Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Big N Teams With Mega 64 To Announce Nintendo @ E3 2014!

The hilarious team over at Mega 64 have teamed up with Nintendo to announce the Big N's plan for E3 2014. Unlike past years which have often been shrouded in secrecy, Nintendo is coming out swinging with a wide variety of events both on and off the showroom floor. The event is being billed as the Nintendo Digital Event and is scheduled to kick off June 10, 2014 where fans can expect to hear about new games for both 3DS & Wii U. Super Smash Bros. will be a major focus of the show and much like last years show, Nintendo is moving away from a traditional stage show in favor of a more personal and internet friendly showcase of their newest stuff. Here is the current breakdown of what to expect:
  • Super Smash Bros. Invitational - Nintendo will be hosting a Smash Bros. invitational tournament to show off their latest installment of the popular fighting series to both the public and tournament community. This is a first for the company and backs up previous statements that Nintendo hopes for the newest Smash Bros. to enter the tournament fighting scene.
  • Super Smash Bros. Smash-Fest @ Best Buy - Much like last year, Nintendo is teaming with Best Buy to allow players who can't go to E3 to experience the new game during the show. This means you'll be able to hit a local Best Buy and experience the game (and possibly others) at the same time the press does. Expect Best Buy to release a schedule of which stores will feature playable Super Smash Bros. shortly before E3 kicks off.
  • Nintendo Treehouse Live @ E3 - For those who don't know, the Nintendo Treehouse is a top secret division of the company which houses the latest and most secret projects the company works on. At this years show, the Treehouse team will feature constant daily live streams from E3 to showcase their latest games. If there is any news on a new Star Fox, Metroid or even a new franchise, this will be where it is revealed.
The whole video was pretty funny and shows a whole new side of Nintendo who is willing to actually tease their E3 show in a major way. Considering that E3 is coming shortly after the release of Mario Kart 8 (May 30) which is their most important Wii U title, expect Nintendo to build on that momentum and showcase some big titles. While we know the current big titles like X, Bayonetta 2 and Super Smash Bros., it's the unknown that has fans drooling at the possibilities. Enjoy and please comment below on what you want to see most at the show!

Play Nintendo E3 2014 Direct Link


Infinity Runner Is Bringing Werewolves In Space To Wii U!

Wales Interactive (who is bringing Master Reboot and Gravity Badgers to Wii U) has revealed that they plan to bring their latest title, Infinity Runner, to the Wii U this summer. The game is a sci-fi action running game with gameplay and visuals inspired by games like Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect. Infinity Runner puts you in the role of a prisoner trying to escape The Infinity (the largest man-made spaceship ever built) using your skills in parkour and mixed martial arts over the course of 14 levels. The game is also set to support 32 player multiplayer which based on the initial trailer looks like it could be quite intense with its first person perspective. Enjoy!

Infinity Runner Teaser Direct Link

New Fatal Frame Announced Exclusively For Wii U!

Tecmo Koei has announced a new game in the long running Fatal Frame series. The new game (currently untitled but being referred to as Fatal Frame V) is set to appear on the Wii U which excites the imagination when you consider how the developers can utilize the GamePad for the series Camera Obscura which is used to combat spirits. This Wii U exclusivity is the result of Nintendo co-owning the Fatal Frame franchise with Tecmo Koei which also resulted in the experimental (and underrated) 3DS exclusive, Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (a side game in the Fatal Frame series).

The Fatal Frame series gained a cult following in the US during its PlayStation 2 run which saw 3 games get an English language release. The series 4th installment, Fatal Frame IV, came out as a Japan only Wii exclusive in 2008 (published by Nintendo). Despite fan requests, the game never made it out of Japan and was ultimately translated through a group of dedicated fans. An enhanced remake of Fatal Frame II was also produced for the Wii but only saw release in Japan and Europe.

This has caused many to question what will happen with this latest installment in the series. Interestingly, Tecmo Koei has also announced plans to supplement this new games release with a live-action film, novel and comic which could mean a push to expand the franchise. This could also point to an expansion for the series back into the survival horror starved US market. Since Nintendo owns exclusive rights to the series, there is a possibility that the Big N will make an attempt to bring the franchise to the game starved US Wii U market, a move that would go a long way to showing the core market that Nintendo is serious about the console in terms of the mature market. Personally I think Nintendo would do well to release an HD Wii U enhanced Fatal Frame Collection to build interest in the series in the US again (considering it has been close to a decade since the last US release). If there is any news coming on a US release, expect something at this years E3.


Source

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

120+ Upcoming Wii U Indie Games: Beat'em Ups

Direct Link

120+ Upcoming Wii U Indie Games: Beat'em Ups List


Source: Nintendo Enthusiast

How Well Do You Know Harvest Moon?

Harvest Moon may be one of the most unique RPG's ever made with its focus on farming and relationships. When it first came out, you could be forgiven for scoffing at the idea of a farming RPG but it ultimately became a major franchise with a fiercely loyal fanbase. Interestingly, the game in its earliest SNES incarnation went through a bit of difficulty on its way to completion and series creator Yasuhiro Wada had to move many ideas to Harvest Moon 64 which he considers the closest game to his original vision. YouTube channel Did You Know Gaming has put together a fascinating video which explores the rich history of this series and comes highly recommended for any fan of Harvest Moon or RPG's in general. Enjoy!

Harvest Moon DYKG Direct Link

Monday, April 21, 2014

Celebrate The 75th Anniversary Of Batman!

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Dark Knight and to celebrate, DC Entertainment has begun releasing a slew of new Batman animation (few can argue that animation is one of the best ways to experience the Dark Knight). Two projects have popped up recently and both are must watch for any Batman fan.

First up is the trailer for Batman: Assault on Arkham which is an animated movie set to take place in the world of the Arkham video game series. The film will tie directly into the Arkham games with a plot revolving around the Joker (voiced by Troy Baker) planting a dirty bomb in Gotham City. In order to stop him, Batman (voiced by the legendary Kevin Conroy) has to team up with the Suicide Squad which is made up of Deadshot, King Shark, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang and Killer Frost. The animation is top notch and the film looks like a perfect fit for the game series. Enjoy!

Batman: Assault on Arkham Trailer Direct Link

Next up is a real treat for fans of the criminally underrated Batman Beyond animated series. The Batman Beyond animated short gives us the future Batman (Terry McGinnis voiced by Will Friedle) and a much older Bruce Wayne (voiced by Kevin Conroy) facing off against a past version of the Dark Knight. The short wraps up with an amazing tribute/standoff showing almost every incarnation of the legendary detective. Enjoy!

Batman Beyond Animated Short Direct Link

Lastly, I couldn't wrap this up without providing links to some of the other excellent 75th anniversary Batman animation. Be sure to check out Batman: Strange Days which gives us a great retro themed Batman story which takes its inspiration from the 30's/40's golden age of film. We also get a sneak peak of the upcoming film, Son of Batman which explores the relationship of Batman and his son Damien Wayne (child of Talia al Ghul and grandson of Ra's al Ghul). The story pits Batman and his son against Deathstroke and is based on the graphic novel Batman: Batman and Son. Be sure to keep an eye on DC Entertainments YouTube channel as the 75th anniversary will continue through all of 2014. Enjoy!

Kirby: Triple Deluxe TV Commercial

Kirby: Triple Deluxe TV Commercial Direct Link


Its Time To Kickstart Hover: Revolt Of Gamers!

As Kickstarter continues to launch many excellent new indie games, every once in a while a game pops up that really stands out from the pack. For me, Hover: Revolt of Gamers looks to be one of those games. Its gameplay is a delightful hybrid of Mirror's Edge and Jet Set Radio with further inspiration from films like 5th Element and Star Wars. Hover sports a colorful cel-shaded graphic style that just has to be seen to be believed. The free running gameplay and open environments offer a sense of freedom rarely seen in today's mainstream paint by numbers triple A games.

The team at Midgar Studio has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the project to the tune of $38,000 for PC/Mac/Linux (in addition to PS4 & XBOne) and it has already exceeded $12,000 in the first day. The team is even set to craft a specific Wii U exclusive version of the game which will feature asymetric gameplay (only possible with the Wii U GamePad) and local multiplayer modes provided they reach their modest stretch goal of $100,000. In this new era of gaming which is loosing original games from the mainstream industry, games like Hover: Revolt of Gamers are shining like a beacon of hope for true gamers. If you like what you see, I urge you to show your support. Enjoy!




Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Return To Planet Zebes With This Excellent Metroid Medley

The Metroid series is almost as well known for its music as its gameplay and story. The first game in the series is particularly notable for its legendary soundtrack which had an impressive number of tracks which still hold up today almost 30 years later. The sense of mystery and isolation featured in the games music is palpable and made all the more impressive considering the limitations of the 8-Bit NES. YouTube channel Epic Game Music has taken this stellar soundtrack and crafted an excellent medley which covers everything from the haunting title theme to the epic escape from Planet Zebes. Epic Game Music once again nails the cover making this medley a must hear for any fan of Samus Aran. Enjoy!

EGM Metroid Medley Direct Link

The Mario Brothers Battle For Peach In Luigi's Ballad

Luigi's Ballad Direct Link

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Final Super Smash Wars Chapter Brings Epic Trilogy To A Dramatic Close

James Farr's Super Smash Wars has become one of the best Nintendo fan projects ever made with its abundance of slick Nintendo references, amazing animation and excellent use of both the Nintendo and Star Wars universes. Mr. Farr has finally completed his trilogy with the 2 part Super Smash Wars 3: Return of the Hero of Time which gives us Wario the Hutt, adorable Pikmin in the place of the Ewoks and the final battle between Link Skywaker and Ganondarth. Once again, the animation is wonderfully bright and action packed and the story does an excellent job of retelling the third chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy. Be prepared to watch multiple times because as with previous episodes, there is an insane number of sight gags to delight even the most hardcore of Nintendo fans. Enjoy!

SSW: Return of the Hero of Time Part 1 Direct Link


SSW: Return of the Hero of Time Part 2 Direct Link

For those who missed the previous chapters in the epic Super Smash Wars Saga, I am providing links to each episode below. Also, please be sure to share these with Star Wars & Nintendo fans to support Mr. Farr. Enjoy!





Thursday, April 10, 2014

Get Shell Shocked With TMNT Remix Album!

When it comes to classic arcade games, few can hold a candle to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and its amazing sequel Turtles In Time. The sequels legacy was further immortalized in the stunning SNES port (TMNT IV: Turles In Time) and the excellent Sega Genesis game (TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist) which borrowed heavily from its SNES brother. Even today, both games hold up extremely well and many would argue that they outshine their Arcade predecessor.

The games also have a great soundtrack which perfectly suited the titles and holds a special place in the hearts of fans. This has not been lost on the musical geniuses at OverClocked Remix who have based their 47th album on these 2 excellent games. The album is titled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shell Shocked and it remixes the soundtracks to both games in a way that will flood fans with waves of classic nostalgic goodness. Shell Shocked features 22 tracks from 33 artists covering songs from both 16-Bit classics in rock and metal styles. Best of all, it is 100% FREE so get your ass over to the official site and download it now! Enjoy!

Direct Link
Download TMNT: Shell Shocked Now!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

120+ Upcoming Wii U Indie Games: Puzzle Games

Direct Link

120+ Upcoming Wii U Indie Games: Puzzle Games


Source: Nintendo Enthusiast

Meet The New Super Smash Bros. Challengers

There has been a lot of speculation on the character roster for the new Super Smash Bros. as the 2014 release draws closer. The latest Nintendo Direct revealed that the roster has just grown by 2 and in a bit of a shock, the 2 newcomers are Pokemon. It will be interesting to see who else makes the cut as the Summer/Winter release draws closer.

To kick things off, it was revealed that the dual characters from past games have been separeted and turned into powerful yet balanced fighters. This split includes Samus/Zero Suit Samus and Zelda/Sheik which essentially turns 2 difficult to handle brawlers into 4 rebalanced and competitive fighters. In addition to the split, Pokemon Trainer (along with his character swapping) has been removed in favor of the newly revealed Charizard with Pokemon X & Y newbie Greninja debuting as well. Here is the new reveal trailer. Enjoy!

Direct Link

It seems as if series creator Masahiro Sakurai is making the latest game more balanced and competitive like 2001's Super Smash Bros. Melee which is still the gold standard for tournament Smash Bros. His presentation of the game during the Nintendo direct showed a more focused entry in the series with a concerted effort to balanced both characters and gameplay so every character has a fighting chance. This was missing from Super Smash Bros. Brawl which was an excellent game but felt really random during multiplayer due to the unbalanced set of charcters. Honestly, the new game shows a lot of passion and feels like it could go down as the Street Fighter II of the Super Smash Bros. series in terms of balance and accessibility. Not a bad thing when you consider that games legacy.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Super Smash Bros. For 3DS & Wii U Gets A Release Window & Loads Of New Stages!

Nintendo's recent Super Smash Bros. focused Nintendo Direct gave fans a boatload of new info with some of the biggest news being the seperate release schedule for the 3DS & Wii U versions. It has been revealed that the 3DS version will be launching during Summer 2014 with the Wii U version hitting homes during Winter 2014. While some see this as an odd move, the actual logic behind the decision makes sense when you consider that the games are not identical.

Both games will share the same roster of fighters and basic features but each game will have a variety of unique (and exclusive) features. Stages are the biggest change with most of the levels being different and reflective of each consoles heirtage. For example, the 3DS game will have a stage based on the DS game The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks while the Wii U will have a stage based on Mario Galaxy. A lot of recent gameplay footage also seems to show that the Wii U will have stages more in line with competitive play while the 3DS levels reflect more chaotic play with changing stage elements. In addition, both games will see returning stages from past Smash Bros. games but they will be split between the 2 versions. Here is a breakdown of the levels featured on the Nintendo Direct and what version they will appear on.

3DS Stages
  • Battlefield (Super Smash Bros. Series)
  • Reset Bomb Forest (Kid Icarus Uprising)
  • 3D Land (Super Mario 3D Land)
  • Spirit Train (The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks)
  • Gerudo Valley (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D)
  • Arena Ferox (Fire Emblem: Awakening)
  • Tortimer Island (Animal Crossing: New Leaf)
  • Living Room (Nintendogs)
  • Prism Tower (Pokemon X & Y)
  • Rainbow Road (Mario Kart)
  • Find Mii (StreetPass Mii Plaza)
  • Balloon Fight (Balloon Fight Series)
  • Jungle Japes (Donkey Kong Country/Super Smash Bros. Melee)
Wii U Stages
  • Mario Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy)
  • Pyrosphere (Metroid: Other M)
  • Town and City (Animal Crossing: City Folk)
  • Boxing Ring (Punch-Out!!)
  • Pilot Wings (Pilotwings Resort)
  • Skyloft (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
  • Windy Hill (Sonic Lost World)
  • Garden of Hope (Pikmin 3)
  • Wii Fit Studio (Wii Fit Series)
  • Palutena's Temple (Kid Icarus Series)
  • Halberd (Kirby Series/Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
  • Battlefield (Super Smash Bros. Series)

It's an impressive selection of levels that will effectively make both games very different experiences. The smart move of releasing the 3DS version first will act as a bit of bait to bring in the larger 3DS audience to the Wii U. Which version will you choose or will you go for both?

Explore The Mega Man Universe With These "Mind-Blowing Mega Man Theories"

There are many theories about the Mega Man universe but one that continues to fascinate fans is how the long running series is tied together. Much like the long debated Zelda timeline, fans have poured over the Blue Bombers adventures looking for minute details that would link the games together. The biggest theory seeks to explain how the original series ties into the X series and beyond. While some would scoff and claim the games aren't really tied together, there is a level of fun and enjoyment (as well as critical & creating thinking) that comes from solving the mystery. YouTube user dookieshed has put together an excellent video which does a great job of showing how these legendary games are linked together and manages to make some connections that I'm sure many fans had never even considered. Enjoy!

Mind-Blowing Mega Man Theories Direct Link


Monday, April 7, 2014

Club Nintendo April Rewards Update

Nintendo has updated their downloadable Club Nintendo rewards for April and for the remainder of the month they are offering 4 titles across 3 systems (Wii games can be played on Wii U)The expiration date for this offer is now May 11 and the price is between 200-250 coins for each title. Be sure to check back May 12 for the next reward update.

