There are a bunch of interesting games launching this week. Hitting the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are Super Street Fighter IV
I’m super psyched for the new Street Fighter. This edition lets you host your own tournaments. It sounds perfect for an RPad.tv Invitational, no?
Are you guys and dolls picking up any new games this week? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!
The latest Iron Man 2
Square Enix Japan has confirmed that Final Fantasy IX will be available for download on Sony’s PlayStation Network. CEO Yoishi Wada left a short video containing the good news on the Square Enix Members Twitter page. Andriasang translated the information.
Like I said before, I’m really excited for FFIX on PSN, simply because I never got around to finishing it. Any of you planning to download it when it comes to America?
Source via Andriasang
There’s nothing interesting coming out for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, or Nintendo DS this week. Thankfully, the PlayStation Portable has a pair of releases to end Q1 2010. Japanese RPG fans will want to keep an eye on Mimana: Iyar Chronicle
Are any of you buying new games this week?
With Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII already available on Sony’s PlayStation Network, you’d think that the release of Final Fantasy IX for PSN would be automatic, no? For some reason, Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto had to pitch his bosses on the release. Here’s what he had to say on the Square Enix Members Twitter page as translated by Andriasang:
The presentation went well. The result will come on Friday. Everyone, please pray.
As Hammer said, “You’ve got to pray just to make it today.” Sorry, I don’t know where that came from.
Hopefully Hashimoto was just playing with Final Fantasy fans. I don’t understand why FFIX wouldn’t be released for PSN. Gamers will surely download it. I’m personally looking forward to this one since I never finished the game (for reasons that I don’t remember). While I didn’t care much for Zidane, I was totally fascinated by Vivi and Steiner cracked me up. I’d love to be able to beat the game on my PSP. Hopefully there will be some good news about FFIX on PSN this Friday.
How about you guys and gals? Any interest in downloading FFIX?
Source via Andriasang
Congratulations to Sony for five successful years with the PlayStation Portable platform. The company boldly went into territory that was utterly dominated by Nintendo. Although the Nintendo DS is still the king of the hill, the PSP has done quite well. Here’s what Sony Computer Entertainment America senior vice president Peter Dille had to say in today’s press release:
Five years ago, PlayStation had yet to break into the portable market. Today, the PSP system is a well-established handheld platform that continuously redefines portable entertainment with quality that’s unparalleled. As PSP celebrates its fifth anniversary, the best is yet to come. We’re very excited about the vibrant 2010 lineup and are committed to continuing to offer entertainment experiences and immersive gameplay only possible on the PlayStation platform.
Yesterday my friend from Gamasutra tweeted an article I co-wrote in 2004. The topic was Nintendo DS vs. PSP. Like so many others, I completely underestimated the DS and completely overestimated the PSP. You have to remember, at the time Sony was kicking all sorts of ass with the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo wasn’t the dominant company it is today. My friend at Wired remarked that my half of the debate perfectly encapsulated every wrong thought in 2004. Here’s a choice nugget from the article:
A few months ago, GameSpy’s Dr. Angryman and digitaltaco were daydreaming about the Sony PSP and how it would allow them to go head-to-head in a wireless version of Soul Calibur and listen to MP3s while they waited for their grub at their favorite Mexican joint. Wireless multiplayer gaming in a multifunction device is the stuff that geek dreams are made of. I can guarantee you that neither of them have woken up and said, “You know what I wish I had? A handheld gaming system with two screens. That would be brilliant!”
Ha! So yeah, I can admit that I was totally wrong and should eat a healthy serving of crow. The point I really wanted to get at is that although the PSP wasn’t the groundbreaking handheld system many people thought it would be, it has still done very well — especially when you consider that the PSP was Sony’s foray into portable gaming. It’s a great platform with some truly outstanding games (play Crisis Core
Sony Computer Entertainment of America has announced a limited-edition bundle for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
I totally dig the Peace Walker PSP’s color, but it’s not enough to get me to buy another PSP. I totally would have gone for a camouflage PSP Go, but that bundle would be too pricey for a lot of gamers. Any of you tempted by the “spirited green” PSP bundle?
There are so many great games coming out this week! PlayStation 3 owners have God of War III
But wait, there’s more! If you can’t get enough RPG excitement then you ought to check out Resonance of Fate
Let me know what games you’re planning to pick up this week. If you’re picking up a few, let me know what order you plan on playing them.
Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for February 2010 (sorry for the lateness!). Along with the usual Nintendo sales, there were some pleasant surprises that should make every hardcore gamer happy.
(Xbox 360): 224,700I’m thrilled that BioShock 2 snagged the top spot in February. I’m even more thrilled that Heavy Rain managed to crack the top 10, despite being released at the end of the month. As you can imagine, seeing a BioWare game on the list makes me happy (duh). It’s also cool to see a new IP like Dante’s Inferno make the cut. Last month I was surprised that Just Dance made the list, but a lot of people in the business play it (to my astonishment). One game designer I know shocked me at GDC when he said that he plays it for at least an hour a day.
Now’s the important part — let me know what you think of NPD Group’s top 10 games of February 2010. Anything surprise you?
NPD Group released its console sales data for February 2010 while I was at GDC. The numbers are pretty interesting. Check ’em out!
The continued onslaught of the Nintendo DS shouldn’t surprise anyone. It’s a great portable console with tons of games and a huge March release (Pokemon HeartGold
Now unleash your Pach Attack and go after the numbers as if you were a very tall gaming analyst. I can’t wait to hear your analysis of NPD Group’s sales figures!
