Wednesday, July 31, 2013

New DuckTales: Remastered African Mines Trailer

African Mines Trailer Direct Link

Scirra Approved As Nintendo Developer, Working On Construct 2 Exporter For Wii U

Scirra, the company responsible for the indie friendly Construct 2 development engine, has been confirmed as an official Nintendo developer. The Construct 2 engine is a HTML 5 based game editor aimed at non-programmers. It is notable for its support of just about every computer based environment from Linux to Mobile to Facebook. Its simple drag and drop interface has made it popular among many new game developers and has already had a successful introduction on the Steam Greenlight program. Here is the announcement coming from Scirra's Facebook page:
"We've just had confirmation from Nintendo that we're now approved for Wii U software development! We'll be looking at adding a Wii U exporter to Construct 2!"
This is great news for the indie friendly Wii U and will bring a lot of new titles to the machine. Between this and Unity, Nintendo now has most of the major indie development platforms available to developers and has even offered to assist those developers in getting their games on their home console. It's an impressive move by the Big N.

Source

Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD Not Likely To Hit Wii U

With 2 excellent Oddworld games coming to Wii U, many have begun to wonder if Munch's Oddysee would make the jump as well. This was further compounded by Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning and his glowing attitude towards Nintendo and its president Satoru Iwata. While one of the weaker entries in the Oddworld series, Munch's Oddysee is still a great game that has seen an HD upgrade for the PS3 and VITA.

Unfortunately we are unlikely to see Munch's Oddysee on Wii U for the time being. Oddworld Inhabitants development director Stewart Gilray has stated that there are no plans for a Wii U version of Munch's Oddysee because the Xbox original "is built on extremely old tech", and bringing it to Wii U would likely be a difficult process. While the game did make an HD jump to PS3 and VITA, Gilray has said it was quite a struggle and not one they want to repeat with Wii U. To be fair, this is a very legitimate issue for a game such as Munch which was originally a more strategy oriented game for the PS2 before its move to Xbox as a launch title and change to a Mario style platformer.

Source

Friday, July 26, 2013

Fans Remake Chrono Trigger Intro In HD

Chrono Trigger Intro Remake Direct Link

Shadow Of The Eternals Refined And Relaunched Kickstarter Campaign

Shadow of the Eternals (the spiritual successor to Eternal Darkness) attempted to crowdfund its development a few months ago but came to an abrupt halt by developer Precursor Games. This was likely in response to the rather disjointed and unfocused approach to crowdfunding which is understandable for developers accustomed to traditional big budget game design. Precursor has wisely gone back and refined their Kickstarter campaign resulting in a cheaper budget, clearer goals and more defined rewards for backers.

The game is still set for Wii U and PC (with a possible PS4 version in the future) for a budget friendly price of $20. All Backers will gain exclusive access to the "Order of the Unseen" which is an exclusive community for fans to interact with the developer's and submit ideas that will actually be considered for the final game. Members of the Order will also be featured in the game's credits which is a sweet bonus for those who have always wanted to be involved in a games development. The team has also brought on David Hayter (the voice of Solid Snake) to voice the main character of Shadow of the Eternals, Paul Becker (This is nice for fans who are upset at Hayter not being cast in the Metal Gear Solid V). The funding goal has seen a modest reduction to $750,000 (from the original $1.3 Million) after Precursor did away with the convoluted "chapters" system which had people paying in different tiers to access portions of the complete game. Overall the new campaign is far more appealing to gamer's/backer's and shows that the developer really wants to see the project to completion. Enjoy!


Friday, July 19, 2013

Nintendo 3DS Getting A Rush Of Mega Man Classics!

If you're in the mood for some Mega Man on the go, the 3DS is quickly becoming the system of choice. Already populated by the 6 classic NES games as well as the first Game Boy Mega Man, Capcom is gearing up to bring 6 additional Mega Man titles to Nintendo's latest handheld. Capcom has stated that these games are "coming soon" but I would not be surprised to see these release 1 per month through the remainder of the year since that has been the release schedule for the NES titles on 3DS. Here is a current list of the classic Game Boy Mega Man games coming to the 3DS Virtual Console:
  • Mega Man II (Game Boy)
  • Mega Man III (Game Boy)
  • Mega Man IV (Game Boy)
  • Mega Man V (Game Boy)
  • Mega Man Xtreme (Game Boy Color)
  • Mega Man Xtreme 2 (Game Boy Color)
It's an impressive lineup as this is the first time in roughly 15 years that these games have been made available outside of their original release. Mega Man V is especially noteworthy due to it being a truly original Mega Man game that wasn't a spin-off of its NES/SNES cousins. Given the warm reception Mega Man has been receiving on Nintendo consoles (in terms of Virtual Console and Smash Bros.), Capcom would be wise to turn the Blue Bomber into a Nintendo exclusive franchise as that is where he truly thrives. While not yet exclusive, Sonic has made similar headway on Nintendo consoles and has proven quite successful leading to the Nintendo published Sonic Lost World due out this October. What are your thoughts? Please comment below.

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Super Mario On Atari 2600?...Yea, That Just Happened!

In the decades since the Atari 2600 once dominated the video game industry, the homebrew scene has exploded with many talented individuals bringing games to the system that just didn't seem possible given the consoles meager hardware (The impressive Halo 2600 jumps to mind). Homebrew may be for the most hardcore gamer's and collector's but it is one of the more exciting (and growing) sectors of the video game industry next to independent game development (which hombrew would technically be a subset of).

One of the latest Atari 2600 homebrew games titled Princess Rescue comes from Publisher Atari Age and Programmer Chris Spry. As the title implies, your task is to simply rescue the princess. While the game is an obvious Super Mario clone, the title is used to avoid any legal issues with Nintendo. Princess Rescue is an impressive technical feat when you consider the complexity of the graphics (for Atari 2600) and the fact that the game actually has a soundtrack which is an extreme rarity on the 2600. If you're a collector of obscure (and really great) homebrew games, you should grab a copy which is available on Atari Age as a physical cartridge for $30. Enjoy!


Thursday, July 18, 2013

EarthBound Lands On Wii U Virtual Console Today!!

There is no denying that even today, nearly 20 years after its debut on SNES, EarthBound is one of the most unique and creative RPG's ever crafted. The game has garnered a dedicated following like no other with fans who have tirelessly spent the last 15 years trying to get the Mother series (EarthBound's Japanese name) noticed outside of Japan. For the longest time, it seemed as if Nintendo was content to just ignore this series in the west. Ironically it was the struggling Wii U and its innovative Miiverse service that finally turned the tides and got the Big N to sit up and really take notice. When Japan got Mother 2 (EarthBound) on the Wii U Virtual Console in March of this year, fans from all over the globe flooded the games Miiverse community to beg Nintendo to bring the game worldwide (Which worked when Nintendo announced the games upcoming launch back in April).

Today is sure to make a lot of RPG fans happy as Nintendo did a surprise launch of the highly anticipated game. The Big N thrilled fans with a new Nintendo Direct that brought a lot of good news for 3DS and Wii U owners showcasing titles such as Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101 and Animal Crossing as well as their massive fall 2013 lineup. The video was closed out with the reveal of EarthBound's launch on the eShop today. The game was announced with a $9.99 price tag for the download (which is a far cry from the hundreds of dollars many have had to pay for the physical cartridge). Many took notice of the $2 premium for the download (SNES Virtual Console titles are normally $7.99) but failed to take into account that much like the original SNES release (which included a full guide), Nintendo has created a digital version of the games massive 1995 strategy guide and put it online for free on the official website. What's more, they even optimized it for the Wii U Gamepad for quick access while playing (a classy move which was not required but very appreciated). If you're a fan of RPG's, you owe it to yourself to experience this delightfully original game. Enjoy and click here to learn more about this wonderful series!


Mega Man Mega Medley Rocks The House!

Mega Man Mega Medley Direct Link

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Indie Platformer Cloudberry Kingdom Gets A Wii U Release Date!

If you have a sweet spot in your heart for classic platformers such as Mario and Sonic, Cloudberry Kingdom may just be the perfect adventure for you. Challenging run and jump gameplay is the name of the game in this borderline masochistic platformer that may look sweet and innocent but packs some serious bite. The games story even takes the classic rescue the princess quest and lovingly mocks it with beautiful stop motion style cinemas. Cloudberry Kingdom will have even the most hardcore gamer begging for mercy when it hits the Wii U eShop on August 1st for $9.99. Enjoy!


Visit The Himalayas In Latest DuckTales: Remastered Trailer

Himalayas Postcard Trailer Direct Link

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Rageaholic Speaks Out In Defense Of Nintendo!

It's no secret that the "mainstream" gaming press and parts of the gaming industry have been using Nintendo as their verbal punching bag for many years. The Wii U is the latest Nintendo console to be shit upon with developers squatting down and squeezing out excuse after excuse why the machine is not next-gen or why they can't bring their latest game to the unique (and highly underrated) machine. This is quite ironic when you consider that the Wii U is the most mainstream friendly machine Nintendo has produced since the SNES.

The funny thing is that if you do a little research and follow the money, you find that much of the mainstream press is in the pockets of Microsoft, Sony and numerous third party developers meaning there is a vested interest in downing Nintendo as the Big N refuses to conform to the "standards" of the industry. EA's childlike tantrum after Nintendo refused their horrific Origin platform as the online service for the Wii U is an excellent example of this. This is why Nintendo has refocused the machine to cater to first party software and the indie community who take pride in giving the mainstream industry the middle finger.

This brings us to the master or video game rants xRazorFistx (aka The Rageaholic) who is never shy about sharing his opinion and always entertaining in his delivery of said opinion. His latest VLOG brings light to the atrocious hypocrisy that the industry displays towards Nintendo. Enjoy!


Indie J-RPG "Soul Saga" Coming To Wii U!

For every third party game that isn't announced for the Wii U there are 2-3 games that pop up from the indie community. Kickstarter has quickly become a great source for new Wii U games with well over 15 games being successful funded over the last year. Hell, there have even been a few cases where a project was struggling to get funded and blew past its goal when a Wii U version was added to the stretch goals (Armikrog immediately springs to mind).

This brings us to the latest success story, the Steampunk RPG Soul Saga. Developer Disaster Cake is crafting Soul Saga as a PlayStation era J-RPG not dissimilar to games like Wild Arms and Final Fantasy and boy does it show. The visuals are quite beautiful and the gameplay looks deliciously old school which is quite refreshing considering that these types of games have had a tough time outside of the portable market. The game will be coming to the Wii U and even has a few exclusive features that will take advantage of the Wii U Gamepad such as a Steampunk cell phone. Be sure to keep up to date on the games development through the official website that logs the progress of this ambitious new game. Enjoy!


Get Ready To Go Ape In Mario Warfare Part 3!

The highly entertaining real world approach to the Mario series continues in the latest episode, Mario Warfare Part 3. Excellent fight choreography and a surprisingly dramatic take on Donkey Kong are highlights in this unique series that gets better with each new episode. Seeing as this was the first episode to be produced directly as a result of the successful Kickstarter campaign, it is money well spent as this is a million times better than anything Hollywood could produce. The fan service is sure to delight any Nintendo/Mario fan with nods to Donkey Kong Country, Captain N and Smash Bros. Enjoy!


Friday, July 12, 2013

Latest 3DS System Update Adds New StreetPass Games

The StreetPass software that comes installed on every Nintendo 3DS unit has proven to be very successful and it could be argued that it has been key in the continuing success of the machine. Nintendo has decided to update the program and add the ability to purchase 4 new games that greatly expand the depth of this simple yet addictive service. The latest system update will not only bring the ability to purchase these new games but also a new "Mii Plaza" interface that replaces the rather bland original. The games are priced at $4.99 each with a 25% discount to $14.99 if you purchase all 4 in a bundle. Nintendo has even put together a short trailer explaining the new games as well as showing some footage. Enjoy!


DuckTales: Remastered Duckumentary And Release Date

The gorgeous Wayforward developed DuckTales: Remastered has become one of the most anticipated retro remakes in recent memory. This comes as little surprise when you consider how well the NES original holds up even today. Capcom has just revealed the release date (August 15th) and to commemorate the announcement, they have teamed up with the ever impressive Wayforward to produce an official "Duckumentary" (I can hear you groan at that cheesy title) which gives players some great insight into the development of this beautiful game. Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

New Super Ubie Land Launch Trailer

Super Ubie Land looks better with each new preview and this latest trailer gives an exciting sneak peak of the final product which launches August 13th for Linux, PC and Mac. The Wii U version is still in development with a possible launch this fall. The charming Ubie should be a standout character on the eShop which is quickly becoming a welcoming home to the indie game. Enjoy!


Monday, July 8, 2013

Nintendo Asked Developer For Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath On Wii U

As revealed at this year's E3, Nintendo's HD console will be getting two excellent Oddworld games. What wasn't known at the time is that Nintendo specifically asked developer Oddworld Inhabitants to bring the highly underrated Stranger's Wrath to the Wii U.

Quote from ONM (Official Nintendo Magazine)...
"Not only did we hear that forgotten platform classic Abe’s Oddysee would be getting a remake, New ‘N’ Tasty, on Wii U eShop, we also then found out Nintendo had asked the developer for the HD remake of shooter sequel, Stranger’s Wrath, they were working on, too. We’re already belching loudly in anticipation."
This is great news that shows that Nintendo truly does take notice of quality games (and in turn tries to get those games on their consoles). Seeing as the Oddworld franchise is an excellent fit for the Nintendo audience, it would be nice to see Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD come to the Wii U. If you have a Wii U and love truly unique games, you owe it to yourself to get these titles when they hit the eShop. Enjoy!


Source

Get To Know The Pikmin In New Pikmin 3 Trailer

Pikmin is one of Nintendo's most unique and original franchises with its excellent blend of adventure and strategy. In an effort to educate fans on the upcoming Pikmin 3, Nintendo has released a video which introduces players to the titular Pikmin (both new and old). It's a cute video that shows off a lot of the new gameplay possibilities and variety in the latest game. Pikmin 3 launches in North America on August 4th and in Europe on July 26th.

Pikmin 3 is a huge game that will kick off the big push for the Wii U this year. Nintendo fans will see at least one major Nintendo exclusive each month through the rest of the year making it an exciting time for Wii U owners. What are some of fondest Pikmin memories? Please share in the comments below. Enjoy!


Wii U Is In For A BloodBath From Freedom Factory

Developer Freedom Factory has just announced that they will be bringing their new 3D Hack'n'Slash titled BloodBath to the Wii U. The game is set in a dystopian future where fighters brutally combat in an arena to satisfy the public bloodlust as the fights are being broadcast. The concept is similar to the ancient gladiator fights of Rome or more recent media such as Madworld (Wii) and The Running Man film from 1987.

As revealed in the teaser trailer, you choose between six combatants and fight in multiple worldwide arenas to become the top fighter. There is a focus on weapon based arena combat that seems like a cross between the Dreamcast classics Powerstone and Soul Calibur (only a LOT more violent). The developer is also promising a "multiplayer experience like no other" which is a bold yet intriguing claim. An exact release date has not been revealed but 2014 seems likely at this point. Enjoy!


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Zelda Inspired "Ittle Dew" Coming To Wii U eShop!

Ittle Dew is an utterly adorable action adventure game that is very much inspired by the classic 2D Zelda titles. Indie developer Ludosity has crafted a game that breathes new life into the genre by putting a greater emphasis puzzles and giving the title a female lead (which is surprisingly still not a common practice in mainstream gaming). The game just released on Windows (July 1st) with versions coming for Linux, Mac and Ouya as well as mobile devices. Ludocity has also announced that the game will be coming to the Wii U eShop this fall which will be perfect for Zelda fans who will be digging into Wind Waker HD this October. Be sure to visit the games official site to learn about the charming cast of characters the game has to offer. Enjoy!


Friday, July 5, 2013

Former RARE Developers Return To Nintendo Consoles

Rare will always have an amazing legacy as a Nintendo developer but the Microsoft owned Rare of today is in no longer the company who made all of those classic games we love and cherish. The fact of the matter is that shortly after Microsoft took ownership of the company, there was a mass exodus of key staff members (who wouldn't have left under Nintendo) which left the company a shell of its former self. It has since been filled out with new blood who produce Xbox Live Avatars and Kinect Sports titles but the idea that they could somehow reproduce the magic of old is simply not possible. For the record, the recently revealed Killer Instinct (Xbone) is NOT being developed by Rare (it is being developed by Double Helix Games, a company with a rather spotty track record).

Fortunately, the independent gaming boom has actually been key in bringing a lot of that classic Rare talent back to Nintendo consoles where they can thrive once again. The combination of Nintendo's extremely open policy for their eShop and many older developers (such as former Rare designers) distaste for the modern game development culture has made it possible for a rebirth of the glory days of Rare complete with fresh new IP's. There is little doubt that these ambitious projects will help create a type of "gold rush" for Nintendo's eShop as third party's continue bail on Nintendo leaving a void ripe for indie developers to fill. Here is a sneak peak at some upcoming Wii U/3DS titles coming in 2013/2014 that have former Rare staff working on them.
  • Tengami (Wii U eShop) - Developed by UK based Nyamyam (composed of many ex-Rare talent), Tengami is a beautiful adventure title that uses a storybook aesthetic to tell its story. The game is being design with touch devices in mind which made it an ideal fit for the Wii U.
  • The Unlikely Legend of Rusty Pup (Wii U/3DS eShop) - Developed by Gory Detail which was formed by Chris Seavor, designer/voice of Conker's Bad Fur Day. Gory Detail has just wrapped up work on Parashoot Stan for the iOS which comes recommended for owners of Apple devices capable of playing it. Few details have been revealed for Rusty Pup outside of it being a "2D platformer with depth" but the promise of something other than another generic FPS (and from the designer of Conker) is enough to get any game fan excited.
  • A Hat in Time (Planned for Wii U eShop) - While not Rare developed, this stunningly beautiful title is Rare inspired. The game is a throwback/tribute to the N64 glory days of games such as Mario 64, Banjo Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64. A Hat in Time recently closed out a highly successful Kickstarter run that will infuse some classic Rare DNA into its final product. Former Rare composer Grant Kirkhope (Banjo series, Perfect Dark, etc.) is composing multiple tunes for the games soundtrack which is sure to delight Rare fans. While not yet confirmed for the Wii U, Nintendo has taken notice of the project and is helping the developers in bringing it to the console.
  • Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze - With the big ape making his HD debut this fall, Nintendo has managed to bring back series composer David Wise to create the new soundtrack. David Wise has deep roots with Rare having composed soundtracks for over 60 games produced by the company from the NES all the way up to the XB360. Fans will be playing the new Donkey Kong Country this November.
  • Banjo Tooie Spiritual Successor (Current status: On Hold) - A handful of ex-Rare developers have banded together in hopes of creating a proper follow-up to Banjo Kazooie (or spiritual successor as Microsoft owns the Banjo franchise). Artist Steven Hurst and composer Grant Kirkhope are spearheading the project in hope of erasing the horrible taste left by Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. Unfortunately, the project is currently on hold due to prior commitments of the team.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Balance And Ruin: A Final Fantasy VI Remix Album!

While fans will endlessly debate over Final Fantasy 6 versus Final Fantasy 7, few can debate the quality of the soundtrack for the stunning sixth installment of the legendary RPG franchise. To this day, it is one of the most iconic RPG scores that stands proudly next to the equally legendary Chrono Trigger. The endlessly talented folks at Overclocked Remix have lovingly crafted a tribute album for this classic game titled Balance and Ruin: Inspired by Final Fantasy VI. The album is a nostalgic trip through a story and world that has few rivals even 19 years after its initial release. Like the many other amazing albums released by Overclocked Remix, Balance and Ruin is 100% free and available for download on the albums website. Enjoy and please comment below on your personal favorite Final Fantasy!

Fans Demake Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype In 8-Bit

Capcom as a company may want to forget about Mega Man Legends 3 but the fans have given the game a new life. Dedicated fans have crafted everything from amazing art to an entire soundtrack inspired by the unreleased game. With the current state of technology available to talented indie gamers I have no doubt that a full 3D game will eventually be crafted but until that day comes, we are getting a 2D 8-Bit version of the Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version.

Surprisingly, the game has 2 former Capcom employees on board contributing to the project. Hideki Ishikawa (character designer) will produce the "box art" and Makoto Tomozawa (composer) will provide a couple of tracks. The game is planned for a free release on PC this August with a demo scheduled to come shortly. Capcom VP Christian Svensson has apparently given his blessing to the project which has been the case with many fan works lately which leads many to wonder if the franchise is shifting to a fan driven model. Personally, I like this approach but I would also love to see Nintendo team with Capcom to officially make Mega Man a Nintendo exclusive franchise. What are your thoughts? Please comment below. Enjoy!


Monday, July 1, 2013

Club Nintendo July Rewards Update

Nintendo has updated their downloadable Club Nintendo rewards for July and for the remainder of the month they are offering 4 titles across 2 systemsThe expiration date for this offer is now August 4 and the price is between 100-200 coins for each title. Be sure to check back August 5 for the next reward update.

Super Punch-Out!! - Wii Virtual Console
150 Coins (Available Until August 4)

Star Fox 64Wii Virtual Console
200 Coins (Available Until August 4)

Aura-Aura Climber3DS eShop
100 Coins (Available Until August 4)

Donkey Kong 3DS eShop
100 Coins (Available Until August 4)


Click here to see rewards