New Releases: Borderlands 2 Vita, Minecraft: PS3 Edition

minecraft-header

The remainder of May will be a treasure trove of great new releases, but first we have to get through one of the slowest weeks for new releases in a long time. Especially when you realize that neither one of these games is new.

The slimmer and lighter PlayStation Vita was shipped to stores last week as part of the Borderlands 2 Vita Bundle, but if you want to play Gearbox’s shooter on the go and you already own a Vita, perhaps you’ll be interested in the standalone version of Borderlands 2 for the Vita.

And over on the PS3, the retail release of Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition will be available this week. The game has been available as a downloadable title through the PlayStation Store since the end of 2013, but if you want a disc, here’s your shot.

OK, that’s it. Be sure to check back later this week for a roundup of new releases on the digital storefronts.

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged ,

Nintendo apologizes for lack of same-sex relationship option in Tomodachi Life

tomodachilife-boxNintendo got into some trouble with the gaming community this week when it was revealed that Tomodachi Life, their upcoming life simulator, doesn’t include an option for same-sex relationships. After fans tried to organize a protest campaign, Nintendo told the Associated Press that Tomodachi Life wasn’t designed as “social commentary” and that the game “[represents] a playful alternate world rather than a real-life simulation.”

Late last night, Nintendo formally apologized and admitted that the game’s code can’t be changed with a post-release patch to allow same-sex relationships. The company has also pledged that any future Tomodachi Life game will be designed from the ground up to be more inclusive. Nintendo’s full statement can be seen here:

We apologize for disappointing many people by failing to include same-sex relationships in Tomodachi Life. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to change this game’s design, and such a significant development change can’t be accomplished with a post-ship patch. At Nintendo, dedication has always meant going beyond the games to promote a sense of community, and to share a spirit of fun and joy. We are committed to advancing our longtime company values of fun and entertainment for everyone. We pledge that if we create a next installment in the Tomodachi series, we will strive to design a game-play experience from the ground up that is more inclusive, and better represents all players.

Tomodachi Life will be released for the 3DS on June 6.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Here’s Why Nintendo Should Get Into the Movie Business

nintendomovies-header

Nintendo is doomed! Doooooooommmmmmmed!

What? No. This is not going to be that kind of editorial. Per their latest financial report, Nintendo is sitting on a warchest of $10,997,600,854. Even though the company posted a major operating loss in their most recent financial quarter, they could still keep the lights on for 24 years just by dipping into their piggy bank. And while they might be conservative, they’re not as conservative as people like to think. Nintendo’s video game business was just an offshoot of their attempt to manufacture toys in the late 70s, which came after they tried operating a taxi service and running a hotel.

Press Start to Continue

Posted in 3DS, Opinions, Top Story, Wii U |

Daily Scoop: May 9, 2014 – Weekend at last!

Well hello there, weekend! There’s so much going on the next few days that I doubt I’ll be able to play any video games. But I’ve been smuggling my 3DS everywhere lately to try to wrap up Phoenix Wright: And Justice for All, so maybe I’ll finish that while heading to Mother’s Day brunch!

There are just a handful of deals today – over at Steam, the Weekend Deal is 75% off Dragon Age: Origins, marking it down to $4.99. The Daily Deal is Darksiders II, which is on sale for $7.49.

Meanwhile, at the Humble Store, they’ve got Metro: Last Light – Complete Edition for $7.99, Orcs Must Die! 2 – Complete for $6.24, and DLC Quest, among many other sales. Those are some great deals!

And now, lots of t-shirts!

Press Start to Continue

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Wolfenstein: The New Order will take 20 hours to complete and include an “alternate timeline”

wolfensteintheneworder-header

Jens Matthies, the Creative Director of Wolfenstein: The New Order at MachineGames, opened himself up to the world this morning as part of an Ask Me Anything on Reddit. The developer refused to answer multiple questions asking if Mecha Hitler will be part of the game, but he did have several very interesting things to say.

