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Daizenshuu EX - Updates from November 2009 |
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29 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 9:10 pm EST -- While a full written review should be on its way (hopefully this week), we take care of the podcast side of gaming reviews for the last time in 2009. We are joined this week by our forum buddy Kendamu to talk about Attack of the Saiyans (released earlier this year in Japan under the title of Kai rather than Z) for the Nintendo DS. Like the latest game on the Wii, is this one a breath of fresh air in an otherwise fighting-game-polluted crowd? We plug our contests yet again (want to win Raging Blast or a Dragon Box?), hit up the news, December's releases, answer a couple e-mails... and that's a podcast! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
As you will hear on the show, our buddy Tsukento let us know that Amazon is running a bunch of great deals on DBZ video games right now. Have any holes in your collection?
See you cool cats later this week with some reviews, our two-hundredth podcast episode, and lots of other great stuff! |
25 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 8:10 pm EST -- We try to stay away from hardcore "meta" or "state of the website" updates, but we have a few pretty exciting things going on that we wanted to make sure everyone knows about.
Episode 200 of our podcast is coming up in just a couple weeks, and we have some great things planned. First up would be our "Contests", where you can win a copy of Raging Blast on the PS3 courtesy of Namco-Bandai, and/or a copy of the fist domestic Dragon Box courtesy of our buddy Tanooki Kuribo. Here's what I'm tossing into the mix, though: there's more to this contest than I'm letting on. What does that mean? You'll just have to enter to find out. Get all the details, and get those entries in.
As a part of the celebration, we are indeed having a little get-together/party that weekend. Details are pretty much confirmed now. Expect a solid, exact time in the next week, but we'll be getting together at Sapporo in New Brunswick (New Jersey) on Saturday, December 5th. We really need your solid RSVPs! You can respond on the forum, on our Facebook page... whatever's best for you. Come join us for some drinks, meet other fans and friends of the site/show, good talkings... we can't wait to see you!
For those audio-lovers who can't make it out, we have some good stuff planned for pre- and post-200. Next episode we'll be diving into Saiya-jin Raishû / Attack of the Saiyans for the Nintendo DS. For episode 200, I think I'm pretty set on our out-of-town guests sitting down with us to talk about what brings them out to Jersey in the first place: community.
We have been running this site since January 1998, and the one thing that bonds us together (above and beyond all preferences) is that we love this stupid little show from Japan. What issues have we and will we face as a community (if any at all)? What can we all do better? And what makes us so great in the first place?!
Beyond that, we have more exciting podcast and non-podcast content coming your way. Three new CDs just shipped from Japan this week, so expect reviews on and off the podcast. We will be continuing our "Manga Review of Awesomeness", and we will check in on our news and releases predictions from last year. There is still so much to talk about in- and out-of-universe that it astounds me to this day.
Let's head into the holiday season knowing we have a great 2010 ahead of us. |
24 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 11:27 am EST -- Amazon has revealed the box art for the second "Dragon Box Z" from FUNimation, as well as the cover art for the third "season" of the original DragonBall TV series in its new "remastered" format:
The former is due on 16 February 2010, while the latter is actually due a little earlier on 02 February 2010. It is so wonderful to finally be seeing these two series treated with such respect in a simultaneous fashion. Our "DVD Guide" has been updated accordingly! |
23 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 3:28 pm EST -- Chris Rager, best known to FUNimation dub fans as the voice of Mr. Satan, has been hospitalized in Plano, Texas. As detailed on the Dallas Observer:
Chris Rager remains at Medical City in Plano with a collapsed lung and several broken bones after running out of gas late on November 10 near President George Bush Turnpike and Preston Road, Orvik tells Unfair Park. According to Orvik and Rager's wife, Crystal, he's still in and out of consciousness, and the details of what happened remain unclear. All he remembers, they say, is walking to fill up his gas can, then waking up hours later in a ditch along the freeway after having somehow fallen -- or been pushed -- over the wall.
It does not sound like Chris is doing so great, though the collapsed lung is staying open of its own accord, now.
We may not be fans of FUNimation's dub, but anyone involved with any version of the show deserves our support in a time like this. Here's hoping coming Chris comes out of it with a smile on his face saying it was just a tummy-ache! |
22 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 9:52 pm EST -- We know you have been patiently waiting for it, and we appreciate that more than you can imagine! In addition to our full written review, this week we dig in with Hujio and Corey to FUNimation's first Dragon Box! What more do you need to hear from us?! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
In case you just missed that, yes, we have a full written review along with the podcast episode!
If you find yourself needing a little extra back-history, don't forget about our most recent "Feature". We have you covered. |
20 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 8:01 pm EST -- Just as we hinted at the other day, DragonBall DS 2 is confirmed!
GoNintendo has the full-sized scan. As predicted, the game is subtitled DragonBall DS2 Totsugeki! Reddo Ribon Gun ("DragonBall DS 2: Charge! Red Ribbon Army"), and it is due out in Japan on 11 February 2010 for ¥5229. This is the sequel to the first DragonBall DS, which was released one year ago domestically as DragonBall Origins.
VegettoEX @ 4:04 pm EST -- While we indeed covered this disc on the podcast a few weeks back, we have been looking forward to getting a full written review out, as well.
Yes, yes, we know... you are looking for that FUNimation Dragon Box review. Don't worry... it's coming! Expect a few blowout on the podcast and website this weekend. Until then, the Kai Blu-ray needs some reviewing love, too! |
18 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:34 pm EST -- Lantis' website has updated with a final track listing for the "Progression" CD single coming out next week in Japan. The title track is indeed the opening theme to Raging Blast as performed by Hironobu Kageyama. The b-side is a new song called "Road of the Promise ~Yakusoku no Michi~". As with the title track, it will be performed by Hironobu Kageyama with lyrics from Yuriko Mori and the arrangement by Kenji Yamamoto. The CD single is due out in Japan next week on 25 November 2009 for ¥1200 and will also contain instrumental versions of the two vocal songs.
In surprising and confusing news, the Amazon listing for FUNimation's first Dragon Box, released just yesterday here in North America, has a disconcerting inventory update:
Item Under Review
While this item is available from other marketplace sellers on this page, it is not currently offered by Amazon.com because customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it's described here. (Thanks for the tip!)
We're working to fix the problem as quickly as possible.
It could be nothing, or it could be something. We simply do not know right now. Hopefully we get some kind of official word from FUNimation soon. Anecdotal comments and even YouTube videos seem to be with regard to dubbed audio timing/sync being off.
In related news, RightStuf is listing the second DBZ TV Dragon Box for 16 February 2010.
Word on the street is that DragonBall DS 2 (or Origins 2 as it will most likely be named in North America) is set to be officially revealed in an upcoming Jump issue. Will there be even more than that, though...? Stay tuned...
More reviews than you can shake a stick at are on their way. Also stay tuned for those! |
16 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 5:48 pm EST -- It may be going up one day later than our preferred release day, but hey... you awesome website readers had the full written review a day before the listeners who forget to visit the site! That's right, this episode we dig into DragonBall: Raging Blast. Does Spike's first high-definition offering live up to and exceed the prior series, or should fans looking for the best "DBZ-simulator" on the market just stick with "METEOR"...? We also give some first-impressions on FUNimation's Dragon Box, and continue onward with the two contests we are running celebration of the upcoming 200th podcast episode! Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
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15 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:13 pm EST -- You will have to wait until tomorrow for the next podcast episode. It is recorded, but all audio editing has been shoved aside in favor of finishing up our massive review of DragonBall: Raging Blast.
We realize that if you are coming to a site like this for a review of the game, you want it long, in-depth, and from someone who knows the franchise well. We hope we delivered!
In related news, it looks like Raging Blast sold 72,000 copies during its first week in Japan.
Episode 200 of our podcast is coming up soon, and we wanted to celebrate in style! In addition to the little shindig we are still hoping to have, we have two amazing contests running right now, and we will be giving away both prizes on that landmark show. We have already announced that we have a copy of Raging Blast (PS3) to give away courtesy of Namco-Bandai, but in addition to that, Tanooki came through with another great one.
Are you excited? You should be.
Yes, in addition to Raging Blast, we are giving away the new Dragon Box released by FUNimation! All the details are up on our "Contests" page! Get your entries in! |
12 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 9:04 am EST -- There are an absolutely incredible number of people showing up here on the website looking for additional information and reviews on FUNimation's "Dragon Box" release, as well as Raging Blast.
They're coming (both on the podcast and the written "Reviews" section). Hold on tight! In the meantime, be sure to read through our extensive feature if you somehow missed it.
We also have a free copy of Raging Blast (PS3) to give away... stay tuned for details on that!
So yeah. We simply could not wait any longer and stopped by our local Best Buy last night to pick it up. They price-matched the Target listing for us, so that worked out well.
What a week...! |
10 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 1:51 pm EST -- Sure, it's a little late... but better late than never. This episode we hit you with Volume 31 in our "Manga Review of Awesomeness". Cell has made his presence known, and our heroes have become outclassed just as fast as they became the strongest. Do we finally have an interesting villain for the story arc, or is everything just a little too convenient and confusing? Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
As a reminder, both DragonBall: Raging Blast (PS3/360) and DragonBall Z: Attack of the Saiyans (NDS) are shipping in North America today. We are hearing tons of reports that Raging Blast is actually ringing up at $39.99 at many Gamestop locations. Look for reviews of both games soon right here on the website! |
09 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 10:13 am EST -- Many online retailers have dropped the price of Raging Blast on the PS3 from $59.99 to $49.99 (Amazon, Gamestop, etc.). Interestingly, the 360 version remains at the $59.99 on Amazon, but Gamestop has dropped it to $49.99 to match the PS3 version.
