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Important Importables: Ace Attorney

Jenni Lada — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:45:39 +0000

Capcom may be neglecting one of its blue-suited icons, Mega Man, but it’s throwing its full support behind another, Phoenix Wright. The Ace Attorney series, known as Gyakuten Saiban in Japan, is doing better than ever. With three games coming soon as well as a feature film based on the events of the first game, it’s the perfect time to find out why people have so much love for a game about a virtual lawyer.

So, it’s time to start the investigation! It’s the perfect time for DS and 3DS owners to get into the series, if they haven’t already. Also, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Wii owners can get in on the fun since many of the games received iOS or WiiWare ports.

Objection! How did this get started?

Gyakuten Saiban has been a thing in Japan since 2001, when the first game was released on the Game Boy Advance. Apparently, Capcom didn’t have a lot of faith in gamers and their willingness to accept a comedic adventure game about a defense attorney. It’s probably for the best, as when the 2005 Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney port was released, it contained the original four cases and an all new fifth case with special DS features. That’s when Capcom realized it had a hit series on its hands, and went on to port the original game to Windows PCs in Japan, and to the Wii and iOS in Japan and North America.

Its success also ensured the release of the next three games outside of Japan. We still missed out on GBA released, but DS and WiiWare versions of Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All and Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations both appeared. Plus, the first DS exclusive game Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney was released worldwide without any hesitation.

All of the main games proceed in the same way. There are typically four or five cases. First, there’s an investigation phase where the defense attorney, Phoenix Wright in the first three games and Apollo Justice in the fourth, searches the crime scene, talks to witnesses and meets the client. Here’s when people collect evidence for trial and piece together how a murder happened with the help of an assistant, in Phoenix’s case Maya Fey and sometimes Pearl Fay help. Apollo has Trucy Wright by his side. The second part of each case is the trial phase, where players have to help their lawyer defend the client by picking holes in the testimony of the witnesses by showing their lies and presenting evidence so the true murderer can be revealed.

Now that you’re interested, there’s a little bit of a problem. You may have trouble finding some of the Ace Attorney DS games. The original Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is fairly easy to find, and you shouldn’t have to look too hard for Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. However, Ace Attorney: Justice for All and Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations may be a bit more difficult to find, and odds are you’ll have to pay more than usual for a new copy. If you own a Wii, you’ll have no problem as first three games covering Phoenix’s adventures are always just a click away on the Wii Shop Channel. The same goes for the iOS version of the original game.

As for the future, Phoenix Wright has a lot of things planned. A 3DS mashup game by the name of Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney is in development and Gyakuten Saiban 5 has just been announced. Gyakuten Saiban 123HD has just been released on iTunes in Japan too, and it is a HD remaster of the first three Ace Attorney games.

Hold it! So just how popular is Ace Attorney?

It’s incredibly popular worldwide, though its fame started in Japan. The result is a huge number of spin-offs and merchandise for fans to enjoy. Fortunately, people don’t necessarily have to import to enjoy all of it. Some of the Ace Attorney tie-ins were released worldwide, among them the forthcoming Gyakuten Saiban movie. The most prominent releases are of the various manga volumes. The Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney manga is being localized, and so were the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Official Casebooks, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Edgeworth Files and the Miles Edgeworth: Ace Attorney Investigations manga is in the process of being translated and will be released in North America this year.

Speaking of Ace Attorney Investigations, the popularity of the main series and its primary antagonist, Miles Edgeworth, lead to the prosecutor getting his own series. Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth received a worldwide release and involved more investigating and no courtroom drama. Instead, Edgeworth finds the suspect outside the courtroom at the crime scenes to assist with arrests. You may have to shop around to find a copy, as it’s gotten rather rare as of late. Sadly, despite the original being a fantastic game, Capcom decided not to take a chance on Gyakuten Kenji 2, making the sequel a Japan-exclusive. A fan translation is currently in progress to create an unofficial English patch.

However, some Ace Attorney extras can only be enjoyed if you’re in Japan or willing to import. In particular, the musical performances and concerts. Actually, even if you visit Japan now you probably won’t catch the musical. Gyakiten Saiban: Yomigaeru Shinjitsu and its sequel were only performed by the all-female Takarazuka Revue troupe in 2009. At least you can enjoy the music from the series. Aside from the official soundtracks for each game, Capcom has also released the Gyakuten Saiban Orchestra Album and Gyakuten Saiban Jazz Album, offering new arrangements of songs from the game. Supposedly they’ll be released outside Japan, but they haven’t appeared yet. You could also check online for Gyakuten Saiban Tokubetsu Houtei 2008, an official recording of a live concert of Ace Attorney music.

You may want to also try plugging Gyakuten Saiban into the search boxes at your favorite online import shops. You never know, you may find phone straps, bags, folders or other Ace Attorney merchandise.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Importables reviews Mother 3.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables talked about Marvelous Entertainment.

Follow Jenni on Twitter for more import game updates and general fangirl enthusiasm!

There’s a really good reason why Skylanders are hard to find

Jeremy Hill — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:13:27 +0000

Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure was a really big hit for Activision. Activision said Skylanders was the single biggest new intellectual property launch in the company’s history. How big you ask? Well, Activision said Skylanders was the tenth best selling game in North America last year if you include the number of toys it sold. At this rate, Activision believes Skylanders could become its next billion dollar franchise.

It’s no secret Skylanders figurines were disappearing from store shelves shortly after being stocked. It’s not like toys were in short supply either. Activision said over 20 million Skylanders toys have been sold. This helped the Skylanders franchise bring in $200 million in revenue. The demand has been simply massive and we’re bound to see a similar response once the new Skylanders: Giants toys hit the market in the fall.

The Skylanders franchise will also come to iOS and Android, so we’ll be keeping an eye on that as well.

Nintendo Downloads for February 9, 2012

Jenni Lada — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:20:14 +0000

Good morning everyone! It’s time for yet another tiny Nintendo Download update. I guess only three games per week is going to be the norm now, as there’s only one new 3DS game, one WiiWare game and one DSiWare game to choose from. Thankfully, BurgerTime World Tour is one of them. So we do have one worthwhile game to look forward to playing. Let’s hope that the flow of games picks up in the coming week and we start seeing two or, dare I say it, three games in each eShop update.

Gamertell’s Nintendo Download pick for the week is BurgerTime World Tour (WiiWare).

3DS eShop

Maru’s Mission
Price: $2.99
Originally Appeared On: Game Boy
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: Muramasa the Samurai kidnapped Maru the ninja’s girlfriend Cori, and now he has to go through levels around the world to get her back.

WiiWare

BurgerTime World Tour
Price: 1,000 Nintendo Points / $10
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: Peter Pepper has to go through cylindrical levels, running over parts of hamburgers to make them fall to the bottom of the stage to form giant hamburgers, all while being chased by malevolent, anthropomorphic food. I think the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions looked better, but at least Wii owners now have a chance to play this reboot too!

Virtual Console

N/A

DSiWare

(Note: All DSiWare can also be played on the 3DS.)

40-in-1 Explosive Megamix
b>Price: 800 Nintendo Points / $7.99
Genre: Mini-game Collection
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: This is a mini-game collection filled with 40 different brief games, most of which need to be unlocked by playing the other games. Honestly, you’d do better if you went to a store and picked up 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix instead. It’s a physical DS cartridge from the same developer, only with 101 games. Plus, while it’s normally $19.99, you can easily find it for under $13. You’d get 61 extra games for just a few dollars more.

Site [Nintendo]

Nintendo needs help with Xenoblade Chronicles’ cover

Jenni Lada — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:20:33 +0000

Xenoblade Chronicles is finally making it to North America in April, 2012, and Nintendo wants fans to feel involved. After all, I’m sure Project Rainfall and all those fan petitions helped convince Nintendo that releasing a high quality RPG outside of Japan would be a good idea. Since the cover of the game is going to be reversible, Nintendo’s decided to let fans pick what will be on the opposite side.

Nintendo has now posted four possible Xenoblade reverse cover art selections on its Facebook page. They’re also available in a special album, in case you don’t see them on Nintendo’s wall. The image that receives the most “likes” is the one that will be used as the cover. You can vote on more than one if you’d like, but vote early. Nintendo didn’t say when it will decide one design has won.

If you feel like you’ve heard about this before, you have. Nintendo’s European branch did the same exact thing when it released Xenoblade Chronicles. The image at the right is the image that won in Europe. Of the four images Nintendo provided for the North American box art possibilities, two are different, the second and third images posted on Nintendo’s Facebook, and two are returning, the first and fourth images posted.

So, which one’s your favorite. I like the one at the top, but I also like the one that shows the whole cast.

Site [Nintendo]

Skylanders: Giants revealed for Fall release

Jeremy Hill — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:27:43 +0000

By now we should all know that whenever Activision has a money maker on its hands, it will exploit the franchise until it stops oozing profits. One of Activision’s latest cash cows was Skylander’s: Spyro’s Adventure. It was released last year and customers are still having a difficult time finding Skylanders figures in stores. This fall, Activision will keep the gravy train rolling with Skylanders: Giants.

