Most Recent: Switch

New Retail Releases: Ever Oasis, Runbow Pocket, Dead By Daylight, More

Posted on June 18, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is back at the top of the New Retail Release report this week with another new game for their handheld, as well as a handful of new third party titles for their surging pair of systems.

Ever Oasis is a brand new action RPG from Koichi Ishii, the creator of the Mana series. Players will need to venture out into the desert and protect (and rebuild) the last safe oasis in the world. If you own a New 3DS, you’ll also be able to pick up 13AM’s Runbow Pocket: Deluxe Edition this week. The platform racer was originally released for the Wii U in 2015, and this new portable edition includes the base game and all the previously-released downloadable content.

Speaking of platformers, Nicalis will bring Cave Story+ to the Switch with upgraded high definition graphics, seven game modes, and 15 levels to explore.

Elsewhere in your local game store you’ll find Dead By Daylight, an asymmetrical horror simulator for the PS4 and Xbox One. One player will be able to take control of the Killer, while others will fight to live as Survivors. One… two… a copyright-adjacent boogeyman is coming for you…

A faster getaway would probably be available to the drivers in MXGP 3, the latest motorcycle racing game from Square Enix and Milestone. MXGP 3 will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One, and players will be able to race through the complete 2016 season.

And speaking of Square Enix, the Japanese publisher will expand their MMORPG this week with the launch of Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood for the PC and PS4. The expansion will include a variety of new content including new Raids, new Jobs, and an increased Level Cap.

Another Japanese publisher, NIS America, will also release a new RPG this week. God Wars: Future Past is coming to the PS4 and Vita, and its a tactical RPG that combies traditional Japanese folklore with a unique art style based on watercolor and wood carving art.

Finally this week, a Retail Edition of Cities: Skylines will be available for the Xbox One exclusively through GameStop.

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

So Did Anyone “Win” the 2017 E3 Expo?

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Andrew Rainnie

E3 2017 proved to be something of a musical affair, with every company trying to out-do the others in audio superiority. Microsoft had a mournful piano solo to accompany the reveal of Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Ubisoft had a drumline. EA also had a drumline. Sony kicked their Press Conference off with a bizarre melody of Indian music and light projections on a waterfall. And halfway through its show, an android introduced the trailer for Detroit: Become Human with the voice of an angel.

Usually, you can add the question, “who won E3,” to this aural bombardment. And just as often, it is a question without an answer. But what about this year? Let’s find out. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, Opinions, PC, PS4, Switch, Top Story, Xbox One | Tagged

The first downloadable character for Arms is Max Brass… and he’s coming next month

Posted on June 16, 2017 by John Scalzo

The Switch’s game library grew by one earlier today when Nintendo unleashed Arms on the gaming public. The springy-armed boxing game is absolutely brimming with style, and Nintendo plans to add even more characters to the game in the coming months.

On that note, Nintendo announced this week that the first addition to Arms’s roster of playable fighters will be Max Brass, an “all-around fighter” who is “basically the greatest champion in the history of the Arms Grand Prix.” Basically, you can think of Max Brass as the Michael Jordan of the Arms Grand Prix, especially since he serves as the final boss in the game’s single-player mode. Also, and I cannot stress this enough, his arms are made out of championship belts.

You can get a glimpse at Max Brass in action by fast-forwarding to 22:40 in the video embedded above.

Max Brass will be available to download in Arms (for free) as part of the July update. Nintendo is also hoping to add a Spectator Mode to the game as part of the first free update, which should be available sometime in the next weeks.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged ,

New Sonic Forces trailer introduces the villains

Posted on June 14, 2017 by John Scalzo

Each new Sonic Forces trailer is more serious than the last. And the trailer that Sega created for this year’s E3 Expo is no exception.

The trailer gives us our first glimpse at Infinite, the ultimate evil behind the post-apocalyptic world of Sonic Forces. And also say hello to the rest of the game’s villains in a dark and moody new video that reintroduces Dr. Eggman, Metal Sonic, Chaos, Shadow, and Zavok:

The Villains of Sonic Forces

  • Doctor Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik: The original Mad Genius Doctor, and Sonic’s nemesis. After countless failed attempts, his plan to take over the world seems to finally be succeeding.
  • Metal Sonic: One of the evil doctor’s most powerful creations, Metal Sonic first appeared in Sonic CD, and has returned at a few key moments since.
  • Chaos: An ancient power thought to have been quelled after the events of Sonic Adventure. His return is a mystery.
  • Shadow: Once called “The Ultimate Life Form,” Shadow fights for his own reasons. He appeared in Sonic Adventure 2.
  • Zavok: The leader of a group known as The Zeti, Zavok is a powerful warrior who was first seen in Sonic Lost World.

Sonic Forces will be released for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch this Fall.

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

Yoshi will explore a diorama world on the Switch in 2018

Posted on June 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Yoshi is putting away his yarn for his first adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Instead, Mario’s dinosaur pal will explore a world made up of papercraft monsters and cardboard dioramas. The new art style will also allow players to spin each stage and explore the “Flip Side” for more secrets.

Yoshi will be released for the Switch sometime in 2018.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged ,

Kirby will be released for the Nintendo Switch in 2018

Posted on June 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo announced another Kirby game at this year’s E3 Expo… and this one will be available for the Switch sometime in 2018.

This new Kirby adventure is a side-scroller that gives the pink puffball a pocketful of hearts to recruit up to three enemy characters. These companions can be CPU-controlled, or a friend with an extra Joy-Con can jump in to lend a helping hand. Kirby and his new friends can also combine their powers to cut a team-powered path of destruction through the world. The first trailer for Kirby is been embedded above.

Kirby is going to be quite busy this year and next. Kirby’s Blowout Blast will be available to download through the 3DS eShop this Summer, and an untitled multiplayer game for the 3DS will launch this Fall.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged ,

Nintendo reconfirms that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be available this Fall in E3 2017 trailer

Posted on June 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

While Nintendo has been busy touting Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey as the next great games for the Switch, it’s easy to forget the consolemaker is also hard at work on a new title in the massively popular Xenoblade franchise… Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is an RPG that follows a young boy named Rex and his companion, a living sword known as Pyra, as they search for the paradise of Elysium. You can get a glimpse of their adventure in the new E3 2017 trailer embedded above:

Explore an endless ocean of clouds, where the last remnants of civilization live on the backs of colossal beasts called Titans. Experience the story of Rex and his new friend, Pyra, a mysterious being known as a Blade who grants him tremendous power. Together, search for Pyra’s long lost home Elysium, the ultimate paradise for all of humanity.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 doesn’t have a confirmed launch date, but it’s currently scheduled to be released for the Switch sometime this Fall.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged ,

Super Mario Odyssey wows in its E3 2017 trailer

Posted on June 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Mario has been palling around with dinosaurs ever since Yoshi made his debut in Super Mario World. But the E3 2017 trailer for Super Mario Odyssey has just revealed that everyone’s favorite plumber is going to meet a real tyrannosaurus rex in his next adventure.

This new ability is made possible in Super Mario Odyssey thanks to Cappy, Mario’s latest sidekick. Mario can throw Cappy to collect coins or knock down enemies, but the magic hat can also capture enemies and allow Mario to ride everything from the aforementioned T. Rex to a mild-mannered businessman:

Players roam massive 3D kingdoms to collect Moons to power Mario’s airship, the Odyssey. The kingdoms around the globe are filled with secrets and surprises. Mario can don a variety of costumes and interact with his environment in many creative ways, such as by driving vehicles or exploring sections as Pixel Mario. Mario’s new partner, Cappy, gives him new moves like cap throw, cap jump and capture, which provide a fresh take on the classic Super Mario formula and define this new adventure. The game offers new locales like the skyscraper-packed New Donk City.

Super Mario Odyssey will be available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on October 27.

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