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�� 5-17-2003 01:51 MST jiji

[e3]

Some nice person has scanned the Metal Gear Solid 3/The Twin Snakes papercraft kit that was passed out at E3. If you print out these sheets on stiff paper, you can assemble your own paper Metal Gear Rex. Also, there are additional parts (without instructions) that can be used to construct a "classified" Metal Gear unit from MGS3: Snake Eater. I've put the scanned jpegs into a single zip file. Have fun!

�� MGS3 Papercraft (3.2MB)

�� 5-16-2003 18:17 MST jiji

[e3, cv]

Castlevania fans would be wise to check back to this particular thread on Tokyopia's message boards...

�� http://tokyopia.com/megabbs/thread-view.asp?threadid=449&posts=11

...as it has EVEN MORE yummy tidbits of info about IGA's intentions with the new PS2 game and possible directions the series might take depending on how LoI is received. It's also a good indicator of how on-board-with-SOTN CV fans might by and large receive the game. *snicker*

�� 5-16-2003 16:57 MST jiji

Gamespy have posted a short but sweet interview with Castlevania series composer Michiru Yamane.

�� http://www.gamespy.com/e32003/interview/ps2/1002443/

Sakimoto's her favorite video game composer. Word.

Also at Gamespy is an interesting interview with CyberConnect2 president Hiroshi Matsuyama and Daisuke Uchiyama of Bandai of Japan.

�� http://www.gamespy.com/e32003/interview/ps2/1002226/

Also also also, here's an interview with Castlevania's Koji IGArashi. r0x0r.

�� http://www.gamespy.com/e32003/interview/ps2/1002405/

I'm not too interested in Star Ocean 3, but tri-Ace are an interesting bunch. Here's an interview with Square-Enix's producer on SO3. Gamespy (and ferricide) GOGOGO

�� http://www.gamespy.com/e32003/interview/ps2/1002238/

�� 5-16-2003 16:07 MST jiji

[more e3!]

IGN sat down with SNK and gleaned from them all sorts of yummy information on future US releases by the company (yes, including Metal Slug 3 [and 4]). Go.

�� http://ps2.ign.com/articles/403/403421p1.html

�� 5-16-2003 15:44 MST jiji

[e3]

So I lied. There are a few things yet that I'd like to report here...

Gamespot have posted impressions of Gradius V and Cy Girls. While I'm at it, here are some impressions from E3 2002 of Beyond Good & Evil (a game that just recently grabbed my attention, and looks like it's definitely going to be something worth keeping track of). For current (that's E3 2003) impressions of the game, check IGN. IGN has also posted impressions of Magic Pengel: The Quest For Color (formerly known as Color Quest, and known in Japan as Rakugaki Kingdom). Straying further into Xbox territory, we have IGN's and Gamespot's impressions of Otogi.

In an entirely unsurprising development, Nintendo has announced that upon the Game Boy Player's release date, June 23, the GB Player can be had free with the purchase of a Gamecube ($149.99 total price). Whether they still plan to have the only color of GB Player available in the US be black remains to be seen.

And finally, Atlus has stated that they will announce by the end of the show (that's any minute now) the fate of Shin Megami Tensei III in the US. Hold your breath, folks - this game is excellent stuff (from an excellent series), and if Atlus brings the title out here, they will have a lifelong fan in me.

�� http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2003/1479.html

�� 5-16-2003 15:15 MST jiji

[gashapon]

E3 is winding down and there's not much more to report, so I thought I'd catch up on some recent Yujin gashapon (capsule toy) set releases.

Out this month is a collection of figures portraying female characters from various SNK games. These seem to be from the same molds as a previous SNL Gals release, only with '2P' color schemes. The characters featured are (clockwise from upper-left) Bonne Jenet and Hotaru Futaba from Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Athena (seen here in attire from the NES game of the same title), Yuki from Last Blade, Mai Shiranui from the King of Fighters and Fatal Fury series, and Akari Ichijou from Last Blade.

Out last month (April) is a set of figures from Capcom's Vampire (Darkstalkers) series. In this series is a female version of Aulbath (!), a likewise gender-changed version of Zabel Zarock (!!), Morrigan in some bondage-like gear, Morrigan again in some fairy-ish clothing, Bishamon, and a very lean-looking Victor.

Due for release in August is another set of Capcom characters, this one featuring women from their Street Fighter series in swimwear appropriate for the set's summer release. This set (concept art and sculpture shown) will include Sakura, Elena, Cammy, Juni and Juli, and Chun-Li.

These figures can be found at various reputable online toy shops or most easily on Ebay, especially from seller JACK ECCS.

�� 5-15-2003 17:26 MST jiji

[e3]

IGN have posted some interesting videos. First, they've got two gameplay videos of Cy Girls, here. Beware, though, as the videos are very dark and the sound is only present in the left speaker and is crackly.

Next, they've got two gameplay videos of Castlevania: LoI here. These show off some slightly-more-Castlevania-like whip-fighting and some bad camera angles. The game looks (and apparently plays) just a bit too close to Devil May Cry for my comfort right now.

Finally, they've posted a preview and screens of Bombastic, the US version of Xi GO, and a descendant of Devil Dice. You can find that here.

And according to Ray at Crunk Games, Metal Slug 3 for PS2 was playable at SNK's booth. That bodes very well for the game's future, both on that platform and and for an eventual US release.

Gamestop have hands-on impressions of Castlevania: LoI here. More detailed (and more favorable) impressions can be found at Insert Credit. Insert Credit also have impressions of Gradius V.

�� 5-14-2003 20:31 MST jiji

[e3]

For anybody who needed further confirmation of the US release of Fire Emblem: Sword of Flame (GBA), you can find it here with impressions and screenshots from GBA Central.

In further goodness from GBA Central, Destination Software have announced that they'll be publishing the GBA port of R-Type III: The Third Lightning. Excited? You should be.

�� http://www.dsigames.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=22

�� 5-14-2003 18:19 MST jiji

[e3]

Here are a few images from the upcoming SNK vs. Capcom Chaos. Credit for the screengrabs goes to nruva.

SNK vs. Capcom 1
SNK vs. Capcom 2
SNK vs. Capcom 3

More images can be seen here:

�� http://www.snk-capcom.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=300

Two videos of Metroid Zero Mission have been released. One depicts Samus running around what looks to be the first area (and other areas) of the first Metroid game, except Samus appears rather SD and gremlin-like (which is in sharp contrast to the first screenshots released). Samus also has a Symphony of the Night-esque trail that follows her when she jumps in that video. The second video has the same style as the released screenshots, yet depicts the same first area from Metroid 1. Samus is her normal self in this video, and is not followed by a trail when she jumps. The second video also displays some areas of the game not found in the first video. These areas make use of the wall-hang and the hang-to-ball transition, which were introduced in Metroid Fusion. This is all very confusing; hopefully clarification will come soon.

First video:
http://www.gamesarefun.com/cgi-bin/newspro/fullnews.cgi?newsid1052922425,79389,
Second video:
http://pocketmovies.ign.com/pocket/video/metroidzeromission_051403.mov

Gamespot has posted some goodies in video form: movies of Gradius V and Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. The former is pure gameplay, while the latter is more of a proper trailer, with gameplay and story footage.

�� http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/gradius5/media.html
�� http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/castlevaniatentativetitle/media.html

[non-e3]

Iridion 2 has been released, and is available at Toys R Us stores and Amazon for $14.99. Insert Credit have posted a very favorable review of the game.

�� 5-13-2003 23:32 MST jiji

[e3]

Atlus has gone wild. They've announced that they'll be bringing out three (sorta) new GBA games: an enhanced port of River City Ransom, a likewise enhanced version of the arcade version of Double Dragon, and Sega's Diabloeseque action-RPG Shining Soul. It's great to see those two Technos titles being readied for release, as it's a sure sign that the months-ago-purported return of Technos properties was no hoax. And while Shining Soul has received some pretty mediocre reviews and some rather negative player opinions, it's nice to see it finally reaching the US, as it was widely considered S.O.L. for a US release after THQ passed it over. And on the subject of the RCR port, some of the enhanced sprites made for the game can be seen here (thanks to Johnny Undaunted for the link).

�� 5-13-2003 20:43 MST jiji

[e3]

It's time. I'm not going to even try to report on all the big announcements, as there are a hundred other places where you can find those. In other words, this is business as usual for this site.

Some high-resolution screenshots of Gradius V have been released. The Treasure influence is showing very strongly in these; many of the models and weapons wouldn't look out of place in Ikaruga (aside from their color schemes, of course). IGN has the scoop.

A video and several new screenshots of the new Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (I lament that title) have been unleashed upon us, as well as some gameplay information. Here's a tidbit:

Once the game starts, players are faced with five doors -- each leading to a different area of the castle (the cathedral, theatre, garden, alchemist laboratory, and the dungeon). Once you've gone underway, over 35 different enemies will invade Leon's private space in addition to several sub bosses and of course, Dracula himself. Classic Castlevania weapons like the whip, holy water, dagger, cross, axe, and crystal have made the return as well, and seven orbs of power can be combined with 10 action relics to create powerful special attacks.

