This week’s Famitsu review scores are as follows:
Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge (PS3/360) – 9/9/8/7
Hatsukare * Renai Debut Sengen! (PSP) – 8/7/8/7
Farming Simulator 3D Pocket Farm (3DS) – 6/6/4/5
Quite a few users have reported that their systems have been more or less bricked following the latest 3DS upgrade. There’s a large thread on Nintendo’s technical forums about the problem, which results from an unexpected error during the update process. Those who encounter the issue have been unable to access the eShop or System Settings.
There is a fix, fortunately! When turning on the 3DS, hold down the “L”, “R”, and “A” buttons while also pressing the “Up” area on the d-pad. You’ll then be brought to a system update screen to complete the process.
The 3DS’ second Etrian Odyssey isn’t exactly a new game. According to Famitsu, Etrian Odyssey: Millenium Girl is actually a remake of the series’ first entry.
Millenium Girl will sport an expanded story scenario as well as voice acting. Shigeo Komori is directing, Yuji Himukai is working on character design while Shin Nagasawa is handling monster design, and Yuzo Koshiro is in charge of the game’s music. The voice cast thus far includes Kousuke Toriumi, Daisuke Ono, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Mariya Ise, and Shizuka Ito.
Etrian Odyssey: Millenium Girl launches in Japan on June 27 for 6,279 yen.
Yoichi Wada became Square Enix’s president in 2000 and has held onto the position for well over a decade. But today, Wada announced that he will be stepping down. Yosuke Matsuda, Square Enix’s former company director and CFO, will be assuming Wada’s position. The decision may very well be set in stone once Square Enix’s annual shareholders meeting wraps up in June, followed by a board of directors meeting.
In addition to Wada’s surprise announcement, Square Enix slashed its fiscal year forecasts due to “the rapidly changing environment of the game businesses.” An “extraordinary” ¥10 billion ($106 million) loss will impact the company’s development policy, organizational structure, and business models. Initially, Square Enix forecasted a net profit of ¥3.5 billion. It is now anticipating a net loss of ¥13 billion. That’s a significant downturn from the ¥6 billion net profit Square Enix achieved in the previous fiscal year.
Game sales overseas – described as “sluggish” – are to blame for Square Enix’s disappointing sales results. The publisher suffered from losses stemming from “the increasingly difficult condition of the worldwide console game market.”
Initial teases from Atlus suggested that a new Etrian Odyssey game would be revealed in this week’s Famitsu. Based on initial leaks, it appears that the magazine has unveiled “Etrian Odyssey: Millenium Girl”. Like Etrian Odyssey IV, Millenium Girl is in the works for the 3DS.
Information beyond a name and release date – it’s coming out in Japan on June 27 – have not yet surfaced. We’ll bring you details as we get them.
Capcom gave a look at some “unused” artwork from Resident Evil: Revelations on its blog today courtesy of tweets from the the game’s producers. Showcased is an alternative Jessica pose, a Jill sketch, and a rejected design for a Yacht gun. The full set of images is posted above.
Update: Harvest Moon deal is gone.
A few of the Ace Attorney games have apparently been re-printed. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, and Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney are all in stock on Amazon
for $20. Justice for All is missing, unfortunately – it’s my personal favorite!
Amazon is also running a few discounts on Nintendo games. These include:
Scribblenauts Unlimited (3DS) – $19.99 (temporarily out of stock, can still place an order)
Harvest Moon 3D: A New Beginning – $19.99 (temporarily out of stock, can still place an order)
Assassin’s Creed III
– $29.99
Scribblenauts Unlimited (Wii U)
– $39.99
Software
1. Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
2. LEGO City: Undercover
3. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
4. Nintendo Land
5. Runner2
6. Little Inferno
7. The Cave
8. Chasing Aurora
9. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U
10. Nano Assault Neo
11. Trine 2: Director’s Cut
12. Puddle
13. New Super Mario Bros. U
14. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
15. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
16. Scribblenauts Unlimited
17. ZombiU
18. Assassin’s Creed III
19. Just Dance 4
20. Funky Barn Download
Videos
1. Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream Trailer
2. LEGO City: Undercover
3. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U Trailer
4. The Wonderful 101 Trailer
5. Iwata Plays: Game & Wario Video
6. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Trailer
7. Kirby’s Adventure Trailer
8. Runner2 Trailer
9. LEGO City: Undercover Trailer 2
10. The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct Trailer
11. LEGO City: Undercover Trailer 4
12. LEGO City: Undercover Trailer 3
13. New Super Mario Bros. U Video
14. Chasing Aurora Video
15. LEGO City: Undercover Vehicles Trailer
16. LEGO City: Undercover Disguises Trailer
17. Trine 2: Director’s Cut Video
18. The Cave Trailer
19. Chasing Aurora Gameplay Video
20. Nano Assault Neo Video
Source: Wii U eShop
