Review: Batman Arkham City: Armored Edition

Arkham City WiiPlatform: Nintendo Wii U 

Developer: WB Games Montreal

Publisher: WB Games 

# of Players: 1 

ESRB Rating: T (Teen) 

Official Site 

Score: A (95%) 

Nintendo-only console owners have most likely been hearing about how stellar Batman: Arkham City was on the PS3 and Xbox 360 for long enough that I’ve heard of some of the more hardcore fans of the Dark Knight plunking down the money for a competing
console and a copy of the game. For the rest of you who waited it out, you’re getting the definitive version of Arkham City that not only features every bit of DLC (on the retail disc (not as some download you need to buy or add before you play), but great new GamePad exclusive functions and some nice new costumes that make the experience even better than before. I’m console agnostic myself, so as soon as I heard this was coming out, it made it to the top of the list of “ports” that had to be played. While perfection comes thanks to the wealth of content old and new, some minor technical issues break the illusion from time to time. Nevertheless, WB Games Montreal has done some amazing work in bringing Rocksteady Studios’ smash onto a new console in such fine order.
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Batman: Arkam City Armored Edition Drops Into Retailers

 

For my money, it’s looks as if the Wii U has one of the more impressive launch.launch window lineups for a new console this generation (er, next generation? whatever – there are some strong titles coming between now and the end of the year).  Yeah, yeah, yeah – your jaded self has already played this on the PS3, Xbox 360 or PC (or all three if you’re that obsessed), but given that this (and every other Wii U) game is made first and foremost for Nintendo-only fans who may have never laid a pinky on any previous version AND Rocksteady has gone above and beyond the call in not shoving a straightforward quick port out the door, this may be the definitive version of the game.  Anyway, I say shut up and play it – if it’s good, it’ll silence the critics – if it’s bad, it’ll get them babbling doom stories about the systems like those overpaid analysts who don’t play games at all but spend too much time comparing everything to Apple’s success or claiming consoles are dead because too many people are playing mobile games or whatever.

On the other hand, if it’s BETTER than any of the previous versions, well… I say apologies are in order from the naysayers directly to WB, the developer and any gamers who were falling for the hate hype. Fair is indeed fair after all…

WB Games Brings Midway Arcade Origins To PS3 & 360 (On A DISC!)

Well, alright! Folks like me who prefer physical product (hey, I hug my games every day!) can now add a really sweet mix of games to our collections without losing much shelf space. WB Games and Backbone Entertainment have released Midway Arcade Origins for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as noted above in the header, on an actual game DISC. Yeah, that’s right. You can boogie on down to your favorite game emporium, whip out that wallet (you know, the one embroidered with BAD MOTHERF*CKER on it), whip out some cash money and tip on out with that new set of oldies in an actual plastic bag. Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about!  Anyway, no matter which system you own (er, well, if it’s one of the two mentioned, that is, er hey, WHY isn’t this on the Wii U as a launch title OR on the Vita for the holidays?), get this collection, grab some friends and prepare to get schooled by some really awesome arcade hits, I say!

Spy Hunter Returns – This Time On 3DS and Vita

I was laughing when I saw this trailer because I have too many memories of the arcade original and I bet not a lot of gamers this one is targeted to even know where the theme song in the original game comes from. Oh well – if the game is as cool as the first one in terms of action and replay value, I’m all in and then some…

Scribblenauts Unlimited Lets You Make That Obscure Object of Desire A Playable Thing

 

I want a Wii U for plenty of other reasons, but Scribblenauts Unlimited is making me want one even more just to see how well the Object Editor works. Since you can create “anything” you like, I’ll be poking around in some old books just to see what sort of ancient devices i can bring to life and how the game responds to my brain thinking too much. Eh, if anyone can make it work, it’s the team at 5th Cell… I can’t wait to dive in. Even though this is coming to PC as well, I much prefer the longer distance a living room, TV and new controller provide, but I won’t stop you PC-only gamers from enjoying the game on whatever rig you’re planning to play it on…

Bastion Finally Hits The iPad (But Apple Still Isn’t Getting A Dime From Me)…

 

OK, I don’t have an iPad and have no interest in buying or owning one, thank you much (where do I put the games again and where’s my controller?). But for those millions of you out there who can’t let go of that trendy tactile tablet thingamajig, you need to get Bastion now that it’s finally hit the App Store. It’s a great game that worked perfectly on the PC, so Supergiant Games is expanding their multiple award-winning game with some touchy-feely controls and other enhancements that make an already superb RPG even better.  Android device owners, you’re still going to be waiting around for a bit if you haven’t played this gem yet… but hey, if you have a PC or laptop, just buy the darn game for your actual computer, I say…

Spy Hunter Returns For Another Blast Down Memory Lane

 

Granted, we’re talking newer consoles and handhelds here for this reboot, but It’s nice to see that slick, speed-busting, gadget-ridden Interceptor back in action (and no “The Rock” mucking up the works this time, thankfully!). Granted, car combat as a genre is sort of flat at the moment, but there’s always been a primal thrill in most Spy Hunter games that keeps me playing until the end. Then again, I go back to the original arcade game, so maybe it’s just me trying to play catch up with nostalgia or something. More on this one as my own spies dig up what they can…