Rayman Legends Slips Into Early 2013

Ubisoft has decided to push their amazing Rayman Legends from the Wii U launch line-up into Q1 of 2013. This move is worldwide but keeps the release within the "launch window" of the Wii U putting the new date between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2013. Ubisoft issued a statement about the game stating:

"Rayman Legends will launch worldwide in the first quarter of 2013" 

"We're happy that fans are excited about the game, and we are taking the time to make sure we deliver a game that lives up to and hopefully exceeds their expectations. We'll have more details to share soon."

This is not really a surprising move considering how many games Ubisoft is set to launch  day 1 with the new hardware. Zombi U will now become their primary focus alongside roughly 5 other games which is good considering how well received that game has been. If I were to guess the true reason for the move, it would probably be a request from Nintendo themselves because the game would have been a direct competitor to New Super Mario Bros. U and it is no secret that many gamer's were planning to skip Mario's newest adventure in favor of the gorgeous Rayman platformer.

Source

In The Eye Of Zombi U - Episode 2

Ubisoft has released the next episode in their ongoing mini series about the making of Zombi U. The game continues to look better and better each time it is showcased and it is very exciting to see Ubisoft taking it so seriously. After the rather disappointing latest entries of Resident Evil and Silent Hill series, Zombi U is shaping up to be a refreshing return to proper survival horror. While many like to flaunt a negative attitude about Nintendo and their future, it's becoming evident that the company has listened to past complaints and is taking an uncharacteristically proactive approach to their new console. Enjoy!

Amazing Retrospective Series Explores History Of RARE

If you are a Nintendo fan there is no doubt a sweet spot in your heart for RARE, a company that has had an enormous impact on many of Nintendo's past consoles. Their golden era was during the life of the Nintendo 64 creating a legacy of characters and franchises still revered to this day despite their ruin at the hands of Microsoft. YouTube user NostalgicGamer86 has been creating an excellent documentary series since late 2010  which explores the history of this beloved company with an insane amount of detail. A Rare Retrospective is an inside look at RARE covering everything from their inception up through their golden era with each part focusing on a specific game series loaded with lots of interesting inside information. I have linked to each part below including the running time considering that there is well over 2 hours of content.

• Part 1: Ultimate Play The Game & Battletoads - 11:32
• Part 2A: Donkey Kong Country - 13:22
• Part 2B: Donkey Kong Country - 8:54
• Part 2C: Donkey Kong Country - 7:37
• Part 3A: Killer Instinct - 10:20
• Part 3B: Killer Instinct - 11:36
• Part 4: Goldeneye - 16:43
• Part 5: Banjo-Kazooie - 34:25
• Part 6: Jet Force Gemini - 19:33
• Part 7: Diddy Kong Racing & Donkey Kong 64 - 38:56

NostalgicGamer86 has also produced a series of multi part retrospectives for a variety of video game franchises such as Street Fighter, Tekken, Max Payne and Shenmue and I recommend checking them out if you're a fan of those respective series. The quality of his productions are very high and the information is second to none and deserve to be viewed by any true gaming fan. Enjoy!

Nintendo Makes The Digital Push On 3DS This Fall

Nintendo is making the move to digital distribution swiftly with not only new 3DS titles this fall but also a slew of hits from last year. To assist with this, Nintendo will release a program next year to move your save files from the physical cartridge to the 3DS. Oddly enough, this will require you to own both the physical and digital versions on each game which kind of defeats the purpose of buying the games again in digital form. The games set to hit the eShop in Japan this fall are:

• Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
• Mario Kart 7
• Mario Tennis Open
• Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
• Pilotwings Resort
• Star Fox 64 3D
• Super Mario 3D Land

It is simply a matter of time before these hit the 3DS worldwide. Nintendo is also taking its first steps into paid downloadable content tomorrow with the release of New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush DLC. Provided Nintendo keeps their word on not abusing paid DLC, this will offer hardcore gamer's additional challenges to complete. Set to release 10/04/2012 for New Super Mario Bros. 2 are:

• Gold Rush Pack (1 star difficulty) - $2.50
• Coin Challenge Pack A (3 Star Difficulty) - $2.50
• Nerve-Wrack Pack (5 Star Difficulty) - $2.50

Topping off the digital push is a promotion that rewards players who purchase digital versions of Nintendo published games this fall. If you decide to skip the physical cartridge, you will receive a special version of Donkey Kong for the NES (playable through the 3DS Virtual Console) titled Donkey Kong: Original Edition. To qualify for the promotion, you will have to purchase one of the qualifying games from the 3DS eShop and register it with your Club Nintendo account before January 6, 2013. The list of eligible games are as follows:

• Paper Mario: Sticker Star
• Style Savvy: Trendsetters
• Crosswords Plus
• Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!
• Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask

Crytek Wants To Make TimeSplitters 4 A Reality

First Person Shooters have largely become a tired genre with each successive release looking more and more like the last. With a few exceptions, the FPS is quickly wearing out its welcome with titles such as Call of Duty now falling into the same hole that killed off staples of the industry such as Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero. For fans of the genre, there is one series that stands out as a work of passion that perfectly blends fun and depth creating something truly unforgettable. That series is TimeSplitters and after the loss of Free Radical, many thought this series was lost. Well, with Crytek absorbing Free Radical, it turns out that many within the studio have a large desire to bring back this series. Crytek producer Peter Holzapfel has stated the studios desire to bring the brand back. There is a Facebook Group set up to gather followers and show the fan desire to see the series make a comeback. With over 35,000 followers, they have a good start but their goal is 100,000 so I am doing my part to support this wonderful campaign and ask that you do the same if you're a fan of this amazing series. If you're not a fan, grab a copy of TimeSplitters 2 or TimeSplitters Future Perfect for the PS2, GameCube or Xbox and get ready for a fun time (don't forget your friends because the multiplayer is AMAZING).

"Like" TimeSplitters 4 now on Facebook to show your support!

Club Nintendo October Rewards Update #1

Nintendo has updated their downloadable Club Nintendo rewards replacing PictureBook Games: Pop-Up Pursuit with Dr. Mario Online Rx for WiiWare.  The expiration date for this offer is now October 14 and the price is 100 coins.  Be sure to check back October 8th for the next reward, which will likely be on eShop or 3DS Virtual Console.

Dr. Mario Online Rx - WiiWare
100 Coins (Available Until October 14)