Kirby’s Switch debut will be known as Kirby Star Allies

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Nintendo first teased Kirby’s Switch debut during last year’s E3 Expo, but now we’ve learned that it’s a co-op side-scroller with tons of new Copy Abilities known as Kirby Star Allies:

Kirby’s debut on Nintendo Switch is a grand new adventure packed with content. The new Artist ability lets Kirby unleash his creativity, while the new Spider ability lets him ensnare enemies in webs. Kirby also can hurl new friend hearts at enemies to win them over with love and add them to his party. Plus, up to four friends can team up and combine Kirby’s unique abilities with ally abilities for powerful new Friend Abilities.

Kirby Star Allies will be released for the Switch on March 16.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Nintendo serves up Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch this Spring

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Nintendo will serve up a new entry in the Mario Tennis franchise this Spring with the launch of Mario Tennis Aces. The Switch game will include more realistic tennis gameplay and (for the first time since 2005’s Mario Tennis: Power Tour) a Story Mode:

A new Mario Tennis game is bringing a new level of skill and competition to Nintendo Switch. Mario steps onto the court in classy tennis garb for intense rallies against a variety of characters in full-blown tennis battles. New wrinkles in tennis gameplay will challenge your ability to read an opponent’s position and stroke to determine which shot will give you the advantage. And this time the game adds the first story mode since the Mario Tennis game on Game Boy Advance, offering a new flavor of tennis gameplay, with a variety of missions and boss battles.

Nintendo has promised to reveal more information about Mario Tennis Aces soon.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

The World Ends With You will be remastered for the Switch this year

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Square Enix released The World Ends With You for the DS in 2008 to widespread critical acclaim, and fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. There still don’t seem to be plans for a followup, but the publisher has announced The World Ends With You: Final Remix will be coming to the Nintendo Switch:

This 2008 Nintendo DS game has been updated for Nintendo Switch with HD visuals and a new epilogue that sheds new light on the game’s story. Players can join rhythmic battles using either Joy-Con controllers or the Nintendo Switch touch screen.

The World Ends With You: Final Remix will be available for the Switch sometime this year.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition will be released for the Switch this Spring

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Hyrule Warriors was one of my favorite games on the Wii U, and it was later expanded with a ton of downloadable content, and then re-released on the 3DS with even more characters. Today, Nintendo confirmed that the complete Hyrule Warriors experience (“every map and mission, plus all 29 playable characters, along with all of the previous paid downloadable content”) will be released for the Switch this Spring:

A new, ultimate version of the exhilarating action game set in the Zelda universe will include every map and mission, plus all 29 playable characters from both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game, along with all of the previous paid downloadable content. Play as Link, Zelda, Midna, Skull Kid and dozens more in action-packed battles at home or on the go.

The Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition will also include improved graphics, a two-player splitscreen mode (even in Tabletop Mode), and new outfits for Link and Zelda from Breath of the Wild.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will surf onto the Switch in May

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze made a big splash on the Wii U in 2014, and Nintendo has announced that it’ll also make its way to the Switch this Spring. The side-scrolling platformer will add Funky Kong as a playable character in a new “beginner-friendly mode”:

Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Cranky Kong return for the franchise’s debut on Nintendo Switch. This title includes all the fun and challenge of the original game, plus a new beginner-friendly mode that lets players enjoy this critically acclaimed adventure as groovy surfing simian Funky Kong. Funky Kong can double jump, hover, perform infinite rolls and even perform infinite underwater corkscrews. Thanks to his sturdy surfboard, even spikes can’t slow him down.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will be released for the Switch on May 4.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Dark Souls Remastered will be released for the Switch on May 25

Posted on January 11, 2018 by John Scalzo

It looks like the rumors were true, and the newest Nintendo Direct presentation has just been unleashed upon the world. Though the video clocks in at just over 14 minutes, this “Nintendo Direct Mini” still features a treasure trove of new announcements for the Switch.

Nintendo, Bandai Namco, and From Software are teaming up to bring Dark Souls to the Nintendo Switch this Spring. The re-release will be known as Dark Souls Remastered, and it’ll include improved graphics, a higher framerate, and the Artorias of the Abyss expansion:

Dark Souls Remastered The first title in the genre-defining action role-playing franchise is coming to Nintendo Switch. Dark Souls Remastered includes the Artorias of the Abyss DLC, as well as improved framerate and resolution from the original Dark Souls game for an exhilarating return to Lordran. This marks the franchise’s debut on a Nintendo platform, and now for the first time ever, this revered (and challenging) game can be played on the go.

This is the first time a Dark Souls game will appear on a Nintendo platform, and Dark Souls Remastered will launch for the Switch on May 25.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Albert & Otto added to Xbox Store

Posted on January 10, 2018 by John Scalzo

Albert & Otto is the lone new addition to the Xbox Games Store today, but the Xbox One game certainly has a unique hook.

Albert & Otto is a puzzle-platformer that’s set in Nazi Germany. Partnering with a magical bunny named Otto, players will attempt to reunite Albert with his missing sister. Developer Nikola Kostic also had a bit to say about Albert & Otto in a recent post on the Xbox Wire blog. According to Kostic, the game’s distinctive black-and-white style was inspired by Schindler’s List and Tim Burton’s early animated shorts. Neat.

You can read more about Albert & Otto right here:

Now Available on Xbox Games Store – 1/10/18 [Major Nelson]

Albert & Otto
Traverse a haunting world set in 1939 Germany in search of a mysterious girl with rabbit ears. Utilize a little bunny in creative ways to solve puzzles. Levitate sheep, use them as torches or wolf bait and make your way through a land that seems to not fancy you being alive. In this first installment, “The Adventure Begins,” the player is thrown headfirst into a haunting world set in 1939 Germany in search of a mysterious girl with bunny ears. The player must use both Albert and Otto in creative ways to traverse a haunting world. Together, they unlock new skills such as a double jump, levitation, control of electrical currents, and more as the story unfolds.

Posted in News, Xbox One |

The Overwatch League’s inaugural season begins today

Posted on January 10, 2018 by John Scalzo

We’re just a few hours away from the very first match in the Overwatch League, the first esports league to be organized like a professional sports league.

The San Francisco Shock will take on the Los Angeles Valiant at 7:00 PM (Eastern Time) at the Blizzard Arena Los Angeles in Burbank, California. Ten other teams will compete in the inaugural season including the Boston Uprising, Dallas Fuel, Florida Mayhem, Houston Outlaws, London Spitfire, Los Angeles Gladiators, New York Excelsior, Philadelphia Fusion, San Francisco Shock, Seoul Dynasty, and Shanghai Dragons.

“The Overwatch League was created to deliver an awesome and unique experience for players, teams, and fans,” said Mike Morhaime, the CEO of Blizzard. “With 12 first-class teams representing major cities from Asia, Europe, and North America, we’re confident that the inaugural season of the league is going to redefine what people expect from esports… and be a giant celebration of the Overwatch community as a whole.”

Fans will be able to watch all Overwatch League matches on OverwatchLeague.com, Twitch, MLG.com, and the mobile apps associated with all three sites.

Overwatch players will also be able to support their favorite team when they play the shooter online. Team uniforms for all 12 Overwatch League teams are now available to purchase through the game’s online store for every character, though players will get the chance to download one uniform for free:

The Overwatch community also will have new ways to join in the fun around the league. Overwatch League team uniforms are now available to purchase as in-game skins, giving fans a fun way to show their support for their favorite teams. All players who log in between now and February 13, 2018, will receive enough League Tokens to obtain a team uniform of their choice free. Skins are available for all 12 teams, and all 26 Overwatch characters, with 50% of the revenue from every Overwatch League skin sold going toward a shared revenue pool for all league teams.

The Overwatch League’s inaugural season will run through June, with the Playoffs and Finals scheduled for July.

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