Joystiq [Nintendo]

JC Fletcher

- http://nintendo.joystiq.com

THE ERA AND TIME OF THIS STORY IS UNKNOWN. AFTER THE MOTHERSHIP "ARKANOID" WAS DESTROYED, A SPACECRAFT "JC Fletcher" SCRAMBLED AWAY FROM IT. BUT ONLY TO BE TRAPPED IN SPACE WARPED BY SOMEONE......

The key to Shiren the Wanderer's story

by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago }

A beautiful, atmospheric trailer (after the break) introduces us to the story of the new Shiren the Wanderer ... such as it is. Basically, Shiren's master, knowing that Shiren likes dungeons, gives him the key to the Karakuri Mansion, which is a big dungeon. There's more, like a cursed princess and some time travel stuff, but the essence is that Shiren goes into another dungeon. It's rather lucky for us that Shiren's wanderings are so often directed toward dungeons and dungeon-type environments.

Atlus also highlights Shiren's pal Koppa in the trailer, allowing us to hope that the company will choose to bundle the game with Sega's Koppa Wiimote stand.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

Continued →

Lufia II remake is more action, less RPG

by JC Fletcher { 1 day ago }

The Lufia series always had the stereotypical spiky-haired protagonists, but now that the Lufia II characters appear in 3D in Square Enix's DS remake, they look even more Square Enixy. Not that it's a bad thing: the cinematics in this debut trailer look really nice, with a somewhat cel-shaded effect, and the in-game action is also nice-looking, as far as DS 3D goes.

The game itself looks really different. Square Enix classifies this as an action RPG, but between the combos and the grappling, this looks like an action game. We suppose it's an RPG because when you hit something, numbers come out. Lufia II (or Estpolis) is out in Japan February 25.

Amazon bears the best deal on Crystal Bearers

by JC Fletcher { 2 days ago }

Amazon's awesome Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers offer has gotten even better. The online retailer is still taking pre-sales at $44.99, with an exclusive calendar, but it has now added a $10 credit on future game purchases to the package. So the game is effectively $34.99.

With The Crystal Bearers coming out after Christmas, it seems poised to take advantage of gift money and/or returns of items gamers don't want. However, this pre-Christmas deal may require some budget-conscious gamers to spend against their presumed future cash gifts. Or, for those of you with enough disposable income, you can just buy it.

[Via GoNintendo]

Japanese Nintendo downloads: MSX games, Eco Shooter, and 16 more

by JC Fletcher { 2 days ago }

There's an incredibly diverse selection of games on the Japanese Wii and DSi Shops today -- 12 different games on Wii, and 6 on DSi. Think of this as Nintendo's online version of the holiday rush.

Most interesting among the multifarious offerings: a few forgotten Konami MSX games on VC, and 530 Eco Shooter on WiiWare. That's ... an Intelligent Systems-developed shooting game about shooting cans. The cans are alive and move around. It's weird. Also weird: Nintendo's Neratte Spot! for DSiWare, which is about throwing bombs into the mouths of fish.

The whole list is after the break, because it's crazy long.

Continued →

Spanish judge throws out criminal case against DS flash cart seller

by JC Fletcher { 3 days ago }

[Image Credit]

Judge D. Gregorio Alvarez Alvarez of Salamanca, Spain, dismissed a complaint brought by Nintendo against Grupo Movilquick, which sells the DSTT flash cart in Spain. The judge ruled that though the device does circumvent Nintendo's DRM, and can be used for piracy, it can also be used to extend the functionality of the DS in other, legal ways -- such as, according to Google's translation of the judge's statement, "backing up original games or other various functions such as managing photos, music or performance of (free software)."

The judge notes that Nintendo might still have grounds for a civil lawsuit if it can be proven that the DSTT infringes on a Nintendo industrial design patent. But his ruling is a far cry from the usual "flash carts are piracy machines" rhetoric that (understandably) angry companies like Nintendo perpetuate.

[Via GamePolitics]

Tales of Graces bundle is underwhelming

by JC Fletcher { 3 days ago }

Game Watch has posted an image of the full contents of the Japanese Tales of Graces bundle, revealing ... that it's pretty much the least remarkable Wii bundle yet. The included Wii hardware is the plain white model, and the Classic Controller Pro (also white) doesn't have any fancy design on it. It's just a Wii, and a Classic Controller Pro, and the game. In a box. The box looks pretty cool, we suppose. And it's not like we have the Classic Controller Pro here at all.

New screens show off the rather silly swimsuit costumes that can be equipped in-game, including a delightful Speedo and life vest outfit for Malik. More dignified: a costume based on a stage outfit worn by singer BoA, available as a bonus with a "Tales of Graces Edition" release of BoA's single "Mamoritai ~ White Wishes ~."

BBFC: Sega compiling Sonic games for DS

by JC Fletcher { 6 days ago }

The BBFC classification site lists a "Sonic Classic Collection" coming to DS soon. Normally, with these ratings, we'd be left to speculate as to the identity of the games on the collection -- however, the BBFC helpfully provided a list of games on the cart!

According to the rating, it'll feature Sonic 1-3, plus Sonic and Knuckles -- with the ability to virtually "Lock-on" and play as Knuckles in the older games. Also included in the shockingly specific list of in-game content: Sonic Chronicles and "The History of Sonic" video content and the art gallery.

We can only hope it turns out better than Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on GBA.

[Via Kombo]

European Nintendo downloads: Pokemon Rumble, Shootanto, demos

by JC Fletcher { 6 days ago }

The WiiWare demo service arrives in Europe today, though a bit light on content compared to other regions. On the upside, both of the demos offered are for games that cost 1,500 Wii Points, which means you could save a pretty large chunk of change if you discover (somehow) that you don't like World of Goo.

In terms of stuff you pay for, Shootanto is going to be totally overshadowed by Pokemon Rumble. DSiWare has a decent selection of games, including something that looks kind of like Defend Your Castle, a few card games, and myNotebook.

Pokemon Rumble (WiiWare, 1-4 players, 1,500 Wii Points)
Shootanto: Evolutionary Mayhem (WiiWare, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points)
Army Defender (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
A Little Bit of ... All-Time Classics: Strategy Games (DSiWare, 1 player, 500 DSi Points)
myNotebook: Blue (DSiWare, 1 player, 200 DSi Points)
Uno (DSiWare, 1-6 players, 500 DSi Points)
Demos: Pokemon Rumble, World of Goo (free)

Crystal Bearers dives into Europe February 5

by JC Fletcher { 6 days ago }

The good news: no Boxing Day shopping trips are in store for European gamers eager to telekinetically grab Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers. The (relatively) bad news: that's because it's coming out more than a month later. Square Enix announced today that Crystal Bearers will be available in PAL territories on February 5, 2010. As waits for Final Fantasy games go, it doesn't seem that bad.

In fact, with the game being released on a normal day instead of the day after Christmas, maybe someone in Europe will notice its release -- something we suspect may be a problem for a game that has been under the radar for most of its development.

Gallery: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers

Shiren the Wanderer turns up in February minus online features

by JC Fletcher { 7 days ago }

Atlus announced a North American localization of Sega and Chunsoft's Shiren the Wanderer at E3, and hasn't said much about it until now. The company just dated the game for February 9 and released a bunch of screens & art for the punishing roguelike, along with a bit of sad news regarding the online connectivity.

"Despite our best efforts, the North American version of Shiren will not include the Rescue, Versus, or Item Transfer online features," Atlus's Aram Jabbari said in the announcement. "However, the downloadable dungeon content from the Japanese version will be included on the disc." Jabbari said that Atlus felt compelled to alert fans because "the absence of these features may influence some fans' decision to purchase the game."

The most identifiable feature of any Shiren game -- repeated, unavoidable death -- should remain intact.

Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer (Wii)

Sky Crawlers landing in Europe this February

by JC Fletcher { 7 days ago }

Namco Bandai declined to publish The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces in North America, licensing the game out to XSEED instead. However, the company is handling the game itself for the European release, due in February. The game is a flight action game developed by Ace Combat dev Project Aces, and based on both the novel and the Mamoru Ishii-directed anime film of the same name.

In addition to the game, the movie is planned for a DVD and Blu-Ray release in PAL territories at an unspecified future date ("coming soon"). That seems like a good idea -- licensed games probably work better when people know what the source material is.

Gallery: Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces

Square Enix's new Lufia game is a Lufia II remake

by JC Fletcher { 8 days ago }

Last week, Square Enix announced a new entry in Taito's long-dormant Lufia(or Estpolis) series for an unknown platform. As it turns out, it's not entirely new, though enough is being changed that it might as well be. The new Lufia is, in fact, a remake of 1995's Lufia II, redone in 3D for the DS.

According to IGN's summary of a Famitsu article, that's not the only change. The game is now an action RPG instead of a turn-based game -- with combo-based attacks, and the ability to launch enemies into the air, as well as switch party members mid-combo. In addition, it will be fully voice acted. Estpolis will be released in Japan on February 25.

Club Nintendo Japan sending Game & Watches as Platinum gifts

by JC Fletcher { 8 days ago }

The Game & Watch Collection is a popular catalog item for Club Nintendo, but this year's gift for Japanese gamers who reach Platinum status takes the Game & Watch nostalgia even further. It's a real Game & Watch.

Nintendo is producing a new run of the classic handheld Ball, specifically to give away to Club Nintendo members who accrued 400 points or more in the last year. It's a replica of the original, with a Club Nintendo logo added. Like the other Platinum awards, this doesn't cost any points (so Platinum members can still buy Wii de Ultrahand), and will be sent out to everyone who qualifies.

As usual, gold members get a calendar.

[Via Andriasang]

Again and Monster Rancher DS also headed to Europe

by JC Fletcher { 8 days ago }

Tecmo has just announced a spring release date for Monster Rancher DS and Again ... again. But in Europe this time! Last week, Tecmo announced March release dates for the Cing-developed adventure game and monster training game. Tecmo Koei Europe has followed suit, though with a less specific spring release window.

Monster Rancher DS, of course, is a game about creating and training monsters -- in this game, monsters are generated either by speaking into the microphone or drawing. Again is an adventure game about an FBI agent who investigates crime scenes in both the past and the present.

Gallery: Monster Rancher DS (11/10/09)

Gallery: Again (DS) (11/10/09)

Phoenix Wright judged appropriate for WiiWare re-release in Japan

by JC Fletcher { 9 days ago }

The latest issue of Famitsu confirms what a USK rating hinted: Phoenix Wright is coming to WiiWare. Capcom is porting the DS games (or, if you'd rather, the Game Boy Advance games) to Wii one at a time, to be released in Japan starting December 15. Judging from what we can see (which isn't much -- portions of cell phone images of screenshots), the graphics aren't enhanced for Wii at all.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will be available in Japan on December 15 for 900 Wii Points, with the two Phoenix Wright sequels following on January 26 and February 23 for 1200 Wii Points each. The original case added to the DS version of the first Ace Attorney will be out on March 16 for 300 Points.

And now begin the process of reminding ourselves that we've already played all of this content, and just because it's being released again in a different format doesn't mean we have to buy it again. The fact that no announcements have been made about a North American release should help.