Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/24/class-of-heroes-2-in-session-on-psn-june-4/#commentsClass of Heroes 2 PSN June 4 Class of Heroes 2, MonkeyPaw's PSP game from 2009, is finally coming to North America on June 4. PSN users can snag the fully localized JRPG dungeon crawler - which is playable on both PSP and PS Vita - for $25 from the PSN store.

The effort to localize Class of Heroes 2 began in 2012 with a Kickstarter campaign seeking $500,000 in funding. Ultimately, only $96,951 was raised, though MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner wasn't too down in a follow-up interview with Joystiq.

Greiner said that even though the Kickstarter campaign failed, "we were able to educate people about the game and its features. That will help immensely when we release the digital version."

Continue reading Class of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4

JoystiqClass of Heroes 2 available on PSN June 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2gaijinworksJRPGMonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapsnpsprelease-datesonyvitaFri, 24 May 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Class of Heroes 2 physical/digital combo pack now up for preorder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/class-of-heroes-2-physical-digital-combo-pack-now-up-for-preorde/#comments Class of Heroes 2 physicaldigital combo pack now up for preorderGaijinworks is gearing up to launch a localized version of Acquire's PSP dungeon-crawling RPG Class of Heroes 2, and has opened preorders for a physical UMD edition that also includes a downloadable copy of the game.

For $36.99, buyers will receive a digital voucher for Class of Heroes 2 once it hits the PlayStation Network next month. A boxed physical version will be shipped to preorder customers an estimated 4-8 weeks after preorders close on May 8th.

Published in partnership with MonkeyPaw Games, Class of Heroes 2 is a first-person, Wizardry-like dungeon crawler with a focus on character customization. A Kickstarter project for a proposed deluxe edition didn't reach its funding goal, but a limited physical release entered production after meeting with a positive fan response.

"[Class of Heroes 2 is] not out of QA yet, but I'd imagine it should be up on PSN about the 3rd week in May, and the physical a few weeks after that," Gaijinworks founder Victor Ireland notes. "The QA is really just a formality because all that changed was a couple lines of text cleaned up and the opening removed until the rights situation is cleared."

Class of Heroes 2 was originally released in Japan in 2009. Since then, a number of sequel titles have debuted for platforms including the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo 3DS. To date, only the first PSP entry in the series has seen a North American release.

JoystiqClass of Heroes 2 physical/digital combo pack now up for preorder originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2kickstartermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapre-orderpsnpspsonyvitaMon, 29 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaijinworks gauging interest in UMD Class of Heroes 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/gaijinworks-gauging-interest-in-umd-class-of-heroes-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/gaijinworks-gauging-interest-in-umd-class-of-heroes-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/06/gaijinworks-gauging-interest-in-umd-class-of-heroes-2/#comments
Gaijinworks and MonkeyPaw Games didn't make their Kickstarter goal for Class of Heroes 2, but that's not stopping them from forging ahead with plans for a UMD release of the PSP role-playing game.

Now, Gaijinworks is gauging interest in a physical PSP release. "If we can pre-sell at least 2,500 copies of a Physical PSP version with a color manual, UMD with color disc label, and a digital download code," the company explains, "we can do a physical+digital combo version for $34.99, shipped to you."

If that sounds appealing, you can sign up on the Gaijinworks site. It's not a pre-order yet, just a poll to determine how many people would pre-order. So if you sign up, you're somewhat on the honor system regarding your intent to purchase later, when the order links go up.

Regardless of what happens with the physical version, a PSN version has been rated by the ESRB and will be released for $25. European ratings are in progress. To find out if any version of Class of Heroes 2 interests you, check out the videos of the newly localized game above and after the break. Gaijinworks warns that the last video, of a "battle event," is "spoilerish" about events in the first game.

[Thanks, Merrick]

Continue reading Gaijinworks gauging interest in UMD Class of Heroes 2

JoystiqGaijinworks gauging interest in UMD Class of Heroes 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2gaijinworksmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationpspsonyWed, 06 Feb 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineup]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/27/arc-the-lad-series-tomba-among-vita-psone-classics-launch-lineu/#comments Arc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineupMonkeyPaw Games will make five of its PSOne Imports and Classics available to Vita users tomorrow, when the new firmware adds PSOne support to the handheld. Alundra, Arc the Lad 1 and 2, Vanguard Bandits, and the recently released Tomba will all be playable on Vita in North America starting tomorrow, the publisher told Joystiq.

The overall list of supported PSOne Classics for tomorrow's Vita launch, outside of MonkeyPaw's offerings, is largely a mystery. When announcing the feature at E3, Sony showed off a selection of games including Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII, Wild Arms, Twisted Metal 2, Cool Boarders 2, and Jet Moto, but didn't say if those games would be part of the launch lineup.

MonkeyPaw hopes to have the rest of its PSOne games on Vita "soon."

JoystiqArc the Lad series, Tomba among Vita PSOne Classics launch lineup originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alundraarc-the-ladMonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationplaystation-vitapsone-classicstombavanguard-banditsvitaMon, 27 Aug 2012 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomba leaps onto European PSN September 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/tomba-leaps-onto-european-psn-september-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/tomba-leaps-onto-european-psn-september-5/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/tomba-leaps-onto-european-psn-september-5/#comments Tomba EUMonkeyPaw Games' PSN re-release of Tomba! is coming to Europe on September 5, the publisher told Joystiq today. The PSOne Classics version of Whoopee Camp's caveman platformer, about a pink-haired caveman battling pigs to reclaim an heirloom bracelet, was released in North America in June.

MonkeyPaw has suggested to us in the past that it is interested in releasing Tomba 2 as well, provided sales of the original game are sufficient.

JoystiqTomba leaps onto European PSN September 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3pspsonytombaWed, 22 Aug 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomba! coming soon to European PSN]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/tomba-coming-soon-to-european-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/tomba-coming-soon-to-european-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/30/tomba-coming-soon-to-european-psn/#comments Tomba! for PlayStation will be released soon on the PlayStation Store in Europe, following its June re-release in North America. Publisher MonkeyPaw Games is once again behind the digital offering, telling Joystiq "We don't have a release date yet, but it's going to be sooner than people think."

We'll let you know as soon as we find a definitive date. We're also seeking confirmation as to whether the game will be called "Tomba!" or "Tombi!," the latter being its original European title. These things matter.

JoystiqTomba! coming soon to European PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpspsonyMon, 30 Jul 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MonkeyPaw on the educational upside of Class of Heroes 2 Kickstarter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/monkeypaw-on-the-educational-upside-of-class-of-heroes-2-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/monkeypaw-on-the-educational-upside-of-class-of-heroes-2-kicksta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/monkeypaw-on-the-educational-upside-of-class-of-heroes-2-kicksta/#comments ImageMonkeyPaw Games recently experimented with Kickstarter for a physical deluxe edition of the PSP game, Class of Heroes 2. The funding drive ended with $96,951 raised of the company's $500,000 goal.

"Our Kickstarter for Class of Heroes 2 didn't reach our funding bar but I think it was a great experience," MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner told Joystiq, during an interview about the announcement of Tomba! for PSN. "Class of Heroes isn't a well-known brand but we were able to educate people about the game and its features. That will help immensely when we release the digital version."

The drive may not have worked out to get Class of Heroes 2 onto UMD, but it served in an educational capacity about more than just Class of Heroes, Greiner suggested. "This drive was the first time a console game had been pushed on Kickstarter so that also entailed teaching people why we needed $500K. Not a small sum but not really that much when you consider this was a physical, deluxe boxed version of a console game."

JoystiqMonkeyPaw on the educational upside of Class of Heroes 2 Kickstarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2john-greinerkickstartermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationpspsonyFri, 25 May 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomba! comes to PlayStation Network as a PSOne Classic this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/tomba-comes-to-playstation-network-as-a-psone-classic-this-summ/#comments ImageOne of Sony's most beloved first-party PlayStation 1 games is coming to the PS3 and PSP via ... a company other than Sony. Tomba!, the platformer starring the pink-haired caveman, will be released on the PlayStation Network soon by MonkeyPaw Games.

In addition to being just incredibly cute, Tomba! has some serious credentials. After an illustrious career at Capcom during which he designed the Ghosts 'n Goblins games and produced the Mega Man series, Tokuro Fujiwara founded his own studio, Whoopee Camp, where he directed Tomba! and its sequel for publisher Sony Computer Entertainment.

