Support NeoGAF

[reminder]

Great! How are the framerate and physics? For some reason, in my head I'm picturing a jaggy, 15fps piece of shovelware. I'd like to give it a shot, though! Is it worth the $5?

Well, i paid 5€, that's more than $5 :lol but for me it was totally worth it. The physics are nice, too. Can't say anything about the framerate. Runs smooth enough for my eyes. But then again, i never really noticed framerate problems in any games except if it was completely low.

I made a small video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7IMmDt5jS0

Sorry for the quality, it's just a shitty cellphone camera. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS :lol
But maybe the video gives you a better picture of how this game runs etc.

 

[Gamecocks625]

Well, i paid 5€, that's more than $5 :lol but for me it was totally worth it. The physics are nice, too. Can't say anything about the framerate. Runs smooth enough for my eyes. But then again, i never really noticed framerate problems in any games except if it was completely low.

I made a small video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7IMmDt5jS0

Sorry for the quality, it's just a shitty cellphone camera. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS :lol
But maybe the video gives you a better picture of how this game runs etc.

No worries on the video quality. It gives me a good indication of the game. Thanks for uploading the video! I think I'll buy it.

 

[Gamecocks625]

FYI, Halfbrick released the soundtrack to Blast Off free of charge

http://www.halfbrick.com/component/content/article/112-blast-off-soundtrack-released-for-free

 

[Cruzader]

hmm is blast off a great game to buy just to play on PS3? Got a PSN card from friend and not sure what to buy since I got most big releases.

 

[Gamecocks625]

hmm is blast off a great game to buy just to play on PS3? Got a PSN card from friend and not sure what to buy since I got most big releases.

It's $2.99 and awesome. So, yes.

 

[yurinka]

Well, i paid 5€, that's more than $5 :lol but for me it was totally worth it. The physics are nice, too. Can't say anything about the framerate. Runs smooth enough for my eyes. But then again, i never really noticed framerate problems in any games except if it was completely low.

I made a small video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7IMmDt5jS0

Sorry for the quality, it's just a shitty cellphone camera. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS :lol
But maybe the video gives you a better picture of how this game runs etc.

Looks pretty good. The framerate looks ok for me.

FYI, Halfbrick released the soundtrack to Blast Off free of charge

http://www.halfbrick.com/component/content/article/112-blast-off-soundtrack-released-for-free

I prefer the one from Echoes.

 

[Rlan]

Alongside my rant yesterday about DSiWare and WiiWare, today's Most Overlooked Games Of 2009 - The PlayStation Minis!

http://www.gamerbytes.com/2010/01/overlooked_games_of_2009_the_p.php

 

[Agent X]

Good article, Rlan. I've become a big fan of Minis during their short existence so far, and I'm hoping the line will continue to prosper.

One point that you touched on that I want to address is the way Sony promotes Minis. In particular, since firmware 3.15 enabled Minis to become playable on PS3, there have been two problems that Sony needs to address (specifically SCEA, as I'm posting from my personal perspective):

1. Many PS3 owners (particularly ones that don't have PSPs or follow the PlayStation.Blog closely) might not be aware yet that Minis can be played on PS3. There are 25 or so downloadable games that these people have access to--some of which are pretty damn good--that they simply aren't paying attention to.

2. For people who are aware of Minis being playable on PS3, there's still some confusion. It's well known among Minis followers that Tetris doesn't work on PS3. I remember reading the reports from Europe that Bowling 3D is also incompatible with PS3...but is that just the European version, or the American version also? Could this game be patched to be compatible with PS3, like many other Minis were between the firmware 3.15 release date and December 22? Should someone who wants the game hold out hope for a patch?

It's also puzzling that Japan isn't embracing the Minis program. I know I've asked this in other threads, but is there any particular reason why they don't have Minis there? Obviously they are aware that Minis exist--they've got support in the firmware for them. Is SCEI uncertain how they want to market Minis there? It's not like they're recategorizing Minis to be sold as PSP games without the "Minis" label--as I understand it, the Minis games just flat-out aren't available there at all. Of all the regions that the PSP is sold in, Japan seems to be its strongest market; you'd think they'd want to give Minis a presence there, and leverage the cross-platform aspect to rope in some additional PS3 sales as well.

 

[Rlan]

Absolutely. "Does this mini work on PS3?" will be the new "Does this game have Trophies?" on the PlayStation Blog.

 

[kassatsu]

Vector TD preview.

Looks like a fairly good port. Jan 21st for EU / Feb for US.

 

[Blablurn]

i hope nobody bought this is football management. i can't believe how bad it is. the presentation is just boring and there are only a few option in terms of managing your team. ~_~

 

[Takao]

i hope nobody bought this is football management. i can't believe how bad it is. the presentation is just boring and there are only a few option in terms of managing your team. ~_~

Is that the SEGA game?

 

[Blablurn]

Is that the SEGA game?

nope, it's from sony

 

[Aru]

i hope nobody bought this is football management. i can't believe how bad it is. the presentation is just boring and there are only a few option in terms of managing your team. ~_~

Well, can't expect something like FH Manager for this price

 

[Gamecocks625]

Block Cascade Fusion looks pretty cool

http://www.pspminis.com/1235/block-cascade-fusion-–-upcoming-mini/

It's coming to the US, too. However, according to the developer, things are not moving as fast with SCEA. :/

 

[kassatsu]

Preview / PR

 

[kassatsu]

i hope nobody bought this is football management. i can't believe how bad it is. the presentation is just boring and there are only a few option in terms of managing your team. ~_~

Is it really that bad, from the write-up on PSPminis.com it sounded alright. 8.5/10 if I recall.

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Preview / PR

If there was ever a game I would buy based on the name alone it is this game

 

[kassatsu]

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/01/little-look-vector-td/

Did a little capture work on Vector TD. Would you guys like to see more minis titles?

 

[Gamecocks625]

where in the world is Block Cascade Fusion? It was supposed to be out in January.

 

[overthehill99]

Preview / PR

If this is under $5, I'll buy it. I don't even care what the game is/looks like. The name sold me.

 

[Corran Horn]

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/01/little-look-vector-td/

Did a little capture work on Vector TD. Would you guys like to see more minis titles?

Hell yes more TD games. This one needs to be out now!

 

[KamenSenshi]

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/01/little-look-vector-td/

Did a little capture work on Vector TD. Would you guys like to see more minis titles?

definitely minis need more attention

 

[Gamecocks625]

MelodyBloxx looks pretty sweet. It grabbed the Independent Games Festival Mobile "honorable mention"

Should arrive sometime in Q1 2010.

http://beatshapers.com/melodybloxx

MelodyBloxx is a music-puzzle game, featuring emerging genres: interactive music gameplay and match-3 puzzle.

* 20+ levels with outstanding audio-visual experience
* Every level features unique “skin” : graphics, animations, music and sound effects
* Interactive / gameplay-adaptive music
* Various bonuses from bombs to music slowdown
* Two game modes: classic and action/puzzle
* and more

 

[Crackers]

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/01/little-look-vector-td/

Did a little capture work on Vector TD. Would you guys like to see more minis titles?

Yes, that would be great. I have urges to buy minis, but just don't know which ones to jump on.

 

[reminder]

So february is the official minis month in europe and there are quite a few price drops already. Is Pinball Fantasies worth the price?

Here are the games on sale right now until february 18th:

* Fieldrunners (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £3.49/€3.99)
* Kahoots (was – £2.49/€2.99 now – £1.74/€1.99)
* Vempire (was – £2.49/€2.99 now – £1.74/€1.99)
* Breakquest (was – £2.49/€2.99 now – £1.74/€1.99)
* Pinball Fantasies (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £3.49/€3.99)
* Bloons (was – £3.49/€3.99 now – £1.99/€2.49)
* Mahjongg Atifacts: Chapter 2 (was – £3.49/€3.99 now – £2.49/€2.99)
* Dracula – Undead Awakening (was – £3.99/€4.99 now – £2.49/€2.99)

 

[ty_hot]

Is there any site that review Mini Games?
I want to buy some, but don't know where to start.

 

[kassatsu]

New game from Halfbrick announced: Age of Zombies

Looks to be a twin stick shooter like Dracula Undead Awakening.

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/02/trailer-age-of-zombies-minis/

 

[Captain N]

Is there any site that review Mini Games?
I want to buy some, but don't know where to start.

psnstores.com does a good job at getting PSP Minis reviews out there.

 

[Stumpokapow]

New game from Halfbrick announced: Age of Zombies

Looks to be a twin stick shooter like Dracula Undead Awakening.

http://www.psnstores.com/2010/02/trailer-age-of-zombies-minis/

Next they should make a match-3 game with pirates or a tower defence game with ninjas! I like Halfbrick, but I don't understand why any dev releases games where both the genre and the theme are utterly exhausted.

 

[DiscoJer]

Next they should make a match-3 game with pirates or a tower defence game with ninjas! I like Halfbrick, but I don't understand why any dev releases games where both the genre and the theme are utterly exhausted.

Well, I actually really wish someone would release another match 3 game for the PSP (under the minis line or regular).

AFAIK, there's basically only two regular ones - 7 wonders and PuzzleQuest. And there's a couple Bejeweled Twist types, Vempire and the upcoming Melodyblox (that I know of anyway).

There was a zombie tower defense game that was announced (Zombie Attack from iugo or something like that), but it seems to have vanished off the face of the earth

 

[Takao]

I'm getting tired of the puzzle, and tower defense games. Need something different. I bought Dracula Undead, and was not pleased with my purchase, lol. We need some platformers, or something!

 

[Lé Blade Runner]

Dracula - Undead Awakening is actually pretty addictive, and worthy of the few bucks I spent on it. I have always liked 'survival' -games of that sort, for some odd reason.

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Is there a straight up 2D platformer mini?

no messing with time
no guns
no making clones of your self
no turning the screen
no silly gimmicks

Just plain old classic left to right plain old platforming action? I hope someone makes that mini. The plain old platformer seems to be dead. Everything these days trys to have some hook

I miss the days of endless licensed 2d platformers that all played the same

 

[mclaren777]

definitely minis need more attention

Then Minis need demos.

My single favorite thing about the Xbox 360 is its Indie Games, but with those I can try before I buy. Until Sony does something similar, I don't see myself buying any Minis.

 

[yophlow]

Next they should make a match-3 game with pirates or a tower defence game with ninjas! I like Halfbrick, but I don't understand why any dev releases games where both the genre and the theme are utterly exhausted.

I'll be happy to field that one!

We have had a zombies game in development for quite a long time, and although I don't like to say it at the risk of sounding bitter, but we had it in the works long before Zombie Apocalypse, I MAED A GAM3 W1TH ZOMBIES, and so on. It's our fault, we missed the boat there as other projects had priority, and other games did really well. Props to them!

Therefore, we wanted to finish up our project and with the minis doing well figured it would be a good platform for it. We also wanted to be a little different, so added the time-traveling story, some wacky characters and stuff like Zombie T-Rex. New levels, new weapons, and significantly new gameplay. It worked out well and though there are a lot of zombie games, we still feel gamers enjoy them. Hell, we do!

It was a relatively efficient development cycle also, so we're happy that it's complete and ready to go. Regardless of the number of zombie games out there, we hope you enjoy it anyway!

We're looking at a February 25th release. See you there!

 

[Rlan]

Yay, it's finally been announced!

Not only is Age Of Zombies a great game from Halfbrick, but it also happens to be the game I did the level design for!

We've got Zombies all up in this place with this game - forget your 10 to 20 Zombies on screen limits, we've got a whole bunch of them coming to get you here!

Boom!

Splat Splat Splat!

Fwomph!

Uhh... shit, run!

Buy it for my sake, so I can continue doing this stuff! Make Rlan proud

 

[red shoe paul]

Yay, it's finally been announced!

Not only is Age Of Zombies a great game from Halfbrick, but it also happens to be the game I did the level design for!

Insta buy. Probably will be my first Mini game unless Pac Man is out by then, but I'm sure it's not going to be.

 

[Teppic]

Haven't been following the news of PSP minis at all, so seeing info about Pinball Fantasies in my inbox, the best pinball game of all time, made me a little surprised.

How does it hold up to the original? And how does it look on the PS3?

 

[overthehill99]

Insta buy. Probably will be my first Mini game unless Pac Man is out by then, but I'm sure it's not going to be.

Yeah same here. As long as it's as amazingly priced as the other Halfbrick games.

 

[Agent X]

Awesome news about Age of Zombies. The other Minis from Halfbrick were excellent, so I'll be on the lookout for this one as well.

Haven't been following the news of PSP minis at all, so seeing info about Pinball Fantasies in my inbox, the best pinball game of all time, made me a little surprised.

How does it hold up to the original?

It's a superb conversion. The developers even added the option to rotate the PSP 90 degrees and play with a vertically oriented screen.

And how does it look on the PS3?

I had some issues playing it on an SDTV, as I said in post 385 of this thread. Shearie responded a little later in post 397 to say that it looks good on HDTV.

 

[DiscoJer]

Then Minis need demos.

My single favorite thing about the Xbox 360 is its Indie Games, but with those I can try before I buy. Until Sony does something similar, I don't see myself buying any Minis.

Support for that seems to be built into the PSP's firmware, actually. If you hit the information on a game, it has a thing for "Hours Left". While I think Indy games on 360 only give you 20 minutes, not hours, most casual PC games give you an hour to demo a game.

But it hasn't been used. When it appeared (which was before Minis were announced) people thought it might be for some sort of game rental thing, but...who knows what Sony put it in there for.

 

[Gamecocks625]

Not sure if it's already common knowledge but Groovin' Blocks has been rated by the ESRB and will be published by SOE as a Minis. I'm definitely looking forward to this one.

 

[Agent X]

Not sure if it's already common knowledge but Groovin' Blocks has been rated by the ESRB and will be published by SOE as a Minis. I'm definitely looking forward to this one.

Very cool news. I had played this on a friend's Wii (where it was originally introduced as WiiWare, and later released on disc in expanded form), and always thought it was pretty cool, but never got around to getting it for myself. I'll probably wait for the Minis version instead now.

 

[Agent X]

According to this article from Joystiq, Just Add Water (the developers of Gravity Crash) has announced a new game for Minis and iPhone called Vektar Beat. They describe it as a "rhythm/puzzle" game which will sell for the low price of $1!

Tonight's episode of PS Nation podcast will have an interview, which is supposed to reveal much more information.

 

[Gamecocks625]

I mentioned in the PSPgo thread that BreakQuest should be on the US store within the next two weeks while MelodyBloxx is still 3-4 months away.

I noticed these new Minis by SNK on ESRB:

ALPHA MISSION II
This is an arcade-style scrolling shooter in which players control a small spacecraft and fly through seven fantasy stages. Players shoot missiles and lasers at enemy spacecraft and giant spaceships in the air; objects and enemies explode in...

BASEBALL STARS PROFESSIONAL
This is an arcade-style baseball game in which players can select a team and compete in tournaments to work their way up to the playoffs. Players can pitch and hit baseballs, slide into bases, and aim for home runs....

LEAGUE BOWLING
This is an arcade-style bowling game in which players bowl their way through three modes of pin-falling play: "Regulation," "Strike 90," and "Flash!" Players can select right- or left-handed bowlers, pick the weight of their bowling ball, and...

SUPER SIDEKICKS
This is an arcade-style soccer game in which players can select their team's country and compete in tournament matches against the rest of the world. Players dribble the ball down the field, avoid being fouled, and can aim for the goal when...

 

[overthehill99]

According to this article from Joystiq, Just Add Water (the developers of Gravity Crash) has announced a new game for Minis and iPhone called Vektar Beat. They describe it as a "rhythm/puzzle" game which will sell for the low price of $1!

Tonight's episode of PS Nation podcast will have an interview, which is supposed to reveal much more information.

Someone who gets it. I'll probably buy it no matter what at a dollar.

 

[Gattsu25]

Someone who gets it. I'll probably buy it no matter what at a dollar.

Yep. Gonna do the same...I bought way more iPhone games than I need all because they were dirt cheap

 

[jvm]

No Pac-Man CE... *sob*

 

[DiscoJer]

I mentioned in the PSPgo thread that BreakQuest should be on the US store within the next two weeks while MelodyBloxx is still 3-4 months away.

I noticed these new Minis by SNK on ESRB:

Are they minis or is Sony adding Neo-Geo emulation to the PSP/PS3 (like TG-16 and PS1)

From the ESRB listing, could be either one. SNK has a PSP Neo-Geo emulator (used for their various collections), I guess there is no reason they couldn't bundle a rom with that and release it as a mini.