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Monday, March 30th 2009. After years of providing the most consistant and steady stream of weekly updates in gaming console history, Nintendo says goodbye to their long-running Wii-kly Update. But don't shed tears of grief just yet, because in keeping with much of the company's recent game-changing overhaul (to which the bright, red logo above is in start contrast) its all in name. The company may be closing the door on the name Wii-kly Update, but they're opening another with the introduction of the Nintendo Download.
To help coincide with the April 5th launch of the DSi (and DSi Shop), Nintendo's playing the semantics card and playing it hard. Says the blurb:
"Starting next week, the name of this newsletter will be changed from Wii-kly Update to Nintendo Download. Why? With the April 5 launch of the new Nintendo DSi portable game system comes the opening of the Nintendo DSi Shop. Like the Wii Shop Channel, the Nintendo DSi Shop will offer a growing library of downloadable games, with new titles added every week. Accordingly, we'll be using this space to tell you not only about new games for Wii but also for Nintendo DSi. Watch for the first edition of Nintendo Download on April 6."
Rounding out the final edition of the Wii-kly Update is the Super Nintendo classic Super Punch-Out!! for the Virtual Console, and Bonsai Barber for the WiiWare service. Look for the first edition of the Nintendo Download next Monday, no doubt filled to the brim and overflowing with all the Nintendo goodness you'd expect. Any guesses to what the debut titles will be?
After decades of speculation and dozens of dead-ends, it seems that we're finally getting a new Ghostbusters film. Helping this revival seems to be the almost epidemic need for Hollywood to remake and recast their entire catalog of films, not to mention the upcoming videogame (featuring voices from the original film's principle characters). Speaking to MTV Films, the original Egon and Ghostbusters writer Harold Ramis revealed several fascinating bits and bites that should have fans salivating over the upcoming reboot. Confirming the original cast's mentor role, he had this to say:
"We're all going to be in it in different kinds of roles. We're going to be the sage mentors. There are going to be young Ghostbusters"
Its a fascinating read that simply picking apart here wouldn't do justice, so I'll kindly refer you over to the former Music Television's website so you can soak it up for yourselves. The original film is easily one of the funniest movies ever made (and so remains), so will busting make us feel good the second-time around, and with a completely new (and younger) cast? I can certainly see that happening, especially with the right people in place. Check out the full interview right HERE!
For my money: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, and Owen Wilson need to be involved in there, somewhere. Make it happen.
In what may prove somewhat ironic for the millions of armchair speculators and amateur analysts across the world, Sony Computer Entertainment will make a major announcement regarding the future of their PlayStation 3 game console. Many have suggested another price-drop for the machine, which has experienced yearly sales decreases over the year, making it the only current-generation console to do so.
Sony has regularly denied price-drops for the console were imminent, yet since its November 2006 release has seen several models discontinued (20, 60, 40 HD) and multiple price-points modified and expanded. With price-drops for chief rival Xbox 360 helping reinvigorate what has essentially become a two-system race for this generation's second place (and first among the HD generation), every move and strategy is sure to be examined and picked apart by friendly and hostile press and media.
It should go without saying that many are pegging the announcement as the prime opportunity for Sony to decrease the retail price of their console, still the most expensive of all current-generation machines since its release. Reports of decreased manufacturing costs and hardware streamlining have led Sony to reduce many of the PS3's more expensive components costs significantly, and recent software sales have shown significant improvements at retail.
Will Sony's announcement on March 31st yield new price points and/or packaging combinations? Keep those eyeballs peeled to find out soon.
Thanks to SmartHouse for making our houses smarter!
As it was with God of War 3, it seems even more "leaked" footage from another key Sony franchise has somehow managed to find its way past the burly censors and bodyguards at GDC 2009. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is looking fantastic, even in these first blurred-up videos, and certainly bodes well for a healthy PlayStation 2 line-up.
Looking more like Gears of War than ever before (a good thing), Nathan Drake returns in what's sure to be one of the hottest games on the PlayStation 3 this year, which is great considering how good the original was. So enjoy the footage until it disappears from the intertubes, and you have to go adventuring for it yourselves!
Concluding months of public speculation and rumor, the long-anticipated takeover of Edios Interactive by developer Square Enix has been confirmed. According to sources, an overwhelming majority of Eidos shareholders voted to accept the bid by Square Enix, with over 85 percent of all total shares represented at the meeting.
The move gives the Japanese software giant ownership of such intellectual property as Tomb Raider, Hitman, as well as many others largely associated with the Eidos brand-name. Official ownership will take place once Eidos (and its subsidiaries) public shares are delisted, which is pegged to take place sometime in April of this year.
Sounds like a solid plan for the struggling Eidos, who over the years watched many of their most lucrative franchises fail to perform well on retail shelves (to say nothing of their box-office performance, either). This is also positive news for Square-Enix, as they remain one of the brightest spots in Japan's shrinking game markets. Now we play the waiting game and see if that long-fabled Tomb Raider/Final Fantasy crossover will ever take place.
But Hitman in Kingdom Hearts? Probably no time soon!
Thanks to GamesIndustry.biz
For the six or seven of you out there still using the Google homepage to "Google" your searches (as opposed to those handy Search Bars), it looks like the search engine giant is looking to make your personal iGoogle homepages into something every gamefan would be proud of. Without much fanfare, Google has just opened an expansive and fun-filled section dedicated to dressing up those boring templates with your favorite game characters.
Eagle-eyed viewers may noticed simularities to services already available in other venues (think Xbox Live Dashboard), as the iGoogle themes seen to pattern themselves over many of today's upcoming and popular titles. With franchises such as Mario, Mega Man, Street Fighter, Guitar Hero, The Sims, and even Mass Effect, it seems as though just about everyone in invited and welcome.
Its fast, its free, and as Google puts it, its "fun". But I'm all for the "free" part, because paying for what is essentially advertising is just plain stupid, and I'd never encourage it. But iGoogle looks good from where I'm standing, and if you're interested in making your digital iGoogle space that much cooler, head over to the official website and check it out for yourselves right HERE!
Those disappointed with Nintendo's premier color selection for the Nintendo DSi should be happy to know that more are on the way, although they still seem to be picking from the "unpopular" section of the Crayon Box. Lime Green, Aqua Blue, and the saddest shade of Pink I've ever seen will seen be joining the standard colors of Black and Blue.
While new colors and options are nice, I think we can all agree that a few more selections from the primary rainbow in in order, as some juicy-red and sparkling green would elevate my happiness-scale up to 11. Am I the only one who's worried that Nintendo seems to be seeking their inspiration from a bag of Tropical Skittles?
Ready for more Mega Man action? The Apple iPhone/iPod Touch is fast becoming one of the hottest gaming platforms out there, with nearly every developer chomping at the bit to get their wares into the iTunes store as quickly as possible. While many of the platform's more "original" content leaves little to be desired, having classic titles appear is fine by me, just as long as they're as playable as I remember them. And let's be honest, converting traditionally playable games to a format that was never really intended to handle them (looking at YOU, Nintendo Wii) has been an issue for lesser companies. But what about Capcom, who seem to relish the challenge of converting play mechanics and styles and pushing them as far as they'll go?
There's probably no better challenge for the iPhone/iPod Touch's unique controls than Mega Man, and no better game to take them on than Mega Man 2, widely considered the best of the bunch and a beloved classic on its own. Sporting "virtualized controls" to help bring the experience to the platform, as well as "rebalanced gameplay" to presumably make up for them. Will that be enough to capture the frantic and precise gameplay needed to take on Dr. Wily and his minions?
Mega Man 2 is now available for the iPhone/iPod Touch and retails for $5.
