Video Game News

Konami released Pop’n Music: Animation Melody to the Playstation in Japan on July 27th. The game is another of Konami’s popular music/rhythm games that involves little blocks called popkuns descending from the top of the screen towards the bottom. As they touch the bar on the bottom, players tap the corresponding buttons to get a rating. This installment in the series is noteworthy because it features the theme songs to 20 classic anime TV shows including Cutey Honey, St. Seiya, Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro, Sailor Moon, Getta Robo, Dragonball Z, Captain Harlock, Dr. Slump, and Galaxy Express 999.

The long delayed Blue Submarine No. 6 Playstation anime game is now scheduled for Japanese release in September with a retail price of 6800 yen. The two disc simulation game will feature the typical mix of interactive adventure game and strategy/tactical submarine simulation as well as 40 minutes of new full-motion anime footage from Gonzo Studios.

The third game in the popular Playstation SD Gundam G-Generation strategy-RPG series, G-Generation F, will be released on August 3rd in both a regular edition for 7800 yen and a limited, special edition for 9980 yen. This time around, the game will feature 3D rendered super-deformed gundams from the F91, G-Gundam, Gundam W TV and Gundam W OAV, Gundam X and Turn A Gundam anime series along with gundams from the F90, Crossbones Gundam, and Gundam W G-Unit side-stories/model series.

The Dreamcast port of Dino Crisis goes on sale in Japan on September 6 for 5800 yen.

Kamen Rider V3, the sequel to the nostalgic Tekken-style Playstation Kamen Rider fighting game from two years ago, goes on sale on September 14 for 5800 yen.

The popular life-sim/romantic comedy manga and TV series Love Hina will get a Playstation love-simulation game on September 21st. Also on the 21st, the Dreamcast port of Sakura Wars 2 will debut in a regular edition for 5800 yen and a limited edition for 7800 yen. The limited edition version includes the game and a Sakura Taisen 2 pink purupuru (vibration) pak to match the pink Sakura Taisen VMU included in the limited edition Dreamcast version of Sakura Wars 1. The gameplay in the Dreamcast versions of Sakura Wars 1 & 2 remains the same as the original Saturn versions, but the DC versions feature re-programmed, higher resolution CG in the mecha tatical role-playing battles, and re-mastered anime cut-scenes.

New game developing company Studio Wonder Effect is nearing completion of their Dreamcast Pokemon clone Battle Beaster. Judging from early pictures, this title focuses on the fighting and upgrading of small monster pets rather than finding and capturing them. The darker looks of the game and the multiple, complex menu screens suggest that the game is aiming for a market somewhat older than the typical Pocket Monster/Digimon crowd.

Namco’s Tales of Fantasia RPG will make the leap to Gameboy Color on November 10 with a retail price of 4500 yen.