via GamersHell

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. has released the first trailer and new screenshots from .hack//G.U. Vol. 3: Redemption, the third installment in the .hack trilogy which will hit the store shelves in Fall 2007, exclusively for PS2. In .hack//G.U. Vol. 3: Redemption, players can utilize an enhanced battle system in which both Haseo and his Avatar Skeith will evolve into new forms to utilize more powerful attacks. Haseo can also obtain a new Awakening mode to deliver extreme damage to enemies. Having so much more power isn't fun if you can't share it! Players can now choose from 22 unique characters to join Haseo's party, explore two new towns, and conquer two new dungeons. ...

via CB

I’m thoroughly surprised at Yukes progress with SD vs Raw 2K8 for the PS2. I know that was one of the flagship exclusives that helped propel the PS2's success beyond the competition, but looking at it now – even in comparison to the PS3 and Xbox 360 – Yuke’s masterful visual representation of Smackdown Vs Raw 2008 on the PS2 is just amazing. Just check out the screenshots for yourself.

I nearly forgot about Triple H, given his injury and all (e.g., I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing now that he’s almost ready to return to active ring duty) but one look at THQ’s latest screenshot release of SD vs Raw 2K8, and it was quickly apparent who I was looking at. The detail on this game for the PS2 is just impeccable. Well, in comparison to other PS2 games, that is. Also, we’ve come to expect the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to have break-neck, eye-busting graphics. But when a PS2 title looks nice, that’s when you break out the champagne.

You can check out the screenshots below of Smackdown vs Raw 2008 for the PlayStation 2. I’m sure THQ will eventually release some more screens for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version as well. Also, be sure to drop back in with our E3 Master-Guide and Coverage Center for the latest in game news and information. ...

via TVG

Sega revealed overnight that Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Ecco the Dolphin and Streets of Rage 2 will all be available on Xbox Live Arcade shortly. This will be in addition to Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog, which Microsoft released on XBLA yesterday.

"Titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Ecco the Dolphin, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Golden Axe were ground-breaking in their day," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, Sega of America. "Now with their debut on Xbox Live Arcade, gamers can enjoy these classics with all new HD-enhanced graphics and online features."

Gamers will have to part with 400 Microsoft points to purchase these classics, which is a snip at £3.40. All five of the games are already available on Wii Virtual Console although at 800 Wii points, it converts at a couple of pounds more expensive (£5.36) than on XBLA.

Streets of Rage 2, Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will all be available as multiplayer games on XBLA. All five games will feature revamped graphics, as well as achievement points and online leader boards on Xbox Live. ...

via Kotaku



If anime The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya gets a PS2 game, it would be a dame shame if anime Lucky Star didn't. Fret not! This November, Lucky Star *is* getting a PlayStation 2 title. Players will take on the role of a new, original character, and the title is apparently an "adventure game." Doubt it'll live up to the anime's opener. Heck, the anime doesn't even live up to it!

And yes, hit the jump for the Lucky Star opening. ...

New update of the Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, Linux, MAC.

Changelog:

spu:
- big endian fixes. [cyberwarriorx]
gpu:
- big endian fixes. [marcus_c]
gtk-glade:
- opengl improvements. [masscat]
general:
- Added support for setting NDS firmware language value. [masscat]
- Function added for setting firmware language. [masscat]
- Mac/msys compilation fixes. [cyberwarriorx]
- Fix compilation when pkg-config macros are not available ...

via IGN

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today a diverse lineup for the E3 Media & Business Summit that contains the latest entries from its celebrated Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy franchises, as well as the resurgence of beloved classics that have helped define the legacy of one of gaming's most innovative companies. Additionally, Square Enix, Inc. announced that Front Mission, the origin of the renowned mech strategy saga, is currently in development for North American audiences and will be playable for the first time in English.

On display at the Barker Hangar at booth #113 from July 11 - 13, the following titles will have playable kiosks: DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker, FINAL FANTASY II,
FINAL FANTASY XII: REVENANT WINGS, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS, FRONT MISSION and HEROES of MANA. Featuring six playable titles, Square Enix is delivering a wealth of deep and engaging experiences for the Nintendo DS and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system to all of this year's attendees.



E3 2007 Lineup

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
ESRB Rating: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: November 6, 2007

DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker is the latest installment in the venerable RPG franchise, developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS and arriving in North America on November 6, 2007. Scout, train and synthesize a colorful array of over 200 classic
DRAGON QUEST monsters as you compete in the Monster Scout Challenge. Already achieving sales of more than 1 million units in Japan, DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker is a breakout title that combines the depth of a classic DRAGON QUEST RPG with the addictiveness of a monster-catching adventure.

DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
Platform: Wii
Genre: "Virtual Experience" RPG
ESRB Rating: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: TBA

Developed from the ground up to take advantage of the Wii and its motion-sensing technology, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is set to slice its way onto Nintendo's next-generation platform. This exclusive title utilizes the Wii's motion-sensing controls as players use the Wii Remote to slash, parry and blast their way through a land filled with trademark DRAGON QUEST foes. Developed with both longtime fans and casual players in mind, DRAGON QUEST SWORDS:
The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors is poised to take video gaming to an entirely new level of fun and interaction.

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Action-RPG
ESRB Rating: Not Yet Rated
Release Date: Spring 2008

Few titles epitomize the very essence of multiplayer camaraderie like the FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES series. Released in 2004 as an innovative title that took advantage of the Nintendo GameCube-to-Game Boy Advance connectivity,
FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES bred an entirely new gameplay experience that expanded the horizons of conventional RPG gaming. Primed for a release on the
Nintendo DS, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: Ring of Fates is poised to continue this tradition by providing fans with two distinctly unique games: a fully fleshed single-player RPG experience and an addictive multiplayer element for up to four players.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS
Platform: PSP system
Genre: Tactical RPG
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 9, 2007

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS is a portable update to 1997's turn-based strategy game FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - an undisputed classic that gave birth to the world of Ivalice. In this first title of the IVALICE ALLIANCE, players take center stage as the events of an epic conflict threaten to destroy the lands and peoples of Ivalice - the same world featured in such classic titles as FINAL FANTASY XII and FINAL FANTASY TACTICS ADVANCE. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS features
PSP system-exclusive content such as stunning CG sequences, powerful new jobs, a widescreen presentation, head-to-head multiplayer, new storyline elements, and an all-new English translation. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: THE WAR OF THE LIONS will be released simultaneously in North American and European territories.

FINAL FANTASY II
Platform: PSP System
Genre: RPG
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: July 24, 2007

Originally released in 1987 in Japan, FINAL FANTASY was hailed by gamers and critics alike as one of the first RPGs to create a fantasy world that captured the imagination of players around the globe. Now its sequel, FINAL FANTASY II, ...

via Gaming Bits

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) just announced its new Playstation 3 price point and 80GB model. Along with the announcement came the system specs for the 80 GB ($499) and 60 GB PS3 ($499). The specs were the same, except for the HDD size of course.

In addition to the specs came a footer on the PS2 backwards compatibility on the PS3: "*Backwards Compatibility-- Some PlayStation 2 or PlayStation format software titles may perform differently on this system than they do on PlayStation 2 or PlayStation systems, or may not perform properly on this system."

We weren't sure if the footer meant that the PS3's Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer hardware was removed from both 60 GB and 80 GB PS3 models, so we contacted SCEA for clarification.

"The current 60 GB model utilizes a hardware and solution for backwards compatibility, namely the Emotion Engine chip. The new 80 GB PS3 will use a software solution for backwards compatibility, similar to that currently found in the PAL model," said Kimberly Otzman, SCEA Corporate Communications Representative.

So the 80 GB PS3 release will be the first NTSC PS3 to use a software engine for PS2 backwards compatibility. Will this mean PS3 80 GB owners will have to download updates to play their PS2 games on the PS3, as Microsoft has done with its Xbox 360 Backwards compatibility list? Most likely, but the PAL PS3 has has a head start in using the PS2 software engine since the initial PS3 release. A listing of PSone and PS2 backwards compatible games on PAL PS3s can be seen here.

An official US Playstation 2 Backwards Compatibility list has not been specified, but we'll post an update once it is announced. ...

via IGN

Another one of those 2D Naomi fighters is making the move from arcades to the PS2, only this time Arc System Works isn't involved. AQ Interactive will be publishing the PS2 version of Arcana Hearts, a fighter from Ecole Software that hits arcades back in December of 2006.

The big draw for this game is its female cast, which includes girls clad in schoolgirl outfits, swimwear, maid outfits, and even priestesses! While the PS2 version doesn't appear to have new characters, fans will be able to enjoy the current cast better than ever through a gallery mode that features original character illustrations. And if that isn't enough seed for your imagination, you'll be able to enjoy fully voiced performances by all the girls in the game's story mode.

Gameplay seems to be fittingly flashy. Fights take place on a battle field that spans three screens high, allowing for fantastic aerial attacks. When heading out to battle, in addition to choosing a single warrior, you select an "Arcana" helper spirit, who adds to your attacks and defense.

If you were into the arcade version (don't be shy now!), it should please you to learn that Ecole is including two versions of the game, the original version and the current version, Arcana Heart Full!, which fixes game balance. The game will let you pair the old version of a character with the new version for a fight to determine just how good Ecole's balance tweakers are.

This latest arcade to PS2 fighter hits Japan on 10/11. It will likely stay overseas, so interested parties should import. ...

via Pro-G

It's been discovered that SEGA has filed a trademark for the name 'Primeval Hunt' with the US Patent Office. With no further details to go on this leaves plenty of room for imaginative game ideas.

The 'Primeval' part of the title suggests something featuring beasties from the earliest age in human evolution which, given the second part of the title, players will find themselves hunting. Given SEGA's light-gun heritage, perhaps a new arcade shooter is in development.

We might hear more at E3, but then again we might not. ...