Rockin’ Android Ships Doujin Video Games to US

Posted by John as Shmups

San Francisco, CA - During the recently concluded Game Developers Conference 2009, Rockin’ Android, a newly formed videogame publisher, announced one of the five doujin videogames titles hitting U.S.

It marks the first time that rare and exclusive fan-created, anime-style games for the PC have ever been officially licensed and localized for commercial sale outside Japan. Watch out for the following game titles: SUGURI Perfect Edition and GUNDEMONIUM Collection will be released for direct retail sale. Flying Red Barrel – A Diary of a Little Aviator, Qualia and Miku Miku, on the other hand, will be exclusively available as download-only titles. All of the five titles are side-scrolling, shooting/fighting action games slated for a summer 2009 release.

“Doujin games are basically home-made videogames programmed, coded and created entirely by hardcore fans and game enthusiasts, but contrary to the perception of something ‘home-made,’ they look and play like professionally produced arcade games,” says Enrique Galvez, president of Rockin’ Android. Doujin videogames in Japan are known to be innovatively cool, small indie label as an alternative to mainstream console games. In fact, thousands of anime, manga and videogame fans regularly seek out these limited-run products at conventions and specialty shops in Tokyo.

Audience in North America, South America and Western Europe has their prayers answered as we finally have the rights to introduce these unique and retro arcade-style games.

Get to know the first doujin to be released this summer of 2009.

“SUGURI Perfect Edition, GUNDEMONIUM Collection and our other licensed doujin games all feature a combination of highly stylized anime visuals and stunning character designs with easy-to-follow interface controls, making for a competitive, fun and addictive game that has multiple replay value,” Galvez explained. “With the look and feel that’s reminiscent of old-school retro games, they’re a refreshing change from the current wave of videogames plagued by convoluted storylines and needlessly complicated controls and moves. At the same time, they’re contemporary enough to appeal to today’s gamers who are looking to experience a little-known side of Japanese videogame fandom that’s uniquely different and fun.”

SUGURI Perfect Edition leads Rockin’ Android’s videogames as the first PC game release with a release date of June 30, 2009 offered for only $19.99 SRP. The DVD-ROM includes the two complete games. SUGURI, Acceleration of SUGURI, an expansion pack (Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition) and two soundtrack albums (TRANCENATION of SUGURI original soundtrack and Acceleration of SUGURI Soundtrack). Expect to also get downloadable versions of SUGURI, Acceleration of SUGURI and Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition will be also be made available for purchase at a later date on the company website, www.RockinAndroid.com.

Look out for more details regarding the release of GUNDEMONIUM Collection as well as for the download-exclusive games – Flying Red Barrel -A Diary of a Little Aviator-, Qualia and Miku Miku. We will keep you posted in the coming weeks.

About SUGURI and Acceleration of SUGURI:
Fan-acclaimed SUGURI is one of the most unique side-scrolling shooter titles ever created by doujin game developer Orange_Juice. SUGURI showcases beautifully rendered designs and backgrounds, innovative weaponry, captivating game play action and a cool techno-trance soundtrack. SUGURI is a must-have, must-play doujin game.

The rapid-fire combat action that players have come to love in the first game is all here, but now in the form of a hybrid shoot-em-up/fighter. You’ll choose from among multiple fighters (such as Suguri, Nanako, Hime, etc.) each equipped with an automatic lock-on targeting system and an arsenal of hyper weapons, power shields, etc. Experience the rush of battle as you wage intensive aerial duels in Acceleration of SUGURI, the follow-up to the fan-favorite SUGURI. Get ready to focus and concentrate like never before, because you’ll have to fight your way through multiple, harshly difficult stages and overwhelmingly powerful foes with deceptively distracting weapons fire a bombardment of missiles, laser spears, and beams coming at you in every insane direction imaginable!

About Game Developers Conference:
The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) is the world’s largest professionals-only game industry event. GDC is presented every spring in San Francisco and stands as an essential forum for learning, inspiration, and networking for the creators of computer, console, and handheld, mobile, and online games.

The GDC attracts over 18,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The GDC is produced by the Think Services Game Group, a division of United Business Media, LLC. Additional information can be found at: www.gdconf.com.

About Rockin’ Android:
Rockin’ Android based in Los Angeles, California and established in 2008. Rockin’ Android is a privately owned entertainment specialty group and publisher working alongside creators and clients within the videogame field to license untapped and overlooked independently produced videogames to fill a void in the PC-dominant gaming market within the U.S.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, flying red barrel - a diary of a little aviator, game developers conference 2009, gundemonium collection, qualia, rockin' android, shoot em up, suguri perfect edition

Raiden Fighter Aces Landing Soon in North America

Posted by John as Shmups

The release of Raiden Fighters Aces now ceases to be rumor as Valcon Games officially announces its arrival on the Xbox 360 on April 7, 2009!

Raiden Fighters Aces is, initially released in Japan, a compilation in one disc of all three Raiden Fighters titles (Raiden Fighters, Raiden Fighters 2: Operation Hell drive and Raiden Fighters Jet), and the title features both Training and Arcade modes.

As a new addition to its 3 arcade classics recreated in this collection, a new training mode allows you to modify every aspect of your ships and wingmen. You can skip to any level or even play in slow motion. While there is online leader boards, the game’s cooperative play is an offline affair as well.

Play each game in a full screen as a side scroller or even vertically on a rotated 4:3 display with a comprehensive screen and control settings. You can play 2-player co-op games offline or play Arcade Mode and brag your high core by posting them along with game clips to Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA).

Technorati Tags: raider fighting aces, shooter, video games, xbla, xbox 360 live arcade

Gradius Rebirth Now on US WiiWare

Posted by John as Shmups

The rage is on games developed in retro style such as Mega Man 9 or Retro Game Challenge. Let’s welcome a new entry in the long running shooter series. Gradius Rebirth heads your way made to look like a relic from the 16-bit era. Though it may not offer anything new to the “Shoot everything you see” game, retro game fans will find Gradius Rebirth to their liking.

Gradius Rebirth features identical level design to classic games on arcade, NES, SNES. You will encounter many of the same enemies such as those in the Easter Islands heads. Some of the similarities came from Lifeforce, a sequel to the original Gradius, namely: the bosses are new along with interesting ones awaiting at the end of each level. A regular feature is you can customize your ship, the Vic Viper, by selecting your power-ups. You can buy missiles, lasers and the popular “option” that flies beside your ship and doubles up your firepower. Be sure to get the dropped capsules from certain enemies to buy the stuff for your ship. The better weapons demand more capsules thus it is a give and take between powering up early and saving up for the mighty bigger guns. Choose from the three ship types at the start of the game to know what type of power-ups you have at your command: multipurpose, wide area attack, or high attack power (but limited range).

A limitation of Gradius Rebirth is the lacking multiplayer function. Gradius Rebirth allows two players to take alternate turns. Lifeforce, on the other hand, has a splendid co-op. Gradius offers neither. The only common aspect of the game is the online leaderboard for the score attack mode.

Gradius belongs to the group of slow shooters having more similarity with R-Type than Raiden or Ikaruga. The Vic Viper at the start of a new game will feel incredibly sluggish. You can then increase your speed once you grab a few power-ups. Don’t be fooled by the sluggishness of the game. Slower pace is more vengeful and tough. Challenging is the effect of the sluggishness. One could say it’s both a limitation and strength of Gradius.

Expect many replaying of the same sequences in this game when you lose a life then sent back to a checkpoint. It could frustrate you so better be extra careful. It is possible to power-up the Viper so that it is near indestructible. If you are shot down, however, you lose everything you’ve gained so far deeming the ship useless. It’s particularly worse when you’ve reached a boss then the game sends you back to the middle of the level instead of bringing you to the encounter. It’s most often wise to do save your progress at a checkpoint so you can always start a new game from the point where you save. You can choose from five levels of difficulty which lets you use the exact saved data. Say you find beating a boss difficult on the normal so you can tame the difficulty down to easy then continue on normal mode with your pride intact.

Overall
Gradius Rebirth is a nostalgic game though its retro design and grueling difficulty limits its appeal. The 16 bit graphics remains to be seen but we sure would love to see a modern Gradius in the US Wiiware. Games are supposed to be challenging yet Gradius Rebirth seems to be an extremely tough game to finish. The ship, Vic Viper, doesn’t fall under the category of useful not unless you power it up. It makes beginning your mid level checkpoints a real pain. Modern ships should be more sleek and fast. Lastly, it is disappointing to find the multiplayer option missing. Gadius Rebirth should be “rebirth” not as a game with a modest 16-bit graphics. It may be to much for 1000 points as compared to the Virtual Console’s 16-bit games worth for 800 points.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, gradius rebirth review, retro gaming, shmup, us wiiware, video games

Demo of Undefined Fantastic Object on March 8th

Posted by John as Shmups

Here comes the next Shanghai Alice/Zun/Touhou game called Undefined Fantastic Object with a demo cd to be released soon on March 8. Zun will release this demo containing up to Stage 3.

Expect to be immersed in a plot set around flying ships and UFOs. Check out this cool video:

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, demo cd march 8, games, smhup, touhou undefined fantastic object, zun