All Topics Users older than one year ago

Sony’s not a company afraid of updating firmwares, and Sony will push Japanese Vitas toward version 1.60 on February 8.

1.60 brings a map application with maps that look suspiciously like (and probably are) Google Maps, the ability to use the camera to record movies, content management software that’s compatible with a Mac, and the "Home" button will now light up blue when the power supply for the machine is connected.

It’s unclear whether 1.60 will be pushed out in time for the impending worldwide launch, but I’m checking with Sony about it.

This would mark the third firmware update for Vita.

LOS ANGELES – February 6, 2012 – D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced iCarly™: Groovy Foodie!. The game is based on iCarly, Nickelodeon’s top-rated live-action series for kids and tweens. iCarly: Groovy Foodie!, available this summer exclusively for the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held systems, offers highly addictive gameplay where fans serve wacky meals to crazy customers in a game that ‘dishes out’ all the random fun from the show.

“The latest iCarly video game offers a perfect combination of action-puzzle gameplay, hilarious elements from the hit show, and gives fans the opportunity to play as Carly and Sam for the first time ever,” said Bill Anker, vice president of business development and licensing, D3P. “The game blends these features with the humor and randomness of the popular TV show to offer fans a new and authentic experience.”

In iCarly: Groovy Foodie!, Carly and Sam get in trouble and must complete community service by making their imaginative food creations. Fans of the series can play as both Carly and Sam, and interact with the cast, as they share special skills that tie into each character’s attributes from the show.

Players set the menu, prepare dishes and serve plates to customers quickly, while even more starving customers flood each location. They will dish out more than 20 infamous iCarly dishes like Doughnuts on a Stick, Fudge Balls, and Spaghetti Tacos to crazy patrons in fan-favorite locations that include Webicon, Ridgeway Junior High, the Groovy Smoothie and more. The addicting game features several finicky types of hungry customers including students, senior citizens and more, each with their own likes, dislikes, and unique traits.

iCarly won “Favorite TV Show” at Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award three years in a row (2009-2011) and was nominated for a 2010 Primetime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Children’s Program category. iCarly currently ranks as one of the top series on all TV with kids and tweens, averaging 4.7 million total viewers.

iCarly: Groovy Foodie! is the ultimate food-dishing game for fans looking to team up with Carly and Sam in their wild escapades this summer. iCarly: Groovy Foodie! is under development by WayForward Technologies, Inc. and is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. For more information in the coming months, please visit D3Publisher at www.D3Publisher.us.

If you’re a fan of ninja games, PS Vita won’t leave you wanting – or waiting. The system’s upcoming launch will be supported by two ninja-centric titles: Shinobido 2 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, and I spent some time with the latter this weekend. NGS+ is an updated version of an early PS3 title, which itself was an enhanced version of an original Xbox game that debuted back in 2004. Despite some control choices which have clearly evolved over the past 8 years, the source material holds up pretty well in 2012.

Playing through the first few levels of the NGS+, memories from nearly a decade ago came flooding back to me: the placement of treasures, decapitating enemies with a single charged slash (hold down the triangle button to, um, execute), and the difficulty. The Ninja Gaiden series resides firmly in the “tough, but fair” challenge department. When you die – and you will – it’s usually not due to AI cheapness, but rather a mistimed block or a delayed dodge. That doesn’t mean the game can’t get frustrating, but when you prevail, the frustration melts into delicious satisfaction. For those having trouble, NGS+ adds Hero Mode, which helps automates some blocking and dodging to help you along. There’s no shame in it.

Ninja Gaiden was one of the best looking games around when it first debuted, and NGS+ still looks nice on PS Vita. While it doesn’t approach an Uncharted Golden Abyss level visually, it’s better looking on Vita’s OLED than an 8 year old game ought to look.

Tecmo’s Team Ninja has added a number of features to take advantage of the new Vita hardware, such as six axis arrow shooting and touchscreen prompts to enhance your Ninpo magic attacks. I had trouble adjusting to the new controls in first-person view, but fortunately, they’re optional.

The most significant addition to NGS+ is the new Ninja Challenge mode, a series of snack-sized trials can be completed in just a couple of minutes – geared toward gamers on the go. Each of these 76 missions provides a straightforward goal, such as clearing a certain amount of enemies, taking on a boss character, or engaging in a weapon-specific objective. This is also where you can use use alternate character Rachel, and try out new costumes and weapons that you might not have earned yet in the story mode.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma arrived on PS3 before the advent of PSN Trophies, so NGS+ is the first to incorporate the addictive baubles. I took a look at the Trophy list, and most of the rewards involve killing lots of dudes with each weapon, or by mastering techniques such as the powerful Izuna drop.

I can confirm that Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is no longer a “launch window” title – it’ll be ready for launch day title. If you’re picking up a PS Vita on February 22nd, or are looking for a primer for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 3, you should give Ryu Hayabusa’s first modern adventure a look.

Since we announced Toki Tori 2 last October, we have been steadily releasing information about the game's design to our community. With today's blog update we think our players should have the complete picture of where we want to go.

Update 17: Knowledge Unlocks!
Today's update concerns what we call 'knowledge unlocks', which we think will set the game apart from similar titles. It means we will never artificially lock anything from the player, as long as they can think of a solution we will let them determine their route through the game completely from the first level on. As ever, feel free to comment and let us know what you think!

6th February 2012 - Hironobu Sakaguchi’s latest RPG The Last Story™ arrives exclusively on Wii later this month, adding another head-turning title to the list of exclusive adventures on offer for Wii players.

From today, you can discover more about the latest title from esteemed game creator Hironobu Sakaguchi by visiting the official website for The Last Story, watching a newly released teaser video for the game and reading an exclusive interview with some of the people who brought it into being.

The official website for The Last Story is now live and transports players to the world of Lazulis Island; hub of a war-torn empire characterised by magic, mercenaries and monsters. Check out the site for details on the game’s innovative combat system, customisation options and 6-player online battle mode – as well as more info on the story and footage of the locations that bring The Last Story to life.

On top of that, the official website is also home to the first in a series of new teaser videos introducing the larger than life cast of The Last Story and offering a sneak peak at some of the stunning events the game has in store.

One look at the beautiful visual style of The Last Story makes it easy to see the love and attention to detail poured into the game, and a newly-published interview in the Iwata Asks series offers more insights into the creative process behind the RPG. In the interview, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata meets with the game’s director Hironobu Sakaguchi and character designer Kimihiko Fujisaka to talk about bringing their grand vision for The Last Story to life.

The limited edition bundle of The Last Story contains an exclusive SteelBook™ cover, a copy of the game and a The Elements Of The Last Story package, which includes The Premium Soundtrack CD and The Illustrations art booklet. The CD features a 7-track selection of music from the game composed by Nobuo Uematsu who has also collaborated with Hironobu Sakaguchi on many of his previous iconic RPGs.

Check out a new website, teaser video and interview for the The Last Story ahead of its release on 24th February and discover the latest details on a game destined to take Wii players’ breath away. You can visit the official website for The Last Story at http://www.nintendo.co.uk/laststory.