The 3DS Disney/Square crossover game will arrive in PAL territories on July 20, ahead of the July 31 release date in North America. You'll all be keyblade masters, having earned the respect and high fives of King Mickey, by the time the game shows up domestically.
Of course, a survey is hardly a confirmation that something is in the works. Best to keep expectations low. We've inquired with Ubisoft, but received the usual "Ubisoft doesn't comment on rumors" boilerplate.
European indie developers may have an alternative fairly soon, albeit with a few fundamental differences. Dutch company Gambitious seeks to fill the crowdfunding void across the pond with its own service, but rather than donating funds to receive gifts like a pledge drive, Gambitious users actually purchase shares of a game's development. Upon successful completion of the game, the user receives dividends like a traditional investor, rather than a copy of the game or a lunch date with one of its art directors.
The service is scheduled to launch sometime around E3, and while it will initially be limited to European territories, international expansion is part of Gambitious' long-term game plan.
We don't know if you guys realize this or not, but Japanese is dramatically different from English. They use different keyboard layouts and everything, which can make understanding the media somewhat of a challenge.
Some things however, like this latest trailer for Pokemon Black and White 2, transcend the man-made boundaries of language by communicating on a far more primal, emotional level. Debuted during last night's Nintendo Direct event in Japan, the above trailer showcases tons of gameplay, what appears to be a water-type gym and a bunch of words we don't understand.
Square Enix hints, nudges and winks about The World Ends With You sequel
by Jordan Mallory
(2 days ago)
Fast-forward about a year, and The World Ends With You protagonist Neku is spotted as one of the many cameos during Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance's Tokyo Game Show demo. Now, Nomura has said that TWEWY supporting character Raimu, who never spoke during the original game, will also be in Kingdom Hearts 3D and will be fully voice acted "out of consideration of the future of The World Ends With You series," according to an interview translated by Andriasang.
If that weren't powerfully tantalizing on its own, Nomura also said that "there probably is something" coming in the series' future, though he couldn't speak in specifics at the time. He also laughed mid-sentence, according to the translation, although there's no context provided to indicate whether the laugh was the playful chuckle of an appreciative artist, or the maniacal cackling of a man manipulating the hearts of thousands. Without this vital context clue, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
The full PR, available after the break, calls New Super Mario Bros. 2 a "traditional side-scrolling adventure game" designed "specifically as a pick-up-and-play experience." Judging from these new screenshots below, "traditional" seems like a very apt description – granted, we're intrigued by what appears to be the return of Raccoon Mario, the original flying power up.
First Project X Zone trailer confirms Capcom, Namco and Sega collaboration
by Jessica Conditt
(3 days ago)
The above debut trailer puts in motion the chibi, strategy-RPG style of Nintendo 3DS' Project X Zone, a crossover collaboration between Capcom, Namco Bandai and Sega. The trailer was revealed at Nintendo Direct's livestream extravaganza tonight, and the title is still set to drop in Japan this year.
Project X Zone will feature 16 characters and players will be able to use their Miis to make around 200 in-game items, Andriasang reports.
Image credit: Esuteru
Update: The Nintendo of America Twitter account pegs the update for April 25.
Pokemon Zengoku Zukan Pro is a premium version of the freeware Pokedex 3D. We didn't catch exactly what the upgrades were (Japanese language stream and all) but whatever it is, Nintendo plans to charge 1,500 yen ($18) for it!
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Amoebattle.
Traditionally, real-time strategy games have been the domain of the PC. Attempts have been made to move the genre to other platforms in the past, some more successful than others, but demanding complexity and mouse-centered control schemes have typically kept it from flourishing elsewhere. Enter Amoebattle, a real-time strategy game for iOS (with a DSiWare version on the way next month). Cute though it may be, the heart of real-time strategy definitely beats below its adorable exterior.
Traditionally, real-time strategy games have been the domain of the PC. Attempts have been made to move the genre to other platforms in the past, some more successful than others, but demanding complexity and mouse-centered control schemes have typically kept it from flourishing elsewhere. Enter Amoebattle, a real-time strategy game for iOS (with a DSiWare version on the way next month). Cute though it may be, the heart of real-time strategy definitely beats below its adorable exterior.
Nintendo hasn't revealed what it will discuss tonight, but it has left us a trail of clues. CEO Satoru Iwata sent out invitations to this weekend's Nintendo Direct on 3DS' Spot Pass, showing him with a giant, suspicious Kirby plushie. Kid Icarus: Uprising's Masahiro Sakurai tweeted to expect Uprising news and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy's Masanobu Suzui suggested fans should watch the feed, Andriasang translates.
We'll have our eyes and fingertips ready to roll for any breakout Kirby-Kid-Icarus-Theatrhythm crossover news tonight, because really, it's not like we had any plans on a Friday night or anything.
Pre-order Theatrhythm for adorable stylus, and adorable stickers to put on it
by JC Fletcher
(4 days ago)
To adorn the disc at the top of the stylus, you also get a set of 17 stickers, each featuring a cute version of a Final Fantasy character, including Cloud, Squall, Lightning, and a tiny, tiny Moogle. You may want to reserve the stickers for use on your Trapper Keeper or anywhere else you'd be looking at them constantly.
The Nintendo 3DS debuted in its latest occupation last week, as tour guide at the biggest and best museum in the world, Paris' legendary Musée du Louvre. I just happened to be in the neighborhood this week while on a month-long trek across Europe, so I paid my 5 € along with the 10 € museum admission for the audio guide, and was handed a Korean Air-branded black 3DS and a pair of headphones on the way to go see some of the world's finest art.
The 3DS isn't the only portable device in use as a museum tour guide. While visiting the Musée d'Orsay last week, I was handed an iPod touch in a special security case, and walked around among the works of French impressionists while using Apple's device to hear insights in English. And I've used quite a few other audio guides on this trip – in London, Westminster Abbey and the Royal Observatory both used custom-made audio guide systems, with a keypad and a play button to choose certain audio tracks for various sights on the tour.
But the 3DS was definitely the only gaming-specific device I've seen in use so far. And because of all of the various technologies included, specifically the wireless features, it actually did a great job.
The 3DS isn't the only portable device in use as a museum tour guide. While visiting the Musée d'Orsay last week, I was handed an iPod touch in a special security case, and walked around among the works of French impressionists while using Apple's device to hear insights in English. And I've used quite a few other audio guides on this trip – in London, Westminster Abbey and the Royal Observatory both used custom-made audio guide systems, with a keypad and a play button to choose certain audio tracks for various sights on the tour.
But the 3DS was definitely the only gaming-specific device I've seen in use so far. And because of all of the various technologies included, specifically the wireless features, it actually did a great job.
Meanwhile, on 3DS, the highlighted game is something that's actually been available at GameStop for almost a month, and elsewhere as a pre-order bonus: 3D Classics Kid Icarus. If you didn't think the 3DS game was bizarre enough, you should check out this nicely updated version of the NES original to see how weird Nintendo can get.
Nintendo would also like you to know that a new season of Dinosaur Office will premiere on Nintendo Video tomorrow.
The launch lineup will consist of three games: Tekken 3D Prime Edition, Super Mario 3D Land and Nicola Magazine Model Stylish Audition 2. Later in the year, Nintendo plans to offer Mario Kart 7, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendogs + Cats and the two N64 remakes, Star Fox 64 3D and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.
Ticket sales begin on Friday, April 27. The Video Games Live Twitch.tv channel will be streaming a press conference on April 25 at 9pm ET to announce specific pre-sale dates and take setlist requests from fans. Check out the VGL website for more information and the complete list of dates.