TGS 2011 - Quick Hits Before the Main Event


I'm attending Tokyo Game Show 2011 this Thursday and Friday. Be sure to check back throughout the week for news, updates and hands-on impressions.

There have been lots of interesting developments in the last two days leading up to Tokyo Game Show, about which there is plenty to discuss. Unfortunately, I only have 30 minutes before I have to head-out for dinner (yakiniku with the in-laws) so I will keep this post short and sweet.

In no particular order:

i. Final Fantasy X HD? Well, why not? Its not my favourite of the series, but I think the tropical locales will look great in high definition and it will definitely be worth another play-through.

ii. The most ridiculous name of the last two days has to go to Square Enix's new IP for the 3DS, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. It will need to be pretty good to overcome such an appalling title. Any other year and Army Corps of Hell would have run away with the prize, but there's just no beating SE's latest.

iii. Vita will be unleashed In Japan on the 17th December. March seems a good a guess as any for the Western release.

iv. Japan will be getting 26 titles for the Vita at launch, which includes Uncharted Golden Abyss. That is pretty impressive, though I'm sure that figure includes plenty of filler. Equally as impressive is the 100 titles said to be currently under development for the new portable.

v. There was no new 3DS model at the Nintendo conference, but we will be getting a pink version and the ugly looking peripheral that adds a second thumb-stick. Brilliant!

vi. Nintendo shared many new, high profile titles at their Tuesday presser. As expected, there was plenty to keep the Mario faithful smiling, with Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Mario Tennis and Paper Mario all on show. A new Fire Emblem was also announced, along with some major third party titles, including Monster Hunter 3G and 4. Monster Hunter will look to steal some of the Vita's thunder and it takes away what has long been the PSP's biggest weapon in the battle for portable supremacy. These games are exactly what the 3DS needs and should mark the beginning of a turn in fortunes. Just try to forget the thumb stick monstrosity.

Right, it's time for dinner and my continued quest to eat a large part of Japan. Then its off to bed so I can get up nice and early tomorrow for day one of TGS. Hopefully I will be able to get some early impressions posted here in the evening, and then there will be plenty more to follow in the coming days. I have also managed to link my hire phone to my twitter account - a task that was far more difficult than it should have been - so be sure to follow toomanywiresUK throughout the day for live updates from the show.

Comments

  1. The Vita is shaping up to have a more solid launch than the 3DS, though Monster Hunter may help Nintendo out in Japan - don't know how much impact this will have on western (or at least European) buyers, i never got the impression that Monster Hunter was hugely popular here. I have to say I'm excited about new Square Enix rpg! and also the possibility of playing a game called Army Corps of Hell is exciting - though I have no what this game is.

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  2. Square cracks me up. I don't believe for one second that they care any more about X than we do. This is just them testing the process for their real goal - a remastered VII.

    I'd be sad that I just sold my 3DS in disgust, after hearing the Monster Hunter news, but, of course, I'm going to have to get a Japanese model to play them anyway. Kind of lame that the PSP isn't getting one last MH game, considering how many of us threw down big bucks on that limited edition MH PSP last year. I figured 3G would be the final PSP installment, not the first on 3DS.

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  3. Joe - Thanks for stopping by. Monster Hunter moving to the 3DS is a massive boon for Nintendo Japan, but as you say it will have little, if any, effect in the West.

    Thirdrail - You may well be right about VII and X. Very bad news for PSP owning, Monster Hunter fans. Cheers.

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