Joystiq

Rhapsody app now available on Xbox 360

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 04:00:00 EST

People with expensive home theater set-ups and/or insane people who listen to music through television speakers now have yet another option when using their Xbox as a weird internet radio device. Specifically, subscription-based streaming music service Rhapsody has launched a new app, which is available now for anyone with Xbox Live Gold and a (paid) Rhapsody account.

The app includes access to Rhapsody's full music library, allowing users to access playlists they've constructed on other devices. It also supports gesture and voice commands via Kinect, which sounds good on paper, but we're going to withhold final judgement until we've tested whether our Girls' Generation choreography practice is falsely interpreted as interface navigation.

Rhapsody app now available on Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pearl Jam returns in new 'Rock Band project' with fan-voted set list

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:00:00 EST

Rock Band fans are already familiar with Pearl Jam. The band has twelve tracks (all from the "Ten" album) available in the game, on disc and as DLC. However, it looks as though there's much more Pearl Jam coming down the line. A collaboration between MTV Games, Rhapsody, and the band's premium 10 Club will allow fans to vote on songs for a forthcoming "Rock Band project." This new project will be Rock Band's "first-ever fan voted set list."

The release is decidedly vague, and opens the possibility for a brand new game (a la Guitar Hero: Metallica, or The Beatles: Rock Band), a retail track pack (a la Rock Band: AC/DC), or simple DLC. Considering the upcoming "project" will exclusively feature live music, we're leaning on a retail track pack -- who's up for some Rock Band: Pearl Jam?

[Thanks, Eric!]

Pearl Jam returns in new 'Rock Band project' with fan-voted set list originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disgaea and Rhapsody: A Voice Acting Adventure

JC Fletcher — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Siliconera spoke with NIS's Jack Niida about the DS versions of Disgaea and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, both of which happen to be out this week. Much of the interview focuses on the voice acting in the two games, which we imagine is somewhat of an important issue for the otaku who comprise the majority of the Nippon Ichi audience. There's more to read, as well, about Rhapsody's battle system and new characters in Disgaea, among other things.

Rhapsody will use the original Japanese songs from the PlayStation game, along with new tracks recorded by the original cast. The voice acting outside of songs will be in English. The English musical tracks will not be present due to space concerns. The script is also pulled from the PlayStation release, but the English text has been cleaned up!

As for Disgaea, the same seems to be true. Niida told Siliconera that "All the voice acting is there, but unfortunately, we had to compromise on the dual language and English musical songs."

Disgaea and Rhapsody: A Voice Acting Adventure originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS releases for the week of September 22nd

Alisha Karabinus — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:54:00 EST

Filed under: News

Not only are there dozens -- well, almost two dozen -- games slated for release in the U.S. this week, but included in the list are a few particularly interesting titles. Kirby Super Star Ultra, though announced some time ago, comes seemingly out of nowhere after some recent wacky promotions, and My Japanese Coach finally makes it to shelves (we hope).

Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style
Brain Quest Grades 3 & 4
Brain Quest Grades 5 & 6
Di-Gata Defenders
Dinosaur King
Disgaea DS
DropCast
Hi! Hamtaro Ham-Ham Challenge
Kirby Super Star Ultra
Lego Batman
Margot's Word Brain
My Japanese Coach
My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Party
My SAT Coach
Nancy Drew: The Hidden Staircase
Pipe Mania
Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure
Shaun the Sheep
SimCity Creator
Time Hollow

Continue reading DS releases for the week of September 22nd

DS releases for the week of September 22nd originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Power DS mockup just a NIS advertising 'edit'

Candace Savino — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Remember the crazy ad in Nintendo Power (pictured above) that "hinted" at a DS redesign? (You should; we only posted about it two days ago, silly rabbits.) It turns out that the poor Photoshop job is nothing to speculate about, as NIS America only "placed screenshots on a DS backing to emphasize the platform, and edited them for effect." Now, we never took Marketing 101, but that seems like somewhat misleading advertising to us.

NIS America's marketing guru Nao Zook apologized for any confusion that the picture may have caused, stating that there is no widescreen DS in the works (to her or the company's knowledge). So, you can rest assured (or at least hold your breath until E3) that you won't have to pony up the cash for yet another DS.

Gallery: Nintendo DS mockups

Gallery: Disgaea

Nintendo Power DS mockup just a NIS advertising 'edit' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumorong: Nintendo DS redesign not leaked by Disgaea DS ad

Jason Dobson — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS

The internet speculation switchboard lit up this weekend when a print ad for a trio of new Nintendo DS titles -- Disgaea DS, Rhapsody, and A Witch's Tale -- from NIS America in the August issue of Nintendo Power was found to show Nintendo's touchable handheld with noticeably wider screens. Some might even call these widescreens. But was this a simple Photoshop snafu, or an unintentional peek at Nintendo's E3 plot?

With Nintendo brushing aside the supposed leak as "purely rumour and speculation," we followed up with NIS America, the proverbial horse's mouth. "We placed screenshots on a DS backing to emphasize the platform, and edited them for effect," explained NISA marketing swami, Nao Zook. "These games are specifically for the current Nintendo DS, and as far as we know, there is no 'widescreen DS' in the works." She offered apologies for any confusion or elevated hopes the ad might have caused, adding, "we also agree that a widescreen DS would be really cool." We agree, almost as cool as being asked to purchase Nintendo's portable yet again ...

Rumorong: Nintendo DS redesign not leaked by Disgaea DS ad originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo Power teases DS owners with a faux redesign [update]

Phil Larsen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Some are awful, some are amazing. Yes, the DS has precisely one gazillion "concept" models floating around the place, from fans who want their own particular quirks included with the ~~inevitable~~ possible redesign of the handheld. Nintendo Power has featured this image with an advertisement for Disgaea DS and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, and although it looks pretty cool, it's extraordinarily doubtful that one of the most talked-about rumors in the history of the DS has just awkwardly been confirmed via this image. Bogus, but neat!

It's pretty much the same thing as the DS Lite now, only with bigger screens. Which is more or less exactly what the DS needs -- the rest is spot on. The fact that the bottom screen is misaligned with the top screen lends evidence to some guy taking one too many coffee breaks during his Photoshop training. Looks rad, not official -- redesign will probably come soon anyway. Watch this space for all E3 Nintendo revelations!

Update: Just as we thought, Nintendo denied that this widescreen DS is a representation of a new unit, stating this is "purely rumor and speculation."

[Via Aeropause]

Nintendo Power teases DS owners with a faux redesign [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody release date announced, Disgaea date confirmed

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

The release date for one of Nippon Ichi's SRPG remakes has been announced, and another one officially backed up, by a somewhat unexpected source. Atlus announced yesterday that they would handle the distribution for three of NIS America's upcoming games, including Disgaea DS and Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. Before the American branch of NIS was founded, Atlus published the company's games, including, appropriately enough, the original releases of both Rhapsody and Disgaea. The games will be their own worst competition, being released simultaneously on September 23.

The American boxarts for both games have also been revealed. While the Rhapsody art (found after the break) is a simplified version of the original, Disgaea uses a different piece of artwork and a baffling "CAUTION: PLAYERS XING" road sign.

Continue reading Rhapsody release date announced, Disgaea date confirmed

Rhapsody release date announced, Disgaea date confirmed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus, NIS America partner over Disgaea 3, Rhapsody remake

Jason Dobson — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 3, Adventure, Strategy

They say that birds of a feather flock together, and that's certainly the case when it comes to niche game stalwarts Atlus and NIS America. The companies, which began holding hands with 2003's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, have continued their close, dare we say intimate relationship, concerning a trio of upcoming titles, including Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice for the PS3.

The pair jointly announced that they will work together to release Disgaea 3 in North America on August 26, followed by both Disgaea DS and PlayStation remake, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, for the Nintendo DS on September 23. In each case Atlus will act as the distributor, no doubt ensuring that the entire ten-copy run of each title makes it safely to store shelves.

Atlus, NIS America partner over Disgaea 3, Rhapsody remake originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody: A Stack of Screens

Chris Greenhough — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Nippon Ichi seems determined to show us as much of Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure while it still can. Impress Watch now has an update of 69 screens (some of which we have seen previously, but plenty of which are new) and pieces of character art, which follows other screenshot-heavy previews here and here. At this rate, recreating a flip book of the entire game by the time it hits Japan in August might not be out of the question.