When the producers of Watchmen tell us their movie is based on one of "the most acclaimed" books of all-time, they might be correct. But when Spike Jones adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are says its based on one of the most BELOVED books, you can take it to the bank. From Maurice Sendak's outstanding 1963 book of the same name, it looks as though the visionary director may have managed the impossible, and has brought the world of Max and his monsters to vivid, puppet life.
In just a flash, we're witnessing the sort of puppet/digital mastery that hasn't been seen since the days of Jim Henson, and the use of Arcade Fire in the soundtrack is utterly inspired. A great, great trailer for a movie that's just shot to the top of my list for the year. Let's just hope the final product can match the trailer, but if not, the book is always waiting for me. As it always will be, and for everyone.
Where the Wild Things Are hits theaters October 16th! Check out the full trailer at Apple by clicking right HERE!!
There are really two periods of time when one uses to discuss the Call of Duty franchise. Before Modern Warfare (BM), and of course After Modern Warfare (AM). While the franchise has always been popular, Infinity Ward's groundbreaking turn into modern warfare (yes, its a pun) was welcome ecstatically by fans and critics alike, easily making it the most successful and continually played yet.
But after last year's return to WW2 action, some wondered how the franchise might continue along parallel lines. Well, wonder no more, as the already-announced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 finally gets a debut trailer and - surprisingly - a new name. Dropping the "Call of Duty" direct assocation. Infinity Ward looks to finish this fight alone and keep things modern. Hey, I'm oboard, and while the debut trailer shows little (if nothing), its one more reason to expect greatness when November when Modern Warfare 2 hits retail shelves this November 10th!
With so much talk of the latest doodads and updates for the various Nintendo platforms, let's not forget the reason we turn the little buggers on in the first place - the games! Near the top of that list for many is the latest chapter in the fabled Legend of Zelda franchise, the DS-exclusive Spirit Tracks. Announced this week at GDC, the second chapter for Nintendo's dual-screened platform looks to bring plenty of innovation to the series, and sould follow the incredible Phantom Hourglass nicely.
Enjoy the first trailer, and let's hope a release date is announced soon as we'd all love to get this choo-choo train on the tracks!
So the whole world is oogling Street Fighter IV's pretty 3D graphics. Big deal. Any game can slap on some outstanding polygons and feature outrageously good character art, but can they do high-definition 2D artwork? Well, maybe Street Fighter can, but few fighters can still elicit the type of excitement that SNK/Playmore's King of Fighters franchise can, and with the fighting genre on its well to a healthy comeback, the world needs more Terry Bogard in it, and with King of Fighters XII, they're gonna get it!
To help get the masses sufficiently excited, they've opened the official website to the public, and have even announced (indirectly) plans to host a special tournament in Los Angeles! Although not much is known at this time, the site features a handy pre-registration that's sure to flood your mailbox with helpful hints and "related" coverage, all worth it if it means more power waves and burning knucles.
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Capcom has been on quite the role so far in 2009, having already scored the biggest multi-platform release for February with the return of Street Fighter, not to mention Resident Evil 5 sure to take a big, zombie bite out of March's sales charts. It looks like they're going to continue their gravy train 'o success with the relaunch of the Bionic Commando franchise, which finally gets a launch date and press blurb to call its own as it prepares to drop May 19th.
Reloaded for the latest generation of hardware, Bionic Commando sees the return of the ultimate fusion of man and machine as Nathan Spencer is back as a government operative who, after distinguishing himself in a fierce conflict against the Imperials, is betrayed and falsely imprisoned by the very people he unquestioningly served. However, when bio terrorists detonate an experimental device over Ascension City and then occupy it, there is only one option open to the authorities - reactivate Nathan Spencer. The upcoming new generation game, first released 20 years ago with the 8-bit original on the NES, is making a big comeback when it hits retail shelves this spring as it features an in-depth multiplayer mode that will have you swinging with friends around the globe via Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.
Since when did Nathan become such a hot videogame name? Can our hotdog-wearing hero make the grade when he continues his bionical adventures this summer? Find out for yourselves when Bionic Commando hits the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Tuesday, May 19th. The PC version is set to follow after, but no definitive date has been set yet.
In the world of the internet a single day can be an eternity. As such, many of you may have already seen the above new trailer for Nintendo's upcoming Punch-Out!! revision, but why not stop to watch it one more time? For some of us the return of Little Mac and Company has been a long time coming, and it looks as though the Big N is laying the nostalgia factor on nice and thick, with lots of familiar faces making a "comeback", and new friends to pummel. Disco Kid looks AMAZING, as does the game's visual style and the music...dear lord, don't get me started.
When the training montage (complete with pink suit and jog) piped in, I was sold. King Hippo, I'm looking at YOU when Punch-Out!! hits the Wii this May!
While many larger developers are being stung by the current worldwide economic recession, the rise of Hudson in the current market cycle is one of promise and hope. Naturally, most of that promise and hope comes from the reissuing and remaking of many of their classic franchises for a whole new generation to experience and (with any luck) enjoy. Recent titles have included Alien Crush, Bomberman, and the upcoming Adventure Island reissue.
Next on the list is a curious, but no les spectacular choice. The classic TurboGraphx-16 strategy game Military Madness is getting the upgrade and remake treatment with the announcement of Military Madness: Nectaris for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii consoles. Keeping in line with their more recent delivery methods, the game will be downloadable on each console's respective service, and feature plenty of upgrades and modernization. So says Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment:
"The new Military Madness will give fans of the original a modern version of this classic strategy game, while gamers new to the series will get to enjoy being armchair generals for the first time."
Expect four-person multiplayer action, updated 3D graphics, yet retain the same strategic and exciting gameplay that made the original one of the few games for the TurboGraphx-16 console to attract a larger audience. Will the revamp work its mojo for a new generation of fans? Looks like we'll find out when the game hits the console market this summer!
You might have noticed that the temperature just rose a few degrees, but I wouldn't adjust your thermostat. That's just Hetfield and the Boys playing around, most likely on their Xbox 360 consoles as the demo for the next Band Branded Guitar Hero game hits Microsoft's Xbox Live just in time to whet the whistle (or thumping bass guitar). As expected, the Xbox 360 gets the first crack at the upcoming thrash game's demo, and contains "Sad But True" and "Seek And Destroy," as well as "No Excuses" from Alice In Chains and "Stone Cold Crazy" from Queen. Not too shabby, but here's a press blurb you simply can't make up:
"Ride the Lightning" with musical icons Metallica and 21 other rockin' acts in an all new Guitar Hero(R) experience - Guitar Hero Metallica. Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time. Shred on the guitar controller, rip on the drum kit controller and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica's illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band, Alice In Chains, System of A Down, Foo Fighters and Queen. Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band's epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.
Couldn't have said it better than myself. So with or without the bonus "Lars" footpedal, I think this weekend just got a whole lot more interesting for fans of metal's biggest band, and because we're heading into the weekend, that can't be a bad thing. No word yet on when (if any) demo is forthcoming for the PlayStation 3 console, but the full Guitar Hero: Metallica hits the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii consoles March 29th, with the PS2 version on May 24th.
What Halo 3 began, World of Warcraft continues. Pepsi Cola will be extending their addicting partnership with the videogame world with the release of two new flavors of their extra-caffenated version of Mountain Dew (or simply Mtn Dew these days) specially designed for Blizzard's mind-bogglingly popular World of Warcraft series. Can you say sugar-rush?
The drink will come in two distinct, yet strangely appropriate flavors and colors. Alliance Blue (wild fruit flavor) and Horde Red (citrus cherry flavor) should satisfy those looking for an extra kick, to say nothing of their potential collectability. Blizzard and Pepsi have yet to announce a release date or availability just yet, although the official Community Site states information will be forthcoming.
Mixing the volitile worlds of caffenated beverages with the always colorful World of Warcraft isn't new, as the world's most popular MMO has in the past partnered with fellow sugary soft drink (and chief Pepsi rival) Coke for an expansive advertising campaign in Asian territories. Several energy drinks have also been produced, further helping fuel those never-ending campaigns and horde battles into the wee hours of the night and the indefinite future.
Written by: Brittany Vincent
It's no question that Microsoft has a successful gaming console on its hands. The 29 million Xbox 360s that have made their way home with proud new owners are evidence of its popularity. As a result, it's gained tremendous support from a myriad of developers across the board. Now, a familiar contender is rising in popularity - this morning, Apple was pleased to announce that they company has sold a whopping 30 million iPod Touch and iPhone units, surpassing the amount of Xbox 360s currently out in the wild.
For each of these 30 million (and counting) iPhones and iPod Touch sales, buyers can choose from over an astronomical 25,000 apps available for use on the wondrous little devices. Out of these 25,000 apps up for grabs, 6,000 of them happen to be video games, created by 50,000 developers. An impressive amount, to say the least - who would have ever imagined the advent of an Apple product as a gaming phenomenon?
Keep reading for even more Apple-tastic bragging rights!
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Those of you unfamiliar with the fantastic adventures of Herge's Tintin novels may not understand why the upcoming series of films has shot to the top of most fan's "must see" lists. In that case, you're most likely American, where the series was never as popular as it was in the rest of the world, although you'd think having Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson directing would've changed that.
The only thing that concerns me even slightly is that the films will be motion-captured animation (think Monster House, The Polar Expresss), which has never impressed me like I thought it would, taking bits from animation and live-action. The process really seems the worst of both worlds, although under the skillfull eyeballs of Spielberg and Jackson, perhaps that will change. To help ease the transition, they've recorded a special intro piece that should bring a few smiles to the faces of worried fans the world over (even in America).
So check out the recent (January) introduction of the directors, wearing special Thompson and Thomson bowler hats...please, please, please let these movies be good! See for yourselves by clicking right HERE!
If there's one phrase that's changed its definition as of late, its "exclusive." For those of you old enough to remember, much of the of the previous console-generation leaders owed a great deal of their success to exclusive titles, and for the longest time exclusive is where they stayed.
Catching up with the current-generation game machines, that's no longer the case. This is particularly true with the onling battle between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as the word "exclusive" has come to mean "timed-exclusive", especially when its an Xbox 360 release. Although Microsoft may tout their "Only On Xbox" label, those of us who follow the industry carefully know that many of the Xbox 360's third-party sellers seem destined to live again on Sony's machine, albeit with a healthy window between the original release and expected port.
Kotaku is reporting (i.e. reading from Japanese game magazine Famitsu) that the previously exclusive Xbox 360 game Ninja Gaiden 2 will be headed to the PlayStation 3 under the title Ninja Gaiden Σ 2 (Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2). No word yet what (if any) improvements are slated to hit the update, as the previous Sigma title benefited from the generational gap between the original Xbox console and the PlayStation 3.
Director Yosuke Hayashi will once again be handling the port, having previously demonstrated a familiarity with Sony's platform with the first Ninja Gaiden Σ (Sigma). The original Ninja Gaiden 2 was released on the Xbox 360 during a time of chaos for developer Tecmo, as the series lead designer Tomonobu Itagaki and many of his development staff at Team Ninja fled the company amidst claims of non-payment and other concerns.
Ninja Gaiden Σ 2 is slated for a Fall release in Japan.
If you've sampled even a minute of Sega's grotesque and by all means fantastic House of the Dead: Overkill for the Wii, than you know just how vile and ridiculously filthy the game is. We figured the game was overflowing with vulgarity, but who knew it was superlative vulgarity? The guys and gals at the increasingly suspicious Guiness World Book of Records seem to think so, as they've pegged the game with the most swear words ever. The f-bombs flow like water and almost without fail, over 189 times by the record-keepers count.
So what does writer Jonathan Burroughs think of his accomplishment? Like any proud papa, he's positively beaming:
"It is a dubious honour to receive such an accolade working in an industry where so often the fruits of your labours are derided and dismissed for being puerile or irresponsible, but in the case of The House of the Dead: OVERKILL a little puerility was the order of business. Parodying the profane excess of grindhouse cinema was Headstrong Games' objective and I am flattered that this record acknowledges that we not only rose to that challenge, but entirely exceeded it."
The 'award' has existed for cataloging naughty films and other media, but is a first for the videogame sector. It's a good thing the action-packed lightgun adventure has the chops to back up the knocks, as comedy certainly works in this series favor. Congratulations to Sega and Headstrong Games on a job well f*&%$%# done!
Developer Hudson has been very, very good to the Nintendo Wii. They've been ever better for the WiiWare service, as they've loaded Nintendo's download service with all sorts of goodies, especially in conversions of their classic titles. Next on the block is an update to the famous Adventure Island series, with the famous Hudson Bee-flavored "button presses" thrown in for good measure. Sweet!
Even if the debut trailer looks a little flat, the gameplay from the various collection of games (that spans generations and consoles) looks intact. Enjoy the debut Japanese trailer, and look for Adventure Island Wii to hit the WiiWare service soon!
Friday, March 13th brings with it a brand-spanking new Resident Evil, and while RE5 has certainly garnered its fair share of press for being thefirst in the (numbered) series to feature multiplayer modes, but the big question on everyone's mind (apart from how Wesker's hair can stay so fixed when leaping around) is the most primal - what about the friendly killing?
Much as they promised a post-release update to their critically-acclaimed Street Fighter IV, the company intends to update the retail game soon after launch with a new multiplayer mode called "Versus", which brings a host of survival options not found in the original multiplayer game. So sayeth the sages at Capcom:
Versus allows up to four players to match wits in online battles across two very different game types. Slayer's Rule is a point-based game that challenges players to kill Majinis. In Survivor's Rule, players hunt the most dangerous game, each other! Players can begin the hunt as Chris, Sheva or other secret characters, and choose from either one-on-one or two-versus-two team matches for either of the two gameplay styles.
Capcom mentions the new "Versus" mode will be available for both Xbox Live and PSN in the weeks following the game's release, with the Xbox 360 version costing 400 MS Points and the PSN $4.99. I'd rather have an actual release date, but knowing Capcom, they'll get around to it eventually. Resident Evil 5 hits North American retailers March 13th.
When super-publisher announced their spooky, gory game of survival horror would be hitting the Nintendo Wii, many hoped the company would take a lesson from the genre's master, Capcom, and use the console's unique controls in bringing the most complete experience to the console. Well, they got their wish and EA did indeed follow the Capcom/Resident Evil model, only it wasn't that of the superb Resident Evil 4 Wii, but of their exclusive rail-shooter Umbrella Chronicles. The Wii certainly has its share of zombie games, doesn't it?
For fans of the arcade-style genre this was good news, as the one 'traditional' game the Wii seems to excel at is with the rail-shooter. It seems that Capcom wants to keep a good thing going, and on the eve of the next major release in the Resident Evil franchise for Xbox 360 and PS3, it looks like they've decided to keep their Nintenod fanbase from mutiny and have unveiled the next chapter in the lightgun spin-off series, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles.
The recent issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu broke the story in advance of Capcom's own planned unveiling at this week's Resident Evil 5 launch celebration. While details are scarce it does look like the game will be a direct sequel to the best-selling original, and will feature favorites Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (reunited once again) and looks to be set during the events of Resident Evil 2. No word yet on availability, but all signs point to a Fall 2009 release date.
