- October 5, 2001 -

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

- Koei announced that they will release Hoshin Engi 2 for PlayStation 2 in Japan this winter, for 6800 yen. The sequel of their popular Chinese mythology RPG game. This time the game will have real-time battles and full 3D battle fields, and the characters can move around the battlefield freely when combating. The companions will automatically attack the enemies or assist the others, according to the instruction set beforehand. A Voice Communication System is added to the game, which allows you to give and receive instructions from companions to improve your accuracy or ability. There are over 500 sacred treasures in the game, each contain mysterious magic power. During the battle the characters can combine their treasures together to perform a strong Union Attack.....

Full Story

- Sega Smilebit announced a new PlayStation 2 sports promotion simulation game Let's Make a J. League Pro Soccer Club 2002, scheduled to release in spring 2002, this is the latest installment of their popular soccer club creation simulation game.

- GameArts revealed Grandia Xtreme for PlayStation 2, the 3rd installment of their popular RPG series. The game will be published by Enix in Japan. This time the hero is a reckless young boy named Evan. A new battle system called Ultimate Action Battle System is used in the game, the combats are in half real-time, in which a character's action is affected by his / her action speed, this system allows you to mutually cancel attacks of the other party depending on the speed. There is also a new Synchronized Flash System, which enable you to use special techniques in the battles, and the special technique evolves to Union Technique when using in cooperation with the companion. (From Famitsu)

Additional Images: 1  2   3

- Namco announced a PlayStation 2 port of their latest arcade snow sports game Alpine Racer 3. The game features skiing, snowboarding and skiboarding.

- Konami has postponed their PS2 baseball game Professional Baseball Japan 2001 from October 18 to sometimes in November, this game features real name pro baseball players and realistic graphics and animation similar to Square's Gekikuukan Pro Baseball.

- PCCWJ (Jaleco) will release Dream Audition Superhit Disc 1 and Disc 2 for PlayStation 2 in Japan on November 22, for 2900 yen each. This Karaoke music game feature a collection of pop music, there is a new campaign for the game, if you clear the Challenge Mode in the game, a password will display, and you can use the password for a lucky draw to win great prizes from PCCWJ.

Additional Images: 1  2  3

- Spike has announced a Tenchu style ninja stealth action game for PS2 called Samurai in Japan, the game is scheduled for a spring 2002 release.

D R E A M C A S T

- To celebrate the sales of the series reaching 1 million copies, Sega Smilebit is planning to release a new version of the soccer promotion simulation game for Dreamcast, called Let's Make a Special Large J. League Pro Soccer Club 2, scheduled for release in Japan on December 13. This time the game will have the latest 2001 J.League data, and you can also import save data from the previous game.

- Sega has released new info on their upcoming Dreamcast "dramatic community" game Sakura Taisen Online. There are two separate versions of the game: Sakura Taisen Online: Long day in the Emperor Capital and Sakura Taisen Online: Graceful Day of the Hometown Eddy. In this game you play as one of the familiar character in the Sakura Taisen 1, 2 or 3, after you selected your character, then you can walk in the virtual town to form a party and battle with other players in the town. Other than battles, you can also play a number of mini games with other players online, such as Cards, Monopoly, Poker and Mahjong, you can even collect various Sakura Taisen goods in the matches. Sakura Taisen Online is scheduled for release in Japan this December.

Additional Images (9)

H A N D H E L D S

- Sega Smilebit announced their first GameBoy Advance title - Let's Make a Pro Baseball Team Advance, scheduled for release in 2002. The GBA version will have simplified soccer team management system, in consideration to the characteristic of the portable system. You can also trade characters with other users through the GBA link cable.

A R C A D E   /   O T H E R S

- The Dengeki Console Ranking Top 50 Chart is updated, Koei's Shin Sangoku Musou 2 sold another 83,000+ copies, Konami's Silent Hill 2 entered the chart at #2, sold 77,600+ copies, and Game Village's EVE The Fatal Attraction entered the chart at #3, sold 35,000+ copies.

- CESA announced that they have canceled the Tokyo Game Show 2002 Spring, due to a decline in attendance. The Tokyo Game Show 2001 Fall is unaffected by this announcement, it will take place in Tokyo between October 12 - 14.

- Bandai announced their Tokyo Game Show lineup:

- Hudson has revealed their Tokyo Game Show lineup:

- Enix's Tokyo Game Show lineup is as follows:

- Genki announced that they will be showing 5 game titles at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, two of the games are revealed, they are Kengo Second for PlayStation 2 and Zan Kabuki for XBox. Both titles are scheduled for release in Japan in spring 2002.

- Success Corp announced that they will be showing 6 game titles at the Tokyo Game Show, including Psyvariar Complete Edition, Mage Racing Construction and Miniature Railway for PlayStation 2; Bistro Cupid for XBox; X-Men Mutant Academy 2 and SK8 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for PSone.

Additional Images (28)