The impending release of either of these games would be enough to prompt a paroxysmal announcement from a certain Wii Fanboy blogger (who is me), but Hudson is threatening my heart health by planning to release both on the same day.
Final Soldier is another entry in the Star Soldier series, which includes Star Parodier and a bunch of games used in the Hudson Shooting Caravan, as well as (sort of) Blazing Lazers. Accordingly, it includes the 2- and 5-minute gameplay modes that comprise the entirety of Star Soldier R. Like Star Parodier, it was never released over here.
Cho Aniki is ... a shooter about bodybuilding. And the ultimate test of Nintendo's willingness to surprise Hudson with a delay.
That's right, folks. North America finally gets one of the most anticipated Virtual Console releases. If you have the day free (with it being a holiday, it's likely you do), then you've got a date with destiny. We're sure if you try really hard, you can get through it today.
Head past the break for details on this week's releases.
While we completely freak over the news that Alien Crush Returns will be coming Stateside soon, take a brief second to remember Karaoke Joysound Wii. A few months ago, Hudson's Mike Pepe stated that two games from Alien Crush Returns, My Aquarium, and Karaoke Joysound Wii would be localized. With the first two now confirmed for North America, that means (as expected) that the karaoke game will be staying in Japan.
The silver lining: if you're feeling adventurous and refuse to let such obstacles prevent you from warbling to J-pop, you can always get your import on -- Hudson just gave the game a release date of December 11th in its homeland.
Tycho and Gabe, as well as all those other game companies, must be feeling pretty insecure right now, because they're all going to be upstaged by a humble WiiWare game. Or, at least, that would be the case if this year's Penny Arcade Expo were being attended exclusively by a crowd of weirdos just like us, because Hudson will have Alien Crush Returns and Bomberman Blast on display at their booth. This will be the first official public appearance in North America by either of these games!
If you thought Hudson was done announcing WiiWare games, you were dead wrong. In fact, Bomberman Blast was just a warmup for the real WiiWare announcement, which we all knew was coming, but we're elated to see: Alien Crush Returns is coming to North America! A few new screens came with the announcement, which you can find in our gallery. Chris Kohler's impressions of today's Japanese release suggest that this news is, in fact, a good thing.
According to the press release, "Alien Crush Returns is the only pinball game for WiiWare that lets gamers compete head to head online." It also happens to be the only pinball game for WiiWare. As with Bomberman Blast (and Star Soldier R), Hudson will host periodic online tournaments, starting with one near the unspecified launch period.
Okay, first of all, there are new screens for the upcoming WiiWare title. Hit them up in our gallery below, then come back here, because we're got some things we need to discuss.
Back? Good. Okay, to clarify: Bomberman Blast, the WiiWare title for download and not the retail disc, will feature Mii support and 8-person online multiplayer (up to four players can go online on the same Wii) and is officially on its way to North America. We know we told you something else before regarding the Mii stuff, but the press release that literally just landed into our inbox tells another story. So expect this to be one content-rich download.
And on top of those details, Hudson also let us know that they'll be offering online tournaments. In fact, one will even coincide with the release of the game (which is due out in Japan this fall)!
We're back again, with a fresh video that's piping hot with gaming goodness. Oh, and there's some dude talking over the whole thing. We're sorry about that. He will be taken care of.
After checking out the video above, head past the break for the rest.
Just one day before the Japanese release of Hudson's Alien Crush Returns, we're treated to new screens of the remake/sequel of the glorious Turbografx-16 pinball game. The one above appears to be one of the new boss levels (briefly seen in the trailer), in which you fire pinballs at a grotesque alien rictus.
Also highlighted: the two-player versus mode -- which is based on score and time, as far as we can tell, and not simultaneous multiplayer, but we doubt it, because that sounds amazingly insane -- interfering with each other's shots, sharing flippers, and generally just having a frustrating old time.
Just knowing that a new Crush pinball game is being released tomorrow somewhere makes the world seem like a happier, warmer place.
There's plenty of content releasing on the Wii this week. Whether you're a fan of retail games or looking to download some content on the Virtual Console or WiiWare, your gaming needs should be taken care of this week. Head on past the break for the details and let us know what you'll be playing!
Once again, Hudson Soft has updated their Virtual Console page with a release date for Ys Book I & II. They say it will be out this Monday. Last time they dated Ys, Nintendo chose not to release it or any of the other games that had been announced for that day, choosing totallydifferent games instead. Will it show up for real this time? We hope so. We'll have 800 points ready. Would Nintendo really do that to the same game twice? Well, okay, but will they?
Ghostfire Games also sent out a press release announcing that their rhythm/exercise game Helix will be released on WiiWare this Monday for 1,000 points. We wish both companies the best of luck in having their games released.
As you probably noticed (from the title), there's good news and bad news concerning the sequel to the early Wii title Kororinpa. Luckily, the good outweighs the bad. The good, in fact, is great: Kororinpa 2 will feature ten stages that utilize the balance board. While it's not Wii MotionPlus, that'll still add a neat (and challenging, if Wii Fit's marble mini-game is any indication) element to the sequel. The bad? According to the folks at IGN, the game looks terrible on the floor in Leipzig. Don't start huffing and stamping your feet over quality control just yet, though; Kororinpa 2 isn't due until next year. There's still time to give it a fix.
Over 100 stages will feature in Kororinpa 2, as well as multiple difficulty levels (maybe even difficult levels of difficulty this time), a swish-looking course editor, multiplayer for you and three fellow rollers, and Mii integration (which is now as importantandcommon as having graphics). So long as it also has a better camera, we're already on board. Oh, and boxart that is half as wonderful as that of the original PAL game. Like, seriously, how perfect is this? Expect it early next year.
Arguably more a relaxation tool than a game, Hudson's My Aquarium makes its western debut in the latest PAL update today. Its price, just 500 Wii Points, reflects its status as the Endless Ocean of WiiWare; it's definitely a good deal cheaper than the real thing. The in-jokey Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner completes the line-up, while the Virtual Console is put on the backburner for another week.
Because there's nothing like heading to work as soon as you get home from work, Hudson is planning on bringing Hard Working People to North America. There's just one thing: it may not actually be calledHard Working People when it gets here. The game's final title is up for debate, or rather, vote; on Hudson's website, you can choose from possible titles like Help Wanted (currently in the lead), the good ol' Hard Working People, and Job Heroes, among others.
While this one looks pretty hilarious, we're always a little wary of games that require work (see also: Animal Crossing and more), but when that game is centered around working, we're doubly uncertain. Maybe we shouldn't be translating everything into a waggling mini-game simply because we can. Then again, Hard Working People really does look like Everything Mama, and thus could be promising. The jury, as they say, is still out. Out working.
Posted Aug 13th 2008 10:54AM by JC Fletcher Filed under: News
Hudson has revealed a super-secret society of, uh, people who play sports while masked, hidden away in their sports minigame collection Deca Sports. And if you reveal them in your copy of Deca Sports, you could win a $200 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods! We suppose that's useful for people who like that particular variety of goods. The catch is that the method for unlocking the Deca Superheroes Team is a secret, which, in order to be eligible for the contest, you must describe in an email to Hudson.
Except GamesRadar spoiled it. Which makes the contest significantly easier. Should you happen to enter and successfully identify the method to unlock these mysterious athletes, you'll get a Deca Sports wristband in addition to a chance at the gift card.
The impending release of either of these games would be enough to prompt a paroxysmal announcement from a certain Wii Fanboy blogger (who is me), but Hudson is threatening my heart health by planning to release both on the same day.
