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Late Night Consoling

by Alec Matias, Mar 02, 2005 8:00pm PST
Related Topics – Sega, Square Enix, Nintendo DS, Games: Console

Microsoft again makes a move to boost their image in the Japanese territory by securing games from studios headed up by respected developers. While Sakaguchi, Okamoto, and Mizuguchi are exceptionally talented people and worthy of our notice, it's not iron-clad that their new titles will be bona fide hits. These people made names for themselves at other, well-established companies and are now trying their hand at independent development. Although getting games from these companies appear to be smart moves by Microsoft, they're definitely risky ones. Between the three of them, there is only one released title and that's the PSP game Lumines. A potential quagmire for Microsoft? Apparently not, as this is road the company wants to take. Shane Kim told Game Informer, "I think it's one of the best things that I love about working at MGS. We're not just looking at a stable of 10-year-old IPs and figuring out how we can milk them. We want to be able to build a stable of IPs that are new, but even moving forward, we don't just want to project them into a bunch of sequels."

  • Metal Gear Solid 4 in the Works

    [ps2]
    Despite previous claims that MGS3 would be the last outing for Solid Snake, Hideo Kojima revealed that another Metal Gear Solid game will be made. At the launch event of MGS3 in Europe, Hideo Kojima said the series will move to a next-gen platform and that he will not be as hands-on with the fourth MGS; that honor goes to Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi. "We'll be taking it [MGS 4] to the next-gen and we want to feature a fresh, intriguing storyline and gameplay plus captivating graphics and more features while remaining true to the core of the MGS series - remaining Solid. We hope you'll enjoy," said Imaizumi.

  • Two More Japanese Developers for Xbox 2

    [xbox]
    Hot on the heels of the Mistwalker news, Microsoft announced it has signed on two other notable Japanese developers, as Game Republic and Q Entertainment will be providing titles for the next-gen Xbox. Game Republic was founded by Yoshiki Okamoto, best known for his work on the Street Fighter and Resident Evil series. Q Entertainment was founded by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, a big name behind Sega Rally Championship, Rez, Space Channel 5, and more recently, Lumines. "My goal in creating these games is to make completely fresh and riveting experiences that gamers have never had before," said Okamoto. "With the next-generation Xbox platform, I can turn this vision into a reality."

  • Square Enix Making a TV Show

    [ps2]
    As odd as it sounds, it's true. The big secret event taking place in Japan turned out to be the announcement of Heavy Metal Thunder, a new variety show to air on Japanese television. At some point, Square Enix will release a game based on the show. J-rock group Sex MachineGuns will play the theme song and it'll be hosted by Yoko Kumada, a popular Japanese idol.

  • Three Versions of Puppy Times

    [ds]
    The pet simulator Puppy Times will be released in three different versions, according to an update on the official Japanese website. Each version will come with five different dogs. It's not clear if users can trade pets, but you can check the list of puppies at Game Informer.

  • New Nintendo DS Colors

    [ds]
    For Japan, that is. Nintendo announced that it will release Graphite Black and Pure White DSes on March 24. Then, on April 21, Turquoise Blue and Candy Pink will hit the market. No word on if these will make it overseas, but we may see these colors down the road. Check out some pictures of them at GameSpot.

  • Misc. Q&As/Features

    [ps2] [xbox] [psp]
    Game Informer interviews a couple bigwigs at Microsoft: Shane Kim and Ken Lobb. 1UP also talks with Shane Kim. MP3.com has a feature on some of the game industry's top composers.

Misc. Media/Previews

PS2
GameSpot has an official trailer for Resident Evil Outbreak File #2. IGN has videos for Musashi: Samurai Legend and MLB 2006.
Portable
Game Informer has a trailer for Ridge Racer (PSP). At GameSpot is a trailer for WipEout Pure (PSP). Gaming Horizon has shots of Bomberman DS.
Multi
At FileShack is a movie for Dead to Rights II (PS2, Xbox). Shots of Outlaw Tennis (PS2, Xbox) and Outlaw Volleyball Remix (PS2, Xbox) are at GameSpot. IGN posts new media for Killer 7 (PS2, Xbox).

Console Game Of The Evening [Submit Yours!]

Godzilla for the Game Boy Color. "I broke my cousin's Gameboy because of this puzzle game. Extremely frustrating, but so much fun climbing vines and pushing boulders on Hedorah!" (submitted by wunderbred).


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