Oculus launches standalone VR headset that doesn’t require a PC or wires for $200

Posted on May 1, 2018 by John Scalzo

The Oculus Rift’s hefty price tag caused more than a few gamers to pass on the virtual reality headset, but it looks the company’s newest offering is going after those budget-conscious players in a big way. Offering a standalone (and wireless) VR experience for as low as $199, the Oculus Go headset was unveiled today at the F8 conference, and on Oculus’s official website:

Our first standalone VR headset, Oculus Go is the easiest way to jump into VR. With a 538ppi 2560 x 1440 WQHD, fast-switch LCD display, we’re able to offer the best optics of any VR system we’ve built at our most affordable price point yet. Starting at $199 USD for 32 GB of storage (or $249 USD for the 64 GB model), Oculus Go was designed with comfort in mind.

Built-in spatial audio and an integrated microphone allow for maximum immersion straight out of the box, while headset weight, support straps, and the facial interface have all been optimized for the best fit and feel possible. And with no need to drop in a phone or power up a PC, it’s never been easier to share VR with friends.

Oculus Go will be cross-compatible with more than 1,000 Gear VR apps, so early adopters will have plenty of options on the Oculus Store. More than 100 Go-exclusive games and apps will also be available to download through the headset’s digital storefront.

A trailer for the Oculus Go has been embedded above.

Posted in Mobile, News |

Nicalis and Treasure will bring Ikaruga to the Switch on May 29

Posted on May 1, 2018 by John Scalzo

Way back in 2003, Treasure’s Ikaruga redefined the vertically-scrolling shooter with a strategic style that required players to quickly switch the polarity of their ship to survive (and ultimately, fight back against) an unending wave of enemy gunfire. And now, a decade-and-a-half later, it’s coming to the Switch.

Nicalis has announced (via their official website) that Ikaruga will make its Switch debut with a Nintendo eShop release on May 29. The frantic arcade action will remain intact, and Switch owners will even be able to tilt their screen and play the game vertically (AKA TATE Mode) when in Tabletop Mode:

Playing as the rebel freedom fighter Shinra, pilot of the advanced Ikaruga aircraft, you must defeat the relentless forces of a conquering nation not only by dodging and shooting, but also by switching between two polarities—black or white—to absorb enemy bullets of matching color. The ability to switch polarities at the press of a button adds a tactical, puzzle-like element to the action, and as you absorb bullets you’ll power-up your ship’s homing laser to dish out up to 10 times more punishment. Additionally, blasting enemies of opposite polarity allows you to inflict double damage on your foes. But beware: One hit from an opposite-polarity bullet will mean the destruction of your ship.

Ikaruga will be priced at $14.99 on the Nintendo eShop and the first trailer has been embedded above.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Capcom partners with iam8bit to re-release Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X cartridges

Posted on May 1, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like Capcom has a few more “Mega” surprises for 2018…

The publisher announced today that they’re teaming up with iam8bit to release 30th Anniversary Classic Cartridges for Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X. Each cartridge will be fully playable on the NES (MM2) or Super NES (MMX), and each will be limited to a very small print run of just 8,500 cartridges.

Both 30th Anniversary Classic Cartridges will be produced in two distinct colors… Opaque Light Blue (limited to 7,500) and Glow-In-The-Dark Blue (limited to 1,000) for Mega Man 2… and Opaque White (limited to 7,500) and Glow-In-The-Dark Blue (limited to 1,000) for Mega Man X. To make it more fun, iam8bit has said collectors won’t know which color they’re getting until they open the box. The games will also come packaged in a foldout box with “Foil, Gloss, and Embossments,” and include a Premium Instruction Booklet, and other “Retro Pack-In Surprises.”

The 30th Anniversary Classic Cartridges for Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X are now available to order from iam8bit (for $100 apiece), and shipping is expected to begin in late September.

Posted in News, Retro | Tagged ,

Dark Souls Remastered Network Test coming to PS4, Xbox One on May 11-13

Posted on May 1, 2018 by John Scalzo

Bandai Namco has announced plans to host a Network Test for Dark Souls Remastered later this month on the PS4 and Xbox One.

If you want to get involved, you’ll need to download the Network Test client beforehand, and it’ll be available as a free download through the PlayStation Store and Xbox Games Store beginning on Wednesday, May 2, at 3:00 AM (Eastern Time). PS4 and Xbox One owners will have until the following Wednesday, May 9, to grab the client, but after that, “no new participants will be accepted.”

