Tag: Nintendo Switch

76% Of Players Clicked The Wrong Button As Team Cake Wins More Splatfest Battles In ‘Splatoon 2’

by Josh Jackson

The Splatfest World Premiere came and went, with a grueling battle between Team Cake and those other guys coming to a close. As the final results were tallied, it was clear that there was a big mistake somewhere in the voting, as Team Ice Cream technically won.

 

With Inkopolis clearly using hanging CHADS to calculate their votes, Team Ice Cream stole the popularity vote, coming in at 76% to Team Cake’s 24%. The actual in-game results were much closer, with Team Cake winning 53% of their team matches. The tie breaking vote came to solo players, where Team Ice Cream narrowly edged out Team Cake with a 51% win rate. With the new scoring system using a best two out of three rule rather than scoring wins differently than popularity, Marina’s tantalizing tentacles distracted people long enough to break the tie with her supposed popularity win.

Looking at the results, I’m choosing to believe there had to have been some kind of voter fraud since I can’t accept that so many people can be wrong after proving cake is objectively better. Even IF the voting was legit, it wasn’t like Nintendo didn’t sway voters by tainting the polls ahead of the game. Surely there’s some kind of collusion with the Octolings going on here. Thanks to our boots on the ground investigative journalism, we found an indisputable smoking gun.

It’s clear that Reggie’s influence rubbed off on his team both in voting and performance. If you remember his Smash Bros skills at E3 a few years ago, it’s the only way to explain why 76% of players can be so bad that they lost 52% of their total matches to 24% of the participants, but hey. Bad taste tends to go with bad playing.

Did you play on the right side, or are you reveling in your meaningless win? And are you a supporter of voter fraud? Let us know in the comments so we know to block you.

Splatfest Spoiler: Six Reasons Why Cake Is Objectively Better Than Ice Cream

by Josh Jackson

As we approach Splatoon 2‘s first Splatfest, we felt the importance of making sure all the Inklings out there make an educated choice over which side to pick between team cake and team ice cream. While this summer weather might be blinding some of our fellow squids from the virtues of cake, I’m going to throw enough shade to keep you all seeing straight. Because you see, cake is the only objective choice, and here are six indisputable reasons why.

There are so many types of cake.

When you talk about cake, there isn’t just one kind that people refer to. Sure, a moist cake with just the right amount of frosting is just the best, but that’s only one piece of the equation. Have you ever enjoyed a cake donut? How about a brownie or a delicious breakfast muffin? Simply put, our lives would be fundamentally different without cake, whereas ice cream is just… Ice cream. Sure, you can mix in weird junk into it, but nothing that you couldn’t also do with a cake. Which is why ice cream tends to have an identity crisis…

Ice cream desperately tries to be cake.

All of ice cream’s greatest hits come in when you mix in cake with it. From ice cream sandwiches to ice cream cakes, even shakes and scoops have begun putting in pieces of cake or brownie bites into the mix just to make the stuff edible. Not to mention abominations like birthday cake flavored ice cream, which is about as shameless you can get.

An early attempt at ice cream cake.

Besides, ice cream would be nothing without cake, but we’ll get to why further down the list.

Ice cream lies to you.

With cake, you always know what you’re getting. Regardless of the type of cake you’re indulging in, you always know that you’re setting yourself up for a 600 calorie plus intake. Sure, it’s not the most ideal, but at least cake never tries to pretend to be what it’s not. We know donuts are awful for you, and the chocolate on chocolate masterpiece isn’t named devil’s food for nothing.

All the probiotics in the world won’t save you from those 10 extra pounds.

Ice cream isn’t so honest, rebranding itself so many times with the goal of making you think it’s better for you. The biggest culprit is frozen yogurt, which has conned an entire population of college students into thinking its good for you. Sure, you feel good about the sign listing each ounce as 40 calories and five grams of protein, but as your cup piles high, so do the calories, sneaking more fat into your body than cake could ever hope to. There’s a reason why Burt Baskin, co-founder of Baskin Robbins, died of a heart attack. I’ll give you 31 guesses as to why.

Don’t succumb to this silent killer!

Cake is for celebrating. Ice cream is for sadness.

When I most commonly think of cake, I think of parties. Birthday celebrations are synonymous with birthday cake, complete with special candles with non-toxic wax for when your kids inevitably try to eat the oozing paste. Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gets in on the cake action every Marti Gras when He decides to just hang out inside of a King Cake every year.

But the son of God won’t be found anywhere near ice cream. And you know why? Because ice cream is associated with lives crumbling apart. If cake is known for celebrating, then ice cream is known for crying into while you binge watch Orange is the New Black after a bad breakup. We also can’t forget how much misery all those Bon-Bon’s brought Al Bundy back on Married With Children. How many times have we heard of kids chasing ice cream trucks and never being seen again? Ice cream, you’re looking pretty suspect right about now.

Ice cream is temperamental.

On the dessert scale, ice cream is the high maintenance one that needs everything to be just right before it will cooperate. If it’s too cold, it becomes impossible to scoop, forcing you to wait for it to thaw before digging in. If it’s too old, it gets freezer burned to the point of becoming nearly inedible. The only time ice cream MIGHT have a temporary advantage over cake is when you need something cold to give you some kind of relief from the sun. But you better not take too long, because your ice cream dream will quickly turn into a drizzling nightmare once the stuff starts melting all over you.

If only there was something that could hold ice cream to make it more manageable while eating. Oh wait, there is… And it’s CAKE!

Ice Cream Cones ARE Cake

Can you imagine ice cream without the cone? I mean you could, but ice cream in a cup is the lamest thing ever. Cones are practically a requirement for eating ice cream, but have you ever stopped to think about what an ice cream cone is?

Yup, it’s cake!

The truth is that ice cream would be nothing without cake to (literally) prop it up. Considering that the Splatfest icons show the ice cream IN A CONE, I’m accepting this as Marina’s silent form of resignation, making cake the only option in Splatfest history to be included in BOTH choices. So at the end of the day, every vote for cake is a vote for cake, but every vote for ice cream is a vote for ice cream AND cake, meaning Team Ice Cream has lost before the battle has even begun.

It’s true.

You can’t refute this logic, but if you want to try, make sure to comment below and try your hand at discrediting cake’s superiority. What team did you choose, and will you be playing the first Splatoon 2 Splatfest from 3-7 PST today?

The full version of Splatoon 2 will launch for the Nintendo Switch on July 21.

‘Splatoon 2’:Get Your Game On At The Shoal!

by The_acz

During this mornings Splatoon 2 direct, Nintendo introduced a brand new area for local battles, The Shoal.

Here, you can host or join other local game modes either wirelessly or via LAN. This includes modes that may only be available at certain times like Salmon Run, and more! You’ll also be able to choose any stage you want without having to worry about that pesky rotation. Not only that, but there is also an arcade game stationed outside of the area that will allow you to play Squid Beats 2, A DDR inspired game. It’s nice to see that this is probably taking the place of that ghastly local 2 player mode that was in the original Splatoon, even if there is now way to play local multiplayer on one Switch. Are you excited for this new addition to the game? Tell us in the comments below!

 

SplatNet 2 & Nintendo Switch Online App Are Launching On July 21st For ‘Splatoon 2’!

by The_acz

Here we go. The day we’re all excited and scared for has finally come. During this morning’s Splatoon 2 direct, Nintendo announced that a very limited version of the Nintendo Switch Online app will be available to download the day the game comes out. This app will allow you to access an in-app app called SplatNet 2. This is a sequel to a very basic website created for the original Splatoon, but includes so much more: not only can you check stage rotation, but now you can also check previous turf wars, see team gear, and even order some if you so desire.

The app will also include the much anticipated and dreaded voice chat! While it still doesn’t seem all that convenient (quite the opposite in fact.), it could still pleasantly surprise us. Are you planning on using voice chat? Tell us in the comments below!

‘Splatoon 2’ Splatfest World Premiere Demo Launches Next Week!

by The_acz

The Splatoon 2 direct just finished up this morning, and with that, a cavalcade of surprising and fun announcements. One of these announcements was from a new pair of hosts, Pearl and Marina, who revealed that there will be an inaugural Splatfest to commemorate Splatoon 2, one week before launch! The Theme? Which is better? Cake or Ice Cream? The demo will take place one week from launch on July 15th 2017 from 3PM-7PM PST. Well, what are you waiting for? Choose a side and let the smack talking commence!

 

E3 2017: ‘Fate Extella: The Umbral Star’ Goes Portable On The Nintendo Switch

by Josh Jackson

Last year’s Fate Extella: The Umbral Star brought the Fate universe to current gen gaming with a Musou style hack and slash. With the release of the Nintendo Switch, Sabre and her allies will get a second chance in the spotlight with a portable version of the crowd pleasing brawler. As usual when it comes to third party Nintendo games, we come in with skepticism, wondering if any concessions were made in the transition. After playing a build of the game, it’s clear that those concerns can be put to rest.

Outside of the cast of characters, Fate Extella is similar to most Dynasty Warriors inspired games on the market. By choosing from one of many characters from the Fate series, you travel from map to map effortlessly slaying hundreds of enemies at a time while you vie for control of the map. As you progress, more powerful foes will confront you, leading to some more challenging battles. Using unique combos, special attacks, and transformations that unleash your character’s full potential, seeing these moves in action are just as exciting to watch as they were last year. This is coupled with the fact that this game moves much faster than your typical Musou game, with the map being divided into smaller regions that you can transport to in what seems like an instant. I can see this cutting down on the monotony that games of this genre can face since removing the padding of travel can only work in its favor.

When it comes to the Switch version specifically, Fate Extella didn’t make any noticeable concessions when making the transition. The hundred plus characters on screen at once didn’t affect the game’s performance during my play session, and combat felt as fluid as it did when I originally tried the game on PS4. While the initial release was far from technically taxing, Nintendo third party titles have still earned a reputation of being inferior in some way, shape or form, so it was easy to see why some would be concerned. Thankfully, everything seems to be in order, offering fans of the original something that feels like a faithful port of the original so far. Only this time, the game doesn’t have to end when you’re away from the TV.

I’m optimistic about how Fate Extella: The Umbral Star will turn out on the Switch. With no noticeable shortcomings compared to its first go around, complete with the large amount of enemies on screen at once, let’s hope that this will be a sign of things to come when dealing with third parties in Nintendo’s new system. Any reason to get reacquainted with the cast is good enough for me, so I can’t wait to see if the full version holds up.

Fate Extella: The Umbral Star is scheduled for a July 25 release.

E3 2017: You All Owe ‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ An Apology

by Josh Jackson

When Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle was leaked a few weeks ago, the reaction was about what we would expect. Why is this being made? Who asked for this? Who thought this was a good idea? This was the basic sentiment shared by many, only using much more colorful language. Yet while the Rabbids haven’t always been synonymous with quality gameplay, titles like the first two Raving Rabbids games and Rabbids Go Home were proof that these psychotic bunnies could put together a great game when they need to. With a collaboration as big as one with Mario for the Switch, I had little doubt that they would knock it out of the park. Based on what I played of Kingdom Battle on the show floor at E3, Ubisoft is on their way to doing just that.

The comparisons that have been made with Xcom since its initial reveal are apt on the surface, with this bizarre mishmash of characters coming together in a turn based strategy game that involves the Mushroom Kingdom’s finest and cosplaying Rabbids getting into gun fights with the bad guys. I found myself mapping routes, sliding into cover, (and enemies for extra damage), exchanging Mario’s iconic golden coins for better equipment mid battle, and whittling down enemy HP with each shot. When you can’t quite reach that perfect position to wipe out your enemies from, teamwork goes a long way when two units make contact. Once they do, the non-active unit will spring the character you’re moving into a far off spot, allowing you to get some extra distance before launching your attack. Special abilities eventually come into play, such s Mario’s ability to increase his attack strength for a certain amount of time, or the hilariously creepy Rabbid Peach being able to heal allies in her, (its?), vicinity. A variety of objectives led to victory, between eliminating the entire enemy squad to positioning your squad to claim a section of the map.

But outside of combat is where the mashup really comes together. Battles start when your team is ambushed on the world map, which you travel through in real time as if it were a typical Mario adventure. Scanning the environment led to finding bonus coins, extra items that you could take into battle, and bonus sections in the environment where you could observe the Rabbids as they interact with your favorite Mario environments in some hilarious ways, all while your annoyed narrator explains how truly obnoxious these things can be. That’s not to say that your references stop once the action starts. Maps become even more interesting when explosive crates, warp pipes and chain chomps all become strategic elements of this wacky war you find yourself caught in. Luring enemies into the Chomp while trying to avoid it myself was especially fun, knowing that this indiscriminate animal would attack whoever came near it. This was especially useful when the stronger units started to overwhelm us, forcing us to use our wits to get us out of some tough situations.

We were promised that the full game would have even more depth, so expect genre staples like terrain, additional hazards, and character growth for more strategic options. At the conclusion of the demo, I left feeling even more excited for what a full campaign would be able to produce, with local co-op expanding the possibilities of the game to an even wider scope. Many doubted this seemingly nonsensical combination of characters, but it’s safe to say that we all owe Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle an apology. It’s looking damn good.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle will launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on August August 29.

Geekscape Games Review: ‘Mighty Gunvolt Burst’ Review: Mightier Than ‘Mighty Number 9’

by The_acz

Reviewed On: Nintendo Switch
Also Available For: Nintendo 3DS

Review Copy Provided by Publisher

MSRP: $9.99 

It’s hard to believe that it’s been about a year since the disaster that was Mighty Number 9.

From constant mismanagement of the project, to not being direct or open enough with their backers, this once anticipated revival of a dead series quickly faded back into obscurity. Developer Inti Creates however was a shining light. Released as a small $5 budget title, Mighty Gunvolt was  short and easy, but also fun that most fans were expecting out of Mighty Number 9. Now flash forward to a year later and Inti Creates has made a longer and much more polished follow up to the game, that in my opinion is what the original MN9 should have been to begin with.

Mighty Gunvolt Burst features 2 playable characters, Beck and Gunvolt. While you go through the same stages in with both characters, both characters play extremely differently. Beck is as you remember him from MN9. His controls are tight and precise. His movements have a nice pace and he can stop on a dime. Just like Megaman, whenever you don’t make a jump or overshoot something, it’s always on you and not the game. Beck also has a wide variety of weapons at his disposal, and this is where the game gets interesting.

 

The gimmick for Beck’s story is the ability to freely customize your own weapons. You can change everything from number of bullets fired, rate of fire, bullet size, and much more. It can become super addicting trying out dozens of different combinations. One of the best parts is that you can actually change and customize your weapons during a stage! This opens the door for a lot of experimenting and trial and error. There have been times when I’ve been stuck in a boss battle and I’ll spend 10-15 minutes trying to create a new weapon to defeat them.

Gunvolt is the second character, and as previously stated, his gameplay is completely different and focused on other things. Gunvolt primarily takes use of another new feature in the game called the Burst mechanic. You earn a burst when you defeat an enemy up close. The more you keep a burst combo going, the stronger Gunvolt’s secondary weapon will be! It’s really fun getting a 15 burst combo going and then debating whether or not you want to risk one more encounter to get it higher. Both characters are different enough that even going through the same levels feel different and refreshing.

If I had any gripes on this game it’d probably be that the boss battles are pretty imbalanced. Some of them feel a bit too long. It just sometimes feels like your barely scratching a dent in them and it can be a bit annoying. On the other hand some stages and bosses can feel a bit too short and easy as you just blaze through a level or 2 in a row. Other than that, the game is structurally sound.

Overall, Mighty Gunvolt Burst is what Mighty Number 9 should have been. The game features a much stronger emphasis on trial and error gameplay than story. Couple that with some fun and addicting gameplay mechanics like burst and custom weapons, and this game is easily worth the $10 asking price. If you’ve been itching for a fun successor to Mega Man after feeling high and dry by Beck’s previous outing, this game is much mightier than the last.

Final Verdict: ★★★★

E3 2017: Blast Processing Through ‘Sonic Mania’!

by The_acz

After a delay or 2, Sega’s highly anticipated Sonic Mania will finally be releasing on August 15th, 2017.

Developed by a highly respected Sonic fan game community member Christian Whitehead, the game is a celebration of everything Classic Sonic. This week at E3 I got the chance to play the game and can easily say that this game has shot up my most anticipated list for 2017. Not only is this a great tribute and celebration to Classic Sonic, but just Sonic as a character in general. Let’s quit stalling and get into it!

The demo allows you to choose any of the 3 characters in the game: Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles. You also get the choice between Green Hill Zone Act 2 and the new Mirage Saloon Zone Act 2. I was able to try out both levels and loved both of them! The characters feel exactly how they felt in Sonic 3 + Knuckles. It’s as if they were ripped right out of the classic genesis games and placed directly into this new iteration. Of course the sprite work and animation for the characters look better than ever!

 

Mirage Saloon is the new zone in the demo and is really fun. You’ll be racing through sand loops that disintegrate when you run over them, jumping off swivel chairs in bar that propel you across the screen, and get shot out of a gun at high speed. There’s tons of alternate routes to take, and there are even some references cameos that are sprinkled throughout the level that reference some forgotten Sonic characters (see image above). Green Hill Zone 2 is also a great stage.

You don’t expect much since by now people have played through Green Hill Zone, but the difference here is that the layout is completely different! This is not the same Green Hill Zone from the Original Sonic. It’s completely different  and feels great to re-experience an old zone with new life.  even the music is different. The theme has a bit more synthetic/techno feel to it now and sounds wonderful still. The zone ends with a boss fight against Dr. Eggman in the Death Egg Robot. All you need to do is hit the top of the robot a couple of times, but it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Not only do you need to hit the top of his head, but you only have limited space to run away. Once you reach the ledge, you better hope you have one hit left because you might die the first couple of times trying to take him down.

At the end of the day, I can’t recommend Sonic Mania enough. This is the Sonic game that fans were hoping they’d get when Sonic 4 was originally announced. Everything from the physics, to the speed, and the sprites just feel right. both Modern and classic fans will find a good challenge with this game. Hopefully the game does well enough that maybe we can get a sequel? Only time will tell.

E3 2017: Exploring New Donk City In ‘Super Mario Odyssey’!

by The_acz

Earlier this week marked the first public playable appearance of Super Mario Odyssey, and boy, did the 7th layer of hell open.

If you weren’t there by 6 AM waiting for the West Hall doors to open, chances are you weren’t going to be able to play the game that day or at all! Luckily, I braved the morning craziness and can successfully report back on what I played and what I though about it. So pick up a chair and listen to the magic that is the Super Mario Odyssey E3 2017 demo.

The demo contains the choice of two worlds that you can choose: The Metro Kingdom also known as New Donk City, and The Sand Kingdom. I’ll be covering what happens in the New Donk City demo. The big sell of Odyssey is that the game is a return to it’s 3D open world roots ala Super Mario 64 & Super Mario Sunshine. While New Donk City may looks small in the trailers, it’s a pretty big place once you’re dropped in and playing the game itself. This opens up with Mario and Cappy on a building being instructed to meet up with Mayor Pauline (YES! That Pauline.). Now usually the objective of the demo is to meet up with Pauline and help her assemble a music band for a performance at night, but you can easily ignore it to explore the city, and here’s when things get fun.

Instead of doing the preferred mission, I decided to take advantage of my 10 minutes by aimlessly wandering around New Donk City trying to find as many secrets and other moons as I could. I gained one of them by throwing my hat onto a random civilian playing with an RC car (which was briefly shown in the trailer). The RC car did not control well, and as a result ended up being more frustrating than fun, but that’s something that can easily be fixed before the game launches. As for other secrets, I found plenty of other moons by just walking into a random alleyway and finding a small house which had a slot machine I could gamble on for coins, hearts, and moons. It was so bizarre, and yet amazing to find. I was also able to posses many other things during my demo such as a pair of binoculars, a ball of lightning, and more! All controlled well and felt great to use

In the end, Super Mario Odyssey is an amazing game with a massive amount of potential. While Zelda: Breath of the Wild may still be getting a lot of love and GOTY nominations, there’s no doubt in my mind that Mario is about to give Link a run for his Rupees this October. I personally can’t wait for more reveals about this game, but to be honest, I may just go media blackout on this game from now until release. Seeing as how much this demo has gotten me excited to play the full version, that may be all I need right now.

E3 2017: Switch Version Of ‘Rocket League’ Plays At 60FPS, 720P

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I’m freaking stoked that Rocket League is coming to the Nintendo Switch.

During the hours and hours and hours that I spent with the title, there have been numerous places that I’ve wished that I could keep on playing, but simply couldn’t for logistical reasons. These include (but are not limited to):

-On the toilet
-On the train to work
-At work
-On a plane
-In a hotel
-In bed
-In the living room while my fiancé is watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix

I knew that the Nintendo Switch version would become the definitive version of the game for me once I saw those sweet, sweet Mario and Luigi hats, and I became even more excited once I realized all of the new locales where I’d now be able to hone my skills (see above).

One thing that I was curious about, however, was just how well this version of the game would perform. What would the framerate be like? Would it include split screen multiplayer?

Gamespot learned all of the answers earlier today at E3. In both docked and undocked modes, the Switch version of Rocket League will run at 720P at a silky smooth 60FPS. It sounds as though they’re aiming to retain this framerate for the game’s two player undocked mode, as well as a four-player on TV split screen.

Psyonix VP Jeremy Dunham did note that the Switch version of the game will see some graphical compromises in order to hit those numbers (while the upcoming Xbox One X version will play in 4K HDR, for instance), but this version is also freaking portable and has Mario hats, so who cares, am I right?

As previously announced, the Switch version will also see cross platform multiplayer with PC and Xbox gamers. Sony, unfortunately, gave a pretty bogus reason on why they’re sitting this one out.

Are you looking forward to the Switch version of the game? Be sure to sound out in the comments below!

Gear Up With ThinkGeek’s Newest ‘Breath Of The Wild’ Items!

by Natalie Kipper

Love for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is still alive and well, as it should be. And ThinkGeek is ensuring that gamers can show their fandom in the real world, too. The store recently added not one, not two, but three new items themed to the title. Let’s take a look at what you can spend your hard-earned rupees on!

The first item is the Sheikah Slate Sketchbook, modeled after the Sheikah Slate found in the game. Open this sucker up to find 100 blank sheets of paper (with perforated edges) just waiting to be filled during your adventures. Not only is this item functional but it makes the perfect cosplay item (and con-season is right around the corner)! The Sheikah Slate Sketchbook costs $29.99 and is in-stock and ready to ship.

Next up is Breath of the Wild Shield Backpack, also shown in the header image. Priced at $59.99, this super-cool accessory is modeled after Link’s Traveler’s Shield. Like the sketchbook, this has great cosplay prop potential. Unzip this sucker to reveal  pockets galore – three open ones and one with a zipper closure. Another cool detail that fans will appreciate Sheikah’s Eye symbol printed on the inside of the backpack. It also features a built-in padded laptop/tablet sleeve that fits devices up to 10 and a half inches wide by one an a half inches deep by 12 and a half inches tall (although it could potentially go up to 14 inches tall, if you left top closure of the sleeve undone).

The final item is the Breath of the Wild oil canvas. This work of gaming art costs $249.99 and measures 30 inches by 60 inches. It is limited in edition to 600 pieces (you can see which number you got in the lower-left of your canvas). If you have the space and the money, this is cool way to show off your fandom while also giving you a chance to enjoy a sweeping Hylian vista anytime you wish.

Do any of these items catch your fancy?

Geekscape Games Preview: ‘ARMS’ Global Testpunch

by The_acz

Last week, Nintendo held their last free play sessions for their upcoming fighting game ARMS. This multiplayer demo was only available the last 2 weekends and only for 1 hour sessions. Seeing as how we’re only one week away from the game’s release, I thought it’d be fun to drum up some hype by talking about my experience with the game during these last 2 weekends. So without further delay, let’s get up in ARMS! (I apologize for nothing.)

The ARMS Global Testpunch features 8 out of the 10 playable characters, 4 stages , and 5 game modes, one of them being a secret mode that rarely pops up.  My most played characters ended up being Mechanica, The D.Va of the game, and Ribbon Girl, the underrated pop singer. For the Testpunch, I played strictly using the motion control setup, and experienced no problems at all. I’ve noticed a lot of people recommend the Pro Controller and the Joycon grip for an easier and viable use, but if you’re a fan of motion controls, you shouldn’t have a problem. My favorite part during play would have to be the replay system, as you get to watch as the final blow is delivered to you or your opponent.

The only accessible mode here is the Online Mode, but as stated earlier, this included 5 different game modes for players to test and get a proper feeling for. The most common mode is obviously versus, where you can take on anyone from a 1v1, 2v2, or an all out 3-4 player battle royale. 1 on 1 battles are usually easy to track, but it can get very hectic once team battles and free for all modes get into the mix, especially since you can actually injure your partner if you’re not careful. It feels very rewarding when you only have but a sliver of health left, and take the game from behind with a well timed grab.

The other modes appear alongside the regular versus mode, and vary. First, there’s V-ball, a mode where you play. . . well, volleyball. The mode itself has potential to be really fun, but a short timer and score cap make this experience a bit too fast, and in the end, it ends up not being as great as it could be. Maybe if you could extend the timer and amount of points in the full version you could get some fun out of it.

The next mode is Skillshot, where you and an opponent duke it out to see who can break the most targets before time runs out. This mode is actually really fun, as not only is it a race to beat your opponent to the targets, but because you’re encouraged to play dirty and grab and flip your opponent for extra points.

Finally, we have Hoops which has you and your rival trying to see who can score the most points in a game of basketball. The catch? YOU’RE the one being dunked! This mode is tons of fun, and feels super satisfying when you get a dunk on someone, especially from a 3 point line. There is one more mode, but sadly I did not encounter it, so I can’t give my thoughts on it.

In the end, I had a great time with the ARMS Global Testpunch, and wish the best for the game. It’s always great when Nintendo can deliver a fresh new take on a genre without having to resort to their go to I.Ps. Can this game become the next Splatoon? I hope so, only time will tell, but with the added additions of free content updates in the form of characters, stages, arms, and even modes, the future of this game seems just as bright. What did you think of the game? Tell us in the comments below! ARMS releases for the Nintendo Switch on June 16th.

 

 

Pokemon Arrives On The Nintendo Switch This September With ‘Pokken Tournament DX’

by Josh Jackson

During the sudden Pokemon focused Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Pokken Tourament DX, an enhanced version of last year’s Wii U fighter, Pokken Tournament, will mark the series’ Switch debut on September 22nd.

On top of the 16 characters featured in the original release, DX is adding five more characters to the brawl. Highlighting Empoleon, Scizor, Darkrai, Croagunk and the Sun/Moon starter, Decidueye, it looks like us console players will finally get the chance to master some new characters. In addition, the game is receiving a new 3-on-3 mode, bringing fast paced tag team action to an already wild fighter. Speaking of wild, if you’re going to be in LA next week for E3 and want to put your pro gaming skills to the test, Nintendo will hold a main stage tournament on June 14. Just try to do better than Reggie did at Smash, and you’ll be A-OK!

I’m happy to see a portable version of the game arrive, but I’m going to need to be convinced that this will be worth investing in the game a second time. The original was light on content, and when you consider that four of the five new characters have been available in arcades for months, only one brand new fighter is part of this package. This is great for Switch owners who never had a Wii U, but for the rest of us, it’s essentially a $60 DLC pack. If it’s released at a discounted price, that might make the investment a little easier, but I’m somehow doubting that will be the case. Let’s hope E3 has some more news to push us towards double dipping.
What did you think of the announcement, and will you be picking up Pokken Tournament DX for the second time? Or will this be your first chance to tackle this Pokemon arena? Let us know below!

Pokemon Direct Tomorrow!!

by The_acz

After many months of rumor, and speculation, Pokemon is finally having what seems to have become their yearly pre E3 Pokemon Direct. The direct will take place tomorrow morning, June 6th 2017 at 7AM PST (10AM EST) and be an 8 minute long presentation. Odds are that the reveal will be the highly anticipated and rumored Pokemon Stars. Will it be a simple port of Pokemon Sun/Moon, or will it be its own thing? The only thing we can do right now is speculate until tomorrow morning. Got a guess to what it is? Tell us in the comments below!

Judd And Li’l Judd Get Plush Counterparts, Now Up For Pre-order!

by Natalie Kipper

Man, Nintendo is killing it with the marketing for Splatoon 2, which will be releasing on the Nintendo Switch in late July. Not only will English-speaking fans get a translation of Hinodeya Sankichi’s Splatoon manga in “late summer” but new plushes of characters from the series, manufactured by San-ei Boueki, are now up for pre-order from several import sites. Two plushes that are garnering a ton of attention are Judd and Li’l Judd.

Yes, I realize this is not Judd’s first plush rodeo. However, this time around he is substantially bigger, measuring 28 centimeters high and 26 centimeters wide. This size increase earns him his “M” (for “medium”) subtitle in store listings. Other details include embroidered paw pads on all four paws and his uniquely-shaped tail. Judd (M size) costs ￥3,500.

Li’l Judd is a newcomer to the Splatoon series. His origin remains clouded in mystery. All I can confirm is that the critter is unbelievably cute! Like Judd, he has embroidered paw prints and that recognizable tail. Li’l Judd is 13 centimeters tall and 13 centimeters wide. He costs ￥1,500.

You can find these plushes at AmiAmi (Judd, Li’l Judd), HobbyLink Japan (Judd, Li’l Judd), and Play-Asia (Judd, Li’l Judd). They are scheduled to ship this August.

[Header image via GoNintendo. Thanks for the tip, Loki!]

It’s Real! ‘Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle’ Has Been Leaked!

by The_acz

After months of murmur, rumors, and re-tooling, it looks like the fabled Mario and Raving Rabbids crossover RPG is real.

That’s right, the heavily rumored strategy RPG crossover is real, and a bit confusing still. Art and info on the game leaked this morning from what looks like what was supposed to be an internal only presentation for investors. The game features only 8 playable characters: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and Rabbid variations of those characters (a step down from the original rumored cast of Mario side characters). Another notable feature is that the weapons mostly consist of guns. Yeah, their themed too match the Mario universe, but it’s still weird talking about how a new Mario game has guns in it.

The title is currently being developed not by Nintendo, but Ubisoft Paris and Milan, and will contain a 20 hour single player mode, as well as 2 player local co-op. The game is set to be released in August or September, and will be playable on the E3 show floor. Are your expectations high or low, and will you even try it out? Tell us in the comments below! 

 

PSA: ‘ARMS’ Nintendo Direct Coming Tomorrow!

by The_acz

Just last week Nintendo announced their E3 plans for 2017, and so we assumed there wouldn’t be a Nintendo Direct until a month or two afterwards.

That’s not the case as Nintendo dropped a surprise announcement this morning saying that there will be a full presentation dedicated to the game ARMS tomorrow May 17th at 3PM PST. Odds are they’ll probably show off the main modes of the game, as well as the rest of the characters. There’ll also be a special Splatoon 2 treat at the end of the direct. Are you excited for ARMS? Tell us in the comments below!

‘Sonic Forces’: The Newest Playable Character Is. . . .YOU!

by The_acz

About a month ago in the most recent Nintendo Direct, the highly anticipated Sonic Forces was teased as having a 3rd playable character.

This set off many theories as to who else you’d be able to play as. Guesses ranged everywhere from Fang the Sniper to Bubsy the Bobcat (yes, really, people guessed that.) Today, Sega has finally peeled back the curtain to reveal this character, and it couldn’t be more amazing if they tried.The third playable character joining the roster for the game is YOUR original character! That’s right! I hope you kept that picture of your Sonic OC from when you were in the 3rd grade because it’s now going to come in handy. 

As of right now, there are 7 different animals to choose from, each having their own ability. Here’s how they’re broken down:

  • Hedgehog — Collects rings when getting damaged
  • Wolf — Automatically draws in rings when near them
  • Rabbit — Has longer invincible time after receiving damage
  • Bird — Flies high with double jump abilities
  • Bear — Blows away enemies with a homing attack
  • Cat — Keeps one ring after being hit
  • Dog — Restarts with five rings after the player dies

 

Aside from a custom ability for each type of animal, there’ll also be custom items that only the created character can use. One example used in the trailer is some sort of grappling hook and a flamethrower (hey, it’s still pretty cool. Check out the trailer below and get excited!

 

‘Blaster Master Zero’ Gets New Characters & Modes In A Free Update!

by The_acz

About a month ago, I reviewed Blaster Master Zero for the Nintendo Switch. (review here)

It was a fun game that successfully brought the BM series back into the public eye and also made it accessible to both old fans and newcomers alike. Developer Inti Creates isn’t just content with letting it sit on the sidelines though, as they dropped a big surprise today that the game has gotten a free update! The first thing that’s been added is Destroyer Mode. This acts essentially as a hard mode, making enemies harder to damage and having to use your weapons more effectively.

The second update is much more exciting as it introduces EX Character Mode which let’s you play as other Inti Creates characters such as Gunvolt from Azure Striker Gunvolt, and Ekoro from Azure Striker Gunvolt and Gal Gun. Both characterrs will start out as a free add for a special promotional period, but afterwards become paid DLC, but for only $1.99. Check out the trailer below for more info. Have you picked up Blaster Master Zero yet?

‘Zelda Breath Of The Wild’ Gets An Update On DLC & Free Dual Audio Support!

by The_acz

Earlier today Nintendo finally released new info on what we can expect to see from the first batch of DLC heading to Breath of the Wild. 

The first new bit of info is the new challenge arena now called Trial of the Sword. It works the same as the cave of shadows from Twilight Princess HD.  Clear all 45 rooms, and the Master Sword will unlock its hidden potential. Also new is hard mode and hero’s path. Hard mode upgrades enemies by making them spot link more easily and giving them regenerating health if you’re taking too long in battle.  It will also include new chests that you can only get by shooting them out of the sky. Hero’s path is a new map feature that allows the player to look at where Link has traveled on the map in the past 200 hours, letting them know where they’ve been and what places they should explore. 

Also new is the travel medallion which link can place anywhere to use as a custom fast travel location. Nintendo has also announced that new costumes and armor based off of Tingle, Midna, Majoras Mask, and more will be added to the game as well. While Nintendo provided no info on the DLC’s release or any hint at the 2nd pack, they did give fans a nice surprise. 

Remember how everyone wanted to play Breath of the Wild with dual audio, but Nintendo didn’t want to budge on it, well now you can. As of RIGHT NOW you can download a patch for the game that allows you to play in about 6 different languages, including japanese. So if you’re a monster and hate british Zelda, now you can rid here from this cruel earth. (Editor Note: You are not an actual monster if you dislike british Zelda.) Are you excited for this DLC now? Do you think it’s worth the $20 asking price? Tell us in the comments below!

Here Are The Highlights From Today’s Nintendo Direct!

by Natalie Kipper

This afternoon, a good portion of the gaming community tuned in to the latest Nintendo Direct presentation. For just a second shy of 11 and a half minutes, Nintendo bombarded fans with news of upcoming games for both the Switch and the 3DS. On the off chance you missed it, perhaps you had adult things to do or were napping, you can find the entire Nintendo Direct just below this sentence.

https://youtu.be/b0eA0AKk6wY

 

The video covered a ton of content so rather than go through it piece by piece, let’s take a look at the heavy hitters!

The headliners were ARMS and Splatoon 2. In the ARMS segment of the video (that I think kind of dragged on a bit), viewers were introduced to a new combatant, the Eastern culture-flavored Minmin. Along with Minmin, fans got a glimpse at different fighting strategies, such as equipping two different weapon types, as well as additional modes of play, like the 2-versus-2 matches. More information was also released about what makes each fighter different. Minmin, for example, can deflect projectiles with a timed kick as well as make use of a powered-up dragon arm to unleash extra damage. ARMS has a release date of June 16.

Out of all the games shown, I think Splatoon 2 is the one likely to produce the most buzz. The game’s segment showcased new gameplay mechanics, like reviving a teammate. The new mode shown was called Salmon Rush and focused on acquiring orbs dropped by enemies upon defeat. It looks like the big boss baddies yield the orbs needed to complete the main objective for the level. Splatoon 2 will ship on July 21 on the Nintendo Switch with an additional Direct leading up to the game’s release.

The Pikmin series makes its inaugural voyage to the Nintendo 3DS in Hey! PIKMIN. Players can expect the same alien-tossing and puzzle-solving they love but in a side-scrolling format. And for those amiibo maniacs out there (we are looking at you, Jonathan!), a special Pikmin amiibo will be sold the same day as the game’s release, July 28.

Speaking of amiibo, twelve additional figures are scheduled to be released this summer. First, The Legend of Zelda gets three more versions of Link on June 23. Those versions are Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword. And on July 21, there are amiibo for the three Super Smash Bros. fighters, Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta. There will be two versions of each of those three characters. Also coming in July are three Splatoon 2 amiibo, featuring an Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, and you guessed it, an Inkling Squid.

One game I am particularly excited about is Ever Oasis, heading to the Nintendo 3DS on June 23. It is an Action-RPG by Koichi Ichii, the brain behind the Mana series. Nintendo will reveal more about this title as we get closer to June.

What announcements got your blood pumping? Let us know in the comments!

‘Arms’ And ‘Splatoon 2’ Headline Upcoming April Nintendo Direct This Week!

by The_acz

With just 2 months until E3, Nintendo has announced that they’ll be holding a Nintendo Direct this week on Wednesday, April 12th. The direct will air at 3PM PST and focus mainly on Splatoon 2 and ARMS with a couple of surprises thrown throughout the presentation. Hopefully we get some details on their E3 plans as well during this direct as they’ve remained pretty quiet on that front. Which game are you more excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

Miss ‘NBA Jam’? Check Out ‘NBA Playgrounds’!!

by The_acz

It seems like within the past couple of years that sports games have become more popular.

While there are still fun sports games like the NBA 2K series and FIFA, it all but seems like the more light hearted days of arcade sports games like NBA Jam and NFL Blitz. There was a brief resurgence of these games in the early 2010’s, but they were more toned down from their original versions (except NBA Jam for Wii. That was pretty faithful.) Enter NBA Playgrounds. What seems a pseudo spiritual successor to the jam series. There’s not much to the trailer, but the game will be launching in May for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, and PC for $20. Check out the trailer below and tell us in the comments what your favorite arcade style sports game is!

‘Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night’ Canceled For Wii U. Coming To Switch Instead.

by The_acz

2 years ago, a disgruntled Koji Igarashi left Konami to make the Castlevania game of his dreams that Konami didn’t want to make. He launched the mega popular Kickstarter for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, and has been hard at work on the game ever since then. They hit tons of stretch goals, including one that would get the game on the Wii U. Well, we all know that the Wii U essentially kicked the bucket back in late 2015, and with the recent success of the Nintendo Switch, there have been some major changes.

Just like Yooka Laylee a couple of months back, Igarashi announced today in the newest update that Bloodstained is no longer coming out for Nintendo’s red headed gamepad forcing step child. Instead, the game will launch on the Switch, and backers who once backed the Wii U version can now change to the Switch with ease, as well as other platforms. While sad for Wii U owners, this is another great game heading to the Switch via 3rd party support, and we couldn’t be happier for it.

What do you think? Which version of Bloodstained will you be getting? Check out the announcement right here.

 

 

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 107 – ‘Holy Switch!’

by GeekscapeStaff

Join Adam, Derek, Josh and Shane as they discuss the last week in video games!

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This Week:

We tear down the Nintendo Switch. We dish on our first impressions of the hardware, as well as discuss our favorite aspects of the software.

Mission Objective:

“What is your favorite thing about The Nintendo Switch?”

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‘Stardew Valley’ Confirmed For Switch, Multiplayer Mode Incoming!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Yes!

Stardew Valley is a game that has taken my television by storm. I picked up the game as a Christmas gift for my fiancé, and while I’ve played the fantastic title for a few hours myself, my non-gamer fiancé has just cleared 60 hours played (and in fact, is playing as I write this).

She’s completed hooked, and while developer ConcernedApe noted late last year that he was looking into a Nintendo Switch version of the game, that version became official during today’s Nindies presentation (which also brought some much appreciated news from Team17, among others).

Now, while a Nintendo Switch version of the game is a little terrifying (if she can bring the game to bed and the bathroom, I’ll never get to see her or the Switch), Nintendo also revealed that the Wii U version will be the first console to feature the game’s long wished for, often ‘maybe’d multiplayer mode.

To be able to play Stardew Valley at the same time, on the same console, with the same farm? Damn. The game was already on my best-of list for 2016… could it make my 2017 list too?

‘Snake Pass’ Getting A Nintendo Switch Release, David Wise, & More!

by The_acz

Rounding out one more highlight from this mornings Nindie presentation, is Snake Pass.

Developed by Sonic and All Stars Racing developer Sumo Digital, Snake Pass is a 3D physics platformer where you play as a snake traversing many different worlds. The game was just recently announced for the Nintendo Switch, but that’s not the biggest part. The composer of the game is none other than legendary composer David Wise who is most known for his work on Donkey Kong Country 1, 2, 3 GBA, and Tropical Freeze.  The game has some gorgeous visuals and will release at the end of March on the 28th. Check out the trailer below and get grooving with some of those sweet trailer tunes.

Commander Video Is Back In ‘Runner 3’!

by The_acz

One of the more overlooked indie series has to be the Bit Trip Runner games.

The series started on the Wii and also cross-overed to other platforms like PC, PS4, etc with its sequel Runner 2. Now Commander Video returns back to Nintendo platforms exclusively for Runner 3 on the Nintendo Switch this fall. Not much is known about the game yet, but hopefully there’s more to come in the future. Check out the trailer below!, and buy Runner 2 on Steam, PSN, XBLA, or the E-shop if you haven’t already!

Team 17 Brings ‘Yooka Laylee’, ‘Overcooked’, And ‘The Escapists 2’ To Nintendo Switch!

by The_acz

Earlier this morning Nintendo showcased tons of great indie developers and content heading to the Nintendo Switch, and Team 17 was among them

It seems like Team 17 is all in on the console, as they have some exciting titles planned for launch. first up on the plate is the higly anticipated Yooka Laylee which has finally been confirmed as officially being on the console. Still no release date, but Nintendo and Playtonic say it won’t be much longer till release which could indicate that it will launch same day as the other platforms. On top of that, they also showed off a brand new trailer with a new snow themed world titled Glitterglaze Glacier. The game is still on track for an April 11th release.

Also being served up on Nintendo Switch will be Overcooked!. Team 17 announced that not only will the Switch be getting Overcooked!: Special Edition, but that the game will also include HD Rumble that will let you feel the sloshing from the weight of carrying soup, or cuts from a tomato. No date on when we can expect it, but the game will also include all DLC.

Last, but least, The Escapists 2 will also be making its way to the Switch later this year alongside the other versions being released. No specific release again, but it’s great to see the company all in on the system. What is your favorite Team 17 game? Tell us in the comments below!