2 September 2006
by Ferry

Love Love Hamster DS

Japanese games developer Digital Kids is making a hamster simulator for the Nintendo DS. It’ll be released in Japan on November 2nd, no word on a release elsewhere. I don’t have to explain the features because it’s blatantly copied from Nintendogs, obviously down to the part where you teach your virtual hamster words via the microphone to which he or she will do tricks. That’s not saying it’s a negative thing, the more the merrier. Main features include: the choice between six different cages, lots of hamsters, and last but not least a generous helping of love love, awww so cute.
Via Watch Impress & YouTube

1 September 2006
by Ferry

PS3 games and video can be viewed as is on the PSP

In an interview with Japan’s Nikkei BP, Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi, shared some unique visions Sony has for the PSP platform in relation to the PlayStation 3. The title of the article tells it all: “PSP will become a Virtual PS3.” It’s a very interesting read!

First Kawanishi mentioned some of the difficulties with Sony’s emulation project. “Emulating all PSP games would be difficult. The PS1 has left and right analogue sticks and a large number of controller buttons. The PSP has just one analogue stick, and a different number of buttons. There’s no power problem with emulation, but there are limitations with the user interface.”

Sony may have some Xbox Live style plans for its e-distribution scheme. “Games for PS3, PSP, PS1 and so-forth will be distributed via the network. While popular series are a separate matter, it’s becoming hard to tell what’s inside the package of recent games. So, we’re thinking of distributing demo versions.” Article continues »

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Vivendi making Battlestar Galactica game for Xbox Live Arcade, King’s Quest and Larry coming to Mobiles

In Vivendi’s June investors documents, the “Sierra Online growth drivers” page lists the following game releases.

2006: Megaforce (Xbox Live Arcade), 3D Ultra MiniGolf (Xbox Live Arcade, PC)
2007: Freestyle Street Basketball (PC), Crash Online (PC), Battlestar Galactica (Xbox Live Arcade, PC), Incredible Machine (Xbox Live Arcade, PC), Red Baron (Xbox Live Arcade, PC) and 7 more short session games.
2008: 2 mid-session titles, 12 short session titles.
2009: 3 mid-session titles, 15 short session titles.

On top of these new game findings, the report also shows Vivendi/Sierra plan to support Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo’s Wii online console features. Sierra Mobile division reveals they have classic franchises return for 2007:

Larry’s Adventures: Love Boat continues Leisure Suit Larry on mobiles, and a certain King’s Quest/Connected Project is a reimagining of the classic adventure series for cellphones (DS would be perfect). Document via Xblarcade

1 September 2006
by Ferry

TimeShift shifts time into 2007

Where did 2006 go? I can’t believe “renowned test pilot Colonel Michael Swift” messed up time this much. Now we missed the Wii & PS3 launches! Oh well, it doesn’t matter anyway, because this FPS will only appear on the PC & Xbox 360. Developer Saber Interactive’s real reason for TimeShift’s delay is “to give it the time and resources needed to fulfil its potential.” My hope is they are building the real time machine.

Storyline: In TimeShift, you assume the role of renowned test pilot Colonel Michael Swift who recently lost his only daughter in a bus accident. Depressed and desperate for an escape from his misery, Swift decides to accept a recent offer from the U.S. Government. Article continues »

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Sega shows European 2006 and early 2007 releases

Sega just put out the release list of their European games from September to December this year, as well as some early 2007 titles. Marked with an * are Sega’s new budget games.

September 2006:
1st: Virtua Tennis: World Tour Platinum* (PSP)
1st: Virtua Pro Football (PS2)
15th: Yakuza (PS2)
15th: OutRun 2: Coast to Coast* (PSP, PS2)
15th: Sonic Riders* (PS2, NGC)
15th: Shadow the Hedgehog* (PS2, NGC)
15th: Spartan: Total Warrior* (NGC)

November 2006:
17th: Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3, Xbox 360)
17th: Full Auto 2: Battlelines (PS3)
Wii Launch: Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz (Wii)
??th: Football Manager 2007 (Xbox 360)
??th: Phantasy Star Universe (PS2, Xbox 360)
??th: Football Manager Portable 2007 (PSP)
??th: SEGA Mega Drive Collection PS2, (PSP)
??th: Sonic Rivals (PSP)
Article continues »

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Next Devil Summoner game planned for PS3 and Wii

Kazuma Kaneko, lead designer and artist on Atlus’ Shin Megami Tensei series was interviewed by Luv2Game at E3. During that interview he commented that he’d like to bring the next action game in the Devil Summoner series to the PS3 & Wii.

