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According to Siliconera and some recent Play-Asia listings, Odin Sphere, Okami, and Disgaea: Hour of Darkness will all join the Playstation 2 Greatest Hits line, selling for $19.99 US each. The irony here is that Okami and Odin Sphere didn’t sell very well at all in the US, but it’s awesome that they’re reprinting the titles again and lowering the prices.

I am most definitely going to pick up Odin Sphere when I see it in stores again, as I missed the chance earlier and haven’t had much luck finding it locally for some time. All of these new editions should be out in September.

[Siliconera]

Feels good, man. I honestly wouldn’t have expected anything less (or more, for that matter) from the latest installment in a series that’s always delivered the hardcore goods. The graphics have gotten a nice touch-up since the last installment on PS1, sporting lots of fancy transparency effects.

The triumphant return of the deadly Free Range weapon brought a smile to my face, and there appear to be some additions to the old arsenal: some crescent-shaped bullets showed up, as well as a multi-pronged beam that spouted out from all sides of the ship.

There are also some bosses that look very similar to the ones found in Thunderforce V, like the purple sea dragon. I’ll be looking forward to this title, although there’s still no word of a stateside release. It’s coming to Japan October 30th for the PS2.

[Siliconera]

Technosoft had been bought out in the past, but is now reforming and is planning to develop and release Thunder Force VI for the Playstation 2 (yes, games are still coming out for the damn thing). A few screenshots from Famitsu are already available. As you can see, it looks quite familiar, even down to some of the interface details and weapons.

The game will be coming out in Japan on October 30. Right now there’s no rumors indicating the possibility of seeing it on other platforms, and we don’t know if it’s coming to the US or not (if so it should be a fairly quick localization job). I enjoyed V on the PS1 and hadn’t expected a sequel at all, so this is quite a pleasant surprise.

[Siliconera]

DDN: All JRPGs, all the time. But seriously, there’s just been an amazing amount of news on the genre this summer. But while you’re waiting for the next big thing to be released (Disgaea 3, Infinite Undiscovery, Final Fantasy XIII, Tales of Vesperia, Valkyria Chronicles, and a boatload more!) you can kick back with some reprints of some arguably great games from the last generation you may have missed…

According to Destructoid, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga, AR Tonelico: Melody of Elemia, and Disgaea: Hour of Darkness are all being reprinted (or in some cases re-reprinted?). Both Shin Megami Tensei games are available at Play-Asia, and both NIS games are available at Rosenqueen. I’ve missed almost all of these games, so I should probably get while the gettin’s good! And you should too.

[Destructoid]

Don’t you just love Atlus? With Persona 4 just days away from a JP release, they’re teasing us by putting up an onsen (hot springs) peeping game.

While my lack of knowledge of the Japanese language prevented me from understanding the mechanics of the game, this Nicovideo link (you’ll need an account to watch) of said web-game got me intrigued. To those who hope to see some skin (if you know what I mean), I’m sad to say that the game seems to be relatively worksafe, aside from girls wrapped in towels and wearing bikinis.

As of now, it is still unconfirmed whether this mini-game will be included in the actual PlayStation 2 game or otherwise. While some of us might feel that it would be a brilliant idea, I wouldn’t get my hopes up too high.

[Sankaku Complex]

New footage from Atlus’ upcoming Shin Megami Tensei spin-off Persona 4 has emerged. One trailer is basically a previous trailer with some added text, while another focuses heavily on in-game shots such as setting and combat. Both feature a song very reminiscent of older Shin Megami Tensei titles.

Read more!New Persona 4 Videos Emerge

A new RPG is set to release for the PS2 and Wii. Said game is called Baroque and it’s based on the manga of the same name. I’m not to sure what it’s about, but it seems it centers around people with wings, blood, psychotic breaks, odd ball characters and is all-round f**ked up really. It certainly wouldn’t be the first manga to be f**ked up. Half of them are. That’s what makes them so charming. Check out the trailer.

Baroque was originally developed for the Sega Saturn and then remade for the PlayStation. Baroque is very low key title, but it has a following. I doubt the PS2 and Wii versions of the game will be big sellers, but there is a crowd out there who are definitely looking forward to this game. There’s no word on if this game will release outside of the US, but given Atlus are behind the development and publishing of Baroque - it’s doubtful Europe or Australia will see this game. Seeing as Australia are still waiting for Trauma center: Second opinion and it’s sequel has no European release date despite releasing in the US last year.

Baroque is set to release on March 18 for the PS2 and Wii.

[Jeux-France]

Dear betrothed Capcom,

We’ve always had a fluctuating relationship. Back in the 90s, when you showered me with such glorious titles like the first three Megaman games and Bionic Commando for the NES, you then tarnish it with Megaman X6. Hell, after your brush with fame courtesy of Street Fighter 2, you basically recycled the same game four times before counting to three.
Read more!A Look Back @ Okami

Sega may have had their last two consoles assassinated and killed, but they are not about to let the same happen to some of their classic games. Sega are no strangers to re-releasing the oldies, but 2 of the forthcoming re-releases may come as a bit of a shock to some. Or not as the case may be.

Read more!Sega resurrect a couple of classics

Why this guide, of all times? Because there are other games worth playing apart from Halo 3.

Nine months just fly by so fast. For the gamers, who may have stumbled upon this page by chance, by now you have already “finished The fight” with the Master Chief and tried to pull off an aerial loop 8 out of 10 times on your PS3 Sixaxis controller. For the rest of you, you’re probably bored with Wii Sports and the Greek pantheon-sized library of portable puzzle games and brain trainers on your DSs and PSPs. Regardless, your consoles are gathering the proverbial dust until the next year when the next Final Fantasy, Grand Theft Auto or Metal Gear Solid will come out. Three months of nothing is indeed a long wait.

Fret not, dear wanderers of the world wide web, as I have compiled a list of future must-own titles for all the major consoles the average joe (and the hardcores) would be using in 2007. Yes, the PS2 does count, you next-gen elitist snob. These games will be released in between the month of October up until the Yuletide grasp of December, minus the snow and the occasional fat guy miraculously sliding down chimneys without fear of getting stuck. Not convinced? Here’s a few potential hits to keep you salivating to your mouth’s content:

Mass Effect (Xbox 360)

Release Date: November 28

This hyped-up coming attraction needs no introduction, but just as a refresher: you control a lieutenant in charge of a rag-tag group of humans and aliens as you attempt to save the world from mass planetary genocide from the Geth. With Bioware’s well-known reputation for creating immersive and epic storylines, evident in their take of the Star Wars and Dungeons & Dragons franchise, the space-opera that is Mass Effect boasts a way to change a direction of a conversation with a flick of a thumbstick, meaning you can go from seducing that blue alien hottie, to “kowtowing” her beliefs the next instance. Coupled with life-like graphics and the elements of a tactical first person shooter (FPS) into the combat system, and you will not be disappointed by Bioware’s latest.

Super Mario Galaxy (Nintendo Wii)

Release Date: November 12

Even with the recent E3 announcement on Nintendo making their stand on casual games, they still do care for their hardcore audience in a form of Mario’s latest platforming antics. Our plump and proper plumber now jumps across from planets to planets, which could mean a breakthrough from the medium’s norm. Just like his previous games, you have a plethora of powerups at your disposal, ranging from a Bee Suit which makes him float and fly, to the Ice Suit which lets you tread water easily as well as create blocks of frosty platforms ala Bobby Drake from the X-Men movies. I’m guessing everyone who owns a Wii probably had their calendars marked for this “second coming”.

Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii)

Release Date: November 20

Remember Guitar Freaks and the Taiko Drum series that were abundant in the local and international arcades? Well, Rock Band for both PS3 and Xbox 360 is a combination of the tools used in those games, except you also have a bass guitar and a microphone peripheral in the mix. And instead of playing alone, you can grab three of your friends and jam together to legendary tunes like Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and Radiohead’s “Creep”. No actual guitar, bass, drum or mike skills required; anyone and everyone can join in, because this game can make you unleash your inner rock star.

Jump for more titles you need reminding of.
Read more!Games For The Year’s End

PSP, PS2, Wii and DS owners in Japan will soon be enjoying new titles on the Tales saga. News from Japanese blog Gemaga, state that Namco will release Tales of Innocence for the DS and a PSP port of Tales of Rebirth. The Wii will get a game based on the hugely acclaimed Tales of Symphonia for the GameCube and the PS2 will be getting one based on Tales of Destiny.

That is a lot of love for the Tales saga which had been a little on the quiet side lately, it gets better since Tales games have a good track record of being brought to the western market, and we could definitely use some nice JRPGs, specially multiplayer JRPGs.

[Joystiq]

I have played some pretty bad games in my time, seriously bad games, but nothing like London Cab Challenge. This game, wonderfully reviewed by Pietriots, is about one of the worst games I have seen. To say it is buggy would be an understatement! Its a Crazy Taxi ripoff but without all the crazy… and without the taxi really because you never actually pick up anyone. You just drive around the very unstable city searching for green arrows which seem to be placed randomly. Textures appear and dissapear at random as so do buildings, clipping abounds and it overall just makes me want to cry.

One thing I do like though is the lamp post turbo charge, all driving games could do with a little more lamp post catapult.

Thanks Elixir and Teqonix!

[Pietriots]

Bullets and their casings spread through the streets. Teeth placed in ashtrays. Corpses stuffed into garbage cans. Graves with feet sticking out. Hostages tied to chairs or bounded and thrown on the floor. If only I could find a reason to do all of these without seeming deranged or homicidal.

[AdArena]

Yes, our good brothers over at IGN has delivered us good news. Apparently, the next issue of Famitsu is going to offer details on the next Guilty Gear title, Guilty Gear X2 Accent Core. From the sounds of it, it’s going to be offered both for PS2 - and for the Wii! The Japanese release date is 7/26, but no word on other international releases! I’ll update more on it if I find something.

[IGN]

I don’t think I should write much on this and just post the video, mostly because speculation when it comes to these cryptic trailers tends to be for naught.In the same fashion as Kingdom Hearts 1 had a secret ending preluding to the next game in it’s final mix ending… so now does Kingdom Hearts 2 have its own secret. View the trailer and let the fanboy speculation begin.

~WARNING~ definite spoilers ahead…