The best 16-bit RPG you've never played, eh?

That's what one person over on neogaf.com is calling Pier Solar, a Genesis/Mega Drive RPG (recently) created by a team of coders that go by the name of WaterMelon Development.

According to the game's official website, it began life (in 2004) as a homebrew mini-game. Eventually, its developers decided to turn it into a full-fledged RPG in the vein of Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI and Phantasy Star IV.

Another likely source of inspiration: Game Arts' Lunar series, as evidenced in the following video (especially the battle scene, which begins around the 4:45 mark):



Copies of Pier Solar can be pre-ordered here for $45. (Check out this discussion thread at neogaf.com for more information on this intriguing game.)

Sounds about right to me

I can't tell if the guys at ilovecharts.tumblr.com created the following image or if it was created by someone else (you can't always tell with tumblelogs), but it doesn't really matter.

What matters is that, for the most part, I agree with it. (I'd agree with it more if it were titled, "How straight male video-game makers design characters.")

(Via ilovecharts.tumblr.com by way of joemygod.blogspot.com)

'Amazeing Sunset'

Another great Pac-Man-inspired t-shirt design is up for a vote on threadless.com, thanks to Minneapolis-based artist and graphic designer Phil Jones (aka murraymullet).

The (rather apropos, if you ask me) name of Jones' design: "Amazeing Sunset."

I really like the design's decidedly retro, 1970s-ish feel. If you feel the same way (or even if you don't), vote on it here.

(Via gonintendo.com)

What I'm looking forward to in 2011

Well, 2011 is nearly upon us. With that in mind, I've decided to jot down (digitally, of course) the gaming-related things I'm most looking forward to--or hoping for, in some cases--in the new year.

3DS:

* The worldwide release of the 3DS system.
* An announcement that Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI remakes are being developed for the system.
* Information (via screenshots, video, etc.) that suggests the folks at Nintendo have (wisely) decided against making the characters in Animal Crossing 3DS more realistically proportioned.

DS:

* A European and North American release of Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute (aka Professor Layton and the Flute of Malevolent Destiny).
* The European release of Inazuma Eleven.




PSP:

* A North American release of Final Fantasy IV Complete Collection.
* A North American UMD release of ClaDun 2--with the first ClaDun, previously a PSN-only title in the States, included as a bonus (à la What Did I Do To Deserve This, My Lord!? 2).
* The release of the PSP Minis version of Pac-Man: Championship Edition.

PS3:

* A price drop of the basic PS3 system to $199.

Xbox 360:

* A price drop of the Xbox 360 "Arcade" system to $149.

Wii:

* The release of the first screenshots of Dragon Quest X. 
* The Japanese release of Rhythm Heaven Wii.
* A North American release of Xenoblade. (Hey, a guy can dream.)

What games, systems, etc., are you looking forward to in 2011?

Let's Play: 'Which Box Art is Better?' (Scribblenauts edition)

North American gamers with a penchant for puzzlers should be well aware of the following piece of art, which graced the cover of 5th Cell's Scribblenauts when it arrived on store shelves late last year.

When the game finally hits the streets in Japan early next year, it'll feature not just a revamped title--Hirameki Puzzle Maxwell no Fushigi na Note--but revamped cover art (below) as well.

As nice as the North American art is, I much prefer its Japanese counterpart--which, in my opinion, is both cuter and more creative than the original.

What do you guys and gals think?

(Japanese box art via tinycartridge.com)