Tag: 3DS

Activision Announces The ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’ Dark Edition; Snatching Wallets In The Process!

by Josh Jackson

In a move that will likely surprise absolutely no one, Activision has announced that the upcoming Skylanders: Trap Team, the fourth game in the title that started the “toys come to life”, craze, will receive its very own limited edition.

Titled the “Dark Edition”, Trap Team seems to be following very closely in the footsteps of its predecessor, Swap Force. Each package contains Raider colored versions of the standard pack ins, which include Snap Shot and Food Fight in addition to a Life and Water trap. Coming exclusively to this version however, is this badass looking fire lion, (appropriately named Wildfire), and a black Kaos trap, designed to capture the longtime series antagonist. The package will retail for $99.99.

Collectors are sure to eat this up, and I know plenty of people who wouldn’t mind dropping the extra cash for the alternate colors and bonus figures. Having said that, I REALLY hope this trap isn’t the only way to capture Kaos. The ability to do so has been a big selling point after all. And it’s too bad that they didn’t decide on some other gimmick, since we already got Dark Spyro and Dark Eruptor from the 3DS versions and a Dark Edition of Swap Force. I mean, aren’t there any other ideas other than painting them black? I sense a Rolling Stones song in the distance…

There’s no word as to whether or not this version is a Toys R’ Us exclusive in the same manner the last limited edition was a GameStop exclusive, or if we’ll be able to purchase this from any retailer that we please. But with Disney Infinity brining in Marvel and Nintendo tying their Amiibos to Smash Bros, Skylanders will have more competition than ever when it comes to your toy buying dollar. Let’s hope the game continues to build on its much improved prequel to stay strong in the public eye. See, folks? Competition at its finest!

Do you plan on sticking with Trap Team this holiday, and if so, are you going with the Dark Edition? The Skylanders’ latest adventure will be available for every major platform when it releases in October.

Meet The Leaders Of ‘Pokemon Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire’ Or Become One Yourself!

by Josh Jackson

We’ve been treated with a steady stream of Pokemon Alpha Ruby and Omega Sapphire news since the game was innitially announced, but not quite as much as the latest trailer shows off, giving us a glimpse of the many features the game will bring back from the Hoenn region.

Showing off the changes made to the eight gyms we’ll get the chance to revisit, many of the locations, (as well as the leaders themselves), have received huge overhauls since their last appearance on the Game Boy Advance, (which is the expectation when moving to a 3D engine). But OR and AS look to take it a step further, allowing you to challenge countless gym leaders, or even become one yourself, thanks to the revamped Secret Base feature.

Longtime Pokemon players will remember Secret Bases; locations on the map where you can create a small home for yourself in caves or trees. Their biggest draw however, was that your base would be sent to the last person you traded or battled with, allowing other trainers to visit your base and battle you again via CPU for EXP points. Now, the customization promises to be much deeper, allowing you to design your base like a Pokemon gym. By scanning custom QR codes, players from all around the world will be able to solve your gym puzzle and battle your toughest team.

And if these reveals, (including cosplaying Pikachu), weren’t enough, the trailers end revealed Mega Metagross! While not much of a surprise, considering Metagross was the champion’s signature Pokemon in the originals, it was still great to see it confirmed. Now more floaty and with a Metang attached to its bottom, Mega Metagross is said to gain a small boost to all of its stats in addition to a huge speed boost, which was its biggest weakness in the past. On top of gaining the Tough Claws ability, and what’s left is a monster that’s even more powerful than before… And that’s saying a lot considering Metagross was already considered one of the best in the game as is.

What do you think of Mega Metagross and how long do you think it will take to get banned? How will you dress your Pikachu up? And what kind of gym will you create when the game hits stores on November 21st?

Deal Alert: ‘Inazuma Eleven’ Is Dirt Cheap On The Nintendo eShop!

by Josh Jackson

The World Cup might be exciting, but can your favorite player summon a dragon with the force of his kick?

To celebrate the start of summer alongside all of the World Cup festivities, Nintendo has cut the price of Inazuma Eleven in half, pricing it at a mere ten dollars! Featuring a group of kids as they work towards becoming the greatest high school soccer team in Japan, this sports/RPG hybrid is one that a fan of either genre should definitely look into.

Developed by Level 5, (the talented folks behind such classics as Dark Could, Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni), Inazuma Eleven is the first of a long running franchise that debuted on the Nintendo DS in 2007. Since then, the game has become a monster, spanning sequels and spinoffs across the DS and Wii, multiple movies and two anime series… only they were only released in Japan and Europe. The 3DS release of the first game back in February was the first time us Westerners have had a chance to play it, and if our review is any indication, (which it is), then this is a no brainer purchase, especially at such a low price.

So go ahead and pick up one of those Target exclusive 3DS AR points cards for ten bucks and throw those points at Inazuma Eleven. The sale is valid until July 16 (when it’ll jump back to $19.99), so you won’t have long to take advantage of this awesome deal!

Geekscape Games: ‘Sonic Boom’ Isn’t As Bad As It Looks!

by Josh Jackson

And I mean that in the nicest way possible.

But seriously, when the new Sonic title was unvieled by the former Naughty Dog developers at Big Red Button, I couldn’t remember an Internet hatestorm as big as that in a very long time. Despite the change in appearance for some of our favorite characters, (like whatever the hell happened to Knuckles), some of that anger was quelled when it was revealed that Sonic Boom would be its own series as opposed to being part of the core Sonic universe. Considering we’ve survived the blue hedgehog turning into a warewolf, becoming a medivil knight and falling in love with an underage human girl, I’d say fresh hands on the franchise with no effect on the main timeline can’t be too bad, right?

SonicBoom1

So when you take away the jarring character designs, all that’s left is the game play, right? Well, game play is king as they say, (who they are I have no idea). After trying my hand at the console exclusive Rise of Lyric, it’s safe to say that Sonic Boom is aiming high where it counts, to the point where I wasn’t even thinking of the hedgehog of old when the controller was in my hands.

During my playthrough, the influence of games like Uncharted was immediately noticable, placing this version of Sonic and friends in the roles of treasure hunters. The demo gave me the ability to switch between Sonic and Knuckles on the fly with both characters on screen at all times. Certain areas can only be accessed by using a particular character’s special ability, (like Sonic’s spin dash or Knuckle’s knuckles). Yes, there are still core mechanics synonymous with the franchise, so each cast member will have a distinctive role in how the adventure proceeds. You might be reading this and think, “Hey, that sounds great for co-op!” Well, I’ve got good news on that front, because full jump in/jump out co-op play is confirmed for the title as well. Now all I need to do is find some friends…

With a much bigger emphasis on exploration and platforming over speed, much of the demo was spent fighting enemies and solving puzzles, most of which needed the crew’s new tether called the Enerbeam. The beam was used for pulling and throwing enemies with a spin of the control stick as well as pulling far away platforms towards you to advance. Combined with actual attack combos that consist of more than just jumping on things and a health bar that’s tied to how many rings you collect, and you’re looking at a huge departure in Sonic’s standard game play to go with the visual change.

SonicBoom2

And as they say, change is scary, but it can also be a good thing. So far, Rise Of Lyric is looking to be a VERY good thing, breathing some fresh life into an on again off again series. I wish I could say the same for the 3DS version, Shattered Crystal, but the brief moments that I had with it made the portable version feel inferior. Developed by Sanzaru Games, (the team behind The Sly Collection and Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time), the 3DS game acts as a 2D side scrolling maze. Four of the playable characters were available to switch between at once with the tap of the touch screen, including series newcomer Sticks the Badger, using their unique abilities to reach areas that the others cannot. Compared to its console counterpart, the puzzles, action and stages felt much more one dimensional, and felt more like a chore than fresh. When you take away Sonic’s trademark speed, you have to have a solid bag of tricks to back the game up. So far, Shattered Crystal has some catching up to do.

With months left before the release though, there’s plenty of time to do just that. When reflecting on my play time, I feel like Sonic Boom just might be the right direction for the franchise to go in after all. The new ideas that the console version introduced made me excited for what the future holds, but we’ll have to wait until November to see if it avoids the Sonic Cycle.

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Inazuma Eleven’

by Josh Jackson

I don’t know about you all out there in this strange land we call the Internet, but I tend to really like games that think outside the box and blend genres. Portal blended the FPS and puzzle genres while Mirror’s Edge did the same for platforming and both were praised for it. But who would have ever thought an RPG and soccer could go so well together?

Not only do they go together, but they do so incredibly well, thanks to the masterful hands at Level 5, (of Professor Layton and Ni No Kuni fame). In Inazuma Eleven, players are put in the very capable cleats of Mark Evans, an overenthusiastic goal keeper who aspires to lead the Raimon Junior High soccer club to a championship, achieving both his and his late grandfather’s dreams in the process. The only problem? The rest of the team couldn’t care less about the sport, preferring to lay around in the club house and do absolutely nothing. Things look grim for Mark when the school threatens to disband the club if they lose an exhibition match to Royal Academy, a team that’s gone undefeated for 40 years. But when a new transfer student arrives at Raimon who also happens to be a star soccer player, Mark realizes that recruiting him might lead to a turn the team’s fortunes around.

So surely you must be asking how a soccer RPG would even work at this point. Surprisingly, the way the game is laid out is much more traditionally than you’d expect. Obviously, you’re going to spend a ton of time on the field, but Inazuma is more like sports meets a 32 sided die. Entire matches are controlled with the stylus, drawing paths for players to travel and tapping spots on the field where you want the ball to go. This control scheme has a moderate learning curve at first, but it’s nothing that practice won’t fix.

Inazuma Eleven Screen 2

When players make contact, a clash initiates. Each teammate has their own set of stats ranging from kick strength, ball control and speed, as well as one of four elements that has strengths and weaknesses against the other three, all of which come into play during these battles. From there, each player involved has one of two options, a move that has a lower chance of success, but has a higher rate of keeping the ball if successful, or a move that is more likely to succeed, but comes with a higher risk of losing control of the ball or getting a foul called. When regular moves just don’t cut it,the team can eventually unlock special moves, the soccer equivalent to magic spells. These lead to some really fun animations that show players summoning gods to block shots, conjuring tornadoes to incapacitate opponents and shooting goals with flaming kicks. It’s like Shaolin Soccer meets Blitzball, and it’s a complete joy to play.

To add to the depth, each player and ability has an element, creating a rock-paper-scissors mechanic to an already complex game. With four types in play, (water, fire, grass and ground), how you balance your team is one of many aspects to keep in mind when you’re putting together the best club possible, especially if the opponents favor any one type. But before you get too trigger happy with the flashiness, each player has their own FP and TP, (this game’s equivalent to HP and MP), so deciding when the best time to pepper your kicks is a huge part of the game’s strategy.

Most of the game is spent exploring Raimon Junior High or the rest of Inazuma Town’s multiple areas while discovering treasure, secret training points and story missions along the way. And since apparently EVERYONE but your team loves to play the sport, different clubs will challenge your team as you walk through the city, essentially acting as the game’s random battles. Talking with the various NPCs throughout the city can result in the acquisition of quests, leads to new players and stat boosts for your party. In addition, your team managers can court members of teams you’ve defeated onto your side as well, with hundreds of potential players at your disposal. With so many possibilities, it makes the local multiplayer matches that much more interesting, since you’re not likely to play the same team twice. It’s just too bad that there’s no online play, because as great as this game is, it’s a niche title that’s an eShop exclusive. Good luck finding anyone locally to play with…

Inazuma2

With so many players to recruit, it’s a good thing that Inazuma Eleven gives you so much time to play with them all. The story mode consists of ten chapters, each one featuring a different team that’s looking to take you down. Almost like a villain of the week anime, each group ranges in levels of ruthlessness, to the point where some are willing to hurt, manipulate and even kill to ensure their success. Whoa! Soccer is serious business! The 12-ish hours the story provides will leave you surprised at how far the characters will take their obsession, but it’s right up the alley of your standard anime story. Only, you know… soccer!

