Tag: Wii U

Can’t Make It To E3? Nintendo And Best Buy Bring It To You Courtesy Of Smash Fest!

by Josh Jackson

Want to try out the latest Smash Bros. title, but can’t get to Los Angeles, won’t be allowed into the convention center or don’t care for being trapped in giant buildings for hours on end? Don’t worry, Nintendo and Best Buy have your back.

Today, June 11th from 4PM-9PM and Saturday, June 14 from Noon-5PM, select stores will have the complete E3 demo on display for the public to play! Promising a variety of sales, promotions and bonuses, a commemorative coin just might be the greatest one yet. The only catch? These only go to the first 70 people at each location that pre-order the game on site, so you better get there early if you want your shot at taking one home.

A complete list of stores can be found at this link. Find your nearest store and join in on the festivities, and make sure to check back with Geekscape while you wait for your turn to play! We’ll be updating the site with our hands on impressions, the latest trailers and breaking news as it breaks!

E3 2014: The In-Engine Trailer For ‘The Legend Of Zelda’ Wii U Is Breathtaking

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: During this morning’s Nintendo Digital Event, the company absolutely blew us all away with the reveal of The Legend of Zelda for Wii U.

Eiji Aonuma took to the screen to talk about this reinvention of the franchise. Here’s what he had to say:

But, if you’re more interested in the first gorgeous-looking in engine footage, here you go:

http://youtu.be/VcYXX4TUK4I

The Legend of Zelda will hit Wii U in 2015. All I can say is wow.

The ‘Oddworld: New N Tasty’ E3 Trailer Is Beautiful!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: It seems as though everyone is releasing E3 trailers long before the show floor opens on Monday, and Oddworld Inhabitants have followed suit, debuting a gorgeous new look at Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty.

The ‘rebuilt from the ground up’ reimagining of 1997’s Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee has been in the works for quite some time (like 2010), and rumour has it that we’ll finally be seeing its release date at E3 next week. The game looks beautiful, and since I missed out on the classic the first time around, I really can’t wait to get my hands on this.

Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty will launch on Windows, OS X, Linux, Wii U, PS3, PS4, and PS Vita. Take a look at the trailer below, and let us know if you’ll be picking it up!

Mario Kart 8 Sells 1.2 Million Copies

by J.C. Marquez

The Mario Kart franchise has always proven to be a hit with casual and hardcore gamers. Prior to the release of Mario Kart 8, the franchise has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, so it should come as no surprise that the latest entry in the series would be one of the fastest-selling video games of the year.

This morning, Nintendo of America announced that the highly-anticipated Wii U title sold 1.2 million copies in its first weekend of release. Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime commented on the game’s opening weekend success:

“The early response to Mario Kart 8 demonstrates that the best days for Wii U are still ahead. This year’s E3 is just days away, and it will be all about the future games for Nintendo platforms. This milestone is a great place to start!”

Time will tell if Mario Kart 8 will be able to surpass the worldwide sales of Mario Kart Wii which stands at 35.5 million copies. With Mario Kart 8’s breathtaking visuals, glorious soundtrack, and the free Wii U game download promotion, Mario Kart 8 has a pretty decent shot of doing just that.

Source: Nintendo of America Press Release

The Newest Update Video For ‘Mighty No. 9’ Has Us MEGA Excited!

by Shane O'Hare

The team over at Comcept have just put out this new update video for their Kickstarter success story, Mighty No. 9. The spiritual successor for Megaman is looking more and more amazing the further the project goes.

http://youtu.be/q1iEFfOBP1o

Amassing over Four Million USD, Mighty No. 9 is the brainchild of Keiji Inafune. He wanted to bring the best of the 16-Bit era side scrollers to today.

You can grab Mighty No. 9 sometime in April 2015, and it’s on pretty much everydamn platform including; PC, MAC, Linux!

 

Nintendo Reveals GameCube Controller Support For Wii U!

by Derek Kraneveldt

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

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

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

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Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Mario Kart 8’

by Derek Kraneveldt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pros and Cons / TL;DR :

+ Phenomenal local multiplayer.

+ Gorgeous graphics, great soundtrack.

+ New items are welcome additions.

+ Great mix of tracks.

+ Antigravity.

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

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

– I’m not playing it right now.

Final Score: 4.5/5

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

by Derek Kraneveldt

This, we did not expect.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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Want To Play ‘Mario Kart 8’ Weeks Before Release? Head To Your Participating GameStop Stores This Weekend!

by Josh Jackson

Nintendo and GameStop are teaming up again to bring Mario Kart 8 to the people two weeks before its release date. On the weekend of May 17th, select stores will have the game on display for anyone who wants to give the game a test drive with an exclusive demo version.

Coming exclusively to the Wii U, new and existing preorders will receive a Mario Kart 8 poster for attending. In addition, GameStop will be giving away prizes up to the release of the game with its #MarioKartMemories campaign, so those time where you got hit by a blue shell off of Rainbow Road right behind the finish line might be useful for more than just immense rage.

For further details, including entry rules for the #MarioKartMemories campaign and participating store locations for the Test Drive event, visit these links. For now, check out the game in motion and share your excitement with the world! Mario Kart 8 will release on May 30th.

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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The Legend of Zelda Meets Unreal Engine 4

by J.C. Marquez

Legend of Zelda fans are fiercely passionate. Through different forms of social media, fans express their love of the franchise via cosplay, music, art, and even tattoos. Sometimes, there are fans who go one step further.

Using Unreal Engine 4, along with software programs Maya, Z-brush, and Photoshop, Michael Eurek has recreated the iconic Temple of Time from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.  The short video shows of the most realistic interpretation of the aforementioned temple–complete with Sacred Stones and the legendary Master Sword. This is in no way a preview of the next Legend of Zelda game for Wii U–simply a ‘What If’ project showcasing the possibilities of what a Zelda game running in Unreal Engine 4 would look like.

Would fans want a Zelda game with this kind of look, or would they find it too realistic? While opinions will run high, Nintendo will make clear what fans can expect in a few short weeks when the next Legend of Zelda game will be fully revealed during Nintendo’s Digital Event.

Buy ‘Mario Kart 8’, Get Another Wii U Title FREE!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Nintendo has just announced a ton of sweet new info for Mario Kart 8, which hits stores on May 30th.

First up, if you’re not yet a Wii U owner, an excellent new bundle has just been announced that’ll give you everything that you need to get started. The bundle costs a cool $329.99, and will include a Wii U Deluxe Set system, a Mario Kart 8 game, a red Mario Wii Wheel accessory and a red Mario Wii Remote Plus controller. That’s enough for you and a pal to get your Kart on.

MarioKartBundleAlready own the console? If you buy Mario Kart 8 and register it with Club Nintendo before July 31, you’ll receive a free Nintendo eShop download code for an ANOTHER Wii U game. You’ll have the choice of New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, or Wii Party U. This offer also applies to people who get the game in the Mario Kart 8 bundle or digitally in the Nintendo eShop.

So you’re buying a game that you know is going to be amazing, and you’re getting another critically acclaimed titled for doing it. That’s awesome.

Will you be picking up the game? Grabbing a console just so you can play it? Be sure to let us know!

Nintendo Announces Smash Bros. Invitational Tournament

by J.C. Marquez

While passionate Smash Bros. players around the world eagerly await the next Super Smash Bros. installment for Wii U and 3DS, Nintendo looks to bring the Smash Bros. community together this June.

During this morning’s Mega 64/Nintendo video collaboration, it was revealed that Nintendo will hold its first ever Super Smash Bros. Invitational Tournament at the Nokia Theater in L.A., bringing sixteen ‘highly skilled’ players (yet to be revealed) to compete in a Super Smash Bros. Wii U during E3 week. Details regarding how to view the event, either online or in person, will be revealed at a later date.

With so many skilled players at Smash 64, Melee, Brawl, and Project M, who would you like to see get an invite to the Invitational Tournament?

 

 

A New ‘Fatal Frame’ Is In The Works For Wii U!

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: Since the Wii U’s announcement, fans of Koei Tecmo’s Fatal Frame series have been very vocal in their wishes for the series to appear on the console… now it appears that they may just get that wish.

Famitsu is reporting that Nintendo and Koei Tecmo are developing the next iteration of the beloved series.

No title, release date, or other information was given, but the article also notes a planned expansion of the series into film and comic books.

It’s been years since I’ve played the series, but I have to say that I’d be absolutely terrified to hold up the Wii U’s gamepad as the Camera Obscura. How about you?

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: Smash Bro. 3DS & Wii U Info Extravaganza

by Shane O'Hare

Nintendo’s latest direct is over, but the excitement hasn’t faded. The father of the Pink Puff Ball, Masahiro Sakurai led the event from his studio, and oh boy did he have a bunch of fantastic news for us!

The biggest, and obviously the most important are the release dates. They’ve narrowed down both the 3DS and Wii U windows. Expect 3DS out this Summer and the Wii U version ships this Winter. Both versions will have the same characters and we can expect the game to run in a solid 60 FPS. What I found very interesting is backgrounds and assist trophies will run in 30 FPS so as not to slow down the gameplay.

It’s obvious Nintendo wants to win back the competitive players with this iteration, as they’ve included two online battle modes. “For Fun” will feature all levels, items and only wins are recorded. “For Glory” will feature no Items and only Final Destination is available as a playable battlefield. Wins AND loses will be recorded on the player profile. The most exciting news for this mode is that most of the new levels will have a “Final Destination Mode”. This is basically a re-skin of the very popular Final Destination level from Melee.

Unique to the 3DS version is the “Smash Run” mode. Players are dumped into a dungeon and have five minutes to scour the level for upgrades. Speed, attack, defense, special and more can be collected. Each powerup stacks and gets added to your overall stats. Then its battle time! Sakurai said he took the idea from Kirby’s Air Ride City Trial mode.

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Example of stat changes in Smash Run

An awesome addition for local play and online with friends is the custom move sets. Players will be able to take their favorite fighter and adjust how they are played. No specific details were released but from the footage shown it looks like speed and power can be tweaked.

Gone are the characters that change during battle due to a trigger. No more Zero Suit Samus after the Final Smash; those characters are all now selectable on their own. Samus, Sheik and Charizard have been confirmed.

Notably the most anticipated news was the inclusion of new characters. New to the franchise is Greninja, the final evolution of Froakie (Seriously, fire the guy who names Pokemon. He peaked with Jigglypuff) from Pokemon X and Y.

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A ninjas ass frog. I’m not sure how I feel about this.

Be sure to watch the full Nintendo Direct for all the motion picture goodness, and keep and eye out here for more news as it is released.

Check out the full detail list below:

 

“New Super Smash Bros. games are a major event for video game fans everywhere, and present an experience that only Nintendo can offer,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Fans have two launches to look forward to this year, and they will want to get in plenty of practice with the Nintendo 3DS version so that they can be prepared for the launch of the Wii U game later in the year.”

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct. Today’s announcements included:

-Launch windows: The Nintendo 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. is planned to launch this summer. The Wii U version of Super Smash Bros. is planned to launch in winter 2014.

 

–Silky-smooth 3D: Most game-play elements of the Nintendo 3DS version of the game will run at 60 frames per second, all in stereoscopic 3D.

 

-“Smash Run”: Exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version of the game is a new mode called “Smash Run.” In this mode, four players have five minutes to enter a dungeon and explore the surroundings, fight enemies and obtain power-ups to enhance their fighters. Once the five minutes are up, all four fighters enter a battle arena using their newly equipped items and power-ups. Enemies encountered in the Smash Run mode are from a wide range of game series. Multiple Nintendo 3DS systems and games are required for multiplayer modes.

 

-New challenger!: Greninja, the awesome final evolution of Froakie from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, joins the roster as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.

 

-Oldies but goodies: Many of the classic characters from past Super Smash Bros. games that are returning in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS have new powers and abilities. Four characters that have appeared in previous games, but had yet to be announced before this Nintendo Direct, include:

Zero Suit Samus: That’s right, Zero Suit Samus is back, but this time she is her own fully playable character, separate from suited Samus. In the new game, she is given jet boots to make her even more powerful.

Sheik: As with Zero Suit Samus, Sheik is another character that appeared in previous Super Smash Bros. games, but will be a unique playable character for the first time in the new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games. Sheik has new moves like Burst Grenade and Bouncing Fish.

Yoshi: In previous games, Yoshi stood on two legs and hunched over, as if Mario were going to jump on top of him at any moment. This new version of Yoshi stands completely upright, making him an even stronger fighter.

Charizard: After appearing from a Poké Ball in Super Smash Bros. Melee and becoming playable by using Pokémon Trainer in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, this fire-breathing Pokémon is now a selectable character.

 

-Online play: Both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of Super Smash Bros. will offer online multiplayer game play with other players on the same platform. Players with broadband Internet access can battle it out with anyone else who is online and also has the game.

-When playing with random players online, two modes are available: “For Fun” and “For Glory.” In “For Glory,” only Final Destination stage variations are available. There are no platforms, elevated areas or items in this mode. It is a nice, clean battle between characters. In “For Fun,” all stages are picked randomly and all items and power-ups are available.

-When playing with friends, full customisation is available – players can set the rules, stages and items however they want.

 

-Variety of stages: While the cast of playable characters is the same in both versions of the new games, the stages where the battles take place are vastly different, depending on which system a player chooses. The Wii U stages are primarily based on past home console games, while the Nintendo 3DS stages draw from hand-held games for inspiration.

 

-Boss characters, such as the Yellow Devil in Dr. Wily’s Base, will make appearances in some stages. When bosses appear, fighters will have to battle the boss, as well as one another. The boss can even be used in strategic ways to damage other fighters.
-Almost all the stages in both versions of the game will have a “Final Destination form,” an alternate form of each stage that is inspired by the relatively simple layout of the much-loved Final Destination stage.

 

-Items, trophies and Pokémon: Items, assist trophies and Poké Balls all return in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. New to the games are Master Balls, special Poké Balls that contain Legendary Pokémon like Arceus and Xerneas.

 

-Get connected: There will be elements in Super Smash Bros. that link both versions of the games. More details about this will be revealed at a later date.