The Network Test itself will begin on Friday, May 11 (at 9:00 PM Eastern Time), and continue until the early morning hours of Sunday, May 13 (the servers will go offline at 3:00 AM Eastern Time, to be exact). According to the publisher, the test will take place within the game’s “Undead Parish” location and players will be asked to summon co-op partners or invade the games of other players.

Dark Souls Remastered will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 25. Switch owners will get the chance to purchase Dark Souls Remastered later this Summer, and Bandai Namco is planning a second Network Test before the game’s launch on Nintendo’s newest console.

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

Free 2018 World Cup Update coming to FIFA 18 on May 29

Posted on April 30, 2018 by John Scalzo

EA Sports is bringing the World Cup to FIFA 18 owners next month, as they’ve announced plans to release a 2018 World Cup Update for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch on May 29.

The free update will include all 32 teams from this year’s World Cup in Russia, as well as the ability to redo the tournament draw with national teams that didn’t qualify for the Group Stage (including the USA and Italy):

The 2018 FIFA World Cup update will deliver a complete and official tournament experience through official FIFA World Cup elements, including authentic teams, stadiums, kits, badges, Official Match Ball, and the Official Winner’s Trophy.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia update lets players choose one of 32 qualified nations to live out their FIFA World Cup dream and write their own history from the group stage to the final in Moscow in Online Friendlies and Online Tournament modes. Dive into Custom Tournament mode to select any licensed national team in FIFA 18 to create a unique tournament draw with non-qualified nations, including Italy, Chile, USA, among others. Additionally, experience the authentic stadium atmospheres in a quick Kick-Off experience, either solo or with friends.

A new trailer for FIFA 18’s 2018 World Cup Update has been embedded above.

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

New Retail Releases: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Posted on April 30, 2018 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is bringing another Wii U re-release to the Switch in the very near future, and it’s set to be the lone new game available on retail shelves this week.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was originally released in 2014 by Retro Studios, and since then, Nintendo’s secretive American partner has been working on something that’s… wait for it… super-secret. We don’t know if we’ll learn more about their next game anytime soon, but we do know that Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze has been enhanced and expanded for its Switch debut this coming Friday, May 4:

Barrel-blast into a critically acclaimed Donkey Kong adventure as this beloved franchise makes its Nintendo Switch debut with a banana-bunch of new features. Traverse islands packed with platforming perfection and nonstop action as the classic Kongs in the original game, or mix things up by playing the story as Funky Kong in new Funky Mode!

Arctic invaders have turned Donkey Kong Island into their personal frozen fortress, and it’s up to you to save the day. Play as Donkey Kong in Original Mode and team up with Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong—each with unique abilities—to overcome platforming challenges and frosty foes.

For a more accessible experience, start a game in Funky Mode to enjoy a range of gameplay updates and a new main-character option, spectacular surfing simian Funky Kong! His extra hearts and unique abilities make for a more relaxed gaming experience. And no matter which mode you choose, a wealth of collectibles and two-player co-op round out the fun!

That’s all for now, but we’ll be back later this week with a look at all the new additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Agatha Knife, Korgan, DragoDino, more added to Xbox Store

Posted on April 27, 2018 by John Scalzo

A quartet of new Xbox One games are now available to download through the Xbox Games Store…

Agatha Knife is a “satirical adventure” about convincing animals to become dinner, Korgan is an “episodic dungeon-crawler,” DragoDino is a side-scrolling platformer about the titular creatures trying to get back a lost egg, and Ghost Pilots is a vertically-scrolling shooter that was originally released for the NeoGeo in 1991.

You can learn more about all of today’s additions to the Xbox Games Store after the break.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News, Xbox One |

Square Enix reveals Croft Steelbook Edition and Ultimate Edition for Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Posted on April 27, 2018 by John Scalzo

If you’re interested in obtaining some actual treasure with your copy of Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Square Enix has two additional purchasing options for you: the Croft Steelbook Edition ($89.99) and the Ultimate Edition ($199.99).

The Croft Steelbook Edition contains the base game, as well as the Season Pass, the Original Game Soundtrack, three Collectible Art Cards, three Outfit/Weapon Packs, and Steelbook packaging. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Croft Steelbook Edition, as well as a Climbing Axe Bottle Opener, a Replica Flashlight, and a Lara Croft “Terrifying Tombs” Statue.

Players who pre-order either edition will also receive Early Access to the game, and they can begin playing Shadow of the Tomb Raider two days early on September 12.

According to Square Enix, both the Croft Steelbook Edition and the Ultimate Edition of Shadow of the Tomb Raider will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One… sorry PC players.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged