Happy 120th Birthday, Nintendo!

Nintendo celebrates its 120th birthday this month. Although they didn't start developing video games until the 1970's, Nintendo was still in the gaming business well before that. They made their start as a playing card company way back in 1889. Let's take a minute and congratulate Nintendo on being the number one gaming company after all these years. Happy birthday, Nintendo!

Highlights of Tokyo Game Show 2009

This year's Tokyo Game Show came and went without any major announcements, but there was still plenty to see and do. Here are some of the DS related highlights.

Lots of great new Okamiden screens were made available, as well as some gameplay videos. To see all of the news, try searching the blog for "Okamiden".

While there were sadly no major announcements from Nintendo, there was some terrific merchandise available. Be prepared to see this stuff popping up on ebay soon!

Even Professor Layton had booth babes at the Tokyo Game Show.

Until next year, Tokyo Game show.

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New Globulos Screens

New screens of the upcoming game Globulos are available for viewing here. Globulos is a multiplayer game that lets players choose from a wide variety of games such as football or darts. No release date has been set. 

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Review

IGN has posted up their review of the DS' Kingdom Hearts game. Right off the bat, they make it clear the game is only for Kingdom Hearts fans, saying:

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a game for Kingdom Hearts fans and its plot is very difficult for newcomers to grasp, considering its somewhat specific focal point.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days revolves almost entirely around Organization XIII, a group of extremely powerful (and eccentric) Nobodies. Organization XIII's primary goal is to fabricate Kingdom Hearts -- a powerful, ethereal collection of hearts -- so they can reclaim their own hearts and complete their existence. If this sounds a bit confusing, it is. As is the case with previous Kingdom Hearts games, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days can be a bit hard to follow and nearly impossible to understand if you haven't played a Kingdom Hearts game before.

The review is largely positive, praising 358/2 for its high challenge level and control scheme. However, they do have some complaints with the game, saying:

But not everything is simple and clean in this DS spin-off. This is the fourth time I've traveled to some of these worlds and met these Disney characters -- and it's getting old. The idea of visiting different worlds isn't disagreeable to me at all, but everything in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is a rehash of a previous environment or scenario. Even the music tracks are all taken from previous games. This is unacceptable, because the Kingdom Hearts series deserves better.

Overall, IGN found the game to be a rewarding experience for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series, giving it an 8 out of 10.

New DSiWare for 9/29

Two new games are available in the DSiWare store as of today. The games are:

Art Academy: Second Semester; an art tutorial game designed to help users improve their art skills. It is 800 Nintendo DSi Points.

DRAGON QUEST WARS; a Square-Enix strategy-rpg featuring the monsters from the Dragon Quest universe. It also boasts online play. It is 500 Nintendo DSi Points.

New Today for the DS

The following games came out today on the DS:

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
MySims Agents
Battle of Giants - Dragons
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road
Hidden Mysteries: Titanic
Smart Kids: Mega Game Mix
Family Feud
Imagine Salon Stylist
Dream Dancer
Smart Girls Playhouse 2
Sideswiped

Scribblenauts to have Different Dictionaries in UK and AU

When popular puzzle game Scribblenauts comes out in the UK and Australia, the game will be sporting a new dictionary. Some words, such as "goliath", have been eliminated from the dictionary, while other words like "goo" will be able to summon new things. The dictionaries for the UK and Australian versions will be the same. The release date for Scribblenauts in Australia is September 30, it comes out October 9 in the UK.

Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyou Videos

New gameplay footage of  Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyou is available for viewing here. Okamiden is a sequel to beloved PS2 game Okami. It boasts all new adventures and a new main character, but with the game art-focused gameplay adapted for the DS. It is due out in 2010.

Scene It? Twilight for DS

A Twilight themed version of popular trivia game Scene It? will be appearing on the DS. The game will feature trivia from the Twilight books and movies and will also be coming out on the Wii. A Deluxe Board Game with DVD is also going to be released.

While other versions are due out in November, Scene It? Twilight for the DS comes out in early 2010.

Fighting Fantasy Action Footage

 A new video of the in-game action in Fighting Fantasy is available for viewing here. Fighting Fantasy is a first person RPG that's based on the  book series by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson. It's due out on October 27th. 