 

-Custom moves: In a series first, players can now customise move sets when playing locally or online with friends. More information about this feature will be announced in the future.

A ‘Smash Bros.’ Nintendo Direct Goes Live At 3PM Eastern! Watch It Here!

by Derek Kraneveldt

We have no idea what we’ll be seeing in today’s unusual afternoon Nintendo Direct, but as the huge Smash Bros. fans that we are, we’re damned excited.

The show starts in just a few minutes at 3PM PST, so watch it below, and let us know what you think of the announcements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrWL4EuCp5E&feature=share

Gorgeous New ‘Mario Kart 8’ Trailer Shows off New Courses and Items

by Derek Kraneveldt

Briefly: We’re barely a month and a half away from a new killer app for Nintendo’s Wii U, Mario Kart 8, and the publisher has just debuted a new trailer for the anticipated title.

The trailer showcases the absolutely beautiful new game (who said that the Wii U didn’t have good graphics), and gives us a peek at some of the new tracks in the game, including a spectacular looking Rainbow Road. You’ll also notice a couple of new items in the mix, and we can’t wait to try them out.

Here are some of the game’s new features, which were just announced by the big N:

– Spin Boost: While racing upside down or on walls, players can bump into other racers or certain track obstacles to get a speed boost. The Spin Boost fundamentally redefines the way that players compete, and makes anti-gravity racing even more exhilarating.

– Returning Characters: In Mario Kart 8, players can race with returning characters Metal Mario, Lakitu and Shy Guy. These newly revealed returning characters join a host of previously announced favorites, including all seven of Bowser’s Koopalings, who are playable for the first time in video game history.

– New Items: Two new items join the fray in Mario Kart 8. First, the Piranha Plant attaches to the front of the player’s kart and chomps at other characters, banana peels on the track or even shells thrown by other characters. Each time the Piranha Plant lunges forward to bite, the player receives a brief boost of speed. The second new item is the Boomerang Flower. After acquiring it, racers can throw a Boomerang at opponents to stun them, and its arc allows players to strike multiple opponents with a single toss. The Boomerang can be thrown three times – forward or backward.

– New Courses: Remixed classic courses make a return in Mario Kart 8, with favorites such as Moo Moo Meadows from Mario Kart Wii, Toad’s Turnpike from Mario Kart 64 and Donut Plains from Super Mario Kart, among others. The graphics and layout of these courses have been redesigned and re-imagined. For example, Toad’s Turnpike now allows players to drive up certain walls in anti-gravity mode. Mario Kart 8 will include 16 new courses and 16 remixed classic courses.

– Live Recorded Music: For the first time in the Mario Kart series, select courses in Mario Kart 8 feature music recorded by live performers.

– Control Scheme: Mario Kart 8 will support a variety of control schemes, including the Wii U GamePad, the Wii U Pro Controller, the Wii Wheel and the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The game can also be played in off-TV mode using just the Wii U GamePad.

Take a look at the new trailer below, and let us know just how excited you are to pick this one up.

Sonic Comes To Hyrule In The Latest ‘Sonic Lost World’ DLC

by Josh Jackson

If you ever told me that Sonic The Hedgehog would appear in the land of Hyrule, I would’ve thought you were one of those funny kinds of people. You know, the ones who thought Sonic 06 was a great game. But after today, it looks like this mash up is really a thing, courtesy of the FREE Legend of Zelda DLC for Sonic: Lost World.

Coming on March 27th, the trailer shows Sonic speeding through Hyrule with a variety of creatures from various Zelda games in tow. What really sent my hype levels into the stratosphere was the idea that Hyrule seems to be somewhat of an open world. While the interior dungeons seem to take the form of a traditional Sonic level, the fact that Sonic can actually explore the kingdom while seeking out Rupees and Heart Pieces sounds amazing! The hedgehog is even sporting Link’s green tunic! Let’s just be happy that he doesn’t use a sword though. We know what happened the last time we tried that…

A new Sonic DLC was teased along with the Yoshi DLC that came out a few months ago, but to actually see it in action makes it seem like Sonic Team went above and beyond with the fan service with this one.

Do you still have your copy of Sonic: Lost World? Or is this enough incentive for you to pick it up? Of course, you’d actually need to buy a Wii U first. If you need help deciding, check out the trailer below and confirm how awesome this is in the comments!

Source: IGN.com

Pikachu Becomes The Greatest World Cup Mascot Of All Time

by Josh Jackson

Or at least he should be.

This weekend, it was announced that none other than Nintendo’s own Pikachu from the mega popular Pokemon franchise will be Japan’s official mascot heading into the 2014 World Cup.

It goes without saying that being the mascot for a team heading into the world’s biggest sporting event is a huge deal, but this just goes to show how much popularity the Pokemon series still enjoys. I remember constantly being told as a kid that the series was a fad that would die out when the next big thing rolled around. Well, this is where we find ourselves almost 15 years later. Some fad, eh?

Pikachu cheering gif

The image above features mostly newcomers, including Fennekin, Chespin, Froakie, Litleo, Helioptile and Pancham, who join series vets like Meowth, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and of course, Pikachu. What other Pokemon would make a great team? And where the hell’s Hitmonlee? Let us know below!

Source: IGN.com

Is ‘Shaq Fu 2’ On The Way?

by Josh Jackson

Being a gamer in the 90’s meant that you were subjected to a slew of terrible licensed video games. Hell, the game didn’t even have to be based off of a TV show or movie; it could just be based on a person. One of the most infamous examples of the latter was Shaq Fu, a fighting game of questionable quality that sent basketball player Shaquille O’Neil to another world to save a civilization from its tyrannical ruler. I mean, who comes up with this stuff, right? Apparently, someone thinks it’s a good idea to crowd fund a sequel after almost 20 years, and dare I say… It actually looks promising?

Shaq Fu 2 Box ArtShaq Fu Returns!?

Shaq Fu: A Legend Reborn is being made by a group of developers who want to right the wrongs of the first game by making a sequel that would be good without the celebrity license. By turning it into a beat em up rather than a one on one fighting game, it definitely looks more campy than the original, which is the only way a game like this can succeed in my opinion. It has to be a little self aware if it’s trying to sell this premise. But the game won’t come out without the backing of the fans, with some of the stretch goals consisting of copies of the game, DLC for life, launch parties and even a social media follow from Saq or trip to TNT Studios for those with really deep pockets.

Shaq Fu Screen 1This looks better than it should.

This ambitious attempt at a reboot promises to deliver the following:

– Play as Shaq as he kicks ass and takes no prisoners
Intricately designed combo system that leaves room for a variety of fighting tactics.  Learn the moves and let Shaq rip against his enemies
-Pimp your character with new moves and abilities.  Select from different fighting styles or combine styles and create your own new discipline (Shaq FU is what you make it)
-Challenges for even the best players.
-Adaptive AI keeps the game exciting
–Battles against hordes of enemies in the tradition of the lost art of the beat ‘em up.  I mean, who could take Shaq one on one?
Take the challenge up to an entirely new level in unforgettable smack downs against awesome bosses.
–Once you beat a boss you unlock him and can play as him in the game.
–Fight through the slums of Asian cities, on the rooftops of skyscrapers. Battle it out inside buildings, seedy night clubs, and cause mayhem in the markets.
–Smash an enemy through the floor and leap down to a lower level.  Barge through walls and forge your own path.  Smash furniture, toss enemies through windows, even collapse structures – when you are the Shaqbreaker everything is possible

–A wide variety of melee and projectile weapons as well as various everyday objects that can be used as weapons – katanas, shurikens, baseball bats, the occasional basketball filled with the wrong type of gas, bottles, knives and dozens more.

–Don’t see a weapon you like?  What about that manhole cover or that car door?  You are Shaq after all, so maybe you want to hurl that motorcycle on a bunch of enemies at once.  The world is your projectile.

–Wipe out huge numbers of enemies at once.  Bowl down enemies with balls of steel, create earthquakes of unprecedented power, slam dunk baddies with ease.
-Modifiers that change your appearance and enhance your skills.  Transform into the monstrous Big Daddy O and crush your enemies.  Twirl into the Big Baryshnikov and pirouette your enemies like a tornado tearing through Kansas.  Power up into the Big Diesel and steamroll your enemies into Kobe-Patties.  A power-up for every nickname Shaq has ever had, and a few new ones for good measure.
-Co-op Gameplay.  Grab a friend and battle it out in tandem.  Play as Shaq’s identical twin (no he doesn’t sell insurance) or select from a host of other playable characters with different skills and power-ups. Split screen action available, baby!
Co-op’s not your bag?  Build up your character and fighting style and duke it out online or on the same machine against another player.
–Once you have played through the main game revisit it to discover secret environments that you might have missed.
Think its over once the Black Star Ninja, is unmasked?  Think again.

–Hosts of challenges await that pit you against the best Shaq Fu’s in the world.

On top of that, 5% of the proceeds from the game go to the Boys and Girls club, so even if it sucks, at least the money you wasted goes to a good cause!

Check out the funding site here for all of the juicy details, but not before checking out the trailer and letting us know how amazing this is in the comments!

Diddy Kong Officially Returns to Smash Bros.

by J.C. Marquez

With his twin peanut popguns and barrel jet pack, Diddy Kong brings his jungle-themed Boba Fett-esque weaponry to the latest incarnation of the extremely popular Smash Bros. game coming later this year to Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and 2DS systems. Diddy Kong made his Smash Bros. debut in 2008’s Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii. Although being one of the smaller characters in the game, Diddy Kong was among one of the most unique fighters in Brawl–mainly for his quickness, ability to produce and toss banana peels at will, and being armed with an excellent recovery move which doubles as an attack. Also, that Nintendo cap looks pretty darn sweet.

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Tonight’s announcement is aptly timed with the release of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, which has received stellar reviews from numerous gaming sites, including a glowing review from Geekscape’s own Derek Kraneveldt.

With Diddy Kong’s addition, the new Smash Bros. roster reaches 25 fighters. The game’s producer, Masahiro Sakurai, mentioned back in 2012 that he felt Brawl’s roster of 35 characters was possibly the most they could go in order to keep the game balanced. Some of the franchise’s regulars, such as Yoshi, Captain Falcon, and Jigglypuff, have yet to be formally added to the new Smash Bros.; the same goes for Snake, Ike, Ice Climbers, Falco, R.O.B., Ganondorf, Wolf, Lucas, Wario, and the Pokemon Trainer. With the number of available roster slots dwindling, it will be interesting to see who makes it and who will be cut, if any.

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Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze’

by Derek Kraneveldt

With exclusives like Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Pikmin 3, The Wonderful 101, Lego City Undercover, and not to mention the still-coming-this-year Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8 (just to name a few), you shouldn’t really need another reason to pick up a Wii U.

But as it happens, here’s a damned good one; Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.

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To start, from the very second that I tapped on the Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze icon on the Wii U home screen, I had an ear-to-ear grin on my face. The game’s loading music immediately brought me back to my youth and my days (and days) of yelling at my Super Nintendo and Donkey Kong Country for killing me when I clearly shouldn’t have been killed.

I eventually played through all of Super Nintendo’s Donkey Kong titles (watching the animated series in-between), fell madly in love with Donkey Kong 64, and even Diddy Kong Racing during the next generation (though I’ll hold my ground at ‘it was no Mario Kart‘). I missed out on 2010’s Donkey Kong Country Returns, but now that I’ve played through Tropical Freeze, I’ll be trying to find a copy immediately.

Following the beautiful loading music, you’ll be greeted by the rest of the game’s fantastic audio (and then you may look it up and realize that original DKC composer David Wise has returned for the game). Then come the visuals, which will have you realizing within seconds that Tropical Freeze is quite possibly the best looking game on the Wii U today. Seriously. The gorgeous colours, backgrounds, levels, and characters are virtually without equal, and once they start moving, you may find yourself simply staring in awe at the wondrous 1080p visuals. DK and company (Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky will accompany you during the game, and a second player can even take control) have never, ever looked this good, and it’s almost tough to imagine them ever looking any better.

Playing through Tropical Freeze, even in its earlier levels, is a stark reminder of just how easy today’s games have become. I would bet that I died more playing Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze over this past week than I have in every game that I’ve played in the last five years… combined (aside from maybe Flappy Bird). Dying, of course, is frustrating by nature (especially, as I mentioned, since it rarely happens these days), but I was always willing to jump right back in and perfect that missed jump or get revenge on the enemy that killed me. Plus, the level design is so good that I don’t simply want to pass them, but actually experience them, and spending more time in a single stage isn’t a bad way to do that.

You won't find me on here... But I can dream.
You won’t find me on here… But I can dream.

Then, of course, there’s the collectables, which will have you playing through the game multiple times because they’re so addicting and so impossible to find on your first time through. I still haven’t found nearly as many as I’d like to, and DKCTF has brought out the completionist in me far more than any other game in recent memory.

The title thankfully offers players a few different control types, including the Wii U Gamepad, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, and Wii U Pro Controller, and all options are precise, enjoyable, and easy to control. Tropical Freeze does support offscreen play (which I use all the time, and love), but sadly, using the Gamepad as your controller adds absolutely zero additions to the gameplay. That’s a missed opportunity right there, and for a first-party that’s trying (and not really succeeding) to sell consoles, it’s almost inexcusable.

Brings you back, doesn't it?
Brings you back, doesn’t it?

Overall, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is quite possibly the best side-scrolling platformer that I’ve played in years. It’s far better than the excellent New Super Mario Bros. U and its expansion, and is my favourite Donkey Kong title of all-time. I hope that Retro Studios’ latest gets the recognition it deserves, as it deserves to sell some consoles, and that they soon get hard to work on a follow-up (maybe by the time it releases I’ll have found all of the collectables in this one). The game can be frustratingly difficult at times (it’ll make you go bananas, yeah I went there), but it’s likely that these frustrations lay with our expectations of a modern game’s difficulty; I’m no longer used to attempting the same stage ten or fifteen times, and that sometimes makes yell-at-the-TV mad, but when I think back to my childhood, what game didn’t force that many attempts?

Don’t own a Wii U yet? Buy one, and make Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze one of your first purchases. Aside from the game all but pretending that the Wii U’s main differentiator (the Gamepad) doesn’t exist, it’s probably the best platformer that we’ll see all year on any console.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze scores a 4.5/5.

Nintendo Minute: Retro City Rampage: DX

by J.C. Marquez

Originally released in early 2013, Retro City Rampage from Vblank Entertainment takes everything you loved about the video games, television, and films of the 80’s and 90’s and compresses them into an 8-bit Grand Theft Auto-esque parody filled with more inside jokes than humanly possible. Time-traveling DeLoreans? It’s in there. Does it have certain hard-shelled ninjas who live in sewers? You’re covered. A John Stamos hair salon? You bet.

Though the game received positive reviews from the gaming community, the staff at Vblank has spent the past year working hard to improve all aspects of Retro City Rampage–tweaking all of the game’s missions, mini games, weapons, driving, and interface– culminating into the ‘director’s cut’ of the game entitled Retro City Rampage: DX, which debuted February 5 on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

Retro City Rampage developer Brian Provinciano sat down with Kit and Krista of Nintendo Channel for an in-depth interview regarding all of the improvements found in Retro City Rampage: DX.

http://youtu.be/XeYEjOOtTsI

Official Retro City Rampage website

Nintendo Direct Recap: 2-13-2014 Edition

by Josh Jackson

As usual, another Nintendo Direct has come and gone and there is a TON of new information to sift through. But don’t worry, we scrutinized the announcements so you don’t have to! Read on to discover all of the Nintendo themed goodness coming to us over the next few months.

– The presentation started in a big way, with the reveal of Little Mac for Super Smash Bros. Click here for all of the details, speculation, screenshots and a sweet reveal trailer.

– Mario Golf World Tour missed its original 2013 release during the Year of Luigi, but it looks like the extra time was put to good use. A plethora of new features were shown off, including Mii support, as well as a solid release date of May 2nd.

– Kirby Triple Deluxe will give each copy ability a variety of attacks. While the game still promises to be easy to pick up and play, hidden sun stones and retro keychains promise to provide a good challenge for series veterans. Streetpass support allows players to send each other items, including keychains if they are also playing the game when passed. The best news? Kirby is right around the corner, also launching on May 2nd.

– Yoshi’s New Island acts mostly the same as its predecessors, where Yoshi’s goal is to reach the end of each stage while keeping Baby Mario safe. Doing so is made easier thanks to power ups like the jackhammer, submarine and super forms, (because it wouldn’t be a New game without a super form.) Yoshi’s pegasus wings will also make an appearance if you suck at the game.

– Steel Diver: Sub Wars was simultaneously announced and released for North America on the eShop. This free to play take on the First Person Shooter genre combines the underwater gameplay of Steel Diver and puts you in the driver’s seat. The free version has two single player missions, two submarines and the full online mode while $9.99 will get you the full package. I’ve been playing it since it popped up and it’s deceptively addictive. Keep an eye out for an in depth report!

– Inazuma Eleven, the popular soccer RPG from Level 5 that has never been released in North America… Has been released in North America! Also available now, $19.99 will get you the first game in the series, while the eShop is also carrying three episodes of the anime for free! You can find out more about both Steel Diver: Sub Wars and Inazuma Eleven in our in depth write up here.

– Rusty’s Real Deal Baseball is a baseball themed mini game collection that lets players haggle in game to lower the price of real life add on purchases. It’s an interesting concept that we covered in detail here.

– Pokemon Battle Trozei brings back one of the lesser talked about Pokemon spinoffs. The first game was a puzzle title that was put out to seemingly ease the pain of waiting for a full fledged Pokemon DS title, but was addictive in its own right. This new game will feature all of the current 718 Pokemon as well as new game play “battle” mechanics to keep things interesting. We’ll have a new way to catch em all when Trozei hits the eShop in March.

– One final trailer for Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy was shown, which will serve as the last game in the popular franchise. Streetpass functionality will allow would-be puzzle solvers to transfer hidden items to each other’s games. It’ll be sad to see the Professor go, but I’m excited to play his final adventure when February 28th comes along.

– Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has finally received a release date! Kind of! After months of silence, Nintendo touched on the game, revealing that the game is slated for an early 2015 launch.

– Weapon Shop de Omasse is the last game in the Guild01 series in Japan, which is a collaboration between famed developers at Level-5 and Grasshopper Manufacturer. Part RPG, part rhythm game, part shop simulator, players are tasked with running a weapon shop. Forging weapons with the timing of accompanying music will make them stronger, which will aid your town’s warriors as they run off into battle. The title is aiming for a February 20th release at $7.99.

– A variety of indie games were given the spotlight, including Treasurenauts, Moon Chronicles, Shovel Knight, 1001 Spikes, the recently released Retro City Rampage and Child of Light. I got to play many of these at Indiecade, and all of them were impressive, especially Shovel Knight and 1001 Spikes. Of course, Retro City Rampage has been out on other platforms for awhile, but if you missed out on it before, there’s no reason not to pick up this definitive version.

– After over a year of waiting, the Game Boy Advance Virtual Console is finally coming to the Wii U. Launching with Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion will be the first games released with more coming out every month. But why not on the 3DS? Get our thoughts on the subject here.

– Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze got one last trailer before its release next week. Solid, creative level design, silhouette stages and huge bosses were put on display, which is to be expected after the excellent Donkey Kong Country Returns. Check out the trailer and get ready for its February 21st release.

– It was just a few months ago that NES Remix stealth released on the Wii U eShop, but NES Remix 2 is already on its way. Coming on April 25th, the downloadable title will feature remixed versions of late era NES games like Metroid, Zelda II, Super Mario Bros. 3 and Punch Out!!! Making the package even more attractive is a full version of Super Luigi Bros. which is based on the mini game from the first Remix. Considering Luigi is a pretty backwards guy, all of the stages will run from right to left. Of course, his signature high jump will also be included. This might be worth the purchase alone!

– Mario Kart 8 got an official release date AND a ton of new characters. Players will hit the track once again on May 30th, while sliding along the edge of that Spring time frame the presentation promised. Check out all the details in our dedicated article right over here.

– Finally! Some game play footage from Monolith Soft’s upcoming Wii U title. Codenamed X, watching it in motion makes it look a lot like Xenoblade, which anyone who’s played it can tell you is far from a bad thing. Release details are still quiet, but I trust that they’ll take all the time they need to make it into as much of a masterpiece as all of the other Xeno games have been.

– And lastly, we got a ton of new information on Bayonetta 2, including details on the story, a new playable character and some kick ass new abilities. Check out our impressions at this link!

And that about covers it! What are you most excited about? Little Mac, X footage, a Mario Kart release date and a ton of fresh new games… it’s safe to say that this presentation was a success. Check out the full video below and keep checking back with Geekscape as these games and more become available.

Game Boy Advance Games Coming To Wii U!

by Josh Jackson

Last year, Nintendo confirmed that classic Game Boy Advance games would be coming to Virtual Console at some point, but they were tight lipped on specifics. Aside from the ambassador program that gave early 3DS adopters exclusive access to a sampling of the GBA library, current owners who have bought the handheld since then have been anxious for the chance to purchase the titles. The good news? The GBA games are finally coming, but not on the system you would expect.

During today’s Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that the Wii U Virtual Console will receive Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga and Metroid Fusion come April with additional releases rolling out every month. Details on pricing or a specific date wasn’t shown, but does it matter how much they’re asking for? These three games are some of the best in their respective genres, so if there was ever a time to throw money at the VC, this would be it.

It’s good to see the Wii U getting this boost in its library, but it’s odd that these games have yet to be announced for the 3DS. Traditionally, console classics appeared on the Wii line while handheld classics make their way to the 3DS. I feel like the GBA library will come to the 3DS eventually, but it is confusing to see the games launching on a console first, especially when two of the three games were already on the 3DS courtesy of the ambassador program.

But enough of my opinions, what does everyone else think? Does the GBA library sway you in any way to purchase a Wii U come April? One way or another, I’m just happy to have an excuse to play Metroid Fusion again.

‘Bayonetta 2’ Gets New Playable Character In The Latest Trailer

by Josh Jackson

Details on the highly anticipated Bayonetta 2 have been few and far between since E3 last year, but thanks to the latest Nintendo Direct, we got a chance to catch up with the witch’s latest action filled romp.

As expected, everything is continuing to look like it’s placed on a larger scale. Bigger enemies, bigger story, bigger attacks, bigger conflicts… Whoever said “less is more” didn’t get through to the developers at Platinum Games, and after seeing the game in action, it’s hard to argue otherwise. Joining Bayonetta this time around is a mysterious child who seems to have stolen Yugi’s Millennium Puzzle at some point. Acting as a partner to the titular character, the trailer confirms that he will be fully playable in some capacity. Don’t worry though, it looks like he can kick plenty of ass himself.

With a conflict between light and dark starting anew, a rival priest that matches Bayonetta’s attacks blow for blow and Bayo’s sister, Jean, seemingly in stasis, (because why not?) it’s looking more and more like the upcoming sequel will be a top reason to own a Wii U in the coming months.

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? Don’t believe me? Watch the trailer yourself and tell me it’s not. If that doesn’t convince you, check out our hands on impressions from E3 last year and prepare to get hyped!

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

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

A New Nintendo Direct Is On The Horizon!

by Josh Jackson

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

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

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

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

by Josh Jackson

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

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

MewtwoBut wait… what about this guy?

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

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

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

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

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