This comes in via DWT, who reports that end of June sales for the 360 in Japan totalled 1,897 units, versus PS2's 23,133 units. The article goes into how the 360 needs RPGs to do well in that country. Ninety Nine Nights should help but I am of the opinion that the 360 will remain in the shadows over there until Mistwalker hits the scene. Then, everything will change. Mwahaha.

I was searching the web for screenshots/news on the upcoming Final Fantasy III for the DS when somehow I stumbled upon the image seen here. I love that picture! My all-time favorite Final Fantasy games are parts IV and VII. The only thing that would make me happier than a remake of FFVII on the PS3 would be a FFIV remake! I'm quickly getting off topic. He's the mastermind behind airships; a warm-hearted, optimistic genius who also packs some fighting skillz. Cid, a character who has made his way into most of the FF games, has gone through quite a number of make-overs. My all-time favorite has to be FFIV's hammer-wielding, helmet-wearing Cid! Check out that massive, unstoppable beard! He's soooo kewl! So I've decided to ask Destructoid readers, which was your favorite Cid?

If you're a fan of the Metal Gear series, you might want to stop by Konami's site and complete a quick survey (doesn't seem to work on Firefox) for access to some cool Metal Gear wallpapers. It takes less than a minute and the selection from MGS3: Snake Eater/Subsistence & Ac!d is nice. They have wallpapers in 1600 by 800, 1024x768 and 800x600 sizes. There're also some smaller 240x315, 151x198 and 111x146 gif/png files. Enjoy!

This is easily one of the best cosplayers I've ever seen! Amazing! (Notice his Mithra mom in the back) This little guy is too cute and he definitely fits the part of a Taru Taru. I wonder if he is actually the child of an adult cosplayer there, or just a borrowed little brother or nephew. People keep telling me that when I have kids I'll have to give up most of my time since they require constant attention. I'm told that the trick is getting your kids into the same stuff you like, that way you can continue doing them and you'll also have a buddy! I'd like to think this picture is a prime example of this. Or, somebody just wanted to get a lot of attention at the cosplay convention...

This is something I would like to do as often as possible; show actual examples of why stores like EB suck ass. I must apologize for the quality of the picture, as it was taken with my free Motorola V330. So I was at the mall today, and since I can't bare following my wife around Macys like a stray poodle for more than 30 minutes, I decided to take off and meet up with her later. I walked into the EB store and came across this interesting sight on the GBA section. THREE Final Fantasy IVs, each with different prices. The one on the far left is priced at $29.99, in the center the price is $34.99 and on the far right, USED at $24.99. WTF!? I guess I must be weird, but first of all, do people out there really buy used games to save $5 bucks? Not much of a bargain there. Not to mention, you risk getting some slobby kid's fukked-up game AND the manufacturer (SE in this case) won't see a dime of the profit. Then there are the other two (New I'm assuming) being marketed at different prices; just goes to show that there is a new generation of idiot kids who are getting jobs at places like this. Please don't associate being a hard-core gamer with being an ignoramus. This is insulting, these guys/gals should play a little less games and do a little more homework. I'm sure eventually I'll get a pic of the used game priced higher than the same new one. Grrr!

Back in April we asked what your favorite Game-based Anime moment was. Yours truly voted for the Chun Li nude scene in the Street Fighter anime movie. Surprisingly, one of our readers didn't even know such a scene existed. And why? Well, because for whatever reason, the Chun Li shower scene was edited out on the North American release of this fine work of art. But alas, fear not, for an uncut, uncensored Street Fighter movie is arriving later this month. Whether you're a fan of the series or just love anime in general, this is one you cannot afford to miss. Awesome artwork, animation, action, music and the friggin' best anime rack ever! A must-have for any anime fan. Enjoy! =)

A few days ago I saw a piece of video-game related news that I was not prepared for. I was on my usual routine after work, eating dinner and flipping channels watching a combination of CNN/Fox News/Everybody Loves Raymond. I can't remember which news station it was, but there was a story on the possibility of video games coming to the Olympics. Now, I love video games, but at the Olympics? Naaaah, I don't think so bro.

Ok, so he's gray, but damn he looks just like the Destructoid robot! I noticed him in tonight's episode on TBS. For you Friends fanatics out there, this is the one where its Emma's first birthday. I was coming out of the shower, my wife was trying to beat her best Sodoku time on the DS and Friends was playing on the tube. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the little guy! I Googled and found that its on episode 10.4. I wish I could find a better quality image. Oh well. :-)

Finally! The U.S. release date for Final Fantasy XII has been announced. How many more fawking sequels and how much more popularity does this series need before they start making worldwide simultaneous releases!?! We're getting it on October 31, 2006. By then it will be about eight months since its release in Japan. I was thinking about pre-ordering, but I doubt its necessary. Back in the early 90s there really was a need to pre-order, these days its mostly a bunch of hype. The most recent example was my DS Lite; no problems walking into the store and coming out 10 minutes later with the thing. But thats a whole other topic, I'm just glad we finally know when we're getting FFXII here in the U.S.

It used to be that you put a quarter in a vending machine, turn the knob and out came a gumball. But boy the times sure have changed! First thing that comes to mind is vending machines in Japan. They are EVERYWHERE, literally! Find the most gorgeous mountain, climb to the top, meditate and practice your shoryukens; rest assured that when you're done you can get a Coke (or hot green tea!) from the vending machine at the summit. You think I'm joking right? Heh.

I know what you're thinking, you are imagining her performing her "Nippon ichi!" trademark move after winning a fight. Here she is kids, Shiranui Mai, the beloved ninja from the Fatal Fury, KoF and Capcom vs SNK series. This girl is perfect for playing the part of Mai, right down to the most important part of all. I don't have to tell you what that is, do I? You gotta love Japanese anime/games; this girl is supposed to be a NINJA! I'm surprised she can walk at all with that massive rack, much less perform a "flying squirrel dance" (musasabi no mai), among other super moves. But ah, who cares, she is not alone (Kasumi and Taki immediately come to mind) in the world of ultra sexed-up ninja girls. Keep them comming I say!

Sudoku Gridmaster was released today for the Nintendo DS. Prior to June 11th (the day I bought a DS) I would never have given this game a chance. But after discovering the insane entertainment that IS Sudoku after playing Brain Age, this one is on my "must have" list! Whether you've never seen a Sudoku puzzle or you solve them faster than most girls run when they see your face, this game has something for you.

If you have no clue what Sudoku is about, here is a basic explanation. You have rows, columns and 3x3 grids. Each row, column and 3x3 grid must contain the numbers 1 through 9. You're given a couple of numbers to start off with; where the rest of them go is up to you to figure out. Every Sudoku puzzle can be solved logically, without having to guess. Sound fun? It is! Will it improve your brain power? So they say... One thing's for sure, this will make you into a bigger nerd than you already are! Ah, who cares, fawk everybody-this is really fun!

Check out more at the Nintendo Sudoku Gridmaster page. The only thing that would make this game much better is if they rewarded you with pictures of Candice Michelle after solving a puzzle. Now THAT would be a good use for the DS dual-screen feature!

I was one of those who went out and bought the new DS Lite on June 11th. I knew my first game would be New Super Mario Bros., but I also had a coupon (from the Best Buy website) for a free copy of Brain Age with purchase of the DS Lite. At first, I wasn't interested in this game at all, but hell, a free game is a free game!

Little did I suspect that soon enough this would turn out to be one of the best, most addictive games I've ever played! I've also had to come to terms with the shocking fact that I have the brain of a 40-year-old, and I'm 28!!! Well, maybe it shouldn't have surprised me; after all, I spend all day in front of a computer doing tech support the first half and playing video games the second half. Most of it is very repetitious stuff I don't really have to think about too much

BOMBA!!! While not as crazy as some of the other shooters we've seen recently at Destructoid, this looks to be like another cool one we missed out on. The music whoops the rhino's ass and the action seems like a good challenge for us "normal" people. Those guys playing Ikaruga and Imperishable Night can't be human... Nice graphics and annoying lovable 9-year-old girl voices wrap this up to a sweet looking game. If your PS2 can play imports, this looks like a nice one to pick up. Now, what the hell is it they're saying? "BOMBA!!!" I love it!

[Thanks Yuki~Summer Ver.~]