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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Europeans get their own transforming weapon for Final Fantasy XIII-2 pre-order]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div style="text-align: center;">
	<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/"><img border="1" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/11/ffxiii2preordereu530px.jpg" vspace="4" /></a></div>
What is it with Square Enix and transforming weaponry? <a href="http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Gunblade">Gun swords</a> and <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/gamestop-throws-in-ffxiii-2-genji-bow-for-powerup-rewards-memb/">bow swords</a> and now a spear sword? What's next, a gun that shoots swords? Actually, that doesn't sound half bad, but we digress.<br />
<br />
Not to be mistaken with GameStop's PowerUp Rewards member-exclusive transforming Genji Bow, the above weapon will be available to those who pre-order <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/game/final-fantasy-xiii-2"><em>Final Fantasy XIII-2</em></a> from select European retailers, Square Enix <a href="https://member.eu.square-enix.com/en/blogs/pre-order-final-fantasy-xiii-2-and-receive-exclusive-bonus-weapon-noel">reveals</a>. It's the Muramasa, a combination dual-blade and spear weapon for Noel that increases chain bonuses in battle.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/">Europeans get their own transforming weapon for Final Fantasy XIII-2 pre-order</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/20112449/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/europeans-get-their-own-transforming-weapon-for-final-fantasy-xi/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>dlc</category><category>final-fantasy-xiii-2</category><category>muramasa</category><category>pre-order-bonus</category><category>rpg</category><category>square-enix</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:02:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nintendo releases budget line in Japan based on Nintendo Channel rankings]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/selection/index.html"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2010/01/minna12110.jpg" alt="" /></a></center>Nintendo of Japan just launched a line of budget Wii re-releases -- something that hasn't happened out of Nintendo in a long time. The <em>Minna no Osusume Selection </em>(Everyone's Recommendation Selection) is a series of third-party games marked down to &yen;2,800 ($30.53), and given new box art that pretty much obscures the original image, making it <em>really </em>difficult to tell which game it is.<br />
<br />
Since the best-selling Wii games are all <em>still</em> selling at full price, Nintendo determined the titles to be released in this collection in a <em>really</em> smart way: with user recommendations from the Nintendo Channel. Each of the games is given a "medal" rank based on the user response, with the most recommended game on the list being Chunsoft's visual novel <em><a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/428">428</a>.</em> Other titles in the collection include <em><a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade">Muramasa</a>, <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/arc-rise-fantasia">Arc Rise Fantasia</a>, <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/we-ski-and-snowboard">We Ski &amp; Snowboard</a></em>, and <em>One Piece </em>and <em>Dragon Ball Z</em> games. See the full list of initial releases after the break.<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Nintendo releases budget line in Japan based on Nintendo Channel rankings</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/">Nintendo releases budget line in Japan based on Nintendo Channel rankings</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/selection/index.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19325845/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/nintendo-releases-budget-line-in-japan-based-on-nintendo-channel/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>428</category><category>arc-rise-fantasia</category><category>budget</category><category>japan</category><category>minna-no-osusume-selection</category><category>muramasa</category><category>nintendo-channel</category><category>tales-of-symphonia</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/11/mmv1119.jpg" alt="" /></center>Pretty much everyone can guess why <em>No More Heroes</em> is being <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/no-more-heroes-heroes-paradise-screens-touch-down/">released again</a> -- Marvelous needs money. During a Q&amp;A presentation (<a href="http://www.magicalir.net/7844/streaming/091113/20091113faq.pdf">PDF link</a>, Japanese) about its fiscal Q2 2010 earnings, Marvelous boldly revealed that three out of its four 2009 Wii releases lost money, though it didn't say which was the winner.<br />
<br />
<em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">Muramasa</a> </em>sold 47,000 units in Japan, the company said, not specifying American sales. <em>Arc Rise Fantasia</em>, which will be published Stateside by Ignition, sold 45,000 copies. <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/23/review-little-kings-story-wii/">Little King's Story</a></em> sold 26,000 copies in Japan, 37,000 copies in North America, and 67,000 in Europe. <em>Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga</em>, which came out in September in North America, sold just 16,000 copies (Japanese sales, which started in October, are not mentioned). <em>Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility</em> on Wii somehow sold 57,000 units in 2009 despite being a 2007 release in Japan, a 2008 release in America, and not out until October in Europe and Australia.<br />
<br />
Because of lower development costs, Marvelous said, PSP software was more successful, with four out of five releases making money on similar sales numbers. <em><a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/half-minute-hero">Half-Minute Hero</a></em> was Marvelous's overall best-performing title, at 70,000 copies sold. <br />
<br />
[Via <a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-wii-made-money-with-psp/">Siliconera</a>]<br />
<br />
<div> </div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/">Marvelous lost money on most of its Wii releases</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19246175/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/marvelous-lost-money-on-most-of-its-wii-releases/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Cing</category><category>earnings</category><category>half-minute-hero</category><category>Hero-For-30-Sec</category><category>little-kings-story</category><category>marvelous</category><category>Marvelous-Interactive</category><category>muramasa</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>RPG</category><category>RTS</category><category>sales</category><category>Wii</category><category>XSEED</category><category>XSeed-JKS</category><category>Yuusha-30</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muramasa publisher: UK retailers avoiding original IP]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.mcvuk.com/features/561/Defries-Is-retail-duming-down"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/10/muramasa1021.jpg" alt="" /></a></center>Rising Star Games, the European publishing partner of Marvelous Entertainment, is speaking out against UK retailers declining to stock <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">Muramasa: The Demon Blade</a>, </em>which comes out <a href="http://www.risingstargames.com/games/muramasa-the-demon-blade-wii.html">November 13th</a> in the region. COO Martin DeFries told MCV in an <a href="http://www.mcvuk.com/features/561/Defries-Is-retail-duming-down">open letter</a>, "Here in the UK, the game will not be available to buy in the majority of games retail outlets." <br /><br />He claims that the issue is not with the game itself, but retailers' over-reliance on safer, existing intellectual property. "If it is not first-party, a sequel or supported by a multi-million pound advertising spend, they are just not interested." Defries lamented that <em>Muramasa</em> could find its way into stores -- when it's traded in. <br /><br />Defries pondered in his letter whether the seemingly growing emphasis on franchises represents a "dumbing-down of the medium" that results in consumers having "little or no exposure to a rich and different gaming experience." Of course, retailers (and publishers) have preferred the sure thing for as long as there have been sequels, but actually <em>not being able to</em> market your game, especially one as interesting as <em>Muramasa</em>, seems especially frustrating.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/">Muramasa publisher: UK retailers avoiding original IP</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.mcvuk.com/features/561/Defries-Is-retail-duming-down>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19205603/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/22/muramasa-publisher-uk-retailers-avoiding-original-ip/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>original-ip</category><category>retail</category><category>rising-star-games</category><category>uk</category><category>vanillaware</category><category>Wii</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Joyswag: Muramasa prize pack [update]]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div align="center"><img hspace="0" vspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/09/muramasajoyswag_092209.jpg" /><br /></div>
<strong>Update:</strong> Contest is closed! Keep an eye on your email to see if you won! Thanks for playing!<br /><br />If you didn't take <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">our word</a> on how awesome this game is, then here's your chance to check it out first-hand. One lucky reader will not only receive a copy of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade/"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a>, but we've also got a small collection of poster art for the game. It's a one-two punch of free gaming goodness. Best of luck!<br />
<ul>
    <li>Leave a comment telling us which of the game's main characters you prefer: Kisuke or Momohime</li>
    <li>You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)</li>
    <li><strong>Limit 1 entry per person per day</strong></li>
    <li>This entry period ends at <strong>3:00PM ET on Thursday, October 1<br /> </strong></li>
    <li>At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive <em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em> ($50 ARV) and a collection of art cells ($15 ARV)<br /></li>
    <li>For a list of complete rules, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.joystiq.com/official-giveaway-rules/">click here</a></li>
</ul><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/">Joyswag: Muramasa prize pack [update]</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19169980/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/25/joyswag-muramasa-prize-pack/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition</category><category>joyswag</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Review: Muramasa: The Demon Blade]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/09/muramasa0914.jpg" /></center>I was honestly a bit worried about being able to review <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> objectively, because this game was, from the outset, <em>completely </em>up my alley. Making a fully 2D sidescrolling action game with lots of combo-based swordfighting and a Japanese mythological setting is like titling the game <em>JC Will Buy This,</em> as there is no component of that game description for which I am not a sucker. <br />
<br />
What keeps me honest? <strike>Professionalism</strike> the other side of that coin -- if the game worked I may be more likely than most to love it, sure, but if there was <em>anything</em> wrong with it, my disappointment would come out pretty harshly. Luckily, I don't have to worry about my personal biases getting in the way, as I'm quite certain this is a <em>great</em> action game.<br />
<br />
<p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">Review: Muramasa: The Demon Blade</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19159933/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/14/review-muramasa-the-demon-blade/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>vanillaware</category><category>Wii</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Check out more of Muramasa's lovely gameplay in this new trailer]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div align="center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="580" height="346" id="viddler_af5bbd89"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple/af5bbd89/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/af5bbd89/" width="580" height="346" flashvars="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_af5bbd89"></embed></object></div>
<em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Muramasa-The-Demon-Blade/">Muramasa: The Demon Blade</a></em>'s US release is so anticipated around Joystiq HQ, our staff can constantly be spotted exchanging fist-pumps whenever it's mentioned. Today, a new gameplay trailer has found its way online, showcasing more of the game's beautiful action. Hopefully, when it hits stores Stateside on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/">September 8</a>, it will live up to our lofty expectations. If not, the only arm movement we'll be making is when we throw elbows during our daily "abuse the intern" training exercises.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/">Check out more of Muramasa's lovely gameplay in this new trailer</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19146643/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/check-out-more-of-murmasas-lovely-gameplay-in-this-new-trailer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>marvelous-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Xav de Matos]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Video: The pretty, violent locations of Muramasa]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="580" height="346" id="viddler_f7dd55e"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple/f7dd55e/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/f7dd55e/" width="580" height="346" flashvars="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_f7dd55e"></embed></object></center>   Ignition has released a new video of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a>. The video highlights the game's locations, all set in beautiful feudal Japanese backdrops. Of course, the problem with beautiful feudal Japanese backdrops is they're always being ransacked by ninjas, demons and evil snow witches. You're just walking along, admiring the cherry blossoms, and then it's like, <em>bam</em>: Snow witch. Happens every time. Watch the trailer and see for yourself.<br />
<br />
<em>Muramasa</em> hits shelves next month.<br />
<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/">Video: The pretty, violent locations of Muramasa</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19135800/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/video-the-pretty-violent-locations-of-muramasa/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Mitchell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[New trailer looks at Muramasa's Momohime, release set for Sept. 8]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="580" height="346" id="viddler_d1191168"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple/d1191168/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/d1191168/" width="580" height="346" flashvars="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_d1191168"></embed></object></center> Some new <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> media has been released. This time around, it focuses on Momohime, one of the game's main characters. She's "a princess possessed by a dark spirit and on a quest to recover the cursed demon swords," and each blade she collects gives her different abilities. <br /><br />But none of that matters, really. What <em>does</em> matter is that she can slice and dice baddies with the best of them and, as we've come to expect from <em>Muramasa</em>, she looks great doing it. Watch the new trailer above and then soak up some new screens and artwork below.<br /><br />One more thing, we can finally pin a date on <em>Muramasa</em>. Expect it to hit North American shelves September 8.<br /><div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/">Muramasa (8/13/09)</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/#2205097"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/ice-oni-fighing-bore-(49)_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/#2205099"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/momo-breakin-off-the-water-dudes3(2)_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/#2205103"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/momo-breakin-off-the-water-dudes3_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/#2205106"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/momo-bringin-the-ruckus_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/muramasa-8-13-09/#2205098"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/momo-cvs-flame-rancor_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/">New trailer looks at Muramasa's Momohime, release set for Sept. 8</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:50:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19128875/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/new-trailer-looks-at-muramasas-momohime-release-set-for-sept/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition</category><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Mitchell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:50:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ignition opens sharp Muramasa: The Demon Blade site]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.muramasathedemonblade.com/"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt=""  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/08/muramasa0811.jpg" /></a></center>Ignition opened the official North American <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> <a href="http://www.muramasathedemonblade.com">website</a> today, confrming two important facts for us: <br />
<ol>
    <li>Ignition is still planning to release the game this year (we need constant reassurance that not <em>every</em> game is being pushed to 2010)</li>
    <li>The art is still <em>bangin</em>'.<br /></li>
</ol>
In fact, the website allows you to take some of that art for your <em>very own</em> in the form of <a href="http://www.muramasathedemonblade.com/#/downloads">desktop wallpapers</a>. You can also check out screenshots, video, and character profiles while you're there, and offer Ignition your <em>own Muramasa</em> art in a fan art contest.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/">Ignition opens sharp Muramasa: The Demon Blade site</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.muramasathedemonblade.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19126304/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ignition-opens-sharp-muramasa-the-demon-blade-site/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Muramasa: The Demon Blade trailer is all about the blading]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="580" height="357" id="viddler_b953e5ef"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple/b953e5ef/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="flashvars" value="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/b953e5ef/" width="580" height="357" flashvars="tubemogulid=TD-Q0P-W10" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_b953e5ef"></embed></object></center>The latest trailer for <a href="http://joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> is designed to show off the high-flying, combo-ridden swordplay found in Vanillaware's action game. Your sword is in motion at almost all times during this game, as you float around, juggling enemy after enemy. It <em>is</em> a little bit overwhelming at first, in a <em>Marvel vs. Capcom</em> sort of way.<br /><br />But then, when you get the hang of it, grimacing wheels, single-file lines of monks, gigantic samurai, and even transparent horses won't be able to stop you. At least, we <em>think</em>. We didn't really graduate past the "panicked button-mashing" technique at <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">E3</a>.<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/">New Muramasa: The Demon Blade trailer is all about the blading</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19114807/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/30/new-muramasa-the-demon-blade-is-all-about-the-blading/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>ignition</category><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Marvelous looking into HD ports of Wii games]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div align="center"><a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-considering-wii-to-playstation-3xbox-360-ports/"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/07/marveloushdportsh.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
"Wii has no hardcore games" is about as old, lame and untrue as "the PS3 has no games," and "Xbox 360 has only shooters." Real gamers know that each of the platforms has its gems -- but not everyone can afford all three gaming consoles.<br /><br />Marvelous may be expanding its portfolio to include more non-Nintendo systems. Already, the publisher is working on a PS3 and Xbox 360 game, <em>Rainy Woods</em>; however, according to a report by <a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-considering-wii-to-playstation-3xbox-360-ports/">Siliconera</a>, the publisher may look into porting some of its diverse Wii lineup onto the HD systems. Games like <a href="http://nintendo.joystiq.com/tag/no-more-heroes"><em>No More Heroes</em></a> and the upcoming <a href="http://nintendo.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa"><em>Muramasa</em></a> would certainly appeal to the hardcore PlayStation and Xbox crowds. In fact, Suda 51's <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/suda-51-next-no-more-heroes-wont-be-on-wii/">most recent comments</a> suggest an HD future for his franchise. With just a little bit of polish, those two could easily transform from good-looking Wii games into gorgeous PS3 and 360 titles.<br /><br />[Thanks, tmacairjordan87!]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/">Marvelous looking into HD ports of Wii games</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-considering-wii-to-playstation-3xbox-360-ports/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19085682/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/marvelous-looking-into-hd-ports-of-wii-games/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>marvelous</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>muramasa</category><category>no-more-heroes</category><category>Xbox-360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Yoon]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:45:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Muramasa trailer makes with the slicing and dicing]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="580" height="362" id="viddler_8d87cdca"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/simple/8d87cdca/" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/simple/8d87cdca/" width="580" height="362" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" allowFullScreen="true" name="viddler_8d87cdca"></embed></object></center>There's no better way to fully appreciate the wonderful artistic style and furious action of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> than to see it in motion. And, thankfully, that's just what we got for you right now. Above, you'll find a near-minute of fabulous Muramasa gameplay footage for your eyes to drool over, and if you're wondering what all of the fuss is about, you really should be <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-muramasa-the-demon-blade/">keeping up</a>.<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/">New Muramasa trailer makes with the slicing and dicing</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19085575/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/02/new-muramasa-trailer-makes-with-the-slicing-and-dicing/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition</category><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muramasa: the GameStop preorder bonus]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/photos/oboro-muramasa-youtouden/2113929/full/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/06/muramasa0629.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><em><small>Click to Marvelous-size</small></em><small></small></center>We didn't <em>dare</em> think it could happen, but when we saw the pre-order bonus for Japanese copies of <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/hands-on-muramasa-the-demon-blade/"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a>, we secretly wished for Ignition (well, XSEED at the time) to bring something <em>half</em> as awesome to us here. The bonus is a <a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2009/04/17/muramasa-the-demon-art-scroll/">five-foot-long scroll</a> featuring a series of amazing pieces of character art from the game.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=73359&amp;affID=77777&amp;sourceID=aOUs5qjvzDc-ljOEfzkqfgdgl4LaYIE_QQ">GameStop</a> has just revealed the North American pre-order bonus, and it's <em>exactly that!</em> We couldn't be more thrilled. Well, we <em>could</em> be more thrilled if <em>two</em> things happened: <br />
<ol>
    <li>We confirmed that the back of the scroll had the same enemy and stage artwork as the Japanese version</li>
    <li>We found out that GameStop's September 1 release date (a Tuesday!) was the real release date for the game.</li>
</ol>
We've contacted Ignition about those two points. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the prospect of getting a really nice-looking free thing by buying another thing.<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/">Muramasa: the GameStop preorder bonus</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=73359>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19081492/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/muramasa-the-gamestop-preorder-bonus/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>gamestop</category><category>ignition</category><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>preorder</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:25:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Interview: Vanillaware's Jouji Kamitani on Muramasa]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/06/muramasa0608.jpg" /></center>Jouji "George" Kamitani is the person most responsible for Vanillaware's signature look. Not only is he the company's president and director of its games, he's <em>also</em> in charge of the art. We were able to pull him away briefly from his busy day of signing <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Muramasa/">Muramasa</a><em> </em>posters at Ignition's E3 booth to speak about action games on the Wii, selling a very Japanese game in America, and why we won't see the quirky DS title <a href="http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2008/06/05/kumatanchi-wallpaper-plus-a-bit-of-backstory/"><em>Kumatanchi</em></a> in North America anytime soon. As a bonus, we were treated to an enthusiastic live demonstration of Kamitani's dream Wii minigame.<br /><p><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Interview: Vanillaware's Jouji Kamitani on Muramasa</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/">Interview: Vanillaware's Jouji Kamitani on Muramasa</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19061433/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/interview-vanillawares-jouji-kamitani-on-muramasa/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>jouji-kamitani</category><category>muramasa</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>vanillaware</category><category>Wii</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muramasa rights picked up by Ignition, due in September]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div align="center"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/04/masamuxseed.jpg" alt="" /><br /></div>
We love it when the wheels of progress turn quickly, but this is a bit much. Just a day after <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/">we learned</a> that publisher XSEED had dropped the rights to <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a>, Vanillaware's followup to the PS2's <em>Odin Sphere</em>, we hear from Ignition that it will be scooping the game up for a North American release on Wii in September.<br /><br />Jeez, Ignition, you didn't even give us time to mount an elaborate, multi-pronged effort to take to the streets to save <em>Murasama. </em>Now what the hell are we going to do with all this poster board and puffy paint?<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/">Muramasa rights picked up by Ignition, due in September</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:10:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1523726/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/21/muramasa-rights-picked-up-by-ignition-due-in-september/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ignition-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><category>xseed</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin McElroy]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:10:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[XSEED no longer publishing Muramasa]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div align="center"><a href="http://www.nintendoeverything.com/?p=14521"><img vspace="0" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/04/masamuxseed.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
You should probably sit down, we have some bad news. According to <a href="http://www.nintendoeverything.com/?p=14521">NintendoEverything</a>, XSEED has decided it will not publish the Wii exclusive <em><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/Muramasa-The-Demon-Blade/">Muramasa: The Demon Blade</a></em> in North America. <em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em> -- which recently landed on store shelves in Japan -- is the new action role-playing title from Japanese developer Vanillaware, makers of the cult-hit <em>Odin Sphere</em> on PlayStation 2.<br /><br /><em>Muramasa</em> was originally planned for release in North America as part of its US <a href="http://playstation.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/xseed-and-marvelous-join-in-co-publishing-agreement/">publishing agreement</a> with Marvelous Entertainment US. According to NintendoEverything, XSEED states it still believes in the game and "will look forward to seeing it release in North America" -- as long as it isn't released by them, apparently. If you thought <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/xseed-drawing-muramasa-the-demon-blade-this-summer/">the wait was going to be long</a> before... grab a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPRscxQZs8E">Snickers bar</a>, kids.<br /><br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/">XSEED no longer publishing Muramasa</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.nintendoeverything.com/?p=14521>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1522879/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/20/xseed-no-longer-publishing-murasama/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action-role-playing</category><category>action-rpg</category><category>marvelous-entertainment</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>xseed</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Xav de Matos]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muramasa: The Demon Blade will accommodate action and RPG fans]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<center><a href="http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1222397_1407.html"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt=""  src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/muramasa30309.jpg" /></a></center>According to (our iffy translation of) <em>Famitsu</em>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/a-welcome-muramasa-the-demon-blade-media-overload/"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a> will be playable in two different modes: "Musou" and "Shura." Musou mode may be best-suited for fans of previous Vanillaware action-RPGs like <em>Odin Sphere</em>: it focuses on character leveling rather than action. Shura mode is all action, with less emphasis on strategy. We don't know <em>how</em> the modes differ mechanically, but it may be as simple as easier enemies in one mode and fewer character customization options in the other.<br /><br />Along with this news, Marvelous released new screens of <em>Muramasa</em>. As usual, <em>yum</em>. <em>Muramasa </em>comes out April 9 in Japan, which is not fair at all. It's out in Europe in spring of <em><a href="http://www.risingstargames.com/games/muramasa-the-demon-blade-wii.html">2010</a>, </em>and in North America <em>sometime</em> this year. But probably not <em>next month</em>.<br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/">Muramasa: The Demon Blade will accommodate action and RPG fans</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/1222397_1407.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1477231/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/03/muramasa-the-demon-blade-will-accommodate-action-and-rpg-fans/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>action</category><category>marvelous</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>vanillaware</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[JC Fletcher]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muramasa: The Demon Blade cuts down Japan this April]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/imports/" rel="tag">Imports</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-slicing-into-stores-soon/"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/oboro091908.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /></div>
Word on the street is that the highly stylish and, well, one of our most-watched games, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/tag/muramasa-the-demon-blade"><em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em></a>, will hit Japanese retail in April of this year. We've got no firm date yet, however an April release in Japan means that we could be seeing it localized in North America this holiday season. It is <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/23/muramasa-slicing-up-europe-in-november-2009/">coming to Europe in November</a>, after all (not taking into account <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/xseed-drawing-muramasa-the-demon-blade-this-summer/">summer placeholders</a>).<br /><br />It's a long wait, but one we'll gladly suffer for what we're sure is <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/09/tgs08-muramasa-gameplay-footage-will-change-you/">going to be a wonderful game</a>.<br /><br /><p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/">Muramasa: The Demon Blade cuts down Japan this April</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:09:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-slicing-into-stores-soon/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1431976/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/16/muramasa-the-demon-blade-cuts-down-japan-this-april/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2d</category><category>marvelous</category><category>marvelous-interactive</category><category>muramasa</category><category>muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>xseed</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[David Hinkle]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:09:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade coming stateside]]></title><link>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/</guid><comments>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/wii/" rel="tag">Nintendo Wii</a>, <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/category/action/" rel="tag">Action</a></p><div align="center"><a href="http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=44"><img border="1" alt="" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2008/10/oboro_topper.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />The publishing duo of XSEED and Marvelous Entertainment announced plans to bring Vanillaware's Wii-exclusive ninja-action title, <em><a href="http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/09/19/marvelous-oboro-muramasa-youtouden-announced-for-us/">Oboro Muramasa Youtouden</a></em>, to the US sometime next year. The game, which will be redubbed as <em>Muramasa: The Demon Blade</em> for the local market, marks the second title to emerge from a <a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/xseed-inks-marvelous-deal-valhalla-knights-ii-confirmed/">co-publishing deal</a> inked in May, following this week's release of <em>Valhalla Knights 2</em> for the PSP. <br /><br /><em>Muramasa</em> looks to continue the tradition of Vanillaware's eye-poppingly gorgeous titles, <em>Odin Sphere</em> and <em>Grim Grimoire</em>, promising hand-drawn 2D sprites and side-scrolling levels. Beyond this, details are scarce, though more is expected to be revealed next week when the game is officially unveiled during TGS.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ffffcc;border:1px solid #ffff99;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.joystiq.com"><img src="http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif" alt="Joystiq" style="float:left;padding:0 5px 5px 0;" /></a><a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/">Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade coming stateside</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.joystiq.com">Joystiq</a> on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.<br style="clear:both;"></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=44>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/forward/1331649/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/vanillaware-s-muramasa-the-demon-blade-coming-stateside/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>marvelous-entertainment</category><category>marvelous-interactive</category><category>marvelousinteractive</category><category>Muramasa</category><category>Muramasa-the-demon-blade</category><category>oboro-muramasa-youtouden</category><category>vanillaware</category><category>Wii</category><category>xseed</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jason Dobson]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:15:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
