Nintendo-Flavoured Scan Dump

It's been a while, but here is a lovely little scan dump from the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu, featuring three upcoming RPGs for Nintendo systems, including a first look at screens from Mistwalker's latest, The Last Story.

The Last Story
Nintendo Wii
Mistwalker, Nintendo
2010 (Japan)




Ninokuni
Nintendo DS
Level 5, Studio Ghibli
Autumn 2010 (Japan)




Xenoblade
Nintendo Wii
Monolith, Nintendo
June 10, 2010 (Japan)




Yeah, looks like its almost time to invest in a Japanese Wii.

[All Games Beta]

Xenoblade gets a Release Date

Nintendo is apparently trying to mend their ways by bringing hardcore games (especially JRPGs) to their little white waggle box this year. And if they really can manage to bring a Tales of main series title, a Mistwalker RPG, a new proper Legend of Zelda game, and the resurrection of the Xeno series to their console all in the same year, I might just accept their apology for ignoring me the last couple of years.

So, along with that, Nintendo has announced that their first of the upcoming heavy-hitters, Xenoblade, will be hitting Japan in June this year. June seems a little more like 'summer' than the originally promised 'spring,' casting some doubt as to whether or not they are truly capable of having an unbeatable RPG year in 2010, but I'm sure they could still prove me wrong if they want to.

Also, they have released a new story trailer, which is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

Xenoblade will be available for Nintendo Wii on June 10, 2010 in Japan. No date has been confirmed for North America or Europe yet.

[Xenoblade Official Site]

Xenoblade First Look

Famitsu has recently pulled back the curtain on Monolith and Nintendo's upcoming Wii RPG, Xenoblade to give us a taste of what's to come. The taste is not a big taste, but it is enough to possibly wet your appetite.

The article focuses on an interview with one of Monolith's bigwigs, Tetsuya Takahashi, who answers questions and expands on the game's world, its gameplay, and content. The article is unfortunately too blurry to make a full translation viable, but it is notable that the game will apparently use a real-time battle system. Expect more coverage as information becomes available.

UPDATE: Nice scans GET! Translation requests now accepted.





Xenoblade will be available for Nintendo Wii sometime this Spring in Japan.

[Gamekyo]
[Wiiz]
[Puissance-Nintendo]

Nintendo Announces Xenoblade

Since last year's E3, Nintendo has been surprisingly impressive in their resolve to promoting RPGs on their systems. One RPG that was teased at E3 09 but then fell mysteriously silent was Monolithsoft's Wii RPG, Monado: Beginning of the World.

Though all that was released was a single teaser trailer and a name, many eagerly anticipating the next thing from the studio that created Xenosaga and Soma Bringer were understandably excited.

Since then, it seems that the game has undergone a name change, and has been officially announced as Xenoblade, and according to Nintendo's most recent financial report, will be released this Spring in Japan, with a slightly more vague 2010 release planned for North America.

Currently, the only official media we have since the name change is Nintendo of Japan's official site for the game, which shows off the game's logo while a loop (presumably from the game) plays in the background, and a promise that the official site will launch "soon."

Sweet.

[Xenoblade Official Japanese Site]

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.

Atlus Announces Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier

Well, I think it's about safe to say that Amazon leak is mostly right on the money, as Atlus has just dropped word that they will indeed be localizing Super Robot Taisen OG for North America.

Endless Frontier, unlike the majority of the Super Robot Taisen series, is a regular turn-based RPG that allows for timed button-presses during combat to involve the player more.

It is developed by Monolith Soft (Xenosaga, Namco x Capcom), and thus features crossover cameos from those games, most notable of which is Xenosaga's KOS-MOS.

The first print of Endless Frontier will be available in a premium boxset that will include a select soundtrack from the game.

Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier will be available on Nintendo DS on April 28, 2009 in North America. It is already available in Japan.