Pandora's Tower coming to North America

I was totally not expecting this, almost two months after the Wii U was released, but here's the press release thing:


Fan Favorite Wii-Exclusive Action RPG to be Released for the North American Market

Torrance, Calif., (January 16, 2013) – XSEED Games, an independent-minded publisher, today announced they have come to an agreement with Nintendo that will bring the highly anticipated action role-playing title, Pandora’s Tower™, exclusively to Wii™ in Spring 2013. Developed in Japan by Ganbarion, Pandora’s Tower takes the classic fairytale theme of a maiden in distress and adds a violent twist, with the protagonist setting out to slay over a dozen giant monsters and collect their flesh in order to free his beloved from an evil curse. The agreement with Nintendo grants XSEED Games exclusive publishing rights to Pandora’s Tower in North America.

“It’s fantastic to be bringing such a highly-anticipated title like Pandora’s Tower to such a vocal fan base,” said Shinichi Suzuki, President and CEO of XSEED Games. “North American gamers have been very patient in waiting for this game to be released, and we’re confident they will be pleased when they get their hands on the title.”

A tale of unfortunate circumstances, Pandora’s Tower opens in the Kingdom of Elyria, where an unassuming singer named Elena succumbs to a wretched curse during a festival performance. Bearing an arcane mark on her back, she starts transforming into a savage monster, causing the town guards to attempt to kill her in order to prevent it. A young ex-mercenary named Aeron, whose heart has forever been pledged to Elena, whisks her away in the nick of time – and with the help of a mysterious witch named Mavda, he learns what must be done to avert her wretched fate. He must descend into The Scar, a massive chasm tied down by twelve chains connected to a floating island in its center, atop which sit thirteen interconnected towers. There, he must use his sword and a sacred chain to battle his way through each tower and extract the flesh of the boss “masters” that dwell within, which Elena must consume in order to reverse her ongoing transformation. But the clock is ticking! The longer Aeron takes to vanquish each beast, the less human Elena becomes, affecting her character and the game’s final outcome in a profound manner. Time is of the essence…

Pandora’s Tower was developed in Japan by Ganbarion in conjunction with Nintendo, exclusively for Wii. The game will be published by XSEED Games in North America in Spring 2013. XSEED Games will release more product updates in the coming months.

Source: Nintendo PR

The Nintendo 3DS Xl rumors ended up being true

Larger Version of Nintendo 3DS System Launches Alongside New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Aug. 19

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– A big year for the Nintendo 3DS system is about to get even bigger. In a Nintendo Direct video on June 21, Nintendo revealed plans to launch Nintendo 3DS XL, a new version of Nintendo 3DS with 90 percent larger screens. When it becomes available across North America on Aug. 19 at a suggested retail price of $199.99, the new system will create even more immersive entertainment experiences for users, delivering a wealth of games and video content that can be enjoyed on the go.

Nintendo 3DS XL features an updated form factor and will be available in Red or Blue. The new system’s battery life outperforms that of the original Nintendo 3DS, and it comes bundled with a 4 GB SD card, which owners can use to store content such as downloadable games and videos from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo 3DS XL launches on Aug. 19, the same day as New Super Mario Bros. 2, a new installment in the fan-favorite Mario game series.

“No other hand-held entertainment experience compares to the fun of Nintendo 3DS,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “With the launch of Nintendo 3DS XL on Aug. 19, consumers will be able to enjoy the great lineup of current and upcoming games on an even grander scale. Plus, Nintendo 3DS XL gives owners even more real estate on their screens to enjoy entertainment applications like Nintendo Video and Netflix.”

To view the latest Nintendo Direct video, which contains more news about upcoming Nintendo products, visit www.nintendo.com/nintendo_direct or www.youtube.com/nintendo.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

Source: Nintendo PR

Quantum Conundrum now available on PC

LOS ANGELES (June 21, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced Quantum Conundrum™, the newest game from PORTAL™ co-creator Kim Swift and developer Airtight Games, is now available on Windows PC for $14.99 through various digital retailers. Players can also purchase a Season Pass through Steam® for $19.99, and get an exclusive downloadable Quantum Conundrum soundtrack and two future downloadable puzzle packs. Quantum Conundrum will be available in North America on July 10 on the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and on July 11 for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

One of the most decorated titles at E3 2012 in Los Angeles, Quantum Conundrum earned recognition as one the show’s top games, including 15 media nominations and awards for Best New Franchise, Most Innovative, Best Puzzle Game, Best of Show, Best Platformer, Best Original Game and Most Valuable game from outlets like IGN, Game Informer, PC Gamer, GameSpy, Destructoid and more. The E3 Game Critics nominated Quantum Conundrum Best Downloadable Game and Best Original Game.

“Quantum Conundrum is one of the most innovative, thought-provoking games of 2012 from one of the great designers of our industry, Kim Swift,” said Mike Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. “We’re proud to bring gamers the next dimension of puzzle games.”

Source: Square Enix PR

Nintendo Download 3/1 North America

This week’s Nintendo Download includes the following featured content:

Nintendo eShop
Crush™3D (demo version) – Over 50 levels of mind stretching puzzles spread across four stunning environments, each recreating a specific aspect of Danny’s inner world. This demo is now available on Nintendo eShop. (For Nintendo 3DS™)

Nintendo eShop
Metroid™ – Packed with high-tech weaponry, creepy tunnels and hideous alien creatures, the first installment in the immensely successful Metroid series introduces us to the slick, cybernetic bounty hunter Samus Aran. (For Nintendo 3DS)

Nintendo eShop and Nintendo DSiWare™
Aahh! Spot The Difference – Demonstrate your powers of observation in this engaging “spot the difference” game. Complete 40 challenging levels in four unique scenarios by spotting the differences between the upper and lower screen. (For Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi™)

Also new this week:
Aya and the Cubes of Light (demo version) (WiiWare™)

To view this week’s Nintendo Download in its full graphical version, please visit:

http://www.news2know.net/nintendo/downloadz3FN8s7e.php

In addition to video games available at retail stores, Nintendo also offers a variety of content that people can download directly to their systems. Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS™ system, to the Nintendo DSi™ Shop for the Nintendo DSi system and to the Wii™ Shop Channel for the Wii console at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Thursdays.

The Nintendo eShop is a cash-based service and features games, applications and videos in both 2D and 3D. Users can add money to their virtual wallets using a credit card or by purchasing a Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card at a retail store and entering the code from the card.

The Wii Shop Channel offers games and applications and uses Wii Points™, which can be purchased via the Wii Shop Channel. The Nintendo DSi Shop offers games and applications and uses Nintendo DSi Points™, which can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Wii Points Card™ and Nintendo DSi Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one card must be redeemed in either the Wii Shop Channel or the Nintendo DSi Shop, respectively. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that Wii, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage some of the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii, http://www.nintendo.com/3ds or http://www.nintendo.com/ds.

Source: Nintendo PR

Sony refunding some users because of a sales tax error

If you were one of the people that purchased anything from the PlayStation Network that this applies to, you should have gotten or should be getting an e-mail like this:

Dear Sony Entertainment Network account holder,

After performing routine system maintenance, Sony Entertainment Network sales tax records were mistakenly modified and some customer’s accounts were charged sales tax in error.

Between November 18, 2010, and April 11, 2011, one or more transactions originating from your account was charged sales tax in error. Correcting this, we will refund the errant charges back to your account in the amount of $9.24 via your Sony Entertainment Network wallet. This will appear in your transaction history as a one-time inclusive credit.

We are diligently working to correct this error and will have your account refunded by March 31, 2012. If you do not see the credit to your account by March 31, 2012, or if you have further questions please contact our customer service department at: http://us.playstation.com/support/contact_options/

Thank you,
The Sony Entertainment Network Team

Xenoblade Chronicles North American release date

Nintendo Unveils Exciting Lineups for Wii and Nintendo 3DS

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo is loading 2012 with surprises for all kinds of gamers. Today Nintendo can confirm that the acclaimed role-playing game The Last Story™ will come to North America for the Wii™ console in 2012, published by XSEED Games. Nintendo also can reveal that Xenoblade Chronicles™ will launch on April 6, complete with fan-chosen artwork that will be featured in the game’s packaging.

“Together, these two games level up the excitement for RPG fans in America,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “Whether roaming the vast landscape of Xenoblade Chronicles or choosing crossbows to battle with or against companions in The Last Story, gamers will recognize these titles as benchmarks for the genre.”

Remember also that Rhythm Heaven™ Fever for Wii launched Feb. 13, while PokéPark™ 2: Wonders Beyond launches Feb. 27 and Mario Party™ 9 launches March 11.

On the portable gaming side, a sporty new Mario™ game for the Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system is on the way, and you don’t need to be a pro athlete to jump into the action. Mario Tennis™ Open, which launches May 20, offers immersive tennis action featuring everyone’s favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom in classic Mario style. With its intuitive game play, even novice tennis players can enjoy playing the game with friends and family. Mario Tennis Open also supports comprehensive online play, a first for the series. Players with a broadband Internet connection can play singles or doubles matches with friends near and far, or compete against single opponents of similar skill levels in Open Match mode. The game also supports leader boards and victory medals.

The parade of great games for Nintendo 3DS continues, particularly from third-party publishers. Games that launched during the past two weeks alone include Resident Evil® Revelations from CAPCOM, Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ published by SEGA, TEKKEN® 3D Prime Edition™ from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and METAL GEAR SOLID® Snake Eater 3D from Konami Digital Entertainment. For more information and to see a listing of upcoming third-party games for Nintendo systems, visit http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew.

On March 23, Kid Icarus™: Uprising joins the Nintendo 3DS party, complete with online multiplayer battles. The 3D horror of Spirit Camera™: The Cursed Memoir ominously follows on Friday the 13th of April.

Lately the Nintendo eShop also has been on a roll, and today Nintendo unleashes Dillon’s Rolling Western™. Players take on the role of an armadillo ranger named Dillon who must defend Old West villages against mysterious rock-like enemies using strategy and his own unique fighting skills. This original action tower defense game is available for $9.99. Nintendo 3DS owners can find many exciting games in the Nintendo eShop, including the critically acclaimed Pushmo™, the stylish swordplay of Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword™ and Mutant Mudds™, a classic 2D platformer with a 3D twist.

Remember that Wii and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

To watch a Nintendo Direct video of Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime discussing today’s announcements, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo_direct. The video is also available at http://www.youtube.com/nintendo for viewing and embedding on other sites.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

Source: Nintendo PR

The Last Story confirmed for North America!!! :D

THANK YOU XSEED!!! :D :D :D


Torrance, Calif., (February 22, 2012) – XSEED Games, an independent-minded publisher, today announced a partnership with Nintendo that will bringThe Last Story™ to North America, exclusively for Wii™. Developed by legendary creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, and his studio, MISTWALKER, in conjunction with Nintendo, The Last Story has players taking charge of a band of mercenaries and journeying with them into a sprawling cinematic adventure. The agreement with Nintendo grants XSEED Games exclusive publishing rights to The Last Story in North America when the game ships this summer.

“I am very happy to be able to confirm that The Last Story will be released in North America,” stated Hironobu Sakaguchi, CEO of MISTWALKER. “XSEED Games has a reputation for bringing high-quality JRPGs to America, and I’m sure they will do a great job with this release too.”

Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games, shared Mr. Sakaguchi’s sentiments. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work on such a unique and ground-breaking RPG. I’m sure that North American gamers will love this title.”

The Last Story follows Zael and his band of fellow adventurers as they go to Lazulis Island, the only region prospering as the mainland of the Empire slowly rots away, in search of work and a better future. After securing employment with the ruler of the island, Count Arganan, Zael dreams of finally achieving a secure life as a knight and putting his unstable mercenary past behind him, but things don’t exactly go to plan when events during their first mission change his life forever…

The Last Story was developed by Nintendo and MISTWALKER, exclusively for Wii. The game will be published by XSEED Games in North America in Summer 2012. XSEED Games will release more product updates in the coming months.

Source: XSEED PR