Tag: Nintendo

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

A New Nintendo Direct Is On The Horizon!

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

MewtwoBut wait… what about this guy?

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

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

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

Lucario vs. MewtwoExpect to see this battle play out in Smash Bros.

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

 

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

Sonic Boom Screen 1Early images give a very Sonic Heroes vibe.

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

Deal Alert: ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition’ Is Currently FREE For 3DS!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: So Nintendo goes through a very tough financial year, and they’re still giving us things to be thankful for.

The big N has brought The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition back to the 3DS eShop, and it’s totally free for the next four days. That’s right! From now, until Sunday, February 2, at 11:59 p.m. (PST), you can jump on your 3DS and download the game at no cost.

I wasn’t a GBA owner back when Four Swords first launched, so I’ve missed out on the game until now. I can’t wait to grab a few 3DS-owning friends to play through it with!

Here’s what Nintendo had to say about the promotion:

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is GameSpot’s 2013 game of the year! We want to celebrate all things Hyrulian, so for a limited time we’re offering The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition for FREE!

 

Just go to Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo 3DS or 2DS from Thursday, Jan. 30, at 9 AM (PST) until Sunday, Feb. 2, at 11:59 PM (PST) to download this awesome adventure. Grab it while you can: when the offer ends, it might be a while before you see the game again in Nintendo eShop.

 

The offer will be gone in a flash, but don’t hang up your Master Sword just yet—the celebrations will continue with the release of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, available for purchase on Nintendo eShop for Wii U, and a special Art Academy SketchPad event in Miiverse!

Now, let’s all show our thanks by going out and picking up a Wii U, okay?

‘Yoshi’s New Island’ Gets A New Trailer

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I can’t wait to get back to this island.

Nintendo has just launched a new trailer for Yoshi’s New Island, which looks both insanely cute and incredibly fun, and hits stores on March 14th. The game puts a whole new dimension on the original’s pastel visuals, and it’s an upgrade that all of us at Geekscape are excited to make.

As Josh noted in his “Games of 2014” article, “Produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island, Nintendo is looking to bring the modern feel to the classic Yoshi game play in the same way New Super Mario Bros has for gaming’s most popular plumber.”

Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know if you’ll be picking Yoshi’s New Island up on March 14th!

Praise The Gods! Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Is Coming To The West In 2015!

by Shane O'Hare

That’s right my fellow Hunters, the much anticipated Monster Hunter 4 is getting an Ultimate release in the West! The series head producer Ryozo Tsujimoto outlines it all below!

If you’re new to the whole Monster Hunter series let me bring you up to speed. Monster Hunter is one of the biggest franchises Capcom has, and has become one of the must have titles for the portable market. It takes place in a fantasy world where players, well hunt monsters. The big attraction to the game is the sheer size of some of the beasts you fight. It also forces players to rely on their skills and not an arbitrary leveling system. If you’re a pro hunter you can kill some high rank monsters with starting rank gear. Repeating hunts over and over again in the hopes of getting those rare drops from the monsters never feels like work, the grind is very enjoyable.

You can get your hands on Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate sometime in 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS. Chances are a WiiU release will be quickly following.

Geekscape Games Previews: ‘Bravely Default’

by Josh Jackson

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

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

Default

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

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

Default2

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

This is definitely on our most wanted lists.
This is definitely on our most wanted lists.

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

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

‘Bravely Default’ Demo Available Now Available On The 3DS eShop!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: The eShop demo for Square-Enix’s latest highly anticipated 3DS RPG, has just hit the North American store.

The usual demo rules apply here (you can only open the game 30 times), but as was revealed in the last 2014 focussed Nintendo Direct, the demo features all-new content that you won’t find in the main game, and your characters (and their stuff) will transfer to the retail release.

The game looks great, and I can’t wait to take a look at the demo (as soon as I finish A Link Between Worlds, that is). Already play? Let us know how it is, and be sure to let us know if you’ll be grabbing Bravely Default when it hits North American shelves on February 7th!

Zelda Confirmed for ‘Smash Bros.’

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

SOURCE: Smashbros.com

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: 12-18-13

by Josh Jackson

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

Wii U News

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

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

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

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

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

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

sonic yoshi ScreenAt least they’re not the Deadly Six.

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

Dr Luigi ScreenshotOh Luigi, always bringing home viruses.

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

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

Nintendo 3DS News

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

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

Kirby 3D ScreenKirby continues his quest for arbor annihilation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’ Gets A Release Date!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: During tonight’s VGX awards, Nintendo revealed some long awaited news about the excellent-looking Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

First up: Cranky Kong is a playable character, and he looks pretty cool. The live demo showed how the different Kongs can team up to take down enemies together. The game (of course) features local co-op, which has to lead to some aggravating, frustratingly good times.

Reggie Fils-Aime also announced the oft-delayed release date for the title, which will hit stores on February 21st, 2014.

Take a look at the newest demo below, and let us know if you’ll be picking this one up!

http://youtu.be/9t6Hdagh7lk

‘Super Mario 3D World’ Launch Trailer Will Make You Want A Wii U

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Ready to buy a Wii U?

Hopefully you’ve already picked up one of Nintendo’s struggling home console (there are a lot of great games for it at this point, and even the system’s poor marketing can’t hide that), but if not, this launch trailer for Super Mario 3D World will definitely make you want to.

The game is receiving nothing but praise from pretty much the entire internet, and I’m sure you’ll hear thoughts from our own team soon (who crashed the Xbox One launch to pick up the game). Until then, check out the launch trailer below, go pick up a Wii U, and share your thoughts below!

Nintendo Direct Highlights: 11/13/13 Edition

by Josh Jackson

Another edition of Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and as promised, we left with a ton of new details on numerous 3DS titles. From Zelda, to Layton and Mario’s latest party, handheld owners will have their hands full within the coming months. With that said, the Wii U got a few bones thrown at it as well! Without further ado, here are the highlights from this morning’s conference Be warned: some of the content below contains spoilers.

– The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds has a new trailer! If you weren’t hyped enough, new details about new characters like Irene the witch, (who is essentially used for fast travel,) and Seres, (essentially the game’s Zelda replacement,) were shown, as well as Zora Flippers, which allow Link to swim.

– Zelda Street Pass functionality was revealed and it sounds really awesome! Players will create their own Shadow Link, complete with an item loadout and a set amount of hearts. The stronger the Link, the higher the bounty, which will be awarded to others who can find the shadow on the map and take him down.

– Mario Party Island Tour is also coming on November 22nd and allows download play for all seven of the game’s boards! Street Pass was also detailed, letting players compete in mini games against up to 10 ghost Mii’s. If you’re more of a loner, a single player “Bowser’s Tower” will have us competing in 30 floors worth of games, each one getting progressively harder until the boss fights that take place once every five floors.

– Bravely Default features a wide variety of customization for the in game party, including abilities, jobs, spells and appearances. Some new mechanics include the Default System, a defensive stance that builds Brave Points that can be used to unleash powerful attacks when switched to the Brave System,  Sleep Points, which can be built up using a time stopping ability or while the system is in sleep mode, than can be exchanged for more powerful moves, and Street Pass, which brings other characters into battles to aid you, (if they’re not chosen to help rebuild your town.)

– Bravely Default is releasing on February 7th, complete with a collectors edition. This contains the game, a set of AR cards, a soundtrack and an art book. Pricing has yet to be announced.

– Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy will close out the second, (and presumably last,) Layton trilogy when it arrives on the 3DS on February 28th. It’ll be fun to see Layton, Luke an Emmy’s final adventure through, but I can’t say I’m ready to say goodbye to the professor. At least we have the Phoenix Wright crossover to look forward to!

– Nintendo Zone locations will be distributing the (formerly,) exclusive Best Buy Animal Crossing: New Leaf items throughout November, as well as a special item block for Super Mario 3D Land. Contents are unknown, but it might be worth checking out the next time you’re at a Starbucks.

– Possibly the biggest news of the day, a December system update will allow Wii U and 3DS currency to be combined. So if you have $5 burning a hole in your Wii U wallet, transfer it over to the 3DS! Because if this presentation has taught me anything, it’s that the 3DS has way more content to use it on.

– Miiverse support will also be added along with this update, so now you’ll be able to take your awkward screenshots and witty commentary with you, assuming you can access the Internet of course.

– Other updates include YouTube on the handheld and an upgraded YouTube app for Wii U, both of which will be available later this month.

– Finally, we shift to the Wii U. In addition to the two packs already released, Pikmin 3 will receive a third wave of downloadable content. Unlike the previous downloads, which were made up of remixed stages from the on disc story and mission content, this wave contains all new stages not found anywhere else in the game. Taking Olimar to stages like construction sites, the inside of homes, beaches and factories, the first Pikmin protagonist will be tasked with finding Louie on the map, who will then be playable, allowing them to take on multiple tasks at once.

Pikmin 3 DLC 3

– The DLC will be released on December 2nd and consist of eight total stages. These four treasure stages and four battle stages didn’t have a price tag attached to them, but one of each type will be free to all players who download the update for the content, both of which take place in the “Fortress of Festivity.”

– The Animal Crossing Plaza is getting a slew of updates! 50 Miiverse stamps are being added, so those who can’t draw to save their life, (like me,) can post decent pictures of the cast. Polls are also being introduced, letting the community vote on such important issues as, “who is the best secretary?” or, “who is the neighbor of the year?” Considering the game has only one secretary, I’m expecting a landslide. The update will go live later this evening.

– Future updates will include resident registration, so you can keep track of who is in your in game town, a function allowing Miiverse posts to be saved in the photo album and the ability to move and delete multiple photos at once. When they will be available is unknown, but I’d guess 2014 since that’s when the app is scheduled to go down.

– An indie game sizzle reel showed off a ton of content, including 1001 Spikes, Jett Rocket 2, the new Shantae and Retro City Rampage for the 3DS. You can check out the video showing off all of the indie game goodness below.

– And finally, we have 10 new things in Super Mario 3D World. From bonus modes to kart themed stages and 3D puzzles, it seems like the game will feature a ton of content we were never expecting, including one big reveal that I won’t post here. Watch the trailer below if you’re feeling adventurous, but trust me when I say it’s a great reason to get excited.

And… that’s about it? What news was the most exciting part for you all? I know I’m hyped about 3D World more than ever, but even games like Mario Party and Zelda, which I was planning on waiting on, sound hard to resist. But I’ve talked enough. Sound off and let us know what Nintendo content you’re most excited about leading into 2014!

Updated Pokerap Manages All 718 Revealed Pokemon!

by Josh Jackson

Remember the Pokerap? The song that would play at the end of the original Pokemon episodes? If not, it was a rap that was divided into five parts and ran through the week, brainwashing kids like me into watching throughout the week. I mean the rap was the holy grail of middle school nerds at the time. Knowing it from beginning to end meant that you traded in your dignity for a bit of nerd respect, so each and every day you were shoved into a trash can by the so called “cool” kids, you could at least waddle away knowing that you knew the Pokerap. And you were awesome!

The only problem was that memorizing 150 very strange name in a rhythmic manner felt like a near impossible task. Only the most dedicated Pokemon masters could accomplish such a feat, and if you did all those years ago, chances are you still remember it along side important milestones in life, like your first kiss, first job or first time you caught a shiny. I know I do!

Thankfully, the song was phased out long before the second set of monsters debut. Fast forward to today, and we have 718 different Mon’s to catch, making it seemingly impossible to recreate this magic today. Emphasis on the seemingly…

Thanks to the guys over at CollegeHumor, this impossibility has become a reality. Surely made by some passionate fans, (or guys with too much time on their hands,) a complete Pokerap exists for fans old and new. That’s almost 10 minutes of Pokemon names that go on… and on… and on… Okay, maybe it’s not such a good idea to bring it back, but it sure is awesome. And yeah, some of the names are grossly mispronounced, but YOU try rhyming that many names to that rhythm? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Check out the video below. I DARE you to watch it all in one sitting. I did, and my head is still spinning. While I might never be cool enough to memorize this rendition, at least I got through it! Hope you have as much fun watching as I did, and let us know what you think in the comments!

