E3 2009: Nintendo Stealthily Sort of Announces Monado and Glory of Hercules

Nintendo devoted a notable section of their E3 press conference to RPGs coming out on their platforms, which is a move I fully approve of. However, other than what they showed off on the big screen, it seems that the Big N has a few more original RPGs up their sleeve.

The first is an ARPG for the Wii tentatively called Monado: Beginning of the World. Details are almost non-existant at this time as this is the first time we've even heard of the game, and Nintendo has released nothing more than a first look trailer (which you can, and should, watch below).



Fans have speculated (probably accurately) that the game is being developed by the now-owned-by-Nintendo Monolith (of Xenosaga fame, or more recently Soma Bringer). The game has no official release date, but is expected to hit sometime in 2010.

My interest is certainly piqued. Keep me informed, Nintendo.

Next up is a sort of obscure localization choice for the Nintendo DS called Glory of Hercules (the article's header is for this game), which is a JRPG take on classic Greek mythology. Developed by Paon (who are really only known for this series), Glory of Hercules is actually a modern follow-up to several early SNES Dragon Quest-ish RPGs set in ancient Greece. It was released last year in Japan as Hercules no Eikou: Tamashii no Shoumei (lit. Glory of Hercules: Proof of the Soul).

Like Monado, the game was sort of snuck onto the floor by Nintendo with some new media, but no word on a solid release date or any real info. Curious.

I truly applaud Nintendo for its RPG showing this year. They certainly have Microsoft and Sony beat on that front (which is a rare, though welcome change for them). However, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, if games like this are coming over, why not their other RPGs? Puzzling. :/

We'll keep both Monado: Beginning of the World and Glory of Hercules on our radar and let you know when we have some more info.