Source: videogamesblogger.com

Square Enix’s new action-RPG Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time for both the Wii and Nintendo DS is coming out in Japan in a few months on January 29th, 2009. If you’re curious how the Pollux Engine allows up to four Wii and DS gamers to play together at the same time online (co-op), as well as supporting complete interaction between the two system, then you’ll enjoy the debut trailer.

Watch the first Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time gameplay video.

Click on the bottom-right corner arrow to view it fullscreen.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

The latest issue of Japanese manga magazine Shonen Jump has a reveal by games developer Square Enix who announced a new action-RPG titled Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time for the Wii and Nintendo DS! The game will be released in Japan on January 29th, 2009. This news comes after this year’s release of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fate for the DS, but before the Wii follow-up Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has even been given a release date. Like Echoes of Time, both of those previously announced action-RPG’s are also sequels to 2003’s Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles on the GameCube.

Echoes of Time will feature a Wii / DS connection that allows you to play the game with up to four players (using four different character classes) on the DS and Wii at the same time (both locally and online!) thanks to a Pollux Engine created by Square Enix. As you might expect, the two versions will have different gameplay, namely using the DS stylus or Wii Remote.

The story is said to revolve around nearly-16-year-old Charlotta, who goes out of her village for the first time, only to encounter a massive tower and a mysterious crystal. Not much else is known at this point, but a fun tidbit is that you can transfer your Mii characters’ faces you made on the Wii to the DS version.

Translation thanks to Gamekyo & IGN

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Final Fantasy: Dissidia is a Final Fantasy spin-off developed exclusively for Sony’s PSP. It’s set for a December 2008 release in Japan, but release dates for other region haven’t been set yet by Square Enix. 2009 maybe?

Dissidia: Final Fantasy’s genre has been described as “dramatic progressive action” and it’ll have 3D graphics. It features wireless one-on-one game play and fights revolving around the use of individual special skill sets of characters to do damage to opponents until their HP is down to zero. Players can also customize their characters with equipment.

Watch Onion Knight and the Cloud of Darkness go at it in this new Final Fantasy: Dissidia battle gameplay video.

Click on the bottom-right corner arrow to view it fullscreen.

Source: videogamesblogger.com

From the creative minds behind Rune Factory and Harvest Moon with the development studio responsible for the Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV DS remakes (Matrix Software) comes Avalon Code, an action-RPG boasting incredible graphics, a deep and engrossing story, and innovative game play mechanics.

Using the main character’s ‘Book of Prophecy’, players can modify the rules of engagement during battle as well as weapon and monster attributes. The player even has control over the story as it changes depending on which gender the player chooses to play as, enhancing the ability to immerse themselves into the story. Avalon Code DS is scheduled for release in America and Europe in Q1 2009.

Source: ps3blog.net

At least I haven’t seen it. I’m actually more interested in Versus than FFXIII myself. Hopefully square will have more info about this in the coming weeks.

Source: infendo.com

An interesting mix of old and new this week:

DS
Final Fantasy IV
Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Returns
New International Track & Field
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Nancy Drew: The Mystery of the Clue Bender Society

Wii
Kidz Sports: Crazy Golf
Order Up!
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Anything charming your money out of the bank this week?

Source: ps3blog.net

On 1UP Yours Show, Shane says that Square Enix FFXIII Producer says that they will being making a big Advent Children announcement in two weeks in Tokyo that will swing the pendulum of Square Enix support back from the 360 towards PS3. Sounds great!

Source: infendo.com

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: The Sealed Grimoire is released today. The game seems to be totally overhauled from it’s Game Boy Advance predecessor, featuring various different features. Most notably is the top screen which always gives you a time line of which characters will be going next, and the many new classes to master. Although the one thing I did notice was that the character sprites seem to have gotten smaller and have less detail then the previous iteration of the game. Anyone picking this one up today or anytime soon?

Source: videogamesblogger.com

Amazon.com’s Video Games Deal of the Day is the PSP-exclusive RPG “Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII” from Square Enix. Keep in mind that quantities on these deals are usually limited, so the price is only available while supplies last.

Crisis Core’s storyline takes the player from the war with the Wutai to the events at Nibelheim, and right up to the time just before the Final Fantasy VII beginning. Check out a Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII video review if you’re still on the fence to get it or not. — Via Joystiq

Source: infendo.com

SPOILERS, DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO IF YOU HAVE NEVER PLAYED FINAL FANTASY IV. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Final Fantasy IV for the DS will be out on the 22 of July 2008. Enjoy this special little fan made tribute to the Four Fiends, and the Dark Lord Golbez. Also it’s in Japanese with subtitles… just thought I should say that.