Retro/Grade Trailer: It’s One Of Those “What The What?” Games That Works Well…

Posted on July 28, 2012 by geelw

So, what’s Retro/Grade, you ask? Well, it’s a rhythm game/space shooter/reason to dust of your plastic guitar peripheral and probably a dessert topping, all available as a PSN exclusive download. Given that I tossed my guitar peripherals into a volcano some time ago, I’ll be skipping the fun. But I certainly won’t stop YOU from picking up this game if you like what you see. Fake, formerly pricey and now greatly discounted (thanks to the demise of the guitar game as a major cash cow) controller option aside, it would be nice to see this also on the Vita, as again, the handheld could use some fun titles like this to combat the app-happy crowd and their dollar games. People will pay more for quality if the content is worth it, I say…

Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time Trailer Update (Or, Why I Still Need A Working Time Machine)

Posted on July 26, 2012 by geelw

Let’s see now, stirring score to get you all hopped up for the SRPG action and deep story? Check. Lovely character artwork by Satoshi Urushihara (of Der Langrisser fame, among other things) lending a distinctly nostalgic feel to things? Check. PSP release on UMD (yes!) set to hit stores in a mere six days? Check. Thanks, Atlus (once again)… except where the heck am I going to find TIME to actually play this gem? Eh, you can’t get everything you ask for, right? I’ll just grab the game when I see it and figure out when I’ll have time to play it afterward. You can add yourself to that list of gamers needing to figure out how this time travel stuff is supposed to work by making a beeline to your favorite brick and mortar emporium on July 31… or pre-ordering it here

Natsume Online Store Summer Sale Is On, So Go Farm Up Some Bargains!

Posted on July 26, 2012 by geelw

If you’re a fan of Natsume’s family-friendly lineup of Harvest Moon or Rune Factory games for the Wii, DS, 3DS, PS3 and/or PSP, want to do some Reel Fishing or have a few cool Adventures to Go, this big blowout sale is most definitely for you. Head on over and check out the lineup and definitely snap up what you want fast, as the company is giving away a cool premium item you won’t find anywhere else. Hmmmmmm, at these prices, there are a lot of excellent buys here as the majority of Natsume’s titles are super heavy on replay value. I guess I can finally get to see the differences between Afrika for the PS3 and Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition for the Wii as they sound like exactly the same game bit with huge graphics differences.

This Week’s Fan Events: The Dark Knight Manual Signing, Kingdom Hearts 3D Launch

Posted on July 25, 2012 by geelw

Hey! If you’re in the NYC area, have some spending money ready for a couple of cool new items and don’t mind a bit of queuing up, well, here you go: two events worth getting up early for (or skipping work for if you’re employed and can actually get away for a bit without getting caught by the boss). The first is at Midtown Comics’ downtown location this Thursday where author Brandon T. Snider will be signing copies of the just released (and pretty sweet goodie-packed collectible) Insight Publications book, The Dark Knight Manual.

The second event is this Saturday at the Nintendo World Store where Square Enix will unveil the newest in the popular Kingdom Hearts series of games, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. Both events should be pretty hectic, but I’d say Nintendo has the edge here, as every event I’ve ever been to at the store has been packed with freebie-loving fanboys and girls ready for their close-ups. Anyway, get to both early and enjoy the day if you’re headed to either.

Video Game Appreciation 101: Wii Library Update (New Additions)

Posted on July 23, 2012 by geelw

A few new (and used) titles for the collection, mostly thanks to some trades and a few others snapped up at really cheap prices. of course, I haven’t even finished all of these (my time machine is still busted), but have played enough of each to offer buy or bust recommendations. Then again, something I don’t like might be something you may fall over backwards over – that’s one of the more interesting things about gaming for you, right?
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Mugen Souls Pre-Order Goodies Take On The “Stinky Gamer” Stereotype…

Posted on July 21, 2012 by geelw

NISA’s Online Store does it again with yet another nice set of dual pre-order Premium Box sets for an upcoming PS3 exclusive. This time, it’s Mugen Souls, coming your way on September 18 in not one, not two, but THREE editions. Pick one, unless you have that much cash to spare (and maybe want to surprise me with a gift, ha ha). You can pre-order NOW or snap the standard edition later at any game retailer or at NISA’s online shop for $49.99 or grab one of the SUPER limited single print run boxed versions via pre-order (ASAP, as they’ll go FAST) for $64.99 or $99.99 depending on how much swag you want to fill up your shelf space. Both box sets come complete with an art book, soundtrack CD, bath sponge and hand towel, with the more pricey set netting buyers three exclusive figurines you won’t see anywhere else. Gamers who only go for the standard edition have to provide their own fancy washing goodies, or just rub the shrink wrap all over them to get that new game smell. Anyway, the game looks like a ton of fun, promising “overwhelming visuals, massively customizable characters, and never ending gameplay” according to the press release.

Thundercats DS Says To Consoles: “How Ya Like Me Now?”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by geelw

Well, now… color me intrigued. I happen to still like my Nintendo DS quite a lot, so yes, I’ll absolutely be bugging Namco Bandai for a reviewable of this game. Hey, for me, it’ll be the 16-bit game I never got to play back on the SNES and Genesis and as you’ll see from the gallery I’ll post later tonight, the game actually looks pretty impressive. Which of course means that I need to practice my Lion-O yell to get even more psyched for the game’s September 25, 2012 release. Er, you may want to stand back a few feet, kids (and get the family pet into a closet nearby – you’ve been warned): *Ahem* Thundercats, HOO*cough!*ooooo….*ack*oooo!!!!…

Hmmmm. Clearly, practice is needed there, as I just broke my throat and a window here. Back with more later. Er, more screen shots, that is (and a lot of them)…

Persona 4 Golden Cover Art: Vita Owners Can Start Up That Happy Dance Again…

Posted on July 18, 2012 by geelw

Speaking of Persona 4… I posted that last article and went off to make some coffee and as soon as I sit down again, *ding!* this pops up in my inbox. Nice. I now have another game I want for my Vita (and finally, a RPG getting a US retail release that’s deeper than what’s currently on the handheld!). Naturally, clicking on that link above will fly you over to the teaser site where you can go temporarily blind from the burst of color that will hit your eyeballs then upon your recovery, pre-order the game if you like (no pressure here!).

Of course, if you don’t have a Vita yet, you probably won’t be clicking away, but I’d say this is one of those JRPGs that’s worth a console purchase if you like your games ridiculously PACKED to the gills with content and replay value.

Persona 4 Arena Is Looking Mighty Cool For A Game I Was Ignoring…

Posted on July 18, 2012 by geelw

OK, I’m guilty! Although I’ve been ignoring all those character moves trailers for a while just because I’m too busy with other stuff, after finally watching this latest trailer I can safely state that Arc System Works + Atlus’ key JRPG franchise = instant classic for genre fans of all skill levels. I’m terrible at most fighting games, but I’ll give this a shot because it looks like fun and I’m a Shin Megami Tensei fan from the Super Famicom days. Granted, I still prefer Kaneko Kazuma’s more unique art style over the art in the series since Persona 3, but I’m not crazy enough to ignore a good game over something like that. Anyway, August 7 is the release date and yes, you can pre-order the game and get a nice bonus (par for the course with an Atlus release). Hmmm. perhaps Persona 5 or a future Shin Megami Tensei title will feature a fighting game engine based on this game instead of a turn-based combat system… that would be a total trip, wouldn’t it?

DragonBall Z Kinect: You’ll Probably Want To Punch Your TV For Real, But…

Posted on July 14, 2012 by geelw

Remember… it’s a game for kids, so there’s that. Motion controls aside, it’s also a tiny bit close to what the Bandai Playdia DBZ games were in a few aspects, so there’s that as well. That means again, it’s a game for KIDS, first and foremost. All the Super Saiyan furor boiling up and way over about this one is a bit much, I think. Hell, if you’re screaming about a motion-controlled DragonBall game and you’re old enough to vote or drink, you should probably be consuming less caffeine and sugar or something. Maybe go read some Shakespeare, get out for a nice walk? I hear there’s some nice jazz in the park somewhere near you… Cultchah, folks, cult-chah…