Josh Jackson | Geekscape

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘South Park: The Stick Of Truth’

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Back when South Park started its legendary run in 1997, I remember being an eager kid who couldn’t wait to get my hands on anything and everything related to the show, (since I was obviously part of its intended audience). Unfortunately for me, this included games. Games which were horrible. Sadly, save for a handful of exceptions, South Park has been a property that has consistently churned out awful games. Hoping to turn that around, South Park: The Stick Of Truth aims to put gamers into an episode of the show, complete with it outlandish humor, absurd scenarios and tons of vulgarity. TV shows rarely translate into a good game, but with South Park, it turns out to be a very strong exception.

Placed in the shoes of a new kid who just moved into the town, players can customize him with a variety of hair and clothing options before being tossed head first into town. Getting dragged in to a game of Wizards and Warriors that the boys are playing, it doesn’t take long before Grand Wizard Cartman recruits him in his war against the elves, officially joining the Kingdom of Kupa Keep, (or the KKK for short.)

A war between human and elf… And Princess Kenny.

Exploring the city of South Park feels just like you were watching an episode of the show. The town’s citizens, the look of the buildings, the background music and the snarky comments they make have that ~~offensive~~ authentic show feel. Thanks to the script being written by show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, it explains why the game gets everything so right script wise. Plus, if you’re a fan of the show, you’re sure to spot the almost countless references from the show. From the movie theater playing Asses of Fire 2, the Tweek Bros. Coffee Shop, City Wok and Skeeter’s Bar, if it’s been on the show, it’s likely in the game.

Exploring the city will often grant you side quests to complete for the town’s citizens. Since fights net you so little XP, the best way to level up is to complete as many of these missions as possible, allowing you to upgrade your combat abilities, use better equipment and weapons. Upon completion, most missions will allow you to add these citizens to your Facebook friends list, which unlocks new perks to customize your character with. Who says it doesn’t pay off to help people?

Summons like Mr. Kim are hysterical.

As for the game’s original content, it’s every bit as disturbing, uncomfortable and laugh out loud hilarious as you would expect with something bearing the South Park name. I’m not going to give any of those moments away since they’re best experienced without any idea going in, but let’s just say that you’ll be doing things that you might never have expected you would every do in a video game. The story itself is just as funny, lampooning video game tropes while mixing in the celebrity lampooning and social commentary you would expect. In typical show fashion, the boy’s game of pretend gets caught up in a potentially Earth shattering event, pitting then against such menaces as the homeless, vicious sewer mice and even other friends. And somehow, it manages to sustain its comedic qualities all the way through.

Gameplay wise, The Stick Of Truth is a turn based RPG reminiscent of more interactive combat systems such as the Mario RPG series or The Legend Of Dragoon. After choosing one of the four in game classes, (consisting of a Warrior, Thief, Mage or Jew), each character can take on enemies using their class specific abilities and their buddy at their side. The combat system is a little more lenient compared to your typical game in the genre, allowing players or their buddy to use an item, special ability, (which is unique to each party member), or summon as they’re unlocked without taking up the turn. Combat abilities, switching party members, magic and attacks take up one turn, but can be powered up with specific button prompts. Once the opponent’s turn rolls around, perfect timing with the guard button defends against their attacks, reducing damage in the process.

Combat is more fun than you’d ever expect from a licensed game.

In one sense, the game feels almost too easy at points. All HP and PP heals after every battle, nearly limitless items will keep you in good shape and certain weapons are really powerful. On the flip side, certain locales act as dungeons, which are basically long sets of fights that usually end in a big boss battle. Not having to manage hurt characters throughout the gauntlet is definitely a good thing. Not only that, but enemies are unforgiving, so if you mess up, you’re likely going to die. It’s a bit of a give and take. Later in the game, enemies have much higher armor, so weapons do very little damage. At this point, stacking status effects on your opponents becomes key, and really sets the game apart from the typical, “mash attack to win” formula many RPGs adopt. I just wish it would have been more of a mixed bag instead of one or the other, since the early game doesn’t offer enough viable abilities to exploit the status effects, while the late game relies on them far too much. Overall though, the gameplay is ridiculously addictive, if not a little rough.

But humor and authenticity aside, there are a few glaring flaws that Stick of Truth missed by a mile. For one, there is no option to skip a turn or defend for your main character, making it harder to prolong fights when trying to farm for items as the thief for example. In typical Obsidian fashion, the game is full of bugs, ranging from small ones like spawning in a wall, to big ones like story missions flat out not proceeding, (make sure you have a couple of back up saves ready to load). As awesome as the town is, you can see the entire thing in about 45 minutes, so it’s easy to get tired of the scenery real quickly, (especially since some important locations are nowhere to be found. Let’s hope they’re saving those for a potential sequel).

These complaints are mostly minor, but the two biggest oversights are the lack of post game content and locking players out of dungeons permanently, both of which could have been solved by a New Game +. At around 12 hours, the game’s length is perfect for the story that was told, containing little to no filler along the way, but some extra missions, side quests or bonus bosses would have been nice. To make matters worse, almost every dungeon cannot be re-entered after completing them, all of which contain collectables like Facebook friends, equipment, weapons and Chinpokomon dolls, (remember those?) If you miss any of those, guess what? It’s back to a new game for you!

This aspect makes zero sense. If you could go back into dungeons post game, it would have added to the exploration aspect of the game while alleviating the monotony of the city. If you had a new game plus that let you replay your game with all of your collectables, you could go back and find what you’re missing while fully maxing out your character, (since the level cap doesn’t give you enough ability points to do so). For some reason, the developers did neither, and the game suffers for it.

Welcome to the Kingdom of Kupa Keep.

Regardless, South Park: The Stick Of Truth had a ton of care put into its story, writing and gameplay, and the results show. As one of the best licensed games in recent memory, the game is sure to hit the nostalgia nerve of longtime fans repeatedly while leaving them in stitches the whole way through. It’s sad to think that this game could have been an early game of the year contender if it wasn’t for the lack of post game content, the large amount of glitches or the lack of variety in the setting, but here’s to hoping a sequel eventually brings the full potential out of the winning formula the guys and girls at Obsidian and South Park Studios have cooked up. If you’re a fan of the show, this is a no brainer. The Stick Of Truth belongs in your consoles. Seriously you guys!

Positives:

+ An authentic show feel, complete with a slew of characters, references and locations.

+ A laugh out loud script that will have you in tears from beginning to end when your jaw’s not on the floor thanks to its absurd scenarios.

+ The creative interactive combat system tends to reward strategy and status effects over brute force.

Negatives:

– Glitches galore can range from minor annoyances to game breaking.

– A lack of post game content feels like the developers fell asleep at the wheel, especially since collectables and upgrades make the game ripe for a new game + feature.

– Locking players out of dungeons permanently takes away from the exploration aspect of the game, leaving only the repetitive town and two small areas.

Final score: 3.5/5

Twitch Plays Pokemon Enters Its Second Season!

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Twitch Plays Pokemon started off simple enough. An emulator of Pokemon Red that can be controlled by each person in the chat seemed amusing enough, right? Well, millions of users and countless memes later, and all of a sudden, the initial run became a phenomenon of its own. Part of the appeal was to see if the game could be completed with so many people issuing commands… Especially when many of those were purposely trying to sabotage it. By some miracle, Red zigzagged his way to the Elite Four and finally beat the champion after 16 days. And it was all thanks to these guys!

Lord Helix led his followers to victory, and the story ended on a happy note. But what stories await us in the second season?

Yep, after completing the first game, Twitch STILL wants to play Pokemon with Pokemon Crystal. While I feel that any story crafted out of the new game will feel a lot more forced than the hilariously awesome tale that grew of the first game, it’ll be interesting to see what the users come up with, especially since we’ve been graced with the resurrection of Bird Jesus.

Jumping in on the fun is as easy as hopping in over at Twitch’s page for the game. If you want to get caught up on the amazing story about the war between the gods of anarchy and democracy, an All Terrain Venomoth that grew into a dragon slayer, and a Rattata named Jay Leno, you can relive the tale at this nifty summary page. Until then, let’s head over to the new page and see what kind of chaos we can create!

Is ‘Shaq Fu 2’ On The Way?

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Being a gamer in the 90’s meant that you were subjected to a slew of terrible licensed video games. Hell, the game didn’t even have to be based off of a TV show or movie; it could just be based on a person. One of the most infamous examples of the latter was Shaq Fu, a fighting game of questionable quality that sent basketball player Shaquille O’Neil to another world to save a civilization from its tyrannical ruler. I mean, who comes up with this stuff, right? Apparently, someone thinks it’s a good idea to crowd fund a sequel after almost 20 years, and dare I say… It actually looks promising?

Shaq Fu Returns!?

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is being made by a group of developers who want to right the wrongs of the first game by making a sequel that would be good without the celebrity license. By turning it into a beat em up rather than a one on one fighting game, it definitely looks more campy than the original, which is the only way a game like this can succeed in my opinion. It has to be a little self aware if it’s trying to sell this premise. But the game won’t come out without the backing of the fans, with some of the stretch goals consisting of copies of the game, DLC for life, launch parties and even a social media follow from Saq or trip to TNT Studios for those with really deep pockets.

This looks better than it should.

This ambitious attempt at a reboot promises to deliver the following:

– Play as Shaq as he kicks ass and takes no prisoners
Intricately designed combo system that leaves room for a variety of fighting tactics. Learn the moves and let Shaq rip against his enemies
-Pimp your character with new moves and abilities. Select from different fighting styles or combine styles and create your own new discipline (Shaq FU is what you make it)
-Challenges for even the best players.
-Adaptive AI keeps the game exciting
–Battles against hordes of enemies in the tradition of the lost art of the beat ‘em up. I mean, who could take Shaq one on one?
Take the challenge up to an entirely new level in unforgettable smack downs against awesome bosses.
–Once you beat a boss you unlock him and can play as him in the game.
–Fight through the slums of Asian cities, on the rooftops of skyscrapers. Battle it out inside buildings, seedy night clubs, and cause mayhem in the markets.
–Smash an enemy through the floor and leap down to a lower level. Barge through walls and forge your own path. Smash furniture, toss enemies through windows, even collapse structures – when you are the Shaqbreaker everything is possible

–A wide variety of melee and projectile weapons as well as various everyday objects that can be used as weapons – katanas, shurikens, baseball bats, the occasional basketball filled with the wrong type of gas, bottles, knives and dozens more.

–Don’t see a weapon you like? What about that manhole cover or that car door? You are Shaq after all, so maybe you want to hurl that motorcycle on a bunch of enemies at once. The world is your projectile.

–Wipe out huge numbers of enemies at once. Bowl down enemies with balls of steel, create earthquakes of unprecedented power, slam dunk baddies with ease.
-Modifiers that change your appearance and enhance your skills. Transform into the monstrous Big Daddy O and crush your enemies. Twirl into the Big Baryshnikov and pirouette your enemies like a tornado tearing through Kansas. Power up into the Big Diesel and steamroll your enemies into Kobe-Patties. A power-up for every nickname Shaq has ever had, and a few new ones for good measure.
-Co-op Gameplay. Grab a friend and battle it out in tandem. Play as Shaq’s identical twin (no he doesn’t sell insurance) or select from a host of other playable characters with different skills and power-ups. Split screen action available, baby!
Co-op’s not your bag? Build up your character and fighting style and duke it out online or on the same machine against another player.
–Once you have played through the main game revisit it to discover secret environments that you might have missed.
Think its over once the Black Star Ninja, is unmasked? Think again.

–Hosts of challenges await that pit you against the best Shaq Fu’s in the world.

On top of that, 5% of the proceeds from the game go to the Boys and Girls club, so even if it sucks, at least the money you wasted goes to a good cause!

Check out the funding site here for all of the juicy details, but not before checking out the trailer and letting us know how amazing this is in the comments!

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’

by Josh JacksonMarch 7, 2014

Oh, high school. For many of us at one point or another, it was a place that we couldn’t wait to escape. But whether it was because of our waning popularity, our dread at the thought of another test or the rejection of the cool kids that flip your burgers nowadays, it’s safe to say that these reasons pale in comparison to the motivations held by the Hope’s Peak Academy student body. After all, the only way to graduate is by murdering a classmate!

In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, gamers take control of Makoto Naegi, an average teenager who was chosen at to attend this elite campus. Known for educating the “ultimate” students, Makoto’s peers range from the “Ultimate Pop Idol”, to the “Ultimate Fashionista”, and even some bordering the ridiculous, (The “Ultimate Fanfic Writer” and “Ultimate Biker Gang Leader say hello). The students are… Unique to say the least, which is brought to life thanks to some laugh out loud funny dialogue using plenty of nerdy references to get the point across. After blacking out once stepping on campus, the students are introduced to their headmaster, the demented Monokuma. This monochrome colored (not teddy) bear looks cute on the outside, but what he has in store is something far more sinister, initiating this “killing game” that pits friends against each other in a deadly game of detective. But will the students really resort to killing each other? And how can they work together to escape when knowing that they could be stabbed in the back at any moment?

Class is in session.

This is where most of the tension comes in for this point and click adventure game. Makoto must explore the school, communicate with his peers and discover clues to find out exactly what’s going on in this school of despair. Traveling from room to room while looking for clues and hidden coins that can be used to buy presents, (which will be touched on later,) never feels as relaxed as you would expect, especially since you never know who may get attacked next. As the story unfolds, the core of the game revolves around class trials, where Makoto must examine statements made by the others, eliminating contradictions and taking steps closer to the truth in each chapter.

But Phoenix Wright this is not. Danganronpa has unique trial mechanics that make the game play more than just presenting evidence, (as rewarding as that can be.) Each questionable statement is highlighted within moving text, which players have to shoot with their “truth bullets”, to destroy the contradiction. Shooting becomes more difficult over time thanks to “White Noise,” inner thoughts that block potential targets, reducing the time limit if shot. To mix things up, some crazy game mechanics work their way into the court, all of which you’d never expect to see in a game like this. “Hangman’s Gambit” has players shoot letters to spell out words that prove Makoto’s arguments, “Bullet Time Battle” brings rhythm game play into the mix by having us tap buttons to music in order to quickly target lies, shoot them down and reload truth bullets, and the “Closing Argument,” where blank comic book panels must be filled in to retrace crimes from beginning to end. Surprisingly, this strange mix of game play styles work well, keeping the game moving at a faster pace than we’re used to with Visual Novels while blending different genres.

Hangman’s Gambit is one of many unique game play features.

With a “combat” system as ambitious as this, there’s bound to be issues that come up along the way. Since only targeted words can be contradictions, your choices are narrowed down quite a bit. Add that to the fact that only a few pieces of evidence are loaded as truth bullets, the game essentially spells out what to do, which is unnecessary since most of the mysteries are easy to solve anyway. Also, some of the comic panels for Closing Arguments are incredibly vague. I’ve lost plenty of health because I placed two similar looking panels in the wrong order, or because I couldn’t tell what was going on in them. A short description of what each one represents without giving away the whole thing would’ve been nice. Either way, this game is VERY forgiving, so failing doesn’t have any real consequences outside of temporarily missing a trophy or two.

I have no idea what’s going on.

Outside of trials and investigations, Free Time gives us the chance to talk to Makoto’s classmates and win their affection the best way we can. And what’s the quickest way to make someone like you? Buy them stuff! Yup, the game goes into full on date simulation mode. For the most part, each one is portrayed as some kind of typical anime stereotype, but these moments allows the player to dig into their motivations to learn that there is some real depth under the surface. Paying attention to each character’s personality traits while giving them the right responses and presents will make them confide in you, which uncovers their backstories while unlocking special abilities that make trials easier, (such as extra health, or more focus to slow down targets.)

Bonus abilities are all well and good, but the biggest impression free time leaves is the feeling of attachment that these moments create between characters. While a few of them are painfully annoying, most of the class is well developed, easy to like and sympathize with. Some well done voice acting in both English and Japanese bring them to life, which is why I wish more of the game could have been voiced. Only the trials are fully acted, so you’ll get a ton of repetitive grunts, phrases and sighs during free time, which gets annoying REALLY quick.

Nonetheless, if the goal of the school is to spread despair to its captives, it does an excellent job of spreading it to the player too. Growing attached to each of my favorites, only to feel way more anxious than I should have been every time a new page of the story unfolded out of fear of them killing or being murdered was the biggest memory I took from the game. To make matters worse, each chapter concludes with the guilty party being “punished” in the form of a gruesome, stylized execution that have that car wreck ability to make you watch even if you don’t want to.

Getting attached to your friends is easy thanks to their interactions.

And that style is where the real brilliance of Danganronpa lies. The majority of the game, from the flat, 2D cutout style the characters are given, to the executions being presented in a way that reminded me of a low budget school play, the fluorescent pink blood and Monokuma himself, everything is presented with such an innocent, childlike quality. But having friends stripped away, finding corpses and being trapped against your will is anything but. It took a real sick group of people to come up with this concept. And I loved every second of it.

Aside from some investigations dragging on way too long, (especially the first one,) the confusing closing argument panels and the grating non-voice acting during free time, Danganronpa is one of the best reasons to own a Vita right now. Its creative use of multiple gameplay styles combined with the tried and true point and click formula deliver in ways I couldn’t have imagined, while building a strong supporting cast that are easy to get attached to. With enough content to play into the 20 hour mark, (not including the bonus post story “School Mode” that has the class digging for materials and going on dates in scenarios that feature some of the funniest dialogue in the game,) tons of unlockables, creative gameplay and an incredible story, Danganronpa is a game to die for.

tl;dr

+ Creative game play that brings fresh ideas to the point and click detective genre.

+ A sick, demented setting that draws players in to the world for hours on end.

+ The unforgettable story, characters and scenarios leave a strong impression long after the game is complete.

+ Excellent voice acting in English and Japanese.

– Mysteries are far too easy to solve

– Some of the investigations drag on for too long and feature repetitive, one phrase voice clips.

– Certain gameplay mechanics could be more clear or executed better.

Final Score: 9/10

The ‘A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV’ PS4 Beta Is Live! Square Enix Explains Character Transfers

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Waiting for something to play on your brand new PS4? Do you need something to kill the time until InFamous: Second Son rolls around? Well then I have some good news courtesy of Square Enix! The free beta for A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV is available for all to download and play to their hearts content, surely losing any social life you may or may not have in the process!

Going on until March 3rd, this first phase of the planned tests on the PS4 will let you get your start in the land of Eorzea. Don’t get too attached to your character though, because all characters will be deleted when the beta ends.

Thankfully, phase 2, which starts on April 4th, won’t have such restrictions. In fact, you’ll be able to import existing characters on the normal in game servers or create a brand new adventurer. Unlike phase 1, all data will be retained when the game is released on April 14th, so you’ll be free to explore away! In fact, phase 2 participants will be able to upload their progress and begin playing on April 11th, three days ahead of the standard release. And the best part? PS3 owners transferring to the PS4 will be able to upgrade at no extra charge. Be warned though, if you do so, you won’t be able to use that account on the PS3 without buying another copy.

Thinking about upgrading? Square Enix released this nifty trailer explaining why moving to the PS4 is the way to go. Get ready to bring adventuring to the next generation as that April release date draws nearer.

‘Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes’ Gets A Price Drop Before Release

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Gamers can attest to the fact that games seem to be dropping in price sooner and sooner, but to drop before the game is released? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening with the physical Xbox One and PS4 versions of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, which will now retail for $30 as opposed to its original $40 tag.

Acting as a prequel to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes will set up Big Boss’ characterization heading into the main story, further detailing his decent into the vengeful antagonist he became in the previous Metal Gear titles. So why is the price being reduced? According to publisher Konami,

“[the price drop will] provide as many people as possible an opportunity to experience [Ground Zeroes]”

If you ask me, it probably has more to do with the backlash over the idea that the game is VERY short. Either way, our pockets win this time.

Does this affect your decision to pick up the game? Which system are you getting it for? Check out Konami’s comparison video and let it help you decide which one to get, assuming you can see a difference. Ground Zeroes will release on March 18th with The Phantom Pain following it in 2015.

Source: Gamespot.com

‘Persona 5’ And Its Many Spinoffs Are Officially Headed Stateside!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 25, 2014

Remember last fall when we were waiting on baited breath for Atlus’ mysterious Persona announcement? The end result was the official reveal of the long awaited Persona 5 along with a slew of spinoffs. The problem? These were only officially announced for Japan. Thankfully, Atlus hasn’t left us waiting for too long, because every one of these games are headed stateside! Yes, even the dancing one.

Starting with Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, this dungeon crawling RPG will unite the SEES from Persona 3 and the Investigation Team from Persona 4 in a chibi-fied 3DS exclusive in the style of Etrian Odyssey. Coming in the fall, Persona Q marks the first time the Persona series is coming to a Nintendo platform.

From the press release:

“Trapped in an other-world filled with Shadows, the protagonists from Persona 3 and Persona 4 each have different events to follow, allowing the player to choose and experience two different plotlines. As both groups seek a way out of the labyrinth, they will run in to two new characters, Rei and Zen, who may hold the secret to this new mystery,”

Next is the return of a favorite of fighting game fans like myself. Dropping the ridiculously awesome subtitle of Ultra Suplex Hold, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax returns to the P-1 Grand Prix with new fighters and moves. Bringing in Persona 3 favorites, Yukari and Junpei, as well as a brand new character in Sho Minazuki, it’ll be time to dust off the arcade sticks once Fall comes around.

As its predecessor, Ultimax will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360. If our review of the original game is any indication, there’s plenty of reason for RPG and Fighting fans alike to get excited for the sequel.

On the Vita front, Persona will be returning to the platform following the excellent Persona 4 Golden, but not in the way you might expect. Persona 4: Dancing All Night brings the usually dark, morbid world of the series to the dance floor. Staring in game pop idol, Rise Kujikawa, this rhythm game comes from the good folks over at Dingo Inc, the developers of the Hatsune Miku series of titles.

What drives Rise and her friends to dance the night away? According to Atlus,

“After hearing rumors about the Midnight Stage, she checks a certain website at midnight and sees a mysterious movie clip and, you guessed it, winds up on the “other side.” Worse yet, she finds out her junior idol peers from the group Kanamin Kitchen are missing as well. She has no choice but to send an SOS to the Investigation Team to help rescue the missing idols.”

Hey, whatever gives us an excuse to put Yu Narukami’s massive amounts of swag on display, right? Dancing All Night will hit the Vita in 2015, so that will give us plenty of time to get in touch with our inner idol.

And of course, the main course. After years of waiting, Persona 5 is officially slated for a 2015 release on the PS3. A new English version of the original trailer was posted as well, but it still lands firmly in teaser territory. No, we have yet to see any solid details on what the game will be about, but we have five chairs! And at least we know we won’t have to wait too long.

Any Persona lovers amongst us Geekscapists? Which game are you looking forward to the most? One thing is for sure, the next year will be a good time to be a fan.

Source: Shacknews.com

The Mythical Pokemon Diancie Has Officially Been Revealed

by Josh JacksonFebruary 14, 2014

Longtime Pokemon fans know all about Event Legendary creatures, especially rare Pokemon that can only be obtained through timed events. Going all the way back to Mew in the original games, it’s expected that every game since would have at least a few event legendaries to keep us playing with.

For Pokemon X and Y, Diancie is the first of this type to be officially revealed. A Rock/Fairy type, it has a relationship with the existing Pokemon Carbink. The official site states,

Groups of Carbink tend to gather around Diancie, but Diancie pays them little heed and only acts according to its own will.

Sounds kind of rude. Anyway, Diancie will be tied in to the next Pokemon movie, which is when it will surely be released. Sadly, we have no idea when that will be, but Nintendo promises more details as they dangle Pokemon number 719 in front of us. By the way, 719! I just finished catching all 718. Oh well, the life of a Pokemon Trainer isn’t easy. And as long as it doesn’t take as long as the details for Pokemon Bank to come out, I think we’ll survive.

Check out these screenshots of Diancie in action as well as its reveal trailer and check back with us as details become available.

Nintendo Direct Recap: 2-13-2014 Edition

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

As usual, another Nintendo Direct has come and gone and there is a TON of new information to sift through. But don’t worry, we scrutinized the announcements so you don’t have to! Read on to discover all of the Nintendo themed goodness coming to us over the next few months.

– The presentation started in a big way, with the reveal of Little Mac for Super Smash Bros. Click here for all of the details, speculation, screenshots and a sweet reveal trailer.

– Mario Golf World Tour missed its original 2013 release during the Year of Luigi, but it looks like the extra time was put to good use. A plethora of new features were shown off, including Mii support, as well as a solid release date of May 2nd.

– Kirby Triple Deluxe will give each copy ability a variety of attacks. While the game still promises to be easy to pick up and play, hidden sun stones and retro keychains promise to provide a good challenge for series veterans. Streetpass support allows players to send each other items, including keychains if they are also playing the game when passed. The best news? Kirby is right around the corner, also launching on May 2nd.

– Yoshi’s New Island acts mostly the same as its predecessors, where Yoshi’s goal is to reach the end of each stage while keeping Baby Mario safe. Doing so is made easier thanks to power ups like the jackhammer, submarine and super forms, (because it wouldn’t be a New game without a super form.) Yoshi’s pegasus wings will also make an appearance if you suck at the game.

– Steel Diver: Sub Wars was simultaneously announced and released for North America on the eShop. This free to play take on the First Person Shooter genre combines the underwater gameplay of Steel Diver and puts you in the driver’s seat. The free version has two single player missions, two submarines and the full online mode while $9.99 will get you the full package. I’ve been playing it since it popped up and it’s deceptively addictive. Keep an eye out for an in depth report!

– Inazuma Eleven, the popular soccer RPG from Level 5 that has never been released in North America… Has been released in North America! Also available now, $19.99 will get you the first game in the series, while the eShop is also carrying three episodes of the anime for free! You can find out more about both Steel Diver: Sub Wars and Inazuma Eleven in our in depth write up here.

– Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball is a baseball themed mini game collection that lets players haggle in game to lower the price of real life add on purchases. It’s an interesting concept that we covered in detail here.

– Pokemon Battle Trozei brings back one of the lesser talked about Pokemon spinoffs. The first game was a puzzle title that was put out to seemingly ease the pain of waiting for a full fledged Pokemon DS title, but was addictive in its own right. This new game will feature all of the current 718 Pokemon as well as new game play “battle” mechanics to keep things interesting. We’ll have a new way to catch em all when Trozei hits the eShop in March.

– One final trailer for Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy was shown, which will serve as the last game in the popular franchise. Streetpass functionality will allow would-be puzzle solvers to transfer hidden items to each other’s games. It’ll be sad to see the Professor go, but I’m excited to play his final adventure when February 28th comes along.

– Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has finally received a release date! Kind of! After months of silence, Nintendo touched on the game, revealing that the game is slated for an early 2015 launch.

– Weapon Shop de Omasse is the last game in the Guild01 series in Japan, which is a collaboration between famed developers at Level-5 and Grasshopper Manufacturer. Part RPG, part rhythm game, part shop simulator, players are tasked with running a weapon shop. Forging weapons with the timing of accompanying music will make them stronger, which will aid your town’s warriors as they run off into battle. The title is aiming for a February 20th release at $7.99.

– A variety of indie games were given the spotlight, including Treasurenauts, Moon Chronicles, Shovel Knight, 1001 Spikes, the recently released Retro City Rampage and Child of Light. I got to play many of these at Indiecade, and all of them were impressive, especially Shovel Knight and 1001 Spikes. Of course, Retro City Rampage has been out on other platforms for awhile, but if you missed out on it before, there’s no reason not to pick up this definitive version.

– After over a year of waiting, the Game Boy Advance Virtual Console is finally coming to the Wii U. Launching with Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion will be the first games released with more coming out every month. But why not on the 3DS? Get our thoughts on the subject here.

– Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze got one last trailer before its release next week. Solid, creative level design, silhouette stages and huge bosses were put on display, which is to be expected after the excellent Donkey Kong Country Returns. Check out the trailer and get ready for its February 21st release.

– It was just a few months ago that NES Remix stealth released on the Wii U eShop, but NES Remix 2 is already on its way. Coming on April 25th, the downloadable title will feature remixed versions of late era NES games like Metroid, Zelda II, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Punch Out!!! Making the package even more attractive is a full version of Super Luigi Bros. which is based on the mini game from the first Remix. Considering Luigi is a pretty backwards guy, all of the stages will run from right to left. Of course, his signature high jump will also be included. This might be worth the purchase alone!

– Mario Kart 8 got an official release date AND a ton of new characters. Players will hit the track once again on May 30th, while sliding along the edge of that Spring time frame the presentation promised. Check out all the details in our dedicated article right over here.

– Finally! Some game play footage from Monolith Soft’s upcoming Wii U title. Codenamed X, watching it in motion makes it look a lot like Xenoblade, which anyone who’s played it can tell you is far from a bad thing. Release details are still quiet, but I trust that they’ll take all the time they need to make it into as much of a masterpiece as all of the other Xeno games have been.

– And lastly, we got a ton of new information on Bayonetta 2, including details on the story, a new playable character and some kick ass new abilities. Check out our impressions at this link!

And that about covers it! What are you most excited about? Little Mac, X footage, a Mario Kart release date and a ton of fresh new games… it’s safe to say that this presentation was a success. Check out the full video below and keep checking back with Geekscape as these games and more become available.

Game Boy Advance Games Coming To Wii U!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

Last year, Nintendo confirmed that classic Game Boy Advance games would be coming to Virtual Console at some point, but they were tight lipped on specifics. Aside from the ambassador program that gave early 3DS adopters exclusive access to a sampling of the GBA library, current owners who have bought the handheld since then have been anxious for the chance to purchase the titles. The good news? The GBA games are finally coming, but not on the system you would expect.

During today’s Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that the Wii U Virtual Console will receive Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion come April with additional releases rolling out every month. Details on pricing or a specific date wasn’t shown, but does it matter how much they’re asking for? These three games are some of the best in their respective genres, so if there was ever a time to throw money at the VC, this would be it.

It’s good to see the Wii U getting this boost in its library, but it’s odd that these games have yet to be announced for the 3DS. Traditionally, console classics appeared on the Wii line while handheld classics make their way to the 3DS. I feel like the GBA library will come to the 3DS eventually, but it is confusing to see the games launching on a console first, especially when two of the three games were already on the 3DS courtesy of the ambassador program.

But enough of my opinions, what does everyone else think? Does the GBA library sway you in any way to purchase a Wii U come April? One way or another, I’m just happy to have an excuse to play Metroid Fusion again.

‘Steel Diver: Sub Wars’ and ‘Inazuma Eleven’ Get eShop Stealth Releases!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

At this point, it’s become almost expected for Nintendo to have some kind of stealth release during its Direct presentations. From NES Remix to the Animal Crossing Plaza, the surprises are usually pleasant and unexpected, but relatively small on the scale of importance.

That changed today, with the announcement that two full fledged, freshly announced games were released on the eShop. First, Steel Diver: Sub Wars, (which sadly has nothing to do with Subway vs Quiznos,) acts as the successor to the submarine themed 3DS launch title. Switching to a first person view, this underwater shooter seems to borrow many of the same designs and art style of its predecessor. Oh, and the pariscope stages are back. Yep. Those pariscope stages.

Secondly, Inazuma Eleven is the first game in the long running DS series that has never been released in North America until now. Developed by Level-5, the people behind such hit games as Dark Cloud, Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni, the series was popular enough to receive numerous sequels and spinoffs spanning the DS, Wii and 3DS. It’s not hard to see why Nintendo was reluctant to release it here, since its premise of a soccer JRPG doesn’t exactly scream sales over here, but here’s a perfect chance to vote with our wallets and say that we want more unique titles to hit our shores. Hey, it worked for Xenoblade!

Steel Diver: Sub Wars is free to play, although this version will only include two submarines. If you like what you play, the full version can be purchased within the game for $9.99, (which is much nicer than the $40 price tag of the original.) Inazuma Eleven is going for $19.99, and according to its reviews from years past, it’s well worth the asking price.

Are you excited to give these a go? Let us know below, and keep an eye out for our full recap later today!

‘Bayonetta 2’ Gets New Playable Character In The Latest Trailer

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

Details on the highly anticipated Bayonetta 2 have been few and far between since E3 last year, but thanks to the latest Nintendo Direct, we got a chance to catch up with the witch’s latest action filled romp.

As expected, everything is continuing to look like it’s placed on a larger scale. Bigger enemies, bigger story, bigger attacks, bigger conflicts… Whoever said “less is more” didn’t get through to the developers at Platinum Games, and after seeing the game in action, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Joining Bayonetta this time around is a mysterious child who seems to have stolen Yugi’s Millennium Puzzle at some point. Acting as a partner to the titular character, the trailer confirms that he will be fully playable in some capacity. Don’t worry though, it looks like he can kick plenty of ass himself.

With a conflict between light and dark starting anew, a rival priest that matches Bayonetta’s attacks blow for blow and Bayo’s sister, Jean, seemingly in stasis, (because why not?) it’s looking more and more like the upcoming sequel will be a top reason to own a Wii U in the coming months.

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? Don’t believe me? Watch the trailer yourself and tell me it’s not. If that doesn’t convince you, check out our hands on impressions from E3 last year and prepare to get hyped!

‘Mario Kart 8’ Drifts In On May 30th; Includes Koopalings!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

As mentioned in our Nintendo Direct preview, it was fully expected that we would get some more news regarding Mario Kart 8’s approaching release. Now that the presentation has come and gone, it’s safe to say that we got more than any of us could’ve expected, complete with a release date and seven new characters!

Mario Kart 8 will arrive on the Wii U on May 30th, complete with a plethora of anti gravity tracks that have been wowing us since its initial announcement. That wasn’t all though, because the release date reveal came with a brand new trailer, which brings back some familiar faces that we’ve been used to stomping on for a decade and a half.

All of the Koopalings of Super Mario Bros. 3 fame will find their way onto the Mario Kart track for the first time. While Mario Kart games don’t typically have an overly large roster, (not that it needs one, it’s a racing game after all,) these additions are making it look like the eighth entry might be the biggest one yet! Hey, if Funky Kong can make the cut, then the Koopalings are long overdue.

Are you picking up Mario Kart 8 when May 30th rolls along? Watch the trailer below if you need any convincing, and stay glued to Geekscape.net for more information as it’s revealed.

Little Mac Steps Into The ‘Smash Bros.’ Ring!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

Today’s Nintendo Direct arguably started with its biggest announcement. Little Mac, the miniscule menace that tore through the international boxing circuit in the NES classic, Punch Out, is the latest character to be added to the Smash Bros. roster.

As one of the most requested characters in the pre-Brawl days, Mac’s demand had only increased thanks to his inclusion as an assist trophy and the excellent Punch Out reboot that released on the Wii. With his inclusion into this latest Smash Bros. title, that’s one more to mark off the list of characters that absolutely HAVE to be in the game, (or at least my list.)

True to his play style from his own games, Mac relies on close quarters attacks to deliver damage to his enemies. What makes him look especially interesting is his unique ability to dodge while attacking, making it easier to close the distance between him and his opponents. Showing off a variety of charge and counter attacks, (complete with a Punch Out style power meter,) it’s clear that Mac is a hard hitter, especially thanks to his Giga Mac Final Smash ripped straight from the multiplayer mode of his latest game. Just don’t try to fight in the air…

Check out the reveal trailer and revel in all of Doc Louis’ amazing commentary. Who else to you expect to see revealed as the days draw closer to Smash’s release. Chrom? Shulk? Issac? Paulatena? Dark Pit? All of the above? Let us know below!

Be sure to check back soon for a complete wrap up of today’s Nintendo Direct announcements.

A New Nintendo Direct Is On The Horizon!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 13, 2014

Heads up, gamers! Ninendo has announced an upcoming Direct presentation streaming at 5 PM EST and 2 PM PST. Promising to cover the games of spring for the Wii U and 3DS, it’s safe to say we can expect some new information on existing announcements while coming across a few surprises along the way.

If I was a betting man, (and I would be if I wasn’t broke,) I’d say that we can be ready to expect new information on titles such as Kirby Triple Deluxe, Yoshi’s New Island and Mario Kart 8. As we drift into “wishful thinking territory,” I’m hoping for another reveal on the Super Smash Bros. side of things. Will it happen? We’ll find out in a few hours.

Check out the stream at this link, and as always, be sure to check back with us for all of the up to date information and reactions to the presentation.

‘Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’ Is Out Now For PS Vita!

by Josh JacksonFebruary 12, 2014

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc has hit store shelves for the PS Vita courtesy of NIS America this week, as we all hear the joyous cries of Vita owners everywhere. An adventure game taking place in Hope’s Peak Academy, a school that forces its students to spend the rest of their lives within their walls, the trapped youth only have one path towards freedom… But they’ll have to commit murder first.

In the style of visual novels like Phoenix Wright that are growing in popularity, Danganronpa tasks players with solving murders that take place on campus, but what do you do when the killers are your peers?

Watch the launch trailer below and keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming review. Until then, check back regularly for all your geek news and updates!

Lightning Returns to ‘A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV’

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

Back in November when Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII released in Japan, a special event in A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV allowed players to fight side by side with the titular heroine, unlocking her outfits and equipment along the way. Now that the rest of the world will get their hands on the game, it seems like it’s time for Lightning to… erm, return.

From now until the morning of February 17th, players will get a second chance to obtain this special FFXIII themed gear. By completing special missions, female characters can do their best Lightning impressions while the males get Snow outfits to mess with, (which is even more reason to play as a girl. Aside from the free stuff from eager strangers of course.) Be warned though, each mission has a minimum level requirement of 12, 24, 36 and 48 respectively, so if you want everything, you better get to grinding!

Lightning Returns will release on February 11th while A Realm Reborn is available now on PC and PS3.

Lightning Raids Lara’s Closet With ‘Tomb Raider’ DLC For ‘Lightning Returns’

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

Lightning Returns brings many new features to the XIII series, many of which were detailed in our E3 preview. Most prominently, Lightning’s ever growing wardrobe/class change function has been much talked about. In recent months, we’ve learned that Lightning will be able to don outfits paying homage to Final Fantasy alumni such as Cloud Strife, Aeris, (Aerith?) Gainsborough and Yuna, but now it seems that Square Enix’s two most dominant women are due for a crossover.

It was revealed that gamers will be able to download a Lara Croft costume for Lightning, dirty face and all. As with all of the in game costumes, this one comes with its own set of equipment, which include the trademark pick axe and riot shield from Lara’s latest re imagining.

After the success of the multi million selling Tomb Raider reboot, it makes perfect sense that Square’s most famous franchise will show it some love. All I know is that this costume will be on my hard drive the moment February 11th arrives.

Get Caught Up For ‘Lightning Returns’ With This 16 Bit Retelling of ‘Final Fantasy XIII’

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

The Final Fantasy XIII saga will come to an end this Tuesday with the release of Lightning Returns. Do you want to jump into the game, but don’t have 60 plus hours to get caught up on its prequels? Do the words “l’Cie, Fal’Cie and Cie’th” mean absolutely nothing to you? Don’t worry, Square has you covered.

Retold in a 16 bit version that looks like it’s straight out of a Super Nintendo, this 8 minute video manages to condense two game’s worth of story into a neat little pixelated package.

If nothing else, the video makes me kind of want a 16 bit version of the series. I’d pay for a digital release right now if it were coming. Make it happen Square!

Watch the video below and tell me if you share my sentiment. Are you excited for Lightning Returns? Comment and tell us if you’re excited to see the series ride off into the sunset. And while it should go without saying, the video contains spoilers.

Lucario Returns To ‘Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

After what felt like an eternity, a new character has been confirmed for Super Smash Bros. And it’s a character that many people pegged as likely to get cut.

Lucario, the fighting/steel type Pokemon and mascot of Generation IV will be making his return to the Smash arena. Making his debut in Brawl, it seems that little has changed with the character’s moveset, which is highlighted by the fact that it gets more powerful as it takes damage. With that said, I’m fully expecting to see Lucario’s mega form in some shape or form. Maybe it will transform while using its Aura Storm Final Smash?

But wait… what about this guy?

With its inclusion, some fans are worried that the much requested Mewtwo won’t make the cut for two games in a row. I’m a huge Mewtwo fan, but I’m not worried at all. Why? First of all, while Lucario was seen as a replacement for Mewtwo when Brawl released, the two play completely different, (aside from a similar looking charge move in Aura Sphere and Shadow Ball.)

Second, Mewtwo was supposed to be included in Brawl originally, but was only partially completed due to time constraints. It’s hard to imagine that after so many fans clamoring for Mewtwo’s return combined with him almost making it last time, that he would still get cut.

Lastly, (and most importantly,) both Mewtwo and Lucario serve as giant advertisements for Pokemon X and Y. None of the new monsters feel suited for a fighting game, but both of these characters represent Gen VI without having to design characters from scratch. Mewtwo was the poster child for Mega Evolutions leading up to release, being displayed as a teased legendary evolution months in advance while Lucario was the premier Mega Evolution within the story of X and Y, going as far as stating that it was the first Mega ever discovered.

Expect to see this battle play out in Smash Bros.

So Mewtwo fans, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. For now, check out Lucario’s screenshots below. Do you think anyone will actually get cut? Who do you want to see get added going forward? Sound off below!

Sonic and Friends Get Drastic Makeover In The Upcoming ‘Sonic Boom’

by Josh JacksonFebruary 7, 2014

A new Sonic game!? Who would’ve guessed?

Sega has announced Sonic Boom, an upcoming Wii U and 3DS title bringing Sonic and friends back into our living rooms. Details on game play are thin, but the trailer shows the gang speeding, climbing and fighting off enemies in a much larger world that comes off as more combat heavy than Sonic is used to being. But wait, what’s up with their look?

The elephant, (hedgehog?) in the room is the character redesigns. Amy and Tails look fantastic. Sonic? Ehhhh… But what the hell did they do to Knuckles!? I can’t wait to see Dr. Eggman brought back with 300 lbs of pure muscle. Either way, the game has been confirmed to be its own unique universe that will tie in to a new animated series and has no bearing on the core Sonic canon. The more Sonic the better as long as it’s done right I say.

Early images give a very Sonic Heroes vibe.

While the character design is sure to keep long time fans talking, the game play looks to be incredibly solid. The return of Sonic’s closest friends, (meaning NOT Cream, Silver and Big,) is looking to bring plenty of new possibilities considering each one displays their own abilities. With a new developer at the helm, Big Red Button has a chance to breathe fresh life into the series after much of its momentum was halted by the lukewarm reception to Sonic: Lost World.

For the first time in forever, everyone is talking about Sonic. There are still so many questions to be answered. Will any other characters be playable? Will there be simultaneous co op between multiple players? Will Sonic start a romantic relationship with a human girl again? All of these burning details and more will be revealed as we get closer to its eventual release, but until then, check out the debut trailer for the game AND the animated series below and let the speculation begin!

Reminder: Get Your Nostaljunk In For The First ‘Chibi Robo: Photo Finder’ Challenge!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 31, 2014

Got all of that old NostalJunk submitted to your Museums? Good, because TODAY is the last day for the first NostalJunk challenge in Chibi Robo: Photo Finder. This month’s entry is asking for a button, but since the game will accept anything round, it’s a perfect chance to get creative.

What is NostalJunk, you ask? It’s anything you want it to be. As long as it fits the item’s shape, the game asks you to take pictures of a variety of shapes to display in your own personal museum. T-Shirts, toilet paper, cans… Anything you can think of can be displayed in the game.

The challenge will award the top three submissions with special costumes for their Chibi Robo’s, which will be put in a pool of 10 based on Nintendo’s own panel of judges. From there, fans will vote on their favorite entries until the top three are chosen.

Don’t have the game? It’s only $10 on the e-shop and is more fun than a barrel of happy points. Since the full review is still being worked on, let’s just say it’s a great way to put that cash to good use.Time to put your old stuff to good use!

Geekscape Games Presents: The Games of 2014

by Josh JacksonJanuary 13, 2014

If our list of the greatest games of 2013 taught us one thing, it’s that last year was a fantastic year to be a gamer. With that said, 2014 will mark the first full year that all of the now current gen consoles will be available. In addition to the continued stream of solid software for the 3DS while we STILL cross our fingers for the Vita to have a strong showing, there are plenty of games across the board that are worth getting hyped for. With that said, there are some that just can’t be ignored, which is why we’ve compiled the games you should look out for in 2014.

Watch Dogs

Starting off as one of the most anticipated games of 2013, a packed holiday season and the need for some extra development time shifted Watch Dogs into 2014. The ability to essentially hack an entire city promises to bring some fresh ideas to the sandbox genre, and with all of the videos and screenshots shown so far, this one’s looking like it’ll satisfy that action craving too.

Watch Dogs is coming to Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PS4, Xbox One and PC in mid 2014.

Metal Gear Solid V

Buried under all of the controversy surrounding MGS V, (including long time Snake voice actor, David Hayter, getting the boot in favor of Kiefer Sutherland,) is another potential must own from the developers at Kojima Productions. Promising to delve deeper into the motivations of Big Boss and further detail his eventual creation of Outer Heaven, this fifth game will be the first to take the signature stealth of the series into an open world setting. Split into two parts, Ground Zeroes will come to the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One on March 18th with Phantom Pain’s release date still listed as TBD.

The Elder Scrolls Online

After much rumor and speculation, The Elder Scrolls Online was finally confirmed to be a thing last year. Scheduled for a summer release, gamers will finally be able to combine their love for the environments, lore and abilities of The Elder Scrolls franchise with their slightly higher enthusiasm for berating each other in an online setting with their “vast” gaming knowledge. Get ready to pwn some n00bs starting on April 4th for PC and Mac users, while PS4 and Xbox One owners will soon follow suit in June.

Destiny

As the first outing for Bungie since breaking away from Microsoft and the Halo franchise that put them on the map, Destiny has a lot to prove. Thankfully, looking at all of the information we know about the game, it seems like it’s on the right track. Combining their FPS know-how with customizable characters, co op missions and a desolate environment, and we’re looking at what could be considered a marriage between a game like Halo and Borderlands. Destiny will land on September 9th for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

InFamous: Second Son

The first InFamous set the stage for being a super powered conduit with a city as our playground. The second allowed us to combine and expand our powers while fighting in a world where we weren’t the only one with powers anymore. Second Son is looking to build upon the legacy that Cole and company left behind with new powers, upgraded visuals and a new cast that’s truly looking to put the PS4 on the map. InFamous will release on March 21st.

Titanfall

As one of the most talked about games at last year’s E3, Titanfall seems to be the reason to make it to another year for FPS fans. Part arena shooter, part mech fighter, the game has some serious potential in the sense that it can bring a ton of new dynamics to the multiplayer shooter playground. As the first game from Respawn, the team consisting of the scorned devs formerly of Infinity Ward, (the core Call of Duty team,) Titanfall is another title that has a lot to prove, yet doesn’t seem like it will have much of a problem doing so come March 11th, exclusively to Windows, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Project Spark

One of the most impressive pieces of tech shown off at E3, Project Spark is part world builder, part action/platformer and all gorgeous. Using Smartglass technology, players can alter the world, interact with characters and mold their experience with a touch of their finger. Scheduled for a 2014 release barring any delays, Windows, 360 and Xbox One gamers can look forward to put their god playing skills to the test.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Another title that got pushed from the end of last year, Donkey Kong Country appears to be well worth the wait. Considering that Donkey Kong Country Returns was such a fantastic display of what the 2D platforming genre can do, the addition of Dixie and Cranky can only give the good people at Retro Studios even more ideas to squeeze out of the old ape. DKC: TF is coming exclusively to Wii U on February 21st.

Mario Kart 8

The success of Mario Kart Wii and MK7 prove that this series is a gaming juggernaut, selling millions upon millions of copies every time a new entry in the popular racing franchise is released. Every new version brings something new to the table, with 8 being no exception thanks to the anti gravity tracks that were shown off during its reveal. It blew us away at E3, and now we can’t wait to get our hands on the steering wheel again in a few short months. Look for Mario Kart 8 in Spring, also exclusively for Wii U.

Hyrule Warriors

At the end of 2013, Hyrule Warriors went from being completely unknown to being one of the most talked about games heading into the new year. Combining the characters, environments and weapons of The Legend of Zelda with the hack and slash game play of Dynasty Warriors did more than just raise a few eyebrows, but watching the game in action was an incredible sight that turned most of us into believers. Hyrule Warriors has a loose release date of 2014.

Bayonetta 2

Speaking of controversy, the memory of Bayonetta 2 being announced as a Wii U exclusive is still vividly burned in my memory. Despite the outcries of disloyalty, (despite the fact that the game would’ve reportedly never been possible without Nintendo’s funding,) Platinum Games seems to be providing what it’s gained that loyalty with in the first place; tight, refined game play with over the top enemies and characters. Action games don’t get much better than their offerings, and after trying out Bayo 2 myself, I’m comfortable in saying this tradition will carry on strong. Bayonetta 2 is set to arrive sometime in 2014.

Super Smash Bros.

Easily in the running for the most anticipated game of 2014, Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS will bring back the blockbuster mascot fighter to consoles AND will also mark its handheld debut. New arenas, characters, (including Megaman!) and features are sure to make Super Smash Bros a must own on almost anyone’s list. Scheduled for a vague 2014 release, we can calm our excitement with daily updates at smashbros.com… although sometimes I think it makes the wait so much worse!

Chibi Robo: Photo Finder

Another late 2013 surprise, Chibi Robo didn’t get nearly as much fanfare as Hyrule Warriors before it. Nonetheless, for a series many considered all but dead outside of Japan, seeing Photo Finder get a U.S. release date was a high note for fans of the cult Gamecube classic. Once again being tasked with bringing joy to all around it, Chibi Robo must help create a museum of artifacts by collecting your own household items. Photo Finder is available now on the eShop for an insanely low price of $10, so I suggest checking it out. Expect a full review in the coming days!

Bravely Default

As I mentioned in my preview article, Bravely Default hits all the right notes for old school RPG fans looking for a nostalgia trip. Its tough enemies, interchangeable job system and classic fantasy setting blends in well with the new features added, especially the Brave, Default and StreetPass functions. Are you an RPG and a 3DS fan? Then mark February 7th on your calendars, because Bravely Default is looking like a fantastic ride.

Yoshi’s New Island

Produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island, Nintendo is looking to bring the modern feel to the classic Yoshi game play in the same way New Super Mario Bros has for gaming’s most popular plumber. Coming this spring, Yoshi’s New Island is looking to kick off a great year for Mario’s noble steed, especially if Yarn Yoshi makes it into 2014 as well.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy

2014 marks the year of the gentleman with a double dose of Professor Layton. First up, the Professor, Luke and Emmy will head off towards their final showdown with Descole in Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy, which will simultaneously serve as the final game of the prequel trilogy AND the reported final game of the series. With more mysteries, picarats and puzzles you can tip your top had towards, this beloved series will get the sendoff it deserves come February 28^th.

Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney

The second Layton game this year will be the crossover that many have been clamoring over for what feels like forever, (myself included!) After being in localization hell for far too long, 2013 confirmed that we would FINALLY see the Ace Attorney and the Top Hat Professor team up Stateside. Combining the court room drama of Ace Attorney with the puzzle solving challenges of the Layton series, a 2014 release window means we’ll finally get to experience this dream team.

Kirby’s Triple Deluxe

Kirby’s 3DS debut is coming later in 2014 for us, but word out of Japan, (where it just released this weekend,) says that this game is a must own for platforming fans. Bringing back old and new copy abilities alike, with upgraded stage design thanks to foreground and background portions of each level, the long awaited debut of the pink puff ball on the 3DS seems like it will be worth the wait. Plus, the bonus “Kirby Fighter” mode seems like an interesting use of multiplayer, pitting Kirby against Kirby in a fight for copy ability superiority. Keep an eye out as details emerge for this title.

Soul Sacrifice Delta

As one of the better Vita exclusive games last year, it’s no surprise that Soul Sacrifice is getting a follow up with Delta. From the mind of Keiji Inafune, the father of Megaman, this “kind of, but not really” Monster Hunter clone will once again pit sorcerers against various monsters told through the journals of sorcerers of the past, but this time, players will be able to reject the gods by choosing neutral options rather than be forced to sacrifice or save fallen enemies. With a March 2014 release date in Japan, look for it to hit stateside later in the year.

Of course, there are numerous games slated for 2014 that weren’t listed here, but that’s just a testament to how great of a year this is looking to be for gamers across all platforms. Is there a game here that you think isn’t worth mentioning? How about a favorite upcoming title that we missed? Let us know below and let us know what you’re looking forward to in this upcoming year of gaming!

Geekscape Games Previews: ‘Bravely Default’

by Josh JacksonJanuary 10, 2014

If you’ve watched any of the Nintendo Direct presentations over the past few months, then I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about Bravely Default. This 3DS exclusive RPG from the minds at Square-Enix promises to take us to a simpler time, filled with lands to explore, dungeons to crawl in and tough -as-nails enemies encompased in a fantasy setting while also promising a few twists to keep things interesting. After thoroughly exploring the recently released demo of the game, it’s safe to say that there’s enough here to keep old and new RPG fans alike clamoring for more.

Anyone who’s played Final Fanasy V or III, (more specifically, the DS remake from a few years ago,) you’ll feel right at home with Bravely Default. Presented in an almost pop-up book like style that’s further complemented by the stereoscopic 3D, it brings an extra flare to the chibi style character models. Each of the demo’s three distinct dungeons show off different environments that we can look forward to exploring, such as dark forests and abandoned ruins, each with enemies and bosses that will absolutely punish you if you don’t prepare your party. Those who miss the challenge of a SNES era title of this kind will be glad to know that the difficulty is unforgiving, yet fair. And that’s just on normal difficulty.

The strategy needed to take down tougher foes relies on the game’s familiar job system. Ranging from warriors and ninjas to mages and singers, each job fulfills a certain need. While each party member can only use one job at a time, ability points can be spent to carry over learned abilities from other jobs. So if you really like the Ninja’s dual weapon boost, but you also want to keep the Swordsman’s ability to gain extra attacks per turn, you can combine both attributes to accumulate huge amounts of damage. It’s customization like this that makes Bravely Default really exciting.

But most of all, what makes the demo stand out is the new ideas it brings to the table, namely the Brave and Default mechanics. Each turn costs one Brave point, which each party member gains one of every turn. If a party member uses Default instead of attacking, it’s essentially the “defend” option from other RPG’s, except this action doesn’t use the Brave Point you gained from that turn. This makes defense a huge part of any sound strategy, since defending for long enough can allow a party member to use their stored turns to move four times in one round without penalty, minimizing damage while using up their attacks at the same time. I say “without penalty” because you can choose to use up to four Brave Points within a turn as long as you have at least one to use, but if you use more points than you have, that character will be immobile for the amount of turns equal to the amount of negative BP. It’s like overdrawing your bank account, except the penalty is getting smashed in the face by a golem instead of a fee.

On top of all these features in the demo alone, any Streetpasses collected in the demo up to the first 20 will be carried over to the main game. Streetpass for Bravely Default has to be one of the best uses of the feature to date, allowing players to become summons for other characters to use. By setting an action for your Streetpass, anyone who passes you more than once can bring you into battle to perform an action that the sender sets before heading out into the world. On top of this, every time you pass a person, it adds villagers to your town, which then can be tasked with building shops, expanding the town and removing obstacles. The more you have, the faster these tasks are completed, and come in handy big time since many of the items sold here weren’t available in the standard towns.

This is definitely on our most wanted lists.

All in all, my interest in Bravely Default went from me being cautiously optimistic to this becoming a must buy for my 3DS come February. The deep, strategic game play, challenging enemies and Streetpassing galore left me wanting so mcuh more. On top of that, finishing challenges in the demo unlocks items that will be transfered to the full game, so what reason is there for this not to be on your 3DS home screen? Unless you hate RPGs, a challenge or good in the world of course.

Bravely Default will be launcing in stores (including a limited editon at select retailers,) and on the eShop on February 7th!

Josh Jackson’s Top 15 Gaming Moments Of 2013!

by Josh JacksonDecember 31, 2013

2013 was a great year to be a gamer, wasn’t it? While we all look ahead to 2014, let’s take a look at some of the best gaming moments of this past year.

There are definitely spoilers below, so proceed with caution!

15. Rayman Legends music stages.

There were few moments this year that put a bigger smile on my face than Rayman Legends‘ music stages. Combining rhythm with platforming, these stages had you jumping and punching to the beat of some very strange song choices. What better way to reach your goal than by doing it to a mariachi version of Eye of the Tiger?

14. Saints of Rage.

Since Saints Row 2, the open world crime game has had no problem referencing other video games. For example, the not so subtle Mass Effect spoof that lets your character romance every member of your team sans Keith David, (he doesn’t want to ruin the dynamic between crime boss and awesome actor/Vice President you see.) But those pale in comparison to Saints of Rage, a three stage side scrolling throwback to the classic Sega brawler where your character and Johnny Gat relive the latter’s biggest nightmares in 16-bit form. It’s incredible stuff.

13. Disney Infinity Intro

Disney Infinity promised a world of limitless imagination rivaling the films that put the studio on the map. If all of the advertisements didn’t wow you, the developers at Avalanche made sure to do so in the first 15 minutes of the game. Initially controlling a “spark” of imagination, players are treated to a beautiful, ever changing world led by characters such as Rapunzel, Ralph, Vanelope, Anna, Elsa and most importantly, Mickey Mouse. The scene has to be seen to believe, and is one of the most gorgeous moments of any game this year.

12. Cat Bowser

Do you ever wonder why Bowser never uses the power ups Mario comes across? I guess he started to wonder too. In the final encounter of the main campaign in Super Mario 3D World, Bowser finally wisens up and uses the Cat Bell, transforming into one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen with Cat Bowser. To make things worse, this new, furry, more agile version of Mario’s greatest foe comes across the double cherry too, having multiple Cat Bowsers trying to take you out at once. Reminiscent of the excellent end sequence from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, it’s a mad dash to the top, and one of the most exciting stages in a while.

11. Louie’s an Asshole

In Pikmin 2, it was shown that Olimar’s lazy sidekick, Louie, was the one responsible for all the hardships the duo had to go through. Not one to pass up a great opportunity to attempt to murder a group of strangers, Louie takes his douchebaggery to a whole ‘nother level by stealing the new protagonist’s reserve food with about a quarter of the game left. Keep in mind that not only have you gathered this food for hours at this point, but this food is needed for your characters to survive. The worst part is that he’s not even sorry when he gets caught! Yeah, I hope he’s in the next Smash Bros. just so I can pay him back Falcon Punch style.

10. DmC: Dante Fights a Fetus.

DmC was full of controversial moments, but none of which come close to when Dante tries to get Mundus’ attention by killing his unborn son. Little doesn he know that the mother and baby have a bit of a… let’s say symbiotic relationship. The fetus would grow large and drag the mother around while she barked orders at him to kill their foe, all while electronic music played in the backround in a dance floor arena. Yeah… it was weird, but it was awesome. And I sure as hell will never forget it.

9. Lysandre’s “Death” in Pokemon X and Y

Early Pokemon games never shyed from violence. Red and Blue led to Team Rocket killing a Pokemon and Gold and Silver had them cutting off Slowpoke tales and selling them as a delicacy. Since then, the games got much softer, but that changed with Lysandre, Team Flare’s boss and the primary antagonist of Pokemon X and Y. His ultimate plan is to use an ancient weapon to kill most humans and ALL Pokemon in order to reshape this “rotten” world into the perfect image. After going all Doctor Octopus on the protagonists, he is defeated, only to pull a last ditch effor to either use Xerneas’ power to force eternal life on himself and everyone in the building, or bring upon death with the power of Yviltal, depending on the version. Either way, the building collapses and Lysandre is seemingly killed, becoming the first main character in a Pokemon game to die. What makes it worse is that Pokemon X implies that he received eternal life before the building collapsed on him, implying that he’s still alive after being maimed and crushed in the explosion. Harsh…

8. Michael Getting Drugged

Grand Theft Auto V had tons of moments that stood out. Maybe it was the hipster conversation between Michael and Trevor. Maybe it was the much talked about torture scene. But for me? It was when Michael, who was doing his best to repair his broken family and trying to bond with his son, Jimmy, is drugged by his own son. After waking up from his drug trip, Michael finds himself clothesless, carless, and wifeless as his family ends up leaving him after his wife finds out that he was “doing drugs.” If that wasn’t a big enough middle finger, Jimmy keeps the car. Out of all the scumbags that reside in the world of GTA, this solidified Jimmy as the biggest scumbag of them all, which was hard to do considering I grew up with Pete and Pete and Danny “Little Pete” Tamberelli plays him. Ugh… what a bastard.

7. That Bioshock Infinite Ending

It’s been months since I finished Bioshock Infinite, yet the ending still feels fresh in my mind. After finally finishing off Comstock and escaping Songbird once and for all, Booker was ready to end it, making sure that Columbia and the horrors surrounding it would never come to fruition. Using her powers to traverse across alternate dimensions, Elizabeth shows Booker that there will always be a “Columbia.” There will always be a “Booker” and there will always be a “Comstock.” The universe is full of infinite realities, but with similar events unfolding in each one. It is at this point that Elizabeth from multiple dimensions converge on Booker and grant his wish, ending his stay in Columbia as it began with a baptism that washes him of his sins. After his death, each Elizabeth slowly fades away, seemingly erasing their realities and freeing Booker of his crimes by making sure they never happen. It’s incredible stuff.

6. Dying (Tomb Raider/The Last of Us)

Games as of late are striving for more and more realism, so it’s no wonder that this would eventually translate into the way characters die. With The Last of Us and Tomb Raider, they made sure to test this theory as much as possible. Glass through the throat, pikes through the skull, having your throat ripped out, getting your face ripped off… it was the kind of stuff that would make the most hardened gamers cringe. Worst of all? It made it so I couldn’t help but fail QTE’s on purpose just to see how far they would take it. Big, big mistake…

5. AZ (Pokemon X and Y)

Remember that ultimate weapon that Lysandre tried to use? You should, I just talked about it in entry number nine. Anyway, that weapon was made by AZ, an incredibly tall, incredibly dirty and probably incredibly smelly transient that is spotted multiple times throughout the game. It turns out that AZ was a king who lived with Pokemon hundreds of years ago and fought in a great war that cost the lives of humans and Pokemon alike. One of the Pokemon that was killed in battle was his best friend, a Floette that he treasured like no other. In his grief, he harnessed the power of Xerneas to grant himself and Floette eternal life while using the weapon, (presumably with Yviltal’s power,) to wipe out most of his kingdom. Ashamed and grief stricken, his Floette couldn’t live with being the reason for such destruction, so it left AZ, never to be seen again. After a very Return of the Jedi-esque award ceremony where you and your friends receive awards for saving the world, AZ appears and challenges you to a battle, claiming that your passion has helped him see the good in people again. After the battle is over, Floette senses the good in AZ’s heart return and is reunited with its friend, destined to live together for the rest of eternity. This is POKEMON GUYS! And it was one of the most touching, heart felt moments I’ve experienced in a game this year. And I won’t lie, a manly tear almost fell down my cheek. Almost.

4. Ravio’s Reveal (The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds)

Did anyone like Ravio throughout A Link Between Worlds? He barges in your house, forces you to let him live there rent free, then has the audacity to charge you huge amounts of rupees for weapons necessary for your quest. But Ravio had an ulterior motive, one that surfaces at the closing moments of the game. He reveals himself as Lorule’s Link, a protector who was too cowardly to fight for his kingdom, which eventually fell to darkness. Knowing that his Hyrule counterpart would hold the courage he lacked, he snuck off and supported Link in secret, hoping that he could save both kingdoms. After the Triforce is restored, Link and Zelda wish for Lorule’s restoration, creating another touching moment that rewards Ravio’s hopes for him and his kingdom. Plus, he made enough Rupees to retire, so there’s that…

3. The Reveal of The Phantom (Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies)

Over the course of the series, Phoenix Wright and his friends have had to go up against some of the most shocking foes the legal system has ever seen. In Dual Destinies, the big bad is an international spy who is a master of disguise, a person who has long forgotten his own face. But when it’s revealed that the spy is really Detective Fullbright, the bumbling detective that’s been present through most of the game, that’s when it really hits the fan. Apparently killing the real Fullbright months before, The Phantom takes the identity to keep a close eye on Prosecutor Blackquill, the prisoner who potentially held the secret that could blow his cover. When he’s finally cornered, an unseen sniper silences him for the rest of the game, all in the shadows to the pont where we never see his face. This was one of the most rewarding endings of a Phoenix Wright game yet, which is a tall order considering how amazing the stories typically are. I just finished it two months ago and I already can’t wait until the inevitable sixth entry. At least I’ll have Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney to hold me over.

http://youtu.be/HeuU2sZQV-o

2. Beyond: Two Souls Revenge Scene

I’m sure we’ve all wanted to go Carrie on a group of insufferable douchebags at some point in our lives, and thanks to Beyond: Two Souls, we finally get the chance. Early in the game, Jodie, the protagonist of the game, recalls a time where she was sent to a birthday party to try and get used to interacting with kids her age. As many an 80’s movie has taught us, these kids decided to bully her, including burning her with a cigarette and locking her into a closet. The moral of the story? You don’t mess with girls who might have psychic powers. The game gives you the option to unlock the closet and leave, but that’s no fun. Choosing to take revenge against the kids escalates as far as the player wants it to, which includes knocking them out with furnature, stabbing the would be boyfriend through the shoulder with a kitchen knife and setting the whole damn house on fire. The best part? Jodie just kind of sulks out of the house and rides home with The Green Goblin. Like a boss.

http://youtu.be/nVMKqVOHXXA

1. The Last of Us Intro

The Last of Us is a game full of memorable moments, from Tess to Joel’s interactions with Ellie and especially the controversial ending. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING came close to the opening moments of the game. After fighting through mass panic when the in game outbreak is first reaching critical levels, Joel attempts to escape the city with his daughter. It’s not until he comes across a lone soldier that is ordered to kill anyone on site in an attempt to quell the virus, that Joel tries to escape. He gets shot right before his brother kills the soldier, but not before realizing his daugther was fatally shot in his arms. Her cries of pain and fear while tears stream down both of their eyes is haunting, until she stops breathing, leaving Joel in a hysterical panic. And this is all in the intro.

I chose this moment because not only was it powerful, but it set the tone of the narritive and for Joel’s motivations throughout the game, making every distasteful choice he makes throughout the campaign feel somewhat relatable. He’s broken. He’s cold. And why shouldn’t he be? It’s not until he bonds with Ellie that he starts to open back up, which is where the heart of the game lies. But that heart wouldn’t be there without those pivital opening moments. This is why without question, I feel that the introduction of The Last of Us is the best gaming moment of 2013.

Josh Jackson’s Top 10 Gaming News Stories Of 2013!

by Josh JacksonDecember 31, 2013

While all of us at Geekscape are busy compiling our “Best Of” lists of 2013 (check out our favourite games here, and Saint Mort’s favourite albums here), Josh Jackson has gone one step further, listing his top 10 gaming news stories of this past year.

Take a look at everything below, and let us know if you agree!

10. The Great Nintendo Network Crash of 2013

Why not start the list with a hot topic taken from gaming headlines over the past week. After an apparent influx of users logging into the Nintendo Network on Christmas Day, combined with the Japanese release of Pokemon Bank, brand new Wii U and 3DS owners got a taste of what the Nintendo online experience is all about. By that of course, I mean it didn’t work. This caused all those brand new adopters with digital copies bundled with their consoles unable to download their games and led to an indefinite delay of Pokemon Bank that’s still ongoing as of this writing. Since then, at least the Nintendo Network and store are back up, but this is surely a bad sign for a company who has a reputation of being clueless when it comes to online. Speaking of bad press for Nintendo, that leads me to…

9. Nintendoomed

Throughout this year, you couldn’t log on to a video game website without some editorial, analyst prediction or angry blogger declaring that Nintendo is a sinking ship. Poor Wii U sales have led to the conception that the system has “no games” despite having some of the highest reviewed titles of the year. As they say though, perception is everything, and although this doom and gloom scenario tends to ignore the wild success of the 3DS and its software, Nintendo has done little to curb the negative image of their latest home console. It speaks volumes when the Wii U’s reputation of having a poor library helps keep it from selling while the PS4 and Xbox One, two consoles with fewer positively reviewed exclusives than the Wii U had at launch and tied to price tags that are $100 and $200 more expensive, manage to sell more. Regardless, this isn’t the first time Nintendo was declared dead in the water. As the saying goes, “Nintendoomed since 1889.”

8. That Ducktales Trailer!

Be honest. How much did you freak out when the Ducktales: Remastered trailer hit the web? This classic NES title has been beloved for ages, but I can assure you that no one ever expected the game to get the HD treatment. But that’s exactly what happened thanks to Wayforward, Capcom and Disney Interactive. Bringing back the original voice cast with a faithfully recreated version of the nostalgic side scroller put us back in the top hat of Uncle Scrooge, but it all started with that incredible trailer. I had a smile on my face for a week after watching that trailer on repeat while trying to make sure this was still real life. Thankfully, it was very real. And it was awesome!

http://youtu.be/G6d1A2row6I

7. Tomb Raider Fails to Meet Expectations at 3.4 million units sold within its first month.

Remember those old N64 commercials declaring games a “greatest hit” once they sold more than 1 million units over their lifetime? Oh, how times have changed. But even by today’s standards where inflated budgets and big spending are commonplace in the game industry, one quarterly report from Square Enix turned them into the laughing stock of the gaming community. The highly anticipated Tomb Raider reboot somehow missed expectations after selling 3.4 million units in its first month. Let that sink in for a second… 3.4 million units in one month is a failure. How many did they expect to sell? This just goes to show that so-called “AAA” games are caught up in a spending addiction in the hopes that gamers will recoup their losses. When a game is a failure at that many units, the sales aren’t the problem, it’s the budget. But more on that later…

6. Deal With It: The Adam Orth Saga

Early in the year, rumors were swirling about what the next Xbox and Playstation would and would not do. One persistant rumor was that the next Xbox would not function without a constant Internet connection. Adam Orth, a Microsoft employee didn’t see what the big deal was, telling a friend who was upset about these developments to “deal with it” on Twitter. Considering how controversy spreads across the Internet like wildfire, outside parties started to question him on his stance, where he delivered retorts like suggesting that people still buy vacuum cleaners knowing the electricity might go out. But the real story was less with his ridiculous comments, (which he’s admitted to since this incident,) but more with how out of hand the Internet can get. After his resignation, Orth was bombarded with death threats, hate mail and even threats to harm his family, which led him to relocate partially out of fear. No matter how much someone disagrees with someone, I think we can agree that this is disgusting behavior. For better or worse, Orth has become somewhat of a meme for clueless gaming executives, but the price he paid was way heavier than any perceived crime.

5. Capcom is Broke.

On Twitter, Yoshinori Ono stated that Capcom didn’t have the resources for a next gen fighting game, which was puzzling considering how successful Street Fighter IV has been. Roughly a month later, the news broke that Capcom as a company only had $152 million in the bank. With the way gaming budgets are even on current gen consoles, $152 million would be bad for any company, but especially one as big as Capcom. So where did they go wrong? Some people point at the drastic changes in established franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. Some site the company’s recent DLC controversies, such as selling the ending of Azura’s Wrath seperately or locking off completed content in Street Fighter X Tekken to sell at a later date. Others even blame the gaming giant’s recent shift in focus to mobile games, (which enraged their fanbase when the long absent Breath of Fire series was announced as a free to play mobile game.) Most seem to blame them for flat out ignoring their fans when it comes to releasing more Mega Man content, forcing their most loyal fans to give up on them. The worst part? Capcom’s apparent solution is to increase focus on mobile games and DLC, all while Mighty No. 9 is off raising $4 million from crowdfunding and winning over the Mega Man fanbase by providing something that people are eagerly waiting to throw their cash at. Let’s hope that Capcom can turn things around, but it’s hard to have sympathy for their situation.

4. Feminist Frequency

With the Adam Orth story, the idea of people threating the man over comments he made about an imaginary console at the time was ridiculous. But how about being attacked for doing nothing but being a woman with an opinion? It seemed like the media got much more vocal about their distaste for how women are portrayed in the medium, and time after time they were met with disdain from a very vocal segment of the gaming community. It ranged from Carolyn Petit, a reviewer at Gamespot who happens to be transgendered, getting threatened and accused of “trying too hard to be a woman,” because she didn’t like how women were portrayed in GTA V, to gamers being accused of being called “white knights” for being offended at mini games where you can rub a squirming woman who’s tied down by the wrists in a touch screen segment from the Vita version of Dragon’s Crown. Leading the charge was Anita Sarkeesian, a feminist blogger who decided to tackle the subject of female tropes in gaming with her “Feminist Frequency” videos. Since then, a quick search for her Kickstarter or YouTube page shows how much bile is thrown her way simply for challenging potentially negative gaming stereotypes, and she’s gone on record saying that she’s received death threats… JUST FOR MAKING YOUTUBE VIDEOS! While I don’t often agree with her stance personally, this reaction is embarassing, but it kept her in the news for most of the year to the point where saying her name on forums is treated like some kind of dirty word. To get this many people talking about her, she has to be doing something right.

3. Mega Man Invades Smash Bros.

The Super Smash Bros. reveal was always expected to be exciting, but we didn’t quite expect what we got. There was a small glimmer of hope that the impossible would happen and Mega Man would be added to the cast, but we all approached that with cautious optomism. But after the official trailer had ended and a “New Challenger” approached, NES gamers had their collective dreams come true the moment the blue bomber’s eyes lit up. Between Mighty No. 9 and Super Smash Bros. building up so much hype for Mega Man, (literally and in spirit,) it’s bizarre that Capcom has yet to capitalize on this obvious demand. Capcom’s loss is Nintendo’s gain for now, because the collective screams of excitement on that day show that Mega Man is still a software seller. Even months later, Mega Man comes to mind more than any other character when talking about Smash Bros. for myself and many others. The worst part is that we have to wait another year to play it.

2. The Xbox One Saga

Oh boy. Where do we start? This event took so many twists that you would think M. Night Shyamalan wrote it. First, the Xbox is revealed, but hardly focuses on games and answers none of the questions gamers had about the hardware. Then various Xbox executives gave conflicting information on what kind of restrictions it would have, but most of which, including from Xbox head Phil Harrison, pointed at what everyone feared: console DRM. No renting or borrowing. Discs would be registered to the console unless you “gifted” it to a friend, which could only be done once and couldn’t be returned. A “family plan” would later surface as a possible solution, but much like the initial reveal, specific details were non existent. Most of this information would be confirmed at E3, which gamers HATED! Cue Sony who would hold their press conference a few hours later, and pretty much turned it into an Xbox witch hunt, undercutting everything from their DRM policies to their price and their ability to rent and borrow games. The backlash would lead to Xbox pulling a 180 and reversing nearly every unpopular feature of the console, essentially turning it into a PS4 with Kinect. This drew the ire of many in the gaming industry, including former Epic head Cliffy B, who would go on a Twitter rant stating that used games were killing the industry and DRM is necessary. As stated earlier, I think there’s something wrong when muilti million selling games are considered failures, and pirating, renting and borrowing has next to nothing to do with it. With that said, whatever side of the debate you were on, it’s undeniable that these events completely dominated the gaming world for most of the year. There’s only one piece of news that’s big enough to top the start of the next console war…

1. The Steam Box

Rumors of a Valve home console had been swirling for a long time. The popularity of their Steam service was growing every day, so we all figured that it was a matter of time before it would attempt to make a mark on the home market. After a long wait, Valve finally revealed their console, which will run digital Steam games from the comfort of your couch. Why is this so big? Because Valve might make this generation of consoles turn on its head. Let’s face it, Xbox has next to no exclusives worth playing since the Kinect came out, and PS3’s exclusives aren’t typically high sellers, forcing both companies to rely on third party support for the majority of their AAA library. This Steam Box could potentially undercut this third party advantage completely, especially since the service is known for its crazy good sales. This would also introduce DRM to the home market, but most people would agree that not being able to share your 6 game bundle that you paid $15 for is much better than being forced to pay $60 for a game you can’t try before you buy. And to top it all off? This could potentially turn Valve into a first party developer, making games like Portal, Left 4 Dead and… *gasp* Half Life 3 excluve to their console. Sony and Microsoft have fired the first shots, but Valve just might be the ones with the final victory. Only time will tell, but this news might be looked at one day as the news that changed the industry forever, which is why this story was the top story of the year.

‘Pokemon Bank’ and ‘Pokemon Transporter’ Potentially Delayed Due to eShop Crash

by Josh JacksonDecember 26, 2013

Many gamers like myself have been waiting on pin missiles and needle arms for tomorrow’s scheduled release of Pokemon Bank and Transporter, the two 3DS apps that would bring cloud storage to the series for the first time. Not only were users promised a free legendary Pokemon with Celebi, but these programs would allow gamers to transfer over all of the Pokemon that they’ve captured over the last 10 years into their new copies of Pokemon X and Y, so it’s not hard to see why the release was so highly anticipated.

In fact, the only ones who apparently couldn’t see it was Nintendo themselves.

Possibly due to the large influx of new consoles connecting to Nintendo’s servers on Christmas, combined with the Japanese release of Bank, the entire Nintendo Network has been down for nearly 24 hours. Gamers all over the Internet have reported not being able to access the eShop, download their digital games that were bundled with their consoles, and have lost online function in certain games.

Due to the incident, Nintendo has pulled Bank from the Japanese eShop. Furthermore, those who were able to get onto the eShop in Europe and here in the States have pointed out that the release date has been switched from December 27th to “TBD.” It’s safe to say that some more prep might have to go into launching the applications for the rest of the world.

It’s not uncommon for popular downloads to crash servers. After all, the PSN and Steam stores went down yesterday, the latter due to the free Left 4 Dead 2 giveaway yesterday. Without an official statement on the delay, I’m crossing my fingers that Nintendo will have things in order by tomorrow. However, when you consider that millions of people from around the world will be connecting at the same time when the Japanese region alone was a huge reason for the Network to crash, well… let’s just say that a shiny Mew in the Wonder Trade is more likely at this point.

If anything, I hope we get an extra legendary for the inconvenience. Jirachi perhaps? As always, check back with Geekscape for any official updates.

Zelda Confirmed for ‘Smash Bros.’

by Josh JacksonDecember 26, 2013

To coincide with the Japanese release of the The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the latest Smash Bros update has revealed Princess Zelda as the next confirmed fighter for Nintendo’s most anticipated release.

A staple since Melee on the GameCube, it’s no surprise that the keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom would make her return to the battle. Using a variety of magic attacks, Zelda has traditionally been a keep away character with a few situational close range tricks at her disposal. Her close range prowess comes mostly from her alter ego, Sheik, whom she can transform to mid battle.

However, this latest batch of screenshots are 100% Sheik free. Does this mean her transformation has been axed? Or will Sheik be shown on a later date with the focus squarely on Zelda for today? Competitively, Sheik is far more popular than Zelda, so I highly doubt that she’s gone. At the same time, Sheik hasn’t been in a Zelda game since Ocarina of Time, which was the character’s only mainline appearance. Still, I chalk it up to the reveal being tied to a new, Sheik-less Zelda game, so I’ll be patiently awaiting THAT reveal later on.

Check out this new gallery of Zelda in action, including a potentially new attack involving the suits of armor from Phantom Hourglass, and be sure to check back with Geekscape for all of your Smash Bros. news. The title is slated for a 2014 release.

SOURCE: Smashbros.com

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: 12-18-13

by Josh JacksonDecember 18, 2013

Yesterday’s surprise announcement of a new Nintendo Direct was a welcomed one, especially considering Reggie’s reveal at VGX was… lackluster at best. Unlike the last Direct, we had plenty of Wii U news to sift through in between news of an ever growing library of fantastic 3DS games. This show was all about 2014, with a few surprises along the way. Below are the highlights straight from Nintendo’s press release sent out after the stream’s conclusion.

Wii U News

Super Smash Bros.: Rosalina, who was introduced in the Super Mario Galaxy games for Wii and makes a surprise appearance in the new Super Mario 3D World for Wii U, will be a playable character, accompanied by her starry friend, Luma. The game will launch in stores and the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

Note: Check out our thoughts on Rosalina’s reveal here.

Mario Kart 8: New playable characters include Rosalina and various “Baby” Nintendo characters, like Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. New course settings include an airport, the desert and high in the clouds, and vehicles include UFOs, four-wheel ATV buggies, standard karts and bikes.

NES Remix: Select parts from 16 classic NES games have been remixed with new challenges. For example, players might be tasked with completing a familiar Super Mario Bros. stage while running to the left. Or they might encounter a revamped level of Donkey Kongthat allows them to play as Link from The Legend of Zelda series. NES Remix includes Miiverse compatibility, so players with broadband Internet access can show off their skills, complete with cool 8-bit stamps. NES Remix is now available exclusively in the Nintendo eShop for $14.99.

Sonic Lost World: A new Nintendo-themed level is coming to the Nintendo eShop. Yoshi’s Island Zone is now available for free. Done in a Yoshi art style, the level has Sonic speeding through areas filled with pipes, coins, Shy Guys and Piranha Plants.

Note: Isn’t free downloadable content the bees knees? Iwata said a second piece of DLC was coming, but it wasn’t ready to be shown. He hinted that there would be a “Link” between the game’s two versions. Does it need to be said? I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I can’t wait for that F-Zero stage.

At least they’re not the Deadly Six.

Dr. Luigi: The Year of Luigi continues to deliver surprises, with a new title starring Mario’s green-clad brother. Much like the classic puzzle game Dr. Mario, Dr. Luigi requires players to line up color-coded pills to destroy viruses. Dr. Luigi offers different skill settings and attacks in multiplayer games, and an original mode where the pills are, of course, L-shaped. The game comes with a Dr. Mario mode, Wii U GamePad compatibility and online play, so wannabe virus busters from all around the world can compete. Dr. Luigi launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Dec. 31 for $14.99.

Oh Luigi, always bringing home viruses.

Wii Sports Club: Launching today, golf becomes the third sport added to the Wii Sports Club lineup, joining bowling and tennis. In a move not possible on any other system, golf asks players to place the Wii U GamePad controller on the floor in front of their TVs. Players can then use a Wii Remote Plus to swing at the ball on the ground, just as they would a real golf ball, enabling more precise control with each stroke. When they take their swing, the ball flies from the screen of the GamePad to the TV screen in one fluid motion. Wii Sports Club – Golf includes the nine-hole course from the original Wii Sports game, in addition to a newly developed nine-hole course based on Golf US Course, a Famicom game that Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata helped develop more than 25 years ago. Wii U owners can play a free 24-hour trial of Wii Sports Club, which lets players sample all three sports. The trial offer is open to everyone, even to people who previously sampled the 24-hour free trial. A Club Pass for the full golf game, allowing unlimited access, can be purchased for $9.99. Boxing and baseball will be coming to Wii Sports Club in 2014.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Veteran Cranky Kong joins playable characters Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as companions for Donkey Kong. Cranky Kong comes with his own set of special moves that allow him to bounce off enemies and obstacles using his cane. Players who collect 100 bananas in a stage can execute a new move called the KONG-Pow, which turns all enemies on the screen into items. Now that Cranky Kong is setting off on an adventure, instead of overseeing the in-game shop as he did in the Donkey Kong Country Returns game, the aptly named Funky Kong will assist players by offering them items for trade in the game. The game launches Feb. 21 in stores and in the Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo 3DS News

Bravely Default: A free demo of the game launches in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 2, but this is much more than a demo. It’s an exclusive story with hours of content not included in the main game. The full game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 7 at a suggested retail price of $39.99. If players with the full game close their system while the game is active, they might gather additional warriors via the StreetPass feature, but they also earn Sleep Points for every eight cumulative hours of down time. Sleep Points can then be used during battle to change equipment, revive a fallen party member, heal or unleash attacks beyond the game’s usual damage cap. Players who don’t want to wait for their Sleep Points to refill have the option of purchasing SP potions in the Nintendo eShop to refill all three Sleep Points at once. Also launching Feb. 7, a Collector’s Edition including the game, an art book, a soundtrack CD and 34 augmented-reality cards will be available via GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon.com at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe: The game is a side-scrolling platformer, but players can move Kirby to the background and foreground to dodge enemies and solve puzzles. Kirby can also use a new Hypernova ability, which powers up his inhale ability and enables him to suck up everything in his path. The game includes more than 20 different copy abilities, including four new ones created for this game. Kirby: Triple Deluxe also includes two new game modes: Kirby Fighters lets up to four players pick one of 10 copy abilities for their Kirby and then fight to see which is the most effective in battle. Dedede’s Drum Dash asks players to press buttons in sync with Kirby music while jumping and collecting coins. The game is planned for 2014.

Kirby continues his quest for arbor annihilation.

Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder: Everyone’s favorite helpful 4-inch-tall robot is back! This time Chibi-Robo has been tasked with helping a new museum get off the ground. Players are given silhouettes of needed objects, then use the Nintendo 3DS camera to find matching objects, known as NostalJunk, in the real world. Chibi-Robo will also help characters like superheroes and singing sponge-bears with various tasks, all while keeping an eye on his electricity reserves. The game also features community events called NostalJunk Challenges that focus on particular silhouettes, and give players opportunities to showcase their creativity and maybe earn a special outfit for Chibi-Robo to wear in the game. A demo will soon launch exclusively in the Nintendo eShop, with the full version landing on Jan. 9, 2014.

Note: Can I just say that I was all but sure that this series was dead outside of Japan? But not only is this not the case, but it’s coming out in about three weeks? Do yourselves a favor and check out this gem on the Gamecube and DS, and while you’re at it, check out my Underground Games article on the original from a few years ago.

Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter: Pokémon Bank is software that lets players store up to 3,000 Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games. Poké Transporter is an application that lets players take the Pokémon they’ve caught through the years and transferred into Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, as well as Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, and transfer them into Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporterlaunch Dec. 27. Players can download a 30-day free trial version anytime between launch and Jan. 31, 2014. Following the free trial, an annual usage fee will apply for Pokémon Bank. Anyone who accesses a Pokémon Bank box by Sept. 30, 2014, will receive the Pokémon Celebi as a special gift.

Note: Want to know how Bank will work? Check out our overview of the Celebi giveaway and the details of the service here.

Yoshi’s New Island: The game launches this spring, and will be produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island for Super NES.

That’s the end of the press release. While that might be a ton of unexpected information, the crazy part is that this isn’t even all of it! We can’t mention today’s Direct without bringing up Hyrule Warriors, the Dynasty Warriors style Zelda game that came out of nowhere. Oh, and if you’re sitting on a ton of Club Nintendo coins, why not add Luigi to your figure collection with this Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon figurine. At least you won’t have to worry about ghosts in your home any longer.

Check out the video below to check out all of the announcements, and finally find out what would happen if Reggie were to arm wrestle himself. Enjoy!

Tecmo Koei and Nintendo Bring ‘Hyrule Warriors’ To The Wii U!

by Josh JacksonDecember 18, 2013

When gamers thought of the first original Legend of Zelda coming to the Wii U, it was safe to assume that it was the big project that was teased a few E3’s ago. The last thing that anyone expected was a Koei Tecmo developed hack and slash, but I’d be lying if I said that the reveal of Hyrule Warriors wasn’t a welcomed surprised.

Taking place in the Zelda universe with the army wrecking action of the long running Dynasty Warriors franchise, Hyrule Warriors shows off Link in a way we’ve never seen him before. Huge, sweeping attacks that hit hundreds of enemies at once, rapid fire bombs, using the fire rod to wipe out surrounding hoards… this is a battle ready Link that fits perfectly within the new game play style.

Seemingly borrowing a visual style similar to Skyward Sword with locales and enemies pulled from games like Ocarina of Time, it looks like Warriors is looking to be a love letter to longtime fans. What’s yet to be seen is whether or not characters other than Link will be playable. Knowing how Dynasty Warriors is famous for dozens of characters to use, don’t be surprised of other series favorites make an appearance.

I love the Zelda franchise, but I’ve always felt like DW was too repetitive for my tastes. With Hyrule Warriors though, it looks like it’s the best chance to breathe fresh life into both franchises and finally bring those like me into the Koei Tecmo fold.

Check out Link in action in the game’s reveal trailer! Hyrule Warriors will get its release, (and a new name,) in 2014.