Month: October 2014

An Anime Adaptation Of “Blood Blockade Battlefront” Is On The way

Published by Frank Inglese

Reader, have you heard of a Manga/Anime series called ‘Trigun’? Surely you have! It’s the story of a young gunfighter with a mysterious past created by the Mangaka genius Yasuhiro Nightow. I can’t imagine any Anime fan not knowing what ‘Trigun’ is or who Yasuhiro Nightow is but for those of you who don’t: He’s a legend of the industry and ‘Trigun’ is a series that will go down in history as being one of the greatest examples of old-school Anime/Manga brilliance. Did you know, perhaps, that Mr. Nightow has a more recent Manga series that is currently being released around the world? It’s a little series that goes by the name ‘Blood Blockade Battlefront’ or ‘B3’. ‘B3’ takes place in a world where the inhabitants of our world and those that lurk in the darkness of the underworld are forced to live together in some form of harmony due to a devastating event that took place before the start of the series. With supernatural elements and a cast of quirky fighters, it’s hard to …

Check Out This New Ad For “The Last – Naruto The Movie” – It’s Short, Sweet And Awesome!

Published by Frank Inglese

Fourteen seconds is all you need to prove a point, and the latest commercial for the upcoming ‘The Last – Naruto The Movie’ shows audiences exactly what it means to be fast and loud. The Manga series for the much-beloved Shonen tale ‘Naruto’ is just about to come to an end. I believe there’s only two chapters left before we say ‘bye bye’ to our favorite orange Ninja but that doesn’t mean he’ll be gone forever. No, no. As ‘Shinedown’ say; “sometimes goodbye means a second chance” and that’s exactly what Naruto has gotten himself. Yes, despite the Manga coming to an end, there’s one more ‘Naruto’ movie on the way. One that will take place a few years in the future and will feature the famed hero in a more ‘mature’ role alongside his Leaf Village friends. The latest Japanese commercial for the movie has just been shared online by the powers at be and at a tiny fourteen seconds long it still somehow shows us enough to get pumped up for what’s to …

Persona Q – It’s Time To Meet The Occupants Of The Velvet Room

Published by Frank Inglese

ATLUS knows that a lot of us already know the characters of both ‘Persona 3’ and ‘Persona 4’. They’re games based around two things; fighting and making friends, so it’s obvious that once you come into contact with another character, you’re probably going to know them very well by the end of the game. For the sake of those who’ve not played the games and for the sake of those who have terrible memories and need a bit of reminding, ATLUS have released a set of four trailers for their upcoming dungeon crawler, RPG ‘Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth’. These four videos will spotlight the four inhabitants of the Velvet Room. Yes, all four of them! You’ve got Marie, Margaret, Elizabeth and Theodore. The whole team is here to play! Even better than just simply having them around is that they all play quite an important role in the events of the game both story-wise and gameplay-wise. Margaret spends most of her time in the Velvet Room. She can help you and your party …

‘Natural Doctrine’ Review

Published by Beau Snow

Natural Doctrine is a tactical JRPG from Kadokawa Games, the people behind games such as Kantai Collection and The Lunar RPG Series. Natural Doctrine is reminiscent of games like Dark Souls in terms of the incredible difficulty. The game goes beyond the point of being just challenging – in fact it gets to the point of being punishing, which could be good or bad depending on your preferences. Natural Doctrine is a game that will be loved by some and hated by many. This game is brutal. The game follows the poorly named Geoff who is essentially every JRPG protagonist ever rolled into one and nothing more. The game has next to no story at all but what it does have focuses on the concept of natural selection. While it is an interesting idea the game rarely gives players any context for the situations they find themselves in. The story is simply weak at best and the characters are terrible at worst. In terms of the gameplay, the combat system is interesting but grows very old very quick. It appears to have more …

“Let’s Manga” Is Set For A Release In Japan Next Month

Published by Frank Inglese

This is a video game/application that is quite close to my heart. Why? Well, half because I’ve always wanted to be a Manga/Comic Book artist and half because I don’t quite understand how something like this will work on the PlayStation Vita handheld system. Basically; “Let’s Manga” is a game/application that allows PlayStation Vita owners to create their own manga series from scratch starting from a set of blank panels and eventually leading into what I assume will be an entire volume. That is, if you can survive the arduous task of a full-time illustrator. Granzella, a young video game developer native to Japan, announced this game a long time ago and in a month it will be released. It’s a download-only application so those of you wanting to get your hands on it will have to get it from the PlayStation Network but I’m sure you’re all fine with that. Now this November release is only for Japan but the game has already been confirmed to be heading outside of the great country, the …

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire – Japanese Overview Trailer Released

Published by Frank Inglese

Oh, reader! Do you know how close we our to getting our hands on the ‘Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’?! So close! In fact, it comes out in little under a month from now! Are you as excited as I am?! Today the Pokemon Company updated their Youtube channel to include a new trailer for the upcoming video game remakes that basically goes over everything we’ve seen up until this point with a few added extras to whet our appetites. Despite how this trailer is entirely in Japanese with no subtitles whatsoever, it’s not that hard to pick up what the narrator is laying down, especially for those of you out there who are true Poke-fans. Opening up the video is a look back in time to the first release of Ruby and Sapphire. A single manly tear rolled down my cheek as I was shown the Gameboy Advanced and the original games. It was a simpler, enjoyable time but it was a time where graphics were not as good as they are now, …

Hideaki Anno claims Anime Industry is at a Dead End

Published by Luke Halliday

Recently at an event honouring his work in animation, famed director and creator of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Hideaki Anno voiced his concerns about the state of the Japanese anime industry, going so far as to predict its eventual demise should things not change. “The Japanese animation industry has hit a dead end—it will be tough to escape unless we can make animation without commercial considerations… It may even be too late,” Anno said in front of an audience of his peers. What Anno is referring to of course is the fact that many series are created expressly with the purpose of selling related merchandise and marketing the show towards other promotional content. He seems to believe that greater creative freedom will result in greater animation quality, which seems like a pretty accurate estimation. What do you think of Anno’s bold claims about the dead end of the anime industry? Let us know in the comments section below. Source: Variety -30-

The New “Sword Art Online: Lost Song” Trailer Introduces Audiences To Alfeim Online

Published by Frank Inglese

A new adventure awaits for all you pseudo-MMO players out there! I’m sure, if you’re reading this, you’re fans of the ‘Sword Art Online’ series of light novels, Anime seasons and video games otherwise…why would you be here?! Fans of Anime will know exactly what is going on right now in the world of ‘SAO’: There’s a new Anime season, a new game for the PlayStation Vita was only just released and there’s one more on the way. Titled ‘Lost Song’, this game will take place in the world of ‘Alfeim Online’ which many of you may know was the place where the second half of the first series took place. Unfortunately, for many of the ‘SAO’ audience, it was the weaker of the many arcs but that doesn’t mean this game is going to be less enjoyable. Being handled by the same team who spearheaded the last ‘SAO’ game, ‘Hollow Fragment’, this game is set to introduce fans to a new combat and travel style. That’s right, this time Kirito and his friends have …

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD – “Enter The Fray” Trailer Released

Published by Frank Inglese

March, 2015. A month that will be remembered as the day the war began. The war between nations fighting for ultimate supremacy. You, yes you, will take up arms as one of the few surviving elite combat masters who will battle on the front lines. Why? To return balance, of course. To stop the needless slaughter of countless world citizens. You are a part of the legendary ‘Class Zero’; a group of young men and women with outstanding magical power and battle prowess. You’re the ones destined to bring all this to an end…but at what cost? Square Enix have today released a brand-new trailer for their upcoming, and highly sought after, video game ‘Final Fantasy Type-0 HD’. Titled ‘Enter The Fray’, this new video outlines the story of the new game as well as some of its actual in-combat mechanics. Fans of the series have been waiting for this game for many, many years and it is just about to hit local shores in March of next year. Current generations consoles (PS4, XBONE), new …

Final Fantasy XIV: Dreams of Ice Expansion Out Now

Published by Kane Bugeja

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn continues to expand with the announcement of the latest  expansion: Dreams of Ice (or Patch 2.4 if you want to get specific). As FF XIVs biggest update to date, Dreams of Ice contains new and expanded storylines, environments and features. Jumping into an age old war between the nation of Ishgard and Dravanian Horde, look forward to challenging Shiva, The Lady of the Frost. This New Primal Battle will take place in The Akh Afah Apitheatre and will join a new dungeon known as Snowcloak, a great ice wall moulded in the aftermath of Bahamut’s rampage, once thought to be impassable, that demands to be investigated. The update also offers a New Rogue Class and Ninja Job. The Rogues, who lurk amongst the shadows and follow no law but their own, pride themselves on skill and agility, along with knives and daggers. Completing Rogue quests unlock sthe previously mentioned Ninja Job, highly trained and stealthy combatants who bend the tide of battle to their will, utilising their ability to manipulate the vital energies of the …

FUNimation Licences Wanna Be the Strongest in the World

Published by Kane Bugeja

Are you a fan of anime? Are you a fan of wrestling? Are you a fan of…sexy? Then chances are you’ve already heard of Wanna Be the Strongest in the World, which throws an idol into the unforgiving world of competitive wrestling. If you’re in the mood to witness said competition, FUNimation has announced that they will begin streaming the English subtitled episodes on their site, so good news for the American fans. A DVD and Blu-Ray is also in the works that will feature an English dub, set for release in 2015.So the rest of the Western world may have to wait a little longer before they can watch the series with more fanservice than you can grapple. -30-

Food Wars Anime May Be Slated for 2015

Published by Kane Bugeja

It would seem that Twitter has once again been the scene of an information leak, as it so frequently seems to be. As it would happen, the Gofuku office of the Yajimaya bookstores Tweeted (and subsequently deleted) that Food Wars is set for an anime adaptation in 2015. Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town.  Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school!  Can Soma really cut it in a school that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?! -30-

The Last -Naruto the Movie- Set for Novelisation

Published by Kane Bugeja

With the release of The Last – Naruto the Movie- drawing ever closer, Jump j Books has announced that a novelisation of the film is in the works. Slated for release two days after the December 6th opening of the film, the novel is also assumedly part of the Naruto Shin Jidai Kaimaku Project (Naruto’s New Era Opening Project), which celebrates the 15th anniversary of the original manga. The moon has begun moving closer to the Earth! As it is, the the moon will crumble and meteorites will rain down on the earth’s surface. As the last days of Earth approach, Hanabi Hyūga is abducted by a mysterious man in Konoha, and Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Shikamaru, and Hinata set off on a rescue mission! Can Naruto and the others overcome this crisis? -30-

Takeshi Kitano slams the Japanese Film Industry and blasts Hayao Miyazaki

Published by Luke Halliday

Takeshi Kitano, the legendary Japanese actor/comedian/film-maker/screenwriter/cool dude, who has starred in films such as Battle Royale and Sonatine, has put the Japanese Film Industry on the chopping block with some rather brutal remarks taking the business to task for some rather sneaky tactics. During the Tokyo International Film Festival, Kitano was awarded the prestigious ‘Samurai Award’. While accepting the award he gave a speech that left many in attendance in a state of shock and panic. Kitano proceeded to brutally beat down the industry and took aim at famed director Hayao Miyazaki. “The bad thing about the Japanese industry is that the production companies have relationships with cinemas… If you look at the Academy Awards in Japan, it’s mostly TOHO, Toei, Shochiku, and maybe Nikkatsu. I don’t think any have been nominated that are not from these companies. And the newspapers don’t mention this either, because they get ads, and that would be bad,” said Kitano, a man who has seen the ugly face of corruption and spat in its beady eye. He went on to …

Yakuza 0 – Coming To Japan March Of Next Year

Published by Frank Inglese

You read the title. You all know what the deal is. ‘Yakuza 0’, the upcoming ‘Yakuza’ video game series prequel, was announced this morning through a special Sega broadcast to be hitting the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in Japan next March on the 12th. I must stress that this was just announced for Japan because, as of right now, we really have no idea whether or not this game will be making its way to local shores, but we’re all hoping it does because there’s no series like the ‘Yakuza’ series. This new game is set to feature updated graphics, a new combat system and a look back at some of our favorite characters’ past lives. Hopefully we’ll be getting news of a Western release sometime very soon but right now you’ll just have to be happy knowing that, one day, the game will be released SOMEWHERE in the world. When that news breaks, you better believe we’ll have it here on the site! -30-

Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire Promo Reveals Mega Diancie

Published by Kane Bugeja

Let’s face it, if you’ve been keeping up to date with the surge of Mega Evolutions, you’ve already heard of Mega Diancie. Well, now the prismatic princess has received an official promo showcasing it’s new form, along with how to get it. As of now, Diancie can only be obtained in Pokemon X and Y, through an upcoming event (the details of which are different for each country). Although North America, Canada and Mexico can grab Diancie from now up until November 16th, whilst Australia and New Zealand Trainers can nab this rare gem from November 10th until the 28th. Once on your team, all you have to do is wait until Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are released, trade Diancie over and voila, you’ve got yourself a shiny new Mega. -30-

Main Seiyuu Announced for Seraph of the End

Published by Kane Bugeja

Do you like vampires? How about unique weapons? High school drama? Then Seraph of the End may be for you. That being said, the upcoming anime adaptation of the series has received an announcement detailing the main voice cast. The main staff has also been announced, all of whom previously worked on Attack on Titan, so chances are high that this adaptation will do the manga justice. Cast Yuichiro Hyakuya: Miyu Irino Mikaela Hyakuya: Kensho Ono Glen Ichinose: Yuichi Nakamura Staff Director: Daisuke Tokudo Deputy Director: Masashi Koizuka Series Composition/Screenplay: Hiroshi Seko Character Designer: Satoshi Kadowaki Visual Development Art: Hiroki Shinagawa Production: WIT STUDIO After a catastrophic epidemic kills every adult on earth, vampires arise from the shadows to enslave the remaining human population. Yuichiro escapes from captivity and joins the Japanese Imperial Demon Army. But before he’s allowed to fight vampires, he has to complete his first, terrifying mission–make new friends with his fellow aspiring monster slayers! Yuichiro and his friends are kept as vampire fodder in a creepy institution masquerading as an orphanage. One day, Yuichiro’s dreams of …

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Iggy’s Voice Actress Revealed

Published by Frank Inglese

Surely by this point in time you’ve read, watched or even heard about the long-running Shonen series’ JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’. Now I’ve you’re a big fan of the site and are constantly reading our articles or listening to our podcasts, you’ll know that we at SnapThirty have a serious love-hate relationship with the work of Hirohiko Araki. It was only about a month or so ago that the first half of the ‘Stardust Crusaders’ Anime adaptation ended but it shall return sometime in the next year. Slated to be introduced in the very first episode of the next cour, of which there is to be a complete four, is a character close to each of our hearts; a little dog named Iggy. Named after Iggy Pop and not the Australian musical sensation Iggy Azalea, this dog believes himself stronger than even Jotaro, or so we’re told. This Boston Terrier is so strong, in fact, he even has himself a Stand by the name of The Fool. Well now Iggy has more than just a Stand …

SnapThirty Presents: SnapCast Episode 9 – Ultimate Hypothetical

Published by Kane Bugeja

In this episode, Kane and Frank ponder the best of the best and hypothesise a real life Danganronpa…or the greatest party ever. Parasyte also makes a conversation appearance and leads the guys down an uncertain path as they traverse an unsettling and all too human subject: the Uncanny Valley (Note: It’s not actually that serious, Frank just gets weirded out by a picture of a robot).   Want to download the Mp3 for yourself? Right click the link and choose ‘Save Link As…’ – SnapCast Episode 9 – Ultimate Hypothetical You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes: Click Here -30-

Persona 4 – You Look Beary Cute In That Teddie Sweater!

Published by Frank Inglese

Who’s ready for some new mascot merchandise?! I am! Over the weekend, the good people over at the Japanese branch of the video game publisher and developer ATLUS released a bunch of images of one of their latest ‘Persona 4’ clothing products just in time for what people are hoping will be one heck of a cold winter. You can now dress up as the true hero of the PlayStation 2/PlayStation Vita JRPG ‘Persona 4’…Teddie! Spend those cold days wrapped up in a long fleece sweater that makes you look like the rambunctious young bear himself. Yes, it is true, ATLUS have opened up a new page on their D-Shop for you to be able to go and purchase what will surely be your most favored article of clothing. Unfortunately it doesn’t ship outside of Japan so before buying make sure you have a local friend who’ll be able to get the item and ship it to you. That will most likely be the only way you’ll be getting this huge sweater. Those eligeble to …

Samurai Warriors 4 – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

I’ve always believed I was born in the wrong age. It’s not that I’m so different from my brothers and sisters from this generation, it’s more that I have always dreamed about growing up in the time of the Samurai. I’m a romantic in that regard and I know this because, in all of my daydreams, I’ve never seen myself as anything less than the greatest sword fighter. Let’s be honest here, reader, I’d probably be a terrible Samurai, in fact, I probably wouldn’t be one at all! I’d probably be a farmer or a laborer who still, even while living in that time, would dream of picking up a sword and fighting for my land. Thus is the beauty in fantasy. It is video games like the newly released ‘Samurai Warriors 4’ that allows me to momentarily quell what occupies my mind and I couldn’t possibly think of a better title to load into my PlayStation 4 than this. It’s been quite a while since I last partook in a ‘Warriors’ game of this …

Cardfight Vanguard Volume 4 Review

Published by Luke Halliday

One last time. Stand up, my Vanguard! Final Turn! At long last we have reached the culmination of this epic journey that is Cardfight Vanguard. After following the series from its first DVD release from Hanabee, I now stand 65 episodes later in awe. Not only did Cardfight Vanguard shuffle the deck on what makes a good card games anime series, it also dealt out a new hand that veterans of the genre had never seen before. Cardfight Vanguard is fresher than Will Smith in parachute pants and this final volume only further proves why Vanguard has become the phenomenon it has. Following on from volume three of the series, we are still witnessing Aichi’s struggle with the darkside that exists within him. After gaining the PSYqualia ability, Aichi began to foresee what was to come in his matches, which of course made him a mighty foe to be reckoned with in the world of Vanguard. But the thing about power is that it tends to go to people’s head. Such was the case with …

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Introducing Rie and Crusadermon

Published by Frank Inglese

There’s not much that excites me more than the prospect of a new ‘Digimon’ video game. Unfortunately for me and my ‘Digimon-loving’ brothers and sisters, the last couple of games to be announced and released…never made it out of Japan. I know…soul crushing. That’s OK though because we’re all keeping up hope. We’re praing to all the Digi-Gods we know as we practically beg Bandai Namco Games to bring some of these titles out West. The latest piece of news from the upcoming ‘Digimon Story’ game, ‘Syber Sleuth’, is the addition of two new characters to the story. One being a human and the other being a high-level ‘Digimon’, these two will play quite a set of important roles in the events of the game. Why else would they be introducing us to them early? Previously revealed was a character named Kyoko Kuremi who, if you dont recall, is a super sexy female detective with legs that go on for ages…*cough cough*…Excuse me. Well the new character introuced today happens to be just as sexy …

Dragon Ball: Xenoverse – Release Date Trailer [UPDATE: American Release Date Announced]

Published by Frank Inglese

You know, reader, with all this talk of time and space, I’ve really been thinking about when exactly ‘Dragon Ball: Xenoverse’ is set to hit local shelves and thankfully today Bandai Namco Games have answered my question. It’s a Friday which is already good enough in my books but it has been made even sweeter thanks to the video game developer/distributor. Not only have they revealed the European release date for the upcoming ‘Dragon Ball: Xensoverse’ game but they’ve also released one hell of an awesome trailer that takes audiences back through time as it describes just what the game is about. It also details some cool looking editions of the game but we’ll get to that in due time. The date has been set: Europe will be getting the new ‘DBZ’ title on the 13th of February next year which, if you ask me, is too far away! I need this game, but I’m sure any long-time fan of ‘Dragon Ball Z’ will be feeling the exact same as me right now. Also announced …

Super Smash Bros. For Wii U – 50-Fact Extravaganza Video

Published by Frank Inglese

Guys! Girls! ‘Super Smash Bros. For The Wii U is only a month away! Yeehaw! I don’t even have a Wii U and I’m still excited for this upcoming game but that’s just because I have the spare keys to my friend’s houses and can get to their consoles at any time, just…don’t tell them. OK? To celebrate the game to come, Nintendo hosted another one of its much-loved streams. This stream was extremely exciting because it is where the company would reveal 50 facts about the Wii U version of the game that fans didn’t already know. Unfortunately, because it was a live stream, some people around the world didn’t get a chance to watch it but that’s OK because Nintendo have done the world another huge solid and released the video for everyone to watch whenever and wherever they’d like. Yosha! Now Nintendo covered a lot in this stream and it went for a full half hour so sit back, relax, maybe make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy what is to …

One Piece: Grand Battle! X – Doflamingo Battle Trailer Released

Published by Frank Inglese

OK, so, reader…I’m in a little bit of trouble right now. I’ve decided to take my boat out for a spin and it looks like I’ve ventured into dangerous waters. I can hear screaming and chanting from outside and I haven’t bother to stick my head out of my cabin to look just in-case I see something I really shouldn’t have. Luckily I have this super awesome, high-powered internet connection so I can write an article about it. OK, I just looked and I think those sounds are coming from…pirates! Oh no! Not pirates! Anything bu-wait…wait, I think they’re ‘Once Piece’ pirates. That means, that means they’re the good guys! ‘One Piece: Grand Battle! X’ is the upcoming 3DS game based on the Anime/Manga series of similar name. It features a combat system much like that of the older ‘Jump Superstars’ DS title and chibi-style graphics that look as though they pop on the 3D screen of the handheld console. Any good Anime fan will know of this game and any great Anime fan will …

Tsukimonogatari – First Anime Preview Released

Published by Frank Inglese

The end of the year is quickly coming and thanks to this brand new piece of news I want it to come around even quicker! Japanese citizens are by far the luckiest in the world, this is according to a huge fan of their culture…me. Not only do they get all the coolest stuff before anyone else but, well…I suppose that’s enough to be jealous of, right?! Getting to the point; it was only just announced that an Anime adaptation of ‘Tsukimonogatari’ will soon be released and already we’ve been given a look at it through the very first preview trailer that was released but yesterday. For those of you not in ‘the know’; ‘Tsukimonogatari’ is the next story to be told in the ‘Monogatari’ series. It is the tenth book in the light novel lineup and has also been noted as the first story of the final season…of books. Our assumption is that it is pretty much considered the same for the Anime adaptation. This story will, once again, revolve around series protagonist Koyomi …

Log Horizon English Dub Cast Announced

Published by Kane Bugeja

Do you like MMORPGs? Do you like anime? Are you interested in the soci-economic issues that arise from a system based upon the knowledge of a vastly unprepared populace? Then has Sentai Filmworks got the series for you, its name: Log Horizon. Elder Tales has become a global phenomenon, immersing millions of players in its online fantasy world. However, something goes wrong with the twelfth expansion pack. Eight-year veteran Shiroe and 30,000 other players suddenly find themselves trapped in the game’s no-longer-fictional universe! Except it’s not even exactly the game they knew: things are in different places, the portals don’t work, and if a gamer was playing an avatar who wasn’t a physical match for their real self… well, let’s just say that everyone who’s been playing is going to have to make some serious adjustments to their new world view. On top of that, the former Non-Player-Characters are now self-aware and working towards their own ends. This collision of the Elder Tale people and players with seemingly impossible skills, abilities, and knowledge promises to …

Persona Q Shows Artbook Along With Two New Character Videos

Published by Kane Bugeja

Are you a fan of Persona Q? If you answered yes then good news, that’s exactly what this article is about. In the special version of said game, known as “The Wild Cards” Premium Edition, a net little artbook is set to be included. Just in case you weren’t alredy interested in picking one up for yourself, Atlus has given a little sneak peek of a few pages. Containing illustrations of your favourite Yaso High students, along with the denizens of the Velvet Room and the two newcomers Zei and Ren, this 38 page artbook is set to be pretty sweet. [gigya src=”http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v1/IssuuViewer.swf” allowfullscreen=”true” flashvars=”mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Fcolor%2Flayout.xml&backgroundColor=#000000&showFlipBtn=true&documentId=141020224826-bdfb4187d9c5fd5617acf44fa01ef016″ width=”300″ height=”250″ ] If you’re more into movement and sound accompanying your pictures, then why not check out the new character trailers for Yukari and Teddie? With her high magic stat and healing skills on hand, Yukari excels as a dedicated support in any team composition. Make sure she’s protected in the back line, so she can dish out wind and physical damage thanks to her Persona Io and her …

Chi’s Sweet Home Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

The world is a confusing and, often times, frightening place. As such, growing up can be quite the experience. There are new faces, new places and an ever growing list of activities to learn. Of course, it certainly helps to have people around you, willing to impart their knowledge and assist your learning. A group who calmly explains the rights and wrongs of your actions, and points you down the correct path. A necessity of life…especially if you’re a cat. Meet Chi, a young kitten who one day strayed too far from her mother and found herself lost in a park. Sad and lonely, she is found by a young boy named Youhei and happily taken home by him and his mother. In the process of finding the her a home, the family become attached to the cute little kitten and the whole “finding her a home” thing becomes less and less important. After failing to discover a suitable home, the family decides to keep the cat for themselves, in flagrant violation of their rent agreement. This of course …

AnimeLab line-up gets 5 new titles simulcasting including ‘Your Lie in April’ and ‘Fate/Stay Night’

Published by Luke Halliday

Madman’s online anime streaming service AnimeLab has quietly increased its simulcast line-up with 5 new titles added to their Fall 2014 anime season line-up. The line-up already featured Garo: The Animation, Gundam Reconguista in G and Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Demons but now features 5 more series simulcasting straight from Japan. The following series are now available for streaming on the service: Your Lie in April Trinity Seven Girl Friend Beta When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works I must say this is a superb line-up from Madman for AnimeLab. Be sure to check out some of these series as they simulcast each week. Stay tuned for further information on AnimeLab’s expanding catalogue of anime titles as it becomes available. -30-

Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Expansion Announced

Published by Kane Bugeja

At the first inaugural Fan Festival event in Las Vegas this weekend (ahead of the first European Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival, which takes place in London on 25th October 2014), Square Enix unveiled the first expansion for, you guessed it, Final Fantasy XIV. Dubbed Final Fantasy XIV: Hevensward, this next chapter will drop in Spring 2015 and will throw players into new towns, such as the city state of Ishgard, new field sections and will include new races, jobs, an increade level cap and oodles more. More information will be revealed at the previously mentioned Fan Festival in London. Though tickets are already sold out, there will be an official Livestream of the event, so you haven’t missed your chance. If you’re feeling particularly interested, you may wish to opt for the Premium Livestream, which will allow you to see all content from the show uncut and in HD. The Premium Livestream will also include an opening presentation from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida, for a one off cost. Premium streamers will also receive …

‘Tokyo Tribe’ Movie Gets International Trailer, First Ever Rap Battle Musical

Published by Luke Halliday

If you had one shot, one opportunity, one moment to seize everything you ever wanted, would you capture it or go watch Tokyo Tribe instead? Well I think I’d go for that latter Mr Slim Shady because Tokyo Tribe looks totally awesome. The brand new international trailer for the cinematic adaptation of the popular manga of the same name has been released and damn it looks good. The trailer touts the film as the first ever rap battle musical and gives us a taste of the sick rhymes these boys be spittin’. Check out the trailer below to see what all the fuss is about. Tokyo Tribe is scheduled to screen as part of the upcoming Japanese Film Festival across Australia, for more information on dates and times check out there official site here. -30-  

Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Tag Force Special – Announced For The PlayStation Portable and Vita

Published by Frank Inglese

It seems odd for a contemporary video game company to still be developing for older console models like the PlayStation Portable but I suppose stranger things have happened. It has just been announced through an early scan of Japan’s ‘V Jump’ magazine that a new ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ video game is set to be released this Winter for the PlayStation Portable and the PlayStation Vita. This game, titled ‘Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Tag Force Special’, will bring together the much-loved protagonists of past and present ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ series’ for one huge battle royal. Not much regarding story has been divulged but one would assume that some sort of time and space overlap has caused all these heroes to come together to fight some greater evil…or not. Either way, I bet it’s going to be one hell of an awesome game especially because it will feature most, if not all, of the ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ cards currently in circulation. This means you’ll be able to use over seven thousand cards to construct and master your perfect deck. Specifically developed for the Portable, gamers …

Kabukimonogatari – Review (DVD/Blu-Ray Combo)

Published by Frank Inglese

Time travel is far too fickle of a subject for just ‘anyone’ to be writing about. Few have written a story involving speeding through the fabric of our time and pulled it off perfectly. I, as a ‘wannabee writer’, would never go near such a story topic but I look to those who’ve done it with a level of deep respect, that is…if they do it right. The ‘Monogatari’ series, both the Anime and the light novels, revolves around supernatural occurrences in a town full of crazy characters. The series up until this point has been strictly about paranormal apparitions but has stayed true to its fantasy-type routes. ‘Kabukimonogatari’, the four episode section of what was originally called ‘Monogatari Series: Second Season’, takes somewhat of a turn to instead deal with the more science fiction issue of time traveling and the ways it can all go wrong. Much like the rest of the series, it is much more beneficial to have watched ‘Bakemonogatari’ before heading into ‘Kabukimonogatari’. Having watched the entirety of the series would …

Junji Ito Takes On The Pokemon World For Halloween

Published by Frank Inglese

Pokemon is a franchise marketed at young boys and girls but enjoyed by an older crowd. Most aspects of Pokemon come off as sett and innocent but a little extra reading will inform you on the dark layer of information that sits just below the soft, fluffy surface. For years the older fans of the franchise have looked into things like a Pokemon’s Pokedex entry only to concoct some sort of disturbing and mind-boggling piece of lore. Some of these Poke-theorists, as I’ll call them, seem a little ‘out there’ but others, well…they make a compelling argument. The most horrific Pokemon seem to be, without a doubt, that of the Ghost and Psychic-types. Each of them carries a mask that used to be its face when it was human. Sometimes they look at it and cry. – Yamask (Pokemon Black) Halloween is generally the spookiest time of the year for most people. For me, it’s Christmas. Spending all that time with your family…ugh, shivers just shot down my spine. Big companies and franchises like to …

Nisemonogatari – The Complete Series Review (Blu-Ray)

Published by Frank Inglese

To begin watching the ‘Monogatari’ series is a commitment comparable to that of marriage. There are ups and downs, smiles and frowns, things you may like and things you may not. It also seems as though it’s going to last forever and the only way you can possibly perceive getting out of it is through death. It’s a series I wasn’t too keen on many years ago when I first watched ‘Bakemonogatari’, the trailblazer for what is now one heck of a beloved series, but it seems as though I’ve come to love it. It was an odd experience: I didn’t know what to think about it, I thought it was great but then terrible. I thought the characters were good but then bad. I was going through one big mental contradiction but I stuck with it. Eventually I came to this season which just continued my introspective conflict. Titled ‘Nisemonogatari’, this season follows the story of series protagonist Koyomi Araragi’s younger sisters; Karen and Tsukihi. ‘Nisemonogatari’ switches gears, instead focusing on the younger of …

‘Slam Dunk’ manga meets Michael Jordan in new Air Jordan clothing line

Published by Luke Halliday

Basketball maniacs get ready to pound the rock in this brand new Air Jordan gear based upon the legendary sports anime and manga series Slam Dunk. The new line of clothing is titled ‘Slam Dunk x Jordan’ and looks to bring the classic look of the Slam Dunk series into the real world. The clothing line includes a snapback cap, two pairs of Jordan shoes and two designer t-shirts. The line hits Japan on the 18th of October and releases globally on November 1st. Each addition to the clothing line takes inspiration from the series in one way or another. One of the t-shirts, for example, takes inspiration from protagonist Hanamichi’s Shohoku jersey. Check out the full line up below and get ready to slam dunk in this sweet gear when it hits stores near you in the next few weeks.  

The Snap, Crackle And Pop Culture Show: Shonen Wrestling

Published by Frank Inglese

The boys are back, once again, for another episode of the Snap, Crackle and Pop Culture Show! For those of you who’ve never seen an episode of this web series before; basically the boys sit down to have a little bit of a chat about the goings on in the Anime, Manga and Video Game world. This episode, Frank and Luke sit down to have a deep and thorough discussion about the similarities between modern day Pro Wrestling and Shonen Anime/Manga series’. Listen as I, Frank Inglese, attempt to do my very best Hulk Hogan impression as Luke Halliday explains to me why I should never do it again. Ever. Luke happens to be a huge fan of pro Wrestling, having been watching it ever since he was a young lad. I’ve only recently gotten into the world of Wrestling and no less than nothing about it BUT I do happen to know a whole bunch about Shonen series’…and that’s why we’re the perfect mix for this discussion. Follow us on a short journey through …

Mayo Chiki! – Series Collection Review

Published by Frank Inglese

What is it about a ‘harem’ Anime that gets audiences so excited? No, not excited in that way, I mean genuinely excited. There’s got to be something within every single ‘harem’ series that has people coming back. Not only that, there has to be something within ‘harem’ Anime as a whole that justifies studios continuing to produce them. I, for one, cannot see the appeal of the hyper sexuality of this type of Anime but I think that’s exactly why I’m the perfect choice to review ‘Mayo Chiki!’. Why exactly? Well I think, as somewhat of an ‘outsider’, I can look at the series for more than just its fanservice in an attempt to see if this ‘romantic comedy’ is as comedic and beautifully romantic as boasted. All the while taking into account that it is the fanservice, clearly, that people seem to enjoy. ‘Mayo Chiki!’, as you’re about to read, revolves around a young man with a naturally occurring aversion to women thanks to the strong female types he’s grown up with. Life gets …

WataMote Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

High school. That magical location from which anime characters live their exciting daily lives or, owing to some outside force, fight secretly to save the world from danger. Yep, it certainly is the place to be…unless you’re unpopular. We all know about the charming transfer student, the badass fighter who is actually surprisingly good at tests, heck even the silent types get some serious screentime. So it shouldn’t be too hard to make a splash in anime’s favourite playground right? To skilfully navigate through the hormonal jungle that serves as a preamble to adulthood. Especially if you’ve spent your life enjoying and absorbing the tropes of said anime. I mean, it’s not like you’d be the unpopular one…right? Wrong. Oh so heart rendingly and soul crushingly wrong. Meet Tomoko Kuroki, a social inept otaku who continuously proves that she is by no means the traditional protagonist type. A fact even she herself is painfully aware of, due to her immense knowledge of the ins and outs of anime. Before making the transition to high school, hope filled Tomoko’s …

Majestic Prince Part One Review

Published by Luke Halliday

What’s cooler than old school? Well.. a lot of things, but that doesn’t mean old school isn’t pretty cool in its own right. Majestic Prince is an anime that aims for the old school kind of cool and for the most part succeeds. Where Majestic Prince comes undone is its far too well-trodden setting and its story that feels ripped straight out of a Sunrise series from the 80s. You can’t help but feel like you’ve been here before, its teens piloting mechs in space as part of mech school, its Majestic Prince. Now while the premise of Majestic Prince is about as fresh as expired milk, the characterization does go a ways to correcting course. The main cast carries the material admirably, elevating some rather asinine plotting to greater heights than it has any right to. Team Rabbits or more commonly known as the Fail Five, make for a solid cast to build the series around, each with their own quirks and eccentricities. The growth of the Fail Five over this first part of …

Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed – Now Available Across Australia and New Zealand

Published by Frank Inglese

You’re not quite the man you used to be. Lured into a strange, underground, stronghold by promises of rare collectible items, you (the main character) find yourself in quite an odd but ultimately exciting situation. Transformed by the vampire-like race of humanoid creatures called Synthisters, you’re no longer the human you and your friends once thought you were. No, not at all. Instead, you’re now a true Freedom Fighter who must take on an army of pure darkness who’re threatening to envelop Japan’s ‘electirc town’…Akihabara. Much anticipated by the hardcore Otakus out there, ‘Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed’ is a new action/RPG by video game developers Acquire that boasts both ‘epicness’ and hilarity. Why am I telling you this exactly? Well, because it is today that the game has been made available across Australia and New Zealand but only in its physical form, those of you wanting a digital copy will have to wait another week. Yes it is true; ‘Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed’ for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita has finally made …

Akiba’s Trip: Undead And Undressed – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

A young man and a beautiful girl speed through the busy streets of Akihabara. The duo duck and dodge in and out of back alleys as the people they pass by holler words of encouragement. They’re being chased. Hunted, but not for long. They find the perfect battlefield: Somewhere not as populated as the main streets. Somewhere they can let loose. Somewhere they can fight without holding back. Somewhere they can strip to their hearts content. They call themselves the Akiba Freedom Fighters and the ones they battle, they’re an army of superhuman beings called Synthisters that have neatly woven themselves throughout mainstream Akihabara society and they need to be taken down. Now. In ‘Akiba’s Trip: Undead and Undressed’ you play as, well…you. You’re the main character and, after applying for a dodgy-sounding job, you wake up to find that you’re no longer the same person you once were. Attacked by the people who imprisoned you, you’re saved by a young girl who seems to know of your situation. She saves you and explains that …

Sin Like You’re Supposed To With The Upcoming ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ Video Game

Published by Frank Inglese

We’ve now officially entered the age of ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. In Australia, the Manga releases have just kicked off with most graphic novel retailers already selling the third volume. The Western fandom for the critically acclaimed Shonen series is slowly but surely growing bigger and bigger with each passing day. Recently, the Manga has been adapted into what looks to be a well-animated and wonderfully paced Anime series. Unfortunately for the aforementioned Western fans…it has yet to have been picked up by any simulcast distributor. Surely you understand we’re not too happy about that. That’s OK though because we know that, sooner or later, the series is sure to be picked up and released locally. To add to the burning passion of the series’ fans, Bandai Namco Games recently announced that there is a ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ Nintendo 3DS game in the works but showed nothing of this game as part of the announcement…until today. The beautiful people over at Bandai Namco Japan have released the very first trailer for the upcoming beat-em-up game alongside …

Persona Q – Naoto Shirogane and Ken Amada Character Trailers Released

Published by Frank Inglese

ATLUS have today released two more character trailers for their upcoming Nintendo 3DS video game ‘Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth’ and they just so happen to focus on the smallest of the two groups that make up both the ‘Persona 3’ and ‘Persona 4’ cast respectively. Naoto Shirogane, the literal shortest of the ‘P4’ team, is a self-proclaimed ace detective and one hell of a gunfighter. She, together with the Persona Sukuna-Hikona, is a perfect backup brawler that can dance with the best of them and isn’t one to back down prematurely. Though her everyday life is filled with gender confusion and questions that need some serious answering, she wont let that effect her in battle. Ken Amada from ‘P3’, on the other hand, is just a kid so it’s understandable if he doesn’t feel as ‘at home’ on the battlefield as the rest of the cast. That doesn’t mean he wont do his all to protect his friends. With a spear in hand and Nemesis the Persona at his back, this young man …

First Thoughts: ‘Parasyte -the maxim’ – It’s About Damn Time!

Published by Luke Halliday

Roughly 25 years ago, a man by the name of Hitoshi Iwaati had a rather strange thought. The thought latched onto his brain like a parasite and evolved. That thought of a man more than 2 decades ago became a manga series named Parasyte, one of the most critically acclaimed works the medium has ever produced. Here we are 25 years later and we are still talking about Parasyte, a series that captured the imagination of a generation. Parasyte is born again this time in animated form, for the first time ever and thank god for that. With Madhouse handling the production of this much anticipated anime series, fans had little doubt that Parasyte -the maxim wouldn’t be something special. After watching the first episode it can safely be said that Parasyte is in safe hands with Madhouse because this episode was simply phenomenal. Treating viewers with a sense of intelligence, Parasyte skips the foreplay and trusts the audience to follow its lead. Jumping right into the action as Shinichi becomes infected by a parasyte. Wasting …

Tears to Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord Out Now for North and South America

Published by Kane Bugeja

Tears to Tiara II: Heir of the Overlord is here and it’s time to bring down the Divine Empire. You may be thinking, “I am but a gamer, how couldst I hope to topple such a foe?” Well my friends (in North and South America), $39.99 is all you need for  the chance. But even so, you may notice the II within the title of the game, those two lines that denote a sequel and a plethora of plot points already missed. Well fear not, for this 80 hours requires no knowledge of the previous title, so enjoy freely and join more than 15 main characters on a strategic turn-based quest, where joint attacks are a way of life and battle-hardened generals fall before your might. Tears to Tiara II follows Hamilcar Barca, a young man eking his way through life indentured to the Divine Empire. But when the Empire burns an innocent girl at the stake, he unleashes a terrible secret–his unbridled rage and demonic might the berserker. With his newfound strength and at …

