Archive for October, 2007
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl DS review
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo DS will unveil 107 new Pokemon to the series, bringing the total number of Pokemon to collect and train to 493!
In the new Sinnoh region, there are two Pokemon that symbolize the region. They appear in the Sinnoh region’s myths and old folklore. One is called Dialga, and is said to have the power to control time. The other is called Palkia, who is said to have the ability to distort space. The sinister organization called Team Galactic is trying to rule the region by utilizing these two Pokemon’s power.
During your adventure to complete your Pokedex and become the Pokemon League Champion, these two Pokemon, and Team Galactic, will intertwine into the story and lead you on a fantastic journey across the Sinnoh region.
Article continues »
18 comments »Angry Video Game Nerd reviews Halloween on Atari 2600
This is the thirty-fourth in a series of bad video game reviews by the Angry Video Game Nerd. This time he reviews Halloween on Atari 2600. This movie-based game was released back in 1983, made by Wizard Video Games, after the 1978 John Carpenter’s Halloween independent horror film.
On the spookiest day of the year The Nerd finds himself in a battle against a crappy game. Happy Halloween!
He also kind of reviews Haunted House and Frankenstein’s Monster.
Naruto Rise of a Ninja dev diary video shows Fighting. Japanese voice-overs will be free Xbox Live download
Ubisoft told us that their Xbox 360-exclusive Naruto: Rise of a Ninja will have the voices by the official Naruto Japanese cast available post-launch as free downloadable content on Xbox Live Marketplace.
The voice cast includes:
* Junko Takeuchi as Uzumaki Naruto
* Kazuhiko Inoue as Hatake Kakashi
* Chie Nakamura as Haruno Sakura
* Noriaki Sugiyama as Uchiha Sasuke
* Kujira as Orochimaru
* Akira Ishida as Sabaku no Gaara
Now let’s join the Fight Game Design Director Massimo Guarini and Animation Director Khai Nguyen in this second dev diary that shows the adventure-RPG’s Fight Design in action. Watch how Ubisoft looks to recreate the fast-paced ninja combat and unique style of the popular anime.
You can watch the first Naruto dev diary as well. The release date for Naruto on Xbox 360 in America is October 30th and in Europe it’s November 1st, 2007.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots delayed to 2nd quarter of 2008
It’s official. Konami has delayed Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PS3 once again! The game is now scheduled for release in the 2nd quarter of 2008, which means it won’t be hitting U.S. shores until at least Spring of next year at the earliest probably.
Although apparently it is still scheduled for release simultaneously in Asia, North America and Europe. Originally it was scheduled for release “this Winter”, but let’s be honest, did anyone actually expect that? I know I didn’t! (Ok, apparently Kotaku did :P)
The reason for the delay? “Konami has decided to delay the title’s release in order to make further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide. We will continue our efforts to make MGS4 meet everyone’s expectations.”
I wonder if Konami is re-considering releasing Metal Gear Solid 4 for Xbox 360 . . . .
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G preview for PSP in Japan
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, yes another new Monster Hunter game, is in development for Sony’s portable and is scheduled to hit that system in March in Japan. It was originally announced at this year’s Tokyo Game Show 2007, where a few details were announced including that this new game would have new missions and monsters (natch). There will be new “G class” quests to undertake, as well as new varieties of quests.
Also assured is the fact that players can transfer their saved data from Monster Hunter Portable 2nd to 2nd G, and it will be a fully featured game, not a half-baked update. Lastly, it will include a new never-before-seen system for the series. And it will probably have to do with the series’ feline mascot Ailu.
Getting another Monster Hunter game is good news for Sony’s PSP portable, cause the Monster Hunter series is phenomenally popular in Japan where the game has amazed huge sales. So it will definitely help PSP sales to have another Monster Hunter game coming.
You may also remember that Capcom recently announced that they have shifted Monster Hunter 3 from PS3 to Wii. Previously the game was a PS3 exclusive, but Capcom scrapped that version altogether and is bringing it instead to Nintendo’s best-selling console. — Via Kotaku
Mutant Storm Empire is the Xbox Live Arcade release today. Plus the schedule for November
From today, October 31st at 9AM GMT (2AM PDT), you can play Pom Pom Games’ Mutant Storm Empire on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360. Mutant Storm Empire will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points (that’s US$10 / €9.60 / £6.80 / CAN$12.40 / AU$13.20).
Key features include:
* The art of blasting: Practice the way of “Blastikkidoo” or the art of blasting, as you plow through the different worlds in Mutant Storm Empire. This all-new sequel to Mutant Storm Reloaded ratchets up the competitive challenge!
* Numerous levels: The four different worlds feature sixteen challenging levels, all in gorgeous high-def 3-D graphics.
* Multiplayer modes: Play co-op offline with a friend, or head into Xbox LIVE territory and go multiplayer for up to 2 people.
* Achievements: Twelve new achievements to master ranging from easy, such as getting a single combo of beasties, to difficult, such as completing the game on the Black Belt level.
Ready to challenge the full might of the evil emperor’s minions? Try the demo (video shown below) and upgrade to the full version for sixteen levels of ever-increasing excitement and cheerful mayhem, alone or with a buddy. It’s time to start the frenzy! Watch it:
Microsoft announced that in the coming weeks in November, the following titles are scheduled for release:
• “N+”(Slick Entertainment and Metanet Software) – Play as an acrobatic ninja in this addictive action-puzzle platformer. N+ features inadvertently homicidal robots, stylish graphics, a level editor and intense multiplayer awesomeness.
• “Screwjumper!” (THQ) – Players take the plunge in “Screwjumper!” and free-fall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, driving aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment.
• “SHREK-N-ROLL” (Activision) – Gamers join “Shrek,” “Fiona,” “Donkey,” “Puss in Boots” and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in this hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages.
• “SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam” (Nickelodeon and THQ) – In this quick and fun game, players search the kitchen of the Krusty Krab, the Flying Dutchman’s ship and the Armoury of Atlantis for 99 pairs of underpants.
• “Switchball” (Sierra Online) – Based on real-world physics, “Switchball” is an intricate puzzle game set in a stunning 3-D world where players control an ever-changing ball along a narrow, winding course suspended in midair.
• “Undertow” (Chair Entertainment Group) – This fast-paced action-shooter sends gamers underwater as they battle up to 16 players for control of the oceans! Players race to upgrade their units as they engage in non-stop conquest-style battles through multiple levels of combat action with some of the most stunning graphics ever seen in an Xbox LIVE Arcade title.
• “Word Puzzle” (InterServ International) – The classic pen-and-paper word search game is brought to a new level of excitement on Xbox LIVE Arcade, complete with combos, high-score achievements and the ability to compete against others online.
New Enemy Territory: Quake Wars PC 1.2 patch released
A new patch, version 1.2, has been released for PC version of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars from Splash Damage, id Software and Activision.
The new patch for the multiplayer sci-fi shooter adds the very requested voice chat feature along with user interface improvements, game balance changes and more.
Download the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars patch 1.2 if you have the game for both client patches and a full 1.2 server install.
New DS Lite colors in America: Gold and Metallic
American retailer Sears is prepared for the “Black Friday” shopping craze that happens every year before Thanksgiving. Part of it is Nintendo’s new bundles for new colored DS Lites. These are the options for sale, presumably limited editions, meant for the holiday season.
1. DS Lite Gold Phantom Hourglass bundle for $149.99.
2. DS Lite Metallic Pink Nintendogs: Best Friends Edition bundle for $149.99. — Via DSfanboy
Wii Virtual Console gift-giving channel launching worldwide in December, Wii TV guide channel announced for Japan, “practical” non-gaming DS functions coming
Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo, has made some very interesting statements in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, regarding the future of the Wii and the Nintendo DS.
As far as the Wii is concerned, Iwata dated the Wii Virtual Console Gift-Giving Channel, that allows gamers to purchase virtual console games as gifts for another player, and those games will be downloaded directly to that person’s Wii for their playing pleasure. This Wii Channel will be released worldwide this December.
In addition Iwata said they are working on another all-new Wii “Interactive Television Guide” channel for Japan that will is currently set for release in Spring of 2008.
As far as the Nintendo DS is concerned, Nintendo has already attracted scores of non-gamers with the DS Brain and Vision training titles and most of their Touch Generation series, including games like various Soduku titles and Clubhouse Games. And Iwata stated that they will be pushing the DS non-gaming system functions even further in the future. He said the company plans to roll out these “practical” functions that “will be useful in places like train stations, amusement parks or museums. This is the first device that is portable and wireless and anybody can use,” said Iwata of the DS. “With so many devices out there, it would be wasteful to not turn it into a tool.” Iwata did not go into details about what exactly they have in store for the DS.
Examples of non-gaming functions already in use include during baseball games in the US where Nintendo has already used the DS to transmit stats, trivia games, and video replays to fans who have their DS on in the audience (for a fee) at Seattle Mariner gamers (Washington State being where Nintendo HQ is located). And in Japan, museums have allowed visitors to download a virtual tour guide to their DS’. And it’s likely these type of features, such as a GPS system I’d be willing to bet, that Nintendo is talking about.
I for one am all for this. Since the N64 days Nintendo has seemingly been against adding extra functionality to their systems. While other platforms got CD and DVD playback and such, Nintendo users were left without that extra functionality. Which was fine, we were there for the games! But if Nintendo does have the option to include extra functions, then I think they should definitely offer them. It can’t hurt, and anything that can better help the DS in it’s war with the PSP (even though it doesn’t quite need the extra ammo considering the absolute pounding the PSP is getting in sales) is a good thing. And this type of functionality and non-gamer attractiveness is good for the industry, the more people we can pull in with stuff like Wii Fit, the better. — Via GS
Mister Rogers meets Donkey Kong meets Halo 3’s Arbiter
In this 80’s episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, we follow Mister Rogers to a local Arcade Hall. Watch as Mister Rogers and a friend play the video game Donkey Kong and find out how exciting it is in- and outside. Special cameo by Keith David who nowadays plays the voice of the Arbiter in Halo 2 and Halo 3. If you’re not used to hearing Mr. Rogers talk, keep in mind that this man was genuinely nice to everyone and throughout his life he was an advocate for the education and welfare of children. Enjoy this video flashback.
PS: Yes, the plumber Mario started out as the carpenter Jumpman in Donkey Kong.
