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

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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

ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer Update

Sony keeps rolling out the gems with this set of two of the best PS2 games ever made. Even if you still own both of them, the updated HD graphics, superb use of 3D and bonus features should make this a must-buy disc. I’m probably the only person NOT whining about The Last Guardian as I KNOW it’s going to be completed and released at some point in 2012. I’m more than willing to wait as well as cut Sony (and Team ICO) some slack for not bombarding us with non-stop info and updates on a weekly basis. The game WILL be worth the long wait whether or not we see any sort of bonus content about it on the collection disc.

TGS 2011: Ni No Kuni Coming To PS3 In North America Next Year

Fantastic. Level-5 and Studio Ghibli’s gorgeous single-player RPG Ni no Kuni: Shiroki Seihai no Joō has been one of the most desired for localization imports of the last few years. The game revolves around a young boy who enters an alternate world using a magical book in order to try and resurrect his late mother. The Nintendo DS version, Ni no Kuni: Shikkoku no Madōshi was released last year to rave reviews in Japan and excellent sales, so it’s pretty much guaranteed that the November 2011 Japanese release for the PS3 will be equally successful. As soon as we find out who’s localizing and publishing the US version, that news will become available.

While no word of an English localization of the DS version has been announced, I’d imagine Nintendo (and Nintendo of America) wouldn’t let Sony steal all the glory by getting the onlyversion of this eagerly awaited game to gamers outside of Japan. That and the Japanese version of the DS game came in a really cool over-sized box thanks to the game manual designed to look like the magic book the main character carries and yes, it would indeed be great to see a similar package hit US as well as UK and European retailers.

Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD Remake Trailer: This Game NEEDS TO Be On A Disc!

With the blessing of Oddworld Inhabitants, The fine folks at Just Add Water have been hard at work on an HD remake of one of the best (and still under appreciated) original Xbox games ever made. While it looks absolutely spectacular, the game is currently only set for a PSN release, which stinks for those gamers who’ve never played the original, don’t have PSN accounts or happen to be “unlucky” Xbox 360 owners (the original game wasn’t backward compatible). I really, REALLY think this game absolutely NEEDS a disc version, even if it’s part of a multi-game set in the future. Even better, I bet that a lot of folks would pay for an Oddworld HD Collection on disc similar to the solid HD collections Sony and other publishers are putting out on the PS3. Hopefully the PSN version will sell well enough to make this happen, as I’m not the only one who wants to see this game get a little more of a permanent form at some point…

TGS 2011: New Little King’s Story Trailer

Well, now – it’s definitely looking super on the Vita and I like the new characters as much as I did the ones in the Wii original. Given that the Vita game isn’t a direct sequel, I’m willing to forgive it for not going for the exact same look as the first game. Hopefully, the small but dedicated fan base that played and enjoyed this on the Wii will like what they see as well. It looks as if KOnami is releasing the game in Japan, but as for who’s got the US publishing rights, your guess is as good as mine. Let’s hope Xseed does the deed once more for continuity’s sake.

Starhawk Trailer Shows Off Some Surprisingly Stellar Flying Combat

Excellent. Every time I see more of this game, I just KNOW it’s going to be one of 2012’s best in terms of both single and multiplayer action. Lightbox Interactive is going above and beyond the call here, that’s for sure. The game looks gorgeous, is super fast and I love how the trailer manages to be funny as well as thrilling no matter how many times you watch it. Sony has been on a big roll with the first-party games and 2012 is going to continue the streak with a ton of solid titles.

TGS 2011: PS Vita. Japan. December 17, 2011.

Well, it’s official. Sony is launching its newest handheld on December 17 in Japan and based on what I’ve been reading, it’s going to be region free (yes!). Official North American, European and other territory launch dates have yet to be announced, but sometime in 2012 is the safe bet. As for the Japanese launch lineup… I’ll post that list tomorrow, as it’s late and I need my beauty sleep.

Expect a mix of interesting AAA titles, HD remakes of PS2 titles, quirky stuff that will stay in Japan and a bunch of PSN stuff that’s also probably not going to make it out here, as the markets for certain types of games is quite different. In any event, you can also expect import shops such as Play-Asia to have a boom in pre-orders and sales from early adopters. eBay will also see a bunch of Japanese Vitas rake in a ton of profit for those who put theirs up for sale. Granted, scammers will also be part of the program as well, which is why I’ll wait for the official US launch (unless I suddenly come into a ton if money and can afford plane fare, a nice hotel for a brief stay, a new Vita or three AND a bunch of games).

Super Monkey Ball Coming To PS Vita

Get it through your skulls, people: unless they can turn back time, Sega has NO plans to make a Dreamcast 2, period. Too much money down the drain in R&D plus the sad fact that the industry isn’t going to support standalone home consoles in this rush to enforce digital evolution, which is a bad idea at the end of the day. Trust me, when there’s a service outage along the lines of this year’s PSN debacle spread across whatever set top “cloud” box is in your house, you’ll be wishing you had a few consoles and physical games to fall back on while you’re waiting for service to be restored. THAT said, those cute as hell monkeys are back, this time on the Vita. Sega may not be cranking out consoles these days, but they sure as heck know how to produce and publish some great games. SO, focus your attention and gaming dollars on cool titles like this and help Sega thrive where it’s doing its best. That is all…

Review: God of War Origins Collection

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

Sony’s TGS 2011 Lineup Brings The Games (Now About That Affording Them Part)…

Sony is definitely showing up for this year's Tokyo Game Show more than prepared, that's for sure. As the list below the jump notes, the company is leaving none of its consoles out of the lineup (although PSP pickings are slim this year, I expect a few third party publishers to show off a few more titles). According to siliconera, some 32 PS3 titles will be shown, so the 13 on the list is only the beginning of what's looking to be a solid lineup. While The Last Guardian is nowhere to be seen on this list, I'd bet my entire games collection that there will be at least a trailer or some new info dropped at the show. Hell, there's always at least ONE surprise at TGS and and TGL news would be just that for the more rabid fans who crave every drop on information about the Team ICO developed game.Read more »