The December 2009 issue of Famitsu magazine has included an article on the upcoming Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article includes a large amount of information regarding the game, including the first announcement of a release date and pricing, and information about various worlds and each character. Kingdom Hearts Insider have created translated scans of this article, and these can be viewed below, in our gallery.
Famitsu (December 2009) *translated*
All images are translated by Kingdom Hearts Insider.
Square Enix's official Japanese website for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep has been updated. This update, which started yesterday with the Tokyo Game Show 2009 trailer, has now been finished, including additions to the "world" and "system" sections. This includes many new screenshots, which can be seen in our gallery, below, as well as multiple gameplay videos which can be downloaded from our trailers page for Birth by Sleep, or viewed below.
Birth by Sleep, Japanese website
All images are from the official website.
The upcoming Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, is now available on the Square Enix e-STORE. This page confirms the January 9, 2009 release date and ¥6,090 price, and contains new screenshots from the game. These can be seen below, in our gallery.
Square Enix e-STORE
All images are from Square Enix's official website.
Famitsu.com have updated with an article concerning the upcoming Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article includes previously seen screenshots in high quality, featuring new pictures from the Tokyo Game Show 2009 trailer, and these screenshots can all be viewed below, in our gallery.
Famitsu.com (October 21, 2009)
All images are from Famitsu.com.
Square Enix's official Japanese website for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep has been updated. This update includes additions to the world and system sections, as well as a new trailer for the game, the Tokyo Game Show 2009 trailer. This can be seen below, or downloaded from our video archive.
Kingdom Hearts Insider have written up a translated script for this trailer, and this translation can be viewed as a subtitled video, below.
The December 2009 issue of Famitsu magazine has included an article on the upcoming Kingdom Hearts game for the PlayStation Portable, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article includes a large amount of information regarding the game, including the first announcement of a release date and pricing. Birth by Sleep will be released in Japan on January 9, 2010, and will cost ¥6,090. Also revealed is the official English spelling for two characters in the game, Master Eraqus and Vanitas. FF-Reunion have uploaded scans of this article, and these scans can be viewed below, in our gallery.
Famitsu (December 2009)
Thanks to FF-Reunion.
The latest issue of V Jump magazine has included an article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article reveals the name of Master Xehanort's apprentice, Apprentice Vanitas. Scans of this article have been uploaded to 2ちゃんねる, and these can be seen below, in our gallery.
V Jump (December 2009)
Thanks to 2ちゃんねる.
Message from the KINGDOM is a Japanese blog that is updated by people on the development team of upcoming Kingdom Hearts titles. Recently, they have updated with news regarding Kingdom Hearts coded and Kingdom Hearts Mobile. This includes screenshots of Episode 4 of Coded's release, and information regarding items on Kingdom Hearts Mobile. You can view the update's included screenshots below, in our gallery.
Message from the KINGDOM
All images are from Message from the KINGDOM.
Square Enix have updated their official Japanese website for Kingdom Hearts coded. This update includes additions to the information section, as well as screenshots and renders from Episode 4 and 5 of the game. Also included is information about how these relate to Kingdom Hearts Mobile. All included images are available to view below.
Coded, Japanese website
All images are from Square Enix's official website.
Episode 5 of Kingdom Hearts coded, Agrabah, was released on October 15, 2009. Thanks to ReBirth Wings, the first details of this episode are surfacing online. ReBirth Wings wrote up an extensive summary of this episode, and Kingdom Hearts Insider have translated this summary. It can be read below.
As we saw last time, Pete has suddenly appeared at the Coliseum. He is not data, but has come from the real world in the same way that the King has, to interfere with whatever is going on. Pete tries to run, and Sora ends up following him into the next world.
Sora arrives in Agrabah, but has lost sight of Pete. So he goes around trying to collect information. In the first area (Palace Gates) there is a save point with a moogle beside it. He gives you the Avatar item “Desert Town Wallpaper”. In the same area is a shopkeeper who will exchange High Potions for the battle item “Magna Ball” (which will pull all enemies in the area towards Sora. It has the same effect as the Support Ability “Enemy Draw”.)
Sora searches around Agrabah, and then goes to the palace where he meets Aladdin out front. At first they just have a normal conversation, but when Sora leaves Aladdin stops him and asks him to look for Jasmin.
If you go in front of the palace and climb on the Ash Bug that went to the left, you can reach the top of the wall. You can then cross the Ash Bug and get a “Kupo Nut” from the Prize Bug.
Jasmin is in the Alley (when you get near the Alley from the Main Street you will hear conversation.) When you go into the Alley you will have to fight Jafar. Afterward Jafar will run to the palace, and Sora and Jasmin meet up with Aladdin.
If you enter Main Street through the upper area of the Alley, you will see an Ash Bug which you can cross to a Prize Bug which has the Support Ability “Second Chance”. Then if you go back to where you entered and drop down overhang, there will a Prize Bug close by which has another “Kupo Nut”.
Though they meet at the Palace Gates, Jafar appears immediately and captures Jasmin, while Iago swipes Aladdin’s lamp. Jafar then uses the power of a fake lamp to control time, which means you have to search out Iago to grab the real one under a time limit. At first you only have 30 seconds, but if you get Debug Balls from enemies and Bugs (which are stopped and won’t attack) you can extend the time limit. It can also be extended by breaking open Prize Bugs or using Reaction Combos.
At first Iago will be on top of the wall in front of the palace, but if you talk to him he’ll run. Jafar can also appear and create a time stealing mirage. If you are captured by the mirage you will lose time. But it is very slow moving and can’t climb up high places. So if you stay as high as you can you will be safe. It will not appear on the Main Street, so you can safely build up as much time as you need.
Iago will then go from the Bazaar to the Palace Gates. He will periodically move between these two areas. If you talk to him at the Palace Gates you will be able to steal the lamp back, and Genie will stop the time limit. Unfortunately time doesn’t return to normal, which means they’ll have to defeat Jafar first. With Genie’s power they teleport to the Cave of Wonders.
When they arrive, they see Jafar in front of the Cave of Wonders. He wishes something on the lamp and the Tiger Head goes crazy, and Sora has to fight it. This battle is in Area Debug Mode (4min.) You have to get rid of the eyes, but since the Ash Bugs that you can climb on are only in the air, you will have to use the Bug Spider instead. If you hit them once they will turn into an Ash Bug, and you can walk on them. So climbing the Ash Bugs, you can smash the Tiger Head’s eyes and defeat it. If you get close to the eyes, the head will send out beams of light, but you can block them with Reflect Guard. After you’ve defeated it, you will receive the Debug Ability “Confuse”. It will make the enemies confused and hit each other. Once the battle is finished, Sora follows Jafar into the cave.
There are a lot of traps inside the Cave of Wonders that you’ll have to get past. In the first area (Entrance) there are large boulders that roll down the path. They can’t be broken. The last boulder will roll opposite the others, so be careful. If you get hit by them you will get pushed to the edge, you will receive damage but you can start again from there. In the second area (Chasm of Challenges) there are seven water spouts that you must get by, which should be easy with good timing. If you get pushed off you will receive damage and fall below, and will have to start again at the beginning of the Chasm of Challenges. After that, there will be Ash Bugs to use as platforms, but if you stand on them for too long they won’t be able to hold you up and you’ll fall (when you fall you’ll receive damage, and have to start again in front of the water spouts.) There are few stable platforms, but Air Soldiers will appear there. When you reach the square Ash Bug near the end, you will be taken to a lower level. However, you will have to fight a battle with Air Soldiers three times. If you fall you will receive damage and reappear. Once you’ve gotten past all that, you will be taken to the Lamp Chamber. Jafar is there, and you will have to fight him. He will create two mirages of himself, and you must attack the real one. (The mirages are slightly transparent.) When the battle is finished, Jafar will run to the other side of the keyhole. Sora must find the keyhole within three minutes. Once the keyhole is found, you will enter the boss stage.
In the boss stage, you will be able to gain lots of bonuses depending on how many Bugs you’ve destroyed and how much time is left. In this area you will not be able to touch Jafar, so you’ll have to attack Iago who is holding the lamp. Jafar will aim beams of light at you, and if you get hit Sora’s movements will become slower. You can use Reflect Guard to bounce the attacks off of you, and if you hit Jafar both him and Iago will be stopped for a short time. The beginning will be a normal battle, but after awhile Ash Bugs will appear and Iago will start moving upwards. So then you’ll have to climb up to attack him. Unfortunately, regular attacks do not work all that well, so you’ll have to perform a Reaction Combo about 20 times. Once you’ve defeated and sealed Jafar, you will receive the Debug Ability “D Blizzard”.
Sora then sees Pete and chases after him, but Maleficent appears and destroys Sora’s keyblade. “This is our world, you know” she says, and summons Shadows.
The latest issue of Weekly Shōnen Gangan has included an article on Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. This article reveals Terra, Aqua and Ven's master, as well as his name, Master Erauqs. It also shows the first world of the game, the Land of Departure. FF-Reunion have scanned this article, and this can be seen in our gallery, below. Kingdom Hearts Insider have translated the article, and this can also be read below.
Weekly Shōnen Gangan (October 15, 2009)
Thanks to FF-Reunion.
An important scene!! The apprentices of this Keyblade Master leave on a journey!!
A very dignified looking Keyblade Master!!
A new world for the series “Land of Departure” will be the area for the first event you’ll see! The story of our three keyblade wielders will start from here!
He senses something amiss in the world!!
Eraqus realized that something bad will soon come upon the world. Are the princesses of light in trouble...?
Finally we get to see the protagonists master!
Our main characters are training under their master, Eraqus. When he senses danger coming to the world, he orders his pupils on a journey, and our story begins!!
Our three MCs each leave their homeworld seperately, praying for each others safety.
Master Erauqs One of the “Keyblade Masters” in that are in the world. He is the master that trained our heroes.
Three MCs They have trained under Master Eraqus, and are hoping to become “Keyblade Masters”
Have fun while powering up your Commands!
The “Command Board”
You can gain and strengthen the Commands you use in Action Battles in various ways. Just take a short detour on your adventure to play around with the board game “Command Board”, and you can power up your Commands!
Try to get a lot of BP (Board Points) Roll the dice on the board, gaining BP as you aim for the goal. If you stop on special panels, an event will activate!
Strong helpers will appear!! Lots of characters will appear to help the player. They’ll take BP from your opponent!!
The latest issue of Monthly Shōnen Gangan includes an article concerning Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts coded. This article shows previously revealed screenshots and information about Birth by Sleep, and also announces Episode 5 of Coded. HEARTSTATION.ORG have uploaded scans of this article, and translated the parts regarding Coded, which can be seen below.
Monthly Shōnen Gangan (November 2009)
Thanks to HEARTSTATION.ORG.
Kingdom Hearts Coded, Episode 5 releasing this October! “Put an end to Jafar’s plans in Aladdin’s world of Agrahbah!”
Join powers with the same Genie and bring peace to the world of Agrahbah! Sora comes to the world of Agrahbah. Hearing that unsual happenings have been occuring around town from Aladdin, he takes off on an adventure together with Genie to find the cause.
Malficent emerges in this world!? Maleficent appears in front of Sora. What is she planning? Maleficent: You who disturb my plans are not allowed.
Along with Genie, unravel the mystery of the unsual happenings in the town! Pursue Jafar ’s evil plans and quest through the maze with Genie. Sora: But through here, Jasmine is in the back right?
In the boss fight Jafar turns into a Genie! Take down Jafar who has acquired Agrahbah! Genie: Now Jafar is invincible! Whaterver kind of attacks won’t hurt him.
Aladdin is having trouble dealing with the unusual happenings in the town too! It seems the bug blocks have begun eroding this world too. Sora: What are you doing here?”
Connected with Avatar Kingdom! If you meet the requirements when you clear the world of Agrahbah, you can get cute items you can use in Avatar Kingdom!
Kingdom Hearts coded, the Kingdom Hearts game for docomo mobile phones and sequel to Kingdom Hearts II, has been periodically releasing episodes in Japan. Currently, four episodes have been released. The first three released episodes, Destiny Islands, Traverse Town and Wonderland, have been recorded, and uploaded to ニコニコ動画 by ハトスケ.
We have uploaded these videos, in the form of a playlist, and this can be viewed below. Also, the first six cutscenes of the game can be watched and downloaded from our exclusive cutscenes page for the game.
Square Enix's official European website for Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days has updated, to coincide with the official release of 358/2 Days in European regions. The website now includes more information concerning the worlds, characters and gameplay of the game. Also, a trailer, new wallpapers, and avatars can be seen.
The trailer, which is a higher quality version of the E3 2009 trailer, can be seen or downloaded from our page for the video, or watched below. The wallpapers can be seen below, in our gallery, and the avatars can be used when you change your avatar on our forum.
358/2 Days, European website
All images are from the official European website for 358/2 Days.
Famitsu.com have recently updated with an article concerning Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep. HEARTSTATION.ORG have translated this article, and it can now be read below.
Link with Disney Character Friends in “Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep” The exciting Direct Hit Battle System
‘Birth by Sleep’ is an action RPG in which Terra, Ventus and Aqua run about in Disney worlds.
In-battle the ‘command style’ changes, and so, the system is one in which the technique and action changes sharply. This time will be about confirming the second level of this command style!
This is a Terra-specific command style, “Fatal Mode”. It makes the direct attack type techniques are more powerful than normal. By the way, change the command style, and the gauge design also changes. From here, full the gauge up even more, and…
Fill the command gauge in Fatal Mode again, and fill the conditions, and it changes to the second level command stage! The finish move ‘Rock Breaker’, in which attack power increases even more, attacks by making huge rocks push up at wide-ranged enemies.
Here is Ven’s level two Command Style, “Cyclone”. It’s a finishing move that, while spinning, attacks the circumference, even if it hits a wall or something, it rebounds. There are many kinds of Command Style, and there are many finishing moves, too. You can enjoy a battle rich in change.
Borrow Friend’s power with Dimension Link!
When the D-LINK gauge is at full-tank status, you can set the ‘Dimension Link’ in motion, and begin to borrow the power of strong-hearted Disney Character friends. While it’s in motion, other than the Deck Command that can be brought up by the triangle button changing into a special technique, individual rich finishing move is sent out in proportion to the number of ‘symbols’.
In the bottom right of the screen, a few gauges are displayed. The blue gauge amongst them is the D-LINK gauge. The D-LINK gauge fills up by collecting the blue ‘prizes’ that are dropped when enemies are defeated.
Symbols are an item that you can acquire from defeating enemies while linking. Collect them, and a link character window is displayed nearby. In Cinderella’s case, they are tiara and glass slipper symbols. It means that objects connected to original works become the symbols.
If you can obtain up to two symbols per one character, the technique changes depending on how many symbols you have collected. The techniques differ from when you have between zero and one symbol, and when you have two. And, the finishing moves that can be used when linking with people like Stitch or Cinderella, are on a system that works by being started by hitting the button with good timing.
While linking, not only the Deck Commands and such change; the status also rises. The effect of this bonus is put into motion by collecting symbols. In the case of the photo above, with one symbol it is ‘attack up’, and when you have collected the second, a state called‘CP2 Doubled’ effect is added.
