28 January 2007

Podcast Episode #0062
VegettoEX @ 12:23 am EST -- Episode #0062 of the podcast is available for download! We hung out with Castor Troy for a while and finally discussed the Nintendo DS game Jump Ultimate Stars. We also went over all the latest news from Atari regarding their releases of the new Japanese handheld games, and answered a great bunch of e-mails. Definitely check it out.

26 January 2007

Harukanaru... US Release Pushed Back?
VegettoEX @ 6:28 pm EST -- As tons of people have written in, if you head on over to Gamestop's listing for Harukanaru Densetsu, you'll see an updated date of 01 May 2007. Interesting.

For those of you showing up from Anime World Order, here's a few things to check out:

• Podcast Episode #0058
  (2006 Year-In-Review; Much Remastered Boxset Discussion)
• Podcast Episode #0059
  (More Remastered Boxset Discussion)
• 900 Minutes of Uncut Action, DBZ Season 1 Arrives
  (Forum thread with many comparison images, reviews, etc.)

Thanks for stopping by! :D

22 January 2007

Atari Formally Announces New PSP & DS Games
VegettoEX @ 6:50 pm EST -- In yet another genius move to compliment their reversal of the phrase Tenka-ichi Budokai, Atari has formally announced the American release of two new handheld games, including... Harukanaru Densetsu.

Yep. Leave out the one word in the title ("Goku") that your typical American fan actually knows.

Amazing.

Anyway, the formal press release from today gives a little more information on the two upcoming games (which you've, no doubt, known about for ages by following along with us kind folks at Daizenshuu EX). Here are a couple snippets:

Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATARD) today announced the development of two new Dragon Ball Z(R) titles for 2007 release, Dragon Ball Z(R) Shin Budokai(TM): Another Road for the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system and Dragon Ball Z(R) Harukanaru Densetsu for Nintendo DS(TM).

Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, one of the best selling PSP(R) system games launched in 2006. The game takes the intense Wi-Fi multiplayer battles and thrilling combative gameplay made popular in last year's hit and adds an improved fighting system with over 50 new fighting skills and ultimate attacks and the power to play heroes and villains from the DBZ, Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball worlds. In addition to these all-new features, Shin Budokai: Another Road will send players into a completely new story arc following the future world of Trunks on his adventures against rival Majin Buu. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. / Dimps, Dragon Ball Z Shin Budokai: Another Road is slated to release in March 2007 for the PSP(R) system.

Dragon Ball Z Harukanaru Densetsu is an all new DBZ(R) experience unlike any other for the Nintendo DS. Harukanaru Densetsu combines strategic card based gameplay and role playing to deliver a game that is easy to understand but hard to master. Players' progression is determined through their use of the cards to evolve characters, strengthen moves and create new moves. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., Dragon Ball Z Harukanaru Densetsu will be available on Nintendo DS in Spring 2007. "Newcomers and faithful fans of DBZ will be thrilled with these two new handheld games," said Emily Anadu, Product Manager, Atari, Inc. "Shin Budokai: Another Road lets players take the DBZ universe over a Wi-Fi network with an exciting new story that is sure to grab long-time fans while Harukanaru Densetsu tackles a new form of RPG with card-playing -- an interesting innovation for the DBZ series that we believe will attract gamers who enjoy strategy based gameplay."

Anadu continued, "Both games represent the innovation and evolution that characterize the DBZ experience and maintain the Dragon Ball Z reputation as one of the best anime and cartoon-based series of all time."

So just to keep everyone on their toes, here's an updated schedule of what's coming out when in which country:

Let's all make an effort to pronounce things correctly. Check out the latest podcast episode for examples!

21 January 2007

Podcast Episode #0061
VegettoEX @ 7:43 pm EST -- Episode #0061 of the podcast is available for download! With all the stuff going on with FUNimation's so-called "remastered" DBZ, it only seemed appropriate to take a look back at some of the lies cover-ups they've done with the property over the years. We also answered a few e-mails and give away a copy of the Weekly Jump with Cross Epoch! Definitely check it out.

19 January 2007

DBZ Game and Movie News
VegettoEX @ 9:53 pm EST -- Just a couple little news tidbits for you all. Jeux-France has up a new V-Jump scan showcasing the first screens from what the Japanese appear to be calling DragonBall Z: Shin Budokai 2. That makes it... what?... Budokai 3.75? :P As we've reported in the past, it looks like Gamestop's directory has a date of March 20th for the US (the same day they have listed for the US release of Harukanaru... interesting...).

In other, much more disturbing news... our forum user landoku posted up a little link showing that Twentieth Century Fox has renewed the domain dragonballz-movie.com for another year. Do with this information as you will. I refuse to speak further on the matter.

16 January 2007

Harukanaru Gokû Densetsu In The US In March?
VegettoEX @ 8:35 pm EST -- About a dozen people have e-mailed me this over the last couple days, including several employees from EB/GameStop. It looks like listings for a US version of the upcoming DS RPG, Harukanaru Gokû Densetsu, are showing up in a few computer systems. All of the reports point to March (including a Play-Asia listing), though all the EB employees are saying it's shipping March 20th (and thus actually on shelves on the 21st). There is no official word from Atari as-of-yet.

Thanks to everyone who's written in!

14 January 2007

Podcast Episode #0060
VegettoEX @ 7:37 pm EST -- Episode #0060 of the podcast is available for download! We continue to be on-time... go us. With Julian out again this week, we brought back Jeff and Andrew to talk about old-school gaming-related things... specifically, old magazines. Why was there so much coverage of anime and import games back then... specifically DBZ?! We have a plethora of images scanned for your viewing pleasure. Definitely check it out.

Awesome stuff...!

13 January 2007

Harukanaru Gokû Densetsu Cover Art!
VegettoEX @ 11:50 pm EST -- Thanks to the awesomeness of Tankooki Kuribo, we have seen the gloriousness of the cover art for the upcoming Nintendo DS game in Japan, Harukanaru Gokû Densetsu, courtesy of Play-Asia (Amazon Japan has a listing, but no cover art). Get those pre-orders in!

Still no word on a possible US release. Ah, well.

Oh, and yeah... the links are all re-re-fixed on the "Manga Downloads"... sorry 'bout that.

If you like video games, history, fandom, or anything like that... look forward to this weekend's upcoming podcast episode.

10 January 2007

Manga Downloads + Contest!
VegettoEX @ 9:40 pm EST -- All of our "Manga Downloads" have been re-uploaded to a new server, so if you've been clamoring to grab something, go right ahead. In case you haven't checked it out, we have a variety of translated manga that is not licensed for distribution in North America, including the last three chapters of Neko Majin Z.

While we're on the subject of manga, I thought you should know that we're currently running a contest on our podcast to give away a copy of the Weekly Jump featuring Eiichiro Oda's & Akira Toriyama's Cross Epoch, the One Piece & DragonBall crossover! You'll have to listen for full details.

07 January 2007

Podcast Episode #0059 + Lots of News
VegettoEX @ 11:04 pm EST -- Episode #0059 of the podcast is available for download! Technically, it's even on-time! This week, Meri and I dove into the history of import gaming with regards to DragonBall. What games were people playing, how did they do it, and why on Earth would you want to play Japanese games... especially today? Definitely check it out.

With that out of the way, let's hit up a bit of news (also covered in the podcast):

Madman Entertainment will be distributing FUNimation's "remastered" DBZ down in Australia. Seems like they're not exactly thoroughly excited about the widescreen release.

According to Navarre's online catalogue (which could be updated at any time), the 2nd season of FUNimation's "remastered" DBZ will be coming out on May 22nd.

Looks like Harakanaru Gokû Densetsu (the new DS RPG) will be coming out in Japan on February 8th.

03 January 2007

Podcast Episode #0058
VegettoEX @ 10:10 pm EST -- Episode #0058 of the podcast is available for download! Sorry about the delay, but there's only so much you can do when you and your files are in different time zones. This past week, we went over all of the big news from 2006, including crossovers, video games, music, and more. We also had an extremely in-depth conversation with our buddy Corey regarding FUNimation's upcoming "remastered" DBZ DVDs. Definitely check it out.