"Sony and MonkeyPaw have a good working relationship," MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner told Joystiq. "I think they appreciate the titles we've brought to the Store. And they value the support we give the games. Having a plethora of Japanese content is a distinct advantage PlayStation has over Xbox. But the games still need to be brought Stateside. So our model helps Sony spread their Japanese edge and we help Japanese developers get their titles to a wider audience. Hence, Sony is willing to work with us on titles that may not have otherwise been licensed out. Support is key."

MonkeyPaw has been working on acquiring the Tomba! rights for a year. "We often have to chase down multiple right holders," Greiner said. "In this case, Sony and Whoopee Camp had rights that needed to be negotiated." The deal didn't necessarily include the sequel, however. "Tomba! 2 is a possibility but we need to really sell Tomba! 1 well before we can extend our relationship," Greiner explained. "It's the first time to work with Fujiwara-san so we're trying to make a good impression. Good sales have a way opening doors a bit wider."

Gallery: Tomba! (PSN)

JoystiqTomba! comes to PlayStation Network as a PSOne Classic this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3pspsonytombaWed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Study this Class of Heroes 2 trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/study-this-class-of-heroes-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/study-this-class-of-heroes-2-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/13/study-this-class-of-heroes-2-trailer/#comments
You may want to support the continued localization and promotion of the JRPG genre in America - the overarching goal of the MonkeyPaw Games/Gaijinworks Kickstarter - but at the same time, you may not know a whole lot about the specific game being Kickstarted, Class of Heroes 2 for PSP.

The publishers have sought to provide that missing information, releasing a new trailer for the school-themed dungeon crawler. You'll see plenty of gameplay footage, along with character art for all the different in-game races - all of whom are teenagers in school uniforms.

JoystiqStudy this Class of Heroes 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>class-of-heroes-2gaijinworkskickstartermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationpspsonyFri, 13 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[MonkeyPaw and Gaijinworks Kickstart a Class of Heroes 2 localization]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/monkeypaw-and-gaijinworks-kickstart-a-class-of-heroes-2-localiza/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/monkeypaw-and-gaijinworks-kickstart-a-class-of-heroes-2-localiza/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/monkeypaw-and-gaijinworks-kickstart-a-class-of-heroes-2-localiza/#comments MonkeyPaw Games and GaijinWorks, two companies dedicated to bringing classic Japanese games to the west, are testing the utility of Kickstarter for localization of Japanese games, with the most random test subject imaginable.

Class of Heroes 2 is a sequel to a PSP dungeon crawler released here by Atlus in 2009. Like the original, it's a game about first-person, turn-based dungeon battling. The two companies plan to release it digitally -- but also, for supporters, in a crazy physical limited edition that promises to outpace any of the giant boxes sold by Ireland's former company, Working Designs.

Bonuses in this Deluxe Pack include a custom box, a soundtrack, and other secret items that are still being prototyped. In addition to this, Kickstarter rewards include lapel pins, posters, plushes, pocket watches, and music boxes. Higher-level backers get things like trips to LA to go to E3 and meet with the team, and in-game credits in the placement of their choice.

The Kickstarter is designed not to sell the game, but to fund both the digital and physical releases. "Our Kickstarter project is designed to allow fans that plan to download it digitally to support the game now," the companies explain, "helping it reach the funding threshold and expand the scope and depth of localization for BOTH the digital and physical releases." If successful, the companies hope to localize other Class of Heroes releases as well. "So if you're along for the whole ride, you'll eventually have a line of awesome Class of Heroes games on your shelf."

JoystiqMonkeyPaw and Gaijinworks Kickstart a Class of Heroes 2 localization originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquireclass-of-heroes-2gaijinworkskickstartermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationpspsonyWed, 28 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Vanguard Bandits ATACs PSN next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/vanguard-bandits-atacs-psn-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/vanguard-bandits-atacs-psn-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/vanguard-bandits-atacs-psn-next-week/#comments Square Enix is enticing vintage RPG fans with a PSOne Classics "Winter of RPGs" promotion. It's not alone in populating the store with new old RPGs, however. MonkeyPaw Games informed us that Vanguard Bandits will be released in North America on November 15, for $9.99. That puts it right between Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy V.

Vanguard Bandits is a strategy RPG developed by Human Entertainment, and published in North America by Working Designs. Players battle giant robots called ATACs (All Terrain Armored Combatants, of course) in grid-based environments.

JoystiqVanguard Bandits ATACs PSN next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpsone-classicspspsonyvanguard-banditsworking-designsWed, 09 Nov 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Magical Drop and DIY shmup maker Dezaemon Kids on PSN imports today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/magical-drop-and-diy-shmup-maker-dezaemon-kids-on-psn-imports-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/magical-drop-and-diy-shmup-maker-dezaemon-kids-on-psn-imports-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/01/magical-drop-and-diy-shmup-maker-dezaemon-kids-on-psn-imports-to/#comments MonkeyPaw Games returns today with more PSOne imports, including a second Dezaemon shooter-creation utility! Available today for $6, Dezaemon Kids further simplifies the creation interface for scrolling shooters, and -- oh yeah -- throws in over 100 sample games. It's a good thing the interface is designed with simplicity in mind, because as with all the PSOne imports, the text is presented in the original Japanese.

The other game, Arcade Hits: Magical Drop, is a port of the original arcade game in Data East's beloved color-matching puzzle series. Both will be available whenever the PSN update happens today.

Gallery: Dezaemon Kids! (PSN)

Gallery: Arcade Hits: Magical Drop (PSN)

Continue reading Magical Drop and DIY shmup maker Dezaemon Kids on PSN imports today

JoystiqMagical Drop and DIY shmup maker Dezaemon Kids on PSN imports today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dezaemon-kidsmagical-dropmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpsone-classicspspsonyTue, 01 Nov 2011 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[November 2 is BurgerTime on XBLA]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/november-2-is-burgertime-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/november-2-is-burgertime-on-xbla/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/13/november-2-is-burgertime-on-xbla/#comments
Are you hungry for burgers? How about giant burgers on which a chef and some magically animated food have repeatedly trampled? Burgers which live only within your Xbox?

Probably not, no. But if you want to play a game about said burgers, you'll be able to do so on November 2. MonkeyPaw Games announced today that BurgerTime World Tour will arrive on XBLA that day, with the PSN, PC, and WiiWare releases of the reimagined Data East classic to come later that year.

Above, enjoy a pre-BurgerTime appetizer in the form of a new trailer.

Gallery: BurgerTime World Tour (10/13/11)

Continue reading November 2 is BurgerTime on XBLA

JoystiqNovember 2 is BurgerTime on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourfrozen-codebasemicrosoftmonkeypaw-gamesq4-2011release-datexblaxboxThu, 13 Oct 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe gets PSN Imports section this week with three new games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/europe-gets-psn-imports-section-this-week-with-three-new-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/europe-gets-psn-imports-section-this-week-with-three-new-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/europe-gets-psn-imports-section-this-week-with-three-new-games/#comments If that local flavor isn't your thing, Europeans, then you may want to check out the new PSN Imports section. Sony's going to start hocking some retro Japanese games in your region, the PlayStation Blog revealed today -- the new initiative on PSN will feature "direct-from-Japan PS One imports and Classics." First up: Cho Aniki, Arc the Lad and Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special.

Now, we know what you're thinking: Arc the Lad is totally a RPG, with tons of text and stuff. Yes, it is, but relax: the game's entirely in English, based on the US release by Working Designs. As for the other two, well, they're in the universal language that is shooting everything in sight.

JoystiqEurope gets PSN Imports section this week with three new games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arc-the-ladarcade-hits-sonic-wingscho-anikieuropemonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psn-importsTue, 04 Oct 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Burgertime World Tour delayed for multiplayer testing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/burgertime-world-tour-delayed-for-multiplayer-testing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/burgertime-world-tour-delayed-for-multiplayer-testing/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/28/burgertime-world-tour-delayed-for-multiplayer-testing/#comments In the interest of making BurgerTime World Tour a more filling meal, publisher MonkeyPaw Games announced a delay of the downloadable reimagination of the Data East classic. Once announced for summer, it's staying in the kitchen until "a late October/early November date."

MonkeyPaw said in a Facebook note that it wants BurgerTime World Tour to have "a fresh new multiplayer experience, including competitive online play and leaderboards." Features like these require a lot of QA, and therefore the publisher is holding off on the release until everything is stable.

Then, of course, it has to work with Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to figure out when they all want the game to go up on their respective storefronts.

[Thanks, Steve.]

JoystiqBurgertime World Tour delayed for multiplayer testing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourdelaysfrozen-codebasemicrosoftmonkeypaw-gamesnintendopcplaystationps3wiixboxWed, 28 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joyswag: Come get free copies of this week's PSOne Imports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/joyswag-come-get-free-copies-of-this-weeks-psone-imports/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/joyswag-come-get-free-copies-of-this-weeks-psone-imports/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/joyswag-come-get-free-copies-of-this-weeks-psone-imports/#comments Was your interest piqued by Rapid Angel and Yakiniku Bugyou, the two import PlayStation games released on PSN this week by MonkeyPaw Games? Would you, perhaps, like your very own copy of the Japanese BBQ shop simulator Yakiniku Bugyou, or the anime brawler Rapid Angel? Would that be something you'd be into?

Okay, we're going to stop speaking in questions now. We have 16 codes for each game, usable on the North American PSN, and we will place them on Facebook soon. If you want the best chance to win one of them, you should probably "Like" us to get an early alert when we add more. We'll also DM a couple to people who Like our page.

The codes are courtesy of publisher MonkeyPaw Games, who also tends to hand out codes through its @MonkeyPawGames Twitter account.

JoystiqJoyswag: Come get free copies of this week's PSOne Imports originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>importsjoyswagmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnrapid-angelyakiniku-bugyouFri, 08 Jul 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Brawling and BBQ in this week's PSN imports]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/brawling-and-bbq-in-this-weeks-psn-imports/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/brawling-and-bbq-in-this-weeks-psn-imports/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/brawling-and-bbq-in-this-weeks-psn-imports/#comments With the PSN back in action, MonkeyPaw Games can resume its task of publishing weird Japanese PlayStation games. It's announced two new (to us) games coming this week, one beat-em-up and one ... grill-em-up.

Rapid Angel (or, in full: Kaisoku Tenshi The Rapid Angel) is an anime-style side-scrolling brawler, originally released in 1998, featuring (Japanese) voice acting and a weird two-player mode that puts the second player in the role of a flying "angel" that supports the first player.

Yakiniku Bugyou is a game that would have sounded much stranger back in the PS1 days, pre-Cooking Mama: it's a game in which you place meat on different areas of a grill to cook to different heat levels, in order to satisfy customers who have very specific tastes.

Both will be in the PSOne Imports store today, for $5.99 each.

Gallery: Yakiniku Bugyou (PS1)

Gallery: Rapid Angel (PS1)

Continue reading Brawling and BBQ in this week's PSN imports

JoystiqBrawling and BBQ in this week's PSN imports originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>monkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpsone-classicspspsonyyakiniku-bugyouTue, 05 Jul 2011 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[BurgerTime World Tour trailer tours the world of BurgerTime]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/burgertime-world-tour-trailer-tours-the-world-of-burgertime/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/burgertime-world-tour-trailer-tours-the-world-of-burgertime/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/burgertime-world-tour-trailer-tours-the-world-of-burgertime/#comments MonkeyPaw Games' refresh of the arcade classic BurgerTime has a new name. BurgerTime HD is out -- likely due to the existence of a Wii version -- in favor of BurgerTime World Tour.

Along with the new name, MonkeyPaw released some new assets, including a trailer after the break. Not only do you get to see the bizarre cylindrical environments in which you build giant burgers -- you'll also, for the first time ever, get to see inside Peter Pepper's apartment. How thrilling!

Gallery: BurgerTime World Tour (XBLA/PSN/WiiWare/PC)

Continue reading BurgerTime World Tour trailer tours the world of BurgerTime

JoystiqBurgerTime World Tour trailer tours the world of BurgerTime originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourfrozen-codebasemicrosoftmonkeypaw-gamesnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxFri, 27 May 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First real and fake BurgerTime HD trailers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/first-real-and-fake-burgertime-hd-trailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/first-real-and-fake-burgertime-hd-trailers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/03/first-real-and-fake-burgertime-hd-trailers/#comments MonkeyPaw Games is going back to the kitchen to create a new serving of BurgerTime -- which is a good idea, considering the original burgers are now 29 years old, and that's disgusting. For those of you interested in sampling BurgerTime HD's new recipe, you'll find a trailer after the break.

