
Definitely a game that you should be getting for Christmas, or soon after. And if you already have it, good job!
SEGA set to take western gaming aficionados into the gritty underbelly of Japanese cultureYay, I knew it was gonna come to the US eventually, though I did lose hope at one point. Too many games coming out next year that I want >o<;
SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (December 8th, 2009) – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that its Japanese smash hit Ryu ga Gotoku™ 3 will be officially localized for the west as Yakuza™ 3. Selling over half-a-million copies in Japan the game has established an ardent fan base in its native land and has achieved cult status with true videogame connoisseurs in the west. SEGA’s decision to bring the game to its western territories was heavily influenced by the recognition of Yakuza’s enthusiastic fan base throughout the U.S. and Europe. Yakuza 3 will be available exclusively on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in the spring of 2010.
The Yakuza series is the brainchild of Toshihiro Nagoshi, one of SEGA’s most prolific and successful internal developers. Along with the Yakuza saga, Toshihiro also created the beloved Super Monkey Ball series and has worked on other well known SEGA games such as Daytona USA, F-Zero GX, Spikeout. To this day Toshihiro still over-sees work of internal development teams to make sure his creations speak to gamers as he originally intended.
“Since its release in Japan, gamers in the west have wanted to know whether SEGA would be releasing Yakuza 3 in the west.” said Sean Ratcliffe, VP of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. “Today I’d like to tell all the Yakuza fans. We’ve heard you. We’re bringing it. Get ready for your initiation into the Japanese underworld!”
Yakuza 3 will feature full English subtitling, while retaining the outstanding voice acting from the original Japanese version of the game to create an authentic and immersive experience. The transition to the PlayStation 3 has allowed SEGA of Japan’s CS1 team to add an unprecedented level of environmental detail and realism to the game – a hallmark of the series that fans have come to expect. In this action-adventure sequel, players will take on the role of Kiryu Kazuma to explore rich and realistic environments, take part in a multitude of unique mini-games and experience the deepest combat experience in the series yet. In addition to the familiar Tokyo haunts from the first two games, fans will also discover a completely new setting on the tropical island of Okinawa where, accompanied by his adoptive daughter Haruka, Kazuma manages an orphanage. However, he is allowed no respite in this idyllic retreat and before long he is once again forced to deal with his sordid past.
For more information on Yakuza 3 please visit www.yakuza-games.com.
The wonder of ancient Greece comes to life on Jan. 18, when Glory of Heracles™ launches exclusively for the portable Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems. The game marks the first in the popular Japanese Heracles series to launch in the United States.
The game is inspired by Greek mythology and written by Kazushige Nojima of Final Fantasy fame. The traditional role-playing game features an engrossing story and a robust battle system. Players can roam the countryside as they encounter new characters and gain experience, or they can visit familiar ancient settings like Athens and Sparta.
Although the plot is fictional, many of the people and places in the game are based on familiar Greek mythology. An extensive glossary provides more details about the places and characters that heroic Heracles encounters. Players will be treated to animated cut scenes on the screens of their Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi systems.
Players can opt to use the stylus or control pad and buttons to control movement in the game, while the touch screen is required to complete optional challenges used to power up spells or skills during battle.
Glendale, CA – October 22, 2009 – Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames and Marvelous Entertainment announced that Arc Rise Fantasia is releasing in Summer 2010 exclusively for the Nintendo Wii™.
Arc Rise Fantasia, winner of the “Best Wii RPG” from IGN at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2009, is a new turn-based RPG with a beautiful, anime-inspired Japanese art style. Players will jump into the shoes of L’Arc, a calm and composed mercenary, who sets out to defend the Meridian Empire from an impending invasion of ferocious creatures. After assembling a party of friends, each with a unique set of abilities, players will embark on a perilous journey across an overworld filled with deadly enemies and treacherous dungeons. While strategically queuing up attacks, players can summon mystical creatures and work with their party members to execute massive attacks.
“We are absolutely thrilled to bring Arc Rise Fantasia to a western audience,” said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “It’s an ambitious Japanese role-playing game with deep gameplay, top-notch production values, and an unforgettable story line--Wii owners have been pining for a massive fantasy epic and their patience will definitely be rewarded.”
“In Arc Rise Fantasia we’ve implemented a fun and quick paced battle system to give gamers an enjoyable RPG experience,” said Hiroyuki Kanemaru of Image Epoch. “Ignition Entertainment has a great track record with bringing established Japanese experiences to new western audiences and we’re delighted to be able to team up with them to publish Arc Rise Fantasia.”
Additional information about the game can be found at the game’s official website: www.arcrisefantasia.com, on Twitter: www.twitter.com/arcrisefantasia and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/arcrisefantasia
The Legend of Zelda™: Spirit Tracks
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: 12/07/09
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: Action Adventure
Players: 1
Developer: Nintendo
Website: http://www.nintendo.com
Game InformationAll Aboard for an Amazing New Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks sets hero Link™ on a daring new adventure. The game provides players with a new story, more puzzles and even a new mode of transportation. In this game, Link voyages by train, which offers up new possibilities for problem-solving. The game has the same look and feel established in the hit Nintendo DS game The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.
Style Savvy™
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: 11/02/09
ESRB: E (Everyone): Mild Cartoon Violence
Game Type: Fashion-Styling
Players: 1 in main game, 2 in local wireless shopping, up to 4 in contests
Developer: syn Sofia
Game Information
Put Some Style in Your Stylus
Style Savvy combines creativity and fashion with a collection of trendy clothes, chic accessories and stylish shoes. As the owner of a clothing boutique, you must purchase inventory, monitor the store's funds and try to please a constant stream of customers who look to you for the best fashions.
FEATURES:
* You can stock your store with items from 16 different in-game designer labels, each with its own distinct style and price point. Style Savvy includes more than 10,000 items and a range of customers with a variety of styles and personalities.
* Every day customers who walk through the door of your shop tell you their shopping budget and the kind of clothing they want. If you make them look good, they'll be back – or they might even stick around and spend more.
* Once you build up some cash, then it's time for you to go shopping to stock your store. You can expand your inventory or start getting ready for seasonal changes, which are timed to the calendar of the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi™ system.
* You can make a local wireless connection with up to three of your friends to host a fashion runway contest to see who has the best eye for fashion.
* If two players have Style Savvy game cards, they can connect their Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi systems locally to visit each other's stores. Players who have broadband wireless Internet access can connect to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and walk around other players' stores and browse their best wares. Players can find their favorite coordinates, download them and wear them.
* You can customize the look of your character with different head shapes, eyes and lips. Or you can modify your look by changing your hair color, getting a new hair style or adding makeup.
Today Capcom announced that Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles would be available exclusively for Nintendo Wii, November 17, 2009 for $49.99 in North America. Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles features an intense horror experience with arcade style zombie shooting gameplay that one or two players can enjoy simultaneously.A few weeks ago, we gave you a heads up on the limited edition “Let Your Darkside Out” T-shirt, which transforms you into a zombie when lifted over your head, available at Comic-Con. For anyone who wasn't at Comic-Con that wants to get the shirt – which doubles as a Halloween costume – there are a few ways you can get one.
How to get a Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles zombie T-shirt:
Pre-order the game now at GameStop and get the T-shirt for free! http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=74658
Awesome, pretty much 2 years after the first game. I can't wait to play it. Maybe I'll have to go play the first game again ^_^SAN FRANCISCO – August 25, 2009 – Today Ubisoft announced an online contest inviting fans to submit designs of their very own custom t-shirt to be included in the upcoming release of No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle. Fans will be able to create their own unique design and the winner will be hand-picked by video game legend and No More Heroes creator Goichi Suda (Suda 51).
The contest is now open, and all entries are due by September 10, 2009, 11:59pm Pacific Standard time. To participate, and for more details, visit: www.nomoreheroescontest.com
About No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle continues the tale of punk anti-hero Travis Touchdown, the Japanese anime Otaku, and pro wrestling-obsessed assassin. Travis finds himself at the bottom of the UAA (United Assassins Association) rankings and must wage war to exact revenge and become the No. 1 assassin once again. The follow-up to the popular No More Heroes will offer fans infectious, fun gameplay that allows you to wield not just one, but two swords and face multiple bosses simultaneously in bigger-than-ever boss battles. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle is scheduled to release January 2010 exclusively for the Nintendo Wii system. For more details, please visit: www.nomoreheroesgame.com
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version to Hit United States and Europe in Spring 2010Wow, they usually never announce a Pokémon game this early in the year. Last time Pokémon Diamond & Pearl weren't announced until December 2006...I am really excited for HeartGold & SoulSilver. They already have English Logos for the games :)
In Tribute to Legions of Pokémon Fans Worldwide, Announcement Kicked Off Pokémon World Championships
SAN DIEGO - Aug. 14, 2009 - The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo of America Inc. revealed today that Pokémon™ HeartGold Version and Pokémon™ SoulSilver Version for the Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems will be released in spring 2010 in the United States and Europe. These newest entries for the best-selling video game franchise were announced amid the biggest Pokémon video game event of the year and in front of the top Pokémon video game and trading card game players in the world at the 2009 Pokémon World Championships.
Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version return players to the scenic Johto region first introduced in the beloved original Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver games nearly a decade ago. The richly detailed adventure of Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver is now enhanced for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi systems with updated graphics and sound, as well as new touch-screen features and a host of surprises. Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version bring dozens of Pokémon characters back into the limelight for a new Pokémon generation - and longtime fans - to catch, train and battle.
"Announcing these much-anticipated game launches at The Pokémon World Championships allows us to give the news directly to the legions of fans who represent the true heart and soul of Pokémon," said J.C. Smith, The Pokémon Company International's director of marketing, who made the announcement on stage to kick off the 2009 Pokémon World Championships. "We want to thank these loyal fans by revealing the details to them first."
The launch of Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version follows the incredible launch of Pokémon Platinum Version, which has sold more than 5.66 million copies worldwide to date.
Pokémon is one of the top children's franchises in history. The Pokémon video game series has sold more than 193 million units worldwide since its inception 13 years ago. Additionally, Pokémon is the No. 1 collectible trading card game of all time and has shown no sign of slowing down. It boasts 374 percent sales growth in the United States alone since 2005, and is sold in more than 30 countries across the globe. Other extensions of the property include 12 seasons of the animated television series, which in 2009 will be broadcast in as many as 153 countries in more than 25 languages. Pokémon films and DVDs continue to reach fans in amazing numbers, ranking at the top of the box office in Japan.
For more information about Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version, visit www.Pokemon.com.
Hatena is proud to announce the launch of Flipnote Hatena – a web service for posting and sharing Flipnotes - for the United States and Canada. This service is used in conjunction with Flipnote Studio, available for download from the Nintendo DSi Shop starting today.
Flipnote Studio is a free, downloadable Nintendo DSiWare application available to any Nintendo DSi user with access to a wireless broadband internet connection. By connecting to the internet and accessing Flipnote Hatena through Flipnote Studio, you can post your own Flipnotes, view Flipnotes posted by other users, add ☆ to your favorites and more.
Posted Flipnotes can also be viewed on the Flipnote Hatena website, provided by Hatena Co., Ltd. Log in to this website with a Hatena ID to have even more fun with Flipnotes with features such as posting comments and sorting Flipnotes by channel.
“We are planning to make a sequel to Little King’s Story, like Super Little King’s Story, but we’re still in the process idea phase,” Yoshiro Kimura, Producer of Little King’s Story told Siliconera.
“Right now, we’re trying to get funding and trying to find new partners meaning that Little King’s Story wasn’t developed by one development company, it was developed by different people.” Cing, the studio behind Hotel Dusk, Town Factory, and Marvelous collaborated to make Little King’s Story.
For fans of the beloved Pokémon™ Mystery Dungeon video game series, this fall promises to be an especially thrilling one. Nintendo of America has confirmed an Oct. 12 release date for the new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky game, a feature-packed adventure created exclusively for the portable Nintendo DS™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems.
Play as one of 19 different Pokémon including five additional starter Pokémon that have been added to the roster of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. There are more than 490 Pokémon to interact with in this immersive role-playing adventure that is engaging for longtime fans and series newcomers. Players assume the role of a Pokémon and team up with a partner Pokémon to save the world from destruction. The game also includes new “Special Episodes” that reveal secrets about certain characters in the Mystery Dungeon world. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky also includes enhanced communication features where Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi owners can trade in-game items and share a demo dungeon with friends through the local wireless communication. Players with wireless broadband Internet access can use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to find special missions and rescue fallen friends.
