Most Recent: Switch

New Retail Releases: WarioWare Gold, More

Posted on July 30, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is showing 3DS owners that there’s still some life left in their dedicated handheld with this week’s release of WarioWare Gold. Featuring more than 300 new and returning “microgames,” WarioWare Gold is the biggest entry in the series to date and the first to appear on the 3DS (though it’s only playable in 2D).

The remainder of this week’s new retail releases are games making their Switch debut, including THQ Nordic’s Diablo-like hack-and-slash action RPG, Titan Quest; Nicalis’s anime-inspired hack-and-slash RPG, Code of Princess EX; and a 25th Anniversary Edition re-release of Paul Cuisset’s “cinematic platformer,” Flashback.

This quartet of games is it for now, but as always, we’ll be back later this week with a look at more new titles coming to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged ,

Drive a car, a plane, and a submarine this September with the Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit

Posted on July 27, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo promised that more Nintendo Labo kits would be coming in 2018, and the third cardboard construction set was revealed late last night by the consolemaker.

The Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit gives players the opportunity to build a steering wheel (for a car), a flight stick (for a plane), and a ship’s wheel (for a submarine)… and they’ll be able to switch between them at will using two cardboard keys as they “explore a mysterious world”:

Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit will unlock even more ways for people to make, play and discover together, as they speed through races, battle cars equipped with extendable arms and explore a mysterious world. Each vehicle features its own controls and special moves, and with the second Key, players can even invite a co-pilot along on their in-game journey. Interacting with the assembled Toy-Con creations instantly translates into in-game actions to create a truly immersive experience – from pulling the cord on the Car to pop a wheelie, pushing the button on the Submarine to launch a grappling hook and so much more.

The Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit will be available for the Switch on September 14. The game will be priced at $69.99, and its adorable first trailer has been embedded above.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Nickelodeon Kart Racers puts characters from SpongeBob, Ninja Turtles, Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and more in driver’s seat this Fall

Posted on July 26, 2018 by John Scalzo

Characters from Nickelodeon’s massive stable of animated shows will soon get the chance to race for the checkered flag. That’s because the children’s channel has announced a partnership with GameMill Entertainment to launch Nickelodeon Kart Racers this Fall.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Rugrats, SpongeBob, Hey Arnold, and many other Nickelodeon characters will be available to pick in the games. Fans of all ages will also be able to partake in four-player local play, along with 24 different tracks, customizable karts, multiple power-ups and special attacks, and a Team Racing Mode:

Select a racer from one of your favorite Nickelodeon series, including SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy from SpongeBob SquarePants, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Arnold and Helga from Hey Arnold!, and Angelica, Tommy and Reptar from Rugrats. Race your friends in up to four-player local multiplayer or check out the Battle Arena for a variety of challenges.

Nickelodeon Kart Racers is in development at Bamtang, and will be released for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on October 23.

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

The Banner Saga 3, Titan Quest, Flashback, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on July 26, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like it’s time for another Nintendo eShop update. As usual, more than 20 new games will be available to download for the Switch. Here’s what’s on tap for this week…

RPG fans should be on the lookout for The Banner Saga 3, the grand finale to Stoic’s strategy RPG series, as well as Titan Quest, an action RPG that was originally released for the PC in 2006. Also set to launch this week for the Switch is Flashback, a modern remake of Delphine Software’s “cinematic platformer,” which was first released in 1992.

Finally this week, Nintendo will partner with Hamster Corporation to bring Sky Skipper, one of the consolemaker’s earliest arcade games, to the Switch.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop (including Go Vacation, Code of Princess EX, The King of Fighters ’97, and more) after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged ,

NIS America shines a spotlight on Crystalis in the latest SNK 40th Anniversary Collection trailer

Posted on July 25, 2018 by John Scalzo

Crystalis was a well-liked Action RPG that originally graced the NES all the way back in 1990. But it’s been impossible to find for players looking to revisit the game in the 28 years since. Thankfully, that all changes this Fall when Crystalis is reborn on the Switch as part of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection.

Publisher NIS America recently unveiled a new Crystalis-centric trailer for the compilation, and reintroduced fans to its unique story:

Originally released in Japan as God Slayer: Haruka Tenku no Sonata, Crystalis was a game ahead of its time, sporting an elaborate story, advanced graphics, and high quality soundtrack. Today, that same cult classic returns on Nintendo Switch!

Awaken in a post-apocalyptic world, where the forbidden ways of science have been revived by the Draygonia Empire. Guided by the four wise sages and wielding the Sword of Wind, the protagonist must aid a fellow survivor named Mesia and combine the four elemental Swords of Wind, Fire, Water, and Thunder to create the legendary sword, Crystalis. Will he be able to stop the evil ambitions of Emperor Draygon in time to save the world?

Crystalis, and more than a dozen other games published by SNK, will be available in the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection when it launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 13.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

2K Games will publish NBA Playgrounds 2 this Fall as NBA 2K Playgrounds 2

Posted on July 24, 2018 by John Scalzo

Way back in May, Saber Interactive indefinitely (and mysteriously) postponed the release of NBA Playgrounds 2 just days before it was scheduled to launch for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One. And now, like Lebron James and Kawhi Leonard, it’ll be playing for a new team this Fall.

That’s because 2K Games announced earlier today that they’ve picked up the publishing rights to NBA Playgrounds 2. First things first, the publisher rebranded the over-the-top basketball game as NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

“The original NBA Playgrounds was a fantastic throwback to the glory days of arcade-action sports,” said Greg Thomas, the President of Visual Concepts. “The new NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will step up this energy and attitude big time – with a bit of added NBA 2K flair – giving fans of both franchises an exciting new way to game with friends around the world.”

“No one is more committed to bringing fans a great basketball experience than 2K. We can’t wait to share more on how we’re teaming up to make NBA 2K Playgrounds 2’s incredible arcade action bigger and better than ever for players,” said Saber Interactive’s CEO, Matt Karch.

It’s unknown how 2K Games and Visual Concepts plan to change NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, but we’ll likely learn more about the future of the game soon.

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

New Retail Releases: Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2, The Banner Saga Trilogy, No Man’s Sky, More

Posted on July 23, 2018 by John Scalzo

Two big collections and a new home for one of 2016’s biggest games highlight this week’s New Retail Releases report…

Capcom will bring all eight Mega Man X games to the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One this week with the launch of Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2. The compilation will also include a Museum Mode with “rare production art, catalogs of classic merchandise, a playlist of nostalgic commercials, and more,” as well as an animated prequel and a two-against-one X Challenge Mode.

Stoic is also set to release a compilation of their own this week, but they’re looking back to the past instead of springing forward to the unknown future of 20XX. The Banner Saga Trilogy will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One, and it’ll include The Banner Saga, The Banner Saga 2, and the never-before-released The Banner Saga 3. The package also includes a “Best of” Soundtrack, a Mini Art Book, a Collectible Poster, and a Horn of Lichbaen in-game item.

Finally this week, Hello Games will blast off for uncharted space with the Xbox One launch of No Man’s Sky. The Xbox One version of No Man’s Sky will come with all the previous updates to the game as well as the coveted Next expansion, which adds online multiplayer to the space exploration title.

You can find the rest of this week’s new releases after the break. (more…)

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

Nintendo adds Link’s tunic from Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Master Cycle Zero to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Posted on July 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

A few days ago, Nintendo confirmed that “further updates” were coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Late last night, the consolemaker returned to tell us all about the brand new Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild DLC Pack for the game.

The free update is available to download now, and it includes a “Champion’s Tunic” costume for Link, as well as the Master Cycle Zero bike, Ancient Tyres, and a Paraglider.

Nintendo hasn’t said if further “further updates” are in the works for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, or if this will be the game’s final update.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged