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Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 revealed, goes multiplatform

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 18th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Namco Bandai is unsurprisingly working on a sequel to Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. Revealed in the latest issue of V-Jump, the sequel will take place right where the first game left off, at the beginning of the Shippuden series. Not only will the cast of characters be older in the sequel, Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is promising some big new features, primarily 4-player support and a multiplatform release. Yep, unlike the first game, Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 will be released on both PS3 and Xbox 360.

Details are slim at the moment, but with a planned 2010 release in Japan, we'll undoubtedly find out more soon. So long as CyberConnect 2 can expand on the game's depth while keeping its good looks, anime fans will want to keep an eye out for this one.

[Thanks Fidoboy17; Via Siliconera]

Gallery: Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes gets a third game release

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 11th 2009 at 1:10AM }

It seems Naruto is well on his way towards becoming a football announcer. Namco Bandai's games based on the anime franchise continue their proliferation. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is coming to PSP and it continues Naruto's inability to save his friend Sasuke.

The big new features for this third iteration of Shippuden are four-player battles, a new story mode and an expanded roster of characters (Namco Bandai is promising over 50). In addition to the usual fighting modes, a new cooperative ad-hoc feature will let three players connect with each other and play through the adventure mode. While the enhancements sound promising, we wonder if fans haven't grown tired of these annual iterations yet.

Gallery: Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3

Record of Agarest War is largest PSN game ever

by David Hinkle { Dec 4th 2009 at 8:15PM }

If you managed to get into the MAG beta and thought that was a lot of downloading, Aksys' Record of Agarest War is going to blow your mind. The PSN title will weigh in "somewhere around 8 - 10 gigs," an Aksys employee posted on the game's forums. Obviously, eight to ten gigabytes isn't going to be much space for your PS3's big and burly hard drive and it's definitely understandable considering the game was originally a disc-based release in Europe; however, the time it'll take to download all of those gigglebytes is another story.

We suggest starting the download before you go to bed or -- considering the "100 hour" adventure isn't actually out yet -- taking the Delorean up to 88MPH.

[Via Siliconera]

Gallery: Record of Agarest War

PSA: Second Halo Legends episode free, available today only

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 21st 2009 at 11:30AM }

If you enjoyed the Cowboy Bebop-meets-Master Chief action presented in the first episode of Halo Legends (seriously, that main character looked just like Spike Spiegel!), then you may want to check out the second episode of the Spartan-themed anime premiering today on Halo Waypoint. For 24 hours starting at 12:00AM PST (about eight hours ago), Xbox Live Silver and Gold members will be able to access "The Duel" through the "all-things-Halo" hub.

Microsoft also notes that this will be the last week for Xbox Live Silver members to explore Waypoint, and in turn, enjoy the weekly free episodes of Halo Legends. If you're wondering what time the show will be available for you and you don't live in North America, a full list of showtimes is available on Xbox.com.

Dante's Inferno anime remains faithful to Visceral source

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 13th 2009 at 9:01AM }

With talent from "Blood the Last Vampire" and "Ergo Proxy" (oh, and "Samauri Champloo") involved, it should've been clear that "Dante's Inferno: The Animated Epic" was going to be sickeningly violent. A newly released trailer for the straight-to-video anime spin-off reveals that this Dante's Inferno project isn't a single film, but rather a compilation of animated shorts, much like "The Animatrix," "Batman: Gotham Knight" and, most recently, "Halo: Legends."

We're pretty certain Dante Alighieri is rolling in his grave right now, as this anthology of multiple interpretations of Visceral Games' interpretation of the original epic poem is so very far removed from the source. But hey, it's Alighieri's fault for not having the foresight to write about someone's head getting chopped in half!

Expect The Animated Epic to arrive on DVD and Blu-ray in February, the same month as the game.

Get a free episode of Naruto Shippuden Uncut

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 23rd 2009 at 3:00PM }

Time for another PlayStation Video Store freebie. You can get the first episode of Naruto Shippuden Uncut on your PS3 or PSP for zero dollars. The "Shippuden" story takes place a few years after the events of the first Naruto series, and covers the latter half of the manga's story. Note: the free episode is presented dubbed in English and presented in 4:3.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast demo now on Xbox Live

by Justin McElroy { Oct 22nd 2009 at 1:45PM }

You know what? We're done making fun of Dragon Ball Z on Joystiq. We always end up doing so much research just to pull a joke off that the only ones who get it are the ones whose feelings we hurt. It's a sucker's game and besides that, it's just mean.

So we're just going to tell you, without judgment, that Dragon Ball: Raging Blast has a demo that's now available on Xbox Live, and that it's a perfect way to kill time until the babysitter finishes heating up your Pizza Rolls.

... Shit.

Koei drops assets, plot details for Fist of the North Star Musou

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 14th 2009 at 12:43PM }

Hokuto no Ken, it means no worries for the rest of your days ...

Koei recently sent over a handful of screenshots from its recently announced video game adaptation of the Fist of the North Star anime series, Hokuto Musou, which is due out in Japan in 2010. Thankfully for those of us who aren't manga aficionados, these screens were accompanied by a brief primer on the series' plot. We won't bore you with the entire premise, but instead offer you this highlight from Koei's description:

"Channeling their energy into a single deadly blow, players can strike their victims and cause them to violently explode on screen. Gamers can also let loose with Kenshiro's signature move- a ruthless flurry of ferocious punches, triggering the instantaneous breakdown of internal organs, and death."

Yes, please.

Gallery: Fist of the North Star

Namco Bandai appoints three new execs to North American operations

by Justin McElroy { Sep 24th 2009 at 9:00PM }

Namco Bandai knows you can only continue to flog the equine corpse of Naruto and Dragon Ball Z so many times before it gets excessive. But rather than bring in new flog-ees, it's welcomed three new floggers to help run its North American operation.

The company has just added former Codie Catherin Fowler, former 2K exec Graeme Bayless and Atari honcho Robert Stevenson to executive positions between which neither you nor we appreciate the distinction. All said they looked forward to being blasted on forums as "somehow less respectful of the art of anime than 4Kids." And that's saying something.

Japanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we)

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 17th 2009 at 1:00AM }

Japanese gaming pub Dengenki recently polled its readers on what series they'd like to see translated into anime form. The Top 10 list looks nearly exactly the same as our own wishlist:

1. Persona 4
2. Phoenix Wright
3. Okami
4. Kingdom Hearts
5. Idol Master
6. Metal Gear Solid
7. Yakuza
8. BlazBlue
9. Persona 3
10. Atelier Rorona

Atlus' PS2 RPG Persona 4 tops the list, managing to beat out some big names like Kingdom Hearts and Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps the success of Persona: Trinity Soul reminded readers that the franchise works in serialized TV format? While we'd certainly like to see another Persona anime, an adaptation of Phoenix Wright seems like a no-brainer. Capcom, are you reading this?

[Via Andriasang]

Get a free episode of Gunslinger Girl from the PlayStation Store

by Andrew Yoon { Sep 11th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Who doesn't like a freebie? You can get the first episode of the second season of Gunslinger Girl -- presumably about a girl that slings guns (that's totally a lie) -- absolutely free from the PlayStation Video Store. Browse the "Anime" section of the Store, and look for the episode entitled "Distance Between Two: Brother and Sister." The offer is available on both PSP and PS3 until September 17.

Catch a trailer after the break.

Continued →

Rumor: A new Tatsunoko vs Capcom challenger appears

by David Hinkle { Sep 9th 2009 at 11:30AM }

You know how Capcom said that the North American and European releases of Tatsunoko vs Capcom would have some new faces not seen in the original Japanese release? Well, you could be looking at one of them from the Tatsunoko side as reader Vincent tipped us on the above scan. Vinny says the dude is Tekkaman Blade, who originally appeared in what is known as an anime. We're not sure what this anime is or what it does exactly, but as soon as we crack that code, we'll be sure to let you all know. While we do that, be sure to keep those fingers crossed for our pal Phoenix Wright.

[Thanks, Vincent!]

Gallery: Tatsunoko VS Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Watch a few minutes of Record of Agarest War's '100 hour' adventure

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 28th 2009 at 3:00PM }

Niche RPG Record of Agarest War is coming to the States (in English!) courtesy of Aksys Games this fall. Considering the limited appeal of oldschool 2D sprite-based RPGs, the publisher has opted to distribute the game exclusively through the PlayStation Network. While it may be a "mere" downloadable title, Aksys is promoting the game's supposed "100 hours" of gameplay, making it easily one of the lengthiest PSN titles ever.

Record of Agarest War is known for its use of anime fanservice and this initial clip shows us why. Apparently, girls have trouble covering the entirety of their chests in the world of Agarest. While that may prove to be problematic in battle, the video (after the break) shows that real warriors have no need for appropriate attire.

Gallery: Record of Agarest War

Continued →

Naruto, Tales artists create special costumes for Tekken 6

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 3rd 2009 at 8:00PM }

Tekken 6 continues to expand its repertoire of manga-inspired special costumes. Masashi Kishimoto, creator of Naruto, is collaborating with Namco Bandai by creating an alternate outfit for Lars (seen above). This is the second costume from a famous mangaka for Tekken 6, the first being CLAMP's design for Jin.

In addition to Kishimoto's outfit, Tekken 6 will also feature an alternate costume for Zafina designed by Mutsumi Inomata, character designer of Tales of Destiny and Tales of Graces (after the break). While some were afraid these costumes would remain a strictly Japan-only affair, Siliconera reports that all three of the special costumes revealed so far will be available in the US version as well when it launches on October 27th.

Continued →

Halo Legends trailer includes 3D swording, surprise teddy bears

by JC Fletcher { Jul 24th 2009 at 11:00AM }

Yesterday, you saw two still images from the Halo Legends anime miniseries. Are you ready to see more images -- played in rapid succession? As promised, GameTrailers premiered a trailer for the miniseries featuring snippets from five anime studios' takes on the Halo series. We were surprised to see, among all the traditional animation, a CG sword-fightin' segment from Casio Entertainment.

Anime News Network reports that Mamoru Oshii, the director of Ghost in the Shell, The Sky Crawlers and more, will direct one of the segments, proving what we have heard about Microsoft before: that it has a lot of money.