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Posts with tag Konami

Electrifying Elebits screens

If you haven't had a peek at Elebits: The Adventures of Kai & Zero, then poke your nose into our gallery and have a look around. Instead of motion-controlled hunting and grabbing, the sequel to the Wii game is taking a much more traditional approach. While we weren't terribly surprised by the shift to a top-down action/RPG style, we're still happy to report that it looks pretty cute, if not quite as original as the first game.

We'll likely see a lot more of Kai and Zero during E3.

Surprise! Elebits: The Adventures of Kai & Zero revealed

We knew this was coming, thanks to retail databases, but we had no idea what the actual game was going to look like or how it was going to play. Konami has officially unveiled the sequel to the Wii launch window game Elebits, this time on the DS. The Adventures of Kai & Zero trades the original's first-person perspective for a top-down Zelda-style 2D look. The gameplay still revolves around finding Elebits, but this time the environments are more varied, as are the Elebits: the "Omega Elebits" you hunt have more environmental abilities beyond electricity.

The new game features a Wi-Fi multiplayer mode for two players and local multiplayer for four. IGN has the first screens. We wonder why Konami decided to reveal this now? They'd almost made it all the way to E3.

Bonus content planned for Judgment, Ecclesia connectivity

With Konami currently developing two Castlevania titles, one for the Wii and the other for the Nintendo DS, it seemed obvious that the studio would add some sort of connectivity feature to the two games, especially considering that Shanoa, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia's protagonist, will be a playable fighter in Castlevania Judgment.

Though Konami hasn't provided any specifics, the company has announced that connecting the two games, presumably through WiFi and not with a string, unlocks "bonus gameplay content." We don't know yet if that extra stuff will be limited to just the Wii, but we're hoping for some added DS perks!

What could that "bonus gameplay content" be? New items/costumes/areas? The original Castlevania games for the NES? A minigame for raising your own pocket Castlevania monsters?!

Absolutely Lovely Children exist on the DS

More manga/anime adaptations head DS-ward, this time in the form of Zettai Karen Children (Absolutely Lovely Children). Konami grabbed the license for the series and is making it into an RPG for the DS, which comes out on September 4th in Japan.

We never heard of Absolutely Lovely Children before, well, yesterday, but the story focuses around three young girls with ESP. It's not uncommon for people to have ESP (in this manga/anime-verse), but these ten-year-olds have the highest level of the power. The government thus forms them into a seemingly elite unit known as "The Children."

Since more details on this recently-announced-yet-soon-to-release game have yet to surface, it might be worth checking out some of the screens below to see if the style appeals to you. Keep in mind, though, that Zettai Karen Children DS: Dai-4 no Children probably won't be localized outside of Japan.

Gallery: Zettai Karen Children DS: Dai-4 no Children


[Via Siliconera]

Seven minutes of uninterrupted Castlevideo


Konami is showing off Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia at the Interactive & Digital Entertainment Festival in Cannes, leading one Jeuxvideo.tv contributor to show off his ability to hold a camera steady on the DS screen while simultaneously playing. Or he brought a friend. The point is: hey, look!

The backgrounds look more layered and detailed than the last couple of games, and the enemy sprites appear to be a mix of old and new. The skeleton hasn't changed since at least Symphony of the Night, but that new floating shade (or witch, or whatever the girl in the dress is) is pretty amazing. Of course, we're more than willing to look past the reused sprites because there's a different world map! With non-castle locations!

This segment provides a better look at the Magnes glyph (which creates a powerful magnetic field, allowing Shanoa to pull herself up to certain metallic platforms, then slingshot herself offward) and its in-game tutorial. The glyph will act as a sort of high jump, to allow access to previously inaccessible areas of the castle.

[Via Ruliweb]

Konami uses comedians to advertise New International Track & Field


We can't really understand Konami's marketing decision for New International Track & Field here. Usually, when it comes to advertising sports, sporting apparel or, heck, sports video games, we're used to seeing athletes in the advertisements. But, then again, we don't live in Japan.

There, Konami has enlisted the aid of celebrity comedians Coolpoko to advertise the title through a special site that is set to launch soon. If you're wondering where you saw the guy on the right before, it was probably in an episode of Entourage.

We've included one of their videos past the break, to give you a taste of their comedic stylings.

Gallery: New International Track & Field

Continue reading Konami uses comedians to advertise New International Track & Field

IGA: 2D still 'somewhat alive,' more Castlevania on the way

Gamasutra spoke to Koji "IGA" Igarashi, the current steward of the Castlevania franchise, after the Konami Gamers Day announcement of Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, about his status as one of the last 2D stalwarts. Last year he declared in a defiant PowerPoint slide that "2D games will never die!" This year? "I'm glad that 2D is still somewhat alive. It's been fun."

It looks like IGA might be branching out just a bit in the future -- still in 2D, but he hinted that he had something new on the way. Something ... maybe not on the DS. "This time, I announced a DS title, but I definitely want to grow the franchise. It's something I'm really focused on. You guys will probably be hearing something from me."

It sounds like whatever the project is, it'll still be the "Igavania" style we know, since according to IGA, the more linear Rondo of Blood PSP port was good, but "not something that I can jump up and down and enjoy like I do with the DS titles."

Quiz Magic Academy presents worthwhile trivia on the DS

Arcades aren't doing so hot in the U.S., but Japanese gamers still love frequenting them and inserting coins into the humble machines. Through arcades, series that most of us in the West are unfamiliar with become super-popular in Japan. Take, for instance, Quiz Magic Academy.

Since popularity often leads to system jumping, it should come as no surprise that the game is making its way to the DS. It's essentially a trivia title, but what makes it so appealing is its eight player Wi-Fi support. Trivia is at its best when you're competing against others and showing off your vast pools of useless knowledge, so this extensive use of online-play is most certainly appealing. Unlike games such as LOL (aka just LOL), though, you can still choose to solo your way through Quiz Magic Academy if you prefer to go it alone.

Other nifty features in this arcade-cum-DS title are that it transmits new questions wirelessly, and also links up to Quiz Magic Academy V, the as-of-yet unreleased arcade sequel.

All in all, it seems like Konami has taken trivia as far as it can go. Well, color us jealous.

[Via Siliconera]

The track and field is a bit more crowded now

Besides sprinkling in some of its most notable characters, Konami is also employing another key strategy to ensure that New International Track & Field is a success: online multiplayer. That's right, folks, the title will support online multiplayer for up to four players!

Along with online leaderboards, the inclusion of online multiplayer means that the game will not only be a viable option for Game Night, but also allow you to settle that argument about who's the better swimmer, Pyramid Head or Solid Snake, you had with your friend halfway across the world.

Oh, and Pyramid Head would totally win. His head is practically a boat.

Gallery: New International Track & Field

DS Daily: Elebit off more than they can chew?


Apparently, Konami will release an Elebits sequel on the DS in a couple of months. We know absolutely nothing about it, including if it really exists, so we have no idea what they have planned. It could be a completely different style of game, like a top-down action-RPG, or it could be the same kind of furniture-tousling game that came out on the Wii.

If Konami is making a "true" sequel to Elebits, that is, one that is in the same genre as its predecessor, do you think it could work well on the DS? Can Konami overcome the technological limitations in screen and controller to deliver a worthwhile Elebits experience? Or are they simply turning over the DS hoping to uncover some quick cash?

More retail confirmation of Elebits 2, Docomodake

A few weeks ago, Elebits 2: Adventures of Kai & Zero for the DS showed up on Gamefly's "coming soon" list. That listing has now been joined by one on Gamestop, with a similar title (minus the number) and an even closer date (August 1). Konami still has yet to make any announcements about a DS sequel to Elebits -- we were sure it would come out at their Gamers Day event, the same time Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (itself the subject of protracted rumors) was revealed.

Another noteworthy new addition to Gamestop's list of upcoming games: Ignition Entertainment's release of the cell-phone mascot platformer Docomodake. We knew from an ESRB rating that it was coming, but not when -- Gamestop says next February. The new English title? Docomodake BOING!

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia trailer has some bite


If you've sworn off Igarashi's Castlevania titles, frustrated with rehashes of the same Metroidvania formula, stay away from this Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia video! It might be enough to bring you back! You'll see some reused sprites, and the general format doesn't look too different from previous entries, but the art direction in the first cinematic half is, as we've noted before, all the way live.

As for the in-game clips, there's plenty to keep you interested, like action scenes with the Manges Glyph, a field that envelopes female lead Shanoa and can be used to cling to metal rods or fling the heroine across the screen. One of the boss fights also seems to herald the return of ... Mr. Crabs?! Back from the dead!

So, are you excited yet?


[Via NeoGAF]

A tantalizing glimpse of the latest Castlevania

Nintendo Power subscriber? Already got your copy? Goody for you -- we haven't! Which is why we're so completely fascinated by the artwork from Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia the magazine has on offer; we haven't seen it yet. Since some of you are probably in the same boat, we thought it might be worth sharing a peek.

If you didn't see our earlier post on the details of the latest from the franchise, go check it out. For a few blurry bits of screens, jump to the ledge past the break. For better screens? See the gallery below.

Continue reading A tantalizing glimpse of the latest Castlevania

Nintendo Power's moon reveals its secret

And we totally called it. That's right: the meaning of the much-discussed moon that featured prominently in Nintendo Power had nothing to do with Disgaea, Metroid, Earthbound, or a ... Balance Board-compatible sequel to Michael Jackson's Moonwalker? You people are strange.

So it's Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, which may seem like a disappointment to some (compared to, y'know, Earthbound), but hey: at least we get oodles of new details. According to Nintendo Power, this IGAvania is set in the mid-1800s and stars the series' first ever female protagonist, Shanoa. The magazine that there are "no real weapons in this game," with glyphs that can change form (for example, into a sword) Shanoa's weapon of choice.

There's a mass of other details waiting for you after the break -- don't forget your whip glyphs.

Continue reading Nintendo Power's moon reveals its secret

Contra prompts military hearings

We usually have to suspend our disbelief when playing video games, but what if such insane situations were based on real events? Take, for example, Contra, a game in which two marines -- two -- must stop the Red Falcon invasion. Without shirts.

Running with this idea, popular comic book blogger Chris Sims took it upon himself to record "The Contra Hearings". Not only does this hilarious take on Contra make us realize how ridiculous the game's scenario really is, but these faux hearings also remind us that the series is so awesomely badass. An excerpt:

"SENATOR ARTHUR WEATHERTON (R, NM): With all due respect, Lieutenant, I fail to see how the failure to equip two Marines necessitates a Congressional investigation. Why haven't we heard from the rest of the soldiers involved in the operation?

LT. RIZER: Because Lance and I were the total forces committed to the Red Falcon conflict, Senator.

SEN. WEATHERTON: ... Oh. Carry on.

LT. RIZER: Right. Now, I know that at the time of our deployment, resources were already committed to providing support for the Bionic Commando project, but sending two men to fight an entire army of technologically advanced aliens... I can't imagine that America needed to close the grapple-arm gap that badly. And our equipment was... well, it was sub-par."

In case you didn't know, you can unlock the original NES game (and Super C) in Contra 4 for the DS -- which is perfect in its own right. So, we expect you to man up and buy it while it's on sale.

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