Most Recent: Wii U

Download playable demos for upcoming Wii U “Nindies” all this week

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

nindiesathome-e32015While very few civilians get to attend the E3 Expo, Nintendo is doing their best to bring the big show to their fans.

In addition to the Super Mario Maker demo kiosks that will be available at Best Buy this week, Nintendo has also made demos of nine upcoming “Nindies” available to download through the Wii U eShop.

Here’s a complete rundown of all nine games, many of which qualified for our Best of PAX East 2015 list:

Extreme Exorcism
Publisher/Developer: Ripstone
Scheduled Launch: Summer 2015
In this paranormal Wii U platformer, every move players make comes back to haunt them. After each round players survive, a ghost will appear to mimic their every move from the round before. The longer a player survives, the more extreme the game becomes. The game offers 20 ghostbusting weapons, 50 challenges and co-op or deathmatch battles for up to four friends.

Forma.8
Publisher/Developer: Mixed Bag
Scheduled Launch: Fall 2015
In a distant future, the small exploration probe Forma.8 is stranded alone on the surface of an alien planet. Players must explore a huge open world to help the probe acquire 10 different power-ups and recover a powerful energy source deep under the surface. The game includes an area exclusive to the Wii U version.

Freedom Planet
Publisher/Developer: GalaxyTrail
Scheduled Launch: August 2015
Players fight their way across the celestial world of Avalice, where cats are green, motorcycles drive up walls and monster girls do most of the butt kicking. This cartoony, combat-based platform Wii U adventure pits a spunky dragonoid and her friends against an alien attack force.

Lovely Planet
Publisher/Developer: Tinybuild and QuickTequila
Scheduled Launch: December 2015
This first-person shooter gun ballet for Wii U is set in a cutesy abstract world. Players jump and shoot their way through five worlds full of treacherous enemies with your trusty semi-automatic. The game offers 100 levels to master and five worlds to discover, with multiple secrets hidden deep within each world.

Mutant Mudds Super Challenge
Publisher/Developer: Renegade Kid
Scheduled Launch: Summer 2015
This platformer picks up right where the original Mutant Mudds left off. The game, which is exclusive to the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, includes 40 new dimension-bending levels and epic boss fights designed for super players.

Rive
Publisher/Developer: Two Tribes
Scheduled Launch: November 2015
This metal-wrecking, robot-hacking Wii U shooter combines old-school gaming values in a new-school execution. With intense 360-degree shooting and platforming action, players learn to alter the behavior of their robotic enemies by collecting and uploading hacks.

Runbow
Publisher/Developer: 13AM Games
Scheduled Launch: Summer 2015
Up to nine players can join in the colorful chaos in this Nintendo eShop exclusive. The world transforms before players’ eyes with each swipe of color, so think fast to stay alive. Go head to head in Run, Arena and King of the Hill, or play as the ColorMaster and manipulate the environment on the Wii U GamePad controller. Players can take on challenges alone or with friends in Runbow’s Adventure Mode. The full game also features guest characters from other Nintendo eShop titles.

Soul Axiom
Publisher/Developer: Wales Interactive
Scheduled Launch: December 2015
Soul Axiom is a haunting cyber-thriller, combining elements of exploration and puzzle solving with a compelling storyline. In first-person, the player will explore more than 40 unique locations, using powers to interact with cryptic logic puzzles and making psychological decisions to unlock the secrets of your identity, your story, your mystery.

Typoman
Publisher/Developer: Headup Games and Brainseed Factory
Scheduled Launch: Summer 2015
Change Words, Change Worlds! Typoman is a two-dimensional puzzle platformer distinguished by a unique game world. Be the HERO and set out on the journey to become whole and gain the powers you need to defeat the giant evil demon that rules the world you are trapped in.

The demos are available to download now, but act fast, they’ll be pulled from the Wii U eShop on Monday, June 22 at 12:00 PM (Eastern Time). Wii U owners will also receive a 15% discount on the full version of any demo they download when its released later this year.

Trailers for all nine titles can be found after the break. (more…)

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Nintendo World Championships crowns a winner with four insane Super Mario Maker courses… see them here

Posted on June 15, 2015 by John Scalzo

Like the finale of The Wizard, the winner of the 2015 Nintendo World Championships was decided by the competitors going head-to-head in an unreleased Super Mario game. While Super Mario Bros. 3 shocked us all in 1989, the courses designed by staff members from the Nintendo Treehouse for John “John Numbers” Goldberg and Cosmo Wright in Super Mario Maker (it’s not just “Mario Maker” anymore) are just INSANE (note the bold and italics I used there).

Things start off slowly with a course based on World 1-1 from Super Mario Bros. But things quickly take a turn for the “What?” when Cosmo runs into a wall of Fire Sweepers. And it only gets crazier when the combination Blooper/Hammer Brother/Bob-Omb shows up.