Thanks to Kotaku for the usual Famitsu skim 'n scan!
For those familiar with the tragic case of 15-year old Brandon Crisp, the idea of mainstream media intervening on the behalf of concerned parents might elicit a host of conflicting emotions. An altercation with his parents over what they felt had become his gaming "addiction" led them to finally confiscate his Xbox 360, with the teenager running away from home in retaliation.
A massive search was conducted and attracted considerable media attention, with the local community and even Microsoft (after some coaxing) pitching in funds to help find the lost boy. His body was found three weeks later, the cause of death attributed to injuries consistent will falling from a tree.
The popular CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Centre) program "the fifth estate" and its host Gillian Findlay offer a glimpse into the growing concern of gaming addiction, explored from the perspective of Brandon and what many feel was a social and cognitive freefall resulting from his overexposure to first-person shooters. The program suggets Brandon's retreat from the real-world of athletic sports and socialzing began shifting towards their digital counterparts, perhaps encouraged by the mechanisms and collective blind eyes of an industry machine determined to transform interactive play into competitive sports.
To see the full 40-minute "Top Gun" program for yourselves, please visit the official site RIGHT HERE.
Keep reading for more commentary and a mini-review of the program, and how proper discussion is needed to address the growing concern of many parents and gamer s alike.
Read More »Full Disclosure: I'm a big, big fan of EA's Boom Blox. It was one of my favorite games from last year and a sterling example of how games should be approached for Nintendo's waggle-machine. That said, there was plenty of ideas just begging for a sequel, and with Boom Blox Bash Party, it looks like we're getting it. More multiplayer options, downloadable levels, and so much more make this one I'll be picking up Day 01 when it hits later this year.
Oh, and that tagline: "The party anyone can throw" = genius. My throwing arm is getting tired just looking at it, but as long as the game is solid, it's all good. Enjoy the debut trailer from one of 2009's most entertaining looking releases!
The more I see of Pixar's upcoming animated adventure "UP", the more I want to see. But this is par for the course when it comes to their films, as the most consistent (and consistently remarkable) house in Hollywood is set to deliver their most unusual film yet. In anticipation of its May 29th release date, another trailer finds its way online, and for that reason alone I'm as happy as a clam.
Happy clams aside, I'll take a talking dog any day of the week. Enjoy the longest look at "UP" yet, because this summer is definitely going to be a doozy. If you're wanting full HD-trailer action, hit up Yahoo! Movies right HERE!
Get it before it's gone, because the brand-new and absolutely blistering trailer for the upcoming Star Trek reboot is now online. It's big, epic, and sounds exactly like it should. Overflowing with money shots and looking more than ever like it just might "work", its nice to see the movie finally get the hype a Star Trek film deserves. Definitely worth a look, and for the first time since its inception, I can actually see non-Trekkers lining up for this one.
Seriously.
With all the force of a great, big sumo SPLAT (see above), the long-awaited patch for Capcom's successful Super Street Fighter 2: HD Remix is finally coming, and its jam-packed with bug fixes and gameplay tweaks. According to those blabbermouths over at Capcom-Unity, there will most likely be future-patches to come, especially in the much-needed area of character balancing and evenness. Despite what designer David Sirlin might believe, the game's hit-ratio percentage and wretched damage meter is turning off plenty of potential fans who might otherwise stick around for the long-haul.
Check out our official impression of the game right HERE, and scan those eyeballs below for the list of upcoming changes. You'll notice every exclusive change is for the Sony PlayStation 3, and not a moment too soon. While I enjoyed both versions, the bugs and network disconnects on the PS3 at times make the game unplayable, which isn't fair for Sony fans. No release date yet, but "in the next few weeks" was teased. Here's the list:
01. After a number of games, the HUD will be corrupt. Yellow lifebars will freeze, the round counter flags will all be on, and the names will show more than one name. (Both)
02. Frequent disconnects during VS transition screen. Often caused by selecting START color of character. (Both)
03. Title crashes if user has a large friends list and tries to access the friends list (PS3)
04. Rating being set to "0" and from then on, rating remains at "0". Once that patch goes live, we'll reset all leaderboards/scoreboards. (Both)
05. Vega sometimes causing desyncing, especially when using the fake wall dive. (Both).
06. Lobby list containing full rooms instead of only rooms that users can enter. (Both).
07. Zangief Super Motion not working on both sides and in both directions.
08. During the start of the match, there is slight slowdown. This has been minimized as much as possible. (PS3).
09. If connecting to a ranked match through the quick match function, it is best out of 3 rather than best out of 5. (Both)
10. Sending messages via XMB during a game causes a freeze. (PS3)
11. Players not added to "Players Met" list. (PS3)
12. Analog and D-pad can accept input at the same time. (Both)
13. Player stats not reporting correctly.
In a rare feat of perfectly matching artist with subject, French experimental musicians have been signed on to write and record the score for the upcoming sequel Tron 2.0 from Walt Disney Studios. That popping sound you just heard is the collective joy-explosion (joyplosion?) of millions of cult fans as word of these two world collide, as musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter (let's just call them Daft Punk) and the sequel to 1982's computer-assisted classic have enjoyed immense popularity among the geek chic for some time.
How influential the duo has been within the music industry really depends on your exposure to them, but twenty years of performing and scoring have left them with legion of fans (see if you can spot the nod in the unrelated video above), and for those left unexposed, think Kraftwerk meets DEVO. Or did I just lose everyone even more? Regardless, this is truly exciting news for electronic fans, and thanks goes to UpcomingFilmScores for the score!
Many have pegged the Nintendo Wii as the second coming of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, and for good reason. Apart from already being the company's second-best selling home console of all-time (and will most definitely pass the NES's lifetime sales tally) the waggle machine has been home to many of the industry's most lucrative franchises, sports a peripheral called The Zapper, and has dominated despite having the most underpowered hardware of the major players. It also does retro-fitted ports of older classics quite well, and it looks like the upcoming Punch-Out!! revival will be sharing the limelight with another 80s-era superstar, A Boy and his Blob!
Sporting gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and developed by Wayforward Studios (who demonstrated they know a thing or two about reviving classic franchises with their incredible Contra 4) and published by Majesco, A Boy and his Blob for Nintendo Wii looks to bring the franchise back for the first time since the underrated 1991 Gameboy sequel. The update looks to retain most of the original's jellybean-feeding ideas, although will feature focus less on puzzles and more on offensive transformations.
While details of Blob's return remain light, look to the April 2009 issue of Nintendo Power for all the details that are fit to print. But if you're needing that sweet candy fix, head over to the official Nintendo Power website right HERE!
The last day of February 2009 was very kind to developer Bungie, as their Xbox 360 exclusive Halo 3 crossed a significant milestone few games have. Halo 3, released to a fanfare of unprecedented hype and razzle-dazzle in September 2007, has crossed the one billion online match on Saturday, February 28th. For those that prefer cold, hard numbers that's 1,000,000,000. That's also over 2,023,153,340,764 seconds in matchmaking playtime. For comparisons sake, the developer was kind enough to crunch the numbers and put things in perspective.
"If each game of Halo 3 lasted only three minutes and nineteen seconds, mirroring the Infection game outlined above, the total amount of time played would eclipse sixty-three centuries. For those looking for more granularity, that's roughly 630 decades, 6,300 years, or 2,300,000 days."
All too often when discussing the videogame industry we are mired in the sterile conversation of sales figures and fall victim to marketing hype, as though the conversation lives and dies at the retail counter alone. Its nice to see talk steered where it should be - in the gameplay. One billion games is a staggering amount, especially for a single title one a single platform, and certainly one that everyone at Bungie and Microsoft should be very proud of. Well played, Master Chief, well played indeed.