The existence of Pikmin 3 itself comes as no shock, considering it was name-dropped during a Nintendo roundtable discussion back in 2008. However, the fact that development is steadily progressing further is reassuring. Gives us a smidge of hope that it might make an E3 appearance this year.

Miyamoto: Pikmin 3 Development Well Underway - [eXophase.com]

Whether or not this strong momentum will continue remains to be seen. Next few months should prove to be interesting. See the complete breakdown of figures past the break.

Dollar Sales

Video Games    $1.26B
Video Games Hardware    $426.4M
Video Games Software    $624.4M
Video Game Accessories    $204.7M

Hardware Units

PlayStation 2    101.9K
PlayStation 3    360.1K
PSP    133.4K
Xbox 360    422.0K
Wii    397.9K
Nintendo DS    613.2K

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s February 2010

BIOSHOCK 2 – 360 – 562.9K
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII – WII – 555.6K
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    - 360 – 314.3K
JUST DANCE – WII – 275.4K
SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS* – WII – 272.5K
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    - PS3 – 252.8K
MASS EFFECT 2 – 360 – 246.5K
DANTE’S INFERNO: DIVINE EDITION – PS3 – 242.5K
DANTE’S INFERNO – 360 – 224.7K
HEAVY RAIN – PS3 – 219.3K

(*includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)

February NPD: Xbox 360 Emerges Victorious - [eXophase.com]

The charm of Might and Magic lies predominantly in its robust turn-based combat system. With a set number of moves at their disposal each round, players take turns strategizing their battle plan by shifting units in varying colors around on a grid-based battlefield. This is where things take a turn for the interesting: in order to inflict damage on opposing forces, players create combos with units of a similar color. For instance, lining up three green units in a vertical fashion creates a standard attack. Similarly, arranging three of the same color units horizontally creates a wall that defends your troops from enemy attacks. Of course, walls are not invulnerable and can be broken down. The defensive strength of these fortified walls depend on several attributes, such as unit type, unit level, and so on. To spice things up and add to the element of surprise, incurring a certain threshold of damage in any battle allows players to unleash a special attack on the enemy.

The depth of the combat system does not end at pulling off an intricate series of attack and defense combos, however. As players progress through the game, specialized elite and champion units become available. Gutsy in appearance and strength, these formidable units add yet another layer of strategy to the mix. Positioning two or more common units behind an similarly colored secondary unit initiates their attack. As blows delivered by these units inflict more damage, charging time is increased over that of standard units. There is one caveat to using these units. Once downed in battle, they are permanently removed from your troop roster. Death isn’t exactly perpetual, however, as such units can be re-obtained by purchasing them with available gold at select shops.

This approach to combat strikes just the right balance. Ubisoft has managed to craft a system that while not overly complex, offers a wealth of possibilities, enough to appease nitpicky hardcore gamers like ourselves. No matter what the foe, seeing each battle to its finish and emerging  victorious offers true satisfaction. In the crushing event of having to admit defeat, let’s just say that turning the DS off in frustration is a thought unlikely to cross your mind. You will feel compelled to try again. And again. It’s that addictive.

Whilst combing around dungeon areas, combat is an optional affair. An on-screen shield indicator pops up at which point players can decide to imitate a combat sequence with the enemy or take a defense stance, opting to fall back and flee. With the combat system being addictive as it is, we found ourselves taking the confrontational route all too often. We have a feeling you’ll be hard pressed to opt out of battle sequences as well.

Above all, Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes is a real gem, a perfect illustration of how innovation can expand appeal and even change one’s perception of a genre.  At its heart, it is a turn-based strategy title with all the standard trimmings, backed by an elaborate story and a well-rounded cast of supporting characters. Above all, though, it reinvents the typical turn-based strategy formula in a fashion that lends itself exceptionally well to Nintendo’s dual-screen portable. Without a doubt, it’s the most fun I have personally had on a DS yet. I’d go as far to call Clash of Heroes the must-have DS title of 2009. Any DS owner that calls themselves a fan of the strategy genre should have it in his or her collection. Even for those put off by this genre in the past, it’s still worth checking out. Who knows, you just might broaden your interests in the process.

Score:  5/5

Review written by Mike Bendel / x3sphere

Might and Magic: Clash of Heroes Review: A Fresh Take On The Strategy Genre - [eXophase.com]

“I can’t describe how excited I am about the skateboard game,” said Shaun White. “We’ve been working on it for a while now and it’s ready to melt minds.”

Melt minds? We’re sold. In all seriousness, though, this could prove to be a worthy competitor to EA’s Skate. Not to mention, given that the Tony Hawk franchise has seemingly been stuck in a rut ever since it left Neversoft’s hands, fresh attempts to break into this sport are more than welcomed.

Shaun White Getting Self Titled Skateboarding Game Courtesy Of Ubisoft - [eXophase.com]

“We were shocked by Activision’s decision to terminate our contract,” said West.  “We poured our heart and soul into that company, building not only a world class development studio, but assembling a team we’ve been proud to work with for nearly a decade.  We think the work we’ve done speaks for itself.”

Specifically, the suit calls out Activision for “breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, wrong termination in violation of public policy, and declaratory relief.” In addition, West and Zampella are after the “contractual rights” to the Modern Warfare brand, implying that they want the IP back in their hands. One has to wonder how Activision will respond. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out. Battle of the titans.

Infinity Ward Co-Founders Take Legal Action Against Activison Over Unpaid Royalties, Breach of Contract - [eXophase.com]

The unit hit Japan last year under the moniker of DSi LL, sporting two 4.2 inch screens and a jumbo stylus. Larger is synonymous with a price premium. The XL will set those interested back $189.99 — $20 more than the going rate for  a regular DSi.

If you haven’t made the jump to a DSi yet, picking up an XL may be worth it, especially if DSiWare piques your interest at all. On the other hand, if you already have one and find yourself squinting to clearly see the screen, perhaps it’s time to visit the ophthalmologist for a checkup.  Otherwise, for those on a budget, we’d recommend waiting it out for a real successor to the DS.

Nintendo DSi XL Hits US Shores March 28 - [eXophase.com]

The title has been named Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies for its US release.

To date, Dragon Quest IX has shifted more than 4.15 million copies in the Japanese market.

Dragon Quest IX Reaches North America This Summer - [eXophase.com]

Oh, one other thing. I’ll be back in April for a huge announcement. Stay tuned and let the speculation begin!

Quite a cliffhanger. With no information or hints to go on, this mystery title could really be anything. New IP? Resident Evil? Mega Man? Let your imagination run wild kiddos. One thing is for sure, it’s hitting PS3.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 50% Off…and a Comment Contest! [PS Blog]

Capcom Teases “Huge Announcement” For April - [eXophase.com]

On the bright side of things, it wasn’t a terrible month for software. Categorically, sales were still down compared to last year, but New Super Mario Bros. and BioWare’s critically acclaimed decision-making RPG opus Mass Effect 2 both shifted over a half million units. Well deserved earnings all across the board. See the full breakdown of figures past the cut.

Hardware Units – December 09

PlayStation 2    333.2K
PlayStation 3    1.36M
PSP    654.7K
Xbox 360    1.31M
Wii    3.81M
Nintendo DS    3.31M

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s December 2009

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII 2.82M
WII FIT PLUS*    WII 2.41M
WII SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS*    WII 1.79M
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    360 1.63M
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    PS3 1.12M
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE    WII 1.01M
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL    WII 936.1K
ASSASSIN’S CREED II    360 783.1K
LEFT 4 DEAD 2    360 728.5K
MARIO & LUIGI: BOWSER’S INSIDE STORY    NDS 656.7K

NPD January: VG Sales Down 13 Percent - [eXophase.com]

To help us out, simply head on over to DSi-XL’s contest page and leave a comment saying you are voting for eXophase.com, optionally followed by any endearing comments regarding your choice. Easy peasy.

Help Us Help You Win A DSi XL - [eXophase.com]

With Nintendo remaining understandably coy on details, there’s no telling what will be shown yet, but previously announced titles such as Metroid Other M and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are probable bets. Chances of the next Zelda making a appearance are slim, seeing as Nintendo is likely reserving a proper unveiling of it for E3. Still, we wouldn’t discount the possibility.

Nintendo Dates Media Summit for February 24 - [eXophase.com]

Furthermore, the qualifications call for experience with creating engaging game experiences – preferably in the realm of first and third-person shooters. While still not a direct confirmation, those two tidbits are rather revealing, considering that Bizarre has been previously rumored to be working on a licensed 007 effort. All bets are on Bond.

The job listing made no mention of what platforms the applicant will be responsible for working with, but knowing Activision, this will undoubtedly be a multiplatform affair.

Bizarre Seeks Experienced Designer For Unannounced Title - [eXophase.com]

Hailrazer says the project was a specialty order, built entirely at the request of a client, hence calling it Kamikaze 64. The total damage is unknown but a craftsmanship commission of this magnitude doesn’t come cheap, especially not one of this quality. Whatever it ended up costing, we’re sure the buyer is pleased. To see it running fan-favorites Super Mario 64 and Goldeneye 007 in action, hit up the video above.

Hailrazer Shows Off Kamikaze 64, Multipurpose Portable N64 - [eXophase.com]

Divnich has no real evidence to back up this claim but does supply supporting conjecture, noting that “Nintendo’s success in the handheld market is their ability to remove opportunity gaps for competitors to enter.” In other words, he’s banking on Nintendo to surprise us all and announce the DS2 earlier than expected in an attempt to one up Sony and once again emerge as the first to market their next generation handheld.

Could it happen? Anything is possible, but this sounds a little far-fetched. It’d be a risky move for Nintendo, especially with DS momentum still as high as it is — over 3 million units were sold in the US alone last December. An early announcement could lead would-be purchasers towards holding off for what’s next. That said, we’d file this prediction under unlikely – but if he ends up being right, then well, hats off. If not, then we get to say we told you so.

DS2 To Release Within 15 Months – EEDAR [Edge]

Analyst Makes Outlandish Prediction, Nintendo DS2 Announcement Due This Year - [eXophase.com]

Despite marginal gains over last December, industry sales declined from a full year-over-year perspective, recording $19.66 billion in sales compared to 2008’s $21.4 billion. Clearly the weakened economy dampened potential growth, but if last month’s figures are any indication, the road ahead looks convincingly bright for 2010. Hit the jump for the complete breakdown of sales figures.

Oh, and it looks like Reggie won that little bet. New Super Mario Bros. sold more units than Modern Warfare 2 on both PS3 and Xbox 360 combined. Impressive.

Dec-08    Dec-09    CHG

Video Games    $5.32B    $5.53B    4%
Video Games Hardware    $1.89B    $2.19B    16%
Video Games Software    $2.77B    $2.58B    -7%
Video Game Accessories    $663.9M    $760.2M    15%

Hardware Sales – December 09

Dec-09
PlayStation 2    333.2K
PlayStation 3    1.36M
PSP    654.7K
Xbox 360    1.31M
Wii    3.81M
Nintendo DS    3.31M

Software Sales – December 09

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII    WII     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Nov-09     2.82M     1
WII FIT PLUS*    WII     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Oct-09     2.41M     2
WII SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS*    WII     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Jul-09     1.79M     3
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    360     ACTIVISION BLIZZARD     Nov-09     1.63M     4
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2*    PS3     ACTIVISION BLIZZARD     Nov-09     1.12M     5
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE    WII     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Feb-07     1.01M     6
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL    WII     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Apr-08     936.1K     7
ASSASSIN’S CREED II    360     UBISOFT    Nov-09     783.1K     8
LEFT 4 DEAD 2    360     ELECTRONIC ARTS    Nov-09     728.5K     9
MARIO & LUIGI: BOWSER’S INSIDE STORY    NDS     NINTENDO OF AMERICA    Sep-09     656.7K     10

December NPD: Full Year Industry Sales Decline, Nintendo Records Biggest Month Yet - [eXophase.com]

As part of a revision to their 2009-10 outlook, Ubisoft confirmed that both Splinter Cell: Conviction and R.U.S.E. have been delayed into the company’s next fiscal year. Originally slated for February, Conviction is now due out in April 2010. While not exactly a huge setback, it’s still a significant bump, especially when considering how many times this title has been pushed back. Ubi gave no specific release window for R.U.S.E.

To compensate for the shift in release dates, Ubisoft is backpedaling on its sales targets for the 2009-10 fiscal year, setting their full year revenue forecast at €860 million – down from €1,040 million. Likewise, third quarter targets have been knocked down to €495 million from €540 million. Ubi cited lower-than-expected performance of Wii and DS titles in the casual sector as a contributing factor for making these adjustments.

Splinter Cell: Conviction, R.U.S.E. Delayed - [eXophase.com]

With the core team essentially dissolved, the future of Midnight Club is an uncertainty. Poor management practices at Rockstar San Diego has led to a state of peril, with the wives of employees lamenting over inadequate working conditions coupled with unrealistic deadlines and long hours. The unethical neglect is beginning to take its toll on employee’s  at the studio, with those affected prepped to take legal action if the situation does not improve within the “upcoming weeks.”

Considering the Midnight Club franchise is one of Rockstar’s top earners, there’s little doubt that parent company Take-Two is watching the developments surrounding this situation closely. Rockstar, for its part, has yet to issue an official comment in response to the allegations.

Sources: Rockstar San Diego not working on more Midnight Club games, future games in jeopardy [Joystiq]

Source: Rockstar San Diego Midnight Club Team Dissolved, Management Complaints Loom On - [eXophase.com]

Happy 2010! If you decide to make any resolutions for this new year’s, I’d suggest doing so while not drunk.

Happy 2010 - [eXophase.com]

The fall of the JRPG in large part is due to a lack of evolution, a lack of progression. They kept delivering the same thing over and over. They make the dressing better, they look prettier, but it’s still the same experience.

An interesting view indeed. When you think about it, it’s hard not to agree. But the old adage of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” also rings true here. Do JRPG gamers really want change? Not sticking with the fundamentals is a big risk for companies and as we’ve seen in the past, sometimes it does not pay off. By the same token, it can pay off. Most developers like to stay on the safe side for obvious reasons.

BioWare co-founder: JRPGs suffer from ‘lack of evolution’ [Destructoid]

BioWare Co-Founder Criticizes The JRPG for A Lack of Evolution - [eXophase.com]

Changelog after the jump.

Changelog:

- Fixed: You can login again with Beup Live.
(No more “Connection to notification server has died.” error)
- Changed from MSNP9 to MSNP8.

Unfortunately, as it was stated, there will be no more avatar support. But its good to know that, after a long time of inactivity, the author finally stepped up and is continuing to improve this wonderful homebrew!

Download it HERE

Source : Beup live 0.7 released [DCemu]

Beup Live 0.7 Released! - [eXophase.com]

I don’t think that Chinatown Wars failed because of poor marketing. I think that an M-rated game will have difficulty selling on the DS, since the majority of DS owners are under 17 and can’t buy it.  Those who are over 17 typically have a 360 or PS3 (if they are interested in M-rated content), and have already had ample opportunity to buy GTA IV on their home consoles.

Makes perfect sense and we’re inclined to agree, but you have to remember that sales of the PSP port weren’t exactly chart-topping either. Perhaps the top-down gameplay style turned all but the most hardcore of fans off from picking it up after all.

Pachter Says Marketing Not To Blame For Less Than Stellar GTA DS Sales - [eXophase.com]

Square Enix has released a trailer of Neverland Company’s Estpolis, a remake of SNES RPG classic Lufia II. For fans, the music will most definitely sound familiar, but the visuals enter uncharted territory. Featuring completely redone 3D visuals, this clip also highlights the Kingdom Hearts-esque battle system, forgoing the turn-based combat sequences that many of us fondly remember in the original.

It doesn’t look half bad, actually, but at the same time doesn’t exactly remind us of Lufia. You be the judge.

Lufia II DS Trailer - [eXophase.com]

The Metallic Blue DSi comes with Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Dr. Mario Express, WarioWare: Snapped: Wario, Mario Calculator, and Mario Clock: Mario Clock. The White DSi bundle is decidedly more academic-focused, packing three Brain Age express titles, Clubhouse Games Express, and Photo Clock.

“These limited-edition bundles come packed with some of the great Nintendo DSiWare games and applications that have made Nintendo DSi such a big hit with shoppers young and old,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “The special price and pre-installed titles make the bundles a huge value for the holidays.”

Nintendo calls it a $20 a value that will be available “for a limited time only,” so expect stock to move quickly. It’s a nice gesture and should increase visibility of the DSiWare service to customers that otherwise may not be aware of its offerings. It’d be even sweeter if this wasn’t a limited offer, though.

Nintendo Preps Black Friday DSi Bundles With Preloaded Software - [eXophase.com]

Without question, the visuals in C.O.P. are spectacular considering the limitations of DS hardware, but a question no doubt looming on many minds is if the gameplay stacks up. While it’s fair to draw parallels between Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto franchise and C.O.P. at first glance, the reality is that the two are quite different, at least in terms of pacing. Despite boasting a open-world environment, C.O.P. takes a linear approach, essentially forcing players to follow the main story line. While side missions are still present, they offer no real connection to the main story, appearing on the player’s CCD PDA device at random intervals. Opting to take on these predefined missions can net you more weapons and ammo upon successful completion, as well as achievements for bragging rights. This approach works well as the portable format is better suited towards pick up and play sessions. Having one clear path to the story keeps things moving at a steady pace.

As we’ve seen on the visual front, C.O.P. takes advantage of the DS hardware to its fullest. In certain respects, the same can also be said of controls. Using the stylus, players can aim freely with their weapon of choice while using the control pad to move around, making movement fluid and responsive. By default, the action of firing your weapon is tied to the left trigger, but this behavior can be changed via options to tapping the stylus twice in rapid succession. Although opinions are bound to differ, we actually preferred the stylus method of firing shots. Additionally, certain missions in C.O.P. employ use of the DS’ built-in microphone in a rather effective way, having players shout “Hey” to divert attention from surrounding guards and remain undetected.

While solid, the combat system in C.O.P. offers no real surprises. Firearm switching is seamless as players can simply choose their weapon of choice with the touch of the stylus. One nuance we encountered was that the hit detection system felt a bit touchy. There’s no real indication that an enemy is being hit when firing, making combat less satisfying than we would have liked. While it was obvious that Ubisoft did not want to include blood to keep this a teen-friendly game, adding a secondary life bar for the opposition would have been helpful.

Missions in C.O.P. are varied. While a bulk of the game involves running errands for local law enforcement across the city, as well as your falsely accused mentor Brad Winter in an effort to prove his innocence and uncover a terrorist plot, it’s the way these scenarios play out that mix up the gameplay and keep things fresh. There’s never a dull moment in C.O.P.

Pushing the DS hardware to its limits does have disadvantages, however. C.O.P. suffers from a slight degree of pop-in on screen, a visual artifact that often plagues this genre, making textures appear right before your eyes. In the case of C.O.P., this phenomenon is very minor, however, mostly limited to cars far out in the distance. Could it have been eliminated? Most likely, but at the cost of no longer maintaining a smooth 60 frames per second. There’s always a trade-off.

Regardless of minor faults, C.O.P. is a compelling action experience for DS. Impressive 3D visuals backed by a silky smooth rate make for a quality production. Although the gameplay could have used sprucing up in certain areas, VD Dev has created a technological achievement that is not only fun but rewarding to play. Any DS owner in the market for an enjoyable action title should give C.O.P. consideration. It’s a fun action romp that doesn’t let go until the end.

Liked
- Breaks new ground in terms of visuals for DS
- Use of secondary DS hardware features in non-gimmicky ways
- Story is engaging, keeps the player wanting to push forward

Disliked
- Not as ambitious on the gameplay front. Combat system is solid but feels somewhat antiquated

Review copy provided by Ubisoft. A Nintendo DS exclusive, C.O.P. The Recruit retails for $29.99 and was released on November 3.

C.O.P. The Recruit Review: Open World Action Comes To DS In Full 3D - [eXophase.com]

Most radical people even dare to say that retailers will be replaced by digital distribution in no time. But personally, I think it will still require a significant amount of time. In other words, it will require many years and months for the majority of video game purchase to become digital. In short, in 20 years or so I might say it will have probably changed. But in 5 years or so, I do not totally agree with opinions that no one will purchase titles at retailers by then. Habits of life do not change such radically and quickly. Especially for the expanded audience of various people, to whom we are and will be trying to appeal, I believe their habits will change more slowly.

Iwata prefaced this statement by saying that only around 35 percent of the current Japanese Wii user base actively connects to the shop channel. That said, it seems Nintendo still has more of a conservative view of the online space. With all the strides Sony and Microsoft have made towards a digital future in such a short time span, it’s not unrealistic to think it could reign as the primary method of distribution in much sooner than 20 years. Ten years seems more realistic at the current pace. Of course, an opinion is just an opinion, so we’ll see.

Iwata Believes Digital Distribution Not Overtaking Retail for At Least 20 Years - [eXophase.com]

It’s slated to hit “first quarter calendar year of 2010.” No word on pricing yet, but expect it to carry a premium like its Japanese counterpart, which will retail for approximately 1100 more yen over that of the standard DSi model.

DSi XL Pegged for 2010 Release In North America, Europe - [eXophase.com]

No word on a North American or European release date as of yet. More shots of the unit can be viewed after the break.

Nintendo DSi LL Officially Revealed - [eXophase.com]

There’s no word on if this “supersized” DSi will hit other regions, but according to the aforementioned report, it remains a distinct possibility. While this is a great initiative by Nintendo, we don’t feel there’s much value in switching over to this model if the internal resolution is staying the same, which it likely will. Assuming this is the case, the higher dot pixel pitch will effectively make titles rendered in 3D look less sharp, a caveat of running LCD technology below its native res.

Basically, if you’re content with the current DSi, we wouldn’t recommend rushing out to sell it in anticipation for this model.

任天堂がDSiの進化版を年内に販売！iPhone対抗か！液晶も大型化 [via NeoGAF]

Revised DSi With Slightly Larger Screens To Hit Japan - [eXophase.com]

GameFly is pegging on a January 2010 release date on what would be the first DSi-exclusive title to reach North American shores.

DSi Exclusive Monster Finder Coming Stateside, Retailer Hints - [eXophase.com]

See it all after the break.

Hardware Units

PlayStation 2 146.0K
PlayStation 3 491.8K
PSP 190.4K
Xbox 360 352.6K
Wii 462.8K
Nintendo DS 524.2K

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s September 2009
Title Platform Publisher Release Date Units Rank
HALO 3:ODST 360 MICROSOFT (CORP) Sep-09 1.52M 1
WII SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 442.9K 2
MADDEN NFL 10 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Aug-09 289.6K 3
MARIO & LUIGI:BOWSER’S INSIDE STORY NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA Sep-09 258.1K 4
THE BEATLES:ROCK BAND* 360 MTV GAMES/ELECTRONIC ARTS Sep-09 254.0K 5
MADDEN NFL 10 PS3 ELECTRONIC ARTS Aug-09 246.5K 6
MARVEL:ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) Sep-09 236.0K 7
BATMAN:ARKHAM ASYLUM* PS3 SQUARE ENIX INC (CORP) Aug-09 212.5K 8
GUITAR HERO 5* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD (CORP) Sep-09 210.8K 9
THE BEATLES:ROCK BAND* WII MTV GAMES/ELECTRONIC ARTS Sep-09 208.6K 10

September NPD: PS3 Leads Console Hardware Sales - [eXophase.com]

Am I an “idle man”, I wonder? (^^;
Well, I am just trying to pastime…
I am working hard on a new project.
Now we are being rushed into the “finishing” stage.
No matter what, I will make it really good….

Considering Mistwalker has made a name for itself that is synonymous with the JRPG genre, we’re placing our bets on another RPG.

mistwalker [Mistwalker]

Mistwalker Boss Cryptically Hints At New Project - [eXophase.com]

As the first of its kind on DS, COP: The Recruit is an open-world action game that features full 3D visuals. Players assume the role of Dan Miles, who is working closely with his mentor Dectective Brad Winter in investigating terrorist activities plaguing the streets of New York, leading to a life of fear for citizens. The investigation is hampered when Brad is falsely accused, leaving Dan to uncover the truth behind a menacing conspiracy.

COP: The Recruit is scheduled to hit Nintendo DS on November 3.

COP: The Recruit GameStop Pre-Orders Get Exclusive Missions - [eXophase.com]

While story details are still shrouded in mystery, the title features an cel-shaded art style fondly reminiscent of Phantom Hourglass. Apart from the added element of stylus driven controls, gameplay is largely akin to traditional Zelda efforts, this time with an added emphasis on exploration as Link guides a cannon-wielding steam engine.

See Nintendo’s mammoth release schedule from first-party and third-party publishers after the break.

