Wow

That's the first word that came to mind this morning when I saw the following trailer, for the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni:



Unfortunately, this ravishing RPG, a collaboration between Level-5 and Studio Ghibli, won't be released until sometime next year (in Japan). Actually, scratch that "unfortunately"--as the delay should give me plenty of time to save up my pennies (and dollars) for PS3.

(Via andriasang.com)

See also: 'Reason #10.5 to buy a PS3'

Final Fantasy fetishism

Just a few photos of the Japanese versions of Final Fantasy V and VI (which I found in my old bedroom closet while on vacation last week).

See also: 'I've hit the jackpot'

Reason #846 to be thankful for fan translators

The folks at kirameki.altervista.org (along with a few "external staffers") are hard at work on a fan translation of the cult-classic Wii title, Captain Rainbow.

Once the translation is complete, a patch will be released that will work much like the one created for Fatal Frame IV (i.e., all gamers will need to play the translated version of Captain Rainbow is an original copy of the game, an SD card and the kirameki.altervista.org crew's patch).

(Via gonintendo.com)

See also: 'Reason #845 to be thankful for fan translators'

I think Nintendo is going after Wii Play fans with this one

The cover art for Wii Party has hit the Interwebs (thanks to andriasang.com) and, well, it looks a lot like the cover art for Wii Play.

The question is: Will Wii Party, which hits the streets in Japan on July 8, sell like Wii Play? I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Sadly, the game won't be released in the States until later this year. (Australian and European release dates haven't been revealed, as far as I'm aware.)

Reason #10.5 to buy a PS3

If memory serves, there are 9.5 reasons for me to buy a PS3. Until yesterday, that is.

Before I go on, here are my 9.5 reasons: Afrika, Aquanaut's Holiday, Demon's Souls, Disgaea 3, Heavy Rain, LittleBigPlanet, LocoRoco Cocoreccho (this one accounts for that pesky .5), Katamari Forever, Siren: Blood Curse and Valkyria Chronicles.

The 10th reason, which popped onto my radar yesterday, is Ni no Kuni: The Another World.

Feast your eyes on the first (blurry) images of the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni.

For those of you who have never heard of Ni no Kuni, it's an RPG that's being produced by Level-5 (of Professor Layton fame) and Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio responsible for Ponyo, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away.

When the folks at Level-5 announced the DS version of Ni no Kuni all the way back in 2008, they also suggested--vaguely--that they were working on a console version of the game. Although most gamers assumed the console version would appear on the Wii, it was revealed yesterday (in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine) that it will appear on the PS3.

Unfortunately, little else is known about the PS3 version of Ni no Kuni at this point--other than it will allow gamers to "adventure in a world that has the feel of a Studio Ghibli anime."

(Via andriasang.com)