[Shipping Out] November 13th
The smorgasbord is here.
Published: November 13, 2007
Welcome to Shipping Out, our weekly notice of all them thar games that ship from publishers to retailers in preparation for their street date a day later. In many cases, these games won't be on store shelves until tomorrow, but in the interest of getting the word out, letting the PR departments have their fancy quotes and saving us sanity as the weekly releases pile up, we're going to be consolidating everything down into one handy little news story at the end of the day, along with this description. Neat, eh? And lazy!
It's the TPS way.
[PlayStation 2]
[Fire Pro Wrestling Returns]
It has been called the greatest wrestling series of all time by people who play lots of wrestling games (not us, not except for Logan, but he's all crazy about wrestling games anyway). The fact that it's an old-school sprite-based wrestling game, though, makes us all aquiver betwixt our legs, and for only $15 (yes, that's all it costs), who cares if it's only 99% as awesome as everyone says? We all over this shiz!
“The Fire Pro series already has legions of fans in this country that love the game so much, they import the titles from Japan,” titillates Agetec producer Hiro Fukuoka. “We’re thrilled that we are finally able to translate and ship Fire Pro Wrestling Returns – the greatest game in the series. A lot of gamers are going to finally see why so many people have been talking about the game for years.”
[Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords]
Oh god yes, it's finally here. If you don't own a 360 or a computer or a PSP or a DS, well you can finally experience what all the hubbub is about. We'd love to gush about how awesome the idea of combining Bejeweled with a role-playing game but we already did. Seriously, if you don't have the PSP version already (and shame on you if so), then you can make it up to us all by picking this one up.
[The King of Fighters XI
SNK's flagship fighting game franchise has finally gotten the green light for US release. The PS2 iteration of the series adds extra characters, new music and bonus stages to the existing game, which already introduced new moves like Saving Shift and Quick Shift, Dream Cancels and the all-new Judgment Indicator. No, we have no idea what the hell any of that means either. But we'll find out soon.
"With the release of The King of Fighters XI, 2D-fighter fans have hours of the classic gameplay they love, plus brand-new game-enhancing features, at their fingertips," posits Ben Herman, president of SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION AND MASTER OF ALL-CAPS COMPANY NAMES!!!
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008]
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 marks the largest simultaneous cross-platform launch to date for the franchise, and we are excited by its extensive worldwide growth potential with a broad audience of gamers,” squealed Bob Aniello, SVP of worldwide marketing at THQ. “The unique game play features delivered across the platforms, including our debut offerings on the Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3 system, offer gamers more ways to embrace the WWE video game experience.”
“The new features offered in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 deliver fresh, innovative game play that significantly enhances this classic and enormously popular video game franchise,” attempts Nelo Lucich, VP of interactive at JAKKS Pacific. “Players can look forward to more choice, control and strategic options with the new Superstar Fighting Styles, and with the RAW, SmackDown and ECW brands all represented, players can embrace this latest installment like no other before.”
There ya go, it's time for a new wrestling game. Go nuts.
[PlayStation Portable]
[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus]
Think of it as an updated, slightly more awesome, purely multiplayer version of the stuff that was first introduced in the plain vanilla MGS: Portable Ops. That means tons of special characters (including Old Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4), more maps and more delicious fun. Yes, delicious.
"With Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system, creating the definitive portable multiplayer experience," claims Anthony Crouts, VP of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment. "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus brings the fun and fast-paced action of a console multiplayer game to the PSP system, and at a price that gives fans of the series and newcomers alike an amazing value."
[Sonic Rivals 2]
Remember when Sonic was all about going really fast and calling Robotnik a bunch of names that six year-olds would find hilarious, all with tons of 'tude? Yeah, so do we and we miss the old Sonic. Luckily, Backbone Entertainment is at least trying bring some of that back with their racing games. The sequel adds in new modes and lots of 2.5D thrills, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that it'll end up being a return to form for the Blue Blur.
[Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command]
Wait, wha? Huh? Who? We didn't even know this was coming out, let alone what it actually is, but then that's what we get for falling off THQ's marketing radar. Sorry guys, but we're going to have to let you take this one, just don't mention that there's a DS version too--
“With Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command, we’ve faithfully brought to life the intense battles and war-ravaged worlds of the Warhammer 40,000 universe to the PSP and the Nintendo DS,” said a disobedient Brad Carraway, director of global brand management for THQ. “With an immersive single-player campaign and the ability to battle on handheld systems against anyone in the world through the game’s multiplayer mode, Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will appeal to both Warhammer 40,000 fans and gamers looking for a great action strategy experience.”
Aw, dammit. Well, apparently if you're curious, there's even a PSP demo on the official site. You know what to do.
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008]
Take a little looksee up at that PS2 section there...
[PlayStation 3]
[Soldier of Fortune: Payback]
It went from being officially announced to going gold to being released in the span of just over one month. If that doesn't say something about Activision's confidence in the rebirth of their classic ultra-gory franchise, then we don't really know what does. Still, that won't stop them from touting some of the game's plusses without resorting to default phrases like "the best ____ yet," right?
“Soldier of Fortune Payback is an intense, high-octane action experience with a story that could be ripped from today’s headlines,” manages Activision's David Oxford. “Leveraging the power of the next-gen consoles, the game delivers the grittiest and most brutal Soldier of Fortune experience yet.”
Crap.
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
Yep, same as the PSP and PS2 versions. Well, beyond the fact that it's online. Oh, and it's the first proper PS3 version of the game after the last one got canned. Still, it's wrasslin' so, uh, there ya go.
Publishers: want to make sure we've got your games in our weekly Shipping Out blurbs? Just kick over those shipping press releases to ShippingOut@TotalPlayStation.com and we'll make sure they get tossed into the rotation.
It's the TPS way.
[PlayStation 2]
[Fire Pro Wrestling Returns]
It has been called the greatest wrestling series of all time by people who play lots of wrestling games (not us, not except for Logan, but he's all crazy about wrestling games anyway). The fact that it's an old-school sprite-based wrestling game, though, makes us all aquiver betwixt our legs, and for only $15 (yes, that's all it costs), who cares if it's only 99% as awesome as everyone says? We all over this shiz!
“The Fire Pro series already has legions of fans in this country that love the game so much, they import the titles from Japan,” titillates Agetec producer Hiro Fukuoka. “We’re thrilled that we are finally able to translate and ship Fire Pro Wrestling Returns – the greatest game in the series. A lot of gamers are going to finally see why so many people have been talking about the game for years.”
[Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords]
Oh god yes, it's finally here. If you don't own a 360 or a computer or a PSP or a DS, well you can finally experience what all the hubbub is about. We'd love to gush about how awesome the idea of combining Bejeweled with a role-playing game but we already did. Seriously, if you don't have the PSP version already (and shame on you if so), then you can make it up to us all by picking this one up.
[The King of Fighters XI
SNK's flagship fighting game franchise has finally gotten the green light for US release. The PS2 iteration of the series adds extra characters, new music and bonus stages to the existing game, which already introduced new moves like Saving Shift and Quick Shift, Dream Cancels and the all-new Judgment Indicator. No, we have no idea what the hell any of that means either. But we'll find out soon.
"With the release of The King of Fighters XI, 2D-fighter fans have hours of the classic gameplay they love, plus brand-new game-enhancing features, at their fingertips," posits Ben Herman, president of SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION AND MASTER OF ALL-CAPS COMPANY NAMES!!!
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008]
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 marks the largest simultaneous cross-platform launch to date for the franchise, and we are excited by its extensive worldwide growth potential with a broad audience of gamers,” squealed Bob Aniello, SVP of worldwide marketing at THQ. “The unique game play features delivered across the platforms, including our debut offerings on the Wii, Nintendo DS and PlayStation 3 system, offer gamers more ways to embrace the WWE video game experience.”
“The new features offered in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 deliver fresh, innovative game play that significantly enhances this classic and enormously popular video game franchise,” attempts Nelo Lucich, VP of interactive at JAKKS Pacific. “Players can look forward to more choice, control and strategic options with the new Superstar Fighting Styles, and with the RAW, SmackDown and ECW brands all represented, players can embrace this latest installment like no other before.”
There ya go, it's time for a new wrestling game. Go nuts.
[PlayStation Portable]
[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus]
Think of it as an updated, slightly more awesome, purely multiplayer version of the stuff that was first introduced in the plain vanilla MGS: Portable Ops. That means tons of special characters (including Old Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4), more maps and more delicious fun. Yes, delicious.
"With Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, Kojima Productions has pushed the limits of the PSP system, creating the definitive portable multiplayer experience," claims Anthony Crouts, VP of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment. "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus brings the fun and fast-paced action of a console multiplayer game to the PSP system, and at a price that gives fans of the series and newcomers alike an amazing value."
[Sonic Rivals 2]
Remember when Sonic was all about going really fast and calling Robotnik a bunch of names that six year-olds would find hilarious, all with tons of 'tude? Yeah, so do we and we miss the old Sonic. Luckily, Backbone Entertainment is at least trying bring some of that back with their racing games. The sequel adds in new modes and lots of 2.5D thrills, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that it'll end up being a return to form for the Blue Blur.
[Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command]
Wait, wha? Huh? Who? We didn't even know this was coming out, let alone what it actually is, but then that's what we get for falling off THQ's marketing radar. Sorry guys, but we're going to have to let you take this one, just don't mention that there's a DS version too--
“With Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command, we’ve faithfully brought to life the intense battles and war-ravaged worlds of the Warhammer 40,000 universe to the PSP and the Nintendo DS,” said a disobedient Brad Carraway, director of global brand management for THQ. “With an immersive single-player campaign and the ability to battle on handheld systems against anyone in the world through the game’s multiplayer mode, Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will appeal to both Warhammer 40,000 fans and gamers looking for a great action strategy experience.”
Aw, dammit. Well, apparently if you're curious, there's even a PSP demo on the official site. You know what to do.
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008]
Take a little looksee up at that PS2 section there...
[PlayStation 3]
[Soldier of Fortune: Payback]
It went from being officially announced to going gold to being released in the span of just over one month. If that doesn't say something about Activision's confidence in the rebirth of their classic ultra-gory franchise, then we don't really know what does. Still, that won't stop them from touting some of the game's plusses without resorting to default phrases like "the best ____ yet," right?
“Soldier of Fortune Payback is an intense, high-octane action experience with a story that could be ripped from today’s headlines,” manages Activision's David Oxford. “Leveraging the power of the next-gen consoles, the game delivers the grittiest and most brutal Soldier of Fortune experience yet.”
Crap.
[WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2008
Yep, same as the PSP and PS2 versions. Well, beyond the fact that it's online. Oh, and it's the first proper PS3 version of the game after the last one got canned. Still, it's wrasslin' so, uh, there ya go.
Publishers: want to make sure we've got your games in our weekly Shipping Out blurbs? Just kick over those shipping press releases to ShippingOut@TotalPlayStation.com and we'll make sure they get tossed into the rotation.
