Video Game Appreciation 101: PlayStation Evolution (US and Japanese Versions)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

With Sony getting ready for next week’s big worldwide reveal, their Japanese branch is doing a bit of nostalgic reminiscing on YouTube. Here’s part one of what’s looking to be a fun little series (those quick bits of Japanese PlayStation ads are hilarious and make me wish Sony would devote a channel to the MANY awesome TV ads for PlayStation systems that have been shown there since 1994). Given the console’s huge impact on the gaming scene, I’m hoping we get to see this series show at some point on a Blu-Ray or online in full with additional focus on how the system hit North America in an equally spectacular manner (er, Polygon Man, the whole ENOS campaign and those silly Toshinden “Sofia Says” ads aside).

Thanks to dionisio for the Sofia ad!

BioShock Infinite Columbia/Icarus Trailer 2: The Mystery Deepens (With Candy!)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Who says Irrational Games doesn’t love you? You get a Valentine’s Day card (belatedly, as I just got around to checking my other inbox, oops!) with your new Columbia video! Anyway, BioShock Infinite is hopefully going to be one of those games where the long dev cycle and loads of pre-release hype make it worth the wait. Hmmm. in looking at that card again closely, I’m not sure I’d want to eat any of those chocolates, especially if they had squishy liquid centers. If Elizabeth has found a way to miniaturize the game’s deadly enemies and dip them in yummy milk chocolate, That might not be a cherry cordial you’re chomping… Ewww..

Well, ladies first, I say…

Urban Trial Freestyle Trailer: Trials of A Man on The Iron Horse…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Now available on PSN for the PS3 and Vita, this slick-looking moto game from Tate Multimedia might LOOK verrrry similar to Red Lynx’ worldwide hit, but the gameplay shakes things up a chunk by making stunts a huge part of the fun. I’ll have a review up sometime next week, as I’m just getting around to downloading my copy and there’s an embargo until the 19th. OK, I’m off to check my insurance and go grab a helmet and pads. I’m not as spry as I used to be, so I’m taking extra precautions!

Nintendo Direct 2.14.2013: A Whole Lotta Love Coming Your Way…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

If you don’t get a little thrilled and amused from these Nintendo Direct videos (who can resist Mr. Iwata and his smile, dashing green cap and freshly pressed suit?), you have no heart. Well, maybe you still need some convincing that the company’s direction (they tend to follow their own path rather than go with the flow) is sound and solid. Yes, they’ve had some bumps in the past few years, but their fan base is loyal, broad and by every metric I’ve seen, growing. Some things will take time (Wii U sales are OK, but not Hollywood blockbuster weekend huge), but the company knows that seeds don’t NEED to all sprout and bloom at the same time. Anyway, sit and have a look – then go cuddle up with your 3DS, Wii or Wii U knowing they’re getting a whole lotta first and third-party love (and more to come)…

Star Trek: The Video Game – Making The Game (Part 1): “Deflectors Full Intensity!”

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Here’s the first of a few video peeks at the making of Digital Extremes’ upcoming Star Trek game, which is looking pretty cool. Three years of hard work just might pay off for action gamers as well as Star Trek fans who don’t mind a lot more action than sitting around discussing plot points while a star field zips by in the background. Of course, if this does well, it would e nice to see a deeper more RPG-like experience in the Mass Effect vein. Then again, Bioware’s hit series was in part inspired by the Trek franchise, so it would be a case of taking the crown and passing it around the galaxy for a bit, I say…

Toy Fair 2013: Zeenie Dollz – Or: Earth (Saving) Girls Are Easy (To Like)…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

With all the big toy-themed sites covering almost nothing but the big, hot new products from Toy Fair, there are literally thousands of toys that get little to no love on the show floor from the press. Since I don’t get many invites to the major events (thanks to PR people and companies themselves that want big sites with bigger hits to drive fans into stores on launch days or pre-ordering their products like mad), I tend to dip around the show floor after my big deal appointments looking for quirky and interesting stuff you won’t see latched to a hype train. I’ll be covering a bunch of cool toys for just about everyone in a few columns here, so I may as well start with the last letter of the alphabet and work my way around randomly. Say hello to Zeenie Dollz!

Continue reading →

Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army: February 28 Is Now D-Day For The Undead…

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

Three words used together that will either make you laugh like a lunatic, run screaming for the hills (or dive under the couch) or let out an “Oh Yeah!” are Nazi Zombie Army and it seems that developer Rebellion has not only figured this out, they’ve cooked up a new standalone co-op themed Sniper Elite V2 expansion for PC that’s coming out at the end of the month. I like the story idea the guys thought up, as tossing together four soldiers from a few sides of the conflict who’d probably be trying to kill each other and having them work together after things get a wee bit too supernatural thanks to a certain infamous would be great dictator and his final push to win the war in Europe.

Check out the rather gory trailer if you dare here, boogie on over to Steam to pre-order it for $14.99 and if you’re a PS3, 360 or Wii U owner, hope this comes out on consoles at some point at a similar budget price point. Yeah, it’s not for everyone, but i can’t think of too many folks who actually like Nazis or Zombies, especially in armies coming at you with intent to chomp on your brains. Don’t blame those bath salts, either…

Need for Speed Most Wanted: Hands-On: Criterion Powers Up With The Wii U

Posted on February 15, 2013 by geelw

It’s quite clear the moment you see Need For Speed Most Wanted running on the Wii U that Criterion Studios loves the new hardware and is making sure they get the most out of it in this very outstanding updated version of the game. I actually did a double take when I walked into the room the game was being demoed in at the W Hotel in Times Square on Wednesday because there were a group of kid bloggers hooting and hollering on the right side as they played some of the new PS3 DLC (coming out soon), while on the left side a Criterion rep was showing off the Wii U version to a fellow editor type who was glued to the screen with a huge smile on his mug. Talk about bizarre creations (ha ha) – it’s supposed to be the other way around (at least in the minds of the confused Nintendo haters out there), but the Wii U has plenty going on under the hood that more developers will need to start taking advantage of. Calling this game a mere “port” is doing the team a supreme disservice. From the use of PC textures to the amazing new features exclusive to the console, Wii U owners are clearly getting the best console version of the game to date… Continue reading →

Capcom Wishes You a Happy (Jill) Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm. When I was growing up, it was Karen Valentine who the boys (and some of the girls) wanted to hug. These days, it’s all about a “Jill Sandwich” (which was thankfully avoided way back in 1996 thanks to the late Barry Burton) and other squishy bits (usually plenty of zombie parts) fans of the Resident Evil franchise are mooning over. Still, she’s a gal with staying power who’s never been a stereotypical female game character and in fact, her popularity has lasted longer than some game gals who’ve needed a CG reboot every few years. You go, girl! Of course, she’s not real, kids – but strong gals who can save your skin while putting a boot on some undead ass are more than welcome these days…

Gallery: Earth Defense Force 4 Update: 116 More Reasons To Buy In to This Bug-Out!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by geelw

Holy Cats. Gematsu has posted 116 NEW screens from Sandlot’s upcoming bug blast-fest as well as news of a June release in Japan. This is super news and combined with the recently subtitled trailer that D3Publisher of America posted on YouTube about a week ago, I’d bet a dime that an English localization for the script is well underway and we’ll see the game in North America around the fall. Hopefully, this won’t be a download only release, as it needs to get out to as many non-PSN and XBLA users as possible, not just be restricted to those who have console accounts and high-speed connections. So far, no import retailers have announced pre-order info, but my eyes are on Play-Asia taking my money sometime from late March to sometime in May. Check out the bugs and ‘bots in action HERE and note that Wing Diver has WHEELS on her boots. If she’s skating when on the ground, I’m definitely playing as her first. Go, Sandlot! I’m going to download a few of those and make myself a few new wallpaper choices for my laptop, that’s for sure…