Most Recent: Switch

Sega’s future plans include a focus on PC development and “revival of major IPs”

Posted on May 16, 2017 by John Scalzo

Sega fans have been on a wild roller coaster ride since the company’s early 90s heyday. Every time Sega hits it out of the park, they seem to crash back down to Earth in short order. But the publisher has started to turn things around lately, especially after their merger with Atlus.

Fresh off the launch of Persona 5, Sega has issued a “Road to 2020” report as part of a presentation to investors. In addition to disclosing financial details, the report talks about short-term goals (such as “aim for big hits”), as well as longer-term plans on how to keep this recent bit of momentum going.

The first part of Sega’s plan involves expanding their reach on the PC by developing more titles based on existing properties and obtaining new properties in deals with outside developers. The publisher has already begun to follow through with this promise by re-launching Bayonetta and Vanquish through Steam.

But Sega also wants to bring back some of their classic game franchises and are planning a “Revival of major IPs” in the future. The report didn’t delve into which properties Sega is looking to revive, but the company’s back catalog offers a nearly unrivaled selection of characters to choose from. Personally, I’d love to see another chapter in the House of the Dead saga.

Hopefully, we’ll learn more about Sega’s plans for the future soon.

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

WB Games will release Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 on November 14

Posted on May 15, 2017 by John Scalzo

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 was first teased more than six months ago as one of the struck titles from the SAG-AFTRA voice actor’s strike (which has still not been resolved, by the way), but a new announcement from WB Games has confirmed the game will be out this Fall.

Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 will be developed by TT Games, and feature a dimension-hopping story that’ll bring together a huge number of Marvel characters:

Players will go head-to-head with the time-traveling Kang the Conqueror in an epic battle across Chronopolis, from Ancient Egypt and The Old West to Sakaar and New York City in 2099. Along the way, gamers will be able to take control of a host of iconic characters, from Cowboy Captain America from the past to Spider-Man 2099 from the future along with Thor, Hulk, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Green Goblin, and dozens of other Marvel Super Heroes and Super Villains.

“With a completely original branching storyline, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 introduces amazing new gameplay features, including the ability for characters to manipulate time and a four-player competitive Super Hero battling mode,” said Tom Stone, the Managing Director at TT Games. “With a huge array of brand new characters from the Marvel Universe, including old favorites in new guises, this game is sure to thrill both Lego and Marvel fans, as well as newcomers to the series.”

WB Games will release Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on November 14. The game is also in development for the Switch, and it’ll be released for Nintendo’s console sometime this Fall. An official launch date for Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 on the Switch will be announced at a later time.

Finally, you can find the first teaser trailer for Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 after the break. And WB Games plans to unveil the “Full-Length Trailer” on May 23. (more…)

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

Nintendo Download: Minecraft Switch Edition, Garou Mark of the Wolves, Elliot Quest

Posted on May 11, 2017 by John Scalzo

Three new games are now available to download through the Nintendo eShop, but we start with the biggest game on the planet right now… Minecraft.

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition brings the popular open world game to Nintendo’s newest console, and players will be able to join up with three other friends for local multiplayer, while up to eight can venture forth together online. The Nintendo Switch Edition of Minecraft also includes the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, so everyone can transform the game’s blocky terrain into a mirror of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Beginning today, Switch owners will also get the chance to download SNK’s Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Originally released for the NeoGeo in 1999, Garou: Mark of the Wolves is a one-on-one fighting game, and the last game to date in the Fatal Fury series.

Finally this week, Elliot Quest was added to the 3DS side of the eShop. Developer PlayEveryWare created an 8-bit adventure that was inspired by Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Mega Man II, and players will battle through five dungeons to cure Elliot of his curse.

You can learn more about all of these games after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Switch | Tagged

Nintendo’s E3 2017 presentation will focus on Super Mario Odyssey and other Switch games coming this year

Posted on May 11, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has announced that they’re kicking off their E3 2017 activities with a special “Nintendo Spotlight: E3 2017” presentation on Tuesday, June 13. “Nintendo Spotlight: E3 2017” will deliver new information about Super Mario Odyssey, as well as other Switch games scheduled to launch this year. The presentation begins at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time), and fans can watch it via e3.Nintendo.com. As in years past, Nintendo will follow their consumer-focused Press Conference with a series of “Nintendo Treehouse: Live at E3” segments all throughout the week.

Nintendo’s E3 portal will also feature livestreamed coverage of the first tournaments for Arms and Splatoon 2 at this year’s Expo:

Nintendo will also host game tournaments that will be livestreamed from the E3 show floor. The 2017 Splatoon 2 World Inkling Invitational splats onto the scene on June 13 and features Splatoon 2 for Nintendo Switch. Composed of four pre-qualified squid squads from the U.S., Japan, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, the tournament will find teams participating in the first-ever international Splatoon 2 competition. The second tournament, the 2017 Arms Open Invitational, takes place on June 14 and will feature Nintendo’s upcoming Arms fighting game for Nintendo Switch.

Finally, E3 attendees will get the chance to try out Super Mario Odyssey for the first time, along with other games coming to the Switch and 3DS this year.

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

Deus Ex composer is working on Retro Studios’s next game

Posted on May 9, 2017 by John Scalzo

When Nintendo unveiled the Switch in January, they shared the stage with most of their development partners to give fans a glimpse at what was coming soon to their then-unreleased console. But one notable name missing from that party was Retro Studios, the creators of the Metroid Prime trilogy.

It’s been more than three years since Retro launched Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze in 2014. In all that time, they’ve been completely silent about their next project, but fans received an interesting clue about the developer’s future last week. Posting on Facebook, composer Alexander Brandon revealed that he’s joined forces with Retro to help shape their next game:

I’m currently working with Retro Studios here in Austin. As much as I’d like to say more (except the work is incredibly exciting and the team is awesome), I can’t.

Brandon is best known as the composer of Deus Ex, but he’s also created music for Unreal Tournament, Thief: Deadly Shadows, and Torment: Tides of Numenera. Some fans might be tempted to say that the composer’s expertise in scoring so many fantastical games makes him the perfect candidate to work on a new entry in the Metroid Prime series, but that might be jumping the gun a bit.

Either way, Retro Studios is clearly working on something, and hopefully we’ll find out what it is soon.

Posted in News, Switch |

NBA 2K18 Legend Edition will feature Shaquille O’Neal

Posted on May 8, 2017 by John Scalzo

Shaquille O’Neal will crash NBA 2K’s “Legend Edition” fraternity this Fall, joining previous honorees Michael Jordan (NBA 2K16) and Kobe Bryant (NBA 2K17). Scottie Pippen continues to wonder when it’ll be his time to shine.

“Shaq” was a larger-than-life player for the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers, but O’Neal’s post-basketball life has seen him transform into an even bigger pitchman and NBA commentator. Naturally, 2K Games is creating a Legend Edition and a Gold Legend Edition for NBA 2K18 that befits his stature.

Set to launch on September 15, the Legend Edition ($99.99) will include a limited-edition poster, five Panini trading cards, exclusive stickers, and a variety of in-game content. The Gold Legend Edition ($149.99) will add five more trading cards, a lenticular poster, and more in-game content.

2K Games will release the Legend Edition and the Gold Legend Edition for the PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The Legend Edition will be available at a wide array of retailers, but fans will need to visit their local GameStop if they’re interested in purchasing the Gold Legend Edition.

“I want to thank NBA 2K for their continuous support of my basketball and broadcast career,” O’Neal said. “I’m excited to be on the cover of the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and I hope my fans have a blast playing it up big man style and re-creating my most legendary in-game moments!”

The Standard Edition of NBA 2K18 will be available for the PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on September 19. A closer look at the contents from the Legend Edition and the Gold Legend Edition can be seen after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Thumper will be released for the Nintendo Switch on May 18

Posted on May 5, 2017 by John Scalzo

Drool has announced that Thumper, their “rhythm violence” game, will be released for the Nintendo Switch on May 18. However, the developer has decided to update their two-word pitch for Thumper’s Switch debut to “Rumble Violence” in honor of the console’s HD Rumble feature:

Thumper originally launched last October for the PC and PS4 (with PlayStation VR support), and it’s also currently in development for the Xbox One.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Nintendo Download: NBA Playgrounds, Bonk’s Revenge, more

Posted on May 4, 2017 by John Scalzo

The classic arcade-style hoops of NBA Jam returns to the Nintendo eShop this week with NBA Playgrounds. Developed by Saber Interactive, NBA Playgrounds will be available to download this coming Tuesday, May 9. The Switch game will include dozens of NBA superstars, and offer “high-flying” two-on-two contests.

Also available as part of this week’s Nintendo Download, and available to purchase today, is Bonk’s Revenge on the Wii U. The side-scroller was originally released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1991, and players will once again get the chance to headbutt their way through a prehistoric jungle.

Nintendo fans can learn more about both games (and the rest of this week’s new additions to the Nintendo eShop) after the break. (more…)

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