More retro non-remake goodness this morning as Konami says it will release Gradius Rebirth on Nintendo’s WiiWare service this summer. It’s Japan only for now, but how much translation does a side-scrolling shooter really require? Any other 1980’s NES games need a completely new version for 2008?
Woo hoo! More 2-D platforming goodness from the maker of Catlevania. This was the new trailer for Catlevanie: Order of Ecclesia, courtesy of Koji Igarashi. Due out this fall.
PRESS RELEASE - July 8, 2008 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, the sequel to Elebits, is currently in development exclusively for Nintendo DS™. The exciting game of hide and seek allows players to find, capture and befriend the tiny creatures known as Elebits who serve as energy sources in a far-off world where energy resources have been depleted.
In Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero, players seek out the mischievous omega Elebits who hold magical powers and the ability to complete puzzles and quests while embarking on a magical journey. Utilizing each of the Elebits’ special powers, players can solve puzzles, reveal hidden paths, freeze flowing water, turn darkness into light, levitate rocks, and much more. As an added bonus, players are also able to compete head-to-head using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection™ and battle up to four friends simultaneously.
Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero will be released in Fall 2008 on the Nintendo DS™. For more information, please visit: www.konami.com.
Nice! The first game on Wii was awesome, though I would prefer a console sequel.
GoNintendo posted information yesterday from the latest issue of Nintendo Power confirming long-standing rumors that Konami is bringing a new Castlevania game subtitled “Judgment” to Wii.
However, the game shares little in common with prior entries in the fabled series. Konami has thrown enthusiasts of its vampire-slaying franchise a curveball; Castlevania: Judgment is a 3D fighter.
According to Nintendo Power, confirmed characters for Castlevania: Judgment include Dracula, Simon Belmont, Alucard, Shanoa and Maria Renard. Classic Castlevania subweapons including holy water, magic spells, daggers and boomerangs will be usable.
The Castlevania games always have been that one series that has remained truly good throughout the years. After watching this trailer, it looks like this game is polished enough to be released sooner than the slated Fall 2008 date. Although that is the release date for Japan, with the US date to be announced, it seems to be another solid DS title heading for us. Although, ever since Symphony of the Night almost all the Castlevania titles have taken a more Action RPG style, do any Infendoites think it is time for a change?
If you use Google Reader for RSS feed management, try inputting the classic Konami Code and see what happens. Hint: Ninjas!
This was a bit of a surprise to everyone today. Konami has revealed their version of a peripheral driven music rhythm game set to launch this fall for all major game platforms. Rock Revolution will support lead, and bass guitars, but the overall gameplay revolves around Konami’s new custom drum peripheral. The 6 padded Drum set is said to deliver an “…experience unlike any other.”
What makes this rhythm game unique when compared to Rock Band, or Guitar Hero? Two things: Wii remotes + Air drumming. Read on to check out the full press release, and trailer.
Before a single Wii had been sold, gamers already knew what they had to look forward to. Even months prior to their first enthusiastic Wii remote waggle, in fact, people were drooling over games like Wii Sports, Red Steel and Twilight Princess.
Essentially, that feeling of assured anticipation has remained since. Facing the unknown is something Wii enthusiasts have yet to experience, really; major Wii games have come and gone, but there have always been confirmed new ones to look forward to.
Until now, that is. Sure, there have been some exciting rumors that refuse to go away, as well as a few minor game announcements. But for the most part, Nintendo’s plans for the industry’s blockbuster-filled autumn and winter months are a complete mystery.
It would be foolish to think Nintendo does not have some major announcements in store, and with E3 only two months away, it won’t be long before Nintendo fans have more premier titles to look forward to. Fortunately for Wii owners, the eight weeks leading to E3 should be quick and painless; 2008 has already been kind, and there are several awesome new Wii titles already sitting on store shelves.
So do yourself a favor; before E3 and the insanity that will ensue, give some of these great Wii games a shot before you start getting hyped for new ones like Kid Icarus Wii and forget about them.
C3 News is reporting a snippet in this month’s issue of the UK’s Official Nintendo Magazine has confirmed Konami is working on a sequel to the Dec. 2006 Wii sleeper hit, Elebits.
Wii gamers with taste should recognize the pedigree; Elebits was one of the most innovative launch window games available on Wii, offering clever, intuitive motion controls, smooth IR integration and WiiConnect24 functionality.
Hot on the heels of Atlus’ announcement of another Trauma Center, it is great to see Elebits evolve into another Nintendo-exclusive third-party franchise. Maybe this time around, better sales can follow critical praise. Expect an official Konami announcement soon.
While perusing through the Wii section at a local Wal-Mart, I happened to stumble across a very compelling deal.
Dewy’s Adventure has been dropped to $20.
Produced by Shingo Mukaitoge of Elebits fame, the game released in North America last September to a luke warm critical reception. Most criticisms stemmed from the game’s finicky controls and unbearable presentation.
But don’t be fooled by the nauseating cuteness of Dewy’s Adventure. Beneath its sugar-coated exterior lies a surprisingly challenging and well-designed platformer with a strenuous ranking system, beautiful visuals, lots of unlockables, and a custom level editor with which players can create their own stages and send them to friends via WiiConnect24. Best of all, it is an original, exclusive Wii effort.
At its reduced price, especially, the game is worth every penny.
For a few hours today, as I played through the first three levels of Contra 4, I was transported back to the late 1980’s in mind, body and gaming experience. For a moment, I had reverted back nearly 20 years into the immature little troll that had stamped his feet on the floor of his parents bedroom (that was where the NES was back then). Almost immediately, I realized I was using language so foul and offensive it would have made Xbox Live voice chat blush.
And as the “Base” stage boss took the last life from the last of my five continues, I could think of only one thing to say about this incredibly difficult, mind-numbingly frustrating game.
More please.
NeoGAF has cover art and release dates today for one of the more highly anticipated 3rd party DS titles, Contra 4. The game launches November 13, my wallet has gone into hiding and my sense of nostalgia just went to plaid.
Listen up, Konami CAPCOM. Okami is the game that was designed for the Wii, but doesn’t know it yet. It will find its way to that system, if you have any wits about you whatsoever.
1Up.com’s Quartermann hints at something:
Quartermann also contends another popular rumor still has life in it: Okami on Wii. Capcom is already working on an upgraded port of the overlooked Zelda-style adventure, complete with Wiimote support.
Simply put, Okami would sell, sell, sell on the Wii. It’s a Wii game in PS2 clothing and I think — nay, I know – it would positively explode on the Wii. It would click. It would make sense. It would fight the Antichrist and win and then do a jig like Bruce Willis in that Boyscout movie. You get the idea.
Just make it happen CAPCOM!
[Tip courtesy of my overlord, Blizake]
How did this one slip by the Infendo radar? Contra 4 is coming to the DS!
Contra 4 (working title) is under development for Nintendo DS by Valencia, California-based Wayforward Technologies. The new game will take a cue from Bionic Commando and implement a grappling hook for the first time, as well as offer two-player co-op. Action will take place across both screens of the DS in 2D.
First of all, Bionic Commando GET. Who knew an 8-bit game could rock as much as Bionic Commando did — all without jumping of any kind?! Second, Contra was the reason I hung out with this kid Matt back in elementary school. He was a bonehead, but he had Contra. My NES, sadly, never did. Super C, sure, but the frickin’ Konami code was inexcusably absent from that title.
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