E3 2009: Konami press conference (Metal Gear Arcade, Castlevania: LoS, Saw, DDR, and more)

We have heard from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo; now for some of the companies that make games for these systems. First is Konami.

Since they don’t feel the need to plug financial numbers and statistics, it’s straight to the games; some of these titles have already been announced at the Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo events, so bear with me here.

• Metal Gear Arcade

The first of four projects coming from Kojima Productions is destined for arcades (remember those?  Of course you do!), instead of your [insert console name here]. Essentially, it works in the same way as Metal Gear Online, but in coin-op form; the presentation will in stereoscopic 3D with the use of special glasses; the Japanese version is currently being worked on at the moment, which could hint at a possible US release (perfect to have after you get served in Street Fighter IV).

Release Date: Unknown

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Second up was already shown at Sony’s presser, but for those that missed the news: Peace Walker is a PSP game which takes place in 1974, ten years after the events in MGS3; it will tell the invasion of Costa Rica by an unknown group, and will also tell the rise of Outer Heaven.

Release Date: 2010

• Metal Gear Solid: Rising

Also revealed during the Microsoft conference as a possible exclusive, but now confirmed for the PS3 as well as PC, MGS: Rising (running on the MGS4 engine) will have you controlling Raiden once again, in a story that will either take place during or after the events of MGS4.

Release Date: Most likely 2010

• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

The last project was actually teased through the MGS: Rising teaser site, except at that time, no one had any idea what the ‘mask’ actually symbolized. Lords of Shadow will be a reboot of the franchise, with voiceover work from Patrick Stewart, Robert Carlyle, Jason Isaacs, and Natasha McElhone; the game has a small God of War feel to it. It's being developed by MercurySteam, in collaboration with Kojima Productions.

Release Date: 2010

• Saw

Now why anyone decided to make a game based off this horror movie franchise is absolutely beyond me, but I guess Konami decided it would be a good game. Personally, I’ve only seen the first two movies (the first one was good in terms of story and character development, and then the story aspect went downhill after each successive sequel). Since this is based off the movies, expect a lot of puzzles/traps that have you solving them before you get:

A) Your jaw ripped off

B) Your skull crushed by two blocks of ice

C) Your limbs ripped out

Release Date: Unknown, but I hope they scrap this before it makes it to stores.

• Karaoke Revolution

Before SingStar or Lips even came out, we were embarrassing ourselves with our horrible singing abilities in this game. This new iteration for the PS3 will have personalized characters, downloadable content, and 16-player multiplayer (either this is a typo, or it means online multiplayer).

Release Date: Unknown

• Dance Dance Revolution

Konami presented two different DDR games, with one for the Wii and the other for PS3. The Wii version will support the Balance Board, with you having to roll and shake your hips in a fitness-oriented portion of the game, whereas the PS3 version will now use fully licensed music from musicians, have over 150 downloadable tracks, and also include music videos running in the background. The biggest change in the PS3 version will be the inclusion of a new 8-button dance pad (the legs of every DDR player just screamed out in horror).

Release Date: Unknown, but expect it hopefully sometime next year.

• WireWay

For the DS, WireWay is a dual-screen platformer that has you flicking platforms to bounce a little alien around levels. One of the bosses involves “Ginormous pandas”. I need to see this.

Release Date: Fall 2009

• Deca Sports 2

The first game sold over 2 million copies worldwide, so this one is already guaranteed to sell at least half that, if not more. 10 new events, including synchronized swimming and online multiplayer will be part of this casual/family-oriented title.

Release Date: Sometime in 2009

• Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Aside from the Metal Gear game and Castlevania, this was probably one of their big games they showed, which will be headed to the PSP and the Wii (*gasp*). Shattered Memories will be a re-make of the first game, so expect the usual dense fog, wandering through hospitals, and suspense moments.

Release Date: Either 2009, or early 2010

Konami had a somewhat okay showing, but could’ve done a little better had they saved MGS: Rising for this presser and not for Microsoft. Ubisoft and EA reports will be up soon.

Ironically, I haven’t heard if Capcom will have a press conference, but with what they have coming out in the near future, they just might be waiting until the last day of E3 to wow everyone.