Joystiq

Treasure working on 3DS exclusive

JC Fletcher — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST

Treasure, the renowned developer of Bangai-O, Sin and Punishment, and Gunstar Heroes, is at work on a new action game for 3DS now, CEO Masato Maegawa revealed to UK magazine GamesTM. "We are making a new game on Nintendo 3DS now," he said. "Not multiplatform, but exclusive to 3DS."

Maegawa explained that the team is "keen" on working on the 3DS, despite the challenges of working in (both polygonal and stereoscopic) 3D. While you can design the same game in 3D or 2D, Maegawa said, "My preference is 2D. It's hard to preserve the quality of the game when you make it completely in 3D."

Treasure working on 3DS exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary shirt is a real treasure, for a limited time

Mike Schramm — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:15:00 EST

You enter the quiet, overgrown cavern by pushing open the heavy stone door with all your might. Inside, sunlight streams through the broken ceiling, and dust that hasn't been disturbed in hundreds of years lazily floats through the air, shaken up by your entrance. The sunbeams land on the summit of a small set of stairs, where an ornate, red and gold chest sits, teasing and waiting for you to open it.

You do. As you crack open the ancient treasury, a small fanfare plays, starting quietly and then opening up into a triumphant series of simple notes, telling you that you have finally done it. The item you pull out of the centuries-old coffer is fine treasure indeed.

It's a shirt, adorned with some kind of legendary logo, a heart container tag, and the number "25" on the back. It's available in five sizes, for a special one-time only printing. Order now, before February 20, 2012, to get it sometime this May. You fold the shirt into your leather pack, and move on through the dungeon -- who knows what fearsome beast you might have to use this on, three different times, to defeat it?

Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary shirt is a real treasure, for a limited time originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Deja Review: Radiant Silvergun

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:55:00 EST

We're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.

It may not have garnered the same enthusiastic posthumous cult following as its little brother, but the Sega Saturn was a very good console -- provided you were a very specific type of gamer. Unlike its contemporaries whose processing architectures were designed to excel at 3D graphics (not 3D-glasses 3D, just, you know, polygons), the Saturn's extremely complex and unconventional processor configuration was uniquely suited for 2D, sprite-based games.

While the Crash Bandicoots, Crocs, and Super Mario 64s of the period were pioneering the field of depth perception, the Saturn became a safe haven for 2D skill-based games like Radiant Silvergun. Despite the fact that it was never released stateside, Treasure's manic 1998 shooter is thought of as a definitive Saturn classic, which continues to influence contemporary shmups even to this day. Now, through the magic of XBLA, an entirely new generation of gamers are being exposed to the genesis of bullet-hell, and even after 13 years, Radiant Silvergun is still a relevant, infuriating masterpiece.

Gallery: Radiant Silvergun (XBLA)

Continue reading Deja Review: Radiant Silvergun

Deja Review: Radiant Silvergun originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guardian Heroes dated on XBLA -- for real this time

JC Fletcher — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST

We've already reported a Guardian Heroes XBLA release date once, which turned out to have been an error on the part of Microsoft's Major Nelson. Sega announced a new October 12 release date for the updated Saturn brawler today, and we hope it sticks this time.

Guardian Heroes will be available on XBLA for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). For those of you who got into Treasure games post-Saturn -- or, gasp, have yet to discover the rewards of the Treasure fanatic lifestyle -- you can get a glimpse of what you've been missing in the above trailer. And that trailer doesn't mention the 12-player online play.

Continue reading Guardian Heroes dated on XBLA -- for real this time

Guardian Heroes dated on XBLA -- for real this time originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hidden Treasure: Guardian Heroes out this week on XBLA [update: no it isn't!]

JC Fletcher — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST

Hey, remember earlier today, when we said you'd have time to get through Radiant Silvergun on XBLA before Guardian Heroes came out? Well, we were mistaken -- it'll be impossible to finish Radiant Silvergun before then. Major Nelson just announced the release date for Guardian Heroes, and it's ... tomorrow.

The questionably (and optionally) remastered Saturn brawler shares a release date with Rock of Ages, The Baconing, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, and the Ugly Americans game. It's like another Summer of Arcade in one single day.

Update: Major Nelson just tweeted that the listing was a mistake, and Guardian Heroes won't actually be out tomorrow.

Hidden Treasure: Guardian Heroes out this week on XBLA [update: no it isn't!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Radiant Silvergun comes to XBLA on September 14

JC Fletcher — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:25:00 EST

We hope you didn't just buy a copy of Radiant Silvergun on eBay, because Treasure's XBLA shmup remake is coming to Xbox Live Arcade soon. On September 14, you'll be able to download Radiant Silvergun for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) like it's no big deal.

In addition to the classic vertically-scrolling shooter, the XBLA version includes online 2-player co-op, "Saturn" and "arcade" style game variants, multiple graphical modes, and an optional "Ikaruga" scoring system.

And when you get that wrapped up, Guardian Heroes is coming sometime this fall. It's a great time to own the ~~Saturn~~ Xbox 360.

Radiant Silvergun comes to XBLA on September 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Treasure put a lot of work into (optional) fake transparency for Radiant Silvergun

JC Fletcher — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:01:00 EST

Nobody would ever accuse Treasure of lazy development, but a recent report from a Microsoft presentation showed just how deeply into the XBLA conversion of Radiant Silvergun the company is.

President Masato Maegawa told assembled press that Treasure had worked for about half a year to get the game running on Xbox in a way that closely resembled the Saturn version. Some elements had to be reprogrammed, because they relied on Saturn hardware features.

Speaking of Saturn adaptations, the XBLA remake will have user-selectable transparency levels. Because the Saturn couldn't handle "real" transparencies, it used screen-door style pixel meshes to simulate it. If you want that authentic Saturn feel, you can use those, or you can opt for true transparency effect.

More modern additions include online co-op, and an Ikaruga mode that implements the "chain combo" scoring system from that game, and is only playable if you have at least one achievement in XBLA Ikaruga.

Treasure put a lot of work into (optional) fake transparency for Radiant Silvergun originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

XBLA Radiant Silvergun includes both arcade and Saturn modes

JC Fletcher — Thu, 26 May 2011 10:30:00 EST

Before the famous (and, soon after, very expensive) Sega Saturn version of Treasure's Radiant Silvergun arrived, the shmup was an arcade game. The Saturn disc included both the arcade original and a "Saturn mode" with new voice acting, extra levels, and additional bosses.

The upcoming XBLA version will maintain the choice between "arcade mode" and "Saturn mode," both with optional updated graphics, Andriasang reports. The XBLA version also offers two-player online co-op, leaderboards, and an "Ikaruga" mode, which Treasure still hasn't detailed.

Radiant Silvergun will cost 1,200 Microsoft Points ($15, or so much less than the Saturn game's cost) when it comes out sometime this year.

XBLA Radiant Silvergun includes both arcade and Saturn modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury review: Harried Treasure

Steve Haske — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:00:00 EST

Shmups aren't known for how easy they are to complete, if only because the genre's roots are based on a coin-op business model that relies heavily on player failure. Treasure's games take this philosophy to the extreme, putting equal importance on fun and hardcore psychological punishment. Yet even considering this pedigree, the company's Bangai-O series can't be pigeonholed that way. Its cruelty, its madness and the fires of its bullet hell cannot be restrained.

Such is the case with XBLA's Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury. Any illusion of narrative has been stripped away entirely and only pure, unadulterated shooter insanity remains.

Gallery: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (2/11/11)

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury review: Harried Treasure

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury review: Harried Treasure originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guardian Heroes gameplay trailer is too short

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:30:00 EST

It ain't much, but when it comes to Guardian Heroes, we'll take what we can get. Sega has released the first gameplay footage of the XBLA remaster and it's ... well, it's brief. At the very least, it appears that the updated graphics look better in motion than they did in those screenshots.

Continue reading Guardian Heroes gameplay trailer is too short

Guardian Heroes gameplay trailer is too short originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 May 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guardian Heroes' XBLA updates detailed

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:00:00 EST

When we heard Sega was releasing Guardian Heroes on XBLA, we were like :D And then when we saw the first screenshots, we were like :/ And then we heard that you could turn the aggressively smooth filters off, and we were like :D again.

Now, in a post on the Sega blog, the company detailed the changes being made for the XBLA version. Even with the visual filters turned off, it's not just the Saturn version emulated. Developer Treasure has changed the AI, rebalanced the versus mode, changed the fonts, and, of course, altered the aspect ratio. In addition, some voice work has been re-recorded.

We don't really have an emoticon for "cautiously optimistic." Whatever it is, that's what we're like.

Guardian Heroes' XBLA updates detailed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Guardian Heroes remastered for XBLA this fall

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 05 May 2011 09:05:00 EST

If you've been intensely monitoring eBay, hoping to nab a factory-sealed copy of Treasure's rare Sega Saturn beat-'em-up, Guardian Heroes, it's time to relax. Sega revealed this morning that it intends to release the game for Xbox Live Arcade sometime "this fall," with flashier 2D visuals (HD!) and online play (both co-op and battle modes). And it won't cost upwards of $50 to get it, unlike that eBay auction you've been eying. (Our condolences to the sellers, though!)

"Players have been clamoring for this treasured favorite from the Saturn days, and we cannot wait to show them what we have got for them," Sega VP of digital business Haruki Satomi noted in the announcement, calling the fan response to previous Dreamcast re-releases "overwhelming." So overwhelming, in fact, that Sega had to step back to an older console.

Guardian Heroes remastered for XBLA this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 May 2011 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury shoots to XBLA on May 4

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST

The arcade antics of Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury will teach players how to avoid the most insane missile attacks when it blasts onto Xbox Live Arcade for $10 on May 4. Developed by Treasure, the game unleashes the same "sensory overload" players may be used to from the company's other well-known shooter, Ikaruga, also available on XBLA.

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury features 100 levels, a level editor and co-op -- the latter being the reason given for the game's delay to this spring. If your brain doesn't get overwhelmed by hundreds, nay, thousands of projectiles being tossed at you in hectic succession, you'll be in for a treat shortly.

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury shoots to XBLA on May 4

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury shoots to XBLA on May 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Protect your slingshots with an authentic Zelda treasure chest (with sound!)

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST

Are you looking for a quick-and-easy storage solution for the adventure-ready knick-knacks you've got laying around the house? Oh, sure, you could probably just tuck that slingshot, Deku stick and empty bottle into any old Rubbermaid tub, but if you're looking for a more authentic way to put things into other things you need a real-life Legend of Zelda treasure chest, complete with brief musical interlude. (You know the one.)

You can follow the instructions posted on Instructables to make your own Hylian lockbox, and check out the video after the jump to see (and hear!) it in action. Just be sure that you make everything to scale -- if you make the chest too large, you're going to have to put something way more awesome in it.

Continue reading Protect your slingshots with an authentic Zelda treasure chest (with sound!)

Protect your slingshots with an authentic Zelda treasure chest (with sound!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD Missile Fury preview: Co-overboard

JC Fletcher — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury feels a lot more like an Xbox 360 successor to Bangai-O Spirits than it did when I played it at TGS. The demo available in Tokyo seemed a lot more straightforward, more "here are a bunch of enemies for you to shoot" -- in other words, more original Bangai-O -- than the cleverly-designed, semi-puzzle stage design that the DS game brought.

But that was just the TGS demo. Most of the elements that made Bangai-O Spirits what it was have carried over into the XBLA game, with a few important changes. Perhaps the most notable change is the addition of multiplayer. You might not think putting one more thing (another player) on the screen in a game about filling the screen with objects would be a big deal, but it doubles the unfathomable insanity.

Gallery: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (co-op)

Continue reading Bangai-O HD Missile Fury preview: Co-overboard

Bangai-O HD Missile Fury preview: Co-overboard originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ikaruga model kits due in Japan this June

Ludwig Kietzmann — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST

When verbal communication fails to adequately convey your immense love for Ikaruga, it's time to invest in an intricate, 1/144 scale replica of one of the game's ships. And we do mean invest: the gorgeous "Hitekkai Ikaruga" injection-plastic kit from Japanese manufacturer Kotobukiya requires time, art supplies, assembly and painting. Depending on your level of interest, you're either seeing "fun weekend project" or "help help I've glued my blue fingers together again."

According to Tomopop and HobbyLink Japan, the Ikaruga kit will ship in June. Early pre-orders, from now until April 6th, can get it for a discounted price of 3,840 Yen ($46). Motivation: If you've already mastered Treasure's intense test of polarity clarity, what challenge could there be in a pile of fiddly, plastic pieces?

Ikaruga model kits due in Japan this June originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury's first trailer is (naturally) explosive

JC Fletcher — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST

You might have thought you had seen all of the explosion-themed XBLA media you were going to today. You were spectacularly, explosively wrong. D3 Publisher sent out the first gameplay footage of Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury for XBLA today, and it promises to test the limits of your tolerance for exploding projectiles. In a good way. If you're not totally weary of bullets by the time you watch that, you might be able to handle the new screens in our gallery.

And if you're still not satisfied you've seen enough stuff blowing up, well, the game is out this spring!

Gallery: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (2/11/11)

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury's first trailer is (naturally) explosive

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury's first trailer is (naturally) explosive originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Now you can play Gunstar Heroes on iPhone, if you want

JC Fletcher — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST

Of the Genesis games ported to iPhone by Sega so far, we would suggest that Phantasy Star 2 was the best idea. It's turn-based, which means that you don't really need to rely on the virtual controls for quick, reflex-based actions. On the exact opposite end of the "good idea" continuum is Sega's latest iPhone port: Gunstar Heroes.

You could think of it as an "expert" edition. If you've somehow managed to master Treasure's run-and-gun masterpiece on the Genesis and/or Game Gear and/or Virtual Console, now try it without the benefit of knowing where the buttons are! Gunstar Heroes for iOS does have one rather impressive feature going for it: Bluetooth-based multiplayer. Perhaps it's time to invest in a set of Tactile+Plus stickers!

Gallery: Gunstar Heroes (iPhone)

Continue reading Now you can play Gunstar Heroes on iPhone, if you want

Now you can play Gunstar Heroes on iPhone, if you want originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Star player earns success in Sin & Punishment contest

JC Fletcher — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Nintendo and "official" game score authority Twin Galaxies have named a winner in their Sin & Punishment: Star Successor contest. "Andrew F." from Milwaukee, Wis. claimed the title with his 68,126,154-point score in Level 3 of Treasure's Wii rail shooter -- on hard mode, of course. And using the Wiimote and Nunchuk, of course.

For his feat, Mr. F. wil be awarded two black Wiimotes, two black Classic Controller Pros, two Zappers and a plaque. His achievement will also be submitted for consideration in the Guinness World Records 2011 Edition. In addition, he received a commemorative Joystiq post for his achievement. This has been Joystiq Post About Andrew F.'s High Sin and Punishment 2 Score 2010, In Honor of Andrew F.

Seriously, though, that's an awesome score.

Star player earns success in Sin & Punishment contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD delayed until spring, Treasure adding multiplayer

JC Fletcher — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:07:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Okay, we have some bad news and some awesome news. First, the bad news: you won't be blowing up robots, houses, mines, and everything around you with bajillions of projectiles in Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury this fall. D3 Publisher announced that the XBLA title has been delayed until spring.

How can a delay be awesome? Developer Treasure is using the extra time to add multiplayer gameplay, including both cooperative and competitive modes. Despite Bangai-O Spirits on the DS having wireless local multiplayer capabilities, Missile Fury was originally announced without any. We suppose we can wait a few months if it means we can share Bangai-O with our friends. Find the statement from D3 after the break.

Gallery: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (XBLA)

Continue reading Bangai-O HD delayed until spring, Treasure adding multiplayer

Bangai-O HD delayed until spring, Treasure adding multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury preview: the tension is getting good

JC Fletcher — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST

It was an amazing feat on Treasure's part to fit Bangai-O, a game about intentionally letting the screen fill with bajillions of bullets, onto the DS. I was then extremely interested in seeing how the developer would fare with Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury, an updated sequel to the N64/Dreamcast/DS series on a system that is, for all intents and purposes, free of technical restrictions. As it turns out, despite having much more screen area to stuff with robots and missiles, Bangai-O HD is actually a bit less insane than its DS predecessor.

Gallery: Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury (XBLA)

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury preview: the tension is getting good

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury preview: the tension is getting good originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Radiant Silvergun shining on XBLA

JC Fletcher — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:06:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Was Bangai-O HD not enough Treasure XBLA awesomeness for you? How much awesomeness can you endure? During Microsoft's TGS keynote, the company announced an XBLA version of the developer's beloved (and expensive) Saturn shooter, Radiant Silvergun.

The new version features online co-op, upgraded graphics, and a new "Ikaruga" mode, as well as a mode wherein you save a couple of hundred dollars by playing it on Xbox. It'll be out in 2011, exclusively on XBLA.

Gallery: Radiant Silvergun (XBLA)

Radiant Silvergun shining on XBLA originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall

JC Fletcher — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In the mood for explosive news about explosions? Treasure's multi-scrolling, fruit-collecting shooter series Bangai-O is heading to XBLA this fall, published by D3 Publisher and priced at 800 Microsoft Points. Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury features over 100 levels of omnidirectional blasting. Like its DS predecessor Bangai-O Spirits, it also features a level editor, though presumably the XBLA version won't require levels to be traded as sound files.

The game will be on display this weekend at PAX for attendees who feel like hitting giant soccer balls into ninja robots -- with a baseball bat, in exchange for giant fruit.

Continue reading Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall

Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury blowing up XBLA this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Treasure hiring for a new 3D shooter

JC Fletcher — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Fresh off the North American release of Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Treasure is beginning work on another 3D shooting game. If you live in Japan and have strong programming skills, perhaps you could be among the first to find out what it is. By making it!

The news comes from a job listing on Treasure's website, seeking a programmer for a "new project '3D action shooting game.'" In addition, a cryptic image on the front page, advertising the job listing, looks like it might be some kind of hint.

Treasure has made four games in the past that would fit in this genre: the PS2's Silpheed: The Lost Planet, the licensed Dragon Drive: D-Masters Shot on GameCube, and the two Sin & Punishment games. It is, however, a company that usually expresses more interest in original games than sequels, so past games are not necessarily any indication of future plans. Perhaps it's the company's long-awaited Xbox 360 shooter -- although that one was originally meant to be 2D.

Treasure hiring for a new 3D shooter originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment tips

David Hinkle — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

The Nintendo Channel doesn't have much for us this week. There is a new episode of Nintendo Week and some Sin & Punishment: Star Successor tips, but you've seen the latter already. Head past the break for the list of this week's content.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment tips

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment tips originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

How to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

JC Fletcher — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 EST

Nintendo presents this video as gameplay tips for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor players, but we think those who have yet to get into Treasure's latest explosive shooter stand to benefit more. For one thing, "get lots of coins and medals" is a gameplay tip we could probably all have intuited on our own.

For another, this video works really well as an introduction to the various moves available in game: the different charge shots (Isa's, which sets off one massive explosion, and Kachi's, which can target multiple enemies), the dodge move, the melee attack. If you've been playing the game, you know this stuff, but if you have yet to experience it, this video will give you a pretty decent idea of how it works -- with a lot of boss fight footage as a nice bonus.

Continue reading How to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

How to play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:02:00 EST

Here's the first draft of my review for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor in its entirety:

"YEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

While I think that pretty well encapsulates the feeling of playing Star Successor, I realize there might be value to explaining what the game is and why I enjoyed it so much. But even though there are more words to follow, they are all written in the same spirit as the above all-caps exclamation. Even thinking back about playing Treasure's latest game is kind of exciting. This is not a game to relax with after a long day at work. This is a game to play if you want to get so amped up you start typing in CAPITAL LETTERS.

Gallery: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Continue reading Review: Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

Review: Sin & Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch an expert play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

David Hinkle — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST

Have you been going through your day, feeling like an adequate member of the human race? That's silly -- at this time of day, you really should be feeling down in the dumps, like you can't do anything right. So, in the interest of your mental health, we offer the latest trailer for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor past the break. To tell you the truth, it's less an actual trailer than it is a collection of segments where somebody is kicking so much ass.

Seriously, we're pretty sure the "person" playing is actually a robot. A robot we envy with all of our being.

Continue reading Watch an expert play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

Watch an expert play Sin & Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment - Developer's Voice

David Hinkle — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:45:00 EST

Treasure knows its shmups, and this week's Nintendo Channel content you just have to see is none other than a Developer's Voice for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor. It's full of interesting behind-the-scenes stuff, like weighing the pros and cons of different control schemes and highlighting some multiplayer stuff. Seriously, if you're going to watch one thing, boot up your Wii and watch this.

For the rest of this week's content, head past the break.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment - Developer's Voice

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sin & Punishment - Developer's Voice originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Iwata Asks Treasure about Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

JC Fletcher — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:30:00 EST

In case you missed Siliconera's translation of the Iwata Asks interview with Treasure about Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Nintendo of America has posted its own translation. And if you have read it, you'll appreciate Nintendo's updated translation of Iwata's statement that the N64 "was a machine that was hard to create things for and didn't work at all." Now that semi-infamous line -- probably more accurately -- states that "If you didn't do it well, it wouldn't work at all."

Later in the interview, Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamigami described the difficulty of working with Treasure on the first Sin & Punishment, given, well, the difficulty of Treasure games. "When I said, 'It's too difficult. I can't do it," they responded, 'Then you're not good enough to be in charge of this project.'" It took about a year for the team to finally determine that Sin & Punishment was, in fact, too difficult.

For Star Successor, Nintendo's Yurie Hattori joined the project and initially found it too difficult as well, pushing to make the game more accessible. While she did prevail upon Treasure to streamline the experience with a tutorial, she eventually discovered the Treasure fan within her and ended up recommending that the difficulty be increased.

Iwata Asks Treasure about Sin & Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hands-on: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (co-op)

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:21:00 EST

Click and Enlarge: Gallery Experience

For some, Sin & Punishment 2 is of known quality. Released last year in Japan for the Wii, hardcore gamers have already experienced Treasure's latest. Thankfully, for the rest of us, we don't have to rely on imports -- Nintendo of America is finally (and slowly) bringing the franchise Stateside.

Although its N64 predecessor found release on the Virtual Console, it's likely that the Wii audience is completely unfamiliar to the franchise. Certainly, the Wii doesn't feel like it should be home to such a niche game from a "hardcore" developer like Treasure. Featuring an onslaught of endless enemies, and a relentless torrent of bullets filling the screen, Star Successor doesn't even attempt to console casual gamers. In fact, moving to the Wii has allowed Treasure to expand the gameplay to the point where Star Successor feels like the game Sin & Punishment was always meant to be.

Gallery: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Continue reading Hands-on: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (co-op)

Hands-on: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (co-op) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nintendo explains Metroid: Other M, Sin & Punishment 2 delays

JC Fletcher — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST

Nintendo delayed two of its big summer titles for Wii today: Metroid: Other M (to August 31) and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (to June 27). When the company made the announcement, it provided no reasons. As it turns out, there is a decent reason for each delay.

"As you may know, this game is the product of a unique partnership between longtime Metroid producer Yoshio Sakamoto, Team Ninja and many other individuals and groups, all of whom have set very high standards for this latest installment in the series," a Nintendo rep told IGN regarding Metroid: Other M. "Although it's taking slightly longer than expected to complete the project, we're confident that fans will find it to be well worth the wait." We can understand the game not being finished as a reason not to release it -- although if it were in that precarious of a position, maybe Nintendo shouldn't have been so optimistic with the date in the first place.

As for Sin & Punishment, "A June 27 launch allows gamers to enjoy Sin & Punishment: Star Successor without having to rush through Super Mario Galaxy 2 (May 23)." Honestly, as Treasure boosters, we appreciate any effort made not to bury the developer's work -- although, again, we have to wonder why Nintendo set the original release date so close to Galaxy.

Gallery: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Nintendo explains Metroid: Other M, Sin & Punishment 2 delays originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Metroid: Other M, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor delayed

JC Fletcher — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:52:00 EST

If you're a fan of Nintendo-published games about shooting aliens, prepare for disappointment. Nintendo just announced delays for the North American releases of both Sin & Punishment: Star Successor and Metroid: Other M.

Sin & Punishment has been pushed back from June 7 to June 27 -- a brief delay. The Team Ninja/Nintendo Metroid sequel, however, has been bumped more substantially, from June 27 to August 31. We should have known the June date was too good to be true when all Europe got was a vague "Q3" announcement.

Gallery: Metroid: Other M

Metroid: Other M, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor delayed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hands-on: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Randy Nelson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:52:00 EST

Treasure can do no wrong in my book. (It's self-published and titled Treasure Only Makes Awesome Games.) Its successor to the great N64 import Sin and Punishment finally has a release date and apt subtitle for the States, Star Successor, and I can safely say that my playthrough of the game's first level today was nothing compared to this guy's. Buy hey, I'm not complaining. I got to play Sin and Punishment: Star Successor -- and it's sharp-looking, smooth-moving and brimming with bullets (both incoming and outgoing). My experience was much like the one JC had at E3 last year, only I suspect he wasn't playing with an extremely bright LED camera light channeling the intensity of the sun into his eyes.

I still managed to build up a respectable multiplier and not botch the timing of sending missiles back to their sender using my melee attack. That's worth something, right?

Gallery: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Hands-on: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor trailer is suitably insane

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:37:00 EST

When we last saw Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (formerly Sin & Punishment 2) in action, it was little more than an impressive video of an expert player charging through the game's first stage. Today, alongside the renaming and release date announcement, Nintendo unveiled the latest trailer for Treasure's insane shooter, as well as a whole mess of new screens.

As you might expect, Treasure once again delivers with its signature brand of brazenly Japanese game design stereotypes, mashed with pounding music and quick video cuts. Check out the whole thing above, and don't feel too bad if you watch it a few times (we did too). It's gonna be a long wait until June, folks.

Gallery: Sin and Punishment: Star Successor

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor trailer is suitably insane originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor descends on June 7

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:52:00 EST

Treasure's unhinged third-person shooter, Sin & Punishment 2, is finally set to arrive on June 7 in North America, several months after its October debut in Japan. The date was announced today at the Nintendo Media Summit, which also re-dubbed the game "Sin & Punishment: Star Successor."

It's been a long and often uncertain wait, but at least Star Successor should manage to escape Japan (on a crazy techno-surfboard) with more rapidity than its N64 predecessor.

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor descends on June 7 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sin & Punishment 2 in the hands of an expert

JC Fletcher — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:44:00 EST

We suspect that even if we started playing Sin & Punishment 2 now and kept playing until the North American release in spring of next year, we wouldn't be able to play with the kind of skill and confidence on display in this video of Stage 1. The player in this demonstration on Nintendo's site builds up a 16x multiplier immediately and hangs on to it throughout the level.

In more S&P2 news, Siliconera has been translating an Iwata Asks interview with Treasure, mostly about the development of the first game for Nintendo 64, a system that "didn't work at all."

Sin & Punishment 2 in the hands of an expert originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sin and Punishment 2 trailers from the Japanese Nintendo Channel

JC Fletcher — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Two exclusive trailers for Treasure's Sin and Punishment 2 have made it to Japan's Nintendo Channel in anticipation of the game's October 29 release. It's pretty much the opposite of the North American Nintendo Channel's most notable exclusive offering, the Nintendo Week show. At least, thanks to YouTube user Nintendaan's efforts, we can see the gorgeous gameplay footage.

The first trailer is all gameplay, demonstrating the ability to shoot from the ground or fly at any time, and also revealing a Bangai-O Spirits-like ability to knock back large missiles. The second trailer is an unexpectedly somber (and incomprehensibly Japanese) overview of the story. Warning: don't get too excited about the story in any Treasure game.

Continue reading Sin and Punishment 2 trailers from the Japanese Nintendo Channel

Sin and Punishment 2 trailers from the Japanese Nintendo Channel originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lock on to new Sin and Punishment 2 screens

JC Fletcher — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST

We may die of an acute case of jealousy. Treasure's Sin and Punishment 2 is still on track to be released in Japan on October 29, and it still has that amazing box art. Dengeki has posted a nice selection of screens showing the spectacular visuals you'll be flying around, and shooting at. FYI, for the giant chicken monster-phobic: the giant chicken monster is only in one of the screens.

We're looking forward to trying out the multiple control schemes available: both with pointing, in the form of Wiimote/Nunchuk and Zapper, and pointer-free with the GameCube Controller, Classic Controller, or Classic Controller Pro.

Lock on to new Sin and Punishment 2 screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sin and Punishment 2 flying into Japan October 29

JC Fletcher — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:10:00 EST

The Japanese box art for Sin and Punishment 2, which appears to have been cropped out of a Famitsu scan by NeoGAFfer neo2046, is awesome. We're all thinking it: it's far too awesome to survive the trip overseas. This amazing art is doomed to be replaced with 3D character art upon its release in North America. But we can appreciate it now!

We can also appreciate the tiny text at the bottom, which reveals a release date of October 29 in Japan. Nintendo of America has yet to update the "Q1 2010" date for North America -- a date that must have seemed like a good idea at the time, but now places this niche game, which we want to protect like a little baby, in the middle of a very dangerous game environment.

Sin and Punishment 2 flying into Japan October 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments