Every where we look these days it’s ’3D this’ or ’3D that’.  Honestly, enough 3D already.

Okay, we’re kidding, we like the 3D.  Afterall, it does add a compelling element to any movie or…drum roll…in this case a video game.  Konami has reissued a 3D version of their 1984 hit “Road Fighter”.  Instead of opting for a screen comparable to that in the new Nintendo 3Ds, though, they’ve chosen to go with a pair of 3D glasses that are attached to a swing arm which is subsequently attached to the cabinet of the arcade machine.  While we doubt that these will start popping up all over the place – arcades are all but dead thanks to high end at home gaming – it’s great to see a little of the old mixed with some of the new.

If you’re a bit skeptical about looking through a pair of heavily used 3D goggles you can switch off the 3D effect and play in the good old two dimensional version.

3D Shifts Drive Games into High Gear

KONAMI will release “ROAD FIGHTERS,” an all new 3D racing game featuring an online multiplayer mode, at video arcades from the end of this September. This revolutionary 3D game immerses players in one of the most thrilling arcade racing experiences on the planet.

The special 3D effects of “ROAD FIGHTERS” put players behind the wheel for racing excitement with stereoscopic and deep view. The action is fast and furious as players race neck and neck in a high speed adventure packed with thrills and spills. “ROAD FIGHTERS” delivers over-the-top excitement with a realistic sensory experience that puts players in the driver’s seat as they push the pedal to the metal in a bid to be first across the finish line.

Equipped with seat-mounted 3D glasses, “ROAD FIGHTERS” puts cutting-edge 3D game technology at players’ fingertips as they switch between 2D and 3D with the simple push of a button, enabling dual-adjustment of 3D effects. The game seat is equipped with a second 3D lens on the back so that spectators can get in on all the high-speed 3D action.

“ROAD FIGHTERS” features ‘Multiplayer Online mode’ that lets players at arcades across the country go head to head with one another in online tournaments as well as ‘Road Fighter Challenge mode’ where players can earn customized parts to tune up their car every time they successfully complete a mission.

“ROAD FIGHTERS” will be compatible with KONAMI’s PASELI digital cash system. Incorporating additional modes and unique playing features specifically designed for PASELI, “ROAD FIGHTERS” will enable arcade operators to offer gameplay and pricing that go light years beyond the limits of ordinary coin-operated systems.

KONAMI is continually leveraging the latest in technology to develop innovative products like “ROAD FIGHTERS” and the recently unveiled 3D game sensation, “METAL GEAR ARCADE”, as it brings arcade games to new heights.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, is a next-gen experience complete with top-of-the-line graphics and surround sound designed for the Sony PlayStation 3. Featuring the most revealing display of Kojima Production’s premier title, MSG4 details the world where Snake must under go his final mission. In a world overrun by private military companies (PMCs), wars are no longer fought over nations or ideologies. Instead, the wars of the future are micro-managed by overarching PMCs, right down to the bullet. New gadgets and abilities fuel Snake’s journey deep into the enemy domains of the Middle East, South America, and beyond. New gear includes “Metal Gear Mk. II,” the ultimate reconnaissance tool, and “Solid Eye,” which gives Snake real-time information on enemies and his surroundings.

Remember when we were so excited to see those first MGS Touch screen shots for the iPhone?  Then the game came out and it was basically just a expensive unfinished shooting gallery.  The iPad version has just been released and thankfully the price did not go up.  It’s still at $8 so if your looking for a higher-res version of the exact same game you may or may not have played, it’s available in the app store right now.

Also released for the iPad from Konami is the arcade classic Frogger.  What should be super fun to play on the iPad, the game is priced at $1.

[via Akihabaranews]

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I played the demo for Peace Walker over the holidays and was impressed by the graphics and tight as hell production quality.  Today, two MGSPW bundle rumors have made it to the blog front lines and they will be pricey.

Japanese reports have indicated that the 1st bundle will contain a copy of the game on UMD, a camo-painted PSP 3000, hand strap, cleaning cloth, and carrying pouch for the price of $296.  The second bundle includes everything the 1st has with the addition of a set of dog tags, a “fancy” PSP stand, and an informational booklet at a higher price of $407!?

Depending on whether or not my currency calculator converted 250 Quid correctly, that seems like a ton of money for a bundle like this!  Christburgers!

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With the Metal Gear Solid franchise being one of Sony’s most important exclusive’s, it’s to no surprise that they would collide on the Japanese launch of the PSP Go.  After a tepid US release, Sony is hoping that MGS will breath some extra life into the PSP Go with a download-only demo of Peace Walker when the portable system debuts on November 1st.

The demo will be in Japanese and will essentially be the same demo found at TGS 2009 with the inclusion of some new cut scenes, control options, and a new map.  Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is scheduled for a 2010 release.

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Think about it.  The PS2 had a lengthy lifespan that spawned several quality franchises such as:  Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Cell, GTA3, Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Brothers in Arms, and more.  All these titles are totally still playable beyond a nostalgic standpoint and could have new life breathed into them if bundled together and re-released on the PS3 via Blu-Ray disc.

With the recent news of a God of War collection being re-released on Blu-Ray with a framerate increase, resolution upscaling and trophies, some rumblings have other publishers agreeing to the coolness factor of this idea, but not confirming anything.  The storage capacity of a Blu-Ray disc alone could make this a very possible scenario for down the line.  Sweet!

I think this is a great idea especially if you are a fan of a particular series and want to catch up on past story lines before you play the current title.   Hopefully we’ll here more about this sometime soon.

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According to CVG, Metal Gear Solid Touch will cost about $6 or 4.99 EUR.  I checked the official site, and although the game is due out by Thursday of this week, there is still no official mention of the price.

[CVG]

Metal Gear Solid 4 is coming to the Apple app store as Metal Gear Solid Touch.  It looks to primarily be a shooter and for every stage completed you’ll be awarded with videos, wallpapers and a Snake Blisken firm slap on the back.  Based on the loose translation it sounds like Konami will launch the game with 8 stages and add more down the road.  The game will launch sometime in 2009.

Other iPhone games to expect from Konami are Dance Dance Revolution, Silent Hill and Frogger.  Talk about out of place.  Frogger is a great game but it’s like 20,000 years old.

Konami is set to launch an English site detailing games for the iPod Touch and iPhone, but in the meanwhile you’ll have to tolerate the Japanese version.

Official release here

[Techdigest]

Description:

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 includes multiple new and enhanced options and setting for players of all skill levels, cool smash hit songs from the last four decades, robust online and offline support and other exclusives. Bundle comes with the game and dance mat. Cool new modes and features include support for your Wii Mii on the DDR dance floor. Brand-new gameplay twists add to the next evolution in DDR gameplay while non-stop dance action with the new Course mode, various set themed song lists that players dance along to Brand-New Hottest Training Mode mean players can learn real dance moves and practice the same routines as the characters. Other features such as all-new DDR characters exclusive to Hottest Party 2 as well as the popular and familiar Workout Mode transform your DDR experience into a fitness routine. Not to mention, enhanced motion capture will be applied to all characters for increased realism and customization. New stages with enhanced effects are even better with more than 50 unique dance environments to choose from.

Buy it: Konami Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 with Dance Mat – $67