Tag: Wii

New Nintendo NX Patent Suggests Some Revolutionary Technology Is Incoming!

by Matt Rodriguez

Nintendo’s newest console/platform, codenamed the “NX” is right on the horizon, and Nintendo just filed a patent that is likely related to the technology involved.

This patent in question will utilize “additional computing devices” in order to bolster the system’s capabilities, similar to purchasing an upgrade.  These devices may or may not be wired in nature.

The last time that Nintendo tried an upgrade approach was for the Nintendo 64, with a device called a “Jumper Pack” used to bolster the system’s memory–this device was required to play titles such as Donkey Kong 64.  Even moving forward, Nintendo developed ways to connect to external devices, such as the Game Boy Advance/GameCube translator cable, the ability to connect the Nintendo DS and 3DS wirelessly to the Wii and Wii U, as well as the latest technology that connects the Wii U’s Gamepad Controller to the Wii U as an additional screen.  However, NONE of these technologies pushed off processing power to the additional devices.

What can this possibly mean?  There is already speculation abound that it might be extra “upgrade parts”, and will function very much like cluster technology.  Without going heavy on details, the PS3’s “Folding @ home” technology can be used as an example, where using the software added your PS3 as part of a cluster with all of the other PS3s around the world to be able to do complex computing to help find the cure for many types of cancers.

I have a different theory, though.

With the background knowledge that Nintendo’s console and handheld departments have recently started working in the same building , I think it’s very much possible that Nintendo may be trying to market its portables and consoles together as a bundled value.  One of the few advantages of having a home-based console is stronger graphics, so if, for example, you could purchase a handheld system, but when not in use, allow it to be used by your home console to bolster it’s capabilities, then it doubles as both an upgrade for your home console, AND a handheld gaming device at the same time.  This way, you can get extra value by owning a handheld, but not lose any value on the home console if you choose not to purchase one.

Reggie Fils-Aime of Nintendo of America has already noted that they won’t be saying anything substantial about the NX until next year’s E3.  Although we’re getting very excited, we’ll have to wait and see!

How do you all feel about this new patent?  Is it a game changer, and do you have your own theories about how it can be implemented?  We would like to know!

NX

Sources: USPTO, Extreme Tech, WiiUDaily

‘Skylanders SuperChargers’ Gets In The Holiday Spirit With A Special Christmas Carol For All Portal Masters!

by Matt Rodriguez

The folks at Activision have prepared a special Christmas Carol for all Skylanders Superchargers players (who are dubbed “Portal Masters”), and we must admit that it’s quite catchy!

 

Hark! Over There!
Park Over There!
Land, Sea, or Sky,
Dive, Drive or Fly!

Skylanders is the first in its genre, the “Toys to life” franchise. Their current installments, Skylanders Superchargers (available on Wii U, PS3, and PS4) and Skylanders Superchargers Racing (available on 3DS and Wii), changes their formula by adding vehicles into the mix! While Skylanders Superchargers Racing is purely a racing game, Skylanders Superchargers takes the traditional elements of it’s previous games. such as the top down platforming/power-up engine (Marvel Ultimate Alliance, anyone?), and transitions it to smaller racing segments, all taking place in land, sea, or sky!

And heck, while we’re at it, we would also like to remind you that there’s a special Skylander–Missile-Tow Dive-Clops–available at GameStop starting today!  Missile-Tow… ha!  I see what they did there.

The Dark Bowser Skylander Will Be A Toys R Us Exclusive; Only Available In The Wii Dark Edition

by Josh Jackson

Right before Comic-Con, Activision announced that the annual Skylanders Dark Edition will have versions that include Dark Donkey Kong and Dark Bowser for Nintendo platforms. If this isn’t a big enough nightmare for Amiibo and Skylanders collectors alike, it seems as if Dark Bowser will be a Toys R Us exclusive if the company’s Twitter is anything to go by.

Exclusive to the Wii version, (as in, not the Wii U,) it’s been hinted at that this last gen version will be a separate game from the traditional adventure/platformer format featured in most entries in the series. For those keeping score, if you want every figure, you’ll need to buy SIX starter packs, which would include the standard Wii U version, the 3DS or Wii version, the Wii Dark Edition, the Wii U Dark Edition, the standard game on non-Nintendo consoles, and their Dark Edition. I mean, Amiibo inclusion is awesome and all, but with Activision’s understandable refusal to sell DK and Bowser on their own due to potential consumer confusion, (since they’ll only work on Nintendo copies,) and this announcement of so many versions, is it worth it in the end?

Oh well, there’s always eBay. Pre-orders for the Wii Dark Edition open this week. What say you, reader!? What are your thoughts on the influx of Skylanders: Superchargers content?

DarkBowser

E3 2015: We Take To The Skies With ‘Rodea The Sky Soldier’

by Josh Jackson

Despite its current reputation, people still take notice when they hear that the creator of Sonic The Hedgehog, Yuji Naka, is developing a new property. After floating around in development hell for a few years and shifting over to a new platformer, it won’t be long until we’ll be able to play Rodea The Sky Soldier for ourselves. At E3, we were able to check out the first few missions of the upcoming Wii U and 3DS game and see if it lives up to its creator’s pedigree.

Rodea E3 2015 Screen 1

As Rodea, a reactivated android who must protect the land from the evil that defeated him in the past, has a huge world in the sky to explore.Considering how low key this release has been, I was impressed to see how large of a scope this game has. If you can see it on screen, you’ll be able to go there, but you’ll have to strategically plan your jumps. While Rodea can fly for a short period of time, he needs to make contact with land or destroy an enemy in order to replenish the amount of time he can stay airborne. If you underestimate the distance, it’s going to be a long way down!

Holding one button to activate his reticule sets his flight path, while the attack button sends him towards enemies at full speed, barreling at them with a vicious spin attack, (sound familiar?). Flying through rings will set him on a short, on rails path to new areas, while collecting stars along the way counts both for points, and the ability to unleash a screen clearing super attack once you have 50 in hand. Feeling like a combination of sequences from Sonic Adventure 2 and Nights, it’s clear to see that Naka has his hands all over this project, which is a welcome realization.

Rodea E3 2015 Screen 2

Originally designed as a Wii game, there was also some good news for those purchasing the title on the Wii U version. What might be the final Wii release, all copies of the Wii U version will come bundled with a Wii copy, which will exclusively feature motion controls, and an online mode that lets players experience this huge world with friends from around the world. Combining this information with the jam packed collectors edition that was previously announced, and this package is looking sweeter by the day!

Rodea Collectors Edition

With all the praise out of the way, Rodea wasn’t without its problems. The controls take some getting used to, with jumping and targeting not being as intuitive as I would have liked. When on land, the camera mirrored the Dreamcast Sonic games in the worst way, often getting stuck or zooming in at the wrong times. Worst of all, while falling out of the sky with no land under you should result in an instant death, we’re forced to watch Rodea fall… and fall… and fall, until the game registers the lost life and sends us back to the checkpoint. Having said that, some of the other hiccups the game suffered, namely short jump times and weak attack distance will be improved as the player upgrades, so hopefully the rest of the problems will be addressed before the game releases in October.

Considering all of this new information, will you find Rodea: The Sky Soldier on your list of must buy games this October? Let us know in the comments if you’re planning on experiencing Yuji Naka’s next great adventure!

‘Zelda’ And ‘Metroid’ Inspired Fight Pads Lead PDP’s Second Wave!

by Josh Jackson

Need more controllers to fill up those 8-player Smash fests? PDP has you covered.

Following the popular Gamecube inspired Fight Pads featuring designs for Mario, Luigi, Peach and Yoshi, Wave 2 will feature a wider range of Nintendo’s all star roster. Representing Link from The Legend Of Zelda, Metroid‘s Samus Aran, Wario and his classic color scheme, and the iconic ape, Donkey Kong, these Nintendo licensed fight pads will not only help you represent your main as you tear through the competition, but they will work with any title that supports Wii Classic Controls. But most importantly, a Gamecube adapter is NOT REQUIRED to use them! All you need is a Wii Remote to plug them into and you’re good to go!

Pre-orders are available now, with a tentative release set for early 2015 at $24.99 each. Is your favorite character represented? Who would you like to see get the controller treatment next? Can it be Pit? Please, let it be Pit!

DK Wario

Link and samus

SDCC 2014: Getting Acquainted With The Trap Masters Of ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’

by Josh Jackson

As with the previous iterations of the Skylanders series, the upcoming fourth game in the series, Trap Team, is bringing a brand new type of character in the form of Trap Masters. While not as big as giants, yet still dwarfing the Swap Force and regular Skylanders, the Trap Masters do increased damage to bosses, as well as using their translucent, Traptanium weapons to break through obstacles that only they can open. Since we played the game at E3, even more playable figures have been put on display. Naturally, that meant we had to give them a spin at Comic Con, bringing a few surprises along the way.

Snap Shot

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Everyone should get well acquainted with Snap Shot, since he will be the default Trap Master to come with every copy of Trap Team. This water Skylander uses his giant bow to shoot water arrows at enemies from afar, dealing big damage in the process. When up close, he uses his brute strength to knock back enemies with the bow, becoming effective at both long and short distances. You didn’t think the weapon was just for show, did you?

Wildfire

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The fire lion that proves a flame shield can be used for more than just fending off Internet hate. Coming packaged with the Dark Edition, and having what is easily my favorite Skylander design thus far, Wildfire imposes his will by rushing down foes by charging through them with his shield at the ready. Otherwise, he dominates with his powerful punches, making the villains wish for the safety of a trap.

Wallop

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Wallop seems like the typical Earth Skylander, using a pair of Traptanium hammers to pound away at enemies and the environment alike. Somewhat resembling a more humanoid Tree Rex, Wallop was the first one to look a little more friendly, and not deathly serious like the previous two. While powerful in his own right, he didn’t show off too much in the demo that hasn’t been done numerous times with other characters. Between other Earth characters like Rubble Rouser and Granite, I think we’ve pretty good in the hammer wielder department. Still, the figure itself looks pretty sweet!

Gearshift

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If you’ve been anywhere near a Skylanders section in your favorite electronics store, you’ve surely heard of Gearshift, with a pre-order drive that’s nearly as aggressive as the one for the game itself. After playing with her, it’s more than worth the deposit. She’s easily the most fun I’ve had with an individual Skylander, and I’ve played them all! This Tech Trap Master uses her giant gear for attacks, but it can transform into three different forms. The standard one is like a hula hoop, attacking enemies in her immediate radius. From there, the gear can break off into twin blades, inflicting damage to enemies in front of her, or transform into a whip, giving her mid range attacks. With such versatility, it’s no surprise why she’s the most exciting Skylander to arrive in a long time.

Gusto

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The rotund genie of the Air Element brings a level of strength not typically seen with characters of this element. His oversized boomerang works in multiple situations during battle, allowing him to either swing or throw the weapon, (obviously, since, you know… Boomerang). These options more than make up for his slow speed, and his charming design will surely make him a favorite when he’s released.

Krypt King

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With a name like Krypt King, was there any doubt that he would be the Undead Trap Master? Looking like Chop-Chop on steroids, Krypt King battles with his giant sword to subdue the villains, which makes since considering he’s a giant suit of armor. While his design is all kinds of awesome, his slow speed and the secondary haze ability that seemed all but useless made him my least favorite of the set on display. Upgrades in the later game will surely alleviate this, but so far, I’m not ready to bow down to the king just yet.

That’s it for the Trap Masters, but that doesn’t mean that there weren’t more standard characters on display to collect. Figures like Chopper, (a tiny T-Rex with propellers attached to his back), Funny Bone, (a skeleton dog that resembles a dead Hot Dog), and Food Fight, (living lettuce with a tomato bazooka who will be included with starter packs), will continue to add so many more game play options… As well as figures to buy. And that doesn’t even include the villains to trap, like Sheep Creep, a heinous foe who is literally a sheep with rockets strapped to his back. But of course, they need trap figures to capture. Oh, our poor, poor bank accounts.

Will you be ready to join the Trap Team when the latest Skylanders title arrives on October 5th?

Buy ‘Skylanders: Trap Team’ On Wii, Get A Free Wii U Copy! No, Really!

by Josh Jackson

When you think of Skylanders, you’re likely to think about the second mortgage you have to take out to buy each of the new figures every year. Especially with yesterday’s Dark Edition announcement, it’s clear that Activision is still finding new ways to keep the interest, (and the cash), of the Skylander faithful. But what if the series actually found a way to save you money? Preposterous!

Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening with Wii versions of the upcoming Trap Team, because anyone who purchases the game for Nintendo’s last generation console will be able to redeem a FREE digital copy for the Wii U. And yes, since the news was made public, it has since been confirmed that this will include copies of the Dark Edition as well, making this an easy decision for families who either own a Wii U, or are looking to upgrade.

This isn’t the first time the Skylanders franchise has thrown a bone to the Wii U. Just last year, an exclusive, golden Swash Buckler figure was included with special Swap Force console bundles just in time for the holiday season. Between this news, last year’s support, and the many titles that have been made available in the past year and a half from Activision, it’s looking like the company is one of the few third parties to continuously support the Wii U, which in my humble opinion, is great for everyone involved.

What does everyone think of the news? Has it affected your console of choice when Skylanders: Trap Team launches on October 5th?

Stitch and Tinkerbell Are Coming To ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’… With A Few Surprises!

by Josh Jackson

Disney Interactive has released a new Disney Infinity 2.0 trailer, showing off their two newest character reveals, (which means two more figures we’ll have to throw money at). After teasing Stitch last week, the adorably destructive alien is joined by Peter Pan‘s Tinkerbell, both of which will be able to work their magic in the Toy Box mode of the game.

While two new Disney based additions to the roster are definitely welcomed, the bigger news might be the new vehicles and environments hinted at in the trailer. A Gravity Falls theme? Darkwing Duck’s Ratcatcher motorcycle complete with side car? It begs the question… What else will 2.0 have in store for us when it releases? Either way, it looks like the game is looking to include properties spanning generations to reach the young and the young at heart.

Considering that many people were concerned over a potential lack of Disney with the obvious focus on Marvel, these additions on top of the previously revealed Maleficent and Merida figures ease those concerns a little bit. Even still, we’re yet to see any Disney themed Play Sets, so we won’t know if we’ll be able to take these new characters into their own campaigns until later. With that said, these figures and items are seemingly great additions, especially when you consider Stitch’s blasters and Stitch’s surfboard, (complete with Stitch on the nose), were in the first game, making his inclusion overdue. What if Stitch rides the surfboard though? Stitchception!?

Which characters, items and themes do you want to see make it in? Does seeing The Ratcatcher in a new game hit that nostalgia bone? And who else wants to see some Rescue Rangers content next? Tell us what you want to play with when Disney Infinity releases this fall!

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

InfinityCap

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

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

InfinityHawkeye

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

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

InfinityIronMan

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

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

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

http://youtu.be/W1P3b4YU8so

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

http://youtu.be/clajnwqBNr4

Has Walmart Leaked The ‘Disney Infinity 2.0’ Roster?

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

-Stitch

-Donald Duck

-Tinkerbell

-Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6

-Drax

-Rocket Raccoon

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

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

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

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

Source: vinylmationkingdom.com

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

Nintendo Reveals GameCube Controller Support For Wii U!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: A few weeks back, Nintendo gave word that it had partnered with PDP to develop an officially licensed GameCube-styled classic controller for the Wii U launch of Smash Bros.

Today, they took it one step further. The big N has just revealed a GameCube controller adapter for the Wii U. You simply plug the adapter into your Wii U’s front USB ports, and then plug in up to four GameCube controllers into the adapter.

There’s been no word yet if it’ll work with Wii U titles other than Smash Bros., or if it’ll support the WaveBird (though why wouldn’t it), so we’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more. Will you be picking up an adapter? Do you hope that Nintendo starts selling GameCube controllers again too? Sound out below!

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Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Mario Kart 8’

by Derek Kraneveldt

I stated back in my review for the fantastic Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze that “with exclusives like Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Lego City Undercover, and not to mention the still-coming-this-year Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8 (just to name a few), you shouldn’t really need another reason to pick up a Wii U.”

Well, we’re finally on the eve of Mario Kart 8‘s anticipated release, and as expected, it’s simply another reason for you to own this console. I’ve been playing the game extensively for a few weeks now, and I absolutely can’t put the thing down. I even picked up Ubisoft’s fun yet flawed (and don’t even get me started on the broken promises) Watch Dogs on Tuesday, which I put a few good hours into… before turning it off and jumping right back into Mario Kart 8. It’s gorgeous, it’s smooth, it’s addicting as hell, and it’s the most fun I’ve had playing a video game so far this year.

The game remains fundamentally similar to its seven (yes, there has been that many) fantastic predecessors, but every aspect of the title has been tuned and retuned to produce the slickest and fastest racing game this side of F-Zero. A steady stream of unlocks keeps you saying ‘just one more cup’, as a multitude of new characters, car unlocks, stamps, and more come at a steady pace. There are some absolutely hilarious car/wheel/glider combinations that had me laughing every single time I used them, and each unlocked part can really change things up. You’ll definitely want to try out every combination, as the vehicle you think is the ‘best’ may feel even better once you change its wheels.

MK81

Some welcome changes have also made the cut. Gone are the frustrating days of a rival racer loading up on six red shells, as an item now stays in your inventory until they’re completely consumed. This also means that you can’t hold a single shell or banana at your back in order to pick up another item, you have to use what you have before you can grab something else. Honestly, I don’t understand how it took eight iterations to make this change, but it’s definitely a case of better late than never. The game’s biggest addition lies in the neat anti-gravity mode added to most (if not all) of its tracks. Many levels have twists, turns, and entire sections (going up a gigantic waterfall, and then back down for instance) that would be impossible to traverse in a regular vehicle, so in these areas your wheels turn sideways, your traction is reduced, and you regularly find yourself completely upside down. Skilled players can utilize extra speed boosts in these sections by bouncing off of opponents, but it’s definitely a risk/reward move, as you may find yourself instead flying off of the track.

The changes to Battle Mode, however, are changes that I could have gone without. There’s nothing inherently wrong the the new version, but instead of specifically designed, symmetrical battle tracks, you’re speeding through altered versions of the games racetracks. Rather than fighting each other until all balloons are lost, the default setting has you fighting for three minutes. The winner is not the last character standing, but simply the one that has collected the most balloons at the end of the time limit. It’s still fun, but it can’t shake a stick at the classic battle mode, and acts as more of a distraction than a full-fledged ‘let’s go play’ battle mode.

Nintendo has also added a trio of new items to this version, and all three of them quickly rose to sit among my favourites. The Boomerang Flower acts similarly to a green shell; it emerges straight in front of (or behind) you and flies in a straight line along the track… except it’s a boomerang, so it comes back to you. You get three throws with the item, and it can take out opponents as it travels in either direction. It’s great to see the boomerang fly past an opponent (especially a human one), only for it to collide with their character as it returns. Next up is the Piranha Plant, which gobbles up everything in front of you when it’s active, and I mean everything. It’ll grab coins, take out opponents, grab banana peels, shells, etc, making you nearly invulnerable for the time that it’s active. Then there’s the Super Horn, which nets you one use, and basically blows everything that surrounds your character when activated away from you. This includes banana peels, other racers trying to catch a draft, and it’ll also get rid of that pesky (and previously impossible to avoid) blue shell if timed right. I’ve never felt more badass than I did the first time I got rid of the blue shell in this manner… which is probably a testament to how much of a loser I am.

MK82

As expected, Mario Kart 8 looks and sounds phenomenal too. The game runs at 720p at a locked 60 frames-per-second (30 in three or four player split-screen multiplayer, but more on that later), and even though it doesn’t come close to the magical, anything-less-is-crap 1080p, it’s probably the best looking game I’ve played in some time. The vibrant, colourful artstyle of the the tracks, characters, and karts lend themselves so well to the upgraded visuals, that it’s impossible to think that this isn’t an astonishingly beautiful title. It’s said nearly every time Nintendo releases another gem for the Wii U, but Mario Kart 8 is the best looking game that the company has released.

I’m happy to say that each and every one of Mario Kart 8‘s 32 tracks (16 new and 16 refreshed retro levels) are welcome additions. You’ll race through every terrain imaginable, in a variety of new and familiar locations, and you’ll love every freaking second of it. Whether it’s a completely redone Donut Plains 3 (complete with previously mentioned anti-gravity sections) or the new Rainbow Road, there simply isn’t a dud in the entire bunch. They look fantastic from every angle, which you’ll see in the game’s new ‘Highlight Reel’ after every race. The quick (~20 second) reel shows you some of the coolest things that happened in each race, and you’ll probably spend way too much time watching these in silky smooth slow motion. You can even edit and share these reels on YouTube. It’s probably the only replay mode in any racing game ever that I’ve actually spent some time with.

My favourite part of Mario Kart 8 is the feature that other developers and consoles have all but forgotten: split-screen multiplayer. I only own one controller for my Playstation 4 and Xbox One, and that’s a fact that likely will never change. Local multiplayer on other consoles is so rare that it simply doesn’t make sense to own additional controllers (especially at the price of controllers these days). On the Wii U however, I’ve played through New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario 3D World, and now Mario Kart 8 (among other games) with three friends by my side, as in, on the same couch. I’m so happy that the conversation is “Hey, do you guys want to come over and play Mario Kart” rather than “Hey, do you guys want to come over and take turns playing Mario Kart.” Two players can head online at once (the game features 12-player online multiplayer, which I can’t wait to get more time with), but the shining star here is the four-player split-screen. Yep. Four-players, at the same time, on the same console. The game dips to 30 frames-per-second when you’re playing with three or four players, but it still looks great, and it still plays just as well as I’ve spent the last 1200 words describing. You’ll have access to every cup, track, and battle, all while sitting in the same room as your friends.

MK83

Mario Kart 8 is a beautiful, insanely fun racer that is far and away worth picking up a Wii U for. As if the game wasn’t already worth the cost (it is, and more), buying and registering the title on Club Nintendo before July 31st will get you another game FOR FREE. We’ve had a lot of great gaming experiences thus far in 2014, but as mentioned, Mario Kart 8 is the most fun I’ve had playing a video game this year.

Pros and Cons / TL;DR :

+ Phenomenal local multiplayer.

+ Gorgeous graphics, great soundtrack.

+ New items are welcome additions.

+ Great mix of tracks.

+ Antigravity.

– New Battle Mode is lame compared to old Battle Mode.

– Online is a step in the right direction for Nintendo, but still too limited.

– I’m not playing it right now.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Cancelled Survival Horror ‘Sadness’ Resurrected, Headed To Wii U!

by Derek Kraneveldt

This, we did not expect.

Sadness was always an intriguing project. The game was one of the earliest announced for Nintendo’s Wii console (yes, Wii, not Wii U), and was to be a realistic survival/psychological horror title with black and white graphics that was set in pre WWI Ukraine.

The game was initially supposed to launch in Q4 of 2007, and a live-action concept trailer was released to garner excitement for the game. Here’s the trailer:

Oddly enough, the game was cancelled… without any gameplay footage ever being released. The original developer shut down, and Sadness disappeared. Oddly enough, the game has just been resurrected, and is targeting a 2016 for Wii U. NintendoLife caught up with HullBreach Studios’ Randy Freer and Jeremy Kleve of Cthulhi Games about the games resurrection.

You can head to NintendoLife for the full interview, but Randy stated that:

We’re here today to tell you that our two studios — HullBreach Studios and Cthulhi Games — are working together on bringing back the Sadness IP. Your readers are probably looking at their screens in disbelief. Quite understandable! I think we should let them blink a couple more times and let this sink in!

 

For anybody in your audience who isn’t familiar with us or who I am, surprise! I’m the IGN user Twiilight_Prince, who years ago (before starting HullBreach Studios with my brothers Daniel and Robert Gump) released the only three 100% real screenshots of Sadness thanks to Piotr Bielatowicz. I fought trolls for years, proving the game existed across the internet, while nIBRIS regrettably struggled in development with their Gamebryo programmers at Frontline and their graphics partner Digital Amigos, up until Sadness officially went vapor in 2010. Jeremy Kleve and myself have basically been unofficially involved in Sadness across the last 6 years in the background. I have to admit all those years of excitement is probably the foremost reason for me getting more involved in the video game industry today, without a doubt!

You can take a look at the only real screenshots from the Wii title below, and let us know if you’re interested in Sadness!

original

original-2

original-1

Nintendo Meets Skylanders As The Company Moves Into The NFC Figure Business

by Josh Jackson

During Nintendo’s investors meeting, Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo is planning to release franchise themed NFC figures that wiII be formally revealed during E3. Similar to figure crossover games like Skylanders and Disney Infinity, the plan is to release statuettes of characters like Mario and integrate them into a variety of games, This completely original idea stands out a bit more since Iwata teased that these figures will carry over into a variety of games. And no, by that they don’t mean sequels, but the plan is for them to be compatible with multiple Wii U games featuring different worlds.

It’s easy to forget that Nintendo has had this concept in place since before the Wii U launched since it hasn’t been used outside of Pokemon Rumble Blast, and that game has proven to be a blip on the radar in terms of popularity. Rayman Legends teased bringing Rabbids and Assassin’s Creed‘s Ezio into the game using this method, but the idea was ultimately scrapped, (along with its exclusivity). I had thought this concept was going the way of the vitality sensor, but it seems like the Japanese game maker has had this trump card up their sleeve for quite some time.

But the question must be asked; how successful will this be when both of its competitors are releasing annual installments including the recently announced Disney Infinity 2.0? How much is too much? And how am I supposed to find space do all these things? Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the games these guys work with come E3, but until then, tell us whether you’re on board with Nintendo jumping into the collectable craze, and keep checking back for updates as they become available.

NintendoNFC

Nintendo Says Goodnight To Wii & DS Online Services

by Shane O'Hare

You read that title correct. Nintendo is putting to bed some of the online services for the DS, DSi and Wii. A very solemn press release was posted on their site.

As of May 20th, 2014, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service will be discontinued and it will no longer be possible to use online features of Nintendo DS/DSi and Wii software such as online play, matchmaking and leaderboards.

On their list of canceled services, they put the good news first.

The following services are not affected by the termination, and will continue to be available after May 20th:

Internet Channel
Nintendo DS Browser
Nintendo DSi Browser
Nintendo DSi Shop
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay & Play
Wii Shop Channel
YouTube

 

Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games will not be affected but it will not be possible to use online features of Wii software played in Wii Mode on Wii U, and of Nintendo DS games played on Nintendo 3DS family systems.

For a full list of the recently departed titles and services, head on over to the Obituary HERE. Some notable deaths are:

Animal Crossing Wii & DS
Mario Kart Wii
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
ALL of the Pokemon DS games

There is speculation that you will still be able to trade last generation Pokemon with the Poke Bank, but that has not been confirmed.

This announcement comes on the tail of some troubling financial murmurs from Nintendo. I myself see this departure from their last gen online market, as a means to cut the fat and focus on their current WiiU and 3DS services. Let’s hope this isn’t a sign of more coming trouble from the video game giant.

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.

Play ‘Wii Fit U’ For FREE This November!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Wii Sports Club isn’t the only fitness-based video game Nintendo mentioned today.

The company also announced the long awaited release date for Wii Fit U, their next generation entry to the beyond-popular fitness franchise. Beginning November 1st, you’ll have the chance to download the full game, and try it for free for an entire month. You’ll need to bring your own Balance Board, of course, but since everyone and their mother seem to have one laying around their house, that shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Want to keep playing after your free month is up? Simply purchase Nintendo’s new Fit Meter for $20 (available November 1st.), and you’ll have full access to the game, forever!

Meter
That’s a sexy pedometer.

Of course, the fit meter isn’t just a pedometer. Nintendo says “it’s an activity meter that tracks a wide range of everyday activity. It records not only the number of steps a user has taken, but it also takes into account the intensity of those steps – for example, was the user running or walking? The Fit Meter also measures altitude, so wearers get credit for climbing stairs or walking uphill. All of these data points combined provide users with an accurate overview of their day’s activity, including a detailed calculation of the number of calories they burned. This data can then be transferred wirelessly to Wii Fit U via the Wii U GamePad with just a touch of a button. The Fit Meter transforms users’ everyday lives into workouts, encouraging them to get active and stay active.”

Sounds pretty good to me. I’ve got a Balance Board collecting dust, and this seems like a great way to bring new life to it. Nintendo offering the entire game for free for an entire month is also an incredible gesture, and I hope that it leads them to many, many sales of the Fit Meter (which looks and sounds great!). If you find yourself without the required Balance Board, full Wii Fit U packages will be available on December 13th!

Will you be checking out Wii Fit U? Be sure to let us know!

New Wii U Trailer Spotlights TONS Of AAA Exclusives!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I just realized that I haven’t picked up Pikmin 3 yet. What the hell is wrong with me!?

Nintendo today released a new trailer focussing entirely on Wii U exclusive games. This, of course, comes at a time when the system’s sales are abysmally low, consoles are continually on sale at different outlets, and my local Wal Mart’s Wii U section seems to be shrinking and shrinking.

The Wii U has had a rough start so far, but if this trailer is any indication, things are about to change. Throughout the rest of 2013, and well into 2014, the console has an absolute ton of great looking exclusives coming out. A poor launch doesn’t mean a poor future (as the PS3 has demonstrated wonderfully).

Take a look at the trailer below, and tell me that these games won’t sell an insane amount of units.

Nintendo Wins Two Lawsuits

by J.C. Marquez

It looks as if the Wii Fit Trainer earned her first victory early.

IA Labs claimed that the technology used in the Wii Balance Board infringed on their intellectual property (U.S. Patent No. 7,121,982) . After losing its initial case, IA Labs appealed the decision. That course of action turned out to be costly, as The Court of Appeals upheld the original ruling–and forced IA Labs to cover Nintendo’s $236,000 legal bill.

A second court battle came to and end last week as Nintendo won a patent infringement lawsuit filed against them by Triton Tech, who claimed their acceler0meter tech was the same found in the WiiMote Plus controllers and Wii Motion Plus accessories.

After the victory in court, Richard Medway, Nintendo’s deputy general counsel said, “”Nintendo’s track record demonstrates that we vigorously defend patent lawsuits, like the Triton lawsuit, when we believe that we have not infringed another party’s patent. Consumers respect Nintendo because we develop unique and innovative products, and because we respect the intellectual property rights of others.”

 

Source: http://press.nintendo.com/object?id=39310

‘Tales of Symphonia Chronicles’ Brings Two RPG Classics to the PS3

by Josh Jackson

The long running Tales series has been a big hit with RPG gamers worldwide, but none in the franchise has had as much of a lasting impact as Tales of Symphonia. The Gamecube original and its Wii exclusive sequel, Dawn of the New World, will soon be getting an HD facelift in the form of Tales of Symphonia Chronicles.

Exclusive to the PS3, the collection will include new cover art, costumes for main characters Lloyd and Genis straight from Tales of the Abyss, a remixed soundtrack and other additional content that should be elaborated on in the near future.

Seeing the Symphonia series return is exciting news, but it’s weird that the Wii U isn’t getting a port considering that both games are Nintendo exclusive aside from a Japan only release of the first game on PS2. Either way, more gamers having access to two great RPGs can only be a good thing.

Tales of Symphonia Chronicles is set to release in Japan on October 10th with a North American release in early 2014.

Source: Polygon.com

Nintendo Direct Rundown: Games, Games, Games!

by Derek Kraneveldt

You’ll have to watch this morning’s Nintendo Direct to really feel the excitement (embedded below), but essentially, it’s a fantastic day to be a Nintendo fan, and a wonderful time to be a Wii U owner.

 

 

First, let’s get the non-game news out of the way. Now, I love my Wii U, but of course, like anything, the thing isn’t perfect. My main issue (which rears its ugly head every time the console is turned on) is just how slow the damn thing can be. It seems to take forever to move between menus on this system, and if you’re trying to return to the menu from inside a game, well, you may as well hit the restart button.

 

Nintendo knows about the speed issues, and is working to fix them. Two system updates are on the way (one due this Spring, one this Summer) that will address these problems, along with adding new functionality to the machine.

 

Almost more exciting than any new game.
Almost more exciting than any new game. Well, not really.

 

As Nintendo mentioned previously, Miiverse (which everyone seems to love) is still coming for smartphones. In the Spring, you’ll be able to access the service via your phone’s browser, but dedicated applications are in the works, so that you’re always just a tap away.