You can watch their 40-minute battle in the video embedded above, which culminates in a race through a custom New Super Mario Bros. U course. John Numbers went into the final round with a 15-second advantage and put it to good use by utterly dominating the final round.

Congratulations to John Numbers and now we begin the agonizing three-month wait for Super Mario Maker’s September launch.

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Insert Quarter: Are the E3 Press Conferences a Waste of Time?

Posted on June 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

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Insert Quarter is our showcase for some of the best and most interesting writing about video games on the Internet.

The first E3 Press Conference for 2015 will begin in just a few minutes. Bethesda’s first-ever presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo is sure to be amazing with gameplay reveals for Doom 4, Fallout 4, Dishonored 2, and probably a bunch of other stuff. We’ve got a new player in the AAA space and that’s exciting. But will Bethesda’s Press Conference (and Microsoft’s… and Sony’s… and Nintendo’s… and Square Enix’s… and EA’s… and Ubisoft’s…) be a huge waste of time? In between all the glitz and the horrible jokes, won’t there be precious little time actually devoted to games?

At least, that’s what Vice’s Dan Maher believes. He remembers the horrible gaffes (middle-aged executives that have no idea how to talk to regular people), the horrible lies (what Sony promised the PS3 could do) and the horrible people (Jamie Kennedy, good god, Jamie Kennedy). He makes the case that all this pomp and circumstance is more at home during a graduation ceremony than the showcase event for a multi-billion dollar industry:

It shouldn’t be difficult. The last time I checked, video gaming was still a festival of colour and noise and excitement and dakkadakkadakka-pweeeeeee-kaboom. Chuck them up on a screen bigger than your house, crank up the volume to unbearable, bar the doors. Done. And yet, somehow, what we inevitably end up with leaves the audience feeling like stakeholders at the world’s most extravagant board meeting.

The full article is available for your perusal at Vice.

Posted in Insert Quarter, PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox One | Tagged

Earthbound Beginnings (AKA Earthbound Zero AKA Mother) coming to Wii U eShop today

Posted on June 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

Stop the presses! The 2015 E3 Expo hasn’t even begun yet and Nintendo has already planted their flag in the ground and declared victory! At 9:00 PM tonight (Eastern Time), Nintendo will add Earthbound Beginnings to the Virtual Console section of the Wii U eShop.

If the NES game is unfamiliar to you, you might have seen it referenced over the years as Earthbound Zero or possibly as Mother, the title it was given in Japan. The important takeaway is that the game, which was released in 1989, is the predecessor to Earthbound, a beloved RPG that was released for the Super NES in 1995.

Nintendo never wanted to wait 25 years to release Earthbound Beginnings in North America, but the slow pace of game localization threw a wrench into their plans. The consolemaker began developing a version of the game for an English-speaking audience and planned to release it in 1991. But the launch was scrapped after the translation work hit a snag, which would have pushed the release of Earthbound Beginnings (then known as “Earth Bound“) past the launch date of the Super NES. Determined fans eventually discovered a prototype version of “Earth Bound” and made it available on the Internet for NES emulators a few years ago.

This is probably also a good time to mention that Mother 3 (AKA Earthbound 2) was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2006… only in Japan. Perhaps Earthbound Beginnings is Nintendo’s way of priming the pump for another major Earthbound announcement this Tuesday. Lucas, Earthbound 2’s main character, was even added to Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U today.

So… that was fun… bring on the rest of E3!

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

Posted on June 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

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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Splatoon’s first Splatfest (Cats Versus Dogs) will take place on June 20

Posted on June 14, 2015 by John Scalzo

UPDATE: The first Splatfest will now take place on July 4.

This week is the E3 Expo, the busiest and most exciting seven days for the entire game industry. Nintendo wants that excitement to last a few extra days as the publisher has scheduled Splatoon‘s first U.S. Splatfest for this upcoming Saturday, June 20.

During a Splatfest, players will pledge allegiance to one of two sides. The first Splatfest pits people who love man’s best friend, the dog, versus those that side with a witch’s constant companion, the cat. You can make your selection now at the Splatfest kiosk in Splatoon’s Plaza. Your character will even receive a temporary t-shirt to help show your support. To promote this major event, Nintendo has created a music video starring Callie and Marie, the Squid Sisters. The hosts of Inkopolis TV bring the freshness by rocking out on top of an awesome-looking nighttime map that I hope is available in Splatoon soon.

The winning side will receive a pile of Super Sea Snails, items which can be given to Spyke to enhance or customize your gear. So don’t forget, the “Cats Versus Dogs” Splatfest begins on Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) and goes on for a full 24 hours, ending on Sunday, June 21 at 9:00 AM (also Eastern Time). Good luck to all.

And when choosing sides, remember, your cat would eat you the first chance it gets.

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Video Game Release Calendar Changelog: Pre-E3 2015 Edition

Posted on June 12, 2015 by John Scalzo

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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)

Posted on June 12, 2015 by John Scalzo

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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.

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