Wii

Publisher
Game Available
2K Sports NHL® 2K10 Sept. 15
Baseball Blast! Sept. 28
NBA 2K10 Oct. 6
2K Play Dora the Explorer™: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom™ Fall
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game Day Fall
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey™ Circus Fall
505 Games My Ballet Studio November
Baby and Me November
Activision Publishing, Inc. Animal Planet Vet Life Sept. 15
Marvel™: Ultimate Alliance 2™ Sept. 15
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 Sept. 22
Rapala We Fish Sept. 22
Bakugan® Battle Brawlers ™ Oct. 20
iCarly™ Oct. 20
Madagascar Kartz Oct. 20
Mountain Sports Oct. 20
Hidden Mysteries Titanic Oct. 27
Barbie™ and the Three Musketeers Oct. 27
Jurassic Hunter Oct. 27
DJ Hero™ Oct. 27
Chaotic™: Shadow Warriors Nov. 10
Hot Wheels™ Battle Force 5™ Nov. 10
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®: Reflex Nov. 10
Tony Hawk®: RIDE™ Nov. 17
Band Hero™ November
Guitar Hero® Van Halen® Dec. 22
Aspyr Media My Baby and Me Nov. 17
Atlus U.S.A., Inc. 101-in-1 Party Megamix™ Oct. 27
Trauma Team™ Spring
Shiren the Wanderer™ Spring
Capcom® Entertainment, Inc. Spyborgs™ Sept. 22
Resident Evil®: The Darkside Chronicles Nov. 17
City Interactive USA, Inc. Chicken Riot November
Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII January
Art of Murder March
D3Publisher Family Party: 30 Great Games™ Outdoor Fun Sept. 22
Astro Boy®: The Video Game Oct. 20
THE SECRET SATURDAYS™: BEASTS OF THE 5TH SUN Oct. 20
BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks Oct. 27
Kamen Rider Dragon Knight Winter
Destineer We Wish You A Merry Christmas Oct. 13
Buck Fever Oct. 20
Alien Monster Bowling League Oct. 27
Marines: Modern Urban Combat Nov. 3
Satisfashion Nov. 17
Rec Room Nov. 17
Disney Interactive Studios Disney Sing It: Pop Hits October
Princess and the Frog November
Electronic Arts MySims™ Agents Sept. 22
Dead Space™ Extraction Sept. 29
Spore™ Hero Oct. 6
CHARM GIRLS CLUB™ Pajama Party Oct. 20
SimAnimals™ Africa Oct. 26
LITTLEST PET SHOP™ FRIENDS October
NERF 2: “N-Strike”™ Elite October
HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT 2 October
FIFA 10 October
Need for Speed™ Nitro Nov. 17
EA SPORTS Active™ More Workouts November
Knowledge Adventure JumpStart® Escape from Adventure Island Nov. 1
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Walk It Out! October
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories November
Storybook Workshop November
Karaoke Revolution November
Ultimate Party Challenge November
DanceDanceRevolution Hottest Party 3 November
pop’n music November
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 Q4
LucasArts Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™ Oct. 6
LEGO® Indiana Jones 2™: The Adventure Continues Fall
Majesco Entertainment Our House: Party! Sept. 22
A Boy and His Blob Oct. 13
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 Oct. 20
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Dec. 1
The Daring Game for Girls Holiday
Mastiff Shimano Xtreme Fishing Sept. 29
Remington Great American Bird Hunt Oct. 27
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc Dragon Ball®: Revenge of King Piccolo October
Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked November
We Cheer™ 2 November
Nintendo Wii Fit Plus Oct. 4
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Holiday
Playlogic Sudoku Ball Detective Sept. 22
SEGA® Wacky World of Sports™ Sept. 22
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games™ Oct. 13
Planet 51 Nov. 17
Jambo! Safari:™ Animal Rescue Q4
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing™ Feb. 10
Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll™ Early 2010
SouthPeak Games My Baby First Steps™ Holiday
Sushi Go Round™ Holiday
Square Enix FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS® Dec. 26
Storm City Games The Island of Dr. Frankenstein Oct. 6
Vegas Party Oct. 27
Bermuda Triangle: Saving the Coral Nov. 9
Tecmo Family Fun Football™ Sept. 29
THQ The Biggest Loser Oct. 6
Cars Race O Rama Oct. 13
Marvel® Super Hero Squad™ Oct. 20
WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010 Oct. 20
SpongeBob Truth or Square Oct. 26
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Game Time Oct. 26
World of Zoo™ Oct. 26
All Star Cheer Squad™ 2 Oct. 27
Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter Oct. 27
Daniel X Jan. 12
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars Feb. 2
TOMY Corporation NARUTO™ Shippuden: Clash of Ninja® Revolution 3 Nov. 17
Ubisoft Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs™ Sept. 15
Where’s Waldo®: The Fantastic Journey Sept. 22
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Smash-up Sept. 22
The Price is Right ® 2010 Edition Sept. 22
Family Feud® 2010 Edition Sept. 29
CSI™: Deadly Intent Oct. 20
Monster 4×4™ Stunt Racer Oct. 27
Rabbids Go Home™ Nov. 3
Academy of Champions™ Nov. 3
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage Nov. 8
Just Dance™ Nov. 17
James Cameron’s Avatar™ The Game Nov. 24
Your Shape™ Featuring Jenny McCarthy Nov. 24
UFO Interactive Games, Inc. Army Rescue™ Sept. 29
Rock Blast ™ Oct. 20
Arcade Shooter: Ilvelo Oct. 27
Geon Cube Oct. 27
Smart Series Presents: JaJa’ Adventure Nov. 10
Vir2L® Studios Medieval Games™ Oct. 20
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Scooby-Doo™! First Frights Sept. 22
Where the Wild Things Are Oct. 13
Game Party® 3 October
LEGO® Rock Band™ Holiday
SCENE IT?® BRIGHT LIGHTS! BIG SCREEN!™ Holiday
XSEED Games JU-ON: The Grudge Oct. 13
Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga Fall

WiiWare

Publisher Game Available
Aksys Games BIT.TRIP VOID Q3
BIT.TRIP series (3 additional titles) Q4, Q1
Broken Rules And Yet It Moves Q4
Frontier LostWinds: Winter of the Melodias Q4
Gameloft Ghost Mansion Party Q3
The Oregon Trail Q4
Ghostfire Games Rage of the Gladiator Q1
Incredible Technologies Carnival King Q3
Konami Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth Q3
Frogger Returns Q4
Nabi Studios Toribash Q4
Natsume Moki Moki Q3
Harvest Moon: My Little Shop Q4
Nicalis Cave Story Q3
Night Game Q1
La Mulana Q1
NinjaBee The Amazing Brain Train Q4
Nintendo You, Me, and the Cubes™ Q3
Eco Shooter: Plant 530™ Q4
Nintendo/TPC Pokémon™ Rumble Q4
Press Play Max & the Magic Marker Q4
React Games Archon: Classic Q1
Taito Arkanoid Plus! Q3
Team Meat Super Meat Boy Q1
Telltale Games Tales of Monkey Island™: Lair of the Leviathan Q3
Tales of Monkey Island™: The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood Q4
Tales of Monkey Island™: Rise of the Pirate God Q4

Nintendo DS/Nintendo DSi

Publisher Game Available
2K Play Dora the Explorer: Dora Puppy Oct. 26
Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year’s Celebration Oct. 26
The Backyardigans Oct. 26
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Fall
505 Games My Ballet Studio November
Discovery Kids SpiderQuest November
Dream Diary November
Picture Perfect Hair Salon November
505 Games IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Sept. 15
Activision Publishing, Inc. Marvel™: Ultimate Alliance 2™ Sept. 15
Animal Planet Vet Life Sept. 15
Bakugan ® Battle Brawlers ™ Oct. 20
iCarly™ Oct. 20
Madagascar Kartz Oct. 20
Barbie™ and the Three Musketeers Oct. 27
Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®: Mobilized Nov. 10
Chaotic™: Shadow Warriors Nov. 10
Hot Wheels™ Battle Force 5™ Nov. 10
Band Hero™ November
Aspyr Media Fighting Fantasy™: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain Oct. 26
City Interactive USA, Inc. Sushi Academy Oct. 13
Chronicles of Mystery: Curse of the Ancient Temple Oct. 27
Animal Country: Life on the Farm November
Party Designer November
Art of Murder February
Jewels of Sahara March
D3Publisher Astro Boy®: The Video Game Oct. 20
THE SECRET SATURDAYS™: BEASTS OF THE 5TH SUN Oct. 20
BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks Oct. 27
Kamen Rider Dragon Knight Winter
Destineer Satisfashion Nov. 17
Disney Interactive Studios Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure October
Disney’s A Christmas Carol November
JONAS November
Princess and the Frog November
Electronic Arts MySims™ Agents Sept. 22
Spore™ Hero Arena Oct. 6
CHARM GIRLS CLUB™ My Fashion Show Oct. 20
CHARM GIRLS CLUB™ My Fashion Mall Oct. 20
CHARM GIRLS CLUB™ My Perfect Prom Oct. 20
SimAnimals™ Africa Oct. 26
LITTLEST PET SHOP™ CITY FRIENDS October
LITTLEST PET SHOP™ COUNTRY FRIENDS October
LITTLEST PET SHOP™ BEACH FRIENDS October
HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT 2 October
FIFA 10 October
Ignition Entertainment Nostalgia Oct. 20
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. WireWay November
LucasArts Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™ Oct. 6
Star Wars Battlefront™: Elite Squadron™ Nov. 3
LEGO® Indiana Jones 2™: The Adventure Continues Fall
Majesco Entertainment Our House Sept. 22
Sideswiped Sept. 29
Cake Mania® 3 Oct. 13
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 Oct. 20
Cooking Mama 3: Shop and Chop Oct. 27
My Hero: Astronaut Nov. 3
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Dec. 1
Dawn of Heroes Dec. 1
My Hero: Firefighter December
The Daring Game for Girls Holiday
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc Dragon Ball® Z: Attack of the Saiyans November
Nintendo Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Oct. 12
Style Savvy Nov. 2
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Dec. 7
NIS America A Witch’s Tale Oct. 6
Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sera Island Oct. 27
PopCap Games, Inc. Bookworm™ Dec. 1
SEGA® Bleach:™ The 3rd Phantom Sept. 15
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games™ Oct. 13
Phantasy Star™ Zero Nov. 10
Planet 51 Nov. 17
Jambo! Safari:™ Animal Rescue Q4
Sands of Destruction™ January
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing™ February
Infinite Space™ Spring
SouthPeak Games Montessori Music™ Oct. 20
My Baby First Steps™ Holiday
Sushi Go Round™ Holiday
Crime Scene™ Holiday
Square Enix KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS Sept. 29
SPACE INVADERS EXTREME™ 2 Oct. 20
Storm City Games Hands On! Tangrams Oct. 13
Jewel Master Egypt Oct. 20
Flaw Oct. 27
Foto Frenzy Nov. 2
Bermuda Triangle: Saving the Coral Nov. 9
THQ James Patterson Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion Sept. 15
Fabulous Finds Sept. 21
Just in Time Translations Sept. 21
The Biggest Loser Oct. 6
Cars Race O Rama Oct. 13
Marvel® Super Hero Squad™ Oct. 20
WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010 Oct. 20
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Game Time Oct. 26
World of Zoo™ Oct. 26
SpongeBob Truth or Square Oct. 26
Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter Oct. 27
MX vs. ATV™ Reflex™ Holiday
TOMY Corporation NARUTO Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 Sept. 15

Ubisoft
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs™ Sept. 15
Where’s Waldo®: The Fantastic Journey Sept. 22
The Price is Right® 2010 Edition Sept. 22
Family Feud® 2010 Edition Sept. 29
Battle of Giants™: Dragons Sept. 29
Imagine® Salon Stylist Sept. 29
Imagine® Sweet 16 Oct. 4
Imagine® Zookeeper Oct. 6
PETZ® PONY BEAUTY PAGEANT™ Oct. 13
Imagine® Fashion Designer World Tour Oct. 20
CSI™: Deadly Intent – The Hidden Cases Oct. 20
Jam Sessions 2 Oct. 20
PETZ® DOLPHINZ ENCOUNTER Oct. 27
Might and Magic® Clash of Heroes® Oct. 27
Imagine® Artist Oct. 27
C.O.P. The Recruit™ Nov. 3
Rabbids Go Home™ Nov. 3
Imagine® Babyz Fashion Nov. 3
Fairyland Melody Magic™ Nov. 8
Style Lab™ Jewelry Design Nov. 10
Style Lab™ Makeover Nov. 10
PETZ® NURSERY Nov. 10
PETZ® DOGZ® TALENT SHOW Nov. 17
PETZ® HAMSTERZ® SUPERSTARZ Nov. 24
James Cameron’s Avatar™ The Game Nov. 24
Virtual Play Games Junior Brain Trainer Nov. 10
Junior Classic Games Nov. 10
UFO Interactive Games, Inc. Smart Boy’s Gameroom 2® Sept. 29
Smart Girl’s Playhouse 2® Sept. 29
Smart Kid’s Mega Game Mix™ Sept. 29
Reversal Challenge Oct. 13
Balloon Pop Nov. 12
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Scribblenauts™ Sept. 15
Scooby-Doo™! First Frights Sept. 22
LEGO® Rock Band™ Holiday
Where the Wild Things Are Oct. 13
TouchMaster® 3 Oct. 27
XSEED Games THE WIZARD OF OZ™: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road Sept. 29

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks On Track for December 7 - [eXophase.com]

While the PSP and DS aren’t exactly direct competitors to the iPod Touch, Apple is touting the fact that games are cheaper on their platform as a selling point for iPod hardware. During its press conference earlier today, which highlighted the arrival of a third-generation iPod Touch, shown on-screen was a slide pinpointing the “expensive” price points of such titles.

Apple also took a casual jab at both platforms for “no multi-touch user interface” and a minuscule library of games. Not exactly a fair comparison, when considering the quality ratio is lacking on the App Store compared to efforts on PSP and DS. At any rate, it’s interesting to see that Apple is acknowledging portable devices other than their own for once. Perhaps the increased focused on digital distribution with the DSi and PSPgo has edged them towards taking precautionary measures.

Apple Takes Jab At PSP, DS Game Pricing At Conference - [eXophase.com]

Industry sources have told weblog Kotaku that DSi-specific software will be visually identifiable from that of legacy titles, packaged in an all white game casing brandished with an “only for DSi” label.

It’s a transition reminiscent of the Game Boy Color era. The original GB was still extremely popular during the introduction of the GBC and as such Nintendo eased the transition early on with software titles that were compatible with both platforms then later moved on to releasing GBC-only software.

It looks as if Nintendo will once again employ this strategy to lure folks over to the DSi platform, which in addition to featuring a camera component, sports beefed up hardware specifications: double the CPU clock speed and four times as much RAM as the original DS and DS Lite. Of course, this is still is a rumor, leaving only time to confirm Nintendo’s eventual plans.

Rumor: DSi Exclusive Titles Hit This Fall - [eXophase.com]

Matsushita calls it Okami with a broader appeal. Gameplay-wise, he told Famitsu that players can use the stylus as a brush. The aim is to create a seamless pick up and play type experience.

Look for more details on this portable Okami follow-up to be revealed at TGS, likely alongside a trailer.

Capcom Confirms DS Okami Sequel - [eXophase.com]

With both Sony and Microsoft taking bold initiatives towards introducing motion-sensing peripherals, it’s quite plausible that this generation could carry on for another three years. After all, there’s not much point in coming out with new tech if the current crop of consoles are soon to be phased out. It’s very possible we may see a “refresh” of this gen, similar to what Nintendo and Sony have done in the portable sector with the DSi and now PSPgo.

Crytek is working on CryEngine 3-powered Crysis 2, scheduled to hit PS3, Xbox 360, and PC at a yet-unspecified date.

GDC Europe: Crytek’s Yerli On The Future Of Gaming Graphics [Gamasutra]

Crytek: Current Gen To Last Until 2013 - [eXophase.com]

The PS3 barely edged pasted its last-generation counterpart in sales, with both platforms shifting 121,800 and 108,000 units respectively. It’s safe to say that Sony needs that price cut, pronto. Xbox 360 sales weren’t as bleak, but still took a dive compared to last month with 202,900 units sold.

Wii Sports Resort, perhaps unsurprisingly, took the crown for July’s best-selling title. Released near the tail end of the month, it sold 508,200 copies.

See the full breakdown of July figures past the break, courtesy of NPD.

Hardware Units

Jul-09
PlayStation 2 108K
PlayStation 3 121.8K
PSP 122.8K
Xbox 360 202.9K
Wii 252.5K
Nintendo DS 538.9K

Top 10 VG Console/Portable SKU’s July 2009

Title Platform Publisher Release Date Units Rank

Wii SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS WII* NINTENDO OF AMERICA July-09 508.2K 1
NCAA FOOTBALL 10 360* ELECTRONIC ARTS July-09 376.5K 2
NCAA FOOTBALL 10 PS3* ELECTRONIC ARTS July-09 237.4K 3
WII FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD* WII* NINTENDO OF AMERICA May-08 164.3K 4
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL WII* NINTENDO OF AMERICA April-08 156.6K 5
MARIO KART DS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA November-05 132.2K 6
POKEMON PLATINUM VERSION NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA March-09 116.4K 7
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS June-09 116.4K 8
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA May-06 101.8K 9
EA SPORTS ACTIVE BUNDLE WII* ELECTRONIC ARTS May-09 96.8K 10

July NPD: Industry Sales Remain Sluggish, Wii Sports Resort Leads Software Sales - [eXophase.com]

The wait will be long for this one, as it won’t happen this year. Wada says a localization is planned for release next year, likely after April.

Square Enix “Considering” To Bring Dragon Quest IX Stateside - [eXophase.com]

Still no word on a North American release date, but we’re waiting patiently for Square Enix to localize this gem.

Dragon Quest IX Sales Hit 3.5 Million - [eXophase.com]