Joystiq [Nintendo] http://nintendo.joystiq.com Joystiq [Nintendo] http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq [Nintendo] http://nintendo.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Majesco reports drop in Q1 profits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/majesco-reports-drop-in-q1-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/majesco-reports-drop-in-q1-profits/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/majesco-reports-drop-in-q1-profits/#commentsThis week, Majesco reported its earnings for its fiscal first quarter (which ended January 31). As you may have surmised from the recent news of its potential Nasdaq delisting, things aren't precisely where Majesco would want them to be, financially. Its net profit for the quarter was $3.8 million, showing a year-over-year decline compared to Q1 2009's $4.2 million profit.

However, the slightly smaller Q1 still seems big enough to make Majesco happy. "Majesco had a very solid first quarter driven by strong holiday sales of our Cooking Mama franchise," CEO Jesse Sutton said, "which once again delivered impressive results, and Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Yes, that's right, some of you bought something with the word "Squeakquel" on it.

"Our results were in-line with our internal expectations and we remain on track to deliver improved profitability for 2010," he added. "We have made significant progress in fine tuning our strategy to meet the challenges of the current operating environment." The latest announcement from Majesco, of course, is another extension of the Cooking Mama franchise, Crafting Mama.

JoystiqMajesco reports drop in Q1 profits originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alvin-and-the-chipmunks-the-squeakquelcooking-mama-world-kitchenjesse-suttonmajescoThu, 18 Mar 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to ... D.I.Y.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/warioware-d-i-y-videos-show-you-how-to-d-i-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/warioware-d-i-y-videos-show-you-how-to-d-i-y/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/warioware-d-i-y-videos-show-you-how-to-d-i-y/#comments So you want to make a video game. Most folks would tell you, "Start simple." Well, it doesn't get much simpler than the "microgames" of the WarioWare series, which are about as long as ... that pause right there. WarioWare D.I.Y. is all about building your own teeny-tiny titles -- as talked about in our recent preview of the game app game-app -- and Nintendo's attempting to show how easy it can be with a series of brief tutorial videos. We've plugged in the one above, as well as another after the break for your educational needs.

You'll notice that the guy in the videos is using a DSi XL -- we can tell you that, after seeing the hardware running D.I.Y. in person, the hefty handheld's humongous screens really are great for editing sprites and other details, as is the pen-sized stylus. Either that, or our eyesight really is getting worse.

Continue reading WarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to ... D.I.Y.

JoystiqWarioWare D.I.Y. videos show you how to ... D.I.Y. originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsidsi-xlvideowariowarewarioware-diyWed, 17 Mar 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cave-story-includes-playable-curly-brace/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cave-story-includes-playable-curly-brace/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cave-story-includes-playable-curly-brace/#commentsIn case anyone is still on the fence about paying for a WiiWare version of a freeware game -- although a couple of years of anticipation have probably killed that -- this Cave Story video (after the break) shows something pretty appealing: a second playable character. And not just any character, either. Curly Brace is a fan favorite, appearing in the game in a capacity we won't discuss too much to avoid spoilers.

We're checking with Nicalis now to learn more about her inclusion -- whether she's part of the initial download or DLC, and how her presence affects gameplay. Worst case scenario: we find out on Monday when the game comes out.

[Update: Nicalis has confirmed to Joystiq that Curly mode will be included with the initial download!]

Continue reading Cave Story includes playable Curly Brace

Joystiq NintendoCave Story includes playable Curly Brace originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cave-storycurly-bracedlcnicalisstudio-pixelwiiwareWed, 17 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CyberConnect2 working on 'Solarobo' for DS]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cyberconnect2-working-on-solarobo-for-ds/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cyberconnect2-working-on-solarobo-for-ds/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/cyberconnect2-working-on-solarobo-for-ds/#commentsSomehow, developer CyberConnect2 is making a game that is neither Naruto nor .hack. In fact, Solarobo for DS is a spiritual successor to CyberConnect2's 1998 PlayStation game Tail Concerto. Like Tail Concerto, Solarobo is a platforming action RPG starring anthropomorphic animals in walking mechs.

As Red Savarin, you pilot the robot DAHAK-AZI03 on bounty hunting missions. Without weapons, your only method of combat is picking up and throwing objects using the robot's arms. Solarobo is due in Japan this year from Namco Bandai. It features some kind of 1-4 player support, but the details of that have yet to be released -- as does any information about a release outside of Japan.

Joystiq NintendoCyberConnect2 working on 'Solarobo' for DS originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberconnect2famitsujapannamco-bandaiplatformerrpgsolarobotail-concertoWed, 17 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Reggie courts core devs, questions motivation to Move]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/reggie-courts-core-devs-questions-motivation-to-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/reggie-courts-core-devs-questions-motivation-to-move/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/17/reggie-courts-core-devs-questions-motivation-to-move/#commentsIn an interview with IndustryGamers, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime asserted that Nintendo does care about third parties and does need them, despite the fact that Nintendo's business is sustained pretty well by first-party games. "The fact of the matter is we know we create great content for younger consumers," he said, "we know we've got great content for more casual players, and we want fantastic content for that more active player who loves Metroid or Zelda, but maybe also wants something like a BioShock 2 to play as well." Reggie then admitted, "We're not good at it and it's not a key focus area," thus Nintendo's interest in third-party developers.

The boss man also reiterated, almost word for word, his previous position that Nintendo would begin work on the next Nintendo system when a developer was unable to do something on the current Wii hardware, and he repeated that an HD feature alone wouldn't be enough to justify a new console.

When asked about the PlayStation Move, Fils-Aime questioned the Sony device's appeal. If the Wii already scratches the itch for motion-based gaming, then why would consumers be moved to pick up a PS3? "What's going to motivate them to spend minimally $300 for a new [PS3] system, plus minimally $100 for the Move motion bundle? So [as a consumer], now I'm into this for $400 and I still have to spend money on software. What's going to motivate me to do that?"

JoystiqReggie courts core devs, questions motivation to Move originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstation-movereggiereggie-fils-aimewii-hdWed, 17 Mar 2010 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sonic fans remix Sonic 4 intro, get way too excited]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/sonic-fans-remix-sonic-4-intro-get-way-too-excited/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/sonic-fans-remix-sonic-4-intro-get-way-too-excited/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/sonic-fans-remix-sonic-4-intro-get-way-too-excited/#comments Oh, Sonic fans. Every time a new Sonic is announced, you joke about not getting fooled again and you promise that, this time, you won't be taken in. And we believe you -- why would you go back to Sonic after everything he's done to you? But then a few weeks go by, and suddenly we click a link and find you remixing the 10 seconds of intro screen music that's been revealed from Sonic 4.

Seriously? Did you have to create a rock version, an 8-bit version and even a Dreamcast-style version? Sure, they're cool, and sure, we've embedded them after the break, but isn't this exactly the kind of excitement we all agreed we wouldn't have for the new game? Yes, we're glad to see that longtime Sonic musician Jun Senoue has been announced as the composer for new game, and we're looking forward to hearing more music when the Sega blog releases it. But as your history teacher said, those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Let's wait until we play the game before we start remixing it 10 seconds at a time.

Continue reading Sonic fans remix Sonic 4 intro, get way too excited

JoystiqSonic fans remix Sonic 4 intro, get way too excited originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blogcomposerintrojun-senouemusicremixsegasonicsonic-the-hedgehog-4sonic-the-hedgehog-4-episode-1Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mega64 pokes fun at The Beatles: Rock Band with a little help from a friend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/mega64-pokes-fun-at-the-beatles-rock-band-with-a-little-help-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/mega64-pokes-fun-at-the-beatles-rock-band-with-a-little-help-fr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/mega64-pokes-fun-at-the-beatles-rock-band-with-a-little-help-fr/#comments Mega64 gets back to its roots in the troupe's latest video, enlisting the aid of John and Jane Q. Public to create another minute and a half of comedy based on The Beatles: Rock Band. You're probably asking yourself how the trio can recreate the full British pop quartet. To answer that, we offer this: through the aid of a surprise guest, of course!

Head past the break to see who. We're pretty sure you'll never guess who it is.

[Thanks, Brock]

Continue reading Mega64 pokes fun at The Beatles: Rock Band with a little help from a friend

JoystiqMega64 pokes fun at The Beatles: Rock Band with a little help from a friend originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comedyeaharmonixmega64mtv-gamesmusicrhythmrock-bandthe-beatlesThe-Beatles-Rock-BandTue, 16 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese Nintendo downloads: Zombie in Wonderland, Karate Champ]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/japanese-nintendo-downloads-zombie-in-wonderland-karate-champ/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/japanese-nintendo-downloads-zombie-in-wonderland-karate-champ/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/japanese-nintendo-downloads-zombie-in-wonderland-karate-champ/#commentsMarvelous's World Game Parade brings a "world game" that actually has yet to release anywhere but Japan: Akaoni Studio's Zombie Panic in Wonderland, a sort of spiritual successor to the DS's Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ. Also on Wii is one of the original fighting games, Karate Champ, in its original arcade form -- though we doubt it supports the dual-joystick interface of the original.

Joystiq NintendoJapanese Nintendo downloads: Zombie in Wonderland, Karate Champ originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsiwaremarvelousvirtual-consolewiiwareworld-game-paradezombie-panic-in-wonderlandTue, 16 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo publishing Samurai Warriors 3 with Tecmo Koei]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/nintendo-publishing-samurai-warriors-3-with-tecmo-koei/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/nintendo-publishing-samurai-warriors-3-with-tecmo-koei/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/nintendo-publishing-samurai-warriors-3-with-tecmo-koei/#commentsFollowing the recent announcement that Dragon Quest IX will be published by Nintendo in North America, the company has revealed another publishing partnership for an exclusive game from a big Japanese publisher: Nintendo will co-publish Koei's Samurai Warriors 3 in North America this fall.

It makes sense that Nintendo would take the stewardship role for this game, as it contains a mode featuring characters and locations from Nintendo's Nazo no Murasame-jou ("The Mysterious Murasame Castle"), a Famicom Disk System game designed by none other than Shigeru Miyamoto. In any case, this is one way for Nintendo to ensure ongoing releases of third-party core games on its systems: by plucking existing ones from Japan and publishing them in North America itself.

Joystiq NintendoNintendo publishing Samurai Warriors 3 with Tecmo Koei originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dynasty-warriorskoeipublishingsamurai-warriorssamurai-warriors-3Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Pick up Guitar Hero 5 at a Guitar Hero 3 price today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/pick-up-guitar-hero-5-at-a-guitar-hero-3-price-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/pick-up-guitar-hero-5-at-a-guitar-hero-3-price-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/pick-up-guitar-hero-5-at-a-guitar-hero-3-price-today/#commentsLooking to add 85 new songs to your Guitar Hero library? Want a game that's made for "Party Play?" Oh, sure. Admit it -- you just want to make the ghostly Cobain avatar do your musical bidding. Well, whatever the motivation, you can pick up Guitar Hero 5 (the game only) for a pretty reasonable $28.99 today, thanks to Amazon's Deal of the Day.

While supplies last (or through the end of the day), the discount is applied to the Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2 versions of the game. Guitar Hero 5 is worth investing in especially if you're loaded down with PS2 instruments and don't want to buy new ones for another console -- there won't be any more Guitar Heroes for PS2, after all. So, if you want more music, this is pretty much your last chance, all you PS2 holdouts!

[Thanks, Jared]

JoystiqPick up Guitar Hero 5 at a Guitar Hero 3 price today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionamazondeal-of-the-daydealsguitar-heroguitar-hero-5musicsaleTue, 16 Mar 2010 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[VC in Brief: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (TG-16)]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/vc-in-brief-castlevania-rondo-of-blood-tg-16/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/vc-in-brief-castlevania-rondo-of-blood-tg-16/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/vc-in-brief-castlevania-rondo-of-blood-tg-16/#comments
As far as imports go, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is a pretty sweet one. For $9, it's a great game to add to any Castlevania fan's collection and plays quite well on the Wii: casual players get a forgiving save structure and stage system, while the hardcore fans get the same tried-and-true gameplay. Rondo of Blood is suited for quick pick-up sessions or even long marathon outings. Basically: you should play this game. It's good -- seriously good.
  • Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (Turbografx-16 CD-ROM, 1 player, 900 Wii Points)
Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer VC in Brief as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks like that.

Joystiq NintendoVC in Brief: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (TG-16) originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevaniacastlevania-rondo-of-bloodkonamitg-16turbografx-16Turbografx16vc-in-briefvirtual-consoleTue, 16 Mar 2010 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Developer Tom Soderlund explains the frights of Ghostwire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/developer-tom-soderlund-explains-the-frights-of-ghostwire/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/developer-tom-soderlund-explains-the-frights-of-ghostwire/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/developer-tom-soderlund-explains-the-frights-of-ghostwire/#comments Bumps in the night. Unexplained sounds. A chill up your spine. Extreme terror. These things aren't associated with the Nintendo DSi, unless you unexpectedly leave yours behind in a taxi. But A Different Game CEO Tom Soderlund wants to bring all of that augmented paranormal activity to your DSi with Ghostwire and turn you into a ghostbuster (minus the proton packs). Now you're armed with a stylus and the power of Nintendo.

Originally conceived four years ago for Symbian-powered smartphones, the idea is to turn your handheld into a tool for communicating with the paranormal world. The built-in camera, sound meters, light meters are all a part of the experience, providing a combination of real-world and computer-generated data. Soderlund's team built an adventure game around it -- you talk to ghosts, find out what's troubling them, and either capture them or attempt to ease their pain.

Continue reading Developer Tom Soderlund explains the frights of Ghostwire

JoystiqDeveloper Tom Soderlund explains the frights of Ghostwire originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A Different Gamea-different-gameADifferentGameaugmented-realitydsiGDC-2010ghostwiremajescoTue, 16 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghostwire might haunt iPhone, Android]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/ghostwire-to-haunt-iphone-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/ghostwire-to-haunt-iphone-android/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/ghostwire-to-haunt-iphone-android/#comments Ghostwire lead developer Tom Soderlund told us at GDC that his upcoming DSi-exclusive Nintendo DS game might be coming to Apple's iPhone and Google's Android. The DSi version, published by Majesco, is set to come out near Halloween this year, and it's possible that other flavors might join it at that time.

"With the DSi we have location to some extent using the wifi chip, because we can kind of recognize when the user is in a new location, or where they are somewhere they've been before." Soderlund said, "But, we're thinking of taking to the iPhone or the Android which have more emphasis on location-based gameplay.

We hope Elvis' grave is first on the list.

JoystiqGhostwire might haunt iPhone, Android originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidGDC-2010GhostsGhostwireHalloweeniPhoneTue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Attack of the Movies 3D also attacking Xbox 360]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/attack-of-the-movies-3d-also-attacking-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/attack-of-the-movies-3d-also-attacking-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/attack-of-the-movies-3d-also-attacking-xbox-360/#commentsThis May, Wii owners won't be alone in shooting their way through scenes reminiscent of classic action movies in glorious, anaglyph 3D. Majesco has announced that it will release Attack of the Movies 3D on Xbox 360 as well.

Attack of the Movies sends groups of up to four players (wearing up to four pairs of goofy 3D glasses) through movie-themed worlds, rich with hostile sea creatures, aliens, and robots. Don't have your own glasses? No worries -- the game comes with four sets. Not only will you get to shoot stuff with your friends, you'll all get to look like that one guy from Back to the Future when you do!

JoystiqAttack of the Movies 3D also attacking Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dattack-of-the-movies-3dcasualmajescoMon, 15 Mar 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-cave-story/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-cave-story/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/this-week-on-the-nintendo-channel-cave-story/#comments
This week's most noteworthy Nintendo Channel item is by far the Developer's Voice video on Cave Story above. Next week, we'll finally get to play it. How pumped are you? Like, beyond pumped? We sure hope so!

Head past the break for the rest of this week's content.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story

Joystiq NintendoThis Week on the Nintendo Channel: Cave Story originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cave-storydsiwarenicalisnintendo-channelvirtual-consolewiiwareMon, 15 Mar 2010 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaijin bringing iPhone's Lilt Line to WiiWare]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/gaijin-bringing-iphones-lilt-line-to-wiiware/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/gaijin-bringing-iphones-lilt-line-to-wiiware/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/gaijin-bringing-iphones-lilt-line-to-wiiware/#commentsLilt Line, winner of a 2010 IGF Mobile award for Audio Achievement is a simple iPhone game, in which you tilt the phone to guide a line through winding tunnels, and tap the screen in response to on-screen cues, all in time to dubstep music by 16bit. Essentially, it's Irritating Stick without the irritation! Developer Different Cloth revealed in a tweet that Wii owners will get to experience Lilt Line as well, thanks to Bit.Trip creator Gaijin Games.

All we know from the (necessarily brief) announcement is that Gaijin is bringing the game to the Wii. We can assume, both from the nature of the game and the fact that we don't think the three-person Gaijin Games team is going to start publishing packaged games, that it's WiiWare. We've asked Gaijin for more information. In the meantime, check out the iPhone version after the break.

Continue reading Gaijin bringing iPhone's Lilt Line to WiiWare

Joystiq NintendoGaijin bringing iPhone's Lilt Line to WiiWare originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>different-clothgaijin-gamesgdc-2010indielilt-lineportMon, 15 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Now Playing: March 15-21, 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/now-playing-march-15-21-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/now-playing-march-15-21-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/now-playing-march-15-21-2010/#comments
We hear he's a lot bigger up close.

Choose your platform to jump to a specific release list:

Last updated: Wednesday, 5:55 PM

Continue reading Now Playing: March 15-21, 2010

JoystiqNow Playing: March 15-21, 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>newgamesnow-playingMon, 15 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII tops UK sales chart, Just Dance shows stamina]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/final-fantasy-xiii-tops-uk-sales-chart/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/final-fantasy-xiii-tops-uk-sales-chart/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/final-fantasy-xiii-tops-uk-sales-chart/#comments In its first week at retail, Final Fantasy XIII charged up the UK sales charts like a Lightning bolt, becoming the "fastest selling" game of the year -- a record set by Bad Company 2 just last week. According to Chart-Track, the console sales split for the latest edition in Square Enix's flagship series was fairly even, with a 54 to 46 percent split on PS3 and Xbox 360, respectively.

Bad Company 2's sales slipped 38 percent last week, bringing EA DICE's fantastic multiplayer title (wait, there's single player, too?) down to second place. And, in third -- there it is: Just Dance. The game is unstoppable and has the stamina of a six-year-old hyped up on Pixy Stix. Like we noted last week, Just Dance just keeps going and going. We're just waiting to see when this epic sugar rush wears off.

Source - Lucky XIII for Square Enix [GFK Chart-Track]
Source - Latest UK Software Charts [GFK Chart-Track]

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII tops UK sales chart, Just Dance shows stamina

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII tops UK sales chart, Just Dance shows stamina originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2britainchart-trackfinal-fantasy-xiiijust-dancesalessoftwareukMon, 15 Mar 2010 10:25:00 EST<![CDATA[NintendoWare Weekly: Rage of the Gladiator, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-rage-of-the-gladiator-castlevania-rondo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-rage-of-the-gladiator-castlevania-rondo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/nintendoware-weekly-rage-of-the-gladiator-castlevania-rondo/#commentsToday's Wii downloadable releases look like they'll work nicely together. When Medusa heads have murdered you enough times in Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, you can switch over to Rage of the Gladiator and smash them in first person!

Continue reading NintendoWare Weekly: Rage of the Gladiator, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

JoystiqNintendoWare Weekly: Rage of the Gladiator, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>101-minigolf-worldcar-jack-streetscastlevaniacastlevania-rondo-of-blooddsiwarerage-of-the-gladiatortriple-shot-sportszoo-frenzyMon, 15 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Newest NBA Jam trailer brings plenty of extra heat]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/newest-nba-jam-trailer-brings-plenty-of-extra-heat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/newest-nba-jam-trailer-brings-plenty-of-extra-heat/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/14/newest-nba-jam-trailer-brings-plenty-of-extra-heat/#comments As you might imagine, the vast majority of the "heat" that the newest trailer for NBA Jam brings with it is through the various players running up and down the court fully ablaze (it certainly doesn't hurt when the screen catches fire as well). Don't get us wrong -- it's full of gameplay that puts us right back on the couch in 1994, trying to desperately remember the code so that we can play as our favorite US president.

That said, the announcer probably says "Kaboom!" four or five times. And yeah, somewhere in the middle there, we realized that NBA Jam just doesn't have that many catchphrases. But that's okay with us -- the gameplay looks fantastic! We'll have our impressions of the game up in a few weeks, but for now you can peep the trailer yourself just a few inches up.

JoystiqNewest NBA Jam trailer brings plenty of extra heat originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>basketballeaea-sportsnbanba-jamtrailerSun, 14 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More FIFA World Cup 2010 media than you can shake a red card at]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/new-fifa-world-cup-2010-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/new-fifa-world-cup-2010-media/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/new-fifa-world-cup-2010-media/#commentsWe know, we know -- we've been desperately waiting for more new media on April's South Africa-themed FIFA release as well, and today we've finally got some more. Arriving care of GDC 2010, EA Sports released the trailer you see above and the smattering of new screens seen below (for Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 as well as the Wii).

The trailer urges players to take their own country's team to the World Cup, though we should issue a word of warning to those of you in the contiguous United States who choose to bring our fine nation to the top: it's just a game. Okay, okay, sorry -- we were just joshin' ya! We suppose it's possible. Maybe after the robots take over. Maybe.

JoystiqMore FIFA World Cup 2010 media than you can shake a red card at originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-sportsfifafifa-10fifa-world-cup-2010fifa-world-cup-2010-south-africagdcgdc-2010screenshotssoccertrailerFri, 12 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Sakamoto: No Wii Kid Icarus now, but possible]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sakamoto-no-wii-kid-icarus-now-but-its-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sakamoto-no-wii-kid-icarus-now-but-its-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sakamoto-no-wii-kid-icarus-now-but-its-possible/#comments
[VGMuseum]
If there's a Kid Icarus reboot in the works somewhere at Nintendo, Metroid: Other M producer Yoshio Sakamoto, who worked on the original NES game, doesn't know anything about it. "I don't know personally about any project underway regarding Kid Icarus," Sakamoto told Kotaku, "but if so many of those people are interested in it and really want to see it on the Wii, they should really speak up."

It's not as simple as making a Zelda game with flight, apparently (that's our guess for what people want in a Wii Kid Icarus game). Sakamoto suggested that Nintendo has yet to hit upon the right design. "If we can find some sort of way to bring it to the Wii; a way to make the game for the Wii that makes sense, we would happily do so," he said. "But just keep in mind it may not be me making the game."

JoystiqNintendo's Sakamoto: No Wii Kid Icarus now, but possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2010kid-icarusyoshio-sakamotoFri, 12 Mar 2010 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/gene-simmons-im-the-voice-of-guitar-hero-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/gene-simmons-im-the-voice-of-guitar-hero-6/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/gene-simmons-im-the-voice-of-guitar-hero-6/#comments "I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6," says KISS front man Gene Simmons during a video clip produced by Game On, a division of UK media site ITN. And that's all he says. The clip -- view it after the break -- has been removed from the context of what's assumed to be a full interview and essentially turns Simmons' statement into a gag line. Still, Simmons does appear to be the first "official" spokesperson to outright name the next iteration of Guitar Hero, albeit unofficially.

Activision previously dated a forthcoming Guitar Hero game for the "back half" of 2010. Presumably, that's "Guitar Hero 6" and the game Simmons will apparently star in. What? Activision didn't offer his crew a full-on Guitar Hero: KISS game? It's for the better, really, because all we want to do is get the digitized Simmons onstage and make him crank 'dat Soulja Boy!

Continue reading Gene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6'

JoystiqGene Simmons: 'I'm the voice of Guitar Hero 6' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiongene-simmonsGuitar-Heroguitar-hero-6kissFri, 12 Mar 2010 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Metroid: Other M producer Yoshio Sakamoto]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/interview-metroid-other-m-producer-yoshio-sakamoto/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/interview-metroid-other-m-producer-yoshio-sakamoto/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/interview-metroid-other-m-producer-yoshio-sakamoto/#comments
 After delivering a GDC panel on his cinematic inspiration, we met with Metroid: Other M producer Yoshio Sakamoto to ask him about everything from collaborating with Team Ninja, lessons learned from Metroid Prime, the newfound focus on story in the Metroid universe, and whether or not he played Chair's Super Metroid love letter, Shadow Complex. Read on!

Can you tell us about the process of working with Team Ninja. Who does what design-wise and technology-wise?

Yoshio Sakamoto: The original design concept came from me, but then we went and assembled a team that could pull this off. And in this case it was people from Team Ninja, who we really thought was the best fit. But they've also provided a lot of core ideas that have influenced the direction of the game, particularly the director, Mr. Hayashi. So, as I mentioned in the speech today, it's not so much that we're dividing up tasks but collaborating as equals.

After E3 and the initial announcement a lot of people were making comments like, "Oh, it seems like they've dumped Retro for this series and they want to go with another developer," as if it was a big switch-off. But, in actuality, that is far from the case; rather, we just wanted to put together the best team that we could to make this project, which turns out to be Project M.

Continue reading Interview: Metroid: Other M producer Yoshio Sakamoto

JoystiqInterview: Metroid: Other M producer Yoshio Sakamoto originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDC-2010interviewMetroidMetroid-Other-MNintendoYoshio-SakamotoFri, 12 Mar 2010 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[European Nintendo downloads: Ironclad, Nectaris]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/european-nintendo-downloads-ironclad-nectaris/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/european-nintendo-downloads-ironclad-nectaris/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/european-nintendo-downloads-ironclad-nectaris/#commentsOkay, so it isn't Rondo of Blood this week in Europe. Nintendo instead chose to inaugurate the latest Hanabi Festival with the pre-rendered Neo Geo shooter Ironclad and Lode Runner for NES. It's pretty novel in and of itself to have two Virtual Console games in a single week, not to mention a Neo Geo game! They're joined on Wii by the WiiWare version of Military Madness.

Joystiq NintendoEuropean Nintendo downloads: Ironclad, Nectaris originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4-travellers-play-spanishdsiwareelemental-masterseuropefridayhanabi-festivalironcladlode-runnerpop-islandsimply-mahjongsimply-sudokuvirtual-consolewiiwareFri, 12 Mar 2010 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rock Band Weekly Redux: Lady Gaga, Cartman, 3 Doors Down, Mute Math, The Subways]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/rock-band-weekly-redux-lady-gaga-cartman-3-doors-down-mute-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/rock-band-weekly-redux-lady-gaga-cartman-3-doors-down-mute-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/rock-band-weekly-redux-lady-gaga-cartman-3-doors-down-mute-m/#comments Lady Gaga was already announced for Rock Band's DLC update next week -- but she's bringing friends along. The pop sensation will be joined by some, ahem, actual rock bands.

Check out next week's full list of releases after the break.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly Redux: Lady Gaga, Cartman, 3 Doors Down, Mute Math, The Subways

JoystiqRock Band Weekly Redux: Lady Gaga, Cartman, 3 Doors Down, Mute Math, The Subways originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3-doors-downdlceric-cartmanlady-gagamute-mathrock-bandrock-band-2rock-band-dlcrock-band-weeklyrock-band-wiirock-band-wiiklysouth-parkthe-subwaysFri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo sells 1.9 million DS and Wiis through Feb. 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sells-1-9-million-ds-and-wiis-through-feb-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sells-1-9-million-ds-and-wiis-through-feb-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/nintendo-sells-1-9-million-ds-and-wiis-through-feb-2010/#comments Following last night's NPD report for February, Nintendo has issued a press release lauding the amazing selling power of its own products. In typical fashion, the gaming giant that got your grandma into gaming has managed to sell a ridiculous amount of DS and Wii systems in the U.S. -- 1.9 million in the first two months of 2010, to be exact.

As impressive as that 1.9 million figure is, Nintendo's ability to break its own records is even more impressive. In selling 613,000 DS units throughout February 2010, Nintendo has managed to set a new monthly record, besting the previous top-selling month of February 2009's figure of 597,000 units. It would seem that two things are certain in this life: we're all going to die one day and before that day comes, each of us is going to own nine DS systems.

With March 28 fast approaching -- that's the release date for the DSi XL -- Nintendo is hoping to further build on the success of its now six-year-old handheld. And, to think, even after all that time, the gif still hasn't gotten old.

JoystiqNintendo sells 1.9 million DS and Wiis through Feb. 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsi-xlnintendo-dsinintendo-dsi-xlnpdsalesFri, 12 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metroid Dread concept is something Sakamoto 'can't say never existed']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/metroid-dread-concept-is-something-sakamoto-cant-say-never-exi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/metroid-dread-concept-is-something-sakamoto-cant-say-never-exi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/metroid-dread-concept-is-something-sakamoto-cant-say-never-exi/#comments Immediately following his well-attended GDC panel, Nintendo's Yoshio Sakamoto talked with us about (what else?) Metroid: Other M. In addition to all sorts of questions on the unique Team Ninja collaboration, we asked Sakamoto about the long-rumored Metroid Dread project and, barring a confirmation of that product, when we'd see another 2D handheld Metroid.

Joystiq: Speaking of the core Metroid development team that last worked on the GBA, there have been rumors of a game known as 'Metroid Dread' - purportedly a 2D Metroid game for DS. First question: Was 'Dread' a real project? Second question: If not, where is a 2D Metroid on DS?

Yoshio Sakamoto: It seems we get a lot of questions about Metroid Dread, especially at interviews following E3 for example. But nothing's ever been announced about this game; it's all just been rumors so far. So we never know exactly how to respond to questions like this.

While there actually was a point where some teams were meeting to discuss if it was possible to create a 2D Metroid for DS using a relatively small team size, it's not something that we ever really announced or thought of as "Metroid Dread." But whenever people bring out that idea, we recognize that the basic concept is something that we can't say never existed. But at the same time, we can't of course, make any official comment about a Metroid Dread-like project coming out.

Our main goal [with Metroid: Other M] is to, as I said earlier, first raise knowledge about the Metroid universe and the Samus character before we start to introduce different elements like online or even going back to another handheld game for the next in the series. So there's nothing coming immediately, we want to think about these new challenges first.

But, of course, we never say never.

JoystiqMetroid Dread concept is something Sakamoto 'can't say never existed' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MetroidMetroid-DreadNintendoYoshio-SakamotoFri, 12 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Last Story's first concept art]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-last-storys-first-concept-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-last-storys-first-concept-art/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/the-last-storys-first-concept-art/#commentsThe first details about Mistwalker's mysterious Wii RPG The Last Story have been released, in the form of a blog entry on Nintendo's Last Story site. The game takes place on Ruri Island, which, as home to a necessary harbor, has become a wealthy and important city. The affluent island is run by "Lord Arganon," a power-hungry ruler who is well-versed in magic. If we had to guess, we'd say he's going to be the villain.

We still have yet to see real screens or footage of The Last Story, but the blog entry includes concept art of the island, which is quite lovely.

[Via VG247; All Games Beta]

JoystiqThe Last Story's first concept art originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>concept-artHironobu-Sakaguchimistwalkerrpgthe-last-storyThu, 11 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[February NPD: Xbox 360 and BioShock 2 sales heat up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/february-npd-xbox-360-and-bioshock-2-sales-heat-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/february-npd-xbox-360-and-bioshock-2-sales-heat-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/february-npd-xbox-360-and-bioshock-2-sales-heat-up/#commentsMicrosoft's Aaron Greenberg is thrilled with February's NPD numbers, and for good reason. The Xbox 360 took the top spot in home console sales last month, despite not being a Wii. According to the NPD, it's the first time this has happened since the Halo 3 launch in 2007.

BioShock 2 seems to have had something to do with the boost, with the Xbox 360 version topping the software charts (and the PS3 version absent from the top ten). Other notable software milestones: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is now the third best-selling game of all time, and Just Dance seems to have made a better pact with Satan than even Dante's Inferno did. See the software top ten after the break.

-DS: 613K191K (45%)
-360: 422K89K (27%)
-Wii: 398K68K (-15%)
-PS3: 360K83K (30%)
-PSP: 133K33K (33%)
-PS2: 102K60K (143%)

Continue reading February NPD: Xbox 360 and BioShock 2 sales heat up

JoystiqFebruary NPD: Xbox 360 and BioShock 2 sales heat up originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshock-2dantes-infernojust-dancenpdnpd-monthlysalesThu, 11 Mar 2010 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghost Trick possesses Japan June 24, Capcom releases demo]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/ghost-trick-possesses-japan-june-24-capcom-releases-demo/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/ghost-trick-possesses-japan-june-24-capcom-releases-demo/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/ghost-trick-possesses-japan-june-24-capcom-releases-demo/#commentsCapcom has announced the Japanese release date for Ace Attorney creator Shu Takumi's supernatural puzzle adventure game, Ghost Trick. Japan will be able to put Sissel's spirit into a bicycle on June 24. Capcom has yet to offer a date for North American or European releases beyond simply 2010, but if the game is in a complete state by June, that bodes well for localization sometime in the fall.

However, if you can't wait that long, and you don't mind clicking through a bunch of Japanese text, you can play the TGS demo right now! Capcom posted a flash demo to the Ghost Trick site.

[Via Andriasang]

Joystiq NintendoGhost Trick possesses Japan June 24, Capcom releases demo originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecapcomdemoghost-trickjapanpuzzlerelease-dateThu, 11 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's Yoshio Sakamoto reveals Metroid: Other M's cinematic inspirations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/nintendos-yoshio-sakamoto-reveals-metroid-other-ms-cinematic/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/nintendos-yoshio-sakamoto-reveals-metroid-other-ms-cinematic/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/nintendos-yoshio-sakamoto-reveals-metroid-other-ms-cinematic/#comments Yoshio Sakamoto has had a rather diverse career with Nintendo, having worked on games like Metroid, WarioWare and Tomodatchi Collection. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata asked the Metroid: Other M producer to speak at GDC to "explore the secret of creating games for such a dynamic range of titles."

One of Sakamoto's greatest inspirations seems to be film, noting directors Dario Argento, Luc Besson, John Woo and Brian de Palma as key figures. In particular, he found Argento's "Deep Red" to have a profound impact. Argento's manipulation of mood through music and timing is something he found moving; the use of foreshadowing helped transcend the film beyond other horror films.

Other M will take these various inspirations by becoming a "synthesis of everything I've learned," Sakamoto told the audience. A new trailer screened for GDC attendees highlighted various cinematic moments in the upcoming Wii game, including a CG reimagination of Super Metroid's climatic ending. Sakamoto pointed out the return of Metroid Fusion's Adam, reminding the audience that foreshadowing will play a key role in creating suspense in the interquel. Considering the subsequent applause, it seems clear that Metroid fans approve of this new direction.

JoystiqNintendo's Yoshio Sakamoto reveals Metroid: Other M's cinematic inspirations originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2010metroidmetroid-other-mteam-ninjayoshio-sakamotoThu, 11 Mar 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Impressions: Pirates Plund-Arrr]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/impressions-pirates-plund-arrr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/impressions-pirates-plund-arrr/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/impressions-pirates-plund-arrr/#comments Pirates Plund-Arrr is best summed up as Castle Crashers, but with pirates. On the Wii. For $30.

Unfortunately for Majesco and developer Boomzap, PSN and XBLA have spoiled us with a number of high-quality downloadable beat 'em ups for under $20. By skipping WiiWare and releasing as a retail game, Pirates Plund-Arrr seems a bit too pricey for its genre.

Still, if you've been hankering for a four player co-op brawler on the Wii, Pirates Plund-Arrr delivers the action and humor we've come to expect from the genre. The title alone is representative of the spirit of the game. Boomzap has taken every opportunity to inject pirate lingo and iconography into a colorful, well-animated world.

Continue reading Impressions: Pirates Plund-Arrr

JoystiqImpressions: Pirates Plund-Arrr originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boomzapmajescopirates-plund-arrrpirates-plundarrrThu, 11 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest makes 'Move' to PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest-makes-move-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest-makes-move-to-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/lord-of-the-rings-aragorns-quest-makes-move-to-ps3/#comments
[Wii version]
Warner Bros. Interactive has revealed that, in addition to the previously announced PS2, PSP, DS and Wii releases, it's putting Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest on PS3 -- with PlayStation Move support. The kid-friendly LOTR game will now be released this fall (delayed again!) on all five platforms, with the Wii version developed by Headstrong Games (yes, that Headstrong Games) and the others by TT Fusion. Of course, the Wii and PS3 versions will be the only ones with motion control, and they will also be the only versions featuring two-player co-op (with the second player controlling Gandalf).

The PS3 version won't be an exact port of the Wii one, but it's the same idea -- a game for which the Wii was originally the lead platform, now spreading to the PS3 thanks to the existence of a very Wii-like motion controller. It may be the first, but this is definitely not the last time we'll see this!

JoystiqLord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest makes 'Move' to PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aragorns-questdelaysfall-2010headstrong-gameslord-of-the-ringsmotion-controlplaystation-moverelease-datett-fusionwarner-bros-interactivewbieThu, 11 Mar 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Hanabi Festival returns to Europe with Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/hanabi-festival-returns-to-europe-with-castlevania/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/hanabi-festival-returns-to-europe-with-castlevania/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/hanabi-festival-returns-to-europe-with-castlevania/#commentsNintendo of Europe is bringing back the Hanabi Festival, its occasional celebration of import games, starting March 12 -- and it's bringing what might be the most anticipated import Virtual Console game ever (by us). Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is among the small lineup of games to be released in Europe as part of the Festival, along with Milon's Secret Castle and Lode Runner, both for NES, and Ironclad for Neo Geo.

We aren't entirely certain from the wording, but the announcement mentions Castlevania, and then says that the other games will "continue in the following weeks." So it's pretty likely you're going to be able to buy Rondo of Blood tomorrow. Happy Hanabi Festival!

Joystiq NintendoHanabi Festival returns to Europe with Castlevania: Rondo of Blood originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castlevania-rondo-of-bloodeuropehanabi-festivalironcladlode-runnermilons-secret-castlevirtual-consoleThu, 11 Mar 2010 10:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Majesco cooks up Crafting Mama for DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/majesco-cooks-up-crafting-mama-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/majesco-cooks-up-crafting-mama-for-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/majesco-cooks-up-crafting-mama-for-ds/#commentsAlmost a year ago, a trademark for "Crafting Mama" was spotted. It's now being put to use, as Majesco has announced, well, Crafting Mama for DS. In her latest endeavor, Mama will occupy her seemingly endless time with a new task: arts & crafts.

In a series of 40 projects, players will create things like birdhouses, quilts, kaleidoscopes and adorable new aprons for Mama to wear, as well as Mama dolls. Of course, these creations will all be realized through the familiar touch-based minigames, played alone and in multiplayer, which so many of us have grown to love in the utterly populous Cooking Mama game franchise. It's kind of crazy that a company can announce a game about making quilts and birdhouses, and we can already pretty much imagine how to play it!

Majesco plans a fall 2010 release for Crafting Mama, but we suspect the publisher is at least considering bumping that up a bit.

JoystiqMajesco cooks up Crafting Mama for DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cooking-mamacooking-mama-limitedcrafting-mamafall-2010majescominigamesrelease-dateThu, 11 Mar 2010 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Green Day: Rock Band releases June 8 worldwide]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/green-day-rock-band-release-date-june-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/green-day-rock-band-release-date-june-8/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/green-day-rock-band-release-date-june-8/#comments That's right, folks -- Harmonix has just revealed that Green Day: Rock Band will be available for all come June 8 on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. Up to 6 players (3 mics; 3 instruments) will progress through the career of the trio, unlocking collectible images (more than 100, apparently) and some 40 minutes of "rare and unreleased" footage from interviews, outtakes and performances along the way.

As alluded to above, GD:RB will also sport the same vocal harmonizing feature that made The Beatles: Rock Band such a delight for mic hogs and comes loaded with 47 Green Day tracks, including "Brain Stew," "Jaded," "Hitchin' a Ride," "American Idiot," "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

Oh, and if you're looking to export these tunes, worry not: all 47 tracks are fully exportable to a console hard drive and playable in Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and the recently announced Rock Band 3. The export fee is $9.99 via Xbox Live or PSN. The export features is not available for the Wii system. Additionally, if you've picked up the six Green Day tunes already available as DLC, you can play them in the new game with added harmonies, "unique" visuals and more "exclusive archival material."

Green Day: Rock Band will be available as a standalone game for Xbox 360 and PS3 for $59.99, while Wii owners will get a bit of a price break at $49.99. A special edition Green Day: Rock Band Plus will also come to Xbox 360 and PS3 for $69.99 and includes fancy packaging, an "export" feature (we assume, a voucher to export the disc tracks to the hard drive) and the six previously released Green Day DLC tracks.

Update: The GameStop pre-order bonus for the standalone game is an export voucher (for Xbox 360 or PS3). Essentially, pre-order GD:RB from GameStop, and you can export all 47 tracks to your console hard drive for free.

JoystiqGreen Day: Rock Band releases June 8 worldwide originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonuscompatibilitydemiurgedemiurge-studiosdlceaexportinggamestopgreen-daygreen-day-rock-bandharmonixmk12mtv-gamespre-orderpricingq2-2010release-daterock-bandThu, 11 Mar 2010 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ubisoft prepping short film, a Ghost Recon: Future Soldier prequel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/ghost-recon-future-soldier-short-film-prequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/ghost-recon-future-soldier-short-film-prequel/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/ghost-recon-future-soldier-short-film-prequel/#comments
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Ubisoft will release a short film ahead of the release of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. The film will be helmed by Francois Alaux and Herve de Crecy, the duo that just won an Academy Award for their short film Logorama. We're assuming the Ghost Recon film won't be quite as cheeky. The short, which will serve as a prequel to Future Soldier, will be a 20-minute live-action film, reportedly with a budget between $8-10 million. It's being written by Tim Sexton, co-writer of Children of Men.

The project is in line with Ubisoft's ongoing strategy to expand its scope of media to include more than just video games. Last year, the company released the Assassin's Creed: Lineage short film series to promote Assassin's Creed II. Later in the year, Ubisoft Montreal's Yannis Mallat envisioned a future where Ubisoft crafts films and games using the same assets, which is precisely what it did with Lineage. Given the talent and financial backing behind the Future Soldier film, it looks like Mallat's future could be a bright one.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqUbisoft prepping short film, a Ghost Recon: Future Soldier prequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>filmfrancois-alauxghost-reconghost-recon-future-soldierherve-de-crecymovieubisoftubisoft-parisWed, 10 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[LukPlus looking for Coropata publisher at GDC]]>http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/lukplus-looking-for-coropata-publisher-at-gdc/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/lukplus-looking-for-coropata-publisher-at-gdc/http://nintendo.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/lukplus-looking-for-coropata-publisher-at-gdc/#commentsIf you're reading this and you're in charge of business development for a game publisher, and if you're at GDC -- as unlikely as all that is -- please go talk to LukPlus. According to Siliconera, the publisher has a meeting room at the convention, and is actively working to find a North American publisher for its cute DS puzzle game Coropata.

We sampled Coropata at TGS and found it charming, and we'd appreciate the opportunity to do things like buy it in a store and read all the text. We admit that a cutesy, anime-style puzzle game similar to The Incredible Machine may be somewhat of a niche interest, though.

Joystiq NintendoLukPlus looking for Coropata publisher at GDC originally appeared on Joystiq Nintendo on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coropatagdc-2010localizationlukpluspuzzleWed, 10 Mar 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Eminem & Jay-Z all mixed up in new DJ Hero DLC pack]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/eminem-and-jay-z-all-mixed-up-in-new-dj-hero-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/eminem-and-jay-z-all-mixed-up-in-new-dj-hero-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/10/eminem-and-jay-z-all-mixed-up-in-new-dj-hero-dlc/#comments
Scr-scr-scratched through all of DJ Hero's tracks? Activision has announced a new DLC mix pack featuring Renegade Edition headliners Eminem and Jay-Z. The collection is scheduled to drop on Xbox Live, PSN and Wii this month and includes:
  • "Shake That" by Eminem mixed with "Show Me What You Got" by Jay-Z
  • "Without Me" by Eminem mixed with "Encore" by Jay-Z
  • "Can I Get A..." by Jay-Z mixed with "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
The new tracks will be available on March 18 on Xbox Live for 640 ($8) and March 25 on PSN for $7.99. The tracks will not be sold separately for Xbox 360 or PS3. Each track, however, will be available for the Wii version on March 25 as a downloadable single for 300 Wii Points ($3); $9 for all three.

JoystiqEminem & Jay-Z all mixed up in new DJ Hero DLC pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisiondj-herodlceminemjay-z-psnrelease-datexblmxbox-liveWed, 10 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST