Akiyama Jin Kyouju Kanshuu

The Fraggle Rock looking fellow on the cover is none other than the respected Jin Akiyama of Tokai University's Education Development Laboratory. He's known as Jin-Jin to his friends. His in-game representation is rendered much younger than the 60-year old professor but he's just as wild-eyed and wears the same blue headband. Upon starting the game, players are prompted to enter their name and age before a bevy of brain straining exercises are presented. Some questions test the ability of the player to find the progression in a group of characters or numbers while others test perception and hand-eye coordination. Five categories of brain exercises may be attempted including a Beginner's section, an Expert section and three other sections for use at work, at home, and during the daily commute. The full name of this product is: Akiyama Jin Kyouju Kanshuu: Zennou JinJin.

Blood+ One Night Kiss + Bonus

Saya Otonashi returns to the Yokushu killing fields with a new hero named Aoyama who wears a coif inspired by Yankii cohorts. Unlike the mostly interactive Blood+ Souyoku Battle Rinbukyoku that was released earlier this summer, One Night Kiss is a full blown action game where the player has full control over Saya and at times, Aoyoma. ONK plays similarly to the earlier Blood+ in one respect however where sequence events require matching button presses to enact a kill or action. The new Blood+ is directed by Goichi Suda who transplants the stark and stunning art style of Killer 7 to the Blood franchise. Dark walls, deep shadows, and chiaroscuro throughout the world are the order of the day.

Blood+ features an original storyline where Saya and Aoyama provide two perspectives and killing styles - Saya swings her trademark sword while Aoyama makes do with a firearm. Supporting cast members include the ever present cellist Haji and over 20 original characters to the Blood+ world such as Akama, Fukuoka, Shimamura, Momoyama, and Izawa. The cast is rounded out by a legion of Yokushu who burst out of their human shells to reveal the monsters inside. While supplies last, all orders will include a bonus leather bookmark that's embossed with the Blood+ logo.

Kamiwaza

Ebizo is a thief. Stealthy and able to skulk through the palatial estates of Edo like a wisp, he has the power to snatch valuables on the fly and load them into his nigh limitless sack. Ebizo gave up his life of crime over a decade ago to take care of a little girl named Suzuna. Back then, he was a member of the Gingarasu, a crew of thieves who stole from the wealthy and distributed the spoils to the poor. While on an outing with his partner Ainosuke, Ebizo found and rescued Suzuna from an incident in which her parents were killed by criminals. With new responsibilities, Ebizo raised Suzuna like a daughter and walked away from the Gingarasu.

Returning home one day, Ebizo finds Suzuna collapsed on the floor and in bad shape. Suffering from a mysterious illness, her prospects for adequate treatment aren't high given the meager earnings that Ebizo brings in every day. With no other choices available to him, he decides to return to a life of crime doing what he does best: thievery. Kamiwaza is a game of stealth tactics and Ebizo's abilities exemplify the ways of elite thieves. In addition to creeping motion, Ebizo can lay flat on his belly and slither, hide behind obstacles, wedge himself between tight spaces, disguise his appearance, and literally shadow enemies thisclose as they walk around.

Bubble Bobble Evolution

Twenty years ago, Bubblun and Bobblun were two boys who were transformed into dragons inside the Cave of Monsters. By blowing bubbles which encapsulated enemy creatures, Bub and Bob sailed through 100 levels of platform action to save their girlfriends. Two decades and dozens of derivatives and sequels later, Taito recaptures the magic of the original game with an evolved version. Bubble Bobble Evolution features classic bubble blowing game play with new play fields and enough wrinkles thrown in to justify the "Evolution" portion of the game title.

In the story mode of BBE, two siblings named Bub and Bob are playing by the River Thames and generally having a good time when they get tired and decide to go home. As they walk, the sky darkens and a bolt of lightning strikes both boys. In the next scene, the camera pans in on Bub and Bob who are now encased in dragon suits. Their faces may be seen inside the costumes and the two are sent to menacing-looking towers called "maniac pleasure palace." When the game starts, Bub is in the right tower while Bob is in the left tower. Switch between the two dragons to defeat foes and eventually reunite. By using newtype bubble blowing action and puzzle solving skills, the brothers work together to escape from the towers and return to human form. The original Bubble Bobble featured one static screen per level but Evolution allows the boy-dragons to roam around three connected screens which represent the cylindrical nature of the two adjacent towers.

Famitsu Wave DVD October 2006

The October issue of Famitsu Wave DVD features print coverage and cinema previews of the following games and DVDs:

» PSP Monster Hunter Portable 2nd
» NDS Final Fantasy III
» PS3 Armored Core 4
» PS2 Minna no Tennis
» PSP Jeanne D'Arc
» PS2 God Hand
» NDS Pokemon Diamond and Pearl
» PS2 Apple Seed
» PS2 .hack//G.U. Vol. 2
» DVD Wave Idol Photo Studio Vol. 01 and 02

» And the usual assortment of general interest features, interviews, challenges, and Famitsu tomfoolery.

Nintendo DS Coloring Book

A bushy-tailed chipmunk serves as the emcee for Ertain's digital coloring book titled "Kokoro wo Yasumeru Otona no Nurie DS" where players stare at a colorful image and try to copy and recreate its colors on a monochrome clone of the target picture. For example, the first exercise features an image of an apple and leaves on a branch. By using four types of pens, a color palette, an eraser, and a 2X magnifier, an amateur colorist must copy the subtle colors and nuances. NCS staffers spent 30-minutes on the apple image and we learned that our coloring skills are severely lacking based on the crude final product. Along with the intricate coloring challenges, a number of mini-games may also be enjoyed to add a little variety to the coloring action.

Guitar Freaks Masterpiece [Ag]

When Guitar Freaks V & DrumMania V shipped earlier this year, it marked the first time in four years that Konami had released a game in the series. We're guessing the kudos and success of Guitar Hero in the USA had something to do with Konami's decision to revive the brand for the home market. To bolster the Guitar Freaks franchise even more amongst the Bemani faithful, Konami ships another game...in the same year, which may signal a more regular release schedule for Gitadora henceforth.

Masterpiece Silver features a slick interface derived from the arcade version of Guitar Freaks 11 and a bold visual style with a mixture of metallic hues and colorful Pop'n style. Upon starting either the Guitar Freaks or DrumMania game, players may enjoy the Arcade Mode, Free Mode, Training Mode, or view the Records. In Session Mode, where guitar wranglers and drummers jam together, game modes consist of Arcade and Free. A total of 70 songs are collectied in the game including originals such as "Black Horizon" by Trick Trap, "I'm a Loser" from T. Ichiro, "Fire in the Dark" courtesy of Kevin Vecchione, "Let Me Believe" sung by Brenda Vaughn, and "Twinkle Star" by serena. Our favorites are "TRAIN-TRAIN" by the Blue Hearts and "Sweet Illusion" from iyiyim based on our quick play through this morning.

PS2/PC Phantasy Star Universe

Preorders for the Japanese PC and PS2 versions of Phantasy Star Universe are shipping today. Please note that new orders for the PC version of the game will not ship until tomorrow when our second shipments arrive. As mentioned on Tuesday's main website update, the Phantasy Star Universe branded Net Cash Cards were shipped from Sega to our vendor in Japan and we will receive them early next week. We'll update our customers once we receive the codes and should be able to start emailing them out on Tuesday of next week. Despite the lack of Net Cash, PSU includes an engaging offline mode that we're enjoying this morning. As the offline game starts, the Centennial Celebration is in progress which commemorates the 100 years of peace since the last war. Zooming into view is Ethan Waber, a carefree 17-year old who throttles through corridors and byways on an electronic surfboard. He's on his way to meet up with his younger sister Rumia to join in the festivities.