SNK-Playmore screwed up... again!

Just went shopping yesterday for some new games, and boy, there had been a few Japanese releases that blew my mind off... with the exception of one, that is. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence had just been made available in Japan and is gearing for its second success, as well as new games Rogue Galaxy, Kingdom Hearts II and NeoGeo Battle Coliseum. Out of these four PS2 titles, I bet you can guess the dud.

All I can say about me ending up with NeoGeo Battle Coliseum is my unending (and desperate, if you may) hope that SNK-Playmore would not screw up the games SNK had previously moulded with care; a great number of their classics (before merging with Korean-based Playmore) had been well-known for in terms of music, sound effects and most importantly, graphics. Of course, my hopes were dashed and I ended disappointed once again with SNK-Playmore. If my subtle hint last time about the King Of Fighters Neowave didn't get their attention, maybe a call for a little harshness should do the trick:

Playmore spoiled the SNK games and made them worse than crap!!! And the character design/remodelling looked gay, even~!! For goodness' sake, don't fix them if it ain't broken!!!

Right, with that out of the way, I have some good news for those of you waiting for the verdict of Rogue Galaxy, Kingdom Hearts II and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence - they look absolutely fantastic and the gameplay is second to none in their respective categories. If you can read and understand Japanese, go get these three games; it's a must! For the rest of you, the wait is just three months before the English version comes out. Till then, don't go and buy the NeoGeo Battle Coliseum if you can help it. Trust me, it ain't worth the time and money...

Happy holidays and don't forget to make (and keep) a New Year resolution. As for me, I just hope that the original artists and game designers of previous SNK games would show what it takes to make a compelling and successful game that everyone likes.

NEWS: Win MP3 Players & Other Exciting Prizes Here!

Gamers invited to vote for favourite ‘Shoutcaster’ from 2005 World Cyber Games

Prizes include Samsung MP3 players and Razer ‘Copperhead’ accessories

International Cyber Marketing, global organisers of World Cyber Games, invites gamers to select their favourite Shoutcasters from the 2005 WCG on its official website, www.worldcybergames.com. The online poll will run from December 20th to the December 27th and is wide open to any gamer from anywhere in the world.

Participants are expected to choose their favourite Shoutcaster from among 7 candidates to determine who delivered the most exciting commentary during 2005 WCG Grand Final in Singapore. The commentary was available to those who attended the Grand Final in Singapore as well as the 530,000 fans that followed the matches from around the world through free VOD service at the WCG official website.

Participants also can submit comments or questions to the Shoutcasters through the WCG website as they vote. Shoutcaster candidates include Marcus Graham (aka: djWHEAT), a four year WCG veteran who pioneered e-Sport commentary in North America, Stuart Saw (aka: TosspoT), Paul Chaloner (aka: RedeYe) and Kim Vothang (aka: bunny), the sole female Shoutcaster at WCG 2005.

Further information on all the Shoutcaster candidates can be found here: (http://www.worldcybergames.com/wcg2005/commentators.asp)

Voters will be also able to access all the latest 2005 WCG stats and figures, including free VOD service of many Grand Final highlight matches, complete 2005 WCG medalist lists, win ratios for each continent going back to the first WCG in 2000 as well as the two new entries into the WCG Hall of Fame.

33 lucky gamers will also have a chance to win a myriad of fantastic prizes, including Samsung MP3 players as well as sets of official 2005 WCG Razer ‘Copperhead’ mouse and mouse pads, as used by all the finalists. The winners will be announced on the December 28th through the official WCG website www.worldcybergames.com.

NEWS: Gran Turismo Developers Takes On Tourist Project

Based on Gran Turismo Racing Technology, New Release Aims To Raise The Bar For Motorcycle Riding Simulations

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc announced today the Spring 2006 North American release of Tourist Trophy, available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc, developers of Gran Turismo – the best-selling worldwide racing videogame franchise, Tourist Trophy offers players more than 80 licensed motorcycles to race in various game modes amongst more than 35 international courses. Featuring gameplay for up to two players, Tourist Trophy captures the fluid movement of man and machine like never before with perfected game physics and graphics for an authentic true-to-life motorcycle riding simulation. Featured licensed motorcycle manufacturers include BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph and more.



"Since the inception of Gran Turismo, it has been a labour of love for us to offer players the most authentic racing experience possible, and we are excited to build upon this foundation with our new motorcycle entry titled Tourist Trophy for PlayStation 2," said Kazunori Yamauchi, famed creator of Gran Turismo franchise, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "With motorcycle racing background, our development team for Tourist Trophy follows the Gran Turismo standard in realism, taking into account the various parameters of individual motorcycles, riding style, environments and how they react to the player's moves."

Gameplay Description / Key Features
Tourist Trophy offers two modes of play, Arcade Mode and Challenge Mode. In Arcade Mode, players have access to a quick race for single-player or two-player battle. In both modes, players have the opportunity to select their bike, track and difficulty level. In two-player battle, players have the option to race in split-screen.

For the Challenge Mode, it serves as a career mode for players to earn their way up the ladder by participating in the license school missions, various race events and more in an effort to upgrade and unlock new bikes and related accessories. The license school will include various tests that will strive to better the player's driving skills in driving a motorcycle in various conditions and at various speeds, taking into account the rider and their riding style. Upon obtaining a license, players will have access to various race events based on engine class (250cc to 1500cc), course selection and more. In between race events, players have the opportunity to participate in a Time Trial on various courses to improve lap times and access their garage.

To further improve their racing skills, in Challenge Mode, players have access to Photo Mode, which allows them to take snapshots of their favourite bike and race gear in their favourite location, as well as freezing frames of an actual race from a replay. Upon taking a photograph, players have the opportunity to save it to a Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) or a USB storage device and share it with friends.



With the incorporation of the motorcycle driver, players have access to a wardrobe where they can customise their rider by selecting from numerous licensed helmets, suits, shoes and more to further authenticate the riding experience.

For more information on Tourist Trophy, please visit http://www.touristtrophy-thegame.com

NEWS: OutRun 2006 - Coast 2 Coast Drifts Onto PSP, PlayStation 2 & PC

Ferrari License Brings 12-car Line-up to Classic Arcade Racer

SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA of America Inc can exclusively announce OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast, the latest instalment in the iconic OutRun series, will appear on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PSP portable entertainment system for the very first time! OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast is set for release in March 2006, giving a new legion of gamers the opportunity to experience the thrills of this hugely popular franchise.

The enchanting draw of the open road has never been so appealing with the choice of one of 12 fully licensed Ferrari models, featuring the all-new F430 and the dazzling Superamerica. Gamers will feel the throaty whine and that distinctive Ferrari exhaust tone as they power their way across 30 glorious stages from the best of the OutRun2 original, and the new OutRun2 SP arcade experience. Race from coast to glorious coast with a fresh new mission structure, a license mode and online play with up to 6 players for a thrilling head-to-head journey.

"Amazing Ferraris, incredible courses, beautiful girls - and all available on Sony's PSP and PlayStation 2," commented Matt Woodley, Creative Director of SEGA. "The only thing you'll be asking for is another go!"

With platform specific missions, the player will also be able to unlock PSP exclusive content by connecting with the PS2 version, and vice versa. Stack up the OutRun miles from the sun-drenched sands of Palm Beach to the charms of Cape Way to unlock new tracks, cars and much more! With a girlfriend by your side and open country before you, which route will you take?

This just in! ...Ooer, out!

Keep your eyes peeled for these new game releases in Kuala Lumpur, fellow gamers:

1) Need For Speed: Most Wanted

2) Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones

3) Rogue Galaxy (J)

4) DragonQuest VIII

At the moment, there's some news about the elusive Megaman X Collection, and it's supposedly slated to be launched by January 2006 with new voice-overs and a remixed soundtrack for X1 to X6. There's still no news of the Japanese version of Rockman X Collection. Anyone has any info?