News from Play Asia of all the releases this week from the import store.

As usually, here's a summary of all new releases from this week, followed by a preview of next week's hits.


Xbox360™:
BioShock ASIA US$ 49.90
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII ASIA US$ 49.90
HORI Fighting Stick EX2: Virtua Fighter 5 Limited Edition US US$ 79.90
Medal of Honor: Airborne US US$ 59.90
Musou Orochi ASIA US$ 59.90
Musou Orochi JPN US$ 64.90
Stranglehold US US$ 59.90
Stranglehold [Collector's Edition] US US$ 72.90

PlayStation3™:
Madden NFL 08 ASIA US$ 49.90
Megazone 23: Aoi Garland JPN US$ 64.90
Megazone 23: Aoi Garland [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 ASIA US$ 49.90

Nintendo Wii™:
Datel Wireless Sensor Bar US$ 19.90
SSX Blur JPN US$ 59.90

Xbox™:
Halo History Pack (Platinum Collection) JPN US$ 29.90

PlayStation2™:
Happiness! Deluxe (Best Collection) JPN US$ 34.90
Jissen Pachinko Hisshouhou! CR Sakura Taisen JPN US$ 49.90
Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles 2 US US$ 49.90
Sengoku Basara (Best Price) JPN US$ 19.90
Shikaku Tantei: Sora no Sekai - Thousand Dreams JPN US$ 49.90

Nintendo DS™:
Biz Nouryoku DS Series: Wagokoro no Moto JPN US$ 48.90
Eiken DS Training JPN US$ 39.90
Gakken DS: Shin Toeic Test Kanzen Kouryoku JPN US$ 39.90
I Love Dolphin JPN US$ 39.90
Mahjong Haoh DS: Dankyuu Battle JPN US$ 48.90
Mainichi Suteki! Hello Kitty no Life Kit JPN US$ 29.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (lime) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (mint) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (mocha) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (orange) US$ 19.90
Pocket Book DS Lite (strawberry) US$ 19.90
Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Toki no Tankentai JPN US$ 48.90
Pokemon Fushigi no Dungeon: Yami no Tankentai JPN US$ 48.90
SimCity DS KOR US$ 49.90
Worms: Open Warfare 2 US US$ 34.90

Sony PSP™:
Capcom Classics Collection (Best Price) JPN US$ 24.90
Coded Arms Contagion (English language Version) ASIA US$ 29.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII JPN US$ 58.90
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII ASIA US$ 49.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum JPN US$ 48.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum ASIA US$ 39.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum Accessories Set JPN N/A
Fate/Tiger Colosseum [Limited Edition] JPN US$ 89.90
Fate/Tiger Colosseum [Limited Edition] ASIA US$ 69.90
Fish Eyes Portable (Best Collection) JPN US$ 29.90
Liquid Crystal Filter Portable JPN US$ 5.99
PSP PlayStation Portable AV Cable JPN US$ 24.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Component AV Cable JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable D-Terminal Cable JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Headphone with remote control (white) JPN US$ 29.90
PSP PlayStation Portable S-Video Cable JPN US$ 24.90
PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Bundle JPN US$ 399.90
Slide Case Portable 3 Colors US$ 4.99
USB Cable Portable JPN US$ 5.99
Worms: Open Warfare 2 US US$ 34.90

PC Games:
Football Manager 2007 (Japanese revised price Edition) JPN US$ 39.90
Kaseki Play JPN US$ 39.90
Two Worlds US US$ 49.90

Guide Books:
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 24.90
Warhawk Official Strategy Guide US US$ 17.90
Wild Arms 5: Prima Official Game Guide US US$ 19.90

Toys & More:
Berserk Figure: Judeau Hawk Soldier JPN US$ 8.90
Bomberman Phone Strap Gashapon JPN US$ 2.49
C3xHobby 1/7 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure: Hobby Angel JPN US$ 83.90
Dancing Girl 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Nile (Limited Edition) JPN US$ 98.90
Fullani Princess 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure JPN N/A
Mario Kart DS Racing Collection EX JPN US$ 2.90
Mon-Sieur Bome Collection Vol.25: Positive Penguin Life - Mitsumi Misatos Lucia JPN US$ 44.90
Naruto Shippuuden Collection Candy Toy Part 2 JPN N/A
Nohohon Broccoli Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Carrot Orange Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Tomato Red Type US$ 9.90
Nohohon Turnip White Type US$ 9.90
Queen's Blade 1/6 Scale Painted Resin and Cold Cast Statue Figure - Menace JPN US$ 204.90
Range Murata PSE Solid Painted Figure: 02 Trinode JPN US$ 9.90
Resident Evil 2nd Anniversary Edition 7" Action Figure: Labcoat Zombie US US$ 19.90
Serial Experiments Lain 1/8 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Lain JPN US$ 19.90
Shining Tears: Blanc Neige 1/8 Scale JPN US$ 52.90
Solty Rei 1/20 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Rose and Bike (Black Version) JPN US$ 14.90
Solty Rei 1/20 Scale Painted PVC Figure - Rose and Bike (Blue Version) JPN US$ 14.90
Street Fighter 1/4 Scale Polystone Mixed Media Statue: Akuma (with autographed poster) US US$ 249.90
USB Stress Button US$ 11.90
Water Game DS Lite Candy Toy JPN US$ 4.90

Video Game Soundtracks:
Shooting Love 2007 JPN US$ 29.90
VitaminX ...

via IGN


There was a time that console owners looked forward to home ports of Ridge Racer arcade games. Now, the reverse is true. Bandai Namco is taking a home-based Ridge Racer game and turning it into an arcade attraction.

Ridge Racer 7 is being reborn as Ridge Racer 7 3D Version. The arcade attraction makes use of a special television that uses filters to make the images come out at players. You have to wear special glasses to see the effect, although different from classic 3D glasses, these look like standard single-colored shades. For bystanders, the game screen looks blurry, like two slightly displaced images overlain.

Technologically, the game makes use of a technique called Xpol. Developed in conjunction with NHK Technical Service, this technology promises 3D visuals without player fatigue. The technology works at 1080p and 60 frames per second.

Japanese site Impress Watch was on hand at a location test of the game at the Namco Wonder Park amusement center in Kanagawa Prefecture, just to the south of Tokyo. According to the site, the visuals produced by the game really do offer a 3D feel. HUD readouts, including your speedometer and positional information, appear to be right in front of the player, with the course appearing beyond.

Surprisingly, the PS3 version of the game was converted to the new 3D format in just one week. To make the 3D effect, the game moves the standard viewpoint a bit to the left or to the right, alternating with each frame. The only trade off, apparently, is that the game's framerate appears lower.

It's unclear if Bandai Namco will be giving this attraction a full arcade release. But there will be other chances to get a glimpse, at least if you're in Japan. Following the location test, the company plans on showing the game off at the CEATEC Japan event in early October, then at the Asiagraph shortly after that. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Reports on the Xbox Box forums this week indicated that Xbox Live users were being targeted in a security scam by phishers, criminals who attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information from individuals such as usernames, passwords and credit card details.

Microsoft has confirmed the validity of these reports, telling Next-Gen that it has "taken action to help protect our subscribers' accounts".

A number of Xbox Live users have been receiving emails, supposedly from Xbox Support, informing them that Microsoft has made changes to all Xbox Live accounts. The emails redirect users to a replication of Microsoft's Passport login page where they are asked to enter sensitive information which can be hijacked by phishers.

According to Microsoft, it is all over this security threat. It says it is retraining staff on the ins and outs of phishing, will reimburse any users that have had their accounts tampered with, and has offered some advice to Xbox Live users.

In an email to Next-Gen the platform holder said:

...

via Engadget




Sure, you love your Nintendo DS. It's light, it fits in your pocket, and you can play it wherever you go, whenever you want... right? Well, wouldn't it be a little cooler if it were super-huge and you had to push two full-size kitchen tables together just to put it down somewhere? Okay, maybe we're exaggerating a little bit, but still, this mod from some DS enthusiasts is a huge -- literally and figuratively. Using two tablet PCs and some type of interface which allows the game system to be controlled by / displayed on the larger screens, these DS fans have created the ultimate antithesis to the original system -- for no apparent reason other than the fact that they could. Check the video after the break to see the madness in action.



Video of the mod in action here ...

via Computer and Video Games


EA has told CVG that the European demo of FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 will hit Xbox Live Marketplace tonight at 9pm(GMT).

It's been reported that the demo's already available in the US and that there's been a slight delay to the European arrival of FIFA 08 on 360. Not to worry though, we should get it later on tonight if all goes well.

"Please note that the FIFA 08 demo will be going live today on Xbox Marketplace at 9:00pm GMT," an EA spokeswoman told us.

We're already being hammered about the PS3 version and we've been told: "The PS3 version will also go live today." Update: Readers are saying it's live on PSN right now. Go see.

You can read up on the game in our most recent interview with producer Joe Booth here while you wait.


Screenshots here ...

via Eurogamer


Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata has said the key to attracting fresh gaming audiences is to surprise them with new entertainment ideas, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

He was wording-off about how Nintendo could "do the easy" by making great games and sequels, but said that wouldn't necessarily mean reaching new customers.


But Iwata held his hands up in honesty and admitted that if the Wii and DS hadn't been as succesful as they are, he would probably seek safety in sequels for easier money.


While talking about the world of sequels, the Nintendo boss said simply adding polish and a few new features wasn't the way to deliver new entertainment experiences.

"If you start making such decisions without thinking, you start doing the easy stuff. You disengage yourself with the pursuit of true entertainment," he said.

The Financial Times recently published a report stating that the Nintendo Wii was this generation's best selling console, despite the Xbox 360 having a one year head start. ...

via Eurogamer


Listings for Eternal Sonata on PS3 and Beautiful Katamari on Wii and PS3 have been removed from the Namco Bandai America website. Once again, both are now Xbox 360 exclusives.

The offending words were posted up earlier this week, listing all new versions of the games with "TBA" dates.

Namco Bandai has been cagey in the past about confirming that all of its Katamari eggs were in Microsoft's basket, having originally announced Beautiful as a multi-platform title.

The game later emerged as a Live Arcade exclusive thanks to lethargic sales of the PS3, although rumours it would appear on Wii remained constant. We expect the relative size and resource requirements of the game would make it relatively straight forward to port.

Eternal Sonata, too, has been mentioned on PS3 before now. Back in April the ESRB website produced a listing for the game on Sony's console, but all parties involved shut-up shop and refused to comment at the time.

Namco Bandai Europe was unable to comment on the US website happenings this morning, unfortunately, so we'll have to wait until that side of the world wakes up for comment.

Both games are awaited with huge anticipation. Pop over to our Eternal Sonata and Beautiful Katamari gamepages to find out more. ...

via Eurogamer


SEGA has confirmed to Eurogamer that Yakuza 3 is in development for PS3.

It's due for a Spring release next year in Japan, but is currently unconfirmed for Europe.

Details on the new offering are still scarce, but we expect to be plunged once more into the criminal underbelly of Japan to explore, investigate and fight our way to victory and respect.

Yakuza is an action adventure series about the gangster movement of the same name, featuring lots of tattoos and fancy samurai swords. The first game on PS2 reviewed very positively here, but unfortunately failed to drum-up significant sales figures. This lead to the sequel being a Japan-only release.

While the PS3 version isn't an impossibility for Europe, it would have to undergo lengthy translation work, and probably wouldn't appear here until much later. ...

via Eurogamer


Football Manager 2008 Handheld is heading to the PSP this Christmas, SEGA has announced.

The biggest changes in the line-up this time around are a new look and scrubbed-up navigation system, as well as a better match engine to cut down on waiting times. Hooray.

You'll also be able to customise your secret, winning tactics and share them with your friends. Or so they hope. On top of that will be various nips and tucks, plus all the right data corresponding to what's going on in the football world at the moment.


Football Manager Handheld 2007 was considered by many to be the best in its genre for the PSP. ...