02.07.08
Satin Silver PS3
Some strange ‘games’ in the offing.
1) Titled ９９のなみだ (99 Tears), this DS software helps you cry. Crying, according to the game makers, is a natural process we should indulge in more often, as it helps us relax…based on scientific research. It has a database of over 200 ’sad’ stories that will enable you to cry, of which 99 will be chosen for you. Out for £17.50 this spring. I’d much prefer laughing for relaxation, personally. I do like the idea that you blow out the lamp on screen to end the session though – it automatically switches the DS off.
2) できたよ! ママ。 わんにゃんクラブ おんなのこ (I’ve done it Mum! Girl version) is an education software for pre-school kids, as can be seen. It does make me wonder though if parents these days don’t really care about the raising of their kids. There is a Boy version too. Out this spring at £17.50.
March 6th will see a new PS3 colour – Satin Silver. The same colour controller will also be sold then for £24.
March 19th will be the release of a bigger battery pack for the PSP-2000, also £24. According to SCE, gaming will last 7-10hours, films/videos will last 7-9hours on this new battery. Only 3 of the colours will be available for the battery cover – Piano Black, Ceramic White, Ice Silver – and further colours may come out depending on ‘user needs’. The new bigger battery and cover will only be sold as a set, and there are no further plans to separately sell them.
Also out now, is Flexible Hand Grip Pad Advance for PSP-2000. At £4.30, fairly cheap. Wonder if anyone will make something similar for the DS (it makes your hands into misshapen claws if played for too long).
Mobile users in Japan are lucky enough to get a free game from @nifty. It looks like those Loco Roco creatures mixed with Tetris, developed by Square Enix. Titled Fumikes（フミケス）. Whilst browsing, also came across Hysteric Wife :) Move your mouse to move ‘you’, throw eggs at wife’s head to hinder her in the obstacle course that includes sheep and rocks. How many business men will be playing this at work, I wonder.
Lastly, a ‘horror adventure’ that’s coming out this summer on Wii: 零～月蝕の仮面～ (Zero – Tsukihami no Kamen). The screenshots seen here are atmospheric, and look great. The game itself is about you fighting spirits of the netherworld. Grasshopper’s Suda was director for this, so interest has been mounting.