Most Recent: Switch

Nintendo Labo turns the Switch into a kid-friendly creative construction kit

Posted on January 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is at it again. Today, the consolemaker unveiled Nintendo Labo, a series of kid-friendly software packages that also double as creative construction kits powered by the portability of the Nintendo Switch.

Each Labo kit will come packed with several sheets of modular cardboard that can be molded into objects like a piano, or an RC car, or a (child-sized) wearable robot suit. Inserting a Joy-Con or the Switch console into these contraptions (which are known as Toy-Cons) will bring them to life, and allow players to play a song, race down the road, or do battle with invading aliens.

Nintendo will launch the Variety Kit (which includes the aforementioned piano and RC car, as well as a few other options) and the aptly-named Robot Kit on April 20. More information about the Toy-Con options available in both kits can be found right here:

Nintendo Labo: Variety Kit ($69.99)

  • Toy-Con RC Car: Insert the Left and Right Joy-Con into your newly built RC Car and control its movement using touch screen controls on the Nintendo Switch console. The HD Rumble feature in the Joy-Con controllers will cause vibrations that move the car in the direction you choose. Materials to construct two RC Cars are included.
  • Toy-Con Fishing Rod: Construct the Fishing Rod with an active, rotating reel that is attached by string to a cradle holding the Nintendo Switch console. Catch one of many exotic fish shown swimming on the Nintendo Switch screen by casting your Fishing Rod and unwinding the reel to lower the hook. Once you feel a vibration from the Joy-Con inserted in the reel, you must tug the Fishing Rod upward and crank the reel quickly to try and complete the catch!
  • Toy-Con House: By inserting various assembled blocks into openings in the sides and bottom of the House, you can interact with, play games with and feed a cute creature on the front-facing Nintendo Switch screen. Each differently shaped block is detected by the IR Motion Camera on the Right Joy-Con inserted on top of the House.
  • Toy-Con Motorbike: Insert each Joy-Con into an assembled set of handlebars to drive a motorbike on the Nintendo Switch screen. Pressing the ignition button starts the engine, while twisting the right handle activates the throttle. Leaning your body or turning the handlebars left and right controls the motorbike.
  • Toy-Con Piano: After assembling a beautifully crafted 13-key piano and inserting the Nintendo Switch console and Joy-Con, you can experiment with your own musical creations by pressing different keys. You can even insert different assembled knobs to create new sound effects and tones!

Nintendo Labo: Robot Kit ($79.99)

  • Toy-Con Robot: Create a wearable Robot suit, and insert the Left and Right Joy-Con into the designated slots on the backpack and visor to assume control of the robot, which is shown on the TV when the Nintendo Switch console is docked. Enjoy a variety of fun game-play experiences, including Robot mode, in which you can destroy in-game buildings and UFOs.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the Labo’s debut trailer, which has been embedded above. It should tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Nintendo’s new idea.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged ,

Mark it down… Scribblenauts Showdown will be released on March 6

Posted on January 16, 2018 by John Scalzo

WB Games has announced that Scribblenauts Showdown will be released for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on March 6. Original developer 5th Cell shut down a few years ago, but fans can get a peek at the first teaser trailer above.

The next game in the Scribblenauts saga will change things up with a new focus on minigames. Up to four players will be able to create objects using the game’s dictionary of more than 35,000 words, and they’ll compete on a board game style map to win:

In the game’s Showdown Mode, up to four players face off and imagine their way to victory through card-based strategy and creative skill. “Wordy” minigames require unleashing the best object or character from the vast Scribblenauts dictionary of over 35,000 words to outsmart an opponent. Action-oriented “Speedy” minigames reward the player who completes a given challenge first. A board game style map displays players’ progress. With multiple ways to make up ground, every player has a chance to win, which keeps the excitement going until the end!

In Versus Mode, two players can go head-to-head in more than 25 minigames that vary in every session.

Scribblenauts Showdown will also include a brand new Sandbox Mode with eight levels for one or two players.

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

New Retail Releases: Kirby Battle Royale, Rocket League, Street Fighter V Arcade Edition, More

Posted on January 15, 2018 by John Scalzo

We’re three weeks into 2018, and it’s finally time for the first “New Retail Release” report of the year.

This week, Nintendo’s pink puffball will return with the launch of Kirby: Battle Royale for the 3DS. Up to four players can battle it out in ten different minigame-like scenarios, but those who prefer to go it alone can tackle the game’s Story Mode and challenge King Dedede in the Cake Royale Tournament.

