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Nintendo Switch Online (and its downloadable bundle of NES games) is now available

Posted on September 19, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo launched their Nintendo Switch Online service yesterday, which means that subscribers now have access to Online Play, Cloud Saves, and that downloadable bundle of 20 NES games.

Online Play was previously available for free as Nintendo has spent the last 18 months preparing for the launch of Nintendo Switch Online, but its now locked behind a subscription, though one that’s much cheaper ($3.99 for one month, $7.99 for three months, $19.99 for 12 months, or $34.99 for a “Family” membership) than Sony’s PS Plus or Microsoft’s XBL Gold.

But the real draw might be the downloadable NES bundle, which currently includes Balloon Fight, Baseball, Donkey Kong, Double Dragon, Dr. Mario, Excitebike, Ghosts ‘N Goblins, Gradius, Ice Climber, Ice Hockey, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros., Pro Wrestling, River City Ransom, Soccer, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Tecmo Bowl, Tennis, and Yoshi.

Yes, we’ve played all these games many times before, but Nintendo will regularly add to this library of games, and nine more will be available by the end of the year. NES Open Tournament Golf, Solomon’s Key, and Super Dodge Ball will be added to the service in October, with Metroid, Mighty Bomb Jack, and TwinBee to follow in November, and Adventures of Lolo, Ninja Gaiden, and Wario’s Woods in December.

Nintendo Switch Online subscribers at the 12-Month or Family levels will also receive a download code that can be exchanged for exclusive in-game Splatoon 2 gear based on the jerseys worn by GG BoyZ, the winning team at the 2018 Splatoon 2 World Championship. And all Nintendo Switch Online subscribers will be able to pre-order a pair of wireless Nintendo Entertainment System Controllers from Nintendo.com for $59.99.

More information about Nintendo Switch Online can found after the break, and a seven-day free trial is also available through the Nintendo eShop.

(more…)

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Sony will release PlayStation Classic microconsole with 20 games on December 3

Posted on September 19, 2018 by John Scalzo

With a history stretching all the way back to the failed Super NES disc drive, the fates of Sony and Nintendo have always been closely linked. Late last night, the PlayStation purveyor decided to take another page out of Nintendo’s nostalgia-themed book with the announcement of the PlayStation Classic microconsole.

The PlayStation Classic will be available on December 3 (the 24th anniversary of its launch in Japan), and it’ll include 20 pre-loaded games (Final Fantasy VII, Jumping Flash, Ridge Racer Type 4, Tekken 3, and Wild Arms have been announced so far). The package will also include two USB-powered replica PlayStation controllers, an HDMI cable, and a USB power cable (but no AC Adapter, you’ll need to supply your own). And don’t worry, you won’t need to dust off your old Memory Cards, the PlayStation Classic will give players the chance to save their progress directly to the system.

All this can be yours for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $99.99. More pictures of the rather snazzy-looking device can be found at the PlayStation Blog:

The mini console is approximately 45% smaller than the original PlayStation, and it emulates the original’s look and feel by featuring similar controllers and packaging. Long-time fans will appreciate the nostalgia that comes with rediscovering the games they know and love, while gamers who might be new to the platform can enjoy the groundbreaking PlayStation console experience that started it all. All of the pre-loaded games will be playable in their original format.

Your move, Nintendo.

Posted in News, Retro | Tagged

New Retail Releases: Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna, Scribblenauts Mega Pack, Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk, More

Posted on September 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Even though we’re still only in September, the avalanche of new games continues this week. But it looks like we’ll get a bit of a breather over the next seven days…

Leading the way forward (and backward, technically) is Nintendo’s Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country. Taking place 500 years in the past, this standalone adventure for the Switch serves as a prequel to the consolemaker’s massive action RPG, and asks players to guide a group of legendary warriors on a journey through the tragic history that doomed a kingdom.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter this week, WB Games is serving up another entry in the Scribblenauts series, and will re-release Scribblenauts Unlimited and Scribblenauts Unmasked for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One as part of the Scribblenauts Mega Pack.

NIS America is delving deep into the darkest dungeons once again with the release of Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk, a turn-based RPG for the PS4 and Switch. The game will also be available to download for the PC.

And finally this week, Stoic Studio will package together the three games in the Banner Saga series for the Switch as The Banner Saga Trilogy.

A complete list of this week’s new retail releases can be found after the break. (more…)

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Katamari Damacy Reroll will ride the royal rainbow to Switch and PC in December

Posted on September 13, 2018 by John Scalzo

Katamari Damacy was originally released almost 15 years ago to… let’s go with “rapturous”… acclaim from the gaming populace. The quirky game about the outrageous King of All Cosmos and his son’s quest to return the stars to the sky by rolling up everyday objects was a colorful blast to the senses back in 2004. And yesterday, publisher Bandai Namco announced that they’re bringing it back later this year as Katamari Damacy Reroll for the PC and Switch.

Reroll will include the same great soundtrack, along with remastered graphics and cutscenes. Switch owners will be able to use brand new motion controls as well:

The King of All Cosmos has knocked out all the stars in the sky after a particularly rambunctious night of fun. Realizing his mistake, The King has tasked his young son, The Prince, to go to Earth and roll up as many things as possible to recreate the missing celestial bodies. Paper clips, books, cars, buildings, mountains, and continents, nothing is too big or small for The Prince and his adhesive Katamari ball. Katamari Damacy Reroll will feature remastered graphics and cutscenes as well as new motion controls optimized for the Nintendo Switch. Using the left and right Joy-Con controllers while the Nintendo Switch is in TV mode or Tabletop mode, players can move The Prince around with ease by simply turning their wrists.

Katamari Damacy Reroll will be released on December 7. Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na-Na.

Posted in News, PC, Switch | Tagged

Shadow of the Tomb Raider, NBA 2K19, NHL 19, more coming to PS Store this week

Posted on September 12, 2018 by John Scalzo

A trio of sequels lead the way in this week’s PlayStation Store update…

Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics will close out Lara Croft’s “Origin Trilogy” with the launch of Shadow of the Tomb Raider for the PS4. This time, Lara will travel to South America as she attempts to stop a Mayan apocalypse.

Also available to download this week for the PS4 are a pair of brand new sports simulations. 2K Games brings 20 years of gameplay innovations (and a cover appearance by Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo) to NBA 2K19, while EA Sports tapped P.K. Subban to serve as NHL 19‘s cover athlete.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the PlayStation Store after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS4, Vita | Tagged , ,

Bandai Namco files trademark application for Katamari Damacy Encore

Posted on September 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

The King of All Cosmos lives! Gematsu is reporting that Bandai Namco has filed multiple trademark applications for a new game in the Katamari Damacy franchise.

According to the report, the publisher recently filed trademark applications for Katamari Damacy Reroll in Europe and Katamari Damacy Encore in Japan. Both applications were filed within days of each other, so they likely refer to the same game.

While the proposed titles seem to point towards some kind of re-release, that’s fineOK by me, because it’s been far too long time since fans have been able to pilot a Katamari Ball through the streets of Tokyo. Believe it or not, Touch My Katamari was released for the Vita more than six years ago, and it’s been more than nine years since Katamari Forever made its PS3 debut. A pair of mobile spinoffs were also briefly available on the iOS App Store, but they were delisted years ago.

The Tokyo Game Show kick offs next week, so hopefully Bandai Namco will have more to say about Katamari Damacy Reroll/Katamari Damacy Encore soon.

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Hollow Knight will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on September 25

Posted on September 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

Team Cherry has announced (via their official website) that Hollow Knight will be available to download for the PS4 and Xbox One beginning on September 25.

The new Voidheart Edition will include the original game, as well as the four downloadable expansions previously released for the PC and Switch:

The original award winning action-adventure. Journey through vast lands. Defeat over 150 deadly foes, including over 40 epic bosses. Power-up with startling new skills and abilities.

4 giant Content Packs, built in at launch, expanding the game with all new quests, terrifying boss fights and striking new abilities. Hours of additional content, additional challenges and additional bugs (the insect kind!). That’s Hidden Dreams, The Grimm Troupe, Lifeblood, and the colossal Godmaster.

A physical version of Hollow Knight will be published by Skybound Games, and that should be available on store shelves early next year.

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Bandai Namco will release Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition on January 11, 2019

Posted on September 10, 2018 by John Scalzo

Bandai Namco has announced that Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition will be available in stores on January 11, 2019. The re-release is currently in development for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One, and will include “upscaled screen resolution as well as characters, events, and additional content never released outside of Japan.”

The publisher also plans to release a special Anniversary Bundle of the game (packed with exclusive collectibles featuring Yuri Lowell, Patty Fleur, Flynn Scifo, and Repede) through the Bandai Namco Official Store for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

Tales of Vesperia was originally released exclusively for the Xbox 360 back in 2008, and the RPG will be celebrating its 11th anniversary next year.

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