Most Recent: 3DS

Super Smash Bros. 3DS/Wii U: Ryu, Roy, Tourney Modes, YouTube Replays revealed

Nintendo’s big Pre-E3 showcase for the latest updates to Super Smash Bros. For Wii U/3DS may have leaked out a bit early, but it was still exciting to watch Game Director Masahiro Sakurai in the “New Content Approaching” video and to see all the announcements in the same place.

That said, all the rumors are true… Ryu (from Street Fighter II) and Roy (from Fire Emblem) will be added to both games as playable characters, joining the previously-announced Lucas (from Mother 3/Earthbound 2). Not only that, but Nintendo took special care with Ryu and included a variety of bonus features including custom attacks based on how long you hold the button down and the original button inputs for the Hadoken and the Shoryuken. All three characters are available to download now, along with new stages and new Mii Fighter costumes. I’ll let Nintendo handle the details…

Ryu
For 3DS: $5.99
For Wii U: $5.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $6.99
For the first time in Super Smash Bros. history, a character from the fighting game series Street Fighter joins the battle. Iconic character Ryu, whose look in the game is based on Street Fighter II, brings a new fighting style and feel to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. Ryu’s traditional Light, Medium and Heavy attacks can be used depending on whether players tap, press or hold the buttons. Classic Street Fighter moves like Hadoken and Shoryuken can be activated with just a one-button press, but players who enter the original button combinations from the Street Fighter series will perform the same actions with higher damage.

Purchase includes the bonus Suzaku Castle stage from the Street Fighter series. This classic environment provides stable footing on the right side and a series of platforms on the left. It can also be played in Omega form, giving the stage a look and feel much like in the Street Fighter II original.

Roy
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
A fan-favorite from his last appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee for Nintendo GameCube, Roy from the Fire Emblem franchise returns to the series more powerful than ever before. Unlike Marth, Roy’s sword is stronger closer to the hilt, so he works better in close range. Roy also now has a Final Smash move in the form of a devastating sword blow.

Lucas
For 3DS: $3.99
For Wii U: $3.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $4.99
As previously announced, Lucas is also available to purchase as a new downloadable character. Originating in the Japan-only Game Boy Advance RPG Mother 3, Lucas primarily uses lightning attacks to smash his opponents.

New Mii Fighter Costumes
For 3DS (Each): $0.75
For Wii U (Each): $0.75
3DS + Wii U Bundle (Each): $1.15
For 3DS (All 8): $6.00
For Wii U (All 8): $6.00
3DS + Wii U Bundle (All 8): $9.20
Multiple video games and characters from the past and present are represented in a new set of Mii Fighter costumes now available through the new update. Two costumes from classic fighting game Virtua Fighter are based on the Akira and Jacky characters, with Akira even maintaining his blocky polygonal look from the original game. Tekken fighter Heihachi (and his amazing hair) serves as inspiration for one costume, with additional costumes based on Isabelle from Animal Crossing, MegaMan.EXE from Mega Man Battle Network, Zero from Mega Man X, the Inkling Girl and Boy and the Squid Hat from Splatoon also available.

Dreamland (Stage)
For 3DS: $1.99
For Wii U: $1.99
3DS + Wii U Bundle: $2.99
Based on the first Dreamland stage from the original Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64, this stage returns with a few tweaks.

Miiverse (Stage)
For Wii U: Free
This new stage for Super Smash Bros. For Wii U features Miiverse posts created by players all over the world. During matches while connected to the Internet, players will see Miiverse posts appear that cheer specific fighters on from the background. These messages will be pulled from individual Miiverse communities that just opened for each Super Smash Bros. character.

Everything Pack
For 3DS: $21.96
For Wii U: $21.96
3DS + Wii U Bundle: 29.16
Players who want every fighter, stage, outfit and accessory featured among today’s DLC releases can buy them all at once.

In addition to all of today’s downloadable content, Nintendo had a few other Smash-related announcement to make. In August, a free update will add Tourney Mode to the game on the 3DS and Wii U. According to Nintendo, “Community Tourneys let players compete for the highest points in a certain amount of time, while regular Tourneys have a specific set of rules and only happen at select times.” Tourney Mode will be followed by a second free update that will give Smash Bros. For Wii U players the chance to upload match replays to YouTube.

Finally, some new Amiibo figures are coming in September. The previously-announced Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Bowser Jr., Zero Suit Samus, and Captain Olimar figures will be part of this wave. But fans will also be able to pick up Mii Fighter figures, as well as R.O.B., Mr. Game and Watch, and the Duck Hunt Dog. A Falco figure will also be available at a later date. And Amiibo figures based on Roy, Lucas, and Ryu are also in the works.

Is that enough Smash Bros. news for one day? Images of the newly announced Amiibo figures can be found after the break. (more…)

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Video Game Release Calendar Changelog: Pre-E3 2015 Edition

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Don’t Forget! This is just a changelog of recently announced release dates. Warp Zoned’s complete Video Game Release Calendar includes every title we could find with a 2015, 2016, 2017, or unannounced release date.

The 2015 E3 Expo will kick off in just a few days with the first-ever E3 Press Conference from Bethesda. The publisher has promised a first look at Fallout 4, as well as Doom 4. Both games currently have “TBA” release dates, but that will likely change this Sunday. As I dive into the rest of the new release dates in this Pre-E3 2015 Edition of our Video Game Release Calendar Changelog, I can’t be sure I got them all. Dozens of games have release dates (or, at the very least, release windows) that didn’t before.

So here’s a few more games we can start looking forward to…

  • Until Dawn, Sony’s “kids in the woods” horror game for the PS4, will be released on August 25.
  • Skylanders SuperChargers will bring its “interactive game toys” (we need a better name for this genre) to nearly every platform on September 20.
  • The Mega Man Legacy Collection will collect the first six games in the series on the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this Summer.
  • Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will bring the three PS3 games to the PS4 on October 9.
  • Square Enix will release Dragon Quest Heroes on the PS4 on October 13.
  • Bandai Namco’s Tales series will expand on October 20 with Tales of Zestiria on the PC, PS3, and PS4.
  • And the next Tales game after that, Tales of Berseria, has been officially announced, but it’s release date is currently “TBA.”

Even more new release dates from this edition of the Video Game Release Calendar Changelog can be found after the break. And check back with us after E3 when we’ll surely get the chance to pencil in even more release dates. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, PSP, Vita, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One |

Bloodstained becomes most-funded video game in Kickstarter history (and there’s still 13 hours to go)

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As its wild (and wildly successful) Kickstarter campaign comes to an end, Koji Igarashi’s Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has risen to the top of the pack as the most-funded video game of all time. Currently sitting at $4.7 million, the campaign proves that gamers still care deeply about Igarashi’s Metroidvania-style gothic castle crawlers. And Igarashi still has 13 hours to gather more pledges as the campaign isn’t scheduled to close until 11:00 PM (Eastern Time) tonight.

The developer has responded to this deluge of money by running one of the most bizarre campaigns in recent memory. He included “achievements” to “unlock” stretch goals, he asked for fan art for a game that barely exists (and which he received by the bucketful), and he created a series of whimsical videos to respond to fans. Igarashi also expanded the scope of Bloodstained considerably through a ridiculous number of stretch goals, including these recently funded features:

  • Online Challenge Mode… FUNDED
  • Third Playable Character… FUNDED
  • Standalone Prequel for PC/Consoles… FUNDED
  • Standalone Prequel for 3DS/Vita… ALMOST FUNDED

If the campaign reaches $5 million, Igarashi has promised to create a roguelike mode that reshapes the game into a series of procedurally-generated hallways. But for now, Bloodstained will definitely receive an Online Challenge Mode, a third playable character (details coming soon), and a retro-styled standalone prequel developed by Inti Creates for the PC, PS4, Wii U, and Xbox One. Igarashi and his team are also reasonably confident the standalone prequel will come to handhelds as they’re only a few thousand away.

And they’re not done. This morning, a new update revealed that Yacht Club’s Shovel Knight will be included in the game in some way. Is he friend? Is he foe? Igarashi isn’t saying, but his inclusion is sure to be interesting.

After all these reveals, it’s hard to believe we’ll have to wait until 2017 to play Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Hopefully, Igarashi can keep the crazy updates coming for the next two years.

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged ,

The Witcher 3 hunts down the top spot as May 2015’s best-selling game

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The NPD Group has published their monthly report on the financial state of the video game industry and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has emerged as the best-selling game of May 2015.

The Witcher 3’s victory was assured after the game leapfrogged both of April’s big releases including Mortal Kombat X (#2) and Grand Theft Auto V (#3). The only other May release to make the list, Nintendo’s Splatoon, swam its way into the fifth spot. Though Splatoon should get extra notice for being the only platform-exclusive title in the top ten.

All told, retail sales for games, hardware, and accessories were down 13% versus May 2014. However, Mario Kart 8, Watch Dogs, Wolfenstein: The New Order, and the continued success of TitanFall more than explain the sales gap. The drop-off might have been even bigger if it weren’t for a new wave of Amiibo figures. According to NPD’s Liam Callahan (speaking to GamesIndustry.biz), accessories rose 20% year-over-year, with a 73% increase for “interactive gaming toys.” Callahan also confirmed that the PS4 was the best-selling console of the month.

The complete top ten list of best-selling games for May 2015 can be found after the break. (more…)

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Nintendo Download: Lego Jurassic World, Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure, more

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When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth!

Welcome to this week’s Nintendo Download, where Lego Jurassic World will soon be available on the 3DS and Wii U. The game, which recreates all four Jurassic Park films using Lego bricks, will be available through the 3DS eShop and the Wii U eShop beginning tomorrow, June 12. In case that wasn’t enough dinosaur adventuring, Jurassic World will open in theaters tomorrow as well (or tonight, if you’re willing to brave the crowds).

Also available this week, today actually, is Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure for the 3DS. All your favorite Dr. Mario modes, including classic style, Dr. Luigi style, and Virus Buster mode, will be included. And new power-ups called Miracle Cures can eradicate the germs like never before.

Finally this week, a pair of 3DS titles from Arc System Works are now available to download. Ninja Usagimaru: The Gem of Blessings is a side-scrolling platformer while Swords & Darkness is a medieval 2D brawler.

More information on all of these games (and a few more) can be found after the break. (more…)

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Sega will bring Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice to the 3DS this Fall

Even though Sonic Boom didn’t speed its way into the hearts of fans last year, Sega is sticking with the series by announcing Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice.

Once again developed by Sanzaru Games, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will feature five playable characters (Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Sticks, and Amy) along with a brand new supervillain (D-Fekt) and the return of Dr. Eggman. In addition to a new bad guy to stomp, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will include special fire and ice powers for each character:

To create an entirely new experience, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will infuse fire and ice elements throughout gameplay, enabling new abilities to play out in special character moves and interactions with environments. The new title also delivers gameplay that enables players to run through the game at top speed, or take their time with deeper exploration and puzzle play.

Besides the single-player portion of the game, Sanzaru plans to add a speed-focused multiplayer minigame, Bot Racing, to Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice. Players will be able to unlock character-themed Bots to challenge friends as they work their way through the campaign.

Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will be available exclusively for the 3DS this Fall.

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Lego Avengers is coming this Winter… and here’s the first trailer

Are you ready to recreate the Battle of New York using Legos? Well, you’re in luck, because the first trailer for Lego Avengers is here and it lets us all see how the finale of The Avengers would have looked using the famous toy bricks. In addition to the first film, a series of stages based on this Summer’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron will also be included in the game.

Lego Avengers, in development at TT Games and scheduled to be published by WB Games, will be available this Fall/Winter for the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

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Mega Man Legacy Collection collects Mega Man 1-6 on PC, PS4, Xbox One (and 3DS later)

Capcom has announced that Mega Man will make his glorious return this Summer… in yet another compilation of his NES adventures.

Mega Man Legacy Collection will compile the first six games in the classic franchise in a downloadable package for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One this Summer. The collection will also be released for the 3DS, sometime in the Fall/Winter. Capcom also announced they will bring a playable demo of Mega Man Legacy Collection to this year’s E3 Expo.

Mega Man Legacy Collection will be developed by Digital Eclipse, a production house with a lasting legacy of bringing classic games to current consoles. The team plans to rebuild each game in their new Eclipse Engine, which will ensure a “sharp, clean picture” and 1080p visuals.

“Movies have the Criterion Collection, but there hasn’t been anything like that for games,” said Frank Cifaldi, Head of Restoration for Digital Eclipse. “We’re living in the golden age of a brand new form of artistic expression, and we’re not doing a very good job of making sure our games will be available five years from now, let alone fifty. The more we can do right now to take video game preservation seriously, the safer our history will be.”

In addition to the graphical boost, the Legacy Collection will feature a Database section that’ll include information about each boss as well as the ability to jump right into a practice match. Finally, the Museum will include “an exhaustive collection of sketches, art and other visual materials” and a Challenge Mode will package smaller portions of the game into a self-contained gauntlet of ministages. A Mega Man I “Boss Rush” and a six-stage endurance challenge were two of the examples given by the developer.

This isn’t the first time Capcom has put together a Mega Man compilation. The Mega Man Anniversary Collection, which included the first eight games in the franchise, was released for the PS2, GameCube, and Xbox back in 2004.

[Source: Capcom-Unity]

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