Welcome to Robot Punch!
Welcome to the first installment of Robot Punch! In this new weekly column, you’ll find news and editorials tailored more toward the otaku gamer. That is, fans of anime, karate ninjas, giant robots with lasers, and good old-fashioned geekery.
Kicking things off, we’ll be covering some of the more interesting stories to surface this week (or month, rather).
Every Famicom Game For Sale In Akihabara
Akihabara truly is the mecca for all otaku. The Mandrake Complex has the complete collection of original cartridges for the Famicom (the Japanese NES). The carts are arranged in order of release, from Donkey Kong Jr. (1983) to Adventure Island 4 (1994), in their storefront display. They’re currently selling the collection for approximately $6,500.
Nintendo fanboys, here’s your chance!
“Cowboy Bebop” and “Avatar” Films In Production
Earlier this month, details were released for two cartoon-turned-live-action films now in production. The Avatar: The Last Airbender movie, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, has its cast lined up for filming later this year.
'Whoa.'
The cast choices have fans in an uproar over the issue of ethnicity. Twilight star Jackson Rathbone is signed on to the production, along with a list of actors…none of which who are Asian. The Avatar television series shows heavy Asian influences and the lack of an Asian presence in the cast has many fans skeptical.
The Last Airbender is due to be released in 2010.
Meanwhile, a live-action Cowboy Bebop movie has been put into motion. The biggest news surrounding this story is the active involvement of Keanu Reeves. Reeves is gunning for the lead role of Spike.
While the movie is expected to be released in 2011, it’s still in the very early stages of pre-production. So don’t bank on anything until actual filming begins.
Video Game Bundles Packed With Penguins
Nippon Ichi Software is preparing to celebrate the North American release of Prinny: Can I really be the hero? by offering three different premium bundles of the game.
The Premium Box Set includes:
- Game UMD
- Soundtrack CD
- Penny Arcade comic (I’m assuming this one)
The Hero to the Rescue Set includes:
- The Premium Box Set contents
- Blue Prinny PSP pouch
- Red Scarf Prinny Plush
The Ultra Dessert Set includes:
- The Premium Box Set contents
- Blue Prinny PSP pouch
- Red Scarf Prinny Plush
- Disgaea manga by Broccoli Books
That’s a lot of swag! Being a Disgaea fan myself, I already own the manga, so it looks like I’ll need to save up $65 for next month.
These bundles are available for pre-order at their online store.
Tags: akihabara, anime, Avatar, cowboy bebop, Disgaea, famicom, NES, prinny
Apparently there are some comic book artists who are not happy with the Avatar movie:
http://www.geneyang.com/blog/index.php?entry=entry090128-131008
http://derekkirkkim.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-day-in-politics-same-old-racist.html
And while Keanu Reeves physically looks like a good choice for Spike Spiegel, he doesn’t have the sarcastic, no care demeanor that the role would require. Really, he’s just not that good of an actor.
I dunno… He’s a thin guy, but I think he looks too old for Spike. And even if they can make him up pretty well, he can’t emote enough.
I haven’t even played Disgaea and I’m already totally wooed by those Prinny extras. He is too cute to live.
Disgaea is oh so goooood. You should try it!
Currently, my sister and girlfriend are doing battle over who will take possession of my Prinny plush. You can probably guess who I’ll end up passing that to. :p
Disgaea is a game that I own, never beaten, but will never sell. The time I spent playing it was awesome, but the RTS became a little confusing around hour ten.
Same here (on the never selling part). I’m still climbing my way through the first game on both PS2 and PSP. I may buy the DS version to play with my girlfriend.
I have the second game, but have barely touched it, since I’ve yet to beat the first. And the third game made my decision to buy a PS3 over a 360 (which I’ll do eventually).