New Japanese Game Releases: March 12, 2015 Posted on Thursday, March 12 @ 04:02:32 PST by Heath_Hindman March is a mega sales month not unlike October for game makers, as it seems everybody's gotta get their products on shelves before the "Nobody Buys Shit" season known as April. Already released in Japan this month were these games, all of which arrived in stores on Thursday the 5th: Doraemon: Nobita's Space Heroes (3DS) Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai Long Name All Star Special (PS3) Evolve (PS4, Xbox One) Etrian Mystery Dungeon (3DS) LEGO City Undercover: Chase Begins (3DS) New Prince of Tennis ~Go to the Top~ (3DS) The current-gen version of Shadow of Mordor arrived a while back. Only the PS3 version launches this week, no 360 version. There's last week, here are the days to come. Games Shipping on March 12: Yakuza 0 (PS3, PS4) Higurashi: When They Cry (PS3, Vita) Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth (Vita)
Winning Post 8: 2015 (PS3) Mario Party 10 (Wii-U) Uta no Prince: All Star After Secret (PSP) Harukanaru Toki no Naka de (PSP, Vita) Etrian Mystery Dungeon was the country's best-selling new release in its debut week, though the PS3 version of Dragon Quest Heroes still topped it overall. Looking up at those new games, it's anybody's time to shine. And by that I mean it is nobody's time to shine. Either Mario Party or Yakuza will take the top spot, but both will be held back in some way. PS3's Yakuza 0 will be slowed by aging hardware while the PS4 version and the Wii-U's Mario Party 10 will be hurt by their low install bases. It's the battle of unrealized potential.A Metropolis to Explore The world of LEGO® City playsets comes to life like never before in LEGO® City Undercover—filled to the brim with people on the streets and vehicles on every road. Make your way through busy downtown, head out to the beach, or to the airport—it's a truly massive place, filled with over a dozen distinct areas.
Over 100 Vehicles to Commandeer Every vehicle you see on the street can be commandeered, and used to chase down criminals, or even go through a leisurely romp through the city. Get behind the wheel of sports cars, motorcycles, helicopters, and many, many more. The Bricks of LEGO® City The special LEGO® bricks hiding around the city will help you complete Super Builds, which let you do something special within levels. Studs allow Chase to purchase customizable outfits. After Chase finds a "Character" token in the world, (there's a lot of them hidden around), he can go back to the Police Station, go into the basement and purchase the outfits. Then, you can mix and match his outfits to create unique looks!" Edwards Boise Stadium 21 & IMAX See More Theaters Near Boise, ID THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: LA TRAVIATA BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D (2017) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017) THE METROPOLITAN OPERA: IDOMENEO River City Ransom remake heading to 3DS, trailer released
The full history of River City Ransom is far too convoluted to go into here, since it takes in numerous sequels and all kinds of name changes. In brief, it began with Nekketsu Kunio-Kun in 1986, a Japanese brawler about violent school kids and gangs of thugs. That game was released in edited form as Renegade elsewhere in the world. NES fans will remember River City Ransom, actually the third game in the Kunio series and called Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari in Japan. By turns violent and strangely cute, its mix of action and light RPG elements made it one of the most enjoyable third-party games for the NES. If you've fond memories of that game, there's good news - Arc System Works is bringing out River City Ransom SP, an updated remake of the original with all kinds of extra items and modes. There's even a two-player link-up mode which revies memories of another old Technos classic, Double Dragon. The bad news, at least right now, is that the game's Japan-only. The original NES version did get a 3DS eShop release in 2013, though, so we're hoping that River City Ransom's cult status will mean this updated version will eventually follow suit.
Other related product ranges have included Homemaker (1971–1982), Paradisa (1991–1997) and Scala (1997–2001). Launched January 1, 2012 in North America (and December 15, 2011, in France), the line includes 23 sets[1] and features five core characters—named Andrea, Emma, Mia, Olivia and Stephanie—in various suburban settings. In the initial wave of sets, the larger sets include bricks that can build a veterinary clinic, a malt-style café, a beauty salon and a suburban house; smaller sets included a "cool convertible," a design studio, an inventor's workshop and a swimming pool. A description from Lego website stated: "The Lego Friends story centers on the everyday lives and personalities of five girls in a fictional hometown called Heartlake City. Each of the friends ... has a distinct personality and interests, such as animals, performing arts, invention and design, that are reflected in the models. Building sets reflect different parts of town where the girls' adventures take place—downtown, suburbs, beach, camping grounds and mountains."
The launch of Lego Friends came after a $40 million global marketing push, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. "This is the most significant strategic launch we've done in a decade," said Lego Group chief executive officer Jørgen Vig Knudstorp. "We want to reach the other 50 percent of the world's children."[1] According to the company, boys comprised 90% of Lego's customers in 2011 before the launch of the Friends line. According to NPR, Lego Friends are "one of the biggest successes in Lego's history ... The line doubled sales expectations in 2012, the year it launched. Sales to girls tripled in just that year." The success has caused other construction-set companies such as Mega Bloks to introduce girl dolls. The first wave was released in January 2012 with 14 sets being released. The largest of the sets was "Olivia's House" which included 695 pieces and three mini-doll figures. In addition to the first sets six polypag sets have been released as promotions. In February Toys 'R' Us in the United States released an exclusive in-store build set called "Lemonade Stand" and in March Lego brand stores released an exclusive in-store build set called "Ice Cream Stand".
Lego announced a further nine sets that would be released later in 2012. Subsequent waves were released in future years, expanding on various interests of the characters and their friends. Specific themes have ranged from various vocational, recreational and academic interests to agriculture, equestrianism, wildlife animal rescue and rehabilitation, and pop stardom, all complementing suburbia-themed sets. The largest sets since the original wave have included Summer Riding Camp, Heartlake Shopping Mall and Heartlake Grand Hotel. Lego has also released accompanying products branded under the Friends theme. These include a picture frame which includes 49 Lego elements which is available from Lego brand stores and a display stand which includes 17 elements that was released as a promotional polybag. In June 2012, two books are set for release based on the Friends theme. Lego Friends: Welcome to Heartlake City and Lego Friends: Perfect Pet Show are set for release on June 18, 2012 by DK Publishing.