The faces of Iggy (click for a larger version), the small but fierce coffee-flavored chewing gum addict dog who has become one of the most cherished characters from the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series - you may know it from the several video game adaptations presented by Capcom and Namco Bandai [Editor: And the Japan-only Jump Super/Ultimate Stars fighting series on DS!].
During the latest edition of the AOU Amusement Expo, Banpresto has unveiled a series of top quality figures based on the protagonists from Hirohiko Araki’s twisted manga, whose outlandish plot is filled with references to North American and European rock music from the last four decades. In addition, the company is also taking the chance to release different items especially designed for collectors, from key chains to t-shirts and toys.
Pix’n Love is a French publisher entirely devoted to videogame publications. Together with their regular volumes, blending the book and magazine formats, they’ve also specialized in the creation of works concerning specific subjects: such is the case of this “L’Integrale des Jeux: Nintendo DS”, a 2009 release covering the entire European DS games catalogue in alphabetic order, each title with its own release data and capsule review. According to the publisher, this book will be reprinted regularly so as to keep the games list updated. They also stated that the Nintendo DS platform is only the beginning as many other systems, including the beloved Sega Dreamcast, are planned to follow sometime in the near future.
Eric has returned from his vacation, meaning that our series of guest posts has come to an end. We’ve had some amazingly rad content on the site over the last two weeks, thanks to the diligent efforts of Matt Hawkins, Adam Robezzoli, and Bruno de Figueiredo!
I thought I would link to all our guest posts again, for those of you who are Eric and missed the last couple of weeks. Every link after the break goes to something wonderful that is absolutely worth checking out!
Care for a little trip to Japan and its peculiar formats of TV game show entertainment? Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudanjo (which I won’t even try to translate) is one of the most popular variety shows airing on NTV where serious legal themes are blended with popular comedy. Each night, new couples are invited participate and take the center stage, seeking legal help from a team of lawyers that informs them about divorce procedures or even monetary compensations for emotional damages. Hosted by the iconic Shimada Shinsuke (the man in the cover), the show often shifts the attention from the guest’s marital hindrances to a series of goofy games and activities that help alleviating the stress. Comic relief is also provided by the nonstop jokes and insults coming from Shinsuke, the foul-mouthed entertainer. The Japanese seem to laugh endlessly at this sort of exercise - please have a look.
The DS version is presented by Bandai, now part of the larger NBGI group, and features the voice talent from the actual cast of the program. As seen on the screens, the game is based on dialogue/consultation phases, with the big talking heads appearing on screen over a text box; but also on a far more exciting group of mini-games starring the hosts, advisers and regular celebrity guests.
These activities include a wall-drilling game using the head of Hoji Higashino (one of the hosts); a bizarre facial muscle exercise with Takashi Satoshi in which the player has to press screen buttons in timely manner; and a rhythm game where the lawyers dance to the tune of Taiko no Tatsujin’s lovely drums. Gyouretsu no Dekiru Houritsu Soudanjo for the DS will be released on February 25th in Japan, where it will most definitely remain for obvious reasons: even so, its very existence is highly reassuring as it proves that the Japanese game industry remains just as authentic and insane as ever.
Shinshu Fields theme from the 8-bit version of the Ōkami soundtrack - listen to the original theme here. One of the most coveted videogame music albums of all time, the original compositions were compiled by Capcom into a (now rare and sinfully expensive) five-disc edition featuring the works of Masami Ueda, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Rei Kondoh and Akari Kaida. Given Clover’s admiration for the 8-bit era, the official Japanese site of the game offered visitors the chance to visit a unique retro depiction of Kamiki Village (as shown in the video still image) in which it was possible to move Amaterasu, meet with different characters and hear chiptune versions of some of the most illustrious melodies from this extraordinary adventure.
With thesequel hitting the DS later this year, Ōkami now has the chance to reach a much larger audience than with its first and arguably unsuccessful debut on the PlayStation 2 and remake on the Wii. As suggested by the recent interest in related items such as the latest action figures and picture books, this enchanting game universe appears to be rejuvenating itself with swifter brush strokes and ever more sparkling tints.
Rare photos of the bonus levels of Soul Bubbles. During production, the Mekensleep team lead by Olivier Lejade and Omar Cornut decided to include a few secret venues to be unlocked after the main adventure, in which the game shifts from its colorful TV animation aesthetics to an entirely new ukiyo-e style.
Being one of the most interesting - and, to an extent, original - puzzle game experiences available on the Nintendo DS, I couldn’t help thinking this was the greatest reward for the player’s patience and perseverance when tending to those slippery souls.
The first level of the 1990 Game Boy hit Gargoyle’s Quest. Some weeks ago while playing Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom I found that Red Arremer (known in our English versions of the game as Firebrand) was included in the ending sequence for the character Sōki, from Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams. Before becoming the protagonist of one of the studio’s most celebrated trilogies, this gargoyle had appeared as one of the enemies in the original Ghosts n’ Goblins arcade game - hence his depiction as the enemy in that video finale. Personally, I interpreted it as a sign that I needed to go dig up my old GB cartridge and once more face the hardship of this, my favorite title from the Makaimura series.
While I was at it, I came to the sad conclusion that I’ve lost most of my gamer instincts as I’ve spent over an hour simply to retrieve the Gremlin Stick: in other words, the earliest quest of the game. Still, I was once more charmed its flawless gameplay, its unique blend of RPG and action elements as well as its memorable soundtrack, composed by Yōko Shimomura. Here’s some of the original artwork showing some of the perilous locations where the game takes place: may it inspire you to acquaint yourself - or renew your acquaintance - with this timeless classic!
Although by no means recent, the Shiren the Wanderer series of roguelike RPG adventures has observed a renewed interest from players after the release of the Mystery Dungeon episode on the DS, now hailed as cult classic. Last week I sat down to enjoy a a few hours of the new PSP port of the 2008 Wii game Fūrai no Shiren 3: Karakuri Yashiki no Nemuri-Hime, published in Japan by Spike this January 28th (and out in America on Wii this week, published by Atlus).
I was very pleased to find a game that was entirely in tune with the original purity of the Mystery Dungeon series, in spite of its use of all-new 3D graphics and high quality CGI sequences. Controls and gameplay also benefit from a few new additions — as I’ve stated in the extensive walk through article published today at Eastern Mind. Let’s hope, for the sake of PSP owners and general fans of the genre, that Atlus follows its own example by releasing an English version of this vintage-style treasure hunt.
I was fascinated by the concept behind your latest arcade creation Cho Chabudai Gaeshi. Unfortunately, arcade rooms have become extinct in the West so it’s almost impossible for me and so many other players to do our share of tea table upsetting. For this reason I decided to lend a helping hand and suggest a number of creative hypothesis for a possible conversion of this game that don’t require the production of an expensive new accessory no one would want to buy around here anyway. I’ve asked for the help of Otosama to guide me along the way.
