Famitsu recently sat down with Yakuza 1 & 2 HD producer Mitsuhiro Shimano to learn more about the just-released Wii U game. Siliconera was kind to translate details from the discussion, which we’ve rounded up below. New images are available for viewing as well.

– Team revamped the degree of difficulty of functions in Yakuza 1 & 2 HD
– Playability of them now easier to understand
– Batting centers are easier to play through
– Map helps new players know where they are and where to go at a glance
– Signboards stand out a bit more to find certain areas
– Easy + Heat Up mode available at the start
– This allows for easier Heat Gauge build-up

“Since the hardware is Wii U, there are plenty of adjustments made for you fathers out there. Yakuza is known for the cabaret clubs and massage sub-stories, which may get a little too hot for comfort if your child or even wife are around (laughs). For those situations, you can simply switch to the Wii U GamePad, and play it as a mobile game without worrying about those around you.”

“Also, the Wii U’s main characteristic is the GamePad, so we’ve included special functions just for it. For example, if you use the ‘Marker Placement’ feature indicated on the GamePad’s upper-right part of the screen, you can use a green marker and place it on the map. That way, if you mark areas of sub-stories, you’ll be able to find it right away if you haven’t played in a while. While you can only use one marker at a time, it’s very convenient to be able to use it at any time.” – Shimano

– “Complete Screen” underneath the Marker Placement button
– This logs everything from the foods you ate to the list of sub-stories you’ve completed
– Also lets you check up on your current relationship development with your cabaret girls
– Switch Mode button on the left part of the GamePad screen to switch between the GamePad and TV at any time
– When you switch it to “Map Mode” you’ll have access to the entire map on the GamePad

“Of course, the Wii U Pro Controller will be supported, so you’ll be able to play whichever way you want. For you fathers out there who purchased a Wii U for your kids, please give Yakuza 1 & 2 HD a try. Again, Yakuza 3 and 4 have recently dropped in price, so it’d be a great opportunity to try it out. For those who’ve never played Yakuza, it would be my pleasure if you could use this occasion to be introduced to the Yakuza series.” – Shimano

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The Wonderful 101 demo has launched in North America, just a few hours after it hit the European Wii U eShop. It was unclear when it the demo would be available in the states after it wasn’t mentioned in today’s Direct presentation. A Nintendo representative had also said that the download’s arrival in North America was “TBA”.

Regardless, it’s here now. Go enjoy it!

Thanks to Jake and Tim for the tip.

The following is a column that Smash Bros. and Kid Icarus: Uprising creator wrote for Famitsu magazine in Japan. He starts off reminiscing about the three years it took to make Super Smash Bros. Brawl:

“When you think about three years like that, that’s the amount of time between entering middle or high school and graduating from it [in Japan]. You have all these people working their fingers to the bone to complete just a single project. The games I make tend to be played for a long time, and whether I’m satisfied with the results or there are things I’m not happy with, it always takes a lot of time to make them.”

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Development on Splinter Cell: Blacklist is complete. Ubisoft has confirmed that the game has gone gold with a little less than two weeks remaining before it hits store shelves.

Producer Alex Parizeau told IGN:

“We couldn’t be more proud of our team. This is a huge accomplishment for Ubisoft Toronto and for the studios that collaborated with us on this ambitious project – Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Shanghai, Ubisoft Bucharest and Ubisoft Pune. Splinter Cell Blacklist is the first project to go gold in our studio, and I can tell you the atmosphere here is electric.”

“We brought together an amazing team from across the industry who went all in to deliver the biggest game in the series. I know I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say we can’t wait to get the game into the hands of our fans.”

Splinter Cell: Blacklist launches on August 20.

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Ghost Song: A Journey of Hope, a new 2D “Metroidvania” title, has a shot of landing on Wii U. The campaign now has a Wii U stretch goal set at $60,000. If the target is met, the game will be guarenteed for Nintendo’s console.

You can get an idea as to what Ghost Song offers in the video above. You can also find more details on the Kickstarter page here.

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Although Nintendo of America representatives haven’t provided a release date for The Wonderful 101’s demo in the states, it appears that it may be available today after all. A message posted on Miiverse from Satoru Iwata states:

“The game’s demo will be available later today. Thank you for your patience.”

I suppose we’ll find out either way within the next few hours!

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