411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Phantasy Star Portable, The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match, and Sukashishipanman DS: Shokotak Koto Nakagawa Shouko Produce!

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Phantasy Star Portable (PSP)
With Phantasy Star Portable, Sega basically took Phantasy Star Universe, fixed a lot of the problems people had with it, tweaked it to be more single-player friendly, and added more story elements. Some of those who hated PSU are actually saying that they like this version of the game. I find that hard to believe, but it's possible. If anything, this will at least give us something to do while waiting for Phantasy Star Zero.

Here is what you can expect from PSP:

- New story missions that take place between the original Phantasy Star Universe and Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus
In Phantasy Star Portable you will team up with a Cast named Vivienne as she investigates recent terrorist attacks on the colony as well as animal outbreaks on the surface of some of the planets. Space adventure and mayhem follow. I thought that PSU's story was ok; it wasn't groundbreaking or very memorable but it was still decent. So, if Sega was able to craft a story that is at least on par with the first game's, these missions could be worth plaything through at least once.

- Local as well as online play (with the help of a PS3 or your PC)
As expected, you can play with three other friends locally using the PSP's ad hoc mode. Those wishing to play over the Internet have two options - one that requires a PS3 and another that requires a computer. To use your PS3 you have to download the Ad-Hoc Party application from the Japanese PSN store and do a little tinkering. You can find instructions on how to do this at the PSO-World forums here. If you want to use your PC there's XLink Kai. Note that these two options work for the Japanese and English dem...
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On July 31, gamers based in Japan will be getting Phantasy Star Portable for Sony's PSP. Now any fan of the game knows that waiting for approximately one month can be hell. Thankfully, gamers in the aforementioned region won't have to wait that long.

Apparently, Sega has announced plans of releasing a demo for the game on July 14. According to the reports, the demo will probably be available via the Japan PSP Browser page and will allow players to try out both Story (single player)and Multi Mode (co-op with up to four players) .

So it looks like we're going to have to wait for around two weeks before we can try out the demo. while waiting, why don't you check out some screenshots courtesy of Gpara, by following the full story link.
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Dec 5, 2007 The latest issue of Japanese Famitsu magazine reveals Phantasy Star Portable for the PSP. Excellent news we thought, then noticed that it's just a port of PS2 and 360 Phantasy Star Universe... without the good stuff. Phantasy Star Portable (to avoid confusion we won't refer to it as 'PSP') is based on the PS2 and 360 - which was only cool because of the online multiplayer - with the addition of new missions and story points. Unfortunately the online mode has been reduced to ... » Read More

Sega sent out an email today, confirming the release dates for a number of their upcoming games. Among others, relase dates for such highly anticipated games like The Club (Feb 8th '08), Condemned 2 (Feb '08) and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nov 23rd '07) were confirmed.
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Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus on the Xbox 360 is an expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game, Phantasy Star Universe, and will be available for download via Xbox Live exclusively on November 20, 2007 for 1600 Microsoft Points.

The PC and PS2 versions of Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus are stand alone releases. The PC and PS2 versions will be available across Europe on the 11th of January, 2008 for £19.99 or €29.99.

Whether tackling quests online with a party of up to six adventurers, or fighting through the next chapters of the exciting online story missions from the original game, Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus enables gamers to experience the wonders of the Gurhal System through the eyes of a personalised avatar. The expansion pack allows gamers to experience an even richer and more varied Phantasy Star experience. Players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types and bosses, and master additional versatile class types.
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Check out the special edition Texter from Phantasy Star Universe here. It does not show what it looks like but it tells you it comes with stickers, posters, a code for a free t-shirt and a special metal case. Of most importance though is the disclaimer on the bottom that states "This product will not function with any wireless control device."
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SEGA have finally confirmed the new add-on for Phantasy Star Universe and have given some details as to what will be included within the expansion...
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The stupidly nostalgic (for us PSO nuts anyway) Phantasy Star Universe is set to expand with a new Ambition of Illuminus expansion pack. Arriving in the form of downloadable content on Xbox 360 and a retail release for PC and PS2 users, the expansion introduces new single-player and online content such as new roulette and slot mini-games in the lobbies and a slew of new weapons and armor for your ... » Read More

Sega unleashed a big 'ole news release detailing the new expansion pack for Phantasy Star Universe for the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 2. The new expansion isn't the only news though. There's also a community event taking place within Phantasy Star Universe that sees a need for more Guardians.
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Like every year, Dengeki Online has put together a massive New Years feature. And as every year, the most prominent feature of this special is a collection of comments made by Japan's leading developers.

The director of Koei's online business and producer of Nobunaga's Ambition Online, Kenji Matsuhara, talked at length about the possibilities offered by the PlayStation 3's CELL processor. Using this new powerful hardware, Matsuhara wants to deliver an undisclosed game fans can freely enjoy.

Hiroshi Matsuyama, president of CyberConnect 2, the developers of Bandai Namco's .hack and .hack//GU series, emphasized the different functions offered by each of the three next-generation systems. He also confirmed that his company has begun to work with the new hardware, without going into specifics.

Phantasy Star Universe producer Takao Miyoshi obviously emphasized the online capabilities of the new hardware. In particular, he feels Nintendo's Wii offers enormous potential.

Miyoshi's colleague at Sega, Yuuji Naka, was particularly interested in the new input devices (the Wiimote and the PlayStation 3's SIXAXIS controller). Since games were, unlike movies, interactive, Naka felt these new input schemes will become very important in the future.

More info at the source -
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Phantasy Star Universe players on the 360, PC, and PS2 platforms can get a jolly jump on the holidays with a package of new updates for PSU released today, December 8th. Like all of the best presents, PSU will continue to give even after the holiday season because SEGA has promised that, “In an effort to support our avid GUARDIANs, new content in PSU will be updated on a weekly basis.” So, strap on your party hats and get ready for fun into the new ... » Read More

In their latest edition, the Official Xbox Magazine has again rated all new Xbox 360 game that have been released last month. Sonic the Hedgehoc is the only game that scores below average, the other rates are pretty good.

The full list:

Lost Planet (Xbox 360, Capcom): 8,0
Star Trek Legacy (Xbox 360, Bethesda): 8,0
Sonic The Hedgehog (Xbox 360, Sega): 4,5
DOA Xtreme 2 (Xbox 360, Tecmo): 6,5
Viva Pinata (Xbox 360, Microsoft): 8,5
Phantasy Star Universe (Xbox 360, Sega): 6,5
Call of Duty 3 (Xbox 360/Xbox, Activision): 8,0
Superman Returns (Xbox 360, EA): 6,5
Tony Hawks Project 8 (Xbox 360, Activision): 7,5
College Hoops 2K7 (Xbox 360, 2K Sports): 9,0
Roboblitz (Xbox 360 XLA, Microsoft): 8,5
Small Arms (Xbox 360 XLA, Gastronaut Studios): 7,5
Contra (Xbox 360 XLA, Konami): 6,5
Novadrome (Xbox 360 XLA, Stainless Games): 7,0
Defender (Xbox 360 XLA, Midway): 6,5
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Amazon just reduced a boat load of games/accessories today including:

$19.99 Phantasy Star Universe
$39.99 Dead or Alive Extreme 2
$54.99 Tony Hawk Project 8
$49.99 FIFA Soccer 07
$49.99 Splinter Cell Double Agent
$29.99 Xbox LIVE Vision
$54.99 Gears of War Limited Edition
$39.99 NHL 2K7
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Christmas will come early this year for die-hard Phantasy Star Universe fans when the game's first update launches on December 8. Expect a challenging new Guardian Mission as well as several S-Rank Missions for high level characters. You'll also be able to pump your online character up with new skills and seven new Advanced Class types. By choosing a new Advanced Class type, you'll be able to further refine your character's specialties and level them up to be able to use more powerful A and S ... » Read More

Monday 20 November 2006 To celebrate this Friday's release of Phantasy Star Universe on PS2, Xbox 360 and PC, we've teamed up with publisher and developer Sega to offer one lucky winner an Xbox 360 Premium Pack and a copy of the game to play on it. Four runners-up will bag themselves a copy of the Xbox 360 game. The gameplay of online RPG Phantasy Star Universe is based on real-time action, so expect plenty of peril and fun with your newfound online friends, even though you may be thousands of ... » Read More

Sega of America Inc. today announced that Phantasy Star Universe has shipped in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, and for the PC.
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As you certainly know already, a demo of Phantasy Star Universe is available for a limited time on the Marketplace right now. Of course I HAD to do a video of this, and a few people from the french forum and even demi from angry-gamer joined me to record it. Another video from the very colorful planet level should follow tomorrow.
File: The first 10 minutes : Phantasy Star Universe (1280x720)
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SEGA has announced the start of the Xbox 360 trial beta-test of Phantasy Star Universe today.

Gamers worldwide will be able to play the newest addition to the epic sci-fi Phantasy Star series during a free-trial beta download period that will run until October 18th, 2006. The beta will be available for download until Sunday 15th Oct.
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The Phantasy Star Universe Xbox 360 Open Beta will be uploaded to Xbox Live Marketplace this weekend, so get ready to download and play with your friends! In order to give more people the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive free beta, with extended uninterrupted weekend play, the multiplayer open beta will be available for download for two days only, and will be playable through to Oct. 18.

Please watch this page, as well as our Official Phantasy Star Universe forums for more information. Thank you for your patience, we look forward to seeing everyone online very soon!
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I'm sure many of you will have been getting yourselves hyped up and fully equipped to play the upcoming Phantasy Star Universe Beta, after we broke the news story yesterday.

However, this morning, SEGA have given us the unfortunate news that the Beta has, in fact, been delayed.

"We apologize, but the BETA release dates have changed. The release date will no longer be Oct 11th, but should see release very soon after. Please watch this page, as well as our Official Phantasy Star Universe forums for more information. Thank you for your patience, we look forward to seeing everyone online very soon!"

Well, I guess a late Beta is better than no Beta. I hope I see some of you guys online when it's eventually released
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