Capcom’s dropped fighters

I’ve really been enjoying the latest Japanese fighter to hit American shores, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. Of course, with every new fighter, there’s that given moment after its release to lament what could have been.  For a game on such a massive franchise-scale as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, the number of characters you would want to appear in the game from either side can be staggering, so sadly many don’t make the cut.

In an interview with Dengeki Online, three of TvC’s head honchos, Ryota Nizuma, Mr. Bancho and Ryota Igawa gave some insight into the game’s early stages while they were still deciding which characters to include in the game.  The most interesting of which was the inclusion of the star from the Ace Attorney series, Phoenix Wright.  I remember the days when TvC was just newly announced and Phoenix was a definite hopeful to join the game’s ranks.  To find out that they actually did consider adding him to the game is pretty amazing. Although, what’s more amazing is the way thought up on how Phoenix would actually fight his opponents.

Some difficulties came up while deciding on moves for Phoenix. For one, the only movements he really makes in the game are hand gestures, and not much could have really been made from that.  Secondly, for the most part, you only see Phoenix from the waist up in the games.  This led to the decision to have Phoenix and his desk act as one whole character, with wheels attached to the underside, making him some sort of rolling, justice-bringing tank.  While I think this sounds awesome in theory, it would just end up looking really stupid in-game.  Not to mention I expect his hitbox to just be massive.

Other TvC wannabes were Arthur from Ghosts N’ Goblins fame and Ingrid from Capcom Fighting Jam.  Even though none of these made the cut for the first game, Ryota Nizuma said that if a sequel were ever made, he’d work really hard to get these characters into the game.

More revealed on the 5th generation of Pokémon

Remember that new Pokémon game that was teased about a few days ago? I was under the impression that it was just going to be a Pokémon Crystal remake, but it actually turned out to be a whole new generation Pokémon game. This latest piece of news comes straight from Coro Coro magazine, and though the details are scarce, the rag says that more info will become available in the coming month.

For starters, the silhouetted pokémon was revealed to be Zoroark/Zoroaaku (ゾロアーク). Many people mistook him to be the next evolution step for Lucario (myself included), but who knew it’d end up being a new pokémon entirely? Zoroark also has a pre-evolution by the name of Zorua/Zoroa (ゾロア).  Click the above image for the full picture including Zoroa.  The few details on Zoroark is that he’s a Dark-Type and classified as a Monster Fox.  He will also be playing a major role in the upcoming Pokémon film Phantom Champion Zoroark.

The name for the new region has not yet been revealed, and other gameplay details are incredibly scarce at the moment.  I’m also curious as to what the next set of games will be called. The last two were Diamond and Pearl, so I think it’d be a good guess that the next two games would be named after some precious metal or gem. As with the unveiling of any new Pokémon game, I’m incredibly excited and eagerly anticipating more news from Coro Coro next month!

Sega announces bonuses for Yakuza 3

The wait for Yakuza 3 has been a long time; the fact that it was announced at all for an international release still seems pretty crazy to me. Well, Sega announced this morning that they will be offering up some goodies for those who will be purchasing the game, although the sweetness of the deal depends on where you hail from.

Sega Europe is offering a “battle pack”.  The battle pack includes a 31-track soundtrack, a Yakuza Who’s Who which acts as a dossier for all the characters in the game and 4 separate pieces of DLC:

• Battle Survival: A boss-run mode
• All-Star Tournament: A 7 character tournament
• All-Star Tag Tournament: 8 tag-team tournament
• Haruka’s Request: Missions given by Haruka, where you’ll be made to play mini-games to keep her entertained

European pre-orderers will also get access to alternate costumes and two-player mini-games (pool, golf, darts and bowling). However, if you’re in North America, the deal is a little less sweet as pre-ordering the game will only get you the 4 pieces of DLC.  If your primary place to pre-order from is GameStop, you’ll also get access to the alternate costumes and two-player mini games.

Overall I think this is a good idea on Sega’s part. I know one of the main fears of bringing Yakuza 3 outside Japan was the less than stellar sales of the first two games, so maybe these added bonuses will bring in more buyers.  Hell, if this ends up selling well than we might just have a chance of seeing Kenzan! and Yakuza 4.  I really wish they would go the extra mile for us Americans and give us the Battle Pack.  I’d love to get my hands on that soundtrack and character dossier.

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Nintendo released this teaser image advertising the next issue of CoroCoro Mix, which goes on sale February 15th.  The issue  will reveal both the mystery silhouette-ed pokémon as well as details concerning the next game in the series.  If you look at the image you’ll notice that the games are connected by arrows in order of their release ending in the “?” box at the top.  The image also states that the game is planned to go on sale sometime in 2010 in Japan.

This is truly exciting news for Pokémon fans.  Before the month is through we should have some information regarding this title.  I am interested to see what new features Nintendo will be adding to the mystery game since it seems like they have really pushed the Nintendo DS to its limit.

Personally I am hoping that the Pokéwalker will be compatible with this version.  What are some features you would want to see in the next Pokémon game?  Please avoid mentioning the Pokémon MMO, it’s not happening people!

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I think I am going to start looking into being unemployed for the month of March.  Nintendo officially announced that the highly anticipated remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver will be released in North America on March 14th.  That adds one more title to the must-play list for that month.  Well, at least this appears to be the only portable title for March I want to play, so I can bring it to work.

There were rumblings suggesting the announcement was close this weekend when the games popped up on Amazon with the same release date.  Also, the box art depicted on Amazon during that time was this:

Since the games were removed and re-added, the box art has changed to an extremely generic design.  The updated packaging includes no mention of the Pokéwalker, but the previous artwork did.

Is Nintendo not ready to announce the inclusion of the Pokéwalker with the games?  I am not sure what the purpose would be of tiptoeing around it.  I also cannot think of a reason why the game would not be bundled with the Pokéwalker.  All I know is if they games don’t come with it, some throats are gonna get kicked.

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Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep PSP

Square Enix has revealed images of the special Birth By Sleep edition PSP to be bundled with the game come January 9th in Japan.  It appears to be the standard gray with minor details to the front and back.  The bundle will cost 22,000 yen, or roughly $240 USD.

The design reminds me of the special edition Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days DSi, which was equally boring.  I suppose when it comes to designs for systems, minimal is better, but this one just takes minimal too far.  I think the best system design by Square Enix I have seen recently is without a doubt the Final Fantasy XIII themed PS3.  It really puts the other two to shame.

A Witch’s Tale DoubleJump Books Guide Available

DoubleJump Books has released a strategy guide for NIS America’s most recent Nintendo DS title, A Witch’s Tale. There is of course the electronic guide for $9.99 as well as a physical copy for  $22.76.  It’s been a while since I’ve seen them offer a physical guide for such a reasonable price.  Could it be because the guide is on the smaller side?

A Witch’s Tale has received some pretty mixed reviews and appears to be rather simple so I was a bit surprised to see that DoubleJump Books had taken up the task.  For those of you who have the game this guide would make a fine addition to your SPOOOOKY collection.

I just hope this means DJB is going to start making more, reasonably priced physical guides.

No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise Announced for PS3 and Xbox 360

The critically acclaimed Wii title, No More Heroes, is receiving an enhanced port to both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in Japan on February 25th.  Rumors regarding this possibility had been whispered on the web for a while now, but today it’s official.  I can’t say I blame Marvelous for a little double-dipping since the game’s sales were less than desirable in Japan.

I admit I have never actually played No More Heroes and it’s one of my deepest regrets as a gamer.  This port makes it much more likely that I will play the game.  I anticipate there are others like me who haven’t played it, but due to the hype surrounding the game, would be inclined to pick up a copy of the port.

I would say the chances of Ubisoft/Rising Sun picking this up are very good since the game sold so well in the states.

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Chunsoft has revealed key information regarding the 4th installment of their iconic rogue-like series Furai no Shiren.  The newest title, which translates to roughly Shiren the Wanderer 4: God’s Eye and the Devil’s Navel, is for Nintendo DS.  Once again the player assumes the role of adventurer Shiren joined by his lovable talking weasel Koppa.

The duo set off by boat in hopes of exploring a distant desert when a great storm suddenly shipwrecks them.  They wash up ashore a mysterious southern island known as Koh Tang.  By chance they come across the island’s inhabitants who mistakenly take Shiren to be a demon.  Shiren and Koppa are quickly tied to a stake to be burned alive.  At the last moment the game’s heroine, Kamina, steps forward and stops the angry mob from making a terrible mistake.  Shiren and Koppa may be saved, but the mob decides to imprison Kamina believing that she may be conspiring with demons.  A jaguar-headed Shinto priest approaches Shiren and informs him that by acquiring a legendary treasure known as the “Jaguar’s Eye” Kamina may be saved.  Thus the journey begins.

The 4th installment to the Furai no Shiren series is receiving a number of new systems to keep the roguelike game fresh and innovative.  Here are the new systems and what the player can expect:

	DAY & NIGHT: It’s now possible to enter a dungeon during the day and have night fall as you progress.  During the night, Shiren is basically blind unless he has one of a number of tools to light his way.  Different enemies also come out during different times of the day. It’s possible for a dungeon to take several game-days to clear.
	TERRAIN FEATURES: A number of traps, gates, and other mechanisms can both be used to Shiren’s advantage or inconvenience unaware players.
	MONSTER AURA: Some monsters will have a fiery aura around them.  Depending on the color of the aura, a certain ability will be enhanced for that monster.  The player will need to become familiar with the different aura colors to know what monsters to avoid and which ones to attack.
	TECHNIQUES: A new system allows for Shiren to use various techniques which are capable of dealing damage to a large area.  At the moment details are scarce as to how this system works, but more will be revealed by Chunsoft soon.

I really like the new art style used for Shiren the Wanderer 4.  It definitely contrasts the traditional feudal era Japanese aesthetic of past games with a more southern island/tropical feeling.  I am nostalgically reminded of Okinawa…  The game’s official Japanese website can be found here.

Atlus’ upcoming localization of Shiren the Wanderer 3 for the Wii makes me pretty confident that we’ll be seeing this game in the West in year or so.  I really think Shiren is probably the most polished and innovative rogue-like series out there, so I am definitely excited to play this game.

Related Entries:
Furai no Shiren 3: The Sleeping Beauty of the Trick Mansion for Nintendo Wii
Furai No Shiren 3 Update
Furai No Shiren 3 New Feature: Dragon Pulse

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