Sunday, August 31, 2014

How Well Do You Know Dragon Quest?

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Wii U Fall 2014 Lineup Release Dates

With the Wii U on the rise after the success of Mario Kart 8, Nintendo has been doing a great job of maintaining that momentum with a strong lineup of exclusives for the system and an amazing stable of great indie games on the eShop. After the recent Japanese 3DS Nintendo Direct, Nintendo of America updated their fall 2014 release schedule for Wii U. I have expanded the list with as many retail and eShop indie titles as I could find (I apologize if I missed anything). The release dates for eShop titles are more generalized due to the ever changing nature of digital releases. Titles in BOLD are Wii U exclusive. Enjoy!

Wii U Retail Releases
  • Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes 2.0 Edition (09/23/14)
  • Hyrule Warriors (09/26/14)
  • Skylanders Trap Team (10/05/14)
  • PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures 2 (10/14/14)
  • Just Dance 2015 (10/21/14)
  • Bayonetta 2 (10/24/14)
  • Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue (11/04/14)
  • LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (11/11/14)
  • Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (11/18/14)
  • Penguins of Madagascar (11/25/14)
  • Super Smash Bros. Wii U (November 2014)
  • NES Remix Pack (Fall 2014)
  • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Fall 2014)
  • Watch Dogs (Fall 2014)

Wii U eShop Releases
  • 6180 the moon (Fall 2014)
  • Affordable Space Adventures (Q1 2015)
  • Alphadia Genesis (Fall 2014)
  • Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures (Fall 2014)
  • Art Academy for Wii U (Fall 2014)
  • Ballpoint Universe: Infinite (Fall 2014)
  • Blok Drop X Twisted Fusion (Fall 2014)
  • Chariot (Fall 2014)
  • Chromophore: The Two Brothers Director’s Cut (Fall 2014)
  • Citizens of Earth (11/04/2014)
  • Costume Quest 2 (10/07/2014)
  • Cubemen 2 (09/04/2014)
  • Gone Home (Fall 2014)
  • Lone Survivor (Fall 2014)
  • Nihilumbra (Fall 2014)
  • Paper Monster Recut (September 2014)
  • Pier Solar and the Great Architects (Fall 2014)
  • Project CARS (2015)
  • Q.U.B.E. (Fall 2014)
  • SDK Paint (Fall 2014)
  • Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse (Fall 2014)
  • Shantae: Half-Genie Hero (Fall 2014)
  • Spikey Walls (Fall 2014)
  • STARWHAL: Just the Tip (Q1 2015)
  • Stealth Inc 2 (Fall 2014)
  • Swords & Soldiers II (Fall 2014)
  • Tengami (Fall 2014)
  • Teslagrad (09/11/2014)
  • The Swapper (Fall 2014)
  • Trine Enchanted Edition (Fall 2014)

Friday, August 29, 2014

Wii U Games Of Past, Present and Future Trailer

Fanboys can argue till their blue in the face about which current generation console is best but there is one undeniable truth, the Nintendo Wii U has THE BEST lineup of exclusive games this generation! (Wii U, PS4 & XBOne). Nintendo knows this and is wisely advertising this fact in their latest trailer which showcases some the biggest titles that are already out on the machine as well as the future gems on the horizon. Whether your tastes are Platform (Super Mario 3D World), Shooter (Splatoon), Action (Bayonetta 2), RPG (Xenoblade Chronicles X), Racing (Mario Kart 8), Adventure (The Legend of Zelda) or Fighting (Super Smash Bros.), the Nintendo Wii U is ONLY place to experience these amazing games. Enjoy!

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Xenoblade Chronicles Announced For New Nintendo 3DS!

Fan favorite and epic RPG Xenoblade Chronicles was announced today for Nintendo latest portable, the New Nintendo 3DS (XL). This was a welcome announcement for RPG fans who missed out on the excellent game on the original Wii. As it currently stands, there does not seem to be any added enhancements to the game in its portable form but it is truly impressive to see the game running on the new hardware. It should be noted that the game will ONLY run on the new portable due to its utilization of the added horsepower. YouTube channel Ninten2tv has posted a video which compares both versions of the game so players can get an idea of what to expect. Enjoy!

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Xenoblade's Shulk Added To Super Smash Bros. Roster!

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Nintendo Reveals The New Nintendo 3DS (XL)!

Nintendo's recent Japanese 3DS Nintendo Direct revealed a new model of 3DS being added to the successful line of hardware. Known as the New Nintendo 3DS, the system will come in the same sizes as the standard 3DS and the 3DS XL. The system will feature quite a few improvements over the original 3DS which is approaching its 4th birthday. Here is a full breakdown of the improved 3DS hardware:
  • More Powerful Hardware - The New Nintendo 3DS (XL) will feature a faster CPU that will allow for faster system operation, quicker eShop downloads and more complex games. Rumors have also surfaced that the FCRAM and VRAM have both been doubled in the new hardware. This means that there will be special games that will ONLY work on the new hardware such as Xenoblade Chronicles (a New 3DS port of the Wii original) which was just announced for the machine. Where the original 3DS was about as powerful as the GameCube, the new system will be in line with the Nintendo Wii.
  • C-Stick - The new system now features a second analog stick above the A, B, X, Y buttons on the right side of the system (the design was inspired by the GameCube C-Stick).
  • Colors - The New Nintendo 3DS will come in Black or White while the New Nintendo 3DS XL will come in Metallic Blue or Metallic Black.
  • New Layout - The Stylus, Power Button and Game Card Slot have all been moved to the bottom of the unit. The top of the system now features 2 additional buttons in the form of ZR and ZL (these buttons were featured on the Circle Pad Pro)
  • Adjustable Brightness - The screen can automatically adjust brightness depending on the lighting. This will give better battery life depending on your lighting. A welcome feature for indoor and outdoor play.
  • Improved 3D - The original 3DS used an impressive glasses free 3D screen to produce its 3D effect but this meant that you had to keep your head in a "sweet spot" to experience the effect. The new system uses the built in camera and gyro sensors for head tracking meaning the system can make adjustments to ensure the 3D effect isn't blurred when you move your head.
  • NFC Reader/Writer - The New 3DS has a NFC reader/writier built into the lower screen which will support Nintendo's upcoming Amiibo toys without any additional hardware (similar to how the Wii U GamePad has a NFC reader/writer built into it). 
  • Improved Battery Life - The new hardware will expand its battery life to be in line with the current 3DS XL (if not a little better). Based on a variety of factors, the systems will play 3DS software for to 6+ hours while original DS software can be played for up to 11+ hours. Brightness, 3D and Wireless settings will all effect the max time but overall, it will be a marked improvement over the previous models.
  • Improved Web Browsing - The New 3DS will feature an updated Web Browser that takes advantage of the systems increased power/speed and even features support for HTML 5. Hopefully this will put the New 3DS web browsing capabilities in line with the excellent Wii U browser (One of the best console based web browsing experiences available).
  • New Storage - For gamers who need to expand their storage for eShop software, the new system will use Micro SD card instead of the Standard SD cards used for current machines. This new storage will be located under the back faceplate of the unit where the battery is located. It has been rumored that the new console will wirelessly link with your computer to transfer data so players won't have to swap the SD card in and out of the unit.

Official US pricing has not been revealed but Japanese pricing gives us a rough idead of what to expect. The New Nintendo 3DS is priced at 16,000 yen (roughly $155) and the New Nintendo 3DS XL is priced at 18,800 yen (roughly $181). When you take exchange rates into account, the new systems will likely cost about as much as their current counterparts. The New 3DS will hit Japan on October 11 while North America and Europe will have to wait until 2015 (March 2015 or later is the most likely scenario). Here is a quick trailer showcasing the new system and its many improvements. Enjoy!

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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Trashmania Trilogy Set To Haunt The Wii U!

Trashmania: After Dark is a First Person "Horror/Arcade" game from indie developer Jonathon Bont which is currently on the OUYA (the game is a personal favorite on the underrated indie console). The game is similar to Slender: The Eight Pages where the player is tasked with collecting a set number of trash cans to throw in the dumpster, all while being hunted by a giant set of mysterious red teeth. The gameplay is simple yet addictive and channels the spirit of arcade classics from the early 80's. Trashmania: After Dark is actually the third game in a trilogy which includes 2 earlier titles which were Atari 2600 homebrew titles known as Trashmania & Trashmania: Remix.

It was recently revealed that the entire trilogy will see release on the Wii U as Trashmania Trilogy complete with exclusive Wii U GamePad integration and updated graphics running at 1080p, 60FPS. The package will include all 3 games with the option to play their original versions as well as enhanced versions which include Wii U features. Trashmania Trilogy will also fully support Off-TV play which for many has become one of the best and most defining features of Nintendo's HD console. The game is currently set for an early 2015 release and any fan of retro or horror gaming should keep an eye on this title. Enjoy!

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Jonathon Bont Twitter
Jonathon Bont YouTube

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Indie Hit "Gone Home" Coming To Wii U!

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Xenoblade Chronicles X Map Is 5 Times Bigger Than First Game!

Anyone who has played Xenoblade Chronicles on the Wii knows that the game has one of the largest overworlds ever produced for a JRPG. The game was jam packed with content and many gamers (myself included) would often wander from the core story to explore the massive world for hours at a time. In a recent EDGE Magazine article, Shinya Takahashi (General Manager - Nintendo Software Planning & Development Division) stated that the map for Xenoblade Chronicles X on Wii U will be roughly 5 times bigger than the original Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii.
Vehicles are called Dolls. They are 5 Times larger than a person. So to get the same feel as Xenoblade Chronicles, the map would need to be 5 times bigger. The game world in X is in fact even bigger than that.
Basically, this means that Xenoblade Chronicles X may very well have one of the largest JRPG maps of all time and when you consider the quality of the original game, Wii U owners are in for a real treat. This also means that you likely won't need a new RPG for quite some time since the original title took over 70 hours just to complete the core story. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

How Well Do You Know Castlevania & History?

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Mario Kart 8 DLC To Feature Zelda, F-Zero And Animal Crossing!

A recent listing on Nintendo's UK online store has revealed 2 upcoming DLC packs for the Wii U hit, Mario Kart 8. Each DLC pack will add 3 new characters, 4 vehicles and 8 new tracks spread across 2 cups. One of the biggest surprises is that much of this new content will be coming from other Nintendo franchises such as Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Excitebike and F-Zero. This means that the Mario Kart franchise will open itself up to crossovers in the same way as Super Smash Bros. (A very smart move by Nintendo seeing as fans have long asked for this). Official pricing for North America has not been revealed at this time.

Here is the full breakdown taken from the Nintendo UK online store:

Each Add On Content pack will contain two new cups, each with four courses, which, in total, increases the number of available courses by 50 percent. The Add On Content packs include classics like Wario’s Gold Mine from Mario Kart Wii, as well as new courses, some taking place in the worlds of The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. New vehicles will also arrive with each pack, including the Blue Falcon kart representing the F-Zero franchise in the first AOC pack.

Mario Kart 8 Pack 1 - Released: November 2014

Pack 1 includes:
  • 3 Characters: Tanooki Mario, Cat Peach, Link
  • 4 Vehicles
  • 8 Courses

Mario Kart 8 Pack 2 - Released: May 2015

Pack 2 includes:
  • 3 Characters: Villager, Isabelle, Dry Bowser
  • 4 Vehicles
  • 8 Courses
As a bonus for purchasing both packs - as a bundle or separately - you can get eight different-coloured Yoshis and eight different-coloured Shy Guys that can be used right away.


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Downfall Of Gaming Journalism #6

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Downfall Of Gaming Journalism Episodes 1-5

Nintendo & Namco Bandai Reveal Pokken Tournament!

The long rumored Pokemon fighting game has finally been revealed as Pokken Tournament. The game is being co-developed with Bandai Namco and apparently runs on the Tekken game engine (hence the Pokken name). Pokken Tournament is currently slated as an arcade fighting game but fans are hoping for a future Wii U release. The game has some serious development talent behind it as Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada and Soul Calibur producer Masaaki Hoshino are both heavily involved with the project. While details are scarce at the moment, the Pokemon Company released an official trailer for the game on their YouTube channel. The game is set to hit Japanese arcades in 2015 but seeing as the trailer is in English, expect a worldwide announcement (Wii U possibly?) in the near future. Enjoy!

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Saturday, August 23, 2014

"illo: birth of the cool" Gets Creative On Wii U & 3DS!

Back when the Nintendo DS first launched back in 2004, there was a rush of games that used the systems unique controls to craft completely new gameplay experiences. Unfortunately, once the novelty wore off, game design largely returned to normal and stayed that way until the indie games boom which has once again begun to reinvigorate the industry. Fortunately, both the Wii U and 3DS are uniquely equipped to handle bold game design that challenges conventional gaming ideas.

This brings us to illo: birth of the cool, a game that will bring you back to the early days of Nintendo's innovative DS where anything seemed possible with titles like Kirby Canvas Curse, Yoshi Touch & Go and Warioware Touched!. The game utilizes touch & motion control as well as the built-in microphone challenging the player to navigate puzzle like environments. illo: birth of the cool even features a rewind feature similar to Braid. The puzzle platformer is a new IP and passion project for developer Raylight Games and showcases to the type of innovation sorely lacking in many new games. A concept trailer has been released which will give players an idea of what to expect from the full game. Enjoy!

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What If Michael Bay Directed "UP"?

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Friday, August 22, 2014

Puzzle Platformer Typoman Coming To Wii U eShop

Independent games publisher Headup Games has recently revealed their plans to bring puzzle platformer Typoman to the Wii U. The game takes inspiration from indie games such as Limbo with a focus on atmosphere and physics based movement. Typoman tasks the player to literally use words to navigate the levels and solve puzzles. The game looks quite unique and should prove an excellent addition to the indie rich eShop when it launches. A release date has yet to be revealed but the game will likely pop up in 2015. An early concept trailer has been released which shows how the game mechanics will work. Enjoy!

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The Fall Drops On Wii U eShop August 26!

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Thursday, August 21, 2014

Disney Infinity Is Now FREE On Wii U!

In a surprise move by Disney, their Disney Infinity software is now available as a free download on the Wii U eShop. This means that anyone with the hardware (the Disney Infinity portal and figures) can now play the original game for free. With Disney gearing up for their Disney Infinity 2.0, Wii U fans will now have access to the original game which is a nice bonus. This is also a nice gesture for Wii fans who have upgraded to a Wii U and felt cheated by the Wii version of Disney Infinity which was seriously gimped when compared to the Wii U version. The download is a hefty 10.4 GB so be sure to clear some space or have an external storage device prepped. Enjoy!

Bootleg Pokemon Games By JonTron

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Wii U Game Pre-Orders Show Biggest Increase After Gamescom

While there has been a lot of negative click bait articles about the Wii U, the system continues to prove that it has some serious bite left in it. Amazon has recently produced a document showing that Wii U pre-orders have increased the most among the 3 new consoles after the Gamescom convention. This is of course in stark contrast to the many trolls who claim the machine is dead and buried without the precious third party support in supposedly needs. According to Amazon, Wii U game pre-orders rose an impressive 8.67% while the PS4 saw a rise of 5.16%. The XBOne is bringing up the rear with a rise of 2.81%.

This news is a welcome reminder that the Wii U is by no means defeated and that Nintendo's stellar first party software continues to be the driving force behind their hardware. Interestingly this news also echoes statements by various indie developers on the eShop who have stated that the Wii U actually has the best tie ratio between software and hardware. As Nintendo enters the holiday 2014 season with its amazing game lineup (Hyrule Warriors, Bayonetta 2, Super Smash Bros, etc.), expect the Wii U to continue its upward climb. And for the record, the Wii U is currently in a strong second place with the XBOne bringing up the rear and not third place as many trolls would have you believe.

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

"One Does Not Simply Fly Into Mordor!"

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is an amazing series of films that redefined the term "epic". The Fellowship of the Ring went through absolute hell to get the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom but there are many who write the whole thing off as nothing but a bunch of walking. Their biggest argument generally boils down to "Gandalf should have just used the Eagles to fly to Mordor". Aside from this undermining the whole point of the journey, it has been argued by fans that this simply didn't work. There have been a variety of articles which put forth excellent theories but YouTube channel BrotherhoodWorkshop has summed things up with a brilliant (and adorable) LEGO animation which puts the argument to rest. Enjoy!

TMNT 1980's Opening 3D Remake

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Monday, August 11, 2014

The World Mourns As Robin Williams Passes Away At 63

Today, the world lost a truly epic entertainer as Robin Williams was found dead from an apparent suicide in his Tiburon, California home (he was 63). Sadly, early reports suggest the suicide was tied to depression (and subsequent substance abuse) which he struggled with throughout his entire life. From the Marin County Sheriff's Department:
On August 11, 2014, at approximately 11:55 am, Marin County Communications received a 9-1-1 telephone call reporting a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing inside his residence in unincorporated Tiburon, CA. The Sheriff's Office, as well as the Tiburon Fire Department and Southern Marin Fire Protection District were dispatched to the incident with emergency personnel arriving on scene at 12:00 pm. The male subject, pronounced deceased at 12:02 pm has been identified as Robin McLaurin Williams, a 63 year old resident of unincorporated Tiburon, CA. 
An investigation into the cause, manner, and circumstances of the death is currently underway by the Investigations and Coroner Divisions of the Sheriff's Office. Preliminary information developed during the investigation indicates Mr. Williams was last seen alive at his residence, where he resides with his wife, at approximately 10:00 pm on August 10, 2014. Mr. Williams was located this morning shortly before the 9-1-1 call was placed to Marin County Communications. At this time, the Sheriff's Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made. A forensic examination is currently scheduled for August 12, 2014 with subsequent toxicology testing to be conducted.
Williams publicist released the following statement this afternoon:
"Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."
And from his wife, Susan Schneider:
"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."
In addition to his countless film roles, voice acting performances and legendary comedy, many Nintendo fans will fondly remember Mr. Williams for his Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary ads which starred him and his daughter Zelda Williams who is named after the titular Princess Zelda. Join me in remembering and celebrating the life of a man who brought laughter to millions of people worldwide. Below are many of the Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary ads which star Mr. Williams and his daughter. Enjoy and please shared your memories below!

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Lone Survivor, Affordable Space Adventures And More In The Indie Corner Weekly Wrap-Up

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Source: Nintendo Enthusiast

Free Tappingo Soundtrack & New Wii U FPS From Goodbye Galaxy Games

When it comes to indie gems for Nintendo consoles, many immediately think of games like Shantae (Wayforward), Moon Chronicles (Renegade Kid) and Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games) but you would be forgetting many of the excellent smaller gems from companies like RCMADIAX and Goodbye Galaxy Games. These developer's have made a name for themselves by making excellent (and inexpensive) little games that focus on gameplay and fun. Most (if not all) of these games are Nintendo exclusives perfectly suited to the Nintendo gamer with their minimalist presentation and simple yet unique gameplay.

Goodbye Galaxy Games made a name for itself with a collection of great DSiWare games like Color Commando and Ace Mathician before moving onto the 3DS eShop with the puzzle hit Tappingo which is getting a sequel on August 28. In anticipation of the upcoming sequel, the company has released the 9 track soundtrack on Bandcamp.com with a name your own price option that includes FREE. It's a great set of tunes that perfectly channels the puzzle gameplay that has made the game a hit and I recommend you download it here.

Earlier this year, Hugo Smits (the man behind Goodbye Galaxy Games) hinted that he was developing a "FPS with guns and blood" for the Wii U. Mr. Smits has just sent Nintendo Life the first screenshot of the game and it is deliciously retro. Based on this early screenshot, the game seems to take its inspiration from classic hits like the original Doom and Wolfenstien 3D which is actually quite refreshing when you consider how many modern FPS titles are overly obsessed with overblown set piece moments and cattle chute level design that penalizes players who want to stray from the predetermined path. While further details have yet to be released, the game looks like a return to the FPS fun that simply involved running around and shooting things while exploring mazelike levels. Check out the screenshot of the upcoming retro FPS here and enjoy!


Friday, August 8, 2014

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 2 Wii U Gets Free Nuketown 2025 DLC!?

In one of the most random updates for a Wii U game, Activision has just patched the nearly 2 year old Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and included the Nuketown 2025 multiplayer map (the zombie themed DLC map Die Rise is also included). This is an odd yet appreciated move considering it was 100% free DLC but Wii U fans are scratching their heads over this update for such an old game. Earlier this year, a similar free update added the Freefall map to Call of Duty: Ghosts but that was a bit more timely considering the game was only about 6 months old at the time.

The inclusion of this update as well as the Call of Duty: Ghosts update earlier in the year could be a result of Activision actually paying attention to HOW Wii U fans play Call of Duty multiplayer. While not a massive audience, I can vouch for the dedication of CoD Wii U fans considering the nearly 2,500 - 3,000 players who consistently play Black Ops 2 even to this day. Players on Sony and Microsoft's consoles tend to play the current Call of Duty title in massive numbers until a new one comes out and then jump ship for the next best thing (similar to the Madden franchise) whereas Nintendo players tend to stick with a CoD game for a much longer time and remain dedicated provided the game is a quality port (it should be noted that Treyarch does a great job of bringing the CoD series to Nintendo consoles). While I don't expect a sudden surge of free DLC content for Wii U Call of Duty, this kind of support may reflect a better understanding by Activision on how to better support Nintendo moving forward. Of course this could also be a random fluke and things will be back to normal (third party's spitting in the face of Nintendo fans) by the next game release. What are your thoughts on this random update?


Bayonetta 2 "World Of Chaos" Prologue Highlights

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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Mario Kart 8 Getting Major Update Including FREE DLC On August 27!

Mario Kart 8 has proved to be a huge success for the Wii U going as far as being the title to turn around the excellent yet struggling console. Nintendo will be improving the already great game with a major update that even includes a new set of cars. Here is a breakdown of the scheduled updates:
  • Mercedes-Benz DLC will be added for FREE which features 3 new cars (GLA, W25 Silver Arrow, 300 SL Roadster)
  • Map display will be added to the TV screen
  • Default menu selection after each GP race will now be "Next Race" instead of "View Highlight" (this was a minor annoyance for many players)
  • Records screen will now show total coins, online win-loss record, character selection rates, etc.
  • Last used kart customization added to save
  • Edit others' highlights
  • Improved online stability and more
The update is currently scheduled for August 27 in Japan, Europe and North America. A trailer has been released that showcases the new Mercedes-Benz DLC. Enjoy!

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Lego Batman 3 Voice Talent Trailer

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Xeodrifter Brings Metroidvania Action To 3DS eShop

Indie developer Renegade Kid (Dementium, Moon, Mutant Mudds) has recently revealed their latest game for the 3DS eShop which is titled Xeodrifter. The project spun off the idea of turning the excellent Moon Chronicles into a 2D demake. Inspired by classics such as Super Metroid, Metroid Zero Mission and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Xeodrifter will be a sci-fi Metroidvania with a beautiful pixel art aesthetic. Renegade Kid developer Jools Watsham described the inspiration that led to the birth of Xeodrifter on his developer's blog:

"The first thing I expect many people might think is, “I thought you were working on Treasurenauts!” Yes, well, I have a confession to make. We were working on Treasurenauts – and it was progressing really well – then, one day I got a bee in my bonnet to make a [Metroidvania] game ... it started when I mocked up a 2D demake of Moon Chronicles for fun a while back. It came together much better than I expected, and I really liked how the main little space man turned out. I let that mock-up sit dormant for a few months while we finished up the real Moon Chronicles and also continued to work on Treasurenauts, but the idea of the 2D space game came back to the front of my mind one day. 
Xeodrifter is the story of an interstellar drifter traveling the stars on a mission of exploration. In this particular installment of the story, we join our nomad as he embarks on the exploration of small cluster of four planets in the omega sector, after a collision with a rogue asteroid damages his warp drive. A scan of the neighboring planets reveals a number of energy signatures on the planets that may provide the special material needed to fix his warp drive and get back to cruising through the cosmos. 
My goal from the beginning of Xeodrifter was for it to be a small, bite-sized experience, much like Ikachan in terms of scope. I want it to be something that you can dip into for fun, and accomplish in a relatively short period of time. But, there will be enough secret goodies located off the main path to keep the thorough gamers among us busy for a little longer."

It should be noted that Treasurenauts is still in development and is coming to 3DS but Xeodrifter is set to be completed first. The game was first revealed exclusively to GoNintendo and I highly recommend visiting their site and reading the full article as Xeodrifter looks like another gem in the 3DS' excellent library. Be sure to scan the QR Code below with your 3DS to view a 3D screenshot of the game, it looks pretty sweet. Enjoy!

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Scientifically Accurate Sonic The Hedgehog

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Club Nintendo August Rewards Update

Nintendo has updated their downloadable Club Nintendo rewards for August and for the remainder of the month they are offering 8 titles across 3 systems (Wii games can be played on Wii U)The expiration date for this offer is now September 7 and the price is between 150-250 coins for each title. Be sure to check back September 8 for the next reward update.

Super Mario Bros. 2 - Wii U eShop
200 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Excitebike - Wii U eShop
200 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Star Fox 64 - Wii Virtual Console
250 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Vegas Stakes - Wii Virtual Console
250 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Baseball 3DS eShop
150 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Puzzle League Express - 3DS eShop
200 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Mario Golf - 3DS eShop
200 Coins (Available Until September 7)

Dr. Mario Express - 3DS eShop
200 Coins (Available Until September 7)