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

‘Pokemon X and Y’ Soundtrack Now Available on iTunes

by Josh Jackson

Pokemon fans around the world were greeted with a surprise this morning. A quick search over at the iTunes store shows that the entire Pokemon X and Y soundtrack is available for purchase for a modest $9.99. Consisting of 202 tracks straight from the game with an additional ten tracks from the Pokemon Origins series, a couple of hundred tracks for the price of a couple of Starbucks drinks isn’t bad at all, especially when the soundtrack is so freaking great!

Typically, we’re lucky to see game soundtracks released on our side of the world, and usually have to resort to importing or downloading to get our game music fix. In line with the latest game’s first ever simultaneous worldwide launch, this is the first time a soundtrack from the franchise has been available for purchase around the world. Sure, it’s not a boxed version, but beggars can’t be choosers, now can they?

The Pokemon X and Y official soundtrack is available for purchase now, with Origins making its English debut on the free Pokemon TV app this Friday, so make sure to swoop it up while you’re at it.

Source: Operationrainfall.com

3DS Focused Nintendo Direct Debuting Tomorrow

by Josh Jackson

Briefly: This morning, Nintendo announced that a new Nintendo Direct will take place tomorrow at 8AM Pacific time focusing 3DS titles through early 2014.

With the newest Zelda game, A Link Between Worlds, a new Mario Party, Pokemon Bank and Pokemon Transfer right around the corner, let’s hope we’ll get some exciting information on the handheld’s lineup leading up to 2014. With that said, I’m cautiously optimistic for some exciting surprises to take us into the new year.

While I’m not surprised that Nintendo is releasing new info on the eve of the PS4 and Xbox One launches, I’m surprised that they’re not teasing any last minute details on the Wii U. The 3DS lineup is fairly well known, and the Wii U would do well to have even a fraction of the user base its handheld counterpart has. Between the two, the 3DS is definitely not the one that needs holiday hype specifically dedicated towards it.

Oh well, hopefully we’ll end up with some great news nonetheless. Check back tomorrow morning with all of the details and let us know what you’re hoping to see in the comments!

Marth Returns to ‘Super Smash Bros.’ Still Androgynous as Hell!

by Josh Jackson

This morning, the folks over at smashbros.com treated us with the unexpected reveal of Marth, the main protagonist of the original Fire Emblem game in Japan. The blue haired, sword wielding pretty boy is the newest veteran to officially make his return, which caught some like myself off guard since most of the reveals have coincided with either a game’s release, or big news associated with the character, (like the Sonic: Lost World launch.)

After over a month without a significant new reveal, I have to say that Marth is making a welcomed return. Considering that the prince and his series as a whole came to achieve international attention specifically because of his Smash Bros. Melee appearance, it would feel weird at this point to release the game without him in it. Part of me was expecting him to get replaced by his Fire Emblem: Awakening counterpart, but with him now official, we’ll have to wait a little bit longer to see if the smash 3DS hit will get any representation outside of a stage. Either way, his immense attractiveness combined with the difficult task of figuring out his gender will surely continue to excite and confuse all who cross his path.

Until then, check out the screenshots released by Nintendo and see Marth in action, (when he’s not seducing Peach.) As always, check back with Geekscape as more Smash Bros. news becomes available.

SOURCE: Smashbros.com

‘Swapnote’ Allegedly Shut Down Due To Child Predators

by Josh Jackson

3DS fans across the Internet were outraged last week when Nintendo suddenly discontinued its popular Swapnote service, citing “offensive material” as the reason for their actions. Acting as a tool to send messages, drawings and pictures to friends through their handhelds, it seemed like many were in agreement that this knee jerk reaction was either Nintendo being Nintendo and overreacting to a potential threat, (which is why friend codes are still used as a way to make it harder for strangers to communicate,) or that something went really, really wrong when it came to how the service was used. Unfortunately, it seems to have been the latter.

Yomiuri Online, an Internet news site, is reporting that two men were arrested for performing “improper acts” with a 12 year old girl early this year. The girl met both men through her 3DS, and the Japanese newspaper Mainichi News is suggesting that Swapnote was involved at some point.

Unfortunately, that’s not all there is to the story. Mainichi, also reported that a man is said to have confessed to receiving nude photos from two girls, age 12 and 13 respectively, at the time of the incidents. Child pornography charges have reportedly been filed in regards to this incident.

Nintendo has yet to officially comment on the controversy specifically, still only citing “offensive material” as the reason for the service to be pulled, but the situation had to involve something big for them to shut down the service worldwide as suddenly as they did. Assuming the above stories are true, it’s a shame that we all have to suffer for the actions of a few perverts in Japan. But then again, fears of these types of actions are partially why Nintendo has shied away from a traditional online experience. When incidents like these take place, it’s not hard to see why.

SOURCE: Kotaku.com

New ‘Pikmin 3’ DLC Brings on Hordes of Enemies

by Josh Jackson

This morning, Nintendo announced that the latest batch of Pikmin 3 DLC is available for purchase on the Nintendo eShop. Adding four maps consisting of areas from the game’s story mode, these missions have been added to the “Battle Enemies” section of challenge mode.

As with the last set of content, the maps can be played both alone or cooperatively, where would-be astronauts will lead their army of Pikmin to take out as many predators within a certain time limit. One of the maps will be released for free with the latest update for the game, whereas the rest can be purchased together for the low low price of $1.99 if the first taste keeps you wanting more. All and all, I think it’s a pretty good deal.

Pikmin 3 DLC 2New and old enemies alike seem to be making an appearance.

I was worried when Nintendo stepped into the realm of DLC, but considering the way they’ve been handling it, (low prices, mostly unique content and usually developed post release,) I have to admit that these updates are a welcomed surprise. I mean four maps for two dollars? That’s better than horse armor, that’s for sure.

Will you be picking up this latest set of content for one of the best games on the Wii U? Let us know in the comments below!

Geekscape Mobile: Metaversal Studios’ Matt Sughrue Talks App Development and the Future!

by Mark Labbe

Apps are quickly becoming a huge staple of the gaming industry. With more and more apps breaking away from mobile devices and finding their way onto consoles, app developers have a lot of importance on the future of the gaming industry. Being intrigued by this, I decided to contact an app company for an interview to better understand how apps are made and how they will affect gaming in the future. I chose to get in touch with Metaversal Studios. Being a company that continuously creates popular, witty games for both iOS and Android, they seemed like a good choice. Matt Sughrue, VP of Product Development, was nice enough to give me his time to answer a few questions.

Geekscape: So, Matt, tell me about yourself.

Matt Sughrue: I started working in the game industry in 1992. Prior to that I worked in marketing and advertising in the computer business, but I’ve been a gamer since there were games to play and wanted very badly to make games. When I saw an ad in the Boston Globe for a game designer position at a small developer called Animation Magic, I went for it. I had zero qualifications other than good writing skills, boundless enthusiasm and rugged good looks. They hired me anyway, although it was as Marketing Director, not designer. I spent six months in that role before moving into design. Since we were so small (half a dozen developers in Boston), all of our roles overlapped and I was able to learn the ins and outs of game development by actually doing the work.

http://youtu.be/gcJPfb1GI3U

I loved being a designer and made a half dozen PC games, mostly for kids, during my first few years at the company. Animation Magic grew considerably during my time there, up to about a dozen people in Boston and 150 artists and animators at our studio in St. Petersburg, Russia. I had the opportunity to travel to Russia many times over the next 8 years and work with some extraordinarily talented people there.

As we grew, we had a need for someone to manage the client relationships and fill the producer role, so I shifted gears and became first a producer, then production director, then executive producer for the company. By the time we were purchased by Davidson & Associates (who had also purchased Sierra Online and Blizzard around the same time), our studio was developing multiple titles for multiple clients non-stop. It was kind of crazy, but I learned a lot about implementing best practices, juggling priorities and the importance of good planning.

After Animation Magic, I served as General Manager for Papyrus Design Group, the top PC racing simulation developer at the time, then went a social MMO startup that never got off the ground due to a lack of funding.

Over the next ten years I worked for developers and publishers running projects, teams and business units making games across just about every platform, from GBA to PS3.

I joined Metaversal Studios in 2010 as VP of Product Development, and have been here ever since.

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Geekscape: Impressive! Could you tell me about Metaversal Studios?

Matt Sughrue: Metaversal started as a group of Northeastern University graduates making Flash games for fun and for web clients. When Apple launched the iPod and iPhone, Metaversal started making games for those devices. The founder of the company sold Metaversal to a New York-based game distributor called Alliance in 2009, and Alliance hired me in 2010 to run the studio. When I came on board I discovered a lot of raw talent and potential but no discipline or structure. There was no one who could tell the new owners of the company when a game would be done or how it would generate any revenues.

I applied the best practices I had learned over the years to the studio and the development team jumped on board without hesitation. They quickly understood the value of good design documentation, source control, bug ticketing, peer review and clearly defined milestones, and we had our first successful app (a novelty app called Shave Me) in April of that year. Shave Me went to the top of the charts and continues to stay strong 3 years later, with well over 8 million downloads and many, many updates and enhancements. We’ve developed many other games since then for both iOS and Android devices, and along with our parent company have recently become PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo developers and publishers.

http://youtu.be/kxvKeAQg0Zc

Geekscape: I downloaded Shave Me and it is honestly one of the most unique apps I’ve ever used. How did Metaversal come up with that idea?

Matt Sughrue: It was the winner in a “weirdest app idea” studio competition. Weird can work in the App Store!

Geekscape: I guess it can! So, what are you working on now?

Matt Sughrue: Can’t give you details on that since we haven’t announced it yet, but we’re building a new iOS and Android game, as well as working with other developers to publish their titles for iOS, PS4 and Xbox One.

Geekscape: I’ll keep a lookout for it! So how many people work at Metaversal and what are the different responsibilities that they have?

Matt Sughrue: We have seven people here in our Massachusetts office, and our parent company has offices in New York, Miami and San Francisco.

Here in our studio we have design, art, engineering, marketing and project management staff. We’re all gamers, and the chemistry between our devs is excellent. Most of the team are people whom I’ve worked with at other jobs in the past, so there is a level of trust and efficiency that lets us achieve a lot more than developers our size normally would be able to pull off.

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Geekscape: Will any of your current apps be available on consoles?

Matt Sughrue: Probably nothing that’s already in the market, but we are looking at consoles for everything we do going forward.

Geekscape: So what goes into creating an app?

Matt Sughrue: App development is very different from making console games in that you have a very short dev cycle (1-4 months, depending on the game) and a very small team. We start with a group brainstorm session to get some potential ideas down on the board, then pare the list down by asking things like “Does this have staying power and can it be the start of a line of games?” “Can we bring this to other platforms easily?” “Does this take advantage of the development pipeline we’ve created, or do we need to change our process to make it?” “Can it be done in X months?” And on and on until the strongest idea remains. Everyone is thick-skinned here, which is good because we are also all extremely blunt with each other about the viability of a game concept.

http://youtu.be/Agt1cbPCa50

Geekscape: Finally- what platforms do you make apps for?

Matt Sughrue: We make games for iOS, Android, PC/Mac, and now PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.

You can follow Metaversal Studios on twitter here! What’s your favourite Metaversal title? Sound out below!

http://youtu.be/GkkqUf7DgQ8

Wii Mini Is Coming To The U.S.

by Mark Labbe

On November 17th, Nintendo’s Wii Mini will be available for purchase in America.

The Wii Mini is a more affordable version of Nintendo’s popular Wii console, with the opening price at a cool $99.99. The system is a smaller, redesigned version of the orignal Wii. It will come with a red Wii Remote Plus controller and nunchuck, as well as a copy of Mario Kart Wii.

However, the system lacks many of the original Wii’s capabilities. It will not have any internet capabilities, nor will it be able to play Nintendo Gamecube games. This limits users to only made-for-Wii games and eliminates Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu capabilities.

wiiumini

This system seems like a desperate attempt by Nintendo to make up for poor Wii U sales. With a used Wii costing less than $70, buying the Wii Mini simply does not seem worth it. One of the shining spots of the original Wii was the ability to download and play Nintendo 64 games on it. Being able to play Ocarina of Time again is one of the only reasons I still have my Wii. Without that capability, the console will lose a lot of its luster.

So for those of you who want to buy a cheap, fun, and family friendly console, try first to look for used Wii’s. You’ll be happy you did.

New Triforce Branded 3DS Surfaces in Celebration of ‘A Link Between Worlds!’

by Josh Jackson

Zelda fans lost their minds last week when images of a golden 3DS surfaced, complete with Triforce logos on the front and back of the hardware. Announced for Japan and Europe, nerds across North America were frothing at the mouth for the seemingly inevitable announcement of the hardware hitting our shores.

Well, the wait is over, because Nintendo has officially unveiled the console for our side of the world. Coming November 22nd and packaged with a download code for a digital copy of the upcoming SNES sequel, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, gamers will be able to return to Hyrule in style.

If you needed a reason to finally invest in a 3DS, now is definitely the time. If the gorgeous golden sheen isn’t enough to sway you, maybe the strong library of games, including the recently released Pokemon X and Y, Mario and Luigi: Dream Team and of course, A Link Between Worlds when it releases just might do it. Until then, let us know if this new model will be in your hands come the end of November.

‘Skylanders: Swap Force’ Wii U Bundle Surfaces; Includes Gold Swash Buckler!

by Josh Jackson

It looks like Nintendo finally found something to do with all of those Basic Wii U models.

This morning, Nintendo dropped a welcomed surprise, when it was announced that they were teaming up with Activision to bring us the Skylanders: Swap Force Wii U bundle.

Arriving on November 15th, the package comes with a Swap Force starter pack, complete with Ninja Stealth Elf, Swash Buckler and Blast-Zone, the Portal of Power and the software itself. If that wasn’t enough, the package also includes exclusive Skylanders posters, trading cards stickers, and a copy of Nintendoland. That’s two games, one of which is a full starter set, for the same price as the standard Deluxe bundle, for an MSRP of $299. A great deal by any standards.

This is the part where collectors should pay attention, because that Swash Buckler that usually comes with the Starter Pack? Well, this Wii U bundle comes with a special gold colored version, which as of now, will only be included with this deal. I know a couple of collectors who would buy a Wii U just for that figure. Skylanders collectors are hardcore, man.

Nintendo seems serious about staging a comeback for the Wii U this holiday season. First, the Zelda bundle hit in late September, bundled with an early digital copy of the Gamecube classic, Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the Hyrule Historia book and an exclusive designed Game Pad drove sales. Then, a few days ago, Nintendo announced an upcoming Mario bundle, coming packaged with New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U on November 1st. Little did we know that the biggest bundle yet was yet to come, but of course, the only catch is the console itself is the basic model. Good for those who want a white console, bad for those who want to download more than two games during the system’s life. Oh well, there’s always external storage.

Will this third party team up between one of the hottest holiday items and the struggling Wii successor  be enough to move units this holiday? There’s plenty of potential, since nagging kids plus a low price point compared to the competition can equal eager parents, not to mention the collectors. Oh… the collectors. Tell us how you think this will affect sales this holiday season below.

Watch Mario Wear Goomba Corpses in the Latest ‘Super Mario 3D World’ Trailer!

by Josh Jackson

As the November release of Super Mario 3D World draws ever so closer, Nintendo of Japan has posted a new  game play trailer.

A Mario game isn’t a Mario game without power ups, and the trailer shows that there are plenty to go around, both new and old. The game’s signature cat suit gets tons of screen time in addition to old favorites like the Mega Mushroom, Propeller Block, Boomarang Suit and Fire Flower, some of which with new and creative uses thanks to the 3D environment and clear pipes.

Old favorites are great, but what’s most exciting are the new power ups featured outside of the cat suit. The cherry that was shown at E3 gets more time to shine, showing how making multiple copies of your character can have big advantages within the new puzzles and challenges found in the game. The Goomba head that Mario wore in previous videos turns out to be an actual Goomba, which the plumber uses to hide in after knocking it out. Yup, wearing enemy corpses is the new form of stealth in the Mushroom Kingdom. Most surprisingly however, is watching Mario climb into a Koopa Troopa shell and ride around while taking out all of the enemies around him. It’s pretty exciting stuff, especially for platforming fans like me!

The Wii U is desperate for a killer app, and 3D World looks like it might be just that. Four playable characters with their unique Mario 2 abilities, more power ups than we’ll know what to do with, creative stages and new concepts promise that November will be a great time for Wii U owners. Is this latest game from the legendary franchise enough to win you over? Let us know below!

New Wii U Bundle Coming on November 1st; Includes Two Mario Games!

by Josh Jackson

Fresh off the heels of the special edition Legend of Zelda Wii U bundle, Nintendo has announced a new Wii U Deluxe set including both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U all on one disc.

Effectively replacing the Nintendoland bundle that was released at launch last year, this new bundle will include the critically acclaimed pair of 2D Mario platformers only a few weeks outside of the highly anticipated Super Mario 3D World. But what about the new adopters who want to get their hands on the mini game compilation that was originally bundled? Fear not, because November 1st also brings a $20 price cut to the standalone copy of Nintendoland, with an MSRP of $29.99. Not a bad deal, especially when you consider it’s the closest we’ve gotten to a new F-Zero in almost ten years.

If you’re looking to jump on the Wii U in time for the holidays and you don’t want Zelda, (what’s wrong with you!?) two great games in one box wouldn’t be a bad way to start. While you’re at it, you can always pick up those limited edition Mario and Luigi controls that are also coming out in November. Hmm… A Mario bundle, special controllers and a new 3D game in the same month. I sense a pattern. The new bundle, of course, comes in at a cool $299.

Will you be picking up a Wii U? Has this bundle affected your decision? Comment below and let us know!

Revisit 15 Years of ‘Pokemon’ With This Series Retrospect

by Josh Jackson

I know most of you are probably still hunched over your 3DS’s, collecting your last badges, finishing off the Elite Four and putting the final touches on your Pokemon X and Y teams, but Nintendo has put out a retrospective video spanning the history of the series that might be enough to pull you away from the game… For now.

This latest video takes us through a brief tour of the Pokemon display currently in the Nintendo World store, (for those poor souls like me who are a five hour plane ride away from New York,) while covering the history of the main games in the series. Starting with Pokemon Red and Blue, when catching 150 of the monsters felt like an impossible task, let alone the 700 plus we have now, it’s amazing to see how far the series has come. Watching this video reminded me of how blown away I was when Gold and Silver brought real color to the series, or how each iteration from Ruby/Sapphire all the way to Black and White has brought such significant improvements, whether it be with the roster, multiplayer, mechanics, graphics, story or type match ups. It really feels like all of these years have led up to what a huge achievement X and Y really are, especially if our review has anything to say about it.

So if you’re still a trainer going through the latest adventure or if the last time you collected gym badges was when Pikachu followed you around in Yellow Version almost 15 years ago, check out the video for a huge nostalgia trip. When you’re done, make sure to tell us what your favorite Pokemon moments have been in the comments!