Guitar Hero Modern Hits to Hit DS

Another Guitar Hero for the DS is on its way. Called Guitar Hero Modern Hits, this Guitar Hero game will feature, well, modern hits from modern hit makers such as Sum 41 and Franz Ferdinand.

There's no release date as of yet, but we can bet that it will come out before the DSi's launch next year, seeing that the DSi has not way (yet) to accommodate Guitar Hero's peripheral.

The last two Guitar Hero games for the DS has been received with mixed reviews. Its guitar peripheral has been reported awesome by many, and awkward by some. The song lists are so-so, and I expect the same from Modern Hits.

Handhelds Dominated Japanese Sales Charts

It's no surprise that Dissidia: Final Fantasy made it to the top of last week's Japanese sales charts. In the process, PSP received a boost. It's also no surprise that the Nintendo DSi emerged as the top hardware. All in all, it was a good week for all (gaming) things handheld.

Software:

1. Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP) - 489,126
2. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 (PS3) - 176,448
3. Kirby Super Star (DS) - 149,643
4. Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii) - 144,530
5. Tales of Hearts (DS) - 123,622
6. Wagamama Fashion Girls Mode (DS) - 99,887
7. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 (PS2) - 99,696
8. Pokemon Platinum (DS) - 85,849
9. Fate/Unlimited Codes (PS2) - 82,873
10. Momotarou Dentetsu: 20-Shuunen (DS) - 79,717

Hardware:

1. DSi - 204,144
2. PSP - 145,957
3. Wii - 131,054
4. DS Lite - 50,308
5. PS3 - 39,136
6. Xbox 360 - 12,914
7. PS2 - 8,662

[source]

Blog Break!

Happy Holidays to all!!! Hope you all get your wishes. Regular postings will be back on Monday. Until then, better catch up on your backlogged games... early next year would be tough!

DSi Sales: More Than One Million in Less than Two Months!

Enterbrain reported total DSi sales last month to be over 500,000 units. That in itself is a feat. But their most recent numbers doubled that figured bringing total Nintendo DSi sales since its November 1st release to a staggering 1,062,416.

Guess what 24,859,874 is. It's the total DS units sold in Japan since its 2004 release.

New Blood of Bahamut Trailer Features Characters

Square Enix just treated spectators of Jump Festa 2009 in Japan with a brand new trailer of Blood of Bahamut. As expected from SE, the trailer is full of awesome.



The trailer features some of the characters including Ibuki, Yui and my favorite, Santiago. There's more footage of the game in action as well, including several shots of your soon-to-be gigantic foes. There's also a view of multi-player in play.

Here's to hoping Blood of Bahamut comes to North America!

Hammerin' Hero Trailer

Hammerin' Hero puts you in the hammerin' shoes of Gen, the friendly neighborhood hammerin' carpenter. When Hyosuke Kuromoku and his not-so-hammerin' evil construction company threatens to evict Gen's pals, our Hammerin' Hero Gen comes to the rescue!

Based on the trailer below, Hammerin' Hero is your basic platformer. There's nothing special that I've noticed, guess we'll have to wait for more details. Hammerin' Hero for the PSP will be released March 2009.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy US Release Date + Epic Intro

Square Enix finally gave a date (sort of) to Dissidia's inevitable US release. With 350,000 units sold in its first day in Japan, Dissidia might just save the PSP's dwindling sales numbers lately.

Slated for a "mid-year 2009" release, Dissidia: Final Fantasy is an action game featuring some of the most notable characters in the Final Fantasy franchise. There's no mention yet if the awesome Dissidia Special Edition PSP will be available as well, though.

There's still a few months to wait, and all we non-Japanese can do is watch trailers, read reviews and wait some more. To add to your suffering, here's Dissidia: Final Fantasy's epic intro in full. Enjoy.

I Love Katamari for the iPhone

Due to today's earlier post about the iPhone, I went ahead and browsed the iTunes App store, where you can download some goodies. Guess what I found? Katamari Damacy!!! O-M-G!

I am absolutely in love with Katamari! I wish they would sell Katamari crackers or sodas. I'd definitely buy some by the hundreds. But I digress...

Yes, Katamari Damacy is available for the iPhone in the form of I Love Katamari. The game is the same rolling action we have all enjoyed before. Although some reports significant slowdowns when your ball of crap gets too big. Nonetheless, this one's a gem for fans such as me.

Metal Gear Solid Touch Coming to iPhone

Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch landed a big deal with Metal Gear Solid Touch. This will definitely catch gamers' attention who are having second thoughts about the iPhone and iPod Touch as a handheld gaming device. It sure grabbed mine.

Metal Gear Solid Touch is scheduled for a March 2009 release, and will be a touch-based game. The game's story will fall in the lines of Metal Gear solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, with eight levels available initially. More will be available for download soon.

