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New Splatterhouse screens -- now with more blood!

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 29th 2009 at 5:30PM }

If you're anything like us, you've had the upcoming Splatterhouse remake fresh in your mind ever since this week's positively terrifying reveal of Splatterhouse shoes. Thankfully, Namco also released a handful of fresh screens of the game, riddled with various creature parts and – shock! – gallons of blood. Sure, the 13-year-old in us is just about as stoked for a new Splatterhouse game as one could be. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old in us still needs a lot of convincing that the franchise is worth revisiting before next year's Q3 release.

Gallery: Splatterhouse (11/29/09)

Namco prepares a Raging Blast of Dragon Ball DLC

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 25th 2009 at 5:47PM }

If there's one thing Dragon Ball has, it's a giant, sprawling cast of unique characters. Namco Bandai understands this, so it will be offering new downloadable characters for Dragon Ball: Raging Blast every two weeks from now until April of 2010. Best of all, the downloads will be free. Each pack will include "customized versions of popular characters, each with different powered-up abilities." In other words, if the initial lineup of characters just wasn't enough, soon you'll have remixed versions on top of the current cast.

Check out the full DLC schedule after the break. Unless otherwise noted, the DLC will release simultaneously on XBLM and PSN.

Continued →

Tekken 6 update launches Nov. 26, addresses online issues

by David Hinkle { Nov 25th 2009 at 11:30AM }

A free update, launching on November 26, hopes to end the woes Tekken 6 players have encountered in the online King of Iron Fists Tournament. The update should improve connectivity between players and will add selectable search priorities for ranked matches.

Namco also aims to improve the responsiveness of button input and will add a cancel option for the first few seconds of a match should you disapprove of your opponent's signal strength. Or, in our case, should you find they're using a super cheap character like Devil Jin. Stop it!

Splatterhouse shoes are like a Terror Mask for your feet

by JC Fletcher { Nov 25th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Namco Bandai may have trouble getting a next-gen update to Splatterhouse out the door, but the company seems to have had no problem developing a new iteration of the franchise for the your feet platform.

Namco partnered with Globe Shoes to create these sneakers, purportedly based on those worn by Rick in the game. To be nitpicky, the real-world shoes don't feature the green accent found on the in-game versions -- and the Splatterhouse logo on the shoes would make for a really weird coincidence if Rick happened to be wearing them when he went into, you know, the Splatterhouse.

Then again, the Globe version makes up for the inconsistency by coming with a T-shirt, which is something Rick could use. The shoes are available from Namco's shop in limited quantities for $79.99 a pair.

If Namco releases more Tekken 6 DLC, it will be free

by JC Fletcher { Nov 24th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Producer Katsuhiro Harada commented to UK.PlayStation.com that more Tekken 6 content is likely to be on the way via DLC, adding to the retailer-exclusive Cardboard Tube Samurai outfit. But we can't groan about Namco Bandai using DLC for the popular fighter as a cash machine, because the company doesn't intend to charge for it. Harada said there was a "strong possibility" of additional downloadable content for the game -- possibly for the PSP version as well, since he didn't specify. "However, even if we were to do so, it would be free to the end user."

Of course, this is the same company that released paid Star Wars DLC for Soul Calibur IV after the director said there wouldn't be. So don't go empty out your Tekken 6 DLC fund just yet.

Gallery: Tekken 6 (GamesCom 2009)

[Via Siliconera]

Tales of Graces bundle is underwhelming

by JC Fletcher { Nov 23rd 2009 at 12:30PM }

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 ~."

Noby Noby Girl has stretched her way to Jupiter

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 21st 2009 at 9:00PM }

They said it couldn't be done -- and for good reason, considering how difficult it must be for a creature to stretch its own body to a length of 576,682,810 miles. However, thanks to a little help from Namco Bandai, Noby Noby Boy's community-driven "Girl" has managed to extend her torso from Earth to Jupiter, unlocking a new playable planet for all of the game's inhabitants.

Make sure you check out the video after the jump to get a sense of what eating your own butt whilst aimlessly traversing a gas giant feels like. We can't believe we just had a reason to write that sentence. Thank you so, so much, Noby Noby Boy.

Continued →

Sky Crawlers landing in Europe this February

by JC Fletcher { Nov 19th 2009 at 2:50PM }

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

Joyswag: Super Saiyan prize pack [update]

by David Hinkle { Nov 18th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Update: The entry period has come to a close. Keep an eye on your email's inbox to see if you won!

Namco's just unleashed its first two Dragon Ball games after wrestling the license back away from Atari and we're looking to gift one of you Super Saiyan wannabes with the above prize pack. The gotta-have-it item is obviously the Instant Anime Character Costume, which features an orange t-shirt, blue wristbands, hair gel and completely ridiculous Namco employee pose cover art. Oh, if only our legal department would let us keep it!

Leave a comment telling us who your favorite character from the Dragon Ball series is (full list here)
You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
Limit 1 entry per person per day
This entry period ends at 11:59AM ET on Tuesday, November 24
At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo for Wii ($50 ARV), Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans for DS ($30 ARV) and an Instant Anime Character Costume ($20 ARV)
For a list of complete rules, click here

'Ridge Racer Accelerated' trademark filed

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 17th 2009 at 7:45PM }

You weren't there, man! You don't know what it was like. Pity is not an emotion one should ever feel for a man whose salary dwarfs the combined income of your entire staff, but there we were, dying inside for Kaz Hirai presenting Ridge Racer at E3 2006. The mere memory of that still causes those who were in the audience to sympathize for the executive, the way one would for a dog unable to use its hind legs and instead relying on a wheelie contraption.

With all that said, Siliconera has found a Namco Bandai trademark application for Ridge Racer Accelerated. We don't know if enough time has gone by for us not to desperately exclaim "Riiiiidge Racer!" every time we hear the title, but perhaps enough time has gone by for the corporations to think we won't.

Tales of Vesperia voice actor says game is coming to Wii [update: Oops! He meant Tales of Graces!]

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 7th 2009 at 5:30PM }

[Update: Abyssal Chronicles has updated their story, reporting that Mr. Koyama has updated his original blog post with the following clarification: "When I mentioned being on sale for the Wii, I meant Tales of Graces, and not Tales of Vesperia! I truly apologize to everyone for the misunderstanding!!!!" Well, we can see how that would be confusing. You'll find our original post below.]

Lock the doors and board up the windows, folks. Considering the seismic backlash to the announcement that the (formerly) 360-exclusive Tales of Vesperia would be coming to the PS3, we fear for what might happen when this story gets out. Japanese voice actor Rikiya Koyama, who provided the voice for Vesperia's pseudo-antagonist Duke, recently mentioned on his blog that, "Tales of Vesperia is coming out on one thing after another: Xbox 360, then PS3, and now upcoming, goes on sale even on the Wii."

While this may deeply excite RPG-loving Wii owners, keep in mind that it's entirely possible Koyama meant to say Tales of Graces, the franchise's next installment which is, in fact, coming to the Wii. Just think about that before you start snapping the pieces of your already-snapped 360 Vesperia disc in protest. Those edges can get pretty sharp.

[Via Kotaku]

Namco Bandai posts $66.7 million loss for first half of year

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 6th 2009 at 12:40PM }

Namco Bandai has reported a net loss of ¥6.04 billion ($66.7 million) for the first half of its fiscal year, which began in April. During the same period last year, the company posted a net income of ¥1.28 billion ($14.14 million). Despite this year's first-half hiccup, the publisher still expects to earn ¥8.5 billion ($93.6 million) in net income by the end of its fiscal year (ending March 31, 2010). After all, there are those 2.5 million copies of Tekken 6 waiting to be sold.

Namco Bandai's software sales for the period were led by the Ben 10 franchise, as Alien Force and Protector of the Earth combined to sell approximately 810,000 units (not exactly Guitar Hero numbers, eh?). Even with Tekken 6 in its second-half roster, Namco must be pulling for a miracle. But then, the holidays are a magical time.

Source – Financial Highlights [PDF]
Source – Consolidated Financial Report [PDF]

Fragile Dreams: Hello to a new title and screens

by JC Fletcher { Nov 5th 2009 at 5:15PM }

click for moon-sizeToday, XSEED announced a slight title change for the North American release of Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon. The company has chosen to go the same route as Rising Star Games and add the word Dreams to the title. Along with the announcement, the company sent out the new logo. It's based on the Japanese logo, but -- to be extremely nitpicky -- loses something with the extra line and the subtitle font.

However, the game, as seen in new screenshots below, still looks lovely. And that's the part that matters, regardless of our petty complaints. The new title does have the bonus of making us think of Johnny Hates Jazz's "Shattered Dreams." Totally great song.

Gallery: Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon (Wii)

Japan getting God Eater sampling platter November 26

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 5th 2009 at 2:44PM }

We like to consider ourselves open-minded when it comes to new culinary experiences, but we confess that we've never had the occasion to dine upon a god. We've heard that it's a delicious (and sizable!) meal -- in fact, on the latest episode of No Reservations, Anthony Bourdain described god-meat as being "light and airy, like aged pork, but with divine properties." Japanese gamers (or PSP owners with a loose comprehension of the Japanese language) will be able to find out for themselves when a demo for God Eater launches on November 26.

The demo for the Namco Bandai-developed action-RPG will be fairly substantial, offering 10 missions, character customization and a small sliver of the game's opening story sequence. It will also support four player co-op in the demo's non-tutorial missions. The demo will be added to the Japanese PSN on Thanksgiving and will also be available on the game's official site. Between those two options, we're sure you'll find some way to snack on a few celestial entities later this month.

Tekken 6 online patch in the works, says Namco

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 4th 2009 at 6:20PM }

Those of you taking your King of the Iron Fist Tournament fighters to the internet have been experiencing some major issues, notably: when trying to compete online in any sort of meaningful way, you're met with acute, game-ending connectivity issues. Namco recognized that today and issued a response, stating, "To improve the online game experience for players ... Namco Bandai games is developing a downloadable update which will be available as soon as it has passed rigorous testing procedures."

Unfortunately, no date for the patch has been given, though the publisher does add, "This is separate from the online co-op Scenario Campaign mode update." We've pestered Namco for more details on exactly what the patch will aim to fix and when we might hear more about it but, until that time, know this: something is being fixed at some point.