On the subject of the campaign’s length, Matthies said that the game is about 20 hours long “if you collect everything and explore everywhere.” But the developer also revealed that the “vibe of the story” can go in radically different directions depending upon a choice the player is forced to make early in the game. Matthies didn’t want to spoil it, but if you’re interested in knowing, please highlight the black bars below:

During the 1946 prologue, B.J. Blazkowicz and his squad (Scottish commanding officer Fergus and a young private named Wyatt) are captured by General Deathshead. Offering a devil’s bargain, The General tells Blazkowicz that he must choose whether Fergus or Wyatt will die, which will allow the other to live. Attempting to defy Deathshead results in the execution of both prisoners while Blazkowicz is brutally beaten to death (which you experience through a first person view). As Blazkowicz, you MUST choose which character is murdered by Deathshead. It’s an absolutely horrifying moment in game that is already pretty horriffic.

Matthies said that the team considers each playthrough from this moment as an “alternate timeline” but it does more than just change the closing cinematic. In addition to the “vibe,” it “affects the tone of the whole game a little bit” and “alters the gameplay somewhat.” Of course, if Wolfenstein: The New Order does well, Matthies and his team will have to choose one ending as the official one as he also said, “We would love to do a sequel and we have lots of ideas.

Ideas like… Mecha Hitler? Wolfenstein: The New Order will released for the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on May 20.

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

The Walking Dead Season 2: Episode 3 will be available next week

Thanks to the trailer embedded above, Telltale Games has announced the third episode of The Walking Dead Season 2, “In Harm’s Way,” will be available to download next week…

  • Tuesday, May 13: PC (Steam, Telltale Store, Other Download Platforms) and PS3 (US Only)
  • Wednesday, May 14: PS3 (Europe Only), Xbox 360
  • Thursday, May 15: iOS App Store

As with previous episodes in the series, “In Harm’s Way” will be available download individually for $4.99 or as part of the $19.99 Season Pass. According to Telltale, release dates for “In Harm’s Way” on additional platforms (including the Vita) will be announced at a later date.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

XBL Store Today: Nutjitsu, Bound By Flame

Ninja squirrels! Yes, ninja squirrels, star in today’s Xbox Live Game Store update. My dog will be so mad…

Those ninja squirrels are the stars of Nutjitsu, Ninjabee’s overhead nut-stealing game that was originally released for the PC last year. The game, which is the second ID@Xbox release on the Xbox One, will outfit the squirrels with “smoke bombs, ninja speed, shadow clones, freeze bombs, and flame cloaks” in their quest to steal nuts from foxes. Oh yeah, my dog will be very mad to hear that.

Over on the Xbox 360, Spiders has brought their action RPG, Bound By Flame, to the Games on Demand service. Who doesn’t love wizards that can control fire?

In case you’re unfamiliar with Nutjitsu or Bound By Flame, more information on both games is available after the break.

Press Start to Continue

Posted in News, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged ,

EA and ESPN launch a scaled-down Madden NFL 15 Cover Vote

maddennfl15covervoteAfter last year’s mammoth 64-man bracket in honor of Madden’s 25th anniversary, EA Sports and ESPN are scaling down this year’s Cover Vote for Madden NFL 15. Just 16 names, including some of the NFL’s youngest stars, are battling it out for the right to be cursed crowned as the game’s cover athlete.

Voting will once again take place at ESPN.com/maddenvote with a new round beginning every Thursday. The winner will be announced on Friday, June 6 during the 6:00 PM (Eastern) edition of SportsCenter. Richard Sherman, the outspoken face of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and Cam Newton, Carolina’s Pro Bowl quarterback, are the number one seeds. Here’s a complete look at the Madden NFL 15 Cover Vote matchups:

Left Bracket
(1) Richard Sherman (CB, Seattle Seahawks)
(8) Alshon Jeffery (WR, Chicago Bears)

(4) Jimmy Graham (TE, New Orleans Saints)
(5) Eddie Lacy (RB, Green Bay Packers)

(3) Demaryius Thomas (WR, Denver Broncos)
(6) Luke Kuechly (LB, Carolina Panthers)

(2) Colin Kaepernick (QB, San Francisco 49ers)
(7) Nick Foles (QB, Philadelphia Eagles)

Right Bracket
(1) Cam Newton (QB, Carolina Panthers)
(8) Antonio Brown (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers)

(4) Jamaal Charles (RB, Kansas City Chiefs)
(5) A.J. Green (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)

(3) LeSean McCoy (RB, Philadelphia Eagles)
(6) T.Y. Hilton (WR, Indianapolis Colts)

(2) Andrew Luck (QB, Indianapolis Colts)
(7) Alfred Morris (RB, Washington Redskins)

Madden NFL 15 will be released for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One on August 26.

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