Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Invader Zurp]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-invader-zurp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-invader-zurp/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/18/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-invader-zurp/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We at Joystiq believe no one deserves to starve, and many indie developers are entitled to a fridge full of tasty, fulfilling media coverage, right here. This week, Spencer Nielsen describes the benefits of simple mechanics with his iOS title Invader Zurp, a simple tap game with a deep, visually appealing strategy.


What's your game called and what's it about?

The game is a physics-based shooter called Invader Zurp. You play as Zurp (or formally "Zurp: Destroyer of Worlds"), a little alien critter tasked with raining down mighty destruction from planet to planet on his spaceship. You fly on a rail in first person toward structures made of blocks. By touching the screen you fire super-intelligent smart bombs that home in on buildings, defense turrets and incoming missiles. The "touch to shoot" mechanic is dead simple to pick up but there is a deeper strategy in balancing offense, defense and taking measured risks.

Why develop independently, rather than work for an established company?

The freedom to work on ideas I find interesting and be the person that calls the shots is the reason I left Apple after five years to work on my own projects. Being one part of a large team working on large projects was satisfying and rewarding in its own way but I would always get these crazy ideas that I wanted to explore. The ability to see my own vision through and ship these "crazy ideas" has a reward and personal fulfillment that I value more than a steady paycheck.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Invader Zurp

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Invader Zurp originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appledestroyer-of-worldsInvader-Zurpiosipadiphonejoystiq-indie-pitchmobilesimpleSpencer-NielsenSun, 18 Mar 2012 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Skulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/skulls-of-the-shogun-preview-dem-bones/#comments All of us on the site seemed extra busy at E3 this year, our schedules filled with appointments for games both big and small. But each of us tried to grab a little time just wandering the show floor appointment-free, and in the 45 minutes I had to myself, I stumbled across this gem, sitting in the middle of the Indiecade booth area.

Skulls of the Shogun is a game created by Jake Kazdal, Ben Vance and Borut Pfeifer, three guys with extensive game development backgrounds who decided to go it independently as Haunted Temple Studios. We saw it in action last October, but I'd never heard of it before, and I was instantly charmed by the premise: a group of cartoon-y skeleton Shogun warriors battle it out in turn-based strategy, with no hexes to be seen.

Gallery: Skulls of the Shogun (6/12/11)

Continue reading Skulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones

JoystiqSkulls of the Shogun preview: Dem bones originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-vancee3e3-2011haunted-temple-studiosmicrosoftpcsimpleskulls-of-the-shogunturn-based-strategyMon, 13 Jun 2011 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese Nintendo Downloads: Escape from Various Locations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/japanese-nintendo-downloads-escape-from-various-locations/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/japanese-nintendo-downloads-escape-from-various-locations/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/japanese-nintendo-downloads-escape-from-various-locations/#commentsMarvelous's distinctively drab, enticingly bizarre adventure game Discipline launched today in Japan. We're eager to hear if the You Fluid weirdness overpowers the interesting puzzle-adventure concept. Also available on WiiWare: a couple of educational games, one of which is based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar; a haunted-house-themed minigame collection from Gameloft, and D3's room-escape adventure game.

On Virtual Console, Activision's Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is now available, along with Finest Hour, a jetpack-enhanced run-and-gun from Namco.

JoystiqJapanese Nintendo Downloads: Escape from Various Locations originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>disciplinefinest-hourghost-mansion-partyjapankodomo-kyooiku-terebi-wiipitfall-the-mayan-adventuresimplethe-very-hungry-caterpillarvctuesdayvirtual-consolewiiwareTue, 25 Aug 2009 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii's winners and losers in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wiis-winners-and-losers-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wiis-winners-and-losers-in-japan/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/05/wiis-winners-and-losers-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: ,

We can't exactly trust the validity of the numbers used to create this list of best-selling games across the three home platforms, since it's just some guy on Geocities doing it (and he claims that he might alter numbers to deter copying) but they're close enough to our expectations for most games. These numbers are purportedly derived from Enterbrain and Famitsu sales data. Kotaku reproduced the top and bottom-selling games on each platform, and we think that's a nice way to organize it.

The top ten Wii games are not too surprising, including stuff like Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit, Brawl, and other big Nintendo franchises. The only third-party game on the list is Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, which, of course, is a Mario game!

But the bottom ten is a lot more entertaining, revealing, for example, that poor Opoona sold only 5,000 copies, as did Dewy's Adventure. D3's motivation for putting their Simple games on WiiWare is made clear by the fact that their disc-based releases totally bombed. Though not as badly as Hudson's Puzzle Series Vol. 1 Sudoku, which apparently sold 482 copies total.

It's hard to pick interesting tidbits out of the middle of the list (which we won't reproduce after the break in the interest of brevity) but apparently No More Heroes sold just 27,873 copies -- much less than the 84,224 copies of Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 that went out!

Continue reading Wii's winners and losers in Japan

JoystiqWii's winners and losers in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enterbrainjapanmario-and-sonicopoonasimplesmash-bros-brawlwariowarewii-fitwii-sportsMon, 05 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Beloved toy of our youths coming to WiiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/beloved-toy-of-our-youths-coming-to-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/beloved-toy-of-our-youths-coming-to-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/beloved-toy-of-our-youths-coming-to-wiiware/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Warning: you are now entering a Wii Fanboy nostalgia zone; if we get wrapped up in jabbering about our wholesome childhoods over the next 200 words, you've been warned. The cause of this trip down memory lane? The announcement that Tomy would be bringing a Pop-Up Pirate game to WiiWare. Yay!

Pop-Up Pirate Wii will emulate the pop-ular children's board/party game, in which players would hold their breath (that bit is optional, but helps) while inserting plastic swords into a plastic barrel containing a pirate. If you chose the wrong slot, the pirate would spring out, startling everybody. As dull as it sounds now we've written it down, it was all the rage back in the '80s, before those damn computer videogame whatchoomacallits came along and ruined everything.

Like other board games of our childhood that relied on a steady hand (such as Buckaroo and Operation), we're not yet certain that a videogame version will capture the same ridiculous levels of tension, but still, three cheers for Tomy for at least trying! The chunky, colorful visuals are a great start, in our opinion.

Also on Nintendo of Japan's WiiWare page: Simple Series Vol. 2 The Number Puzzle Neo. If ever a series was designed especially for WiiWare, the cheap-but-cheerful Simple series would be it. Both of these will launch next Tuesday in Japan for 500 Wii Points each.


[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqBeloved toy of our youths coming to WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>board-gamekurohige-kiki-ippatsunostalgiapiracypop-up-pirate-wiisimplesimple-seriestomyFri, 21 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Tuesday: Simon says 'Buy my game for 500 Wii Points']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/vc-tuesday-simon-says-buy-my-game-for-500-wii-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/vc-tuesday-simon-says-buy-my-game-for-500-wii-points/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/vc-tuesday-simon-says-buy-my-game-for-500-wii-points/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's a week of twos on the Virtual Console in Japan. SNK Playmore's Metal Slug 2, which Metal Slug fans generally like, and Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, which is fairly polarizing. Some Castlevanians enjoy its RPG elements and day-to-night cycle, while some hate its plodding gameplay and completely inscrutable puzzles. Everyone's right! We suspect that the release of Simon's Quest is timed to coincide with the latest DS Castlevania game, Order of Ecclesia, which came out last week. Or it's timed to coincide roughly with the one-year anniversary of the North American release of Simon's Quest!

Sadly missing from this week's releases is the SuperGrafx Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, which has failed to make its announced October release. Unless Nintendo surprises everyone on Halloween!

Virtual Console releases:
Just one WiiWare game, but it's ... well, okay, it's a cheapo Breakout clone.

JoystiqVC Tuesday: Simon says 'Buy my game for 500 Wii Points' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>block-kuzushicastlevaniacastlevania-iimetal-slug-2simplevctuesdayTue, 28 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Poke around the Abandoned Building (website)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/poke-around-the-abandoned-building-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/poke-around-the-abandoned-building-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/poke-around-the-abandoned-building-website/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Yes, that's cooked puppy.

This is just one of the rather gruesome sights that can be found over at the new site for D3's budget survival-horror Simple DS Series Vol. 42: THE Haioku Byoutou (Simple DS Series: Vol. 42 - The Abandoned Building). Even though our chances of seeing this game in the west are as good as Fido there ever fetching a frisbee again, we still spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes scouting around the site, taking in loads of screens and some genuinely eerie footage of the game.

Hit up our gallery and see some of the sights for yourself, but keep your flashlight close.


[Via Go Nintendo]

JoystiqPoke around the Abandoned Building (website) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetd3horrorjapansimplethe-abandoned-buildingFri, 18 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[D3's Simple series becomes even simpler on WiiWare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/d3s-simple-series-becomes-even-simpler-on-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/d3s-simple-series-becomes-even-simpler-on-wiiware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/d3s-simple-series-becomes-even-simpler-on-wiiware/#commentsFiled under: ,


It may not shatter the earth as Dead Rising did, but the latest Famitsu has interesting news for fans of D3 Publisher's Simple series. Joining the Simple Wii and Simple 2000 Wii series is another new line, the @Simple games, a line of 500-point WiiWare games.

The first two games in the lineup, @Simple Wii Vol. 1 THE Block Kuzushi Neo and Vol. 2 THE Number Puzzle Neo, are the usual early Simple stuff (Breakout and sudoku), but for five bucks! Download services are where this series belongs, in our estimation. The low budgets can be matched with even lower prices (and even less commitment from the customers).

JoystiqD3's Simple series becomes even simpler on WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>block-kuzushibreakoutd3number-puzzlesimpleWed, 16 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[More like Complicated 2000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/more-like-complicated-2000/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/more-like-complicated-2000/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/more-like-complicated-2000/#commentsFiled under: ,

D3 Publisher has its Simple Wii series, which consists of cheap, original Wii games designed on a low budget. The company also has its Simple 2000 Series Wii, which consists of cheap Wii games designed on a low budget. The difference, aside from the extra number? The new Simple 2000 Wii games are actually ports of old Simple 2000 series games for the PS2.

The first two Simple 2000 Series Wii games have both been enhanced with new features: Simple 2000 Wii Vol. 1 THE Table Games, which includes Solitaire, Reversi, Go, Mahjong, and other games, now has online play; Vol. 2 THE Party Games, which includes Sasuke-like athletic challenges, plate spinning, and sports-based minigames, now has waggle.

JoystiqMore like Complicated 2000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetd3party-gamessimplesimple-2000table-gamesTue, 08 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[No pressure: D3 brings bomb disposal to the DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/no-pressure-d3-brings-bomb-disposal-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/no-pressure-d3-brings-bomb-disposal-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/no-pressure-d3-brings-bomb-disposal-to-the-ds/#commentsFiled under:

D3's latest addition to the budget range of Simple games is devoted to a heroic but very niche vocation: the disarming of bombs. As part of an elite bomb disposal unit, THE Bomb Squad takes players all over a world consisting of fictional countries.

While preventing bombs from exploding is, naturally, a major component of the gameplay, you'll have to play detective and locate the threat first, before whipping your stylus out and choosing between the red and the blue wire. This means chatting to locals (and apparently camels -- see after the break) to gather information, and assembling your clues from there.

Simple DS Series: Vol. 41 - THE Bomb Squad will hit Japan (alongside Vol. 42 - The Abandoned Building) on July 10th, and the west ... well, it's likely never. Sigh. At least we have our own bomb disposal adventure to (possibly) look forward to.

Continue reading No pressure: D3 brings bomb disposal to the DS

JoystiqNo pressure: D3 brings bomb disposal to the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bombbomb-disposalbomb-squadd3d3-publisherpuzzlesimpleTue, 20 May 2008 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Simple DS Vol. XX: THE Discussion]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/ds-daily-simple-ds-vol-xx-the-discussion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/ds-daily-simple-ds-vol-xx-the-discussion/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/ds-daily-simple-ds-vol-xx-the-discussion/#commentsFiled under:

We follow D3's Simple series with a feeling somewhere between envy and derision -- we think they're often banal or silly, but we want to experience every single one nonetheless. We've tried a few Simple 2000 games on the PS2, and the experience is pretty much commensurate with our expectations: buggy, low-budget novelties that combine basic gameplay with extremely quirky setups.

Do you import Simple games on any system? Are you tempted to do so? Or do you get enough entertainment from reading about them on the Internet?

JoystiqDS Daily: Simple DS Vol. XX: THE Discussion originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3simpleFri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple frights await you in this Abandoned Building]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/simple-frights-await-you-in-this-abandoned-building/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/simple-frights-await-you-in-this-abandoned-building/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/simple-frights-await-you-in-this-abandoned-building/#commentsFiled under: ,

Abandoned buildings (in this case a hospital), spooky little child spirits -- sometimes the most popular horror clichés can still be highly effective. D3 clearly thinks so, anyway, because it's included both of the above in its latest Simple game, Simple DS Series: Vol. 42 - The Abandoned Building.

From what we could gather from machine translation, you play as journalist Akira Kashiwagi, who sets out to an old, closed-down hospital to investigate the murder of four youngsters twenty years ago. It's played from a first-person perspective, you can hide in various spots throughout the hospital (lockers, for example), and it looks scary.

Needless to say, that first shot past the break (of the little girl peering through the elevator doors) will stay with us for our next few sleepless nights.

Continue reading Simple frights await you in this Abandoned Building

JoystiqSimple frights await you in this Abandoned Building originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetd3horrorjapansimplethe-abandoned-buildingThu, 15 May 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Simple DS shots show off firefighting, surgery]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/latest-simple-ds-shots-show-off-firefighting-surgery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/latest-simple-ds-shots-show-off-firefighting-surgery/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/latest-simple-ds-shots-show-off-firefighting-surgery/#commentsFiled under: ,

The latest two offerings in D3 Publisher's Simple DS line-up manage to look both gross (Simple DS Series Vol. 40: THE Gekai) and dramatic (Simple DS Series Vol. 39: THE Shouboutai) in these new screens.

More ER than Scrubs, THE Gekai (The Surgeon) takes a far more serious approach to surgery than Trauma Center. It might be worth a closer look come June, but for now we're far more interested in THE Shouboutai (The Firefighting Crew), partially because there's nothing quite like it on the DS (there should be more games about firefighting anyway, given that it oozes with the potential for drama and heroism), and also because our addled memories still fondly recall Burning Rangers on the Saturn. Actually, Burning Rangers is the main reason we're interested in this. Okay, the only reason. We wouldn't count on D3's firefighters carrying jet-packs, mind.

Head to our new galleries for the fresh screenage, though don't be expecting either of these to make the journey west.

Gallery: Simple DS Series Vol. 40: THE Gekai


Gallery: Simple DS Series Vol. 39: THE Shouboutai

JoystiqLatest Simple DS shots show off firefighting, surgery originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3firefightingfirefighting-crewfirefighting-simgekaijapanshouboutaisimplesimple-ds-seriessurgeonsurgerysurgery-simWed, 07 May 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[D3 teaches Simple English]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/d3-teaches-simple-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/d3-teaches-simple-english/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/07/d3-teaches-simple-english/#commentsFiled under: ,

We knew about the last two volumes in D3 Publisher's Simple DS series: Vol. 39 THE Shouboutai (Firefighter) and Vol. 40 THE Gekai (Surgeon), both of which are games that involve real-world tasks. But the three entries in the series preceding those were unknown to us. They happen to be rooted in the everyday world as well, in a much less game-like way than the others. In fact, they're training non-games for the TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication).

Vol. 36 THE Arc de Minitsuku! TOEIC Test Bunpou Tokkun (Master the Arc! TOEIC Intensive Grammar Training), Vol. 37 THE Arc de Minitsuku! TOEIC Test Listening Kyoka (TOEIC Listening Enhancement), and Vol. 38 THE Arc de Manabu! TOEIC Test Hajimete (Study the Arc! Beginning the TOEIC) all focus on different aspects of the English test, which is used to determine English proficiency for business use. We hope they were at least made to a higher standard than other Simple titles, or that nobody relies on them as study aids. If they are actually okay, D3 may be on to something: their usual low budgets would translate excellently to "games" that rely almost entirely on text menus.

Read: Vol. 36 THE Arc de Minitsuku! TOEIC Test Bunpou Tokkun
Read: Vol. 37 THE Arc de Minitsuku! TOEIC Test Listening Kyoka
Read: Vol. 38 THE Arc de Manabu! TOEIC Test Hajimete

JoystiqD3 teaches Simple English originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 May 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3englishsimpletoeictrainingWed, 07 May 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Perform simple surgery, fight simple fires]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/perform-simple-surgery-fight-simple-fires/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/perform-simple-surgery-fight-simple-fires/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/19/perform-simple-surgery-fight-simple-fires/#commentsFiled under: ,

In June, Japan will have two more additions to D3's Simple DS series. One will be a Trauma Center type of game, but with more realistic looking organs. Also, you'll be operating to cure actual conditions, like appendicitis, rather than mysterious, made-up outbreaks. We'll squeamishly take our cartoon organs, thanks, but should you have a stomach for that sort of thing, Simple DS Series Vol. 40: The Gekai might be the game for you.

The other simple software, Vol. 39: The Shouboutai, deals with the heroic task of firefighting. Since poking at fires with your stylus is less dangerous than dashing into burning buildings, D3's game probably sounds more appealing than the real-life task.

JoystiqPerform simple surgery, fight simple fires originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3firefightingfirefighting-crewfirefighting-simgekaijapanshouboutaisimplesimple-ds-seriessurgeonsurgerysurgery-simSat, 19 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nine-minute Custom Tank video is eight minutes too long]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/nine-minute-custom-tank-video-is-eight-minutes-too-long/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/nine-minute-custom-tank-video-is-eight-minutes-too-long/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/nine-minute-custom-tank-video-is-eight-minutes-too-long/#commentsFiled under: ,


With Play Asia's fantastic sale still in progress, we thought it a good time to highlight one of the discounted imports that we haven't talked much about since it was first announced, Simple DS Series Vol. 31: The Chou-Dangan!! Custom Sensha (The Super Bullet!! Custom Tank).

We appreciated that someone bothered to recorded a video preview of Custom Tank with a steady camera, and we hoped that the game would live up to our expectations as a Metal Slug-esque experience, what with its run-'n-gun mechanics and chunky sprites, but publisher D3 wasn't kidding when it threw this title onto its "Simple" budget line. The music track is on an annoyingly short loop while this first stage is excruciatingly long, likely dragged out to disguise the game's limited content and length. Judging by the slow pacing, it's definitely not a suitable Metal Slug substitute.

But if you like its cheerful approach to war -- tanks hopping over bottomless pits and zeppelins casually floating into view -- or if you're just looking for a game with customizable tanks, you might as well pick up The Super Bullet!! Custom Tank while it's cheap. Play Asia will have the game listed at $23.12 until midnight tonight (or while stocks last).

See also: Eight frantic minutes of Ketsui DS

[Via Nicovideo]

JoystiqNine-minute Custom Tank video is eight minutes too long originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom-tankd3shootingsimplethinkArtsMon, 31 Mar 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A convincing defense of Wii budget games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/a-convincing-defense-of-wii-budget-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/a-convincing-defense-of-wii-budget-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/a-convincing-defense-of-wii-budget-games/#commentsFiled under:

Chris Kohler has taken a somewhat surprising stance on an issue that Wii enthusiasts have to face daily: shovelware. Most people online seem to be of the opinion that Wii shovelware will cause the Wii to fail, the game industry to crash, and life on Earth to end (when aliens discover our copies of Chicken Shoot and declare us unfit stewards of our planet), but Kohler sees Wii shovelware as not just not terrible, but maybe even good.

Supporting his argument is one of his best examples of shovelware gone right: D3 Publisher's Simple series. D3 admits in the very packaging that their games are cheap, with the implication that you shouldn't expect much. People buy them expecting flawed experiences, and can then ignore the technical issues. Simple games allow games by new developers with small budgets to share shelf space with AAA games. And if people don't want that, they know not to pick up the game.

People can spot a crap game, Kohler says, and know to avoid it. Nobody's going to be fooled into thinking a Data Design Interactive game is high-quality. Kohler likens it to knockoff He-Man toys or bargain-bin DVDs in Walgreens: people can tell the difference, and these things don't deter sales of real products at all. What they offer is a cheap, occasionally novel choice, and more choice is always better. If a "shovelware" game is at least a little bit fun, then it's good that it exists.

The final point he makes, which is something we hadn't considered: allowing garbage on the system is a message that Nintendo isn't so closely restricting content for the Wii. This could translate into AO-rated games in the future, or (we think) wildly experimental games.

JoystiqA convincing defense of Wii budget games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3shovelwaresimpleThu, 06 Mar 2008 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Do you have a talent for causing things pain?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/do-you-have-a-talent-for-causing-things-pain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/do-you-have-a-talent-for-causing-things-pain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/do-you-have-a-talent-for-causing-things-pain/#commentsFiled under: ,

Then get Simple DS Series Vol. 34 THE Haisha -- and pay D3 to let you be inhumane! For some reason, IGN has compiled a large gallery of D3's Japan-only budget torture game, showing all kinds of ... dental procedures ... and even some of the nightmarish implements you, as THE Dentist, will have access to.

For a cheap game about an extremely unpopular subject, we're kind of surprised by the effort shown here. There are many different kinds of ... tooth issues on display here, and both 2D and 3D representations of the offending teeth. The whole thing actually looks good.

JoystiqDo you have a talent for causing things pain? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3dentisthaishasimpleTue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Vol 34: The Dentist shots -- now with added YANKING]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/more-vol-34-the-dentist-shots-now-with-added-yanking/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/more-vol-34-the-dentist-shots-now-with-added-yanking/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/more-vol-34-the-dentist-shots-now-with-added-yanking/#commentsFiled under:

Ow. Ow. OWWW.

We're sorry, but you'll have to excuse our bleating. You see, we just clapped eyes on the latest round of screens from Vol. 34 THE Haisha (translation: Vol. 34 THE Dentist), and can't stop cringing. Just look at that plier-on-tooth action on the right, and tell us it doesn't make you want to grimace as well.

Like most people, we're not fans of the dentist, so why we'd want to relive the experience through a gaming handheld that is supposed to be fun is beyond us (though in the last batch of comments we received on D3's dentistry sim, revenge was mentioned as a possible motive for playing this).

Call us crybabies all you like, but we challenge any of you to visit the gallery below and not wince at least once.

JoystiqMore Vol 34: The Dentist shots -- now with added YANKING originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3dentistsimpleWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oneechanbara: the Revolution has been televised]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/oneechanbara-the-revolution-has-been-televised/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/oneechanbara-the-revolution-has-been-televised/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/12/oneechanbara-the-revolution-has-been-televised/#commentsFiled under: ,


Oneechanbara Revolution does indeed look much better in motion than in stills, losing the awful scanline look that has made us question whether D3 should have been releasing screens at all. In motion, Revolution actually looks quite a bit better than the original PS2 game -- not only graphically, but in terms of smooth movements and combos. Initial impressions make it seem that the game actually has quality this time, and that the new controls are fun (if tiring). Even though we were less than totally enthused with the PS2 game, we could see ourselves really enjoying some blood-soaked waggle combat with this.

After the break, there are two more videos, including a demonstration of co-op gameplay. These videos, as well as the one above, are very violent and bloody and absolutely for adults only and not safe for work. If your mom or boss is severely disappointed in you, don't blame us.

