Tokyo is about to collapse and your main weapon to fight back is… a Nintendo DS? Sort of. Devil Survivors use Communication Players (COMPs) which just look like a Nintendo DS to forge pacts with demons. A subtle level of immersion since Devil Survivor is a DS game.

After you befriend demons, like series regulars Jack Frost and Pyro Jack, you can summon them. When you move into battle Devil Survivor looks like this…

… but unlike other strategy RPGs combat switches into a system more akin to a turn based RPG. Fights in Devil Survivor show large enemy sprites and battle animations play over them

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/16...vil-summoning/ ...

The problem with karaoke video games is you’re limited to a selection of songs on a disc. Joysound Wii tackles this issue by offering users all you can sing tickets. Pay 300 Wii Points and you get access to a library of 30,000 karaoke songs for 24 hours. That’s not a bad price for an impulse purchase.

Hudson also has long term payment plans like 72 hours for 500 Wii Points, 30 days for 1,000 Wii Points, and 90 days for 2,000 Wii Points. For less than the cost of going to a karaoke bar on a weekend you can get one month of Joysound.

The Joysound Wii retail package also comes with a disc that has seventy popular karaoke songs so you can still use Joysound even if you cancel your subscription.

Only one microphone comes with the 6,090 yen ($65) package. A second one is sold separately for 2,940 yen ($34). Since karaoke is a social experience Joysound Wii also has a handful of multiplayer mini-games for parties like bingo and… last minute orange juice pouring. Non-singing players can also liven up songs by using the remotes to make tambourine and clapping sounds.

Joysound Wii is more like a karaoke box in a box instead of being a karaoke video game.

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/17...araoke-buffet/ ...

Amazon is cutting prices from selected PlayStation 3 games and Blu-ray movies today. Some of the deals like Motorstorm: Pacific Rift are OK at $39.98, but the real highlight is Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. CyberConnect2’s cel-shaded fighter goes on sale for an unknown price at 6:00PM PST. Don’t worry about missing the pre-order downloadable content. The first and second hokage just might be regular download sometime in the distant future…



Here are the clues and possible solutions for the rest of today’s PS3 deals. All times are in PST, so adjust accordingly.



All Day: Motorstorm Pacific Rift - $39.98
6AM: PES 2009 - $29.98
10AM: WWII shooter on the Highway to Hell
11AM: 60% off these classic stop-motion monster movies in high-def
12PM: No tombs were harmed in the raiding of this underworld. [Tomb Raider Underworld]
1PM: Mamma mia, here I go again My my, how can I resist you? [Mama Mia Blu-ray?]
2PM: Iceland has research facilities? [Resistance 2]
3PM: Keep the kids entertained in high-def
5PM: Watch Spidey in high-def [Spider Man 3 Blu-ray?]
6PM: Kage bunshin no jutsu! [Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm]

http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/18...old-box-deals/

Visit amazon here --> http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.ht...reative=390957 ...

Newly released today:



Under the twin moons and the rule of the great empire, people have been leading peaceful lives albeit unsettling legends about a sleeping princess, dream eating monsters and the falling moons continue to pass around.

No matter how unsettling, people have been seeing these legends as mere stories to scare children, until the day a mysterious plague started spreading and the culprit of the illness seems to be the dream eating monsters. Under the onslaught of these evil forces, a special substance in people's hearts, spiria gets contaminated.

The only thing to counter the monsters is Soma, hidden within the Spire Maze.

All these strives of the land are unknown to the hero, Shing until he rescues a mysterious girl Kohaku from the monsters. Together, the two set off to find the mysterious substance Soma, save the land and find out the truth about the legends.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-2znf.html ...

Newly released today:



Musou action continues with the upgraded Gundam Musou 2. New powerful mobile suits such as Psycho Gundam and Big Zams make their appearances in this installment. Pick up your weapons, rush forward and mow your opposition regiments down.

Aside from original mecha, Gundams that showed up in the TV or movies are also participating in this massive brawl. The 3 most powerful mobile suits from the SEED series, Freedom Striker, Infinite Justice and Destiny are joining up with their predecessors such as Sazabi and V-Gundam.

Politics that underlay the series is intriguing but the all out action is just as absorbing, board your mecha and take on the world.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-309l.html ...

Newly released today:



Shooting Watch, or shoowatch in Japanese is a perfect gadget for hard core gamers to practice their button mashing skills on.

This tiny machine counts the number of times you can hit on the A/B buttons under a time limit, and after practicing a few times, you will realize how much your gaming skills have improved thanks to this watch.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-2z8s.html ...

Welcome to this week's Games Update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.

The Big day has come. Dissidia Final Fantasy has come along with the tsunami of wonderfully addictive Japanese games. For information on the fighting party between the generations of Final Fantasy heroes, please see this special news. And for the rest of the goodies, read on!

Borrowing heavily from mythical elements throughout the world, combined with a challenging battle system as well as beautiful character designs, the Persona or Shin Megami Tensei series has recieved an immense rise in popularity in the recent years.

Translated, localized and released this week is the US version of Persona 4. Taking place in rural Japan, the game transforms Shintoist gods such as Izanagi and Susanao into your Persona. Coming with an Art Book and Original Soundtrack CD, immerse in the dazzling murder mystery of Persona 4.

Besides Persona 4, a number of highly popular Japanese games came out in these 7 days, as mentioned in the preview last week. Christmas is a time for parties and the DJ game Beatmania IIDX 15 DJ Troopers is one of them.

Instead of the glamour in the last installment, the theme of this game is battle. Blast on the notes and cues as they fall from the sky like an air raid and train your reflexes as well as your sense of rhythm.

Bleach Versus Crusade tests your sense of timing like the DJ game as it is essential when you launch your strings of combos. Fighting back to back, you can take on anyone, including the strongest hollows in the Arrancur arc.

Fate Unlimited Codes combines the speed factor of 2D fighters with 3D graphics. The fight for the holy grail is getting more intense than ever, the full force of the servants as well as their masters are unleashed in this installment.

Saber has a costume change, instead of the blue uniform she wears in the anime, she wears a lily white armored dress that shows off her patrician grace. The people who buy the SP Box version will even recieve an action figure of the servant in said dress.

With the same emphasis on chivalry as Saber is Tales of Hearts. Rescue people's hearts and dreams by defeating the contamination with the endearing cast of characters. With an Anime Movie Edition and a CG version, players have the choice of seeing the characters in "real-life" graphics and traditional 2D animations.

Also on the Nintendo DS is the party RPG Gensou Suikoden Tierkreis. With a 108 characters you can enlist into your guild, this game boasts a cast of colorful character designs. Rescue the world from the ambitions of the One King through team work.

Gundam Musou 2, the second installment to the hack and slash mecha action is available for gamers to enjoy. There are whole galores of Gundams waiting to be selected and drive into the all-out action. Besides famous mechas that appeared in the series, original Gundams specially designed for the game also shows up.

ADK has achieved a cult status in the gamers community for their products are usually extremely unique. Although not as well known as some other developers, some gamers call this team the "legendary brand". Selecting 5 games which are most representative of the developers' style, SNK compiled them into the ADK Tamashii.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.

Xbox360™
Fable II JPN US$ 68.90
Fable II [First Print Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 78.90
Gundam Musou 2 ASIA US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 149.90
Lego Batman JPN US$ 64.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 69.90
Prince of Persia JPN US$ 74.90
Rise of the Argonauts ASIA US$ 49.90
Warriors Orochi 2 ASIA US$ 54.90

PlayStation3™
Armored Core: For Answer (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Gundam Musou 2 ASIA US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 78.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 149.90
Lego Batman JPN US$ 64.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 69.90
Rise of the Argonauts ASIA US$ 59.90
Sonic Unleashed ASIA US$ 49.90
The Godfather: The Don's Edition (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
USB AC Adaptor JPN US$ 34.90
Wireless Keypad JPN US$ 59.90

