Filed under: Imports

Sega cross-promotes Yakuza 3 with ... a tanning salon chain

by JC Fletcher { 1 year ago }

Sega is promoting the upcoming Yakuza 3 (Ryu ga Gotoku 3 in Japan) with tie-ins to various businesses, in which real-life businesses offer Yakuza-themed goods, and digital versions of those same operations appear in the game. The latest company to promote the RPG/brawler is Tanning Studio Sole, a chain of tanning salons.

From February 13 to March 15, Sole stores will offer Yakuza 3-themed prepaid cards, and will display Yakuza 3 posters in-store. In turn, Sole billboards will add authenticity to the game's environment (while providing money to Sega).

We're guessing that this promotion came about when producer Toshihiro Nagoshi discovered that he had pumped so much money into Sole that he now owns it. Okay, we know the Nagoshi tan joke is obvious, but seriously, the man is flame-broiled. You can't ignore a "coincidence" like that.

[Via IGN; screen via Inside-Games]

New RPG Yuusha 30 gives only 30 seconds of play time ...

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

That's really 30 seconds of play time allotted to clearing a particular game mode. You see Yuusha 30 (not to be confused with Yuusha no Kuse ni Namaikida) from Marvelous is a "new vibe RPG" according to the leaked pages of Famitsu due out later this week. It has four game modes which revolve around 30 seconds of microburst gameplay. Though it's not entirely clear, we'd assume each mode would have multiple "levels" of these 30-second trysts because a two-minute game just doesn't sound all too enticing ... or is it?

Each mode will focus on different characters and will have unique gameplay. This includes a princess in a shooter, a fighter in a side-scrolling action title, a "devil king" in a strategy game and finally a knight in some regular action. What any of this has to do with one another and exactly how does this "new vibe" and 30 seconds of gameplay jive are all beyond us at the moment. Perhaps we'll know more once the new issue actually hits stores.

Koreans get Dissidia calendars

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

In making up for the lack of full localization efforts, pre-orderers of the Korean version of Dissidia: Final Fantasy will be getting nifty calendars to prop up on their study or work desks. The free calendars feature character portraits drawn by Tetsuya Nomura, as well as Chaos/Cosmos artwork done by Yoshitaka Amano.

As Siliconera points out, these calendars will be slightly obsolete by the time North America gets Dissidia in mid-2009. Hopefully Square Enix has some other bonus material planned for North American gamers.

Weekly Shonen anniversary ensemble fighter announced

by Alan Tsang { 1 year ago }

A crossover fighting game featuring characters from rival manga magazines' Weekly Shonen Sunday and Weekly Shonen Magazine has been announced for the PSP. Apparently, this is all part of their 50th anniversary celebrations -- both publications made their simultaneous debuts on the same day back in 1959. No gameplay details have been announced except special moves can be executed with a single button and that the title will be developed by Konami. No release date has been set. A list of IPs that will be make an appearance for the brawler, after the jump.

[Via Kotaku -- thanks, David B.!]

Continue reading “Weekly Shonen anniversary ensemble fighter announced”

Soul Eater becomes anime fighting game

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

If an anime gets popular enough in Japan, you know it will undoubtedly get a 2D fighting game on the PSP. That's just how things work. So, Soul Eater, Japan's latest obsession with death gods, was an obvious next-in-line candidate for PSP fighting game treatment.

Not much is known about this adaptation, but we doubt much more needs to be known. Check out Famitsu for screenshots -- as seems standard for PSP fighting games, the screens sure do look pretty. Now, the question remains: what are the odds this will ever see light of day out of Japan?

[Thanks, David B.!]

Sony gets the adhocParty beta started in Japan

by Alan Tsang { 1 year ago }

The beta for adhocParty, a Japanese service that allows PSP games with local AdHoc play to now function over the internet via the PS3, was launched today. The service currently only works with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, but Phantasy Star Portable is next in line. Those of you with access to a PS3 and the Japanese PSN can download the application now -- according to PSPHyper, it works in the US. A video of how it works, after the jump.

[Thanks, Kspraydad -- via Tawkn and PSPHyper]

Continue reading “Sony gets the adhocParty beta started in Japan”

TGS 08: This is the special Dissidia PSP

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Click for high-res image

You probably can't see the embossed Dissidia images on that shiny PSP Brite in this picture. The glittery surface is way too distracting. If you can't really make it out, we'll let you know that the Amano-esque logo characters Cosmos and Chaos are featured on the left and right side of the PSP respectively. It's a well detailed design, so you might want to have a closer look at the high-res version.

It's a shame that those who've imported and spent huge wads of cash on that Crisis Core PSP a year ago will probably be killing themselves for impulsively buying this one too. Resist it! It's pretty, but if you've already got a special ed PSP, one of that kind should be enough.

Enkaku Sousa and Diamond Gunshot websites open

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

Yup, those two modern day, Dick Tracy-like games now have official sites. Now that the print mags have let the cat out of the bag on Sony's first party PSP games to be shown at TGS, the internet is getting a treat. If you're interested in getting a better look at either of these titles, you can check out the Enkaku Sousa website here or the Diamond and the Sound of a Gunshot one right here.

This blogger recommends checking out the Enkaku Sousa website purely to listen to the background music. That, and the fact that there's some footage on the game you can watch. Diamond Gunshot's website on the other hand, has less to offer, but drop by if you're interested.

Wait, there's more! Level-5 also announces Cardboard Senki

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

What? Two PSP game announcements on the same day? From the same developer? Yes, Level-5 loves PSP. Ushiro was revealed earlier -- now, hold your applause for Cardboard Senki. As usual, this is another JRPG from the talented team, and features a rather unique graphics presentation, where everything is made of cardboard. You'll control a customizable robot which will most likely fight some forces of evil. Check out Gamekyo for the scans.

Level-5 announces new horror RPG, Ushiro

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

Level-5, developers of Jeanne d'arc on PSP, have just announced a new horror-themed RPG called Ushiro. Players will take on the role of a death god (shinigami) to help people fulfill their wishes, and fight monsters along the way. It's scheduled for a release next year. Check out a scan at Gamekyo.

[Thanks, Jon C.!]

Gundam vs. Gundam gets first customized PSP-3000

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

We knew that several new games were going to be bundled with a PSP-3000 pack in Japan, and Gundam vs. Gundam just so happens to be one of them. The interesting thing about this bundle is that the PSP-3000 has a special Gundam-themed embossing on its backside; this will be the first PSP-3000 model -- which we know of at the moment -- to feature such extra fan service. We wonder if the other Japanese bundles (Dissidia: Final Fantasy and Patapon 2 Donchaka) will also receive this boutique-style enhancement. We'll just have to wait and see.

The Gundam vs. Gundam bundle will launch alongside the standalone game on November 20 in Japan. It will retail for ¥24,840 ($236.23).

Kenka Banchou 3: Zenkoku Seiha landing in Japan November 27th

by Alan Tsang { 1 year ago }

Download to PSP
The third installment popular Japanese high-school gangster series Kenka Banchou is headed for the PSP. In Kenka Banchou 3: Zenkoku Seiha, the player will have the ability to fight rival gangs, participate on training trips, as well as meet some beautiful ladies. The game will retain many of the trademark mechanics of its PS2 predecessors, such as branching storylines and a peculiar battle system that involves picking lines of dialog to determine who will attack first. New additions to franchise include online play via ad-hoc mode and the ability to change the protagonist's name and place of birth.

The game will arrive in Japan on November 27th. Since the first two games were never made it to our shores, this appears to be an unlikely candidate for localization. For more information, check out the scan of Famitsu magazine, screenshots, and the official website.

[Via PSPHyper]

Sengoku Basara Battle Heroes trailer shows more hack 'n slash action

by Andrew Yoon { 1 year ago }

Download to PSP

Take a good look at this trailer. It may look like a Koei. Heck, it may even sound like a Koei game, but nope -- this hack 'n slash game is made by Capcom. This ad-hoc enhanced multiplayer fighter encourages team play. But watch out, if you're stuck with someone that particularly sucks at the game, you will be penalized.

One more Koei game: Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

It seems Koei's PSP ports are just coming out of the woodwork. Not more than a few days ago, the Japanese corp stated new games were to be shown at TGS; a day later we know what those games are. One is a port of Warriors Orochi 2, and another, we've found out, is this: Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid.

The title is yet another multiplayer co-op game (who'd a thunk it?) that's based off of Dynasty Warriors 6 (probably more specifically on the PS2 version). It'll be out later this year in Japan and scheduled for "winter." While it's not altogether surprising to hear that Koei's offerings are ports, we can't help but feel disappointed at the lack of something really new and original ... but, we should've seen that one coming from a mile away.

[Via Gamekyo]

Final Fantasy IV characters join Dissidia ranks

by Majed Athab { 1 year ago }

The character countdown is almost over now, people. With the confirmation of Cecil and Golbez as Final Fantasy IV's respective light and darkness ambassadors, we now know the identities of most Dissidia alumni. Final Fantasies I through IV and VIII through X are now complete, while villains for VI and VII have also been revealed.

All that's really left is to figure out who the heroes of VII (no-brainer really ... unless a Caith Sith surprise is in store) and VI (more difficult to gauge considering characters shared the spotlight equally) are. That, and what's the fate of V -- in or not? Lots of conflicting reports on that one so we'll wait and see. Maybe TGS is the time to get those last inkling details before the big release this December.

[Via PSPHyper]