Nintendo "Officially" Announces New Console For 2012

Although news (and a few images) have been leaking out for a little while now about the successor to the Wii, an official statement from the company's financial report has been popping up all over the Internet today officially announcing the new console will be shown (and possibly playable) at E3 this year. Codenamed 'Project Cafe', the new console is rumored to feature HD visuals that rival the PS3 and Xboxhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif 360 along with an innovative new controller with a 6.2" touch screen that enables downloading and playing games through the console without turning on your TV!

The new system is expected to launch in 2012, but no pricing, features or software announcements have been made yet. This is certainly exciting news for Nintendo fans and gamers in general, as there's little doubt that we'll all be seeing something innovative and extremely user friendly very shortly. Of course, we'll also see the Wii and its games drop in price, so it'll be interesting to see how his affects those numbers, as traditionally, "dying" consoles get a spike in sales as budget-minded families seize the opportunity to grab up systems and games for kids who care not a whit for flashy graphics and expensive new controllers. Time for another poll, I guess...

Help Evil Controllers Save the Planet... By Playing Games!

Aha. So Evil Controllers isn't so 'Evil" after all (I knew they had a soft side!). Anyway, the company is teaming up with Chicago's Whitney M. Young HS' Gamers Go Green team for a rather cool and power-saving event that's a good way for families to get together for an hour of quality gaming time... even if there's NOT a video game in the house!

Details below the jump. Go, Evil!

SOE Cuts 200+ Jobs, Kills The Agency -THQ Drops Staff At Kaos, Volition Studios

It's been a capital "L" Lousy week for the industry in a pretty rocky few years that have seen quite a few layoffs, studio closures and newer, smaller studios formed after such shakeups. But the cost is certainly getting higher. Sony Online Entertainment has let go 205 employees and shot down the PS3/PC massively multiplayer online shooter/action game, The Agency, which had been in development for a few years. This news in particular irks me because I remember seeing and playing a very early demo build about two or three years back and thinking the team was onto something really unique. I recall asking if the team planned to do the game as single player with straight co-op modes and no MMO functionality in case things went south during the rest of long dev cycle, but everyone seemed to believe the game would find an audience based on the spy theme and solid Unreal 3-powered visuals... Now we'll never know.

Hudson Entertainment Shuts Down, Activision Slays Guitar Hero, True Crime

In a double shot PLUS of depressing industry news, it looks as if the current recession plus gaming trends split down the middle toward bigger-budgeted or smaller indie "casual" games has taken down the US offices one a fan favorite middle range publisher and a couple of major franchises by a major publisher. Of course, the real story is how companies see games (and the creativity behind them) as commodities and simply chop product lines and jobs based on under-performance (among other things) rather than shift jobs around to other projects. Fan favorite Hudson Entertainment is shutting down its US offices by the end of this month, according to multiple reports including a blog post by Morgan Haro, Hudson's US Brand Manager.

Namco Bandai's Big Game Announcements Continue (Ridge Racer Fans Burning Out On Forums Worldwide...)

This weeks winner and new champion of cool game announcements (at least for a day or so more), Namco Bandai, continues to shake things up with even more new (and slightly surprising) game announcements. In addition to the one-two punch of Dark Souls and Armored Core V, expect to see Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions on the 3DS, two all-new separate titles on one 3DS cart. The company is also set to produce a totally new current-gen Ridge Racer that's already been a huge source of controversy amongst some hardcore fans of the franchise. (More on that in a separate posting).

In other 3DS news, the oddly (yet precisely) titled DualPenSports looks to train players in dual stylus wielding in a series of mini-games and sports-based challenges that offer, according to the press release, "a stimulating mental workout and improved hand eye coordination". Sound like a mix of the DS games Brain Training, Left Brain/Right Brain and one of the company's Active Life titles on the Wii, so it should be fun for all.

Namco Bandai has also acquired the rights to publish Power Rangers titles in North America for consoles and handhelds, which means we'll be seeing those characters start popping up on a regular basis in a bunch of slickly produced Power Rangers Samurai games. Given Bandai's long pedigree of generally high quality Mobile Suit Gundam, Naruto, InuYasha and many more franchise titles geared toward younger gamers, I'd say the Power Rangers are in pretty good hands.

Speaking of Gundam... two words: Omega Force. Two more words: Tecmo Koei. Yup, that means we'll also be seeing Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 (Gundam Musou 3) hit the PS3 and Xbox 360. While some folks hate the Musou franchise for its seemingly simple hack & slash combat, I'm a longtime fan and happy about this news. I'll be running updated info, trailers and screens on these new games as they come in.

Namco Bandai To Publish Dark Souls, Armored Core V (The Plot Thickens...)

“FromSoftware has an excellent pedigree of producing remarkable fan-favorite games that have made a huge impact and invigorated their respective categories,” said Kenji Hisatsune president and CEO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The two upcoming games will exemplify this heritage while yet again introducing exciting new ways for gamers to experience these genres.”

“Combining the development power of FromSoftware with NAMCO BANDAI Games’ global publishing expertise will greatly benefit our upcoming projects,” said Eiichi Nakajima, studio head, FromSoftware, Inc. “We look forward to a successful partnership and delivering new revolutionary titles for gamers around the world.”

In the words of the great philosophers: Oh hell, yes.

Project Dark Isn't Demon's Souls II, Set for PS3, Xbox 360 (Atlus Not Included...)

I figured as much, but waiting for confirmation before rambling on and over-speculating is usually a really good idea. From Software has indeed been toiling away on a follow up to Demon's Souls, the huge hit for the developer that featured some truly hardcore difficulty as well as an innovative online mode. According to Japanese games magazine Famitsu, the upcoming RPG Dark Souls (formerly Project Dark) is NOT a direct sequel to Demon's Souls, but explores and expands upon the gameplay found in the first game. Dark Souls will feature a larger, seamless game world with "more complex geometry", a deeper character creation feature and what's looking like enhancements to the online play.

Shockingly (well, for some folks), Atlus won't be localizing or publishing the new game in North America (or anywhere else for that matter). Namco Bandai has the US and European publishing rights, which may mean we'll see the game on a press tour at some point here in NYC. Additionally, the game will be 360-bound in North America/Europe and a PS3 exclusive in Japan (which is sort of a big "ouch!" to the much smaller Japanese 360 user base). I'd say they could use the instant worldwide sales Dark Souls will no doubt bring them, as a few of their releases from last year didn't do too well critically. No release date has been announced, but the game is expected to launch before the end of this year.

More info on this as it comes in... stay tuned.

Sony Unveils New NGP Portable System In Japan (Or: Welcome...The Artist Formerly Known as PSP2)

In possibly the WORST kept secret in an industry known for more leaks than the Titanic crossed with an incontinent elephant, Sony's next-generation successor to the PSP has finally been given it's official public unveiling at a press event in Tokyo. Codenamed NGP (Next Generation Portable), the new unit is sleeker than the current model and comes packed to the digital gills with a bunch of expected and unexpected features and functionality. The new handheld will feature dual analog controls (along with the standard D-pad and PlayStation keys), front and rear touch pads, Sixaxis motion control, a three-axis compass along with 3G network and Wi-Fi support.

In addition, while there's no UMD slot, there's a physical media slot that uses a dedicated card storage format, front and rear cameras and amazingly, a 5 inch OLED display that's four times the resolution of the PSP (go, Sony!). According to Sony, the new system is due for release during this Christmas holiday season - start saving those pennies, folks!

More info (and yes, SPECS) below the jump.

Knights Contract Goes Gold, Set To Hit Retail February 22

Namco Bandai has announced that Game Republic's M-rated action game (and one I happen to be looking forward to for its supremely bizarre monsters) has gone gold and has a release date of February 22, 2011. In case you're wondering "Just what the heck is Knight's Contract?", well, a few snippets from the press release below the jump should help...

Nintendo Reveals 3DS Launch Details

In short: so I was right on a few fronts: The US Nintendo 3DS will cost $249.99, come with a few built in games, an upgradable 2MB SD card and will get around 30 games within the launch window (March-June). The 3DS has three cameras, can auto-generate a pic of you into a Mii (nice) and will be able to play DS games (not in 3D) as well as downloadable GameBoy and GBA games. Street Pass" is an optional "social networking" function that allows for trading high scores and other data with nearby 3DS units.

3DS will be stores February 26 in Japan, March 27 in the US, March 25 in Europe and UK (which have a quirky "per retailer" price point structure that so far ranges from 219-249 Euros/Pounds - yikes!). The fine folks at engadget have a lot more clout than lil' ol Mii, so here's link to their deeper coverage. I'll have a list of confirmed titles shortly.

Arkane Studies Releases Final Arx Fatalis Patch, Source Code

One of the best PC role-playing games of the last decade, was Arx Fatalis, Arkane Studios' homage to the classic PC games Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II. In case you've never played it, it's time you finally did. It's still around today as a downloadable game over at Steam, gog.com and Direct2Drive or you can probably track down a physical copy on ebay for either PC or original Xbox (but I don't think it's backward compatible on the 360, so you may want to check that out first).

Arkane has just released the final patch as well as the complete source code for the game (it's now Vista and Windows 7 compatible), which means the mod community now has another game to take apart and improve into an even better experience. I hadn't played the game in about a year or so, but after downloading the new patch and firing up an old save and playing for an hour or so, it's still a solid chunk of gaming. I'm not a fan of the window mode that's been patched in, but I'm sure there's a quick fix for that. Anyway, yes - another great game to try if you haven't yet - enjoy!

Sega to Release Dreamcast Collection on Xbox 360, Windows PC

Well, alright (with a minor gripe) - Sega is tapping back into its Dreamcast library and will release a collection of four classics for the system as both a retail packaged disc for the Xbox 360 and a digital download for Windows PC. The simply titled Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25, 2011, in Europe and February 22 in North America and feature Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5. According to the press release, both versions will have enhanced graphics while only the 360 version will have Achievements as well as online leader board support.

“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favorites on this Xbox 360 and Windows PC."

True... but none of those games in this collection were online enabled in terms of gameplay as far as I remember (he said, looking at his DC collection). That and, for the love of Knuckles... why no PS3 version?

LBP2 Goes For Guinness World Records Next Week

Sony is certainly planning to launch Little Big Planet 2 in style. Next week down at the Sony Style Store's PlayStation Lounge here in NYC, a bunch of dedicated gamers are going to attempt to set and break a number of Guinness World Records. Hell, someone should have told yours truly this, as my own personal gaming record is 52 hours straight playing Shining Force 2 on the Sega Genesis back in the day. Granted, my old-timer butt would probably pass out after three hours and no Geritol supply, but hey - I'd go down fighting, dammit! Press release below the jump - I'll be at the event next week for a bit of coverage.

EL Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron Gets Japanese Launch Date, New Screens

One of the more intriguing games I've had my eye on, UTV Ignition's El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, is finally getting a Japanese release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 this April with a US and European launch dates to be announced (he typed, with fingers crossed). Here's a look at some of the latest screens from the visually striking action/adventure game. I'll run a gallery later featuring a few of the beautiful (and nicely offbeat) wallpapers from the official site. I may as well stick the press release below the jump so you folks can find out what the game is all about (sorry for the cut 'n paste job - I'm tinkering away on some reviews and such, so I'm cutting back on my word count in today's posts)...

Nintendo 3DS Pre-Order Madness Starts With Nary A Price Point In Sight (AND Your Kids WIll Go BLIND... Er, Maybe)...

I'm gathering that reports that the upcoming 3DS will carry a warning about use of its innovative 3D functionality being not recommended (or good, for that matter) for the eyesight of kids under six years old isn't going to stop anyone from putting down a fat deposit at Gamestop and posting copies their receipts online. Of course, those pre-ordering folk aren't six years old (and hopefully don't have kids coming up on that age they want to introduce to that sort of eye/brain strain) and heck, trying to stop early adopters from throwing packs of money around is sort of bad for the economy (which someone should tell those AGAINST alternative fuel sources).

Still, Nintendo really needs to play offense as well as defense here as they address this potential sales-killing (or class action lawsuit bringing) issue as more of the dopier media outlets (you know, the ones that ALWAYS take the "Video games will turn your kids into mass murdering sex fiends in three seconds!" approach to this sort of news) take this negative angle and run wild with it. I say, as long as parents can read the damn box (or have a clerk point this age limit out to them) BEFORE they buy it, it's all good. Now, about that price point... Guess we'll see by CES (my prediction: $249.99, but perhaps with a pack-in and maybe loaded with some cool stuff)

My REAL question is this: Why the hell do we keep seeing kid's movies arriving in theaters (then later on DVD or Blu-Ray) in 3D if kids under six shouldn't be able to watch them at all? Granted, you can sit around playing "normal" games for hours on end with only a few issues. 3D gaming has been headache-inducing since the 90's when there were something like two to four minute experiences along with a few other applications. I guess we'll see what happens after the 3DS ships and more folks can afford 3D televisions and those expensive glasses.

Still, I'm crazy that way. I can see myself playing a 3D game 'til I fall off the couch from dizziness, but I just can't imagine myself or someone else watching more than two 3D movies in a row before their butt tries to bite them for making them sit so long doing nothing...

Earth Defense Force 2017 Now Available On Xbox Live (Finally!)

I was wondering when D3Publisher was going to answer the call of the wild ones who either sold off or traded their copies, missed out on Sandlot's superior sleeper or just want to play what all the fuss is about. Having played and beat the disc version to death and beyond a few years back, I'll re-review the downloadable version shortly and see if it's still as addictive as ever. in addition to the Xbox Live Games On Demand relaunch, D3 is looking to draw in fans old and new by reviving the EDF 2017 website.

Sadly, there's no news of a PS3 port of 2017 any time soon, but I'm hoping D3 has plans to introduce western gamers to the two previous games in the series in the form of the PAL versions of the game (Monster Attack and Global Defence Force). While PSN would be the best format for some EDF fans, I'm also hoping (memo to D3: DO this for the fans!) the games are added to the Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon Blu-Ray disc for those who don't yet have PSN accounts. Hell, there's more than enough space on that format to fit the localized versions, that's for sure...

In case you haven't played EDF before, it's a fantastic chunk of run 'n gun arcade action that's surprisingly deep and incredibly long in terms of netting the game's small amount of achievements. 53 levels, completely destructible structures in the outdoor maps, split-screen co-op (no online play, sorry!) Over 150 weapons to collect and some of the toughest difficulty spikes (in solo play particularly) you'll ever see await those daring with twenty bucks in hand. Trust me, the experience is worth twice the price, folks...

Nippon Ichi's Having a Little Holiday Sale...

HEY! Want some very, very cool Nippon Ichi, Gust, and other sweet NISA stuff from games to anime DVD's, soundtracks and more? Well, just bust out that credit card or PayPal account and click that pic above. Plushies, Prinnies, Glicees and more wallet exploding goodness galore!

Some of the prices are flat out BARGAINS (Disgaea DS or My Lord, What Have I Done to Deserve This 2 PSP for $10? BOOM, I'm there!), which means you'll go crazy with the deals here, dood! They've got my money already (What, you thought I get ALL my games for free?)!

Atlus Announces Radiant Historia For Nintendo DS in 2011

We absolutely love Atlus and Atlus loves us right back. Maybe not absolutely, but hey... Sure, it's a long distance relationship and we don't talk all that much, but the gifts keep coming and they're always good ones, so we're hooked. Anyway, yes, it's another DS RPG extravaganza and yup, you'll get a free soundtrack with the game. Details below the jump. Go reserve a copy and make Atlus very happy...

By the way, the game's official website isn't quite up yet, despite the link in the press release. Fear not, dear reader... Atlus is on the case!

Disney Epic Mickey To Get Disney Epic Times Square Launch

All the game needs now is Mayor Mike Bloomberg proclaiming November 30th 2010 Disney Epic Mickey Day or something like that. This party's going to be huge, no doubt - hope the weather's nice and bright on launch day and there's some Disney Epic Coffee for those Disney Epic Tired Parental Units who've gotten their Disney Epic Kids out of bed and into the Disney Epic Spirit of things that early in the AM. Info below the jump.

Portal 2 Suffers Time Warp Delay, But This Is Actually Good News...

According to Valve and this nicely hilarious press release that pokes fun at the company's track record for its games slipping into the infamous release date triangle, Portal 2 is special for yet another reason:

VALVE ANNOUNCES SHORTEST DELAY IN VALVE HISTORY

Valve today announced that Portal 2 -- the sequel to the ground-breaking title that won over 30 game of the year awards, despite missing its original ship date -- will now be available the week of April 18th, 2011. This two month slip not only marks the shortest delay in Valve's proud tradition of delays, it represents the approaching convergence of Valve Time and Real Time. Though this convergence spells doom for humanity, it will not affect the new Portal 2 release date.