Nintendo Wii U Preview Event: About An Hour of Playing With Power

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

In case you missed it earlier, here you go, the press event in its entirety. Pull up a seat, put on that gamer grin and check out all the new software and services coming your way through the Wii U. There’s a lot of stuff left unanswered on a few fronts, but I’m betting even the nayest of the naysayers will be silenced as all is revealed over time. The only thing that concerns me is I understand that new touch screen GamePad won’t be sold separately. This means that Nintendo is eating a LOT of that cost for the console and yes, you’d better be REALLY careful with that new controller….

Resident Evil 6 “Cries for Help” TV Spot: Capcom Brings The Horror Home…

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

Speaking of kids and perilous situations, I love this TV spot, as it’s not only well shot and acted, it really makes me want to dive into the game and play more than the demo sections I had so much fun with. Granted, Capcom’s kitchen sink approach to creating Resident Evil 6 might not please some gamers who want ONE type of gameplay and the same old stuff as in the first four numbered games. Fortunately, I’m one of those people who got what the dev team was working at right away and saw that each segment of the game will be its own mini-epic rushing to collide with the other parts to create the biggest and possibly best new RE game this console cycle. I’ve been holding back impressions on the game because I want to dive into the entire disc and experience the stories as they’re meant to be played, so like many of you, I’m eager to see how it all meshes by the end credits. If anything, I’m betting it’s the most talked about game in the franchise’s history for all the content it’s bringing players new and old…

Update! Wii U Launch/Launch Window Release List

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

Amusingly enough, no sooner than I post that Wii U article below, I get an email with a complete launch/launch window listing. For those not swimming in gaming lingo, the term “launch window” is a rather broad one that includes games on the way within a few months of a console’s release. In this case, the Wii U launch window is defined as the period beginning Nov. 18, 2012, and ending March 31, 2013. Also note that this list doesn’t include a few titles shows as just in development (Bayonetta, for example).

Got it? Good! Now onto the GAMES! Er, List! Games list that is. As in, it’s below the jump.

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Wii U on the Way. November 18 Is the Day.

Posted on September 13, 2012 by geelw

Let’s keep it simple: The Wii U is coming. North American launch date: November 18 (Europe, you’re up November 30). Two different models: $299 for a Basic white system: a console with 8GB of memory, one GamePad, AC adapter, sensor bar, and HDMI Cable. $349 nets you a black console with all of the above, but 32GB of memory, a copy of Nintendo Land and to push digital a bit more, a promotion that allows buyers of the more expensive system access to a rebate system for purchases made online. Guess which one I’m recommending. Bet on black, kids. YES, the console is indeed backward compatible with current Wii titles (but forget about GameCube functionality, something missing since the Wii was streamlined into its current incarnation). WIll the console support standard RCA jacks for those who still aren’t set up for HD? Probably, but I’d imagine you’d want to poke around Nintendo’s site to double check (use the first link above, of course)

There’s also TVii, a function I personally will never use, but one Nintendo is targeting at those millions of more connected users and consumers who love watching their favorite shows in a more social manner (I call it “Distracted Viewing” but hey, people seem to love doing this, sooo…):

Anyway, there will be a raft of games on the way from the launch onward, notably some amazing exclusives as well as titles Nintendo-only fans will be thrilled to see- but those (well, SOME of them) are below the jump…

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It’s The End of the World As We Know It, C-Virus Edition!

Posted on September 7, 2012 by geelw

Ah, you have to love the well-written yet absolutely fake press release. When done right, it’s a true art form, that’s for sure. Toss in a link to web site that’s intentionally low-tech but packing a lot of realistically scary content and it’s pure genius. OK, guess what game this is for (it’s not hard to tell at all, by the way…)

National Center for Infectious disease Research

Projects the End of the World as October 2, 2012

Dr. Harvey Joseph-Carlson Cites C-Virus as Leading Cause

NEW YORK – Sept. 6, 2012 – The National Center for Infectious Disease Research (NCIDR) has published key findings predicting the end of human life to occur on October 2, 2012. Lead researcher Dr. Harvey Joseph-Carlson cites recent wide-spread C-virus outbreak across North America, Europe and Asia as the cause for the projected end to humanity. The report highlights a rapid increase in the infected population as well as a decline in food rations, medical resources and lack of hope as key factors into his final projected end date.

“The end of humanity is a sad and inevitable reality that’s closing in fast on October 2, 2012,” notes Dr. Joseph-Carlson. “We have witnessed gruesome acts due to the widespread contagion and without a cure to the C-Virus we have run out of time and hope to save mankind.”

Dr. Joseph-Carlson’s research documents how the rise of C-Virus infection spreads rapidly through densely populated cities and filters into rural locations. The infection maps within the report outline how contaminated populations become “uninhabitable zones” for non-infected bystanders.

The origins of the C-Virus are still unclear. The C-Virus is a highly contagious mutagenic, non-carcinogenic virus and has no known cure. The incubation period of the virus is also unknown but victims are prone to see symptoms within 24 hours.

For more information and first-hand accounts please visit http://nohopeleft.com.

About NCIDR

The National Center for Infectious Disease Research (NCIDR) was founded in 1998 to address the challenges to international health posed by infectious diseases. The scope of the center has evolved to include the study of infectious diseases that are emerging from populations around the world and are attributable to today’s internationally mobile society.

I’m Much Older Than Street Fighter (and Ryu Can Still Kick My Ass)

Posted on September 1, 2012 by geelw

Wow – 25 years is a pretty good run for any game, but Capcom’s long-running Street Fighter series was and is a key point in quite a few people’s gaming lives. Me, I’ve always been terrible at fighters like this, but that’s probably because I always seemed to have to play against people who were training to be competitive fighting game players, had more quarters than I did or were just plain good at mastering even the worst characters. Eh, I’m a bit of a passy-fist (ha ha) anyway… and a bit of a voyeur as well, as I like watching people play a good fighting game more than I do playing them. That said, I can play a BAD fighting game all day for some reason. There’s something about a busted combat system or super-cheap moves anyone can pull off that’s oddly appealing.

Or maybe I just suck in reverse at this whole fighting game thing… Anyway, happy anniversary, Street Fighter!

DmC Box Art: Hey Capcom, I Want That Genesis Version!

Posted on August 18, 2012 by geelw

Here’s the simple but effective cover art for DmC on the PS3 and Xbox 360 plus a fun little surprise you’ll never ever see as an actual product unless someone invents time travel. Or maybe thinks of this stuff BEFORE a game gets made. In the blog post over at Capcom Unity, there’s a joke picture of a Sega Genesis version of the game labeled “coming never” (ha, ha) that, while hilarious for a hot minute, got me thinking a bit creatively (and yes, I’m here to help, Capcom). Make it so, guys! Hell, you should have thought of this funky idea while the game was in development as it would have been an AWESOME bonus on the disc (or, as a bit of {ugh} free DLC or pre-order content over PSN or XBLA).

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Okami HD (Almost) Leaves Me Speechless…

Posted on August 17, 2012 by geelw

Lovely. There’s really not much to say here other than if you own a PS3 and haven’t played it, you SHOULD buy this game, period. Even if you’ve played it to death, that HD polish and newly added PS Move control scheme both make it worth owning again. Of course, it would have been even cooler to have this on a Blu-Ray disc with an HD version of the cult hit GOD HAND plus a nice “making of” documentary for both games along with soundtracks and an art book (and maybe an Okami plushie for extra Premium Edition measure), but hey – I’m not the one making these decisions. Ah, well,,, but I were running things, that’s how I’d roll (although I’d support both physical and digital releases with the latter at a lower price point, as it should be for not getting packing and a manual).

Lost Planet 3 Gamescom 2012 Trailer: Spark’s Got A Blast Of Cool Coming Your Way…

Posted on August 14, 2012 by geelw

Spark Unlimited’s best game to date is going to surprise a lot of really jaded (and really annoying) people out there. You know, the ones who refuse to give a game a chance because they’re either pining away for an earlier installment or worse, spend too much time comparing apples to oranges when they SHOULD be, you know, actually playing more games and enjoying all the hard work that goes into them. My hands-on time with a demo a few months ago shown the dev team at the top of their form. Controls and visuals were solid, there’s that performance capture realism that works excellently and while yes, the game has a Dead Space vibe in a few areas, it’s FAR from a clone of Visceral’s hit series. Well, I think as long as Capcom and Spark concentrate on getting the final version out as tight as a drum and with a great story that’s well told, the amount of ACTUAL negatives that can be said about the game will be slim to none.

Remember Me: Your Mind Is Up For Grabs In Capcom’s Newest IP

Posted on August 14, 2012 by geelw

This one sounds pretty cool (and more than a tiny bit like Chris Nolan’s mind-bending film, Inception), so color me intrigued. Capcom dropped news on this upcoming game at GamesCom 2012 and it’s already getting a lot of buzz. Developed by Paris-based DONTNOD Entertainment, the game has you playing as a female “memory hunter” who can tap into people’s minds and steal or alter their memories. Of course, when someone has her memory stolen, our heroine sets out to find out who did it and as the press release says, “discover how she can change the world.” Expect a lot of athleticism, a bit of stealth and lots of ass-kicking in a few varieties in this third-person game set to hit PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in May 2013. More to come on this one, now that it’s on my radar…