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While Nintendo's latest financial earnings report showing a large drop in quarterly operating profit for the Japanese company (66%), based largely on what they call "a slowing demand for the Wii console and stronger yen", may sound surprising, given a sluggish retail market and lack of compelling software for the platform this should have been expected.
What was surprising, however, was the revelation that Nintendo has finally acknowledged what many industry analysts have been saying for some time: the Apple iPhone platform is here, and it's a major competitor, citing slowed sales for the DS hardware due to ""increased competition in the handheld business from Apple's iPhone." So what does this mean?
Keep reading for even more revealing truths about the two companies...
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Because the internet goes crazy every time the words Resident and Evil are connected, here's one more reason to go hog wild. Capcom was nice enough to unveil the official box-art (sans rating) for the upcoming Wii-exclusive Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. Eagle-eyed fans should immediately notice the return of Resident Evil 2's dynamic duo, Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (also stars of the animated film, Resident Evil: Degeneration), but can you guess the other faces? Hint: think Umbrella Chronicles and you're half-way there.
What about the other half? For that you'll have to wait until the game's release later this year. Until then, bask in the zombie goodness and limber up your shooting hand, because there's plenty of the suckers to go around!
Another day, another videogame-to-film adaptation as the critically-acclaimed PlayStation 3 game InFamous is being fast-tracked for big-screen success.
Of course, it helps when your parent company is behind both, as Sony Pictures is putting their cinematic muscles behind the project, based on screenwriter Sheldon Turner's initial pitch to the studio. Famed producers Avi Arad (Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk) and Ari Arad (Iron Man) seem like a perfect fit for the comic book-inspired tale of Cole MacGrath, a bike messenger who finds himself endowed with electrical powers after inadvertently delivering a bomb that destroyed much of his home, Empire City.
Says Sheldon Turner (The Longest Yard remake and the upcoming X-Men Origins: Magneto) of handling the adaptation:
"What excited me most about the game was it was the first of which I've come across that had a big idea and a character arc...It is, I believe, the future of gaming. The game, while big and fun, is at its core a love ballad to the underachiever, which is what our hero, Cole McGrath, is."
No other details were offered regarding the project, although look for parent company Sony to maximize their investment in both the license and (potential) franchising of the InFamous branding. More details are sure to follow, as Hollywood's continued mining of the videogame industry continues with no end in sight.
Thanks to the Hollywood Reporter!
Recession? What recession? Despite reporting its worst year-over-year retail decline since the September 2000, IGN is reporting the sales of digitally-delivered software is on the rise. Unfortunately for those looking for specifics, IGN's report is largely void of real-world numbers, outside the somewhat ambiguous percentage growth reported by Microsoft, Steam, and - conveniently - their own Direct2Drive service. Both Nintendo and Sony declined to report their respective digital sales figures, giving an incomplete picture on the health and vitality of this burgeoning avenue of game distribution.
Keep reporting for even more number-crunching!
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Capcom sent shockwaves into the Resident Evil community a few weeks back when a portable version of their best-selling Resident Evil 4 hit the Japanese iTunes store, only to quickly disappear. But now its back, and now you can bring Leon Kennedy's macabre European adventure with you for the asking price of $7.99.
Like fellow iPhone/iPod Touch Resident Evil: Degeneration, Resident Evil 4 has its roots in other Japanese-centric mobile devices, making this the second port Apple's platform has received. Not that fans will matter, as the game looks absolutely stunning, and the controls look well-suited for the smaller screen.
Originally released for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2005 (and subsequently for the PS2/PC), Capcom's Resident Evil 4 is often hailed as one of the last generation's best games, and is certainly superlative survival horror. Weighing in at a relatively safe 37.3 MB, Resident Evil 4 for the iPhone/iPod Touch should be just the thing portable zombie blasters have been waiting for. To see if this version is your thing, visit the iTunes store for yourselves!
Its official: videogames are the new comic books. At least that's how Hollywood sees them, as just about every property under the digital sun is either being greenlit or under consideration for the silver screen. Among the dozens of projects that have already been released or soon will be, few have the built-in film readiness as EA's hit game of outerspace horror, Dead Space. Now it looks like the desolate, mutant-blasting saga of Isaac Clarke is getting his due, with D.J. Caruso (Eagle Eye, Disturbia) slated to direct.
Dead Space joins a healthy roster of fellow EA properties with visions of big-screen glory, including Dante's Inferno, Army of Two, The Sims, and Mass Effect. As of right now, EA is helping produce the film with Temple Hill partners Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey (also producing the upcoming Gears of War film), although Dead Space is still in relative production infancy with no casting decisions or even finished script to start filming.
The Dead Space franchise was launched in late 2008 to much critical acclaim for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC platforms. The next (interactive) chapter in the series will be the Nintendo Wii-exclusive Dead Space: Extraction, a railgun-based shooter due September 29th. EA has previously announced the sequel(s) are also in production.
Thanks to Variety!
"What if the Dark Side won?" Easy question for all you Star Wars fan-fiction writers out there, but it looks like LucasArts and Aspyr will be bringing this hypothetical quandry to the masses this Fall with the release of The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition DLC for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (sorry Wii owners), and in full boxed retail editions for the PC and MAC communities. I'd keep talking, but why bother when there's a video chock-full of hints and secrets? Enjoy the debut trailer from the upcoming release!
Despite the lackluster showing for their last project, Speed Racer, I'm still convinced the world wants a good, action-packed movie from the Wachowskis (The Matrix), and if the first trailer for the upcoming and impossibly awesomely named Ninja Assassin is any clue, they might be getting it. Working once again with director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) and starring Korean singer/heart throb Rain, the action looks intense and, significantly packed. Color me really impressed, excessive CG shots aside!
Ninja Assassin hits theaters November 25th. But wait- there's even more action! Keep reading for an equally action-packed theatrical poster after the jump!
Read More »Launching days earlier than expected, Disney's on a roll with the first-ever trailer for Tim Burton's gothic remake of Alice in Wonderland. In case you're not familiar with this particular retelling (there's been so many), this is one starring Johnny Depp and a host of other Burton-regulars, filled to the brim with CG-laced effects, and whose posters have been scaring the willies out of children (and some adults) in multiplexes for weeks.
Will it be good? Hard to say, but given Burton's recent track record with remakes (Planet of the Apes, Willy Wonka), I'd give its chances at least 50/50. But a solid 100% when it comes to looking bizarre and absolutely nightmare-inducing...thanks Disney! If the above trailer isn't working, try searching elsewhere as this one will be viraled like few others. Alice in Wonderland invades theaters (and your dreams) March 5th, 2010!
Few horror-film icons are as closely associated with their original actors as the Wes Craven's Freddy Kruger and Robert Englund. Having been a child of the 80s myself, I can safe firsthand the phenomenon of the increasingly comedic films was a joy to behold before interest fizzled and the franchise went dormant. Two revivals (one successful, one not so much) and decades later comes the inevitable remake, but unlike fellow slashers Jason and Michael Myers, the character of Freddy Kruger was almost entirely dependent on the charisma and personality of Englund.
But post-Watchmen, just mention the name Jackie Earle Haley and the conversion changes. Perhaps this is one remake, sacreligious to some, that might be worthwhile? Hollywood has tried recasting famous roles/actors before, from Boris Karloff/Frankenstein to Christopher Reeve/Superman, and with mixed results. Bloody Disgusting has the first look at what's sure to be the first of many Earle Haley/Freddy Kruger retakes on the famed killer, though rumors have other online outlets with more revealing (i.e. less dark) close-ups to launch prior to the San Diego ComicCon. Time will tell if its all worth it.
Its taken awhile, but it seems the streak of mediocre games-to-film may be ending as Hollywood continues to give the genre greater traction and (most importantly) more attention. In a move that's destined to send lightning bolts through naysayers who've dismissed the possibility of 'good' film translations of popular gaming franchises, Blizzard and Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros have announced the director of the upcoming live-action Warcraft movie, and its a doozy.
Sam Raimi, beloved director of the dizzying Spiderman trilogy and cult franchise Evil Dead will now lead an army of humans, orcs and 'others' into battle on the silver screen. Charles Roven (The Dark Knight) will share producing duties alongside a host of venerated talent with plans to bring Blizzard's popular franchise (in all its iterations) to the big-screen in ways that will please fans and audiences alike. Says Raimi on his involvement in wildly-anticipated project:
"At its core, Warcraft is a fantastic, action-packed story...I am thrilled to work with such a dynamite production team to bring this project to the big screen."
While Raimi's talent and popularity flow between the cult and mainstream, his most noticable success, Spiderman, is widely considered a main factor in establishing the comicbook genre as a serious force in the film industry. While most game-to-film tranlsations have failed to excite the box-office, whether Rami and his crew can once again chance the hearts and minds of audiences remains to be seen. His last directorial effort, the return-to-form Drag Me To Hell, was met with massive critical acclaim but lukewarm returns. Warcraft will indeed be an interesting experiment, and best of luck to all involved!
With the June 2009 NPD estimates reporting the gaming industry continues to suffer its steepest drop-off in years, it shouldn't come as any surprise that sales for the year would seem sluggish, if not downright anemic. With no real heavy hitters or break-out smashes (last year we saw a new Smash Bros, Grand Theft Auto, Metal Gear Solid to name a few) consumer interest seems to have dropped considerably. But what of the 2009 Top Five Sellers for each of the main console competitors, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii?
For that we've got NPD once again to thank (by way of Gamasutra), whose latest report showcases just what's selling on each platform and why 2008 doesn't seem all that far away. To check out all the action, keep reading for more!
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As many predicted, Capcom has finally dropped the release date for the PlayStation 3 version of their upcoming re-release of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, which is now expected to hit the PlayStation Network (PSN) on August 13th. Fans will note this date gives the Xbox Live fans of the game, which sports filter-enhanced visuals and online multiplayer, a full two weeks of practice time in the popular crossover fighting sensation.
PlayStation 3 owners should be used to such timed-exclusives that work against their platform, although Capcom had given anxious fighting fans an exclusive demo of the game (though nearly unplayable) on April 30th. Look for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 to run US $15 when it hits for the PlayStation Network as we get ready to take another ride August 13th! Cheesy!
Our lucky friends in Japan can attest to how much better their version of Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) is compared to the rest of the planet, and now it looks like they've got a bit more to brag about. Following Nintendo's lead, Sony has announced their downloadable gaming service will now feature direct PC-Engine (TurboGraphx-16 to some) games for play on both the PlayStation 3 and PSP consoles. Launch titles will be Bomberman '94, New Adventure Island, Sengoku Mahjong, and Devil's Crush, available for the paltry price of just 600 yen each. Even better? They're available right now.
Having PC-Engine titles available for (Japanese) PlayStation Network is a boon for Sony, as the back catalog of available software is immense, as the console enjoyed years of popularity its non-Japanese iterations never did. The Nintendo Wii has had access to the various PC-Engine configurations for some time (which include cart, CD-ROM, and others), so its very likely the PSN will follow suit. No word yet if Sony plans to offer these games outside of Japan, but it sure would be nice to make some classic TurboGraphx-16 games portable again (Devil's Crush, anyone?).
One of the strangest vestigial interests of the non-Japanese gaming media is the interest they appear to have with Square-Enix's best-selling Dragon Quest franchise... outside of Japan. Although the franchise remains poker-hot in its home country, that success has never translated outside the Land of the Rising Sun, and recent reports to the latest title in the series indicate that as of 2009, not much as changed.
In its first two days of release since July 11th, Dragon Quest IX for the Nintendo DS sold a staggering 2,237,000 copies to anxious fans, many of whom camped out overnight to get their paws on the latest title in the role-playing phenomenom. Some had questioned whether the publisher could keep the momentum running strong, especially as the title was the first key entry in the franchise to launch on the DS hardware, unquestionably the nation's most popular gaming platform. For reference, the last entry in the series (for the considerably more powerful, though less portable PlayStation 2) sold an equally-staggering 2,267,827 copies in its first week, on its way to a 4.88 million global tally.
The Japanese market needed the boost, as the country continues to buckle under its worst recession in decades, which has affected both console and software sales for months. But while the initial success of Dragon Quest IX bodes well for Japan, it will be interesting to see if the latest title (which supports local multiplayer) will be the first to find true success outside of Japan, particularly in North America. The company has little trouble selling its Final Fantasy franchise to the masses, but would no doubt love to experience a little Dragon Love at the same time when the game hits our shores next year.
Thanks to Famitsu/Enterbrain for the tally!
Proving once again that nothing exploits the exploitable like some good old fashioned CG, we bring you the internet sensation, "Skating Babies". It's the weekend, so why not?
Despite delays and fears that it might miss its summer schedule altogether, Capcom has put those rumors to bed with the official release date of their highly-anticipated remake, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, for July 29th...for the Xbox 360. Coming in at 1,200 MS Points, the notoriously difficult-to-find game will land on Microsoft's digital platform with enhanced visuals, swappable soundtrack, and of course, online multiplayer madness. Capcom points out the release will be part of Microsoft's "Summer of Arcade" line-up, which has focused on digital-download titles for the platform.
The emphasis of course is on Xbox 360, as no word yet when the PlayStation 3 version is expected to drop into Sony's own PlayStation Network (PSN). The PS3 of course was host to an exclusive playable demo (if you could call it that) on April 30th, so we can only imagine the full version should closely follow the Xbox's release.
