News

A preliminary song list for Guitar Hero: On Tour, the DS adaptation for the franchise due out in the United States on June 22, has been released. In addition, over the last several weeks, more details have been released about how the guitar mechanism will function. An adapter plugs into the GBA slot of the DS and it is held vertically like a book, with the GBA slot to the right side. Strumming the guitar will be performed via the touchscreen. Additionally, there will be microphone functionality, including activating your star power and blowing flames out on the guitar during battle mode.

The functionality of the game sounds extremely fun, with the buttons on the side of the system and strumming with the touchscreen. The songlist, however, leaves me with a little to be desired. Of the 15 songs announced, I am prematurely excited for just three of them. Fortunately, there will be at least ten more songs yet to come, and as another bonus, nearly all of the tracks will be master tracks so we don't have to deal with terrible covers, as we did in GH2. There has been local wireless play announced, but I would be much more interested in seeing some DS Wifi play as well. All-in-all, they're discovering new ways to bring out more function in the already-amazing DS.

Also it's going to retail at $50. Yoaaurgh.

Those links again:
GH DS preliminary song list
GH DS Details

Following the announcement of the North American release date of Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, Square-Enix has released the box art for the game on their Members Blog. The blog entry doesn't have any new information regarding the game, but promises more content "soon" and the writer of the entry has spent over 110 hours playing the game. The release is still scheduled for June 24.

I am very excited for the release of this game, even having not played the original Tactics Advance. As Final Fantasy Tactics remains one of my favorite games of all time, I'm fired up over what has been reviewed as an excellent game on a portable console. Stay tuned for the information about the game promised by the blog.

Those links again:
FFTA2 North American release date
FFTA2 North American box art
Square-Enix Members Blog

Square-Enix has opened their North American Final Fantasy 4 DS website, setting the stage for information regarding the much-anticipated remake. The site opens with a beautiful splash screen featuring many characters from the game, but unfortunately there isn't anything at the site yet. However, the actual opening of the site is a good sign for information being translated and updated regularly as the release of the game approaches. In the meantime, you can check out the Japanese site for Final Fantasy 4: The After, Square-Enix's Japanese-only mobile game, to make yourself jealous over what you aren't getting.

I have played FF4 way too many times, on different platforms and translations, and I am still very excited for the game to be released in July. I'll almost certainly be getting it on release day, if I'm not still playing Squenix's current gem, The World Ends With You. The site launch is good news for those of us waiting for another one of the company's trademark gorgeous sites, and The After is fun to look at, even if I can't read it, we're not getting it, and Luca looks like some sort of ridiculous 80's teen idol.

Those links again:
FF4DS NA
Final Fantasy 4: The After

When the Castlevania series hit the PlayStation 2, a divergence occurred. Konami struggled to get 3D vampire killing just right on the consoles, but continued the beloved Symphony of the Night style on Nintendo's handheld machines. Fans of the castleroid style of Castlevania games will not be disappointed. A third DS Castlevania title has been announced and rated by the ESRB.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia has been registered as a trademark in the United States, and a rating of T for Teen now appears on the ESRB website. Furthermore, the name has been registered in such a way as to imply that there will be an online component--hardly surprising, given the nature of the DS and online capabilities employed in the past for DS Castlevania games.

We don't have a date, an official comment, or much else (though I believe Lasz had some maybe screenshots several months ago), but we DO have a reason to rejoice.

Now, tell me that Alucard is returning as the hero, and I'll die happy.

Source: GameSpot

Yes, we all knew it was coming. Who couldn't? But now we have a real date: 22 July 2008. On top of that, the new site for the North American release is up and ready, with a pretty-cool splash page as well.

Unfortunately, AmaCoN doesn't yet have the title ready for preorder (merely the OST), but I'll keep everyone posted once it shows up.

From what I've seen and heard, this game is a must-play for DS owners. If anyone would like to buy me a DS, I'll be inclined to try it out and agree.

Source:
Square-Enix Blog

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Famitsu information

As far as I can tell, this information must be taken with a grain of salt, given that no writing that this newsposter can read is visible in either screen. Given the translation or further information at the info link, it appears that we will be getting a new attorney game in the Phoenix Wright world, but this time it's through the (third-person!) eyes of Miles Edgeworth, "Perfect Prosecutor." The game appears to be similar to the Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice series, except you're on the other side of the courtroom. Returning characters thus far are Edgeworth and detective Dick Gumshoe.

As a HUGE fan of the series, I can't begin to write how excited I am to see a game from the prosecution's side. Since Edgeworth captured my heart and became one of my favorite characters in the first few games of the series, I always hoped for a game where we would be able to play as the ruthless prosecutor. It looks like this wish will finally be granted. Though they could very well be a new sort of cutscene, it appears that the action outside of the courtroom will be third person, allowing you to move Edgey around and search for "overlooked" clues.

I can't wait.