Kotaku: banpresto

Hey That Magna Carta 2 Sure Took A Long Time

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:00:00 MDT

Development on recently announced role-playing-game Magna Carta 2 (which has nothing to do with the actual Magna Carta) first began about four years and eight months ago. What's taken so long?

The first title in the series, Magna Carta: The Phantom of Avalanche, was released in 2001, and the second game, Magna Carta: Crimson Stigmata, came out in 2004. While Crimson Stigmata borrowed battle elements from Star Ocean games, Magna Carta 2 has a brand new combat system.

"One of the biggest reasons as to why it took so long to develop this game is we wanted to build a new battle system from the ground up," Banpresto's Yoshihisa Kanesaka told game site Siliconera. "This game has a completely new battle system."

The second reason is that developers wanted to make sure the models closely matched illustrator Kim Hyung Tae's character design. "We put a lot of energy into these two things from the ground up which is why it took so long," Kanesaka added. Gamers hoping to play Magna Carta 2 will have to wait a little longer. The game isn't out in Japan until August.

What Took Magnacarta 2 So Long To Develop? [Siliconera]

Super Robot Taisen - The Power Is In Your Chest

Mike Fahey — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:00:00 MDT

The official trailer for Banpresto's Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier for the Nintendo DS proves once and for all that you're more powerful when you're nearly naked, even if you're Kos-Mos.

Xenosaga might have been a much shorter series if KOS-MOS had only learned her hidden power earlier. I myself never realized that popping out of your shirt could give you the extra power boost you needed to overcome tough situations. Needless to say, next time I get into a fight, this shirt is coming off, and while they're laughing I am going to run away.

Super Robot Taisen Overly Long Title Come On For Crying Out Loud should be out in stores on April 28th.

Dead or Alive Mugs With 3D Humps

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:00:51 MST

Dead or Alive isn't only about fighting. Oh, no. It's about other things as well. Things like boobs and boob physics. There's no dead to beat around the bush, we know this, you know this and more importantly Banpresto knows this. An upcoming prize in Banpresto arcade redemption games, Dead or Alive Extreme 2 jubblie mugs will be available in Japanese arcades. Kasumi, Ayane and Hitomi are representative. Hit the jump for an embarrassing hands on impression of the Hitomi mug cup.

Just look at that fingernail. It's so dirty.
Dead or Alive Mug [Banpresto Prize Blog via Hobby Blog]

Awards for Good Japanese In-Store Displays

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:00:57 MST

Rule of thumb: Japanese in-store displays are great. Just look at that Another Century's Episode 3 promotion. Makes us so excited! From Software/Banpresto actually gave awards to stores with the best displays. Those awards include: Variable Impact award, Good Layout award, The Final award, Emotional Vocal award and Another Century's Display award (winner above). We so approve of rewarding stores like this in hopes that it pushes the in-store display bar further. Bravo!
ACE Awards [Official Page via Insert Credit]

Bye Bye Banpresto

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:40:32 MST

Bandai Namco subsidiary Banpresto will be gobbled up. Starting April 1, 2008, Banpresto will be completely merged into the merged BNG megalopolis. Banpresto is best known for publishing Super Robot Wars , the Lupin The Third games and the upcoming Haruhi Suzumiya PS2 title (well, that's how I know them). Starting next spring, it will focus on making prize games for machines, something the company currently does. Banpresto's subsidiaries Pleasure Cast and Hanayashiki will become subsidiaries of Namco. There is an explanation for all this: Bandai Namco is merging subsidiary crazy!
Seeya Banpresto [IGN]

Get Your Bomberman Bombs Here

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:20:46 MDT

National Console Support is now carrying a pair of plush Bomberman bombs that not only look cool, they make game accurate explosion sounds as well. Who could ask for anything more? I suppose you could ask for details. At 8" in diameter, in red or black, the Banpresto manufactured, squeezably soft plush explosives (with Bomberman branding, natch) will only set you back $20. Think of the possibilities! Think of the impromptu hilarity resulting from whipping soft bombs at siblings and loved ones! Think of the constant squeezing and sound effect triggering! Good times...

Bomberman Bakuhatsu Plush [NCSX]

Animal Crossing Mugs For Your Sipping Pleasure

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:40:41 MDT

Waiting for that Capcom news to hit? Why not take a coffee break? Oh, you say you don't have any mugs? At least, not any mugs nerdy enough within which to store your piping hot beverage? Well, this is your lucky day!

National Console Support is now taking order for a trio of Animal Crossing mugs from Banpresto that just might fit the bill. Choose from KK Slider, Celeste and Blathers, or that son of a bitch Tom Nook to brighten up your day, for a very pleasing $8.75 each.

You know, I don't get a kickback from NCSX. I just want to enrich your life with more videogame branded crap! Enjoy! Michael McWhertor

Animal Crossing Ichiban Kuji - Mug [NCSX]

New Mario Toys To Cuddle

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:00:30 MDT

Mario in a blue shell? Luigi in a suit? Banpresto has released new Mario plush toys. They're Japan-only, but importers should carry them. Adorable, just adorable (the plush toys, not the importers). Brian Ashcraft

New Mario Stuffed Toys [Siliconera]

Clip(s): Shoko-tan's New Ad, Plus Added Cat-Head Sucking

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:00:31 MST

Shoko Nakagawa's TV spot for Super Robo Taisen W has *finally* hit YouTube. (I've been waiting!) It's pedestrian, not jaw dropping or anything. The music video for her song CAT Life is. That amazement, dear readers, is after the jump. Brian Ashcraft

Shoko-tan. Version 2.0

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:00:17 MST

Banpresto, what have you done to Shoko-tan?! The Shoko we know lives with her mother, adores Dragon Quest and takes public transportation around Tokyo. But here she is. Painted in garish make-up, hair puffed and not putting kittens in her mouth. WHAT GIVES?

Meet the new Shoko Nakagawa. She's appearing in a TV ad for Banpresto's upcoming Super Robot Wars for the DS. Sure she's always been somewhat cute, but now she's been done over to look like every other beautiful model type on TV. Boring! To her credit, Shoko-tan says that to raise her excitement during the filming, she would think that she was cosplaying an adult.

It's like "Train Girl" or something. In Akihabara, otaku must be mourning a loss of one their own. Brian Ashcraft

Otaku Girl Made Plastic [Famitsu]

Goombas Sadistically Forced Into Degrading Hat Wearing

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 08:23:35 MDT

Ah, the humiliation! Not only do Goombas have to endure Mario hopping on them, but are forced to wear the plumber's cap, his brother's and arch rival Wario's. These stuffed dolls come courtesy of the sickos at toy maker Banpresto. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Banpresto]

Banpresto Readies Nintendo Headphones, Alarm Clocks

Michael McWhertor — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 07:49:06 MDT

You can always count on Banpresto to take anything, from the mundane to the useful, and slap on some Nintendo branding. The company has opened up pre-orders for not only Nintendo headphones, with Donkey Kong, Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. versions, but also alarm clocks that are shaped like Famicoms.

The alarm clocks will lovingly wake you up to the soothing sounds of Excite Bike, Dr. Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Ice Climber or Super Mario Bros.

Do want. No details on ship dates or price just yet, but we'll let you know if any import retailers solicit pre-orders outside of Japan. Michael McWhertor

DS Bags, Banpresto Style

Michael McWhertor — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 19:55:25 MDT

These bags pretty much speak for themselves. They say "We are awesome bags that will hold your Nintendo DS for you. We all have caribiners that could potentially clip onto your belt loop. We are from Banpresto and if you live in Japan, you can have us. Maybe some really cool importer like Play-Asia or NCSX will bring a limited number of us to the United States, but don't hold your breath. You wouldn't know what to do with us anyway. We are that awesome."

Wow. Those bags are kind of jerks.

New Remote Mario, Toad Control My Wallet

Michael McWhertor — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 19:02:02 MST

Looks like the Famicom pad controlled lil' Mario and Goomba were a success, as Banpresto is issuing a sequel of sorts, this time with a fireball-throwing Mario (note: does not throw fireballs) and everyone's favorite Mushroom Kingdom pal, Toad.

Must. Get. Useless. Toys. Bank account... crumbling... Urge to spend... RISING!

Tiny Walkin' Fire Flower Mario and Toad [Banpresto]
Remote-Control Mario And Friends