Continue reading Oneechanbara: the Revolution has been televised

JoystiqOneechanbara: the Revolution has been televised originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiond3oneechanbarasimplezombiesTue, 12 Feb 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What's simpler than dentistry?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/whats-simpler-than-dentistry/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/whats-simpler-than-dentistry/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/30/whats-simpler-than-dentistry/#commentsFiled under: ,

D3 Publisher has announced the next three games in the Simple DS series. Vol. 33 THE Crossword & Kanji Puzzle will be of limited interest to non-fluent importers for the simple reason that doing crosswords in Japanese is pretty hard for people who don't know a lot of Japanese. Vol. 34 THE Haisha will be a niche product for a different reason.

Because "haisha" means "dentist." It's a game about dentistry. From what we can tell, it's a Trauma Center type of game, except the traumas are located entirely within mouths, and seem more troublesome than traumatic. Not that we wanted to do any emergency oral surgery anyway.

Vol. 35 should prove to have wider appeal than the others: it's a DS remake of the PS2 Simple game THE Genshijin (Primitive Men), which is one of the rare Simple games to be released in the U.S. (as The Adventures of Darwin). It's a strategy-sim-type game in which you control a tribe of cavemen. The DS version happens to be extremely cute.

JoystiqWhat's simpler than dentistry? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cavemencrosswordsd3dentistgenshijinsimpleWed, 30 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple but effective substitute for Metal Slug 7]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/simple-but-effective-substitute-for-metal-slug-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/simple-but-effective-substitute-for-metal-slug-7/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/simple-but-effective-substitute-for-metal-slug-7/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's the deal: we're still waiting for SNK to pull its finger out and give us a release date for Metal Slug 7. Yes, the game might look the part in motion, but with a release date for Japan not yet announced, it feels some way off.

In other words, we could do with a replacement, something to tide us over until SNK's run-'n-gun arrives. We've discussed Simple DS Vol. 31 THE Super Bullet!! Custom Tank previously, and also touched on the similarities it shares with Metal Slug 7 -- the lovably chunky sprites, the relentless blasting, screens packed with explosions.

Plus, as much as it might feel a bit "supermarket own-brand" compared to the more renowned SNK game, it holds one vital advantage over its illustrious rival: it's out in Japan in just over a week, on January 31st. It also looks pretty approachable, as Japanese customizable tank games go.

If you're still teetering over a purchase -- something that your local friendly importer can help you out with -- roll past the break for another set of new screens.

Continue reading Simple but effective substitute for Metal Slug 7

JoystiqSimple but effective substitute for Metal Slug 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom-tankd3metal-slug-7shootingsimplethinkArtsTue, 22 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grab a single kernel of popcorn: time for a short zombie movie]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/grab-a-single-kernel-of-popcorn-time-for-a-short-zombie-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/grab-a-single-kernel-of-popcorn-time-for-a-short-zombie-movie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/22/grab-a-single-kernel-of-popcorn-time-for-a-short-zombie-movie/#commentsFiled under: ,



We can't be too sure of the quality of D3's Simple DS Vol. 32 THE Zombie Crisis. Neither the Simple series nor the stylus-based first-person zombie-shooting genre are hallmarks of high quality. In fact, we'll take that back. We're pretty sure that THE Zombie Crisis isn't very good.

Despite the low budget, the limitations of the genre (on DS) and the fact that the zombie crisis happens to coincide with a thick fog that is so pervasive as to have gotten indoors, we actually like what we see here. It's fast-paced and there are a lot of weapons. Not to mention the excellent title screen, which is almost worth the price of purchase by itself. Who cares if the zombies aren't that great graphically? They're not going to be on screen long, if you're playing the game right.

JoystiqGrab a single kernel of popcorn: time for a short zombie movie originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3shootingsimplezombiezombie-crisiszombie-panicTue, 22 Jan 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Wai Wai Combat: why, why does it look so great]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/wai-wai-combat-why-why-does-it-look-so-great/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/wai-wai-combat-why-why-does-it-look-so-great/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/31/wai-wai-combat-why-why-does-it-look-so-great/#commentsFiled under: ,

D3 Publisher's official page for Simple Wii Vol. 6 THE Wai Wai Combat has a bunch of new screenshots (and a few old ones) of the party/online shooting game. It kills us that this game looks so incredibly awesome, represents a completely unique implementation of the pick-up-and-play party game idea, has six-player online, and is budget-priced. It kills us because the Simple series is Japan-only, and it is currently extremely difficult to play imports.

Whine Whine Complaining aside, the information page also reveals a bit more about D3's "Apian" avatar system, which is really cute and also expandable. Turns out that each Simple game includes certain parts and accessories that you can use to customize your character -- we think across games. Well, that just destroys Miis.

JoystiqWai Wai Combat: why, why does it look so great originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apiand3shootingsimplewai-wai-combatwaiwai-combatMon, 31 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple Block Kuzushi drops the ball]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/simple-block-kuzushi-drops-the-ball/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/simple-block-kuzushi-drops-the-ball/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/simple-block-kuzushi-drops-the-ball/#commentsFiled under: ,


While a couple of the games in the Simple Wii series have been interesting (though we can't comment on their actual quality), it's fairly apparent from screens that Simple Wii Vol. 5 THE Block Kuzushi is basically a miss, due to some questionable design decisions.

The main problem is that the actual playfield is so small. About 20% of the screen is occupied by actual game, with the rest going to gaudy backgrounds and a view of your "Apian" avatar (all the Simple Wii games use the same totally cute avatar creation system). This seems like an odd choice, especially since it forces all the actual blocks and the paddle to be tiny onscreen. In addition, if there is pointer control for the paddle, we would much prefer to have the whole screen at our disposal instead of being restricted to minute movements.

The other issue we can spot from screens is that, for some mysterious reason, the playfield is tilted. Both of these choices seem like they would make the game harder to see and more annoying. On the upside, the game has a level editor. With the awesome-looking THE Shooting Action scoring a 17/40 in Famitsu (and with little chance of localization), we shouldn't continue caring about these games, but we still do. Famitsu reviews don't matter anyway.