Nintendo Wii™
Bleach: Versus Crusade JPN US$ 69.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Furu Furu Party JPN US$ 59.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Furu Furu Party (Bundle w/ Mat) JPN US$ 89.90
Disney TH!NK: Haya Oshi Quiz JPN US$ 44.90
Elebits (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Exar Stick JPN US$ 69.90
Karaoke Joysound Wii JPN US$ 64.90
Karaoke Joysound Wii USB Microphone JPN US$ 34.90
Let's Tap JPN US$ 54.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 59.90
Sonic World Adventure JPN US$ 59.90
Swing Golf Pangya 2nd Shot! (Tecmo the Best) JPN US$ 34.90

PlayStation2™
ADK Tamashii JPN US$ 54.90
EA Sports Rugby 08 (EA:SY! 1980) JPN US$ 24.90
FIFA Soccer 09 JPN US$ 59.90
Fate/Unlimited Codes JPN US$ 68.90
Fate/Unlimited Codes [SP Box] JPN US$ 119.90
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 139.90
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series Vol. 13: Neon Genesis Evangelion - Yakusoku no Toki JPN US$ 54.90
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni (Russel Game Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Kagero 2: Dark Illusion (PlayStation2 the Best Reprint) JPN US$ 24.90
Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle (Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Need for Speed Undercover ...

Welcome to this week's Games Update, our weekly summary featuring all new product arrivals from the last seven days.

The Big day has come. Dissidia Final Fantasy has come along with the tsunami of wonderfully addictive Japanese games. For information on the fighting party between the generations of Final Fantasy heroes, please see this special news. And for the rest of the goodies, read on!

Borrowing heavily from mythical elements throughout the world, combined with a challenging battle system as well as beautiful character designs, the Persona or Shin Megami Tensei series has recieved an immense rise in popularity in the recent years.

Translated, localized and released this week is the US version of Persona 4. Taking place in rural Japan, the game transforms Shintoist gods such as Izanagi and Susanao into your Persona. Coming with an Art Book and Original Soundtrack CD, immerse in the dazzling murder mystery of Persona 4.

Besides Persona 4, a number of highly popular Japanese games came out in these 7 days, as mentioned in the preview last week. Christmas is a time for parties and the DJ game Beatmania IIDX 15 DJ Troopers is one of them.

Instead of the glamour in the last installment, the theme of this game is battle. Blast on the notes and cues as they fall from the sky like an air raid and train your reflexes as well as your sense of rhythm.

Bleach Versus Crusade tests your sense of timing like the DJ game as it is essential when you launch your strings of combos. Fighting back to back, you can take on anyone, including the strongest hollows in the Arrancur arc.

Fate Unlimited Codes combines the speed factor of 2D fighters with 3D graphics. The fight for the holy grail is getting more intense than ever, the full force of the servants as well as their masters are unleashed in this installment.

Saber has a costume change, instead of the blue uniform she wears in the anime, she wears a lily white armored dress that shows off her patrician grace. The people who buy the SP Box version will even recieve an action figure of the servant in said dress.

With the same emphasis on chivalry as Saber is Tales of Hearts. Rescue people's hearts and dreams by defeating the contamination with the endearing cast of characters. With an Anime Movie Edition and a CG version, players have the choice of seeing the characters in "real-life" graphics and traditional 2D animations.

Also on the Nintendo DS is the party RPG Gensou Suikoden Tierkreis. With a 108 characters you can enlist into your guild, this game boasts a cast of colorful character designs. Rescue the world from the ambitions of the One King through team work.

Gundam Musou 2, the second installment to the hack and slash mecha action is available for gamers to enjoy. There are whole galores of Gundams waiting to be selected and drive into the all-out action. Besides famous mechas that appeared in the series, original Gundams specially designed for the game also shows up.

ADK has achieved a cult status in the gamers community for their products are usually extremely unique. Although not as well known as some other developers, some gamers call this team the "legendary brand". Selecting 5 games which are most representative of the developers' style, SNK compiled them into the ADK Tamashii.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a quick preview of what is expected to be hot next week.

