While I'm picking up the game this February for the online multiplayer, I've not played through the PSP version, so the concept of 40 additional missions doesn't impact me all that much. I'm curious, however, to see how many folks who picked up the PSP version will take a stab at its big brother. Do the screens entice these players, or are they simply higher resolution versions of the same-old, same-old?

Get ready to punch people into BLOODY EXPLOSIONS!

As we previously posted, the manga debuted in 1983 and went on to spin off two animated series and motion pictures.

『北斗無双』、2010年3月発売！ - ファミ通.com [Famitsu]

An upgraded version of the PSP game for console players, Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce brings the battle for ancient China online, allowing up to four players to participate in raids, take on giant enemies, or simply battle it out competitively. Strikeforce also features new Fury transformations, drastically changing the look of your character, granting them new powers, enhanced speed, and the ability to fly. It almost sounds like they've taken a page from Dynasty Warriors: Gundam.

The console version features more than 40 exclusive missions, an enemy Hyperbreak gauge, command of up to three AI-controlled officers in single player mode, a new character, and the ability to trade officers online with other players.

Now how much would you pay? But wait, there's more!

Both versions of the game will feature exclusive guest characters, with the PlayStation 3 version scoring folks from Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, and characters from Warriors Orochi 2 for the 360 version. Completing challenges with these guest characters allows players to use their signature weapons in combat.

All of this, plus planned DLC to keep the game fresh for a long time coming. It sounds like a Dynasty Warriors fan's dream come true.

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce hits store shelves on February 16th.

That announcement leaked a bit early, as Famitsu exclusives are wont to do, but Koei was generous enough to offer a clear, non-scanned, non-crap footage look at Hokuto Musou today. Most of what you'll see are stills from the game's opening cinematic, but two shots of in-game action also await you.

According to official word, gamers will "unleash a myriad of devastating fighting techniques and finishing moves powerful enough to bring down whole buildings," cause enemies to "violently explode on screen" and trigger "the instantaneous breakdown of internal organs."

Hokuto no Ken will be produced by Hisashi Koinuma of Samurai Warriors fame and feature the voices of Katsuyuki Konishi and Fumihiko Tachiki.

As someone who has unusually fond memories of Fist of the North Star's brand of fisticuffs and exploding bodies—mostly born from playing Last Battle on the Sega Genesis—I'm looking forward to the game's release in 2010.

The manga (Hokuto no Ken) debuted in 1983 and went on to spin off two animated series and motion pictures.

Dubbed Hokuto Musou, the game is scheduled for release sometime next year. Wasn't that interested — blurry magazine scans do that — but this leaked footage has me intrigued. Looks fun! With all that blood, wonder what rating it will get in Japan.

The clip is originally from Nico Nico Douga — hence the scrolling Japanese text.

The manga debuted in 1983 and went on to spin off two animated series and motion pictures. Check out the Japanese opening.

Details are still scant, but early (and blurry) scans characters Kenshiro, Rei, Raoh and Yuria. The game is scheduled for release sometime next year from the folks at Tecmo Koei.

The first bundle is priced at ¥27,300 (US$309) and comes with the game, a black Wii, a Classic Controller Pro and three one-sheets (pictured). The second bundle is the game bundles with a Classic Controller — yours for ¥8,715 ($99).

The last is dubbed "Sengoku Musou 3 TREASURE BOX" and priced at ¥11,865 ($134). It comes with the game, a Classic Controller, a special walk through/art book, an original soundtrack CD and a mini-figure.

This two-sided document was handed to reporters who attended a Tecmo-Koei event in Tokyo last week. Video game producers from the recently-merged company mingled with press like us. At least, that was the goal. This sheet was designed to help break the ice and the language barrier.

And it might have been educational, too.

For the record, Tecmo's Kohei Shibata did do his zombie walk. It was passable.

Also, note the lack of info for Yosuke Hayashi, who Crecente and I last saw at E3 when he was talking about Tecmo's role in co-developing Metroid: Other M. I asked him how the game was going. He said, "Very, very good." I did not ask him about his likes or dislikes. Nor did I request a fun fact. Next time!

[PIC]

They should probably figure that one out.

Ninja Gaiden character Ryu Hayabusa will be appearing in Koei's PS3 version of Sangoku Musou Multi-Raid as an unlockable costumed character in armor, while Warrior Orochi's Nu Wa on the Xbox 360 version of Multi Raid. And costumes of Multi-Raid characters Sun Shang Xiang and Zhao Yun are going to pop up on the Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

We look forward to seeing Dynasty Warrior character relaxing on the beach with the girls from Dead or Alive Xtreme. Make it happen, Koei Tecmo!

There's even a special Sengoku Musou 3 Classic Controller bundle. Very nice!

Sengoku Musou 3 hack-and-slashes its way onto the Nintendo Wii in Japan this November — November 19, to be exact.

Those are "historical idols" Eri Kohinata and Mikako, not Shigeru Miyamoto. We repeat not Shigeru Miyamoto.

Koei is releasing Samurai Warriors 3 on the Nintendo Wii, and Shigeru Miyamoto was on hand to talk about the Mysterious Murasame Castle mode in the game.

Edo-era Mysterious Murasame Castle was developed by Nintendo for its Famicom Disk System. The title was never released outside Japan.

Nintendo has been expressing renewed interest in the property as of late: a Mysterious Murasame Castle song appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and a character from the game popped up in Wii title Captain Rainbow.

コーエー、Wii「戦国無双3」発表会を開催。宮本茂氏、GACKTさんなどスペシャルゲストが登場 [Game Watch]

According to Koei, the sudden jump in development costs has lead the company to look for ways to be profitable. Enter this Vietnamese studio with aims to optimize efficiency and productivity for Koei — all at lower costs.

