|
Feature: Atomiswave previews
|
September 30, 2003 11:58 PM PST
|
insert credit / mathew kumar / brandon sheffield
|
|
|
Mathew played quite a few Atomiswave games at ECTS. I played my fair share at E3. Together, I figure we've covered pretty much all of the released titles for this new utopian arcade board. Games covered: Dolphin Blue, Demolishfist, Maximum Speed, Sports Shooting USA and the mighty Sushi Bar. We've got a few movies, and lots of conflicting opinion. Meet the Atomiswave.
Update! - added some images of Sport Shooting, and the promo sheets for Demolish Fist and Dolphin Blue, which are actually rather...quaint.
|
|
News: ADK revived??
|
September 30, 2003 11:44 PM PST
|
Callus Next / BS
|
|
A Japanese rhythm game monitor site by the name of Callus Next got ahold of some interesting information. There is apparently a very small location test for a game called DanceRhythMix being done in select arcades. You can tell from the handmade sign that this is rather low profile. But the game is for the MVS, and was developed by none other than the disbanded ADK corporation. Has Playmore revived them? Is this a game that was finished around the time of the company's dissolution? We may never know the answer to this, but time will tell if they're here to stay. Thanks to the ever-busy Momotato for this find.
|
|
News: World Reborn
|
September 30, 2003 11:31 PM PST
|
Neopong / BS
|
|
Here's a new official horizontal shooter for the GBA - World Reborn by fledgling developer Neopong (this is their first title). The game will have branching paths, a storyline, EXP level-up system for the five pilots and four ships, and an interesting anime-ish design. Planned for a Q1 2004 release in North America by Destination Software (beware of loud flash intro), so snap this one up fast upon release...it may be quite limited. Thanks to Triggerzone for the link.
Update: I had a few facts wrong - they've now been fixed (most importanly, I'd switched the developer and publisher! Professionalism? I scoff at it!)
|
|
News: Seven Spirits
|
September 30, 2003 11:13 PM PST
|
IGS / BS
|
|
IGS has released an image of their upcoming Atomiswave title; Knights of Valour: The Seven Spirits. This is the first game I've seen from IGS with true polygons...they're not too good at that yet!! Still, an interesting image...click the pic for a larger view.
|
|
News: Guilty Gear Isuka
|
September 30, 2003 11:04 PM PST
|
Arcadia / BS
|
|
|
Next week's Arcadia will prominently feature Guilty Gear Isuka, revealing the new system, and surprisingly, the new characters. Thanks to Iggy's mmcafe bbs post for the news. Update - no new characters. This is what I get for not checking the facts! Thanks to Henaki for catching it.
|
|
News: Metal Slug 5 location test
|
September 29, 2003 11:39 PM PST
|
minnanotsuki / BS
|
|
|
Thanks to momotato for finding this report of the Metal Slug 5 location test. Very few people came out to the test, since it was on the same day as TGS. Luckily this guy was one of them!! So here's the rundown of what the fellow said:
Looks like they've added the ability to slide, which is done by pressing down+B, which for obvious reasons could be very slippery when trying to jump and shoot enemies below. You can shoot mid-slide, and jump out of it as well. The report indicates that the game is rather easy, but this could simply be for the location test. The game has almost all new backgrounds, and the usual green soldier guy doesn't make an appearance, at least not un-masked. All bosses are new, and very 'cool'. Only four missions, but mission 2 is pretty long. Mission one is in the amazon, and you start off riding a canoe. Mission two starts in a canyon. Mission 3 is urban. Mission 4 starts on the ground, but heads under water. Not sure if this is the final number of stages, but that's the report in a nutshell!
|
|
News: GA Angel Soldier A
|
September 29, 2003 11:31 PM PST
|
Powered by Melody / BS
|
|
New doujin title from Powered by Melody - this being a quite pretty Galaxy Angels shooter! More images are available in the online manual, and the demo version can be downloaded here (direct link). Thanks to good ole Holiday and his mmcafe bbs post for the news.
|
|
News: GBA LCD mod
|
September 29, 2003 11:26 PM PST
|
Konstantin Khanyants / BS
|
|
Another very nice mod for the original GBA here...this one properly integrates the ideas we've seen attempted before - that is to say the external Neo Geo joypads, the PSOne LCD screen and the TV out. A nice how-to is provided for your reproducing pleasure. Thanks to Slashdot Games for the link.
|
|
News: Moekan
|
September 29, 2003 11:11 PM PST
|
Princess Soft / BS
|
|
Moekan is Princess Soft's newest console release for PS2 and Dreamcast. It's a love adventure, and features a few characters from their past games. Some nice character art going on as a result. The release for both console versions is planned for winter 2003, at a price of 6800 yen (8400 LTD PS2 version). There's a track (direct link) from the soundtrack available as well. Thanks to the Zepy for recalling my attention to this.
|
|
News: Nippon Ichi new RPG
|
September 29, 2003 10:53 PM PST
|
Nippon Ichi / BS
|
|
Nippon Ichi's website has recently been renewed. Therein you'll find a mysterious page indicating that they've a new PS2 SRPG coming, by the name of Phantom Brave. Looks like they're using the Disgaea character designer once more. More on that at Gamespot, kinda. Not only this, there's also a new cellphone game called Meth Ethereal. An odd title, don't you think? Unfortunately, the english page has not been renewed. You take what you can get.
|
|
News: Tengai Makyo II OST
|
September 29, 2003 10:44 PM PST
|
Digicube / BS
|
|
|
Digicube has announced the pending sale of the OST for the remade Tengai Makyou II for PS2 and Gamecube. There will be character art in the liner notes, and the opening movie will be included as a bonus. They've already mentioned that they will likely do the same sort of release for Tengai Makyo III at the appropriate time.
|
|
News: GP32 button replacement
|
September 29, 2003 10:30 PM PST
|
GP32 Emu / BS
|
|
|
GP32 Emu just posted an interesting reader submission; a step-by-step (though it skips a few) guide to replacing the button contacts on your GP32. Should they become unresponsive, this looks like a solid way to do it. I'll mirror the file here, so as not to direct link. The file is a zipped pdf.
|
|
News: Japanese freeware archive
|
September 28, 2003 11:59 PM PST
|
Free Game Dream / BS
|
|
|
Free Game Dream is an archive of freeware and doujin games for the PC in japan. The list is by no means comprehensive, but 131 games are listed so far, and all menus are in english. Joystick compatibility, direct downloads and other info are displayed via icons, so this is a very good place to start for those interested in the scene. Thanks to Pie for this link.
|
|
News: Ys 6 in Kansai
|
September 28, 2003 11:51 PM PST
|
Falcom / BS
|
|
|
Falcom has released a kansaiben language (southern Japanese dialect) patch for Ys 6, which just got released this week. Utterly bizarre! Thanks to Zepy for the link.
|
|
News: Miracle Board
|
September 28, 2003 11:42 PM PST
|
Power Winds / BS
|
|
Power Winds is an older doujin company with some rather nifty products. Check out their line of twitch games here. Pie sent these to me, describing them as 'fun in a Ninja Gaiden sort of way'. He's not that far off, at that. Download the first here, the second here and the boarding game here.
|
|
News: Hudson mobile blitz
|
September 28, 2003 11:31 PM PST
|
Hudson Soft / BS
|
|
Quite curiously, Hudson has decided to translate the entire mobile game section of their website into english. Why they've decided to do this is anyone's guess, as these games are entirely unplayable with US phones, but they're fun to browse regardless. The bulk of the interesting stuff is in the iappli download pack section. Highlights include 'Nuts and Milk', 'Barger Time' and 'Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom'.
|
|
News: translation updates
|
September 28, 2003 11:20 PM PST
|
various / BS
|
|
|
Curiously, it seems as though someone has started a PC-FX translation site. First up; Little Red Riding Hood Cha-Cha. Odd choice, but better than nothing!
Nightwolve has got a near-complete english translation of Ys I Eternal (from the Complete collection) going on over here. Alamone is still plodding away with Summon Night 3.
|
|
News: V-F TGS report
|
September 27, 2003 11:58 PM PST
|
Video Fenky / BS
|
|
|
If you're looking for gameplay-centric, intelligent TGS coverage in your sphere of interest, look no further than Fenegi's TGS writeups for days one and two, and wait just a few hours for day three to pop up. Great stuff.
|
|
News: KOF 2001 PS2
|
September 27, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
SNK Playmore / BS
|
|
|
Game Watch did a nice report on Sammy and SNK Playmore's TGS offerings. Of particular interest is the section regarding KOF 2001 for PS2. Here's what will be changed from the Dreamcast release. The lifebar character image will now be the official high-res art, some backgrounds will have redone 3D polygonal parts, and there will be an opening movie. Nice to see that our questions to SNK at E3 weren't so far flung after all!
|
|
News: Shikigami II OST
|
September 27, 2003 11:36 PM PST
|
Alfa System / BS
|
|
Alfa System is releasing a soundtrack for Shikigami II (arcade) on new years eve 2003. The price is 2,500 yen, and the package includes liner notes from staff, two shikigami II cards (image available on the page) and 25 songs. Six of these are remixes, but the rest are the originals from the arcade. 68 mins 38 secs total running time.
|
|
News: Zodiac user's guide
|
September 27, 2003 11:25 PM PST
|
Zodiac Gamer / BS
|
|
|
Zodiac Gamer just put up a PDF of the Tapwave Zodiac's user's manual. Since the release is still a ways off, this might be a chance to take a sneak peek at some of the functionality before you take the plunge. Find it here.