Sometimes you see a thing that just makes you feel...happy. Cooking Mama usually does that for me, so you can imagine the utter joy felt when seeing not just one Mama, but eleven of the cuties gracing the digital cover of French gaming magazine IG Magazine and showing digital feminine solidarity. With several key female gaming heroines rendered in Mama's unmistakable style, including Capcom's Chun-Li and Claire Redfield, Nintendo's Zelda and Peach, King of Fighter's Mai Shiranui, Lara Croft and several others, this Mama-led collage is a veritable cuteness OVERLOAD!
But to those surprised to see Cooking Mama receive such an honor, keep in mind the franchises proven - and growing - popularity around the world. With over 4 million copies of the Cooking Mama franchise sold in North America alone (to say nothing of the recently-announced Cooking Mama 3), the domestic matron has already out-sold nearly all of her digital peers to become the gaming industry's true leading lady. Not bad for an industry who typically thinks breasts should bounce like jell-o, while Mama would probably just grill them up.
Thanks to GameSetWatch for the cuteness-overload!
With over 4 million copies sold in North America, it doesn't look like the Cooking Mama franchise isn't settling anytime soon. Looking to keep things fresh'n perky, Majesco is readying yet another delicious adventure for the Nintendo DS with Cooking Mama 3, expected to hit retailers before the end of the year. Says Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco:
Color me unsurprised, but any world with even more Cooking Mama spicing things up is a better world. Although Cooking Mama 3 is slated for release on the Nintendo DS, if history is any lesson expect more versions (i.e. Wii) in the near-future. But if its action you're craving now, check out Popzara's previous reviews of Mama's past greatness with a few appetizers like Cooking Mama: Cook Off, Cooking Mama: World Kitchen, and even a little Gardening Mama! Mama get!"The signature gameplay formula of the Mama series continues to attract new players and returning fans of all ages...Cooking Mama 3 is another great opportunity for us to deliver a quality entertainment experience while growing the brand during the all-important holiday season."
More GI-Joe action comes your way, this time courtesy of the Land of the Rising Sun (i.e. Japan) with a new trailer that finally shows (in limited form) something we've all been itching to see - Cobra Commander! Blink and you'll miss him, but we finally get one good shot of Joseph Gordon-Levitt made up as everyone's favorite sniveling Cobra villain. No word yet if the actor plans to mimic Chris Latta's classic vocal patterns (which served him well as both Cobra Commander and Starscream in animated form), but he's certainly got the chops.
But will the film utilize them? Find out this and more when GI-Joe: Rise of the Cobra hits theaters August 7th! Ganbatte, Joe!
If you're not familiar with the book/movie/game phenomenom The Sky Crawlers, you probably will be after reading this blurb. Based on the series of hit novels by Hiroshi Mori, the series became a hit animated film last year under the direction of Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) and hit game for the Wii console when published by Namco Bandai. Following a group of fighter pilots and based in an alternate timeline, The Sky Crawlers is (finally) headed for America, courtesy of XSEED Games.
Says President Jun Iwasaki:
"I'm extremely pleased to be able to confirm The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces for gamers in North America...The innovative control scheme and gorgeous visuals just go to show what a top-notch development team can do when creating a new game from scratch specifically for Wii."
Developed by Namco Bandai's own Project Aces (the team behind Ace Combat) and featuring gorgeous audio/visuals, The Sky Crawlers seems like just the sort of dream-project that everyone can get behind. With titles like JU-ON, Little King's Story, and now this, it seems like publisher XSEED is becoming a force in importing high-quality Japanese titles to the West. The game is slated for a holiday release, so keep your eyes (and trigger fingers) peeled as more details flow in. Until then, enjoy the gorgeous trailer for the Japanese release above!
In a spectacularly good effort to help make Monster Hunter as popular stateside as it is in its home country of Japan, Capcom is just giving the good stuff away - literally. Just in time for the 4th of July Holiday Weekend, Capcom is giving away a free downloadable level for their recent PSP smash-hit, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Playfully titled Triumvirate of Sands, all it takes is firing up the game and hitting download at the start menus. Here's the official Capcom spin that makes perfect sense:
"In this new quest, Triumvirate of Sands, you'll have three monsters to take on out in the desert - a Daimyo Hermitaur, Tigrex, and Plesioth! Yikes! But it's well worth it as you stand a chance to make 12300z!"
Capcom wants to remind the masses that further quests will be available every Friday for the upcoming months, although whether they remain free isn't as certain. Still, free is free, and anything that expands the core experience is fine by us. Got that, obsessed Monster Hunter fans? You've got your mission - and presumably weekend - set up and ready, now go celebrate your independance and eat some hotdogs!