Tag: Wii U

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Warioware Inc.

by The_acz

This week’s Super Mario Maker Course is a treat for you guys.

Courses like this are why I chose to start this weekly article in the first place. Do you like Wario? How about microgames? Well, this week’s course is a re-creation of the game Warioware Inc by Steve.WVW69ifAldkSL24wbq

This course takes all the things you love about Warioware, and compresses it into a short, but sweet level. Anything you can think of is there (even the music and microgame transitions.) As Wario, you’ll travel through an assortment of 5 microgames that seem awfully familiar. Everything from Dodging incoming obstacles, to collecting as many coins as you can without getting hit by a koopa shell.WVW69ifAehg6zXNRzc

If you’d like to try this level out the code is: 2B43-0000-0038-3F06. Have a great weekend, and remember to keep creating and playing awesome levels!

2Spooky4Me: Watch A New Trailer For Next Week’s ‘Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water’!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It’s been nearly 10 years since us Westerners have had the opportunity to (officially) play a Fatal Frame title. Back at E3, Nintendo revealed that the drought was set to end with the US release of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water this Fall (and we learned of the actual release date back in August).

With the game’s October 22nd release date, we’re now just over a week away from playing Fatal Frame in what looks to be its most terrifying iteration yet. The title’s gamepad-focussed controls look like an incredibly immersive, horrifying way to play what is already one of the scariest video game series in history.

And I can’t wait to get my hands on it. As previously announced, players can download the free-to-start game and play the prologue, chapter 1 and most of chapter 2 for free. If you like it, the full version of the game can be purchased as DLC directly from the Nintendo eShop or via the in-game menu. It’ll cost $62.49 in my country (Canada), and $49.99 in the USA.

You can take a look at the 2spooky4me new trailer below, and let us know just how excited you are to jump back into this universe.

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Walk Koopa Home

by The_acz

Week 3 already?

Are the days really going by that fast? Never mind, Let’s announce the featured course for this week. This week I was able to find a more puzzle oriented level. While it looks difficult on the outside, it is, but not as hard as you’d expect. This is the level known as: Walk Koopa Home (Don’t lose him) by former Nintendo Power editor Chris Slate.Slate 1The level starts out simple enough. You have been tasked with walking a giant Green Koopa home. You start by raising him up out of a pit he fell in and continue from there. While the level starts off pretty normal and calm, DON’T BE FOOLED! It may look like a ride through the park but it’s anything but that (probably a walk through the industrial park.) Slate 2Fire, sawblades, magikoopas, and more await you as just try to walk this poor animal home so that he can be safe once more. If you’re interested in playing Mr. Slate’s level you can do so at: 65E7-0000-0077-A6A4. Also, if you’re a fan of his older work on Nintendo Power, you can give a listen to a brand new podcast he started with another former NP editor Chris Hoffman. The podcast is called Power Pros and you can find it right HERE! Until next time, Keep playing and creating awesome levels!

‘Sonic Lost World’ Announced For PC. No Longer A Wii U Exclusive

by The_acz

After 2 years of exclusivity, It seems like Sonic Lost World is jumping ship to PC later this year.

Announced earlier today on twitter, Sonic Lost World will be blasting its way to steam November 2nd. Its initial Wii U release garnered mixed reviews so it’ll be interesting to see if Sega improves or changes anything about the game. Even though this is a great chance for new people to try out the game, it seems like many Wii U owners are a little snake bit seeing as how the game was originally a Nintendo Exclusive. Hey, at least Nintendo owners still have a great exclusive Sonic game. Right?Sonic BoomUhhhhh, never mind. Anyone up for a round of Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics?

New ‘Super Smash Bros’ Update Adds ‘Super Mario Maker’ Stage And More!

by The_acz

Is your wallet ready for the next wave of Super Smash Bros DLC?

If not, that’s too bad because it’s already here! Dropping just last night, Smash Bros Owners can now purchase the long awaited Super Mario Maker Stage from the E-shop for about $2.49 per version or $3.49 for both versions. That’s not all, as fans were also treated to 2 extra stages. Wii U owners can set sail on the Pirate Ship inspired by The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker for $1.99, while 3DS owners can finally experience the retro Duck Hunt stage in all it’s glory for FREE! They also added brand new Mii costumes inspired by Monster Hunter, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and more.

If you’re interested in seeing these stages and costumes in action, check out Gamexplain’s awesome tour of them. Also on a side note: There are only 3 DAYS LEFT for the fan ballot. Make sure to do your duty and vote for who you think deserves a roster slot (or just vote for Banjo Kazooie since they’re the best.) If you haven’t voted yet, you can vote here.

You’ve Got Your Portal In My LEGO! ‘LEGO Dimensions’ Dishes On The Portal Themed Level

by Shane O'Hare

The wondrously hyped (and extremely expensive) LEGO Dimensions seems to be the ultimate “Toys to Game” property out there. When Gandalf, Marty McFly, Batman and Chell can all run through a Portal testing chamber together, you’ve got my attention.

https://youtu.be/0GcIsM2fDTI

Our own Josh Jackson has lamented the cost prohibitve nature of LEGO Dimensions. With some of the models and expansions yielding $30 for one hour of gameplay, I have to agree.

LEGO Dimensions is currently out on all platforms, sans PC Masterrace.

Need An ‘F-Zero’ Fix? Try Out Hero Mode In ‘Fast Racing Neo’!

by The_acz

F-Zero fans have had it very rough.

The last game in the series was F-Zero Climax for the Gameboy Advance that came out nearly 11 years years ago. The worst part about it was that it didn’t even get released in America! (So, stop your whining Metroid fans; it’s only 5 years since your last game.) The closest we’ve got to a new game was in the form of a minigame for Nintendo Land and a couple of tracks, outfits, and cars in Mario Kart 8 via DLC and Amiibo integration. Even Miyamoto himself has admitted that they don’t know what to do with the series anymore.

While we’re not getting a new F-Zero anytime soon, Shin’en Multimedia doesn’t want you to forget it’s legacy. Later this year, they’ll be releasing their own take on the Futuristic Racing genre titled FAST Racing Neo. This weekend, while at EGX, Shin’en revealed that they’ll be adding in a special Hero Mode for the game that’s reminiscent of the F-Zero games of old.  This mode can only be unlocked by completing previous speed classes in campaign mode. There’ll be a couple of tweaks to this mode as well, such as having your boost meter function as a shield, and having to finish in first in order to continue.

If you’re interested in how the game plays, check out this excerpt from Nintendo’s Treehouse Live segment from this year’s E3. FAST Racing Neo will be boosting it’s way onto the Nintendo E-shop sometime at the end of the year.

Geekscape’s ‘Super Mario Maker’ Course Of The Week: Captain Toad

by The_acz

Super Mario Maker is an amazingly creative game.

While the item selection could be expanded  upon, droves of people have found many creative ways to use it to their advantage. You’ll almost never see a course that looks the same, or a course that you won’t have fun playing (unless you’re someone like me who’s already gotten sick of the endless Automatic Mario levels, that is). So the question is: What are some really awesome levels that are really creative with how they use the course tools, or courses that are just really fun to play through?

Every Friday starting today, I’ll be choosing a course from the game that I think really shows the creativity of what people can do using Super Mario Maker. First up, Captain Toad By Evin CG.

Captain toad 1

For those who don’t know, this level is based off of the incredibly popular side game in Super Mario 3D World (also based off the full game released last year.) In this level, you play as Captain Toad, and will try to navigate your way to the power star at the end of the level. A very fun aspect about this level is the fact that it borrows many gameplay elements from the actual game. From climbing vines, and not being able to jump, (jumping makes you hit an invisible block with Boos in them) it’s great to see the source material being used properly. This makes the level feel very authentic, and can really make you think at points throughout the level. Captain toad 2

There are also a good handful of secrets to find. Can you find all 3 gems (substituted as 1-UPS) in the level? There are plenty of other secrets and fun surprises too, but I’ll save those for when you try it out yourself. If you would like to try out this level here’s the course ID: 1548-0000-003E-EF15. If you’d like to recommend a course, then comment below and I just might feature it!

Until next week, keep playing and creating awesome levels!

Looking for more Super Mario Maker? Our review is right here!

The Art Vs. Science ‘Splatoon’ Splatfest Starts NOW!

by Josh Jackson

After a very popular Transformers themed Splatfest, it was business as usual going forward. While the following event didn’t have any cool or surprising licensing, the question being settled isn’t any less important.

From 9 PM tonight to 9 PM tomorrow, September 19th, kids and squids alike will be fighting in the name of art or science. It’s Einstein vs. Di Vinci! Edison vs. Van Gogh! Banksy vs. Ahmed the clock kid! Who will win the battle of disciplines?

Personally, I’m more of a science guy. Without it, many of the tools needed for art wouldn’t exist. Then again, I feel like art will be more popular, but as of this point, the popular team has never won the majority of matches. I just want to win for once!

Which team are you on? Will you use up a perfectly good Saturday to reach the top rank? Tell us who you’re siding with in the comments!

Geekscape Games Reviews ‘Super Mario Maker’

by The_acz

It’s hard to believe that the Super Mario Bros. Series has been platforming into our living rooms for thirty years.

Released on September 13th 1985, Super Mario Bros. has gone to become one of the most popular video games to date. It even went on to sell over 40 million copies and spawn endless spin-offs and sequels that continue to this very day. Even Mario himself has become one of the most recognizable icons in history. Flash forward 30 years, and fans are finally getting one of their biggest wishes granted with Super Mario Maker.Mario Maker Title Screen

Super Mario Maker is Nintendo’s love letter to the Mario series and fans alike, allowing anyone to make their own 2D Mario levels from scratch. What really makes this game special is that not only can you make your own levels from the original Mario, but you can also choose art styles from its most popular iterations. These include classics such as Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and even New Super Mario Bros. U. There’s also a wealth of locations to choose between including above ground, underground, underwater, ghost house, air ship, and bowser’s castle.

Today's Fuel Economy -By Josh
Today’s Fuel Economy -By Josh

The tool layout is very simple to pick up and use. All you do is tap on an item you want to use and you can summon that item at will. Most items are usable in all art styles excluding a couple of items. These include the goomba shoe in Mario 1 and Mario 3, turning into Yoshi eggs in Mario World and Mario U, and the Mystery Mushroom (more on that in a second) turning into each art styles specific flying item. Mario 3 has the Raccoon Leaf, Mario World has the Cape, and Mario U has the Propeller Hat.

Skull Ride Glide -By Brian
Skull Ride Glide -By Brian

One of the most fun additions to Super Mario Maker has to be the inclusion of the Mystery Mushroom. By tapping a corresponding Amiibo, or completing a run in 100 Mario Challenge (A mode where you adventure through randomly generated user levels) you can unlock a special character outfit for Mario to use in the original Super Mario Bros. theme. Want to go through a level as Donkey Kong, Samus, Kirby, or even Megaman? Well now you can! Just playing 100 Mario Challenge to see what character you’ll unlock next will have you occupied for a long time to come considering that there’s about 100 different costumes.Mario Maker review 4

Now to the part everyone’s been waiting for: the user generated content. Content is separated by 100 Mario Challenge, Courses, and Makers. Courses can be sorted by featured, top rated, and up & coming. They can also be searched by difficulty, but not name, location or time period even though the options are there. This is one of the biggest flaws in the game since if you want to play a specific level from someone, you have to be either following them, or enter a 16 digit code. I’m really hoping for an update that can add a better search engine because as it is right now, it’s kind of useless.

Super Mario Maker Levels

Even aside from the search engine problems I still have a couple of minor complaints with the title. For starters, Even though there’s a nice amount of objects and enemies to use, there are still some really iconic items missing from the game. These include not being able to make slopes, as well as there being no Desert or Forest levels as well as the exclusion of popular enemies such as the Angry Sun and the Charging Chucks. There’s also a problem with content creation item unlocks.

The game starts you off with only one row of objects and enemies, and from there you have to gradually create for 5 minutes for 9 days in a row, or spend time nonstop creating every 15 minutes. While I understand this is done to prevent younger children from getting too overwhelmed with the pallet, it would have been nice to at least have an option to start with everything.  This option could have allowed veterans to jump straight into the more advanced techniques.

Mario Maker review 5

Overall, Super Mario Maker is one of the Wii U’s best offerings right beside Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Super Smash Bros, Bayonetta 2 and more! Creating levels is very easy and the tools are very accessible to all ages. The complaints I have about it aren’t enough to ruin the experience and I can see myself already planning more stages to create and play. Even if you aren’t a creator, there are still a boat load of original and creative levels that’ll keep you playing for months and even years to come (perhaps I’ll highlight  some of my favorites sometime.)

Bowser's Construction Issues -By Jirard
Bowser’s Construction Issues -By Jirard

Rating: 4/5, BUY IT!!

‘Super Mario Maker’ Stage Coming To ‘Super Smash Bros.’!

by The_acz

Well, this is a nice surprise.

Nintendo has just announced that a stage based off Super Mario Maker will be MAKING (sorry for the pun) it’s way to Super Smash Bros For Nintendo 3DS & Wii U by the end of the month. It’s unknown if the stage will be free or not, but the terrain and art style will be randomly generated ever time you play it. To see this stage in action, check out the awesome trailer below.

Here’s EVERY Costume And Secret In Nintendo’s ‘Super Mario Maker’!

by The_acz

Super Mario Maker just released yesterday and we’ve already seen some crazy secrets the game holds. We all like finding secrets and unlockables in games, but what if sometimes you just don’t want to wait to discover things? Want to see all the different costumes and secrets in the game but don’t have the time? Well, the folks over at That One Video Gamer have you covered. They have recently just released a video on their let’s play channel showcasing all the different kinds of costumes you can find in the game, as well as some other hidden surprises. Check it out below! What are your favorite secrets and costumes in the game so far?

Michel Ancel Creates Level For ‘Super Mario Maker’ !

by The_acz

Not to be outdone by today’s amazing news about Pikmin 4, There’s still a bit more Nintendo in today’s news.

Michel Ancel, the creator of Rayman, has recently created his own Mario level to challenge Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka themselves to beat it. The level entitled Pac-Mario is an obvious, but really cool tribute to the classic arcade version of Pac-man which is one of Mr. Miyamoto’s favorite games.

If you’d like to see the level in action just head down below to check it out! If you’d also like to see more game creators making Mario levels, how about watching Playtonic Games Donkey Kong Country tribute level. 

Wait, What? ‘Pikmin 4’ Is Happening, And Nearly Complete?

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: I love Pikmin.

I was absolutely floored that Pikmin 3 ever happened. Nintendo has a lot of properties that haven’t received new titles in years, and I didn’t know that Pikmin sold well enough to warrant another title any time soon.

Well, apparently Pikmin 4 is happening, and it may be closer than we think.

In a just-released interview with Eurogamer (held back in July), Miyamoto revealed news of the next Pikmin game:

“It’s actually very close to completion,” Miyamoto said. “Pikmin teams are always working on the next one.”

Sure, it’s just a single sentence, but it’s a sentence that makes me so happy.

Nintendo confirmed that the title was in fact. in development, but would not comment on a platform or release date.

Excited? What do you hope to see in the next game? Sound out below!

Pikmin

Playtonic Games Create Levels For ‘Super Mario Maker’

by The_acz

This past Thursday, U.K game company, Playtonic Games, visited Nintendo for an event.

The Ex-Rare studio partnered with Nintendo U.K to host a special live stream for the upcoming Wii U game Super Mario Maker. During the stream, they showed off their own Donkey Kong Country inspired level while also having plenty of more fun.

While they haven’t uploaded the full stream yet, there are a couple of video excerpts of it on Nintendo U.K’S YouTube channel which you can check out here. Super Mario Maker launches for Wii U on September 11th.

Who Reigned Supreme In The War Between The Autobots And Decepticons In The Latest ‘Splatoon’ Splatfest?

by Josh Jackson

Lines were drawn, friends were divided and Inklings went to war this past weekend, as the latest Splatfest asked them to settle the decades long score between the Autobots and Decepticons for Transformers supremacy. Once all the ink settled and the scores were tallied, the win went to…

Splatoon Transformers Result

In the end, despite being outnumbered by 16% when it came to popularity, the Decepticons defeated Team Autobots by winning 12% more of their matches. Team Autobots must have felt bad that the Decepticons have been getting their asses handed to them for about 30 years, and figured it was time to throw them a bone. Either that, or the dark, edgy kids are just better than the forces of good.

Regardless of what side you’re on, this Splatfest was as fun as always. And no matter what the next one has in store, it probably won’t be as awesome as this one, unless of course, we shift to My Little Pony. Team Unicorn vs. Team Pegasus anyone!?

What would you like to see in future Splatfests? And did your team come out victorious this time around? Sound off below!

Reminder: The Transformers ‘Splatoon’ Splatfest Starts Tonight!

by The_acz

Just a friendly reminder to all you Splatoon fans out there.

The highly anticipated Transformers Splatfest is happening tonight at 9PM Pacific Time and will go on until 9PM on 8/29.

Have you already chosen your side? Which team do you think has the best chance? (Decepticon master race.)

Hope you’ve been practicing because this will be a splatfest for the ages.

SplatoonTransformers

Amiibo Run Rampant in the Newest Super Mario Maker Trailer!

by J.C. Marquez

Super Mario Maker is a Nintendo fan’s dream come true. Allowing players to create their own custom courses in any way they see fit, the game is perfect for those who have ever dreamed of being a game designer. One would think that would be enough, right? Well, sit tight because Nintendo is not limiting the customization to course building–as this new trailer showcases.

Over 50 amiibo figures will be compatible with Super Mario Maker–making it possible to run through a horde of Cheep Cheeps as Wii Fit Trainer, swim through a bevy of Bloopers as Kirby, and even face off in an epic showdown with Bowser as, well, Bowser!

Which amiibo will you be using to run through your custom Mario courses? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and we will discuss your responses on the next Geekscape Games Podcast!

‘Fatal Frame: Maiden Of Black Water’ Headed To Wii U eShop This October!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It’s been nearly 10 years since us Westerners have had the opportunity to (officially) play a Fatal Frame title. Back at E3, Nintendo revealed that the drought was set to end with the US release of Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water this Fall, and now we know just when we’ll be able to get our Camera Obscura on.

Nintendo today revealed the game’s North American release date, as well as details on just how you’ll be able to get your hands on the title.

Just in time for Halloween, Maiden of Black Water will exclusively launch on the Wii U eShop on October 22nd. That’s right collector’s, you won’t be able to pick up the game physically, so just be glad that we get to play it at all.

Interestingly enough, players can download the free-to-start game and play the prologue, chapter 1 and most of chapter 2 for free. If you like it, the full version of the game can be purchased as DLC directly from the Nintendo eShop or via the in-game menu. It’ll cost $62.49 in my country (Canada), and $49.99 in the USA.

How excited are you to play through this one? Did you import Fatal Frame 4 when it didn’t come to our region? Sound out below!

Nintendo Unveils 2015 Holiday Line Up

by J.C. Marquez

With only four months left in 2015, Nintendo is planning to close the year out with a bevy of titles that will surely cripple many a bank account from coast to coast. While Super Mario Maker is the major focus for Nintendo’s marketing team, there are dozens of other titles that will make the Wii U and the New Nintendo 3DS systems appealing to consumers in the weeks to come.

Earlier today, Nintendo unveiled their release calendar for the rest of 2015, and we’ve broken it down for you here:

SEPTEMBER

9/11 smm

Super Mario Maker $59.99

9/11 NOA_PackShot_SSM_2 (1)

Super Mario Maker Wii U Bundle w/ 8-bit Mario amiibo ($299.99)

9/20   skylanders-super-chargers-wiiu-pack-shot

Skylander SuperChargers Starter Set $74.99

9/25 achhd

Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer $39.99

9/27      lego_dimensions1 

LEGO Dimensions $99.99

 

OCTOBER

10/9  crzl

Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash! $29.99

10/16  yoshis_woolly_world_na_boxart

Yoshi’s Wooly World $49.99

10/16 Dyz2a50‘NVL_YA_imge10k_R_ad (1)F7QNnvT

Yarn Yoshi amiibo ($19.99)and Mega Yarn Yoshi amiibo ($39.99)

 

10/20 10371891

Guitar Hero Live $99.99

10/20 jd16

Just Dance 2016 $49.99

10/22 Fatal-Frame-Wii-U-JP-Box-Art-600x600

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water $49.99 (Wii U eShop exclusive)

10/23 tfhj

The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes $39.99

 

NOVEMBER

11/6 yk

YO-KAI WATCH $39.99

11/20 WiiU_StarFoxZero_case_R

StarFox Zero $59.99

11/20 81G10-VN7PL._SL1500_

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon $39.99

 

DECEMBER

12/4 n6dg5d

Xenoblade Chronicles X $59.99

12/11 dt

Devil’s Third $59.99

 

Mario Tennis Ultra Smash and Animal Crossing Amiibo Festival have yet to receive release dates, but both games should be available this holiday season. Important to note: the long-awaited Mewtwo and Falco amiibo figures will launch November 13 and November 20 respectively.

With all these games coming out in the next four months, it is safe to say that many bank accounts will be emptied for the rest of 2015. What games will you be picking up? Let us know in the comments below and we will share your responses on this week’s episode the of Geekscape Game Podcast!

 

‘Pokken Tournament’ Comes To Wii U In Spring 2016 Worldwide!

by Josh Jackson

Many considered a home release inevitable, but not like this! Following the recent arcade release of Pokken Tournament, a collaboration between The Pokemon Company and the developers behind the Tekken series it has been announced that the 3D fighter will arrive on Wii U in Spring 2016 worldwide! That’s right, not just in Japan, but in every major region, including the West!

Giving us the ability to go head to head with some of our favorite Pokemon in a fighting game environment is like a dream come true for some. Featuring Lucario, Blaziken, Suicune, Machamp, Charizard, and many more favorites, it’s safe to say that I’m not the only one who’s thrilled about the chance to own this game for ourselves.

Outside of the release announcement itself, the trailer revealed a new character as well… kind of! In addition to the standard Pikachu who’s already in the game, (and hilariously mimics attacks from Heihachi and Kazuya, Tekken‘s flagship characters,) Libre Pikachu will debut in all of his cosplay glory. Now, I get that it’s the mascot and all, but do we really need two different ones? Especially when Hawlucha, the original lucha Pokemon, is still nowhere to be seen?

Still, I’m shocked that a worldwide release is so close. What are your thoughts? Are there any other characters you want to join the roster ahead of its home release? Let us know!

Take a look at some of these awesome amiibo costumes for ‘Super Mario Maker’

by The_acz

Super Mario Maker doesn’t release until the 11th of September, but that won’t stop people from showing new footage of it. Thanks to Midwest Professor we can now take an extensive look at a small handful of amiibo costumes that will be appearing in the game. These can be be obtained by either scanning in a compatible amiibo or by beating the 100 Man Mario Challenge mode. It should also be noted that the game will support over 50 amiibo at launch!!! Are you excited for the release of Super Mario Maker? Which amiibo costume will you use first?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9DZCDDo7CY

‘Splatoon’: Transformers Splatfest Rolls Out Next Week

by The_acz

That’s right. This morning on twitter, Nintendo revealed to fans when and what the next Splatfest for Splatoon will be. The Splatfest will start next Friday August 28th, and in a surprising twist, will be sponsored by Hasbro and feature Autobots VS. Decepticons. This is awesome in a number of ways, one of which opens the doors for more sponsored Splatfests like this one. Which side are you on?Splatfest 1

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Shiftlings’

by The_acz

Sierra is a company near and dear to my heart. Besides Rare, they were my first introduction into the world of videogames. Founded in 1980, by Ken and Roberta Williams, Sierra would go on to create such classic adventure and puzzle games such as The Incredible Machine, Leisure Suit Larry, King’s Quest, and many more. Sadly, the company has been missing for the last 6 years. Fear not though, because just last year, Sierra has re-opened their doors and is ready to start making new memories with a brand new generation of gamers. This brings us to one of their first new outings, Shiftlings.

sierra

This Adventure Puzzle game is about 2 alien janitors who are connected together by a cord and can inflate themselves at will. Together, they will travel across 5 different planets and 50 levels to overcome all odds. Oh, did I also mention that they’re being recorded as part of a reality TV show called Shiftlings? Weird, huh? So, can Shiftlings re-capture the fun and quirkiness that Sierra games of old had?

Art Style & Sound

Art style in the game is very nice. All the backgrounds for all the different levels and worlds are nicely textured and extremely bright and colorful. Even in the most basic asteroid space level the colors pop out nicely and really help make the levels and worlds feel different. Sound effects are very animated; making the game feel like it’s straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. To further help with that is the music, which is very ambient and help sets the tone that these 2 janitors are all alone on these planets. There are also cut scenes, which are very well animated and voice acted. They help break up the game in certain sections and provide just enough laughs to keep you going to the next.

WVW69iSuqzEwk3jixQ

Gameplay & Negatives

The gameplay in Shiftlings is easy to learn, but difficult to master. At any point in a level you can switch which characters to move and which one to inflate. You can also move both of them at once in order to bounce across large gaps and collect hidden collectible cola bottles in each level. As you steadily progress, the game starts introducing new mechanics such as doors, rotating platforms, and many more. And what kind of Sierra game would this be if there weren’t a variety of death animations? Everything from getting electrocuted, to being incinerated by flames and you’ll want to die as many times as you can. You also have a narrator voice commenting on each of the levels you play and that really helps cement the fact that this is a reality TV show.

WVW69iSunGEpvpcIJL

While the game excels in many places mentioned above, there are some problems with it. One of the biggest problems is its difficulty. There are some cases where it can ramp up a little too fast, and that may cause novice players to get a little too frustrated with the game. The controls can also be a bit confusing when first starting the game, but after a while you will settle into them.

Final Thoughts & Rating

Shiftlings is a very smart, if not difficult, puzzle game that really re-captures the magic of what made Sierra such an unusual and fun company. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the game and recommend it to expert puzzle fans, I’m not quite sure if novice players would find it easily accessible. In this case I’d recommend downloading a demo of it since it’s on all major platforms with the exception of Wii U (sorry Nintendo fans the E-shop doesn’t have a demo of it.) If you still like it afterwards, then I whole heartedly recommend picking the game up.

FINAL RATING: 3/5. Try it first, then buy it.

Nintendo Reveals Details On Their Upcoming Amiibo Releases!

by Josh Jackson

Just as you thought you could take a break from the hunt, Nintendo pulls you back in!

In a recent press release, Nintendo announced that a variety of new Amiibo figures will launch on September 11th to coincide with the release of Super Mario Maker. Including the retro colored 8-Bit Mario, the Smash Bros line of figures, including Dr. Mario, Zero Suit Samus, and Olimar to name a few, pre order plans will be set by the individual retailers at a later date.
The full list of announced figures is as follows:
  • 30th Anniversary Mario Classic Color
  • Zero Suit Samus
  • Ganondorf
  • Olimar
  • Bowser Jr.
  • Dr. Mario

Amiibo September Screen 1

In addition, the much rumored Retro 3-Pack was confirmed for September 25th, bundling R.O.B., Duck Hunt and Mr. Game and Watch in one package. The Mii Fighter pack on the other hand, was officially pushed to November from its original September launch window, but was also confirmed as a three character bundle. As for the modern colored 8-Bit Mario, Mewtwo, the Chibi Robo set, and the Yoshi Yarn plushies, details will be released on a future date.

The best news of all? While it wasn’t explicitly stated, it seems like none of the figures mentioned above are store exclusives! That means we can choose where we decide to throw away a good evening camping out for these guys! Which ones are you going to pick up in lieu of valuable time with friends and family? Sound off below!

Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 39 – ‘Congratulations China!’

by GeekscapeStaff

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

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This Week:

China lifts bans on video game consoles.

ZombiU getting ported to PS4 and Xbox One.

Hulk Hogan removed from WWE2k16 over racial remarks.

Terminator special character added to WWE2k16.

Paul London Hero of The Prophecy.

Nintendo TVii service stopping.

Square Enix announces DragonQuest XI PS4 and 3DS.

Castlevania Pachinko machine from Konami.

Smash Bros. update releases in US.

Valve insider speaks about the state of Half-Life 3.

Mark Laidlaw emails with Fun Haus.

Del Toro and Kojima wish to work on future projects together.

Hatoful Boyfriend.

Destiny.

This Week’s Listener Mission Objective:

What game should a Chinese citizen play first?

Listen to Shane DJ Live on KNBA Monday August 3rd at 9 PM PST!

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‘ZombiU’ being ported to PS4, Xbox One, and PC as ‘Zombi’

by The_acz

After 3 years of being an exclusive for the struggling console, the survival horror game ZombiU is now making its way to the PS4, Xbox One, and PC on August 18th as just Zombi. The game received mostly praise with it’s initial Wii U release, most of it which came from the very smooth integration of the Wii U Gamepad. I had the chance to rent the game back when it launched and felt it was a pretty solid experience. It should be noted that Zombi will be released only on digital platforms, so people hoping to snag a physical copy of the game are in for some disappointing news. Here’s the official announce trailer for the game. Will you be picking up Zombi when it launches?

Nintendo Adding 3 New ‘Kirby’ Titles To The E-Shop In Honor of Its Birthday

by The_acz

 

Looks like Kirby fans are in for a treat. According to their Twitter profile, The company will be releasing 3 Kirby games on July 30th to coincide with the pink puffball’s 23rd birthday. As of right now, the 3 games are currently a mystery, but we should be in for a nice surprise come Thursday!

While we wait to celebrate, check out this old commercial for Kirby Superstar on Super Nintendo.

Which as-yet-unreleased Kirby titles would you like to see on the eShop?

‘Splatoon’ Community Divides Over ‘Splatfest’ Winning Formula!

by Matt Rodriguez

Welcome to Splatfest! Splatfest is a game mode for Wii U excusive Splatoon that allows all of its players to pick a side (Dogs/Cats, Roller Coasters/Water Slides, etc.) and be able to battle in the mode Turf War while representing their team! These events only happen every once in a while… in game they are celebratory events where the plaza completely changes the setting to an outdoor concert, and leveling up in these events earn you “Super Sea Snails,” which can be used to either add slots to your gear, or re-roll abilities on your gear.

The first Splatfest had drawn a lot of ire because “Popularity” was considered as part of the formula to decide the winning team. This formula, very specifically, is: Popularity Percentage + (Win Percentage x 2). Even though Team Cats had 51 percent of the wins compared to Team Dogs’ 49, Dogs had 62 percent popularity to Cats’ 38, which allowed them to claim the victory. In the most recent Splatfest, Roller Coasters versus Water Slides, Roller Coasters won with a popularity/wins percentage of 46/53, allowing them to claim victory by wins, and not by popularity!

In the aftermath of both of these Splatfests, users on Reddit and other online forums have been developing labels/nicknames based on the sides that gamers have chosen. The four labels have been designated as “Dogcoaster”, “Dogslider”, “Catcoaster”, and “Catslider”. While these labels are used sometimes in jest, some use these labels with a negative connotation, such as relating “Dogcoasters” as sore winners, or “Catsliders” as sore losers. “Catcoasters” feel great that wins finally eked them the win, while “Dogsliders” are slightly disappointed that being popular didn’t get them the win this time around. And some are wondering if the trend will continue–will we see terms like “Sun Dogcoaster” and “Moon Catslider” in the future?

It’s all a little confusing to say the least, but it all adds to the crazy fun of Splatoon. How do you feel about these labels—are they all in good fun, or just competitive slurs to divide the players? P.S. I am a Catslider!

Amazon Reveals Its Palutena Amiibo Release Plans

by Josh Jackson

If you’re still in the Amiibo hunt, you might want to set your alarms for Friday afternoon!

Amazon announced that Palutena would go on sale on Friday, July 24th, at 2 PM PST. One click ordering will be disabled, so everyone who signs in will have an equal chance of obtaining it. Oh, and if you wanted to hoard a ton of characters for yourself, (or sell them to avoid real work,) then sorry. It will be one per customer this time around. Considering how big Amazon is, I’m hoping that they will have plenty in stock to appease all of the gamers who will be viciously assaulting their keyboards trying to buy the Goddess of Light, but then again, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

From Amazon:

“We have ample quantities of this amiibo, but we still expect to sell out. Please act quickly at 2:00 p.m. PT on Friday for your best chance at buying Palutena. Demand is expected to be very high, and there’s no guarantee that she will remain in stock for long.”

Previously, we reported that Palutena would be an Amazon exclusive, resulting in a collective groan from Amiibo hunters who are starting to get tired of these hoops that North America has to jump through just to buy these things. Regardless, it’s looking like some retailers are becoming more proactive with communicating their plans to their ravenous customers, giving everyone a fair shot at snagging a rare figure before the scalpers do, which is a step in the right direction.

Will you be at your computer come Friday? Or are you over all the stress that comes with wanting to give Nintendo your money?