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Infinite Space takes space at top of Japanese charts

by JC Fletcher { Jun 19th 2009 at 2:30PM }

Platinum Games' first release may not have been a sales phenomenon, but the company has found (relative) success with its second, the DS sci-fi roleplaying game Mugen Kouro (Infinite Space). It was a slow week for Japanese software sales, which allowed Infinite Space's 38,394 copies to put it at the top of the Media Create sales chart for last week, its first week in stores.

The three spots below that on the chart also belong to DS games: last week's top seller, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days sits at #2, followed by Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth and Sloane and Machale's Mysterious Story. The #5 position is held by Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires on PS3.

Gallery: Infinite Space

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Hands-on: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 4th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Though the development team for Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days shied away from E3 this year due to the ever-present danger of Swine Flu, the game itself made an appearance, as computer software is impervious to most biological pandemics. As a result, our time with the game was completely unguided. Not that it mattered -- the game is classic Kingdom Hearts. Not card-based brawler Kingdom Hearts, not kart racer Kingdom Hearts, but the classic action-RPG Kingdom Hearts we fell in love with when it first landed on PS2.

Forget about the wide chasm between the graphical capabilities of the PS2 and the DS -- the game looks phenomenal. The controls have been ported over brilliantly, the only noticeable difference being the camera controls, which are now bound to the touch screen. The game also comes with an ad-hoc four-player multiplayer mode in which members of the shadowy Organization XIII compete for points whilst embarking upon a mission. Points come in the form of crystals dispersed throughout the level -- attacking your fellow players will knock the crystals out of them, which will probably lead to hilarious real-life bloodshed.

With no inkling of the game's story or the micromanagement mechanics, our walkaway impression of the game was simply this: It is the Kingdom Hearts gameplay and visual aesthetic you know and love (plus a few bonus features) operating on the DS with remarkable accuracy. Despite the game's stupid, inaccessible title, our interest has swiftly moved from "non-existent" to "piqued."

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days launching on Sept. 58/2 [update]

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:58PM }

Keyblade-wielding vermin news now, with the announcement of the North American release date for Square Enix's awkwardly named DS RPG, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Speaking at the Nintendo E3 2009 press conference, company president Reggie Fils-Aime noted that the game was slated to launch on September 44/2. We're sure you can't wait to learn more about the myth/math of the Kingdom Hearts universe!

Update: Square Enix has sent through an official announcement, which actually specifies a Sept. 29th release.

Rumor: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days invades Europe this fall [update]

by David Hinkle { May 28th 2009 at 2:40PM }

Update: We've confirmed with both the North American and European branches of Square Enix that this is in fact true, and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is on track for an autumn release. Huzzah!

Siliconera reports that the English version of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will arrive in Europe later this year, though it should be noted there isn't any official source on the matter. We trust those guys, but, without a source, this has to be treated as a rumor.

Right now, the current release date for North America is whenever, though it's a safe bet to assume the game will be here within the same timeframe as Europe (sometime between September and November), as Square Enix is notorious for releasing its games only days apart in the European and North American regions. Of course, that would only happen if this rumor pans out, and we've contacted Square Enix to clarify and we'll be sure to update you as soon as we have official word.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will release in Japan on Sunday, May 30.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Some Japanese companies not attending E3 over Swine Flu concerns

by Ben Gilbert { May 20th 2009 at 4:30PM }

No, we can't believe we just wrote that headline either. And according to scattered reports (and a variety of phone calls we made this afternoon), it's the unfortunate truth: Some Japanese developers and producers are canceling their trips to E3 2009 due to Swine Flu worries. Capcom's Keiji Inafune and his game, Dead Rising 2, will both be missing. (This isn't the first time Inafune is canceling a trip.) Develop is also reporting that Square Enix and Koei will be canceling some employees' flights, with the Kingdom Hearts team and "an unspecified number of [Koei's] Japanese employees" taking the hit.

We asked Tecmo if there would be a change in its lineup at E3, to which a company rep assured, "No. Our content is still scheduled to be there and everything on the show floor, if not by the staff that's scheduled to fly in from Japan, it'll be demonstrated by our own staff from the US office." Tecmo also said producers for its upcoming lineup are still scheduled to appear alongside their titles. "As of today, we've been told our producers will still be in attendance." Konami declined comment as of press time and the ESA (E3's governing body and financial supporter) has yet to respond to our inquiries. As it stands, it looks like we'll be waiting 'til PAX 2009 or even the Tokyo Game Show to get our hands on Dead Rising 2.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days site updates with gameplay videos

by David Hinkle { May 20th 2009 at 3:30PM }

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!

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

[Via PortableRPG]

Continued →

Looks like Riku is playable in Kingdom Hearts DS

by Majed Athab { May 19th 2009 at 7:00PM }

According to a V-Jump ad for the Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Collection Guidebook (an official strategy guide), Riku will be a playable character in the game. The delectable piece of information regarding this was found in the lower left part of the ad, and it states (translated via Andriasang) that the book provides tips on character missions for Donald, various Organization XIII members and, yes, even Riku. So, finally, those looking to control the silver-haired hero can realize their wish.

Additionally, Andriasang translated more regarding 358/2 Days; this time, it's info from the official website. The latest update unveiled the new Hologram Missions, a mode which allows players to replay previously accomplished missions in either normal or trial versions (the latter tacks on special conditions and requirements). And, this being a Riku-centric post, we're wondering how many of those missions have Riku in them? There are 80 Trial missions in total, and here's hoping he's in all of them!

[Via Andriasang]

Source: V-Jump
Source: 358/2 Days Official Website

One packed trailer for Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days

by JC Fletcher { Apr 29th 2009 at 3:00PM }

The usual complaint regarding video game trailers, especially Square Enix trailers, is that they don't feature enough gameplay footage. That is not the problem with this Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days video, which was reportedly made for Japanese storefronts and brought online by a Nicovideo user.

This trailer features the usual cutscenes as well as new gameplay footage -- all played at once in multiple, tiny windows. For six minutes. This is like five hundred trailers' worth of footage right here. If you can concentrate, you might be able to spot Donald and Goofy in the game's multiplayer mode. Good luck.

[Via Nintendo Everything]

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Rumor: Incoming Kingdom Hearts announcement next week

by Jem Alexander { Mar 26th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Did you know that Tetsuya Nomura never sleeps? When the Square Enix designer isn't working on Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Kingdom Hearts Coded and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, he can usually be found talking to interviewers. One such tête à tête, which can apparently be found in the latest issue of Japanese mag Famitsu (translated by HeartStation), indicates that there may be even more work on Nomura's plate than we thought, as he says that Square Enix will be making an announcement regarding the Kingdom Hearts series sometime next week.

We know what we'd like to hear (Kingdom Hearts 3!), but we're not holding our breath. Alternatively, it could be an announcement regarding Coded coming to the West (possibly via the iPhone?) or a new handheld title. Whatever it may be, we'll be keeping an eye out next week for further info.

[Via KH Insider]

Kingdom Hearts DSi bundle launching May 30 in Japan

by JC Fletcher { Mar 5th 2009 at 9:32AM }

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days finally has a release date in Japan: May 30. Not only will Goofy fans be able to pick up the new action-RPG then (for 5,980 yen, or $60!), they will have the option of dropping even more money on the Kingdom Hearts Edition DSi bundle, which contains this specially decorated black DSi and the game, for 24480 yen ($246). Even as people not particularly into Goth Disney, we happen to think it's rather fetching!

The existence of this bundle sort of validates a rumor we received a while back: while there is a 358/2 Days DSi bundle as predicted, there has been no mention of an included Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories game nor of this special DSi having a Game Boy Advance slot. We expect that the Japanese sites would have mentioned that if it had been the case.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

[Image via Inside-Games]

GameFly members award Fallout 3 with GOTY

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 17th 2009 at 9:20PM }

GameFly's sixth annual Q Awards have bestowed Fallout 3 with "Game of the Year" and "Xbox 360 Game of the Year" honors. The winners were selected by tallying over 100,000 votes by the rental service's subscribers. The winners across platforms:

PS3 game of the year - Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
PS2 game of the year - Kingdom Hearts: Re-Chain of Memories
PSP game of the year - God of War: Chains of Olympus
Xbox 360 game of the year - Fallout 3
Wii game of the year - Super Smash Bros. Brawl
DS game of the year - Final Fantasy IV

To see the runners-up in each category, check out the Q Awards page at GameFly. Looking at the list (and taking into account GameFly's demographic), is anyone surprised?

Rumor: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days delayed

by Alisha Karabinus { Dec 20th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Flagging this as a rumor for now, though official confirmation will probably come very soon: according to sources reporting from Jump Festa on NeoGAF, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has been pushed back from February to sometime in Spring of 2009. The delay isn't too surprising in and of itself, but the timing is, considering we only recently learned about the special edition DSi set to release with the title.

More news as it develops!

Kingdom Hearts 4/2 videos

by Alisha Karabinus { Dec 18th 2008 at 1:30PM }

Now that Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has been slated for North America (like we ever doubted it was coming), we thought you might want to check out some gamplay videos. Oh, who are we kidding? We'd have looked at them anyway, even if the game were still only a dream in a developer's eye. Check out the weapon-swinging Disney and Square Enix action above and after the break.

Gallery: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Continued →

Direct-feed Kingdom Hearts trailer, direct from DVD

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 17th 2008 at 10:30AM }

Square Enix sure has a lot of love for the PSP. In addition to the next Parasite Eve game, and a brand new Final Fantasy XIII game, PSP will also be receiving a new Kingdom Hearts game as well. A recent trailer rip has hit the web, and now you can watch in glorious direct-feed. No more off-angle shaky-cam for you, folks. Check it out, after the break.

[Thanks, Edwin A.P.!]

Continued →

Kingdom Heart 358/2 Days confirmed for North America

by David Hinkle { Dec 2nd 2008 at 6:27PM }

Fans of both kingdoms and hearts, know that Square Enix has gone ahead and done what we were all hoping they would do: confirm Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days will release outside of Japan. While there is little actual info on the game out there right now, the series' first entry on the DS is still likely to bring a few smiles to some faces in North America.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days follows the exploits of one Roxas, former Organization XIII member who was featured in the prologue for Kingdom Hearts 2. It is the first in the series to feature a multiplayer gameplay mode that allows "players to control their favorite Organization XIII members!"