Five favorites: Japanese PSP box art

You didn't think the DS and Wii were going to be the only "riding off into the sunset" systems honored with one of these posts, did you?

If so: surprise!

Anyway, folks who have done their best to ignore Sony's first handheld while it was still au courant may be shocked to hear this, but the PSP has showcased some pretty great examples of box art since it hit store shelves nearly eight years ago.

My favorite such creations were produced for Japanese PSP games, of course, so those are the ones I'm planning to focus on in this post. (Oh, and look for me to highlight five more of my favorite pieces of Japanese PSP cover art in a follow-up post that'll be published next week.)

1. Final Fantasy Type-0--I nearly didn't include this one here simply because I'm still mad that Square Enix has thus far failed to release it in North America in any form. In the end, though, I just couldn't leave such a beautiful piece of cover art off of a list like this.

2. Hyakumanton no Bara Bara--This piece of box art is the main reason I wish Patchwork Heroes had received a retail release here in the States. Also, it's the main reason I'm constantly finding myself this close to picking up a copy of the Japanese version. Do I really need two copies of this adorable action-puzzler? No, but, man, I'd sure like to be able to look over and see this box sitting on my (non-existant) game shelf.

3. Parodius Portable--I'm pretty sure only folks who have hearts of stone fail to be impressed by Parodius Portable's colorful cover illustration. OK, so people who have phobias related to flying pigs, mustachioed octopi or bunny girls riding oversized bullets are likely to be unimpressed, too, but everyone else should grin from ear to ear upon catching a glimpse of it.

Five games I'm looking forward to playing in 2012

If you run a gaming blog, every year has to end with a post about your favorite games of the past year and another post about the games you're most looking forward to playing in the coming one, right? Well, I checked that first box yesterday with this post, so today I might as well check the second box with the post you're currently reading.

This post originally contained 10 games, by the way, but it seemed a bit long so I broke it in two. As such, expect to see a similarly titled post published tomorrow that will include five more games that I'm looking forward to playing in 2012.

Bravely Default (3DS)--This Square Enix RPG looks like it's going to be a spiritual successor to 2010's Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light. I consider that Final Fantasy side story to be one of my favorite DS games, so you can bet I'll be all over this one like white on rice--assuming it makes its way to North America.

Dragon Quest X (Wii)--I know a lot of long-time Dragon Quest fans were disappointed to hear that the series' latest installment would focus on an online-multiplayer experience, but I'm not one of them. In fact, I'm downright excited for this entry thanks in part because of its online focus and in part because it will feature more of the crazy customization that was present in its DS-based predecessor.

Final Fantasy Type-0 (PSP)--The word on the street is that this game--and, yes, it's another Final Fantasy offshoot--will be released in North America sometime this year. Here's hoping that's true and that the game will be released on PSP UMD (as opposed to PlayStation Vita card) and will feature the same fabulous cover art that appeared on Japanese copies of the title.

Inazuma Eleven (DS)--I have next to no interest in the game of soccer (or football, for those of you who live outside of North America), yet I want this game. Why? Because I've heard great things about it on the Internet--things like, "It's like a soccer-themed Pokemon game." I like the sound of that, so I'm planning to buy the first game in this series from the UK sometime next year. Who knows, I may buy the second one, too, which is scheduled to hit the streets throughout Europe in early 2012.

Luigi's Mansion 2 (3DS)--Is it weird that the game that spurred me to ask for a 3DS for Christmas was this one? Well, it's true regardless. Oh, sure, I was keen on Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land, too, but not as keen as I am on Luigi's Mansion 2, which looks to take the basics presented in the GameCube-based original and run with them. The only downer at the moment? The folks at Nintendo of America have yet to give it a release date. (Please be sooner rather than later, please be sooner rather than later, please be sooner rather than later...)

What other games am I looking forward to playing in 2012? Come back tomorrow to find out!

Not-so-shocking newsflash: Final Fantasy Type-0 will be released 'overseas'

According to various sources (here's one, and here's another), the most recent of Square Enix's "Ultimania" guides confirms that Final Fantasy Type-0 will be released overseas.

Unfortunately, no one seems to know exactly what "overseas" means. (Will it be released in both Europe and North America, or will it be released in just one of those regions?) Also unknown at the moment: When and in what format the localized version(s) will be released.

I'm guessing that if this news is true and the game is indeed being localized, it will see the light of day in North America, at the very least. So, that's not much of a worry for me. I'm also not all that worried about when it's released, as I'll probably pick it up whether it's released early or late in the year.

What I am worried about: In what formats will the game be released? I have a feeling a UMD release is the least likely to happen, which is unfortunate as that's the format I'd prefer. (I mean, just look at the game's box art, right.) A PSN release is a much better possibility, and I wouldn't turn my nose up at it unless it was too pricey.

The only way I won't be adding Final Fantasy Type-0 to my collection shortly after it's released (assuming that even happens) is if the brass at Square Enix somehow make the bone-headed decision to release the game only for Vita. They wouldn't do something so dumb, though, would they?

Raise your hand if you're buying Final Fantasy Type-0 because of Yoshitaka Amano's box art

My hand's up. How about yours?

Those of you who just replied to the question above in the negative either don't own a PSP or haven't seen the beautiful cover art, below, that Yoshi- taka Amano created for this portable Final Fantasy spin-off, right?

Sorry, this is the only available shot of Amano's cover art.

Unfortunately for all of us Western gamers, the folks at Square Enix have yet to reveal if Final Fantasy Type-0 will be released outside of Japan.

Even if is, though, I have a feeling Amano's cover art will be switched out for something a bit more "action-packed" (i.e., hideous) before it ever hits American and European store shelves.

(Via andriasang.com)