Hudson Soft followed on the heels of the recent magazine articles with the official Deca Sporta website, complete with some of the screens we saw in scanned versions. And it looks like reader grubout had sharper eyes than we did -- the game we assumed was tennis is actually badminton. Maybe Hudson is trying to avoid stepping too heavily on Nintendo's toes with this one.

The site doesn't have much in the way of content yet, but we can't help but admit we're looking forward to this one. Wii Sports was just plain fun, and we'd love to see something comparable-yet-expanded.

[Thanks, Doug!]

JoystiqDeca Sporta debuts new site originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DecaSportaDecaSportsHudsonminigamesportsTue, 21 Aug 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Hudson Soft throws their cap into the minigames ring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/hudson-soft-throws-their-cap-into-the-minigames-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/hudson-soft-throws-their-cap-into-the-minigames-ring/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/20/hudson-soft-throws-their-cap-into-the-minigames-ring/#commentsFiled under:


Hudson Soft recently announced Deca Sports, a minigame collection with -- obviously -- ten different game types that actually look pretty interesting. The game, which is set to come out this year, was revealed in Japanese magazine V-Jump and appears to include tennis, archery, volleyball, go karts, basketball, and more. As far as sports collections go, Deca Sports actually looks pretty ambitious, and the scanned screenshots are easy on the eyes. Check 'em out for yourself after the break.

Looks like EA Playground is going to have a little competition! Frankly, we may have to come down on the side of archery, but controls and content will certainly be a factor for each. We can't wait to see more.

Continue reading Hudson Soft throws their cap into the minigames ring

JoystiqHudson Soft throws their cap into the minigames ring originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archerybasketballDecaSportsgokartHudsonSoftminigamescanssoccertennisvolleyballMon, 20 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST