Review: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Impact

Posted on November 5, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PSP

Developer: CyberConnect2

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 (Ad-Hoc 1-2)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B

Ever-busy developer CyberConnect2 went for a different, but “classic” beat ’em up approach for their latest Naruto Shippuden game and the results are mostly quite fun. Ultimate Ninja Impact takes many of the familiar characters and important parts of the story arc, puts a Dynasty Warriors-like spin to the gameplay, shakes well and despite some AI issues and PlayStation One-era background redraw, there’s a lot of game here that’s easy to pick up and play. A lengthy quest mode, unlockables galore, collectible cards that enhance skills and more are packed onto the UMD, making this an excellent value provided you’re willing to overlook some flaws.

Continue reading →

Xseed Bringing Grand Knights History To North America (Go Vanillaware!)

Gallery

Posted on September 26, 2011 by geelw

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Even if you’re not into gaming, it’s hard not to look at a Vanillaware game and see the love and care that goes into them. While the company has only a handful of titles under their belts, each has been … Continue reading →

TGS 2011: Namco Bandai Trailer Blowout: TOO Many Good Games + Some Surprises

Posted on September 15, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/JJ9kHEy1lcU?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Yikes. I don't have time to write up separate posts for all of these, so I'll let the assortment of trailers above and below (and below the the jump) show you some of what's cooking at TGS from Namco Bandai. Between the nice support for PS Vita and 3DS plus the other key console titles coming, it's clear that the publisher is really intent on bringing it where it counts. There's definitely something for just about every taste in this lineup. I'll try and get some screens up this weekend or next week, as I'm swamped with a few reviews and such to get done. I will say that Katamari looks like it will be an absolute dream on Vita, especially with the double touchscreen deal…

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/VBLYnK2xaH0?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Review: God of War Origins Collection

Posted on September 12, 2011 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Ready At Dawn/Sony Santa Monica Studios

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A

Even if you already own both games on the PSP, God of War Origins Collection is a stellar must-purchase PS3 title that’s also one of the most polished ports of a portable game to a home console ever. Ready At Dawn along with Sony Santa Monica Studios have gone above and beyond here beefing up the two games with high resolution visuals (in great optional stereoscopic 3D), refined controls, Trophy support and even a bit of additional content. Both games are brutal, brilliant chapters that flesh out lead character Kratos’ story and make for a great pair of games that should please any fan of the franchise as well as anyone new to his violent world. As a longtime GOW fan, I’ll absolutely say that the man certainly knows how to make an entrance, no matter what platform he’s on. Continue reading →

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin Trailer

Posted on September 3, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/R7XPD-5rRqs?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0

Sometimes, abbreviating a game name just doesn’t work well. Case in point: SMTP2IS looks and sounds like a license plate number to me. Anyway, Atlus is set to knock it out of the park again with yet ANOTHER great RPG to devour all your free time. September 20, 2011 is the date and yes, it’s yet another PSP exclusive. Color me giddy that publishers such as Atlus, Xseed Sony and others are making this the best year for the portable.

PSP E-1000 Specs: Cheaper, But Still A Hot Ticket For Some…

Posted on August 23, 2011 by geelw

While the uber-techies are grumping over this new model's lack of certain features, personally, I think the E-1000 is a pretty great entry level handheld for new users looking to get into the PSP and its rather huge games library. I still have my original 1000, 1001 and Slim 3000 models here at the home office, so I'm not sure I'll import this one yet.

Import as in there's been no North American release announced, which in my opinion, is a bit strange. Is SCEA afraid that the system will be blasted on message boards for being “cheap” and lacking features found on past and current models or are they implying (or is it inferring) that European gamers aren't all that sophisticated and this budget model will find a niche amongst those who don't have high-speed connections and want to get some handheld gaming in. I can see a modestly to moderately successful market for the E-1000 here provided it's packed in with a few PSP Greatest Hits (or a compilation UMD with assorted PSN titles and minis), but we'll see what SCEA decides down the road.

Specs below the jump, by the way…Read more »

Sony Announces PS3 Price Cuts Now, Nintendo To Release Lower Priced Wii This Xmas

Posted on August 17, 2011 by geelw

Yup, the ongoing economy issues worldwide have made these price cuts necessary, but it's also the beginning of the build up to new consoles (which should more than likely be announced at next year's E3 for a 2013-2014 launch by my calculations). At its Gamescom 2011 press conference, Sony announced that effective immediately, the core 160GB PlayStation 3 model will now retail at $249.00 and the core 320GB console for $299 in the US.

Sony also announced a new value model PSP without Wi-Fi support at the event, but as far as I can tell, this model is only set for an European release at a price point of 99 Euros. I'd hope that this model makes it to US shores, as there are literally TONS of UMD games out there that will sell if bundled with the new lower-priced unit.Read more »

Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Trailer Is A Hoot & A Half…

Posted on February 9, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/yU-tPwzDLJY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Nippon Ichi’s upcoming PSP super-enhanced “remake” of the classic PS2 strategy RPG is looking sweet and hilarious as ever in this trailer. I’ll need to go see if pre-orders have started on this one at the NISA online store, as I want my UMDs coming this way for as long as they still being made, grrrr!

Ys I & II Chronicles Official Site Launches

Posted on January 27, 2011 by geelw

February 22, 2011 is going to be a RIDICULOUS day for new game releases, but there’s only ONE Ys I & II Chronicles on the way, “Hair Metal” edition and all. The game’s gone gold and the official site is up and running, looks cool (as usual) and yes, you can go watch that hilarious trailer all over again and save me the trouble of re-posting it once more.

Ys I & II Chronicles Gameplay Footage Kicks It Old School

Posted on January 16, 2011 by geelw

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/o8VbVvo-Yq8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0

Here’s a peek at gameplay from Xseed Games’ upcoming PSP title, set for a February release. According to the latest info, players will be able to choose between three different soundtracks during gameplay – the newly arranged version (by Falcom’s in-house band done on actual instruments), the synth version from the 2001 Japan-only PC version of the game or the original chiptune versions of each track as recorded in 1987 and 1988. Excellent!