The reason for picking Vietnam is that the country not only has the infrastructure but also a familiarity with Japanese pop culture.

コーエーがベトナムに子会社設立 開発効率と収益性向上のため [Dengeki Online] [Pic]

The singer appeared in NHK drama Fuurin Kazan and says he hopes to tap his experience playing a character during the Warring States period.

Gackt isn't new to gaming tie-ups — he appeared in Square Enix title Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Check out this video of Gackt looking a heck of a lot like FFVII's hero, Cloud.

＜ＧＡＣＫＴ＞「戦国無双３」とコラボ　大河ドラマの謙信役で「戦いの悲しさ表現したい」 [Yahoo!ニュース]

Hitting the Xbox 360 and PS3 on October 1 in Japan, hack-and-slash Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid Special features improved graphics, full voice acting and a new co-op mode.

There's also a new character for consoles: "Moukaku." Check out those pecs. Impressive!

There are other game-themed plastic, but not necessarily ones that make you want to swing them around and slay baddies.

DO WANT these Koei Visa Cards: Someone get them for me [Dtoid]

Kenji Matsubara, CEO of Tecmo Koei—and former president and COO on the Koei side—tells CVG that his company has "concerns" about the move to motion controllers, as "we specialize in making action games, so we have to explore whether we can achieve real-time response from a controller-free system."

"We understand that, for casual gamers playing dance games or some sort of fishing game, this controller-free system can be popular," Matsubara says. "But for hardcore gamers who like action games, we have to research and develop games that satisfy our core gamers."

We'd think anyone who played Koei's Samurai Warriors: Katana would have a list of concerns about the company trying more waggle filled games too. But if we get Dead or Alive Xtreme Fishing, who can possibly argue that these new control methods don't have merit?

More from Matsubara, including his thoughts on the Japanese game market, the PSPgo and Tecmo Koei's focus on the Western market at the original interview.

Tecmo Koei Interview [CVG]

According to the summer issue of industry publication Nikkei Corporate Information: "Tecmo and Koei are combining titles to launch a new game. The aim is to bring in fans of both."

There is no information about possible titles or a release window.

While Tecmo's most popular franchises are action game Ninja Gaiden and fighter Dead or Alive, Koei is best known for its hack-and-slash Dynasty Warriors series.

Koei does have experience with cross-branding: Back in 2007, it developed Dynasty Warriors: Gundam, which featured the Namco Bandai's popular mecha. Dynasty Warriors: Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball, anyone?

ついに「DEAD OR ALIVE無双」誕生？コーエーテクモが両社のタイトルを合体させた作品を発売へ [Gigazine]

The game is a PS3 repackaging of the first two titles in the series plus bonus new characters. It was going to be released in North America as Warriors Orochi: The Collective, but has since been put on ice.

The hack-and-slash title is a crossover between the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors franchises. It is the first Warriors Orochi title not to get a North American release.

Koei Cancels Warriors Orochi Z For North America [Siliconera]

Over the course of four days every major video game developer and publisher in the world will gather in Los Angeles at the E3 Expo to talk about the future of gaming and battle to win over new fans.

"The purpose of this show is for the world to see what's coming next to video games," said Mike Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, which puts on the show annually. "E3 is the only show of its kind."

As with past shows, all eyes are on console makers to make the biggest splashes at the show.

"E3 is really a show about Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo," said Geoff Keighley, executive in charge of video games for SpikeTV and host of GameTrailers TV. "At the end of the day, big headlines come out of those big press briefings.

"I think there will be significant hardware announcements from at least two of the three this year."

Among the rumors are rumblings that Microsoft is working on motion control technology that will use a camera instead of a controller for its Xbox 360. Sony is said to be prepared to unveil a new Playstation Portable that will rely entirely on digital purchases in lieu of disc-based games. There is also talk of Sony showing a motion controller of their own.

Nintendo, currently in first place for this generation of the console wars, remains tight-lipped about what may come out of their big press conference.

While Keighley didn't name a victor for the upcoming big press conferences, Scott Steinberg, author of several books on the video game industry and a games journalist, was willing to guess.

"I think Microsoft stands a great chance of having the best press conference," he said, pointing to the possible news of a new way to play games coming from the company.

There will be plenty of video games to show off as well, including the new Beatles-themed Rock Band, a Tony Hawk game that uses a skateboard-shaped controller and sequels to popular franchises like Modern Warfare, God of War and Mass Effect.

One big title that won't be at the show is Capcom's zombie-killing Dead Rising 2. Concern over possible Swine Flu outbreaks led the Japanese-studio to sideline the developers appearance at the big show.

Japanese developers Koei and Square-Enix have also cut back on folks attending the show over similar concerns.

The ESA's Gallagher said the show got the thumbs up from health authorities to proceed, but calls the timing of the outbreaks unfortunate.

Perhaps unfortunate because this year's show marks a return to some of the glitz and glamor of past E3s.

Over its 14-year history, E3 has seen the introduction of every console from the Nintendo 64 to the Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360, along with countless video games. The show hit a record attendance of 70,000 in 2005, but two years later it was downgraded to a shadow of itself, limited attendance to about 5,000 and nearly killed off the spectacle of the annual event.

This year some of that spectacle returns, as the show expects 200 exhibitors and 40,000 people to pack into the Los Angeles Convention Center.

"We will see a little bit of the magic being recaptured," Steinberg said. "It won't be the E3 of the glory years, but it certainly won't be the subdued affair we have seen in previous years."

Well Played is a weekly opinion column about the big news of the week in the gaming industry and its bigger impact on things to come. Feel free to join in the discussion.