Kill la Kill Volume 1 Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

School is tough. There’s assignments and tests, not to mention all of the social drama. There’s the popular kids and the athletic kids, the smart ones and the middle grounders. And to top it all of there’s the army of devout students empowered by specialised uniforms who all follow the dictatorial will of a tyrannical, stern faced Student Council President. But that’s how it is in every high school…isn’t it? Welcome to Honouji Academy! Your one stop shop for all things fashion and fascism. Enrol today and receive a thoroughly degrading lecture from the one and only Satsuki Kiryuin, Student Council President and general overlord of Honouji (the city that is, why stop at just ruling the school?) Ingratiate yourself to her and you may just receive the honour of wearing a Goku Uniform, an awesome piece of clothing that will imbue you with tremendous power and give your social standing a nice little boost. From No Star to Three Star, that is the ultimate goal of the proper student, but it is only a …

Attack on Titan Collection 2 Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

If there’s one thing humanity can be counted on doing, it’s fight against an enemy. To unite with those of like mind, to focus negative emotions and use them as a driving force for action. However, there is one factor that causes such a system to descend into chaos: a difference in opinion. When groups based on ideals form, they possess different goals than those around them and conflict arises. Even in a world dominated by an unprecedented threat, a la the Titans, the clash of opinions is still ever present and humanity does not stand entirely united. Seriously, get it together humanity, you’ve got bigger things to worry about. Eren Jaeger. Human. Soldier. Titan. With the rather shocking revelation of Eren’s true power dominating the first half of the series, we now find ourselves witness to a most human turmoil: the clash between fear and logic. Shown previously in the vastly opposed personalities of Pixis and one particularly cannon happy soldier, Eren comes to serve as a personification of both terror and hope. A complex mix of …

Mighty No. 9 Hints at Possible Future DLC

Published by Kane Bugeja

Having just given beta players the chance to test out a third (and final) level in the upcoming Mighty No. 9, Comcept has also revealed a few new pieces of information regarding the upcoming title. Namely, how it will sound. After holding a vote between the backers of the game, it was decided that Mighty No. 9 will feature English voicing, with the option beating out a Japanese version by 1,000 votes. A brief trailer has also been revealed that hints at the possibility for some future expansion to the ranks of the 9. Boosting the group into the double digits, the mysterious No. 0 presents his mismatched guise and evil glare. Who is this No. 0? Why is he so menacing? What purpose does he serve? Hopefully all these questions and more will be answered when the Mighty No. 9 (and it’s possible DLC) are released. -30-

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire – Mega Latios, Latias, Steelix and Glalie Revealed

Published by Kane Bugeja

Whew. That’s a whole bunch of Mega faces to add to the list. Unfortunately for the sake of surprise, certain individuals had already revealed the existence of the Mega Eon Duo back in X and Y (Via some code hacking that I shan’t attempt to understand. Regardless, it’s now official and the Dragon/Psychic Legendaries are looking faster than ever. Half dragon, half bird, half fighter jet. Awesome. Interestingly, the duo loses their distinctive colouration and both shift to a purple hue. Just one of the many possibilities of Mega Evolution I guess. Speaking of Mega reveals, some astute players of the Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire demo have stumbled upon some new members of this ever expanding club. Within the Japanese demo, it was found that the Iron Snake Steelix possesses more power than previously believed, rockin’ a pretty intense new form (complete with diamonds and a support ring of metal). Not to be outdone, players of the Korean demo also happened upon Mega Glalie, who looks a bit more confident in showing off those pearly whites. …

Gamestop Celebrates Halloween with a Pokemon Treat

Published by Kane Bugeja

Do you live in America? Do you know where to find a Gamestop? Are you a fan of Pokemon? If you answered yes then congratulations, you are in a group that can nab themselves a little something extra as the scary holiday season rolls around. From OCtober 13th-26th, Gamestop will be distributing a special Gengar (because he’s a ghost and Halloween and stuff). Not only is this ethereal friend shiny, it also comes with a Gengarite, allowing you to power up and decimate your opponents. Really, Mega Gengar is a really good Pokemon. Plus, just to make it a little more unique, this Gengar comes equipped with Sludge Wave, a move it cannot normally learn. Neat. While your at it, why not jump onto the Nintendo Network and grab the special Halloween Pumpkaboo as well? You can never have to many ghosts on your side and a Super-Size pumpkin sounds like a fun ally to have. Especially one that knows how to trick and treat. -30-

SnapThirty Presents: SnapCast Episode 8 – Inverse Rave Party

Published by Kane Bugeja

In this episode, Kane discovers that Frank and Luke have plans to found a new podcast with the help of a special guest. With the new anime season having just begun, conversation also turns to what series the guys are watching, as well as what stands out amidst the slew of titles. The topic of anime censorship also rears its head, as the guys simply wonder why.   Want to download the Mp3 for yourself? Right click the link and choose ‘Save Link As…’ – SnapCast Episode 8 –  “Inverse Rave Party” You can also subscribe to our podcast on iTunes: Click Here -30-

The Tale Of Princess Kaguya – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

One of the more recent Studio Ghibli films directed by Isao Takahata, ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ theatrically recreates the Japanese folkloric story originally titled ‘The Tale Of The Bamboo Cutter’. This film tells the story of a childless couple who come across a supernatural apparition which just so happens to be a baby girl smaller than the palm of a hand. Laced with lessons, morals and tender moments, ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ did not do as well as many other Studio Ghibli films and that, combined with the retiring of Hayao Miyazaki, eventually lead to the ‘temporary’ closing of Studio Ghibli. Such an unfortunate outcome. Thanks to Madman Entertainment in conjunction with the Dendy string of semi-independent movie theaters, Kane Bugeja and I were given the chance to experience the myth on the big screen. ‘The Tale Of Princess Kaguya’ follows a young girl birthed from the heavens who finds herself the daughter of a bamboo cutter and his wife. Unable to have kids, this old couple was eventually blessed by the Gods …

Terra Formars Video Game Announced – Riddled With Censorship?

Published by Frank Inglese

This definitely seems to me like the worst time to announce something like this for the newly adapted Anime series ‘Terra Formars’. Based on a much-loved Manga series of the same name, the new Anime has only just begun airing and, to the surprise of everyone involved…it kind of sucks. Why though? Because, seeing as it’s Japanese time slot is quite early in the night, it is absolutely riddled with censorship which means we’re not seeing the things that made the Manga so gripping. More specifically; the death and destruction. It was just announced over the weekend that a ‘Terra Formars’ video game has been in the works for quite some time and is set for a release on the Nintendo 3DS in 2015. Being developed by a seemingly unknown studio, ‘FuRyu’, I’m not sure hopes are high for the success of this game considering the bad taste left in audiences mouths after the first few episodes of the Anime. Being someone trying to stay positive about all things, I hope the game comes out …

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate – Megaman Collaboration Revealed

Published by Frank Inglese

Interesting…It looks as though, from what was just announced, Capcom hasn’t entirely forgotten about their one-time mascot ‘Megaman’. Their upcoming Western release of ‘Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate’, much like the Japanese version of the same game, will come with a slew of additional content coming in the form of collaboration material. ‘Mario’, ‘The Legend Of Zelda’ and now…’Megaman’ will all be featured in some way, shape or form throughout the game. Palico, your feline companion who has been present from the beginning of the ‘Monster Hunter’ series, will now be able to equip a special armour to make it look like the Blue Bomber himself. Adding to the overall illusion is a hammer based upon Megaman’s trusty dog sidekick Rush that Palico can wield while helping you take down dragons, serpents, large bugs and everything in between. Capcom released a video regarding the new collaboration that we’ve provided for you below. ‘Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate’ for the 3DS will be hitting the west sometime in early 2015 so prepare start honing your hunting skills and …

Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire – Mega Beedrill and Pidgeot Revealed

Published by Frank Inglese

Two more generation one Pokemon have been revealed to be able to Mega evolve in the latest issue of Japan’s much-loved gaming magazine ‘CoroCoro’, neither of which us here at SnapThirty saw coming. Representing Viridian Forest of the Kanto region, the two latest Mega evolutions are none other than Beedrill and Pidgeot. Revealed alongside them is the Mega Evolutions of Latios and Latias but any true Pokemon fan would have already known about them seeing as they were leaked many months ago back when Pokemon X and Y was first released. Though that doesn’t make it any less exciting. After Mega Evolving, Pidgeot gains the ability ‘No Guard’, an ability that acts exactly how it sounds; it makes it so enemies can always be hit, even during invulnerability periods like when a Pokemon uses Fly. Beedrill, also retaining its type combination of Bug and Poison, gains the ability Adaptability which changes STAB moves from a 1.5x buff to a 2x buff. Not much has been revealed about Mega Latios and Latias apart from that you …

First Thoughts: “Garo: The Animation” – Long Live The Kink

Published by Frank Inglese

I’ll be honest with you, reader, until the news came up on my daily surfing, I had no interest in watching this show. After seeing that one of my favorite new online Anime distributors, AnimeLab, was simulcasting this series I decided to go ahead and watch the first episode…lucky I did otherwise I would have missed out on one hell of an engaging series opener. Knowing absolutely nothing of what the series had to offer, I jumped in mostly blind. So blind, in fact, that I was a bit surprised when I finally figured out that the series is set entirely in what looks to be medieval times. ‘Garo: The Animation’, from what I’ve read, is an Anime series that is actually based upon a tokusatsu television show of the same name though I don’t believe it is set in the exact same time as the Anime. I am only judging by the screenshots I’ve seen, so if you’re a fan of the television show and have some information that can prove me wrong please, …

Garo: The Animation Now Available To Watch On AnimeLab

Published by Frank Inglese

Madman Entertainment are absolutely destroying it when it comes to simulcast Anime streaming. Between the dubbed ‘Space Dandy’ and the brand-new ‘Gundam’ series ‘Reconguista In G’, they’re quickly rising far above the rest when it comes to online distribution. The latest addition to their catalogue is a little Anime series called ‘Garo: The Animation’ which, for those of you not in the know, is based on a tokusatsu television series of the same name. Madman have snapped this one up and the first episode is now available to watch through their AnimeLab service of which you can get to by Clicking Here. From the studio that brought you Terror in Resonance. The King’s close advisor implemented a large-scale witch-hunt. The tragic victims of this hunt were not witches, however, but Makai Knights and Makai Priests. One Makai Priestess gave birth to a child while being burned at the stake. That child carried the bloodlines of the Golden Knight. Although he was saved by his father, a Makai Knight himself, the newborn, León Luís, suffered greatly …

Digimon All-Star Rumble – New Trailer and Screenshots Straight From NYCC

Published by Frank Inglese

Bandai Namco games have done the ‘Digimon’ fandom a real solid and released a brand-new trailer alongside some seriously exciting screenshots of their upcoming fighting game title ‘Digimon All-Star Rumble’ ahead of this weekend’s New York Comic Con where we’ll be seeing much more from the much0loved video game developer/publisher. The trailer, much like the initial one that was released, takes audiences through a couple battles between ‘Digimon’ series favourites like Veemon, Gomamon and Gatomon. It shows ‘Digivolutions’ and special techniques that can be pulled off in-game. It’s the new screenshots, though, that are the more exciting of the new information because they introduce the world to the ‘Digimon All-Star Rumble’ story mode. This gameplay mode, featured in many if not all fighting games, will serve is the single player experience wherein which you’ll choose your favorite digital partner to take on a whole bunch of different enemies before going head-to-head with a ‘Digimon Rival’ which will signify the end of a level. Supposedly playing through the story mode will bring more about the games …

First Thoughts: “Chaika The Coffin Princess: Avenging Battle” – Guns and Swords and Magic and Stuff

Published by Frank Inglese

Hey, reader! Can you believe it has been four months since the first season of ‘Chaika The Coffin Princess’ finished? Yeah, it’s been FOUR MONTHS! It doesn’t seem like four months is that large of a time span but, think about it, a lot can happen in four months. The most notable thing for me would be the creation and development of the site you’re currently reading from, so you can see why it feels as though it’s been a long time since I last laid eyes on the wonderfully engaging Anime. For those of you not up to speed; basically ‘Chaika The Coffin Princess’, ‘Hitsugi No Chaika’ in Japanese, follows the journey of a young gothic lolita lass called Chaika. As you can probably already assume; she carries around a coffin that happens to play host to a long-range magic firearm she refers to as a ‘Gundo’. This coffin, by the end of the first season, also happens to safely hold the individual limbs of here once alive father who was the lands greatest …

Natural Doctrine – Now Available Across Australia and New Zealand

Published by Frank Inglese

Can you hear that, reader? It’s the breaking of waves upon our local shores and with them comes another great video game import courtesy of NIS America and their Australian distribution pals over at Bandai Namco. ‘Natural Doctrine, the hardcore tactical RPG, has finally landed in Australia and New Zealand to the delight of many fans who’ve been waiting in anticipation for a local release ever since the game was first announced. This game, which has been noted as one only for the strong at heart, is available for purchase physically right now but for those of you wanting to add it to your digital collection, well you’ll have to wait another week though, if you think about it, that isn’t too far away. A Sony exclusive, ‘Natural Doctrine’ can be purchased for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita; the holy trio! There’s no reason for any RPG lover to pass this game by but if you don’t believe me, maybe you’ll believe NIS America: Developed as Kadokawa Game Studio’s inaugural title, NAtURAL …

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMix Showcases New Trailer

Published by Kane Bugeja

Calling all Kingdom Heartthrobs. Having already seen the HD 1.5 ReMix in all its revamped glory, you have no doubt been looking forward to the upcoming HD 2.5 ReMix. Though the game itself is yet to be released, Square Enix has launched a new trailer dubbed “Introducing the Magic”. So sit back and enjoy as this montage briefly takes you through the stories of Kingodm Hearts 2 Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Enjoy the re-rendered HD graphics and see how many times you can say “Kingdom Hearts” without it starting to sound weird. -30-

Behind the Scenes of Persona Q + New Trailers for Aigis and Rei

Published by Kane Bugeja

With Persona Q still dwelling on the horizon of releases, we’ve still got some waiting to do before we can enjoy the once again interlocking story of Personas 3 and 4. So to help tide you over, why not check out this little look behind the scenes with three of your favourite Persona voices and the two actors who create them. So enjoy as Karen Strassman (Nanako/Aigis) and Amanda Winn Lee (Yukiko) tell you a little about work behind the microphone and what it is to be their respective characters. Also you get to learn somebody’s favourite swear word. While you’re in a video watching mood, why not check out the character trailers for series mainstay Aigis and newcomer Rei? -30-  

First Thoughts: ‘Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons’ – No Holds Barred Anime

Published by Luke Halliday

Well that was unexpected. I went in expecting 23 minutes of mechs duking it out with dragons. What I got however was one of the hardest hitting anime series in years, throwing me completely for a loop with its no holds barred tale that isn’t afraid to challenge its audience. Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons comes from the minds behind Valvrave the Liberator and Gundam SEED, both great anime series in their own very different ways. Cross Ange definitely has the right pedigree behind it and this first episode wears it like a medal of honor. The episode opens with a flash forward to an epic clash with dragonic invaders, only to immediately flash back to the story of a young princess by the name of Angelise. Set within a world that mixes futuristic technology with a magical fantasy setting, the series has a very unique backdrop for its story. In this world there are two types of people, Mana Users and Normas. Normas are outcasts of society due to their inherent ability to cancel …

‘Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works’ Licensed by Hanabee

Published by Luke Halliday

Fate/stay night fans have reason to be excited with the official announcement coming through that Hanabee Entertainment have officially acquired the license for the latest installment in the series, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works. The acquisition was announced through the Hanabee LIVE show earlier today. The series will begin streaming on Hanabee.com.au starting Sunday, October 12th at 2am with new episodes following on each week at the same time. Alongside the streaming announcement Hanabee have confirmed the series for a 2015 DVD and Blu-Ray release. Check out the trailer for the series below and let us know what you think in the comments section. -30-

Super Smash Bros. For The 3DS – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

Arguably, the latest addition to the ‘Super Smash Bros.’ series of crossover fighting video games is the most anticipated of its legendary lineage. It may be that the internet has grown and hype is now something that explodes and expands beyond all fathomability. It may be that we’re just more excitable in this day and age. It may also be that Nintendo have been secretly drugging us to become more addicted to their games. Regardless of all that, I believe it’s that it is the first of the series to come to a handheld console. That, alongside some other seriously impressive factors like upgraded graphics and large character roster, has made the game so sought after and, now that it is released and I’ve been playing it, I can see exactly why. Not that I didn’t have an idea about it beforehand. The original ‘Super Smash Bros.’ hit the Nintendo 64 just over fifteen years ago back in 1999 and ever since then the series has just gotten better with each new title. Featuring fan …

Super Smash Bros. For The Wii U – Official Release Dates Revealed

Published by Frank Inglese

Barely a week after the release of ‘Super Smash Bros. For The 3DS’, a game that was met with what I’d consider global elation, Nintendo have announced the official release dates for the upcoming console version of the game which has been similarly titled ‘Super Smash Bros. For The Wii U’. Featuring high definition graphics and certain exclusives not featured in the 3DS version of the game, ‘Super Smash Bros. For The Wii U’ is arguably one of this years most anticipated Wii U titles and it’ll be hitting local shelves around the world before the end of the year. North America will be getting the Wii U version first on the 21st of November with Europe and Japan getting it on the 5th and 6th of December respectively. What makes this announcement even better is that Nintendo also gave the world some information regarding regional bundles that can be purchased. North American gamers can purchase ‘SSB’ in a bundle that comes with a Gamecube controller and an adapter. European gamers can purchase two different …

Margaret Joins the Fray in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Published by Kane Bugeja

You’ve spoken to her countless times in that mystical blue room that lies beyond time and space, but now it’s time to put aside the formalities and get serious. That’s right guests of the Velvet Room, the one and only Margaret is bringing her combat skills to Arena Ultimax for the low, low price of $4.99. Marvel at the chance to see this cool, calm and collected lady cut loose and do some serious damage. She might even reveal a little more of the personality that lies behind her stoic glare. The Sadistic Stud-Keeping Secretary indeed… -30-

Monster Hunter 4G – Seven Deadly Sins Collaboration Weapon Revealed

Published by Frank Inglese

  What’s better than slaying giant monsters and harvesting their organs for crafting? How about doing it with a broken dragon blade? What if I was to tell you that particular sword comes from a critically acclaimed Manga series and recently adapted Anime series? Yeah! I’d be excited too! Surely by now you know of the series ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. You definitely know about the ‘Monster Hunter’ series of video games and it’s most recent/upcoming title ‘4G’ otherwise you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. Well Capcom today revealed the latest of the many collaborations that the new game will feature. This time it happens to be one that will make many fans of the Shonen genre very excited. Players, after completing a special event quest, will be able to craft themselves Meliodas’ broken dragon blade. Meliodas, the protagonist of ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ and the embodiment of Wrath, has wielded this sword for most of his combat life and now you can too. So far this collaboration item has only been announced for Japan. It …

Bandai Namco Announces ‘Sword Art Online: Lost Song’

Published by Frank Inglese

There is no rest period for the developers behind the ‘Sword Art Online’ series of video games. It was only a few months ago that we saw the Western release of the PlayStation Vita exclusive title ‘Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment’ and now we’re already being shown a brand-new game that is set for an official release some time in 2015. The game is called ‘Sword Art Online: Lost Song’ and has already been said to be coming out on both the PlayStation 3 and, once again, on the PlayStation Vita. Unlike ‘Hollow Fragment’, ‘Lost Song’ will take place in ‘Alfheim Online’ which, for those of you who havn’t seen the Anime, is where the second half of the first series takes place. This new VMMORPG (Virtual Massive Multiplayer Online Game) is quite similar to ‘SAO’ in that characters can still use bladed weaponry but it does feature some differences: One is that magic is the most looked upon form of combat for those playing the game and the other is that all the characters …

Siren Visual brings ‘Angel Beats’ to AnimeLab Streaming Service

Published by Luke Halliday

Following their announcement that The Devil is a Part Timer would be streamed on Madman’s AnimeLab service, Siren Visual are back again with another anime series from their rich catalogue of titles. This time they are bringing the modern anime classic that is Angel Beats to the AnimeLab service. Angel Beats is considered by many anime fans as one of the medium’s finest series ever made and has received critical acclaim on a global scale. From the creators of CLANNAD, Angel Beats explores the concept of the afterlife. It is a thought-provoking anime series that is held in high regard by the anime community and it is now free to stream on AnimeLab here. Be sure to check out Angel Beats on AnimeLab in its entire 14 episode run and let us know what you think in the comments section below. -30-

‘Cross Ange’ simulcasting on AnimeLab – Mecha VS Dragons, What More Could You Want?

Published by Luke Halliday

Sunrise’s latest anime epic is Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons, a series that pits mech pilots against dragons in a clash for the ages. Following their announcement of the simulcast for the latest Gundam anime series, Gundam Reconguista in G, Madman have quietly announced through the AnimeLab Facebook page that they are also simulcasting Cross Ange. The first episode of Cross Ange: Rondo of Angels and Dragons is already live on AnimeLab free to view. You can jump right on in and check out the exciting first episode of Cross Ange here. Be sure to let us know what you think of Cross Ange in the comments section below. Are you ready for the destined battle between mechs and dragons? I know I am! -30-

‘Naruto’ Manga Ending on Chapter 700, Goodbye Old Friend

Published by Luke Halliday

15 years the ninja manga epic that is Naruto will be finally coming to an end with its 700th chapter slated to be released in 5 weeks from the time of posting. The news has been leaked from the upcoming issue of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, confirming that the end is here at last. With the destined confrontation between Naruto and Sasuke finally at hand, many Naruto fans have speculated that the series was onto its final stretch, that has now been officially confirmed by Shonen Jump themselves, proving fans theories to be correct. How do you think Naruto will end? With the epic final battle between Naruto and Sasuke set to conclude the series, who do you think will stand tall as the victor of this fated clash? Let us know in the comments section below. All I have to say is: Goodbye, old friend and thanks for the memories. -30-

Hands On With Freedom Wars – EB Expo 2014

Published by Kane Bugeja

Now if you’ve been paying attention to this particular title, you’d know that it has already seen its release in Japan. But, as is the norm for Japanese games, we here in the West have had to wait for Freedom Wars to line our shelves. As such, it was a nice little treat to be able to get my hands on the game and give it a try. First things first, the game looks amazing. It really makes you wonder how the PS Vita has continued to be one of the most under-appreciated consoles of this generation. The character models are clean, the enemies are detailed and the environments are expansive. You can also customize what your character, and their partner, look like, with the promise of more options as you continue through the game. It’s a cool little aesthetic touch that showed, even through the demo, that there will be a whole lot to do within the game. In the demo mission I jumped into, I was pitted against a robot that had decided, …

Hands On With Splatoon – EB Expo 2014

Published by Frank Inglese

Nintendo, by far, had the best booth at this years EB Expo. It featured games like ‘Super Smash Bros For 3DS’, ‘Super Smash Bros. For Wii U’, ‘Sonic Boom: Rise Of Lyric’, ‘Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker’ and so much more that, in my opinion, really outshined the rest. The biggest game there was supposed to be the brand-new ‘Super Smash Bros.’ but, thanks to a clashing release date, people didn’t necessarily have a need to line up to play for five minutes when they could just as easily have bought their very own copy before arriving, much like what we at SnapThirty did. This did not end as negetively as you would think, people still enjoyed playing the game with each other but something that was more exciting to me is that people were paying more attention to the other games at the booth. One in particular and the one in the title of this article is ‘Splatoon’; an upcoming video game that had not been on my radar at all…until now. Luke and I …

Retro Central Park, Weird and Retro’s Gaming Wonderland – EB Expo 2014

Published by Luke Halliday

While EB Expo 2014 was an event largely fueled by the notion of giving gamers a look at the future of gaming, the Weird and Retro team decided to buck trends by bringing back their Retro Garden from last year’s event, only bigger and better, say “Hello!” to Retro Central Park. The Retro Central Park booth at EB Expo 2014 was put simply a gaming wonderland. With consoles dating back to the 70s like the Atari 2600 and even the ever popular Commodore 64 present. All of this came together to make a magnificent trip down memory lane with the entire history of gaming on show in this wonderful booth. During my time at the Retro Central Park I got my hands on all kinds of consoles. I was particularly drawn to the Dreamcast (a real blast from the past for me) where I played Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes. On the other Dreamcast was the deadset classic that is Crazy Taxi. I was hugely impressed by the fact that the Dreamcasts were …

Hands On With Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric – EB Expo 2014

Published by Kane Bugeja

Well now Sonic fans here we are, at the precipice of witnessing yet another incarnation of the Blue Blur, the mascot that has time and time again not received the attention he deserves. Granted not all past games featuring this particular Hedgehog have been well received, but he is nevertheless an icon of gaming. But what of this newest rendition? Will it serve to strengthen the franchise, or will people be left wanting? Well, from my brief interaction with the title, I will attempt to answer this from my perspective. Featuring brief snippets of gameplay, the Sonic Boom demo featured three selectable levels: two running tracks and one bossfight. How about we talk about running first, it is Sonic after all. As with the more recent games in the franchise, Sonic Boom takes the 3D, over the shoulder perspective when in these levels. Sonic and his companions, who rotate depending on the level, do what one of them does best and run towards the end of the course, dodging all manner of obstacles. Jumps, walls, all …

Hands On With Dead Or Alive 5: Last Round – EB Expo 2014

Published by Frank Inglese

After playing through a grueling mission of ‘Samurai Warriors 4’ I decided to tackle a couple of fights in the upcoming ‘Dead Or Alive 5’ upgraded re-release ‘Last Round’ at the Koei Tecmo booth at this years EB Expo. Being a huge Yokai fanboy, my obvious character choice was Nyotengu; a sexy, winged babe with some seriously deadly kicks and an air of beauty I couldn’t seem to get past. Not knowing a thing about the ‘Dead Or Alive’ series, apart from how much fanservice it happens to host, I jumped into ‘Last Round’ fairly blind which probably worked out for the better because I was actually pleasantly surprised. I played four rounds, one of which I was the victor and the other three of which I was put on my ass within the first ten seconds and stayed there until I was put out of my misery. That’s fine though because I actually had heaps of fun with it. I found the control system to be somewhat odd but I’m under the impression that …

Bushiroad Booth, Playing Cards With Buddies – EB Expo 2014

Published by Luke Halliday

Card Games Enthusiasts were out in full force at EB Expo 2014, with the bustling Bushiroad booth booming with business and Cardfighters getting down to business. The big hit card game of EB Expo was undoubtedly the newest game on the scene, FutureCard Buddyfight. I rocked up to the booth and noticed immediately that their was a Cardfight Vanguard tournament taking place later during the day with a huge gold trophy going to the victor. Knowing that I suck at Cardfight Vanguard I aptly decided not to sign up for fear of being squashed by the mighty fist of a Cardfight master. Instead I set my eyes on FutureCard Buddyfight and was given a tutorial by the cool dudes from Oz Animart. Upon beginning my tutorial game I learned that Buddyfight has a lot of similarities to Vanguard however there are some significant differences present. In particular the game’s gauge system and Buddy Call abilities. I got the feeling that Buddyfight is a more simplified version of Vanguard. While Vanguard relies on heavy strategic play, …

Hands On With Bayonetta 2 – EB Expo 2014

Published by Kane Bugeja

At the Nintendo booth at EB Expo 2014, in an abutting booth curtained off from the general crowds (for reasons you will come to understand), two consoles presented to us a wacky title chock full of magic, angels, demons, sensuous dancing and hair. In other words: Welcome to Bayonetta 2. If you ever sat down and played a little game called Bayonetta, then the explanation that follow will sound funny, hopeful and all around awesome. If you haven’t had the chance to play it, well, things might sound a little weird. But stick with it, because this game is totally worth it. Thought the line for the game was not explicitly lengthy, the duration of the demo available to play certainly added to the wait. It also made the wait worth it, so no complaints there. Once I made it to the head of the queue and picked up the Gamepad (which I still maintain is way more comfortable to hold than a controller with a screen may sound) I instantly remembered that Nintendo is in need of …

Hands On with Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix – EB Expo 2014

Published by Luke Halliday

Fans of the Kingdom Hearts franchise are used to remakes and remixes at this point, some love it, some don’t. These remix releases have been the source of a great amount of affectionate response from fans but simultaneously has received a lot of criticism with some fans considering it to be stalling tactics from Square Enix. At Bandai Namco’s EB Expo 2014 booth, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix was on show and we were lucky enough to get some hands on times with this all too familiar title. The game plays the same as it once did on the PlayStation 2, with the exception of some tighter mechanics and the obvious visual updates. Obviously if you have never played the original Kingdom Hearts 2 and affiliated titles such as Birth By Sleep, you’re going to get a lot out of this title. On the other hand long time fans of the series are going to find very little on offer from this game. If you have played these games before there isn’t much new in …

Hands On With Samurai Warriors 4 – EB Expo 2014

Published by Frank Inglese

Steady readers of this site will know that I am a huge fan of Samurai. It doesn’t really matter what the medium is, so long as a Samurai or Samurai-type character features somewhere within it I’ll be happy. This is why I practically ran to the Koei Tecmo booth as soon as I entered the hall of this years EB Expo. I dashed past ‘Dead Or Alive 5: Last Round’ and past the ‘Metal Gear Solid’ presentation room just so I could sink my teeth in what I believed to be the ‘next big thing’ in Samurai gaming and…I was not let down. Unfortunately, during the time I was at the booth, it didn’t have much traffic. Unfortunate for the company trying to advertise their games but fortunate for someone like me who was happy to jump the cue so as to not have to wait in line; the thing I hate the very most. Whoever had played before me clearly didn’t stick around to finish the mission they started, I jumped into it half …

Nintendo’s Amiibo, Pretty in Person – EB Expo 2014

Published by Luke Halliday

Nintendo’s booth was bouncing at EB Expo 2014, getting by the far the biggest turn out of all the Big 3, with countless great titles on display including the hotly anticipated Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U. Perhaps not as highly anticipated but still of great interest was the upcoming Amiibo figures which were present at the booth and if I do say so myself looking pretty damn fine. On show was a large number of Amiibo based upon the cast of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U. Characters such as Villager, Donkey Kong and even fan favourite Wii Fit Trainer were present. The figures were all highly detailed with even the minutest of intricacies were captured in these brilliantly rendered replicas. We didn’t get to see how the figures would work with games but the figure quality was absolutely astonishing in and of itself. I was largely impressed by the quality of these Amiibo and found myself wanting to take some of them home as their appealing nature make them …

Hands On With Super Smash Bros. For Wii U – EB Expo 2014

Published by Frank Inglese

Something I’m sure you all know is that the new ‘Super Smash Bros.’ video game title has been the talk of the globe for the last few months with fans of the fighter waiting in heavy anticipation for the new game to be released. Nintendo, being who they are, released a demo for the game about a week or so before the games actual release and it seemed as though it was just enough to whet peoples appetites and boost what already was a bullet train of hype. Australian gamers were delivered good news with Nintendo announcing that ‘Super Smash Bros.’ for both the 3DS and Wii U will be playable at the 2014 EB Expo which, at the time of writing this article, has just passed. This would have been so much more exciting for those waiting for the game if the 3DS version of it wasn’t coming out the Saturday of the event. Before us here at SnapThirty even reached Sydney Olympic Park to attend, we had already gotten our copies of the …

Natural Doctrine – Available Now Across Europe

Published by Frank Inglese

Oh, here it is! NIS America are super excited to announce that their much anticipated RPG title ‘Natural Doctrine’ is now available across Europe! We’ve been waiting for this game for what seems like an eternity at this point in time and finally we’ve got it. Available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, ‘Natural Doctrine’ takes role playing games to a whole other level with a groundbreaking combat systems, fantastic graphics and an interesting story but I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re about to go and purchase this game. Think you’re good at RPGs? Think again! Being compared to ‘Dark Souls’, ‘Natural Doctrine’ is an incredibly exciting but punishing game that’ll have even the most strategic of minds sweating with fear. Head into any good video game retailer now to grab yourself a copy of ‘Natural Doctrine’ or, if you’re not a physical copy person, wait another week and grab yourself the digital version. Either way, you wont regret grabbing this …

Pokemon: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire – Mega Rayquaza Confirmed

Published by Frank Inglese

Let’s be honest, reader: Mega Rayquaza being a ‘thing’ comes as no surprise, seeing as Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre have already been confirmed…it doesn’t make it any less exciting though! Yosha! Here it is, finally confirmed, it’s Mega Rayquaza! Fellow SnapThirty writer and friend Beau was right when he speculated about this particular evolution in a previous article and now he can brag about it until the cows come home. This new evolution was confirmed through a huge Nintendo livestream focusing entirely on the upcoming Pokemon video game remakes ‘Omega Ruby’ and ‘Alpha Sapphire’. For the most part, the stream just featured gameplay footage of the things we’ve already seen about the game…but then came Mega Rayquaza. This bad boy (or girl), once Mega Evolved, gains the brand-new ability Delta Stream which brings about a weather effect that cancels out all other weather effects and makes it so flying types are no longer prone to the moves that they’d usually be weak against. That’s not all though, not by a long shot; Mega Rayquaza …

‘Gundam Reconguista In G’ simulcasting on AnimeLab, Gundam Mania Running Wild!

Published by Luke Halliday

Gundam maniacs stand up now because you might just fall off the edge of your seat in anticipation for Madman Entertainment’s simulcast of the upcoming installment in the legendary mecha anime franchise, Gundam Reconguista In G. Fear not Gundam fans, the series is crash-landing to the AnimeLab streaming service on October 3rd, 2014 at 8AM AEST. Gundam Reconguista In G is the next stage in the ultimate mecha anime franchise. The anime is made in celebration of the Mobile Suit Gundam series 35th Anniversary and looks to take the series back to its roots while introducing some fresh new concepts. Also a brand new mobile suit is said to be introduced by the name of G-Self, the latest and greatest mobile suit. Be sure to check out the brand new series on AnimeLab.com each and every Friday, with new episodes launching at 7.30AM from October 10th onward. Madman has also confirmed they plan to release the series on DVD and Blu-Ray down the line. What else needs to be said? Gundam mania is at a …

Princess Knight DVD Boxset Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

It’s not easy being a Prince. Granted it’s probably not a breeze to be a peasant, but still. A life of etiquette, of rules, all whilst knowing that they will one day have to take over the family business…once the current King dies of course. That is of course if they are in fact a Prince. It would certainly complicate matters if the King’s only child was a girl, who by definition could not become King. But if that were the case, everybody would surely know about it…right? First things first, this is a really difficult series to review. In addition to objectively judging how everything in the series comes together, I also can’t ignore the fact that this is an old anime. As in it’s 47 years old. Anime from last year is considered kinda old, so you can imagine how this one plays out. Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Silverland, a child was born to the King and Queen. An heir to sit on the throne when their era was over…or so …

Persona Q: Get To Know Junpei And Newcomer Zen With These New Trailers

Published by Frank Inglese

ATLUS, you magnificent bastards! You’ve gone and delivered us another set of trailers for your upcoming ‘Persona’ title ‘Shadow Of The Labryinth’ and us fans of the series love you for it! Yes, you read correctly, ATLUS have today released three new trailers for ‘Persona Q: Shadow Of The Labyrinth’ and this time they focus on the cap-wearing superstar himself Junpei Iori as well as an original character for the game, a man they call Zen. Alongside these two trailers comes another video that shows us the ‘Persona 3’ side of the story. It shows all of our favorite ‘Persona 3’ characters in one place as well as their initial meeting with the cast of ‘Persona 4’. The main focus though are our friends Junpei and Zen who will star in the game alongside a whole bunch of other ‘Persona’ favorites all of which can be added to your team and used as you see fit. It’s the ultimate ATLUS crossover title! ‘Persona Q’ is set for a release, as mentioned, on the Nintendo 3DS …

From The New World: Part Two – Review

Published by Frank Inglese

As humans, we don’t exactly know the truth of this world. Really, there’s only so much we can know! Think about it; we don’t even EXACTLY know how the universe started. We have a good idea about it but, honestly, a great deal of this world is but a huge mystery just waiting to be solved. Now what if I was to tell you that the world was an entirely different place before you were born? Not just the way people speak, the way they dress or their mannerisms. I mean ENTIRELY different. Unrecognizably different. Unbelievable different. It would be kind of daunting, right? Damn right! Conspiracy theories pop up all the time nowadays and most of them are thrown out the window labelled ‘silly’ or ‘ridiculous’ but what if some were true? What if the royal family really are a bunch of lizard-people eating our babies? What if the world destroyed itself hundreds of years ago and the life we lead now is just humanity’s attempt at reviving what has been lost for so …

Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star Review

Published by Kane Bugeja

RPGs are a wonderous thing. They show us a myriad of worlds full of creatures, characters and chaos that has no possible chance of existing in our own. So we play these games, escape the daily grind. But have you ever wondered about the view from the other side of the screen? What would these characters think if they knew they were nought but playthings for himanity? What would they do once they found out? Welcome to Ar nosurge, a complicated story that contains within it one of the most interesting concepts I have ever seen in a game. Now this facet of Ar nosurge isn’t explicitly revealed until a ways into the game, so if you’re not one for spoilers, maybe skip to the next paragraph. Hinted at with the introduction of the playable character Earthes, Ar nosurge features a powerful plot device known as Interdimend. This force is one explained to connect the dimension of the game to one higher: the 8th Dimension. Or, more specifically, our dimension. Yeah. As in you, me, …

SCANDAL Announce New Album and World Tour, Say ‘HELLO WORLD!’

Published by Luke Halliday

Japanese Pop Rock superstar girl group SCANDAL has announced that they will be releasing a brand new album on December 3rd, 2014 coinciding with an upcoming world tour beginning in early 2015. SCANDAL are one of the most critically acclaimed Japanese musical acts, with global recognition for their hit songs such as Harukaze which served as the opening theme to the anime Bleach. The new album is set to be titled ‘HELLO WORLD’ and lends its name to their 2015 ‘HELLO WORLD’ Tour. The World Tour will take these lovely ladies all across Japan and to countries such as the United States, France, England, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. A single is expected to launch ahead of the album on November 19, the song will be titled ‘Image’, so stay tuned for that. This is all great news for fans of SCANDAL but as an Australian fan of these rockin’ ladies, can we please get an Australian leg of this tour? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. -30-

Dragon Quest X coming to PS4?

Published by Luke Halliday

Recently during a Q&A session with fans on NicoNico, Yosuke Saito, the producer of Dragon Quest X, expressed interest in the possibility of bringing the MMO to PlayStation 4. At the time of writing, Dragon Quest X is a Wii U exclusive title that has only been released in Japan. There has not even been any plans detailed for a Western release of the game despite the countless rumours of such a thing happening popping up the past year or two. While Saito didn’t elaborate much on his comment. His apparent interest in bringing the game to the PlayStation 4 will no doubt get Dragon Quest fans talking. The possibilities available to the game if it were to be ported to PS4 are countless and I for one hope to see the day it makes its way onto the console and ultimately to Western audiences. For now stay tuned for more information on this developing story as it comes to light. Let us know you thoughts on the potential of Dragon Quest X coming to …

Soul Eater now streaming on AnimeLab

Published by Luke Halliday

Madman Entertainment have announced that after huge fan request they have officially begun streaming Soul Eater on their AnimeLab streaming service. The series is of course wildly popular and has an incredible fan following particularly in the West. The series follows Soul Eater and Maka, Weapon and Meister respectively as they attend Death Weapon Meister Academy and take on supernatural enemies all in the goal of collecting 100 evil souls. You can check out all 51 episodes of Soul Eater in Japanese with English subtitles over at AnimeLab here. What other series do you think should begin streaming on AnimeLab? Let us know in the comments section below. -30-

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Out Now

Published by Kane Bugeja

Well Persona fans you’ve all been beary patient, but the wait is finally over. That’s right, Arena Ultimax is out now, just waiting for you to pit your favourite characters from Persona 3 and 4 against each other in a whole new fight for survival. Though, for a nice little bonus, any DLC (glasses, navigators, colours) you downloaded for Persona 4 Arena will carry over. So feel free to take your favourite coloured outfit online and challenge anyone else who owns P4AU, which you can totally do because there’s no region restrictions for online play (though there is of course no cross-platform play). Continuing on from the last Arena title, our heroes are back to discover once and for all who the mastermind behind the tournament is. Of course their investigation could go a little smoother, were it not for the mysterious and highly skilled Sho Minazuki who stands in their way. Or the other Sho, who also stands in their way… Anyway, check out the celebratory launch trailer, get pumped and then get the …