Most Recent: News

Michael Jackson moonwalks onto 3DS, Vita

Not the most original of headlines, but what are you going to do? It explains very succinctly that Ubisoft’s Michael Jackson: The Experience will be available for the 3DS and PlayStation Vita this Fall. As does the game’s debut trailer, which you can view above.

Both versions make use of each handheld’s touch screen to match Michael’s choreography with stylus motions on the screen. Actually, I’ll let Ubisoft tell it:

Players will be invited on an interactive journey into Michael Jackson’s artistry, which will set a new benchmark for handheld rhythm games. Using the tactile screens of both consoles, the players move in line with the choreographies on screen to increase their score and bring to life the environments of 15 of Michael Jackson’s hit songs that span his solo career. As players continue to improve and have fun, aiming to become the ultimate performer, they unlock bonus content along the way such as Michael’s special outfits or “power-up” gloves.

The gameplay will be an all-new experience on both platforms. Using the tactile screen, players will draw a series of shapes according to the beat and the choreographies of the Michael Jackson avatar on the screen. By chaining together moves, they will progressively unlock spectacular special effects and other animated background elements, all while being able to watch the avatar perform. During timed freestyle moments, players can even create their own choreographies from a set of classic Michael Jackson moves.

Players will rediscover 15 settings inspired by Michael Jackson’s music videos and stage performances, such as the ghoul-infested graveyard dance from Thriller, the luxurious Palace of the Pharaoh from Remember the Time, the seedy underworld nightclub from Smooth Criminal, and many more. And in addition to the exciting gameplay, gorgeous cinematic cut-scenes will retell these fantastic stories in eye-popping detail.

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Wii U supports hard drive, new images released

If there was any doubt the Wii U wouldn’t match up with the PS3 or Xbox 360, it’s gone now. Nintendo has released the system specs of their tiny behemoth and the console appears more than capable of carrying Nintendo into the HD age.

In addition to being backward compatible with all Wii games and accessories, the system will support SD/SDHC Memory Cards or an external USB hard drive for storage. It will also support a “proprietary high-density optical disc” for game storage (basically, no switching discs) and a variety of video outputs including 720p, 1080i and 1080p.

Hit the break for the first images of the new controller as well as a summary of the system specifications, straight from Nintendo. (more…)

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Kratos goes 3D in God of War: Origins Collection trailer

Kratos’ PSP outings, God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta, will soon make the jump to the PS3 in the God of War: Origins Collection. Available this September, the compilation will bring stereoscopic 3D to the God of War series for the first time. Be sure to check out all the brutality in the official E3 trailer above.

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Nintendo @ E3 11: Third party Wii U games include Tekken, Assassin’s Creed, a lot more

After playing a video showing some of the industry’s top developers singing the praises of the Wii U, Nintendo unveiled the third party lineup that’ll be available for the system:

  • Aliens: Colonial Marines
  • Darksiders II (which will be a launch title)
  • Dirt for Wii U
  • Metro: Last Light
  • Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge (working title)
  • Tekken for Wii U (with a stylus-powered character creator)
  • Batman: Arkham City (which elicited cheers from the crowd)
  • Assassin’s Creed for Wii U
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Online
  • Unnamed Electronics Arts games
  • Unnamed EA Sports games

So basically, every hot PS3 and Xbox 360 game is also in development for the Wii U. While BioShock Infinite wasn’t on the list, Irrational’s Ken Levine was included in the developer montage and seemed very impressed with the Wii U.

Whoa!

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Nintendo @ E3 11: Lego City Stories announced for 3DS, Wii U

After discussing a variety of prototypes of possible Wii U software (including New Super Mario Bros. Wii with a Mii included in the action!), Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced the first third party Wii U game: Lego City Stories. Developed by Lego gurus TT Games, Lego City Stories will be an open world Lego game that includes “a whole city full of Lego vehicles.”

No release date was announced, but it’ll be exclusively available for the 3DS and Wii U.

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Nintendo @ E3 11: Smash Bros. for Wii U, 3DS announced

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata just announced that a version of Super Smash Bros. is in the works for the 3DS and the Wii U. The games will link up “in some fashion” and it’ll be developed by Kid Icarus: Uprising director Masahiro Sakurai.

No release date (or any other information) was announced.

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Nintendo @ E3 11: Wii 2 is officially called the Wii U; all the rumors are true!

Enough with the rumors… Nintendo has officially unveiled the Wii 2! The next generation system will actually be known as “Wii U.” Let the lame name jokes begin!

The controller includes two analog sticks, a D-Pad, four face buttons, four shouler buttons and a 6.2-inch touch screen. The touch screen can be used with a stylus as well as detached from the system to play simple games. And if someone wants to take over the TV, the Wii U can stream the game right to the controller. Basically, all of the rumors are true.

The screen can be used to control the action such as pitcher control in a new version of baseball on Wii Sports. There’s also a front-facing controller that can be used to make video calls. The system also makes use of all Wii peripherals like the Wi Remote, Nunchuk and Wii Balance Board and can stream a game right to the touch screen.

It looks like it is officially the first real “sequel” to a console. It’ll be available in 2012, but no price was announced.

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Nintendo @ E3 11: Luigi’s Mansion 2 announced

The 3DS announcements continue as Reggie Fils-Aime just announced that Luigi’s Mansion 2, a brand new game featuring multiple mansions, is in development. The game looks to include a lot of the same ghost-vacuuming fun of the underrated original and, according to Reggie, the 3DS’ 3D display will be very important.

No release date was announced.

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