Where Has Nintendo of America Gone??

The DS is almost bare of any Nintendo(aka first party) support of late; where oh where has Nintendo of America gone? Sadly I know the answer to that, the Wii. As much as I like the Wii, I wish Nintendo wouldn't play favourites as much as it does. Inevitably this always happens, the console is pampered, while the handheld has to fend for itself. Sure the DS is doing great, and the Wii needs more support, but why has Nintendo of America all but abandoned DS support? Where are all the great Nintendo DS titles from Japan? That is the question! Come on Nintendo of America don't leave us poor handheld owners in the cold yet again.....

1. Where is ASH (Archaic Sealed Heat)?

Yes, ASH sold poorly in Japan and it was never confirmed for North American release. BUT it did show up on the ESRB, so that at least means Nintendo of America had played with the idea of releasing it in the west. So where is the tactical RPG now? nobody knows but Nintendo; maybe it's still on the way, or maybe it was scraped. Either way, there has been no news about it since the sighting of it in May on the ESRB site.

2. Where is Professor Layton 2 & 3?

Another title that has been very hushed; nothing about the second installment has been heard or confirmed, expect for the little statement in the manual of the first Layton game:

"The sequel to this game will give you a password."

The chances for Layton hitting the west are a lot better then ASH, but the silence at Nintendo has been disheartening. There have been a few valid points as to why Nintendo of America is keeping its lips sealed. They include: the localization of a puzzle and word intensive game takes time and Layton isn't ready just yet, and/or the other regions where Layton was recently released will inevitably hear about it if Nintendo of America announces the sequel, so Nintendo is keeping quiet to increase sales. (But I don't quite understand why sales would decrease if the people in those regions heard about the sequel; if anything they would increase, because the sequel continues the tale and although having played the first game isn't required, it will help with understanding character relations and where the story left off). The other less attractive alternatives are, either Nintendo of America is waiting out the economic storm, or they dropped Layton altogether and are not planning on releasing any more games. That or they just like to irritate us fans by not giving us any confirmations =/

Edit: Level 5 confirmed that Layton 2 is currently being localized for the west, so it's definitely coming. I estimate it will be out late 2009 (most likely during the holidays)
Edit 2: It's official release date is August 24th :D

3.Where is Rhythm Heaven (Rhythm Tengoku Gold)?

So I'm not too fond of the rhythm genre and I'm not really regretting the absence of this game, but there are a lot of others who were genuinely excited about its localization. It's even been featured in Nintendo Power's News Section in issue 232 and the issue following it had the game listed in the Game Watch Forecast as TBA. Sure it hasn't had an official O.K., but the majority of the games featured in Nintendo Powers' News and Preview section get localized. So the question remains, where is it? And unlike ASH and Layton, Rhythm Heaven has very little dialogue; the only reason I can see it taking so long, is if Nintendo of America is changing some of the rhythm mini games to be more "western".

EDIT: Rhythm Heaven is confirmed! It's coming out in March I believe. Rejoice rhythm genre fans.
EDIT 2: Actually according to Amazon, it's coming in November. Well at least it's coming right rhythm fans?
EDIT 3: It was released in April along with the DSi

4.Where is Elite Beat Agents 2?

Japan has already three installments of their equivalent of EBA (i believe it's called Ouenden), but NA hasn't heard anything about another EBA game. The first Elite Beat Agents game was published over 2 years ago, so where is the sequel? Really, it shouldn't be taking them more then 3 years to develop another EBA.

5.Where is Soma Bringer?

Unlike ASH, Layton, or Rhythm Heaven, there has been nothing to suggest that Nintendo of America plans on bringing this little gem of an action RPG to NA. At a time when most companies are bringing over all the RPGs they can, I find Nintendo of America's attitude very odd. Maybe they think there is too much competition, but I just hope and pray that Nintendo of America does not become the next Namco-Bandai, which habitually ignores its awesome handheld RPGs (& related genres) as possible titles for localization. The screenshot to the left doesn't do this game justice, to see the beautiful graphics, it's best to watch a gameplay video.

6.Why is Fire Emblem coming to Europe before it hits North America?

So Europe usually gets the shaft with release dates, but this time North Americans are feeling neglected. Sure, maybe Nintendo of America is playing it safe and waiting for the economy to stablize, but I don't understand why they are not releasing this gem in december here as well as in Europe. Especially since Nintendo has nothing planned for the DS in december and the holiday rush. If they already had something to release during Christmas, then I would understand their logic, but releasing it a month or two later when they don't have anything to release for the DS this Christmas is incomprehensible, and I don't think the economy will improve drastically over two months...I think Nintendo of America needs to hire someone else for scheduling release dates.

Alright, so I may be being a little unfair to Nintendo of America, since Nintendo of Japan isn't spitting out that much lately either. But unlike Nintendo of Japan, our Nintendo has a few games that it could release, but just doesn't seem in any hurry to do so. Why oh why is Nintendo being so lazy? I want these first party gems and I want them in english, so I can actually understand what I am playing. All that is left for me is to hope Nintendo doesn't entirely turn its back on us DS owners and does publish these eventually. Come on Nintendo, don't fail me again!

~Joanna

Lots of Ranting About Games on the DS: Those Available and Those Up and Coming

Too Much Love for the DS + Impulsive Buys = Bankruptcy

I love my DS and its game library too much!! In fact, just yesterday I purchased yet another game, so now I have three games sitting on my self that I have yet to play *sigh* Which titles? Heroes of Mana, Trauma Centre 1, and Touch Detective 2.5. The most recent being Touch Detective. And what is keeping me from playing them? FFTA2, which I still have yet to finish. It's not so much that I am so obsessed that I play all the time, it's more that I am an impulsive buyer and I can't resist a good deal, or a rare find. Both Heroes of Mana and Touch Detective had a good price; I bought HoM for half it's usual price and new, while I found a used copy of TD for 20 canadian. Trauma Centre on the other hand is pretty hard to track down, so when I saw it used, I immediately had to buy it. Well at least I have a very nice and extensive DS library.....

*edit: I just bought yet another game on sale, Sonic Rush for $2o canadian and it's new. This game is pure sega genesis nostalgia for me, since I grew up with the sega genesis instead of the Super Nintendo. But I did play the Super Nintendo at a friend's house, so I have fond memories of both systems.

FFTA2: Making Progress, One Mission at a Time

Well I'm making some progress in FFTA2, although I know I'm still nowhere near the 400ish quests that the game boasts. I've recently recruited Hurdy into my fold, but yet again, he is impossible to miss, since he joins your party after you complete a story quest. Although you have the choice to recruit him, or not, I suggest that you do, since he comes with the exclusive Bard job that only he can use. I wonder who will be my next special character? On a negative note, the story continues to be nonexistent. All that happens in story missions is mostly irrelevant and just creates more foreshadowing. Luso dreams of a place, and he is sure it is out there somewhere. Adelle meets someone who seems to know that she is a lot stronger and better then your average Hume, but that's about it. In other FFTA2 news, I have finally recruited a Gria and she is awesome ^^ Now if I could recruit just one more.... And if your wondering, I've only completed 120ish missions, I know I'm really slow ^^;;

*update: Now I have 134 completed missions! yuppie for me!

Etrian Odyssey & Etrian Odyssey 2: Heros of Lagaard

The second installment of EO has recently come out, and I've heard good things about it. It features basically the same gameplay with slight tweeks to make the game better, while increasing its difficulty. I hear there are warp points on each floor, cutting down the backtracking a lot (if only they existed in the original *tear drop*), but also that the FOEs are even more deadly this time around and now they don't drop any loot (bummer!). So why haven't I gone to pick it up? Two reasons: first, I'm a little low on cash due to my impulse buys and second, I still have yet to finish the first game. Last I played, I was on the 10th floor and I came back to town and switched my Hunter for a Troubadour; I figured that stat buffs are better then state ailments. And in case you are wondering, my team is comprised of a Protector, a Landschnekt, a Medic, an Alchemist and now a Tourbadour, and yes each of them are female ^^ I think this is the only game where you can make all your teammates girls without being restricted to certain jobs. (Ok, there is also FFX-2, but its more of a spinoff of FFX, then a true FF incarnation).

Final Fantasy IV Coming to the DS in a Few Days

July 22nd is the date, but its probably coming out a little later here in Canada (as usual). I am excited, but I'm torn as to whether I should wait a little for a price drop since I already have too many games or go out and purchase it. I've heard lots of raving about it, but once more I still have to finish FF III. I know, I'm so slow, but I like to savor my games =P. Watching game clips has only increased my hunger for it, as FF IV is a bigger improvement over FF III and not only graphically; it has voiced scenes! and modified gameplay (don't whine FF IV fan boys and girls, its been done to both the japanese and north american versions and it only affects battles!). You can now teach the special abilities of allies that leave you and bosses you fight to members of your party! In other news, I've seen a video at www.gamespot.com where some guys reassures the fan base that the famous "spoony bard" line is still in this version. And that was the most important piece of information that I needed to hear, and now I know that FF IV will be super-duper-fantastic-lick-awesome! =) Just maybe I might cave in and buy it......

NIS Joins the DS Gravy Train

NIS, most well known for publishing the Disgaea franchise has also hopped onto the DS gravy train, and will be releasing two titles in September and another one later in 2008. The two titles slanted for release in September are remakes of PS2 and PS1 games repectively: the first being Disgaea 1, an SRPG and the second, Rhapsody, an RPG. Both games will of course have redesigned graphics, since the DS isn't as strong as the PS2, but the basic gameplay and story will remain intact. The title slanted for a later release is a brand new Action RPG titled "A Witch's Tale". Since my favourite genres all have 'RPG' in them, I am eagerly awaiting more information on these three titles. So far, all three games look and sound yummy, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for them. With both Square Enix and Nis now backing the DS, the system will most definitely be serving up many portions of strategy, RPG and action RPG games! A bright future shines for DS owners, oh yes ^__________^


DS is Honored by Square Once Again! (or Maybe they Just Want More Money..)

The best news of the year is that the DS has the honor of once again bringing to life a classic from the SNES era, and no, its not FF V, but (drum roll, please) .................................................................................CHRONO TRIGGER! that's right Chrono Trigger, the game everyone has been whining about (me included) and hoping that it would get placed onto virtual console or ported to the DS. Well whine no more because gaming sites everywhere have broken the news, Square Enix announced at E3 that CT will be ported to the DS and its coming out sometime at the end of 2008, most likely in time for the holidays. I am definitely picking it up this december. =) Oh, and for clarity's sake, this will be a port of the original, so not a remake like FFIII or FFIV. It will have the original and the enhance PS1 port, so its two version in one cart! yuppie! A portable Chrono Trigger, I've been dreaming of you for a while now.

Archaic Sealed Heat Raises from the Ashes

I apologize for the horrible pun above, I just couldn't resist ^^;; As the title states, this is about Archaic Sealed Heat or ASH for short. A few gaming sites have informed me that the title has recently (May-ish) been rated by the ESRB, getting a rating of E10+. Since the ESRB only rates games which are and will be released in North America, it is a good indicator that the game will be coming over. However, the bad news is that nothing has been officially confirmed, so the fate of ASH is still up in the air. I'm crossing my figures that this SRPG, which looks positively gorgeous, makes it over.

~Joanna