Also after the break is MonkeyPaw's heartbreaking April Fools' Day joke, a trailer for the "Delicious Edition" DLC, which replaces Peter Pepper with Burger King's eponymous, creepy monarch. It was a joke, but ... we would have been totally into playing as the King. So much so that we would have walked into a Burger King and purchased Burger King food to make that happen. We were willing to go that far.

Continue reading First real and fake BurgerTime HD trailers

JoystiqFirst real and fake BurgerTime HD trailers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-foolsapril-fools-2011burger-kingburgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourfrozen-codebasemicrosoftmonkeypaw-gamesnintendopcplaystationps3psnwiiwiiwarexblaxboxSun, 03 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BurgerTime HD coming to PSN, XBLA, PC & WiiWare this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/burgertime-hd-coming-to-psn-xbla-pc-and-wiiware-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/burgertime-hd-coming-to-psn-xbla-pc-and-wiiware-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/burgertime-hd-coming-to-psn-xbla-pc-and-wiiware-this-summer/#comments After showing the game at GDC, MonkeyPaw Games has officially announced BurgerTime HD, its first experiment in "evolving" a retro game as opposed to merely re-releasing it. The announcement adds lots of meaty information to the, uh, news ... wich.

The updated version of Data East's classic burger-stacking platformer is being developed by Frozen Codebase, and it's coming to XBLA, PSN, PC and WiiWare "early this summer," according to MonkeyPaw president John Greiner. A peck of Peter Peppers will be able to play together, since the game now includes four-player online multiplayer, along with split-screen local multiplayer. Leaderboards, DLC and chat will help add a modern flavor to this culinary concoction.

We'll let MonkeyPaw describe the updated gameplay, since we don't know if we'd ever be able to generate a sentence this wonderful on our own: "A unique cylindrical playing field reinvigorates the familiar classic gameplay of creating enormous hamburgers while fending off wieners, condiments and spices." The enlarged 3D landscapes offer "numerous paths of burger creation."

Screens of all three console versions are available after the break.

Continue reading BurgerTime HD coming to PSN, XBLA, PC & WiiWare this summer

JoystiqBurgerTime HD coming to PSN, XBLA, PC & WiiWare this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burgertimeburgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourfrozen-codebasemicrosoftmonkeypaw-gamesnintendopcplaystationps3psnrelease-datewiiwiiwarexblaxboxWed, 30 Mar 2011 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[BurgerTime HD footage shows a twist on the coin-op classic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/burgertime-hd-footage-shows-a-twist-on-the-coin-op-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/burgertime-hd-footage-shows-a-twist-on-the-coin-op-classic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/07/burgertime-hd-footage-shows-a-twist-on-the-coin-op-classic/#comments If you can figure out what's going on in this BurgerTime HD multiplayer footage IGN shot during GDC, we'll ... buy you a (virtual) burger.

Here's the deal: It sort of looks like Data East's 1982 original in terms of the basic burger-building gameplay, but the HD-ification has clearly been taken to an extreme. The levels twist, the art style screams "cyberspace" circa 1992 and there's just so much happening.

But hey -- it could be weirder.

Continue reading BurgerTime HD footage shows a twist on the coin-op classic

JoystiqBurgerTime HD footage shows a twist on the coin-op classic originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>burgertimeburgertime-hdburgertime-world-tourgdc-2011MonkeyPaw-Gamesplaystationps3psnMon, 07 Mar 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Arc the Lad 3 brings the trilogy full-triangle today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/arc-the-lad-3-brings-the-trilogy-full-triangle-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/arc-the-lad-3-brings-the-trilogy-full-triangle-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/04/arc-the-lad-3-brings-the-trilogy-full-triangle-today/#comments If you've already chewed through the second, recently released installment of the Arc the Lad trilogy, then first and foremost, we need to talk about your RPG consumption habits. Those RPGs aren't going anywhere, you know! Take your time. Savor it. Secondly, you'll be pleased to learn that the final installment in the trilogy will arrive on the PSOne Classics storefront later today, priced at $5.99.

