The Avengers Japanese Trailer #2: Playing Into The “Hey, They Get ALL The Good Stuff!” Stereotype

I got that header quote in an email about the trailer and got a nice chuckle before i went into common sense correction mode. It’s not as if those brief snippets of tease-y galore not seen in the US trailers are going to be cut from the film here. Still, it’s nice to see more bits and pieces of the film and how super it all looks, although I have one gripe that bugs me about almost every recent comic book flick. How come we get to see some heroes without their masks in public acting like it’s no big deal that they’re revealing their true identities? Go watch Spider-Man 2 and 3 for the worst examples of this silliness.

Anyway, I’m pleased as punch otherwise. Hell, I’ll even accept Sam Jackson as Nick Fury after holding out for so long. He sure makes a better Fury than David “Hamburgular” Hasselhoff did, that’s for damn sure…

Avengers RealD 3D Glasses: The “Prescription” For Summer Movie Blahs?

These are actually pretty cool, but it’s too bad they’re ONLY available as collectible 3D glasses and not higher quality real prescription frames,  So, how do you snag a pair of these darlings, you ask? Well according to the press release:

“Beginning in April, fans at will be able to collect these limited edition RealD 3D glasses at special events, fan screenings and via upcoming online giveaways. THE AVENGERS RealD 3D glasses will also be available at select AMC Theatres, National Amusement Theatres and independent theatres throughout the U.S. beginning as early as midnight on May 3rd.”

Hmmm… I’d bet my shirt some of you out there would pay good money to be walking down the street in those official Iron Man, Captain America, Thor or Hulk specs and be able to actually see where you’re going, right? And, hey – where are the ladies’ glasses? I’d bet a pair of snazzy Black Widow frames would be a must-have for the guys and gals alike…

Kid Icarus: Uprising Video Update: Nintendo, You Just Hate Me, Don’t You?

Really, now – tossing all these Kid Icarus: Uprising TV spots and videos up on YouTube all on the same day. I know you guys like coverage, and coverage you’ll get, but I’m sticking them all in a single post instead of spreading them out. Not because I’m lazy, mind you. It’s just because I have a REALLY busy day tomorrow (well, later today) and I won’t be around until much later in the evening or early Sunday morning at the latest.

 

 

Normally, I’d have spread the videos out over the weekend, but I also have two reviews to write and some other things to attend to that aren’t gaming-related. Yeah, I actually do stuff besides play video games all day.  Well, sometimes…

 

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Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (3DS) Fatally Frame-tastic (Finally).

Some internet nitpickers with too much time on their hands are going nuts about the name change (which is untrue, as Spirit Camera is a spin-off from the Zero/Fatal Frame series) the fact that we never got that Wii FF game localized (OK, they do get a “boo!” from moi on that flub) and a few other things, but whatever. I’m just happy to see the 3DS get another quality game (and another horror-themed game, at that), Of course, I’d LOVE to be on a bus or subway watching someone playing this and screaming out loud when they get freaked out by some ghost popping up in their faces. Hey, Nintendo: there’s your TV spot right there. Have a bunch of people on a train playing the game on a subway in different parts of a car and have them all freak  out at the same time (or at different time – your choice). Then have the lights go out on the train and… you can fill in the rest.

No charge for the idea – I’ve got a million of them…

The Amazing Spider-Man (3D) Trailer: A Sticky Reboot, Indeed…

OK, despite some interesting performances and casting, I despised Spider-Man 3, and despite the bank-breaking box office tallies, so did a lot of you out there (from what I’ve read). Apparently, so did a good chunk of the cast who worked on the trilogy, as they’ve been replaced with new blood for this 3D reboot. Well, all that cast tweaking (and a new director) seems to have paid off, as this spectacular-looking trailer someone actually woke me up about so I could post it (grrrr!) shows. Enjoy – I’m going the heck back to bed now, zzzzzzzz….

Resident Evil Retribution Trailer: Product Placement Does Work, After All…

I meant to post this one a few days back when it was initially released, but I got busy tackling the pile of old posts I still need to reformat. plus a few other things Anyway, I’m not a huge fan of the RE films, but the trailer for Retribution is clever enough to pique my interest somewhat. For starters, Sony getting a PlayStation Vita in the first few seconds of the trailer before the US launch is priceless (and makes me want one even more) and the excellent segue combining MORE shameless product advertising for other products then turning into Alice’s next adventure is excellently done. Granted, I’ll most likely NOT pay for a ticket and wait to catch this one on cable like I have with all the other RE films, but at least this trailer grabbed my interest enough to make me want to watch it multiple times.

Kid Icarus: Uprising Trailer Shows What The Fuss Is All About

Nintendo’s killer app (that would have made for a great launch title had the 3DS shipped in 2012) is finally soaring into retail in March, so here’s the latest peek at some gameplay. I still feel bad for Wii owners that they’re not getting this one, but it really would be nice to see the Wii U do something with the character now that he’s officially back on the gaming radar worldwide. Let’s hope we see more new games and not poor Pit relegated to another Smash Bros. sub-character no one under a certain age even knows about (like poor Ness from the Earthbound/Mother series)…

Resident Evil Revelations Updated Story Trailer

Fear not, fans of the franchise who want a more traditional RE game that hearkens back to the classic trilogy you’re so fond of. Granted, you’ll need to have a 3DS in the house, as this is an exclusive for the handheld. But my, doesn’t it look fantastic? Gameplay is slower, more methodical at times and yup, zombies WILL get up in your face if you get caught off-guard. Of course, the gloomy, scary atmosphere and limited ammo (from what I played in the demo version) add to the tension and some of those undead don’t go down without a fight. Anyway, keep your eyeballs peeled for this one, as it’s coming on February 7, 2012 in the US and January 27, 2012 in the UK (lucky!).

Review: Tekken Hybrid

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Namco

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B+ (80%)

 

One of the most underutilized features of the PS3 has been the ability to play Blu-Ray and game hybrid discs, which is quite strange in my opinion. Considering how licensed movie games could have a second life if bundled with the films they’re based on at a reasonable price point, it’s a no-brainer to me that MORE game/movie discs haven’t been produced. Tekken Hybrid manages to do a pretty decent job as a package, although a few more bonuses would have been cool to beef up the replay value somewhat. For $40, you’re getting the CG movie Tekken: Blood Vengeance, an HD version of Tekken Tag Tournament and a brief demo of the Japanese arcade version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (all with optional 3DTV support), plus a few interviews with a few folks behind the games and film. While this package is geared more towards hardcore Tekken fans, those new to the long running fighting franchise can pick it up and have a blast, provided they’re not looking for online play or tons of bonus content (other than the newly added Trophies). Continue reading

Review: The Hidden

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Developer: 1st Playable Productions

Publisher: Majesco Entertainment

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 & Up)

Official Site

Score: A- (85%)

The Hidden is a nice little surprise from developer 1st Playable Productions and Majesco Entertainment, offering up some fun ghost tracking and shooting missions while getting you up and about in the process for a bit of exercise. While the game is definitely geared toward younger players, there’s enough to like here that even “core” gamers will want to take this one for a spin. The game’s big draws are its use of augmented reality, first-person shooting sequences and the fact that each person playing the game will have a unique experience thanks to using the 3DS cameras to capture actual locations as backgrounds for the action. While there’s no multiplayer modes to speak of, the game still manages to impress and you can expect a few passers-by to ask what you’re playing as you’re walking about scanning actual locations for ghosts to bust. Continue reading