Joystiq

'Men's Room Mayhem' rated for Vita in Australia

JC Fletcher — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST

A Vita game called "Men's Room Mayhem" has been rated by the Classification Board in Australia. It's the work of developer Sawfly Studios, a group of four former Sony Liverpool employees.

Sawfly hasn't officially announced its game yet, but on the studio's website, art director Jon Eggelton said "We take a lot of inspiration from games like That Game Company's Journey, and Playdead's Limbo." Maybe Sawfly is working on two games? It's either that, or we're heading to a future in which something called "Men's Room Mayhem" surprises us with subtlety and beauty.

We've asked publisher Ripstone just what this is, because there's no way we can read that title and not have questions. Ripstone confirmed its existence, but is still waiting to make an official announcement. "What I can say is it's a game about mens rooms and what goes on behind closed cubicle doors (but not in a dodgy way!)" the publisher told us.

'Men's Room Mayhem' rated for Vita in Australia originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metal Gear Rising DLC includes robot dog missions, Solid Snake as a sword

JC Fletcher — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance was already pretty crazy, being a sci-fi character action game about a cyborg cutting people up into pieces, based on a military stealth game. New DLC announced by developer Platinum Games brings the insanity into uncomfortable new levels.

For example, "VR19: Unarmed Combat Training" contains side-scrolling, unarmed brawling gameplay. That's part of 30 new VR missions, including one set in a dark room. These are the PS3-exclusive missions we'll be getting in North America.

"Soul of the Snake" is a special wooden sword ... that speaks in Solid Snake's voice when used. "Passionate feelings are alive and well for the cardboard," according to the Google Translation of Platinum's post. We'd translate it more naturally, but that's too wonderful to change.

The second announced DLC puts you in the shoes of enemy cyborg, and sneering jerk, Jetstream Sam. And the third DLC lets you play as LQ-84i ... the robot dog. Platinum didn't offer a timeframe for these, except for the DLC missions due in Japan in April, and noted that all the images were of content currently under development. All we know is that Platinum won't be accused of saving cut content from the main game for DLC, since we don't know where that "and now you're the Blood Wolf" chapter would have fit in.

Metal Gear Rising DLC includes robot dog missions, Solid Snake as a sword originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Santa Seaman's implications cannot be fully ascertained

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST

Yup, that's a Santa Seaman all right, and we're just as desperately curious to find out why it exists as you are. The weird thing was tweeted by Seaman creator Yoot Saito, who also said that it was time to begin thinking about the end of the year, according to Andriasang's translation.

We have so many questions. Is Saito hinting at some kind of holiday announcement, or even better, some kind of holiday release? Do kids these days even remember Seaman? Is this related to that Nikkei report? Was this whole post just an excuse to publish that picture of Santa Seaman?

Answers, in order: We hope, probably not, maybe, and definitely.

Santa Seaman's implications cannot be fully ascertained originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Karaoke Joysound finds its way to North American Wiis this fall

JC Fletcher — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST

Konami has announced plans to release Karaoke Joysound, four years after its Japanese release, on the Wii in North America. We're sure everyone else who remembers this old Hudson game is as shocked as we are.

Joysound uses a streaming library of over 1,000 songs, access to which can be rented for one or three days, or one month, at a time. Contents of the library have yet to be announced, and we don't know the cost. For reference, the Japanese version was 300 Wii Points for one day, 500 for three, and 1,000 ($10) for a month.

The North American version ships this fall, and includes two microphones.

Continue reading Karaoke Joysound finds its way to North American Wiis this fall

Karaoke Joysound finds its way to North American Wiis this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All WiiWare demos return to the Wii Shop Channel

JC Fletcher — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:40:00 EST

In late 2009, Nintendo put five demos for WiiWare games on the Wii Shop Channel. Inexplicably, it was a limited-time deal and they all went away on January 31. Then, in late 2010 (and also inexplicably) the program returned, and WiiWare demos started trickling in at the rate of one a week. These were also intended as limited-time offers, which continued not to make any damn sense.

Now, in the crowning moment of weirdness for the service, all 50 demos that were previously offered in North America are now available on the Wii Shop in a "demo" section found within the selection of WiiWare "genres," with no explanation at all. Of all the bizarre moves related to this service, this is the one we can most wholeheartedly support.

Go try some demos! Lilt Line, And Yet It Moves, Bit.Trip Beat, and more are there to sample. Use your downloads to send Nintendo the incredibly obvious message that people like demos.

All WiiWare demos return to the Wii Shop Channel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Capcom, Method Man, and Creed from The Office unite to bring you a Sour Patch Kids game

JC Fletcher — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST

Capcom just announced a Sour Patch Kids tie-in game for PSN, XBLA, and PC. You know, Sour Patch Kids. The candy.

World Gone Sour is the adventure of a lost Sour Patch Kid running and jumping its way from a movie theater's sticky, filthy floor, past the concession stand, and out into the world as it seeks its home in a candy lover's stomach. Yes, this is a game in which the goal -- the ideal situation -- is a person accidentally ingesting candy that's been on the floor of a movie theater. This is a game concept that Sour Patch marketing believed would increase the appeal of the candy. That's what is happening here.

But wait! Your $4.99 doesn't just get you a protracted, off-putting Sour Patch ad. World Gone Sour also includes that new Method Man jam, "World Gone Sour (The Lost Kids)," and Creed Bratton, whom you know as Creed from The Office, narrating your heroic journey.

We suppose it's only appropriate that a licensed game based on candy would come from the developer of Yo! Noid and The California Raisins.

Gallery: World Gone Sour (XBLA/PSN/PC)

Continue reading Capcom, Method Man, and Creed from The Office unite to bring you a Sour Patch Kids game

Capcom, Method Man, and Creed from The Office unite to bring you a Sour Patch Kids game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for

JC Fletcher — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST

Namco's Generations series started off with Pac-Man Championship Edition DX. Pac-Man seemed like a good starting point for the retro revival series. Then it expanded into Galaga Legions DX, and then Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions. Things got a little weird when Namco announced that it would remake the semi-obscure running game Metro-Cross as Aero Cross.

The series' slow turn into weirdness just accelerated into a powerslide with the next announcement: a PS3 remake of the virtually unknown 1996 arcade game Dancing Eyes. It's a sort of 3D Qix game about a monkey cutting rectangular routes around idols' clothing. The new version will feature PlayStation Move compatibility, so you can guide that pervert monkey with motion.

After the break, you'll find a trailer showing some gameplay and a very sad monkey. Dancing Eyes currently has a "TBA" release date in Japan; we wouldn't be surprised if this were the one Namco Generations game not to be announced elsewhere.

Continue reading Dancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for

Dancing Eyes: the Namco Generations revival nobody asked for originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Pac-Man reality series in development

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:30:00 EST

Certainly, this must be one of the signs of our inevitable doom. According to Deadline Hollywood, Merv Griffin Entertainment is planning video game-themed reality series where contestants compete in a series of loosely game-related challenges for a chance to win a job as a video game tester. Just kidding! Unfortunately, that just makes too much sense. No, the company supposedly plans on adapting Pac-Man as a reality series. Wait, what?

"The idea we have is to take what Pac-Man is and bring it to life, to bring what is essentially the world's biggest game of tag to television," Merv Griffin's Roy Bank told Deadline, presumably while wiping some brownie crumbs off his face. The pitch, inspired by ABC's Wipeout, comes in time for the mascot's 30th anniversary. At least there's some reason behind this madness.

We can only assume that the end result will look exactly like this fan-made movie adaptation. And if Pac-Man: The Reality Series manages to find an audience, who knows what other game franchises we'll see adapted for the TV screen? Cho Aniki, perhaps?

Report: Pac-Man reality series in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XtendPlay extends your Xbox 360 or PS3 controller, vertically

JC Fletcher — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST

Your Xbox or PS3 controller is okay the way it is ... but it could be so much more boogie board-shaped. The XtendPlay attachment adds a big block of foam to the bottom of your controller, apparently to both make your grip on your controller more comfortable and allow you to rest the whole thing in your lap more easily. Or something.

Creator Xwerx likens the development to the invention of the baseball glove. "So the question we put to you is: why are you still bare-handing your controller?" "Stallion83," who has over 500,000 Gamerscore, likes the device (or likes his endorsement deal), and he knows a thing or two about holding a controller for way too long.

The $20 ... things ... ship "in 2 weeks," according to the website, and are available for pre-order now. Still not convinced? Check out a trailer after the break. You really need to see this in motion.

Continue reading XtendPlay extends your Xbox 360 or PS3 controller, vertically

XtendPlay extends your Xbox 360 or PS3 controller, vertically originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silly Bandz for DS seems like a stretch

JC Fletcher — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:00:00 EST

Zoo Games has announced a DS game based on ... some rubber bands. This December, Zoo will release Silly Bandz, the official game of those rubber bands in the shape of animals and Justin Bieber.

Silly Bandz tasks players with freeing Bandz from capture by launching other Silly Bandz at the structures in which they are trapped. Screenshots found on Amazon show an Angry Birds-esque experience: a side-scrolling game where players knock over colored block-structures and ... is that a giant magnet?

Of course, the actual game content doesn't matter at all, because it ships with a set of twelve video game-themed Silly Bandz -- and the office supplies are the real selling point here. In July, Zoo announced that this game would be released on iPhone as well (without free Bandz, of course), but that version has yet to be dated.

Silly Bandz for DS seems like a stretch originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confused Joystiq writer immortalized in Art Academy promotion

JC Fletcher — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST

The review copy of Art Academy sent to me by Nintendo included a bit of example art saved in its gallery. Specifically, this portrait.

Continue reading Confused Joystiq writer immortalized in Art Academy promotion

Confused Joystiq writer immortalized in Art Academy promotion originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yakuza: Of The End designed to bring shooter fans to Yakuza

JC Fletcher — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST

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

Yakuza: Of The End was ... unexpected. Not in that it's another Yakuza sequel -- we can pretty much count on those being at least annual -- but in that it's a zombie shooting game. Why would Sega take a series built around realistic criminal organizations, known for its accurate (if fictionalized) representation of Tokyo, and fill its latest entry with zombies? Where do people even find all those guns in Japan?

At TGS, we asked producer Masayoshi Kikuchi about this seemingly inexplicable decision. "We want to essentially use the Yakuza universe to try our hand at different genres of games," he said. "In that effort, one of the games that hasn't been released [outside of Japan] yet, but that we've done, is a samurai-based game called Kenzan. That is our foray into utilizing the mythology and universe of Yakuza to branch out into different gameplay. The other one, obviously, is Of The End."

"For us, it's a way to hopefully attract more fans to the Yakuza franchise by widening the gameplay styles that we create," Kikuchi added. In other words, Of The End hopes to attract people who love zombie shooters, and who might then discover there are other Yakuza games; albeit ones about punching street punks and running orphanages. But what about the people who already love Yakuza? Are they to simply stare at this spinoff in disbelief?

"From my point of view," Kikuchi told us, "I feel that -- if you have 100 Yakuza fans, it's not going to be the case where all 100 of them will be receptive to the new direction. But however, we feel that by making something that is very enjoyable, we will be able to capture as many of the existing fan base who enjoy the games we create."

[Pictured: Yakuza: Of The End TGS booth models]

Yakuza: Of The End designed to bring shooter fans to Yakuza originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duke Nukem Forever coming '2011' on Xbox 360, PS3 & PC, courtesy of Gearbox

JC Fletcher — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:18:00 EST

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

It's finally, really, actually ... maybe going to happen at this point. The rumors are true: Gearbox Software and 2K Games have taken on the Herculean task of completing and releasing 3D Realms' unfinished Duke Nukem Forever. The project was officially unveiled today at PAX during a livestreamed presentation at the 2K Games booth and announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. "It's coming out in 2011," Gearbox president Randy Pitchford said during the presentation. (Of course, we're skeptical about any release date associated with this particular title.)

Gearbox began finishing Duke Nukem Forever in late 2009, according to The Wall Street Journal. "Clearly the game hadn't been finished at 3D Realms but a lot of content had been created," Pitchford told WSJ.

"We're in the polishing phase now. This is a game where we can not make a promise we can not fulfill," Pitchford added. "We need to get past the shock and awe, and then we can go to all the retailers and first parties and work out a launch plan."

Duke Nukem Forever is a sequel to Duke Nukem 3D and will feature both a single-player campaign and multiplayer. "Aliens come and say they're going to be our friends, and Duke knows this isn't going to work out," Pitchford revealed of the plot. "Duke once again is in the pivotal spot and it's up to him to save the world."

[Image credit: Kurt Miller]

Duke Nukem Forever coming '2011' on Xbox 360, PS3 & PC, courtesy of Gearbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Majesco's Babysitting Mama includes your very own baby

JC Fletcher — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:30:00 EST

The "WiiWaa" doll introduced us to the concept of cramming a Wiimote into a doll's mouth and using that to interact with a game. Majesco is bringing that same idea to a much more mainstream game: the previously trademarked Babysitting Mama.

Using a plush baby into which you have tucked a Wiimote -- and also using the Nunchuk that is somehow hanging out of this plush baby or something -- you play 40 minigames in the usual Cooking Mama style; representing tasks like feeding and changing a baby, or rocking it to sleep. The game will feature six different virtual babies with unique personalities, though you'll be using the same proxy doll to manipulate all the e-babies.

Babysitting Mama is due out this holiday. Unfortunately, Majesco has yet to release an image of the doll, so we can't yet gauge how creeped out we're going to be by this game.

Gallery: Babysitting Mama (Wii)

Majesco's Babysitting Mama includes your very own baby originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get stoked for 'My Fireplace' on Wii

JC Fletcher — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:00:00 EST

Those fireplace DVDs are alright for creating a mood (specifically, the mood of wishing you had a fireplace) but they aren't very ... interactive, you know? That fire just sits there on the screen, faux-smoldering forever in an endless loop of artificial atmosphere. Wouldn't it be perfect if that were a game?

Korner Entertainment S.L. thinks so. The ESRB just logged a rating for "My Fireplace," a Wii game (a WiiWare game, we hope) "in which players can tend to a virtual fireplace. Players can add logs to the fire, add decorations to the mantle, and pump air into the fireplace to keep the flames burning."

This sounds like a hot property, but with nothing but an ESRB content description to go on, we can't shed any light on details like release date or price.

Get stoked for 'My Fireplace' on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The retro-style Linkin Park iPhone game you've always wanted

JC Fletcher — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST

Nu-metal band Linkin Park is craaaaaaaawwling into an 8-bit skin for a bizarre new iPhone game. Called Linkin Park 8-Bit Rebellion, the app is a side-scrolling fighter with social networking features in which players, in customizable chibi avatars, assist a retro-styled Linkin Park in fighting an evil corporation. Along the way, you can unlock both original and chiptune versions of Linkin Park songs, including one unreleased track.

This game is absolutely baffling -- for example, some of the characters are 8-bit, while others are relatively high-resolution caricatures for some reason. An even more baffling aspect: it's a video game about, and designed with, Linkin Park.

The retro-style Linkin Park iPhone game you've always wanted originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beat City screens are nice and confusing

JC Fletcher — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:25:00 EST

We suggested our enthusiasm for THQ's Beat City may be reduced upon seeing actual screenshots of the rhythm-based minigame collection. We're delighted to report that in addition to sounding like a neat idea, we think it looks pretty interesting as well! It's got an unusual geometric art style.

You can inspect the style of Beat City for yourself in our gallery, and even see storyboard-style sequences that are ... intended to explain the gameplay. We see an assembly line of crows being turned into parrots. We see a loving couple wearing outfits that grow spontaneously more ren-faire. We don't feel illuminated.

Gallery: Beat City (3/1/10)

Beat City screens are nice and confusing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo patents inflatable cushion -- you know, for horseback riding

JC Fletcher — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Siliconera discovered a European patent filed by Nintendo for ... that thing. It's an "inflatable air cushion or other type seat" with a pocket for the Wii Remote. It's for simulating horseback riding, or, as the patent description notes, to simulate the riding of other animals, real or imagined, or even vehicles.

A Nunchuk (or another Wii Remote) is used as the reins of the beast, and the Wii Remote in the pocket detects the player's movement on the seat, which can be used either for balance or, in one example, to indicate the gait of the horse: "gentle forward/backward motion = walking, fast forward/backward rocking motion = gallop."

While we don't feel any particular pull to play a game by bouncing on a cushion, we really want this controller idea to come to fruition -- because we know that every time we get to write about the Nintendo Bouncy Seat is going to be like Christmas morning. Seriously, Nintendo, thank you.

Gallery: Nintendo Horseback Controller Patent (Wii)

Nintendo patents inflatable cushion -- you know, for horseback riding originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D3 loses their minds in Detroit Metal City

JC Fletcher — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screens, Imports

Detroit Metal City is a manga series about a mild-mannered Japanese teacher who joins a metal band and instantly becomes totally metal (in the KISS style, not in the Scandinavian killing-people style). D3 Publisher has wisely decided to take the manga, which we've never seen, and make it into an insane kabuki-rock music minigame RPG thing called Detroit Metal City DS: Death Shout.

The performance modes seem (from the comic/3D style and the single screen we have of the interface) to rip off Ouendan pretty openly, but we can't bring ourselves to get outraged. The minigames range from lyric-writing to whatever the hell this is, and that can't be described as anything but original.

Besides, we want to play an Ouendan game about decadent hair-metal performance. We desperately want this RPG about defeating rival bands to be awesome.

D3 loses their minds in Detroit Metal City originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Smash Betrothal Brawl

JC Fletcher — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

Brian Klima decided to propose to his girlfriend -- if not in style, then at least in a style. Rather than doing something as silly as speaking words to her, he designed a Super Smash Bros. Brawl stage in the shape of the words "MARRY ME?" He left the game running, then turned the TV off so the stage would be the first thing his girlfriend saw when she turned it back on.

Luckily for Brian, he happens to be with the one woman in the world who would find this charming, as she accepted the proposal. They haven't picked a location for the wedding yet, but we're thinking Skyworld. The registry will be set up with a "very high" item drop percentage.

Super Smash Betrothal Brawl originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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