Nintendo's Millions

The news that 26 of Nintendo games sold over a million units did not came as a surprise to me. Focusing on innovation, instead of hardware truly paid of for Nintendo's Wii an DS.

Among the 26 games, 15 are for the DS. Here's the list with their Life-to-Date sales as of December 2008.

• Nintendogs - 21.67m
• New Super Mario Bros. - 17.63m
• Brain Age - 16.82m
• Pokemon Diamond/Pearl - 16.48m
• Mario Kart DS - 13.79m
• Brain Age 2 - 13.27m
• Animal Crossing: Wild World - 10.57m
• Super Mario 64 DS - 7.16m
• Mario Party DS - 5.49m
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: EoT/D - 4.4m
• Pokemon Platinum - 2.4m
• Kirby Super Star Ultra - 2.19m
• Pokemon Ranger: SoA - 1.8m
• Rhythm Heaven - 1.71m
• Personal Trainer: Cooking - 1.68m

[source]

New Manga Brawler Coming to the PSP

Remember that awesome game for the Nintendo DS, Jump Ultimate Stars? Well, something similar is coming to the PSP in the form of Sunday x Magazine: Taisen Action. It's a brawler with characters coming from two different manga's, Weekly Shonen Sunday and Weekly Shonen Magazine.

Manga fans who happen to be PSP gamers are in for a treat on this one. Imagine Aoi Nogami versus Kyo. Or maybe Kenichi Shirahama against Ikki Minami. Here's a list of characters to look forward to:

• Hayate Ayasaki from Hayate the Combat Butler
• Ueki Kosuke from The Law of Ueki
• Inuyasha from Inuyasha
• Shiho Sannomiya from Absolutely Lovely Children
• Yoshimori Sumimura from Kekkaishi
• Takizawa Noboru from Blazing Transfer Student
• Kaoru Akashi from Absolutely Lovely Children
• Aoi Nogami from Absolutely Lovely Children
• Ippo Makunouchi from Hajime no Ippo
• Kyo from Samurai Deeper Kyo
• Shinichi Mechazawa from Cromartie High School
• Natsu Dragonil from Fairy Tail
• Ban Mido from GetBackers
• Kenichi Shirahama from Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple
• Kotaro Shindo from Kotaro Makaritoru
• Negi Springfield from Negima!: Magister Negi Magi
• Ikki Minami from Air Gear
• Ryo Takatsuki from Project Arms
• R from Kyukyoku Choujin R

Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!! New Videos

As you can tell from the three exclamation points on its title, Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!! is full of awesome. It will be released in Japan this coming February 11.

Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!! makes use of the Nintendo DS in every possible way. There's the stylus for stroking, the mic for blowing, and there are even parts where you turn your DS book-style. Also, players will be able to play as Bowser, because he swallowed Mario & Luigi and that's what really happens when one swallows little people.

Here are the new trailer and ad spots for Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!!

Latest Phantasy Star Portable Trailer

Sega just released the newest trailer to another addition to one of its best franchise, Phantasy Star Portable. As you can tell by the game's title, its for the Sony PSP.



The game comes with a brand new story line, exclusive new content, and multiple endings.

Phantasy Star Portable  will be arriving this March on US soil.

Echoes of Time Release Date

The exact and official release date of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time for the DS has been recently announced by Square Enix. Mark March 24th on your calendar, as both the DS and Wii version of the game ships out on this day.

FFCC: Echoes of Time features an innovative multiplayer gaming experience where Wii and DS users can play side by side.

[source]

Sony Denies IGN's PSP2 Rumors... With a Bitch Slap!

IGN hit some nerves when it posted a PSP2 rumor, saying it will have touchscreen, bluetooth, GPS, and hardrive. MCV got a hold of "a source close to Sony" and here's what they said:

Clearly, being a quiet time of year, many, what we thought to be credible websites, are making up stories about PSP2, and how it allows you to teleport across the globe, travel through time, and will be powered by the horns of baby rhinoceroses. Hopefully, you can sense a mild tone of sarcasm, which should hopefully indicate how ‘on the money’ IGN are. Needless to say, we don't comment on rumour or speculation, but this is nonsense.

I am still asking myself: Is this an official Sony statement? If not, then YSOSRYS, "source close to Sony"?

DS and PSP Fanboy No More

As you may have noticed, I missed posting yesterday. Blame it to my broken internets. Anyway, I know I have a lot of catching up to do that's why I logged in early and checked my Google Reader. Imagine my surprise when I checked and saw that my feeds for DSFanboy and PSPFanboy were transformed!

Apparently, all the "Fanboy" sites owned by joystiq are no more. All Nintendo news and bits can be found at http://nintendo.joystiq.com and http://playstation.joystiq.com for the Playstation. Right now my feeds contain a jumble of stuff, including Wii and PS3 news.

The reason I subscribed to DS and PSP Fanboy is because I want handheld gaming news. Nothing more. So this is definitely not according to my liking. What's your opinion about the "Fanboys" moving?

Chinatown Wars: WiFi, Multiplayer & Music Details

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is getting better by the minute. Literally. Who would've thought that the little handheld that could can really pack this much punch?

Continuing the tradition of previous GTA games, Chinatown Wars will feature licensed music but without the vocals. No list of tracks are released as of yet.

One thing of note is Chinatown's multiplayer modes. Aside from being able to upload your claim-to-fames online via a leaderboard, you can also share map details. Know where to get some cool gears? Mark it on your map! Know where to catch some cool jumps? Mark it! And share it with your friends.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars will be released on March 17, 2009. To get a sure copy, pre-order it at Play-Asia.

Mana Khemia: Student Alliance for the PSP Delayed

Handheld RPG lovers will have to wait to get their hands on Mana Khemia. The PSP game was supposed to be released this January but due to "improvements to increase the final quality of the game," expect it to come out in Spring 2009.

Nintendo, Please Give the Green Light to Make Mother 3 DS

In all honesty, I've never played any Mother games before. But the recent buzz about Mother 3's English translation got me interested enough to beg Nintendo to allow a Mother 3 DS version.

According to Brownie Brown, co-developer of Mother 3, they would definitely create a DS version of the game if Nintendo gives them the go-ahead. It's just a matter of time, IMO. With recent success of remakes, I'm sure Mother 3 would eventually make its way to our precious DSes.

[source]

Class of Heroes Coming This April

A JRPG will come to the PSP this coming April, thanks to Atlus. Class of Heroes is a dungeon crawler that puts the focus on character customization.

Class of Heroes has a total of 10 races that the player can choose from. And it claims it has over 500 character possibilities. With 80 hours of gameplay, 75 maps, and over a thousand of items to be had, this one's not for the casual gamers.

From the sound of it, it does seem pretty tough. Reminds of Etrian Odyssey in some way.

The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity Trailer

It's confirmed. There's a lot of running to do in Felix Meets Felicity.

The Chase: Felix Meets Felicity is a cutesy game for the Nintendo DS that features Felix and Felicity (duh!). They're about to meet up for a date and time is a-running-out on them both. Pick a player and guide them through the city so they won't miss their appointment.

The Chase features both D-pad and stylus controls, allowing you to draw paths and platforms. The trailer below should explain it better.

Dragonball: Evolution for the PSP

Namco Bandai recently announced Dragonball: Evolution for the PSP. Unlike previous Dragonball games which are based on the anime and manga series, this one would be based on the upcoming movie of the same name.



Now, I'm not a big Dragonball fan, but I do enjoy watching the anime and playing Dragonball games from time to time. But I know enough to know that Dragonball: Evolution (the movie) sucks big time. I hope this game won't follow suite, but by the looks of it, it will.

The Obama DS Lite

It's just a few minutes until President Barack Obama's inauguration! To honor this historical event, please allow me to share a very nice piece of DS skin I found over at DSFanboy a couple of months back... the ObamaDS!

Yup, that's the incoming President's mugshot on that DS Lite's cover. Carved from Shepard Fairey stickers artwork, Oabama blends nicely with creator juliusbulius' Crimson/Black DS.

[source]

Gyakuten Kenji Japanese Release Date

If you're a fan of Ace Attorney games as much as I am, chances are you've probably heard of a spin-off called Gyakuten Kenji. The game will be released in Japan on May 28.

Gyakuten Kenji, or "Turnabout Prosecutor," or "Miles Edgeworth: Perfect Prosecutor," follows the adventures of Miles Edgeworth as a prosecutor. Edgeworth, as you may know from previous Ace Attorney games, is Phoenix Wright's rival.

Gyakuten's gameplay will be different from its predecessors though. Instead of Ace's visual novel style, this game will be a point-and-click adventure, making players interacts with objects to make  and win a case.

Big Bang Mini Trailer

I'm getting a little behind right now (with "work" and all), that's why I missed the release of Big Bang Mini. Anyway, I'll make up by posting the trailer below.

Big Bang Mini for the Nintendo DS is a bizarre shoot-em-up game wherein you use the stylus to shoot down enemies with fireworks. The game features a particularly awesome art style, with quirky characters to add to the mix. Players will be able to light up the skies of cities, pyramids, and forests. Also, Big Bang Mini features all original music.

Here's the most recent colorful trailer for Big Bang Mini.

Wheel of Time to be Distributed by EA Partners

In 1999 our cable TV was cut-off. I had nothing to do when I got home after school, and we were too poor to have an Internet connection back then. To pass time (and help me go to sleep), I started reading through my brother's books, the first of which is The Eye of the World. I got hooked after the first few chapters, and I've been following the Wheel of Time series ever since.

Back in November, news surfaced of the Wheel of Time games, which will be released on several platforms including handhelds. Just recently, it was announced that EA Partners will be distributing the games.

In addition, a movie is also being planned based on the Wheel of Time books.

[source]

Final Fantasy Legend 2 Remake for the DS

There's always a market for remakes, especially for classics such as Dragon Quest V, Final Fantasy IV, and Chrono Trigger. With the success of said remakes, Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy Legend 2 to the DS.

Also known as SaGa 2, Final Fantasy Legend 2 was released in 1990 by Square for the Game Boy. It was voted as the 94th best game of all time in a 2006 poll done by Famitsu. The remake gets a cel-shaded makeover and is looking quite promising.

[source]

LocoRoco 2 Will Be Budget Priced

Imagine a cool game worth $19.99. Imagine LocoRoco 2 worth $19.99. Awesomeness!

Sony just announced that the much awaited sequel, LocoRoco 2 for the PSP will be priced with budget-gamers in mind. At $19.99, this game will sure garner thanks for cash-strapped kids and parents alike.

Also, a LocoRoco 2 hands-on demo will be awarded to those who can't wait. Simply pre-order the game on Amazon or GameStop and you'll be given a voucher to redeem on the PSN weeks before the game's release.

LocoRoco 2 will be available on February 10.

[source]

Datel's Lite Blue Tool "Hacked" by Sony

Datel is being sued by Sony to prevent the release of its Lite Blue Tool, a service mode battery intended to boot a PSP 3000 into service mode.

Last Novemeber, Datel announced its battery peripheral that will enable homebrew games to run on PSP 3000. At that time the PSP 3000 was known to be impregnable, thus the excitement of all. But since the announcement, the Lite Blue was never heard of again and was never released, probably due to Sony's intervention. If you'll check Datel's website, there's no mention of the Lite Blue Tool anywhere, anymore.

This is indeed a sad day for pirates ;(

[source]

Tenchu 4 Japanese Trailer

Ninjas are always cool in my book, especially so if they come in handheld form just like Tenchu 4 for the PSP.

The recently released Japanese trailer from From Software is full with ninja-action-goodies. The stealth kills are awesome and the graphics are more than one would expect. Sadly, there's no confirmation yet if this game will be released in the US.

Here's the trailer for Tenchu 4 for the PSP.

"Miyamoto" Phat DS: WANT!!

Ebay proved itself as a worthy friend for us handheld gamers as a Phat DS signed by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto recently surfaced.

The signed DS is being auctioned by Mikael, who won the item at 2005's E3 Convention in Los Angeles. He did what most of us would've done: he packed the DS away and never used it hoping to someday put it up on Ebay. As of this writing, the current bid price is at US $810.00. Join the bidding here.

Shigeru Miyamoto is a legend in the world of gaming. He's responsible for games such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros, and Donkey Kong.

Phantasy Star Zero North America Release Date

Phantasy Star Zero is finally given a North American and European release date. Of sorts. A recent press release confirmed the action RPG's arrival on "Winter 2009." It's a bit too early to celebrate, but we'll take that over speculating if Phantasy Star Zero will come to us or not.

To soother are Phantasy Star cravings, here's Phantasy Star Zero's opening sequence. Enjoy.

GTA Chinatown Wars Given An "18" Rating

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) recently gave Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and "18" rating, meaning the Rockstar game is for Mature audiences only. This also made GTA Chinatown the first DS game in the UK to receive such rating.

For many eager fans (such as I), this is no surprise. It's a game with a subgame where you can deal drugs, so I guess it's a pretty fair rating. Add to that the violence and strong language, GTA Chinatown Wars is a truly unique title for the DS, which is bombarded with cutesy casual games every other week.

PSP and PS3 Uber Numbers

On a recent Consumer Electronic Show held in Las Vegas, Sony released a number of numbers they are proud of. They ought to be, as these numbers are HUGE.

• 61.3 million - PSP and PS3's install base
• $1M - Total amount of virtual goods sold thru PlayStaion Home
• 3.4M - PS3s with PlayStaion Home
• $1.3 - Number of LittleBigPlanet sold
• 17M - Unique accounts in the PlayStation Network

[source]

SimAnimals Flying Bear Mini-Game Wants You to Throw Bears

If perchance the title of this post is not clear enough, please allow me to elaborate. It's a mini-game. You pick up a bear. You throw it. As far as you friggin can.

I have to admit, it's pretty fun manhandling those hairy mammals around. If PETA doesn't react to this, I would not eat meat for a month.

This well crated mini-game is rom the creators of the upcoming SimAnimals for the DS which is et to release this January. Play it here.

