Handheld Gaming | NDS, PSP, GBA Game Reviews

Plants vs. Zombies for Nintendo DS Trailer

2010-11-11T08:02:00.001-08:00

The gruesome but adorable cast of Plants vs. Zombies is headed to the Nintendo DS this coming January. Aside from plants and zombies, the game will feature new mini-games such as Heat Wave, Homerun Derby, and Air Raid. There will be new achievements to unlock as well so say goodbye to your day as you try to get through those flags!

Here's the trailer for Plants vs. Zombies for the Nintendo DS.

New God of War: Ghost of Sparta Trailer PLUS Deimos

2010-10-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

Special copies of God of War: Ghost of Sparta for the PSP will include a voucher to donwload a skin modeled after Deimos, Kratos' brother, that can be used in God of War 3. Deimos, though not as bald as his brother, has enhanced combat damage and the ability to receive 4x the amount of health, magic, and god orbs. The voucher can be yours if you buy an early copy of Ghost of Sparta, or if you purchase it from Nov 2 - 9 via Playstation Store.

Meanwhile, here's a brand new trailer for God of War: Ghost of Sparta for the PSP.

Okamiden Commercial too cute for TV

2010-10-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

What do you need to advertise a cute game such as Okamiden for the DS? A cute girl, a cute dog, and BAM! You got yourself a purrfect ad for a game featuring a young sun god.

Pokemon Black and White sold 2.6 million units during launch

2010-09-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

Japanese love their Pokemon. So much so that within the first two days of the Japanese launch of Pokemon Black and White it sold 2.6 million units. It's either the Japanese are insanely addicted to Pokemon or the gmae is just that good. To give you an idea, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver sold 1.4 million units during their first two days.

Here's a trailer of Pokemon Black and White. Let's see what's so awesome about it...

11-Year Old Kid's Amazing Super Mario Collection

2010-09-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

If you think you're a hardcore Super Mario fan, better look at this video. Oscar Brown has been collecting Super Mario memorabilia for 6 years. Super Mario toys, accessories, stickers, plush, games, and whatever you can think of this kid got it. He has over 1000 items in his collection and we're sure it'll grow more in years to come.

A fair warning before viewing video below... you'll be jealous!

Plants Vs. Zombies Invading Nintendo DS Soon

2010-08-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

The immensely popular tower/yard/house/pool/roof game Plants Vs. Zombies by PopCap Games will soon be available on the Nintendo DS. It was recently revealed that PVZ will be released on January next year for $19.95.

All original content will be included for the DS version of Plants Vs. Zombies, plus expect some new levels and features. PopCap did the same whing when they released the port of Peggle on the DS so who knows what madness the DS PVZ will include.

To get you all riled up, here's the theme song for Plants Vs. Zombies.

New Super Scribblenauts Trailer reveals the power of... ADJECTIVES!

2010-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

The award-winning puzzle game for the Nintendo DS is back with an expanded vocabulary. Super Scribblenauts will feature the same Maxwell but with bigger puzzles to solve. Also, new to Super Scribblenauts is the use of adjectives. Wondered what it would be like to summon a red car instead of just a car? Now with Super Scribblenauts you can.

After watching this new Super Scribblenauts trailer from Gamescom 2010 can someone please tell me what a hyper-active viking does?

Intellivision coming soon on Nintendo DS

2010-08-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Retro gamers around the world rejoice! Well, only those with a Nintendo DS should... for Intellivision games will soon invade the DS this coming September!

Classic games such as Astro Smash, Armor Battle, Night Stalker and Shark! Shark! plus a whole lot more will be part of Virtual Play's Intellivision Lives! The DS touchscreen will act as control with custom game overlay.

For those too young to know what Intellivision is, video below shows what we grown ups used to play back in the day.

Okamiden Invades Comic-Con 2010, Attacks with New Footage

2010-07-27T10:18:00.000-07:00

There's now ending the cuteness of Okamiden. We've featured this Nintendo DS game before and we still can't get enough of it. Maybe it's the weird way the characters talk? Or maybe it's just the art of the game. One thing we know is we can't wait until 2011 when the game is released.

Here's the new gameplay footage of Okamiden that recently surfaced on Comic-Con 2010.

Final Fantasy 4: The 4 Heroes of Light New Trailer

2010-07-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

In Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, players are charged with saving a princess while of course battling hordes of baddies. This latest Final Fantasy spin-off was already released in Japan last year but now North American Nintendo DS owners can have a go at it on October 5th.

In this newest Final Fantasy 4: The 4 Heroes of Light trailer, the world map is shown and some shots of villages. Don't be fooled by the characters' cuteness though, the game is wicked fun and was sold out in Japan the 2nd week of its release.

Chibiterasu Plush Doll Coming Out Soon

2010-07-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

If you're an avid reader of Handheld Gaming then you probably know how excited we are of Okamiden. Don't hold it against us, though. Blame the awesomely cute protagonist of this upcoming Nintendo DS game, Chibiterasu. If only we can hug, cuddle, and shower it with kissess... OMG soon we can!!!

The Chibiterasu plush doll will soon be available via Capcom's Japanese online store. It's expected to ship on Oct. 31 for approximately $58US.

The 3rd Birthday Trailer

2010-06-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

If you're like us then you still cherish those good ol' PSOne games. Remember Parasite Eve? We sure do. Good times... That's why we're excited to hear about The 3rd Birthday for the PSP. Play again as Aya Brea and use her new powers to psychically leap between allies' bodies.

Nintendo 3DS Finally Revealed

2010-06-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Nintendo recently revealed the latest DS system, the 3DS. Every gamer I've talked to is excited about this latest handheld one way or another. Yours truly can't wait either. Mario Kart on 3D? Sign me up! I could talk on and on about it here, but it would be best if I point you to Nintendo 3DS Games, a blog dedicated to the Nintendo 3DS system.

Okami & Okamiden Cups Brim-full of Cute

2010-06-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

As if Okamiden for the Nintendo DS is not adorable enough, Capacom decided to offer this pair of Okami mugs designed with Chibiterasu and Amaterasu, the original protagonist in Okami.

As you can see from the image above, the mug changes color when you pour hot liquid in, preferably oolong tea. The page on Capcom also offers different Okami/Okamiden collectibles such as shirts, DVD, books, and soundtrack.

[source]

Mario Trump Cards are made of AWESOME

2010-06-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Fun fact: did you know that Nintendo has its humble beginnings producing playing cards back in 1889? Well, recently they decided to give cards another go by offering three sets of "Mario Trump" playing cards.

There's the "Dot" deck which features pixelated Mario characters; the "Standard" deck sports hand-drawn Mario artwork; and the "Neon" deck with 3D Mario characters that we're all seeing lately. Each deck is sold at around $12.00.

My favorite would have to be the "Dot" deck. What's yours?

Pokemon Phantom Champion Z Movie Trailer

2010-04-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Not really a game post, but slightly related especially so if you're into catching cute pocket monsters. And it's quite fitting due to recent announcements and release of MORE Pokemon games. Below is the trailer for the 13th (yes, there are 12 movies prior this) Pokemon movie, Phantom Champion Z. Hope you guys enjoy it

Music Video Created Using Flipnote Studio

2010-04-13T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you think that Flipnote Studio, a free app for the Nintendo DSi, is good for just quick goofy animations, this video will change your mind. Billy Polard created this video for his own song, Losing Light. Now before you hit that play button, be warned: the video and song is particularly sad ;(

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions Trailer Makes My Senses Tingly

2010-04-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Not really a handheld exclusive, but the fanboy in me just can't help but post about Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions. This new spiderman game is set to be released on almost all gaming platforms including the PSP and DS.

Not much detail is available yet about Shattered Dimensions. All we know is from the trailer below. Basically there will be four Spidermans available for play. Those that are revealed are Amazing and Noir Spiderman. We'll post update as soon as it is out!

Dementium 2 for the DS Trailer

2010-03-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

It took me over a month before I got over how scary and creepy Dementium for the DS was. Now thanks to this new Dementium 2 trailer the chills went back. This is scary stuff folks so be warned.

Nintendo DSi XL Hands-On Video

2010-03-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Nintendo has announced recently the arrival of the Nintendo DSi XL to North American shores this coming March 28th. The DSi XL is a much bigger version of the regular DSi plus some more features. With a price tag of just $190, this sure will be another money-maker for Nintendo. But hey, as long as we're having fun you'll hear no complains from us.

Here is an excellent hands-on video review of the Nintendo DSi XL.

Dante's Inferno Super Bowl Ad

2010-02-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

The general public was introduced to Dante's Inferno last Super Bowl with its more than superb ad. Demons, fire, and more demons are just some of the elements you'll see in this video. Rumor has it that CBS rejected Dante's Inferno's tagline, "Go to Hell," for much mlder "Hell Awaits." Either way, I can't wait for this game!

Two More Games for Cooking Mama This Year

2010-01-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

If you think that after a bunch of successful games Mama would throw in her apron, well think again. Majesco recently announced that they will be releasing two more Cooking Mama games this year. The last two for the DS, Gardening Mama and Cooking Mama 3, were a hit especially to young audiences. This might be the reason Majesco is looking to expand Mama's talent. I for one am looking forward to what Mama will fix for us next.

[source]

Rockin' Koopa Troopa Guitar

2010-01-12T10:09:00.000-08:00

Koopa Troopas. They're green turtles and a formidable foe for the best bros in the world, Mario and Luigi. But sometimes Koopa Troopas can be cool too. Especially when they are made into freakin' electric guitars!!

This fully-functioning guitar is made by some dudes on reddit and the world is a little bit more awesome by it. If only all baddies from the game world are made into string instruments...

Professor Layton & the AWESOME FuruFuru Figure

2009-11-24T08:41:00.000-08:00

I love me some Professor Layton. My friends look at me funny whenever they see me going at Prof's puzzles. I guess I'm just a sucker for a good puzzle. Anyhoo, that's why I'm posting this more than awesome action figure of Proffessor Hershel Layton himself.

The FuruFuru figure stands 13cm and features a bobbing head. It sells at around $28 and is shipping on January 2010. Oh, and there's a Luke figure too.

[source]

Easy Piano to Teach DS Owners... Piano

2009-11-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

This Nintendo DS game wins the most awesome peripheral in my book. The Easy Piano for the DS includes, well, a piano that you can slide into your DS' GBA slot.

The 13-key keyboard attachement aims to teach gamers how to play the piano lady- and gentleman-like. You can record performances and there's a rhythm game to boot. Obviously, this game won't be coming to the DSi. Here's to hoping for a sequel with DSi compatibilty :)

Zelda Spirit Tracks Collector's Tin

2009-10-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

Nintendo is at it again with their memorabilia antics. Fans of our silent hero Zelda would rejoice to hear that The Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks for the DS can be purchased in a sturdy (don't take our word for it) and quite awesome tin game box.

Spirit Tracks: Limited Tin Edition is actually a pre-order bonus and is available from Gamestation's parent company GAME. Price tag is set to be £39.99 while the regular Spirit Tracks is £29.99.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars PSP Debut Trailer

2009-10-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

After much success on the Nintendo DS system, GTA Chinatown Wars will try its luck on the PSP this coming October 20. Based on its debut trailer, it looks like the game will be using the same story and characters and the same top-view action. The graphics are, of course, better on the PSP. One thing's for sure, we won't be using our stylus to complete mini-games :)

Ghostbusters for the PSP Trailer

2009-10-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

I grew up watching Slimer and the rest of the Ghostbusters crew so I hope they don't mess this game up. It looks pretty decent based on the video below, but I'll have to wait for more gameplay before making up my mind.

Ghostbusters for the PSP is set to be released on November 2009.

22,802: Total Number of Words in Scribblenauts

2009-09-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

My bad. I should have said "alleged" total number of words you can conjure in 5th Cell's latest Nintendo DS game, Scribblenauts. That is if you would be believe the word of a hacker who claims to have hacked the game's ROM and extracted the full list.

Scribblenauts is a sort of puzzle game where you try to obtain "starrites" by typing in words to help you out. The fun in this game is you are only limited to your imagination. Want the help of a rhino? Type it in! Need a pterodactyl's assistance? You got it!

It is in our opinion that obtaining this list would do you no good. Where's the fun in looking through a long list of words trying to figure out what works? It wouldn't hurt to peek though ;)

Dementium II Box Art: Scary

2009-08-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

If Dementium for the Nintendo DS didn't give you the creeps, then congratulations to you mt dear friend. It made me almost throw my DS Lite in sheer terror to say the least. And now Dementium II is about to come out, and it's sure to give guys like me new nightmares to look forward to. Just look at its awesomely designed box art.

New Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story Trailer

2009-08-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Rabid Super Mario fans are going to drool after watching this trailer for sure. What's worse, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story has no set US release date yet so we adoring fans have no choice but to wait and speculate. If my memory serves me right, this game will be released "this fall". For now, here's another gameplay trailer to set our moods straight :(

New Scribblenauts Trailer Shows Bike-Jumping-Over-Baby Action

2009-07-28T09:12:00.000-07:00

If you've been online in the past week, you've probably felt it --- Scribblenauts fever! Seems every gaming blog is talking about this gem of a game by 5th Cell. I don't mind though. I'm liking this ds game more after every gameplay video and trailer. This next one's extra cool; featuring more helibackpack, medusa and sniper rifles.

Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Rich Osouji! Trailer

2009-07-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

Our favorite Chibi-Robo will be at it again this coming July 23 when its newest DS game, Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Rich Osouji! comes out.

As you may remember Chibi-Robo also appeared on Park Patrol which I must say is brimming with cuteness. But don't let the looks fool you, this is a fun and challenging game indeed.

Here's the trailer for Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Rich Osouji!

Supertendo Portable SNES - AWESOMENESS!!!

2009-07-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ahh the SNES. I remember spending a good 3-4 hours or so a day with mine back in the day. Wish I could play awesome games such as DK Country again. But I would like it in handheld form. Maybe those are the exact thoughts of this modder when he created this magnificent masterpiece --- the Supertendo Portable SNES!

By the looks of it, this must weigh a ton. And a little on the bulky side too. But who cares, eh?? It's a super mod!

Japan Attacked by More Monster Hunter Bundles

2009-06-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Them Japanese love their Monster Hunter unlike in the US or Europe. But I have to admit, the game has its charm. That love is probably the reason why there are two Monster Hunter PSP bundles out right now.

The bundle is available in Vibrant Blue and Radiant red, both comes with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G or Freedom Unite.

DodoGo: Roll Dodo Eggs to Safety

2009-06-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Envy of PSP owners playing LocoRoco? Then envy no more, fellow DS owner -- DodoGo is here! This little game might not be a LocoRoco, but it sure has similar gameplay, mechanics, and charm!

In DodoGo you are tasked to guide Dodo eggs to safety. By using your stylus, you can perform awesome stuff such as connecting pulleys, placing springs and changing the land. Predators are out to eat your babies so be sure to be wary of those.

Here's the official DodoGo trailer for your perusal.

Life-Sized Gundam Statue

2009-06-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Note: This post is not handheld-gaming-related at all. This pic set is just too cool to pass up.

Here's another reason to love (or fear) Japan: a freakin' 1/1 scale Gundam . Or as I would like to call it, a giant robot statue full of awesome.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Gundam franchise someone thought it would a good idea to build a freaking life-sized statue of a Gundam RX-78 mecha. It stands 59 foot tall and boasts 50 points in which pretty lights will shoot out. No word if these "lights" are actually skin-scalding lasers.

I would totally buy a ticket to Japan this intant if they say that one could go inside this life-sized Gundam, in like the cockpit or somthing.

[source]

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box Trailer

2009-06-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

OMG! It's really coming! I've been waiting for the second Professor Layton game since... well since I finished Professor Layton and the Curious Village! Here's the trailer for Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box!

The Professor Layton series for the DS is a puzzle video game where players have to solve puzzles to move the story along. It sounds boring when I write it but those who've played it knows what a gem this game is. There are currently three games in the series and there's three more to come in 2010.

Take Your Pokemon for a Walk Pokemans!

2009-06-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

What if I told you that a new Pokemon game, Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, will soon be out? What if I told you a Pokemon on that game can be build experience if you take a walk it? Meet the Poke Walker.

The Poke Walker uses the same technology as Personal Trainer: Walking. The more you walk with this device in your person, the more experience and presonal affinity your Pokemon will get. Also, this cute little device generates "watts" which you could use to catch creatures and such.

Kratos Showing Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Characters How It's Done

2009-06-03T09:57:00.000-07:00

God-killer Kratos is set to show up as a guest character on the upcoming PSP title Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny. Kratos, or K-dog as I like to call him, is the main character of God of War and is undoubtedly the owner of the hardest pair of cojones in gaming history.

Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny for the PSP is another great addition to the franchise. The game will feature returning characters such as Cassandra, Seong Mi-na, Tira and Voldo. A new character by the name of Dampierre will also be introduced. This awesome fighting game will be released on September 30, 2009.

Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Trailer

Blood of Bahamut Release Date

2009-05-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Japanese gamers are most delighted to hear that they'll be getting Blood of Bahamut earlier (as usual). The action/RPG title for the DS is set to be released in Japan on August 6. 2009.

Blood of Bahamut is a DS game like no other, often referred to as Final Fantasy meets Shadow of the Colossus because of the fact that you fight from the back of a gigantic giant aptly name Gigant. Oh and you fight other giants too. I hope they are named better.

Here's the latest Blood of Bahamut trailer:

Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits Song List

2009-05-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

The song list for Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits was released recently with much fanfare from modern rockers. But sadly, I must be getting old for I do not know of 60% of these bands or their songs. But hey, at least I'll get to know them by rocking out their tunes on my Nintendo DS :)

Here's the full song list for you young ones:

12 Stones - "Adrenalin"
AFI - "Miss Murder"
Angels & Airwaves - "Call to Arms"
Atreyu - "Falling Down"
Black Tide - "Shockwave"
Coldplay - "Violet Hill"
Endeverafter - "I Wanna Be Your Man"
Evanescence - "Sweet Sacrifice"
Fall Out Boy - "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race"
Finger Eleven - "Paralyzer"
Foo Fighters - "All My Life"
Franz Ferdinand - "The Fallen"
Kaiser Chiefs - "Ruby"
Lenny Kravitz - "Where Are We Runnin'?"
Modest Mouse - "Dashboard"
Phantom Planet - "Do The Panic"
Sum 41 - "Still Waiting"
Tenacious D - "The Metal"
The Bravery - "Unconditional"
The Donnas - "What Do I Have to Do"
The Duke Spirit - "Lassoo"
The Fratellis - "Chelsea Dagger"
The Kooks - "Always Where I Need to Be"
The Offspring - "Half-Truism"
The Strokes - "Reptilia"
Weezer - "Everybody Get Dangerous"
Wolfmother - "Dimension"
Yellowcard - "Lights and Sounds"

Dante's Inferno for the PSP Looks Hot... Literally

2009-04-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

The PSP world is all a-buzz about Dante's Inferno, an action game often compared to God of War. By the looks of the in-game screenshots below, this game might have a good chance against hardcore Kratos fans.

Developed by EA Redwood Shores, Dante's Inferno is an action adventure game loosely based on the canticle of the same name from Dante Aligheri's epic poem Divine Comedy. The game will come out in 2010 and will make an appearance on the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well.

[image source]

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Demo

2009-04-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Mark June on your calendars ghouls and gals, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite for the PSP is coming! The demo of the hit Japanese game will arrive on the PlayStation Store and will feature a couple of missions to play through. You start as a higher level character as well, to fully experience Monster Hunter and why the Japanese are crazy for it. The Freedom Unite demo can be played alone or with pals using Ad-Hoc multiplayer.

As mentioned, the Monster Hunter franchise is a cash machine in Japan, but can't seem to find its footing in the US. Here's to hoping Capcom can finally pull it off!

Awesome Defined: Lego Rock Band

2009-04-21T08:54:00.000-07:00

If regular Rock Band games are not to your liking, then hear out Lego Rock Band. As the name implies, it's Rock Band with rocking Lego characters. It's set to be released for the PS3, 360, Wii and DS this year's holiday season.