Some more information was posted on the Tokyopia forums. Other sources have said that the game plays very, very well and has a continuous camera, similar to ICO.

Said screenshots and video can be found here.

Cy Girls, the MGS2-engine-based action game based on the line of Takara/BBi action figures of the same name, is still on track after all. It was announced at E3 2002, along with some renders and screenshot mockups, after which nothing was heard of it again, until now. It's being developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, and while the new screenshots aren't quite as promising as what was shown a year ago, it could still turn out interesting.

The first screens of Metroid: Zero Mission have been unveiled, and the game is looking rather like either a remake or a 're-imagining' of the original Metroid. Either way, it should be a nice return to traditional Metroid goodness after the somewhat stifling linearity and structured story in Metroid Fusion (which was excellent nonetheless).

A vast sigh of relief has washed through the gaming community today, as Super Mario Advance 4 has been revealed to be a port of Super Mario Bros. 3 and not Yoshi's Story (as was previously rumored). Whether this news excites you should depend on a) whether you still own a NES or SNES, b) how much you like SMB3, and c) whether you can stand the voices Nintendo insists on adding to their GBA ports of SNES games. Screens are here.

Some screenshots of the DOA2 portion of Tecmo's Dead or Alive Online have been released, and they are definitely worth taking note of. It's interesting (and altogether appreciated) that while Tecmo left DOA1 untouched graphically, DOA2 is getting the graphical upgrade it deserves (not that the Dreamcast version has aged ungracefully. Good show.

And for impressions and information from somebody who's, y'know, actually AT THE SHOW, I suggest you take a look at Crunk Games' ongoing coverage.

[non-e3]

Gamers.com has posted a very enlightening interview with Kazuma Kujo, the head of Irem's development team. There's a lot of good discussion of R-Type and the shooting game genre in general, and it is recommended reading.

�� http://www.gamers.com/news/1372337/

�� 5-7-2003 13:54 MST jiji

[aria]

A third .wma file of arranged music from Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow has been posted in the downloads section of KCET's official site for the game. Also, a couple of new wallpapers are available, including one featuring the beautiful (my favorite among the Aria artwork) art from the US ads for the game.

�� http://www.konamityo.com/CV02/download/dl.html

�� 5-7-2003 13:47 MST jiji

[game]

The first really juicy pre-E3 tidbits are starting to leak out. Here are a few from Dorimaga, courtesy of QUITER:

Capcom is beginning planning for a new Street Fighter game to commemorate the series' 15th anniversary.
Atlus is working on a Princess Crown game. Whether it is a new game or a port, or which platform it's for, is unspecified. The original Princess Crown was a side-scrolling action/RPG for the Sega Saturn. While it didn't play quite as nicely as some of us might like, it is often (and rightfully so) held up as one of the foremost examples of beautiful 2D animation in console games.
Atlus are also working on a new Megami Tensei game.
Capcom is working on a beat-em-up along with Spike (of Fire Pro Wrestling and Samurai fame) and Dream Factory (who were responsible for the Tobal games, err..Ehrgeiz, and uh...The Bouncer).
Square stated that a project like FFVII-2 would require more staff than they have to spare, making such a project unrealistic currently.
From Software are working a new Armored Core (naturally).
Sega has no plans for new games in the Nights, Crazy Taxi, or Shenmue series.
Tecmo plan to release Dead or Alive Online (which will be a compliation of DOA1 and 2 with Xbox Live support) in the fall.

The latest issue of GamePro magazine and Peer Schneider of IGN have both stated that the latest GBA Fire Emblem game, Rekka no Ken, is on track for a US release and will be playable at E3. Since the last FE GBA game was announced for US release at the last E3 and never made it out here, one can't help but be wary of this development, but if it is true, it's a very, very good thing indeed. The US title of the game is said to be "Sword of Flame," which is a direct translation of the Japanese subtitle.

�� http://forums.gaming-age.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34014

Destination Software have announced that they'll be publishing an interesting-looking fantasy-themed action-platformer for GBA called "Kien." I'm not crazy about the character design, but the game looks like it could be pretty fun. Thanks to EAGB for the news.

�� http://www.dsigames.com/modules.php?name=DSI-Games-Kien

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Lufia: The Ruins of Lore (both for GBA) should be available in your neck of the woods today (provided you live in the US or Canada). AoS is, by all accounts, excellent, but perhaps a bit too short. The new Lufia looks promising and has some excellent music, but apparently is a bit too antiquated to be an instant classic.