Project X Zone (pronounced Project “Cross” Zone) is a massive crossover game being made by Namco Bandai for 3DS. While Namco has previously worked with Capcom on the crossover games Namco x Capcom, Street Fighter X Tekken, and the upcoming Tekken X Street Fighter, this is the first time that Sega is being brought into the mix. The game features characters from a long list of various game franchises, which is usually a good indication that the game would remain in Japan; for example, Namco x Capcom was never localized. However, that has the potential to change. Read more…
It was good to hear that Capcom was making Ace Attorney 5 for 3DS, considering the series felt like it was dying in the US. But I wasn’t quite sold on the fact that the game was moving from sprites to 3D graphics, despite the 3DS’s improved graphical capabilities over the DS. I worried that the charm and personality of Phoenix Wright and friends would be lost. Read more…
Level-5 generally treats its non-Japanese fans well. Its big titles may not always get localized quickly, but the ones that people care about will eventually get a release. The future of Guild01 is a bit more uncertain. It’s a compilation of games by Suda51 (No More Heroes), Yoshiyuki Hirai (a Japanese comedian), Yoot Saito (Seaman), and Yasumi Matsuno (Final Fantasy Tactics) for 3DS. There’s some indication that the game may be making its way across the pond, but possibly not in the same form. Read more…
It’s been a while since the last official numbered sequel to Capcom’s courtroom drama game, Ace Attorney. Though the third game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations, was released on DS in 2007, it was originally released only in Japan on GBA in 2004. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney hit America in 2008, and since then, there have been some additional rereleases and two spin-offs that served as interquels. Now, the time has come for the next Ace Attorney game, or Gyakuten Saiban 5 in Japan. Read more…
I’m liking this Nintendo Direct thing that the Big N has been releasing over the past year. It’s shows Nintendo is willing to actually tell gamers about the games it will be releasing, unlike the tight-lipped Nintendo of the past. And even if some of the presentations cater directly to the Japanese market, there’s still usually some interesting stuff for those of us in the US. Last night was one of those Japanese-only editions, but there was still some interesting news, so here’s a quick rundown of what was announced. Read more…
In spite of all the problems they have, fans love crossovers, and I’m no different. I conveniently ignore the fact that crossovers often contain cheesy catchphrases, obvious confrontations, and a cliche team-up plot, usually about saving the world — all in the name of making fans giddy with excitement. The stakes might not be that high in Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, but that doesn’t make the crossover any less enticing for fans of the two cult DS series. Read more…
That’s because it probably won’t come out here! While the 3DS XL is only coming out today in the US, Nintendo has already been hard at work making special edition versions of the console exclusively for Japan. Starting August 25th, pre-orders will be taken only at Pokemon Centers in Japan for an adorable Pikachu-branded version of the popular handheld. The actual system will be released on September 15th, but only those who pre-ordered will be able to get one. Perhaps some import stores will have them for sale, but my guess is that this 3DS will be hard to come by for US Pokemon fans. Read more…
Yesterday, Nintendo announced a new 3DS revision to be added to their lineup. This came just after Miyamoto stated a week ago that Nintendo wasn’t working on 3DS revision (probably because it was already done). But of course, keeping in tradition, the 3DS XL was announced for the US, Europe, and Japan. It’ll arrive August 19th on our shores, for $199.99 (in blue and red), but Japan and Europe are getting it next month on July 28th (with silver and white). Essentially it’s just a bigger 3DS, with 90% larger screens and matte finish, so it’ll fit in my hands better and won’t leave as many fingerprints, but I can’t help but wonder if that larger screen will pixelate the games too much? Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 13, 2012 in Videogames
Nintendo would like to remind us that the latest Culdcept game is headed to the 3DS in Japan with these new commercials. Unfortunately, like other the portable entries in the series, we’ll probably never see them released here in America. Seeing as it’s basically a cross between Magic the Gathering and Monopoly, you’d think everyone would want to get their hands on it. However, the last time someone took the time to localize a version, it failed to sell enough copies. Couple that with the sheer amount of text one would have to translate — it’s a card game and a board game in one, after all — and trying to find a publisher willing to take a chance on the series becomes impossible, despite the fact that it’s one of the best party games I’ve ever played. To put it simply, it’s the Arrested Development of video games. Don’t believe me? Check out the demo for the Xbox 360 version of the game.
Yesterday, Nintendo announced that the 3DS will be receiving a sequel to New Super Mario Bros., the best-selling DS title (and a Wii sequel that also sold gangbusters). New Super Mario Bros. 2 will arrive in August worldwide, and it looks like more of the same old Mario. The NSMB line of games have always been great, although I feel the art style isn’t nearly as solid as Super Mario Galaxy’s. But for you fans of older Mario games, the P-meter is back, as well as the Raccoon Tail and bolted blocks. And I must say, that logo is rather eye-catching – I like it! Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jan 12, 2012 in Tech, Videogames
This is kind of cool news for those of you like me who can’t stand heavy handhelds. Nintendo’s Masahiro Sakurai recently revealed that the upcoming 3DS title Kid Icarus Uprising will come packed with a special stand to help keep the system steady while you play. Truth is, I love the concept behind Nintendo’s 3DS, even if I don’t really own too many games for it, but unfortunately, the system is a bit hefty, especially when I want to play for any extended period of time. Although I wasn’t looking forward to Kid Icarus Uprising so much, having played a demo at last year’s San Diego Comic Con International, this little addition might just change my mind. Keeping the system balanced could potentially improve the gameplay, and I’m sure I’ll be making use of the stand for future titles.
This has got to be the most fashionable handheld to date — Konami’s upcoming limited edition Metal Gear Solid 3DS. There’s been no official word on the pricing or availability just yet, but those details will be announced later this month. Hideo Kojima has, however, confirmed via twitter that the unit will feature the embossed snakeskin pattern pictured above, and that it isn’t just a removable skin, or case. It might be worth mentioning that the last Konami 3DS bundle to be sold never made it stateside, so there’s a good chance you’ll have to import one.
I honestly haven’t had many reasons to pick up my 3DS in recent months. It’s not that it’s a terrible platform by any means, but Nintendo’s 3D handheld is currently suffering a bit of a dry spill. There isn’t much in the way of software, and while they’ve shown us plenty of exciting titles at recent trade shows, almost all of them have yet to be released. There have been a few good offerings so far, but most of those are just updates of classics like Star Fox 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time — experiences we’ve already had. So what do we have in the meantime? So far, its been Netflix and a handful of virtual console/DSi ware releases. Fortunately, you’ll finally have another reason to pick it up, and some of you can even dust off your Wii while you’re at it. Hulu Plus will be headed to both platforms by the end of the year, allowing you to stream hours of anime, television, and film such as Persona 4: The Animation and the critically acclaimed Criterion Collection for only $7.99 a month.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Sep 13, 2011 in Videogames
As I’m writing this, Nintendo is currently holding their 3DS Pre-TGS press conference to discuss some of their upcoming titles for their handheld platform. While everything is looking very impressive, its a shame that some of these amazing titles may never be localized. I fully expect to see games like Monster Hunter 4, or Super Mario 3D Land, make their way stateside, but the chances of the next Culdcept titlemaking its way overseas remain slim to none. I won’t give up hope, though and it’s nice to know that the console has a future, especially after the sub-par launch it experienced earlier this year. Aside from Monster Hunter, some of the more impressive looking titles included Mario Kart 7, Fire Emblem and the latest Hatsune Miku game, Project Mirai. I bet Danny Choo can’t wait to run a cross-promotion with that one.
