March2016
Video More Footage And Details Emerge For The Cancelled Bonk: Brink Of Extinction
Cave story
Bonk is one of video gaming's most unlikely mascots. Originally named PC Kid and seen as the PC Engine's lead character in Japan, he was renamed Bonk when that console was released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16. Bonk would enjoy three mainline adventures on NEC's hardware - all of which were very well recieved - as well as...
January2016
Video Hudson's Abandoned R&D Lab Still Has Its Miniature Train Track In Place
All aboard the depression train
Those of you who have been gaming since the 8-bit era will no doubt be very familiar with the name Hudson Soft. A prolific developer during the Famicom / NES, PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 and Super Famicom / SNES eras, the firm was responsible for titles such as Bomberman, Adventure Island, Bonk, Star Soldier and many...
October2015
News Bonk's Adventure Has Been Rated By The ESRB For Wii U
The prehistoric platformer returns
The classic platform title Bonk’s Adventure is set to make a return with the game recently rated by the ESRB for the Wii U Virtual Console. Starring a strong and bald cave boy who goes on an adventure to rescue a princess, the charming title developed by Red Company and Atlus was originally released on the...
January2012
News Hudson May Continue as a Brand
There's hope yet
Late yesterday we reported the sad news that Konami is dissolving Hudson Soft, one of the industry's most experienced development companies. Although it's clear that Hudson will no longer exist as an independent entity, there's now hope that it may still retain its own brand and identity. Hudson released a statement on its website,...
News Konami Dissolving Hudson Soft
Not to bee
Konami has just announced that they will be dissolving Hudson Soft on 1st March, bringing to an end a company that's become beloved by gamers over the years for such unforgettable contributions to gaming as the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 systems and the ever-popular Bomberman and Star Soldier series. For those of you who don't remember,...
June2011
News Tetris Slots into Place this October on 3DS
The Tetris Company has other things planned too
Since the uncovering of an Entertainment Software Rating Board classification of a 3DS Tetris game, additional details regarding said game have now cleared a couple of things up. Speaking to Gamasutra, a representative from The Tetris Company clarified that the new game known simply as Tetris is being...
March2011
News Deca Sports Extreme Survives and Gets Rated by the ESRB
Any more Hudson titles on the way?
Following the news of the North American arm of Hudson disbanding last month leaving the future of its titles uncertain, Konami ― the publisher into which Hudson will be absorbed ― later clarified what the official situation was regarding Hudson's projects. Speaking to
News Master Higgins Has Not One But Two Upcoming Virtual Console Games
Another Adventure Island game added to the queue
Only last month, we reported that the OFLC had rated the second NES outing of everybody's favourite overweight islander based on a real person, Master Higgins, thus very likely meaning it was on its way to Virtual Console. Well, the OFLC has struck again, and has rated yet another Adventure Island...
January2011
News Konami to Take Over Hudson in April
Studio to be absorbed like one of Bomberman's explosions
Hudson, well known for its Bomberman and Deca Sports series, is to be fully absorbed by Konami on April 1 of this year. Konami, the studio behind Castlevania, Dance Dance Revolution, Silent Hill and many other titles has been Hudson's parent company since April 2005, holding a 54% stake. The...
News Hudson Announces 3DS Line-up
Ball-playing, bomb blasting and brain training on the menu
Hudson has just announced the first three titles that they plan to bring to the 3DS this year. We already knew about the next entry in their Deca Sports series, now titled Deca Sports Extreme, and they've also added Bomberman and Nikoli's Pencil Puzzle, both working titles, to the mix. The...
News All Ten Disciplines in Deca Sports 3D Now Revealed
A couple of surprises
Last December left us scratching our heads over what the complete list of sports were in Hudson's upcoming 3DS title, Deca Sports 3D, known as Sports Island in Europe. Aside from the initial four that were revealed, the remaining six were largely recognisable but a couple left us guessing. In the lead-up to the 3DS's Japanese...
December2010
News Ready Yourself for a Super Bonk Attack this Friday
Back in time for Christmas
If you're up for some Super Bonk action – and you live in Europe – you're in luck, as the game headbashes its way to Virtual Console this Friday. The Super NES classic isn't the only Virtual Console title heading to Europe before Christmas: Mario Party 2 is Nintendo's festive gift to you, launching on Christmas Eve...
News Opening Round of Info on Deca Sports for the 3DS
4 out of 10 sports officially revealed
Hudson is keeping itself busy with its line-up of 3DS titles and the company's Japanese website has been updated with some screenshots of the upcoming instalment in the Deca Sports franchise (otherwise known as Sports Island in Europe). Deca Sports 3D (not final title) will feature ten different sports, and...
October2010
News Hudson Has Six 3DS Titles In Development
Bonk, Omega Five, and Tetris due in 2011
Hudson's been keeping pretty quiet on the 3DS front since it pledged its support for the machine back in June at the E3 expo. Initial announcements of the Bomberman, Deca Sports, and Kororinpa franchises are now beefed up thanks to an additional three titles that have been added to the company's Japanese...
Nintendo Download 5th & 6th October 2010 (Japan)
October begins with Virtual Console and DSiWare
WiiWare's alternating weeks continue, but at least there's the Virtual Console to keep Wii owners happy – even better when the releases include classic arcade games! The DSi has a trio of actual games for a change with nary a lifestyle download in sight. Virtual Console: Commando (800pts Arcade,...
September2010
Interviews Hudson - Oops! Prank Party
We talk with producer Yukihiro Kobayashi about the new Wii title
While party games are relatively common today, the one that put the genre on the map is undeniably Hudson's Mario Party, released a little over a decade ago on the Nintendo 64. Now the company's making another foray into the party business with the devious Oops! Prank Party, set for...
News Nintendo of Japan Showcases Wii Line-up in New Video
Includes footage of (presumably) a new Rhythm Heaven game
As part of their recent conference, Nintendo of Japan's just released a video showcasing some hotly anticipated games in the upcoming Japanese Wii line-up. Everything from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword to Super Mario Collection Special Pack and Mar
News My Planetarium Trailer and Screenshots Look Stellar
All in Japanese, though
The ESRB outed My Planetarium a month or so ago, and now the Japanese website has been updated with the first screenshots and trailer of Hudson's upcoming gaze 'em up. With three different modes allowing you to view the night sky freely, learn about the history of constellations and search for particular clusters, nebulae and...
First Impressions Lost in Shadow
We take Hudson's new platformer for a spin
It doesn't take a genius to see that Hudson's upcoming Lost in Shadow release isn't your typical run-of-the-mill platformer. Not only does the game feature a protagonist that's not even a real person, rather his shadow, it also features some absolutely mesmerizing audio and visuals to further make it stand...
Nintendo Download 28th & 29th September 2010 (Japan)
Two each for Wii and DSi next week
Could predictions of the death of WiiWare in Japan have been premature? It appears so as there's two new titles coming next week, both from 3rd parties. Import gaming fantatics should reign in their excitement, however as both appear to be "lifestyle" apps rather than games. The DSi offerings are unlikely...
News Lost in Shadow Documentary Sheds Light on the Game's Creation
Our well of shadow puns is running dry
It may have been pushed back until 2011 in North America, but Lost in Shadow is still looking like one of the Wii's brightest upcoming releases. This behind-the-scenes documentary is in keeping with the game's unique graphical style, projecting the game's development team as shadows rather than the usual...
News Last Chance to Like Lost in Shadow and Raise Money for Charity
Your thumbs still worth 10 cents to Child's Play
Hudson's promising Lost in Shadow (A Shadow's Tale in Europe) may have been delayed until 2011 but there's no need to cry about it: it's all for a good cause, in fact. Every "Like" of the game's official Facebook page between August 30th and 4pm PST today will raise 10 cents for Child's...
August2010
News My Planetarium Gazes Out Into the Expanding WiiWare Library
Hudson's galactic follow-up to its My Aquarium series
Hudson's been releasing some fairly decent and relaxing simulations on the WiiWare service lately. The developer has more than likely extracted all it can from the aquarium route, at least for the time being, however – and an ESRB rating has revealed a new direction that's a lot more cosmic in...
News My Aquarium 2 Website Makes a Splash
Dive into new information
Just released in Japan, My Aquarium 2 is due to ride the waves to the Western world within the near future, so it's a good job Hudson has opened the information floodgates by launching the game's website. As well as the option to use the Forecast Channel to update the in-game weather and the revelation that your fish will...
July2010
Nintendo Download 3rd & 4th August (Japan)
Fish and VC goodness for the Wii; the DSi gets the usual bumper crop of new titles
WiiWare: Blue Oasis: Michi naru Shinkai (500pts - Hudson) — People in the know will recognise Blue Oasis as the Japanese name for Hudson's perennially popular virtual fish tank, My Aquarium. Apparently not satisfied with what has to be one of the best-selling...