Final Fantasy Tactics (PSP) release date confirmed

European fans rejoice as Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for the PSP will be roaring out of the blocks on October 5th, 4 days before the official American release date. The game is a remake of the original which was badly handled during localisation in Square's early days and never made it to Europe. Check out the official UK website (there is a European one as well) for more details.

Source: Eurogamer

Steambot Chronicles 2 and portable version confirmed

In what was a bumper week for rare-ish games in Famitsu this week, Steambot Chronicles (Bumpy Trot in Japan) was shown in the latest edition in a PSP format. Not much is known about the portable edition but there were plenty of screenshots in Famitsu.

Also shown was a small screenshot from the sequel, which appears to have jumped ship to the PS3. This was later confirmed with the screenshot appearing on their website.

Eternal Sonata official for PS3

After wranglings, hype, rumour, put-ups, take-downs and repetition of the highest order, Namco's worst ever kept secret was finally confirmed a few days ago as Eternal Sonata (Trusty Bell in Japan) was confirmed for the PS3. It all started with an ESRB listing for the PS3 for Eternal Sonata, which was taken down quickly. Then, the listing appeared on Namco's website, then taken down again.

The final twist was to come though as just days later, the game was found in the latest edition of Famitsu, which Namco apparently gave the go-ahead to publish. Famitsu also reports on 2 new playable characters for the PS3 version, though this is unconfirmed.

Source: Eurogamer

Last Month (August)

Wasn't around much in August for which I apologise for.

Basically, Team ICO Gamers moved (which has since disappeared again), some release dates were given (which has since changed, stay tuned) and I showed the intro of Subarashiki Kono Sekai

Returning again (hopefully)

With the Tokyo Game show just a few days away, I will try to be around to give you the latest games news that won't be covered quite as extensively as the rest. Stay tuned!

Trailer: Intro to Subarashiki Kono Sekai

It went quiet for a while but this game has just hit Japan. Here's the introduction!

Release date updates

For those who are still in the dark about release dates of recent games featured here, this is what the schedule looks like.

Brave Story - Out now (US)
Jeanne d'Arc - 21st August (US)

Rogue Galaxy - 7th September 2007 (Europe)
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria - 14th September (Europe)
Grim Grimoire (recently confirmed) - 28th September (Europe)

Final Fantasy Tactics - October (US and Europe)

Packed list in time for Christmas!

Last week (23rd to 29th July)

Not much again, but there were trailers for White Knight Story and Endless Ocean to look at.

Trailers: Endless Ocean

Well, this is a surprise. I had a look at this on the recommendation (or more shameless bugging) of a blogger on the Guardian Gamesblog and it looks quite err deep (sorry). Certainly one to look out for. This is Endless Ocean (Forever Blue in Japan).

Trailers: White Knight Story

Finally, a new trailer for the possible Level 5 smash hit, White Knight Story! Do a search on Gametrailers for a better quality trailer. This little one just doesn't do the game justice! It does lack gameplay though. I guess Level 5 are holding out for the Tokyo Game Show in September.

Last week (16th to 22nd July)

A dull week for releases as Transformers goes all over the place. At least there was Echochrome to look at!

Trailers: Echochrome

Remember I mentioned Echochrome at E3? Well, here it is!

This week's UK releases (14th to 23rd July)

Every Thursday, I report on what is being released this week on all consoles. Releases are subject to last minute delays and changes.

PLAYSTATION 3
The Darkness
Transformers - The Game

XBOX 360
Transformers - The Game

WII
Big Brain Academy
Transformers - The Game

PLAYSTATION 2
Transformers - The Game

PC GAMES
Civilization 4 - Beyond the Sword
Transformers - The Game

DS
Transformers The Game - Autobot
Transformers The Game - Decepticon

PSP
Shrek the Third
The Cube
Transformers - The Game

Source: Eurogamer forums

A week behind again...

Oops again! However, at least there's a ton of news to catch up on :-)

First of all, it was E3 last week. Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all had decent showings. Highlights for each of them include Microsoft showing Viva Pinata Animals for the 360 and Viva Pinata for the XBox360, Nintendo showing a new set of Wii peripherals, including a Wii Fit board and Sony, showing a new PSP and Echochrome.

Echochrome is a game that will confuse just as much as poor Crush did on the PSP. You turn the camera around to solve puzzles in a world of black and white. For example, if you want to get past a gap, you move the camera so a part of the scenery covers the gap!

Sony gave us some more news today though at their Playstation Premier event. Announced at the show were Nobi Nobi Boy (from the creator of Katamari Damacy), Disgaea 3 and Loco Roco for the PS3!

Last week (2nd to 8th July)

A pretty dead week for me really. This week's releases was nothing to shout about. I also made up for my strange absence by listing 7 trailers of Jeanne D'Arc and Brave Story, both due soon in the US.

Then, some meaty news came in that Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria would be reaching UK shores on September 7th (same time as Rogue Galaxy I might add). Finally, a trailer came out for new Square-Enix game, The Last Remnant.