Frogger 2 Xbox.com page pops up! Game STILL not announced!

That's right! Despite the game still not announced (and yet, we know about it, and the achievements have been leaked), the Frogger 2 Xbox.com webpage has suddenly popped up, with information of the game and the first screenshots!

Hop along with Frogger 2 as you travel through more than fifteen challenging levels filled with new enemies and obstacles. Each of the five exotic environments provides a new set of challenges, but beware of the bosses that try to thwart your progress. Compete with up to four friends in two different online multiplayer modes, and hop your way to victory.

- Gameplay: Dodge new enemies, obstacles, and engage in thrilling boss battles.

- Hours of fun: Take on more than fifteen levels of action across five exotic environments.

- Multiplayer modes: Challenge your friends as you compete in two new online multiplayer modes. Try Race Mode to see who can finish an enhanced version of the original Frogger level first. Or hang on to the jewel in Jewel Duel, and prevent your friends from taking the jewel.

Not the most invigorating list of features (We provide... gameplay! And hours!) it doesn't look too bad. Perhaps like a decent Flash game. A bizare feature is that it doesn't take up the whole screen with large borders!

With this bit it looks like the game might end up being released in the next few weeks without ever being announced. That's... not good.

Check out more images of Frogger 2 here!

Source: Frogger 2 page on Xbox.com, and thanks to Justin for pointing this out to me!

Frogger 2 Achievements revealed - actual game still not announced

Oh look at that, 360Sync has gotten its hands on Frogger 2 achievements, despite the game still not being announced - even after the recent Konami Gamer's Day!

The achievements can all be viewed here. From the design of the icons it appears that Konami have gone with a much more childlike style to Frogger than the previous Console Frogger games - more so than the weird backpack wearing bipedal Frogger character they've used recently.

We now know that the game contains a Story Mode of some sort - most of the achievements revolve around this. There are regular levels, bonus stages, and the ability to collect coins in each - though not necessary to complete a level. They may have run a little low on ideas for achievements however, as one is to collect every "Help Balloon". Hmph.

There are also a Time Attack mode for every level - so this isn't your regular Frogger.

Frogger 2 will also have 2 Multiplayer Modes - Jewel Duel and Race. How Jewel Duel will work is unknown, but Race is pretty self explanatory.

I guess we'll have to wait until Konami finally announces the title... probably two weeks before release. As usual.

Source: 360Sync - Frogger 2 Feature

OFLC watch - Domino Master and Beat'n Groovy rated!

Two brand new, unknown games have popped up on the Australian Classification website today - Beat'n Groovy and Domino Master!

Let's go on the discovery trail!

Beat'n Groovy is coming from Konami under their Konami Digital Entertainment label. Now, regular disc games made by Konami (such as Metal Gear Solid 4) are all applied for by Atari Australia, who does the distribution here. All games under the OFLC which are under the "Digital Entertainment" label have all been XBLA games - From their Gyruss and Contras to their still unannounced upcoming titles of Coffee time Crosswords and Frogger 2. The only exception being Critter Round-Up, a Wiiware title.

However, this game is being made by Voltex - a mysterious company nobody seems to know about - except they've also being touted as the creators of the upcoming Frogger 2! Bam!

So what do we know about it? Nothing! That's right! The only information available is back when Konami filed for the Trademark for the title - mentioning that it was not done by Konami Japan who usually does it all, but Konami Digital Entertainment (or Konami America). Interesting!

The second game, Domino Master, was applied for by Microsoft themselves - which pretty much means XBLA title.

So what is Domino Master? It's a game made by Tik games - a 'casual games' company. It's already available for the PC and is... well, you guessed it - a Domino simulator!

The website quotes:

The classic family game of Dominos comes to your PC like never before! Choose your favorite from seven uniquely exciting games, including All Fives, All Threes, Mexican Train and Pictures. Loads of options like Domino types, styles, table surface, and difficulty allow you to play your way. The 'Domino Effect' here is that there's fun for everyone!

The big deal about this is that this cements a rumored workings dug up by Gamedaily and discussed by XBLArcade some time ago, where The Real Network had said that the Real Arcade's work on consoles "is happening as we speak." - Domino Master IS a Real Arcade title!

We don't know anything about Beat'n Groovy - but the addition of Domino Master might make a good addition alongside Uno and a variety of other very simple board and card games. The PC version is an inflated $20 - but that certainly shouldn't be the case on the XBLA title - 400 points or bust.

Anyone excited for Dominoes?

Source: The Australian Classification website

What needs to be on the XBLA? #4 - The Sparkster Collection

In the land of wacky critters starring in their own video games (ie; the 16-bit era) there were a lot of subpar games - your Awesome Possums, your Bubsy Bobcats - but one stood above those other 3rd party games - an Opossum, strapped to a Rocketpack!

The Rocket Knight Sparkster lives in the world of Erehwon - A Steampunk land where sorcery live alongside giant robots. Sparkster's weapons of choice are a sword and his Rocketpack - which has a unique boost system which you must recharge before use.




Rocket Knight Adventures, Megadrive

Using the Rocketpack, Sparkster can boost around the level in short bursts, using it to reach high areas, or to spin against some giant screws to plug holes. Being an Opossum, Sparkster can also climb trees using his long tail - where he can slide down branches and gain some extra momentum.

One of the big things about Sparkster was the bosses - there are a lot of them - and they're all pretty damn crazy and huge. It's similar in a way to Treasure's classic Gunstar Heroes, bosses come thick and fast, and continue to get bigger as the game progresses. One boss involves Sparkster fighting against his evil-doppleganger in giant Goemon-esque Robots!

The first game was released only on the Genesis as Rocket Knight Adventures - a great game with a bit more cuteness to it compared to the later games. In this game Sparkster can shoot flames from his sword, giving the game a sort of platform based shooter vibe. It's filled with huge bosses and excellent platforming as you fight the evil Pig invasion and get that the ol' Princess back.




Sparkster, Megadrive
Second was Sparkster - So why a Sparkster Collection and not just seperate releases? Well the series has a bit of an odd twist in the middle - while the first game was only released on the Megadrive, Sparkster was released the Megadrive and SNES - however, both games were completely different!

Sparkster on the Genesis took a different route to the original - still similar but instead had more freedom to move around a level, more action based - very Sonic styled. Sparkster doesn't shoot flame from his sword anymore, now relying on his Rocket Pack - which can now boost at any time, or can Super Boost by holding out longer. You can boost while in the air unlike the original, so you can just boost all around the level with no problems - it automatically refills too! It's honestly my favourite of the lot, but many prefer the style of the other two - I'm just more of a Sonic fan.




Sparkster, Super Nintendo
Sparkster on the SNES is one of the best looking games available for the console - which is saying a lot - with some fantastic graphical effects for the time (transparencies and all that), the usual giant bosses, and a much richer colour palette. Despite being on the other console, it has far more in common with the original than the Megadrive version - Sparkster has his fire sword and his limited Rocketpack power - but the levels have been made to better suit more control with it.

A Sparkster Collection on the XBLA could please all fans of the series without the need to confuse the fans and players of the game - include all 3 games for 800 Microsoft Points - makes it easy and makes it seem like a bargain - and will get more people to buy it.

Since Sparkster, the Rocket Knight was not seen again officially until very recently - in the upcoming "New Track and Field" for the Nintendo DS - which is filled with some classic Konami characters. He couldn't even muster as a character in Konami Krazy Racers on the GBA - but now that Sparkster will appeared in a real form for the first time in 13 years, it might be the best time to bring back his classic games to downloadable services.

Get on it, Konami and Backbone Entertainment! None of this Gyruss and Rush 'n Attack crap - let's get some quality unaltered software on the platform! Admittedly there is no actual evidence of Backbone having Super Nintendo emulation technology (That I can recall anyhow) - their emulation has been purely SEGA and Arcade based - it still would be nice to have all 3 games bundled together as a celebration of classic Konami platformers.