But as fantastic as I found Inazuma Eleven, there are a few noticable areas where it fouls. First off, the game comes off as incredibly dated from a presentation standpoint. It’s true that this game is a port of an old DS game, and it shows on the 3DS, especially compared to other games, both eShop and retail wise. The game has a fairly steep learning curve as well, throwing you head first into matches with little direction. The relentless AI doesn’t help matters much either, making the first games frustrating. It took me a good hour or two to become decent, which was partially because the opening tutorial sections don’t explain some vital pieces of information such as what each stat does. Sticking through it is its own reward though, since the game gets so better and better as it progresses.

That is, until the end. While most of the game can be played grind free after the opening moments of Inazuma, the end game serves up a sudden difficulty spike, forcing your team to spend a few padded hours building their strength, even if you never skip a random battle. When you consider that you can only build up a handful of players at one time, this can take a long, tedious amount of time before you’ll be able to push through the end of the game.

Inazuma3

To rub salt into the would, the final battle takes place after a long string of  unskippable cutscenes, forcing you to go through the painful punishment of sitting through them again… And again… And again… This wouldn’t have been possible if the game gave you a retry option when losing story matches, but instead, the developers opted with an instant game over, taking you back to your last save. Mildly annoying during the standard story, and mind numbingly angering at the end, when you consider final bosses SHOULD be able to beat you the first time in, most players will have to sit through this frustration at least once, which is one too many times for me.

But even with those complaints, Inazuma Eleven scores in almost every other area. Dispite it showing its age as a DS port, the game play is never dull, the story is completely absurd, (in the best way possible), power ups force the game to evolve as you progress and the music is as charming as you’ll find from more recent releases. Most of all, the game is a truly unique experience that both RPG and sports game fans will be able to get a ton of mileage out of, making this cup one that can’t be missed!

tl;dr
+ A near perfect blend of soccer and RPG game play, creating a unique game play experience.
+ Both defensive and offensive powers keep the game fresh as you progress through the ridiculous anime style story.
+ Hundreds of characters to recruit and level up, creating countless unique teams to be discovered.
+ The ability to take your custom teams and play against other players locally, (if you can find any).
– As a DS port, the game’s visual presentation shows its age, especially for making its Western debut on a more powerful system.
– Late game grinding forces the final moments to come to a screeching halt.
– Instant game overs during story games create more backtracking than should be necessary.
– The tutorials don’t explain the game as well as they could have, especially with the unique game play mechanics introduced by the series.

Final Score: 4.25/5

E3 2014: ‘Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call’ Hits All The Right Notes

by Josh Jackson

Final Fantasy has seemed eager to hit every genre possible over the last few years, but most of the spinoffs haven’t come close to being as enjoyable as Theatrhythm, the rhythm title that blended RPG elements with touch based music mashing to the beat of the best themes to come out of the legendary series. Now with a sequel on the horizon, Square Enix is hoping doing everything they can to make sure Curtain Call is bigger and better in every way, and based on their E3 showing, they’re on track to do just that.
If you’ve played the original, then game play will be immediately familiar. After creating a party of four characters spanning the entire Final Fantasy series, your team then attacks monsters to the beat of the music. Tapping, swiping the stylus or sliding it along paths depending on the prompt will build up successful combos, which makes your group stronger and results in bigger, better bonuses. Also making their return are the Field Music and Event stages, which involve the character traveling to a new area or tapping to the tunes of popular cutscenes respectively.
While I didn’t get a chance to try them in the brief demo that I played, new features will include a Vs. mode, an Airship Field Music mode, (like the original field stages, only with the fantastic airship music in the background), and a new Critical Hit Trigger power up, which increases the chances of getting critical hits during battle. Think Star Power in Rock Band, only with monster smashing!

 

Theatrhythm Curtain Call Screen 1

With multiple new modes, over 60 playable characters and 200 songs, is there any reason NOT to be interested in the upcoming sequel? If you loved the first one, missed it, but love the music of Final Fantasy, or you’re a rhythm gamer who needs a solid fix, this one is looking like more and more of a no brainer by the day. The Square Enix Store even has an exclusive limited edition for the hardcore fan! But regardless of which version you get, it’s looking like Curtain Call will surpass its predecessor in every way. What more can you ask for?

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will release exclusively for the 3DS on September 16th.

E3 2014: Will You Become The Hunter Or The Prey In ‘Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate’?

by Josh Jackson

Hunters throughout the West have sat back in envy as Japan has enjoyed the latest Monster Hunter title since late last year. While the idea that we’ll never get to see the standard version of the fourth game isn’t a pleasant thought to take in, at least it seems Capcom is cutting the crap this time and skipping straight to the Ultimate version.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is the updated version of the original game that came to Japan, featuring giant weapons and even bigger monsters both new and old at our disposal. Coming exclusively to the 3DS, weapons like the Insect Glaive and Charge Blade join tried and true favorites like great swords and bowguns to help prove your superiority in the wild. Checking out the action in the latest trailer, it’s definitely looking like a hunt we won’t want to miss. Let’s just hope there won’t be a Ultra Hyper 2016 Edition down the road…

What monsters are you looking forward to fighting when Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate releases in early 2015?

 

E3 2014: ‘Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney’ Is Ready To Deliver Its Own Brand Of Truth!

by Josh Jackson

It’s been over three years since one little trailer brought the gaming community to tears, collapsing in sheer joy over the thought that the impossible was now possible. That trailer would bring two worlds together, more significant than anything that was going on in our collective lives at that moment. This trailer… was Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a dream team of crime solving, mystery seeking, puzzle loving juggernauts that sent both fan bases into states of shock.

Then time passed… the game released in Japan without a whisper as to when, or even IF the game would be localized anywhere else. It wasn’t until a few months ago that a U.S. release was confirmed during one of the Nintendo Direct presentations, but it wasn’t until E3 that we FINALLY, have our own full fledged release trailer. Spoiler alert: it’s all kinds of awesome.

Taking place in a fantasy world formed by the pages of a magical book, Layton, Phoenix, and their assistants, Luke and Maya, are tasked with solving the mystery of the witch hunts. The trailer shows off tons of animated footage from the game in action. This comes with the territory for Layton fans, but the snippets of footage in Dual Destinies were never at this level of detail, even though the voiceovers are a little iffy for the Ace Attorney crew. Maybe it’ll be easier to get used to once we put more time into it?

Combining game play from both series, players will solve puzzles, seek out hint coins and solve mysteries with Layton, while Phoenix is shown battling witnesses and prosecutors in court as he proves his client innocent during the witch trials. Even the judge looks just like his modern day counterpart! Ah, some things never change.

Even though the game has been completed for awhile, we only have to wait a few more months before we can play the title ourselves and safely tread the Internet without fear of spoilers once again. Check out the trailer and tell us how excited you are about this team up finally finding its way to us on August 29th.

E3 2014: Hands-On With ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’

by Josh Jackson

The original Disney Infinity left a big impression on me, so much so that I considered it my game of show at last year’s E3. With the promise of multiple single player campaigns in the form of play sets combined with a nearly limitless level designing tool in the toy box, the possibilities seemed to echo the title. Much of these impressions carried over to the actual release, although my expectations fell short in certain areas, namely the same-ness of many of the characters, how bare bones some of the play sets felt and how the game initially promised to not need sequels while possibly replacing movie tie in games with Infinity content, (which was quickly proven wrong by the 3DS’s Olaf’s Adventure and the very game we’re talking about).

Still, the game had a ton of untapped potential that a sequel could capitalize on, especially because of Disney’s acquisition of giant properties like the Marvel universe. With that in mind, playing 2.0 was a top priority for me this year, both as a fan of the original and someone who was eager to see if Disney Interactive would adapt to the comic book universe or perish in a sea of broken promises and failure to improve. After an in depth playthrough of the game’s two play sets, I’m happy to say I’m leaning towards the former.

InfinityCap

To me, the biggest problem with Disney Infinity was that the campaign style play sets mostly felt like samples of what could be done in the toy box as opposed to fully fleshed out games, (aside from the Pirates set, most of what each was built from was ripped straight from Toy Box). With 2.0, this criticism has been fully addressed, giving us a huge open world city to explore as our favorite characters. The Avengers version of New York is promising to be more than twice as big as The Incredibles, with capsule toys, side quests and story missions still waiting to be found, all put into context by a full story penned by longtime Marvel scribe, Brian Michael Bendis. It’s a huge improvement from the opening and ending cutscene that greeted us at the end of the first game’s stories.

On top of that, the increased level cap of 20 allows us to unlock between 20 and 30 skills per character, which is a huge improvement compared to the original’s puzzling decision for level ups to mean absolutely nothing aside from unlocking new Toy Box parts. Making this even sweeter was how different each character felt. Firing off trick shots with Hawkeye, throwing down with Captain America, web slinging between buildings as Spider-Man or flying through the city at top speed with Iron Man felt distinctive, as opposed to many of the first game’s characters playing or feeling exactly the same. To top it off, the heroes each have a unique super move with varying in levels of awesomeness, (like Iron Man’s missile barrage vs Black Widow’s… invisibility turning? I know who I’m not playing as…)

InfinityHawkeye

Even the original game’s characters are getting skill trees when they’re transferred into the new games, although theirs won’t be as robust as the new characters being brought in. Still, the fact that they’re getting upgraded at all is a great way to reward players who maxed out their figures despite their lackluster move sets. Plus, maybe some characters can be more fleshed out this time, specifically Anna and Elsa. The developers obviously knew very little about since they were developed before Frozen was released, so let’s hope they can be done justice the second time around.

Joining the heroes will be new power discs that were on display for the E3 demo. Aside from the Toy Box backgrounds, perks and weapons that came with the blind pack DLC of the original, Marvel’s version will also include sidekicks who fight at your side for a limited time, and costumes for specific characters. Ever get the feeling that you want to play as Captain America in his First Avenger gear? Or how about black suit Spidey? Ever wanted to fight side by side with The Winter Soldier after he blew us away in the latest Phase 2 film? Now’s your chance, with these discs that feel like a lot more than just fluff. My wallet is going to hurt.

InfinityIronMan

On the mission front, both the side and story missions felt more involved, forcing me to travel through more of the city to accomplish whatever the goal was. Whether it was racing on Nick Fury’s bike to escorting a scientist to key points in the city as symbiotes were viciously attacking us, these missions made the game feel like a full fledged experience. And while some of the bonus quests I played were still ridiculously easy, some of them presented a nice challenge, like the web slinging missions that I couldn’t get better than a bronze in.

If someone would have told me I was playing the new kid friendly Marvel game and not one that’s attached to a world building simulator, I would have completely bought it. But to think that a game where the single player content is more of the side dish to the Toy Box’s entree plays so well surpassed what I expected after playing the first game. I’m not sure if it’s a testament to Infinity’s developers or a knock at the other guys when web slinging feels more fun in this spinoff than it does in a core Spidey title. My only complaints are that there were some massive bugs, causing mission sensitive enemies to teleport across the map, and that traveling with non-flying or swinging characters felt like a chore. Having to drive as Black Widow when Thor can zip from one end of the map to another in minutes leaves an unbalanced feeling.