|
|
News: Vampire Taro
|
September 27, 2003 11:13 PM PST
|
Vampire Taro / BS
|
|
|
Vampire Taro was a planned racing RPG for the GP32, some months back. There were various announcements up until November 2002, when the team (Gem) asked for additional programmers via their website. That website is now listed as 'under construction'. This means that either: the game has been scrapped, or they're revamping for a relaunch. Time will certainly tell, though the former idea is disturbingly more likely.
|
|
Feature: TGS report
|
September 26, 2003 11:59 PM PST
|
insert credit / lawrence wright / scott mollett
|
|
Indeed - we've got three pages of TGS goodness for you today! Lawrence of nfg games has written two pieces - the first is a main TGS overview, and perhaps the most cynical piece of writing I've ever seen from him. The second is a critique of sorts, regarding the stagnation of console gaming in Japan.
Scott for his part, has got some nice impressions of the event as well - not to mention 47 images and several movies. Subjects for the videos include: Xenosaga II (short), PC Genjin and New Adventure Islands gameplay, PSO3 gameplay, and Metal Gear Solid 3 music video madness.
To note: Tim will also be supplying reports and videos from here to ridiculous...but server glitches are preventing us from posting at this time.
|
|
Play Asia: Free TGS goods giveaway!
|
September 26, 2003 11:51 PM PST
|
Play Asia / BS
|
|
Play Asia put up a nifty photo journal of their TGS experience; lots of high quality images. Simultaneously they announced that there will be a giveaway of some of the free TGS goods, starting next week!! Keep checking them for more info on this, as no details are available at this time.
|
|
News: KOF 2003, 3D
|
September 26, 2003 11:42 PM PST
|
SNK Playmore / BS
|
|
Famitsu did a report on the anticlimactic showing from SNK Playmore this TGS. KOF 3D was there in movie form only, and just CG at that. KOF 2003 gets a fancy new logo, and loses the 3 on 3 battles. There will be a new system in it's place...no word on what that might be though.
|
|
Feature: EGDC
|
September 25, 2003 11:59 PM PST
|
insert credit / mathew kumar
|
|
|
It's the last of the London Game Week 2003 features!! Well - a bit more may penetrate some other features, but by and large, this report on the European GDC is the last bit you get. So enjoy it while it lasts!
|
|
News: TGS reports
|
September 25, 2003 11:51 PM PST
|
insert credit / lawrence wright
|
|
We've appropriate Lawrence for TGS this year, in addition to the two other operatives we've got afield (tim and scott). Lawrence has been making small text-and-image updates from the show floor via his cellphone camera. There will be more as the days progress, and of course there will be so-called "real" images coming up in due course. But keep that page bookmarked for the next three days, as something interesting may pop up.
|
|
News: 1480 mhz Xbox
|
September 25, 2003 11:45 PM PST
|
Friendtech / BS
|
|
Speaking of pirates, a Taiwanese company has got a fairly legal upgraded Xbox on the market. Essentially it's got a 1480 mhz Celeron processor in place of the native 733 mhz Pentium III, and can play all region DVDs and such. Take a gander at a short article on the subject here. Thanks to Slashdot Games for the news.
|
|
News: iQue image
|
September 25, 2003 11:33 PM PST
|
Nintendo / BS
|
|
Nintendo has revealed the look of it's new chinese game console (Game Watch). There will be further info from the show floor, but it's remarkable how much this device looks like those of the pirates they're attempting to thwart! Thanks to Chris Kohler for the link.
|
|
News: Square Enix to cellphones
|
September 25, 2003 11:19 PM PST
|
Square-Enix / BS
|
|
Square-Enix is getting into the profitable cellphone market with updated versions of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Check out a few shots at Game Watch. Thanks to Rob for the link.
|
|
News: Illusion updates
|
September 25, 2003 11:06 PM PST
|
Illusion / BS
|
|
|
Illusion has started a new Sexy Beach screenshot competition! The excitement never stops! They've also put up some character shots and 3D CG of their upcoming game Stalker 3. This is something I cannot link to of course.
|
|
News: Sakura Taisen V
|
September 25, 2003 11:00 PM PST
|
Sega / BS
|
|
Curiously, it appears as though Sakura Taisen V will be set in the old american west...More images of this, and an upcoming Sakura Taisen AVG are available at Game Watch.
Thanks to Rid for pointing out that this is actually STV episode 0, a prequel to the real STV. According to Rid: "It tells the story of Gemini Sunrise, the samurai girl that'll be the main one in the real Sakura Taisen V when it comes out in 2005."
|
|
News: Nintendo in China
|
September 25, 2003 4:15 AM PST
|
Nintendo / BS
|
|
|
Thanks to Slashdot Games for pointing out a Bloomberg article regarding Nintendo's upcoming game console in China. The system will be "somewhere between the N64 and the Gamecube" in terms of power, and will use flash ram for storage of downloaded games. This is to prevent piracy, but somehow seems...easily hacked. Regardless, one can only wonder what (if any) interesting titles we might see from chinese developers on this beast? The article is a good read, but bear in mind that other sources claim that the games will come on dedicated carts for 100 yuan. As always, take all online news with several salt-grains. Needless to say - anyone in china with access to this when it comes out in October...give us a ring.
|
|
News: Border Down review
|
September 24, 2003 11:39 PM PST
|
Gamespot / BS
|
|
Lawrence has already put up a review of Border Down for Dreamcast. Nice gallery as well. If it strikes your fancy, you know where to go!
|
|
News: Hyper SF II
|
September 24, 2003 11:27 PM PST
|
Gamespot / BS
|
|
|
Gamespot has posted some new info on the upcoming Hyper Street Fighter II title for PS2. It looks a bit limited, unfortunately. It seems as though you can choose character version from all SFII games, but each will use the same sprites (from Super SF II Turbo), but disallows the use of supers! Of course, the veracity of the information depends on Gamespot's ability to interpret the words of Kenji Itsuno in his pre-TGS address. The truth will soon be unveiled.
Curious though the game may be, we here would much rather see a high-res remake of the first Street Fighter.
|
|
Download: GP32 doujin soft
|
September 24, 2003 11:16 PM PST
|
various / BS
|
|
GP32 News has put up mirrors for two new bits of freeware; Boayo and Mystic Hunter, which you see to the left. Mystic hunter is particularly curious, as one of the screens says the game is copyright Gamepark/Repl. What involvement could GP have with a freeware game? Especially when they said that they were firmly out of the game-making end of things. Most curious! And not a bad-looking game, either.
|
|
Download: R: Racing Evolution movies
|
September 24, 2003 11:05 PM PST
|
Namco / BS
|
|
Namco had put a couple of pre-TGS movies up on their download page. Looking fine, with twice the mascot for your gaming dollar. They've gone to extreme lengths to make the replay camera appear to be operated by a human...most curious. Thanks to Rid Hershel for the news.
|
|
News: Tengai Makyo II
|
September 24, 2003 11:01 PM PST
|
Hudson / BS
|
|
Hudson's Tengai Makyo II page has been updated with a lot of new screens and info. The game is looking very...last gen. Makes one wonder why they didn't simply go for a nicer, sharper 2D look.
|
|
Feature: London Game Week 2003: ECTS
|
September 23, 2003 11:59 PM PST
|
insert credit / mathew kumar
|
|
Good ole Mathew is back with a report on one of the more prestigious events in the London Game Week; ECTS. It covers the major companies that attended, and those games displayed (Castlevania, Red XIII, Maximo, etc). Well written and humorous - dig in to some biting european commentary...or something along those lines.
|
|
News: Shikigami II to DC?
|
September 23, 2003 5:45 PM PST
|
Game Watch / BS
|
|
|
Game Watch did a small report on the Shikigami II (GC) demo at Asobitcity today. The usual things went on - director showed up, telephone cards were distributed, and copies of the last game signed. But there was something interesting in there as well - Naoki, director of the game for Alfa System, mentioned that if the game does well on the GC, he'd love to see the game ported to all other major consoles, including the PS2, Xbox and Dreamcast. Good news for those who still can't let go. Thanks to Rob for the link.
|
|
News: Gundemonium
|
September 23, 2003 5:32 PM PST
|
Murasame / BS
|
|
Murasame has released a great side-scrolling doujin shooter by the name of Gundemonium. Great character designs, and a distinct sense of style are pervasive throughout the entire one-level demo. The system is based on a main gun/expendable subweapon/bomb system, powered by bullet scratching. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that it's only 653k to download!
|
|
News: Swancrystal afterburner
|
September 23, 2003 5:26 PM PST
|
S.o.T.Z. / BS
|
|
Not long after Mash made his own backlit WSC, he discovered this site. It documents the procedure for modifying a GBA afterburner to work with a Swan Crystal. Doesn't look too tough, really. Those $24 Afterburners are starting to look pretty good.
|
|
Off-Topic: World's smallest website
|
September 23, 2003 5:10 PM PST
|
guimp / BS
|
|
|
Perhaps old to some, but check this thing out: guimp is a website of flash games and miscellany designed to give you some serious eyestrain. You can change the resolution...but that's cheating. The worlds smallest website it is indeed, but has a rather large volume of classic games in it's library; pac-man, asteroids, pong, space shooters, mazes, and more. Thanks to Moriarty's post in his own bbs for the link.
|
|
News: Madou Monogatari 1-2-3
|
September 23, 2003 5:05 PM PST
|
Aiky / BS
|
|
Further proof that Aiky does indeed still own the rights to Compile's characters (at least in part) - they're re-releasing Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 for PC this november. The games were originally for the MSX, and in fact, that's where the box art comes from. You're not seeing the final product over there. The game will have full voice for Arle et al - now let's hope for a console release! Thanks to Rid Hershel for the news.
|
|
News: Zodiac internals
|
September 22, 2003 11:55 PM PST
|
Zodiac Gamer / BS
|
|
Zodiac Gamer has posted some images of the Tapwave Zodiac, including detailed internals. These were the images submitted to the FCC for approval, so they should be the real deal. Very clean, and very nice. While you're at it, check out the main page for a movie of one of the games (Galactic Realms) in action, as well as an interview with Zodiac developer Crimson Fire. Thanks to Mash for the link.
|
|
News: Psyvariar 2
|
September 22, 2003 11:43 PM PST
|
Taito / BS
|
|
|
According to Jeen net bbs, Psyvariar 2 has got a date for arcades - that being November 7th. Samples will be sold to arcades on the 29th of October for 168,000 yen opening price. This news was mirrored by Namae, so it more than likely accurate.
|
|
News: Resident Evil: Apocalypse
|
September 22, 2003 11:34 PM PST
|
Sony Pictures / BS
|
|
There's a new gallery of photos from the new Resident Evil movie over at Sony Pictures. The rather forced image of Jill Valentine, previously assumed rumor, is now confirmed as fact. Thanks to Juan for the news.
|
|
News: Dragonball WSC
|
September 22, 2003 9:12 PM PST
|
Namae no Nai Heya / BS
|
|
|
According to Namae's recently updated Wonderswan release list, Dragonball (famicom port/update) has gotten a firm date! And that would be November 20th, for those who don't like the clicking of links.
|
|
News: AMOA 2003 vids
|
September 22, 2003 9:00 PM PST
|
SNK-Capcom / BS
|
|
|
SNK-Capcom has put up several movies from the recent arcade show in Vegas. Check the site for the downloads.
|
|
News: A7Xpg
|
September 21, 2003 11:55 PM PST
|
ABA Games / GL
|
|
The programming gods (well - god, really) at ABA Games have come up with a new work; A7Xpg. It's a really quite fantastic one-button game, where the goal is to collect a certain amount of gold pieces that randomly spawn, without being hit by enemy ships. You can press the 'fire' button to boost your ship, and the blast can be used to 'push' enemies off your tail. The faster you're moving when you grab the gold, the higher the points. Getting the pieces also fills up a gauge, which rapidly depletes. Get enough in a short time, and your ship is able to pierce enemies, allowing you to destroy them for big points. Perhaps the best one-button game around this day and age?
|
|
News: 1k, 4k coding compo
|
September 21, 2003 11:43 PM PST
|
minigames / BS
|
|
Here's a nifty competition for games under 4 and 1k respectively. By and large they're games to be played on various emu (NES, spectrum, C64, VCS, etc) - always fun to see what can be done within very strict limits. The competition is still going on, so you may still submit your work, or download the 40+ that have already been uploaded.
|
|
News: Lovesmash 5
|
September 21, 2003 11:31 PM PST
|
d3 Publisher / BS
|
|
d3 is hyping their new Lovesmash title these days. It's an action tennis game featuring ridiculously buxom girls - check out the cinema for proof of ridiculosity. Tennis racket 'sword' battles, matrix parody and maybe a little sexy beach...can't go wrong!
|
|
News: Hudson TGS
|
September 21, 2003 11:19 PM PST
|
Hudson Soft / BS
|
|
|
This edition of the Hudson Digital Express features images of their TGS stand, as well as information about the software they'll be demonstrating...just another way to vicariously attend the event!
|
|
News: Mortal Kombat Zero
|
September 21, 2003 11:10 PM PST
|
Wildcat Software / BS
|
|
Wildcat has updated their MKZ page with images/designs of all but the secret characters. I sense a download soon...
|
|
Feature: Game fiction
|
September 20, 2003 11:42 PM PST
|
??? / BS
|
|
|
A mysterious person came to me with a mysterious proposition. He's got a semi-interactive serial mystery, based in the world of game testing/development. It begins here. If there's enough interest, he'll keep it going. Tough to gauge interest with no forums, but...we'll find a way.
|
|
News: World Fighters update
|
September 20, 2003 11:42 PM PST
|
Sony / BS
|
|
|
The World Fighters homepage has been updated - now all of the characters are viewable, as well as the gameplay system. Click the red buttons to navigate that particular section, and mouseover elements of the screenshot to get a description. Looks expected, but possibly interesting.
|
|
News: Bujingai movie
|
September 20, 2003 11:29 PM PST
|
Sony / BS
|
|
|
Unfortunately, it's streaming real media. But even so, it's the first movie of the game - check it out here. If you're a glutton for punishment, there are two Bistro Cupid 2 movies right below it.
|
|
News: Wonderswan Light
|
September 20, 2003 11:04 PM PST
|
Mash / BS
|
|
Mash of the S:NGP forums has accomplished another afterburner manipulation! He's got the light installed on a Gundam model WSC - the light turns on automatically with the system, but can be turned off via the battery release switch on the bottom - thus, no external mod! Rather a nice thing - you can see more images in his auction for the device. He will eventually be putting up a how-to for those who want to try this themselves.
|
|
News: SvC Chaos PS2
|
September 19, 2003 11:53 PM PST
|
Play Asia / BS
|
|
|
Seems SvC Chaos PS2 has a date!! The game will retail on December 18th 2003 according to Play Asia, where preorders are already up.
|
|
News: Super Mario Bros 3 superplay
|
September 19, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
Sharereactor / BS
|
|
|
You've seen the original SMB superplay by now. Well, Daniel Rocha let us know that there's a SMB 3 superplay out there as well. Narrowband beware - this is 472.05 MB worth of file.
|
|
News: Metal Slug 5
|
September 19, 2003 11:35 PM PST
|
SNK Neo Geo / BS
|
|
|
There's now an official page for Metal Slug 5 - just story and character art there for the time being. But here's some rather exciting-yet-disappointing news! The Neo Geo Land location test has been announced - that's good. It's on the 27th, during the Tokyo Game Show - that's bad. And incidentally - they're looking for another play tester, part-time.
|
|
News: Samurai Spirits Zero update
|
September 19, 2003 11:26 PM PST
|
SNK Neo Geo / BS
|
|
|
There are a few updates to the Samurai Spirits Zero homepage. There is a lot more character art up (still not complete, but head shots of the entire cast is visible), as well as a story, which you can read a bit more about here.
|
|
News: Illusion new game
|
September 19, 2003 11:17 PM PST
|
Illusion Soft / BS
|
|
Illusion has announced a new game on their frontpage. It's called...Stalker 3.
|
|
News: Cellphone extravoganza
|
September 19, 2003 11:06 PM PST
|
nfg.2y.net/games / BS
|
|
|
Lawrence has put up 257 screens of Vodaphone games in Japan - a good graphical tour of what's available for those planning to get in on that sort of thing.
|
|
News: SNK Playmore at TGS
|
September 18, 2003 11:57 PM PST
|
SNK Playmore / BS
|
|
|
SNK Playmore has announced the full list of games that they will be showing this TGS - aside from SvC Chaos for PS2, as mentioned yesterday, they'll also be showing SS Zero (arcade) KOF 2001 (PS2), Metal Slug (mobile), and most excitingly - a new title for PS2. This is very nearly certain to be KOF 3D, but we'll find out for sure in a matter of days.
|
|
News: Tapwave Zodiac review
|
September 18, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
PDAbuzz / BS
|
|
Some strange PR-sounding fellow mailed me today about a review of the Tapwave Zodiac on PDAbuzz. Not quite the balanced report Gamesindustry.biz gave the N-Gage, but certainly lets you know a few things. Seems the game-centric PDA is available for preorder on Tapwave's revamped site as well. Rather nice that it comes packaged with app software and two full games (though one is solitaire). The battle of the game combo units begins!
|
|
Off Topic: Icon wars
|
September 18, 2003 11:41 PM PST
|
someone? / BS
|
|
|
Not quite sure who made this, but here's a nifty flash movie - a battle between several traditional desktop items.
|
|
News: GBA dev contest
|
September 18, 2003 11:29 PM PST
|
GBAdev / BS
|
|
GBAdev's competition deadline has passed, so there are lots of games and the like available for download. Check it all out at the appropriate section.
|
|
News: Nina site opens
|
September 18, 2003 11:17 PM PST
|
Namco / BS
|
|
Namco has opened the site for Nina, their upcoming action game. This is based, quite obviously, on the character Nina Williams from the Tekken series. Luckily she now has access to a horde of weapons, and a ridiculously impractical outfit. Lots of interesting game shots to look at there, including the one to the left.
|
|
News: Kenshin Dragon Quest
|
September 18, 2003 11:06 PM PST
|
Square Enix / BS
|
|
|
Video Fenky has posted a translation of some initial Kenshin Dragon Quest impressions, originally posted on Techside. Curry-knocking-over goodness, he says.
|
|
News: SvC PS2 details
|
September 17, 2003 11:48 PM PST
|
Playmore / BS
|
|
|
Not a whole lot of news, but Namae tells us that the PS2 version of SvC Chaos will be at the Tokyo Game Show, and that the 6,800 yen price tag has already been decided. Keep those fingers crossed for console extras!!
|
|
Download: Kissing!! Under the Mistletoe
|
September 17, 2003 11:36 PM PST
|
Valhalla / BS
|
|
Been sitting on this one for a while, but it seems as though all downloadables are now released. Kissing is a new H-game from Groover (publisher) and Valhalla (developer), with the usual musical and production values one expects from a Groover work. Strawberry Club just did a promo for it, and there's a movie download resultant of that. If your interest is piqued, check out Valhalla's own download section for a few nifty items, including an MP3 of the OP with a different vocal arrangement, a movie of the staff bungee jumping to celebrate the release, and an 85 meg demo of the game itself. Be careful clicking around the links on the main page, of course - this being an H game. The movies are all work safe, however.
|
|
News: Ninja Gaiden Xbox
|
September 17, 2003 11:25 PM PST
|
Tecmo / BS
|
|
|
Ninja Gaiden Xbox will have the original NES game as a playable extra - so says this Famitsu article via Video Fenky.
|
|
News: Silent Hill movie details
|
September 17, 2003 11:11 PM PST
|
Konami / BS
|
|
|
Check out an english press release from Konami Japan, regarding the upcoming Silent Hill adaptation. Looks like they've got Christophe Gans in the directing chair - could be a lot worse. Thanks to Momotato for the link.
|
|
News: NEC IC new title
|
September 17, 2003 11:04 PM PST
|
NEC IC / BS
|
|
New game from NEC Interchannel coming up - another PC port from the look of it. The game is coming to PS2, that much is certain. But we'll have to wait until the pending homepage opening for more. The title is "sukina mono ga sukikara shou ga nai!" - 'I like what I like, not much I can do about it' (very loosely). Looks to be perhaps...another shounen ai game?
|
|
Site News: Despicable acts
|
September 16, 2003 11:57 PM PST
|
a jerk / BS
|
|
|
A not-so-fun note here. After we posted the link to that Xak III translation site yesterday, an individual chose to attack them and their site, attempting to use our name in the process. Never, ever do this. I won't get into the specifics, but this kind of act is despicable. We'd never take part in anything of that nature - so it's rough to see our name get dragged into it. I hope to never make a post like this again. Hell, I know our readers are a good bunch. But the bad eggs sure are rotten.
|
|
News: Hudson's TGS lineup
|
September 16, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
Hudson / BS
|
|
|
What with all of the news surrounding Hudson these days, they've taken it upon themselves to make a preview of their TGS lineup. Perhaps most interesting is this flash teaser for their World Fighters game. Looks like Optimus Prime is getting in on the action - most curious!
|
|
News: TOT GP32 update
|
September 16, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
Treebuds / BS
|
|
Treebuds has updated their website for TOT, their upcoming GP32 action game. There are plenty of new screens, system diagrams, and random other bits of excellence. The game is looking simply gorgeous, by the way. Use the navigation bar on the left hand side of the page to work your way through the very large update.
|
|
Off-Topic: Kohler's game sale
|
September 16, 2003 11:40 PM PST
|
Chris Kohler
|
|
|
Well, now they're all coming out of the woodwork! After returning from Japan, Chris Kohler is paring down his own game and anime collection. Check out his list here.
Damn. I'm not making a habit of this 'advertisement' business - he let us use his shower in Kyoto though. Payback! Go buy his things.
|
|
News: Transform Reality
|
September 16, 2003 11:31 PM PST
|
Transform Reality / BS
|
|
|
These Transform Reality persons say they're making a book called "Computer Games and Art: Intersections and Interactions". They want submissions - I can make no claim to the validity of their enterprise, but it's up to your discretion. Could be a decent way to get a little something published. You can read the submission guidelines and whatnot on their site.
Uh...I guess that not having scroll bars is pretty artsy, but sure makes submission guidelines hard to read.
|
|
News: SvC transformations
|
September 16, 2003 11:16 PM PST
|
81 / BS
|
|
|
Good old 81 has scanned some graphics of the various SvC Chaos transformations - midnight bliss (from Demitri), Animal (from Athena) and classic Japanese Monsters (from Red Arremer). A MMCafe forum member (S-T-E) switched the names to english, and here we are: midnight 1 - midnight 2 - animals - monsters.
|
|
News: Border Down new site
|
September 16, 2003 11:08 PM PST
|
G.Rev / BS
|
|
|
G.Rev just put up a dedicated website for their Dreamcast release of Border Down. The site shows all of the exclusive modes, level design, and a bunch of new screens - as bonus news, word from Play Asia is that the game will be out at least two days before the September 25th release date. preorders ahoy!
|
|
News: Xak III translation
|
September 15, 2003 11:57 PM PST
|
RIGG / BS
|
|
Nifty new fan translation about, this one for Xak III on the PC Engine. A nearly 100% complete beta version is available. That in turn pointed me to this site, which seems to do a fair job keeping up with fan translation news. Definitely a good resource for those interested in translation on either the construction or resultant end.
|
|
News: Alice
|
September 15, 2003 11:49 PM PST
|
Poche + Patbier / BS
|
|
There's some info on a new homebrew Dreamcast title over at the Consolevision forums. The game is called Alice; a 2D action platformer with a fair bit of story. Check that thread for a larger version of the image...very smart looking. It's being simultaneously developed for windows, linux and DC, so you should eventually be able to play it somehow or other. No dedicated website yet, so keep checking Consolevision for updates.
|
|
News: Tatakau Maid Osaru Koubousen
|
September 15, 2003 11:35 PM PST
|
Shuyuusha / BS
|
|
There's a demo out for Tatakau Maid Osaru Koubousen - direct link is here. You control two maids simultaneously, as they try to shoot the monkeys away from their protective shrine-gate-thing. Very tough, and rather fun. Zepy made a bet that we couldn't beat his score. He was oh-so-right.
|
|
Play Asia: Hanshin Tigers enjoyment pack
|
September 15, 2003 11:27 PM PST
|
Game Watch / BS
|
|
For the first time in many, many years, the Hanshin Tigers have won the championship in Japan. To commemorate this event, Nintendo (based in the Kyoto region, Hanshin HQ) is releasing a Hanshin Tigers enjoyment pack, which comes with a 'Tigers Gamecube, controller, jersey and Gameboy player. And for the PS2 fans, there's a Hanshin memory card.
To learn just how long it's been since they won, and the spectral curses they had to surmount, read the chilling tale in my journeys with Henry Moriarty in Japan.
|
|
News: Onimusha 3 graphic engine
|
September 15, 2003 11:13 PM PST
|
Game Watch / BS
|
|
Game Watch has posted an interesting look at the Onimusha 3 engine for PS2, specifically the sophistication of the prerendered/3D integration. Very japanese heavy, but with plenty of illustrations for those who can't speak the language. It's very unusual for a Japanese company to reveal their technique in any regard, so this is a rare treat. Thanks to Rob Turner for the link.
|
|
News: Hudson character battle update
|
September 15, 2003 11:13 PM PST
|
Nikkei Market News / BS
|
|
|
Nikkei news has released further information regarding the upcoming Hudson/Konami/Takara battle game World Fighters. Two new characters have been revealed; Rikachan from Takara's Micro Machines and Momotaro from Hudson. There will be 17 fighters in total. The combined marketing push for the title will reach 50-100 million yen, and they're anticipating 150,000 sales in the first year. Plan for sale is 6,800 yen in December.
|
|
News: GP32 zine vol. 2
|
September 15, 2003 11:06 PM PST
|
GP32 Zine / BS
|
|
|
The second edition of the online GP32 zine is here - check the site for a description of the contents, but rest assured - lots of info, interviews and scene news to be had.
|
|
News: Yoshiki Ohka interview
|
September 14, 2003 11:48 PM PST
|
Japangaming / BS
|
|
|
Yoshiki Ohka created Gain Ground, an arcade game not too well liked in it's time, but which eventually garnered a cult following in later years. It can still be played in many cheaper/retro arcades in Japan. Fans of the game will certainly enjoy this very nice interview with Yoshiki, who also worked on such titles as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and YuYu Hakusho Gaiden for Megadrive and Mega CD.
|
|
News: Chopper's Great Adventure
|
September 14, 2003 11:34 PM PST
|
Bandai / BS
|
|
There's now a page up for Chopper's Great Adventure, the planned ARPG for the Swan Crystal. The game is still on target for an October 16th, 4500 yen release.
|
|
News: ESP Galuda level illustration
|
September 14, 2003 11:21 PM PST
|
Cave / BS
|
|
Cave has put up a few illustrations of the level backgrounds on their ESP Galuda images page. Larger versions available if you click the text below the images. Thanks to Lech for letting me know about this.
|
|
News: Chetics cancelled?
|
September 14, 2003 11:10 PM PST
|
Comprazard / BS
|
|
|
It seems as though Chetics for GP32 may never see the light of day. This is mere speculation, but we've not heard anything about the game in some time now - what's more, the GP32 port was only mentioned on Comprazard's subsite Run2game, which no longer exists. There is no mention of the GP32 version on the main site. Another game fallen by the wayside? While we're speculating, the page that contains the images of their long-planned SRPG Cartouche still exists (find more info on the title from our October 14th news post). Anything is possible - something to consider, certainly.
|
|
