News Archive
Rhythm Tengoku DS? 29th May 2008
Lovely news, this. Nintendo have placed a teaser page on their website telling us that DS sequel to the utterly wonderful GameBoy Advance game Rhythm Tengoku is on its way. Called Rhythm Tengoku Gold, references are made to both the GBA original and the SEGA-produced arcade version, so there could be a mixture of the 2 games on one cart, rather than an all-new remake.
Expect a late summer release in Japan, but hopefully Nintendo will also grant it a western release this time around, and give the game the exposure it deserves.
This also follows interesting news from April that a sequel to the import-only but tremendously fun Daigasso! Band Brothers is set to arrive in June, though the likelihood of this getting a western release is even more remote, probably.
Site re-design + updates 21st May 2008
I've completely updated the style of the site, and a handful of other boring (nerdy) stuff I won't bother going into. Reload your browser a few times if you can't already see the changes, but hopefully the new design is more fun and easier to use than before. And if you were interested, here's a screenshot of what the old design used to look like.
There'll be more scribblings soon so subscribe if you want, but for the time being, you'll find updates to the GameCube Top 10, plus the Retro Special now has a review of Capcom Classics Collection on the PS2.
Star Soldier R 24th March 2008
Hudsun have announced another chapter in the Star Soldier series, to be released on Nintendo's new Virtual Console channel "WiiWare". Star Soldier R will contain revamped graphics but retain the vertical shooter's traditions, including the 2- and 5-minute "Caravan" modes.
Screenshots from Famitsu look superb, and they hint at some sort of new combo system too (see the top-right corner of this screeny). Due to arrive around May in Japan.
In other Wii news, Sega has revealed they plan to begin releasing Master System games for the Virtual Console, with the first (Sega's Fist of The North Star, otherwise known as Black Belt in the UK - a game I used to whittle away hours playing as a nipper), arrived on 26th February in Japan.
Wiiloader 24th March 2008
Datel have released a Freeloader disc for Wii. There are actually 3 different versions of the disc, one for each region which in itself might seem a little overly-fiddly. But the main problem is that the disc is obviously liable Nintendo's firmware updates, which in theory could render the software completely obsolete. As such, but many importers are holding back.
Early impressions are positive though, and if all goes well on the firmware issue (or if someone comes up with an alternative method to prevent it) it may yet become as indispensable to Wii as it was to the GameCube.
Mini November Update 24th March 2008
Quick updates if you haven't subscribed to the RSS feed:
- A review of Radiohead's seventh studio album, In Rainbows
- Sega Classics Collection has been covered in the Retro Special
There's also some little updates to the Portfolio and Downloads sections, so feel free to Snoop Dogg around.
Motorcross Challenge [GBA] + GameWave DVD videos 28th July 2007
Motocross Challenge is a homebrew GBA game that's had it's share of ups and downs. Developed by the team at DHG games, the game found a publisher, only to then have them drop the game at the last moment. Thankfully, the team has decided to put the game out on the internet, and the ROM can be downloaded for absolutely free. It's a charming mix between Excitebike and cult favourite Motorcross Maniacs-style gameplay - worth checking out.
Elesewhere this issue: YouTube videos! Fointy Pinger points you in the direction of superplay videos with a difference - all from the now-defunct Japanese mag, GameWave DVD. Hover your mouse over each link to see the descriptions:
Mario Kart 64 / Metal Gear Solid / Pikmin / Puyo Puyo Sun / Super Mario 64 / Super Mario Bros 2 / Tetris The Absolute The Grand Master 2 Plus / Winning Eleven 3
Fighting Stick Wii
Purveyors of fine console arcade sticks and controllers over the years, Japanese manufacturer HORI have been busy working on a lovely looking arcade-style stick for Wii. Although the Nintendo's own Classic Contoller has a very nice D-pad, this stick will be an essential purchase for those looking to get the best out of their Virtual Console games, especially for shooters and the current crop of Street Fighter II games. It's due to arrive in Japanese stores in late August, but there's no news of this appearing in the UK anytime soon.
"All your seven dreams..."
Smashing Pumpkins, (the most wonderful and glorious alternative band of the 90's, ever) have announced the release date of their long-awaited reunion album, to be titled "Zeitgeist". Initially (for the moment anyway) set to headline the Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, some other tour dates have been pencilled in and around Europe in the summer (no US dates right now), but I'm also told they may play in the UK this year too.
After a 7 year absence, their 7th album will be released on the 7th day of the 7th month of 2007: 07/07/07. In't that clever? It's almost like an event, something to anticipate, something to feel happy and excited about :). Whatever sound the new (old?) Pumpkins return with, (even without Iha and D'arcy), it's going to be interesting to hear what Billy has come up with.
Visit their horrible MySpace page for further details.
Wii Virtual Console gets Ne(o)w games.
Nintendo have confirmed its intentions to expand its Virtual Console catalogue this summer with MSX games - first mentioned a year ago - with Aleste being one of the first games to arrive. Most interestingly though, is the confirmation of Neo Geo conversions. Quite how these will translate well to the Wii's classic-style controller is still up for debate, but it's an exciting prospect, nonetheless.
The catch (what, you thought there wouldn't be one?): these games have only been announced for Japan, and it would be a surprise (particularly in the case of the UK) if any of them become available for download elsewhere. The advantages of importing a Japanese Wii are becoming more and more obvious by the day...(still haven't got one though).
For the latest news on UK Wii Virtual Console downloads, check out the excellent Virtual Console Archive.
Konami and Capcom Goodness
After the success of Gradius Portable on PSP, Konami have announced a further 3 retro-collections, again for Sony's handheld system. Parodius, Salamander and TwinBee will all get their own "Collections", each containing 5 titles. The Parodius one in particular stands out (I've always enjoyed Parodius more than Gradius, anyway) and the TwinBee compilation will be worth snapping up too - another great series. Either would be perfectly suited titles for handheld fun, and should take pride in any PSP collection, methinks.
Capcom also have another retro collection coming up, this time with a sequel to Capcom Classics Collection. Essentially the PSP's Capcom Classics Remixed but with one or two extra games, Capcom Classics Collection 2 will ship for PS2 in February here in the UK, but although the Konami games will also arrive sometime early in 2007, it's possible they will stay Japan-exclusive - at least for the time being anyway.
Bullet Hell GBA
Takayama Fumihiko's BulletGBA dójin game has been updated recently from the previous version(s), and now contains proper levels, a high score mode and a really smart replay feature. You'd do worse than to download both versions: BulletGBA is a neat little practice game for bullet patterns from a host of popular shoot-em-ups (you play it vertical style, obviously), whereas Vulkanon is a proper 'ardcore bullet-death shmup. Lovely stuff.
Or, if you're after something different, why not download the new demo for Qwak GBA, a cute platform collect-em-up.
Elsewhere in this shmup super-special edition of Fointy Pinger you'll find:
- A review of Japanese shooter Radirgy GeneriC for the GameCube!
- An RSS feed so you can keep up-to-date with erm... updates (I think it works anyway)!
- A nerd-countdown to the UK launch of Wii at the bottom of every page!