 

Along with the upcoming Spring update is (YES!) Virtual Console functionality for Wii U. The service will (strangely) launch with just NES and SNES titles, while GBA games will be added sometime in the future (hmmm… what about all of the other stuff on the Wii VC?). Pricing will be equivalent to the Wii Virtual Console Versions, and (lamely) if you’ve already purchased a title, it’ll cost you another $1 (or $1.50 for SNES) to get it on your Wii U. Hopefully for that, they come with some added functionality (fully customizable controls have already been revealed), and the ability to play the games on JUST the GamePad.

 

Now, the good stuff.

 

First, Zelda. In a completely unexpected piece of news… we’re getting two of them! Remember how AMAZING The Wind Waker looked when it came out all the way back in 2003? Well it’s about to get a lot prettier: this Fall, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is going HD. Featuring improvements to gameplay and (hugely) to graphics, you’ll also be able to play this one on just the GamePad. This looks like is an absolute must buy.

 

Wow... Wow... Wow...
Wow… Wow… Wow…

 

It was also revealed that a Wii U specific Zelda title is in the works, set to “rethink the conventions of Zelda”. This one won’t be ready for some time however, so Wind Waker HD will have to do for now.

 

Everyone’s favourite Italian has two titles in the works for the Wii U. A new version of Mario Kart is in development, as well as a new Mario platformer, which will also be playable in 3D. Both games are set to be revealed at this year’s E3 convention (which hopefully means a holiday release).

 

The team behind the underrated Kirby’s Epic Yarn is at it again, but this time it’s Yoshi’s turn. The director of Yoshi’s Island and Yoshi’s Story is supervising the development of this one, which is Yoshi’s first starring role since 1998. Yarn Yoshi looks pretty damn… well, pretty.

 

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We all knew that Pikmin 3 was coming, and Nintendo kindly treated us to some new screenshots during the presentation. They look beautiful, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the game. Check them out in the gallery below! A ‘camera’ mode was also revealed for the game, which lets you shoot from the perspective of the Pikmin, using what else but the Wii U gamepad. You can then share them to MiiVerse. No word yet on whether or not you’ll be able to apply cheesy filters after the fact.

 

 

Those are the biggest titles, but a few others were revealed via trailer, including what appears to be a Fire Emblem / Shin Megami Tensei crossover, a new title from Monolith Soft, and a new trailer for the cool looking The Wonderful 101. Check them out below.

 

 

 

 

Game and Wario and a new Smash Bros. were also mentioned, but need to be further in development before being officially revealed.

 

So what do you think Wii U owners? Excited? Shout out below!

‘LEGO Marvel Super Heroes’ Video Game Coming This Fall!

by Shawn Madden

Can’t get enough of the LEGO video games? Need more? Well, you’re getting more. Marvel Entertainment and LEGO are teaming up to bring you LEGO Marvel Super Heroes this fall, a video game based on the LEGO toy line of the same name. Check out the full press release below.

Marvel super heroes are assembling for an action-packed, brick-smashing good time! Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, TT Games, The LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment announced today that “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” will be available beginning Fall 2013 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii U system and Windows PC, as well as the Nintendo DS handheld system, Nintendo 3DS handheld system and PlayStation Vita handheld entertainment system. “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” is the first instalment in the highly successful LEGO videogame franchise to feature famous Marvel characters.

“LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” complements the LEGO Marvel Super Heroes construction toy collection, which brings the characters, vehicles and action of Marvel’s renowned universe to the world of LEGO build-and-play adventure. There are currently eight iconic scenes from the X-Men, Iron Man and Spider-Man franchises available and more construction sets tied to the new “Iron Man 3” feature film will launch later this spring.

“LEGO Marvel Super Heroes” offers an original storyline in which Nick Fury calls upon Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other heroes spanning the Marvel Universe to save Earth from such threats as the vengeance of Loki and the hunger of Galactus, Devourer of the Worlds. LEGO and Marvel fans will enjoy classic LEGO videogame adventure and humor, while playing as their favorite Marvel characters.

“We’re very excited to bring a myriad of classic Marvel characters to life in LEGO form for some fun, family-friendly gameplay in ‘LEGO Marvel Super Heroes,'” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games Publishing. “Players will brave the ultimate mission to save the world as they explore famous landmarks in LEGO New York and take the adventure beyond Earth to iconic locations in the Marvel Universe.”

“Fans of both LEGO and Marvel have wanted this game for years, and we’re addressing that demand with more Marvel Universe characters than ever in a console game,” said TQ Jefferson, Vice President, Games Production, Marvel Entertainment. “If you’re a fan of Spider-Man, the Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy or scores of other Marvel characters, this is the game for you.”

In “LEGO Marvel Super Heroes,” players will unlock more than 100 characters from across the Marvel Universe, including fan favorites like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Deadpool, Loki and Galactus! The game will pack in a plethora of super-cool character abilities, combat-like action sequences, epic battle scenes, puzzle-solving and a unique story told with playful LEGO humor.

The ‘Wii-Mini’ Has Been Revealed! BUT ONLY FOR CANADA!!!

by Shane O'Hare

You read that right kids. The Wii gets a facelift, err well uhhh more like invasive fat removal surgery. Take a look at the little guy below!

That does look pretty slick, doesn’t it? Under the hood we have a drastically different machine. All GameCube compatibility has been torn out, WiFi removed and a new top loading disc drive (think portable walkman CD-Player) Nintendo has been able to scrape out most of the cost off the console. At $100 you get a Wii, Wii-Mote Plus and Chuck and that’s it.

The most interesting part of all this is that is a Canada exclusive. December 7th our friends to the North (East for me) get this little guy. At first I was confused, but looking into the though process behind it, everything makes sense. A lot of the Wii’s already out there have just devolved into a Netflix machine and Netflix not being as popular in Canada like it is here in the USA makes it the perfect place to do some retail level market analysis.  Who knows, this may be crazy successful and be sold in the US shortly.

Nintendo has a history of releasing compact versions of consoles at the end of their life cycles. Top loading NES, SNES-2, GBA-Micro and GameBoy Pocket are all prime examples of their logic.

So the world will wait, see what Canada does with this device. Hey, Derek, why don’t you enjoy this rare opportunity to have some delicious exclusivity.

December 7th the lovely Canadians can pick this up along side a stack of Tim Hortons treats. Lucky bastards.

Miis Invade New York!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Have you been living under a rock for the past year? No? Then you’re probably aware that Nintendo’s new home console, the Wii U is set to launch in just over 24 hours. You’re probably also aware that it looks absolutely incredible.

Nintendo is understandably, and so are their classic Mii’s, who after six years are finally about to get a new home! As a promotion for the upcoming launch, a lot of Mii characters took over New York City, and the results are pretty hilarious.

Check out the photos below, and let us know what you think! Will you be waiting in line for a Wii U? I know I’ll be picking one up the second my finances allow it!

If anyone is interested in buying a kidney, I’m not opposed to selling it. I’d love be able to pick up a Wii U this Sunday!

New Details Abound As Nintendo Unboxes A Wii U!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Nintendo again took to the internet this morning, livestreaming Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata unboxing his own Wii U, and giving us even more details about the fast approaching console.

Iwata (naturally) chose to pick up the sexy black premium Wii U package (let us know which one you’ll be gettting!). Aside from the console and gamepad, you’ll also get an HDMI cable, and a nice charging stand for the tablet style controller as well as one for the console itself. His edition also included a beta code for the next Dragon Quest title (though I can’t verify if that will be included in North America).

I am so envious of this man.

He went on to explain that each Wii U console will support 12 separate user accounts (finally!). Each user will have individual console settings and game saves, as well as bookmarks and play history. Multiplayer progress will also be synced across appropriate accounts. This is freaking exciting, I hated the lack of this on the Wii!

Even more awesome details would be revealed before the end of the broadcast: you’ll be able to pause your gameplay and jump right into a web browser on the GamePad (hopefully for something like Geekscape or Gamefaqs, and not for an adult video fix). The gamepad can of course act as a universal remote as well, and should allow you to control all of your media peripherals. As previously demonstrated, you’ll be able to send content from the gamepad screen to the television screen to share it with others in the room.

I am unbelievably excited for this controller.

Another piece of fantastic news: it appears as though Friend Codes are no more! Instead you’ll get a much less clunky (though still pretty clunky sounding) Nintendo Network ID, which should be usable between multiple Nintendo consoles, and even smartphones and web browsers. It certainly sounds interesting and I can’t wait to try it out myself.

Seriously Friend Codes, burn in hell.

I’ve saved the best for last: this one is going to rock you to your very core. Karaoke is coming to the Wii U. KARAOKE! A standalone microphone peripheral will be available at some point in the future. Karaoke will be a subscription service and cost about $25 for a 90 day pass. A subscription will grant you access to the entire catalog of songs, which is an interesting (and fantastic in my opinion) way of doing things. This has only been announced for Japan at this point, but hopefully it will make its way to North America!

The Wii U launches in just 11 days. Will you be getting one?

You can also watch the unboxing for yourself if you’re so inclined! Check it out below! It’s an awesome watch and reveals even more small tidbits!

WiiU Press Conference Wrap Up: System Arriving Nov. 18th In Two Bundles And More!

by Jonathan

The Nintendo Wii U press conference just ended and there was a slew of huge announcements (and a few not so huge ones). The big facts are that the system will arrive on Sunday, November 18th (start planning your camp out now) and that it will come in two bundles:

A Basic Set will come in white for a suggested retail price of $299.99.

There’ll also be a Deluxe Set, which includes higher storage capacity (32GB), additional accessories and the new Nintendo Land™ video game, will be offered in black at a suggested retail price of $349.99. Europe is getting ZombieU as a packaged in title. I hope that’s the same for the US.

The other big announcements were the free inclusion of non-subscription online WiiU TVii and Wiiverse (or whatever their online component is called) and the expansion of Nintendoland. New Super Mario Bros. U will be a launch game and has some amazing features like an interconnected world map and mini-game challenges throughout the main game that will take the first New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii’s “divorce mode” to another level. Good luck having any Bros after this…

The Nintendoland additions of Pikmin and Metroid-themed games definitely have me excited along with the fact that you can play around in Nintendoland at launch. Nintendo TVii doesn’t seem to offer anything new on the programming side, with Netflix, Amazon TV and HuluPlus seemingly already a part of it, but the fact that you can personalize the experience for each person in the household and switch between accounts on the new Gamepad is awesome. It also has some DVR capabilities and social media sharing that’s available at the touch of a finger.

The Gamepad also keeps cheaters honest by allowing two friends in the same room to be able to play together without using a split-screen, each player with their own screen. The gameplay seemed to work awesome in Activision’s live display of Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, which also allows a player to use the Gamepad to configure their gaming experience and weaponry on the fly.

Here is the full press release from Nintendo:

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo today revealed full details about how the new Wii U™ home console and its groundbreaking touch-screen Wii U GamePad controller can revolutionize not only video game play but also the way people find and watch TV and video content. The new HD system will offer entirely new ways for consumers to play games and enjoy their favorite programming when it launches in the Americas on Nov. 18. During the launch window, more than 50 games will be available for Wii U, which will be offered in two different colors and configurations. The Basic Set will be offered in white at a suggested retail price of $299.99, while the Deluxe Set, which includes higher storage capacity, additional accessories and the new Nintendo Land™ video game, will be offered in black at a suggested retail price of $349.99.

At a special Wii U preview event in New York, Nintendo also unveiled Nintendo TVii, an application that will let Wii U owners in the United States and Canada find, watch and engage with their favorite video entertainment in fun new ways. Using the GamePad controller, Nintendo TVii lets viewers seamlessly explore available video content from a variety of sources – including live TV, their TiVo DVR and video-on-demand services such as Netflix – all in one easy-to-use interface.

Additionally, Nintendo shared new information about dozens of games on the way for Wii U, including Nintendo Land, New Super Mario Bros.™ U, LEGO® City: Undercover, BAYONETTA 2, The Wonderful 101™, Capcom’s Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate and Activision’s Call of Duty®: Black Ops II. New Super Mario Bros. U offers unprecedented ways for friends and families to play together and explore Mario’s world using the GamePad. Nintendo Land, which will be available as a standalone game or included with the Wii U Deluxe Set, is a virtual theme park featuring a lineup of 12 playable attractions based on Nintendo’s greatest game worlds, including The Legend of Zelda™, Metroid™, Mario™, Animal Crossing™ and Donkey Kong™. As an added bonus for consumers, a Chase McCain LEGO minifigure will come as a special pre-order bonus for those who pre-order a copy of LEGO City: Undercover at participating retailers while supplies last. All of these games will instantly immerse players in a variety of new game-play experiences that are available only on Wii U.

“The wait is almost over — in just 66 days, Wii U will arrive with the strongest lineup of launch software in Nintendo history,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “With the integrated second screen of the included GamePad and features that instantly enhance the way people play games, watch video and interact with each other, consumers will see how Wii U delivers a completely unique experience and a remarkable value right out of the box. The new system also creates extraordinary new possibilities for game developers, bound only by the limits of their imaginations.”

The Wii U Basic Set includes a white Wii U console with 8 GB of internal storage, one white GamePad controller, AC adapters for both the console and controller, a sensor bar and an HDMI® cable. In the Wii U Deluxe Set, components are black. This bundle includes all elements from the Basic Set, as well as the Nintendo Land game, increased console storage capacity of 32 GB, a console stand, GamePad charging cradle and a stand that allows users to place the GamePad vertically on a table. Consumers who purchase the Deluxe Set also will be enrolled in the Deluxe Digital Promotion, which lets Wii U owners receive points for each digital download and redeem those points for future downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop. The promotion is currently planned through 2014.

Both configurations offer a wealth of one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences, including an online gaming community called Miiverse™ and the new Nintendo TVii application. Using the touch screen on the GamePad controller, Nintendo TVii users will be able to browse programming from sources they subscribe to, including cable and satellite channels, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube and even their recorded TiVo shows – all from a single starting point.

The selection of third-party games on the way for Wii U will include some of the industry’s biggest names and most beloved franchises. Activision is set to bring several of its leading properties to Wii U during the launch window, including Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants™ and TRANSFORMERS PRIME™. Other third-party games coming soon to Wii U include Assassin’s Creed® III, ZombiU™, Rayman Legends® and Just Dance® 4 from Ubisoft, Madden NFL 13 and Mass Effect™ 3 from Electronic Arts, Scribblenauts™ Unlimited and Batman: Arkham City™ Armored Edition from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two from Disney Interactive.

“The integrated second screen of the GamePad creates new possibilities for how games can be played, and further reflects the innovation Nintendo has poured into the Wii U,” said Eric Hirshberg, Activision Publishing’s CEO. “We’re excited for our fans to experience the biggest franchises, like Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants and Transformers Prime, in new ways made possible on Wii U.”

So what part of this has all of you excited? Who’s camping out with me?

How ‘The Last Story’ Can Shape The WiiU’s Future

by Josh Jackson

Today is finally the day that RPG fans can rejoice. After a surprisingly successful launch of Xenoblade Chronicles in North America, (especially considering that the game is a GameStop exclusive,) The Last Story is looking to follow suit. What’s the significance of this release you might ask? Simply put, from the minds at Mistwalker Studios, led by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, (who was involved with the legendary series from I-X. You know, back when it was actually good,) The Last Story promises to be a return to form for the once great JRPG genre and the swansong for the Nintendo Wii. While most gamers might have given up on Nintendo’s little white box by now, it doesn’t change the fact that not only are the two titles above catered to the supposed hardcore crowd that seemingly felt abandoned by the motion controlled giant, but the success of these titles has a strong chance of shaping the WiiU into a console that caters to all audiences.

Above all, Nintendo is a business. And if there’s one thing a business cares about, it’s making lots of cash. If Nintendo of America feels like the potential reward of releasing a particular title offsets the risk, then why would they ever want to pass it up? In reality, we weren’t ever supposed to get these titles on our side of the shore. As I’ve mentioned in passed posts, it wasn’t until a group of respectful, passionate gamers banded together and proved to Nintendo that yes, in fact there was an audience for these games that were originally only meant for Japanese and European eyes.

That hot night with a Chocobo and Lion-O has come back to haunt Ganondorf.

I’ve never shared the idea that the Wii wasn’t welcoming to the hardcore gamer. Personally, I’ve never had a hard time finding fantastic exclusive games to quench my thirst while waiting for the next Zelda or Mario. On the flip side, it was hard for me to argue when Nintendo time and time again decided not to release games like Fatal Frame 4. Or Another Code: R, (Trace Memory 2 for us Yanks.) Or Disaster: Day of Crisis. I mean why would they? As much as gamers cried out for quality hardcore games, how much did Zack and Wiki really sell? How about Madworld? Or either Conduit game? One was an incredibly vibrant title with charm to spare, one was a vulgar, violent bloodbath and the last two were solid FPS titles with fantastic online multiplayer. Of course, these aren’t the only examples, but I’m not here to list great titles that were overlooked, (I’ll save those for my Underground Games series, *shameless plug.) Most gamers didn’t even give these titles a chance, all while crying to the high heavens that there weren’t any releases catered to them. Although it may be too late for the Wii, The Last Story can help it go out with a bang straight into the WiiU’s release.

Last Story has all the tools needed to be a success. It has the all star pedigree developer wise. It promises to satisfy starving RPG fans regardless of console preference. It promises to be a memorable epic that reminds us of the feeling we got spending hours leveling up our favorite party members over a decade ago. Now whether or not that pans out remains to be seen, (look for a review in the near future, *shameless plug #2,) but according to critics so far, it seems to be a winner.

But in the end, it’ll be up to us gamers to buy it and show that we want games like these. Game publishers will have to take notice, especially when all they can see from us is dollar signs. As the WiiU approaches, we really need to prove that while party and fitness games are all well and good, we want our games with depth. Titles we can lose hours on if we choose to. Because there IS an audience out there. We just need to open our eyes as a group and recognize quality titles when they’re released. Maybe then we’ll actually get the next Disaster or Another Code for WiiU. Hell, maybe Xbox and Playstation will get more decent JRPGs if we show we want them on other platforms.

As the enemy waits, Elza bravely lets out a battle cry that sounds a lot like, “I’ll be finished in a minute!”

So there it is arriving on store shelves. Xenoblade created the momentum but Last Story continuing it will play a big part with whether or not we show we want strong titles like these rather than another half-hearted Mii game, (I still haven’t forgiven them for Wii Music.) Let’s prove that North America is about more than gore fests and that we want a variety of quality titles. And from what I’ve played so far, Last Story is one that will be well worth our time. You know, unless Wii Play 3 is on the top of your WiiU list and Carnival Games is your game of the year. I won’t judge.

Another Giant Swarms Onto The Portal of Power

by MoreLikeAndy

Even with no release date, Skylanders Giants is poised to take all of our money. Still in need of two more Skylanders to complete my collection, Toys For Bob wants to tease us all with another character reveal.

This time, we have Swarm. If you are into bios:

SWARM
Bring the Sting!
Element: AIR
Character Type: Giant
Bio: Swarm was once a prince from a proud race of mysterious insect warriors that had built their entire civilization inside a giant honeycombed pyramid. Growing up as one of the 9,000 members of the royal family, he was never permitted to leave the hive. But unlike his brethren, there was a magical quality to Swarm that caused him to grow much larger than the rest of his kind. No longer able to fit amongst the rest of his colony, the young prince broke the long standing tradition and stepped out into the open world – where his size and strength would be put to good use in the legendary battle between the Giants and the Arkeyans.

Check out the vignette of Swarm in action and start making that list now of what Skylanders Giants you need to get when the game release date is announced.