Nintendo slashes 3DS price to $170, announces 3DS Ambassadors program

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Scalzo

It’s no secret that the 3DS is not selling as well as Nintendo would like. That will all change on August 12 when the publisher plans to cut the price of their latest handheld to $169.99. That’s an astounding $80 price drop from its current price of $249.99.

The Big N has given tentative release dates (and final titles) to their biggest 3DS games of the Fall. Super Mario 3D Land will launch in November, Mario Kart 7 will follow in December and Kid Icarus: Uprising will land in stores “during the holiday season.”

So everyone thinking about buying a 3DS should wait two weeks, right? Not so fast. Nintendo has also announced the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program, a sort of “thank you” to everyone who bought a 3DS at the original price point. Nintendo plans to shower everyone who accesses the 3DS eShop before midnight on August 11 with 20 Virtual Console downloads… all for free.

And these games aren’t castoffs Nintendo couldn’t sell to Captain N, they’re bona fide classics in their own right. Want the full list, hit the jump.

Press Start to Continue →

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

First Duke Nukem Forever map pack announced

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John Scalzo

It may not have lived up to expectations (or perhaps it gave you EXACTLY what you expected), but 2K Games has announced the first DLC add-on pack for Duke Nukem Forever.

Duke will return to the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall in the “Hail to the Icons Parody Pack.” The pack will include three new modes and four new multiplayer maps. It’ll also be a free download for Duke Nukem First Access Club members. A price point for the rest of us mere mortals wasn’t revealed.

So just what will the “Hail to the Icons Parody Pack” contain? Hit the jump to find out.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in News | Tagged , , ,

Madden NFL 12 demo coming August 9

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John Scalzo

The NFL lockout is over and EA Sports is celebrating by releasing a few details on the Madden NFL 12 demo.

The demo will be available to download from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace on August 9. Players will be able to choose from the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers or the Chicago Bears. The demo will also include the ability to play a complete game with five minute quarters on multiple difficulty levels.

I know this demo is supposed to recreate last year’s NFC Championship, but the Bears? Really?

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

The Humble Indie Bundle is back for a third round

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Chris Urie

For all of you PC, Mac, and Linux gamers out there, the Humble Indie Bundle 3 is out, featuring five games and a “pay what you want” price tag. All the games are DRM free and you get to select what portion of your price goes to which charities. Your donations will be made to either the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which helps to protect civil rights in the digital age, or Child’s Play, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in hospitals. It would also be nice of you to throw a bone to Humble Bundle, Inc.

For whatever price you like, you will receive:

  • Crayon Physics Deluxe
  • Cogs
  • VVVVVV
  • Hammerfight
  • And Yet It Moves

Each game looks unique and fantastic in its own right. Come on, one game has a steampunk helicopter, while another has the whole world revolving around you. Who wouldn’t want that?

For more information on the Humble Indie Bundle 3, head to their homepage at HumbleBundle.com.

You can also find out more about the charities at EFF.org (The Electronic Frontier Foundation) and ChildsPlayCharity.org (Child’s Play).

Posted in News, PC |

Ms. Splosion Man Review: Shoes, Meat and The Macarena

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Adam Woolcott

Though I have a soft spot for The Maw, Twisted Pixel rose to fame with 2009’s Splosion Man. Splosion Man is an… unusual platformer that merged a simple gameplay concept (blowing yourself up, over and over) with intense challenges (navigating brutal stretches that are almost rhythm-based in design). Two years later, the Splosion Man franchise returns with Ms. Splosion Man – a game that builds up the original game in some very good ways. In fact, it’s easily stated that MSM is even crazier than the first game, in almost every way. With lengthy single and multiplayer options and tons of unlockables, Ms. Splosion Man also ranks as one of the deepest games on Xbox Live Arcade, making it a great buy for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Just keep in mind that the game demands much from everyone… from start to finish.

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Daily Scoop: July 27, 2011 – Hump day!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Wow, what a Gold Box Event that was yesterday! Usually, they seem pretty bland, but yesterday’s had some decent games. Well played, Amazon!

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Nintendo’s Metroid: Other M for the Wii. The latest in Samus’ saga is $19.99. According to the Amazon product page, “Metroid fans know more about Samus’ suits and weapons than they do about what drives her; that’s about to change, the story begins immediately following the events of Super Metroid, when a baby Metroid gave its life to protect Samus, with voice acting and a rich story, you will learn the engaging back-story of Samus as she weaves through an action-packed adventure aboard the Bottle Ship, a decommissioned space facility; as she hurtles into this new adventure, Samus will encounter her first men.” That’s… wow. Yeah.

Amazon’s got a buy one, get one free sale going on with 3DS games, including Rayman 3D and Riiiiiiidge Racer 3D. They’ve also got a buy one, get one 40% off sale as well, including titles like Fallout: New Vegas, Vanquish, and Mass Effect.

No video game t-shirts, but “You Shall Not Pass Go” over at Busted Tees made me chuckle:

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Our cries have been answered in Final Fantasy XIII-2

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Chris Urie


It seems that Square Enix has heard our gripes about Final Fantasy XIII and wants to change our minds with the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII-2. According to the developers, come this January, you will see an open world that is begging to be explored as well as a host of mini-games.

“This new game is more player-driven, as opposed to story-driven, so that you can explore different locations and fields to get information and explore towns and other types of locations, as well. So we are very determined to rectify all of the problems, and we think we have,” Motomu Toriyama told Gamasutra.

The new battle system introduced in FFXIII will also receive a buffing. “Because this is the sequel to XIII, we took the basic concept of the Paradigm Shift, for example. The basic idea is the same; but we actually refined it and added new elements to it to make it even better.”

Next time you think that those big, imposing developers aren’t listening to you, remember Square Enix. Hopefully, they didn’t rely on the fans too much and cancel the game entirely. I’m looking at you, Capcom.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Get a first look at NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John Scalzo

The NBA Jam: On Fire Edition will be available to download from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Arcade this October. Sporting a much more wallet-friendly price of $14.99/1200 Microsoft Points, you can check out all the upgrades and additions EA is packing into the game in the trailer above. They include…

  • Team Fire
  • All New Razzle Dazzle
  • Tag Mode
  • Online Co-Op Campaign
  • All New legends
  • Roster Updates
  • Real AI

Oh yeah, This new edition of NBA Jam is going to be en fuego.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged