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.
This is most definitely not news, but when I saw this video of a rather attractive Japanese girl playing Mario & Luigi RPG 3, I thought I should share. You know, for the greater good and all that.
Oh, I guess it shows off some of the game's various DS functionality and gameplay. Y'know, if that's important to you.
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 will be available on Nintendo DS on February 11, 2009 in Japan.
Maybe you've been really interested in what Mario & Luigi RPG 3 is all about, but have just been too busy to bother reading up on it. It's okay, these things happen.
That's why Nintendo has just released this rather comprehensive explanation trailer that gives you the full rundown on just what is going on. Specifically, how you'll be controlling Mario, Luigi, and Bowser, how battles will handle, and why you are stuck in Bowser's stomach.
Take a look.
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 will be available on Nintendo DS on February 11, 2009 in Japan.
It's been a while since I've done a huge flood of scans in one post. And while it's nice to see so many RPGs featured in video gaming magazines, it's kind of overwhelming at the same time.
So, yeah, just like always, take a look at all the scans below, and leave a comment if you would like something translated.
Crystal Defenders R WiiWare Square Enix January 27, 2009 (Japan)
Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Square Enix 2009 (Japan), 2010 (North America, Europe)
Fragile: Sayonara Tsuki no Haikyo (Farewell Lunar Ruins) Nintendo Wii Tri-Crescendo, Namco Bandai January 22, 2009 (Japan)
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 Nintendo DS Nintendo February 11, 2009 (Japan)
Oboro Muramasa (Muramasa: The Demon Blade) Nintendo Wii Vanillaware, Marvelous April 2009 (Japan)
Star Ocean: The Last Hope Xbox 360 tri-Ace, Square Enix February 19, 2009 (Japan), February 24, 2009 (North America), April 24, 2009 (Europe)
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 PSP Namco Bandai January 29, 2009 (Japan)
Everything except the Final Fantasy XIII scans are open for translation (because the current FFXIII ones are too blurry to read).
Attention all developers who feel that they absolutely must develop for the DS: Nintendo's upcoming Mario & Luigi RPG 3 offers a prime example of how you really ought to go about graphics on the little dual-screened handheld. See all that vibrant, detailed 2D? It's very appealing, isn't it? Certainly much easier on the eyes than ancient N64-era 3D. Are you taking notes?
Anyways, previously announced Mario & Luigi RPG 3 has been given an interesting first look in the latest issue of Famitsu. The game looks to retain a heavy emphasis on action and platforming (concepts that the original Mario Bros. games were built on), though also brings back some turn-based goodness for those who are into that sort of thing.
Oh yeah, and Bowser is a playable character. But at this point, I'd actually be shocked if he wasn't playable.
Mario & Luigi RPG 3 will be available on February 11, 2009 in Japan. There is no word on North American or European release dates at the moment.
The 3rd Mario & Luigi handheld RPG, currently conveniently named Mario & Luigi RPG 3, has been dated for a Q1 release in Japan, reportedly hitting shelves on February 11, 2009.
There is currently no word on a North American or European release.
This is the third paragraph so it looks like I have something else to say about this. Deceiving!
Announced last night, here is the first trailer for Mario and Luigi's 3rd handheld RPG adventure. Take a look.
Now this is how you do DS graphics. High quality, fully animated sprites. Screw the pixelated, low quality sprites. Screw the ugly 3D that would make the Jaguar blush. THIS is how DS games ought to be made.
Whether the game itself will be good or not is a different matter, but at least Nintendo knows how to make their own DS games look good.
UPDATE: Trailers for Crystal Bearers, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and Golden Sun DS up. Still waiting on Bowser's Inside Story vid.
