I have a feeling this game won't be leaving Japan

I came across the following screenshots--for a game called Baraetigemu Kameari--a few minutes ago while scanning gonintendo.com.

Sadly, I can't tell you anything about Baraetigemu Kameari. Based on the screenshots on display at dengeki.com, though, I'm guessing it's some sort of mini-game compilation.

Oh, well, at least we can die knowing there's a DS game that features a buff businessman who prances around in nothing more than a tie, socks and shoes.

'It's also got what we in the future call buttons'

Surprise, surprise: The folks at Sony are using Kevin Butler (aka the company's fictitious "VP of realistic movements") to promote the PlayStation Move peripheral in North America.

If the following ad is any indication, the campaign will be a big hit with so-called hardcore gamers--though I'm not so sure it will resonate with the "casual" set that Sony is so obviously trying to court.



Now, to be fair, I can't imagine all of Sony's PlayStation Move ads will focus on Motion Fighter--surely some of them will focus on the company's Wii Sports rip-off, Sports Champions, for instance.

Still, I'm not sure this campaign is going to convince the masses to pick up a PS3 and a few PlayStation Move controllers. What do you think?

See also: 'PlayStation ... Move?'

(Via gonintendo.com)

If Michelangelo had been a gamer ...

... he'd have produced something like this:

I'm sure some will say artist Kordian Lewandowski's sculpture--titled "Game Over"--is sacrilegious, but to that I say, "pfft!"

For more photos of the piece, which was carved from a large block of polystyrene foam, check out the Polish artist's online portfolio.

See also: 'Turnip Murder' and 'Speaking of awesome game-inspired art...'

How did I miss this one? (Pac-Man Battle Royale edition)

Did you know that Namco Bandai is working on a new Pac-Man arcade game? I sure didn't. I guess I should check out arcadeheroes.com--the site that broke the news late last month--more often.

Anyway, the four-player title enjoyed its first public outing at the recent Amusement Expo. Here's what it looks like in action:



Don't you just love that cocktail cabinet? As for the game itself, I think the graphics look good (they wisely ape those seen in the amazing Pac-Man Championship Edition) but I'm not so sure about the gameplay--especially since the eating of dots and ghosts on each board seems to be a secondary goal at this point. Hopefully those elements will play a more integral role in the game when it's released in September.

I have to imagine the folks at Namco Bandai will bring Pac-Man Battle Royale to one or more of the current console download services sooner or later, though they have yet to suggest (let alone announce) it.

I hereby declare March 15 'Hug Your PC Engine (or TurboGrafx-16) Day'

If you don't have a PC Engine or TurboGrafx-16, you can participate by hugging your Wii--after you purchase, say, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, which hit the Virtual Console service this morning.

You'll have to hand over 900 Nintendo points ($9) before you can download the Toru Hagihara-designed title, but if you're any sort of Castlevania fan I think you'll find it's well worth the premium price.

PS3 owners with Japanese PSN accounts can get in on the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 love, too--though they can't (yet) buy Castlevania: Rondo of Blood.

In fact, the "Game Archives" section of Sony's download service currently contains just 15 cartridge-based PC Engine titles at this point. (It'll get its first CD game--the guitar-laden Gate of Thunder--on Wednesday, according to andriasang.com.)

See also: 'Better late than never: 'The best Castlevania ever' is coming to the States'