All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Popular turn-based, massively multiplayer online role-playing game with more than 3 million registered users celebrates its second anniversary.

#3ds Street Fighter IV for the iPhone mapped your special moves to a single button. Super Street Fighter IV 3D for the Nintendo 3DS simplifies things even further. More »

If you've been troubled by audio issues or other annoyances in the WiiWare version of Cave Story, go download it again from the Wii Shop. Nicalis released an updated version of the remake this week, which addresses those sound issues and more.

According to the full list of changes we received from a reliable source, the looping in the original music has been improved, and the instrumentation in the remixed music is now mixed properly (so you can hear bass and drums, for example). In addition, the "typing" text noise is no longer far too loud. In non-sound-related changes, GameCube controller support has been added, and the "extra" modes are now unlockable instead of open from the beginning. Typos in the translation have also been edited, and transparency has been added to the graphics in several places, including when you open up the Home menu.

NeoGAFfer sfried notes that if you've saved Cave Story to an SD card, you'll have to delete the game ("channel") and redownload it. Otherwise, you can just grab the update from the Wii Shop.

- Characters: Mario (all around) Luigi (all around) Princess Peach (technique) Princess Daisy (technique) Bowser (power type) Bowser Jr. (speed type) Wario (power type) Waluigi (technique) Yoshi (all around) Toad (speed type) Donkey Kong (power type) Diddy Kong (speed type) - 7 blank spots for secret characters - Exhibition: Playable by one to four players, select your court and set up your team, 2 on 2 or 3 on [...]

Take a look at what popped up on Nintendo of America’s Twitter account… I feel like I’ve finally made it! I am not a big fan of Twitter, but I’m still pumped to be the focus of an NoA tweet! Thanks to all of you that sent this in.

Nintendo kicks off promotions for the upcoming Square Enix-developed sports title.

I can’t believe it’s taken this many years to get a new Kirby game on consoles. I’ve been waiting for my console Kirby ever since that multiplayer side-scrolling GameCube title was shown. For years and years, Nintendo teased us with the existence of that game, even long after the Cube had ceased being [...]

#review In recent years, top people at Nintendo have vowed, despite scorn and eye-rolls, to make games that keep people smiling. Ignoring the grumps, the company brings us Kirby's Epic Yarn, a Wii testament to the potency of joy. More »

As promised, the Starcraft 2 1.1.2 patch has arrived, and Zerg fans will find plenty of changes. First off, the Terrans have been rebalanced to reduce the effectiveness of Reaper rushes thanks to some new requirements for upgrades and barracks creation. More directly, several Zerg buildings have had their health increased and certain units, notably the Roach, have had their abilities boosted. Meanwhile, the Protoss have seen an increase in Nexus health and a few tweaks to the Void Ray.

Future patches are slated to address some Protoss vs. Terran issues. Find the full change list after the break.

One of the most visually creative platformers hits the Wii system, but is it any good?

The Microsoft Store has launched a decent deal on an Xbox 360 S 4GB bundle. For $250, the bundle includes the 4GB system, two wireless controllers, a year of Xbox Live Gold and 4000 Microsoft Points (a.k.a. $50 worth of Xbox bucks). All of these items purchased separately would normally cost $350, so you're technically saving $100. However, we'd be remiss not to point out that if you ever want a hard drive, it'll run you another $130.

Of course, you could stave off the inevitable with a liberal dose of flash drives, or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could always mod that old Xbox hard drive.

#squareenix In the face of overwhelming criticism of the game's current state, Square Enix is extending the free trial period for Final Fantasy XIV Online from 30 days to 60 days and outline plans to make the game more user-friendly. More »

#ps3 It's October and that means it's time to wander through corn mazes, carve up pumpkins, decorate your house and watch scary movies. And Sony has your back on that last one, if you have a Playstation 3. More »

Greetings everyone! My name’s Ryan and I’m the latest installment at NISA. I work with Nao on PR & Marketing and I’m really excited to start posting on this blog with her. Today, I wanted to stop in for a bit and talk about our title, Z.H.P: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman, coming to PSP (UMD and PSN) on October 26th.

For those who haven’t heard about it yet, it is a dungeon “grindfest” game featuring randomly generated dungeons and items allowing for endless possibilities and loads of replay value. You star as the newly appointed “Unlosing Ranger” who has to defeat Darkdeath Evilman in order to save the mysterious “Super Baby.” I know it all sounds confusing as the premise for a game, but as the story quickly unfolds you’ll get introduced to some hilarious characters and some curiously familiar people – even politicians!?

Among the world of Dungeon Crawling RPGs or roguelikes, I think Z.H.P: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman really shines. Although, true to roguelikes, you are punished for dying mid-dungeon and may develop mental trauma against the mob that killed you, you still are able to maintain stats through the gaming system even after death. As you are told in the beginning of the game, ”dying is a part of the game,” and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. To be honest I did feel like I dropped my ice cream on the pavement when I lost everything after I died. However, the sweet to the sour of roguelikes is that you can pick up your console, take a deep breath, and jump right back into a dungeon again knowing you’ll have a better chance, as with Z.H.P you get to keep your improved stats (invested time) from your previous dungeon grind. If you do make it through the dungeon, you can actually access your house to store all your items from your crawl, and then pay out some money for living expenses to your wife!

The first time I really started to laugh when I was playing the game was the first time you have to stand off against Darkdeath Evilman and fact the battle was in 8-bit graphics. I really appreciated the retro feel for that and it took me back to the late 80’s when I was playing oldschool RPGs. I just sat there and laughed as I got owned by Darkdeath Evilman, watching my HP decrease. On a side-note, I’m still working on my character at the moment, but I’m told the battle graphics do change once you level up higher. As for the controls, they are pretty comfortable as moving around and attacking are fairly easy to get accustomed to, and the tutorials help with other facets such as throwing and using items. The pace of attacking mobs is fairly quick too, so some may appreciate this over the longer turn-based RPG’s we are all accustomed to playing.

With Z.H.P: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman, I believe although the niche for roguelikes and dungeon crawlers may be small compared to other genres, if you view the game industry as a whole, it really has its own appeal and potential to provide an exponential number of hours of varied gameplay to anyone who enjoys RPGs in general, and especially those who have followed NIS titles in the past. I mean, at one point my character had a fishing pole and a hatchet for weapons, a troll mask, and a cloud for legs. My wife saw me playing and was like, “dood, what is up with your character, hahaha!” To answer your question, no, my wife isn’t a Prinny, but luckily for you in Z.H.P you actually do have a Prinny wife! Score, dood! The items are often hilarious and make the game stand out from other titles to create a memorable experience. With endless customization, beyond-bizarre items, a unique battle and tutorial system, and a wacky off-the-wall storyline, Z.H.P. will provide entertainment and hours of replay and enjoyment.

Check out Z.H.P: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman for PSP, coming October 26th and save that Super Baby, dood! Also, don’t forget to take advantage of our Z.H.P: Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman Preorder for the Z.H.P Exclusive set and secure your pre-order bonus sticker by using the NIS America store!

That’s all for today folks, but stay tuned for some updated Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood! info and a most “stimulating” contest on the horizon. Until then, party on dood!

The other "Creep" song will be available next week as part of Rock Band's DLC. No, not the one by TLC, and, also, not the album by White Zombie -- that was Astro-Creep. Actually, there's like a hundred or something songs called "Creep." So, we're talking about the one by Stone Temple Pilots. In fact, there's a whole track pack from the band's Core album next week, in addition to "Plush" being featured in Rock Band 3.

Next week's DLC also features a second track pack from Jimmy Eat World. Check out all the track details after the break.

#atari In 1979 Atari introduced the joys of first-person space combat with Star Raiders. Next year Star Raiders returns, bringing team-based multiplayer space combat to the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. More »

#iphone In August we told you about an app that would let StarCraft II players control the game using their iPhone or iPad. Now we're showing it to you. More »

If you're turned off by the prospect of playing through Red Dead Redemption's lengthy single-player storyline, but are significantly turned on by its multiplayer offerings and upcoming zombie-themed expansion, you're about to be very, very pleased. Rockstar has announced that it will release a standalone retail version of the Western epic, featuring the game's Free Roam online multiplayer mode and all of the game's downloadable add-ons.

Titled Undead Nightmare, the $30 retail disc includes -- you guessed it -- the "Undead Nightmare" expansion, as well as the "Outlaws to the End," "Legends and Killers" and "Liars and Cheats" add-ons (the DLC prices of which add up to exactly $30). Much like Rockstar's other DLC compilation, Episodes from Liberty City, the Undead Nightmare disc won't require Red Dead Redemption to play. However, it would probably appreciate the company when introduced to your cold, cliquey video game storage unit.

UK team recognised at annual Games Media Awards.

It seems that Sony settled on the right name for its PlayStation Move motion controller, as the company is definitely moving plenty of units in Europe. Speaking to Bloomberg, Sony Europe's Andrew House noted "very significant sales" for the Move, saying that it has sold "somewhere in the region of 1.5 million units for the new controller across just Europe." He added that sales have exceeded Sony's original hopes, and that the company will likely increase production of the peripheral.

Sales may not be as motivated in America, however. In a report released to the media, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter estimated that the motion controller sold around 300,000 units in its US debut, including Move console bundles; though it's important to note that SCEA has not released official sales figures. Despite the sluggish launch estimate, Pachter expects both the Move and Kinect to drive console sales in the US this holiday season.

#top The research and development wizards at Sony have developed some impressive image processing tech called "PlayView". And now it could help you become a better gamer. More »

Those Angry Birds, who have taken out their aggression on an inexplicable number of iPhones and iPads, have flown to Android. Rovio released the full Angry Birds app for Android today (following the availability of a beta release demo). The full game is ad-supported -- and therefore free -- but you'll have the option to pay for an ad-free version (which is only $1 for iPhone) via in-app purchase in the future.

The launch seems to be getting a lot of attention -- so much so that Rovio had to take its site down. Likewise, the download location is also currently slammed, and GetJar suggests you try to download the game from its mobile site, directly from your Android device.

In case you've never experienced Angry Birds, it's sort of like Boom Blox turned sideways. You use a slingshot to launch birds at a series of structures, with the goal of bringing those structures down around the evil, egg-stealing pigs that inhabit them.

[Thanks, Mike]

Gearbox Software delivers a stylish, fun, and frantic shoot and loot experience.

#officialkotakuforum Today's least subtle Talk Amongst Yourselves image comes from reader Mazarin, who does not seem to be happy right now. Are you happy? Talk here about games, happily, will ya? More »

The 3DS has a touch screen instead of an arcade-spec joystick, which makes it a bit less than optimal for fighting games like Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. But in bringing the fighter to 3DS, Capcom has done its best to concoct a little touch-screen-ade.

The game's website details the touch screen implementation, which allows players to assign their choice of moves to four sections of the screen. You can set things like Focus Attacks, special moves, Ultra Combos, or combinations of three simultaneous button presses, according to the examples shown.

Capcom has been known to make concessions like this for systems without ideal fighting game controllers. SNK vs. Capcom EO on GameCube allowed players to launch special moves by pressing directions on the right stick, for example, and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom had optional simplified controls for use with the Wiimote and Nunchuk.

I know what you’re thinking, and yes, the airplane still crashes onto the track in the middle of the race on the Airport Terminal track. Track layouts also distort dynamically, environments crumble realistically, and towers teeter and topple majestically under the destructive spark of Split/Second’s signature Power Plays.

In short, despite the smaller screen size, Split/Second’s PSP incarnation does not skimp on the spectacle. The PSP version releases on November 16th with four-player ad-hoc Wifi multiplayer, and this week I took a pre-release version of the game for a spin.

Thanks to some dazzling real-time lighting and particle effects, Split/Second on the PSP looks remarkably similar to its PS3 big brother. The tracks layouts are nigh-identical, and the gameplay zips along at a speedy clip, blasting energetically through every one of its 30 frames per second no matter how many fireworks are on the screen.

The controls have been been subtly tweaked to accommodate the mobile nature of PSP gameplay, and they feel tight and responsive on the analog stick and d-pad. You can still slipstream behind other racers to diminish wind resistance and gain a short-lived burst of speed, a critical tactic when you find yourself lagging behind the pack. The gas and brake buttons are mapped to X and Square, respectively; To drift around hairpin turns, you tap the Square button once. Given Split/Second’s blistering pace, I find it helpful to brake as little as possible and instead ease off the gas during dangerous moments. Finally, the L1 button triggers Power Plays, the aforementioned earth-shaking catastrophes that will wipe out your competitors if you master the, um, split-second timing.

Black Rock Studios (working with Sumo Digital) was kind enough to chip in an extra track for PSP players to bring the track total to 13 in all. PSP users also get new Challenges in addition to returning favorites like Elimination (stay out of last place), Air Strike (dodge incoming missiles), and Detonator (finish laps inside the deadline). Details on the new Challenges are still scarce and I’ll update you when I learn more.

Split/Second is a fast, aggressive PSP racer that will appeal to fans of destructive racers such as Burnout Dominator and WipEout Pure. If you have questions about the gameplay or overall experience, ask away in the comments below and I’ll do my best to get you an answer.

#clips Deliver Hope, the live action commercial for Halo: Reach, was the highlight for the Bungie shooter's marketing, giving us a short glimpse of what all of that upcoming gameplay might look like in real life. More »

If you played Fable 2 anything like the way I played Fable 2, you ended the game a very, very, very rich player. Why work a virtual job pouring cold beers when you could buy a piece of virtual property, turn off your Xbox, pour yourself an actual cold one (or 10), and when you come to in the morning, you're dehydrated and groggy -- oh, and you've been earning rent money in-game, too?

That feature -- the ability to earn rental income while away from the game -- went a long way towards making Fable 2's Albion feel like a living world; one that went on regardless of whether or not your hero was there to see it. That feature won't be returning for Fable 3. "It was a Fable 2 feature," Lionhead lead designer Josh Atkins tells Joystiq. "With every feature, we spend a lot of time reevaluating new things that make sense for the emotions we want to impact and get from players in Fable 3."