This Week in Famitsu

WEEKLY FAMITSU #1188

Cover Story

By now, many of you have probably seen the new addition to Nintendo's 3DS: the so called slide-pad cradle expansion, with its extra analog thumbstick. Reportedly, the new addition will allow for more control with some of the new games coming out, as well as allowing third-party publishers to more easily port their games between the PSP Vita (which has dual-thumbsticks) and the 3DS. Unfortunately, as you can see from the image below.... it's pretty ugly. It's apparently more comfortable than it is pretty, but there's no denying that the jury is still out on whether or not the slide-pad is a good idea. Since there is such a controversy surrounding it, what better way to smooth things over with the nay-sayers than by releasing a new game for the 3DS that specifically uses it? Especially one of the most beloved game series in Japan?

That's where Monster Hunter Tri G comes in. One of the most popular games on the Wii is being ported over to the 3DS, with new features and additions in tow. According to the article, the new 3DS version will feature 12 weapon-wielding hunter classes, under-water battles, and a new huge monster to hunt. Exciting! There will also supposedly be online components, including local multiplayer. Of course, it is also supposed to utilize a control scheme that will take full advantage of the new nub attachment, and the 3DS' lower screen is ideal for displaying maps and other inventory control menus conveniently. 

Considering the popularity of the Monster Hunter series here in Japan, there's no doubt this will probably go a long way in pacifying Nintendo's Japanese fans. What they will do to pacify the rest of their fans world-wide, who are equally hesitant about the viability and visual appeal of the analog expansion cradle, remains to be seen.

PSVita Games

Famitsu continues on with its weekly in-depth look at the new games coming out for the PSVita, leading up to its newly-announced release date of December 17^th here in Japan.

One of the first things covered in week 3 of Famitsu's special feature is Ragnarok Odyssey, which appears to be an attempt to capitalize on the success of Monster Hunter and God Eater, as it's an open-world action game with online play support. Featuring six different character classes to choose from (Sword Warrior, Assassin, Hunter, Mage, Hammer Smith, and Cleric), it looks to be a fun enough game, if not wholly original in concept.

More exciting and original is Sumioni, literally ink demon. It's a 2D side-scrolling hack and slash game where you play as, surprise surprise, an ink demon! It's absolutely beautiful, with the art style made to resemble Japanese ink drawings. You can also draw new ink lines to help Sumioni in his journey, making new platforming paths for your little ink demon. It's very Okami-esque, what with the art style and the ability to draw new ink strokes. However, that is not a bad thing, by any means.

Shinobido 2, made by the developer of the Way of the Samurai and Tenchu series, Acquire, is another title coming to the PSVita. A single-player action game with ninjas seems like a sure bet for fun. Add in the fact that you will use the PSVita's touch screen capabilities for throwing ninja stars and various other ninja-esque activities, and we're sold.

Also mentioned in brief were Rayman Origins, a port of the new Rayman game coming out; Dark Quest Alliance, a Baldur's Gate style dungeon crawling game; and two music games, Lumines Electronic Symphony and Michael Jackson the Experience HD.

Featured Game

Beyond the Labyrinth (3DS): A joint effort between Tri-Ace and Konami, Beyond the Labyrinth is a new 'Dungeon RPG' coming out exclusively for the 3DS sometime in the future. It's visuals are gorgeous, and the environments seem to give off an almost ICO-like vibe. Also very ICO-like is the fact that you are journeying together with a young girl, but that's where the similarities end. You, as the player, are the one accompanying the young girl throughout her journey, and unlike Yorda in ICO, she isn't very quiet. In fact, she drags you along on the journey with her, sometimes physically changing your point of view to look at something she thinks is interesting. You do seem to have control over her actions in some fashion, and there are enemies to fight in true RPG style, but beyond that, well... we'll have to wait and see. Consider us intrigued by this new game, and if it really is anything like ICO, that'll just be icing on the already very beautiful cake that is Beyond the Labyrinth.

Weird Games Found Only In Japan

Moe Moe Daisensou Gendaiban Plus (PSVita): Moe Moe Daisensou Gendaiban was originally a PC game, that was then ported over to the original PSP, and is now getting an upgrade for the PSVita. It's a strategy simulation game, which doesn't seem all that worthy of making it 'Weird Game' worthy, until you look at what you play with: girls from around the world, who are all actually enhanced with weapons and jet parts. Yes, little jet-girls. You have a choice of girls from around the world, from Japan to America to Germany, and you can then upgrade and attach new weapons onto them to prepare for battle. The game boasts of having three distinctive parts to it, an adventure part, a simulation part, and a communication part. The 'adventure' comes from scenarios and story telling events you can participate in when you are not fighting battles. The 'simulation' is the actual main part of the game, the battles, and the 'communication' part supposedly covers getting to know the girls better.... and also gives you bonus points that you can use in customization. So...yes, we deemed that customizing little girls into fighter jets is 'Weird Game' worthy, and hopefully you agree with us.

Hardware Sales: Week of 8/22-8/28

• Nintendo 3DS – 57,927 units
• PlayStation 3 – 32,235 units
• PSP – 32,066 units
• Wii – 10,479 units
• Nintendo DS – 3,710 units
• PlayStation 2 – 1,028 units
• Xbox 360 – 938 units

Top 5 Selling Games: Week of 8/22-8/28

• Monster Hunger Portable 3^rd HD Version (PS3) – 282,960 units
• Black Rock Shooter THE GAME (PSP) – 108,716 units
• Mobile Suit Gundam: New Giren's Ambition (PSP) – 74943 units
• Sengoku Musou 3 Empires (PS3) – 70,488 units
• Shin Sangoku Musou 6 Special (PSP) – 28,598 units

Top 5 Most Anticipated Games: Based on survey results from 8/25-8/31

• Final Fantasy: Type-O/Agito (PSP)
• Dragon Quest X Online (Wii)
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PS3)
• Mario Kart 7 (3DS)
• Photo Kano (PSP)

And it looks like the PS2 outsold the 360 here in Japan for the second week in a row. That's really got to hurt bad, especially when they didn't even sell a 1,000 units in the entire country of Japan this last week. Poor Microsoft. In any case, that's all for this weeks Famitsu, we hope you enjoyed it! Make sure to check back next week!

Submitted by: Sherrie Blackwell