Brigthly Colored PSPs Heading to Taiwan

As part of a new series called Carnival Color, Sony Asia revealed two new (and may I say bright) colors for the PSP-3000. To be released on January 17 in Taiwan, there's no indication that these PSPs will be available in other territories. The two new colors are aptly named Radiant Red and Vibrant Blue. Guess which is which.

[source]

PSP Brite Hacked!

A hack for the almighty PSP Brite has recently been discovered by lan.st member, MaTiAz. The process involves the participation of the 2005 game GripShift. It's available for download along with the new SDK. Unfortunately, there is no kernal access for this one yet. Watch the video below and then head here for the lan.st thread.

Pata-Pata-Pata-Pon! Tattoo!!!

You know you have a good game when someone voluntarily (and permanently!) etch scenes from it on his/her body. Such is the case with Patapon and Masatomo Ueda.

Masatomo loved Patapon so much that he decided to get a tattoo of the little dudes in action across his body. Nuff said.

[source]

Rhythm Heaven Release Date... November??

If you like to troll Amazon (like yours truly) to check for upcoming gaming goodies, then you might have noticed they listed Rhythm Heaven's release date to be November 30, freakin' 2009. Not only that it's priced at $40. What?!?!


Rhythm Heaven for the Nintendo DS is the sequel to GBA Advanced's Rhythm Tengoku. It's basically a rhythm game with some wicked catchy tunes.

I imported Rhythm Tengoku Gold ages ago, and me likes it a lot. This one might be worth the wait, but I'm doubting fans like me will pay $40 willingly for this game.

Scrabble for the PSP

Speaking of PSP games for 2009, here's one that I can do without. Scrabble, everyone's favorite family game when cable is out, will come to the PSP in March.

Scrabble for the PSP will include three game modes: Classic, Speed, and Slam. There's a training mode and, for competitive scrabblers, multiplayer features.

The expected retail for this game is $30. E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E.

PSP Games I'm Looking Forward To This Year

There's no denying that the PSP didn't end 2008 all too well. With almost zero (awesome) releases, the only thing Sony's handheld going was Dissidia. Oh well, there's always 2009 right?

I have a couple of PSP games I'm looking forward to this year. Some of them might be your favorites too. Among them is Star Ocean: Second Evolution (I'm a big Star Ocean fan), Dissidia: Final Fantasy (who's not anticipating this??), and good ol' Duke Nukem Trilogy. Here's more!

• Star Ocean: Second Evolution
• LocoRoco 2
• Resistance Retribution
• Phantasy Star Portable
• Dissidia: Final Fantasy
• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
• Patapon 2
• Duke Nukem Trilogy

Dragon Quest IX Trailer

It's still a couple of weeks before the release of the 9th installment of the critically and fanatically acclaimed series Dragon Quest. Nevertheless, the buzz surrounding Dragon Quest IX can be constantly heard everywhere.

Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Sky for the DS will be released on March 29. Here's the official trailer from Jump Festa 2009.

28 Minute Korg DS-10 Jam

I have to admit, I'm a mostly into punk, ska, and similar stuff, but I do enjoy a bit of this and that music. I even tried to learn Korg DS-10 for the Nintendo DS, which went nowhere. But these guys obviously had better luck. They better, cause they look like professionals to me.

As part of ID records' 13th year celebration, these guys jammed for an hour using their DS equipped with Korg DS-10. Four DS's in total were used, and the product is a 28-minute long Korg goodness. Again I'm no expert, but I reckon they did a pretty awesome job of it. Here's a video of the event.



[source]

iPhone Game & Watch Games??

If you grew up in the 80s, like yours truly, you're probably mad about anything Game & Watch. I know I am, because those bad boys can pack a whole lotta fun for such a small device. And now that fun can be had if you have an iPhone and a couple of bucks.

Head over the iTunes Store to buy GW Chef, GW Parachute, GW Fire and GW Octopus for $1.99. Be quick about it, though. Nintendo might pull a plug on these real soon.

Renegade Kid's Latest Project

I like Renegade Kid. Aside from their awesome name, they make awesome games. Case in point, Dementium and upcoming Moon. That is why when they announce stuff, I listen.

Jools Watsham of Renegade Kid recently posted a video of him talking about a new game they will be working on. And from the sound of it, he's pretty excited about it. Whether it's for the DS, no one's really sure. We all just have to wait until their official announcement.



I'm hoping for a DS game, of course. Dementium is fantastic, and Moon is looking to be another hit.

Holy Espers, It's a Judge Gabranth Helmet!

Tired of your same-old lame helmet? Then you might want to check out Judge Magister Gabranth's Helmet over at Play-Asia.com, especially if you're a Final Fantasy XII fan. This Square Enix Artifact is a life-sized, 1/1 scale, actual helmet. That you can wear. On your head. Freakin' awesome cool.

It is priced at US$ 1,099.00, which is roughly half of my last year's savings. If you ever decide to buy one, please come back here and gloat.