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Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Project X Zone’

by Josh JacksonJuly 16, 2013

While crossover games have become pretty common in Japan, these games are usually a localization nightmare on other shores. With so many different companies holding the licenses to each series, some gaming gems, like most of the Super Robot Taisen series, (featuring Gundam and Macross units,) and Namco X Capcom, have eluded gamers throughout most of the world. That is, until now, with the release of Project X Zone. A pseudo-sequel to NXC using a battle system similar to SRT, characters from Sega, Namco Bandai and Capcom have joined forces in this turn based strategy RPG. But fan service aside, this is a game that managed to stay entertaining for hours upon end, but not without some major repetition.

Project X Zone tells the epic tale of Mii, the heiress to an ancient artifact that has been passed down for generations, and her ninja butler Kogoro. Once mysterious enemies appear and steal the artifact, a rift in dimensions brings heroes and villians together from the universes of Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Resident Evil, Tekken, .dot Hack, Virtua Fighter and Valkyria Chronicles amongst many others, (including Bruce f’ing Willis as John McClain! Sort of!) These would-be allies are now forced to find their way home and bring order back to the dimensions. Okay, look… that’s about as deep as the story gets. Sure, it’s simple, but it serves as an excuse to have Mega Man fight side by side with Gemini Sunrise from Sakura Wars. What makes up for the bare bones story is the characterization of each unit. I was expecting a somewhat rushed translation since this is getting such a limited run, but I was surprised at how much I laughed out loud at the in jokes, references and nods to fans. It’s great when the translation team spares no expense at getting everyone right, especially when there are so many characters to work with.

Super cops Chun-Li and John McClain… together at last.

Game play combines traditional strategy mechanics with some light fighting game features thrown in. Each unit travels across a grid based map and starts with three attacks, each of which will launch enemies into the air or bounce them against the wall. Chaining attacks without letting foes touch the ground does more damage, builds up more EXP points and charges up the XP meter, (meaning Cross Power… Don’t ask.) What seems like simple button mashing in the beginning becomes more timing based, since boss enemies have huge amounts of HP with regenerating shields that charge when they touch the ground. Did I mention that connecting attacks at the last second before the bad guys land nets critical hits, more than doubling the damage inflicted? An RPG that lets you control critical hits based on skill? Why didn’t anyone think of this before?

As the game progresses, players unlock two member units. These are preset, so Dante will always fight with Dimitri for example. But Solo units, single characters ranging from Ghosts and Goblins to Fighting Vipers can be attached to each pair in any way the player chooses. Solo units act as support, and can be summoned mid battle to extend combos and inch out extra damage. To get the most out of each battle, other pair units can give support too, if the attacking unit is standing near them when the battle starts. Utilizing support from Solo and pair units is essential for victory, but how you will use them is another story.

If the main unit’s attack connects simultaneously with a support attack, a cross hit initiates, keeping the enemy frozen in place. This technique builds extra XP, as well as allowing the XP cap of 100% to increase to a maximum of 150%. The more XP, the more chances to trigger area clearing multi attacks, special skills that range from healing to stat boosting, and single super moves that can close out a combo for huge damage. The drawback? Initiating cross hits in the wrong spot can make your attacks miss, and attacks in this state cannot inflict critical hits. What’s more important, damage or XP? This is where the real strategy comes in, since the battle system makes most fights pretty easy once you get the hang of comboing.

Battles in PXZ are chaotic good fun!

If low on XP, items can be used in a similar ways as skills, but can only be obtained through defeating enemies or breaking shields. So sometimes, it might just be more advantageous to defeat all of the enemies before fighting a boss, (especially since there’s no grinding outside of missions,) or even letting the boss regain their shield for extra loot, (since there are no shops.) Even if you do make a mistake, a quicksave option can be accessed at any time, letting you retrace your steps back to when you made that one bad move. The only problem here is that there are 15 save slots but only one quicksave, so if your friends, family or significant other(s) are playing, chances are your quicksave will be long gone.

But going back to the simplicity of the battle system, the one major flaw I found with Project X Zone is a lack of variety. Most maps are laid out similarly aside from treasure chests scattered throughout the stage, and aside from a handful of maps where certain teammates take priority, a fight is over once your team is wiped out or the enemy’s is. Occasionally, additional objectives will be put in place, like reaching a spot or character on the map in X amount of time, but once the novelty of seeing Tales characters working with Shining Force heroes wears off, if you find the battle system tiring, you’re not going to see the end of the game.

I personally was addicted to landing critical hits and pulling off perfect combos all the way through, but even with the fighting game mechanics in place, I can’t see anyone other than hardcore fans of these characters, or long time SRPG gamers reaching the credits in this 40ish hour adventure. Even then, some popular characters don’t debut until WAY late in the game. I’m talking 20 hours in… so I can see people losing patience before getting to their favorites. Throw in end game maps can go on for around two hours each, and its easy to see how polarizing the final stretch can be. But if you can’t get enough, there’s even a new game plus with powered up bosses that drop rare equipment! You might never stop playing!

Yes, that’s X, Zero, Kos-Mos, T-elos, Ulala and the Space Harrier Girl on screen at once. Wait, does she have a name?

Even for those strategy fans though, this game is significantly easier than most in the genre, (which was perfect for me since I’m usually terrible at these games.) Throw in the fighting game mechanics and a literal army of popular, yet niche characters across three great companies, and you get a highly entertaining experience that a broad range of gamers will get entertainment out of. Well animated sprites and a large collection of music rounds out a package that hits us right in the nostalgia gland, and while I doubt most will see the story through to the end, Project X Zone provides as much fun as one wants to get out of it. If nothing else, at least it finally got Mega Man and Tron Bonne on the 3DS!

Pros:

A huge cast of characters!
Easily accessible game mechanics that blend genres.
Plenty of game to sift through, including a new game plus.
Strong animations, music and script.

Cons:

Weak story.
Repetitive battles that may wear thin before the credits roll.
Too easy compared to other games in the genre.
Multi hour fights late in the game.

Final Score: 8.5/10

E3 2013: Hands-On with ‘Shin Megami Tensei IV’

by Josh JacksonJune 23, 2013

For fans of the Shin Megami Tensei series, the wait for a new game has been as punishing as the difficulty its known for. Sure, there have been plenty of spinoffs and titles with the name attached to it, (games like Soul Hackers and the Persona series come to mind,) but the core games have been hard to come by. Thankfully, the wait will be over soon when SMT IV releases in just over a month, but with an opportunity to play it early on the E3 show floor, why not get a little demon slaying practice in ahead of time?

All of the core staples of the series seem to be returning in IV. Playing as a group of samurai, the player’s group will travel through randomly generated dungeons, fighting hoards of demons along the way if you choose to do so. The random battles are triggered in real time, so fights can easily be activated or avoided. Like many RPGs of today, attacking enemies on the map will start the battle with an advantage for the player. Let the enemies get the jump on you however? Then they’ll get the advantage instead, so you’ll want to stay on your toes.

Nine years have passed since Shin Megami Tensei III was released, changing up the formula from the first two games in the process, (which were never given an English translation, so it’s not like we noticed.) SMTIV borrows a few of its predecessor’s features, but seems to focus on the simplicity of the first two games. Like in III, dungeons are explored in third person, but battles have gone back to first person. IV trades in the flashy attacks for a more retro approach, with the bottom screen showing the team’s attack order through character portraits. As usual, each party member has their own sets of attack and magic abilities, which are used, to hurt, heel or boost stats. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but with the lack of JRPG’s worth playing as of late, does it need to?

That’s not to say that SMT IV doesn’t stand out. A party is only as good as its members, and this game literally offers hundreds of possibilities thanks to the return of the demon negotiation system. When in battle, players can give up their turn to negotiate with one of their enemies. Doing so starts a conversation with multiple answers, but only one of them will convince the demon to join your party. The other two will end the talk with a threat or insult, effectively giving up your turn and opening yourself up to an attack. You can try as many times as you want, but if you think it will be as easy as going through a process of elimination, I never saw the same conversation trigger twice, even with the same monsters. There’s no easy way out!

My time with Shin Megami Tensei IV brought back the JRPG fan in me. Games in the genre as of late have traded in strategy, difficulty and satisfaction for flashy moves and hours of cutscenes. Atlus seems to have taken the opposite route with this game, and I couldn’t be happier. While I couldn’t get a read on the difficulty with a short demo, the SMT series is known for its difficulty, so I doubt it will be a let down in that department. Gameplay wise, the demon negotiation brings in a much welcomed twist to the tried and true turn based battles that many gamers like myself grew up with, and I can’t wait to go back to my roots when SMT IV finally hits our shores.

Shin Megami Tensei IV will release exclusively on the 3DS on July 16th.

E3 2013: Hands-On ‘Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Dual Destinies’

by Josh JacksonJune 17, 2013

As most fans of the Ace Attorney series probably know, the last few years have been a turbulent ride for everyone’s favorite spikey haired defense lawyer. Fans were divided over the handling over the last major entry in the franchise, Apollo Justice. Two Edgeworth spinoffs would see releases, but due to poor sales of the first, the second never saw a release outside of Japan. When Dual Destinies was confirmed for the States, it was announced that it was coming as digital only, a first for the series since it debuted here on the DS in 2004. Needless to say, while it’s great that it didn’t pull and Edgeworth and not come out at all, many would be defense attorney’s would rather have the option of a physical copy. While Phoenix and crew may have hit hard times as of late, my biggest fear was that shifting focus back to the original protagonist would completely ignore the plot lines started in Apollo Justice. After some hands on time in the courtroom however, it’s safe to say these fears were put to rest with the defense.

WARNING: Minor Case 1 spoilers may follow!

The demo starts off much darker than previous Ace Attorney titles, (which is hard to do when murder is the norm for each case.) During a previous trial, a bomb went off in the middle of the court room. Apollo was the acting attorney and was injured during the blast. Now, a young girl who was in the room when the blast went off is being accused of the crime, and with Apollo’s injuries keeping him out of action, it’s up to Phoenix Wright to stand up for their client and come out of retirement to stand in Apollo’s place.

While Phoenix may have a reputation as a legendary defense attorney, years being away from the bench has left him a little rusty. His ability to bluff his way through a trial however, is alive and well. The court sections play just like they have since the second game. In order to spot contradictions in witness testimony, players must compare their statements to the evidence and confront them when caught in a lie. If there aren’t any errors in their statements, witnesses can be pressed for more information on each statement, potentially giving us an opening that might not have originally been there. But think carefully… Each mistake costs a certain amount of “health” so to speak, and once that bar is gone, the judge will throw your case out and declare your client guilty. You don’t want to live with that on your conscience, do you?

But as we’ve learned in some of the more recent games, sometimes witnesses are too calculating to be cracked. What’s one to do when there aren’t any contradictions in any statements? That’s where Athena Cykes comes in, the hotheaded best friend of the defendant, rookie attorney and Phoenix’s newest assistant. Athena comes equipped with a new Mood Matrix, which highlights each statement and shows you what emotions the witnesses are feeling when they say them. If for example, the person is feeling happy while discussing a ceiling collapsing on then, you know they’re either screwed in the head, or there’s more to the story that they’re telling. Combined with Phoenix’s Psyche Locks and Apollo’s Perceive ability, this power of psychology is a welcomed addition to this crazy world that gamers have fallen in love with.

Other than the game play, the new 3D animations look fantastic in motion. The writing is in top form, making me laugh out loud multiple times, (and getting strange stares from the people sitting around me in the process.) I’m happy to see that Apollo isn’t being replaced, and instead is standing side by side with Phoenix as dual protagonists. As a side note, I just have to mention how much I love these E3 demos. Like Ghost Trick before it, this game had exclusive dialogue reminding me I’m playing a demo, (“I hope you can win in 10 minutes Mr. Wright. This is just a demo after all.”) Many old and new faces are promising to show up, and if the time I had with the demo is any indication, whether its digital or not, Ace Attorney fans can start getting excited over this newest game giving us another day in court.

Dual Destinies will be heading for a 3DS eShop near you in September.

Starting Today, Get Your Exclusive ‘Animal Crossing: New Leaf’ Items From a Best Buy Near You!

by Josh JacksonJune 16, 2013

Continuing their partnership with Nintendo after their exclusive E3 preview events, Best Buy will be the host of some pretty neat Animal Crossing items starting today through August 10th. But just because you have a month and a half to collect items doesn’t mean you should take your time. Four items will be given out over the course of the summer, and once they’re gone, they’re really gone!

Below are the dates that each item will be given. Just take your 3DS to your local Best Buy and connect to the Nintendo Zone with SpotPass to claim your prize!

The Raccoon Wall Clock

June 16-June 29th

The Cat Tower

June 30th-July 13th

The Rolling Suitcase

July 14th-July 27th

The Double-Neck Guitar

July 28th-August 10th

Check Nintendo’s website for complete details, and happy hunting, fellow mayors!

E3 2013: Geekscape Games Previews ‘Skylanders: Swap Force’

by Josh JacksonJune 16, 2013

When Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure was first released nearly two years ago, it became a mega hit with both gamers and children alike. It wasn’t uncommon for games to get toy lines to tie in with the latest releases, but making the toys essential to playing the game was the key to a new cash cow. A year later, Skylanders: Giants added new characters, including the huge Skylanders that the game was named for. But from a game play perspective, it took the safe route, with game play and level design that felt like a copy/paste from the original. I was expecting much of the same when I got to check out Swap Force, the upcoming third Skylanders sequel that promises to add characters with swappable parts. But once I was able to see the game in action, there are a lot of big changes coming to Skylands, which left me pleasantly surprised!

In Skylanders: Swap Force, portal masters are called upon to summon Spyro and friends once again to prevent the evil master, Kaos, from corrupting a volcano with magical powers. This time around, Vicarious Visions, developers of the 3DS versions of Skylanders, have been given lead development duties in the console department. As you would guess from the title, the main feature of Swap Force is the ability to swap parts between the newest set of characters, changing their attacks and elemental properties in the process. The new guys include Night Shift, an undead boxer, Free Ranger, a storm powered chicken and Stink Bomb, a ninja skunk. Swapping their top and bottom halves create new versions of these newcomers to play with, like Free Bomb or Night Ranger. Each half stores data separately, so the upgrades made to each half will be carried over if you mix and match parts with your friends. In addition, swapping is necessary to open new elemental doors that require two elements to open. If you don’t want to buy the new swappable characters, fear not! Playing two players and using one of each element will open the doors just as well.

What you DO need the new characters for however, are the recently added Swap Force Zones. Each bottom half is associated with a type of movement, ranging from climbing, teleport and rocket zones for example. Opening these doors triggers mini games that are unique to each type, which rewards players with bonuses for completing them. Speaking of rewards, in addition to the hidden treasures and hats from the previous games, new map pieces can be discovered, unlocking bonus areas in the process. It was confirmed that these maps will replace the level based figurines, so gone are the days where you would have to spend close to $30 on sets in order to play a half hour stage.

These are just one of the many positives that Swap Force promises to bring. Running on an all new engine, the game is a huge upgrade visually. The addition of jumping means more platforming elements rather than the previous games that were essentially dungeon crawlers, while combat seems to have more depth with the ability to mix and match attacks. I was largely impressed, but my only concern is how the 3DS version will be affected. With a new developer taking over the handheld version, (which I felt was the superior version of the previous games,) what changes if any would be made for portable Portal Masters? Unfortunately, the 3DS version wasn’t included in my demo, so we’ll just have to wait and see.

All of the previous figures, including the giants, are backwards compatible in addition to 16 Swap Force and 16 new standard Skylanders. Old favorites like Stealth Elf will be getting new redesigns, but aside from the Swap Force zones, the entire game can be played with your old favorites if you’re low on cash. With all the new figures coming our way, it looks like we’ll need lots of it!

Skylanders: Swap Force is scheduled for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PS4 and Xbox One this fall.

E3 2013: Two Retro Pac-Man Titles are on Their Way!

by Josh JacksonJune 15, 2013

Namco Bandai wasn’t short on Pac Man news at this year’s E3 convention. In addition to the TV show, toy line and video game that were announced, two retro titles are also coming for old people like me. Pac Man Championship Edition DX + and Pac Man Museum look to bring us back to the glory days of the ghost munching icon in both new and familiar ways.

As most of you could probably figure out from the title, Championship Edition DX + is an expanded version of the wildly popular HD Pac Man game that hit the PSN and Xbox Live arcade a few years back. For those unfamiliar, CE put players in timed Pac Man boards where giant waves of ghosts could be eaten in rapid succession for huge point bonuses. Eating half of the board would unlock a fruit, which would respawn dots after being eaten. In DX, bombs can be used to knock away enemies when you’re cornered, which is easy to do when the game goes into slow motion when in danger. DLC maps include classic Namco skins, including Dig Dug and Rally X, changing Pac Man and the ghosts into characters from those games. Coming this summer to Windows 8, Steam, Xbox 360 and PS3, leaderboard chasers will know which game to add to their queue once its released.

In Pac-Man Museum, many of the classic games spanning decades of history will be collected into one package. Announced so far are Championship Edition, Classic and Battle Royal, the latter of which was only released in arcades. This game looked the most exciting of all, since it features 4 different Pac Men who had to eat ghosts as well as each other. Each power pellet makes Pac Man grow in size, allowing him to eat anyone and anything else that’s smaller than him. Coming to the PS3, 360, Wii U and 3DS, it looks like our retro fix will be covered in this Pac Man collection.

Between these two titles, that’s a ton of Pac we’ll get to play. Between these games and the TV show, it looks like we’ll all be getting real familiar with the character once again. Look out for both these games in the coming months.

E3 2013: ‘Pokemon X and Y’ Details Pour In!

by Josh JacksonJune 12, 2013

As one of Nintendo’s biggest releases this year, Pokemon X and Y were sure to receive a ton of coverage. However, I don’t think anyone’s body is ready for how much info actually came out. From new types, to new Pokemon and new ways to battle, I’ve made it my personal responsibility to round up all the news and put it in one place, just for all you Geekscape trainers out there. We have a lot to dig into, so here we go!

In addition to the new starters, (grass user Chespin, fire user Fennekin and water user Froakie,) and previously revealed characters who were making their official U.S. debut, (like the pissed off panda, Pancham, and Helioptile… which I have no clue how to describe,) all new reveals include Skrelp, a water and poison type that CAN’T be worse than Quilfish, Clauncer, another water type, Talonflame, (who’s typing you’ll never guess,) a Venomoth lookalike called Vivillon and Noivern, a giant bat.

The new Fairy type will finally even out the game’s typing at 18 unique elements. Fairy is strong against Dragon types, and in addition to the new Eevee evolution, Sylveon, old Pokemon like Marill, Jigglypuff and Gardevoir will be retroactively added to the type. If Clefairy and Clefable aren’t changed since they’ve been known as the “Fairy” Pokemon from the beginning, I might have an aneurism.

A new Fairy type attack called Moonblast was introduced by Sylveon. More reason Clefairy should be switched. It’s supposed to have come from the moon for Arceus’ sake! Fairy Wind was also used by Gardevoir, and did a ton of damage to Hydreigon, which means it was really weak, or Fairy is also strong against Dark.

Pokemon-Amie is a new feature that blends in Nintendogs type features with the Pokemon series. Giving trainers the ability to feed, pet and play with their teammates, this deepens the bond between monster and trainer, which will affect battles in unsaid ways. If it ends up being anything more than adding to the happiness stat, (which powers up certain attacks and fosters evolution in certain breeds,) I’ll be surprised. Using the 3DS cameras for interaction is also a brilliant move, since it adds way more personalization to the game.

For the first time, the games will let you choose between one of seven languages to match the worldwide release, which include English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese or Korean.

A new linking system called the PSS, (or Player Search System,) will allow players to search for other trainers both locally and online! This includes battling and trading. The goal of X and Y is to refine the core aspects of the series, which are collecting, battling and trading.

Two new battle types will be introduced. First are Horde Battles, which are 5 on 1 battles that take place in the wild. Simulating Pokemon moving in packs, this both adds an interesting dynamic to wild encounters and will make it much easier to level grind if they’re frequent enough.

The second battle type are Air Battles are special fights where only flying and “certain other” Pokemon can be used. The trailer shows Haunter being switched in, so does “certain other” mean Pokemon with the Levitate ability?

And finally… Pokemon X and Y will launch simultaneously worldwide on October 12!

So there you have it. Game Freak really blew the lid off of this one, but there’s still so much more to come. How will Fairy types be integrated? Will Pokemon-Amie play a huge role? How many new Pokemon will be added? All these questions and more will be answered on October 12, but until then, we have two new trailers to hold us over. Check them out and make sure to comment if you’re excited!

E3 2013: The Newest ‘Smash Bros’ Combatant is… the ‘Wii Fit’ Trainer!?

by Josh JacksonJune 12, 2013

Yesterday’s Smash Bros reveal trailer had the internet exploding with excitement with the reveals of Mega Man and Villager. If you were online at all yesterday, it was impossible to escape the news. But what if I were to tell you that there was one more character that Nintendo neglected to introduce? A character from one of the highest selling franchises in the company’s history? One that is at the peak of human conditioning, which is needed to go toe to toe with Nintendo’s best?

Then what if I were to tell you it’s the Wii Fit Trainer?

Yes, the personal trainer who would sleepily walk players through weight training and yoga poses is heading to the fight, appropriately using exercise inspired moves to attack. From arm-leg extensions to push-ups… hoola hoops to downward dogs. My anticipation for the character went from “WTF” to “OMG” within the short, minute long reveal. I just wish her Final Smash used the Balance Board in some way, but at least he’s apparently in the background of a Wii Fit themed stage!

If nothing else, her reveal trailer is one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen. Watching Kirby, Link and Mario trying to do a tree pose had me rolling! Check her out below and let us know if you think she’s an appropriate addition to the anticipated cast!

Examining the ‘Super Smash Bros’ Trailer

by Josh JacksonJune 12, 2013

After years of anticipation, Super Smash Bros was finally revealed for 3DS and Wii U. Between the Animal Crossing villager and Mega Man joining the cast, if you are a Smash fan and weren’t jumping out of your seat at these reveals, then you have no soul!

BUT!… with all of the excitement floating around at these monster reveals, it was easy to miss some of the more subtle hints at the changes coming to the popular fighter. After hitting repeat more times than Selena Gomez, there are tons of smaller reveals hidden throughout the three minutes worth of video. Let’s take a look back and see what we can spot!

Once the 3DS version comes on screen, notice how all of the levels are based off of portable games, (Ocarina of Time 3D, Spirit Tracks, Mario 3D Land and Nintendogs for example,) whereas the Wii U version only had console stages. Does this mean each version will have separate stages, or was this just to signify that one was portable and one was a home console release?

Speaking of Spirit Tracks, Toon Link is seen in his conductor outfit at the front of the train. For some fighting games, characters in the background signify that they won’t be playable. Does that mean Toon Link is out? Or a console exclusive character if the train stage is indeed 3DS exclusive? Or will he just disappear from the background if he’s being used?

Pit from Kid Icarus made his Smash debut in Brawl, but since then, he’s received a new game with so a weapon loadout so huge it would make Borderlands jealous. Problem is, none of those weapons were represented aside from the bow. Thankfully, that’s changing, because at 1:17, Pit can clearly be seen using the Upperdash Arm, which obviously wasn’t in the last entry. As a huge fan of Uprising, this was one of my biggest requests, and I’m glad to see Pit getting an upgrade.

Pit’s power of flight also looks changed, with a diagonal jump instead of a continuous flying ability that starts straight up. If this is the case, it looks like our favorite angel might have tons of new tricks. The big question is: will this move set be from the ground up or will it integrate his old moves? And if he is brand new, what happens to his old move set? I’d hate to see it disappear, but I can’t realistically see another slot being taken up by say… Dark Pit just so the old moves can come back, though I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

Samus seems to have a suit of armor closely resembling her Other M suit. Her Final Smash also seems to let her aim a small amount compared to the last game where it just went straightforward. Huh… I wonder if she’s going to have to ask for permission before she can use it?

Donkey Kong’s spinning punch that he’s had since the first game looked tilted. Has the classic move been tweaked?

Bowser was seen doing a few new normal attacks, including a low drop kick. Seems like he’s getting a move makeover as well, which is fine since he was exactly the same in the last two games.

Many of the fights are taking place in what appears to be a Skyward Sword stage. Combining this with the Spirit Tracks and Gerudo Valley stages, and that’s at least three new Zelda stages between the two versions. What can I say? The series is popular!

Another stage is what looks like a boxing ring. Is this simply the new Battlefield and Final Destination stage that abandons stage gimmicks for a flat battleground meant for straight up battles? Or is this hinting at the inclusion of another franchise down the line? Here’s hoping for Little Mac!

The Animal Crossing Villager’s move set makes him seem oblivious that he’s even fighting. He’s seen using his Balloon Fighter hat to fly, dropping bowling balls, cutting down trees, digging holes and even grabbing projectiles and putting them in his pocket. He’s already looking like one of the more interesting characters move wise. I can’t wait to try him out!

Mega Man’s reveal had a few peculiarities of its own. First, his multiple boss moves were featured, but will they all be special moves like we’re used to? Most likely, they’re integrated both into his normal and special attacks, but it’s still worth mentioning.

Mega’s reveal was ushered in with the phrase, “Mega Man joins the battle!” The previous games used the phrases, “joins the Melee” and “joins the Brawl.” Since I doubt the games will be simply titled Smash Bros Wii U and Smash Bros 3DS, what are the chances that the final title will be Smash Bros Battle? Since Villager had a different phrase, I’m almost positive this won’t be the case, but it would be a good way to sneak it in if this were to become the name.

When Mega Man dies, rather than the usual flash that accompanies a fall, his trademark explosion triggers instead. This matches his obvious NES style movement, including his idle pose, his jump and his appearance while taking damage.

Rush is seen using his Rush Coil ability. I’m guessing this is Mega Man’s Up-B attack that helps him spring back up, (much like Sonic.) Will Rush be integrated into any of his other moves?

Right at the end, the trailer teases Mega Man going up against the Yellow Devil boss. While this confirms at least one third party boss, does this mean the return of a single player mode like Subspace in Brawl? Is this simply an event challenge for the Blue Bomber? Or am I over-examining it and Yellow Devil is a stage hazard?

So after meticulously watching the video over and over again, this is the best that I’ve got. Are any of my observations off? Did you find any of your own that I missed? And how awesome is it that Pit has near limitless potential with an Uprising themed move set!? All these questions just make the wait going into 2014 that much harder! You know the drill. Watch the trailer and let us know below!

Watch A New Trailer For ‘Lego Marvel Super Heroes’

by Derek KraneveldtJune 10, 2013

How’s everyone liking all this pre-E3 news so far?

Via GameTrailers, Travellers Tales has just released an awesome new trailer for the upcoming Lego Marvel Super Heroes. The game has been kept under wraps for quite some time, with only small peeks and teasers being revealed. This new trailer gives us a much better look at the game, including some major plot elements. I’m unbelievably excited for this title.

Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know what you think! Stay tuned for more E3 coverage throughout the expo!

Lego Marvel Super Heroes hits consoles later this year!

Source: GameTrailers

Geekscape Games Hands On: ‘Project X Zone’

by Josh JacksonJune 4, 2013

Cross over games are all the rage right now, but Project X Zone is particularly in demand. Releasing early in the 3DS’s lifespan in Japan, fans in the west begged for the title until it was finally confirmed last year. Earlier today, a demo emerged on the eShop in anticipation for its June 25th release, and I jumped on the chance to bring the worlds of Sega, Namco and Capcom together.

Acting as a spiritual successor to the Japan only Namco X Capcom, Project X Zone is a grid based strategy RPG with units consisting of characters from series such as Street Fighter, Dot.Hack and Sakura Wars, each with their own sets of moves. Unlike most games in the genre that will have you simply walk up to enemies and select text to attack, X Zone takes a more action oriented approach. Choosing between a list of moves, maximum damage is achieved through linking attacks, juggling enemies and utilizing support to keep them in the air. Each unit is either a pair of characters, (like Ryu and Ken,) or a group of three, with the odd one out acting as additional support, (including my favorite so far, Space Channel 5‘s Ulala.)

Field position plays a vital role, since allies within a unit’s attack radius can be called in for additional support. Attacks that connect simultaneously between different units and support creates a “cross” effect on the enemy, where the foe is frozen in place, making landing combos easier. Doing so also builds energy called XP, that can be stored to unleash devastating super moves or used for actions such as healing, counter attacking and defending.

It’s not enough to simply bash away however, because much like a fighting game, enemy position is important when it comes to landing combos. I accidentally crossed enemies in the air where they were too high for my main characters to make contact with on my first run for example, and trust me, that really sucks. Other than wanting to actually be able to hit your enemies, continuously juggling awards more damage, items and experience, so you’ll want to plan your attacks accordingly if you want to make the most out of them.

I’ll be honest, I suck at strategy games; but blending action, fighting and RPG elements into the genre might finally be a winning combination. I left the demo very impressed, and I can’t wait for more when June 25th comes around. With the final version featuring characters from Tekken, Soul Calibur, Virtua Fighter, Resident Evil, Devil May Cry and Mega Man, there’s sure to be a character for even the pickiest of gamers. Get to your local game store and pre order fast, because this game screams niche. If the demo is any indication, you really don’t want to miss out.

‘Mighty Switch Force 2’ Trades In Blaster for Fire Hose!

by Josh JacksonJune 4, 2013

The original Mighty Switch Force from the 2D platforming masters at WayForward was one of the early examples of why the 3DS eShop was worth being excited for. The game’s popularity would drive it to receive free DLC in the form of new stages and a Wii U port, but now it’s clear the game is too hot for its own good.

Which is why Mighty Switch Force 2 has Officer Wagon playing firefighter in the newest trailer. Bringing back the 2D pluzzle/platforming that made the original a hit and blending it with new water mechanics in place of the straightforward blasting of old, this game has the potential to build on an already great game. Of course, the popular switching mechanics are back, bringing blocks to the foreground and background to solve puzzles. I’m glad to see the game sticking with what works. After all, it’s not the first sequel in the “Mighty” franchise for nothing.

Is trading in the police badge for a firefighter uniform the right way to go? Check out the newest trailer and decide for yourself.

Japan To Receive ‘Monster Hunter 4’ Goods

by J.C. MarquezJune 3, 2013

If anyone needed further proof that Japanese gamers are a bit spoiled, one need only look at the bevy of Monster Hunter 4 goods coming to Japan later this year.

Earlier last week, Capcom Japan announced that not only one, but two Monster Hunter 4-themed 3DS XL systems will be released in Japan—a Felyne White model and the ultra-sleek Goa Magara Black model. The price for these limited-edition 3DS XL models is yet to be announced, but if anyone ever wanted to import a Japanese 3DS system, either one would be the perfect place to start.

As if the absence of any news regarding a North American release for those sexy handhelds wasn’t enough, then the following may be a dash of salt on the wound.

Today, Capcom Japan announced a limited-edition Monster Hunter 4 bundle will be available to Japanese gamers this September. For 10,990 yen (roughly $110), fans receive a 3DS XL case, complete with strap and a pair of Monster Hunter screen cleaners, and the jewel of the set—a Monster Hunter figure by Sentinel, complete with display stand, weapons, and three different landscape textures. Again, there has yet to be any word if the bundle would be available to North American Monster Hunter fans. Here’s hoping Capcom will have some good news at E3 regarding the availability of both the limited-edition 3DS systems and the Monster Hunter 4 bundle for North American gamers.

Source: Capcom Japan

Check Out the Newest Beasts in the New ‘Monster Hunter 4’ Trailer!

by Josh JacksonMay 31, 2013

In a year packed with big 3DS releases, one of my most anticipated titles is Monster Hunter 4, the next main entry in the niche series, (in the States at least.) How do you make a game about hunting giant monsters even better the fourth time around? According to Capcom’s new trailer, it looks like their answer is more monsters, more weapons and more options!

From the trailer that accompanied new Ace Attorney footage during a Japan only Nintendo Direct, it’s easy to see that mobility has been upgraded, which will give gamers more attack options. We’ll need them too, because some of the monsters shown look like absolute beasts. New weapons look to help make things a little more even, and now that the ability to launch Feylines at enemies seems added since Tri, it just might be the most adorable way you’ve slain a giant Street Shark.

There are still questions that need answering though, like how will traveling through multiple villages instead of just having one home base affect the game? Will jumping and climbing be the equivalent to Tri’s swimming? And why oh why can’t we get those awesome Monster Hunter themed 3DS XL’s?

More details are sure to surface during E3. Until then, watch the trailer below and tell us what you’ll want to hunt first!

New ‘Ace Attorney 5’ Trailer Calls New Prosecutor, Klavier and Pearl to the Stand!

by Josh JacksonMay 31, 2013

Details on the upcoming Ace Attorney 5: Dual Destinies have been slow to find their way to our eyes and ears, but it looks like Capcom is ready to blow the lid off of this thing.

A Japan only Nintendo Direct focusing on Capcom’s court room drama, (with a side of giant monsters to hunt,) revealed some exciting details regarding the long awaited fifth entry in the Phoenix Wright saga. Highlighting the return of series favorites like Miles Edgeworth and Trucy Wright, (with blink and you’ll miss them shots of former medium in training, Pearl Fey and Apollo’s rock and roll rival, Klavier Gavin,) round out a new cast that seems more than capable of living up to the quirky reputation of these games.

Joined by new assistant Athena Cykes, Apollo and Wright will need her ability to psychoanalyze witnesses if they want to beat new prosecutor, Jin Yugami, a living contradiction who is both a prosecutor AND a prisoner serving time for murder.

Dual Destines was recently confirmed for a digital Western release, so we won’t have to wait much longer. Bringing together the two attorneys as co-protagonists instead of axing Apollo completely is welcomed news, and I must say I can’t wait to play it. New cases, new 3D crime scenes and… dissension within the Wright Anything Agency!? My hype levels are through the roof! Not to mention Phoenix puts on a jacket like a boss!

Check out the newest trailer and share the hype with me! And when you’re done, stop on over and read our feature about why Apollo rocks my socks.

Nintendo Brings E3 to 110 Best Buy Stores!

by Josh JacksonMay 29, 2013

At the close of the last Nintendo Direct, the big N announced a partnership with Best Buy, bringing their E3 demos to select stores.

Fast forward to today… We now have the list of participating stores for all to see. Below are the 110 stores throughout the country that will offer Nintendo’s E3 line up. Meaning you don’t have to fly to Los Angeles, work in the industry or win some contest to play.

Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville

Arkansas: Fort Smith, North Little Rock

Arizona: Phoenix

California: Culver City, Elk Grove, Emeryville, San Jose, Tracy, Visalia

Colorado: Denver

Connecticut: Manchester

Delaware: Wilmington

Florida: Brandon, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Kissimmee, Miami, Pensacola

Georgia: Augusta, Duluth, Savannah, Smyrna

Iowa: Cedar Rapids, West Des Moines

Illinois: Bloomington, Schaumburg

Indiana: Greenwood

Kansas: Overland Park, Wichita

Kentucky: Florence, Lexington, Louisville

Louisiana: Harvey

Massachusetts: Cambridge, Dedham, Worcester

Maryland: Frederick, Glen Burnie, Wheaton

Michigan: Ann Arbor, Flint, Grand Rapids, Rochester Hills

Minnesota: Eden Prairie

Missouri: St. Louis

North Carolina: Cary, Fayetteville, Pineville, Winston-Salem

New Jersey: Iselin, West Paterson, Woodbury

New York: Albany, Amherst, Long Island City, Syracuse, Valley Stream, West Nyack

Ohio: Fairborn, North Olmsted, Reynoldsburg, Toledo

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City

Oregon: Portland

Pennsylvania: Erie, King of Prussia, Pittsburgh, Reading, Whitehall

South Carolina: Greenville, North Charleston

Tennessee: Brentwood, Knoxville, Memphis

Texas: Arlington, Austin, Houston, McAllen, The Woodlands, Tyler

Utah: Sandy

Virginia: Charlottesville, Glen Allen, Virginia Beach

Vermont: Williston

Washington: Lynnwood

Wisconsin: Greenfield

Is your city on the list? Or are you going to have to drive for miles to try the upcoming games that Nintendo announces? You’ll need to act fast, because the demos will only be available on June 12th from 4PM to 8PM and June 15th from 1PM to 5PM. The official game list will be revealed on June 11th.

Source: Shacknews.com and Bestbuy.com

‘Sonic: Lost Worlds’ Trailer Defies Gravity

by Josh JacksonMay 28, 2013

During the last Nintendo Direct presentation, the news broke that Sonic the Hedgehog’s newest game would be exclusive to Nintendo platforms, which will be the first of a four game exclusive deal. Details on Sonic: Lost Worlds were slim aside from this announcement and two vague screenshots, but that all changed today.

Notably missing is Sonic’s long time nemesis, Dr. Eggman, (Robotnick for the 90’s kids out there,) seemingly replaced by a new band of villains known as the Deadly Six. With a brand new set of abilities, the blue Hedgehog has more than enough tricks up his sleeve, (gloves?) to combat this new threat.

So far, I’m keeping a cautious optimism about the game. Sonic Colors, the last Nintendo exclusive title in the franchise was one of the best Sonic games in years, and the multi platform Generations only improved on it. As Sonic fans have learned though, straight 3D platforming, new characters and cameras haven’t been kind to the blue blur. With the apparent loss of the speed dash ability, gravity defying physics and all new enemies, I’m taking a wait and see approach until E3 rolls in.

Check out the reveal trailer below to get an idea of what lands Sonic will be speeding through next, and come back to Geekscape.net for all your E3 needs!

SOURCE: IGN.com

Cult Classic ‘Shantae’ is Coming to the 3DS on June 20th!

by Josh JacksonMay 21, 2013

Back in 2002, the Game Boy Advance was taking handhelds by storm while its predecessor, the Game Boy Color, was on its way out. During this time, a highly acclaimed platformer staring a cute little genie who whipped her hair before it was cool slid under the radar for the dying platform and went largely ignored. Often called the last great GBC game, Shantae has since become a very sought after, (and very expensive,) addition to the great games that no one played.

Fan demand has brought us one sequel with another on the way, but the only way to play the original was to shell out almost four times its price at release on eBay since it took some time to work out a deal between developer WayForward and publisher Capcom. Well, it looks like the stars finally aligned, because a Virtual Console release is on its way!

Coming June 20th, Shantae will finally be made available to the masses. In the meantime, log out of your eBay account and buy a points card as her summer re-introduction quickly approaches.

New Game Gear Titles Coming to the Nintendo eShop

by Josh JacksonMay 21, 2013

Nintendo had some big news during their latest Nintendo Direct presentation, but none as big as the partnership with Sega to make Sonic exclusive to the Wii U and 3DS for the foreseeable future.

But that wasn’t all the news coming, because Game Gear fans have plenty of reason to rejoice as well. In a blink and you’d miss it moment, Nintendo announced a list of titles from the mostly forgotten handheld that will be coming soon to the 3DS eShop.

The games listed are:

Crystal Warriors

Columns

Sonic Blast

Sonic the Hedgehog

Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Defenders of Oasis

Tails Adventure

Shining Force II: The Sword of Hajya

Sonic Drift 2

G-Loc Air Battle

Sonic Labyrinth

Vampire: Master of Darkness

Including the already released titles like Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble, Shinobi and Dragon Crystal, the Game Gear library is finally coming along nicely. I have one question though… where the hell is Knuckles: Chaotix?

Did your favorite Game Gear games make the cut? Are you excited to play them without having to carry around eight AA batteries? Tell us what your favorite games from Sega’s portable should make the cut!

‘Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons, Oracle Of Ages’ Launch May 30th, On Sale For Limited Time!

by Derek KraneveldtMay 17, 2013

First announced back in February, the highly anticipated (at least by me) rerelease of both The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is less than two weeks away! Both titles will launch on the 3DS eShop on May 30th (as we learned back in April), and during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo revealed a special deal for early adopters.

The regular price of each title is $5.99, but from May 30th to June 20th, each game will cost you a cool $4.99. Watch the trailer for the rerelease below, and let us know if you’ll be picking these up!

‘Super Luigi U’ Downloadable June 20th! Retail In August!

by Derek KraneveldtMay 17, 2013

First announced back in February, today’s Nintendo Direct presentation revealed just when we’ll be able to get our hands on Super Luigi U, the new Luigi-centric campaign for New Super Mario Bros. U.

The campaign will be released in both digital and physical formats, with digital dropping on June 20th for $19.99, and the physical edition hitting stores on August 25th for $29.99. The downloadable version of course requires the original game to function, while the retail copy will work all on its own.

I’m incredibly excited for the new campaign. As far as I know, it’s the biggest piece of DLC that Nintendo has ever released, literally changing everything about the game. I can’t wait to give Luigi his turn in the spotlight! Let us know how excited you are, and check out the other highlights from today’s presentation here!

‘Sonic: Lost World’ Announced, Exclusive To Nintendo Consoles!

by Derek KraneveldtMay 17, 2013

Little is known about the project, but today’s Nintendo Direct presentation revealed a very cool Sonic tidbit, and an exclusive partnership between the once rival companies.

The next game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series will release exclusively on Nintendo consoles. Sonic: Lost World is the name of the game, and aside from a single image it was simply announced that we’d learn more about the game at this year’s E3.

The partnership between the companies is very exciting, and should certainly help Nintendo drive some sales on their currently struggling console.

Take a look at the first image from Sonic: Lost World below, and let us know what you think! Head here for more highlights from today’s Nintendo Direct.

New Nintendo Direct Leads us Into the Summer

by Josh JacksonMay 17, 2013

Another Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and while there wasn’t too much information relating to new games, we did get details on some of the big titles gamers have been waiting ~~angrily~~ patiently for.

Below are the highlights of the conference. Make sure to check back for more detailed information throughout the day.

–Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games coming to the Wii U and 3DS. Featuring many new events, most notably races that combine events into one arcade style Dream Event.

–Sonic Lost World coming exclusively to Wii U and 3DS.

-A large amount of Game Gear titles coming soon to the 3DS eShop. Knuckles Chaotix was not spotted…

-Nintendo Japan announced Yakuza 1-2 HD for the Wii U. No word on a Western release.

–Oracle of Seasons and Ages will be discounted to $4.99 each until June 20th. Release date is May 30th.

–Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D details new world 9. Each level inspired by one of each previous stage.

–Animal Crossing Mii Plaza puzzle and Swapnote available now. Videos discussing the game will be on Nintendo’s YouTube page leading to its June 9th release.

–Game and Wario features a variety of mini games for both single and multiplayer. Releasing on June 23rd for $39.99.

–Resident Evil: Revelations will have Game Pad, Pro Control and off TV support. New infernal difficulty, online features and characters, Hunk and Rachel, added to Raid Mode. Coming May 21st.

–New Super Luigi 2 seems to give each character unique abilities like Luigi’s flutter jump from Mario 2. Mario replaced by Nabbit, who can’t power up but can’t get hurt. Releasing on June 20th as DLC for $19.99 or as a stand alone retail game or $29.99 on August 25th.

–The Wonderful 101 is (FINALLY!) coming to Wii U on September 25th.

–Pikmin 3 stars three new characters, Alph, Charlie and Brittany, who are collecting fruit for their starving planet. The game will use a variety of GamePad functions to help scout stages and re-watch playthroughs. Uses Wii Remote Plus, Pro Controller and off TV play both with the pad and with the Wii Remote using the pad as a monitor. Still scheduled for August 4th.

-Last and most importantly, Best Buy will exclusively house playable E3 demos for the Wii U in the U.S. and Canada, letting consumers experience the new games for themselves.

So that’s about it. While I wish there was more info on new games, I guess that’s what E3 is for. And at least we finally know when Wonderful 101 is coming out! Now onwards to E3.

‘Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney- Dual Destinies’ Coming Stateside… Digitally!

by Josh JacksonMay 15, 2013

After months of Japanese trailers, screenshots and trickling details (including DLC costumes, has to be a first for a visual novel), Capcom has put the fears of would be attorneys to rest. The latest installment of the Ace Attorney series, titled Dual Destinies in the west, is in fact hitting our shores! But there’s a catch.

For the first time since the series launched here in 2005, the game will not receive a physical release. Instead, the game will be digital only on the 3DS eShop later this year. While I’d much rather have a physical copy, considering that the last game in the series, “Gyakuten Kenji 2,” (a sequel to the spinoff featuring prosecutor Miles Edgeworth) was never even brought here, it’s a clear sign that something is better than nothing.

Capcom-Unity’s Chris Svensson explained the digital only decision.

“Their COGS (costs of goods sold) and retail margins and reserve issues are entirely different there given the market differences. It’s a sad fact, but it’s still a fact.”

“We worked very hard to ensure a Western release on this title. If we’d said ‘no, it’s not coming’, it would have triggered the inevitable ‘please bring it to eShop, at least’ cries. Instead we shortcutted that and brought it straight to eShop.”

If you put two and two together, it sounds like the Edgeworth game sold so poorly that Capcom’s afraid to fully commit to the series outside of Japan. But that’s just my guess. Now where’s my Phoenix Wright X Professor Layton!?

Ace Attorney will release on the 3DS this fall. Check out the English trailer and tell us what you think!

Source: Shacknews.com

‘Scribblenauts: Unmasked’ Puts the DC Universe in Your Hands!

by Josh JacksonMay 15, 2013

Warner Bros. Interactive has announced Scribblenauts: Unmasked, combining 5th Cell’s popular puzzle franchise with the popular heroes and villains of the DC Comics catalogue. Featuring a wealth of familiar faces and locations such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Gotham City and Metropolis, gamers will finally have control of this world at their fingertips.

Scribblenauts is known for the insane amount of objects that players can generate. If you type out something, chances are it will show up, with your imagination being its only limit. Having that type of control over the DC Universe is sure to make comics fans rejoice, and who knows? Maybe we’ll finally be able to create some resemblance of the fanfics floating in our heads.

What will you make? An evil Batman? A tiny, top hat wearing Grodd? A dancing Oracle? We’ll get our chance when Scribblenauts: Unmasked is released for the Wii U, 3DS and PC this fall.

‘Lego Marvel Super Heroes’ Gets A New Teaser Trailer!

by Derek KraneveldtMay 14, 2013

Traveller’s Tales is doing a great job at keeping this one under wraps.

The developer has just released a new teaser for the upcoming Lego Marvel Super Heroes. The preview is short but sweet, showing off just a few of the heroes you’ll be able to play in the game. Very little footage from the actual game has been released, so while we know how well Lego Marvel Super Heroes will play (based on all of the other awesome Lego video games), I’m beginning to wonder if there’s something new and exciting in store for us.

Watch the new teaser below, and let us know if you’re looking forward to the game. Lego Marvel Super Heroes is set to hit consoles later this year!

Get Eyes On This Gameplay Trailer For ‘Pokemon X & Pokemon Y’

by Shane O'HareMay 14, 2013

Hot off the Nintendo digital presses we got ourselves this brand new game play footage for the next in the Pokemon series. Check it out!

We are finally getting an idea of what the TRUE next gen Pokemon game is going to look like. The 3D from the 3DS looks as if it will play a pivotal role in how the player will experience the world. We can now confirm that rideable Pokemon will be in Pokemon X & Y!

You can get your hands on Pokemon X & Y this October.

Peek At 5 Minutes Of Gameplay From The Newest Zelda 3DS Title!

by Shane O'HareApril 19, 2013

Just announced not that long ago, Nintendo has announced that they will be releasing a new Legend of Zelda game for the 3DS, and it is set in the ” Link To The Past” universe! Is it a sequel? A prequel? OR A prequel to the sequel? We do not know, hell it doesn’t even have an English title yet! What we do know is that there is some sick in-game footy just sneaked out by Games Radar. CHECK IT OUT!

My favorite top down Zelda game was Link’s Awakening DX, and this bit of footage has made me SUPER excited for this!

Follow-Up To ‘The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past’ Coming To 3DS This Year!

by Derek KraneveldtApril 17, 2013

Did I mention that it was a good day to be a Nintendo fan?

Big news was aplenty at today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. First, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages are coming to the 3DS eShop this May. Second, EarthBound (FREAKING EarthBound!) is being rereleased on the Wii U Virtual Console later this year. Third, Pikmin 3 finally got a release date (August 4th).

How could things get any better? How about a follow-up to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past?

You read that right. The oft-rumoured, oft-desired, yet never-existent sequel to 1992’s most beloved adventure game is currently in development over at the big N. The game will feature the same top-down look and feel (though this time in glorious 3D, and without sprites) as the original game did, but with an all-new plot, and plenty of fresh mechanics.

Nintendo released a cool trailer for the game (also available in 3D via the 3DS eShop) showing us what we can expect. The (currently untitled) Link to the Past follow-up is slated to hit the 3DS later in 2013. Watch the trailer below, and let us know what you think!

‘Zelda: Oracle Of Seasons, Oracle Of Ages’ On North American eShop This May!

by Derek KraneveldtApril 17, 2013

Back in February, Nintendo announced the digital rerelease of the acclaimed portable Zelda adventures, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages. The Capcom developed Game Boy Color titles originally released in 2001 to much fanfare, and while Japan only at first, Nintendo assured fans that the rerelease would eventually be hitting North American consoles too.

We now know just when we’ll be able to jump back into Holodrum and Labrynna, and it’s just over a month away. Mark your calendars: May 30th is the day you’ll be able to relive these amazing adventures.

I couldn’t be more excited, how about you?

Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation featured plenty of other great news too. Look for more coverage coming later today!