Nippon Ichi America Wants YOU To Replace Etna’s Panties…

Posted on October 24, 2010 by geelw

Normally, I’d say that header would be a “No wait, that didn’t come out right…” statement, but yes indeedy-do, it’s true. Nippon Ichi Software America is holding a contest where you design a pair of panties for Etna, everyone’s favorite evil (but cute) demoness from the Disgaea and Prinny series.

The panties in question are part of a genius promotion for Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! (a game I absolutely WANT based on the title alone). I’d guess I’m ineligible, being a member of the gaming press and all, but I’d definitely love to be a fly on the wall with a pair of binoculars at NISA’s offices when those entries start rolling in. My spider-sense says that the rejection pile is going to be fairly large (but fun to judge, that’s for sure), given the imagination of certain types of anime/manga/game fans.

Anyway, go poke around on the official contest site, enter if you’ve got the skills and hope you win BIG. The main prizes for the three big winners are a copy of Prinny 2 and a pair of the winning panties. 50 other lucky entrants who can or can’t draw a lick (er, no pun intended!) can enter the contest and end up will their own pair of those panties (but no game). Yeah, this could be one of the more interesting game-related contests in recent memory, that’s for damn sure…

God of War: Ghost of Sparta Hands-On

Posted on October 7, 2010 by geelw

If any developer has truly mastered crafting games for the PSP, it's Santa Ana-based Ready at Dawn. Their upcoming game for the handheld, God of War: Ghost of Sparta is not only one of the (if not the) best-looking game on the system, it's one with gameplay that more than equals the stunning visuals. I got the great opportunity to play through the introduction and part of a later level from the soon to be released game and can safely report that this could possibly be the best PSP action game of 2010, hands-down.

BUSY Week! (Busy, I Say!)

Posted on October 7, 2010 by geelw

Yeesh. between the awesomeness of my hands-on time with God of War: Ghost of Sparta, the happy-happy fun found in Playstation Move Heroes, The Shoot, The Fight and a few other Move titles, There was the killer EA event packed full of key holiday and onward releases I need to write up. All that and the insanity of New York Comic Con hits tomorrow, for which I’ll be up bright and early for some hands-on time with even more upcoming games. I need a clone or at least a sidekick who can keep track of things and splash cold water in my face when I’m fading from being up too long…

Playstation Move Heroes Hands-On

Posted on October 7, 2010 by geelw

One of the PlayStation Move titles I've been most excited about is Playstation Move Heroes (formerly known as Heroes on the Move), developer Nihilistic Software's mini-game fest that features a number of Sony's most popular “mascot” characters from the multimillion-selling Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank franchises. At Sony's very cool Move event this evening, I got a bit of hands-on time with a few of the mini-games in the collection and came away very impressed at how things are shaping up. First things first to those on the fence: once you get your hands on one, you'll find that the Move simply rocks. As more developers get into programming different types of games for the peripheral, we'll be seeing a lot of unique, fun game experiences down the road.

MySims SkyHeroes PS3 Demo Up And Flying

Posted on September 29, 2010 by geelw

EA is keeping the MySims SkyHeroes fun in the air with a new PS3 demo that shows off some of the fun Sim-ified versions of popular franchise characters. Check it out below the jump. The game has officially launched today, so it's definitely worth a test flight if you're curious about what to expect in the retail version.

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West Pre-Game Swag Is Noteworthy…

Posted on September 18, 2010 by geelw

Here’s some nifty Enslaved: Odyssey to the West gear courtesy Namco Bandai’s PR department (thanks guys!). I really like the striking Monkey silhouette T a lot. The “journal” is pretty cool as well, although I can’t see spoiling that artwork with my scribbles (even if it IS the same art on each and every page). Cool free swag or no, I’m pretty psyched to play the final version of this one. Back with more later…

Update: Knights in the Nightmare PSP Screens

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

Six new screens from the upcoming PSP strategy/RPG/”bullet hell” shooter hybrid (*whew!*) set to hit retail and the PlayStation Network Store on November 9, 2010. Remember, for a limited time, buying a copy of either the retail or PSN version of the game nets you a FREE digital copy of the excellent PSP remake of Yggdra Union. Check out our other coverage of KITN here and here.

TGS 2010: From Software. Project Dark. Yeah, it’s On…

Posted on September 16, 2010 by geelw

Given the huge critical and commercial success of Demon’s Souls, I bet the folks at From are feeling pretty darn happy. Their next big game is the TGS-announced PS3 and Xbox 360 RPG, Project Dark, a title that will probably change as more is known and shown about the game. From what info there was to be unearthed, the upcoming game isn’t a direct sequel to Demon’s Souls at all, but is still geared to “hardcore” players that crave a true challenge.

As a HUGE fan of From’s work since the original King’s Field, I love how the veteran developer is finally being accepted amongst Western and European gamers as one of the best console RPG makers currently working. As noted above, Project Dark is currently set for release in Japan sometime in 2011 through Namco Bandai, according to the logos on the teaser site), but the game’s Western publishing fate is currently unknown. Given From’s new status as a “hot” developer, it’ll really be interesting to see just who snaps up the game and what sort of localization and marketing muscle are behind any US release.

TGS 2010: Sony Announces Team Ico Collection, 3D Blu-Ray Firmware Update For PS3

Posted on September 16, 2010 by geelw

Of course, Walmart was dead-on. At TGS 2010, Sony has revealed that yes, Team Ico has been working away on that Ico and Shadow of the Colossus collection for the PS3. The games will be in HD, support 3D and hit retail in 2011. Another spectacular trailer for The Last Guardian (edit: NOW set for a “Holiday 2011” launch – ah well…) was shown as well and quite a few games were announced that will take advantage of 3D technology. Naturally, Sony will be releasing another firmware update for the PS3 that allows for 3D Blu-Ray viewing.

Now, I just need the cash to actually afford a full 3D setup…

Demon’s Souls Reaches Greatest Hit Status

Posted on September 15, 2010 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, Halo Reach is out (my review goes up this weekend), but in slightly cooler news, Atlus has announced that Demon's Souls is the latest member of Sony's PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits lineup. From Software's challenging dark fantasy RPG (and winner of numerous accolades) is headed to retail in a new packaging, which means first and second run copies will disappear from some retailers that make room for new stock. As a longtime Atlus supporter since 1992, yup, they're getting even more of my money…