Tokyo Game Show 2009 We head to the Land of the Rising Sun to play the latest and greatest upcoming titles at Tokyo Game Show 2009.
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie for Nintendo DS
It feels like ages since we first announced that Dragon Quest VI was coming to the Nintendo DS system, but we finally got our hands on the Japanese version of the game. The turn-based formula remains the same as in previous iterations, but this time you travel between two different worlds.
Ninokuni: The Another World for Nintendo DS
Just as Level-5 is known for making excellant games (Professor Layton series), Studio Ghibli is known for making excellant films (Ponyo, Spirited Away). These two impressive studios have come together for Ninokuni: The Another World, a turn-based RPG with some of the most beautiful cut-scenes ever put onto a DS card. We have no idea if the game is headed to this side of the Pacific, but we're keeping all of our fingers crossed.
Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes for Nintendo Wii
If you're a fan of Koei's Samurai Warriors series, you'll probably like Capcom's take - as in Koei's game, you hack and slash through hundreds of foes in feudal Japan. Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes will hit the US next year.
Okamiden for Nintendo DS
The longest lines at Capcom's booth were for this handheld sequel to Okami. The gameplay remains pretty much the same - using the stylus as the Celestial Brush, you can repair bridges or slash enemies - though there are two main characters: the wolf Chibiterasu and a boy named Kuninushi. At times, you have to control the two characters independently; you move Chibiterasu with the control pad and Kuninushi walks via lines you draw with the stylus. No official word yet on a US release, but it's a sure bet that we'll hear an announcement at some point.
Ghost Trick for Nintendo DS
From the creator of the Ace Attorney sries, Shu Takumi, comes Capcom's Ghost Trick, an adventure-puzzle game in which you assume the role of an amnesiac ghost who helps people by possessing inanimate objects. Say, for example, an assassin has a woman at gunpoint. You can possess a nearby guitar and strum the strings to distract the hitman, allowing the woman to make a break for it. There's more to the game than that, of course; we'll have more details as the 2010 North American release date nears.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars for Nintendo Wii
The newest addition to Capcom's fighting-game library is photo-journalist/zombie-killer Frank West. Those who have played Dead Rising know that Frank is not one to be messed with; he's a master of using household objects - baseball bats, golf clubs, shopping carts - as weapons. Not to mention the fact that in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom he can summon zombies to aid him and don a Mega Man outfit (complete with a fully functional Mega Buster!).
Tsumuji for Nintendo DS
This action-adventure title from Electronic Arts clearly draws inspiration from the handheld Legend of Zelda titles (Phantom Hourglass in particular). However, since Tsumuji features a ninja as its protagonist, there will be times when you'll have to be stealthy. At press time, EA has mentioned only a Japanese release date.
Tales of Graces for Nintendo Wii
Namco Bandai hasn't said anything about a North American release of this latest Tales RPG, but we hope it makes it stateside. Tales of Graces retains the same basic feel of prior titles in the series, such as Tales of Symphonia for GameCube, but it has all-new characters and a brand-new story, as well as a different battle system.
Final Fantasy Gaiden: Four Warriors of Light for Nintendo DS
Final Fantasy Gaiden: Four Warriors of Light is essentially as simplified version of Final Fantasy. You're given just four characters, and you don't have to concern yourself with MP or an overwhelming number of menus to navigate through - just tap the appropriate icon on the touch screen to perform an action. It's fairly simple, yes, but it's also quite charming.
Monster Hunter Tri for Nintendo Wii
Monster Hunter Tri is all about cooperation: you and up to three friends have to work together to hunt down giant dinosaurlike creatures. It sounds pretty basic, but there's a good amount of character customization, too. Look for it in the US this spring.