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    ESRB details new Star Wars: Battlefront titles

    May 20, 2009 - 9:30pm


    As it has in the past (accidentally so, we assume), the ESRB has leaked details for upcoming as yet unannounced titles. This time, the ESRB has trickled out details for two games -- both titled Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron -- for the Nintendo DS and PSP, Kotaku reports. According to product descriptions for each title, the games are presented in third-person and showcases battles throughout the Star Wars universe; in space, on land and in the air. Whether Elite Squadron is related to the Star Wars: Battlefront 3 title (formerly in development at Free Radical) remains to be seen. Full product descriptions can be found after the break. Joystiq has contacted LucasArts for a comment regarding the listings.

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    GameArts' 'Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light' for WiiWare in Japan this fall

    May 20, 2009 - 6:30pm


    During a presentation for Grandia Online, GameArts CEO Kazuki Morishita mentioned that Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light would release this fall (he likely means in Japan). The new IP is a complete mystery, having only briefly shown up in a list of WiiWare titles last year.No further details are currently available, nor is there any clear reason why the title was brought up at this Grandia Online press conference. Maybe we'll get lucky with some information at E3.[Via AndriaSang]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    DS flash carts a form of 'information terrorism,' says Japanese trade group

    May 20, 2009 - 6:00pm

    Japan's Association of Copyright for Computer Software president Yutaka Kubota expressed to Famitsu grave concerns about the proliferation and use of Nintendo DS flash cart devices, such as the R4DS. Referring to the volume of illegally downloaded DS software, Kubota remarked, "It's not a matter of numbers anymore," adding, "The fact is that you can download any Nintendo DS game as much as you want, so there's no way to even calculate the damage. This is an issue that affects our national interests, and personally, I see it as a form of information terrorism that is crushing Japan's industry."In the interview translated by 1UP, Kubota called on the magazine's readers to stand firm against piracy, saying, "I want them to be aware that unless we do something, nobody will be able to make the games they love to play. Not only will gamers wanting to play new games not be able to play anything, but people who want to join the game industry in the future will have their dreams trampled upon."Japan's laws do not currently forbid the purchase of devices like the R4, nor the downloading of commercial software for use with them. A new copyright bill under review would make it illegal to download copyrighted media, but doesn't expressly give authorities the right to arrest offenders.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Ubisoft to answer the question of how MotionPlus-enhanced soccer works

    May 20, 2009 - 5:30pm

    The MotionPlus peripheral provides more fine-grained motion recognition for hand movements. The defining characteristic of soccer is that the hands are not used. With that in mind, we can't wait to see how the new Academy of Champions arcade soccer game is going to make use of the device. It also supports the Balance Board, but that's a lot easier to figure out.Academy of Champions is a new Wii soccer game that will feature soccer stars Pelé and Mia Hamm, as well as that kid with the weird-looking face. The game features a "rich, story-driven adventure" taking place in a fictitious soccer-centered school. Players "improve their skills, recruit new team members and build the best possible squad," making the game sound rather like a soccer-themed RPG (which isn't that outlandish).Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days site updates with gameplay videos

    May 20, 2009 - 4:30pm


    Awaiting your lustful eyes past the break is some new gameplay footage from Square Enix's upcoming Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, taken from the game's Japanese site. So, quit stalling and watch the video already![Via PortableRPG]

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    PSA: Personal Trainer: Walking ambles into stores next week

    May 20, 2009 - 3:30pm

    We didn't realize that the release date for Nintendo's DS exercise program Personal Trainer: Walking was approaching so quickly, probably because Nintendo has said little about the game since announcing it in October. Nintendo announced today that the game will be in stores on May 26, which is next Tuesday. We figure that if had sneaked up on us, it may have eluded your attention as well.Three reasons you may be interested in Personal Trainer: Walking.

    1. It's the first DS game that allows you to use Miis, either created in-game or imported from the Wii.
    2. Gadgets! Walking includes two pedometers that wirelessly transmit your step numbers into the game. Also, according to the press release, you can attach one to a dog's collar and tabulate the dog's exercise habits.
    3. Maybe you like walking. We don't know.

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    Order!!, WiiWare's retro king simulator, explained

    May 20, 2009 - 1:55pm

    We introduced Order!! yesterday, the upcoming WiiWare title that puts the player in the role of a 16-bit RPG's king. AndriaSang's preview of Poisoft's game helpfully gives us more details about the gameplay, which diverges significantly from My Life as a King (and also Little King's Story -- by the way, what's the deal with all the king games on Wii?).As the king, you are visited by heroes, whom you send out to fight monsters. When they return, you reward them with items. Sometimes those heroes will explore your castle and just take items -- much like we all would when playing heroes in RPGs. You also build the infrastructure of your kingdom with item shops, farms, schools, and other such buildings.While all that sounds pretty similar to My Life as a King, there's another layer of gameplay: you control your kingdom's foreign policy as well, deciding whether to use the army (which you build) to attack and invade neighboring kingdoms. You can use diplomacy, warfare, or even assassinations to achieve your goals.Our favorite detail of the game: "You don't even have to set your sights on world peace. If you prefer, you can choose to support the demon lord by giving money to the demon army or capturing heroes and turning them in." The preview also mentions a sneakier approach: reducing the number of health items for sale in your kingdom to make it less hospitable to heroes.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

    Sega announces Jambo! Safari remake for DS and Wii

    May 20, 2009 - 12:55pm


    Don't feel left out, Wii and DS fans. While Sega satisfied 360, PS3 and PC fans' curiosities with details and screenshots of Aliens Vs Predator, the company has also announced a new title to be released late this year for both the DS and Wii: Jambo! Safari. The game is actually a remake of an ancient Sega arcade title, with "modern graphics and deeper gameplay, suited to today's Nintendo consumers."These new features include customizable characters and vehicles which you'll use to run your safari park and aid distressed animals. The DS version has been completely reworked with the stylus in mind and the Wii version will feature lasso gameplay which makes full use of the Wii Remote. There are also two-player co-op elements and four-player party games. Expect to hear more about this game soon.
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    Joystiq hands-on: Need for Speed Nitro

    May 20, 2009 - 12:30pm

    Just one note: there's no actual Need for Speed Nitro gameplay featured in the above video. If EA Montreal managed to make the game look that good, the Wii would be untouchable in sales. Oh wait, it already is. The fact of the matter is, Nintendo's darling is actually getting a Need for Speed title, and the sales numbers of that console are one big reason the franchise is leaping consoles with nitrous-assisted boosts.But if that doesn't represent gameplay, then what does Nitro look like on the WIi? We're glad you asked, because there are some images waiting for you in the gallery below. Images that actually came from the game. Read on to learn how it plays!

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    Shirt Fight offers 'Knights who play Nii' shirt

    May 20, 2009 - 12:30pm

    ... or, as we like to call it, "the world's only 100% cotton chastity belt."Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments