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Posted By Shaun K. about 2 months, 4 weeks ago
It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.
Nintendo held a live online broadcast earlier today in which they released a bevy of news, including the fate of the long desired North American release of the highly anticipated Wii RPG The Last Story.
Arguably the biggest news of the event was the confirmation that the Mistwalker and onetime Final Fantasy developer Hironobu Sakaguchi developed Wii RPG The Last Story will indeed being receiving a North American release this summer. Originally a Nintendo published game, the company had previously stated they had no plans to release the game here in the State and apparently that is still technically true as Xseed, the same company responsible for the NA publication of such games as Corpse Party, Half-Minute Hero, and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, will be handling publisher duties for the game in North America. The Last Story centers around a mercenary by the name of Zael and a quest for treasure on the mysterious Lazulis Island. The game features heavy action gameplay elements along with, unusually for an RPG, multiplayer modes in the form of co-op, deathmatch, and team deathmatch for up to six players.
Other news to come out of Nintendo’s direct broadcast includes the announcement of a new Brain Age title for the 3DS that will feature the return of series front man Dr. Kawashima to a Nintendo console after his brief dabbling with a Kinect game last year. The new game will focus on improving concentration and memory owing to what Dr. kawashima calls people’s “information obsession” making it harder and harder for people to maintain said concentration. The as yet untitled game is currently set for release this summer in Japan with a release in other regions currently unconfirmed but almost certain.
Intriguing. Very, very intriguing.
Easily the most mysterious reveal to come out of the broadcast was the tease for a new 3DS project currently in development jointly from Capcom, Namco Bandai, and Sega (along with famed toy-maker Banpresto, which is itself a subsidiary Namco Bandai). Little in the way of actual details was revealed about the project beyond a teaser website (which can be found here: http://pxz.channel.or.jp/) that features what appears to be a blue gloved hand (whoa just got Firefly flashbacks) unlocking a safe of some kind by entering the number sequence 0, 3, 2, 7, 6, 0 on its keypad.
Nintendo also gave out more details about their previously announced game Mario Tennis Open for the 3DS, including it release dates. The game, which is being developed by Camelot the same company responsible for a number of other previously released (and much beloved) Mario Golf and Mario Tennis games, will arrive in North America on May 20 and in Europe and the UK on May 25. The game will make use of the 3DS’ gyroscope by allowing players to look around the court from a ground-level perspective. Both local and online multiplayer for up to four players will be supported, with matchmaking for online play, along with leaderboards and medals, included as well.
Do I even have to explain why I want to play this game so badly?
Finally, other smaller pieces of news from the broadcast include the confirmation of the Fire Emblem 3DS title receive a European release in 2012. The game will additionally receive paid DLC updates, containing new missions and maps and that said DLC will initially be made available for free in Japan until May 31st when afterwards it will become priced. It was also announced that Game Gear titles will be arriving on the European and Japanese eShop this March (with a North America release date still pending) and with Sonic Triple Trouble, Shinobi, and Dragon Crystal being among the first wave of games. Finally, a North American release for the 3DS Fatal Frame spin-off Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir was confirmed to be coming on April 13. Overall a lot of interesting information spinning out of the direct broadcast, not the least of which Nintendo once again confirming their new commitment to supporting online gaming. Stay tuned to Blistered Thumbs for continuing coverage of all Nintendo news and be sure to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Source(s): Nintendo. http://www.nintendo.com/
I’m glad that both Xenoblade and Last Story are making their way here. I’m not as keen on Pandora’s Tower but more games are never a bad thing to have.
I saw XSeed’s tweets about the Last Story this morning (thanks mostly to Jew Wario) and in an instant I knew that today was going to be a great day. All hail XSeed! Hoorah! Hoorah!
This is good news. The best news. NoA may be dicks but at least they’re getting better.
Jeez! Already I’m broke for having to buy Xenoblade Chronicles and possibly Tales of Graces F! My wallet can’t take it anymore!
Looks like 2012 will be good year for us JRPG fans, for our wallets not so much, lol
Some new guy at Nintendo: “Okay. It’s time for a new business strategy… Here me out… Let’s actually sell our customers stuff that they want to buy. You know, what they’ve been asking for.”
Old time board members look confused. “Uh. No. It doesn’t work that way. They’re supposed to buy what we want them to buy.”
New guy (gets crafty): “Yes, but… how about we want to let them buy what they want to buy? That way everybody is happy.”
Old time board members look confused.
New guy: “..sigh. Nurse. Up their medications.”
Old time board member: “We like pudding!”
New guy: “Secretary, please update the release schedule as follows. Maybe we can stagger the release dates a little so we’re not competing against ourselves. Oh, and hire a few better translators.”
Old time board member chant: “Pudding! Pudding!”
Cannot like hard enough.
The Last Story is coming? Awesome!
Fire Emblem 3DS getting a European release… but no mention of a NA one? Slightly worrying.
Yeah, kind of mixed news for me in that respect, but still, I’ll definitely grab The Last Story. I’ve liked Mistwalker’s games so far, and the Wii could always use more good ones.
I heard that a group Artoon worked on The Last Story and that is why XSeed got the publishing rights. I am definitely going to get this game along with Xenoblade. Now what about the VA I certainly hope that Xseed will re-dub the game considering the pedigree of the game I am pretty certain they will want to do their absolute best.
Xseed is a subsidiary of the former AQ Interactive, who collaborated with Mistwalker on The Last Story, so I think that’s why they’re publishing the game.
Definitely excited to see The Last Story. Hopefully we can get Pandora’s Tower as well.
Two down! Where is Pandoras Tower now!
If we’re lucky, Pandora’s Tower will be a fall/winter release.