No, someone didn’t leave a question mark in my teleprompter. XSeed’s upcoming Wii and DS title Ivy the Kiwi? is an adventurous platformer from the creative mastermind that developed Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuji Naka. Earlier this summer, The Tanooki’s own Joey and Rhody checked out the quirky title at E3, a game which follows a hatchling named Ivy through a beautifully drawn world. Travel through challenging levels, avoiding obstacles while using Ivy’s torpedo attack to defeat enemies.

We’ve got three new gameplay videos to share with you today showing off Ivy the baby bird and her latest adventure. These “super play” videos show off the control scheme of the game on both Wii and DS. Check them out above (from Chapter 5), and below the break (Chapters 3 and 4).

Ivy

Chapter 3 Video:

Chapter 4 Video:

Related Posts

• 
  A trio of new Super Scribblenauts gameplay videos
• The Tanooki Update Watch- Videos, Videos, Videos!
• 
  Super Scribblenauts brings some [adjective] screen shots and gameplay videos to Gamescom

Ivy the Kiwi? from XSeed games is a non-traditional action platformer coming to the Nintendo DS and Wii. (And no, I’m not unsure of the title, there is a question mark in it.) The game’s objective is to guide the protagonist Ivy across a playing area to a podium at the end of the level. Players do this by using the Wii remote or DS stylus to draw lines on the screen that create vines which can be utilized in a variety of ways. Ivy, meanwhile, walks about on her own requiring players to act quickly to guide Ivy along a safe path while avoiding enemies and traps. The vines can be used as more than just simple platforms as players can push Ivy while they draw them, or drag down on the vines and  release them like a spring board to launch Ivy into the air with a drill attack.

While I only had the chance to explore a few stages of the game, Ivy the Kiwi? has a charming art style that is reminicent of a children’s book. The game will offer simple, yet challenging experience for players, and will include over 100 different stages. Ivy will also include both competitive and cooperative multiplayer modes. The game was developed by Yuji Naka who also created the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog. Check below for screenshots of the Wii version of the game coming later this summer from XSeed games.

RHODY’S THOUGHTS

I also got a chance to play Ivy the Kiwi?. I actually didn’t know it was one of the games XSeed was going to be showing us, but I’m certainly glad it was. I had been interested in it for a while, if only because it was by Sonic creator Yuji Naka.

XSeed product manager Jimmy Soga told me I played pretty much amazingly well for someone who had never played before. (Definitely better than Joey.) That’s because it plays like a mix of Kirby Canvas Curse and one of the trampoline minigames from New Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario 64 DS. You draw lines to guide Ivy across the level, like Kirby, but they have to be straight and can also act as trampolines, like the Mario minigame. He kind of looked at me a little weird when I said that, but I mean it in the best possible way. Follow this game closely. It’s bound to be a sleeper hit.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Related Posts

• 
  E3 2010: Jason’s Nintendo 3DS hands-on impressions
• 
  E3 2010: NBA JAM hands-on game impressions
• 
  Karaoke Revolution: Glee hands on impressions – Update: Screenshots added

If you’re trying to keep track of what’s going on with the North American launch of Namco Bandai and tri-Crescendo’s Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon, you’ll need to take note here. XSEED has announced that they’ll be completely changing the name for the game’s localization. The game will now be known as… Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon.

OK, maybe it’s not quite a complete change… in fact, you barely even notice it. What do you think, though? It does make it seem more whole, at least as far as titles go. I just don’t know that Fragile Dreams screams “franchise” to me as much as the original. Oh well. I doubt it’s really going to make a difference in whether or not you pick the game up when it launches here in early 2010.

XSEED Games Announces New Game Name – FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON

Adventure RPG Brings Dramatic Post-Apocalyptic World to Life

Torrance, Calif., (November 5, 2009) –XSEED Games announced today that FRAGILE: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON will be published in North America under the new name FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and tri-Crescendo, and released by NAMCO BANDAI Games as Fragile: Farewell Ruins of the Moon in Japan, FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON will be available in North America in early 2010, exclusively for Wii™.

FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON finds protagonist Seto exploring an eerie and abandoned world, seemingly populated only by haunting ghosts and demons. Players utilize the Wii Remote™ as a flashlight to illuminate Seto’s surroundings, solve puzzles and interact with the environment. Gamers are immersed in an intensely cinematic experience where desolate, strangely beautiful atmospheres filled with gorgeous graphics and stunning lighting effects are brought to life by an emotional musical score. Explore the narrative of a lonely and lost soul as he encounters memorable characters and discover the back story behind scavenged items that provide insight on people’s last days before the apocalypse.

Look for FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON exclusively on Wii™ in early 2010. For more information please visit: www.xseedgames.com

Related Posts

• Xseed confirms Fragile localization for North America
• XSEED being very fragile with… Fragile
• Namco gives us another Fragile look

There are some games that come out of Japan that just a terrific job in incorporating aspects of Japan and the Japanese language into the art of the game, that it’s easy to worry about losing that art standard during the localization process. Thankfully, there are some publishers that understand the artistic values of games, and they’ll work to preserve it – just like XSEED plans to do with Namco Bandai’s Fragile.

You said that there might be a chance to have the original Japanese voices.  Would it be possible to have a sort of “Japanese mode” where it’s basically the Japanese version?

XSEED: Don’t understand the question.  Other than translating text to English, we really don’t plan on changing much since we want to keep the original creator’s vision intact as much as possible.

Are the vocal songs by Aoi Teshima going to be translated and dubbed like the voice actors?  Is having Aoi Teshima re-sing it in English an option?

XSEED: No plans to dub or change the song, we want to leave it as is.

Is every Japanese text in the game going to be translated?  There are some moments where Japanese text cues appear and personally I’d like those little touches to stay.

XSEED: Plans to provide sub-titles on some of the major Japanese graffiti on the walls and environments, but not actually changing anything that’s written.

Battery Acid
via GoNintendo

Related Posts

• Xseed confirms Fragile localization for North America
• XSEED gives Fragile a new name for North America
• Namco gives us another Fragile look

Have you bought your copy of Retro Game Challenge for DS? Probably not. The game isn’t selling very well, which is bad news for its currently Japan-only sequel. Ken Berry of XSeed (the game’s publisher) said as much in a recent interview:

We’re getting by, but not doing as well as we’d like. Retro Game Challenge started off well but still hasn’t gotten to the point where we can justify bringing over the sequel. It’s amazing how many people write to thank us for publishing that game, so perhaps as those enthusiast fans continue to spread the word we will get to where we need to be eventually.

So it could happen, but it won’t if you don’t get out there and spread the word, or at least buy another dozen copies.

RPG Gamer

Related Posts

• Marbles! Balance Challenge coming to your Wii from Konami
• N+ Ev-Wii-where Challenge
• System 3 brings Ferrari Challenge to Wii/DS

Europe’s Official Nintendo Magazine has confirmed that Fatal Frame 4 will be getting a European release. Interestingly enough, it will be called Fatal Frame 4, as opposed to Project Zero as the other Fatal Frame games have been titled in Europe.

As for a North American release, apparently there will be one after all. According to an XSEED representative named Ken:

If you’re talking about Fatal Frame 4 for the Wii then it’s coming to the US, even though it won’t be by us. Can’t tell you who’s bringing it over, but keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement, hopefully sometime soon.

So it won’t be published by XSEED, and it earlier statements from Reggie are to be believed, it won’t be published by Nintendo in North America, either. (Though Nintendo will publish it in Europe.) Oh, well. I don’t care who brings it over here, just as long as they do it and do it right.

GoNintendo

Related Posts

• Fatal Frame IV likely not coming to North America
• Tecmo and Grasshopper bringing Fatal Frame to Wii
• Fatal Frame IV screens and tidbits

Marvelous and XSEED’s E3 line up has been announced, and it’s quite the list. In addition to Valhalla Knights 2 for the PSP, Populous and Korg DS-10 for the DS will be available this fall, with Retro Game Challenge (DS) and Little King’s Story (Wii) arriving in the Winter. Rounding out the fiscal year is Avalon Code DS and Rune Factory: Frontier for the Wii.

All these games will make an appearance at the E3 summit next week, so hopefully each of us going will get a chance to check them out and show you some footage. Let us know specifically which games you’re interested in!

Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games Join Forces to Announce E3 2008 Line Up

Independent Game Publishers to Showcase Stellar Portfolio of Titles on Wii™ and Popular Handheld Systems

Torrance, Calif., (July 11, 2008) –  Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games today announced its E3 plans which include a stellar line up of games for both Nintendo platforms, the Nintendo DS and Wii, as well as the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Both companies will display their portfolio of upcoming titles at E3 2008 which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 15^th – 17^th. E3 attendees are invited to visit the Marvelous Entertainment USA and XSEED Games booth located at Concourse Hall Pavilion #427.

”We’re very pleased to be able to give the North American audience a sneak peak at our upcoming lineup,” stated Yasuhiro Wada, Managing Director of Marvelous Entertainment. “This is just the beginning of some of the great games that we’ll be releasing in the US under our Marvelous Entertainment USA banner.”

“It’s been an amazing year for us, and we feel that we’re well positioned going into E3,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “We’ve got a fantastic partnership with Marvelous Entertainment which we greatly appreciate, and the overall line up of titles we’re showcasing is strong and diverse, which we’re exceptionally excited about.”

Games being shown under the Marvelous and XSEED Games partnership are:

Avalon Code DS

From the creative minds behind Rune Factory and Harvest Moon with the development studio responsible for the Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV DS remakes comes Avalon Code, an action RPG boasting incredible graphics, a deep and engrossing story, and innovative game play mechanics. Using the main character’s ‘Book of Prophecy’, players can modify the rules of engagement during battle as well as weapon and monster attributes. The player even has control over the story as it changes depending on which gender the player chooses to play as, enhancing the ability to immerse themselves into the story. Avalon Code DS is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

Rune Factory: Frontier Wii

From the creators of Harvest Moon and Rune Factory for the DS comes the first installment of Rune Factory for a home console. Developed exclusively for Wii, Rune Factory: Frontier features stunning graphics and takes full advantage of the Wii’s unique controls to fully immerse players in the Rune Factory universe. Rune Factory: Frontier incorporates an open-ended structure that allows players to choose the type of game they wish to experience. Whether it’s growing crops, expanding the town, fighting (or befriending) monsters or even falling in love, the experience is unique to each player. Rune Factory: Frontier Wii is scheduled for release Q1 2009. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

LITTLE KING’S STORY Wii

Little King’s Story has an art style that is very ‘story-book’ in look and a magical fairy tale quality that will intrigue and delight gamers. The storyline, visual look, and lyrical music of Little King’s Story, work in concert to transport players to an interactive, enchanting, fairy tale world. By combining gameplay elements from life-simulation, real-time strategy, and adventure genres, the many aspects of creating a vast kingdom come to life! As King, players will manage and involve their townspeople in the goals of creating this new territory; enlisting them to dig for treasure, build new buildings and otherwise better their community. Of course, leadership is a two-way street, so as King, players will try to conquer rival nations to create a single unified kingdom, while also granting the requests of townspeople at whim. The game transforms the Wii Remote™ to a royal scepter and offers players the chance to be the best king in the world!  Little King’s Story Wii is scheduled for release Winter 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

VALHALLA KNIGHTS 2 PSP system

Sequel to the popular Valhalla Knights, Valhalla Knights 2 promises to give fans of the original game a vast and expansive world to explore, and the customization tools to create the ultimate battle party. This action RPG (Role Playing Game) sequel adds new races, job classes, weapons, magic spells, foes, armor and more to the Valhalla Knights universe, all within an engrossing story arc. Controlling and choosing character aspects such as skills, race and appearance, players engage in real-time 6 on 6 battles, reliant on tactical combat strategies to achieve success.  Supporting 2 player ad hoc network play, gamers can engage in Co-op and Versus modes with friends, or simply trade items and weapons. Valhalla Knights 2 PSP system is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

Separately, XSEED Games will unveil the company’s first official support of the Nintendo DS with three titles:

Populous™ DS

Based on the original Populous PC classic from Electronic Arts, Populous DS brings a re-imagination of the classic game, which pioneered the God simulation genre. Featuring touch-screen controls that utilize the dual-screens, players manipulate 5 elementally-imbued gods, each with their own unique miracles, within an extensive single-player campaign. Within the multiplayer wireless mode, up to 4 players can unleash earthquakes, tidal waves and raging volcanoes onto rival players’ lands.  Populous DS is scheduled for release Fall 2008. The game will be published in Europe by Rising Star Games*, a subsidiary of Marvelous Entertainment.

KORG DS-10

Designed after the famous KORG MS-10 music synthesizer, KORG DS-10 is a music-creation program for professional and aspiring musicians alike.  The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG, one of the world’s top musical instrument producers, and no effort was spared in the replication of creating high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS’s touch-screen controls are utilized to the fullest to provide an authentic feel and operability across a dual-screen layout that is unsurpassed in portable music creation.  A 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities, and up to eight DS units can be linked via wireless connection to play together or to exchange sounds and songs. KORG DS-10 is scheduled for release Fall 2008.

Retro Game Challenge

An original game based on the popular Japanese GAME CENTER CX TV series, Retro Game Challenge reinvents how classic games are played. Featuring a story-driven progression, players complete short challenges in a wide-variety of fictional retro-games. Specific challenges in shooting, racing, action and even an epic role-playing game are integrated into the story, while the in-game magazines offer cheat codes as well as fake 80’s news stories paying tribute to the rich history of the gaming industry. Released to raving reviews as Game Center CX: Arino’s Challenge in Japan, the game received a Gold Award from Famitsu with a 33/40 review score. Retro Game Challenge is scheduled for release Winter 2008.

Related Posts

• XSEED gives Fragile a new name for North America
• 
  Marvelous President welcomes 3DS announcement
• Marvelous is way into Discipline