Play as all 3 ‘Pokemon’ Kanto Starters In Super Mario Maker!

by The_aczFebruary 12, 2016

No Featured course again this week, but this time it’s special.

Nintendo has just released their newest event course in Super Mario Maker where you can play as the original 3 Kanto starter Pokemon. The best part about this is that you need to play the course 3 different times on each route in order to unlock that specific character. This gives the course some really good playability as well as getting you an awesome costume based on your favorite original starter.

Check out Gamexplain’s awesome tour of the costumes! Who’s your favorite Kanto starter?

After Miitomo, What Other Mobile Surprises Could Nintendo Have In Store?

by Matt RodriguezFebruary 5, 2016

Nintendo recently announced a plethora of big news, including details regarding the new My Nintendo account system, as well as their first mobile app Miitomo. Along with all the breaking news, the company also announced that they will be launching five smart device application by the end of March 2017 (including Miitomo). This is an absolutely huge move by Nintendo, and it’s always fun to speculate what may be coming next! So let’s go down the rabbit hole and take a brief look at their history with smart devices, and I’ll try at some guesses as to what we may see next!

I first heard of Nintendo creating an app for smart devices during a Nintendo Direct presentation detailing Wii U functionality in 2012. During a segment, Iwata goes into details for “Miiverse”, and a part of those details stated, “The social elements of Miiverse are also designed for Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and future Nintendo devices.” There was lots of speculation that this was going to be a smartphone app, and after some time, it was launched. However, contrary to what many had thought, Nintendo had chosen to make it exclusively a web app instead.

Nintendo continued the web-based application route, with recently releasing another app for Super Mario Maker. Titled “Super Mario Maker Bookmark“, this app allows you to queue a list of courses you would like to play when you’re on the go, so when you return to your Wii U at home, all of the search-work has already been completed. It also allows you to add identifier tags to describe your levels, such as “Gimmick,” “Puzzle,” etc.

When talking about brand new Nintendo gimmicks, there’s no name more popular than “Pokemon!” There are many times where Pokemon seems to be used as an experimental Intellectual Property for new ideas. An older example would be the N64 game “Hey You! Pikachu!” where the player can use a microphone to be able to command a virtual Pikachu on screen, and a newer example would be Nintendo’s first Amiibo, which were Pokemon NFC figurines for the Wii U eShop title, “Pokemon Rumble U!” I feel like Pokémon is always chosen because The Pokemon Company has a lot of wiggle room to work with the IP independently of Nintendo, but that’s still only conjecture on my part.

Many have heard of the Pokemon GO application being released this year, but it may be interesting to note that this isn’t the first Pokemon-based application to hit mobile devices. True to their pattern, Pokemon was again used in an experimental way. The very first Pokemon app (that I recall) making it to mobile devices was a virtual encyclopedia (otherwise known as a Pokedex) titled “Pokedex”. Originally, it only existed as an app on the Nintendo 3DS, but then became available through your smartphone or tablet! When this first came out, I was totally flabbergasted–I never imagined that The Pokemon Company was allowed to release any software that wasn’t on a Nintendo handheld! Several other apps were launched as well–an app for viewing “Pokemon TV”, a “Camp Pokemon” game, and a mobile port of the 3DS title “Pokemon Shuffle.”

This details Nintendo’s short history of utilizing smart devices, however, there is one more question we must ask ourselves before we start speculating: “Why mobile?” If Nintendo has been adamant about anything, it’s had always been about creating software that can take full advantage of the hardware that it’s utilizing. A similar question to ask would be “Why is Miiverse and Super Mario Maker Bookmark simply web apps, while Pokemon Shuffle and others are installable apps?” First let’s have a look at the cool features that most smartphones have in common, and try to answer these questions:

-Front and rear facing cameras–useful taking photos and AR (Augmented Reality) purposes
-Gyroscope–useful for detecting snappy tilt movements
-Local Hard Drive–useful for holding large amounts of information
-Microphone–useful for voice commands

It wouldn’t have made sense to have had Miiverse or Super Mario Maker Bookmark as local apps simply because large amounts of storage would be required to view all of the data stored on their website, especially since they’re being updated in real time. Pokedex is a limited encyclopedia so even though it is very large, it still has a maximum limit–totally suitable for a mobile app. Pokemon Shuffle is a game in and of itself, so it wouldn’t make sense as a web app because you wouldn’t be able to play it while offline. However, web apps do have an advantage–web apps can usually be accessed not only by smartphones, but by PCs and others as well. Therefore, Miiverse and Super Mario Maker Bookmark were available to many devices, and not strictly limited to smartphones.

Using all of the above as a backbone, here is a (somewhat) organized list on my thoughts of we will see with upcoming Nintendo apps!

-Miitomo is included in the count, so that technically makes FOUR more apps that Nintendo will build. Miitomo is also stated as their “first app for mobile devices,” so they’re NOT including Pokemon apps in the count.

-True to the point above, Pokemon GO will not be one of the apps being counted. It will probably be launched under The Pokemon Company’s name and not Nintendo’s.

-While a Miiverse app seems unlikely, as it really wouldn’t make sense, a “Nintendo Hub” app of sorts that can keep a local copy of all of your friends’ posts, and perhaps even a local database of your friends’ Super Mario Maker levels could be useful. It would also be cool to be able to draw Miiverse posts with your phone’s screen, something that is not currently possible with the web app. This “Hub” app will keep together all of the major Nintendo services, extensions, and game offerings, perhaps similar to the Final Fantasy Portal app by Square Enix.

-Miitomo isn’t a game so much as it is a “social interacting tool” with game elements. I do not expect Nintendo to release full dedicated games–at most, possibly ports of games, such as Pokemon Shuffle. Out of the four games, I’m guessing at least one will be a port.

-A dedicated companion to Super Mario Maker. A long time ago, Nintendo created a game called “Warioware D.I.Y.” which allowed players to create Warioware microgames and share with others. However, this game had a unique feature–players could download an app specific to the Wii just to play the created games, although owners of the app couldn’t create games themselves. What if you could simply play Super Mario Maker levels on your smartphone–download a bunch and play them on the go, even if you couldn’t make any? It would be an interesting way for them to advertise Super Mario Maker.

-If Nintendo can master how to work emulation for smartphones, then it’s may be possible to link Virtual Console purchase to a smart device–the emulator could be an app all by itself, or it could be embedded in a different app (like a Nintendo Hub!).

-An Augmented Reality app or game that allows the use of Nintendo Characters in real life scenarios–Nintendo has already tested the AR waters with apps on the 3DS such as AR Games and Photos with Mario!

-Amiibo Catalog–I think it would just be common sense for Nintendo to create an app for users to keep track of their amiibo collection. Although their website has an extensive database, it would be effective to link Amiibo purchases to your account, and be able to link it to all devices. This catalog can also be used to gauge interest in previously released figures, so Nintendo can do some guesswork as to how many people are interested in a figure that’s no longer available, perhaps even to manage their restocks. Even beyond smart devices, this could also simply software with “read-only” amiibo functionality–to a point. I just couldn’t help but feel exhausted after re-scanning all of my amiibo in Mario Maker to get all of the costumes.

Whichever apps come out, I have no doubt that at least one or two of them will be nothing less than revolutionary! Do you have your own theories as well? Please let us know in the comments!

Play as Professor E. Gadd In ‘Super Mario Maker’!

by The_aczFebruary 5, 2016

No featured course this week, but you can still get your weekly Super Mario Maker fix with a new event level!

The newest mystery mushroom event course titled Paranormal Research has you jumping, dodging, and weaving your way through a countless number of boos as the mushroom kingdom’s expert ghostbuster himself. That’s right, Professor E gadd! (got you huh? What’s that? You already looked at the title of the article? Oh, ok.)

Be warned it’s a tough event level to beat, but if you manage to harness the powers of the supernatural and push through it, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with the kooky professor himself to keep. Check out Gamexplain’s great video tour below! Have you tried out the level yet?

‘Club Nintendo’ Successor ‘My Nintendo’ Launches Worldwide In March!

by The_aczFebruary 2, 2016

Nintendo recently finished having an investors meeting, and with that comes some new info on the company’s new rewards program.

During the meeting, Nintendo revealed that their successor to Club Nintendo titled My Nintendo will have an official worldwide release sometime in March.

The site will work very similarly to Club Nintendo, but with a few differences. The service will be available on both Wii U and 3DS as well as mobile.

Everything about the account system will be linked to your Nintendo Network I.D, and players can earn points and statuses by playing their mobile apps (Miitomo) and also accessing and buying games and more from the E-shop.

Check out the pic below for a more detailed info. Are you excited for Nintendo Account?

‘LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Video Game Leaked, And It Looks Beautiful!

by The_aczFebruary 2, 2016

Well it seems like the cat’s out of the bag.

Announced via Youtube ad, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been prematurely been announced for PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PSVita, PS4, PS3, Wii U, and 3DS.

Not only did it start popping up on Youtube ad’s, but it also started popping up on the official Xbox Store and even Amazon (which has now been taken down.). On top of that, a listing also appeared for a special $70 PS4 & Xbox One Edition that includes an exclusive LEGO Finn Minifigure plus the game’s season pass. The PS4 version even includes an exclusive level & character pack.

The game is set to launch on June 28th. Check out the trailer Below! Are you excited for this game? Comment below and tell us!

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 62 – ‘Juan’s Not Here Because He Had A Baby’

by Shane O'HareFebruary 1, 2016

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

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This Week:

EA is ditching E3 in favour of ‘EA Play.’

Shane is inappropriate.

WB abandoning Mortal Kombat X on PC.

TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan looks phenomenal.

New WWE2K16 DLC Breaks ‘Universe Mode’.

PS+ and Games With Gold games for February.

Zack and Wiki hits WiiU.

Mighty No. 9 delayed again.

Detective Pikachu WTF.

Street Fighter V getting a story update.

Valkyria Chronicles on its way to PS4.

WWE2K16.

Oxenfree.

MegaDimension Neptunia VII.

Splatoon.

Listener Mission Objective:

“What’s the first game that you would recommend to a non-gamer.”

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Latest ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD’ Trailer Details The Game’s Story!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 29, 2016

Briefly: Of course, you already knew the plot of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess…

In any case, Nintendo has just debuted a new trailer, which details the game’s epic plot, while showing off just how slick the title looks in its new HD rendition.

As much flak as Twilight Princess received when it first released, it remains one of my favourite The Legend of Zelda titles to date, and I can’t wait to put the Wii U version on my shelf.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD hits stores on March 4th! Take a look at the new trailer below, read up on the game’s Amiibo functionality here, and be sure to let us know if you’re excited to replay the celebrated title!

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Super Ice Climbers

by The_aczJanuary 29, 2016

Still sad over the exclusion of Ice Climbers in Super Smash Bros For. Wii U/3DS?

Fear no more! Today’s course titled Super Ice Climbers is by user UltMario and is an absolute delight to play.

This level very cleverly re-creates both the gameplay and level design of the original game and at times finds a great way to substitute ideas and work with some of the restricted course elements available to him. Spiked helmets replace the original games hammers, and even the bonus levels have been implemented in a very smart way. If you’d like to try out the level yourself, check it out at: 0351-0000-0092-ECFE. Have a great weekend, and remember to keep playing and creating awesome levels.

The ‘Evo 2016’ Lineup And New Character Announcement Has Us Hyped!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 28, 2016

Evo 2016’s full lineup of games has been announced, and it looks pretty amazing! The games announced are: Street Fighter V, Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Pokken Tournament, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Killer Instinct, Mortal Kombat X, and Tekken 7 Fated Retribution.

It’s interesting to note that quite a few of the games, such as Pokken Tournament and Street Fighter V are released this year, with Tekken 7 most likely to be arcade exclusive when Evo arrives. There’s no doubt that character and strategy tiers will still be in debate by the Fighting Game Community, so it is very likely that we will see many diverse matches. It is also worth noting that Nintendo in particular holds 1/3rd of the game lineup, beating Capcom in that regard, which is unprecedented!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMIWr0uEHg8

“The Evolution Championship Series (Evo for short) represents the largest and longest-running fighting game tournaments in the world.” This year, Evo will be taking place from July 15-17 at Las Vegas, Nevada, although one doesn’t have to go in person to experience the excitement–they also to live streams on Twitch and other live stream channels. Because of the scale of this event, it is very common for companies that manage fighting game brands to announce new games and characters for existing games in the days leading up to, and during Evo. One such character, Nina Williams, was announced yesterday. Nina Williams is a veteran character of the Tekken series, and is most notably known for her rivalry with her sister Anna Williams. Her fighting technique is loosely based on Assassination Arts, and even though she and Anna are related, their fighting styles are distinctly different. We are glad to have her back! Her new outfit sports a wedding dress, so we are also curious how this will fit into Tekken’s diverse storyline!

Sources: EVO Home (shoryuken) page, Shoryuken Evo 2016 Details Revealed

‘Mighty No. 9’ Has Been… Delayed Again

by The_aczJanuary 25, 2016

In a new update to backers that will shock no one, Comcept has revealed that Mighty No. 9 has been delayed yet again from it’s February 9th release.

It now has an unknown release date yet to be announced. Comcept revealed back in September that the game’s single player was finished, but not the multiplayer. This has caused a lot of backers to get frustrated with the project and suggest to the company to just release the game as it is now and patch in multiplayer later (which wouldn’t be a bad idea.).

Are you still excited for Mighty No. 9?

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Red-Hot Jungle Rumble

by The_aczJanuary 22, 2016

Today’s Mario Maker level is turning up the heat!

This week, I’ll be featuring the level Red-hot Jungle Rumble. The name as it implies is a Super Mario Bros. 3 style castle level in which you traverse through what’s believed to be the insides of a jungle as you find yourself inside it’s hot molten core. Carefully, you must guide yourself through overgrown vines and rogue fireballs as you try to ascend back up to the surface.

Will you conquer the jungle, or will it conquer you? Want to give it a shot for yourself? Check it out with the level code below! Until next time, keep playing and creating awesome levels!

Amiibo Surprises Galore! Early 2016 Brings New Amiibo And Functionality To The Table!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 21, 2016

Make ready your Amiibo-tapping fingers, because a wave of new details have just been announced! Nintendo is continuing to feed our Amiibo fever by launching new Amiibo, unveiling release dates, and even providing details on how some of the new figures will work!

First, details regarding the Wolf Link amiibo and its functionality in the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. The physical version of the game includes both the Wolf Link Amiibo and the game, and it launches March 4 at a suggested retail price of $59.99! As described in our earlier article, the other currently available Legend of Zelda Amiibo figures will also activate special effects within the game, so it may be worth picking them up at the same time (if you don’t already own them)! Also, it has been announced that the Wolf Link amiibo will be compatible with the Wii U Legend of Zelda game launching later this year, although we still don’t have details on Amiibo functionality or release date for that title.

Next up, March 18 will see the launch of several new amiibo from the Animal Crossing series! Namely, the new Amiibo that will be available are Timmy and Tommy, Kapp’n, and Rover. Digby, which was previously only available with the Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival bundle, will also be available as a stand-alone amiibo. All of the currently released physical Animal Crossing amiibo, including the upcoming ones, are based on major NPC characters (such as shop owners) in the Animal Crossing universe, and are largely used in Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival, although several of them can also be used to unlock Super Mario Maker costumes. Also, later on in March, the third wave of Animal Crossing Amiibo cards will be launched, expanding the catalog of available cards to a whopping 300! Animal Crossing cards are based on the NPC villagers that can move into a town with the main character, although there are card versions of the major NPCs as well–these cards are used mainly with Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer where you can build a home for each villager and save the created home to the card. They can also be used in Amiibo Festival, although only with side-games. For more information on specific functionality with amiibo, please check Nintendo’s amiibo compatibility list.

Another game that has been announced with Amiibo functionality is Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Both the Mario and Sonic Amiibo can be used with this game, and these will activate a “daily power” that will boost each individual character. Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games has a launch date of March 18, at a suggested retail price of $39.99.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, some of the Pokémon Amiibo will be available again at select retailers. Prepare for the return of Charizard, Jigglypuff, Greninja, and Lucario! Note that it doesn’t mention Mewtwo, but based on my own travels, Mewtwo stock doesn’t seem hard to find (yet). Who knows–maybe amiibo functionality with a new Pokémon game is right around the corner!

And finally, Amiibo compatibility has been confirmed for Star Fox Zero, launching exclusively on Wii U on April 22. More details on Amiibo functionality with the title will be revealed at a later date. The Star Fox franchise is one of Nintendo’s strongest, following several anthropomorphic animal space pilots on their various intergalactic missions. After our recent expeditions on the planet Mira with Xenoblade Chronicles, and the resurgence of Star Wars with Episode VII, we are looking forward to jumping back into the deep reaches of space with Fox and his crew, using the Wii U’s GamePad as our cockpit!

How do you feel about this new wave of Amiibo news? Has it forced your Amiibo fever to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit? Please let us know in the comments!

New Trailer Details ‘The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD’ Amiibo Functionality!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 21, 2016

Briefly: I nearly forgot that we’re just two months away from replaying this fantastic title.

Nintendo has just debuted a new trailer showing off the fairly extensive Amiibo functionality supported by the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD.

The physical version of the game, of course, comes packaged with the Wolf Link and Midna figure, which will open up the ‘Cave of Shadow’ challenge area in the game, which sounds like a fun distraction if you’re simply looking to tear up some baddies.

Other, Legend of Zelda Amiibo offer up different functionality as well. Link and Toon Link will refill your arrows, Zelda and Sheik figures will restore your hearts, and the Ganondorf figure, naturally, will make your experience tougher by making Link take more damage when hit.

Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Are you looking forward to the Twilight Princess HD release? The title will release on March 4th!

Criminally Underplayed ‘Zack and Wiki’ Is Headed To Wii U!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 20, 2016

Briefly: Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbados’ Treasure is one of the best games of last generation that nobody played.

Were you one of the many fools that missed out of the title the first time around? Own a Wii U? Well, you’re getting another chance.

The game will hit the Wii U eShop tomorrow for a cool $19.99. This will probably be your last chance to play the title, and we implore you to give it a shot.

Get ready to explore seven vibrant and fantastic lands with Zack and Wiki as they go on a quest to become the greatest pirates who ever lived! Use the Wii Remote to navigate, open objects, transform items, or unlock new pathways as you solve puzzles and outwit a variety of enemies and bosses!

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 61 – ‘Derek’s Xbox Impressions Round 2 And Other Stuff Too!’

by GeekscapeStaffJanuary 15, 2016

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

Subscribe to us in iTunes!

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This Week:

The Goat Simulator ‘Payday’ DLC Looks Insane.

Ratchet and Clank has a release date, sweet box art.

Metroid: Zero Mission available for Wii U now.

Neo Geo Pocket was awesome.

3 new characters announced for Pokken Tournament.

Pokemon 3DS bundle looks unreal, comes with Red and Blue pre-installed.

A Mythical Pokemon is coming each and every month starting in February.

Pokemon is getting a live action Super Bowl commercial

Amazon Prime 20% Discount for pre-orders / new release games.

Derek’s Xbox impressions.

EA Access.

EA Sports UFC.

Rare Replay.

Tomb Raider.

Fallout 4.

Fast Racing Neo.

Baby Watch 2016.

Splatoon.

Nintendo Badge Academy.

Corpse Party.

Earth Defence Force.

Amplitude.

Tales of Symphonia 2.

Tales Of Zysteria.

Destiny.

Listener Mission Objective:

Juan’s baby will be here any day now! What video game-themed name should he give it?

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The Past And The Future Square Off In The First ‘Splatoon’ Splatfest Of The New Year!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 15, 2016

For the first time since Callie’s Team Naughty stood tall over Marie’s Team Nice, Splatoon is back with another North American Splatfest, this time, pitting the past against the future!

Asking Inklings whether or not they would rather visit the past or visit the future, this event will take place during its usual time, from Friday, January 15 at 9 PM PST to Saturday, January 16 at 9 PM PST. Each team’s popularity and win percentage will be tallied to decide who the ultimate winner is, with early voters chiming in as to why they chose the side that they did.

Callie on the other hand, has a different reason for why she would rather visit the past than explore all of the potential advancements of the future, or at least scope out the next set of lotto numbers.

Well, I guess we all have our priorities, but what are yours? Are you Team Past, or Team Future? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to include your Nintendo ID’s so we can get claim turf together!

Images courtesy of www.reddit.com/r/Splatoon

Daisy Has Finally Made Her ‘Super Mario Maker’ Debut!

by The_aczJanuary 15, 2016

It took 4 month since its release, but everyone’s favorite princess from Sarasaland is finally here.

Late last night, Daisy finally made her Super Mario Maker debut with the event course: Adventure in Sarasaland. The level starts out normally by looking like a simple clone of 1-1, but then takes an unusual turn. What happens? You’ll just have to find out yourself by playing the level. You can also check out this great tour Gamexplain did on the costume. Have you gotten the Daisy yet?

‘Pokkén Tournament’ Finally Gets a North American Release Date!

by Natalie KipperJanuary 15, 2016

The North American release date for the Pokémon-flavored fighting game, Pokkén Tournament for Wii U, was announced this morning with a surprise: the N.A. release precedes the Japanese one! Pokémon fans in North America can expect the game on March 18 while Japan will have to wait until April 28.

There is already quite a roster building up for Pokkén Tournament and it doesn’t look the reveals are stopping anytime soon. The most recent ones being Braixen, Garchomp, and Mewtwo along with yesterday’s announcement of Chandelure, bringing the fighter count up to 16 combatants.

The North American version of Pokkén Tournament will retail for $59.99. All first production run copies will also come bundled with a Shadow Mewtwo amiibo card that, when tapped on the Wii U Gamepad, unlock the Shadow Mewtwo as a playable character.

Are you looking forward to this one? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

A Trifecta Of New Challengers Revealed For ‘Pokken Tournament’!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 14, 2016

A scan of a popular Japanese publication, CoroCoro, has revealed that there will be three new characters joining Pokken Tournament–Braixen, Mewtwo, and Garchomp. These characters will be joining the existing roster of Blaziken, Charizard, Gardevoir, Gengar, Lucario, Machamp, Pikachu, Pikachu Libre, Sceptile, Shadow Mewtwo, Suicune, and Weavile–now totaling 15 playable characters! Even more, there will be a new character expected to be revealed tomorrow, thanks to a teaser from the official Pokken Twitter account.

Pokken Tournament is currently an arcade game in Japan (with previously limited availability in North America), which centers around Pokémon in fighting game style. It is being developed in conjunction with Bandai Namco, and the fighting system (in my opinion) is very similar to Soul Calibur/Dead or Alive, using a rock-paper-scissors approach… otherwise known as the strike, grab, and block system. It is unique in the fact that it allows for quadruped fighters, such as the Pokémon Suicune.

Pokken Tournament is due to be released on April 28 in Japan, and Spring 2016 in North America/Europe.

Sources: Ruliweb via Gematsu,

Geekscape Interviews: FAST Racing Neo Developer Shin’en Multimedia!

by J.C. MarquezJanuary 13, 2016

The Wii U eShop offers some of the best video games on the market today. Games like Runbow, Mutant Mudds, Pushmo, Gunman Clive HD Collection, and Shovel Knight expand an already impressive lineup of quality titles offered on Nintendo’s home and handheld consoles. Last December, Shin’en added to the list with FAST Racing Neo–a futuristic racing game which has received critical acclaim from numerous media outlets.

JC got a chance to ask Shin’en a few questions about their latest game, their influences, and what fans can expect in the future.

Geekscape: First off, congratulations on the overwhelming positive reaction for
FAST Racing Neo. From concept art, development, to seeing the game hit
#1 on the Nintendo Wii U eShop—how satisfying is it to see a game
received so well?

Shin’en: We are very happy how the game turned out and about the players reactions. Many of our previous titles also topped the WiiWare or eShop charts but no game sold so FAST 🙂 So from the business side, we are very satisfied. From the development side we are also very pleased.

We never worked so long and hard on a single game, but in the end everything came really nicely together!

Geekscape: What were some key areas the team wanted to focus on in FAST Racing Neo
that perhaps weren’t implemented or explored fully in FAST Racing League?

Shin’en: Our main focus was to make the game very accessible from the beginning while still being a good challenge. We think we really nailed that part. Another big topic was the feeling of speed. We almost needed a year to find the perfect balance to make the players believe that they never played any racing game that fast, while still being fully in control. That was a big challenge.

Geekscape: FAST Racing Neo looks and plays like a beautiful marriage between F-Zero GX and Ikaruga–while still being able to maintain its own identity.

What were some of your favorite racing games growing up, and how much of
an influence, if any, did those games have on the FAST series?

Shin’en: Our favorite racing game is still Wave Race 64. It has a perfect blend of great gameplay, great tech and marvelous audio. Of course, we played all racing games from the past when we started with FAST Racing Neo, but we learned quickly we would need to do things very differently.

So in terms of physics and vehicle handling, I don’t think we have much in common with previous sci-fi racers. Also graphically, besides some obvious nods, we think FAST does really stand on its own.

Geekscape: We here at Geekscape are extremely competitive when it comes to racing games. Have you held any kind of ‘friendly’ tournaments at work, and if so, who is the best Fast Racing NEO player among you?

We played almost every day a tournament. Peter, who did the game testing, is usually on top of the pack followed by Martin. Bernhard is also quite good, although he still refuses to use the ‘leaning’ controls 🙂

Geekscape: What can we look forward to from Shin’en in 2016?

Our first release is planned for January 2016. It’s an update for FAST Racing Neo which will add new features and a much improved and stable online experience. We also really look out for Nintendo NX.

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Xenoblade Chronicles X’

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 11, 2016

Have you ever played a game so immersive, so rewarding, and so exciting that it simply permeates your every thought; that while you’re travelling, you can’t wait to get home… or even postpone your sleep because you’re so excited to accomplish your next goal? Xenoblade Chronicles X can easily have this effect on many people, and I’m not immune to its charm either! I can confidently that this is one of the most ambitious titles I’ve ever played. From the story, to the individual characters, the plot, battle system and customization, every piece is crafted so intricately and perfectly that it’s very easy to fall in love with it.

The story follows a colony of humans on a spaceship after the Earth is destroyed by aliens. The aliens eventually find this spaceship, and damage it enough that the humans are forced to crash land on a remote planet named Mira. Although the game allows you to use any team members that you meet throughout the game, the main two that you will use are Elma and Lin, two protagonists that joins forces with the main character to take on all of the games major missions (“Story Missions”)–the story is largely centered on humanity’s struggle on this new planet, such as feuds with the indigenous creatures, as well as the ongoing search for “The Lifehold’s core”, which is a major part of their spaceship that was lost on the planet. The Lifehold’s core contains most of the other humans, who are kept in stasis. They hope to find it, and revive all of their fellow humans to join them on Mira to live a sustainable life, and perhaps “reboot” the human race. Needless to say, not everything is exactly as it seems, and the game really keeps you on edge from one story mission to the next, revealing certain agendas, and building on the depth of many characters. It is easy to connect with some of them, as at times it had me wondering “if this kind of situation happened to me, how would I react?” Also, as you progress through the game and complete specific missions, you can have some of the other intelligent species on Mira join NLA, or “New Los Angeles”, your main base of operations. Seeing NLA grow and expand with each new species addition can feel like a reward in and of itself.

The main base of operations is held in a city called “NLA”, short for “New Los Angeles”, which is named after its Earthen counterpart (excellent choice, if I may say so myself!). NLA, in and of itself, is incredibly large! By my educated guess, if you were to do a direct route, on foot, from one edge of the city to the other, it will probably take you 15-20 full minutes of travelling! The bulk of your adventure will be held in the “administrative district”, where you can purchase and modify gear, participate in online missions, as well as gather side missions for the main game. The planet, Mira, consists of five main continents–these continents are so massive that it’s hard to explain, and can only be experienced. If you use the map below as a guide, please bear in mind that NLA is only the circular area you see at the bottom of the map. If you use my analogy of NLA being 15-20 minutes of travel in diameter as a guideline, then it’s easy to speculate that each of these individual continents can take HOURS travelling by foot to explore them, and that’s not even counting all of the caves underground or under other areas as well, as there’s still more of the game I need to explore.

The graphics are very artistic, but lower quality in other ways. As a videophile of sorts myself, I can definitely see the difference in graphical quality between this game and other Wii U games, such as textures sometimes taking a bit of time to load, and character edges coming off as blurry. However, you would have to actively be looking for this difference in order to notice it. The game’s artistic direction is so fantastic that this very easy to forgive. From the tiniest detail like the many blades of grass that appears on the expansive grasslands of Primordia, to the atmospheric particle lighting in the moonlit wilderness that is the continent of Noctilum, I find myself often stopping in the middle of gameplay simply to take in the atmosphere. The landmarks, such as grizzled mountains, lofty cliffs, and aged grand trees are so extremely finely detailed and crafted that they serve as the perfect companions to these environments.

When it comes to exploration, you can go ANYWHERE. I mean, quite literally. Anything you can see in the distance you can travel to. The game is never bound “invisible walls”, and nothing is unreachable. However… monsters are littered all around Mira, so you always risk running into a higher leveled monster that you can’t handle, if you’re not careful. As long as you’re traveling by foot, there are little to no load times, so you never lose your sense of immersion when going from one landmark to the next. Just like Xenoblade Chronicles (for 3DS and Wii), you can reach many checkpoints throughout the planet, and then “Fast Travel” to those locations so you don’t have to worry about footing it from your current location. This however, does cause load times to appear, but they don’t take very long at all. Also keep in mind that I was playing through this game by pre-loading all of the special free packs from Nintendo, which speeds up loading times of the game, so this experience can vary if you have not downloaded those packs.

You can fight absolutely anything that moves in this game–from the tinest insect, to the largest dinosaur. Of course, it isn’t practical to fight everything that moves–you need to study each creature meticulously to decide whether you can take it head on or not. Some of the largest creatures I’ve met in this game even rival some of the largest creatures I’ve found in other games, such as Monster Hunter. In similar fashion, if you choose to fight a monster that’s much larger than you, you can always choose to target each of their appendages (arms, legs, etc.) separately to cripple them and make the fight easier. Those that have played the previous title (Xenoblade Chronicles on 3DS/Wii) will find the combat unchanged. Choosing to fight any creature triggers combat–Xenoblade uses a combat system that’s very similar to the ATB (Active Time Battle) system of the RPG games of yesteryear. Both you and the enemy can use any of your assigned abilities, however when you use up an ability, you have to wait for it to fully charge before you’re able to use it again. Unlike most other RPGs, the game never cuts into a separate combat scene–this means all battles happen right in the open. However, this also means if there are any other wandering enemies around, they can join the fight too! The one insect that you’re fighting can easily become one insect, several hounds, and a dinosaur if you’re not careful enough. Because all battles happen in the open, you never feel disjointed from the world around you, which is another thing that adds to the immersion.

There is lots of customization in the game, with most of the focus being on the main character. At the start of the game, you can choose to be male or female, and can adjust a variety of base options for an average human, such as size, skin color, and facial details. For clothing, the in-game appearance changes based on the armor you’re wearing–however, there is an option to equip “fashion gear”, which masks the primary armor–in other words, you can equip the strongest gear, but maintain the appearance of other gear that looks better to you. There are lots of wacky options for aesthetic gear, ranging from swimsuits to cat ears and everything in between. The practical gear gives your character a very “armored” look. On the technical side of things, you can customize: your class/weapons, ground gear, skell, set augments/slots, purchase upgrades for gear, and assign arts. The game uses a branching system for classes, starting with one beginner class, branching into three advanced classes, and each of those advanced classes branch into two expert classes each. Mastering each expert branch allows you to master the weapons, meaning you will be able to use those weapons with other classes. Each class has a group of arts that can be learned for each weapon, and skills that are specific to that class–most can be unlocked by leveling up the class, but others have to be unlocked by completing main and side quests. Mixing and matching classes, weapons, arts and skills already make up a near limitless amount of combinations… and you would think that would be enough, but they also go the extra mile with augments and upgrades! Upgrades are the more basic of the two, where you can use monster parts to create enhancements for your gear. These can vary from attack damage, elemental properties, defensive properties, and a whole lot more. Augments do more of the same, but instead they work as equipment for equipment, in a manner of speaking. For gear that has “slots”, you can attach an augment which will give the gear better properties. While augments can be equipped and unequipped, upgrades can not.

Skells are a major part of the game. After a certain point, you unlock your very first Skell–they are huge mechanical robots that can fight, transform into vehicles, and fly (although that comes later on). I simply cannot understate how satisfying it is piloting these machines–creatures who were once an impossibility to fight, you are now able to overcome, and other average sized creatures become very easy!

Transforming into a four-wheeled vehicle makes getting around Mira SO MUCH EASIER considering how large it is–and flying so high in the sky that you can admire the expanse of Mira’s mountains and volcanoes is simply breathtaking. Similarly to characters, Skells can also have changeable weapons and armor, as well as take advantage of upgrades and augments. A Skell’s arts are dependent on its equipped weapons–skells can have many weapons! The following parts of a Skell can have weapons–two on their back, two on their shoulders, two in their hands, and two at their sides–that makes a grand total of eight weapons! Setups may vary because some weapons make take up both slots (such as a two-handed weapon). The two downsides to skells are that they essentially only have three lives, so you have to be very careful when using them, and using techniques consumes fuel, so excessive use of a skell may render them useless after a long time.

I personally enjoy the music of the game, but I’ve also heard of others disagreeing with the musical style. The style is very non-traditional to an RPG–it can range from rock-rap, to ambient, to pure techno/electronica. A good majority of the music has lyrics too, including the battle music, which is a very unusual, but not necessarily bad choice. A lot of it is very catchy, so even if you don’t enjoy it, it’s very easy to make fun of. I can’t confidently tell readers if the music is good or bad, as it’s a matter of preference.

This game has online features, but they’re more passive than active. When you join a Conquest squad, a list of “tasks” and a time limit appears in the lower-right corner of the screen. These tasks are groups of monsters that need to be hunted by all of the members of your squad. When one of the tasks are fulfilled, you get “reward tickets”, as well as rights to start corresponding “squad missions” from your home base. Fulfilling tasks are cryptic because no information is provided other than general pictures of the monster type–at least, if there is some way to figure it out, I haven’t learned of the method yet.

Reward tickets can be traded for monster parts, which can save a player a lot of time and effort in fighting or grinding the same monsters for a specific materials. Squad missions create an environment where you can team up with up to three other players online to take on a mission in a limited environment. Coordinating to work with your friends on these is a hassle, because you have to make sure that your friends are on the same conquest squad as you are, and some of the missions are level dependent. And even then, you’re working against the timer on the bottom right of the screen because if it runs out, you have to start over with the task targets portion again. Occasionally, a “global nemesis” will appear, and these are super-powered bosses that keep regenerating their health each time you beat them–the amount of reward tickets and monster parts that you receive is based on how many times you beat them within the time limit. You are also able to “scout” avatars online which makes a carbon copy of that player for you to play with, for a fee. This can be helpful in taking on some of the harder parts of the game, if the characters on your current team don’t quite make the cut.

Then, there is the structure of missions. There are many types of missions–story missions (which I mentioned above), affinity missions, normal missions, and basic missions. Story missions are pretty much self explanatory–they are missions which are essential to progressing the game, and most of the time you will be forced to have Elma and Lin in your party, since they are the two main characters besides your avatar/main character. Affinity missions are missions which are specific to other characters you earn throughout the game, and can only be unlocked if you have a good relationship with them. To build a relationship with an unlocked character, you simply have to use them on missions and also respond to in-game dialogue in their presence. Unfortunately, you cannot do affinity missions while you have a story mission active, and vice versa. Normal missions and basic mission can be taken on at the same time as story or affinity missions. Normal missions are side-plot driven missions, and basic missions are your run of the mill MMO-style fetch quests, slay quests, etc. Working on basic missions can be difficult because the in-game encyclopedia isn’t always very good at letting you know where certain things are, even if you’ve been there before, or fought those creatures in the past. And as of this writing, it’s actually very difficult to find this information on the internet as well! This game is so massive that even the internet is taking a very long time in mapping all of the possible monster drops and locations–just another testament to how massive it is. Choices in Story/Affinity/Normal missions can affect other parts of the game–I’ve seen it happen a handful of times, but it may have happened in other areas I haven’t noticed. I haven’t beaten the game yet, so maybe there’s more to be revealed, or perhaps I may have to look up a wiki on the differences that certain choices make.

If I had to nitpick and find one chief flaw with the game, it’s the learning curve. Mainly in customization and combat, the game does little to no job in explaining how to access these functions and how they work. These features are detailed in the game’s electronic manual, but since a lot of newer generation games are tutorial based, it can be easy to feel lost or disjointed right at the start, and perhaps a little intimidated. And even if you are able to learn the intricacies, it takes a while to figure out which creatures you’re able to fight using a sink or swim approach–for example, a level 20 creature that’s the same size as your avatar may be easier to fight that a level 15 creature that’s several stories tall. Thankfully, when your avatar dies in battle, there’s no real consequence other than being teleported far away from the site you died at… however, as mentioned before, skells have only three lives so you want to be more careful with those. If you have earned a skell, more than likely you’ve already had enough experience to gauge the strength of monsters, but it can be frustrating when you’re flying around, and all of a sudden some goliath level 60 monster comes from out of nowhere and wrecks you faster than you can say the word “Wow.”

There is more that can be said about this game, but the points above covers most of the major highs and lows of the game. Overall, I would say that if you have a Wii U, this game is a MUST BUY. And if you don’t have a Wii U, go out and buy one along with this game! I truly believe that this game alone makes the Wii U worth it, and I’ve already clocked 100+ hours into it because of all the content… and still haven’t beaten it! With all of its missions, likable characters and story, breathtaking environments, eccentric soundtrack, adrenaline fueled combat, and much more, I can confidently say–this is my game of the year for 2015!

Review Summary:

Pros
+ Huge boundless open world/sandbox environment ripe for exploring
+ Fantastic artistic direction
+ Near endless customization for characters and mechs (Skells)
+ Load of missions and near endless content
+ Exciting combat that doesn’t interrupt gameplay
+ Rich story with many plot twists

Cons
– Difficult learning curve
– Music enjoyment based on preference
– Online potential falls short of expectation

Final Score: 4.5/5

Soon You Can Add ‘Splatoon’ To Your Manga Library!

by Natalie KipperJanuary 11, 2016

Nintendo’s hit alternative-FPS Splatoon has already invaded multiple aspects of geek culture, like cosplay and fan art, and now the squid-kid hybrids have set their crosshairs on our bookshelves.

Japanese magazine Famitsu announced that the game is set to receive not one, but two manga adaptations. The first is a four-panel comic, Honobono Ika no 4-Koma, by Kino Takahashi, the artist behind the Terra Battle play diaries. The second series is entitled Splatoon Play Manga and will showcase different artists and depict their experiences with the game. Release dates for either series have not yet been revealed.

Which artists would you like to see illustrate a Splatoon manga?

[via Crunchyroll]

The Top 10 Gaming Waifus Of 2015

by Josh JacksonJanuary 8, 2016

Warning: Potential spoilers follow!

The New Year is here! Which means for many of us, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about what you did right, what you can improve on and how you can tackle 2016 in the best way possible. Or for the rest of us, you think back on all the fictional characters you were totally crushing on through 2015.

Yes, that’s right! It’s time for the second annual waifu of the year list (check out last year’s list right here), and if you were expecting it to be a one and done feature after I would have been inevitably added to the sexual offenders list, I’m just as surprised as you are. But before we get into the list, let’s show some appreciation for the fantastic waifu candidates that just missed the cut this year.

Rise Kujikawa (Persona 4: Dancing All Night)

While in the midst of a big comeback tour, a pop idol should probably spend her time brushing up on her choreography and screaming at interns for bringing them the wrong mineral water. Yet, Ms. Kujikawa decides to spend it saving her understudies from the clutches of monsters who must be fought with the power of dance. It was hard to list Rise over the new girl, Kanami Mashita, but considering the new girl is a big reason why the crap hit the fan to begin with, her senpai gets the nod here. The only reason why Rise didn’t make the main list is because her time to shine is essentially stolen by the swagtastic Yu Narukami, but that doesn’t mean her contributions shouldn’t be acknowledged.

Toko Fukawa (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

In the original Danganronpa, Toko was often rude, shrewd, and oh so smelly, to the point where her alter ego overshadowed her in every possible way. When you consider that said alter ego is a serial killer, then you must really be a special kind of awful. Then Another Episode came along, and we were reintroduced to a strong, steadfast girl who was able to be Komaru’s voice of reason when being trapped on a secluded island full of killer robot Monokuma’s become too much to bear, (pun intended af.) So much so in fact, that even Genocide Jack develops self control along the way, serving as an invaluable ally for the Future Foundation. Toko would have normally been a shoe in for this year’s waifu list, except that she still only has eyes for Byakuya Togami. Anyone else would likely wind up dead, so yeah… There’s that.

Quest Receptionist (Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate)

Always there to greet you with a smile and a bad joke right before you take off to fight towering beasts that are likely to maul you, the mission girl is the cornerstone of any successful caravan. Now if she actually did something more than sit in a chair and make fun of you, then she would definitely be top waifu material. Regardless, she left her mark on the hearts of the Monster Hunter fandom, and that’s what counts.

Ayumi Shinozaki (Corpse Party: Blood Drive)

A shy girl with good intentions, this spiritually sensitive girl will do anything for her friends, even if it means diving back into a haunted school where most of them were previously killed in the hopes that she can revive them. Such loyalty is rare these days, which is why Ayumi deserves a nod. But we should also mention that her friends are essentially dead because of her, and returning to revive them means the ones that are still alive could end up killed as a result! But you know, an A for effort, Ayumi.

The Criminal Girls (Criminal Girls)

Now we can’t compile a list as ~~pathetic~~ amazing this one and not talk about the Criminal Girls, a group of mostly underage female inmates that are forced to help you as a guard, (who’s essentially a Pokemon Trainer if the monsters were girls of questionable morals,) escape a prison overrun with demons. That would be all well and good if criminals had any respect for the law, but considering these girls have an NWA attitude towards your authority, the only way to get them to follow your commands is to tie them down and spank them into submission… I mean, that really says it all, doesn’t it? The girls might have made the proper list if the game they star in wasn’t an absolute bore to play, but the concept is too absurd to ignore. So here’s your time to shine girls! And we’ll see you in 2016 in the sequel!

So after asking yourself how this made publication in the first place, you might be wondering who could have made the final cut with so many great characters on the sidelines! From weeaboo bait, to some of the biggest titles of the year, we scoured the gaming landscape and compiled the definitive list of waifu’s 2015 had to offer. From ninjas, to CPUs, vault dwellers to squids, and even a dude. Crack open your ramune and curl up with your favorite body pillow as we proudly (?) bring to you the top 10 waifus of 2015!

10. Homura (Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson)

An evil ninja formerly of the Hebijo Clandestine Girls’ Academy, Homura and her squad have become renegade ninjas, on the run from their former allies after helping the good ninjas of Hanzo Academy foil Hebijo’s plan for world domination at the end of the first Senran Kagura. Despite being rightfully known as the game that was specifically created for 3D boobs on Nintendo’s handheld, the games have deceptively strong storylines behind all the clothes tearing and shameless zoom ins. But what makes Homura stand out beyond all of the other Senran Kagura girls is that despite her cold, distant exterior, she’ll do anything to protect her friends, even if it means putting herself at risk. Whether that means shielding her fellow renegades from the wrath of their old school, or fighting alongside her childhood friend / good ninja rival, Asuka, Homura is never one to let pride get in the way of doing what’s right. To top it off, when her 10 kitanas, (which are incredibly badass by the way,) can’t get the job done, her Crimson Mode helps her take the battle to the next level.

9. Lin (Xenoblade Chronicles X)

The girl with the Monado hair pins. Lin Lee Koo is the resident prodigy of New Los Angeles, serving as the top mechanic for the BLADES as they explore the seemingly uncharted planet of Mira. In addition to being the one who services the team’s giant mechs, or Skells in this case, she also manages to hold her own in battle, wielding a heavy shield that’s as big as she is. It also helps to be tech savvy when everyone in town is using a substitute mechanical body.

But more so than all of that, Lin finds herself on the list mostly because of all the controversy that surrounded the ability to dress her up. After Nintendo added some extra cloth to a costume that they felt was too revealing for a 13 year old in the West, a segment of Xenoblade fans had a meltdown, fighting the decision tooth and nail to protect the integrity of the original work. Others might have just wanted to see her half naked, but the point is people were obsessing over her look for a very long time. Her being awesome is just a bonus!

8. Me (Fallout 4)

After spending enough time in the wastelands of Fallout 4, I came to the conclusion that I’m a pretty awesome wife. In a time that’s easily full of confusion after waking up from a cryogenic sleep, only to find everyone who was with you has been long dead and the last thing you witnessed was your spouse getting killed as your son was kidnapped, it’s all a lot to take in. But I pushed on, hell bent to rescue my son from the monsters who ripped him from my husband’s arms, eating and drinking as much radioactive meat and water as I can along the way. But in between developing stage 3 lymphoma with every meal, maybe I can help these passerby’s along the way? Or find this missing item for this questionable traveler? Wait, who was I supposed to rescue again?

If my version of Fallout Wife wasn’t so easily sidetracked, she could have been much higher on the list, but since I play as if my kid isn’t as important as these shady strangers I keep coming across, my priorities are clearly all out of whack. Number 8 sounds like a good place since I should get around to saving my son. Eventually…

By the way, Fallout 4‘s female lead voice actor was just on Geekscape this past week, which you can listen to right here.

7. Me (Hatoful Boyfriend)

I had trouble finding a picture that captured my good side in Hatoful Boyfriend. Oh, I know, how about this?

When I’m not a decapitated robot scarecrow tied down with a burlap sack, I’m a mild mannered middle school girl attending St. PigeoNation’s Institute for birds. I also happen to be the only human attending. In Hatoful Boyfriend, I have the capacity to love everybirdie, so much so that I’m acting as a secret liaison to re-establish human-bird relationships, unbeknownst even to me! Some of my friends have weird tastes in clothes, but still not any less weird than a human dating a pigeon.

As a hunter-gatherer who has enough compassion to not only serve as the ambassador for an entire species, but to fall in love with men of other species, my Hatoful self was a no brainer for this year’s list… Especially since I spend half the game without a brain. Whether I’m going to festivals with my bird boyfriend, or curling up next to him as a head in a jar while an army of bloodthirsty soldiers look to murder us in what could be our final moments, I must say that this time around, I’m a pretty good catch!

6. Me (Amnesia: Memories)

Making the list three times!? I think I’ve set some kind of waifu record!

When it came down to all of the different iterations of “me” this year, the top waifu goes to my female self in Amnesia: Memories. Imagine being a college girl who’s memories get erased when a well-meaning demon accidentally gets trapped in your brain, and said demon is the only person you can trust as you try to piece together your life while keeping your memory loss hidden from those who might take advantage of it. Sucks, doesn’t it? But despite all this, Amnesia me has such a big heart. Despite my potential husbandos being completely awkward around me, having magical eyes that make every girl *except* me fall in love with him, being so protective of me that they lock me in a dog cage so I can’t leave the house, or even a man with a split personality, one of which wants to kill me, the fact that I’m still able to find the capacity to love these men is amazing in and of itself.

Above all else however, if I get tired of a guy and want to dump them, rather than break their heart, I can just jump to a different dimension where I never dated them at all! If nothing else, at least I’m empathetic.

5. Jonah (Rise of the Tomb Raider)

What’s the first thing you notice about Jonah?

Yes, Scott. But aside from that. Jonah is the only companion from the Tomb Raider reboot to follow Lara into her latest adventure, serving as the textbook definition of her ride or die. Anyone can say that they would follow you to the ends of the earth, but Jonah really means it. Whether he’s traveling to war torn Syria, or to the Siberian mountains to track down an ancient relic that may or may not exist, the man even takes a knife for her! Forget that he’s so deep in the friend zone that a pair of pickaxes couldn’t dig him out, because he’s always there for Lara when she needs him.

Yes, he’s a guy, and I know that I disqualified guys last year, (no matter how feminine they looked,) but I would give Jonah a shot as my waifu just on the merits of how awesome he is.

4. Plutia (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

In last year’s list, Neptune took the number two spot primarily on the basis that she was essentially every gamer’s dream girl. If you took those qualities and applied them to Plutia, she would be Neptune cranked up to 11. A perpetually sleepy and highly impressionable girl who will only greet the day if it means being able to play video games, knit dolls, or balk at any and all responsibility, the goddess of V Generation‘s alternate version of Planeptune doesn’t seem like much at first glance. But if you make her angry, she takes up a form that strikes fear in the hearts of friend and foe alike.

In her CPU form, Plutia’s personality takes a complete 180 as Iris Heart, a goddess that takes as much pleasure in punishing her friends as she does her enemies. Nicknamed “Sadie” for her sadomasochistic tendencies, her whip and high heels can grind any foe into submission, leading her allies to dread the occasions when Iris Heart is forced to show herself. Yet, some of you might be into that kind of thing, getting the best of both worlds from this polarizing Neptunia character. And if you are indeed that kind of person, Plutia will make her playable return in this year’s multiplayer extravaganza, MegaTagmension Blanc + Neptune Vs. Zombies. Get hyped!

3. Komaru Naegi (Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls)

Often touted as a regular girl who can’t do anything special, everything that takes place in Danganronpa: Ultra Despair Girls flies in the face of that idea. Despite being trapped on an island full of killer robots that are out to kill her, while a group of insane children turn hunting her into a game, Komaru doesn’t do too bad for herself! Armed with a special megaphone that can destroy and manipulate almost all of the machinery in Towa City, the girl who initially only known as the little sister of former protagonist Makoto Naegi, grows into a defender of hope in the face of growing despair.

Despite secretly being groomed to become the successor to the Ultimate Despair, Junko Enoshima, Komaru forsakes revenge and spares the lives of the innocent Monokuma Kids in the process, ending her adventure with both the kids and the adults out for her head. What the future holds for Komaru might still be unknown, but being able to make such a difficult choice, taking on all of the hatred of an entire town and carrying it on her back, earns her the number three spot on this illustrious list.

2. Callie and Marie (Splatoon)

Whether you’re a kid or a squid, there’s not a person who has played Splatoon who hasn’t fallen in love with Callie and Marie, collectively known as the squid sisters. Acting as news reporters who make sure to clue you in on all of what’s happening in Inkopolis each time you boot up the game, the girls are known to up the stakes every now and again with occasional Splatfests. Unlike any other waifu on this list, Callie and Marie have the power to manipulate Inklings around the world to fight in their name over such important matters as deciding if burgers are better than pizza.

However, rumor has it that in addition to keeping the world of Splatoon up to date, the two are said to secretly act under the guise of Agents 1 and 2, protecting the city from the hidden Octoling threat. As driven career women, it’s amazing that they’re able to find the time to work as undercover agents while managing to make wise cracks at each other in between discussing new stages. And if you think putting both girls on the list as part of the same entry is a cop out, it is! Because I can’t decide which one between the two is best girl. While Callie’s energetic personality would usually win out, Marie’s sarcastic wit delivered what had to have been the best line of the year, declaring that Team Science lost against Team Art because her team “had jobs to do.” Right in the feelers, Marie.

Whichever one you prefer, it’s undeniable that Callie and Marie have become the icons of what’s arguably the biggest new IP of 2015, so get used to those faces, because I expect to see them for a long time. And as always…

We’ve gone through a lot of amazing characters, but only one can stand alone as the undisputed “Best Girl” of 2015. So without further ado, the top waifu of 2015 is…

1. Nepgear (Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3: V Generation)

Releasing in very early 2015, we were re-intruduced to Nepgear in Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2: Sisters Generation, and from the moment the download started on my PS Vita, it was love at first byte. As the resident techy of the group, Nepgear rocks at tinkering as much as she rocks that school uniform, often daydreaming of all things robotic.

Being the little sister of the series protagonist means having to live up to some high expectations, especially when said protagonist and all of her friends from the previous game start off as captured and powerless. From the point of Nepgear’s escape and rise from the ashes was one of the most enjoyable journeys I played during the year. Yes, I know that seemingly the majority of the fandom craps on the second game due to it losing a big portion of the first game’s humor in favor of a doom and gloom story with heavy anti-piracy themes. From a narrative standpoint however, Nepgear and the rest of the little sisters, under her leadership, are able to rise above hate, never give up and eventually surpass the goddesses, becoming incredibly powerful in their own right.

Nepgear in her CPU form as Purple Sister

Which is more the reason Re;Birth 3 broke my heart a little when it came to Nepgear. The game regained its trademark humor, turning the fans’ dislike for the second game, turning it into a big joke, and directing it straight at Purple Sister herself. Despite the fact that her only sin was coddling Neptune way too much, that didn’t stop her beloved sister from constantly putting her down, mocking her status as former main character, and turning her friends against her to the point where she even convinces her allies from the second game that it’s perfectly okay to leave her trapped in another dimension when it came to the “good” ending of the third game. A dimension she wouldn’t have been in in the first place if she didn’t travel between worlds to rescue Neptune AGAIN!

But speaking of alternate endings, the most controversial moment in the entire series falls squarely on Nepgear’s shoulders during the Conquest Ending of Re;Birth 2. The only thing Nep Jr. loves more than her sister and friends is Gamindustri itself, and this ending proves how far she will go when it comes to protecting the world she’s come to care for so much. In a desperate attempt to vanquish their enemies once and for all, the girls learn of a forbidden weapon that absorbs the life energy of CPUs to build its strength. From here, its open season, as Nepgear travels from land to land, slaughtering all of her friends, including her best friend, Uni, and the twin girls, Rom and Ram, the former of which looks up to Nepgear like a big sister. Eventually, only Neptune herself is standing, but not for long…

What the goodness!?

After all the Re;Birth 3 shenanigans, I almost wanted this to be canon, but when she’s not slaughtering everyone she holds dear, Nepgear is a strong, reliable girl who’s managed to charm the knee socks off of us. Plus, we’re humans, so when the inevitable day comes when Nepgear finally snaps, is there anyone better to be in your corner?

So there’s your list of top waifus for 2015! Did your favorite make the cut, or were our trash waifus far too inferior to deserve the honor of best girl? Share your thoughts, picks, and all the reasons why I’m wrong with us in the comments below, and tweet me your suggestions @InuJoshua!

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Zelda: Tire Swing Of Seasons

by The_aczJanuary 7, 2016

What’s this? A featured course a day early? Hell yeah, because why not?

Today’s course of the week comes from the user Brian with his take on one of the weirdest (and under-rated) handheld Zelda titles. Today’s course name is The Legend of Zelda: Tire Swing of Seasons.

In this level, you play as Link (later on Zelda & Ganondorf) as you traverse through many treetops and tire swings that span through all 4 seasons. From the growth of the vines in Spring, to the icy waters of Winter, this is a level that combines the season changing of the Zelda series with the platforming of the Donkey Kong Country Series. Also bumpers, lots of them. If you think you’re up for the challenge then give it a try at: BF73-0000-0165-215A. Until next time, keep creating and playing awesome levels!

Will 2016 Be The Year Of The NX? Further Rumors Emerge!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 6, 2016

The internet is buzzing, due to predictions and statements made by Nomura Securities analyst Junko Yamamura. These statements (via Barron’s Asia), point towards a “concept reveal” sometime between March and May, a full console reveal during E3, and even a console release in time for the holiday season of 2016. While this is a possibility, it is no guarantee that we will see a 2016 console release, although other similar news have surfaced to strengthen this theory, such as a report that claims Nintendo will ship 20 million NX units in 2016.

The 3DS was initially launched in 2011, and Nintendo most commonly follows a five to six year console cycle between new systems, so a 2016 or 2017 launch year for its successor would make a lot of sense. The Wii U was launched in 2012, so although a refresh on that console is unlikely, it isn’t entirely possible since there has been some speculation that it failed to meet the bar that its predecessor, the Wii, has set. If there would be a “concept reveal”, my best guess it would be through a Nintendo Direct, which is Nintendo’s dedicated news platform for streaming news to gamers through video. An E3 reveal for the console would also make sense, because E3 is the industry standard outlet for major gaming news, including, but not limited to, console reveals. I think that a 2016 launch is still a bit of a stretch, but if the other two come true, it may very well be possible.

We have already an article on a NX patent utilizing “additional computing devices“, so we are excited by the potential new ways of gaming it could bring to the table! Do you think that we will see this exciting new console in 2016? Please let us know in the comments!

Source: Barron’s Asia, via IGN

New York’s Nintendo World Schedules A Gigantic Facelift!

by Natalie KipperJanuary 6, 2016

If you have a particular fondness for the way Nintendo’s Rockefeller Center-based Nintendo World Store is now, you had best visit before it closes for a remodel on January 19. The store will reopen on February 19 under a new name, Nintendo NY, and will feature an overhauled look.

The updated interior will have a 15-foot gaming screen, brand new demo units for both the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS, and additional surprise elements. The store’s new tagline, “Where everyone comes to play,” will be emblazoned on a bronze coin at the store’s entrance.

The grand opening weekend for Nintendo NY, February 19 through 21, will host special activities, giveaways, plus the chance to see costumed versions of Mario and Luigi. Collectors take note: several exclusive souvenirs will be on sale this weekend only, such as limited editions shirts featuring Link or Mario.

Who’s planning on paying a visit to the updated Nintendo NY when it opens? I know I wish I had a plane ticket!

New Japanese Pokémon Arcade Game Gives You A Workout!

by Matt RodriguezJanuary 5, 2016

A new Pokémon arcade game has been announced by Bandai Namco for Japanese markets, and this one is very physical!

In the style of “chuck the ball” carnival games, Pokémon will appear on screen, and the players will throw actual Pokeballs at the screen in order to catch the Pokémon. Those with high scores will be reward with the opportunity to catch legendary Pokémon, such as Rayquaza. After every game successfully completed, the player will be given one of 24 collectible cards.

…And I’m just wondering how the game’s screen will be able to handle so many Pokeballs being thrown at it, if DDR machines are any indication on how “serious” arcade-goers can take physical games.

This isn’t the first time that Bandai Namco has worked with The Pokémon Company on arcade spinoff titles. Already in Japanese arcades, and limited American arcades is the title Pokken Tournament, which has been announced to receive a Wii U release this year.

Do you think this game will make it state-side? Would you like to see it in your local arcades? Please let us know in the comments!

Source: Siliconera, Bandai Namco JP

Celebrate The New Year With New Costumes From ‘Super Mario Maker’!

by The_aczJanuary 1, 2016

Even though I didn’t have time to highlight a new level this week, that won’t stop me from giving you a weekly does of Mario Maker news. This week we have 2 event courses based off of the NES Remix Series. One level has you playing as Birdo while you traverse the first level of Super Mario Bros. 2, and the other is an exhilarating race against spiny shells as Excitebiker from Excitebike! Check out a video tour of both levels below! Which level is your favorite? Try them both out and let us know!

Blaze Across Space (Again) In A ‘Freedom Planet’ Sequel!

by Matt RodriguezDecember 27, 2015

In their own version of a Christmas, GalaxyTrail has just revealed a sequel to their wildly popular franchise Freedom Planet! It seems not long ago that we wrote about the possibility of a 3DS port of the original, however, we are excited to hear that it’s getting a continuation!

While the trailer sets the baseline for their new story, information about the mechanics of their new game can be found at their website. It already appears to have much of the Sonic-esque momentum based combat that we’ve all come to know and love from the first game.

The Freedom Planet franchise is about a spunky dragon girl and her friends who go up against a deadly alien force, and uses momentum based combat similar to the Sonic the Hedgehog games of the 16-bit era. It was designed as a throwback to platformers of its style, but we believe this sequel will cement it as its own franchise, and step out of the shadows of the games of yesteryear!

Freedom Planet 2 will be available on PC and Wii U.

Source: Freedom Planet 2

‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Underwater Christmas

by The_aczDecember 25, 2015

Merry Christmas!

Did you think that Christmas could stop the Super Mario Maker hype train? It only makes the game stronger. To get into the mood of things, today’s featured level is a bit festive, but with a twist. Today’s level is Underwater Christmas by John.

While there’s nothing that will really blow you way, Underwater Christmas is a nice and relaxing level if you want to take a festive break from all those kaizo and trap levels. You simply play as Frog Mario as he swims around the ocean entering random undersea people’s homes to spend Christmas with them (who wouldn’t want a Christmas visit from Mario himself.) After entering and leaving the nice undersea homes, you’ll then come across a giant underwater Christmas tree decorated with starmen, chain chomps, and more.

Once you’ve finished admiring all the tree as to offer you’ll sooner or later come across the goal post to finish up your short, but relaxing journey. Of course what kind of a level would end without wishing you a happy holiday? If you’re up for a nice, and relaxing Mario Maker level this time around, give this level a try at: CCF8-0000-012C-33B7! Until next time, Happy Holidays, and keep creating and playing awesome levels!