Xseed localization specialist Tom Lipschultz posted this excellent video of the upcoming Ys Seven for PlayStation Portable. The game hits next week, but if you want a glimpse at Ys Seven’s world then check out this video.
I’m super psyched for more Ys. The series means a lot to longtime JRPG nerds. While loads of my friends can’t wait for the game, I was wondering if the series means anything to you. Anyone down for some new Ys action?
My favorite wrestler of the past decade and my favorite sports columnist of all time meet in Bill Simmons’ latest podcast, featuring “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels. You can find the audio interview on Simmons’ landing page at ESPN.com or you can download it right here (here’s an iTunes link too!). I’ve already downloaded it and I can’t wait to listen to it when I get home. It’s like seriously wrecking my mind — Shawn Michaels and Bill Simmons!!!
July’s best-selling games were also a bit on the Bizzaro side — at least to me. A lot of games that have made the list for the last year were knocked off by newcomers. Check it out:
(Nintendo DS): 141,700I’m so not interested in NCAA Football. That’s what I get for going to a Division III college with a crappy sports program. As a Harry Potter nerd, I’m pleased that the game is doing so well. As a fan of Japanese RPGs, I’m disappointed that Dragon Quest isn’t selling more — what’s wrong with you America?!? Despite the general disappointment in the game, Crackdown 2 made the top three.
Anything on July’s list surprise you? Out of curiosity, did any of you go to schools with legendary sports programs?
July’s NPD numbers are the most interesting console sales figures in a long, long time. For the first time in three years (I think), a Nintendo console is not on top of the list! The quote Brian Fellow from Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet, “That’s crazy!!!” Let’s check out the numbers:
Even though Nintendo sold a lot of hardware in July, it just feels weird that the company didn’t top the charts. It’s like when Hulk Hogan turned heel or seeing Joe Torre in a Dodgers’ uniform — it’s just doesn’t feel right.
Is this the start of Nintendo’s decline (until the 3DS takes over the world)? Can Microsoft sustain the momentum it generated with the Xbox 360 Slim SeXbox 360? Look at those lowly PSP numbers? Is there anything Sony can do to kickstart its handheld system? Or should Sony focus its portable efforts on the PSP2? Answer and discuss (please)!
I’m almost definitely not playing videogames this weekend. For some reason, I woke up with a pounding headache this morning (without the benefit of being drunk the night before). I should be receiving a Motorola Droid 2 for review tomorrow. THQ is having an event for the outstanding WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011
Actually, I still have games of Wordfeud on Android going with some of you — I’ll definitely be playing those. I’ll even cut off The Miz during our interview just to play with you guys. Ha! So…what’s on your weekend playlist?!?
Here’s a cool developer diary from Ubisoft Montreal on Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. Once you get past the silly concept of the team trying to look menacing in their hoodies, the content is very cool. This installment goes over the game’s background and story. The gang wants you to know that this isn’t AC 2.5, but a full-on sequel that continues Ezio Auditore’s story.
Check it out and let me know what you think (please)! And don’t forget how special the game’s special edition is.
There’s a fine line between a satisfyingly difficult game and a game that’s so annoying that you want to hurl your controller through your television. Some titles have tough sections that adequately reward your Herculean efforts. Others are just difficult for the sake of being difficult. In my mind it’s the difference between something like Ninja Gaiden and Mega Man 9. It’s so tough to do it right.
Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, whether Lada Gaga is a fashion genius or a fashion nut job, James Toney’s MMA career, or (the asthmatic and old) Dave Batista’s possible MMA career, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.
There’s a fine line between a satisfyingly difficult game and a game that’s so annoying that you want to hurl your controller through your television. Some titles have tough sections that adequately reward your Herculean efforts. Others are just difficult for the sake of being difficult. In my mind it’s the difference between something like Ninja Gaiden
Today I’d love to learn about your favorite “hard” games. What are some titles that really challenged you and pushed you to the limits in a satisfying way? While you’re at it, what are some games that were so hard that you had no choice but to quit? Sound off (please)!!!
Engadget delivered a hot, Hot, HOT scoop on a Sony Ericcson “PSP” phone running Google Android 3.0 (Gingerbread). The device is currently under the SE’s Xperia brand, but will likely have PlayStation branding too. Here’s a chunk of details from the site:
The device is described as cross between the Samsung Captivate and the PSP Go — in other words, it’s a landscape slider with game controls in place of the typical QWERTY keyboard. The D-pad is here, but instead of the small joystick, the device will have what was described as a “long touch pad” for analog controls, along with standard PSP buttons and shoulder buttons. The phone has a large display, described as being between 3.7 and 4.1 inches with WVGA or better resolution, a 5 megapixel camera that we’re told might not be final, and it’ll likely have a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU on board.
Games will be graphically in the range of PSX or PSP games, meaning true 3D gaming is headed to Android. Titles currently being shown off seem to be focused around some older PSX as well as new PSP offerings, with God of War, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and LittleBigPlanet possibly on tap, and future plans for titles which incorporate augmented reality features.
I encourage you to pay Engadget a visit to get more information on this rumored phone. The site has more details and its writers should be rewarded with traffic for getting such a huge story.
After you’ve digested some details and given it some thought, please let me know what you think of the whole deal. You interested? Do you think it can compete with the Apple iPhone? Will it help Sony compete better with Nintendo in the handheld space? An excellent PSP platform running on a phone has all sorts of interesting implications and could change the mobile games market in a huge way. I’m hoping this all pans out, just to watch the awesome disruption.
Spencer Halpin’s critically acclaimed Moral Kombat is now available on Hulu (or you can just watch it in the embed above). The documentary covers the “controversy” of videogame violence and first amendment rights. It features some of the biggest developers in the business, including Lorne Lanning and American McGee. My good friend Andy McNamara, editor-in-chief of Game Informer, is in there too.
It’s an interesting documentary with lots of interesting points on both sides of the argument. Check it out if you have a chance and let me know what you think of it (please). Kudos to Hulu for offering content like this!
Dustin Roberts claims that this is a photo of the upcoming R2-D2 edition of the Motorola Droid 2 for Verizon. In my nerdy opinion, it looks completely awesome! While I greatly prefer the Droid X over the Droid 2, the look of this limited edition phone is so tempting for the geek cred. What do you think of it? Is it the Droid you’re looking for?