Since first launching in Japan in 1996, the Pokémon video games have sold more than 191 million units worldwide. For more information about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, please visit Pokemon.com.
Now that Comic Con has officially kicked off we’d like to begin the festivities by announcing some great Capcom news for Ace Attorney Investigation: Miles Edgeworth and Fate/unlimited codes. Plus we have a friendly reminder regarding Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
Switching gears, another fabulous Capcom title, Ace Attorney Investigation: Miles Edgeworth, will hit the U.S on February 16, 2010 for the Nintendo DS. This time around, the player takes on the role of famed prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, a memorable rival of charismatic legal eagle Phoenix Wright. Edgeworth actively investigates crime scenes in order to pursue the truth behind each case. By solving the challenging puzzles presented to him, Edgeworth will work with the police to bring criminals to justice. This too will be featured at the booth so come on by and get your first taste of the latest edition to Capcom’s crime investigation series – a series that was so hot it warranted a spin-off title. For more information about Ace Attorney Investigation: Miles Edgeworh, head on over to http://ace-attorney.com/
Torrance, Calif., (July 20,2009) – XSEED Games today announced that THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, for the Nintendo DS is currently in development and scheduled for release in North America in Fall 2009. Released as RIZ-ZOAWD by D3Publisher in Japan, THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road is an RPG inspired by the beloved tale of Dorothy and her magical journey through the Land of Oz, showing a unique new perspective on what happened after reaching the end of the Yellow Brick Road.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road takes gamers through the endearing adventure of protagonist Dorothy and her lovely dog, Toto, turning these charming characters into classic RPG heroes. A tornado suddenly strikes a small farm in Kansas, savagely uprooting Dorothy and Toto with just one gust. After hours of dancing around in the bushel of wind, the pair eventually settles in an unfamiliar countryside. It is here Dorothy learns that the only way to return home is by following the ominous voice calling out to her to the end of the Yellow Brick Road. On her journey, Dorothy encounters some unlikely characters who eventually decide to join her on her quest.Dorothy and Toto, together with their newfound companions – the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man— embark on an enchanting voyage filled with many obstacles. Upon reaching the castle at the end of the Yellow Brick Road, the group learns from a mysterious wizard that the magical land has been taken over by four evil witches that are running amuck. Dorothy and her friends are tasked with defeating the witches with a return trip to Kansas as the reward, but is this new mission beyond the Yellow Brick Road everything it appears to be?
“XSEED is extremely happy to be taking part in bringing this beloved tale to life in an interactive format,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “Everyone knows the story of how Dorothy arrived in Oz, but this is a unique interpretation on what happened afterwards.”
THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road presents an unorthodox yet accessible method of gameplay in a beautifully realized 3-dimensional Land of Oz with an original soundtrack. Utilizing the touch screen capabilities of the DS, all actions are completely controlled by the stylus, including Dorothy’s movement and speed which respond to the rotation of a large trackball on the bottom screen that is spun using the stylus. THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road also features turn-based battles from a first-person viewpoint, with multiple customization options allowing the game to recommend the best actions per turn for expedited play, or manual entry for more involved gameplay.
XSEED Games partnered with D3Publisher to secure the North American rights to publish and distribute THE WIZARD OF OZ: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road. This title is being developed by Media.Vision and will be available during Fall 2009 exclusively for the Nintendo DS.
Torrance, Calif., (July 3, 2009) –XSEED Games today announced that they have secured the North American publishing rights to The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces, an intense flight simulation game on Wii™. Originally released in Japan by NAMCO BANDAI Games, this latest title from Project Aces, will be available Holiday 2009 exclusively for Wii.
After decades of constant war and fighting, the world has finally come to a lasting peace. But with war being an integral part of their lives for so long, the citizens of the world are desperate for a solution to solve this newfound peaceful life of calm and tranquility.
The Federal Government has now set its sights on gamers, promising to use its internet censorship regime to block websites hosting and selling video games that are not suitable for 15 year olds.
Australia is the only developed country without an R18+ classification for games, meaning any titles that do not meet the MA15+ standard - such as those with excessive violence or sexual content - are simply banned from sale by the Classification Board, unless they are modified to remove the offending content.