Another game to look out for in the iPhone is Silent Hill The Escape, which is scheduled to be out this month.

"No plans for a PSP2 are underway"

That's according to John Koller, Sony's director of hardware marketing. This is after news of a new PSP, aptly dubbed as PSP 4000, and a new handhled are under way.

Koller clarified that the media has misinterpreted Sony's new policy of focusing developers away from Universal Media Discs and towards digital distribution.

[source]

Nintendo DS Games Q1 2009 Releases

Nintendo recently released its North American game roster for the Wii and the DS. As with every Nintendo roster release, it's full of awesome.

Pokemon Platinum release date has been finally confirmed, as well as Moon. GTA Chinatown Wars has no specific date yet, though. Personally, I can't wait for My World, My Way, GTA, Pokemon, Suikoden and FFCC.

Here's a the list of Nintendo DS games for early 2009.

• American Popstar - Road to Celebrity - March 9
• Animal Planet™ - March 10
• Avalon Code - February
• Big Bang Mini® - Jan. 6
• Brave: Shaman's Challenge™ - Feb. 17
• Broken Sword™: Shadows of the Templars (Director's Cut) - March
• Chicken Hunter Star Karts - March 10
• Coraline - January
• DinoPets - March
• Dragon Master - April
• Dreamer: Top Model - March
• Drivers' Ed Portable - January
• Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero™ - Q1
• FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: Echoes of Time™ - Spring
• Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon - Feb. 16
• Flower, Sun, and Rain - March
• Grand Theft Auto™: Chinatown Wars - Winter
• Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure™ - Q1
• Hot 'n' Cold - March
• Imagine™ Cheerleader - February
• Imagine™ Family Doctor - February
• Imagine™ Ice Champions - March
• Inkheart - January
• Jagged Alliance - Feb. 17
• Jake Power Fireman - January
• Jake Power Handyman - March
• Jake Power Policeman - January
• JoJo's Fashion Show - February
• Learn Chess - March
• Learn Math - January
• Legacy of Ys™: Books I & II - Feb. 10
• Little Magician's Magic Adventure™ - Q1
• Matchstick - March
• Monster Band - January
• Monster Pals ™ - March
• Monsters vs. Aliens - March 24
• Moon™ - Jan. 13
• Music Star: Pop Star - February
• My DoItAll™ - February
• My Fashion Studio Paris Collection - Feb. 17
• My Personal Diary - February
• My World, My Way™ - Feb. 3
• Our House™ - Q1
• Paint by DS - March
• Paws & Claws Pampered Pets - Jan. 5
• Personal Trainer™: Math - Jan. 12
• Petz® Horseshoe Ranch - February
• Phineas and Ferb - Winter
• Pimp My Ride 2™ - March 24
• Pokémon™ Platinum version - March 22
• Powerbike - January
• Puzzle Quest™: Galactrix™ - Q1
• Retro Game Challenge - Jan. 6
• Roogoo Attack™ - Feb. 17
• Sarah - Keeper of the Unicorn - March
• SimAnimals™ - Jan. 27
• Suikoden Tierkreis - Q1
• Trackmania™ DS - March 17
• USA TODAY Puzzle Craze - January
• WonderWorld Amusement Park™ - January
• WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES™ - Jan. 19
• Zoo Quest - February
• Zubo™ - March

[source]

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Release Date

Get your trigger-fingers ready. Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce is arriving to North America a bit earlier than expected. Game developer Koei recently announced that Strikeforce will be released in March 24, 2009.

Dynasty Warriors is a mighty franchise with more than 20 tactical action games under its belt. It has games on all modern consoles, including some on the Xbox and the DS. This latest game however is for the PSP.

It's a common consensus that this latest DW game is far different from its predecessors. The gameplay has changed and almost all agrees that, from the videos we've seen, has improved. Here's the official Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce trailer.

Judge Gabranth in Dissidia!!

Arguably my most favorite Final Fantasy game is FFXII. The whole feel and look of it just got me engrossed, I clocked in at around 200+ hours before finishing the game. That, and the use of Old English. That's why I was more than glad to see Judge Gabranth on the list of Final Fantasy: Dissidia's characters.

Whether FFXII's Gabranth is playable or not is yet to be confirmed. The whole buzz sprang from the latest Dissidia trailer, showing Judge Gabranth. Whatever his role is, I just want to see me a kick-ass Judge in action!

FF Dissidia for the PSP will be released in Japan  tomorrow, Dec 18.

[source]

GTA Chinatown Wars Release Dates

Can't wait to peddle drugs? Or maybe run over pedestrians like a mad man? Or maybe you just want to see how franchise-giant Grand Theft Auto can pull out a GTA game on the DS. In about three months our wait will be over.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be available in North America on March 17, 2009. Europe will get their hands on it on March 20th.

Ifrit Fires Up Blood of the Bahamut

If you're a Final Fantasy fan, chances are you already know who or what Ifrit is. He is almost in every FF game, and is pretty hard to miss. If you're not acquainted yet with Ifrit, he's one huge beast who likes to burn stuff up.

An recent update of the official Blood of the Bahamut website confirmed Ifrit as one of the giants you have to face. There's also a couple of awesome screenshots of the game in action.

Blood of the Bahamut for the Nintendo DS pits you against towering giants. To beat them, you have to find their weak spot and pummel like crazy. See the debut trailer here or see the latest screens below.

Nintendo Tops Japanese Charts (Again??!)

As expected by almost anyone by now, the power that is Nintendo overwhelmed November's Japanese sales charts. This is especially so with the recently released Nintendo DSi, which observed a 35% increase.

The Wii also ousted PSP from the second spot, gaining just 2,000 units more than Sony's handheld system.

Aside from Nintendo's babies, every other console sales numbers fell. Here's the data from Media Create:

• Nintendo DSi - 126,648
• Wii - 56,702
• PSP - 54,782
• PlayStation 3 - 30,309
• Nintendo DS - 12,096
• Xbox 360 - 9,988
• PlayStation 2 - 5,743

[source]

Shakespeare & Friends Coming to the DS

Nintendo recently closed a deal with HarperCollins, a well know publisher, to make 100 literary classics available for the DS. The list of featured authors reads like who's-who of literature: Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare are just a few.

Titled 100 Classic Book Collection, it will include plays as well. Users can read with the DS "book" style, adjust text size, bookmarks, and much more.

Aside from gaming, I'm a bit into reading as well, but I think I'll pass on this one. DS for gaming, books for reading :)

Recover Your HP With Dissidia Final Fantasy Potions

It has been an annual tradition of sorts for Square Enix to release a Potion of whatever game they are pushing that year. Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core got their own Potions before, and now here comes the "health" drink for Final Fantasy: Dissidia.

The Dissdia Potion, or "health" drink, taste like a mix of an energy drink and Sprite. There are a total of 16 different cans, with different FF characters. The flavors are divided into two; the "Chaos" side is dark muscat grape while the "Cosmos" tastes like grapefruits.

If reports are to be believed, this year's Potions tastes nasty and unhealthy besides. I wouldn't mind owning a set, though.

[source]

Dragon Quest IX: Confirmed!!!

Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Starry Sky was recently given a Japanese release date by Square Enix on a press conference. Them lucky Japanese will get to enjoy the latest in the Dragon Quest series for the DS on March 28 next year. It'll cost them, though. A copy of the game is around $65. Ouch!

Anyway, demos were available on the said press release, set-up on DSi systems with awesome-cool Slime protector cases. In addition... is that a Slime speaker stand???!? *faints*

[source]

New Phantasy Star Zero Trailer

I didn't get into Phantasy Star that much back in the days. But that won't stop me from picking it up now! Not after seeing this new trailer of Phantasy Star Zero for the DS.

Phantasy Star, musch like Final Fantasy, has a devoted cult following of its own especially in Japan. The series has produced almost 20 games in its lifespan, with Phantasy Star Zero being the latest.

Here's the latest trailer of Phantasy Star Zero.

Pokemon Platinum US Release Date.. ??

Get your Pokeballs ready. It looks like Pokemon Platinum is finally dated for a North American release if Circuit City is to be believed.


March 22 is the magical date, as listed on Circuit City's listing. That's about six months after Pokemon Platinum's Japanese release, and six months to long of a wait for me. It's not yet official, but let's all hope it is so (or sooner)!

Speaking of Pokemon games, have you finished yours yet? I'm still playing with my Pokemon Diamond and I'm pretty sure I have about 100 hours more to go.

UK Warned of Fake Nintendo DS

You know you have a popular product when counterfeiters are out to smooch some money off your name. Such is the case with Nintendo's top seller, the DS.

UK parents were warned of fake Nintendo DS and DS Lites, which may cause serious injuries and start fires. The HM Revenue & Customs recently seized hundreds of such consoles containing dangerous power adapters. There are already some who purchased the knock-off DS, which has a price tag of £40 instead of the usual £100.

[source]

Scribblenauts Details and Video

If you haven't heard yet, 5th Cell announced last Friday its newest DS game: Scribblenauts. I'd have to say, the announcement of this announcement is definitely worth it!

Drawn to Life allowed players to use their imagination, making us draw our own weapons and stuff. Scribblenauts will do the same, only on a whole new level. Write a noun and it would appear as an object on the screen, helping our hero reach his goal.

As per the Scribblenaut video below, the game is all about Maxwell and Starites. Looks like Max wants him some Starites for some reason, and we're to help him out by naming tools/objects which he can use. As you can see below, there's a number of ways to solve each stage. Ladders, footballs, and beavers are just a few of limitless options.



Sounds like fun? You betcha. Sounds like an impossible game to pull off on the DS? You betcha again. Hope I'm mistaken though, and I'm looking forward for this game's release on Fall 2009.

LocoRoco 2 Japanese TV Ad

I wish all TV ads were made by the Japanese. Those dudes sure knows how to produce a smile.. and buzz! They just make so-darn-cute commercials, as shown on the ad below for LocoRoco 2 for the PSP, which was recently released in Japan.

Download PSP Dissidia Themes

Dissidia mania is on!! And like any decent mania, it comes with its very own PSP theme. Square Enix is offering awesome PSP Dissidia themes on its website.


As of this writing, there are three Dissidia PSP themes available: Final Fantasy I, II, and III. Each theme shows the hero and villain for that particular game. Again, there's just three themes for now, but who knows? Maybe they'll have one for each Final Fantasy!

MOAR Mama! Gardening Mama Coming Next Year

I am, what some would call, a grown man. But dammit, I want more Mama games! Cooking Mama was one of the reasons I picked up a DS. It's fun and far from the usual kill-bystanders-jump-over-ledges games that I've played before. That's why I was delighted to hear that Mama has a new game coming out: Gardening Mama!

Gardening Mama features Mama planting flowers, fruits and veggies. Players can also produce jams and other garden-goodies Mama's garden produced. There's also a multiplayer mode and, as always, a dress-Mama-up feature.

Gardening Mama is slated for a Spring 2009 release.

[source]

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Coming to North America

Kingdom Hearts fans rejoiced as Square Enix announced Kingdom Hearts 358/2 for the Nintendo DS will be coming to US soil next year. For some odd reason, I did not really get into KH on the PlayStation. Nevertheless this game will be one to look out for in 2009.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 is about former Organization XIII member, Roxas, who previously appeared in Kingdom Hearts 2. The game will feature a multiplayer game mode where players get to play as an Organization XIII member.

5th Cell Announced Announcement of New "Innovative" Game!!

You know you're a bad-ass game developer if you get people talking about the announcement of the announcement of your next game. 5th Cell did just that, and rightfully so.

The developers of Drawn to Life and Lock's Quest will be announcing their next "innovative, engaging and completely unique" game this coming Friday, December 5th. It will be an IGN exclusive, though, so better set your sights there.

One thing I like about 5th Cell is that their games are indeed innovative. Lock's Quest for example, took tower defense to a whole new level. The same goes with Drawn to Life games, which allows us to put our imagination at play.

Whatever 5th Cell will be announcing this Friday, I'm sure it's worth the buzz.

Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time US Release Date

It looks like we're all in for quite a long wait to have a go at Square Enix's FFCC: Echoes of Time. The game will be released by Spring 2009, but it is my humble opinion that the wait will be worth it. Aside from the usual cutesy Crystal Chronicles characters, Echoes of Time will feature the ability to play together between the Wii and the DS version.

Some die-hard Final Fantasy fans frowned upon Crystal Chronicles when its first game came out. Admittedly, the FFCC games are a bit more cartoonish than usual, and the plots are not as deep. Nevertheless, Crystal Chronicle games never failed to entertain.

Here's the FFCC: Echoes of Time TGS 2008 trailer.

Prince of Persia: The Fallen King Still Falls Short

I'm currently contemplating on getting a copy of Prince of Persia: The Fallen King for the DS, but after seeing the video below (and remembering the horribleness of previous PoP DS titles) I think I'll pass on this one.



Is it just me (or this video), or does Prince looks like Aladdin?

Atlus Getting DS-Happy

Atlus is on a roll! The company is spewing out hit-game after hit-game on the Nintendo DS. Etrian Odyssey? Atlus. Summon Night? Atlus. Trauma Center? ATLUS!!! The list is quite long, and there's handful more in the works, including but not limited to:

• TrackMania DS
• Legacy of Ys Books I & II
• My World, My Way

As if that's not enough, Atlus will be bringing Marvelous' Steal Princess, another ARPG, to North America. They will also release a dungeon RPG titled The Dark Spire, which some believe to be a localization of Genmu no To to Tsurugi no Okite.

Bye Bye Giant PSP

As if the lack of new PSP games this week is not torture enough for PSP gamers, the much adored billboard-sized PSP in New York's Houston St. is finally getting the boot.



The landmark has been featuring upcoming and popular PSP games for the past few years, but now it seems that the giant PSP the has served its purpose.

[via pspfanboy]