JoystiqSimple Block Kuzushi drops the ball originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>block-kuzushibreakoutd3simpleWed, 19 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple Wii: THE awesome cel-shaded multiplayer shooter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/simple-wii-the-awesome-cel-shaded-multiplayer-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/simple-wii-the-awesome-cel-shaded-multiplayer-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/18/simple-wii-the-awesome-cel-shaded-multiplayer-shooter/#commentsFiled under: ,


When D3 announced that their popular Simple series would come to the Wii, we expected stuff like mahjongg games and low-budget Wii Sports ripoffs. Instead of (well, in addition to) the normal cheapo kart racers and casino games, D3 seems to actually be putting some thought into the Wii concept. They seem to be focusing the Simple Wii series on multiplayer party games that fall into a variety of categories -- not just "minigames" and "sports-related minigames." The two most interesting Simple Wii games to us are Vol. 4 THE Shooting Action, a multiplayer space shooter, and Vol. 6 THE Wai Wai Combat.

Simple Wii Vol. 6 THE Wai Wai Combat is a cute-looking third-person shooter (in the style of Resident Evil 4) with Wiimote aiming and an emphasis on multiplayer. The game can be played by up to four people on one system, or up to six people online. The game looks pretty simplistic, both in terms of its cel-shaded style and its objective (shoot each other). It does feature various multiplayer modes like capture the flag.

Simplicity would be very welcome in this genre, to be honest. We dropped out of multiplayer 3D shooting games when we couldn't find anyone to play Doom with over our 14.4k BPS modem.

JoystiqSimple Wii: THE awesome cel-shaded multiplayer shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3shootingsimplewaiwai-combatTue, 18 Dec 2007 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Oneechanbara Revolution is definitely not a budget game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/oneechanbara-revolution-is-definitely-not-a-budget-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/oneechanbara-revolution-is-definitely-not-a-budget-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/14/oneechanbara-revolution-is-definitely-not-a-budget-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

We wondered when we heard about D3's Oneechanbara Revolution whether it would be part of the Simple budget series from which the Oneechanbara games originated. Well, actually, we suspected that it wouldn't be, since Oneechanbara VorteX on the Xbox 360 had crossed the full-price barrier, and since a series of Simple Wii games had been announced independent of this new Oneechanbara.

But we continued to hope. We can forgive a repetitive, low-tech game for the right price, especially if it's in the action genre we crave. However, at full price we find it harder to overlook the obvious issues with the game (not that it matters, since it's a Japan-only release). We now have extremely definitive proof that Oneechanbara Revolution is not a budget game: the price. NCSX is taking preorders for the title at a price of $58, and Amazon.jp lists the game's retail price at 6,090 yen ($55), with Amazon selling it for $46.

D3 is including somewhat of a consolation prize with every copy, in the form of a soundtrack CD. The music's the most entertaining thing about the game anyway!

JoystiqOneechanbara Revolution is definitely not a budget game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiond3oneechanbarasimpletamsoftFri, 14 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A Simple addition to the zombie rail-shooting genre]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/a-simple-addition-to-the-zombie-rail-shooting-genre/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/a-simple-addition-to-the-zombie-rail-shooting-genre/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/05/a-simple-addition-to-the-zombie-rail-shooting-genre/#commentsFiled under: ,

Most Simple series games betray their low-budgetness in fairly obvious ways: crap graphics and either boring (mah-jongg) or insane premises. They also tend to be direct copies of other more popular games. Simple DS Vol. 32 THE Zombie Panic looks like pretty much the same concept as Touch the Dead, which is, uh, pretty much the same concept as The House of the Dead -- "shoot at some zombies."

But where THE Zombie Panic diverges from its DS contemporary is that, well, it's got a sword in it. That's, like, a paradigm shift for zombie-shooting games. We'll take the dual-wielding as well.

There's something suspicious about a fully-3D first-person game like this being made for the Simple series. We suspect that Dream Factory was originally doing this for another publisher who canned the project.

JoystiqA Simple addition to the zombie rail-shooting genre originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3rail-shootersimplezombie-panicWed, 05 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Celebrating Simple series sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/celebrating-simple-series-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/celebrating-simple-series-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/celebrating-simple-series-sales/#commentsFiled under: ,


Comprising 345 (and counting!) games, D3 Publisher's Simple series has sold over 20 million units since its inception in 1998. That's a lot of cheap junk. To celebrate this remarkable milestone, D3 is rereleasing the first Simple DS game, Simple DS Vol. 1 THE Mah-jongg, at a special price of 1,480 yen ($13.39), which is quite a bit nicer than the original 2,800 yen price.

We've often lamented the lack of Simple games in the U.S., as we're in love with both the concept (low-cost games that are modest in scope) and the general quirkiness of the games. We can't think of a better celebration of a sales milestone than to expand the series worldwide.

JoystiqCelebrating Simple series sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3d3pmahjonggsimpleMon, 03 Dec 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[New Simple games: Tanks get customized, zombies get shot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/new-simple-games-tanks-get-customized-zombies-get-shot/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/new-simple-games-tanks-get-customized-zombies-get-shot/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/new-simple-games-tanks-get-customized-zombies-get-shot/#commentsFiled under: ,


D3 has revealed a couple new entries in their budget-priced Simple DS series, and they look awesome. Simple DS Vol. 31 THE Super Bullet!! Custom Tank is a side-scrolling run-and-gun that looks like a Metal Slug game, except starring a tank. It also happens to be quite a bit nicer-looking than SNK Playmore's own Metal Slug 7.

Vol. 32 THE Zombie Panic is a zombie-themed rail shooter like Touch the Dead. And, inexplicably, it's developed by Dream Factory, the company responsible for Ehrgeiz and Tobal No. 1. It also looks surprisingly high-quality! Please, D3 of America, put some of that Naruto money into localizing some Simple series games! We'll give small amounts of money back to you in exchange!

Both games are due on January 31 in Japan. Check after the break for the magazine scan in which these games were revealed.