Super Mario World - Wii U eShop
200 Coins (Available Until May 11)

Mario GolfWiiWare
250 Coins (Available Until May 11)

Trajectile - 3DS eShop
200 Coins (Available Until May 11)

Art Academy: First Semester 3DS eShop
200 Coins (Available Until May 11)



Thursday, April 3, 2014

GBA Wii U Virtual Console Details

The Game Boy Advance Virtual Console on Wii U will be receiving a few more upgrades than expected which is sure to please fans looking to experience the many great games coming to the service. In addition to Save States and control customization, GBA games will have specific alterations to aid in their transition to the big screen. It should also be noted that GBA games will support just about every controller on the Wii U (GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Classic Controller & Wii Classic Controller Pro). Below is a breakdown of the new GBA VC features as well as the file sizes of the games coming in April. Enjoy!

Gamma Reduction: Many may not know that GBA games were artificially made brighter to compensate for the system not having a backlight for much of its life. This means that the Wii U versions of the games will be a little darker and more in line with what the developers had intended. While the games will look good on your TV, you may notice them being displayed a touch darker on the GamePad due to this change.

Screen Smoothing: The GBA had a screen resolution of 240x160 which may look a little shocking when blown up on a 1080p HD TV but steps have been taken to make things look their best. There will be an option to enable a screen smoothing feature that will give the games a softer look and decrease the pixel edges. This feature can be turned off and on by pressing down the Right Stick.

Resolution: As stated above, the difference in screen resolution between the original GBA and current HDTV's has brought about the need for upscaling. There will be 2 options when increasing the screen resolution but it should be noted that neither will fill the entire screen (you will notice some black bars which border the game). The full screen option will fill most of the screen with a resolution of 1620x1080 (an increase of 6.75 time the original GBA). The "Original Resolution" option will bring the game closest to the GBA with a resolution of 1440x960 (an increase of 6 times the GBA). It should be noted that these changes are made within the Virtual Console settings menu and only impact the games on your TV and not the GamePad.

Virtual Manual: In a nice touch, Nintendo has scanned in the original Game Boy Advance game manuals for each game. These manuals are available at any point during gameplay with the touch of a small question mark on the lower left of the GamePad touch screen. You will also be able to zoom in on the manual which is nice when you consider the artwork in the original printed manuals. Also, you will be able to navigate the manual on the touch screen while playing the game on the TV.

File Sizes:
  • Advance Wars - 62MB
  • Mario & Luigi Super Star Saga - 63MB
  • Metroid Fusion - 57MB
  • Kirby & The Amazing Mirror - 57MB
  • WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$! - 55MB
  • F-Zero Maximum Velocity - 55MB
  • Golden Sun - 82MB
  • Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 - 51MB


Source

Mario Kart 8 Trailer Showcases New Courses & Items

Mario Kart 8 Trailer Direct Link

Cult County Bringing First Person Survival Horror To Wii U!

Renegade Kid has just announced that they are moving Cult County from the 3DS to the Wii U (in addition to other consoles). This move is exciting and means that the Wii U is going to be getting a true first person survival horror game from the makers of the amazing Dementium series. An interesting piece of history is that Cult County was created due to Renegade Kid loosing their rights to produce a Dementium 3. The game is now being developed in Unity which will allow for a massive boost in visuals and overall atmosphere (a major plus in Survival Horror).

Much like Moon Chronicles, Cult County will take place over the course of a "season" which will be broken into 5 episodes that will be released over the course of its first year. In order to meet their ambitious goal, Renegade Kid has launched a Kickstarter in order to fund the games development to the tune of $580,000 (a pretty reasonable budget for a game of this type). For those concerned that the game won't be developed if the goal is not met, worry not because Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham has confirmed that the game will be completed either way but will progress much slower due to the financial strain without the Kickstarter funds.

In the game, you play as Gavin Mellick who is travelling to a small Texas town to deliver the news to your sister that your mother has fallen deathly ill. Unable to contact her via phone, you arrive in town which has been consumed by a savage dust storm. Upon reaching her home, you find that she is not home and proceed to explore the town and question the locals who speak of a cultish group and the suicide of Father Pearce. Needless to say, this set up lends itself to a wide variety of horror possibilities.

The game has been described as The Walking Dead meets Silent Hill which is sure to excite fans and gives a sense of what to expect from the episodic structure. It has also been confirmed that the game will have the option of Wii Remote FPS aiming like other FPS titles which will likely help the Wii U version stand out as the best version of the game. I recommend reading the recent Nintendo Life interview with Jools Watsham which gives a lot of more insight into the full game and the decision to move it from 3DS to Console. Enjoy and please support Renegade Kid!