Actually ... holy crap, that's a great idea. While we head out to the store for scissors and glue sticks, check out the latest avalanche of images at the "Source" link below.

Rhapsody: A Stack of Screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody: A Musical Minigame

JC Fletcher — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Screens, Imports

NIS is including extra stuff with the DS version of Rhapsody, in addition to the inevitable Etna/Prinny cameos that will ensure that PS2-era NIS nerds will desire this PS1-era NIS remake. Cornet's trumpet-playing has been expanded into a minigame in which Cornet plays trumpet in the town square to earn Imotium chips from the townspeople. This takes the form of a minigame in which you blow into the microphone in time with an onscreen indicator.

Other new stuff includes a "Kansatsu Notes" feature, in which not only does the game provide a database of information about its characters and monsters, but the main characters offer commentary as well. Dengeki has posted tons of screens of these modes and other parts of Rhapsody.

Rhapsody: A Musical Minigame originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Music to our ears: NIS America announces Rhapsody

JC Fletcher — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

In an interview with RPGamer, NIS America's Jack Niida bluntly confirmed a U.S. release of the remake of Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure. RPGamer asked him if the game was coming out, and he said "Rhapsody ~A Musical Adventure~ is coming to the Nintendo DS here in North America." This is the only time in history that just asking about an unannounced game resulted in a definitive answer.

There's no date yet, but the Japanese version isn't out until August, so we'd expect the holidays at the earliest. Localization and voice recording take time (unless they're using the existing English script), and getting Disgaea DS out will probably take priority for NIS. We'll find out more about the company's plans on the 6th, when NIS will hold a press event. Niida promises "surprise announcements," which could be anything from Jigsaw World (fairly likely) to The Combini (pretty much no chance) to non-DS stuff.

[Via NeoGAF]

Music to our ears: NIS America announces Rhapsody originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody: A Visual Adventure

JC Fletcher — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Screens, Imports

Nippon Ichi's DS Rhapsody remake, Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime: Tenshi ga Kanaderu Uta (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom: Love Song Played by an Angel) promises the same kind of idiosyncratic, low-difficulty tactical RPG combat seen in the PlayStation version, including Cornet's dessert-based Reward attacks (as seen in this screenshot).

It also promises musical interludes in lieu of traditional cutscenes, because that's Rhapsody's whole gimmick, really. This time, however, the perspective of the battles has changed, though the genre is apparently the same: while battles were originally presented in an isometric view with visible grids, they seem to be a more Final Fantasy-like side view now. Check out GAME Watch for a ton of screens!

Rhapsody: A Visual Adventure originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan to be ecstatic for Rhapsody this summer

David Hinkle — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Imports

For our very lucky brothers and sisters living in Japan, this one's for you. Dated for this August is the release of Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, Nippon Ichi's SRPG. This has little weight with those of us living outside of the country, who're forced to wait until SRPGs are localized. We know, it's just horrible.

Spencer over at Siliconera is of the mind that the title could wash up on North American shores come the end of the year, however. So for those of you looking to throw down in a very careful and meticulously plotted manner, cross your fingers. You just might get your wish.

[Via Siliconera]

Japan to be ecstatic for Rhapsody this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 May 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disgaea DS, NIS titles revealed

Eric Caoili — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors, Screens

After announcing its plans to release five new games for the DS, Nippon Ichi Software has finally revealed screenshots and details for our two most anticipated titles of the bunch -- Disgaea: Prince of the Demon World and the Red Moon and Jigsaw World. NIS also mentioned Rhapsody: In Musical Adventure, likely a port of the PlayStation SRPG.

According to Jeux-France, as with the PSP's Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness, this DS release will be an adaptation of the original PlayStation 2 game, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Though we're not sure yet how much new content will be thrown into the DS remake, we would be happy just to get some polished touchscreen controls and online support (not too hopeful on the latter feature, however). Run past the break for the scanned pages!

Continue reading Disgaea DS, NIS titles revealed

Disgaea DS, NIS titles revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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