Continue reading New Simple games: Tanks get customized, zombies get shot

JoystiqNew Simple games: Tanks get customized, zombies get shot originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom-tankd3simplezombie-panicWed, 14 Nov 2007 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Simple Wii: THE Surprisingly neat-looking shooter]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/simple-wii-the-surprisingly-neat-looking-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/simple-wii-the-surprisingly-neat-looking-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/01/simple-wii-the-surprisingly-neat-looking-shooter/#commentsFiled under: ,


D3 Publisher released some screenshots of the next two entries in their Simple Wii series, Simple Wii Vol.3 THE Party Casino and Vol. 4 THE Shooting Action. Both games use the same set of Mii-like characters, which we think are adorable. We're particularly interested in THE Shooting Action, because it appears to be a competitive shooter!

Using four different kinds of weapons, up to four players can shoot at each other in spaceships. Given the appearance of targeting reticles on the screen, we're guessing that aiming is done with the Wiimote pointer. And ... it's online. Suddenly, we're very interested in this game. If it's the same kind of space dueling found in Star Control, but with four players and online play? We'd gladly pay a budget price for that.

JoystiqSimple Wii: THE Surprisingly neat-looking shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3shmupshootersimplethe-shooting-actionThu, 01 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oneechanbara R: a revolution?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/oneechanbara-r-a-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/oneechanbara-r-a-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/oneechanbara-r-a-revolution/#commentsFiled under: ,


GAME Watch is referring to D3 Publisher's Oneechanbara R as Oneechanbara Revolution now, solving the mystery of what the R means. We sort of assumed that it was "Remake," ourselves. Does this mean that the new Oneechanbara game takes significant steps forward toward becoming more than a ridiculous novelty game?

Probably not. The title is probably just a reference to the Wii, once called the Revolution itself. Oh, well. Let's not let the supposed terribleness of the games bring us down. Today is the best day of the year for browsing a bunch of screenshots of bloody zombies, and GAME Watch has obliged with a large collection of new screens.

Their post also reveals that the game contains not just the cowboy-hat-and-bikini-clad Aya, but also Saki, the other playable character from the first Oneechanbara game, just in case you'd like to choose which underdressed girl with whom to slash monsters.

JoystiqOneechanbara R: a revolution? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actiond3halloweenoneechanbarasimpleWed, 31 Oct 2007 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[D3's Simple plans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/d3s-simple-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/d3s-simple-plans/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/08/d3s-simple-plans/#commentsFiled under: ,

Before TGS, we learned that D3 Publisher would be expanding their Simple series to the Wii, with the first two titles being Everybody's Kart Race and Everybody's Bass Fishing Tournament. But after the first two entries in the series, D3's already got four more titles lined up, not including Oneechanbara R, which comes from a series that used to be in the Simple category.

The next four games are, in order of Simple series number, THE Party Casino, THE Shooting Action, THE Block Kuzushi, and THE Wai Wai Combat. A Block Kuzushi game actually came out in the U.S. for the DS, under the name Break 'em All, so there may be a possibility of a similar release on the Wii.

If Data Design Interactive can get away with PS2 shovelware on the Wii, then we don't see why D3 can't make some original budget software and market it worldwide. We've always wanted to see the Simple brand in the U.S. There's something refreshingly honest about making the "budget-ness" of a game apparent right away.

[Via Siliconera]

JoystiqD3's Simple plans originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bass-fishingblock-kuzushid3fishingkart-raceparty-casinoshooting-actionsimplewai-wai-combatMon, 08 Oct 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[A clever adventure game from the Simple series?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/a-clever-adventure-game-from-the-simple-series/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/a-clever-adventure-game-from-the-simple-series/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/15/a-clever-adventure-game-from-the-simple-series/#commentsFiled under: ,

D3 Publisher, best known for Puzzle Quest and Naruto games over here, is up to volume 25 in their Simple DS series in Japan. The latest is quite a bit more interesting on the surface than most of the imitators they release: an adventure game about police negotiation.

Rather than being a simple graphical text adventure, The Negotiator involves researching background information about criminals and investigating the scene before attempting to contact them. Of course, as with other Simple games, the execution may not live up to the concept, but the concept is so strong here that we almost feel like it's worth a shot anyway.

There's precedent for domestic releases of Simple DS games in the form of Break 'em All. Not only that, but D3 recently released Puzzle Quest in Japan as a Simple game. We can only hope that either The Negotiator makes the overseas trip or that it's terrible enough for us not to want it. We're selfish!

JoystiqA clever adventure game from the Simple series? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventured3koushoujinnegotiatorsimpleWed, 15 Aug 2007 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq impressions: Gravity Blast (mobile)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/joystiq-impressions-gravity-blast-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/joystiq-impressions-gravity-blast-mobile/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/02/joystiq-impressions-gravity-blast-mobile/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Hudson's newest mobile game, Gravity Blast, is scheduled for release on August 7 for Verizon and August 8 for AT&T. Judging by playtime at a recent Hudson event, the $5.99 game could be everything we want in a mobile title: it's quick, simple, and fun.

Gravity Blast uses just a single button to swing a spaceship around planets and other obstacles. Hold the button to activate a gravity attraction towards larger objects. Release it, and fire off in a straight path based on the previous momentum. With the right timing, the spaceship swings around planets through small mazes. That's the whole game, and it works.

Gallery: Gravity Blast (mobile)

Continue reading Joystiq impressions: Gravity Blast (mobile)

JoystiqJoystiq impressions: Gravity Blast (mobile) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gravityblasthudsonhudsonentertainmentmobilesimpleThu, 02 Aug 2007 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Play DS while learning to drive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/play-ds-while-learning-to-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/play-ds-while-learning-to-drive/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/07/play-ds-while-learning-to-drive/#commentsFiled under: ,



Vingt-et-Un, the developer responsible for some of the weirder Simple 2000 games like The Zombie vs. Ambulance, have created a new entry in D3 Publisher's Simple DS series. Simple DS Vol. 14: The Driving School is a DS program designed to teach the rules of the road, with text-based quizzes and drills. It also attempts to teach driving skill with "practical" driving-instruction segments.

This looks great for us, since we taught ourselves to drive on Spy Hunter anyway. We just need to break our habit of trying to drive into 18-wheelers and we'll have it down.