Like the other two games in the series, Arc the Lad 3 has been ported by MonkeyPaw Games. Hopefully, its release means that Xenogears, Legend of Mana and Vagrant Story -- all of which were ESRB rated at the same time as Arc 3 -- aren't too far away. Though you'll probably just beat them all in a few days, anyway, you mutant.

Continue reading Arc the Lad 3 brings the trilogy full-triangle today

JoystiqArc the Lad 3 brings the trilogy full-triangle today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arc-the-lad-3monkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psone-classicspsprpgsonyTue, 04 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MonkeyPaw bringing Galaxy Fight to PSN import store today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/monkeypaw-bringing-galaxy-fight-to-psn-import-store-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/monkeypaw-bringing-galaxy-fight-to-psn-import-store-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/14/monkeypaw-bringing-galaxy-fight-to-psn-import-store-today/#commentsAnother weird Japanese PlayStation game will hit the PSN Import Store today courtesy of MonkeyPaw Games. Galaxy Fight, originally released on Neo-Geo and Saturn in 1995, was Sunsoft's first fighting game. It's about ninjas, monsters, robots, and other assorted characters, who travel from planet to planet to beat each other up in infinitely-scrolling stages. It also marks the first appearance of the living punching bag, Bonus-kun.

Galaxy Fight will be available with today's PSN update, for the usual $5.99 price. As usual, it's in Japanese, but ... it's a fighting game. You'll figure it out. And MonkeyPaw posted instructions.

JoystiqMonkeyPaw bringing Galaxy Fight to PSN import store today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galaxy-fightmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpsone-classicspspq4-2010release-datesonysunsoftTue, 14 Dec 2010 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Money Idol Exchanger and Sonic Wings Special on the PSN import store]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/money-idol-exchanger-and-sonic-wings-special-on-the-psn-import-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/money-idol-exchanger-and-sonic-wings-special-on-the-psn-import-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/money-idol-exchanger-and-sonic-wings-special-on-the-psn-import-s/#commentsMonkeyPaw Games is living up to its responsibility as the single publisher (so far) for the PSN Imports Store, dropping two interesting Japanese PlayStation games on the service today. In case you're not familiar with one or both -- a totally understandable happenstance -- here's what they are.

Money Idol Exchanger is a pretty weird (but not Cho Aniki weird) Neo Geo puzzle game ported to PlayStation, in which you link up on-screen coins to combine them into higher denominations: five 1s become a 5, etc., until you match two 500s and they vanish. Also, there are idol characters in it for some reason. And Sonic Wings Special is a single game combining all three Sonic Wings shmups (known as Aero Fighters in America).

The games are both available now for $5.99 each -- less for PlayStation Plus members.

Gallery: Sonic Wings Special

Gallery: Money Idol Exchanger

JoystiqMoney Idol Exchanger and Sonic Wings Special on the PSN import store originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>importsmoney-idol-exchangermonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psone-classicssonic-wings-specialTue, 16 Nov 2010 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Alundra and Arc the Lad on PSOne Classics Oct. 12]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/alundra-and-arc-the-lad-on-psone-classics-oct-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/alundra-and-arc-the-lad-on-psone-classics-oct-12/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/11/alundra-and-arc-the-lad-on-psone-classics-oct-12/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Two PlayStation action RPGs originally published by Working Designs will be released on PSN tomorrow -- though, because they're digital, there won't be any room for cloth maps, toys, or other trinkets. Sorry!

The upside is that the digital releases of Alundra and Arc the Lad, published by MonkeyPaw Games, will only run you the customary $5.99 PSOne Classics price. In its press release, MonkeyPaw teased that it "[plans] to promote the titles with some of the historical swag from the titles' original releases." What could that mean? We're following up with MonkeyPaw to find out.

These two games won't be in the new PSOne Imports Store, as they were both officially localized and released here. They'll be in the regular PSOne Classics area instead.

Gallery: Alundra (PSOne Classics)

Gallery: Arc the Lad (PSOne Classics)

Continue reading Alundra and Arc the Lad on PSOne Classics Oct. 12

JoystiqAlundra and Arc the Lad on PSOne Classics Oct. 12 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alundraarc-the-ladmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psone-classicspspq4-2010release-datesonyworking-designsMon, 11 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cho Aniki, Gaia Seed hit new PSN import store Sept. 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/cho-aniki-gaia-seed-hit-new-psn-import-store-sept-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/cho-aniki-gaia-seed-hit-new-psn-import-store-sept-21/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/16/cho-aniki-gaia-seed-hit-new-psn-import-store-sept-21/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MonkeyPaw Games, how did you know? Seemingly in honor of a certain blogger's birthday, the upstart developer/publisher will release two PSOne Classics on the North American PlayStation Store on September 21. The identity of the two games, Cho Aniki and Gaia Seed, isn't a surprise, but the games have interesting implications (beyond the implication that you'll be able to play Cho Aniki).

