Sunday, June 29, 2014

Super Mario 64: Portrait Of A Plumber Remix Album

Super Mario 64 is not only one of the best Mario games, it's one of the best 3D platformers ever crafted nearly 20 years after its original 1996 release. For many, the games soundtrack is nearly as iconic as that of the original Super Mario Bros. and the legendary Super Mario Bros. 3. This is even more impressive when you consider that the game was the first game ever released for the underrated Nintendo 64 console (many games that launch with a game console don't hold up so well).

To celebrate the stunning music of Super Mario 64, Overclocked Remix has released their 48th album titled Super Mario 64: Portrait of a Plumber. This excellent album will take you back to a time when games were about being fun and surreal with a focus on gameplay versus today's market of gritty, generic shooters and largely boring online multiplayer. The album is 100% Free and is sure to bring a smile to your face, no matter how much of a jaded gamer you may be. Enjoy!

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Download Portrait of a Plumber Now!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Shovel Knight Celebrates June 26th Launch With Epic New Trailer!

Shovel Knight launches tomorrow and to celebrate, Yacht Club Games has released a special release trailer that makes an already awesome game look even better (if that's even possible)! The game is a wonderful 8-bit gameplay hybrid NES classics such as Mega Man, DuckTales and Zelda II while still offering something new and original. Shovel Knight will be digging its way onto Wii U & 3DS with a variety of exclusive features to each system (this is a Nintendo console exclusive) as well as Steam (you'll even be able to get a DRM free version on Good Old Games). Treon's Realm proudly backed this game on Kickstarter and I hope to have some impressions of the game after I get to sink my teeth into it. Until then, enjoy the epic new trailer!

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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Bayonetta: Bloody Fate Coming Stateside Care Of Funimation

This fall is going to be a real treat for Bayonetta fans. Riding on Nintendo's E3 announcement of Bayonetta 1 & 2 for Wii U, Funimation has just announced that they will be bringing the series first animated movie (titled Bayonetta: Bloody Fate) to North America this fall. The film is an adaption of the first game with some changes to pacing and locales to better fit the film format. The animation was produced by Gonzo, a name that should be familiar to both gamer's and anime fans, and looks quite stunning (it actually looks similar to the beautiful 2001 film, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust). I have included a Japanese trailer of Bayonetta: Bloody Fate below and it is sure to make fans quite happy. Enjoy!

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Wii U Indie Corner: RELAUNCHED

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Source: Nintendo Enthusiast

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Wii U Fans Treated To Exclusive Features For Bayonetta!

The dust has settled from last week's E3 and now fans are anxiously looking forward to the games coming out through the end of 2014. While Sony and Microsoft's year end showing was a bit light, Nintendo fans were treated to some heavy hitters for the remainder of the year. One of the big Wii U titles coming out this October is Bayonetta 2. Nintendo surprised fans with the news that the original Bayonetta would be included with its sequel for free. While a straight port would've been enough, Platinum Games has added some Wii U exclusive features to ensure that the Wii U will feature the ultimate Bayonetta experience.

Exclusive Features For Original Bayonetta For Wii U
  • Touch based controls (for both Bayonetta & Bayonetta 2): This feature will allow for more casual players to experience both games with optional touch based controls which can be switched on or off at any point during gameplay.
  • off-TV play: allows you to play entire game on Gamepad without TV
  • Dual Language: optional English or Japanese voice acting (you can also choose your subtitled language)
  • 3 exclusive Nintendo themed costumes:
Samus Armor
  • Bayonetta style Samus Armor complete with controllable visor (you can lift & lower the visor with button press)
  • Functional Arm Cannon that Bayonetta actually uses as a weapon
Link Tunic
  • Includes Master Sword which is used for attacks
  • Bayonetta style Link's Tunic which includes Hyrule Shield gauntlet
  • Collectible Rupees fly out of defeated enemies
Princess Peach Dress
  • Skimpy Bayonetta version of Peach's dress
  • Summon attacks feature giant Bowser hand & feet
  • Alternate whip weapon
  • Collectible Mario Coins fly out of defeated enemies
Lastly, it should be noted that the Wii U version of the original Bayonetta is based on the superior Xbox 360 version of the game and not the borderline broken PS3 version. This means that the game will have quick loading and run largely at 60 FPS (the developers have said that you may see a slight framerate dip on occasion). Overall, it's nice to see a developer taking the Wii U seriously and offering the best version of their game on Nintendo's underrated HD console. Enjoy and be sure to grab your copy of Bayonetta 2 (which includes the original) this October!

Friday, June 13, 2014

The Legend Of Zelda Wii U Will Drop Jaws In 2015!

Nintendo had an amazing E3 this year and completely upstaged both Sony and Microsoft. Between the introduction of exciting new IP's (like Splatoon & Project S.T.E.A.M) and the stellar showing of upcoming games (Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2 & Super Smash Bros.), Nintendo managed to drop the jaws of even the most jaded gamer with the introduction of the new Legend of Zelda for Wii U. While brief, the games sneak peak showcased a gorgeous new art style and absolutely massive game world which will be completely open to exploration like the original NES Zelda game. Gamer's will have to wait until 2015 for the full reveal but that hasn't stopped YouTube channels like GameXplain from breaking down what was shown to give hungry fans a taste of what will become one of the best games of the current generation. Enjoy!

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Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Goddess Of Light Palutena Joins The Super Smash Bros. Roster!

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Get Inked In Splatoon For Wii U!

Nintendo surprised fans with a variety of new IP's at this years E3, many for the Wii U. With all of these great new games, the clear show stopper was the colorful, squad based shooter known as Splatoon. The game stars colorful squids who morph into kids armed with ink cannons tasked with painting levels in their color of choice, all while competing in 4 on 4 teams. It feels like a bizarre mix of Lazertag, Paintball and King of the Hill and offers a type of multiplayer shooter experience simply not available anyplace outside of the Wii U.

While that may sound insane, the game delivers the same kind of Nintendo brand fun as the Mario Kart series (specifically the battle mode). Seeing as Nintendo doesn't really have a major squad based multiplayer shooter series in the same vein as Halo or Battlefield, Splatoon is their own original take on the genre and it looks incredibly fun. The E3 showroom reactions speak volumes for the games addictive fun making Splatoon one of Nintendo's most successful introductions of a brand new video game series in years. Enjoy!

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Time To Get Creative In Mario Maker For Wii U

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Hyrule Warriors Gets A Major Dose Of Girl Power And Release Date!

Nintendo gave fans an updated look at the upcoming Hyrule Warriors and it looks like an excellent action focused expansion of the Zelda universe. The graphics have been updated dramatically since last year's reveal trailer featuring a broad spectrum of colorful special attacks, a massive Hyrule and highly detailed character models. One of the biggest surprises was the reveal of new playable characters. In addition to Link and Impa, Princess Zelda and Midna will be fully playable meaning that Hyrule Warriors will sport a badass selection of strong playable female protagonists (a rarity in the video game world). Nintendo has also stated that there will be even more playable characters available in the game but remained silent on who they are. The new trailer teases the return of series villain Ganondorf leading some fans to speculate that Hyrule Warriors will take place in the Child Link branch of the Zelda Timeline (further reinforced by the inclusion of Midna). Zelda fans will be able to slash their way through Hyrule on September 26th 2014. Enjoy!

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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker E3 2014 Trailer (Wii U)

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Devil's Third Is Nintendo's Violent New Wii U Exclusive!

When it comes to Wii U exclusives, Nintendo has an amazing library of titles that appeal to just about everyone. Despite this, Nintendo is often criticized for not having a selection of more mature and violent games in the vein of Halo and God of War. The Big N has attempted to broaden their library when it comes to the Wii U resulting in titles such as ZombiU, Hyrule Warriors and Bayonetta 2 (which now includes Bayonetta 1). Their latest effort was just revealed at E3 2014 in the form of Devil's Third, a violent, action heavy title that features shooting (both FPS & Third Person) and swordplay (similar to Ninja Gaiden).

Devil's Third is an insanely ambitious game when you consider it is a brand new IP that combines 3 different gameplay styles, features a mature, extremely violent story and is coming exclusively to Wii U from publisher Nintendo. The games combat looks intense and fluid backed up by a beautiful art style with a great anime flair. Devil's Third is developed by Valhalla Game Studios and being headed by studio founder Tomonobu Itagaki (creator of the Dead or Alive series and former head of Team Ninja). Personally I think the game looks really good and hope it is successful but I fear a fate similar to the absolutely amazing Wonderful 101 which was largely ignored by the very people who piss and moan that Nintendo doesn't bring us new IP's. However you feel about Nintendo, you can't deny that they brought their A game to this years E3. Enjoy!

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"X" Is Now Xenoblade Chronicles X And Is Confirmed For 2015!

Monolithsoft's mysterious X has been veiled in a shroud of secrecy since it was revealed in January 2013. Teaser trailers and brief bits of gameplay have leaked over the last year and a half doing an excellent job of building anticipation for this massive RPG but its title has been kept secret. Today, Nintendo blew the lid off of this epic RPG with a new trailer that showed an updated graphic style and it new title, Xenoblade Chronicles X. Sadly, the game has been pushed into 2015 but this was expected considering the sheer scale and size of the game. Enjoy!

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Yoshi's Woolly World E3 2014 Trailer (Wii U)

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Kirby And The Rainbow Curse Mixes Claymation And Touch Control For Wii U

Kirby: Canvas Curse for the original Nintendo DS is both one of the more innovative games for the DS and one of the best Kirby games in the entire series. When it launched back in 2005, the Nintendo DS had not yet exploded into one of the best selling consoles of all time so you could be forgiven for not remembering this DS gem. The game has actually become more remembered for its advertising campaign which humorously featured Kirby walking around with a large finger that looked like a giant dick. Regardless of its legacy, the game mechanics worked so well that it is surprising that Nintendo never revisited the game.

I'm happy to report that Nintendo didn't forget about this brilliant game and is in fact releasing a new game in the series titled Kirby and the Rainbow Curse exclusively for the Wii U. Making excellent use of the touch screen, you will be tasked with navigating the little pink ball (Kirby) through a variety of challenging levels (it's a simple control scheme but incredibly rewarding). Nintendo has even mixed things up graphically with a gorgeous new art style that features claymation. If you haven't played the original DS title, I urge you to get a copy (it's playable on the 3DS) and prepare for this innovative new Kirby adventure. Enjoy!

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Bayonetta 2 Now Includes Original Bayonetta For Wii U!

Nintendo has just revealed that Bayonetta 2 will include the full version of the original 2009 game for FREE when it launches later this year. This means that the Wii U will be the only place to experience the entire ass kicking Bayonetta saga which is a major plus for both newcomers and hardcore fans of the series. The inclusion of the first game on Wii U was a major question for fans and Nintendo has answered in the best way they possibly could.

Another major reveal was the fact that Bayonetta will now have access to a variety of of Nintendo themed costumes including Princess Peach, Link and Samus. These costumes will even include a variety of sound effects & items from their respective games such as Mario's coins and Link's Rupees & Keys. It is currently unknown if these bonus' are featured in just one of the games or both (UPDATE: the additions are for the original Bayonetta). While fans were already excited for the game, Nintendo has just taken things to a whole level with this ultimate edition of Bayonetta which is a must for any Wii U action fan when it launches in October 2014. Enjoy!

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Monday, June 9, 2014

Club Nintendo June Rewards Update

Nintendo has updated their downloadable Club Nintendo rewards for June 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 July 6 and the price is between 150-250 coins for each title. Be sure to check back July 7 for the next reward update.

Kirby's Adventure - Wii U eShop
200 Coins (Available Until July 6)

Mario Party 2 - WiiWare
250 Coins (Available Until July 6)

Electroplankton Rec-Rec - 3DS eShop
150 Coins (Available Until July 6)

Kirby's Dream Land 3DS eShop
150 Coins (Available Until July 6)

Shantae And The Pirate's Curse Coming To Wii U (In Addition To 3DS) This Summer!

The Shantae series from Wayforward is one of the best independent game franchises on the market with its gorgeous 2D art, addictive Metroidvania gameplay and colorful cast of characters. The latest game in the series, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, will conclude the story which began in 2002 with the original Shantae for Game Boy Color and continued in its 2010 DSiWare sequel Shantae: Risky's Revenge (both available on the 3DS eShop). Wayforward has just revealed that the game will be seeing release on the Wii U in addition to the 3DS this summer which is sure to excite longtime Nintendo fans of the exclusive series. The Wii U version of the game will feature off-TV play and HD illustrations with pixel-based sprites while both versions will feature touch driven inventory and a real-time mapping system on the second screen. Best of all, this exciting adventure will be followed by the beautiful Shantae: Half-Genie Hero this fall. Enjoy!

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Nintendo Showcases A Wide Variety Of E3 2014 Trailers

Not to be lost in the pre-E3 shuffle of press conferences from Microsoft & Sony, Nintendo has updated their YouTube channel with a bunch of new trailers for upcoming Wii U & 3DS games. The bulk of the trailers showcase an impressive array of titles coming to the Wii U & 3DS from indie developers which highlights Nintendo's continued commitment to the indie community. There were even some surprises in the form of Gunman Clive 2 (3DS), Chariot (Wii U) and Thorium Wars: Attack of the Skyfighter (3DS). It will be exciting to see what Nintendo brings to the table tomorrow with their Digital Event. Enjoy!

Nintendo Wii U
Nintendo 3DS/2DS

Mighty No. 9 E3 2014 Trailer

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Capcom Bringing 15 Retro Classics To Nintendo's Virtual Console!

Capcom has just confirmed 15 classic NES, SNES & GBA games for Nintendo's popular Virtual Console service on their eShop. The majority of the games are set for Wii U with a couple NES gems appearing on 3DS. Mega Man fans are in for a real treat seeing as the long anticipated Mega Man 6, 7 & X3 are FINALLY coming to the service. This is noteworthy due to these 3 titles being MIA on the Virtual Console for the Nintendo Wii despite having a large following, especially Mega Man X3 which is one of the best titles in the entire X series. Topping things off is the fact that fans will finally have access to some rare Capcom gems such as the original Breath of Fire, Demon's Crest and Gargoyle's Quest II, a major score for retro Gamer's. Specific dates have not been given but I suspect we will see these released through this Summer and into early 2015. Here is a complete list of the upcoming titles. Enjoy!
  • Breath of Fire (Wii U)
  • Demon’s Crest (Wii U)
  • Gargoyle’s Quest II (3DS, Wii U)
  • Mega Man 5 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man 6 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man 7 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man X3 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Zero (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Zero 2 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Battle Network (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Battle Network 2 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Battle Network 3 (Wii U)
  • Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge (Wii U)
  • Mighty Final Fight (3DS, Wii U)
  • Street Fighter 2010 (3DS, Wii U)



Sunday, June 8, 2014

Shovel Knight Coming To Wii U & 3DS On June 26!

Indie and Retro gaming darling Shovel Knight has completed its long journey from Kickstarter to final release date. On June 26th, Shovel Knight will get a simultaneous release on the eShop (Wii U & 3DS) and Steam (PC). Originally scheduled for a March 31 release date, the game ultimately required more testing to work out bugs and ensure an optimal experience for all platforms at launch. While some would complain about game delays, I have to commend developers willing to put the extra time and effort into ensuring a quality product. Enjoy!

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"A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever"Shigeru Miyamoto

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Burn Rubber With New Road Redemption Trailer!

Road Redemption from Dark Seas Games is one of my most anticipated indie games coming to Wii U even with all the great titles coming to the eShop. The game recaptures the spirit of fan favorite Road Rash while bringing in a ton of cool new additions (dynamite, roof hopping and freakin' tornado's!) that will please long time fans of vehicle combat racing. Road Redemption is set for release later this year on Wii U and will feature an awesome 2 player option that allows one player to use the TV while the other uses the Gamepad (an excellent Wii U exclusive feature not used nearly enough). To celebrate the game approaching completion and release on PC, a new trailer has been released showcasing the games insanely awesome gameplay and impressive graphics. Enjoy!

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Reading Rainbow Campaign Shows The Future Of Crowdfunding

While Kickstarter is relatively young and still maturing as a crowdfunding tool, newer projects are beginning to show the real brilliance of the site outside of technology, film and video game funding from fans. One recent Kickstarter campaign has risen above the rest to show that even in this cynical Corporatocracy of a country we call America, the people can come together to really make a difference. It's no secret that our education system is a joke and has been steered in a direction that purposely makes our general population dumber with each passing year making Autodidactism more important than ever. A key tool in being self taught is reading and one key tool in sparking an interest in books and opening young minds to reading is Reading Rainbow.

The Reading Rainbow program has been an important part of getting kids to read and more importantly getting people curious about the world as a whole. The series, which started back in 1983 on PBS, has been instrumental in sparking a love of books for children both young and old. LeVar Burton has been the face and public champion of the program and has been searching for a way to bring the program into the future since going off the air in 2006 (2009 if you count reruns). A few years ago, Reading Rainbow became an iPad App (the #1 most-downloaded educational app in the iTunes App Store) but despite this success, Mr. Burton felt it was way too limited to reach children everywhere.

This brings us to the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter Campaign which seeks to expand the program worldwide through the internet. The goal is simple, make a new version of the program that is a free online resource to both the general public and educators as a major scholastic supplement for our struggling school system. To this end, LeVar Burton starred in a heartfelt Kickstarter video which asked for $1 million dollars to make the project a reality. The world answered by blowing past the goal in less than 12 hours which sparked a tear filled thank you video from Mr. Burton. Currently the campaign has over 75,000 backers who have pledged over $3.4 million dollars (28 days remaining in the campaign) with their latest stretch goal sitting at $5 million. That goal will expand the project from the web to Mobile, Android, Consoles and OTT Boxes and expand the free access from 1500 classrooms to 7500 classrooms. This is easily one of the most important projects ever started on Kickstarter and will open the door to future world changing campaigns. I urge everyone to share this and pledge whatever you can, even if it's only $1 dollar. Thank you and spread the word.


Reading Rainbow Kickstarter Campaign


A Cracked Attempt To Explain The Differences Between Call Of Duty Games

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Saturday Morning RPG Coming To Wii U This Fall

Indie studio Mighty Rabbit Studios is bringing its Saturday Morning RPG to the Wii U eShop this fall. The game is an episodic role-playing game which has seen release on multiple platforms such as Linux, iOS and OUYA, the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign in early 2012. The game has since gained a loyal fanbase who deeply enjoy its unique visuals, RPG gameplay and nostalgic subject material rooted in 80's pop culture.

With Saturday Morning RPG coming to Nintendo's latest home console, Mighty Rabbit Studios is planning to include multiple Wii U exclusive battle objects that will utilize the Wii U Gamepad. One idea the developer is tinkering with is an homage to the 70's/80's toy known as Presto Magix which would have the player "rub an attack into existence". Off-TV play will also be supported which will please those who often have to share the TV with others. The Wii U version of the game is planned for Q4 2014 and the game will include the first five full episodes with a sixth episode coming later as a free update. Enjoy!

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