New Bakugan Screenshots

 New screens of the upcoming game Bakugan have been posted on IGN. You can view them all here. Bakugan is based on the popular Bakugan Battle Brawlers franchise. The game is due out on October 20th. If you pre-order at Best Buy, you'll also receive a free dvd.

New Deca Sports Screenshots

New screens for the upcoming title Deca Sports DS have been added at IGN. You can view all of them here. Deca Sports DS is an adaptation of the popular Wii title, and is due out in 2010.

New Crime Scene Screenshots

New screens of the upcoming game Crime Scene have been added to IGN. You can view them all here. Crime Scene is an interactive crime solving title, and is due out later this year.

New Ace Attorney: Investigations Site Launches

 A new site for the upcoming game Ace Attorney: Investigations has launched today. Ace Attorney: Investigations puts Ace Attorney fans into the shoes of famed prosecutor Miles Edgeworth, allowing them to gather evidence and build cases with the assistance of Detective Gumshoe. Ace Attorney: Investigations comes out February 16th, 2010.

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery News

New screens for the upcoming game Assassin's Creed II: Discovery News are available for viewing here at IGN. A release date for the game has also been announced. Assassin's Creed II will come out on November 17 with a suggested retail price of $29.99. The game is a sequel to the hit action/adventure game.

Marvel Super Hero Squad Character Roster Announced

The full list of characters for the upcoming DS game Marvel Super Hero Squad were announced today. The characters that will be featured in the game are:

• Captain America
• Doctor Strange
• Falcon
• Hulk
• Invisible Woman
• Iron Man
• Ms. Marvel
• Nick Fury 
• Nightcrawler
• Silver Surfer
• Spider-Man
• Storm
• Thing
• Thor
• Wolverine
• A.I.M Agent
• Abomination
• Crimson Dynamo
• Doctor Doom
• Juggernaut
• Loki
• Magneto
• M.O.D.O.K
• Mole Man
• Mystique
• Sabretooth
• Sentinel 

The game is scheduled to be available on October 20, 2009.

New Blue Dragon Game for Nintendo DS

A new game in the Blue Dragon series has been announced today at the Tokyo Game Show. This will be the third game in the franchise. The first game was released on the X-Box 360, and the second game was also released on the DS. This game will be an action RPG with gameplay similar to that of Diablo, and will have co-op with up to four players.

For more screens and info on the game, head over to IGN.

New Dragon Quest VI Screens

New screens for the upcoming game Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie are available for viewing here at IGN. Dragon Quest VI is a port of the classic SNES RPG. A release date has not been set.

New Dragon Quest IX Screens

New screens for the upcoming game Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Sky are available for viewing here at IGN. Dragon Quest IX is a new game coming from Square-Enix and Level 5, and is due out in 2010.

New Final Fantasy Gaiden Screens

New screens for the upcoming game Final Fantasy Gaiden are available for viewing here. Four Warriors of Light: Final Fantasy Gaiden stars a young boy on a mission to save a princess. The game is due out for release in Japan later this year.

Cross Treasures Screens

New Cross Treasures screenshots have been posted here at IGN. Cross Treasures is an upcoming Square Enix RPG, but not much else is known about it yet. The Tokyo Game Show is still ongoing, so sit tight for more news.

New Trailer for Again Debuts at Tokyo Game Show

A new trailer for Again, the upcoming game from the makers of Hotel Dusk, has been shown at the Tokyo Game Show. You can view the trailer here at IGN.com.

New Ace Attorney Investigations Artwork and Gameplay Videos

New artwork for the upcoming Ace Attorney Investigations has been released. Ace Attorney Investigations is the newest game in the popular Ace Attorney franchise, and is due out Feb

To see the full sized versions of the pictures, head over to IGN.

There are also two new gameplay videos at IGN which you can see here. 

Ghost Trick Announced

Today at the Tokyo Game Show Capcom announced its new upcoming title Ghost Trick. Ghost Trick is a puzzle game that puts players in control of Sissel, a ghost with amnesia. Together you must solve the mystery of Sissel's death. The game will have heavy adventure elements, and Sissel will have powers such as levitation and time control. Members of the team that worked on the popular "Ace Attorney" games are also working on this game.

There is no release date for the game as of yet. However, more news should be coming soon. For additional screens and information, head over to IGN.

Microsoft Rumored to be Buying EA

Rumors are swirling that Electronic Arts is soon going to be taken over by software giant Microsoft. Although neither Electronic Arts or Microsoft have commented on the rumors, Wallstreet analysts have reported that there have been talk of a sale.

However, analyst Trip Chowdhry thinks a sale is unlikely. "Our contacts just don't see Microsoft buying Electronic Arts, no synergies whatsoever, and also not Microsoft's corporate primary focus right now,"said Chowdhry.

Both Microsoft and EA's shares jumped after the rumors began.

EA Announces Tsumuji

Today at the Tokyo Game show EA announced its upcoming title Tsujimi. Tsijimi is a brand new game that follows a new fledgling hero on an adventure. Early reports say that the gameplay is very similar to that of The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass. Tsujimi is set to be released in Japan in Spring of 2010. For more screens and information, head over to IGN.com.

Find Professor Layton!

Professor Layton himself will be traveling to cities in the US. People that spot him will be challenged with puzzles, and free copies of the game Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box will be available to all that solve them. Keep your eye out for his top hat!

Professor Layton's Schedule is:

September 23rd: Minneapolis.
September 25th: Miami.
September 29th: Boston.
September 30th: Seattle.

For more information, head to the Professor Layton website.

Fall's Upcoming DS Games

IGN has posted alist of Fall releases for the DS. You can read a little more about each game here. The complete list is:

MySims Agents (September 29)
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (September 29)
Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Road (September 29)
Spore Hero Arena (October 6)
Star Wars: Clone Wars – Republic Heroes (October 6)
A Witch's Tale (October 6)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (October 12)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (October 13)
Space Invaders Extreme 2 (October 20)
WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2010 (October 20)
Cooking Mama 3: Shop and Chop (October 27)
Fighting Fantasy (October 27)
Drawn to Life: Next Chapter (October 27)
Rabbids Go Home (November 3)
LEGO Rock Band (November 3)
Band Hero (November 3)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Mobilized  (November 10)
Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands (November 10)  
Phantasy Star 0 (November 10)
Assassin's Creed II: Discovery (November 17)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (December 7) 

New Today for the DS

The following games were released today for the DS:

• Clubhouse Games Express: Strategy Pack
  
• Just in Time Translation
  
• Fabulous Finds
  
• The Price Is Right 2010 Edition
  
• Women's Murder Club: Games of Passion
  
• Scooby-Doo! First Frights
  
• My Hero: Astronaut
  
• Hidden Mysteries: Titanic
  
• Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey 
  

New Dawn of Heroes Screenshots on IGN

Ten new Dawn of Heroes screenshots are available for viewing here at IGN.com. Dawn of Heroes is a turn based strategy game and is due out later this year.

EA Announces Two Upcoming DSiWare Titles

EA announced today that two new Hasbro titles; Littlest Pet Shop and Scrabble, will be available for download in the DSiWare store later this fall. Littlest Pet Shop will be themed around the popular toy line and will feature activities like dress-up and dance parties. Scrabble is a version of the classic board game adapted for play on the DS.

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MySims Camera and Sudoku now available in the DSiWare Store

EA announced today that MySims camera and Sudoku are now available for download in the DSiWare store. MySims Camera allows users to animate their photos using MySims characters, while offers many number-crunching puzzles.

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Bejeweled Twist and Bookworm Coming to DS

 PopCap is bringing adaptions of two of its hit games; Bejeweled Twist and Bookworm to the DS. These are the first releases of these games on a video game console and will be the first PopCap games available through DSi. Bookworm will be available via DSiWare at the end of this month, with Bejeweled Twist being available for download in mid-October. Bookworm DS will be available for purchase on December first. A release date for Bejeweled Twist has not been set.

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New Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyou Screens

Screens for Okamiden: Chisaki Taiyou, the sequel to the hit game Okami, have been released. Okamiden will follow a new wolf hero named Chibiterasu. The game is due out in 2010. You can see more screens here.

IGN'S Top 5 Best and Worst DS Games

IGN has posted their top 5 DS games, as well as their bottom 5. The games they've chosen are:

Top 5 Best
5. The World Ends With You
4. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
3. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
2. Mario Kart DS
1. New Super Mario Bros.

Top 5 Worst
5. Harlem Globetrotters World Tour
4. Homie Rollerz
3. Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche
2. Elf Bowling 1&2
1. Wiffle Ball

To read what IGN had to say about each game, check the full list here.

Iggy Pop to Appear in LEGO Rock Band

It was revealed today that rock icon Iggy Pop will be appearing in the upcoming LEGO Rock Band as a LEGO minifigure. He will also be doing voice-over work for the game's tutorial. LEGO Rock Band will be released for the DS this holiday season.

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Namco Bandai's Tokyo Game Show DS Lineup

Namco Bandai shared its TGS lineup today. It included several DS titles, which are listed below.

Summon Night X: Tears Crown (DS)
Blue Dragon: Ikai no Kyojuu (DS)
Kimi ni Todoke: Sodateru Omoi (DS)
ElementHunters (DS)
Kaiju Busters (DS)
The Idolmaster: Dearly Stars (DS -- already out)
Tamagotchi no Nari Kiri Channe (DS)
Futari wa Pretty Cure: Asobi Collection (DS)
DoraBase 2 (DS)
Family Trainer 1&2 (DS)
Anpanman to Touch de Waku Waku Training (DS -- already out)

It's possible that more games will join the lineup after the TGS begins. Check back here for updates.

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New Information on Need for Speed Nitro

New information on the upcoming Need for Speed Nitro, coming out in November, has been released.

Need for Speed Nitro will feature heavy customization options, including the ability to color your car using a full color wheel, and the ability to create custom logos. The career mode will be similar to that of Need for Speed on the Wii. It will include 10 races, including circuit, knockout, sprint, checkpoint challenge, tag countdown, tagpoint challenge, tag'em all, smash countdown, smashpoint challenge, and smash'em all.

Need for Speed Nitro comes out on November 17 for the Wii and DS.

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New Screenshots of DSi Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function

New screenshots of the upcoming DSi's Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function have appeared on ign.com. They are available for viewing here.

The Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function will allow users to enter words via a keyboard on the touch screen or to write them using the stylus. It also contains software that will translate words from a picture taken by a user. It will include English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese words, and it is slated for release in 2009.

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Konami Announces First DSiWare Title

Konami has announced that they plan to release an original DSi title called Reflection this fall. Reflection is a platformer with additional puzzle elements. Gamers will play as Kirra, an adventurer charged with the task of retrieving the pieces of a broken magic mirror. It will take advantage of the DSi's dual screen functionality.

Anthony Borquez, Vice President of Online Development of Konami Digital Entertainment says "We wanted to come out of the gate with a quality title for our first Nintendo DSi release and Reflection has definitely set the bar high with a great storyline and gameplay features that any player would find compelling...Nintendo DSi is the optimal device to host a 2D Platformer title and as a downloadable puzzle platformer, Reflection will provide gamers with an experience that can't be missed."

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Top Rated iPhone Game tobe Available on the DSi

The iPhone's number one rated game, Flight Control, is headed to the DSi. The addictive game will hit the DSi store complete with new levels and features.

The game will also include 2-player cooperative play. A release date has not been set.

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Castle of Magic to be released for the DSi

Gameloft's Castle of Magic is coming to DSis everywhere soon via Digital Download. It is expected to be available in the DSi shop soon.

Castle of Magic is a magic-filled platformer that has been previously released on the iPhone and other mobile devices.

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Clayfighter Coming to the DSi

Entertainment Corp announced it plans to update Clayfighter and release in on both the Wii and the Nintendo DSi, complete with improved graphics and gameplay. The game will be available for download via Digital Download.

Interplay CEO Herve Caen says "We are very enthusiastic to resurrect Clayfighter's crazy characters and unique humor. Eric Hart's involvement in the previous Clayfighter titles makes StudioBlack the logical choice to give this classic franchise a well-deserved makeover."

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