Xbox360™
Fable II JPN US$ 68.90
Fable II [First Print Limited Edition] JPN N/A
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 78.90
Gundam Musou 2 ASIA US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 149.90
Lego Batman JPN US$ 64.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 69.90
Prince of Persia JPN US$ 74.90
Rise of the Argonauts ASIA US$ 49.90
Warriors Orochi 2 ASIA US$ 54.90

PlayStation3™
Armored Core: For Answer (PlayStation3 the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Gundam Musou 2 ASIA US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 78.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 149.90
Lego Batman JPN US$ 64.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 69.90
Rise of the Argonauts ASIA US$ 59.90
Sonic Unleashed ASIA US$ 49.90
The Godfather: The Don's Edition (EA Best Hits) JPN US$ 34.90
USB AC Adaptor JPN US$ 34.90
Wireless Keypad JPN US$ 59.90

Nintendo Wii™
Bleach: Versus Crusade JPN US$ 69.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Furu Furu Party JPN US$ 59.90
Dance Dance Revolution: Furu Furu Party (Bundle w/ Mat) JPN US$ 89.90
Disney TH!NK: Haya Oshi Quiz JPN US$ 44.90
Elebits (Konami the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Exar Stick JPN US$ 69.90
Karaoke Joysound Wii JPN US$ 64.90
Karaoke Joysound Wii USB Microphone JPN US$ 34.90
Let's Tap JPN US$ 54.90
Need for Speed Undercover JPN US$ 59.90
Sonic World Adventure JPN US$ 59.90
Swing Golf Pangya 2nd Shot! (Tecmo the Best) JPN US$ 34.90

PlayStation2™
ADK Tamashii JPN US$ 54.90
EA Sports Rugby 08 (EA:SY! 1980) JPN US$ 24.90
FIFA Soccer 09 JPN US$ 59.90
Fate/Unlimited Codes JPN US$ 68.90
Fate/Unlimited Codes [SP Box] JPN US$ 119.90
Gundam Musou 2 JPN US$ 69.90
Gundam Musou 2 [Treasure Box] JPN US$ 139.90
Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series Vol. 13: Neon Genesis Evangelion - Yakusoku no Toki JPN US$ 54.90
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni (Russel Game Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Kagero 2: Dark Illusion (PlayStation2 the Best Reprint) JPN US$ 24.90
Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn! Dream Hyper Battle (Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Need for Speed Undercover ...

Defense attorneys for 17-year-old Daniel Petric, who stands accused of killing his mother and shooting his father in the head, argued yesterday that the teen's video game addiction directly led to the incident.

In order to support Petric's insanity plea, his lawyers spent Tuesday building up his video game addiction, with his sister testifying that he became addicting following being housebound due to a staph infection following a serious skiing accident. Another character witness, Daniel's 17-year-old friend Jonathan Johnson, explained that Petric was so obsessed with the Halo games that he would spend large amounts of time at Johnson's house playing them. One marathon session took place a week before the shooting, during a time when Petric's father had kicked him out of the house over an argument following the fight.

In effect it was a rather weak defense. Not only did it show no direct correlation between playing the game and shooting his parents, it served to stress the fact that the relationship between Petric and his father had been stressed before the shooting occurred. Furthermore, when Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Tony Cillo cross-examined Johnson, asking him if he believed Halo 3 was the reason Petric shot his parents, the teen answered, "No."

It was also revealed that Daniel Petric told adolescent forensic psychologist Steven Neuhas during a pre-trial mental health evaluation that he had thought about killing his parents during the weeks leading up to the crime. Between that and his attempt to make the crime scene look like a murder-suicide between his parents, I very much doubt the insanity plea is going to hold any water.

With Daniel having waived the right to a trial by jury, it is now up to County Common Pleas Judge James Burge to render a verdict, which will be announced on January 7th.

http://kotaku.com/5112289/halo-3-sho...game-addiction ...