This is huge. Earth shattering news for RPG fanatics. The folks over at Square Enix Japan have launched a new teaser website counting down to a new Chrono Trigger title for the Nintendo DS. All that’s on the site currently is a mysterious countdown clock and with that said, it’s anyone’s guess as to if this a direct port of the SNES original or a full-blown remake.
Commence drooling in three, two, one.
Countdown Site [Square Enix]
In collaboration with SNK Playmore, publisher Ignition Entertainment today announced that it will release the seventh installment in SNK’s action-shooter series Metal Slug in North America this coming August.
Developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Metal Slug 7 spans seven missions in all, complete with highly-detailed 2D visuals, as well as a host of all-new weaponry and gameplay modes designed to keep the replay value fresh. If that isn’t enough, the game will also enhance the coolness factor of your handheld, as evidenced by Ignition president Ajay Chadha:
“Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public. Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms,” said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. “Needless to say, and in all seriousness, we are very excited to announce our partnership with SNK Playmore USA to give both core and casual gamers a whole new insight into the unique, all-action, eye-popping world that is Metal Slug.”
Despite the absence of co-op play, this is definitely going to be a day one purchase for me. Just can’t get enough of arcade-style shooters on the DS.
French-based publisher Ubisoft today announced Prince of Persia: The Fallen King for the Nintendo DS. Complementing the upcoming console reboot of the franchise, Fallen King is slated for a holiday 2008 release and will feature an independent storyline, complete with controls designed to take advantage of the DS stylus. more »
In a recent blog post, N+ developers Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard revealed that the frantic ninja-themed platformer known as N+ will hit the PSP and Nintendo DS this August.
Officially announced last year by publisher Atari, the pocket-sized iteration of N is an enhanced port of the Macromedia Flash-based original, complete with brand-new levels and a built-in level editor, allowing players to share their creations over WiFi connection.
On a side note, the two developers provided an update on the forthcoming downloadable content packs for the already released (and commercially successful) XBLA version of N+. In total, the packs will feature over 750 additional levels, 300 of which are multiplayer maps. A firm release date for the maps has yet to be issued, but an official announcement is expected soon - as soon as Burns and Sheppard receive the green light from Microsoft.
“The time has come,” the Walrus said.. [Metanet]
Nintendo isn’t waiting around for E3 to lift the veil on its upcoming lineup of first-party Nintendo DS and Wii titles. The company just issued a surprise press release, announcing full details and release dates for Wario Land: Shake It, Kirby Super Star Ultra, Mystery Case Files: MillionHeir.
Additionally, a firm release date for the already-announced Super Mario Sluggers was revealed today. Mario’s baseball outing is scheduled for an August 25 debut in North America.
Look past the break for screenshots and official descriptions on the rest of the titles. more »
Niche publisher Natsume today announced that Neverland’s farm simulation RPG Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon is scheduled to arrive on North American store shelves this fall.
Set several years after the previous title, players once again maintain their own farm, raise monsters, tackle quests, and attempt to find a wife. Along with enhanced visuals and deeper gameplay, the sequel is said to feature a “multigenerational” story, spanning the later years of a man known as Kyle and his child, a first for the series.
Hit the break for the first screenshots. Natsume says Rune Factory 2 will be on-show at the annual Los Angeles-based E3 media event, which kicks off in July.
With less than a month to go before the game officially launches in North America, publisher Square Enix has sent over thirty new screenshots from the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV. A remake of the SNES original, FF IV DS features 3D visuals, voice-overs, CG cutscenes, and remixed musical score by Nobuo Uematsu.
The game is officially due out July 22 in the states, with a release in European territories following later this summer.
French-based publisher Ubisoft today announced that it has established a new development studio in Brazil, dubbed Ubisoft Sao Paulo. The studio will officially open its doors later this July, with a workforce of 20 developers, initially. Ubisoft plans to expand its employee strength in the region to 200 in four years.
Four-year company vet Bertrand Chaverot will head the new studio, working closely with other Ubisoft studios on the development of family-oriented titles for portable and home console platforms. more »
For the first time in months, the PSP has been awarded second place in terms of weekly Japanese hardware sales. Despite an overall increase in sales from last week, the latest Media Create figures for the week ending June 15 peg the handheld as selling 64,675 units — nearly 11,000 units shy of the PlayStation 3, which took top honors with 75,311 units sold.
Likely, much of the PS3’s strong performance can be attributed to the recent launch of Metal Gear Solid 4, which was released in various bundle offers in Japan. That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the PSP spring back into first place next week, as the MGS 4 hype settles down. more »
Publisher Eidos Interactive today re-launched the official website for Tomb Raider Underworld, confirming that Lara’s latest will arrive this November, just before the holiday season kicks into high gear. The game will launch across a number of platforms, including the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC.
With a story centered around Norse mythology, Underworld features a new dual-target system that allows players to simultaneously take out multiple enemies. The title will represent a significant development effort from Crystal Dynamics, as both the Wii and DS versions of the game are being designed from the ground-up with a unique control set. The Wii edition will allow players to fully control the camera by using the Wii Remote, while the DS game utilizes the stylus for puzzles and browsing the inventory selection screen.