Both areas are said to still be in development, so let’s hope these get patched up come September.

http://youtu.be/W1P3b4YU8so

E3 2014: ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Goes Ultimate With The Announcement Of The Spider-Man Play Set!

by Josh Jackson

Whoa, Disney Infinity 2.0 hasn’t been announced for more than a month and we already have our second play set on its way!

Scheduled to launch day and date with the Marvel Super Heroes starter pack, (which comes bundled with an Avengers play set already), early buyers will also get the chance to swing through New York with Spider-Man, starring in his own adventure alongside some of his amazing friends.

Centered around a plot by The Green Goblin and Mysterio to harvest Venom’s symbiote, Venom clones are running rampant throughout the city, and it’s up to the web slinger to stop this latest attempt to take control of the city. Thankfully, he’s not the only one who has arrived to stop the threat, with Nova, Iron Fist, Nick Fury and Venom himself joining the fight, complete with their own figures to display when you’re not playing.

The Spider-Man play set will come bundled with the wall crawler and Nova, while the other three will be sold seperately, likely as individual characters and in a set. While details on pricing, bundles and future characters aren’t known yet, I’d be willing to bet that it would cost around $35 like the play sets for the previous games. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Goblin and Mysterio bundled with Avengers villain, Loki, at some point. After all, Randy, Syndrome and Davy Jones were all released for the first game, so it wouldn’t be too much of a shock.

If you wanted to know more about the upcoming play set, check out the trailer below and tell us if you’re planning on emptying your wallet for the Marvel and Disney mash up. Both Disney Infinity 2.0 and the Spider-Man play set are rumored to release on September 23rd.

http://youtu.be/clajnwqBNr4

Has Walmart Leaked The ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Roster?

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

-Stitch

-Donald Duck

-Tinkerbell

-Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6

-Drax

-Rocket Raccoon

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

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

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

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

Source: vinylmationkingdom.com

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

It looks like new Mega Evolutions are on their way!

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

Persona Q Collectors Edition

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

The Newest Update Video For ‘Mighty No. 9’ Has Us MEGA Excited!

by Shane O'Hare

The team over at Comcept have just put out this new update video for their Kickstarter success story, Mighty No. 9. The spiritual successor for Megaman is looking more and more amazing the further the project goes.

http://youtu.be/q1iEFfOBP1o

Amassing over Four Million USD, Mighty No. 9 is the brainchild of Keiji Inafune. He wanted to bring the best of the 16-Bit era side scrollers to today.

You can grab Mighty No. 9 sometime in April 2015, and it’s on pretty much everydamn platform including; PC, MAC, Linux!

 

Check Out The First Clips Of ‘Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’ In Action!

by Josh Jackson

Hoenn confirmed!

Last week, Nintendo officially announced Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the long speculated remakes of the Game Boy Advance originals. However, aside from the confirmation and worldwide release date, nothing else was said about the 3DS titles.

Sensing our thirst for more, Nintendo has released a trailer showing off the cover legendaries, Groudon and Kyogre… but not much else.

Well… it’s better than nothing, right? Either way, it looks like forthcoming information is going to be a slow burn until its November release date. Either that, or they’re saving the big news for the upcoming E3 Expo. Still, it makes you wonder why we haven’t seen 3D Hoenn yet, but if history is any indicator, there are sure to be some surprises in store for Pokemon trainers around the world when the release date finally hits.

If anything is announced in the coming weeks, you can count on Geekscape to bring you all the incoming details as they’re released.

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy’

by Josh Jackson

If you would have told me six years ago that a game about a puzzle loving professor who solves mysteries through a variety of brain teasers would become one of the most popular franchises on a system with as much competition as the Nintendo DS, I… probably wouldn’t have doubted it. After all, games like Brain Age were huge at the time. Still, it’s hard to believe that a game of this nature would have such staying power with a loyal fanbase, but that’s exactly what the Professor Layton franchise has earned. Now that we’re on game six, developer Level-5 has decided that it’s time for Layton to hang up has hat, but not before his final adventure, Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. While the finale brings a fitting end to the prequel trilogy with hundreds of puzzles in tow, it’s not hard to see why the top hat gentleman didn’t want to overstay his welcome.

Azran Legacy picks up where the previous game, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, left off. Following Layton, his apprentice, Luke, and his assistant, Emmy, the group is contacted by Professor Sycamore, a fellow archeologist who has discovered a living mummy. The mystery surrounding this find may be the key to unlocking the secrets to an ancient civilization that was advanced beyond its years, but after an evil organization tries to claim this discovery for itself, it becomes a race that will take them around the world to unearth the secrets of the Azran people.

Layton1

If you’ve never played a Layton game, (and if you haven’t, you REALLY should, starting with Last Spectre since it’s the start of the current trilogy), the idea is that players will guide Layton and his friends through a variety of prerendered maps in a point and click style of game play. Examining and tapping the environments on the touch screen will lead to NPC conversations, new areas, hint coins that are used to purchase clues when you’re stuck, and of course, puzzles. In these titles, puzzles can consist of math, measuring, logic or pattern based challenges amongst others. Solving them awards a certain amount of Picarats depending on its difficulty, which are like a score that will earn some post game goodies depending on how high the count is. Naturally, you can’t score high if you’re terrible at puzzle solving, which is why the score goes down each time you get an answer wrong, so you’ll have to be careful.

While progression in terms of puzzle solving is mostly open ended, key points in the story require you to have a certain amount of puzzles solved before you can advance, so mopping up as many as you can solve is a big priority. It helps that even after all these years, solving a puzzle you’re unsure of is a surprisingly rewarding experience, so why wouldn’t you want to? Lastly, certain puzzles unlock items for additional mini games that are found throughout the story, which are great when you want to take a break from the standard fare. For a puzzle game, this series has always had plenty of content, and Azran Legacy is no different.

