Or maybe this is just proof of how mainstream video games have become. Whatever the reason, it’s one more opportunity for us to catch a glimpse of the much-maligned RPG in action. Sit back and enjoy…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Gamersyde]

A “real person” was quoted as saying: “I went to the Sunnyvale one today and got to play the 360 version. I am so very disappointed to see the difference in textures and detail of the 360 version vs. the PS3. =( I know it’s DVD vs. BD, but I didn’t think it would be that noticeable. My boyfriend told me it’s fine if I wanna stick with the 360 version, but he’s going for the PS3 one now”, while a “game journalist” (apparently game journalists are not real people) supposedly said, “As expected, the 360 version was noticeably less crisp than its PS3 counterpart, but it still ran nicely.” One of my Square Enix outsiders gave me this screenshot to show the disparity between the two versions:

My god! Look how much more blurry it is on the Xbox 360 version! FUUUUUUUU – nah I just drew a line in the middle of one whole screenshot. I don’t even know which version it’s from. Got you for a second didn’t I? Anyway, from what the non-real person games journalist said, the differences – if there are indeed any – are subtle.

I hope the Xbox 360 version isn’t as gimped as the PS3 Bayonetta; I’m glad the patch allowed me to install game data on my PS3 to lessen the loading times, but I’d be lying if I said that the screen tearing and pop-ups weren’t annoying or distracting.

[via Maxconsole]

According to 1UP, the bus rolled up to their offices early this morning, no doubt to the surprise and delight of their resident RPG guru, Jeremy Parish. Inside of the bus the 1UP editors found four gaming stations – two PS3 and two Xbox 360 – and enough room for up to eight people. Since the English version of Final Fantasy XIII is about to drop in a little over a month (3.09.10) it’s a safe bet that they were treated to the finished product.

Insert giant jealous frowny face here.

Sadly, no formal itinerary for the bus has been posted, but you can follow the bus’ whereabouts via its twitter account (@PlayFFXIII).

[via 1UP]

The set includes sixteen cans of Final Fantasy XIII “elixir”  – which is some sort of Suntory lemon-flavored concoction with three-times the normal amount of caffeine and royal jelly. Mmm… royal jelly donuts. The boxed set also includes a commemorative metal chalice (I like to call it a Final Fantasy pimp cup). Only 30,000 of this set will ever be made, and each set comes with a serial number plate to prove you’ve got an official one.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

While the individual cans can be found in Japan for about $2.50 to $4 (USD) each, the guys over at NCSX are now bringing the full 16-can limited-edition collectible into the U.S. for the whopping price of $165.90. That’s largely thanks to the cost of shipping this heavy mutha’ across the globe.

I’m just gonna order a 6-pack of Chocobos and call it a day – maybe a whole case.

Final Fantasy XIII hit the shelves today in Japan where hundreds of people queued up in order to buy the  game. Sony hopes that the game will boost sales of the PS3 console for Christmas.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Square-Enix hopes to sell at least 2 million copies of  FF XIII locally. The game will be launched in the North American and European markets on March 9th, 2010. It will also be available on Xbox 360, but not on Wii.

The Final Fantasy franchise has sold more than 92 million games worldwide since its launch in 1987.

The initial impressions posted on Kotaku say that the cut-scenes are well-directed, but I’d expect nothing less from Final Fantasy. The music is layered and complex. The game starts with resistance operatives fighting against a city of machines. Sounds pretty cool! I’m looking forward to playing this when it arrives in English.

[via Kotaku, images via Square-Enix]

In Nier: Gestalt, players take the role of a father searching for a cure for his daughter, afflicted with a virus known as “Black Scrawl.” In the other version, Replicant, players have the chance to take on the role of the girl’s brother.

But here’s what we do get: a bloody action-adventure with a reportedly intricate storyline, and with the choice of platforms, the missing protagonist doesn’t seem like a huge loss. And who knows? Maybe Replicant is just lagging behind in localization.

[via Siliconera]

Gyromancer is the brainchild of Square Enix and PopCap, the makers of Bejeweled, the game that kick-started our universal matching addiction. The two companies have combined to produce a beautiful puzzle-RPG that will very likely give me the arthritis in my Xbox hand(s). The best part? I’ll be suffering for a mere 1200 Microsoft points ($15 for you PC people).

Here’s a video, but be warned: if you watch this, all those holiday plans may just poof right into thin air as you find yourself racing to get your hands on this bad boy. Sometimes, downloadable games can just be a little too convenient.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Said horsey-version of Odin was on display last weekend in figure form at Chara-Hobby, a figure and hobby show that was held in Chiba, Japan. Also on display were fully painted figures of Lightning, Vanille, Hope, Snow, and Sazh. In addition to the cast of Final Fantasy XIII, Chara-Hobby featured all kinds of anime figures, including a slew of overly sexualized anime girls. I’m not so big on the anime scene, though, so I couldn’t tell you who they are or what they’re from, so you’ll have to take a look for yourself.

Okay, so Final Fantasy keeps getting weirder and weirder. The peculiar nature of Final Fantasy aside, I’m still pumped for Final Fantasy XIII. And while I’m not big on collecting collectables, I do want a shiny statue of Lightning to grace my work desk, ‘cause grrrl power rocks.

Sorry, I spent my summer watching all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

[via Kotaku]

The gaming industry’s big show, E3, is about to descend upon Los Angeles, and it looks like Square Enix is pulling no punches in pushing Final Fantasy XIII. These characters are going to have thousands of hungry gamer eyes all over them for days. Looks like we really are going to see the return of the E3 that was all about showmanship (and scantily clad ladies).

[via Joystiq Playstation]

Looks like we’ve got a solid formula here: the cocky guy and the steadfast, settled companion. Expect hijinks to ensue (and flying, did I mention flying?). To get a glimpse of the brewing mystery yourself, check out the video.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Crystal Bearers was first announced four years (!) ago and was long rumored to be canceled. With the little we’ve heard, I’m always happy to see something new, even if it’s not really new.

[via Joystiq]

Square Enix site members are invited to apply for a chance to check out Blood of Bahamut in mid-May at the Square Enix headquarters in Tokyo, which means there will be loads of impressions available on the Internet the day after.

If you’re concerned about Square Enix doing something new, take heart; it’s not that different. This game will be full of espers you know (and maybe love). This is just taking some of the familiar imagery in a new collection. As for newness… well, considering Square Enix’s last new project was the fantastic The World Ends With You–also a DS title–frankly, I wish they’d stick to new projects for a while!

[Square Enix member site via Siliconera]

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has a rocky history. The Wii game was first announced almost four years ago and in that time, we’ve seen only a few images and tiny scraps of footage. It was obvious that this was something different, however; a bigger, grander Final Fantasy with more action, more camp, and more fun–not that the series has ever lacked for fun.

But the game disappeared, and we didn’t hear anything new. Rumors of cancellation plagued the project until finally it was announced that a trailer would be packaged with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, and that time is now.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Crystal Bearers is Final Fantasy amplified, even down to the giant versions of familiar enemies. The music is as good as ever, and memorable, but everything about this trailer, including that music, is touched with a sense of pure, silly fun. The Crystal Bearers looks like a grand and epic adventure, deserving of the Final Fantasy brand, but it’s a whole new take on the series.

[via GoNintendo]

The Dragon Quest Slime Speaker Stand is useful–it holds your DS and includes a speaker–but mostly, it’s just a giant slime, designed for the person who really loves them some Dragon Quest. Usefulness only goes so far when you’re talking about dropping ¥4725 (appx. $51 USD) on a cool accessory that makes your portable gaming system somewhat less portable.

The stand will be available from Hori, along with these clear cases designed for the new DSi.

[Gigazine via NeoGAF]

The soda “potions” are a tie-in for the PlayStation Portable’s Dissidia: Final Fantasy, which is schedule for release in Japan this month. There are two different flavors, with two different designs, for Light and Dark characters.

Unfortunately, Final Fantasy XI’s deliciously insulting Doctor Shantotto is the odd tarutaru out, and gets no potion. You can celebrate the rest of the characters, and relive the franchise’s long history with this ad, though.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

For relaxing times… oh, you know the rest.

[Suntory via Play-Asia]