News from Play Asia
Welcome to this week's Movie/Music news roundup, containing all new Japanese and Hong Kong Video and Music releases from this week listed at Play-Asia.com. Around 150 new items are covered in this week, including new J-Pop, Anime as well as Japanese, Hong Kong and Western movie releases and much more.

Here's a summary of all new releases that were published between Saturday, April 28th and Friday, May 4th. If some specific item that you are looking for is missing, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service with your request.

J-Pop Music releases (45)
ENKA Music releases (6)
Anime Soundtracks & Drama CDs (4)
Video Game Soundtracks (3)
Hong Kong Version Music releases (1)
Blu-Ray Disc Movies (0)
HD DVD Movies (0)
Hong Kong Version Movie releases (2)
Japanese Movies (14)
Non-Japanese Movies / Japanese Version (54)
Anime DVD releases (14)
J-Pop DVD releases (3)
ENKA DVD releases (0)
Idol DVD (5) ...

News from Play Asia

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

As a result of the Japanese Golden Week holiday this week there has been only very few new releases. We did however get a number of interesting Asian & US version games. Also we received a number of interesting new toys and figures.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week.


Nintendo DS™:

Classic Action: Devilish US US$ 24.90
DS Stand (light blue) US$ 15.90
Headphone DS Lite (black) US$ 9.90
Inner Ear Earphone DS Lite (black) US$ 12.90
Lite Slipon Punching (black) US$ 9.90
Lite Slipon Punching (white) US$ 9.90
Naruto DSLite Silicon Cover & Touch Pen (Black Version) US$ 16.90
Osawari Tantei: Osawa Rina (Good Price) JPN US$ 24.90
SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS US US$ 39.90
Touch Pen DS (green) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS (orange) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (light blue) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (pink) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen DS Max (white) US$ 5.99

Sony PSP™:

7 Wonders US US$ 24.90
Face Cover Portable (black) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (blue) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (pink) US$ 7.99
Face Cover Portable (white) US$ 7.99
Generation of Chaos: Aedis Eclipse US US$ 39.90
Lost Regnum: Makutsu no Koutei KOR US$ 49.90
MLB 07: The Show KOR US$ 49.90
Pocket Pool US US$ 34.90
The Cube US US$ 24.90
The Fast and the Furious US US$ 39.90

Xbox360™:

Guitar Hero II with Guitar ASIA N/A
Xbox 360 Faceplate (Forza Motorsport 2) US US$ 24.90
Xbox 360 Memory Unit (512MB) US US$ 49.90
Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit (Black) US US$ 24.90
Xbox 360 Wireless Controller (Black) US US$ 49.90
Xbox Live 12-Month Gold Card (Halo 3) US US$ 49.90

Nintendo™ Wii:

Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (gray) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (light blue) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Control Clear Wear Cover (white) US$ 9.90
Wii Remote Controller Silicon Cover (gray) JPN US$ 8.90
XCM V-Box US$ 59.90

PlayStation3™:

F.E.A.R. First Encounter Assault Recon US US$ 64.90
PC & Mac™:

Sakura Taisen 4 ASIA US$ 19.90
Sora No Kiseki - The Legend of Heroes VI ASIA US$ 24.90
Sora No Kiseki - The Legend of Heroes VI [Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 34.90

Toys & Misc:

