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Earlier this morning Microsoft released a fact sheet and nice batch of screens for their upcoming stelth-action title, Ninja Blade.

While the game is a welcome addition to the stealth-action, hack-n-slash genre a few questions arise from reading both the fact sheet and the Game Detail Page on Xbox.com and also from looking at the newly released screens. For instance, why release post Ninja Gaiden II at a lower resolution of 720P? And in turn, why attach a $59.99 price point as opposed to say, a $49.99 price point? Also, it would appear that our ninja protagonist, Ken Ogawa suffers from an identity crisis: one part Ryu Hayabusa, one part Green Hornet. I am hoping that this look will either grow on me or FromSoftware will toss in some DLC that allows him to cover up that ninja mug. We’re supposed to be going for stealth here, remember?

Nitpicking aside, Ninja Blade definitely has me yearning to go slice up some genetically mutated monsters.

Hit the jump for the fact sheet and some new Ninja Blade screens. Read more!

With Street Fighter IV’s explosive release around the corner, Capcom are beginning to roll out the new footage and game info to keep players appetites whet. The new, but familiar faces of Street Fighter IV were announced some time ago. But we now have HD footage of them all in action. Check ‘em out after the jump!

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Kyle Downes, a very talented multimedia and animation student from Australia, unveiled his final project for his degree a couple of months ago, and though I haven’t seen it get too much attention, it certainly deserves more. With gorgeous animation and an engaging narrative this short video takes us through the abridged history of videogames, all of which you most likely not only know but lived through. Still, it’s works like these that make us realize how young and fresh this medium still is.

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In this Otaku Music Bit we’ve got cats, dancing cats. Three videos from the same song, Precious from Jpop singer Meg. Both featuring dancing cats, some real, some not, all dancing… or dangling at least. In the first video which you see above, you’ll get to see cats dancing after 1:30, sadly this means 1:30 of Meg awkwardly trying to dance and showing off her telekinesis powers.

Sounds weird? Dont worry! Once the dangling cats come in everything gets better! Those cats must be sedated, there’s no way they’d let themselves be dangled like that otherwise. Dont try to understand it, just enjoy it.

Hit the jump for more dancing cats, Jpop and pretty ladies.

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What you see above is probably one of the best pieces of Evangelion themed-clothing that’s ever been created. With a color scheme and shapes that are completely reminiscent of the Eva 01, this jacket would be a stylish piece of Evangelion merchandise. That is, if it wasn’t utterly unrelated to the series.

Reader Rob sent us a link to this jacket he found while browsing the interwebs which is brilliantly similar to the Eva 01, but since it really isn’t, its just a hideously neon jacket. Someone send an email to Gainax, we’re missing out.

Thanks Rob!

[Drjays]

And its happened again, the boys at the boys at the Scrollbar in Copenhagen have outdone themselves once again in bringing another game-themed cocktail night. This time in honor of the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, home of Portal. With 6 drinks and many Portal themed decorations they delivered everything you’d expect from an enrichment center activity. Why, there was even cake! Hit the jump for our favorite recipe!

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Boy this was quite a year, wasn’t it? Remember when that news happened and we told you about it? Or how about when we reviewed that game and you played it? Oh there was also that time when we talked about that anime, yeah that one. Man what a year! Let once again thank you for reading us and discussing with us, we do it all for you!

As far as 2009 go, here’s the goal and promise for 2009: On penalty of performing a very silly dance in video I hereby vow that Dark Diamond will have a new post every day for all of 2009! We hope you all have a great 2009 and that you share it with us. Happy new year!

Riz-Zoawd has hit shelves in Japan, and being interested in the soundtrack as well as the theme of the game I wasted no time in playing a bit of the new DS RPG.

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Looking for a beverage with a penetrating flavor? A violent experience that takes hold of you and simple wont let go? Look no further! Tentacle Grape is here! From the people that brought you the Anime After Dark Festival comes this fantastical beverage inspired by that timeless classic in the hentai genre, tentacles.

When this popped up in our mailbox it took us quite a while to decide if it was a joke or not, but it’s real! Hell if  there are so many gamer inspired beverages why not an anime one? Six-packs are available for preorder and the beverage is set to ship mid January. Hey if you preorder before January 5th 2009 you’ll get complimentary Tentacle Grape branded condoms or bumper stickers.

