New Atlus RPGs
 

So Atlus just announced 2 games: Contact for the DS and some sort of robot game for the GBA

Contact looks pretty cool, but I'm not to interested in the other game which just sounds pretty lame.

They're all pretty disappointing. I can think of a few other games that deserve localizations more than this. I'd like to see Devil Summoner for PSP localized, but 1Up stated some "technical problem" -- rather than give us a real reason we were left with that. Nice move.

I guess I don't mind Contact, though, as I was interested in it a few months ago after seeing the website. I recall seeing some screenshot or something that looked a bit like EarthBound on the Contact site, as well...

If they are releasing the Devil Summoner they are probably going to wait for E3, they need something to announce there. And we know they are going to release another SMT since it's pretty much their flagship series so I'd say its a safe bet that Devil Summoner will be announced at E3.

Super Robot Wars Original Generation 1&2... this is the best news I've heard all week, when this series is localized, it'll sure to stir up a big wave for Banpresto's strategy games in North America. 5 thumbs up for Atlus.

Too bad that'd be licensing hell to even try--that is, localizing anything outside of the OG line. Were you referring to SRW in a whole, yangxu?

The only recent games in the series which stand a chance of localization are these two, to my knowledge (since they don't pull in things like Voltes V, Macross, and Ideon). I'm happy to see these being localized, but the name mashing concepts scare me; granted, Atlus does a pretty good job, but I'm fearing the Zengar->Sanger and related namings.

They sure are really fun, though. I've played through OG twice, and OG2 thrice.

Na... I'm only referring to the original series from Banpresto. I know that several of the anime series such as Nadesico, Zeorymer, FMP, etc are not licensed by Bandai America, so it's rather hard for Atlus to localize the mainstream SRW series here without going through a hell of troubles trying to settle down the copyrighted problems with individual company that owns the different series. Furthermore, series like Voltes, original Getter Robo, Mazinger have yet to show their faces here, so it'd be even harder for people here to recognize the oldschool anime series...

But having said all that, if OG really did start a SRW wave here, and built an enormous fanbase, then perhaps the sales and popularity would attract attentions from these anime licensers to cooperate together and bring the other franchise of the series over... it all depends on how gamers anticipate this game. Atlus or Nintendo should focus on advertising this series a little to catch people's attentions, so the mistake of low sales number of Phoenix Wright won't be repeated again.

I'd really like the PSP version of Princess Crown to be localized. Why Atlus? Why pass it up? ;_;

btw, how much differs zoe: fist of mars (gba) with the srt gameplay?

Quite different actually, SRW is actually more or less similar to Fire Emblem in terms of game mechanisms... you choose which weapon to use, and with SRW characters, each of them has his/her own "senshin" or spirit skills that can be used in conjunction with the weapon (eg. attack x2, evasion 100%, etc). The battle cutscenes are of course, much better than Fire Emblem, especially in OG2; however, you can't control your machines in battle cutscenes like you do in ZoE.

I've read that someone wanted to release it here, but Sony wouldn't let them.

then , it just the "same" frame with the little robots?

A Super Robot Wars game in English??? Like, no fooling? Man, my brother is going to be pissing himself in excitement for a week.

Super Robot Wars: Original Generation is probably an entrance test to see if the series has any potential here. It's the safest bet because it's all Banpresto original characters, and they sidestep any sticky licensing issues. There's a small fanbase that would be all over any SRW game, but it's the mainstream audience that's the tricky part.

If they can find enough fans that will embrace the tactical combat system, it's a sure-fire thing that they'll try porting one of the main games over here. The OG games give people a familiar contact in the games where the characters first appeared, and there's plenty of animes people are familiar with represented in the games to keep people's attention. They might not have any idea who the hell Voltes V is, but they sure as hell can sell the product on Gundam Wing.

That all being said, I wouldn't be against a US orentated SWR.
I meen, the prospect of geting to smack Angels around with Optimus Prime, or using Megas XLR's All Missiles attack against Char has to be worth missing out on some of the more illusive licences.

Ok, it doesn't make up for GaoGaiGar, but what does in this day and age?

I've heard unsubstantiated rumors for a long time to the effect that Banpresto was toying with the idea of a US Super Robot Wars, using only robots from animes that were released stateside. Probably just fan speculation, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. I really think there's enough of a fan base to carry the series here if they can get their foot in the door.

Put Gundam Wing and Evangelion all over the cover and you'll get the anime nuts, and the strategy gamers should appreciate it too, since it's actually an honest-to-God good strategy series. It tends to be on the ridiculously fucking hard side of the difficulty spectrum most of the time, but there's (now) actual depth to the system, which always surprises me.