- September 5, 2001 -

A R C A D E   /   O T H E R S

- CESA has released preliminary details on the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2001 Fall, which will take place at Makuhari Messe between October 12 - 14. As of September 3, a total of 55 game titles are announced, including Dragon Quest IV from Enix, Onimusha 2 from Capcom and Xenosaga Episode 1 from Namco. Here are the breakdowns.

- NTT Communications has established a virtual club site OCN PlayOnline Club on September 6, which provide online support to Square's PlayOnline services. The OCN PlayOnline Club will carry latest news concerning the PlayOnline network, and they will be giving away 200 free PlayOnline beta test monitor kits and Final Fantasy T-Shirts to those who join the club before October 31, 2001.

- Eolith is planning to unveil the first details of their arcade fighting game The King of Fighters 2001 on September 28, including character illustration, profile, names, screen shots and story outline.

- Namco announced their AM Show lineup, they will be showing the following arcade titles at the show between September 20 - 22.

• Smash Court Professional Tournament (November)
• Bayshore Midnight (December)
• Knockdown 2001 (October)
• New Mr. Driller (December)
• New Crane Game (November)
• Fan Cube 3 (September)
• Puraiz for Children (3 models) (December)

P L A Y S T A T I O N   /   P L A Y S T A T I O N   2

- Here are some new images of From Software's PlayStation 2 RPG King's Field IV, the game is scheduled for release in Japan on October 4, for 6800 yen.  In the game each weapon and armor have a consumption meter, they eventually worn out if being used for a long time, but it is possible to repair them. You can cast magic spells with the magic stones, there are 6 attributes in the magic stones: fire, water, soil, wind, light and darkness..... (From: GPara)

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- Konami has revealed new info on their PlayStation 2 RPG Genso Suikoden III, this time the game will be in full 3D, there will be 3 main characters in the game, each one will have age and different "view point" to things in the game. There will be 3 times as many characters from the previous works, and there will be a much improved battle system in the game. Suikoden III is scheduled for release in December, in DVD-ROM media.

- Eidos Interactive announced that they are entering the Japanese market, to develop and publish games in Asia. Eidos announced 15 PlayStation 2 titles, 10 of which will be released by the end of the year in Japan this year, including Soul Reaver 2, Commandos 2, Herdy Gerdy, Project Eden, EOE Eve of Extinction, Fear Effect (PS One), Jet Ski Riders, Thunderstrike: Operation Phoenix, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.

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- Square has begin to sell new Final Fantasy X goods at their PlayOnline shop, the new item is Yuna's silver ring, which can be purchased online at PlayOnline.

- Logitech announced a new force feedback racing wheel for PlayStation 2 called the Logitech Driving Force, which will be released sometimes this month, for $99.95 US or 259 DM. The Logitech Driving Force will have additional features and functionality to the popular GT Force racing wheel. Games such as Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec, Nascar Heat 2002, Motor Mayhem, Test Drive, Test Drive Offroad: Wide Open will support the racing wheel. Logitech has also announced a new 2.4 GHz cordless dual shock 2 controller for PS2, which will be released in December.

- Electronic Arts is working on a new downhill mountain bike racing game called NBX, the game is developed by the team who worked on the excellent snowboarding game SSX.

- Here are some new screens of Lost Boys' PC / PS2 action adventure game Knights. (from IGNPS2)

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- Vivendi Universal announced a new PlayStation 2 cartoon action game Dinoz, developed by Oiko Entertainment, the game is set in a cartoon prehistoric planet where you the creatures named Dinoz to complete in the DinozBall game. There are 30 stadiums and 28 Dinoz species to choose from. Dinoz is scheduled for a spring 2002 release in Europe. (from IGNPS2)

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- Here are some new screen shots of EA's 007: Agent Under Fire for PlayStation 2, the game features both first person shooter and car combat stages. 007: Agent Under Fire is set for a fall release this year. (from IGNPS2)

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- Sony has posted two new movie trailers for their PlayStation 2 train driving simulation game The Yamanote Line: Train Simulator Real, the game is scheduled to release in Japan in October.

Real Media: Trailer 1, Trailer 2

D R E A M C A S T

- Sega has begin to sell the ISAO Broadband Starter Kit for Dreamcast in Japan for 28800 yen, which enable Dreamcast users to play their favorite DC online titles with high speed connection such as ADSL and cable modem, it also supports broadband router such as the LinkSys BEFSR41. Titles such as Phantasy Star Online Ver 2 and Dreamcast Karaoke are fully compatible with the ISAO Broadband Starter Kit.