Old-school RPG fans can now rejoice, for Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II are for the first time now available on mobile phones in North America. These iPhone releases mark the seventeenth (at least) re-release of the original Final Fantasy. Of course, these updated versions show all of the polish that comes with remastering a game once every year or so.

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So what does a storied Japanese role-playing game franchise have in common with the NBA? Nothing, but that was until today. Square Enix today announced the partnership with the NBA to promote Final Fantasy XIII during this year’s 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. As the “presenting partner” of the Celebrity Game, Final Fantasy XIII will have “prominent exposure” throughout the game, including a Center Court logo. As apart of this partnership you’ll hear the commentators constantly saying “Final Fantasy XIII releasing March 9th”. You’ll probably be watching a ton of Final Fantasy commercials to go along with that as well.

Square Enix isn’t only trying to promote their upcoming title to the television audience, as they will have a Final Fantasy XIII area at the NBA All-Star Jam Session where fans will be able to play the game before it comes out. This move is a bit surprising since the NBA audience isn’t the Japanese RPG playing type but it’s a great move by Square Enix to try and bring in new gamers into the franchise.

“FINAL FANTASY XIII, the next evolution in videogame entertainment, will appeal to first time players and series fans alike,” said John Yamamoto, President and CEO of Square Enix, Inc.,  “We are delighted to be the presenting partner at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and give fans a chance to experience the most highly anticipated game of the year before it launches on March 9.”

The 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by FINAL FANTASY XIII will tip off on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. EST (6:00 p.m. CST) from the Dallas Convention Center. So if you live in the Dallas area and can’t wait a month to get a chance to play the game you might want to head over to the Jam Session and get a sneak peak.

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Square Enix tossed some information out their backdoor today in the form of the Final Fantasy XIII Collector’s Edition information.  The dogs sniffed it a little bit, kicked some dirt on it and shuffled back to their doggie houses.  Yes, it’s a bit lackluster, unless you enjoy the types of things they always offer in these collector’s editions.  It has your soundtrack and your various art pieces.  La-dee-da.

This PAL version of the CE will include:

We North American fans could hold out hope that they’ll release a different version for our hard-earned dollars to grab up.  I won’t be holding my breath.

When I order a collector’s edition, and I rarely do, it’s because it features something interesting like a figurine, a plushie, or even a poster.  Art books are okay, but only something I ever look through once and then shelve somewhere.  Soundtracks I’ve never quite understood because when playing the game, we listen to those same songs for hours on end.  There have been a few blazing exceptions in the Final Fantasy and Persona series where I felt a desire to listen to soundtracks outside of the game, but it’s rare.  Am I alone in this?  Do the things featured in this CE appeal to you as gamers, or do you look for more?  Like I said, I’m hoping for a different version for North America.  I want a Lightning doll.

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It’s Wednesday and time again for more Xbox Live Arcade titles to be rolled out. This week’s releases include Square Enix’s Death by Cube and Konami’s Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment. With Death by Cube adding a little depth to its speediness and Vandal Hearts adding speed to its in-depth tactics-rpg gameplay, this week’s releases will be sure to leave you a little light in the pockets.

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Less than a month since the release of 0 Day Attack on Earth, Square Enix, the game’s publisher, has dropped some DLC for us titled “London Map Pack.” The 560 Microsoft Point expansion allows you to battle invaders among the cityscape of London, adding to the included Tokyo, Paris, and New York. Also added is new invaders, the ability to select a higher difficulty setting, and a boss battle.
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I’ve been lukewarm about the imminent release of Final Fantasy XII, until today. I think I’m a sucker for trailers, and I know I’m a sucker for anything Final Fantasy, but even so, this one tugs at the heartstrings. It brings the Leona Lewis song together with some fantastic voice work and even lips that move in English (something I honestly did not expect as I’m so used to the dubbing generally used in North American releases of Japanese games). 

It also looks better than any RPG I’ve ever seen.  Even if it’s purely cut scenes, there’s no question that this sets a bar for animation work for future epics.  Anyway, no more talking.  Enjoy. 

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I suppose its more of a bus, and it’s probably not so creepy.  Players also get to test the game out so I’m mainly just covering up my jealousy with a bit of spite because I don’t live in the San Francisco area (or anywhere remotely interesting).  This bus tour kicks off in SanFran on the 13th of January and rolls to a stop on the 16th, giving fans a mere 3 days to hunt the pretty Bay Area streets for their fix of gorgeous RPG.  The demo is said to feature never before seen North American gameplay (I’m assuming this means its the chainsaw and monster truck level).

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Square Enix has recently announced an update and a price cut for their iPhone release Sliding Heroes. Sliding Heroes is a tilt-based strategy game where players can control one of four hero types across 130 different monster- and trap-littered stages. The new update for the game offers a few graphical tweaks, an adjustable difficulty setting, and tilt calibration options to optimize control. To go along with the new update, Square Enix announced that until the end of December, Sliding Heroes will be available for only $1.99.

Also announced was a new IP for the iPhone titled Hills and Rivers Remain. Hills and Rivers Remain is a real-time strategy title where players take on the role of Alan, a commander in the Julius army, who is set to right the wrongs committed by his former friend in order to save his homeland.

Hills and Rivers Remain touts satisfying RTS battles, an intuitive touch-based control scheme, tutorials, and an achievement-based gameplay mode. Hills and Rivers Remain will also have downloadable maps released sometime after its release. The game is currently available right now for the price of $6.99.

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Square Enix, the rockstar developer behind the massive Final Fantasy franchise, is taking applications (of sorts) for players willing to help beta test their upcoming MMO Final Fantasy XIV.

Applicants will need an active internet connection capable of “downloading large amounts of data”, a Square Enix ID account, be at least 18 years or older, a Windows machine capable of running the game, and be ready and willing to submit bug reports in Japanese, English, German, or French.

Applicants will be based solely on the information provided in the applications. Several rounds of testers will be recruited, each one more than the last. Only one application per person is allowed, however. Repeat applications will nullify the original.

The application information page can be found on the FFXIV website. Good luck everybody!

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Beating back long time stereotypes of being last to release any sort of video game related object, Square-Enix Europe today released the box art for Final Fantasy XIII for the Xbox 360 and PS3, followed by the American version. Relatively minimalist, it features the name, logo and protagonist Lightning, looking just up and to the right of you.

Seriously, if I have something behind me just tell me.

I like this box art, and I like that it didn’t change to make the trip to America. Lately I’ve noticed that too many games are coming out with a mess of information on the cover, literally overcrowding it, and it’s nice to see a game presented so plainly. And that sword she’s holding IS pretty wicked awesome.

[Source: Siliconera]

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iPod owners were treated to the melodical charms of Square Enix’s portable pet project, Song Summoner, with the advent of games for the popular music device. However, with the advent of the iPod Touch and iPhone, support for games that depended on the click-wheel dwindled. Suddenly, it wasn’t about using a circular control area anymore. Thus, gamers expecting to nab this wholly underrated musical journey were dismayed, as there has been no re-release to support touchy-feely iPhone users.

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Can you believe that the shrouded mysteries around Final Fantasy XIII are finally drawing to a close? After it finally releases in Japan next month, you’ll have to tread lightly to avoid all the spoilers the Japanese players will be posting around forums with those ever-so-tempting to click Spoiler tags. And it always happens… I failed the Avoid the Spoilers test when it came to Persona 4, it’s just so hard to wait! While there is still a conjoined community for FFXIII in what we know about the game, I’d like to share a new trailer in which the music playing over the battle scenes about halfway through the trailer is simply gorgeous and the enemies are simply humongous.

[Source: Siliconera]

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Square Enix announced recently that the upcoming sequel for RTS Supreme Commander, Supreme Commander 2, is to be released March 2, 2010 on PC, and March 16, 2010 on Xbox 360.

Supreme Commander 2 is set 25 years in to the future. It will feature many new enhancements, an in-depth campaign mode, online play, and a new, unique storyline.

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Gyromancer is the result of PopCap and Square Enix getting together and bumping uglies until something beautiful came out. The title is a blend of PopCap’s undeniably addictive puzzle games (this game seems to be heavily influenced by Bejeweled) and Square Enix’s strong proprietary blend of role-playing herbs and spices. Gyromancer has players solve puzzles and puzzle-like scenarios while defeating monsters with summoned beasts and magical abilities.

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It hits the streets, y’all!  Hits. The Streets!

At least that’s what Square Enix’s official press release has to say about the streets and Final Fantasy 13 and their imminent combination.  A few confirmations can be seen at various gaming vendors around the interweb.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc., had this to say, ”We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise – FINAL FANTASY XIII will exceed all expectations.  Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010.”

I’m excited because apparently Yamamoto yells the name of the game every time he says it, and when someone’s yelling the name of their game, you know it has to be good.

Another interest tidbit that’s maybe old news but that I found enlightening was that Leona Lewis, British pop-songstress, is on board for the game’s theme song.  This may be slightly jarring as I think most of us Final Fantasy veterans are right at home hearing some Japanese soprano trill out weird renditions of fantasy music.  Then again, a pretty voice is a pretty voice, right?  The song is called “My Hands,” and is apparently Lewis’ own.  Anyone have a guess on her ever having played a video game, much less the nerd-fest that is Final Fantasy?  I’d also be curious if the song fits the game even remotely.  Regardless, I’m looking forward to hearing it.  That “Bleeding Love” number was catchy.

The countdown is on, Lightning fans.  Very soon we’ll all be either praising or hating one of the biggest games of 2010.

I’ve made you read the rest of the article before I actually said the release date.  See how clever I am?  It’s March 9th.

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