The two games are the first offerings in a service called Imports on the Playstation Store, on which unaltered Japanese games will be released. "Classics like Cho Aniki and GaiaSeed," according to MonkeyPaw, "will be followed by a steady stream of untouchable titles you dreamed of playing but were relegated to reading about." A steady stream of PSOne titles, period, would be noteworthy for the North American PSN service.

JoystiqCho Aniki, Gaia Seed hit new PSN import store Sept. 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cho-anikigaiaseedimports-on-the-playstation-storejapanmonkeypaw-gamesplaystationps3psnpsone-classicspspshmupsonyThu, 16 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB outs more Monkeypaw games, including Cho Aniki]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/esrb-outs-more-monkeypaw-games-including-cho-aniki/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/esrb-outs-more-monkeypaw-games-including-cho-aniki/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/esrb-outs-more-monkeypaw-games-including-cho-aniki/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Hardcore Gaming 101]
We never thought we'd see a time when even one Cho Aniki game made its way Stateside, and now we face the possibility of a third. An ESRB rating reveals that neophyte localization firm MonkeyPaw Games is planning to release the PlayStation's Cho Aniki: Kyukyoku Muteki Ginga Saikyou Otoko on PS3 (and PSP, MonkeyPaw's John Greiner confirmed to PSNStores) as simply "Cho Aniki." This version is even weirder than the freaky, protein-obsessed series usually is, as it uses digitized photography for its character art.

The ESRB also revealed PSOne Classics releases for the Data East fighter Outlaws of the Lost Dynasty, and Gaia Seed, a horizontal shmup by Techno Soleil. The company is also working on Ante Up: Texas Hold 'em for DSiWare. After the break, we've reproduced the ESRB description for Cho Aniki, because we had to.

Continue reading ESRB outs more Monkeypaw games, including Cho Aniki

JoystiqESRB outs more Monkeypaw games, including Cho Aniki originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ante-Up-Texas-Hold-EmCho-AnikidsGaiaSeedMonkeypaw-GamesnintendoOutlaws-of-the-Lost-Dynastyplaystationps3pspMon, 12 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: John Greiner introduces MonkeyPaw Games, a localization firm for digital releases]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/interview-john-greiner-introduces-monkeypaw-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/interview-john-greiner-introduces-monkeypaw-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/interview-john-greiner-introduces-monkeypaw-games/#commentsJohn Greiner was president of the US-based Hudson Entertainment for five years, and worked for Hudson Soft in Japan for fifteen years before that. Now, he's taken his expertise in the Japanese game industry and applied it to a new project, the digital distribution-focused publishing firm MonkeyPaw Games, a company that will specialize in remaking and localizing Japanese games from the past and present.

In an interview conducted during E3, Greiner explained the new company's plans, opined on 3D and his favorite "lost" Japanese games, and provided valuable insight on what it's like to do business in Japan.

Joystiq: Details were scarce when you made the announcement of MonkeyPaw Games earlier this month.

John Greiner: The reason we didn't want to release many titles -- what we're doing -- is because we are having another release shortly, but first we wanted to show who the company was and what we're trying to do. The foundation of the company is the bridge that we give between Japan and the West.

As you know, there are lots of Japanese games that never made it to the West, and should have made it to the West, but for whatever reason -- usually a lack of understanding on the Japanese side that there is a market for Japanese games in America and in the West. What we plan to do is form a community of like-minded gamers, people who want to see a lot of these great Japanese games come to the West.

Continue reading Interview: John Greiner introduces MonkeyPaw Games, a localization firm for digital releases

JoystiqInterview: John Greiner introduces MonkeyPaw Games, a localization firm for digital releases originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Digital-Distributione3-2010JapanJohn-GreinerMonkeyPaw-GamesPSNXBLAWed, 23 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST