I'm liking this week! I just wish that I carried on learning Japanese as its a bit of a big week for those guys and gals there.
Read to know when a game could be dumped:
These dates are what retailers say is out unless stated otherwise, sometimes they make dates up for pre-ordering purposes. These dates could also be "shipping dates" which usually means that that's the date when games get shipped to stores so a game could either be in stores on that day or after. Some games may get delayed some others not listed may appear but at the moment of posting these are correct. Also just because a game is released in stores it doesn't mean that they'll appear on our internets but NA titles usually appear on our 'nets Wednesday night UK time. I love you with mouth.
DS
18th February
FIFA Street 3
Region: North America Genre: Football
Developer: Exient Publisher: EA
The last Fifa Street was terrible on all formats, can this one improve upon it like the proper Fifa game has on the DS? Though the video is a bit blurry it does look like its a bit of an improvement this time around. ". D-pad is used for player movement, but the touch screen is utilized for all the passing, kicking, and tricking in the game. To pass the ball, it's a simple tap on the screen in relation to where the other player is on the top screen. To shoot, it's an upwards swipe, and depending on the speed of the swipe and its direction, that's where the ball will go and at that relative velocity. The vertical head-on camera perspective helps, and when you get into multiplayer, each player gets their own vertical view anyway so there's no compromise." I hope it plays well.
Video Link
19th February
Apollo Justice: Ace Attourney
Region: North America Genre: Lawyer / Adventure
Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom
The story continues, this time you take the role of a new attourney and you must defend Phoenix Wright and find him innocent. Expect the game to be pretty much the same again but for me its the story that matters in these games and finding all the great pop culture references they shove into it. As Apollo Justice, you'll make use of his uncanny ability to uncover witnesses’ lies by studying their body language. But as talented as our hero is, he wouldn't get far without the support of his assistant Trucy, a mysterious female magician. Apollo also receives invaluable advice from Kristoph Gavin, his ultra-cool mentor whose perfect logic and natural instincts have won him numerous cases and the respect of his colleagues. A new feature for the series is “Crime Recreation Mode” that allows players to reveal hidden clues by re-creating the scene of the crime. A flash demo of this can be found here.
Video Link
21st February
Space Invaders Extreme
Region: Japan Genre: Shooter
Developer: Taito Corporation Publisher: Taito Corporation
Its Space Invaders but...EXTREEEEEEEEME!! Early plays of this say its much much better than recent games and I have to say I'm looking forward to playing this as it looks to be a winner this time around. This game is also compatible with the paddle that came with Arkanoid. I'm excited about playing this piece of retro goodness. Space Invaders Extreme's multiplayer versus mode (local and online) will have you racing against another player to destroy advancing aliens. You can follow your opponent's progress on the top display while fighting your own battle on the bottom screen. You'll also be able to compare your record with other players on the game's world ranking system. Excite me is.
Video Link
Populous DS
Region: Japan Genre: God Sim
Developer: EA Japan Publisher: EA
Following on from EA Japan's other PC to DS ports (Theme Park & Sim City) this I am hoping will be released in English and I'm sure it will seeing that its a game originally developed in the West. Its pretty much gonna be the same as the original game but added for the DS are a race of beings that build buildings in the style of Nintendo games machines, we had that in the SNES version and its great that EA Japan are updating it for the DS. I'm hoping that like Theme Park it'll have an English option and that stylus play is better than Sim City.
Video Link
Bokujou Monogatari: Kira Kira Taiyou to Nakama Tachi aka Harvest Moon: Sun and Friends
Region: Japan Genre: Farm & Social Sim
Developer: Marvelous Interactive Publisher: Marvelous Interactive
Yet another Harvest Moon game and it looks to be about the same as the last DS one. Expect bugs and tedium as you hope that one day they'll get it right and give DS owners a great Harvest Moon game and one that doesn't look like a first gen GBA title. Reviews over in Japan say its pretty below average and stale. Oh well at least we'll have Rune Factory 2.
Video Link
Sekaiju no Meikyuu 2: Shoou no Seihai aka Etrian Odyssey II : The Royal Grail
Region: Japan Genre: Dungeon Crawling RPG
Developer: Atlus Co. Publisher: Atlus Co.
Yeah I fount the first one boring, so did many others but then many many people loved it so they will be pleased to have this when it eventually comes out over here. Reviews in Japan have been very high with Famitsu giving it 9,9,8,8. C3 say: The gameplay is set to be much better in terms of balance this time round, with players not being able to let their guard down even against what appear to be weaker enemies. The mapping element has been tweaked to make it more 'fun', there will also be upgraded tools on offer, a new addition of a compass to prevent people from getting lost quite as easily, plus a 'Quick Save' function has been included to give a real 'on the go' feel. Finally, the skill balance has also been amended for the better, with jobs being much more varied than in the first outing.
Video Link
Keiji J.B. Harold no Jikenbo: Satsujin Club
Region: Japan Genre: Murder Mystery
Developer: Althi Publisher: fonfun
I wish we had more murder mystery games.
Also out in Japan are:
Tokyo Odaiba Casino
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 1: Shinseiki Evangelion - Magokoro o, Kimi ni
And out in Europe is apparently Paint By Ds which I mentioned last week but chances are will get another date.
PSP
18th February
Need For Speed: ProStreet
Region: US (Europe 22nd) Genre: Racing
Developer: EA Sports Publisher: EA
Took its sweet time to come to the PSP didn't it? Usually EA just release all at the same time and a few formats get rushed versions that suck balls (like the Wii did) Can't say I liked it, but hell I haven't enjoyed a NFS game since the 3DO days but you know, chavs like 'em. There's online on this which I guess is nice and it has new features like Driver Intuition, Driver Personas, and Speed Mode...meh?
Video Link
22nd February
Patapont
Region: Europe Genre: Rhythm Action AWESOMENESS!
Developer: SCE/WWS Publisher: SCEE
Apparently this is out according to some sources but my local stores say they don't have adate but whatever I wanna hype this up so I don't mind mentioning it. Japanese version was fucking awesome, can't wait to play this some more! Patapon is a rhythm-based 2D platform/action game exclusively for the PSP. In the game, players are tasked with leading the colourful Patapons, a brave and noble tribe, through a series of epic battles against opposing armies and gigantic monsters. In a distinct gameplay twist, action and rhythm are intertwined as players utilize drumbeats to march, attack, and defend, ultimately leading the Patapon tribe to victory. Featuring more than 20 missions in a variety of environments such as swamps, volcanoes, gorges and deserts, players will outfit a Patapon army, collect resources, and grow their tribe into a devastating fighting force. The music is great and to be honest I fount nothing to complain about with this awesome piece of gaming. Soundtrack of the year? Hell yeah! I hope this game gets ported to PS2 & PS3 as everyone should have it.
Video Link
Click thumbnail to enlarge:
That's all for now, I like this week and I hope these games keep me busy because the week after is shovelwaretastic.
EDIT: Forgot the PSP Japanese releases:
Space Invaders Extreme
Musô Orochi
Home Console & PC thread will appear sometime Sunday.
Read to know when a game could be dumped:
These dates are what retailers say is out unless stated otherwise, sometimes they make dates up for pre-ordering purposes. These dates could also be "shipping dates" which usually means that that's the date when games get shipped to stores so a game could either be in stores on that day or after. Some games may get delayed some others not listed may appear but at the moment of posting these are correct. Also just because a game is released in stores it doesn't mean that they'll appear on our internets but NA titles usually appear on our 'nets Wednesday night UK time. I love you with mouth.
DS
18th February
FIFA Street 3
Region: North America Genre: Football
Developer: Exient Publisher: EA
The last Fifa Street was terrible on all formats, can this one improve upon it like the proper Fifa game has on the DS? Though the video is a bit blurry it does look like its a bit of an improvement this time around. ". D-pad is used for player movement, but the touch screen is utilized for all the passing, kicking, and tricking in the game. To pass the ball, it's a simple tap on the screen in relation to where the other player is on the top screen. To shoot, it's an upwards swipe, and depending on the speed of the swipe and its direction, that's where the ball will go and at that relative velocity. The vertical head-on camera perspective helps, and when you get into multiplayer, each player gets their own vertical view anyway so there's no compromise." I hope it plays well.
Video Link
19th February
Apollo Justice: Ace Attourney
Region: North America Genre: Lawyer / Adventure
Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom
The story continues, this time you take the role of a new attourney and you must defend Phoenix Wright and find him innocent. Expect the game to be pretty much the same again but for me its the story that matters in these games and finding all the great pop culture references they shove into it. As Apollo Justice, you'll make use of his uncanny ability to uncover witnesses’ lies by studying their body language. But as talented as our hero is, he wouldn't get far without the support of his assistant Trucy, a mysterious female magician. Apollo also receives invaluable advice from Kristoph Gavin, his ultra-cool mentor whose perfect logic and natural instincts have won him numerous cases and the respect of his colleagues. A new feature for the series is “Crime Recreation Mode” that allows players to reveal hidden clues by re-creating the scene of the crime. A flash demo of this can be found here.
Video Link
21st February
Space Invaders Extreme
Region: Japan Genre: Shooter
Developer: Taito Corporation Publisher: Taito Corporation
Its Space Invaders but...EXTREEEEEEEEME!! Early plays of this say its much much better than recent games and I have to say I'm looking forward to playing this as it looks to be a winner this time around. This game is also compatible with the paddle that came with Arkanoid. I'm excited about playing this piece of retro goodness. Space Invaders Extreme's multiplayer versus mode (local and online) will have you racing against another player to destroy advancing aliens. You can follow your opponent's progress on the top display while fighting your own battle on the bottom screen. You'll also be able to compare your record with other players on the game's world ranking system. Excite me is.
Video Link
Populous DS
Region: Japan Genre: God Sim
Developer: EA Japan Publisher: EA
Following on from EA Japan's other PC to DS ports (Theme Park & Sim City) this I am hoping will be released in English and I'm sure it will seeing that its a game originally developed in the West. Its pretty much gonna be the same as the original game but added for the DS are a race of beings that build buildings in the style of Nintendo games machines, we had that in the SNES version and its great that EA Japan are updating it for the DS. I'm hoping that like Theme Park it'll have an English option and that stylus play is better than Sim City.
Video Link
Bokujou Monogatari: Kira Kira Taiyou to Nakama Tachi aka Harvest Moon: Sun and Friends
Region: Japan Genre: Farm & Social Sim
Developer: Marvelous Interactive Publisher: Marvelous Interactive
Yet another Harvest Moon game and it looks to be about the same as the last DS one. Expect bugs and tedium as you hope that one day they'll get it right and give DS owners a great Harvest Moon game and one that doesn't look like a first gen GBA title. Reviews over in Japan say its pretty below average and stale. Oh well at least we'll have Rune Factory 2.
Video Link
Sekaiju no Meikyuu 2: Shoou no Seihai aka Etrian Odyssey II : The Royal Grail
Region: Japan Genre: Dungeon Crawling RPG
Developer: Atlus Co. Publisher: Atlus Co.
Yeah I fount the first one boring, so did many others but then many many people loved it so they will be pleased to have this when it eventually comes out over here. Reviews in Japan have been very high with Famitsu giving it 9,9,8,8. C3 say: The gameplay is set to be much better in terms of balance this time round, with players not being able to let their guard down even against what appear to be weaker enemies. The mapping element has been tweaked to make it more 'fun', there will also be upgraded tools on offer, a new addition of a compass to prevent people from getting lost quite as easily, plus a 'Quick Save' function has been included to give a real 'on the go' feel. Finally, the skill balance has also been amended for the better, with jobs being much more varied than in the first outing.
Video Link
Keiji J.B. Harold no Jikenbo: Satsujin Club
Region: Japan Genre: Murder Mystery
Developer: Althi Publisher: fonfun
I wish we had more murder mystery games.
Also out in Japan are:
Tokyo Odaiba Casino
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series DS Vol. 1: Shinseiki Evangelion - Magokoro o, Kimi ni
And out in Europe is apparently Paint By Ds which I mentioned last week but chances are will get another date.
PSP
18th February
Need For Speed: ProStreet
Region: US (Europe 22nd) Genre: Racing
Developer: EA Sports Publisher: EA
Took its sweet time to come to the PSP didn't it? Usually EA just release all at the same time and a few formats get rushed versions that suck balls (like the Wii did) Can't say I liked it, but hell I haven't enjoyed a NFS game since the 3DO days but you know, chavs like 'em. There's online on this which I guess is nice and it has new features like Driver Intuition, Driver Personas, and Speed Mode...meh?
Video Link
22nd February
Patapont
Region: Europe Genre: Rhythm Action AWESOMENESS!
Developer: SCE/WWS Publisher: SCEE
Apparently this is out according to some sources but my local stores say they don't have adate but whatever I wanna hype this up so I don't mind mentioning it. Japanese version was fucking awesome, can't wait to play this some more! Patapon is a rhythm-based 2D platform/action game exclusively for the PSP. In the game, players are tasked with leading the colourful Patapons, a brave and noble tribe, through a series of epic battles against opposing armies and gigantic monsters. In a distinct gameplay twist, action and rhythm are intertwined as players utilize drumbeats to march, attack, and defend, ultimately leading the Patapon tribe to victory. Featuring more than 20 missions in a variety of environments such as swamps, volcanoes, gorges and deserts, players will outfit a Patapon army, collect resources, and grow their tribe into a devastating fighting force. The music is great and to be honest I fount nothing to complain about with this awesome piece of gaming. Soundtrack of the year? Hell yeah! I hope this game gets ported to PS2 & PS3 as everyone should have it.
Video Link
Click thumbnail to enlarge:
That's all for now, I like this week and I hope these games keep me busy because the week after is shovelwaretastic.
EDIT: Forgot the PSP Japanese releases:
Space Invaders Extreme
Musô Orochi
Home Console & PC thread will appear sometime Sunday.
