• Uncategorized

  Eternal Sonata Manga Looks… Different

  I just now got around to reading the manga adaptation of Trusty Bell: Chopin no Yume (a.k.a. Eternal Sonata) by Kuroi Mimei and I’ve got to say — I’m a little weirded out. For one thing, a huge chunk of the cast is missing from the 10-chapter story — including my favorite unbalanced character, Viola.…

  By AJ Glasser Published August 14, 2009
• 

  Uncategorized

  ‘Inglourious Plummers’ Spoof Is Basterdly Good

  Okay, so that heavily mustachioed Toadsworth is no Brad Pitt, but this spoof of Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds set in the Mushroom Kingdom compensates in charm. It’s rock solid use of Wario and game footage doesn’t hurt. Don’t hit that pause button until you make it to the very end of GamerVision‘s Inglourious Plummers. It…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Sega Putting Chromehounds Servers To Sleep

  Xbox 360 mech sim Chromehounds is about to have its online component put to sleep. Sega will be taking the game’s multiplayer portion behind the barn, hopefully ending its life with the first shot. The Chromehounds community, dozens strong, was informed of the news last week: Sega will be pulling the plug on January 6,…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  I Should Probably Start Packing

  To: Owen From: Crecente Totilo is homeward bound after spending a chunk of the week in Texas at Quakecon (expect a lot more from him in the coming days). And it’s just in time too. Mike and I are both flying out on Sunday for Germany. I just realized that it’s Friday night and that…

  By Brian Crecente Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Tecmo Adding Ninja Gaiden, Rygar To Virtual Console Arcade

  New ESRB ratings indicate that Tecmo is planning to inject some life into the incredibly dull Wii Virtual Console Arcade lineup, with new ratings for Ninja Gaiden, Solomon’s Key and Rygar. Those three Tecmo arcade games all spawned NES ports, with Ninja Gaiden remarkably different from its arcade predecessor. While we haven’t seen an announcement…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  They Came, They Fragged: QuakeCon’s Staggering BYOC Galaxy

  Glimpsed from a distance QuakeCon’s Bring Your Own Computer conclave looks more like something NASA related, than frag related.

  By Stephen Totilo Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  DSi Reclaims #1 Spot In Japan, Hi-Def Console Sales Still Low

  Last week’s strong showing by the Wii doesn’t repeat this week, as the Nintendo DSi rightfully reclaims its seat at the top of the Japanese hardware sales chart. Things quickly get ugly in the bottom half. While the DSi, Wii and PSP continue to sell strongly week in and week out, the PlayStation 3 and…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Dr. Stephen T. Colbert Prescribes New ‘Tan Theft Auto’ To Kids

  Doctor of the fine arts and television personality Stephen T. Colbert, DFA has the cure for what ails our vitamin D deficient youth—video games!! During last night’s “Cheating Death” segment, Colbert busted out a new piece of tech, Prescott Pharmaceuticals’ Vaxbox, a revolutionary console that not only plays games, it gives kids a healthy orange…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Tony Hawk To Vert at GamesCom

  Former pro-skater and current video game namesake Tony Hawk plans to demonstrate Activision’s upcoming motion-based skating title at next week’s Gamescom. The 41-year-old skateboarder will also be tackling Gamescom’s vert ramp, located in the conventions sports zone in hall 7, to wow the crowd on Friday evening. I suspect we won’t be seeing any 900s.…

  By Brian Crecente Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Rock Band Gets New Foo, Old Gorillaz Next Week

  Rock Band owners will be treated to a potpourri of new music offering next week, led by a new triple shot of Foo Fighters jams and a blend of radio rock favorites. New additions from Blind Melon, Blur, and the Dropkick Murphys head to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of Rock Band next…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Nexon’s Next One: Dragon’s Nest

  Nexon dropped us a line to let us know that they’ll be showing up at PAX 2009 next month, showing off Dungeon Fighter Online and their latest MMO, Dragon’s Nest, in a compromising position. Dragon’s Nest is a game developed by Eyedentity Games, a Korean developer compromised of former members of NCsoft, Webzen, Gravity, and…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  The Road Rage Version Of A Headshot

  The lead designer of Rage wants the driving parts of id’s game to feel comfortable for shooter gamers. So, I asked, what’s the road version of a headshot? Scoring a headshot in a shooter is, after all the most celebrated action in many first-person shooters. So what is a headshot on wheels in Rage? I…

  By Stephen Totilo Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  What Are You Playing This Weekend?

  I’ll be eyeballs deep in Shadow Complex for Xbox Live Arcade this weekend, feverishly attempting to 100% the game before I depart for Germany and Gamescom on Sunday morning. That means I’m going to have to get creative with my use of the Friction Dampener, as some areas are still cleverly locked out to me.…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Arkham Asylum: Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys?

  When you’re one man against an asylum full of maniacal killers, it helps to have millions of dollars worth of technology at your disposal. Take a look at some of the toys the Dark Knight gets to play with in Batman: Arkham Asylum, due out later this month for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Vote For The Next Xbox Live Genesis Game

  Sega is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Genesis by letting fans vote for the next Genesis title to appear on Xbox Live Arcade. Earthworm Jim fans unite! Oh that’s right. I just used Kotaku to further my own agenda. I wouldn’t begrudge you a vote for Toejam & Earl either. Hell, just vote for…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  MAG Officialy Unloading In January 2010

  PlayStation 3‘s massive multiplayer shooter MAG is—officially now—releasing in January 2010, confirming retailer “speculation” that the Zipper Interactive game wouldn’t make the holiday season. A little bit later than some of us might have been hoping for, but considering MAG is just now entering a wider public beta phase, not totally unexpected. Cushioning that potential…

  By Michael McWhertor Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Former LucasArts President Running For Congress

  Jim Ward, former president of LucasArts, is running as a Republican to represent Arizona’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in next year’s election, according to Ward’s official election site. “It’s time politicians who just want to be politicians got out of the way and let people who have run businesses, created…

  By Brian Crecente Published August 14, 2009
• Reviews

  Ashes Cricket 2009 Review: Middle Of The Order

  Since so many people outside the British Commonwealth – Americans in particular – seem lost on both the history and the point of cricket, this review will be preceded by a handy guide to both the sport and this game. Cricket dates back to the 16th century. It’s one of the world’s most popular sports…

  By Luke Plunkett Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  EA Working on Adding Vick to Madden Roster [Second Update]

  Within hours of Madden NFL 10’s midnight launch, NFL pariah Michael Vick was signed to a two-year contract with Philadelphia. Vick’s not included on the retail version’s roster, so an immediate question is, when will he be added? Update: EA Sports Rob Semsey says, pending NFL and NFL Players Association approval, Michael Vick will be…

  By Owen Good Published August 14, 2009
• Uncategorized

  Pokémon Heart And Soul Laid Bare This Spring

  Due out in Japan next month, Nintendo has just announced a spring 2010 release target for the North American and European remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver for the DS. Johto – I’m still in Johto. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, two of the most ridiculous names we’ve ever come across, are remakes of the original…

  By Mike Fahey Published August 14, 2009