Fans of casual games in Europe are going to get some loving from Majesco Entertainment now that the company has joined hands with Codemasters to bring 12 titles to their part of the world. Cake Mania 2 and Toy Shop headline Majesco's line-up for this year, and more are to follow. Find the rest of the games at the full article.

The year's next batch of releases are here, and from the looks of it, games are picking up. Unlike last time, a good chunk of new titles for Nintendo's platforms compose this week's list. PC gamers fret not, because a few including a next-gen train simulator is heading to their gaming machine. Oh, and there's something for PSP owners too. You'll have to head over to the full article to find out what will be in stores.

Majesco Entertainment blasted away with new details of upcoming Nanostray 2 for the Nintendo DS, with an accompanying good burst of screenshots to boot. That's right folks, we're finally hearing something about the sequel again of the "first 3D shooter" on Nintendo's handheld.

This time, the sci-fi shooter in classic top-down fashion is coming with six game modes, horizontal and vertical viewpoints, multiple control schemes, and configurable weapons. Test your skills in Challenge mode with over 30 missions and 16 bosses to go through, go head-to-head in two-player versus or join forces in co-op, or even set steep high scores in Simulator mode. Of course, you can upload scores via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to show off your feats.

"In Nanostray 2, we're building upon that foundation with features fans requested after the original release: new game modes, control options and wireless connectivity, among them," said Europe Marketing Manager John Merchant. We have to wait for the early 2008 release to see such features in action, but the screenshots make it clear how good Nanostray 2 looks.

Can't wait to see the goodies? You won't be disappointed, because Nanostray 2 has visuals comparable to more popular Nintendo DS games, and makes full use of the handheld's dual screens. Without further ado, here are the game's screenshots.

  

Find the more screenshots of Nanostray 2 at the full article!

 

We grew up with space shooters like R-Type and Raiden and loved them. R-Type was a horizontal shooter while Raiden was vertical. You can enjoy both in Nanostray 2.

Straight from the tag team of Shin'en and Majesco comes a multi-scrolling shooter for the DS. Nanostray 2 features both single player campaigns and multiplayer via Nintendo Wi-Fi. We see a number of in-game locations via the screenshots: Daitochi Station, Himuro Base, Kohai City, and Kigan Belt.

As for the moment, there hasn't been any further announcements regarding the Nanostray 2's release date or info about how the multiplayer works. We'll keep our eyes peeled for more updates, be sure to keep checking back here at the QJ DS blog.

Check out the rest of the screens after the jump!

You've all probably heard about Nanostray 2. And by now, you probably know that the space shooter genre is quite overpopulated, especially for the DS. But then again, it is sometimes fun not to think even for a few moments and just continuously press buttons left and right to take alien spaceships down.

Besides, there are subtle differences between these titles that create a niche for them. Just like this one for example. Apparently, aside from the cool action that Nanostray offers, some players have taken notice of the series' music. Because of this, developer Shin'en Multimedia announced that they will be releasing a soundtrack in the future.

The devs also added that for interested parties who want to be updated, all they have to do is send an email to info@shinen.com with the subject "nanostray soundtrack". As of the moment, there are still no concrete details about the release date and the format the said soundtrack will be available in.

So if you want to know the latest about Nanostray, send them an email. Better yet, just check with us here at QJ and we promise to give you the latest updates.

Space shooters are a dime a dozen. From Gradius to R-Type, some would even go so far as saying that if you've played one of 'em, you've played it all. But seriously now, if a space shooter were to jet into the NDS, you're sure that somewhere in its control schemes, it'll incorporate the touch screen, right? Oh, you can bet your jet packs it does.

Following their first game, German studio Shin'en Multimedia is back with Nanostray 2. Now, not only is it a vertical-scrolling shooter (as was Nanostray), but from the looks of things, it'll be both a vertical- and horizontal-scroller.

The game will also support the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but with regards to that feature, not much has been revealed as of yet.

So, to spoil you guys with some action-packed loving, here's the official trailer for the game that's set to come out this year.

Download: [Nanostray 2 trailer]

Nanostray 2, the sequel to the DS shoot' em up from German studio Shin'en Multimedia, now has its website up and about! Currently, the Nanostray 2 (N2) website is on the scant side. It features the first set screenshots (we have them here,too) and some basic info about the game. But Shin’en Multimedia, the team behind N2, promises regular website updates with something new for N2 fans. FYI: the first Nanostray 2 trailer with real in-game footage will be posted in December.

According tothe Nanostray 2(N2) website, the game is the ultimate action experience for the DS with its fast paced gameplay and intensity never before seen on Nintendo's best-selling console. It combines features smooth graphics of hundreds of unique enemies, beautiful alien worlds and bosses scattered all over the Nanostray galaxy.

More info will be posted in the coming weeks so better stay tuned here at QJ for updates.

View the first batch of Nanostray2 screenshots after the jump.

Shin'en is an audio/game development company that created two of the better space-shooting games for the GBA and NDS - Iridion and Nanostray. Last time we reported the confirmation of Nanostray 2. Now, C3 gets to interview Manfred Linzner, Project Manager of Shin'en.

Most of the interview dealt with comparisons between Nanostray and Nanostray 2. According to the article, the company was surprised at the mostly positive reaction to the first game. The only negative feedback regarding the game was that most people didn't like the changing weapons method--it had to be controlled via touching the the second screen. It diverts the attention from the main action on the first screen.

According to Manfred, N2 won't have touch control and lesser second screen usage because of three reasons. First, using two 3d screens usually ends up with rough 30fps instead of the better 60fps graphics - slower graphics. Second would be because 50% of the video ram would be lost. Therefore, game developers would be required to go 2d rather than 3d. Lastly, they found playing on two screens a bit awkward.

However, N2 has more advanced technology than the last one as it'll be using the new special FX code. This will be the first time that it will be used anywhere. Regarding the Wi-Fi Connection, the company will announce any news on their website as soon as possible.

Feel free to read the interview for other news.

Shin'en Multimedia today announced the development of Nanostray 2, the sequel to the shoot' em up Shin'en debuted with on the Nintendo DS last year. The German studio promises that Nanostray 2 will introduce even more gameplay novelties to the genre, for example new touch screen and WiFi functions. The press release didn't go into further details, but according to Shin'en, screenshots and more information will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

“Shin’en again raises the bar for high quality games with never-seen-before graphics, awesome audio and innovative gameplay on the Nintendo DS”, commented Manfred Linzner, Project Manager at Shin’en.

And while we probably won't have to worry about the visual department, where the game's prequel already excelled, here's hoping that the developers take their time to update and deepen the gameplay as well.