Arcadia Magazine [June 2007] JPN US$ 12.90
Chaos Gate Jingai Makyo Kaze no Ushiro wo Ayumumono - Kazeko (1/10 Scale Painted PVC Figure) JPN N/A
Dragon Ball Mini Big Head Figure Collection JPN US$ 2.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [June 2007] JPN US$ 16.50
Fate/Hollow Ataraxia 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Rider (Swimsuit Version) JPN N/A
Fate/Stay Night Pre-painted PVC Action Figure - Saber JPN US$ 20.90
Figure Meister Air Gear Feat. Girls Trick Trading Figure JPN US$ 7.90
FineScenery Witchblade 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane JPN US$ 54.90
He is My Master 1/7 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Sawatari Izumi JPN US$ 59.90
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ Ultimania JPN US$ 25.90
Naruto Ninja Accessories Candy Toy - Strong Wind Transmission JPN US$ 4.49
Nohohon Anniversary (5 Million Sales Achievement Limited Color) N/A
PlayPal Portable Player US US$ 29.90
Sakigake!! Otokojuku Mini Big Head Figure Collection JPN US$ 3.49
Sakura Taisen 1/10 Scale Pre-Painted Heroine Figure Collection : Sakura Shinguji JPN US$ 39.90
Shakugan no Shana 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Shana (Noir Ver.) JPN US$ 50.90
Shining Tears 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Blanc Neige JPN US$ 54.90
Solid Works Collection DX Gunslinger Girl Figure Collection JPN US$ 7.99
Solid Works Super Robot Taisen Original Generation - 1/8 Scale Pre-painted Figure: Serena Recital JPN US$ 59.90
Super Mario Bros. Plush Doll Gum Candy Toy JPN US$ 3.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Yuki Nagato (Bunny Girl - Black Ver.) JPN US$ 61.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Yuki Nagato (Bunny Girl - White Ver.) JPN US$ 61.90
Sweet Dreams Shunya Yamashita Sakuhinshu 1/7scale PVC Figure - Rosanna JPN N/A
The Art of Shunya Yamashita 1/7 Scale Pre-Painted Figure: Mirei San JPN N/A
Witchblade 1/6 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane (Big Blade) JPN US$ 64.90
Witchblade 1/8 Scale Pre-Painted PVC Figure: Amaha Masane (Pain Clothes Ver.) JPN US$ 48.90

Video Game related Soundtracks:

Boku To Watashi No Renai Jijo - Miwaku No Miracle Ido JPN US$ 27.90
Elvandia Story Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 27.90
Kirakira Idol Rikachan Sunshine Live Tour JPN US$ 11.90
Persona 3 FES Original Soundtrack JPN US$ 18.90 ...

Microsoft® today announced it will be establishing a European office of Microsoft Game Studios (MGS). The European arm will focus on continuing and growing the success of MGS-published content in Europe and in building ever-deeper relationships with European development talent.

From 6th May, the European arm of MGS will be based in Reading, UK and headed up by Phil Spencer, General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. Reporting to Shane Kim, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Game Studios, Spencer will continue his role of running the MGS publishing business and working with studios from around the world, while building a European publishing team alongside Shannon Loftis (Director of European Production) and Todd Stevens (Director of Business Management). The European Publishing team will report into the worldwide publishing leadership team in Redmond, WA.

“Europe is obviously very important to our platform efforts and an area where have a strong history of working with some of the best game industry talent,” said Spencer. “We already have an established presence in the region with some of the world’s best development talent like Lionhead and Rare, and great publishing partners like Bizarre Creations, Real Time Worlds and Remedy. I’m very excited about what we’ve accomplished in Europe and I look forward to continuing and strengthening that success by building deeper relationships with the development community here.” ...

This week Wii owners can get in the ring with the MEGA DRIVE version of one of the best fighting games of all time. Virtual Console is graced by the ground-breaking Virtua Fighter™ 2 a game which helped evolve the fighting genre into the modern era when it launched in 1996. With nine fighters to master and a selection of devastating combos to perfect, up to two players can take the challenge to find out if they have what it takes to be the Second World Fighting Champion. Virtua Fighter 2 is available now for 800 Wii Points.

Also joining Virtual Console this week are two classic platform games originally for the SEGA MEGA DRIVE, both now available for 800 Wii Points. First up is the highly addictive Wonder Boy in Monster World™, which combines traditional platform action with RPG elements such as gathering clues from townspeople and upgrading weapons and armour. Next up is Alex Kidd In The Enchanted Castle™, an exciting platform title where players must solve puzzles and defeat enemies to save Alex’s kidnapped father. With eleven stages to enjoy and a unique ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ boss battle mechanic, this game is a classic for any retro fan.

Finally this week, Wii owners will get to enjoy the Turbografx action shooter Shockman. Players must progress through vast levels by choosing from multiple routes, battling the hordes of robotic adversaries which stand in their way and fighting impressive bosses. Co-operative elements such as “shared life” and a powerful “Team Shockbeam” are available in 2 player simultaneous play. Shockman is available now for 600 Wii Points.

These great games will join the list of 81 classic titles already available for the Virtual Console in Europe. Virtual Console titles are being enjoyed around the world and by the end of March 2007; approximately 3.3 million games had been downloaded globally. ...

360Zine includes an exclusive interview with UK Product Manager for Xbox Live on the video marketplace in Europe and the Spring Update, plus a new Xbox 360 community section, and previews of Mass Effect, Shadowrun and Half Life 2 Orange Box.

Issue 6 of 360Zine, the free Xbox 360 magazine, includes an interview with Robin Burrowes, Microsoft's UK Product Manager for Xbox Live. As well as going through the upcoming Spring Update for the Xbox 360, he also discusses bringing the video marketplace to Europe - "We hope to have some content that hits in 2007," he says, adding it is his personal mission to get the service launched in Europe.

It's not the only revelation in the issue, with SI Games MD, Miles Jacobson, hinting at an Xbox 360 version of the freshly announced Football Manager Live in a second exclusive interview.

The issue also includes previews of the hotly anticipated Xbox 360 games Half Life Orange Box, The Club, Mass Effect and Shadowrun, the first game that will allow Xbox 360 gamers to play online against PC gamers. "The cross-platform gaming capabilities that launch with Shadowrun are a lynchpin in Microsoft's gaming plans, hoping to leverage the install base of Windows while at the same time giving a boost to PC games, so Shadowrun is an important game for Microsoft" says Editorial Director, Dan Hutchinson.

As well as reviews of Command and Conquer 3, Guitar Hero and Meet the Robinsons, 360Zine issue 6 has a new look community section featuring Fansite of the Month, Clan of the Month, Xbox 360 online Tournament listings and more. "The Xbox 360 community online is great and we launched the Community section a few months ago to allow interaction between communities," says Publishing Director, Dave Taylor. "We invited feedback from our readers and Issue 6 incorporates all the popular suggestions, enabling the section to truly reflect the Xbox 360 community."

360Zine is a GamerZine, digital magazines for gamers, published in PDF format, and written by a team of professional games journalists from the UK. Readers simply require a copy of the free Adobe Reader (version 6 or above) to read the magazines..

360Zine can be downloaded now from: http://www.gamerzines.com/360zine/ ...

press release:

Now you can take to the court as one of tennis’s youngest and most promising superstars – Rafa Nadal. Currently ranked 2nd in the world, and winner of the 2006 French Open. Can you maintain his record of 60 games undefeated on clay, or even become a major force on grass? Guide him to the coveted number 1 world ranking spot, in the most exciting tennis game ever to be seen on mobile.

Features include:

Four different detailed court surfaces
Smooth animations featuring Rafael Nadal
Easy to pick up one button control system
Multiplayer mode for Bluetooth handsets
Realistic sounds effects
Text NADAL to 88188

Game costs only £5 ...

My XMB website is now done! View it: http://www.evolvexmb.co.nr/

Want to help out this site to become more popular? Well now you can, take a look at the following points and let me know if you can help me out:

- Sign up and make the community grow.

- If you post on other forums put a link to that site in your sig. This will not only help people find our site, it will also help EvolveXMB rank better in the search engines.

- Tell your friends.

- Post regularly in our forums/blog and give your suggestions.

If you have anymore ideas what can be done to help this site please post it here or PM me and I will update this thread.

Thanks and enjoy. My future projects will be released there and here at dcemu.
-------------------------------------------------------
Naka is the co-founder of the site... he is the host and life line of the site :thumbup: ...

Ed Wood appreciation weekend at The Moon Books Project

At The Moon Books Project we are holding an Ed Wood appreciation weekend. In honor of all the underdogs out there who follow their dreams, we have decided to spotlight a specific film maker. Ed Wood, for those of you who are unfamiliar is hailed as one of the worst film makers of all time. He kept on trying, and surprisingly releasing films and following his dreams.

So in honor of Ed Wood, The Moon Books Project has made three of his films available, for watching on the Nintendo DS. Two of these three are 'classics'. Glen or Glenda is a semi-autobiographical film, and Plan 9 From Outer Space holds the distinction of being called the worst film of all time, and has a huge following in the science-fiction genre.

So, head on over and enjoy the films!

http://www.moonbooks.net/moonbooks ...

via www.xmbproject.net

It seems work has began on an XMB replacement mod, by coder Festero . It will even support custom themes. (The Windows theme is pictured above)

XMB Project Beta 1a has been officially released.

This version is in Eboot form (doesn't need to be flashed)

Download and Give Feedback Via Comments ...