While we're talking about this game, we want to complain about the lack of Simple series games in the US. D3 started a US branch, and they currently publish the Naruto games, but the only games we've seen from their hilarious budget series were Break 'em All and Dino Rider. The Xbox 360 just got Earth Defense Force-- we hope that's the start of a trend.

Continue reading Play DS while learning to drive

JoystiqPlay DS while learning to drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>d3d3publisherdriverseddrivingdrivingschooldsds liteDsLitelitenintendonintendo dsNintendoDsnongamenongamesscantronschoolsimplesimple2000simpledsspyhunterSat, 07 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[First screenshots of MySims DS lack fun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/first-screenshots-of-mysims-ds-lack-fun/#commentsFiled under:



Though EA announced MySims for both the Nintendo DS and the Wii, we haven't spotted many previews for the handheld version like we have with the console's. Looking at the screenshots Jeux-France posted earlier today for MySims DS, we're a little worried about where EA plans to take the game.

We understand that MySims will have to be pared down for its portable adaptation, but the limited character customization options on the DS seem bare-bones compared to what we've seen on the Wii. Also, the media released for the Wii's MySims features the cartoonish characters in a range of activities -- hosting parties, playing in fountains, and eating spaghetti dinners at the neighborhood restaurant. These DS screenshots show the Sims strolling through empty streets and exploring lonesome piers. How depressing!

We're hoping that EA won't wait too long to reveal screenshots of MySims DS that better resemble the Wii version's cheerful attitude. As it stands now, the handheld game looks like it has more in common with REM's music video for Everybody Hurts. Jump past the post break for a preview of the bleak neighborhood.

Continue reading First screenshots of MySims DS lack fun

JoystiqFirst screenshots of MySims DS lack fun originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>depressingdseaelectronicartsemptymysimsneighbohoodnintendonintendodsnintendowiisimplesimswiiFri, 30 Mar 2007 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Tower of Goo evolves into World of Goo, 2D Boy is born]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/tower-of-goo-evolves-into-world-of-goo-2d-boy-is-born/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/tower-of-goo-evolves-into-world-of-goo-2d-boy-is-born/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/tower-of-goo-evolves-into-world-of-goo-2d-boy-is-born/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Experimental Gameplay Project has produced a number of crazy, unique, and surreal games, such as On a Rainy Day, Attack of the Killer Swarm, and probably the most famous, Tower of Goo. Recently project founder Kyle Gabler stepped up with buddy Ron Carmel to start a brand new indie game studio, 2D Boy. The bubbly had barely been popped when they announced their first project, World of Goo.

What is World of Goo? According to the 2D Boy website, "it is extremely mysterious." Let's go out on a limb and say it will be a lot like Tower of Goo but inflated to full-game proportions.

[Via Independent Gaming]

JoystiqTower of Goo evolves into World of Goo, 2D Boy is born originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Mar 2007 23:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualexperimentalgameplayindependentindiePCphysicspuzzlesimpleMon, 05 Mar 2007 23:25:00 EST<![CDATA[D3 Publisher Simplifies mobile gaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/d3-publisher-simplifies-mobile-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/d3-publisher-simplifies-mobile-gaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/22/d3-publisher-simplifies-mobile-gaming/#commentsFiled under: , ,

D3 Publisher has already conquered the budget-friendly game market in Japan with its Simple 1500 PSone games, Simple 2000 PS2 games, and the Simple DS series. (The numbers there represent the retail price, in Japanese yen, of titles in those series.) There's no news of Simple 3000 PS3 games yet, sadly, but D3 Publisher has today announced its imminent move towards domination of the cheapo mobile game market in Japan with the introduction of its Simple 500 series.

The new wave of ¥500 downloads, which are compatible with all i-mode phones in Japan, includes concentrated versions of Love Upper (a female boxing game, originally on the PS2, that floors the Rumble Roses), One-chan Bara (a game of bikini girl-with-guns versus aliens, which has recently appeared on the Xbox 360), and Earth Defence Force (pictured; a b-game version of Sin & Punishment, and another recent 360 release in Japan). It's about time D3 Publisher America released some of D3 Japan's best games in the West, we think, instead of blurting out Naruto games and Cabbage Patch Kids.

JoystiqD3 Publisher Simplifies mobile gaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>D3D3PublisherJapanNarutoSimpleMon, 22 Jan 2007 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Secret "Simple Start" Wi-Fi connection? [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/10/secret-simple-start-wi-fi-connection/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/10/secret-simple-start-wi-fi-connection/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/10/secret-simple-start-wi-fi-connection/#commentsFiled under: ,


File this one under "What the hell?" Some astute gamer has discovered a hidden feature inside the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection setup menu, and one that certainly leans itself toward DS-to-Wii connection theory. The video gives an extremely detailed explanation, so check it out....now. Go ahead.

Done? All right. The system asks for the player to press a "Simple Start Wi-Fi Button", something that clearly doesn't exist on any existing Nintendo hardware. So, is this how the Wii and the DS will sync up? Before you run off wildly screaming the news throughout your house, we offer these two bits of counter-evidence. First, regading the Wii, we've seen essentially every button and switch on the damn thing, even inside the "mysterious" front flap; no "Simple Start" or even remotely related button has been seen or reported. Second, accessing this mode by hitting the absolute upper-left pixel on the touch screen is ridiculous; in certain cases the stylus can't even reach the pixel, and a toothpick or other thin, prodding device must be used.

We've seen no reason why "DS Download Play" would fail to properly pick up and sync with a Nintendo Wii console, so we'll chalk this up as a feature that will fade, like the legendary city of Atlantis, into one of the unexplained mysteries of the past.

[Update 1: The internet, it seems, will brook no mysteries. Save Atlantis. Click here for an extremely detailed explanation of this feature, and as speculated, it has nothing to do with Wii connectivity.]

[Thanks, Super-Jesse-Mario!]

JoystiqSecret "Simple Start" Wi-Fi connection? [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Sep 2006 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConnectionConnectivityPixelSecretSimpleStartStylusToothpickWi-FiWiiSun, 10 Sep 2006 16:00:00 EST