We have reached out to Namco-Bandai to clarify whether this is a change at the MSRP level, or if this is retailer-specific.
UPDATE: Word from Namco-Bandai is that the MSRP is indeed still $59.99, and that any lower price at launch is a retailer-specific, limited-time promotion.
As you can probably tell, Episode #0196 of the podcast did not make it out last night. Worry not; it will be there for you this evening! |
06 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 1:35 pm EST -- Online retailers are showcasing the cover art for the upcoming CD single, "Progression", which is the theme song for the soon-to-be released Raging Blast as performed by Hironobu Kageyama:
There is still no track listing for the disc across all retailer sites and the official page for the disc on Lantis' website.
VegettoEX @ 1:20 pm EST -- Namco-Bandai has posted a ¥6.04 billion (approximately $66.7 million) loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2010.
In terms of DragonBall overall, the franchise dropped in net sales from ¥8.7 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2009 to ¥4.5 billion this fiscal year, with a forecast of a full year net sales figure of ¥14 billion, down from ¥15.8 billion last fiscal year.
There were no DragonBall games in their top-ten-performing games for the quarter, though with Raging Blast launching globally and Saiyan Invasion launching outside Japan in Q3, there is the potential for those numbers to pick back up.
In terms of general toys and hobby merchandise (non-video games), the franchise dropped in net sales from ¥1.7 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2009 to ¥1.2 billion this fiscal year, with a forecast of a full year net sales figure of ¥2.5 billion, down from ¥3.2 last fiscal year. |
05 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 8:42 am EST -- Much to my surprise, shock, and horror (since I have it pre-ordered from Amazon instead of RightStuf)... people have already received their FUNimation Dragon Box.
Our forum member Haseowolf already has a bunch of photos showcasing the packaging, book, etc. up in our forum thread. Needless to say, the excitement in the responses is pretty overwhelming.
FUNimation has their own breakdown of the product in their most recent "Hey! Nice Package" video over on YouTube.
Again, you can expect us and our buddies at Kanzentai to do pretty huge blow-outs with the best comparison images and documentation you can find... just hold tight until our copies arrive! |
04 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 2:55 pm EST -- There's a swirl of information and misinformation floating around with regard to several products coming out, so we will do our best to sort through what is really going on.
Several independent confirmations have come in that orders for FUNimation's first "Dragon Box" have not only been shipped, but may actually be out for delivery if ordered from RightStuf. While this is significantly ahead of its now-official release date of 17 November 2009, it is plausible. We remind everyone to be wary of comparisons and reports that may get out there early, and to always be sure of the technical expertise of those claiming to be comparing different releases. We will, of course, have a full break-down and review here on the site in the near future.
Several independent confirmations have also come in that orders for the "Limited Edition" version of Raging Blast in Europe have been canceled or otherwise put on indefinite hiatus. There is no official word from Namco-Bandai as to what is going on with production of this release, though it seems the standard edition is still on-track for its release on 13 November 2009.
Speaking of video games, many people seem to be forgetting that the DS also gets a new game next week: Attack of the Saiyans. Released earlier this year in Japan as DragonBall Kai: Saiya-jin Raishû, it's due out here in the US the same day as Raging Blast on 10 November 2009. Here are a batch of new screen shots from Namco-Bandai:
Finally, GameFront is reporting that Raging Blast has received scores of 9 / 8 / 8 / 8 (33/40) from Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. Interestingly, this is the exact same score set that Burst Limit received a little over a year ago. |
03 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 8:48 am EST -- When we think about Latin America and the DB franchise, we think of areas like Mexico, Brazil, and Chile which have long, on-going love affairs with the series. Panama is not a country that first comes to mind, though. Thankfully for those of you in Panama, Toei has struck a deal with Medcom to air the entirety of the first DragonBall TV series (all 153 episodes). Speaking of Brazil, though, Playarte has secured a deal to release the DB series on DVD (while not especially clear in the article, it seems to be inferred to be the first DB TV series).
While I know Latin America loves their DB (and their Saint Seiya), I am pretty ignorant as to what the actual home releases have been like. Anyone in Panama or Brazil that would like to give us a little background would be eternally thanked! |
01 November 2009
VegettoEX @ 6:10 pm EDT -- The written review has been up for a few days, but if you are looking for a little extra coverage on Revenge of King Piccolo for the Nintendo Wii, we've got you covered. Meri played the game for a bit and has a little more to toss into the conversation this week on the show. Your regular news, releases, e-mails, and all sorts of other great stuff jam packs another episode. Download the show now, or head on over to the podcast page for more information or to subscribe.
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