The DS has lots of hit titles over in Japan, but none as big as Pokemon Diamond & Pearl. Nintendo announced today that the latest portable RPG entry in the series has sold a total of 5,000,000 units across its separate Diamond and Pearl versions. This feat comes less than three months following the 9/28 release.

As part of today's announcement, Nintendo stated that Diamond & Pearl are the best selling titles the Pokemon series as a whole has seen in Japan. We'll have to wait until some time next year to see if the success can be replicated internationally.

via ign ...

We announced earlier that Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection had hit the Japanese PlayStation Store earlier than anyone had expected. After a couple of hours of playing through the game, we're happy to report that this is easily the best surprise ever.

Based on the latest arcade version of the highly popular fighting series, Dark Resurrection for the PS3 delivers with a number of improvements, including high-res graphics and a new playable character in Jinpachi.

The graphics are definitely a notch above the arcade version. Even when not played in the supported 1080p resolution (eds note: stop going out with the housewives, Andrew, and you might be able to afford one of those fancy new Bravias), the difference is noticeable to anyone who has played the original material extensively. In addition to sharper textures, it also seems that the characters are a little bit bigger, but that may be our eyes playing tricks on us.

Of course, the high res graphics also makes things stand out more. It's easy to tell that this game is based off a last-gen title just from the amount of geometry being thrown around, and the simplicity of the textures compared to current gen games. Not that it's a huge problem, but don't expect this to stand up to newer titles that are just being released. After all, the original Tekken 5 was released to arcades about two years ago, with Dark Resurrection following in 2005.

The addition of Jinpachi is a nice little bonus though, although he doesn't look like his end game form at all. Rather, Namco used the model that's used during the cutscene before the boss fight. Jinpachi has a ton of awesome moves in his arsenal, and they're all searchable via the in-game command list. Included in the moves that are at Jinpachi's disposal are an uppercut reminiscent of the traditional Mishima Godfist, a swipe that bounces prone opponents off the ground and into the air, and a hit throw that pushes enemies back. The latter, thankfully, doesn't give Jinpachi any additional energy like it did when he was a boss.

There are only a few modes in the game; it's decidedly lackluster compared to the PSP version. There are the traditional Arcade and Versus modes, as well as a Ghost mode which allows you to fight Ghost A.I. of real fighters. We're assuming that you'll be able to download ghost characters in the future but that's not available right now.

There's also a Gallery option, where you can unlock illustrations and CG movies from the Tekken 5 series. Oddly enough, these goodies are not part of the game's 800+ megabyte initial download. After you've decided to purchase these items using Tekken money, the game contacts the server for the download. The CG movies, sadly, are not new, as they are directly from the PSP version of Dark Resurrection.

In addition to the new character and visual updates, the PS3 rev of Dark Resurrection has also streamlined things a lot, combining the character select screen and the item shop into one, so that you can equip and purchase your items after you have chosen your character. While this is similar to the US versions of Tekken 5, it's totally different from the Japanese versions.

Are there any other bonuses that have been included? Not really, but what can you expect from a $20 purchase? The game has been visually upgraded and looks leagues better than the arcade version, and it's arcade perfect as far as character balance goes. Although only those with Japanese credit cards can purchase the game, an international release shouldn't be too far away, since it's assumed that Namco wants this game out before Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 hits stores in February. Keep checking your local PlayStation Store, just in case Dark Resurrection makes a surprise appearance just like it did in Japan.

via ign ...

Shine has posted a new OpenGL Version of Lua Player for the PSP and PS3, heres the full details:


Download Here --> http://www.luaplayer.org/LuaPlayer-OpenGL-preview4.zip ...

Shine has posted a new OpenGL Version of Lua Player for the PSP and PS3, heres the full details:


Download Here --> http://www.luaplayer.org/LuaPlayer-OpenGL-preview4.zip ...

via chubigans

Microtransactions sounds like a dirty word, perhaps because we associate it with things like paying for content we had gotten for free before (I’m looking at you, Madden) or perhaps paying for outfits that adds virtually nothing to the gameplay (darn you Viva Pinata!).

But there is a bright side to microtransactions...and that’s the ones that you actually feel like paying for. The Co-op for Blast Factor coming in January is a good example...if that runs at a good price, I’m all for adding it to my game.

It seems devs are ready to add content to their games, but there’s a huge, major factor in deciding whether or not to create more levels or add-ons to a network game...and that’s obviously the performance of sales. Gripshift for the PS3 is set to get some neat add-ons in the future such as a track editor, and of course I’ve mentioned the Blast Factor expansion. Heck, Go Sudoku already has several packs available to buy online. But what about future and present games already on your hard drive?


One team, Team 17 to be precise, is ready to dish out more content for Lemmings PS3:

“We're dead chuffed with it...hopefully it'll be so successful we'll get to do some more level packs/additions for it!”

flOw, set to release in January, has some plans to evolve over time, or as IGN reported:

“Future updates are also supposed to include multiplayer or other modes, and ostensibly the game will continually be updated on a monthly basis.”

What does that mean exactly? Well, here’s what Kellee (president of thatgamescompany) said earlier this fall:

”At launch only localized multiplayer will be available, but I will say I think it is soooo much fun! I can't wait until we can execute an online multiplayer mode - if people respond well to the local version, I think we will have a good argument for Sony to do it.”

That was back in October, and seeing as how IGN reported the future update part in December...perhaps Sony was convinced. They did buy the company, after all.


It’ll be interesting to see how these games expand...it seems to be heading in a different direction than Xbox Live Arcade. Whether or not devs pull through and deliver is something that we’ll have to see for ourselves.

Like I said...it should be interesting. ...

Leaf is a software application that makes it easy for you to fully utilize your always-on broadband connection to your home network. Setup and installation is easy! -- download the latest version of Leaf 2006:

* Create your own private network with your friends
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* Play XBOX head-on-head with your friends no matter where they are.

http://www.leafnetworks.net/ ...

Random news-monger, Nearby Networks, claims that the PS3 was the most sought after item this holiday season by online shoppers. The near-meaningless press release goes on to put the Wii in the fourth place slot, just after the uber-coveted Nissan Maxima. Take that, Nintendo! And, of course, the Xbox 360 is bested by the mighty Subaru WRX... certainly this is more proof that superior Japanese engineering will always prevail against Microsoft. Here's the Top 10:

1. Sony PlayStation 3
2. TMX Tickle Me Elmo
3. Nissan Maxima
4. Nintendo Wii
5. Boondock Saints movie merchandise
6. Subaru WRX
7. Xbox 360
9. Apple iPods
9. Suzuki GSXR
10. Computers

What in the world is Boondock Saints?

via ps3fanboy ...

Previously available only in arcade and PSP formats, Namco Bandai's Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection has been released in Japan as a fully digitally distributed PS3 title over Sony's PlayStation Store.

Running at full HD (in up to 720p or 1080p) at a promised 60 frames per second, the new version of the 7th iteration in the long-running Tekken series makes boss character Jinpachi Mishima playable for the first time.

The Dark Resurrection download weighs in at 830MB, and is available for 2000 yen ($16.80) on Sony's Japan store, and $125HK ($16.07) on the Hong Kong store. The U.S. will likely see its own version of the game appearing stateside in due time, but no announcements have yet been made.

via gamasutra ...

via guidetohometheatre

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