Skylanders: Giants isn’t an expansion on the original game. Instead, Skylanders: Giants is brand new adventure that will feature eight giant characters that are two times larger than other Skylanders. Skylanders: Giants will also feature more than 12 additional characters/toys.

Skylanders: Giants figurines also come embedded with “light technology” that allows the toys to light up when they’re around the Portal of Power. These toys will also get more in-game powers as well.

Best of all, your Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure characters will all be compatible with Skylanders: Giants.

Read [PR Newswire]

Toys R Us’ February 5-11 ad has 3 pages of video game sales

Jenni Lada — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:58:43 +0000

Toys R Us’ February 5-11, 2012 sale ad is pretty promising this week if you love video games. The first three pages of it are devoted completely to systems, accessories and games. Odds are, you’ll see something worthwhile for yourself or someone else. Not to mention it’s another week where if you buy one value game, priced under $19.99, you can get a second one for 40% off.

There are three system deals this week. The most expensive is the 4gb Xbox 360 Kinect bundle. It’s $299.99 and comes with a $25 gift card. The $149.99 Wii also comes with a gift card too, but it’s value is only $20. Finally, the $169.99 3DS comes with a free carrying case this week.

Now, on to the games. Aside from the value game promotion, there’s another large deal. If you pick up Just Dance 3 for $39.99, you can get another Wii game for half off. This deal only applies to Wii games under $49.99, but it’s still a great deal. There are also 12 other games on either on sale or with a special promotion.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (PS3, Xbox 360) – $49.99
Batman: Arkham City (PS3, Xbox 360) – $44.99
Battlefield 3 (PS3, Xbox 360) – $49.99
Darkness II (PS3, Xbox 360) with $10 gift card – $59.99
Goldeneye 007 (PS3, Xbox 360) – $39.99
Kinectimals with Bears (PS3, Xbox 360) – $29.99
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (PS3, Xbox 360) – $39.99
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (PS3, Xbox 360) – $19.99
Minute to Win It (PS3, Xbox 360) – $29.99
Once Upon a Monster (PS3, Xbox 360) – $14.99
Resident Evil: Revelations (3DS) with $10 gift card – $49.99
Spider-Man: Edge of Time (PS3, Xbox 360) – $29.99

An assortment of controllers have also been reduced this week.

Air Flow Wired Controller (PS3) – $19.99
Batarang Controller (PS3, Xbox 360) – $29.99
Lego Build and Play Remote (Wii) – $.99
Power A Pro Ex (PS3) – $9.98

Finally, this week’s ad has something for iOS owners as well. iTunes gifts are part of a sale promotion. If you spend over $30 on gift cards while you’re in Toys R Us, $5 will be taken off of the total. It’s a small about, but at least you’ll be saving something.

Site [Toys R Us]

THQ says its financial woes are uDraw’s fault

Jenni Lada — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:05:09 +0000

All is not well for THQ. The company is sinking and flailing, due to debts and losses, and it’s responding by cutting back on jobs, pay and the kinds of games it’ll make. Now, it’s CEO Brian Farrell is saying that a big part of its problems is because people didn’t like the uDraw GameTablet. Because it didn’t sell after being ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360 and interest in the Wii version faltered, the company lost oodles of money.

You’re probably wondering exactly how much uDraw cost THQ. Let’s start with its operating loss for the year, which is about $54.6 million. The uDraw is responsible for over $30 million of that. In addition, THQ didn’t move as many uDraws as it made. Stores bought 1 million copies, which tended not to sell. The company has around 1.4 million uDraw GameTablets and games that haven’t been sold or shipped out, which would potentially be worth an additional $100 million. Supposedly the unsold merchandise is going to eventually make it to stores, but THQ likely won’t get the $100 million it expected.

Personally, I can’t see any credible video game developer or publisher looking at the uDraw and seeing a console peripheral that would not only succeed, but also as something that would expand in the future. I think it’s initial success with the Wii was a fluke as parents or grandparents picked it up thinking it would be something kids would want. It didn’t have enough interesting software to back it up and the move to bring it to the PS3 and Xbox 360, which primarily cater to older audiences and more serious gamers, was a fatal mistake. Maybe if THQ had gotten other developers and publishers on board for games, things would have been different.

If you really want a uDraw GameTablet, then I’d recommend waiting. The retail prices for this thing was $69.99 on the Wii and $79.99 on the PS3 and Xbox 360 originally, but now it’s relatively easy to find it for around $45. Wait a little longer and I predict it’ll be like the DJ Hero bundles – available for under $30. I bet Goodwill will eventually even start getting copies of it and selling the bundles for under $20! THQ has stopped making the tablets and games, but I’m sure we’ll still see them around the bargain bins for another year or two.

Read [Gamasutra] Site []

THQ axes uDraw hardware

Jeremy Hill — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:54:51 +0000

THQ announced its third quarter financial earnings for fiscal 2012 earlier today. One interesting note in the publisher’s financial report declared the end of uDraw hardware. THQ will rely on its core games and digital revenue until it can become profitable again.

uDraw was a surprising success when it was released for the Wii. THQ thought it had something very special on its hands because uDraw was a cross between a game controller and a tablet. THQ also released uDraw hardware for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in an effort to capitalize on its Wii success. Unfortunately, uDraw on the PS3 and Xbox 360 didn’t sell well at all.

“Sales of the uDraw GameTablet and related software, and other titles in the kids, family and casual category were far weaker than anticipated, substantially reducing our financial results for the quarter,” said THQ President and CEO Brian Farrell in the earnings report.

uDraw’s fate was pretty much sealed when THQ decided to stop producing licensed kids games.

Via [THQ]

Stores getting Cynder, Double Trouble and Slam Bam Skylanders

Jenni Lada — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:00:03 +0000

Your quest isn’t over yet, Skylanders fantatics. Activision has set before you a new task. It is one that will require you to visit many stores and spend lots of money so that the brave warriors Cynder, Double Trouble and Slam Bam may once again join the fight against Kaos in the Skylands. In short, the next wave of Skylanders figurines have been released and it’s time to go find them.

This new round includes two single figures and one Adventure Pack. The difference between the two is the Adventure Pack gives you a playable character, a new level to explore and two items that unleash magic spells when placed on the portal. Cynder is an undead element dragon and a returning character from the main Spyro series. Double Trouble is a magic element character who looks like a witch doctor or tiki-dude. Both are the last undead and magic characters needed to complete the four piece sets for their respective elements. The Adventure Pack is Empire of Ice, which includes Slam Bam, the second to last water elemental needed to complete that set. A single figure should cost $7.99 and an Adventure Pack $19.99, but be careful. Stores have started to mark that price up. Walmart, Target and Best Buy all go by the MSRP, but be careful at Toys R Us as it’s charging $9.99 per single figure and $24.99 per Adventure Pack.

Okay, time for a funny story. Last weekend when I hung out with fellow Gamertell writer Jessica Moen, I brought along Skylanders for the PS3 and a handful of figures. I like to pretend we’re fairly reasonable and normal adults and it turned out everyone loved them. We then went on a two hour “hunt” through Target, Meijer, Best Buy, GameStop and Toys R Us in search of more Skylanders. The result was the acquisition of the Empire of Ice Adventure Pack that included Slam Bam, a piece that unlocked “Chapter 23: Empire of Ice” and the Anvil Rain and Sky-Iron Shield magic items that cause magical effects in the game. Of course, we found it in the last store we checked and Toys R Us ended up charging us a little over $27 for it, but the general consensus was that it was worth it. Of course, that may have been because we were tired of driving and just wanted to get back so we could have dinner and play again.

Read [Joystiq] Site [Skylanders: Spyro's Adventures]

Nintendo Downloads for February 2, 2012

Jenni Lada — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:10:04 +0000

Okay, it’s good news/bad news time when it comes to Nintendo Downloads. The good news is, the 3DS and DSiWare games available this week look really promising and might be worth your money. The bad news is, this is the smallest update ever since there are only three games available. Look at it this way, Sakura Samurai looks really cool!

Gamertell’s Nintendo Download pick for the week is Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword.

3DS eShop

Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword
Price: $6.99
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: “Teen”
Players: 1
Description: Princess Cherry Blossom has been kidnapped and it is up to a boy dubbed the Sakura Samurai to save her. There’s a story mode to go through, as well as modes where you have to beat 30, 50 or 100 enemies in a row or help spruce up a garden.

WiiWare

Carmen Sandiego Adventures in Math: The Great Gateway Grab
Price: 600 Nintendo Points / $6
Genre: Edutainment
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1-6
Description: Games like this remind me how much I miss classic Carmen Sandiego. Anyways, in this episode Carmen Sandiego and V.I.L.E. stole The Gateway of India from Mumbai and you have to solve math problems to get it back.

Virtual Console

N/A

DSiWare

(Note: All DSiWare can also be played on the 3DS.)

GO Series: Undead Storm
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $1.99
Genre: Shooter
ESRB Rating: “Everyone 10+”
Players: 1-4
Description: This is a top-down shooter with action and very mild RPG elements. You pick a character and shoot your way through a zombie invasion. It’s not terribly pretty and it’s somewhat basic, but keep in mind that it’s also only $2.

Site [Nintendo]