Nintendo Direct 4.17.2013: Making Some Intriguing Concessions To The Digital Age…

Posted on April 17, 2013 by geelw

So, Nintendo seems caught between a rock and the next generation, what with the PS4 and Microsoft’s new console on the way and Wii U sales not being as solid as they need to. The company is dropping some online channels from the console, but don’t make the mistake of thinking the system is dead by any means. There are a bunch of cool exclusives on the way for the Wii U, but once more, it’s the 3DS that’s stealing the show. A new Legend of Zelda game (well, one based on the classic SNES game A Link to the Past), the cult classic Earthbound (Hoo-freakin’-raaaay!) both coming as Virtual Console releases are but two of the super games coming for the company’s fans.

HOWEVER (dun-dun-dunnn!) Hmmm… I see a slight problem here in all the happy-happy going on…
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Young Justice: Legacy Gallery: Little Orbit & Freedom Factory Are Doing It Right For The Fans…

Posted on April 6, 2013 by geelw

Fans of this freshly canceled (or hopefully just “on hiatus”) Cartoon Network show will have one really cool thing to comfort them in these desperate times: Young Justice Legacy is coming along REALLY nicely. While my overall impressions are embargoed for a few more days, I can safely say that fans of games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance, X-Men Legends and yes, even Justice League Heroes should be pleased with what’s coming from Little Orbit and Freedom Factory. That trailer shows off an older build, as the HUD is now different (it’s in a corner now) and anything else you want to know will have to wait (sorry!). As for looks, the stylized 3D visuals mimic the show’s 2D art style well enough and I like that the dev team didn’t go for the overused cel-shading some probably wanted or expected.

Of course, the BIG question is will the game do so well at retail that the powers that be over at Cartoon Network and DC want to kick things back into production? That, dear reader… is all up to YOU. Petitions are groovy and all, but buying the game and telling as many friends with a PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, DS and 3DS (Hey! Where’s the Vita version?) as possible and making sure they also vote with their wallets is the best thing to do if you want to see something positive come from all this hard work. Hey, even if the show never gets a second chance on TV, I’d say the game deserves a solid sequel that addresses that cliffhanger finale, right?

Young Justice: Legacy Cover Art Revealed: Revenge (of Sorts) Is Sweet…

Posted on March 23, 2013 by geelw

Young Justice Legacy_cover OK, so the show is dead, killed off somewhat unceremoniously by Cartoon Network (the curse of poor ratings, most likely) but that’s not stopping the development on this game fans have been eagerly waiting for since it was announced. Here’s the official cover art for Young Justice Legacy, set to hit the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, PC (and hopefully a few more platforms). Developer Freedom Factory is going all out to make sure its upcoming action/RPG is one those fans of the show will really get into and definitely make a day one purchase. It would be nice to see sales hit a fast high and sustain that for a bit so CN could reconsider its termination of the cartoon, but that’s a harder thing to do with a niche series no matter how much the most loyal fans shake their fists at their monitors and cable boxes.

As always, (yeah, repeat after me, folks): We Shall See…

Time to Get Jumpy! Urban Trial Freestyle Headed to 3DS, iOS This Spring

Posted on March 18, 2013 by geelw

3ds_1 After a fun run in February that saw the PS3 and Vita versions move in some pretty solid numbers, Tate Interactive and Shadowlands’ hot stunt bike game Urban Trial Freestyle is zooming onto the Nintendo 3DS as well as iOS devices this spring. Unlike the previous versions, the 3DSWare-only version is going to ship with a level editor that should extend the lifespan of the game considerably for owners of that handheld. I’m hoping we also end up with an update or sequel to the PS3 and Vita games that allow for rider creation (so the ladies can fly and wreck too!), track editing and other customization/sharing features. As soon as more news on the 3DS and iOS games pop up in the inbox, I’ll let you know…

Disney Infinity Announce Trailer: Kids… Take Your Toys Outside, But Stay Home!

Posted on February 21, 2013 by geelw

OK, I’m sure Disney won’t be marketing their upcoming (and fun looking) multi-platform game this way and I’m sure those parents who prefer their kids get some actual exercise in a real theme or other park will be rolling their eyeballs as the wallet comes out later this year, but that’s how it goes. New cool tech means old school parental units wondering what the fuss is about. Granted, the game is mixing up the figure collecting fun of Activision’s billion-dollar grossing Skylanders franchise with the ability to create and share game worlds with other players, so there’s more to this than meets the eye. Still, I’m wondering why Disney didn’t ring up Square Enix so both companies could rake in probably half that billion Activision is making furniture out of with a Kingdom Hearts: Infinity game. Hmmmm… I wonder if either company is hiring? I’m an idea guy first and foremost and I’d bet a whole dollar that I’ve got a few good ones rattling around upstairs some folks can make a mint off of…

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:

Skylanders: Giants News: Ninjini Is Coming To NYC Early (And Kids, You Might Get One Free)

Posted on February 1, 2013 by geelw

Hey kids! Go wrangle up your parental units and check this post out together, then maybe pack up a lunch for a day in the city. With Toy Fair 2013 rolling into New York City in about ten days, Activision is getting set to give Skylanders fans a huge treat next week. If you happen to be in the Times Square area on February 5th, wellll, you might just get lucky and walk away with a new Skylanders: Giants figure bound to make your friends some really jealous kitties! Check the info below the jump, show up EARLY and go home a happy camper!

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Nintendo’s Got Lots (More) in Store (Retail and Digital) For Wii U Owners This Year…

Posted on January 23, 2013 by geelw

Apparently, that rather large launch lineup wasn’t enough for some gamers (and overpaid industry analysts who don’t game, but LOVE to over-speculate), so here you go, news of new Wii U releases coming in 2013. Sure, some stuff here is delayed from its initial announcements, but that’s no big deal as it SHOULD get some Wii U owners to try a game or three they may have ignored because they don’t play title in a particular genre. That said, what’s coming is definitely worth waiting for, as there are some nice games for every niche from casual, family-friendly stuff to more mature content (ah, Bayonetta 2 – and exclusive to the system at that!). It’s going to be a pretty big year for the new console, but 3DS owners aren’t being left out of the fun at all as you’ll see above.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Wii U, 3DS Bound In March

Posted on January 18, 2013 by geelw

Excellent news and even better, there’s a demo dropping on the eShop on February 21. Of course, you’re SOL if your Wii U isn’t being used online, so let’s hope Capcom cooks up some actual demo DISCS for those gamers who want to try this out. They did this with Monster Hunter 3 on the Wii (which was one of a very few Wii games that actually got a demo disc). Given that this series has gotten a few titles yet to be released in the US, the most dedicated US fans of Capcom’s long-running Monster Hunter franchise who can’t afford to buy all those consoles (or are willing to learn Japanese) are probably some of the most frustrated gamers out there. Granted, the game may be huge in Japan (they’ve gotten custom MH-themed consoles), but it’s still more of a niche title here thanks to the somewhat complex control scheme that’s guaranteed to fluster newbies right out of diving in for extended play sessions.

Me, I love the game world and humor and art direction, but I’m old (*creak*, *groan*)and like my action games a bit less timed and a bit more free roaming. Still, MH3U has that gravity pull thing going for it where once you’re hooked, you’ll keep forging ahead until you get it done. I’d LOVE to see Capcom actually bring Dragon’s Dogma to the Wii U at some point (even though it looks as if that won’t happen) simply because that game had the feel of a Monster Hunter game with a lot more going for it in terms of openness and overall setting. That and outdoor areas aren’t broken up into separate “rooms” with load screens between them…

Marvel Finally Gets The LEGO Treatment Later This Year

Posted on January 9, 2013 by geelw

TT Games is back at work on another new licensed LEGO game, but this time it’s an all Marvel title set to hit no fewer than seven consoles (PC, PS3, Vita, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS) by the end of the year. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes will be set initially in a stylized Lego New York City before spreading out into other locations familiar to comics fans and according to the press release, “offers an original storyline in which Nick Fury calls upon Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other heroes spanning the Marvel Universe to save Earth from such threats as the vengeance of Loki and the hunger of Galactus, Devourer of the Worlds.”

Right now, that’s the sole image for the game above, but that’s going to change soon enough, folks. Expect this family-friendly superhero fun blast sometime in Fall 2013.