Monthly Archives: December 2016

Pokemon Go “Year-End Event” begins on Christmas Day

Posted on December 24, 2016 by John Scalzo

Niantic is launching another seasonal event for Pokemon Go and it’s going to take fans all the way into 2017. The Year-End Event kicks off tomorrow and the developer discussed what players can expect to find during it on their official website:

Don’t miss out on an increased chance to hatch a Togepi (and other Pokemon)! Starting the morning of December 25, 2016, and through the afternoon of January 3, 2017 (PST), PokeStops will award one single-use Incubator each day after your first Photo Disc spin. As you visit PokeStops during this time period, there will be a greater chance of finding Eggs that hatch Togepi, Pichu, and several other recently found Pokemon, originally discovered in the Johto region. Special Pikachu wearing festive hats will also be staying around a bit longer! You are more likely to find these limited-edition Pikachu during the time period of this celebration.

The Year-End Event will continue through January 8, and players will be more likely to encounter certain Pokemon, and they’ll receive bonus time when using Lures:

In addition, from the afternoon of December 30, 2016, through the afternoon of January 8, 2017 (PST), the first partner Pokemon and their Evolutions, originally discovered in the Kanto region, are more likely to be encountered. This means a greater chance to catch Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur, as well as Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard, plus Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise! As a way to increase your chance to encounter one of these Pokemon, Lure Modules will also last for 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes.

Finally, Niantic revealed that Pokemon Go players have walked an astounding 8.7 billion kilometers (about 4.5 billion miles) and caught 88 billion Pokemon since the game’s launch this Summer.

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged

Super Mario Run Review: Nintendo’s Got A Winner After Plumbing New Depths on iOS

Posted on December 23, 2016 by John Scalzo

Whether you’re a video game fan looking for more games on the go or a stock market analyst fixated on profit margins, you’ve likely spent the last few years wondering when Nintendo would finally break into mobile game development. Earlier this year, the consolemaker dipped their toe into those waters with the Miitomo communication app, but now they’re finally ready to dive into that big blue ocean with their first mobile game, Super Mario Run. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, Reviews, Top Story | Tagged

Daily Scoop: December 23, 2016 – Codemasters Sale at the Humble Store

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Nicole Kline

I’m finally on vacation! And you know what that means: it’s time to play games! We started with a board game night two nights ago, then had another one last night. Today is my first day off and I haven’t had a chance to play yet, but don’t worry! All my errands are done, so I’m going to get some gaming in before we have to go to a party tonight. Games, partying, brunch, and baking is what this vacation is going to be all about!

Anyway, let’s move on to today’s deals! There’s a big Codemasters sale happening at the Humble Store right now. There are a bunch of games on sale, including F1 2014 for $7,49, Overlord for $1.24, and Dirt Showdown for $2.99.

I’ve been trying to avoid the Steam winter sale, but there are just too many good deals happening. I can’t look away! Get Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen and Firewatch for $11.99, Elite Dangerous for $20.09, and Dark Souls III for $29.99, among many others. We’re thinking about picking up the Devolver Digital Hidden Gems bundle for $16.56. There are lots of reasons to get it, but the main one for us is Fistful of Guns.

Hit the jump to see today’s shirts! (more…)

Posted in News |

See the first gameplay trailer for Super Mega Baseball 2

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John Scalzo

Today’s the second day of Winter, so it seems like the perfect time for Metalhead Software’s Scott Drader to stoke the Hot Stove with the first gameplay trailer for Super Mega Baseball 2. The development team has big plans for the upcoming sequel, starting with a brand new art style. New customizable features and the addition of online multiplayer are also on the docket for Super Mega Baseball 2.

The gameplay trailer is embedded above, and Super Mega Baseball 2 will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in Summer 2017.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

New trailer highlights features Nintendo is adding to Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John Scalzo

Yoshi’s Woolly World will be released for the 3DS on February 3 as Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World, and Nintendo plans to add several new features to the side-scrolling platformer for its portable debut.

According to a post on Nintendo.com, Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World will get additional Amiibo functionality thanks to the brand new Yarn Poochy figure. Players can use the Yarn Poochy figure to ask the character for assistance during a tough level, as well as unlock Poochy-themed bonus stages. New Yoshi patterns are also available by tapping Amiibo from the Animal Crossing and Splatoon series.

Other new features include:

New to the series, the Craft Yoshi mode will let you design your own patterned Yoshi. Using intuitive tools, you can use the Nintendo 3DS touch screen to design your own colorful and stylized Yoshi character. Your favorite pattern can even be shared through StreetPass!

In addition to the game, one animated short starring Yoshi and Poochy will be unlocked every day for 30 days for people that own the game. These short stop-motion animations can be viewed through a menu in the game.

Less experienced players looking for a little help can easily switch to Mellow Mode while playing Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World to gain the assistance of Poochy Pups. These sweet little Pups will sniff out secrets and wrap up enemies, and can even double as yarn balls for Yoshi to throw.

Nintendo has also unveiled a trailer showcasing the 3DS-exclusive features for Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World, and its been embedded above.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Shantae Half-Genie Hero, Mario Party 2, more

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John Scalzo

Even though we’re counting down the days until Nintendo’s Switch Presentation, the consolemaker is still adding new titles to the Nintendo eShop, including one game that’s retro-styled and another that’s just plain retro.

WayForward’s Shantae series began on the Game Boy Color all the way back in 2002. It wasn’t a design choice to create retro-styled side-scrolling platforming in those days, but it is today, and Shantae still looks impressive in her first high definition outing on the Wii U. In Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, a mysterious crime wave has swept through Sequin Land, and players will need to master the genie’s “devastating Hair-Whip Attack” to fight back against the criminal masterminds employed by Risky Boots.

Also available to download for the Wii U today is Mario Party 2, which was originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. More than a dozen sequels have been added to the Mario Party in the years since, but I’m sure one of the earliest games in the franchise still has plenty of fans for this Virtual Console re-release.

You can learn more about both of these games (and a few other new releases) after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U |

Daily Scoop: December 22, 2016 – The Steam Winter Sale has begun!

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Nicole Kline

I didn’t get to play many video games last night, but that’s because we had a fun board game night! So I guess it’s an OK excuse. We played a bunch of games, including Codenames and Miskatonic School for Boys, and just generally had a great time. We’re having another board game night again tonight! And also, I’m off from work until January 9th, so I hope to get in a ton more gaming!

Speaking of gaming, let’s talk about today’s sales! There are some great deals happening at the Humble Store. Grid is free for a limited time, Dirt Rally is $23.99, Aseprite is $11.99, and Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is $17.99, among others.

The Steam Winter Sale has begun! And, as you can imagine, there are tons of amazing deals. The Long Dark is $9.99, Master of Orion is $14.99, Darkest Dungeon is $12.49, Invisible, Inc. is $5.99, and many, many more! There are so many good sales that I just can’t look at this list anymore!

There are no daily shirts today, but I did find a good one elsewhere! Hit the jump to check it out! (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop |

AnyArts unveils first trailer for Switch-exclusive Seasons of Heaven

Posted on December 22, 2016 by John Scalzo

Aside from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we haven’t gotten a good look at any of the games currently in development for the Nintendo Switch. The consolemaker gave us a brief gander at Skyrim, NBA 2K17, Mario Kart, Splatoon, and Super Mario during the Switch’s “First Glimpse” trailer, but that’s been about it.

Thankfully, indie developer AnyArts Productions has come to the rescue to deliver a full trailer for the upcoming Switch-exclusive Seasons of Heaven. Expanding on the teaser trailer that launched last week, Seasons of Heaven is a puzzle game where players help a small boy and his dog explore a mystical forest.

The trailer is a good showcase for the Switch’s capabilities, as we see the boy surrounded by a few ghostly figures during his trek through the forest. I’m guessing that these figures, alongside an ominous heart monitor sound, will definitely get the “Purgatory” theories pumping about this game. It’s too early to know for sure, but hopefully we’ll learn more about Seasons of Heaven during Nintendo’s “Switch Presentation 2017” on January 12.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged