Naurto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 TGS Trailer: Closer and Closer to Playing an Anime….

Posted on September 25, 2012 by geelw

Oof… yesterday was a loooooooong one and I didn’t get much done in the way of writing up a few things I wanted to. So, I’ll distract you all with this insane trailer from the upcoming Naruto game, which is coming along quite nicely. I played the demo a few weeks back at the Namco Bandai event here in NYC and was surprised at how chaotic and cinematic the opening sequence was. It’s definitely the most ambitious Naruto title in terms of attempting to bridge the gap between anime and gameplay, and if the dev team can pull off everything they’re going for, this could be one of the best games in the franchise to date. Another fine 2013 release from Namco Bandai? Sure, why not?

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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Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Hands-On: Level-5 & Studio Ghibli Do The Genre Proud

Posted on August 29, 2012 by geelw

I’m not at all sure just how many copies of Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch will sell when it finally slides into stores on January 22, 2013, but if there’s any JRPG that deserves to fly off the shelves, it’s this one. Namco Bandai is handling the publishing of this Level-5/Studio Ghibli gem that’s bound to be an instant classic and remembered for its stirring story, outstandingly gorgeous visuals and really interesting take on the active time battle system originated in the Final Fantasy games.

My hands-on with the English demo made me wish for a time machine so that I could finally dive right into the story and lovely game world that’s going to be one of the best-looking you’ll see on the PS3.

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One Piece: Pirate Warriors – Taking Musou To A New Level Of Awesome

Posted on August 29, 2012 by geelw

Namco Bandai and Koei Tecmo’s Omega Force team up once more for hard-hitting multiple enemy on screen massiveness, but this time, it’s the cult hit One Piece getting the full-on Sengoku Musou treatment. One Piece: Pirate Warriors takes the familiar Dynasty Warriors formula and kicks it up a few notches with the show’s trademark oddball humor, some excellent visuals and gameplay that’s actually a lot more dynamic and frantic than what’s usually found in the DW series. From the level I played as Luffy, everything clicks into place and PS3 owners who can download this game should absolutely put this one on their radars. Controls are solid, with specific combos needed to pull off certain moves and yes, there’s a killer special attack you can unleash once that meter is filled. Enemies aren’t shy about batting you around the map if you’re too slow, a good thing for players who like a bit of challenge.

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Update Before the Update Department: Some Kinect-ing Thoughts…

Posted on August 22, 2012 by geelw

So, I played a bit of Dragon Ball Z Kinect yesterday and (*surprise!* ) I didn’t hate it at all. It looks great (well, for a DBZ game), the controls are simple enough to understand (I’d say most fans will appreciate them more than non-fans) and yes, there’s a good workout in there with all that punching, ducking and occasional jumping you’ll be doing.I didn’t ask if there was a calorie counter option, but they will definitely be burned as this game is played…

That’s a good thing, although I’d bet once it hit stores, more kids will enjoy the game than adults. I was about to keel over like a fallen oak tree after one fight. Maybe Namco Bandai is planning some sort of revenge on jaded, out of shape games journalists who keep knocking them when they try to do something different. Then again, I’m not jaded, just really out of shape. The amount of physical exertion needed to play DBZ keeps it from really being a “casual” game experience and it looks as if families with a Kinect in the living room will be getting another game to keep them occupied (and relocating furniture before a foot goes through it).

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Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition: PC Gamers Finally Get To Feel The Pain (And How)…

Posted on August 20, 2012 by geelw

August 24, PC owners. Prepare to Buy… then Prepare to DIE. And love every moment of it. The core word here is NEW, as in new areas, NPCs, weapon, monsters, bosses, PvP areas and MORE. Yes, as a console owner I’m temporarily annoyed (we’re getting this content later, so it’s all good), but I’m also hoping that PC gamers who’ve been whining about wanting this so badly buy it in numbers that stagger the imagination. Hopefully, the online play will be cheat and hack-free, but we’ll see what happens in the first week or two of release and then a bit afterward as those that can start mucking about with the game code. I still would LOVE a Vita version of a Souls game or a new RPG franchise from From Software at some point geared to portable players. I guess we’ll see what happens with that down the road…

Star Trek Gamescom 2012 Trailer: Next Year Is Taking Its Sweet Time Getting Here…

Posted on August 14, 2012 by geelw

But that’s absolutely great for the hard working dev teams at Bad Robot and Digital Extremes making Star Trek for Namco Bandai, as each bit of footage and every screenshot or art asset looks better and better. As I’m not quite sure when the new movie is coming out, it would be a bit of serendipity if it arrived when the game was all polished up and tight as a drum. That would be awesome for a few reasons, one of which being we’d get a licensed movie game that was as good as the film at the same time instead of a few years down the road (or not at all in too many cases). As always… we shall see. OK, J.J. – that sequel better be amazing!

Babycastles Summit Update: A More Pretty Version…

Posted on August 3, 2012 by geelw

Hokay – for those of you who wanted a visual aid about this big event, all you need to know is below the jump. Back in a bit with more game-related goodies… Continue reading →

Video Game Appreciation 101: Nintendo DS (New Additions)

Posted on July 20, 2012 by geelw

I need to do this on a more regular basis like some of my other fellow game bloggers (you know who you are, but I need to list you guys on my sidebar at some point today), so here you go, six new DS games added, all picked up quite cheap.

Aliens: Infestation is a pretty challenging side-scrolling shooter/adventure from WayForward Technologies (makers of some of the best “retro” style games out there) and Gearbox Software. Hop aboard an alien packed Sulaco as a squad of Marines as you search for survivors in this sort-of sequel/side-story to Aliens. With a limited number of squad members available (one they’re dead, they’re gone for good), some mean bosses that take a bit of work to put down and a decent amount of replay value, it’s not a bad game at all if you’re a fan of this sort of game.

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Thundercats DS Says To Consoles: “How Ya Like Me Now?”

Posted on July 18, 2012 by geelw

Well, now… color me intrigued. I happen to still like my Nintendo DS quite a lot, so yes, I’ll absolutely be bugging Namco Bandai for a reviewable of this game. Hey, for me, it’ll be the 16-bit game I never got to play back on the SNES and Genesis and as you’ll see from the gallery I’ll post later tonight, the game actually looks pretty impressive. Which of course means that I need to practice my Lion-O yell to get even more psyched for the game’s September 25, 2012 release. Er, you may want to stand back a few feet, kids (and get the family pet into a closet nearby – you’ve been warned): *Ahem* Thundercats, HOO*cough!*ooooo….*ack*oooo!!!!…

Hmmmm. Clearly, practice is needed there, as I just broke my throat and a window here. Back with more later. Er, more screen shots, that is (and a lot of them)…