L2G: So with Devil Summoner coming out this year and Persona 3 on the way, what’s next for the MegaTen series?
Kaneko: Probably the next Devil Summoner title.

L2G: What systems can fans expect to see MegaTen games on in the future?
Kaneko: Probably the PS3 and Wii. I would really love to bring MegaTen to Wii.

L2G: What would a Wii MegaTen game be like?
Kaneko: Well, if you play Nocturne or Digital Devil Saga, they’re typical modern RPGs. You see your characters act from a third-person view. But as you and your readers probably know, the original MegaTen games used a completely different first-person viewpoint. I would love to go back to basics with MegaTen on the Wii and bring back the first-person perspective, while using the controller to let players experience their environments directly.

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Star Fox Command review video (DS)

Star Fox returns to its roots with a blistering space shooter on Nintendo DS, this time with touch-control flight mechanics unique to the DS. Lylat needs help. Players hop into their Arwing fighter and fight through a unique branching storyline of missions, all rendered in gorgeous 3D. Star Fox Command brings a new strategic element to the series with a commander’s view of the mission. Using the touch screen, players can draw the routes they and their teammates will take, then battle the enemies they encounter as they take over bases and strategically advance across the map. Players can blow their friends out of the sky as they dogfight with up to eight players over a local wireless connection or take on up to four players from around the world on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Blasting through the sky in an Arwing may be fun, but too bad that blasting doesn’t last long. Find out more in this Star Fox Command video review.

Article continues »

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Yggdrasil Labyrinth DS renamed Etrian Odyssey for trip to America

Atlus U.S.A. today announced the acquisition of the American publishing rights to Etrian Odyssey, formerly titled Yggdrasil Labyrinth in Japan, a ground-breaking RPG for the Nintendo DS known as Sekaiju no Meikyuu in Japan.

Directed by Kazuya Niinou (Trauma Center: Under the Knife), with story design by Shigeo Komori (Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner) and sound design by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro (Actraiser, Streets of Rage), Etrian Odyssey is currently scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2007.

About Etrian Odyssey:
In a vast and fertile land lies a small town known as Etria, a peaceful village that became famous for a startling discovery. A crack in the vast forest opened at Etria’s edge, leading downward like a gaping maw. It all began there… Those who hear rumors of the labyrinth of Etria, whether young or old, begin to harbor dreams of exploring it.

Riches… fame… prestige… all that and one more thing does the labyrinth promise: the true spirit of adventure, on the perilous edge of death. Today, like any other day in the new Etria, a youth walks through the town gates…

Etrian Odyssey Key Features: Article continues »

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Nanostray 2 announced for DS

Shin’en Multimedia today announced the development of Nanostray 2 for the Nintendo DS. Nanostray 2 is the sequel to the Shoot ‘em up Nanostray which has been successfully released in America, Europe and Japan.

Nanostray 2 introduces many new features and elements which have never been used in its genre. This includes innovative touch screen features as well as exciting WiFi functions over the internet. More detailed information and first screenshots will be revealed within the next weeks on the Nanostray 2 site. Here’s a video of the original’s gameplay:

1 September 2006
by Ferry

Angry Nintendo Nerd reviews Back to the Future on NES

There’s a lot of NES games to choose from, about 716, so when reviewing retro games we tend to look for the gems with high ratings nowadays. But how was that back when the NES was first released in the 80’s? Angry Nintendo Nerd reviews Back to the Future for the classic NES. He clearly likes the movies, and really wants to be positive, but then it turns out the game is not what he expected.

Don’t watch if you can’t handle some coarse language, it’s only there for comedic effect, gotta love the dry humor
“Oh god! Don’t let the blue bird get ya!”