E3 10: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Trailer for the Discerning RPG Fan

I know I shouldn't, but I can't help rolling my eyes every time a new Kingdom Hearts thing happens. I've tried to understand why these games are popular, but I simply can't figure it out. Sure, I love Disney characters and Final Fantasy characters as much as the next guy, but a world where Mickey Mouse is the epitome of badass is simply an idea I cannot get behind.

Regardless, Square Enix knows how to make money, and if selling you Mickey Mouse vs. Final Fantasy will do it, well they will pile it on. Cue Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep for the PSP, due out this fall for gullible, I mean discerning gamers everywhere.

Really, though, Kingdom Hearts is definitive proof of why Square, once my most favourite RPG developer, is now among my least favourites.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep will be available September 12, 2010 in North America and Europe.

E3 2009: Nintendo Announces Golden Sun DS, Shows Several RPGs

UPDATE: Trailers for Crystal Bearers, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and Golden Sun DS up. Still waiting on Bowser's Inside Story vid.

During Nintendo's E3 press conference this morning, the company showed off several RPGs for both their Wii and DS systems, both from Nintendo itself, as well as several from RPG giant Square Enix.

As the only representation for the Nintendo Wii, Square Enix's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers received some time in the spotlight, gaining a new trailer, but still silent on a release date. The game continues to look interesting, but may not appeal to fans of the older Crystal Chronicles, as it appears to be heavily story-driven.



Next, Nintendo gave us another look at Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS, the latest in Square Enix's Final Fantasy meets Disney crossover ARPG series. It is slated for a release in North America sometime this September, and will apparently feature the English version Hikaru Utada's song 'Passion,' known as 'Sanctuary' and used in KH2.


Nintendo then took some time to announce Mario & Luigi RPG 3 for North America, receiving a name-change to Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. M&L3 features classic 2D sprites with timed elements in battle. The story follows Mario, Luigi, and several other citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom as they get trapped inside Bowser's body. It will be reportedly available in North America and Europe sometime this fall.

Finally, Nintendo's big RPG announcement came that they would be resurrecting the GBA RPG franchise Golden Sun with lazily-named Golden Sun DS. It will feature full 3D graphics (think the Final Fantasy DS remakes) and a new story. Details are scarce at the moment, but it was announced that we will have the game sometime in 2010.



It should be noted that The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks was also mentioned, but no new footage nor a release date were given. It will apparently be playable on the show floor, so there is a good chance to see the game's release in the near future.

Overall, though Nintendo failed to show Microsoft up in terms of technology and innovation (plus the incredibly embarrassing pulse tracker peripheral), their selection of new game announcements was very impressive.

I personally would have liked to see the new Golden Sun get the Wii treatment over the DS, but I guess I'll take what I can get. Also, if Nintendo is bringing that over, what's the deal with ditching ASH and Soma Bringer (which are exceptionally well-developed titles)?

But all in all, not a bad show, Nintendo. Not bad at all.

Kingdom Hearts DSi Pack for Your HARDCORE GAMING

As you all know, the premier gritty, hardcore RPG series Kingdom Hearts is making its way to the epitome of high-technology gaming, the Nintendo DS next February in Japan. What you may not know is that, in order to remind you that your current DS is now out of date, and the MUCH MUCH better Nintendo DSi is, in fact, way better, Nintendo and Square Enix have teamed up to bring you a Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Nintendo DSi bundle.

This limited and ultra super awesome package will include the game in question plus a Kindom Hearts edition original DSi with an original design, rumored to rival such works as the Colosseum and Michelangelo's David in terms of sheer artistic brilliance.

The bundle will be available in Japan at the same time as the game's release next February. You might want to think about pre-ordering now, just because greatness like this only comes around once in a while.

Here is the announcement via Famitsu.

Hardcore RPGamers Only: New Kingdom Hearts Scans

Think you've got what it takes to save the magical realm of King Mickey? Think you're hardcore enough to help Cinderella? Think you're man enough to defend the Hundred Acre Wood? Alright tough guy, then the following scans for the upcoming two Kingdom Hearts handheld titles should be just what the doctor ordered.




That is quite the mess of scans. I have no really good way of determining which screens are for the DS game and which are for the PSP game... Guess I'm just not awesome enough to be a part of the Kingdom Hearts sensation.

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days will be available on Nintendo DS sometime this winter in Japan, while Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep will be available on PSP sometime next year. There is no word on North American or European versions of either game at the moment.

Square Enix Revives GBA Kingdom Hearts for Christmas

I hesitate to report this news, as I dislike Kingdom Hearts and the perception that it has given to the RPG genre. My feelings aside, however, Kingdom Hearts has a rather sizable and very vocal group of core fans, so I feel compelled to at least mention what the hardcore KH fan among us already knows full well.

Via their official website, Square Enix has announced that Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories will be available on PlayStation 2 in North America on December 2, 2008.

For those out of the Kingdom Hearts circle (where I would recommend you stay), Chain of Memories was a KH side-story that was released on GameBoy Advance back in 2004. The game supposedly bridges the events between the first game and its proper PlayStation 2 sequel.

The game was remade for Japan a while back, included exclusively in a re-release of KH2 called Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix +, but was never confirmed for international release. Well, I guess the incessant whining of Kingdom Hearts fanatics over here finally convinced Square Enix to release the remake on our shores.

What boggles my mind is that even though these "fans" got their wish and the game is coming over, they are still complaining that they aren't getting the re-release of KH2. Really, are moderate additions to a game something to get so worked up over? I'll never understand Kingdom Hearts enthusiasts.

For the enthusiastic, Square Enix has unveiled the game's official site here, which currently features only a splash page.

Plenty of Unsurprising Announcements from Square Enix

Over the weekend, Square Enix Japan held their annual Final Fantasy press conference "party" (called something so ridiculous I'm not even going to attempt to write it) this year focusing mainly on their Sony-based line-up. Cameras were not permitted into the show, so until some really sneaky reporter's shots turn up somewhere, we unfortunately have no visual proof for any of the following announcements. I guess you'll just have to trust me. ;)

First off, Final Fantasy XIII was announced for a 2009 release in Japan, and reiterated to be a PS3 exclusive in that region for the time being. Though no solid date (or even approximate quarter) was given, a demo of the game was announced for March 2009. This most likely means FFXIII will come out nearer the end of the year there. Still no clue when the North American and European release will be, but it has been mentioned in the past that they are not simultaneous with the Japanese release.

Next, another special edition of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children will be released in Japan in March 2009 on Blu-Ray, and called Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete. The first printing of this version will included the aforementioned FFXIII demo, as well as trailers for Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Agito. There will also be an Advent Children PS3 bundle in Japan at the same time.

Some may remember that Final Fantasy XIII Agito is a cell-phone-based title, as is the resurrection of the PS1 survival-horror RPG series, Parasite Eve: The 3rd Birthday. However, at this conference it was announced that both of these games will be ported to the PSP. (This reminds me of the Final Fantasy VII: Before Crisis PSP port that was supposed to happen. Hmmm...)

The three announced Kingdom Hearts games also all got approximate Japanese release dates. Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS will be available this winter, as will Kingdom Hearts: Coded for Japanese cell-phones. Meanwhile, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep for the PSP will ship sometime in 2009.

Finally, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, the PSP Final Fantasy Super Smash Bros. game was announced for release this December in Japan. (I technically shouldn't be covering news on this game, as it really isn't an RPG in any way, shape, or form. But I'll let it slide this time.)

Overall, I'd say that other than the PSP ports of Parasite Eve: The 3rd Birthday and Final Fantasy XIII Agito, there was really nothing surprising announced. I'll be really surprised if either of the previously mentioned PSP ports happen anytime this millennium...

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days gets a Website

A new Japanese website has just launched for the upcoming Nintendo DS iteration of the oddly popular Disney-meets-Final-Fantasy RPG series Kingdom Hearts.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (I can write it, but I'm not sure how to say it) was announced last year for Nintendo DS, alongside Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep (for the PSP) and Kingdom Hearts Coded (for Japanese cell phones). Currently no word has been given about websites for the PSP or cell phone sites.

I don't really follow Kingdom Hearts, so I can't really tell you anything about it. But chances are, if you are hardcore for this series, you wouldn't want my noob-ish translations for it anyways. You can view the website for yourself here.

According to the website, the game has yet to receive a release date.