In terms of the story, Azran Legacy is a bit of a departure from its predecessors. For the most part, the first five games stuck to one locale for the crew to thoroughly explore. In this game however, the environments are divided into multiple smaller sections, each with their own mystery to solve on the way to the bigger prize. The highlight of my playthrough was meeting all of the quirky characters, solving the mysteries of each land and reaching their satisfying conclusions.

Layton2

The only drawback from these splintered sections is that their brief run times keep you from getting attached to these stories compared to the full experiences of the previous games, and it’s unfortunate that this problem spreads to the overall narrative. Considering that the game serves as the big payoff for the prequel trilogy, we spend so much time with sub plots that the climax of the story ends up feeling rushed and sloppy. Don’t worry, this is a spoiler free zone, so I won’t go into details, but I will say that some moments that should be shocking are cheapened because twist after twist hits you within the last two hours. It feel s like when a TV show is going to be cancelled, so the writers tie as many loose ends up as possible within two episodes. Layton’s final adventure deserves better, but sadly, that’s not what we got.

Story aside, as a huge fan of the franchise, I can see why the developers decided it was time to let go. It’s true that most of the puzzles are still expertly crafted, but the novelty of being “reminded” of puzzles by examining a water jar while the world around you is falling apart has largely faded. Six games in, and its formula has started to feel very paint by numbers. Now, that’s no fault of the game itself, but is a byproduct of being the sixth game in a series that can’t innovate too much by the nature of its premise. Even the mandatory story puzzles, (and most of the optional ones), feel much easier than in previous games, taking away some of the challenge we’ve come to expect. It’s hard to say whether or not this is because they were made intentionally easier or if I’m just used to the game after so many hours spent playing them, but it’s hard to argue against the former considering many of the puzzles don’t let you submit wrong answers. I always considered the story and puzzles to be the highlights of the Layton experience, so with those areas on the decline, I didn’t walk away from this one as happy as I have with its previous entries.

Layton3

Thankfully, when this game excels, it does so in a big way. The music is still top notch, with old tunes being brought back to accompany plenty of new, charming tracks which continue the trend of catchy audio for the series. Bringing back the 3D models from Miracle Mask, each of the animations are fluid and full of character, not to mention that the game features some of the most eye popping use of the gyroscopic 3D I’ve seen yet. As always, the animated cutscenes are fun to watch, and serve as a well-deserved reward for reaching important plot points.

Overall, the legacy Professor Layton leaves behind is as legendary as the mystery he solves, with Azran Legacy being a fitting, yet flawed finale for one of the most popular handheld franchises of the last decade. Sure, the formula was getting tired and the game’s finale doesn’t pack the punch that a final game should, but that shouldn’t take too much away from the fact that fans of the franchise cannot miss our favorite gentleman’s farewell. With a variety of fun areas to explore, a fantastic soundtrack that continues the series trend, over two dozen hours of content to uncover, free downloadable puzzles every day on top of the 150 in game teasers, and mini games to break up the action, you’ll be forced to forgive the areas where Azran falters. While I’m sad to see Layton go, I’m satisfied to know that Level-5 knew when the time was right to say goodbye. Now, bring on Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney!

The Positives and Negatives:

+ The map variety keeps the environments charming and fresh.

+ Beautiful animations and fantastic use of the 3D make the game a visual treat.

+ The soundtrack is as great as you would expect from a Layton game.

+ More content than you’ll know what to do with, including hundreds of puzzles and mini games.

– The game play formula has worn itself out, with few ideas being introduced.

– The climax of the story is rushed, giving players no time to let major revelations sink in.

– The multiple maps may have divided the story too thin, never allowing us time to grow attached to the characters as much as its predecessors.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Announced With This Teaser Trailer

by Shane O'Hare

No fanfare. No lead up. No hilarious vid featuring Reggie Fils A Mech. Just this very innocuous and to the point trailer.

Announcing Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems! Prepare for an epic adventure exploring a world filled with Pokémon!

Pokémon fans first enjoyed Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version when it launched in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance. Now, a whole new generation of Pokémon fans will experience the dramatic storyline that unfolds in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.

Look forward to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire when the games launch worldwide in November 2014!

They’re really following their formula quite well right here. Make great Pokemon game > Make the third for that generation > Make next generation > Remake last generation.

This isn’t really a “SURPRISE” in anyway, but it is still great news none the less. Sapphire was my last and favorite Pokemon game, and it looks like I am going to be getting Alpha come this November.

Nintendo Dives Into The World Of Season Passes With ‘Mario Golf: World Tour’

by Josh Jackson

For the most part, Nintendo has stayed away from downloadable content until very recently. Adding new level packs in games like New Super Mario Bros 2 and Pikmin 3 amongst others have served as the company’s way of testing the waters with paid expanded content, but it looks like they’re going all in with Mario Golf: World Tour for the 3DS.

If you happened to steer clear of the many Mario spinoffs that have been released over the years, I assure you that Mario Golf has traditionally been one of the better ones. After playing a demo at Wondercon this year, it seems like everything is essentially the same as previous years on the Mushroom Kingdom greens. New power shots accompany the tried and true two click swing mechanics of most mascot golf games of this nature, where pressing A in sync with the power and accuracy meters result in better shots. The demo had standard tournament mode, coin mode where players collect coins with their swings, and ring mode, where the goal is to hit the ball through, well… take a guess.

Mario Golf World Tour Screen 1Fun times were had, but you can’t expect too much change from a golf game.

It was just as fun as I remember it, if not a little familiar. But the most significant change to the series won’t come until release date, when Nintendo launches their first DLC Season Pass with the title. DLC is a sensitive subject for many in the gaming community. Some see it as a great way to expand on a game, while others see it as a cash grab that can be used as an excuse to hold back content for the purpose of selling it later. While some might have seen Nintendo’s attempt at the business strategy as the end of times, their approach with Mario Golf seems to be pretty reasonable.

Adding 108 holes and four extra characters to a game that already features 126 holes to play on, the $15 or $5.99 that the individual packs cost can almost double the amount of content. Starting on May 2nd, (the game’s release date, which is usually a DLC cardinal sin), players can pick up the Mushroom Pack, which comes with Toadette. The Flower Pack with Mario Galaxy star, Rosalina, and the Star Pack with New Super Mario Bros U newcomer Nabbit, will release in the coming weeks. Those who buy the pass will gain exclusive access to Gold Mario, who comes with the Golden Flower power up, causing his shots to generate coins as they travel! Buying all of the individual packs will unlock him as well, but only once the last pack is released.

Mario Golf World Tour Gold MarioAll Gold Everything

While this is all well and good, some fans might still see this as nickel and diming, (which I admittedly did too at first), but considering the game is already being sold at a discounted price of $29.99, including the season pass makes it about five dollars more than a standard 3DS game for double the content. Combined with the online functionality and tournaments that it promises to bring, and it’s looking like a pretty good deal. To top it off, each pack will have demo versions so you can try before you buy. That’s something every piece of DLC should have if you ask me. I could have saved a decent amount on crappy Rock Band tracks if I had known they had boring track layouts.

So what’s the verdict on Nintendo’s approach of their first season pass? Do you think other companies should follow this model, or do you think it’s a slippery slope leading to us having to pay for our special worlds in later installments? Let us know, and be sure to check back for a full review of Mario Golf: World Tour in the days after its release.

Geekscape Games Previews ‘Kirby Triple Deluxe’

by Josh Jackson

While walking through the halls of Wondercon, there were two thoughts on my mind: where the hell could I find a new Huntress book to add to my collection and where were all the games? Thankfully, Nintendo had half of that problem solved, displaying many of their most anticipated games for the public to experience before their release. One such title was Kirby Triple Deluxe, the 3DS debut of the pink puffball. But with so many games under his belt, could Kirby still have that platforming magic? If my brief time with the demo was any indication, it’s looking like he’s got a few tricks left in his cooking pot.

Kirby Triple Deluxe Screen 1

As you’d expect from a Kirby game, Triple Deluxe has players floating through bright stages while inhaling and absorbing powers from enemies. New to this title are a larger variety of attacks that can be pulled off with each power, so even classic abilities like the sword or beam forms have new ways they can be used. Even the stages themselves feature a foreground and background, making the most of the 3D feature of the handheld. Even old bosses like Whispy Woods make their return, complete with updated boss battles that have just enough nostalgia to bring back old memories while still feeling new.

Most importantly, Kirby’s new ability to inhale entire screens of enemies was definitely the highlight of my playthrough. We focus on Kirby’s copy ability so much that it’s easy to forget that all he could do is inhale once upon a time, so it’s nice to see his original move get its own spotlight. Solving puzzles by pulling blocks, creating mass havoc for helpless enemies and an impressive destructive effect all make this ability one to look out for.

Kirby Triple Deluxe

With the promise of a ton of replay value thanks to Streetpass, collectable keychains and a full on versus mode, Triple Deluxe is looking like a worth successor to the Kirby line. Of course, the biggest flaw with the series has always been with its lack of difficulty, but let’s hope the expanded abilities have brushed off on the enemies as well. Nonetheless, it’s safe to say that this one should be on your radar when it releases tomorrow, May 2nd, so be sure to keep an eye out for our review in the coming days!

Capcom Takes The Ace Attorney To The Meiji Era With ‘The Great Ace Attorney’

by Josh Jackson

Last month, the Japanese Nintendo Direct teased a brand new Ace Attorney game; one that would be completely different from what we expect. Well, details have finally emerged, and it turns out “different” is a huge understatement.

Tentatively titled The Great Ace Attorney, this title is set to be the start of a new spinoff franchise. Players will take control of Naruhodō Ryūnosuke, who is possibly directly related to Phoenix Wright considering their Japanese surnames are the same. Taking place in Japan during the Meiji Period, (1868-1912), it’s easy to imagine how the legal system, setting and characters will possibly bring some fresh ideas to the lawyer’s desk. And with series creator Shu Takumi back on the job, it looks like this bold direction is being placed in good hands.

Check out the teaser trailer below and let us know if you want to see The Great Ace Attorney make its way stateside!

Source: metro.co.uk

Nintendo Announces Smash Bros. Invitational Tournament

by J.C. Marquez

While passionate Smash Bros. players around the world eagerly await the next Super Smash Bros. installment for Wii U and 3DS, Nintendo looks to bring the Smash Bros. community together this June.

During this morning’s Mega 64/Nintendo video collaboration, it was revealed that Nintendo will hold its first ever Super Smash Bros. Invitational Tournament at the Nokia Theater in L.A., bringing sixteen ‘highly skilled’ players (yet to be revealed) to compete in a Super Smash Bros. Wii U during E3 week. Details regarding how to view the event, either online or in person, will be revealed at a later date.

With so many skilled players at Smash 64, Melee, Brawl, and Project M, who would you like to see get an invite to the Invitational Tournament?

 

 

Capture The Newest Trailer For ‘Monster Hunter 4’!

by Shane O'Hare

Still a year away from a US release, Monster Hunter 4 is poised to be another slam dunk for Capcom. Expanding on the monumental success of Monster Hunter 3 G/Ultimate on the 3DS, 4 just goes bigger and badder. Check out the newest trailer BELOW!

HOT DAMN IS THAT EXCITING! New monsters, weapons and allies make this game look like it’s going to be action packed as all get out. I spotted a giant enemy crab!

Monster Hunter 4 is already out in Japan and Korea, but you can get your hands on an English copy early next year!

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: Smash Bro. 3DS & Wii U Info Extravaganza

by Shane O'Hare

Nintendo’s latest direct is over, but the excitement hasn’t faded. The father of the Pink Puff Ball, Masahiro Sakurai led the event from his studio, and oh boy did he have a bunch of fantastic news for us!

The biggest, and obviously the most important are the release dates. They’ve narrowed down both the 3DS and Wii U windows. Expect 3DS out this Summer and the Wii U version ships this Winter. Both versions will have the same characters and we can expect the game to run in a solid 60 FPS. What I found very interesting is backgrounds and assist trophies will run in 30 FPS so as not to slow down the gameplay.

It’s obvious Nintendo wants to win back the competitive players with this iteration, as they’ve included two online battle modes. “For Fun” will feature all levels, items and only wins are recorded. “For Glory” will feature no Items and only Final Destination is available as a playable battlefield. Wins AND loses will be recorded on the player profile. The most exciting news for this mode is that most of the new levels will have a “Final Destination Mode”. This is basically a re-skin of the very popular Final Destination level from Melee.

Unique to the 3DS version is the “Smash Run” mode. Players are dumped into a dungeon and have five minutes to scour the level for upgrades. Speed, attack, defense, special and more can be collected. Each powerup stacks and gets added to your overall stats. Then its battle time! Sakurai said he took the idea from Kirby’s Air Ride City Trial mode.

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Example of stat changes in Smash Run

An awesome addition for local play and online with friends is the custom move sets. Players will be able to take their favorite fighter and adjust how they are played. No specific details were released but from the footage shown it looks like speed and power can be tweaked.

Gone are the characters that change during battle due to a trigger. No more Zero Suit Samus after the Final Smash; those characters are all now selectable on their own. Samus, Sheik and Charizard have been confirmed.

Notably the most anticipated news was the inclusion of new characters. New to the franchise is Greninja, the final evolution of Froakie (Seriously, fire the guy who names Pokemon. He peaked with Jigglypuff) from Pokemon X and Y.

smash_greninja_1
A ninjas ass frog. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

Be sure to watch the full Nintendo Direct for all the motion picture goodness, and keep and eye out here for more news as it is released.

Check out the full detail list below:

 

“New Super Smash Bros. games are a major event for video game fans everywhere, and present an experience that only Nintendo can offer,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Fans have two launches to look forward to this year, and they will want to get in plenty of practice with the Nintendo 3DS version so that they can be prepared for the launch of the Wii U game later in the year.”

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct. Today’s announcements included:

-Launch windows: The Nintendo 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. is planned to launch this summer. The Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. is planned to launch in winter 2014.

 

–Silky-smooth 3D: Most game-play elements of the Nintendo 3DS version of the game will run at 60 frames per second, all in stereoscopic 3D.

 

-“Smash Run”: Exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version of the game is a new mode called “Smash Run.” In this mode, four players have five minutes to enter a dungeon and explore the surroundings, fight enemies and obtain power-ups to enhance their fighters. Once the five minutes are up, all four fighters enter a battle arena using their newly equipped items and power-ups. Enemies encountered in the Smash Run mode are from a wide range of game series. Multiple Nintendo 3DS systems and games are required for multiplayer modes.

 

-New challenger!: Greninja, the awesome final evolution of Froakie from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, joins the roster as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.

 

-Oldies but goodies: Many of the classic characters from past Super Smash Bros. games that are returning in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS have new powers and abilities. Four characters that have appeared in previous games, but had yet to be announced before this Nintendo Direct, include:

Zero Suit Samus: That’s right, Zero Suit Samus is back, but this time she is her own fully playable character, separate from suited Samus. In the new game, she is given jet boots to make her even more powerful.

Sheik: As with Zero Suit Samus, Sheik is another character that appeared in previous Super Smash Bros. games, but will be a unique playable character for the first time in the new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games. Sheik has new moves like Burst Grenade and Bouncing Fish.

Yoshi: In previous games, Yoshi stood on two legs and hunched over, as if Mario were going to jump on top of him at any moment. This new version of Yoshi stands completely upright, making him an even stronger fighter.

Charizard: After appearing from a Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. Melee and becoming playable by using Pokémon Trainer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this fire-breathing Pokémon is now a selectable character.

 

-Online play: Both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of Super Smash Bros. will offer online multiplayer game play with other players on the same platform. Players with broadband Internet access can battle it out with anyone else who is online and also has the game.

-When playing with random players online, two modes are available: “For Fun” and “For Glory.” In “For Glory,” only Final Destination stage variations are available. There are no platforms, elevated areas or items in this mode. It is a nice, clean battle between characters. In “For Fun,” all stages are picked randomly and all items and power-ups are available.

-When playing with friends, full customisation is available – players can set the rules, stages and items however they want.

 

-Variety of stages: While the cast of playable characters is the same in both versions of the new games, the stages where the battles take place are vastly different, depending on which system a player chooses. The Wii U stages are primarily based on past home console games, while the Nintendo 3DS stages draw from hand-held games for inspiration.

 

-Boss characters, such as the Yellow Devil in Dr. Wily’s Base, will make appearances in some stages. When bosses appear, fighters will have to battle the boss, as well as one another. The boss can even be used in strategic ways to damage other fighters.
-Almost all the stages in both versions of the game will have a “Final Destination form,” an alternate form of each stage that is inspired by the relatively simple layout of the much-loved Final Destination stage.

 

-Items, trophies and Pokémon: Items, assist trophies and Poké Balls all return in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. New to the games are Master Balls, special Poké Balls that contain Legendary Pokémon like Arceus and Xerneas.

 

-Get connected: There will be elements in Super Smash Bros. that link both versions of the games. More details about this will be revealed at a later date.

 

-Custom moves: In a series first, players can now customise move sets when playing locally or online with friends. More information about this feature will be announced in the future.

A ‘Smash Bros.’ Nintendo Direct Goes Live At 3PM Eastern! Watch It Here!

by Derek Kraneveldt

We have no idea what we’ll be seeing in today’s unusual afternoon Nintendo Direct, but as the huge Smash Bros. fans that we are, we’re damned excited.

The show starts in just a few minutes at 3PM PST, so watch it below, and let us know what you think of the announcements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrWL4EuCp5E&feature=share