Speaking of arena battles… Rocket League: Collector’s Edition will make its Switch debut this week. The package will include the original game as well as all content from three previously-released expansions (Supersonic Fury, Revenge of the Battle-Cars, and Choose Run).

Also available in stores this week are a pair of new PS4 games including Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (an updated version of Capcom’s fighting game) and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory (a side-story/sequel to 2015’s Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth).

That’s it for now, but we’ll be back soon with a close-up look at all of this week’s additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in 3DS, News, PS4, Switch | Tagged , , ,

2018 DICE Awards nominees announced and Horizon: Zero Dawn leads the way with ten

Posted on January 13, 2018 by John Scalzo

The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences has announced the nominees for this year’s DICE Awards, and Horizon: Zero Dawn leads the pack with ten.

The action-adventure game from Guerrilla will compete for “Game of the Year,” as well as… deep breath… “Adventure Game of the Year,” “Outstanding Achievement in Character” (for Aloy), “Outstanding Achievement in Game Design,” “Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction,” “Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition,” “Outstanding Achievement in Story,” “Outstanding Technical Achievement,” “Outstanding Achievement in Animation,” and “Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction.”

Whew.

Other games nominated for “Game of the Year” include Studio MDHR’s Cuphead, PUBG Corporation’s PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, and Nintendo’s Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

The 2018 DICE Awards will be handed out in a ceremony at the conclusion of this year’s DICE Summit on February 22. A complete list of this year’s nominees can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged , , , ,

Super Meat Boy, The Escapists 2, Art of Fighting 2, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

While I’m sure you’re still excited about this morning’s Nintendo Direct Mini, the consolemaker also added a handful of new titles to the Nintendo eShop today.

The ultra-hard platformer Super Meat Boy rushed ahead of the pack, and is now available for the Switch with a brand new splitscreen Race Mode. It’s joined by Mouldy Touf’s jailbreak simulator, The Escapists 2, and a re-release of 1994’s Art of Fighting 2. Finally today, a playable demo of Dragon Quest Builders, Square Enix’s upcoming action RPG, is also available to download for the Switch.

You can learn more about all of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop (including a few 3DS and Wii U titles) after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch, Wii U | Tagged ,

Super Mario Odyssey will expand this February with Luigi’s Balloon World

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Super Mario Odyssey took everyone’s favorite plumber around the world when it launched for the Switch this past October. But Luigi will finally get to join the fun in February as part of the free Luigi’s Balloon World expansion:

A new mini-game called Balloon World is coming to one of the highest-rated games of all time. Once players download the free update and complete the main story, Balloon World will become available. In “Hide It” mode, players have a certain amount of time to hide a balloon. In “Find It” mode, players have the same amount of time to locate balloons hidden by other players from around the world. Players can move up the rankings by finding hidden balloons and becoming expert hiders.

Nintendo also announced that the update will include a trio of new costumes (Sunshine Shades and Outfit, Musician Hat and Outfit, and Knight Helmet and Armor) and new filters for Snapshot Mode.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy will be released for the Switch this Summer

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

NIS America is inviting the leading ladies from SNK’s stable of fighting games to the Switch for SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy. This two-on-two fighting game will feature a Character Customization mode and “Dream Finishes” for each character:

Play as iconic heroines from SNK’s history in a new, two-on-two tag-team fighting game. Players can activate a variety of Special Moves with the press of a button, and make use of special items to turn the tide of battle. One of the competitors will be Yuri Sakazaki from Art of Fighting 2.

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy will be released for the Switch this Summer.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Kirby’s Switch debut will be known as Kirby Star Allies

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Nintendo first teased Kirby’s Switch debut during last year’s E3 Expo, but now we’ve learned that it’s a co-op side-scroller with tons of new Copy Abilities known as Kirby Star Allies:

Kirby’s debut on Nintendo Switch is a grand new adventure packed with content. The new Artist ability lets Kirby unleash his creativity, while the new Spider ability lets him ensnare enemies in webs. Kirby also can hurl new friend hearts at enemies to win them over with love and add them to his party. Plus, up to four friends can team up and combine Kirby’s unique abilities with ally abilities for powerful new Friend Abilities.

Kirby Star Allies will be released for the Switch on March 16.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged