PSP-3000 sneaks out a bit early, suffers an unboxing

Due to be launched next Tuesday, the PSP-3000 Ratchet & Clank Entertainment Pack has managed to slip into at least one Best Buy a few days early, where it was quickly snatched up by friendly tipster Aaron G. He sent us a few unboxing shots out of the kindness of his heart, and now he's undoubtedly too engrossed in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets and that ultra-bright screen to pay us much heed. Oh Nicolas Cage, what a charmer you are.

Eternity's Child creator: DS, iPhone can coexist; PSP's days may be numbered

Eternity's Child creator Luc Bernard speaks his mind about the current status of the portable market. See, there's the new PSP-3000 coming out, and then there's the DSi too. The iPhone's also starting to look like a worthy adversary in the portable gaming market, what with its App Store and all - so now, where does the whole industry stand?Satoru Iwata already gave his thoughts on the subject matter - that they're not after iPhone's market share. And who can forget? Even John Koller had a thing to say about the current competition - that the DSi may be successful, but will remain for kiddies under 12.So now, will anyone else give their own two cents? No, duh. Of course someone will pipe in!In an interview with Pocket Gamer, Luc Bernad compares what game development is like for all three platforms. Now I know some of you may or may not agree with some of his points, but just note that these come from his side of things as a developer for the games. These are his opinions from the way he sees things in the portable market.
Pocket Gamer: What tempted you into producing games for the iPhone?
Luc Bernard: When I first picked up the iPhone and played around with it I was struck by just how beautiful a piece of hardware it was. I really love it and I like the fact that you can also carry the games over to the iPod touch, so it's effectively two formats. I don't see it as a rival for the DS so much but I think the PSP's days may be numbered.
What benefits do you see in producing games for the iPhone as opposed to say, the DS or PSP?
To be honest there are no benefits compared to the DS - now the DSi has a 'DS Ware' store on the way it's pretty much the final piece of the puzzle for Nintendo, but the iPhone is without a doubt the best phone to make games for. I believe the DS and iPhone can coexist in the portable market, but like I said I'm not so sure about the PSP's chances.You can read up on the rest of the interview through the Via link below. He talks more about his future games - Eternity's Child (and its sequel), Defend Mechopolis, and an unnamed RPG (supposedly for the iPhone).

Launch and pricing details for PS3 wireless keypad, AC adapter

Sony has sent out an announcement regarding the launch date for their new wireless PS3 keypad and AC adapter. Both peripherals will be launching in Japan on December 18.The wireless keypad supports Bluetooth 2.0 and has a full QWERTY keyboard. It fits on both the SIXAXIS and DualShock 3 controllers and will be usable for chatting in games like LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2, and SOCOM: Confrontation as well as PlayStation Home.The AC adapter lets you charge your controller without having to attach it to a PS3. It also has two extra USB ports that lets you charge other peripherals like the wireless keypad or a headset. You can even use it to charge your PSP Slim or the new PSP-3000.Suggested retail price for the wireless keypad is JPY 5,500 (US$ 55). The AC adapter, on the other hand, goes for JPY 2,800 (US$ 28).

TGS 2008: News from Square Enix's Closed Mega Theater

So what's happening at TGS? Seems like quite a good deal, actually. Say for example what's up at the Squre Enix Closed Mega Theater.For one, the voice actors for Dissidia: Final Fantasy has been announced, with Norio Wakamoto and Shimamoto Sumi as part of the cast. Then Tina from FFVI joins Cosmos, and her EX Mode transform is shown. A real time video of Cloud versus Sephiroth was also shown.Of course, that's not the only thing that was given media airtime. Here's the rest of the games that's been dealt with so far:

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
*Aqua is shown in a battle and event scenes.

Final Fantasy Agito XIII
*Video of 4-player battle.

The 3rd Birthday
*Completely new vieo is shown.
*Aya Brea is seen fighting an enemy.
*A new character, probably Kyle Madigan from Parasite Eve II is shown.

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G getting localized for release in North America

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, the game's that's got Japan going all crazy for the PSP, is going to be released in North America, with spankin new title to boot: Monster Hunter Portable Unite.This piece of news has been expected for some time now, as Capcom has been dropping some heavy hints since last month.You may also have heard how Sony will be introducing a new feature that will let you have online play in formerly ad-hoc-only PSP games. Of course you've heard of it. It's big news. Well, United will be one of the first titles to have this feature.I don't think it needs to be said that this game is big in Japan. But I'll say it anyway. I'll even give you some big numbers. Capcom's let it be made known that they've shipped 2.5 million copies of the game since going on sale last March. Its massive success even gave a strong kick to PSP sales in the region when it was released.No release date for the game as of yet, but you can be sure we'll let you know when a release date's out.

PSP-3000 preview reveals battery life, Firmware 4.20 details, more

The lucky folks at Eurogamer got to lay their hands on a PSP-3000 and shared their thoughts on it with the unlucky ones.Their review talks on the 3000's much-touted bright screen, the everyone-thought-was-shorter-but-isn't battery life, and even some details on Firmware 4.20.Everyone first thought that the new screen took off 20 to 30 minutes in the battery life, but it was later revealed that power consumption was reduced in other components, which evens up the score.Eurogamer confirms this, saying that they got "the same five and a half hours we've come to expect playing games." Speaking of the battery, they also mention that the 3000 has a "smarter AC adapter unit," which exchanges the black box with just a "small, direct cable."Firmware 4.20 holds several major changes for the new unit. First of all, they talked about the new "wide" setting for the "color space," which Sony revealed earlier was an option to fully exploit the 3000's hardware.

*The new PSP's battery-powered third brightness level outshines the mains-powered fourth on its predecessor. If you flick the "Color space" option back to Normal, meanwhile, the colouring reverts to something closer to, though still brighter than, the PSP-2000.

Last month Sony also revealed the 3000's Automatic USB connection, which switches the unit to USB mode automatically when you hook it up. Eurogamer confirms that this feature will not interrupt gameplay.Finally for FW4.20, the 3000 now allows you to play games on a TV with a special adapter and composite cable, whereas TV output for gaming on the Slim can only be achieved with component video and D-Terminal cables.

Learn how to properly pwn your enemy in Dissidia: Final Fantasy

Alright, armchair brawlers! It's time for a quick lesson on how to properly dispatch your enemies in Square Enix's Dissidia: Final Fantasy. Face it, sometimes it's hard to go by textual descriptions and explanations of gameplay elements alone, so now, we see it in action.While you can probably pummel your opponents silly by mashing buttons (which is my all-time favorite tactic when I start panicking, mind you), the more strategic combatants would want to make use of the Brave Points and Break mode system. Besides, if you're already beating the lifestream out of someone, you might as well do it in style...See those numbers flashing on screen every time an attack connects? Those are what we call Brave Points. The higher it goes, the more damage you deal. Now here's where a bit of strategy comes in: see, some attacks can deal damage to your opponent's Brave Points (in typical FF speak, think of this as, say, casting Osmose on your enemy to drain their MP).And with that, we move to the second video: once your opponent's Brave Points get reduced to zero (haha, what a noob), they go into Break mode. Basically, they're stunned for a couple of seconds, in which case you can pummel them even more, this time with unabashed impunity (aww, poor Garland).

Patapon 2: story, multiplayer modes, new game plus, eggs, heroes, and Pata-screens galore

Sweet mother of pearl! Patapon 2 screens are marching in, with an accompanying army of details to tide you over. SCEJ is totally upping the ante with this sequel. Just to give you a sampling, Patapon 2 will be getting twice the amount of levels, units, and items, as well as a couple of new features to make every Pata-fan squirm in anticipation.Asking for numbers? Then numbers we shall have! Check out the 411 for Patapon 2: 60 levels, 384 items, 22 characters, 7 minigames, and an average playtime of 20 hours. In the first game, we only had 37 levels, 187 items, 11 characters, 5 minigames, and an average of 10 hours of playtime.On with the details!


*Over land, over sea...Patapon 2's story begins almost immediately where the first game left off. After the Zigaton threat was dealt with, the tribe built a ship to cross the sea. However, judging from the screens (screen on top, first row below), it looks like everything isn't smooth sailing for the pata-tribe.

*Putting all your eggs in a basket. A new feature in Patapon 2 is Egg collecting. There are 30 types of eggs that you can obtain through the single-player campaigns, with varying levels of rarity. These can be used in the multiplayer mode...

*Using your eggs. In the multiplayer arena, there are two modes: Mission and Carnival (third/fourth row of pics below). Mission takes you and your buddies for some co-op play, and your goal is to move the egg to a specific spot. This in turn brings you to Carnival mode, where everyone gets to jam to some pata-beats that show up on the screen.

*The cast gets bigger. New units introduced in this sequel come in different flavors: in the fifth row of pics, we see the Flier unit, the Mage, and the Robot. Another new unit in Patapon 2 is the hero - this little powerhouse can unleash a special attack (a la Limit Break) when you enter Hero Mode. See first pic, third row.

*From Zero to Hero. So what is Hero Mode, you ask? This is triggered right after Fever Mode (which is easier to enter this time around, btw). Heroes can also be customized with different armors, abilities, and jobs (demonstrated in last pic).

*New game plus!...ish. Don't go deleting your save file from Patapon 1 just yet! That same save file can be used in Patapon 2. Doing so allows you to carry over certain special items, medals, and gold.

DJ Max Portable Clazziquai Edition: trailer and screenshot spree

North America will be getting DJ Max Portable come November 11. However, to Koreans (and importers of Korean games), DJMP was so last year.Over at Korea, they're already past the second installment in the rhythm series and are already gearing up for the next two installments, DJ Max Portable Clazziquai Edition and Black Square Edition.Here are more screens for the Clazziquai Edition, showing some of the game modes, rhythm gameplay, and menu screens, as well as a trailer straight from Pentavision.

12th UVERworld single "Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi" 19/11

UVERworld will be releasing their twelfth single, Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi, November 19. The main song will be used as the opening theme to the second season of the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 00. It'll begin airing in October. The single will come in three different versions: one limited edition CD+DVD version and two CD-only versions. The CD+DVD edition will include footage of three songs from the band's PROGLUTION TOUR 2008 on the DVD and a Gundman sticker. The Gundam 00 Edition will only be available until the end of 2008 and will include a TV size version of Hakanaku mo Towa no Kanashi as well as come housed in a deluxe digipack and include an illustration of Mobile Suit Gundam. The regular edition will come with a first-press extra of a Gundman sticker. The sticker differs from the one include with the CD+DVD version.

Square Enix At TGS 2008: What To Expect

The Tokyo Game Show hits town at the end of next week, so I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about what Final Fantasy fans should be looking to expect from Japan's premier gaming expo.The first glaring observation is that while there are 25 games (excluding Advent Children Complete) on show from Square Enix at the event, only 6 are Final Fantasy orientated, and one of them - Final Fantasy XI - isn't exactly a new kid on the block. Also, out of the 9 games that will be playable, only 2 are Final Fantasy tites - Dissidia: Final Fantasy for the PSP and Final Fantasy IV: The After for Mobile Phone devices. It seems slightly odd that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time isn't even going to be displayed by Square Enix considering it is supposed to be released at the start of 2009, but given the fact it was only announced earlier this week, I guess it's to be expected.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy will probably be the game of the show from a Final Fantasy perspective, purely because the playable version on show will more than likely be a near finished product, as the game is scheduled for release in mid-December. However, I fully expect there to be some big news from the trailer only crowd.News has been relatively quiet on the Final Fantasy Crystallis front. At E3 there was the huge Xbox 360 announcement with regards to Final Fantasy XIII, but very little of the actual game was disclosed. Final Fantasy Versus XIII was also similar as the only news that came out of the show revolved about it not being released on the Xbox 360. With the addition of Final Fantasy Agito XIII (now on the PSP) and the lovely Closed Mega Theatre, there should hopefully be some new information about the Crystallis franchise. TGS is the perfect place for Square Enix to build up hype for these 3 games, especially with Final Fantasy XIII expected to hit Japanese gaming stores in 2009.In short, Square Enix will probably look to make a new announcement about at least one game in the Crystallis franchise. Why? To start a bit of a band-wagon going, which will hopefully build up steam throughout the year. Also expect to see lots of hands-on and previews with regards to Dissidia and based on previous press opinion, they should be glowing in their reports.

The Pluses of Zill O'll Infinite Plus

The so called “Free Scenario System” got me really interested in Zill O’ll Infinite Plus, one of the new PSP games Koei announced for the PSP recently. The game is a port of Zill O’ll Infinite (released 2005) on the PS2 which in turn is a port of Zill O’ll (1999) on the original PlayStation. In short, Infinite Plus will have a couple of new characters, their event scenes and an extra 20 scenarios being added. The game will be out on Christmas Day in Japan, same day as Shirokishi Monogatari (aka White Knight Chronicles). Read on for more details and screens.

The game takes place in the world of Biasion, you are an adventurer in an uncertain world.

Jun Suemi, the illustrator who also provides artworks for Wizardry and the two Rengoku games on the PSP, is the character designer for the game. Besides the inclusion of the three additional characters in the PS2 version, a couple of new original characters are being designed specifically for the Infinite Plus. Check out the rest of the characters at the bottom of this post.

The two new characters also mean 20 additional storyline and 120 new events for the game. The “Free Scenario System” allows each of the characters to have their own storyline and events. Unlockable items like wallpapers await those who get the most endings.

Narisokonai Eiyuutan: New Irem RPG for PSP

Japanese video game developer Irem apparently has not one, not two, but three games for the PSP to be showcased in this year's Tokyo Game Show.We've already told you about Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3 (Disaster Report 3), which just recently had its official website rolled out. Another Irem game, Narisokonai Eiyutan: Taiyou to Tsuki no Monogatari, has also gotten the same treatment.This new game will be at the Irem booth at TGS 2008, along with Sengoku Efuda Yuugi: Hototogisu Ran and Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3. We don't have a lot of details about this one yet, but it's reportedly a "heart to heart RPG". We'll bring you more details as soon as we get them For now, you can check out the game's website by clicking on the via link below.

Soul Eater

Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon technicians, the series revolves around 3 groups of each a weapon technician and a human weapon. Trying to make the latter a "Death Scythe" and thus fit for use by the Shinigami, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch.Note: There's two version of Soul Eater that one of them is the normal version which airs on Mondays and other is "Late Show" version which airs on Thursday nights and has some extra scenes in the preview but for the main program it doesn't have any difference from the normal version (at least for first episode).

Shakugan no Shana II

Shana and Alastor, Lord of the Crimson Realm continue to do battle with the Guze no Tomogaras, who are trying to steal the Power of Existence from mortals. In the last battle, Yuji is revealed to be a mystes, a "torch" of nearly unlimited Power of Existince. Since the Tomogaras want to capture Yuji and use him to upset the balance of the Realm, Shana resolves to protect Yuji. Yuji then vows to join Shana in her fight.

Kidou Senshi Gundam 00

2307 AD.As fossil fuels became exhausted, humanity found a new energy source to change their situation: A large-scale solar power system with three enormous orbiting elevators. However, only a few large countries and their allies reaped the benefits.Three superpowers had ownership of the three orbiting elevators: The Union, based in the United States Of America, The People's Reform League, made up of China, Russia, and India, and Europe's AEU. The superpowers continue playing a large zero-sum game for their own dignity and respective prosperity. Even though it is the 24th century, humanity has yet to become one.In this world where war has no end, a private militia appears advocating the eradication of war through force. Each possessing a mobile suit Gundam, they are Celestial Being. The armed intervention by the Gundams against all acts of war begins.

Dissidia: Final Fantasy: Garland vs. Warrior of Light gameplay video

So you want to see more gameplay videos for Square Enix's Dissidia: Final Fantasy? Then here you go. We're pretty accommodating here at QJ, so we're not sharing with you just any gameplay video. It's a video of the face-off of the guys who started this whole conflict.Yes, this is Garland vs. Warrior of Light from way back Final Fantasy I. This isn't a joyous blast to the past for the two, though, as they're still going for each other to the death, as you can see from this video. But apart from that, what makes this video historically significant for Dissidia is that this is the first footage showing the ability to play as one of the villains.

Pre-orders for Dissidia: Final Fantasy now available, freebie included

Pre-orders for Dissidia are now available in Japanese retail stores. Lucky gamers over at Japan can finally make sure they'll be able to got a copy of Dissidia: Final Fantasy when it comes out on shelves by December 18. (No one wants to be faced with a "sold out" sign during launch day, right?)Retailers are even throwing in a freebie for pre-ordering the game: a "special calendar" (most likely Dissidia- or Squeenix-themed). Pre-orders for the game will close come December 11, just a few days up until it finally gets released.And look what we found in Japanese retail store Lawson: it seems to be the boxart for Dissidia! Other than Lawson, pre-orders are also currently available via 711 and Tsutaya. So, if you really want to import this title, there's your ticket - just make sure the online store you're pre-ordering from has shipping!

Prinny: Is it OK if I'm the Main Character? demo on Japanese PlayStation Store

If you've ever played a Disgaea title, then you're bound to be familiar with the "Dood"-spouting Prinnies. Yeah, the ones who look like penguins.Well, they've finally been given their own title to star in - Nippon Ichi's Prinny: Ore ga Shujinkou de Iinsuka?, or Prinny: Is it OK if I'm the Main Character? for us gaijin - and a demo has been made available on the Japanese PlayStation Store.Before you go dashing off and downloading the thing, take a look at the game's control setup below first. We also included a quick demo video of Prinny: Is it OK if I'm the Main Character? from PSPGadgetz. Enjoy!

*D-Pad: Movement
*Triangle: Lift, Throw
*Square: Slash
*Circle: Spin (while spinning, press left/right to dash)
*X: Jump (while midair, press down for hips attack or press square for Prinny Blast)
*Select: Show menu
*Analog Stick: Not used

DJ Max Fever hits US retail on November 11, new artist added to track list

OK, so Pentavision's DJ Max series is finally getting an official North American release under the guise of DJ Max Fever. PM Studios, the company bringing the series to the U.S., has revealed that the game will hit retail stores on November 11.They've also sent out some "flyers" announcing that popular Korean hip hop artist Hyun Do Lee will be contributing a song to DJ Max Fever. We still don't have a full track list, but according to earlier reports, tracks from DJ Max Portable 1, Portable 2, and International will be making appearances.If you're a fan of rhythm games like Beatmania, you should really try this series. The international release of DJ Max Portable can be played in English, so that should be a good starting point if you can't wait until DJ Max Fever hits. Watch out for it on November 11.

Nintendo ranks first on Game Developer's Top 20 Publishers list

Only rightly, the company that created Mario has been deemed as the top video game publisher by Game Developer in their top 20 publishers countdown. It's amazing how Nintendo still manages to stay on top after all these years.Before you shout "fixed!", consider that this is a survey conducted among 300 professionals from the video game industry. They were asked to their opinions on the reputations of each publisher in the survey. Other respondents who had direct experience with the publishers in the recent past were also asked to give scores and commentaries.Basically, this is a list compiled from the opinions of those in the industry, not an independent ranking from Game Developer. In fact, the full report has more than 100 pages showing graphs, commentaries, and other boring stuff. For us gamers though, what really counts is who made it on top.Sony ranked fifth, and Microsoft blipped on 9th place. Electronic Arts, who's published everything from first-person shooters to racers, to the upcoming survival horror game Dead Space, ranked in second place, while Guitar Hero creator Activision ranked in third.Assassin's Creed studio Ubisoft is in fourth, Grand Theft Auto studio Take-Two Interactive is on sixth, and Final Fantasy studio Square Enix is found at tenth place. Who else made it on top? Here's the full list:

1.Nintendo
2.Electronic Arts
3.Activision
4.Ubisoft
5.Sony Computer Entertainment
6.Take-Two Interactive
7.Sega Sammy Holdings
8.THQ
9.Microsoft Game Studios
10.Square Enix
11.Konami
12.Vivendi Games
13.Namco Bandai Games
14.Capcom
15.NCsoft
16.Disney Interactive Studios
17.Lucasarts
18.Codemasters
19.SCi/Eidos Interactive
20.Midway

LocoRoco 2 out by December, but where?

We've seen new footage of LocoRoco 2 at the Leipzig just a little over a month back. But while we're happy to see the joyful blobs rolling about the greens, we can't help but wonder when are they really coming?It looks like we don't have to wonder to much now, as we've picked up on news that the sequel to the loved Loco Roco for the PSP will be shipping out sometime this December. Wow, all this silence, and it's been sneaking up from right under us! Oh wait. That's for Korea. Pfft. Korea's been getting a lot of cool stuff as of late, don't you think? Say, like that DJ Max Portable PSP-3000 bundle.Anyhow, we're of course more interested in the North American release date. And unfortunately for us, we'll have to wait a bit longer. Reports say it's "likely to be drawn out to 2009". Likely. We'' just keep you posted on more updates on this as they blob along. We're sure there'll be plenty to go around anyway once TGS hits.

Square Enix booth map for TGS 08: Closed Mega Theater is back, no Kingdom Hearts III in sight

What's the Tokyo Game Show without Square Enix? It just won't be the same. Squeenix has released details of the booth at the event. Jeez I wish I was going.They're coming with demos of several games, including ones for the upcoming Kingdom Hearts games: Birth by Sleep and 358/2. No Kingdom Hearts 3 in sight, sorry true believers. Who knows, they might surprise us.The Official PlayStation Magazine shouted out a rumor last month saying that KHIII is already in development for the PlayStation 3 as an exclusive, and will be released at TGS. If you want to hang on to hope, hang on to that.Square Enix is also setting up a Chrono Trigger Museum. Pretty sweet. They're also returning with the Closed Mega Theater. Guess it's more trailers that those who get to attend will rave over, and fans won't get a peek of for months.Anyway, here are the details for their booth map:

1 .Open Mega Theater
2.Closed Mega Theater
3.Chocobo Photography Area
4.Cid and Chocobo's Dungeon DS+ Demo
5.Chocobo and the Magic Storybook Demo
6.Chrono Trigger Museum
7.Square Enix Mobile titles
8.Snoopy DS Demo
9.Pingu DS Demo
10.Valkyrie Profile DS Demo
11.Square Enix x Xbox360 RPG Projects
12.Goods and Music CD Area
13.Dissidia Final Fantasy Demo
14.Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Demo
15.Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days Demo

Tenchu 4 also coming to PSP?

Fans of the Tenchu series have no doubt heard about the new Tenchu title being developed by Acquire for the Wii. It looks like the Wii may not be the only console getting a new Tenchu game, though.Apparently, Tenchu 4 is not listed on the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) website as a Wii game but rather as a multiplatform release. Now, that's not much to go on, but get this: video game news website Siliconera also mentioned that a member of the Tenchu 4 staff recently told them that they were working on Tenchu 4 for the PSP.Some stealth ninja action on the Sony handheld sounds like one heck of an idea, but don't hold your breath just yet. Acquire still hasn't made any official statements regarding a PSP outing for Tenchu 4, although they still have one game left to announce for their Tokyo Game Show lineup. Hopefully we get some confirmation on this in the coming days.

Star Ocean: First Departure PAL release date announced

Square Enix has announced the PAL release date for their PSP title Star Ocean: First Departure. The handheld remake of the original Star Ocean will hit Europe and other PAL territories on October 24.Since the original Star Ocean for the SNES never made it out of Japan, this will be the series' official debut in PAL territories.Star Ocean: First Departure will feature a whole slew of enhancements. New features include fully-voiced animated cutscenes, a revised game engine, and an improved battle system.