Author: Josh Jackson

Josh is a long time video game, anime and wrestling fan. As a proud XboxWii60 gamer and beyond, there's not a gaming subject that he shies away from. Follow him on Twitter @InuJoshua for your fill of opinionated goodness!

Has Walmart Leaked The ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Roster?

by Josh Jackson

After Disney Infinity 2.0 was announced last month, questions were running rampant as far as what Marvel and Disney characters would make the cut. Well, thanks to Walmart, we might have the answer… only months before it was intended.

Thanks to a recent preorder listing, the figures shown on the monster retailer’s website matches many of the figures that were recently confirmed at E3, bringing some credibility to the listing. From Guardians of the Galaxy to the recently announced Big Hero 6 and a few surprises in between, it looks like we’ll have a ton of new figures to collect throughout the next year and beyond.

If you don’t want to be spoiled, stop reading here. For everyone else, below are the list of figures that might make their way onto store shelves for the next Infinity release.

-Stitch

-Donald Duck

-Tinkerbell

-Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6

-Drax

-Rocket Raccoon

-A Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set, including Star Lord and Gamora

This is in addition to Groot, who was already announced, rounding out the Guardians. When including the recently unveiled Merida from Brave and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, (who’s likely in to promote the DVD release of her self titled film when it inevitably hits in a few months), the roster is getting pretty huge, which means a shrinking wallet for us!

While seeing a GotG or Big Hero Six set isn’t surprising in the slightest, seeing characters like Tinker Bell and Donald Duck are welcomed surprises, especially considering Goofy can’t be following too far behind. The game desperately needs more Disney characters, so it’s good to see that they won’t get completely overshadowed by the inclusion of Marvel into the franchise. Yet, there are still some glaring omissions, namely Ferb, who was teased back when Fineas and Agent P were shown for the original, but has yet to be revealed, and Aladdin, who is strangely absent for a game that contains Agrabah guards, the Cave of Wonders, and even Abu in the form of an elephant. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re just scratching the surface of what 2.0 will have to offer.

So what do you think, Geekscapists? Do you like what you see so far? And who else do you want to see make the cut? Check out the latest reveal trailer and let us know what you want to see from the upcoming sequel.

Source: vinylmationkingdom.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYBb8JyjSsU

E3 2014: ‘Killer Instinct Season 2’ Brings More Classic Fighters Back Into The Fray!

by Josh Jackson

Last year, a revival of the classic fighter, Killer Instinct, was finally announced for the Xbox One, but the joy the announcement brought was short lived. With a free to play structure and a developer that wasn’t Rare, fans were worried that the third game that they had been waiting more than 10 years for wouldn’t be the title they were hoping for. About seven months have passed since the game initially launched, slowly releasing characters that could be purchased individually if the player chose to add them to the roster, the game has enough support to start a second season.

Revealed during Microsoft’s E3 press conference, Killer Instinct: Season 2 is off to a great start, adding original poster boy TJ Combo into the latest version of the fighter. In addition to promising Cinder as one of the returning fighters, Combo is living up to his namesake in the reveal trailer that can be viewed before. Watching him go to town on Fulgore definitely brings back memories, but will it be enough to keep people interested in the game?

While I’m excited to see more characters from the original be brought back, I’m wondering why staple characters such as these two weren’t in the game sooner. Plus, if the characters are going to cost the same amount as the ones in the past have, the title can end up going from budget title to costing far more than a typical retail game would cost. On top of having to pay for live to play it online and a thin single player component that didn’t last long, and this game is feeling more and more like a hard sell to me. With that said, nostalgia is making me eager to get a chance with these old favorites.

How do you feel seeing an updated TJ Combo getting back into the fighting ring? Are you still playing Killer Instinct? And how do you feel about the free to play structure? Watch TJ in action below and let us know who the next fighter will be!

E3 2014: ‘Dance Central Spotlight’ Returns To Center Stage!

by Josh Jackson

A few months back, the developers at Harmonix had stated that they were putting Rock Band and Dance Central on the back burner to focus on other projects such as the upcoming Fantasia: Music Evolved, (which we previewed at last year’s event), essentially signaling that it could be a long time before we see either game make a return. But while the former is still sitting firmly in retirement after the industry got over saturated with peripheral based music games, I’m thrilled to say that the latter is making its current gen debut, giving us a reason to plug our Kinects back in in the process.

From Harmonix’s press release:

The core Dance Central Spotlight experience comes with everything you need to kick off your dance party – best-in-class gameplay featuring fun and authentic choreography for up to two players, along with 10 hit songs to get you started. Customize your party soundtrack with more than 50 chart-topping hits, with new hit songs1 arriving each week.

Now with eight different dance routines per song to choose from, Dance Central Spotlight is the most accessible, customizable Dance Central yet! With an all-new voice command activated* “Practice That” mode, it’s easier than ever to master your moves. Simply say “DJ, practice that!” during a song to hop right into an improved rehearsal mode and perfect your dance moves alongside a real-time dance mirror of yourself to make sure you’re nailing even the trickiest choreography. Dance Central Spotlight also features an expanded Fitness Mode, with special dance routines authored to focus on Strength and Cardio!

The core 10 song soundtrack will include all-new tracks to the franchise, including:

  • “Wake Me Up” – Avicii
  • “Talk Dirty” – Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz
  • “Show Me” – Kid Ink ft. Chris Brown
  • “Counting Stars” – OneRepublic
  • “Happy” – Pharrell Williams
  • …and more to be announced soon!

This September, step into the Spotlight. Dance Central Spotlight, only on Xbox One.

With the title being a digital release, I definitely expected it to be smaller, but only 10 songs? We’ll need to find out more information on pricing as well as whether or not the 50 + songs I downloaded across the previous versions will somehow carry over to the new game. But even with fewer songs, promising eight routines per song, an improved fitness mode and a more seamless practice mode makes this package seem promising, and I’m thrilled to see the series make its grand return.

Will Spotlight be enough of a reason for you to play with Kinect again? Dance Central has consistently been the best, and well… the only game I’ve played that uses the Kinect as it was promised, so I’m hoping the supposed improvements of the Xbox One model make it even more of a blast to play. Check out the E3 trailer, and let us know if this will be in your download queue come September.

E3 2014: ‘Phantom Dust’ Rises From The Grave With This Surprising Xbox One Reveal!

by Josh Jackson

After the negative reaction to last year’s press conference and a slow start for the company’s latest console, Microsoft had to come out swinging at this year’s E3 press conference, namely with a focus on big game announcements. But amongst the usual suspects like your Halo’s, your Fable’s and your Forza’s, one game was revealed that I doubt anyone could have seriously expected. One from the early days of the Xbox before it was the household name the 360 turned it into. That game is Phantom Dust, and it’s coming back exclusively on the Xbox One.

Promising to bring back this world of magic to the new generation, Phantom Dust was a cult classic from the original Xbox. After enjoying a certain amount of niche success, the title largely floated into obscurity, only being brought up when it came to discussions about the best games that no one has heard of or games with terrible box art. I mean seriously, look at this! I remember seeing piles of these boxes when I worked at Gamestop and thinking how dull and generic it looked.

Phantom Dust Box Art

Still, the game ended up being much better than what was let on, and now the game will hopefully enjoy a much larger audience. But if there was ever a time for an HD remake, I think the original should definitely get the treatment. What better way is there to introduce the game to a group of gamers who has likely never heard of it, let alone play it?

Besides, it’s looking like you’ll want to get caught up, because the teaser for the new Phantom Dust looks like the game just might be a killer app for the new console. But could this mean that other forgotten Xbox properties like Kameo, Mech Assault, and Crimson Skies amongst others might see a comeback?

What games would you like to see revived? And does Phantom Dust seem like it will sway you into Microsoft’s arms? What did you think of the original? Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

E3 2014: Sony Teases Us With New ‘Uncharted 4’ Footage

by Josh Jackson

While it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise, I was a little taken aback when a new Uncharted title was confirmed to be in the works for the PS4 late last year. With the success of The Last Of Us, I fully expected developer Naughty Dog to fully focus their efforts on expanding that universe instead of returning to the world of thieves that was so thoroughly explored across three games starring Nathan Drake. Still, the thought of a new title in the popular series is easy to get excited about, which is why Sony closed their E3 press conference with a glimpse at what we can expect come 2015.

Seemingly taking place years after Drake’s last adventure, the treasure hunter is spotted waking up in the middle of the jungle while a conversation plays in the background between him and his longtime companion, Sully, explaining how they’re going to chase after one last job together. But Nathan is older. He’s been out of the treasure hunting game for years. It’s hinted at that he might not know what he’s dealing with anymore. But this last job will be an easy one… or will it? As Sully says, they’re never easy.

Some heavy themes are being hinted at with this fourth game, now titled A Thief’s End. Will this really be Drake’s final adventure? Or is the title hinting at a different tragedy is in the cards for one of his friends?

The trailer doesn’t give us a whole lot to go by, so let the speculation begin! What are you hoping to see in what can potentially be the last Uncharted game? Sound off below!

E3 2014: The PS4 Will Get A Taste Of The Crazy Mind Of Suda 51 With ‘Let It Die’

by Josh Jackson

Sony had a handful of exclusive games that they aimed to show off at their big E3 press conference, one of which was a new IP from one of the craziest minds in gaming today.

Let It Die is the latest game to come form notorious game designer, Suda 51, and his team over at Grasshopper Studios. Heading to the Playstation 4 in 2015, not much was shown in the short teaser trailer. With that said, there are at least three things we can assume.

One, the way that the names and health bars were next to each character as the camera focused on them makes it safe to assume that this will be some sort of online title.

Two, the game looks creepy as hell, which means we’ll hopefully be able to experience some tense game play when the game finally comes out.

And lastly, considering the logo of the game has the grim reaper on a skateboard, we won’t have to think to hard to understand that this game will likely be way out there. After all, if games like Killer 7, No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw and Killer Is Dead are any indication, we know that this new title will be anything but normal.

Watch the trailer below and let us know if there’s anything we missed. Are you ready to experience what the next Suda game will have to offer? What’s your favorite game that’s come from his insanity/genius? Let us know, and keep an eye on Geekscape for more information on Let It Die as it becomes available.

E3 2014: ‘Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair’ Coming September 5th!

by Josh Jackson

NIS America has released more details on the upcoming release of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Dispair, complete with a brand new trailer for us to sink our claws into. Which of course means that it won’t be much longer before I can safely tread the Internet again without the fear of spoilers.
Picking back up a few years after the original title with a new cast of “ultimate” students, the group is on a field trip to a tropical island. However, this ticket to paradise quickly becomes a refresher course in the art of despair once Monokuma, the sadistic teddy bear from the original, returns to trap them all while isolated from society. The only way to escape? By getting away with murder.
Danganronpa 2 is technically a Vita remake of a Japan only PSP title, though like the first Danganronpa, this will be the first time that we’ll get the chance to play a localized version. Based on the trailer, class trials, investigations and the English voice cast will all return, which isn’t too unexpected. But the question remains… why is former rival, Byakuya Togami, trapped again, and why is he so fat?
The first game was released in February of this year, which was so good that I’d have to say that its dark premise, blend of genres and the way it so easily played with your emotions makes it an early contender for my game of the year. September is a long way away, which is plenty of time for Vita owners to get caught up, lest you risk yourself falling into ultimate despair come September 5th! For now, check out the E3 trailer and let us know if you plan on continuing with the series!

E3 2014: ‘Kingdom Hearts 2.5’ Is Coming… And It Came With Something A Little Extra!

by Josh Jackson

In the days preceding E3, Square Enix made official what the we all already knew. Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix is coming, though we’ ll have to wait until the end of the year to get it.

Coming December 3rd, this collection will feature the Final Mix versions of Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep, both of which will be the first time either game has been playable in the States, (unless you’ re one of those crazy importer types). Like the first HD Remix, this go around will feature a cinematic and text based retelling of Kingdom Hearts: ReCoded, which in my opinion will probably be more fun than actually playing it. On top of getting the ReCoded recap, in case the “HD” in the title wasn’t enough of a giveaway, both games will be getting a shiny new coat of high definition paint, justifying that new flat screen purchase you may have made.

I admit that I was very cynical towards 1.5 since I felt like it was holding back content for the sake of a second release. With 2.5 on its way however, I would be lying if I said the thought of replaying Birth By Sleep wasn’t exciting to me, especially since I’ve felt it was the best game in the series since the day I played it. On top of containing Final Mix content for two games rather than one like 1.5, this game feels a little more worth the price tag for returning Keyblade Masters. But does anyone else feel like Square is holding the portable games off for a third collection? And would you be that surprised?

Check out the launch trailer for Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD Remix below. Make sure to watch until the end for a cryptic surprise for everyone eagerly awaiting the third game, and keep an eye out for our hands on coverage at E3. Give your opinions on what it all means below, I could use an explanation!

E3 2014: Hold It! ‘Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy’ Is Heading To The Nintendo 3DS!

by Josh Jackson

It’s official; Capcom is bringing the Phoenix Wright trilogy to the West! It was announced that the Turnabout Attorney will return to the 3DS, courtesy of this collection of the first three games in the popular text adventure series. This gives gamers a chance to relive the rookie lawyer’s early triumphs, only now with improved visuals and all in one handy download.

I’ve championed these games since the original was released in 2005 thanks to their immersive stories, tense game play and hysterical writing. Even years later, some of the cases contained in the original three titles stand out as some of the very best, making piecing together mysteries, presenting evidence and pressing witnesses on your path to the truth is still one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever played. The series has had its ups and downs in recent years, (namely Investigations 2 never getting released outside of Japan and the latest adventure, Dual Destinies, only getting a digital release), but this announcement shows that Capcom still has faith in the franchise outside of Japan. Having said that, the game has already been re-released on iOS and the Wii, so it’s hard to want to rush out and buy them again for a potential fourth time. But if you STILL haven’t played these games after all these ports have come and gone, the 3DS version is as good of a reason as any to finally stand at the defense’s bench.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy will hit the 3DS this winter through the Nintendo eShop, but we’ ll let you know what it’s like in motion during E3 2014! As you wait on baited breath for that, check out the game’s reveal trailer and let us know if you’ll be returning to the courtroom!

E3 2014: ‘No Man’s Sky’ Wows At Sony’s E3 Press Conference

by Josh Jackson

If you followed our live blog, (and honesty, why wouldn’t you have?), it’s no surprise that we weren’t particularly wowed by Sony’s E3 conference. While it seems like the widespread reaction to their showing was generally tepid, one game shined as one of the definite standouts of the show. One that promised infinite possibilities in a living, breathing online world, giving us an endless amount of space to explore. That title was No Man’s Sky.
Watching the game’s E3 trailer showed off the incredible concepts that can be conceived by a group of passionate developers like the ones at Hello Games. Much of that passion spilled out through the words that were spoken as the game was unveiled to the world, showing off large, lush planets to explore. With a seemingly infinite space that we’ll be able to fly in and out of with seamless ease, the fact that every player will start with their own planet and can potentially interact with thousands of people as they travel through this growing universe means what we were left with was one of the most ambitious games of the entire show. See, who says you need a multimillion dollar budget, Hollywood voice actors or immature amounts of violence that tries too hard to be edgy to get gamers interested.
The only blemish that No Man’s Sky created on the conference as a whole was like the majority of Sony’s release list, this would only be a temporary PS4 exclusive, potentially coming to other platforms on a later date. Regardless, the scope, ambition and innovation the title is planning to bring is something that has to be seen. Watch Sony’s trailer from E3 and let us know if you’re as impressed as we are, then come back and let us know if you’re hitting the download button when No Man’s Sky releases in the near future.

E3 2014: ‘Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’ Shows Off New Mega Evolutions!

by Josh Jackson

It looks like new Mega Evolutions are on their way!

A new trailer for the highly anticipated Pokemon remakes, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire surfaced during E3, giving us a glimpse at the remade Hoenn, shots of the new trainer designs, the confirmed return of Steven, the original generation III champion, and the revamped looks of Team Magma and Team Aqua, including the apparent return of each team being exclusive antagonists to each version.

Of course, all of that plays second fiddle to the new forms of some of our favorite Hoenn Pokemon. Joining the already released Mega Balziken, fellow starters Swampert and Sceptile are each getting new forms as well, complete with boosted stats and the Swift Swim and Lightningrod abilities respectively. Sceptile even loses its dark type in favor of dragon, doubling its resistance to electricity at the expense of gaining a double weakness to ice. It will surely be a valuable asset in double or triple battles, especially since electric doesn’t have too many weaknesses.

But you didn’t think the starters would be the only gen 3 Pokemon to get Mega forms, did you? Shortly afterwards, Nintendo revealed that Sableye and the as of now unreleased Diancie would be the next one to get mega treatment. Then of course, there are the cover legendaries, Groudon and Kyogre, who are being classified as taking on “primal” forms, which may or may not be different from full on Mega Evolutions. Not much is known on what might change, but we do know that Groudon will gain fire typing while Kyogre will grow twice as big with a Special Attack boost to boot. As if these monsters weren’t strong enough already!

The Pokemon series didn’t have a huge presence during Nintendo’s Digital E3 Event, but the information we did get was pretty big for those who follow the series. Now Blaziken isn’t the obvious favorite as the only Hoenn starter to have a mega form, the announcement of Sableye promises that it’ll be one of many new generation 3 Pokemon to get a mega form, and while it’s strange that Diancie will have a mega before she’s even released officially, it’s good to know that gen 6 is getting some representation considering it was the gen that started Mega Evolutions. Now, where’s my Mega Volcarona?

What other gen 3 Pokemon do you expect to get new forms? Breloom? Swellow? Tropius? Primal Rayquaza? I’d say Metagross is a sure thing since Steven is back, but what do you think? Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will arrive on November 21st.

E3 2014: ‘Bayonetta 2’ Comes Bundled With The Original ‘Bayonetta’; Gets A Slew Of Nintendo Themed Costumes!

by Josh Jackson

The wait has been a long one for Bayonetta 2, the Wii U exclusive action title and follow up to one of the best action games of the last generation. Since our preview at last year’s E3, it looks like the game has advanced nicely, with the newest trailer showing off many of the huge battles, twisted environments and over the top attacks we’ll have at our disposal. But the crazy thing is that there was much bigger news that we got from the trailer.

At launch, every copy of Bayonetta 2 will come bundled with the original Bayonetta, which will be the first time the game has appeared on a Nintendo console. Giving new fans the chance to catch up with the series while being able to experience one of the best action games since Devil May Cry 3 is a welcomed surprise, one that’s been highly requested, yet strangly avoided by the official information coming out for the sequel. I guess they really were listening to us!

In addition, Bayonetta will receive a set of special Nintendo themed costumes for her to hack and slash in. Showing off her Peach, Samus and Link witch outfits, the Link one in particular showed Bayo putting her Master Sword to good use. Will there be more costumes, and will the rest of them have additional attacks and abilities?

It looks like a sweet package is getting even sweeter. Has the inclusion of these costumes or the original Bayonetta swayed your decision to pick up the sequel? Or even a Wii U altogether? We’ll finally get our chance when Bayonetta 2 releases this October.

E3 2014: ‘Xenoblade Chronicles X’ Stuns Us With Its First Full Length Trailer!

by Josh Jackson

After pressure from fans forced Nintendo of America to release Xenoblade Chronicles in the U.S., the game became a surprise smash hit. Since then, images and short game play videos have been slowly released under the title of X, the Wii U exclusive follow up to the popular RPG, but nothing solid as far as what we could expect aside from mechs. During Nintendo’s Digital E3 Event however, we were finally treated to a full preview trailer, showing us the world that will become ours to explore when the title is released. Now titled Xenoblade Chronicles: X, I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt blown away.

Large space battles, a world at war and plenty of JRPG melodrama seems to be the running theme throughout the trailer, all backed by some gorgeous visiuals and a fantastic soundtrack. Knowing Monolith Soft’s previous work, the game definitely gave off some Xenosaga and Xenogears vibes at certain points, which can only be a good thing, (as long as we don’t get hour plus cutscenes like the former made famous).

Combining that mech action with the large open world of its predecessor sounds like it could be a must play experience, but even with the trailer answering many of our questions, some still linger. How exactly will the combat system play, or will it be just like Xenoblade like early game play trailers have suggested? How much of the game will take place in space and how much will be on land? And with the title revision, does this game tie in to the last game, or is the name only for branding purposes? The very end of the trailer suggests there could be a link, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to know for sure.

Xenoblade Chronicles: X is slated for a 2015 releases. Check out the E3 trailer below and let us know if you echo my sentiments.

E3 2014: ‘Devil’s Third’ Is FINALLY Coming, And It’s A Wii U Exclusive!

by Josh Jackson

Oh, Devil’s Third. I thought you were going to go the way of Starcraft Ghost and the Wii Vitality sensor and never see the light of day. After floating in development hell for more than a year after THQ folded with few details on what the game was even about, it looks like the game has finally found a home. But it’s probably not where you expect.

Devil’s Third is the first game by famed director, Tomonobu Itagaki (the mind behind Dead or Alive and the first two Ninja Gaiden Xbox titles) after a very public split from his bosses at Tecmo. Itagaki has a lot to prove with his new IP, which we finally get a chance to see in action. Only this time, the title has shifted to Wii U exclusively, giving me potential flashbacks of Madworld. And by that, I mean a great, violent game that most people will shut their eyes and cover their ears at while they scream to the world that Nintendo is “kiddy” or “casual”. Let’s hope this title can be given more of a chance.

Keeping up with the ultra violent game play of his last action game while combining it with his love for rock and roll, a first glance makes this look more like a Suda 51 game than anything. Switching seamlessly between first person shooting and third person slashing, the game is looking like it could be an interesting blend of genres. But will it be enough to push the genre forward like some of his previous work has done? Only time will tell.

Honestly, I was excited to hear that the game was coming, mostly because I’ve been a big fan of Itagaki’s work for years. After watching it though, it looks a little choppy for my tastes. I’d hope a game with as much development time as this would come off looking better, but I still have hope that the new team at Valhalla Games can pull it together before its 2015 release.

So Devil’s Third is finally on its way. Will you be picking this up for your Wii U? Check out the trailer below and as always, check back in the days to come for all your E3 needs!

A DS Classic Gets A Sequel With ‘Kirby’s Rainbow Curse’!

by Josh Jackson

In the early days of the original DS, back when we only had an N64 remake, a glorified tech demo and an admittedly brilliant WarioWare game to play, a new Kirby game with fully integrated touch screen controls become one of the early highlights of the growing handheld. Kirby’s Canvas Curse became known as one of the most creative, challenging and rewarding experiences in the series, but like many of Kirby’s spinoffs, many of us thought we’d never see it again.

Well, think again. Nintendo’s E3 Digital Event revealed a Wii U exclusive sequel! Titled Kirby’s Rainbow Curse, this game is already looking like it’s set to bring back everything that made the original so memorable while building on what was already great. Using the game pad to draw paths for a ball shaped Kirby to navigate, the demo shows new abilities such as a tank transformation, all presented with a claymation visual style. Don’t mess with the pink puffball, man!

Kirby’s Rainbow Curse is scheduled for a 2015 release, making that year seem like an even sweeter one for Wii U owners. Watch the trailer and let us know of your greatest memories Canvas Curse memories!

E3 2014: ‘Yoshi’s Wooly World’ Is Adorably Creative

by Josh Jackson

After months of delays and eventual silence, it seems like that Yoshi Yarn game is finally on its way, and based on the E3 trailer, it will be well worth the wait.

Renamed Yoshi’s Wooly World, this pseudo-sequel to Kirby’s Epic Yarn brings the experience of such titles as Yoshi’s Story to an adorable, colorful and creative land where everything is made of yarn. Featuring both single and multiplayer modes of play, the title seems to offer numerous ways to solve in game puzzles, both by yourself or with a friend.

Watching the environments and characters unravel, knit together and change shape, (like Yoshi’s propeller flutter jump), makes this game look absolutely stunning. In typical Nintendo fashion though, the visuals are about more than aesthetics, so watching how the yarn is integrated into the game play makes me very excited to get the chance to try it out. From unraveling the environment to reveal hidden items, spitting a partner out of Yoshi’s mouth to reach out of the way areas and using eggs to create cloud paths in the style of Yoshi’s Touch n’ Go are just some of the possibilities shown.

Personally though, I’m sad to see Prince Fluff get the boot completely. If you remember, the prince was set to star in the original Epic Yarn, but was relegated to side character status since Nintendo wanted a recognizable face like Kirby to sell the new IP. Now he’s nowhere to be seen, effectively becoming the Asagi of Nintendo. Let’s hope he starts commandeering other games down the road.

The E3 trailer is now live, and can be viewed below. Let us know what you think, and check back throughout the day for hands on impressions of this, and other titles from the show floor.

‘Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker’ Turns The Best Part Of ‘Super Mario 3D World’ Into Its Own Game!

by Josh Jackson

I couldn’t have been the only one who played the 3D mazes featuring Captain Toad in Super Mario 3D World and thought, “hey, this would make a really great game on its own!” Apparently, someone at Nintendo agreed, because the company announced Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker exclusively for the Wii U during its E3 Digital Event.

The brave little Toadster got his start in Super Mario Galaxy, but now’s the time for him to take charge in his first staring role. The trailer shows off larger, more in depth and far more dangerous mazes to explore, with the fun lying in how to get to the goal while avoiding all of the hazards.

Anyone who’s played 3D World knows how fun these stages can be, so the thought of a dedicated game makes me feel that those original stages are only scratching the surface of what’s possible with this concept.

Are you ready for adventure with Captain Toad? Watch the E3 trailer below and let us know what you think! Treasure Tracker is set for a retail and digital release

Pac-Man Coming To ‘Smash Bros’, Putting Our Gaming Icons In One Huge Game!

by Josh Jackson

As the first full day of E3 came to a close, Nintendo wanted to prove that they weren’t done yet when it came to big news. Once their latest announcement was made however, it’s safe to say that in this case, it really couldn’t get any bigger than this.

Pac-Man, the 80’s video game icon and a longtime face of the entire industry, has officially been revealed as the latest combatant coming to Super Smash Bros for Wii U/3DS, bringing him, Mario, Mega Man and Sonic together for the first time in history.

Using his Pac Man World design with abilities inspired by that series of platformers, the original Pac-Man arcade games and calling upon help from classic characters from games like Galaga, Xevious, Mappy and Dig Dug, his move set seems way more creative and bizarre than I ever imagined. It’s even more strange than his Mokujin mech in Street Fighter X Tekken.

While this reveal is exciting, the writing has been on the wall for awhile. Namco has been helping Nintendo develop games since at least the Gamecube days, with games like Star Fox Assault, Pac-Man Vs. and the arcade version of Mario Kart. Since then, the company has been heavily involved with the development of the upcoming Smash Bros. in addition to releasing Nintendo exclusive titles like Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition and Tank! Tank! Tank!… but let’s forget about that last one.

Oh, and like Dark Pit in Palutena’s reveal, Mr. Game and Watch is teased at the end. Will he end up making the final cut?

How do you feel about Pac-Man being added to Nintendo’s growing fighter? And who’s side will you pick between these four gaming icons? Check out the trailer to see him in action, and check back with Geekscape for all your E3 needs!

Palutena Shines Her Light On The ‘Smash Bros’ Arena!

by Josh Jackson

As Nintendo’s digital event drew to a close, the company made sure to leave us with one last piece of information in regards to its biggest title of the year, and it was huge for Kid Icarus fans!

Lady Palutena, the goddess of light and guardian of the angelic warrior, Pit, will be joining the fray as one of the latest additions to the Super Smash Bros. cast. Using many of her abilities she displayed as a boss in Kid Icarus Uprising combined with a moveset that shows off the variety of special items that Pit could use in the stellar 3DS title such as the reflect shield, heavenly light, black hole and mega laser, (the last two of which seem to make up her Final Smash), and we have someone with a ton of combat potential. Oh, and I don’t want to forget to mention that she looks incredibly fun!

And what’s up with that Dark Pit tease at the end? If that means he’s going to be his own character, I won’t be opposed to it. Pit is essentially representing the original Kid Icarus, and while Palutena uses many of the items from the 3DS reboot and a few weapons from the title have been shown as items, they don’t even scratch the surface of how many skills Uprising contains. There would be no better way to display those skills than with Dark Pit.

Check out her reveal below, in which Nintendo pulled out all the stops to make it have as big of an impact as possible thanks to a return to the Studio I.G. produced anime shorts that accompanied Uprising when it was initially released. And even though the Uprising only came out in 2012, listening to the banter between Pit, Palutena and Viridi gave me so many nostalgia feels!

Are you excited to add the goddess of light to your growing pool of fighters, including Mii? Keep checking back for more E3 news as it breaks!

Not One, But THREE Different Mii Fighters Join The ‘Smash Bros’ Roster

by Josh Jackson

During Nintendo’s Digital Event, what many considered a foregone conclusion was confirmed as Mii’s were officially added to the Smash Bros. roster. What we didn’t expect however, was how much of Mii were were actually going to get.

Representing the many roles Mii’s have taken over the years, your custom avatars will be able to take the roles of either a brawler, swordfighter or gunner, (complete with the Samus outfit from Nintendoland), each with their own unique movesets and abilities.

I’ve never been one of those people who were heavily against Mii’s getting into the game. On the contrary, I’ve felt that not only was it inevitable considering how much they’ve been in every other Nintendo game as of late, but games like Find Mii and Nintendoland have increased their move pool posibilities tenfold. While not all of the games they’ve been in have been shown as inspiration for these three styles, the fact that they display so many abilities are a sign of how prominent they have been, and will likely continue to be.

All this was revealed in one of the most RIDICULOUS trailers I’ve ever seen, which you can watch below. Make sure to check back with more E3 news, including our coverage directly from the show floor.

Can’t Make It To E3? Nintendo And Best Buy Bring It To You Courtesy Of Smash Fest!

by Josh Jackson

Want to try out the latest Smash Bros. title, but can’t get to Los Angeles, won’t be allowed into the convention center or don’t care for being trapped in giant buildings for hours on end? Don’t worry, Nintendo and Best Buy have your back.

Today, June 11th from 4PM-9PM and Saturday, June 14 from Noon-5PM, select stores will have the complete E3 demo on display for the public to play! Promising a variety of sales, promotions and bonuses, a commemorative coin just might be the greatest one yet. The only catch? These only go to the first 70 people at each location that pre-order the game on site, so you better get there early if you want your shot at taking one home.

A complete list of stores can be found at this link. Find your nearest store and join in on the festivities, and make sure to check back with Geekscape while you wait for your turn to play! We’ll be updating the site with our hands on impressions, the latest trailers and breaking news as it breaks!

E3 2014: ‘Mortal Kombat X’ Looks Absolutely Brutal!

by Josh Jackson

We saw the teaser trailer, now we can see what the next generation of Mortal Kombat has in store for us.

Shown during Sony’s E3 press conference, Morkal Kombat X, (as in “ex”, not 10, because we don’t want to date ourselves here), was put on display in full force, and watching it shows that as the series has evolved into a respectible fighting game in its own right, it’s still the king of over the top violence in a wave of increasingly gory games.

Showing both Sub Zero and Scorpion as well as two new characters, (one of which is a two in one fighter consisting of a smaller person riding on top of a monster about the size of Kintaro), the combo system and fighting mechanics look similar to both the last game and Netherrealm’s DC fighter, Injustice, but with a few new tricks for the faithful. Watching this new character bounce back and forth between these two person combos or seeing Sub Zero throw his unused ice clone at Scorpion was a blast to watch. Just imagine how much fun it can be once it actually releases.

And the fatalities… My lord, the fatalities! If the return of the X-Ray attacks weren’t enough for you, (which somehow manage to look ten times more cringeworthy than they did the first time around), then the new ways you can finish the fight take it to a whole ‘nother level. I didn’t think an MK game could still make me squirm after so many years, but after watching those chests explode, bodies get ripped apart and the detail of the opponents gasping for their last breath found a way to make it happen.

Just… just check out the trailer below. You just HAVE to see MKX for yourself and let us know which fatality was your favorite from the ones shown.

http://youtu.be/0gEhY_OiNsc

E3 2014: ‘Dead Rising 3’s New DLC Is Too Insane To Be Real

by Josh Jackson

Dead Rising 3 shined during the Xbox One’s launch, but just because it was a launch title doesn’t mean there’s not plenty of love being thrown its way courtesy of some new DLC. Needless to say, it can only be described as … surreal.

Titled Dead Rising 3: Super Ultra Arcade Remix Hyper Edition + Alpha, I seriously thought that was a joke at first. But nope, it was real, and it looks amazing! Lettling players choose between the four series protagonists, including Frank West and Chuck Greene from the first two games, they will be granted costumes and abilities spanning the 31 years of Capcom’s history. Yes, even Mega Man.

For my money, Dead Rising 3 is the best exclusive game on either of the two newest consoles, and this content might be enough of a reason for me to get back into it. Being able to play as B.B. Hood, Regina from Dino Crisis or throw Shinku Hadoukens dressed as Ryu while fighting a horde of zombies looks like it could be one of the most bizarre, yet down right fun moments we could have with the game. That in itself is a huge feat to accomplish considering how tongue in cheek the game is already, but I can’t help but laugh at the self aware title. Oh, and watch out for giant Zombie Bison!

Can you name all of the games parodied in the title? Dead Rising 3: Super Ultra Arcade Remix Hyper Edition + Alpha, (I love typing that), is available now on Xbox One!

‘Persona Q: Shadows of the Labyrinth’ Is Getting The Collectors Edition Treatment!

by Josh Jackson

This team up between Atlus and Nintendo just keeps getting sweeter.
In addition to a new trailer for Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth that debuted just in time for E3, it looks like there will be even more of a reason to pick up the upcoming 3DS dungeon crawler.
Persona Q: The Wild Cards Edition will release side by side with the standard game at the price of $79.99, which for those keeping count, is double the price of a typical 3DS game. So what do you get with the package that can justify the price? How about a Persona themed case with Teddy on the inside, an artbook, a soundtrack and a set of tarrot cards? Do I have your attention yet?

Persona Q Collectors Edition

Persona Q brings together the casts of Persona 3 and Persona 4 in a first person dungeon crawling spinoff, all with a superdeformed art style that’s a big departure for the series. Being able to watch Yukiko, Yukari, Junpei, Yosuke, Chie, Akihiko and the rest of this large cast fight side by side is one of the main experiences I’m looking forward to this year. Now the only problem is, which version do I get? Hmm…
First prints of the standard edition will also include the set of tarrot cards, which are half of a set that mirror the in game cards. The other half will be packaged in the PS3 fighter, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, which might be the sneakiest form of marketing I’ve ever seen. Then again, if you’re getting one, you’re most likely getting the other, so for some, this could be seen as a bonus.
Watch the E3 trailer below and tell us who you plan on using in your party! Persona 4 Q is scheduled for a fall release.

E3 2014: ‘Ratchet and Clank’ To Get The HD Treatment To Coincide With Upcoming Film

by Josh Jackson

Immediately following the trailer for the upcoming Ratchet and Clank movie, Sony briefly announced that a full remake of the original platformer for the PS2 is in the works, likely to launch near the theatrical release of the film.

Bringing the charm, wit and vibrant world of Ratchet and Clank to movie screens was a surprising, yet logical move when it was announced last year. Seemingly acting as a retelling of the first game, (with Ratchet sporting his updated Tools of Destruction looks as opposed to that shirtless…. thing), it looks like fans both old and new will have something fresh to look forward to as Sony brings attempts its first film based on one of their game properties.

After over 10 games that span three platforms, it’s safe to say that the series has become one of Sony’s most beloved. The added news that we’ll get a PS4 iteration of the title with the team at Insomniac back at the helm can only be good news.

My only problem is… Is it necessary? We just got an HD collection of the entire series a little over a year ago on the PS3, so making an HD-er version so soon after might be a tough sell. On the bright side, the game will surely be a complete remake instead of the halfhearted “HD” versions we’ve become so used to, so the more improvements to the original that we can get, the better.

But as a wise man once said, it doesn’t matter what I think! Will you pick up a remake of the PS2 classic? And will you be in line to watch the movie when it comes out next year? Check out the trailer and be heard in the comments!

Seeing ‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ In Motion Is A Thing Of Beauty

by Josh Jackson

We’ve watched. We’ve waited. We’ve suffered through delays and had to plod through a lackluster prequel, but at Sony’s E3 conference, we were finally able to watch Batman: Arkham Knight in action. And I have to say, it was well worth the wait.

Featuring both on foot and the long awaited Batmobile segments, watching Batman glide through a full fledged Gotham City looked incredible, finally showing us a glimpse of what this generation of consoles will be able to do.

Combat looks just as brutal and bone crunching as ever, only now with a wider variety of areas to stalk your enemies thanks to the larger city. Once Batman summons the Batmobile, everything changes. The thing plows through the environment like nobody’s business, (because that’s what superheroes do; they destroy the city in the name of protection!) While his enemies are ready with the addition of enemy vehicles, the goddamn Batman is always prepared, transforming his vehicle into a high powered tank.

Closing with a chilling warning from The Scarecrow, I’m thrilled to be going toe to toe against the best villain of the Arkham games in the lead role. Or I hope it’s the lead role at least. We all know what happened to Black Mask, Hugo Strange, Ra’s Al Ghul… but I’m ready to experience Batman in a post Joker world.

Relive the amazing trailer below and keep checking back with Geekscape for breaking E3 news as it becomes available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNvjuzdHnsI

‘InFamous: First Light’ Standalone DLC Brings Back The Best Of ‘Second Son’

by Josh Jackson

Sony revealed InFamous: First Light during their E3 conference, focusing on Fetch, one of the super powered conduits that Delsin encounters during Second Son.

Taking place in the conduit prison of Curdun Cay and the area around it before the events of the game, players will be able to explore a whole new environment detailing Fetch’s past in between her initial arrest and her eventual arrival in Seattle.

Bringing back her trademark neon powers, First Light promises to give Fetch a whole new way to control these powers compared to Delsin’s abilities in the main game. In addition, you’ll be able to get your inner photographer out with the ability to take pictures of the city as you travel.

The best news is that if you traded in your copy of the main game but still want to experience Fetch’s adventure, this DLC will be completely standalone, not requiring the original to be able to play. With that said, Sony and Sucker Punch are sweetening the pot by promising exclusive content for those who own both.

During the show, I was excited to see Fetch get her own content for two reasons. One, her powers were the best ones in the game BY FAR, making me hate having to use anything else through the second half of Delsin’s game. Needless to say, I’m excited to see what twist this content will put on her abilities, (not to mention the amazing visual effects that come with it). And two, Second Son was sorely lacking in backstory, so while it would have been nice to experience it in the main game, I’m still happy to finally delve into the past of at least one of these characters.

Are you still tearing up Seattle on your PS4, or are you ready to experience the horrors of Curdun Cay? First Light will hit the Playstation Store in August.

The First ‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ Trailer Makes Us Giddy!

by Josh Jackson

Sailor Moon fans have a lot to be excited about considering that we’re about a month away from the broadcast debut of Sailor Moon Crystal, the reboot of the classic anime series. Hoping to make that wait a little easier, (or harder if you’re going crazy with anticipation like I am), the first trailer for the upcoming show has hit the Internet. And man, is it glorious!

Hearing Usagi’s voice set to new footage for the first time in years was more incredible than I ever thought it would be, so kudos to the casting directors for bringing back the same seiryu that voiced her all those years ago. As suspected from the teaser images, the animation draws much more from the sharper, thinner characters of the manga compared to the round, cutesy style of the original anime. And while Sailor Moon was the only one we saw in action, the inner senshi look absolutely incredible… Except for Venus. I’m afraid of those beads… Now we wait on Tuxedo Mask!

Watch the trailer below, and I DARE you not to cheer when you hear “Tsuki ni kawatte oshioki yo!” at the end. So much nostalgia. Too many feels…

Sailor Moon Crystal premiers on July 5th.

Nintendo Registers Trademark For ‘Pokemon Delta Emerald’, What Does It Mean?

by Josh Jackson

Late last week, Pokefans were shocked when Nintendo officially trademarked the name Pokemon Delta Emerald. An obvious reference to the recently announced Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire remakes, this information has led to speculation that a third version will eventually be made.

Whether or not this is actually the case is yet to be revealed, but as far as I can tell, it’s safe to say that nothing will come of this. Why? First of all, it’s not out of the ordinary for companies to trademark names that they never use for the purpose of keeping others from using the name while simultaneously owning it in case they ever do decide to make something out of it.

What would be out of the ordinary however, would be for Nintendo to make a third version of a remake, Pokemon is somewhat notorious for milking their main games with extra versions, starting with pokemon Yellow. Every generation has had a third version, (assuming you count Black 2 and White 2), but no remake has ever taken the plunge. FireRed and LeafGreen never had a LightningYellow or whatever. HeartGold and SoulSilver never saw a version of Crystal. So what would be the reason to do so now?

And lastly, it wouldn’t make much sense. For the most part, third versions would refine the game play and make small changes to the story while usually integrating exclusive aspects of the first set of games into one nifty cart. The remakes however, have traditionally been closer to the third versions than the original two that they’ re named after, making FireRed and HeartGold feel mostly like Yellow and Crystal respectively. Why would this be any different this time around? I fully expect a showdown between Kyogre and Groudon. I would be surprised if you don’t battle both Team Magma and Aqua, And most of all, I’d be surprised if Rayquaza doesn’t swoop down to stop it all like he did in Emerald. Coming up with a third version just to retread content ‘that was already a retread to begin with sounds highly illogical.

Having said that, I’m excited to see what kind of changes await our return to Hoenn, regardless of how many versions there are. Would you like to see Emerald remade, or are two versions enough? Be heard, Pokefans!

Tohru Adachi Confirmed For ‘Persona 4 Arena Ultimax’!

by Josh Jackson

Tohru Adachi, the bumbling detective turned sociopathic serial killer who tormented our heroes in Persona 4 has been confirmed as a downloadable character for the upcoming fighting game sequel. Revealed courtesy of Famitsu magazine, screenshots show the former antagonist fighting side by side with Magatsu Izanagi again, which is essentially the evil version of the protagonists main persona. According to the article, each new copy will come with a free code to download him, giving players extra intentive to buy the fighter new. No word on if this will be the case in the West, but I wouldn’t be surprised since this seems similar to BlazBiue: Cronophantasma, another Arc System Works fighter which tied their big bad villain, Terumi, to their online pass DLC.

Details are few at this point, but I’m curious as to how he’s managed to make it into the game story wise since he was in prison when the main story of the RPG ended. Still, anyone who’s followed Persona 4 Ultimax knew this was only a matter of time, especially since his sprite was spotted in the arcade version during a story sequence. What will his moveset be? Will it involve throwing cabbage? Only time will tell.

Adachi is the latest character to be added to the mix, following the inclusion of Rise, Ken, Junpel, Yukari, Persona newcomer, Sho, on top of shadow versions of every character both old and new. Considering how much I loved the first one, this news only helps one of my most anticipated games of 2014 look even better.

Who else would you like to see get added to the Ultimax cast?