Lego Rock Band is aimed at a more younger audience and will allow customization of minifigure avatars, manager, and roadies. Here's a partial song list:

Blur - Song 2
Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting
Europe - The Final Countdown
Good Charlotte - Boys and Girls
Pink - So What

Pokemons Invade Children's Hospitals

2009-04-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Much like those-specially-darn-cute-dogs that make rounds in US hospitals, the Pokemon mobile X-ray machine pictured below is designed to put a smile on sick children's faces.

Shimadzu, a Japanese company, came up with this awesome idea. The machine comes in Pokemon Diamond or Pearl theme, complete with Pokeball wheels. What's more awesome is that the thing actually works as an X-ray machine.

Pokemons never fails to brigthen my day whenever I see one, and I'm 20+ years old. Imagine what it can do to kids, and Japanese kids at that :)

[source]

Play God with Konami's Ant Nation

2009-04-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Konami is on a roll these past few weeks, and the Nintendo DS is in their sights as well. They are set to release WireWay, a platform/action game, and Ant Nation, a game where you decide the fate of an entire ant farm.

Ant Nation is a strategy game where you train ants to help them endure harsh weathers and marauding invaders. How can you train ants, you ask? By using various objects of torture such as hammers, fire, water and many more.

Sounds a ton of awesome. I've played a similar game years ago on the PC, I just can't remember the title of the game :(

Final Fantasy VII Now Available for Download

2009-04-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hold your horses FFVII fans! This amazing PlayStation Store download is only available in Japan. Sorry to disappoint you there. But it's good to know, though, right?

The classic RPG that everyone loves (or hate??) can now be played in handheld form via the PSP, just in time for the Blu-ray release of Advent Children Complete. Final Fantasy VII for the PSP, or PS3, can be purchased for 1500 yen and is a hefty 1715MB download.

As an FF fan, I would dearly love to see this find its way in the US. Sadly, there are no such news yet. Xenogears was released in Japan too, but never made it here :(

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Trailer

2009-04-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

If this is anything near Phantom Hourglass then we're all in for a ride! And by the looks of the trailer, it is plus a whole bunch more!

As far as I can tell from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks trailer above, the graphics are pretty much the same. We see the same old Link from Hourglass riding a train, casting some sort of wind magic, and fighting off a huge insect. Awesome!

I Have An Arcade Site

2009-03-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

Alright. I have to come clean. The real reason why I haven't been posting for the past few weeks is I'm too busy. Too busy with work. Too busy working on my NEW arcade site!!! And it's crazy awesome according to my mom.

AracadeLoco is what I decided to call it. And it's up and running now. It's a work in progress though. So please excuse the mess. As far as I can tell the hard part is done and I can now go back to blogging. Yay! Again, thats http://www.arcadeloco.com. Visit it dammit!

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor DS

2009-02-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

My oh my! What a loooong blog break. My apologies. I have a lot to catch up with, and I'll do my best by starting with Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor for the DS.

Dated to be released this June, Devil Survivor is an RPG under the Megami Tensei franchise. If you've not played previous MegaTen games, you'll be in for a treat.

Megami Tensei games takes place in modern Japan, unlike most common RPGs, and refers to monsters as devils or demons. There's also an abundance of mythological references when it comes to devil names and appearances. Also, choices you make, often moral in nature, affects the overall ending of the game.

Nintendo's Millions

2009-01-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-30T08:57:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-29T11:10:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-28T07:32:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T14:56:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T15:21:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-14T15:22:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-12T14:58:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-01-07T15:21:00.000-08:00

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??

2009-01-07T09:28:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-02T15:33:00.000-08:00

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??

2009-01-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

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.

Guitar Hero Modern Hits to Hit DS

2008-12-29T15:07:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-29T08:54:00.000-08:00

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:

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

Hardware:

DSi - 204,144
PSP - 145,957
Wii - 131,054
DS Lite - 50,308
PS3 - 39,136
Xbox 360 - 12,914
PS2 - 8,662

[source]

Blog Break!

2008-12-24T10:03:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-12-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T15:55:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

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"

2008-12-18T15:03:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

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.