Toy Fair 2013: Peavey Electronics Reminds Me The Walking Dead Is On Tonight…

Posted on February 10, 2013 by geelw

With all the TF2013 madness plus that stupid Nemo hitting the city hard, I actually ALMOST forgot the rest of the season kicks off later today (oops!) and I don’t have a DVR at home. Thanks to Peavey Electronics rolling out a cool line of new licensed guitars and such at the show including this really spiffy The Walking Dead Predator electric with Charlie Adlard’s artwork on it, I can safely scoot off the show floor in time for a nice subway ride home, grab some food and catch the show without having to stay up late to catch the second showing (which would be a bad idea, as I have a bunch of TF appointments on Monday). Hmmm… I haven’t picked up a guitar in YEARS (and I’m no Twang Bar King at all), but I’ll have to check this one out in a few hours. Yeah, yeah, I’m SUPPOSED to be sleeping, but I can never rest before these big trade shows, so I’m up double checking my email and yup, adding a post or two…

GRID 2 Teaser: There’s a Lot More Where That Came From…

Posted on February 9, 2013 by geelw

Oh, Codemasters, you big fat tease! OK, maybe not so big (or fat) after all. I saw and played a nice demo of the upcoming racing game last week in NYC, but my actual hands-on coverage is embargoed until 2/14 so I can’t lay a peep on you about all the new and fun stuff I saw. I think I can get away with telling you the game looks amazing, but that’s it until after Toy Fair is over, kids. Now If you’ll pardon me, I need to figure out how to weld a blowtorch to a shovel so I can get out the damned door on Sunday morning. My hour train ride is probably going to be a wee bit longer. Stupid blizzard…

Toy Fair 2013: Are Yomega’s Star Wars Yo-Yo’s Force-Powered? We Shall See…

Posted on February 8, 2013 by geelw

Hmmm… I haven’t seen a decent yo-yo commercial (or heck, ANY yo-yo commercial) since the days of Duncan, but seeing the email in my inbox from modern yo-yo masters Yomega about their upcoming Star Wars line made my brain cook up a doozy of an ad idea. A mock battle breaks out between two kids (or adults) dressed like characters from the films who pull off all sorts of fancy tricks while facing each other (er, out of range of any actual injury, of course!). Add in some CGI laser string effects and *ding!* – instant classic. Maybe. Anyway, Yomega is releasing three new models this summer and fall – I’ll post pics of them from the show floor on Sunday – descriptions and prices are below the jump.

Hmmm. I wonder what George Lucas is up to these days? Then again, if he directed the spot, we’d end up seeing it pulled and reworked a few times too many (ha ha), so I guess some aspiring college kid with a good eye will do just fine… Continue reading →

Random Film of the Week: Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Posted on February 8, 2013 by geelw

If you hate clowns for any abnormal reason, this film will probably freak every bone in your head out of your skull while making you laugh so much that you might fall off the couch and break something else. Granted, despite a bit of blood and gore it’s not really “scary” at all, but it does bring the laughs faster and furiously than some horror flicks that take themselves too seriously. The Chiodo Brothers (from up here in the Bronx, yeah!) cooked up this 1988 flick and while it didn’t become an “instant” genre classic or box office hit, for those lucky enough to catch it in theaters and later on home video, it was one of the more offbeat blends of horror, sci-fi and humor of the decade. I can recall laughing at the title before I saw this, thinking it was pretty dumb (but hey, it actually fits perfectly) and yep, I would have expected the film to be pretty dumb as well had I not been a fan of The Chido’s special effects work in another 80’s “B” film Critters, itself a bit of an underrated gem. Anyway, those Killer Klowns in the title are yes indeed, from Outer Space (their ship looks like a circus tent) and they’ve landed in tiny Crescent Cove for a midnight snack that just so happens to include the population of the sleepy little town… Continue reading →

Capcom Arcade Cabinet: Auntie MAME’ers Won’t Be Happy, But Everyone Else Will (Maybe)…

Posted on February 7, 2013 by geelw

Yeah, yeah – if you use the hugely popular (and according to some, not so legal) arcade emulator, you already “own” these games in their original formats, but Capcom is wagging its finger at you (well, just lightly). Capcom Arcade Cabinet is on the way, adding HD visuals, modern multiplayer functionality and a load of other stuff to these 15+ classics and making them available as three-game sets or one big bulk download pack over PSN and XBLA starting February 19, 2013. Of course, thanks to licensing rights and other hassles beyond their current control, we STILL don’t get an updated version of the stellar Dungeons & Dragons arcade game (boo!) that NEEDS to get re-issued somewhere at some point on something (grrrr!). Oh well, those Capcom fanatics who aren’t eternally pissy whiners about everything the company does these days (why don’t they just find another publisher to stalk if they’re so displeased?) will be happy with what’s here or on the way.

Anyway, games and pricing are below the jump. Get the whole pack, save some money and get a few free games in the process, I say… Continue reading →

Sniper Elite V2 Headed to Wii U (Now With 100% More Undead!)

Posted on February 7, 2013 by geelw

Oops. I really need to pay more attention to Rebellion, that’s for sure. While I was snoozing, the veteran developer has been posting a few cool teasers about an upcoming game that looked very much like Sniper Elite V2, but with the added attraction of some sort of zombies. It turns out that Wii U owners (like me) are indeed getting an enhanced “port” of the PS3, Xbox 360 and 360 game quite soon (as in this month!) and with what looks to be a pretty creepy new mode. Of course, comparisons to Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty’s popular Zombies mode will be made left, right and center all around the internet. But given the more deliberate pacing of the Sniper Elite games, I’m gathering this won’t be a mere clone of those games.

Fans of World War II shooters who’ve yet to play this one (and want something more methodical) should put their sights on this one and absolutely give it a shot, as in terms of the main game on the PS3 and 360, there’s a lot to like throughout the solo and co-op modes. As for that newer, more frightening content… well, if it’s got the pacing of the game plus the threat of being scared half to death while creeping around a mostly destroyed, undead-filled landscape, I’m sold for sure. Another Wii U title that’s geared towards “core” gamers? Count me in once more…

Skylanders Swap Force Gameplay (Dramamine Version)…

Posted on February 6, 2013 by geelw

Yeah, I shot that! AND it’s my first YouTube video post. Whee. That said, dear readers… I do hope your chair or couch has a seat belt and you’re not prone to motion sickness, as this footage is shaky central. But the game on the other hand… is amazing. Vicarious Visions takes over from Toys for Bob and brings Skylanders into HD in fine form indeed. The character animation and voice talent are near Insomniac/Naughty Dog levels, the gameplay is enhanced with the new Swap Force characters (and now ALL your old Skylanders can jump in this game, a HUGE plus that opens up the gameplay even more). So far, this is turning into my new favorite future time-sink (Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is also on that list), so yes, I’ll be keeping an eye peeled and posting less shaky updates in the future.

Er, In case your eyeballs are rolling around inside your head from my camerawork, below is the non-shaky full press conference from the superb One of Swords blog:

Toy Fair 2013 Is Rolling Up With Too Many Treats…

Posted on February 6, 2013 by geelw

Yes indeed, it’s that time of the year again, folks? So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Me, I’ll be getting tired feet and big eyeballs checking out some of the newest toys and games for you guys and gals to drop that disposable income on this year and next. Of course, I may even let you in on some of the cooler stuff I see in a post or three, so stick around for that. Oh, the things I have to put myself through to keep you kids entertained…

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: Geralt’s Final Tale Goes Open World

Posted on February 5, 2013 by geelw

CD Projekt RED is indeed currently making the final game in The Witcher series (well, the last Geralt of Riva story, as least), but they’re going out at the top of their game by releasing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on high-end PC’s and consoles (which most likely means whatever new is coming from Microsoft and Sony, not current generation hardware). For those new to the series, the developer is also offering the chance to pick up the first two games at an incredible value. There’s a 72-hour sale on The Witcher and The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – Enhanced Edition for PC on gog.com (both games) and Steam (The Witcher 2: AoKEE) right now and if you happen to be a console owner, the fantastic Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings – Enhanced Edition has been permanently price-dropped to must-buy price points worldwide (USD/EUR 29.99 USD/EUR or GBP 19,99). If you’re looking for a dark, truly mature and thrilling RPG experience, these come VERY highly recommended (provided you have the hardware to run the games on).

Toy Fair 2013: Skylanders SWAP Force Trailer: Change Is (REALLY) Good!

Posted on February 5, 2013 by geelw

Activision and veteran developer Vicarious Visions (along with Beenox and n-Space for the Wii and 3DS respectively) could have gone and done the next Skylanders game just like the two Toys for Bob developed entries, but they decided to get fun and funky with the features and kids (or people like me who love the time-sink addictive quality to the games) are going to be very nicely surprised. Skylanders SWAP Force will feature 16 new characters with interchangeable torsos and legs that allow up to 256 character combinations. Think of it as a bit of a money and space-saver, parents…but know that there will also be 40 new and redesigned Skylanders popping up at retail this fall and Holiday season. I’ll post screenshots and my shaky camera gameplay footage I shot at the press event tomorrow, but it’s safe to say that the SUPER gorgeous HD visuals, new gameplay mechanics (EVERY Skylander can now jump and a few can fly!) and in-engine cinemas will make this the hottest ticket once again all around the globe.

Back with more info soon – start saving up, parents… you’re about to make another big investment this fall.