Beverage side effects are undisclosed but you might just need those complementary condoms, and maybe a few hundred extra ones.

[Tentacle Grape]

For reasons unknown to me and I’m sure many other Street Fighter fans out there: Capcom chose to include Rose in the home versions of Street Fighter IV. Rose had to be one of the most boring, useless un-memorable, un-inspired and crap characters in the Street Fighter Alpha series. She was absolute shite. Her only quirk was that she could reflect fireballs, she had more masculine legs than Chun-Li, gravity defying hair (which I’m sure Capcom would say was floating as a result of psycho powers) and a foot that looked like it bulging out of her high heel.

Rose was a really odd choice. There are many other, more worthy characters in the Alpha series that could’ve been placed in the game instead of Rose. I would’ve greatly welcomed Guy, Rainbow Mika, Sodom or Birdie.

Street Fighter IV is still gonna rock and at least we got Sakura and Cammy back. But honestly…Rose!?

I had many idea’s in my head of what Osaka would be like. This backwards place, with nothing to do, void of fun, boring as hell, with unfriendly folk and a horizon smogged in a mysterious blue hue. Within minutes of being in the place, every one of my horrendously negative notions (based on God knows what) were shattered instantly.

To be rather blunt: Osaka is the absolute shit. I officially stan for Osaka. After the initial first night of “Oh my God! I’m in Japan!” and “Holy f**k, that flight was f**king awful and I think my leg is going to drop off, ’cause I had zero leg room!” I was able to really take in Osaka and soak up every moment I was there. You soon begin to drift into normality and become an honorary dweller of Osaka whilst you’re there. It’s hard not to. It’s just that kind of place. Despite the stares from locals as you and your gaijin posse stroll through the streets, you do feel like you’re at home.

There are many little things about Osaka that make it so loveable, but when asked the question “What makes Osaka so great?” it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why. It just is. There’s always something to do and see in Osaka. Never a dull moment. There’s something in the air in Osaka that made my friends and I fall in love with the place and the entire time we were there we were dreading the day we’d have to leave.

I’d go back to Osaka in a heartbeat and would urge anybody who visits Japan, to visit Osaka.

Chun-Li’s theme has been remixed and re-arranged so many times, that it’s often hard to even take notice. But Tatsunoko VS Capcom has me sprung so badly, that I’ve been indulging in everything related to the game except playing it. (Curse Capcom for developing a great looking game, just to have Tastunoko licensing screw it’s chance of getting a western release!)

After a bunch of Street Fighter related games which featured not so much as a hint of classic theme’s and a bunch of ever-so-forgetful new ones; Tatsunoko VS Capcom see’s Capcom giving characters kick arse remixes of their classic themes! Yay!!!

Chun-Li’s Tatsunoko VS Capcom theme is for the lack of a better term, downright funky. It’s a cool take on her theme - staying true to its essence, but giving it a cool new twist. I especially love the bass and the guitars. This is probably one of my arrangements of Chun-Li’s theme. It’s great to hear a non CPS-2 mixed take of Chun-Li’s theme.

Listen: Chun-Li’s theme

Tatsunoko VS Capcom OST
© 2008 Capcom

For the mp3 players: Tatsunoko VS Capcom - Chun Li’s theme

Figma, the popular figure company, is selling a special collection of figures this month. For a limited time all figmas and nendoroids that come with the Merry Christmas golden seal (seen above) will include a cool santa hat and mantle.  A nice seasonal touch that I hope we’ll see more of in the future. Sure to bring some holiday cheer to your figure collection, merry Figmas!

Ok I’ll stop with the Figma puns.

[Figma]

Those two erhm… girls are dumbfounded not because of that woman’s awful fashion sense, not at all. Its because we just got our comments engine upgraded! Now you can reply to other comments in a threaded fashion, much like a forum, comments are now paged so some of our most commented posts wont take as much time to load and the layout for the comments also got a nice little facelift. In addition to that we’re bringing back open posts every week.

This is your first one guys, try out the threaded system, discuss your weekend, christmas, presents, ask for anime or game recommendations. Everything goes, its all up to you!  See you in the comments!

[tags]Open Post, Christmas[tags]