Tag: Wii U

Violence Is Reborn… On The Wii U? Check Out The ‘Ninja Gaiden 3: Razors Edge’ Trailer!

by Shane O'Hare

The Wii U is really making me excited. I was already sold on it because I am a Nintendo fanboy, but I was worried that it will face the same issues that Wii did. Limited graphics and very kid like games. Sure there were a few gems on the Wii, but it was primarily a kid console. Well the Wii U is changing that. Take a look at this trailer for Ninja Gaiden 3: Razors Edge!

Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Not only does the trailer start out with some nice robo titties and anime booty, but it goes right into the ultra violence.

NG:RE will feature the original Ninja Gaiden 3 game and all the DLC, plus a nice graphic improvement.

No official release date has been given, just a Q4 2012, but we can assume it is a launch title. At least I hope it is.

‘Bayonetta 2’ Confirmed As Wii U Exclusive! And We Got A Trailer!

by Shane O'Hare

Whoa. Seriously. Wii U is a fucking Juggernaut! Bitch! With countless AAA titles being announced on launch and a lot of those being M rated and ultra violent, this console doesn’t appear to be stopping. And it hasn’t even started yet!

So now we got some juicy news. The sequel to the hyper stylish Bayonetta will be an exclusive to the newest Nintendo console. Take a peak at the short but flashy trailer below.

Bayonetta 2 does not have a release date yet.

Watch A New Trailer For ‘New Super Mario Bros. U’

by Derek Kraneveldt

It sure has been a big day for Nintendo news!

Earlier today Nintendo revealed both the release date and price of the upcoming Wii U (miss the announcement? Jonathan sums it up here). We also gave you a look at some insane new features coming to Scribblenauts Unlimited, a launch window title for the console.

Nintendo has just uploaded a new trailer for New Super Mario Bros. U, the newest title in their old-school Mario platformer with a new-school feel series. The game looks fantastic, with beautiful, colorful graphics and animations and some fantastic (and often frustrating as hell) gameplay.

Don’t take our word for it! Check out the trailer below, and let us know what you think!

 

Wii U Release Date & Price Announcement Coming Tomorrow!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Looks like the Wii U, long known to be due this holiday season, is finally getting an official release date!

Nintendo announced on their official Japanese twitter account that an announcement is forthcoming. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime released this video shortly afterwards, inviting us to check out the North American pricing and release date at 10AM eastern.

I’m really looking forward to this! I’m a sucker for new Nintendo consoles (though I foolishly purchased a Vita instead of a 3DS, what a mistake), and I can’t wait to hear what I’ll be shelling out for this one (hopefully something similar to the Wii’s original pricing!).

Source: Joystiq

Nintendo To Make Wii U Announcement On September 13th!

by Josh Jackson

Nintendo has said that their follow up to the wildly successful Wii console, the Wii U is scheduled to be released by the end of 2012. Well… it’s August, and not a word has been spoken in regards to the status of the launch. According to a press release from the Big N however, that’s set to end on September 13th.

Shacknews.com and various gaming outlets have been contacted, informing the press that a presentation led by Nintendo of America COO, Reggie Fils-Aime, will take place in New York. Could this mean the Wii U will finally get a launch date? I’ll finally know how fast I’ll have to find someone to buy this damn kidney so I can afford the damn thing.

As always, Geekscape will be here to deliver all the details as they become available.

SOURCE: Shacknews.com

E3 2012 – Geekscape Previews Star Wars: 1313!

by jake108

There’s been a lot of recent buzz and hype regarding Lucasart’s newest addition to the already long line Star Wars video games. Much of the buzz is being generated by the graphical power Star Wars: 1313 is showing off. Now, to better understand how much graphical power this game is giving, look it at this way:

The above screenshot is running off a pre-alpha build.  That’s right. The fine men and women hard are hard at work in the early production stages of Star Wars 1313.

Perhaps the most exciting piece of information released by LucasArts at E3 2012 was the list of departments working on this title. All departments of Lucasfilm have, or are going to have their hand in crafting 1313. Behind closed doors, I was able to see a short, but very sweet behind the scenes video featuring employees from Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and Lucasfilm Animation Ltd. Their enthusiasm and talent make 1313 a stand out among past Star Wars video games. If there’s anything gamers should know coming out of the behind the closed doors presentation, it’s the creators’ mantra:

“We never want to see anything in a cutscene that we wouldn’t want to play.“

1313 be a third person shooter of sorts, with some extreme platforming mixed in. Finding the perfect balance should deliver a great cinematic gaming experience.

For those of you who haven’t read up on it yet, 1313 puts you in the role of a bounty hunter who starts to unravel the inner-workings of the criminal underworld located on level 1313 of the planet Coruscant. The official press release is as follows:

Calling all Bounty Hunters!  Star Wars 1313 ™ is a brand new mature videogame franchise set in a never-before-seen world, the most dangerous place in the Star Wars ™ galaxy.  Level 1313 is a dark, vast subterranean metropolis beneath the surface of the planet Coruscant where the criminal underworld thrives.  A third person action adventure game, players will take on the role of a lethal bounty hunter navigating through this ruthless world in a high-octane thrill ride.

Star Wars 1313 will feature epic action adventure game play including exotic weaponry and gadgets that bounty hunters depend on for survival.  In addition, the game will feature a combination of agile cover-based combat, epic platforming and seamless playable cinematic game play.  Players will experience awe-inspiring and action-packed cinematic sequences, constantly staying engaged through the threat, pressure and tension of this criminal underworld.

In a fully integrated game development approach, LucasArts is bringing in top artistic and technical talent from all parts of the Lucasfilm organization, including Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and Lucasfilm Animation Ltd.  Through shared tools and technologies while using the Unreal engine as a foundation, the teams are able to create a more emotional and visceral connection between the game and the player.  With cutting edge full body performance capture, high-end Hollywood visual effects techniques and leveraging Lucasfilm talent across the board, Star Wars 1313 promises to deliver a completely immersive experience set in a brand new mature Star Wars world.

The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Lucasfilm makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.

LucasArts, the LucasArts logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks in the United States and/or in other countries of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. © 2012 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

It is unclear as to when exactly 1313 takes place in the Star Wars universe. One of the things I found most interesting about 1313 was the repeated use of the word franchise. It looks like we’ll be able to look forward to sequels. 1313‘s release date has not been announced. In fact, I was told that the character we’ve grown used to over the course of a couple of days is a placeholder. We’ll get an introduction as to who the character is, and hopefully soon.

Check out some more shots from the game:

E3 2012 – Geekscape Goes Hands On With Pikmin 3 And The WiiU!

by Jonathan

I’m going to put fuller thoughts into the podcast later today but, without the presence of Team Ico’s “The Last Guardian” or “GTA 5”, Nintendo’s WiiU was my main focus at E3 this year. And when Nintendo’s press conference started with the short clip of Miyamoto’s office and little Pikmin running around I lost my damn mind. Just ask Brian Walton. He was sitting right next to me and I was literally screaming. Not one of my prouder moments, but fuck it, I’m getting Pikmin 3!

When the convention doors opened, I b-lined it for Nintendo and stood in line for Pikmin 3. Unlike last year, I only had to wait through two people to get my chance with Pikmin 3 and the new WiiU tablet controls. Really, Pikmin is still Pikmin and I’m 100% okay with that. The Wii-mote controls handle just like Pikmin 1 & 2 do on the current Wii and the first batch of the game that I played was an exploration/collection run through a small map. The biggest boost is the graphics. The game looks gorgeous. The plant leaves and other environmental elements look photo realistic and the animations are smooth. Controlling is really easy and I could actually stay on top of my team of Pikmin a lot more fluidly with the Wii-mote. And the Rock Pikmin are a great addition for delivering damage to enemies and breaking down barriers quickly. The new elements of having your Pikmin also build bridges and other items is fantastic as well.

The new friends I made at E3…

I also got to play through the boss battle, commanding my Pikmin to take down a giant armored caterpillar. I handled this one like a Nintendo vet, first using the Rock Pikmin to shatter the boss’ exterior and then using my Red Pikmin to cling to him and dispense some damage. I know that only two players had stepped up before me… but you’re reading the words of a writer who wrecked that boss in record time. I throttled him.

I slaughtered this thing… SLAUGHTERED IT.

The Wii-U tablet ads a lot to the game. Not only can you control your reticle using the tablet’s gyroscope and accelerometer, but the tablet’s display screen doubles as an overworld map that helps you keep track of your various Pikmin scattered around the map. I found the tablet to be lightweight and really easy to use. Having a map of the entire area at my finger tips also helped the game a lot. You don’t have to go into sub-menus  now in order to access your inventory or select commands. It made the entire experience much more fluid. I hope this is a Day 1 release.

On the other hand is Tank! Tank! Tank!, a competitive port of a popular Japanese arcade game that left the person next to me asking “is this a downloadable title?” Yeah. I agree. Between the graphics and the thin gameplay, there’s not a whole lot here. It is cool to use the camera on the Wii-U pad to take a photo to use as your avatar, but the game itself feels like something you would have played on the PS1. You literally pilot a tank against 3 other characters, or cooperatively work with them to take out enemies, while blasting a ton of junk and picking up power ups. The graphics weren’t great, the game wasn’t that unique and if it wasn’t for the controls, and the fact that I could play and pilot through my Wii-U pad screen instead of share a screen with the other players, I’d say it was completely forgettable.

Tank! Tank! Tank! kinda tanked tanked tanked…

Beyond that, I played around with a graphics display demo called Wii-U Panorama, which showcased the 360 degree graphics capability of the system. I watched pre-filmed demos of real world locations and events and could turn the Wii-U pad in 360 degree directions to get better vantage points on everything I was seeing. It was graphically impressive, but I don’t see anyone buying this unless there’s a way to add your own footage (I don’t possibly see how). I do hope it comes packaged with the system, because it’ll make it a lot easier to explain the technology to house-guests who heard about the Wii-U on the local news.

Okay, those are my hands on thoughts. I didn’t get to visit NintendoLand in my short time but I did experience a few more things. Check out my Geekscapepod Podcast later today with some further thoughts on E3, etc. and keep checking the site for my thoughts on the mech battler Hawken and Star Wars 1313!

E3 2012 – Geekscape Previews “Injustice: Gods Among Us”!

by jake108

I was lucky enough to get seated at a behind-closed-doors preview of DC’s newest fighting game. Fans of DC games may remember their last attempt to make a serious impression on the fighting genre. Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe was, to say the least, not as good as it could have been. But that’s besides the point. Injustice: Gods Among Us will be unique enough to keep on your radar.

NeatherRealm’s newest fighting game will feature a 24-character roster. Officially announced characters include Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Batman, Superman, Flash, and Wonder Woman. The rest of the 20 character slots were silhouetted with question marks.

NeatherRealm was kind enough to show us two matches. The first was between Superman and Flash in the Batcave. NeatherRealm is focused on crafting a unique experience in this specific title. One of their major focuses lies within the map design. Developers are keen on making the world a weapon at your disposal during a match. Examples included Superman grabbing debris from the Batcave, picking grenades up that had fallen out of a Batsuit, and throwing a barrel of oil used to fill the Batmobile; all to inflict damage on Flash.

More examples of using the map as a weapon came in a match between Batman and Solomon Grundy in the stage, “Future City”. Solomon Grundy was able to interact with a parked car by picking it up and smashing Batman with it. This caused the car to become flammable and a potential explosive, thus creating a hazard to both players. During the match, both players must keep fighting while thinking about how they can use that hazard to their advantage.

With each map, NeatherRealm promises to deliver 3 separate environments, each with its own set of object interactions and hazards that can potentially help you win the match. Maps are also destructible, something NeatherRealm wants gamers to notice. Each map and player model will have an intense amount of detail and shades of lighting. The attention to detail was apparent as I was watching Superman and Flash duke it out. During the fight, we were able to see Superman have different facial expressions as he was fighting. Depending on the use of their superpowers, the Batcave would shake and cause damage both in the fighting area and background.

The last thing that gamers should be aware of are the supers. Once a meter is filled, gamers will have the opportunity to perform a super attack. These super attacks have a strong cinematic feel to them. Perhaps the most outstanding super attack came from the Flash. After stunning Superman, Flash took off in one direction as the game cut to a shot of Earth. Flash and his trail could be seen, from space, running AROUND the globe to then deliver a punch to Superman’s face. Each character will have a distinct super, look, and feel.

NeatherRealm is aiming for a cinematic “blockbuster movie” type of fighting experience. I believe they’re right on target.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is set to release next year.

E3 2012: Pikmin 3 is Coming to Wii U!

by Josh Jackson

After years of speculation. After two remakes. After an appearence in a freakin fighting game! Pikmin 3 is finally… FINALLY announced, and it’s coming to the Wii U!

During Nintendo’s E3 conference, video game demigod Shigeru Miyamoto took the stage and went over the new details in this long awaited sequel. Using the motion controls, players will be able to aim Pikmin at specific spots on the enemies for added stretegic elements. Want to keep enemies from eating your new found friends? Bombard their eyes with Pikmin! And speaking of new Pikmin, Rock Pikmin were formally introduced, which seem to have the ability to destroy enemy armor and stone walls.

All of this destruction looks gorgeous with the new, updated graphics. Small things from breaking down walls to actually gathering materials to build bridges makes the world look more immersive. That’s great considering that playing with the Game Pad allows you to view the whole map at once. There’s a hell of a lot to explore, which is why players can swap between four different captains, each with their own Pikmin to command. Coming off like a more traditional RTS in this sense, covering multiple sections of the map at once looks like it will be the key to victory in this newest Pikmin expedition.

Overall, Pikmin 3 is looking like a bigger, prettier, more strategic game. Check back for hands on updates as we get more time with the game.

 

http://youtu.be/eI87_YzSlIM

Ubisoft Announces Avengers Game

by Shane O'Hare

Today Ubisoft announced that they have made a deal with Marvel to create an Avengers game titled “Battle for Earth”. Insert Will Smith-Independence day quote here.

At first I was elated, thinking it was that unfinished FPS we all saw last year finally coming to fruition, but no information other than it’ll be out this fall and will be on the Kinect and Wii U systems was given.

Let’s hope that it’s not just another video game movie churned out due to a films popularity and it actually has some playability  like the last few avengers games.

We will be sure to let you know more info as it comes out, but in the mean time take a gander at the leaked footage from the Avengers FPS and wish that this game and that game are the same.

Wii U to Feature Day-One Digital Copies for New Releases

by jake108

Nintendo’s Wii U will allow gamers to purchase and download games on launch days via their home internet connection. What’s potentially awesome about this is the fact that gamers can simply download the game presumably at midnight instead of leaving the house and spending time with friends at midnight launch events. As depressing as the image of myself you’ve formed in your head is, you’ve got to admit: It’s convenient. What’s NOT convenient is the amount of people wanting to download any given game at the same time you are.

Sure, Nintendo will accommodate all of us and whatnot, but others may simply not have patience for the long download times, be it because of Nintendo or their ISP. Gamers will also be able to purchase codes at various vendors if they choose not to pay online.

In any case, we should be looking at the big picture: Nintendo is giving gamers options to get what we want, and that’s something to be admired.

In a comment to Kotaku, Nintendo of America clarified more on the subject:

Nintendo is aiming to significantly expand its digital business. In August, New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the Nintendo 3DS system will launch both as a packaged game at retail stores and as a digital download in the Nintendo eShop. The majority of future Nintendo-published Nintendo 3DS games will have the same dual-distribution strategy. Likewise, the majority of Nintendo-published Wii U games will be available both as packaged products and as digital downloads starting on launch day.

These downloadable games will be available for purchase at participating retail stores and on retailers’ websites. Our customers can visit retail outlets or their online shopping sites, look for the products they want and pay for the product there. The retailers will then provide shoppers with a 16-digit code that can be exchanged in the Nintendo eShop for the game. This will give shoppers more options to find and purchase their favorite games.