Daily Scoop: March 24, 2011 – Snow, snow, snow

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Nicole Kline

I may be wrong, but wasn’t spring supposed to start on Sunday? Then why is it snowing? I am not amused with this turn of events. This snow is making me want to be home, cuddling in bed, playing an RPG on the DS while eating a grilled cheese. Well, maybe not eating in bed. Wait, I’m an “adult” now – I’ll eat wherever I want!

Anyway, I don’t even know if it’s worth mentioning today’s Amazon Deal of the Day in video games, which is – again – EA’s Monopoly Streets for the PlayStation 3. Today it’s $19.99, as opposed to yesterday’s $35.39. Strange indeed.

Well at least there’s an awesome t-shirt! Today’s shirt.w00t depicts what it was like on a Bowser-operated construction site:

Do want.

Posted in Daily Scoop |

Final Fantasy IV: Interlude is around 15 hours, maturity returns to original FFIV

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

The Super Nintendo. The PlayStation. The Game Boy Advance. The Nintendo DS. Going on its fifth platform, Square Enix is still giving you reasons to buy Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection. One such reason is Final Fantasy IV: Interlude, an all new game set to connect the original IV with its WiiWare sequel, The After Years. The PlayStation Blog revealed that this new connected story will be “weighing in at 15-odd hours of new gameplay.” I’d be happy if a downloadable game gave me 15 hours, so it’s excellent for this episode to be more like a full game.

Another feature may be of more note to RPG purists: the PSBlog portrays this version of the game as its “pure, uncensored form,” specifically denoting skimpy outfits and mature references. This is actually a big deal. For example, Final Fantasy VI directly translated is almost a completely different game than American players were used to, dealing with issues of prostitution, teen pregnancy, and suicide. No word if “Spoony Bard” will return (it did), but expect a nice package when FFIV: The Complete Collection releases for PSP on April 19.

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Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters arriving in 3D on June 7

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Ryan Reynolds’ latest film is generating a lot of excitement, but you can get your own taste of the Green Lantern, even in 3D if you wish, before the film comes out on June 17. Warner Bros. Interactive announced today that Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters will release in 3D for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo 3DS on June 7, along with a Wii version in standard 2D. This will be Warner Bros. first game for the Nintendo 3DS.

The PS3 and 360 version are actually kind of interesting – no expensive 3DTV is needed. The 3D effects are compatible with any standard or high definition television, all you have to do is wear the glasses that come with the game. With all this talk of 3D being the new direction for gaming, it’s great to see developers finding alternate, cheaper ways to deliver it to us.

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Resident Evil 4, Code Veronica X getting HD remakes

Posted on March 24, 2011 by John Scalzo

One day after revealing that high definition remakes of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica X are coming to Japan, Capcom has announced that the classic RE adventures will be available in North America as well.

The HD remakes will be released this Fall as downloadable games on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. Pricing details weren’t announced and it’s currently unknown if they’ll include any new features beyond the HD graphical overhaul. But if the standard definition-to-high definition comparison screenshots that Capcom has released are any indication, that overhaul will make the games look better than ever. Although I have to say, I don’t remember RE4 looking that ugly on my Wii (or any of the half dozen other platforms these games have appeared on).

Hit the jump for all five comparison screens.

Press Start to Continue →

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OK Go’s “White Knuckles” goes 3D on 3DS

Posted on March 24, 2011 by John Scalzo

How can anyone not like OK Go? When the band’s not making awesome music videos with treadmills and Rube Goldberg machines, they’re working to save cute little rescue puppies.

Sensing a kindred spirit in the “we love adorable doggies” department, Nintendo has announced that the first 3DS system update (which will be available when the handheld launches on March 27) will include a 3D version of the band’s “White Knuckles” video. According to Nintendo, the recommended update will also “enhance the communication features” of the 3DS.

“We shot the ‘White Knuckles’ video in 2D and 3D at the same time, but until now, there hasn’t been much opportunity for people to see the 3D version,” said Trish Sie, the video’s Grammy-winning director. “I’m fired up for people to watch the video again with Nintendo 3DS and experience it in a whole new way. This opens up all kinds of creative opportunities.”

You can watch the video in plain old 2D above.

Posted in 3DS, Etcetera, News |

Surprise! Duke Nukem Forever delayed again

Posted on March 24, 2011 by John Scalzo

Put away your ice skates for Hell isn’t frozen over yet. Duke Nukem Forever has been delayed again. I know, try to hold back your surprise. But don’t worry, instead of retreating to the wilds of release dates unknown, The Duke has only been delayed a month and will now land in stores on June 14 (internationally on June 10).

2K Games has tried to pass off the new release date as “The Shortest Delay in the History of Duke Nukem Forever” but Gearbox President Randy Pitchford feels your pain, as you can see in the special message from him above.

As an additional “we’re sorry,” 2K has revealed that the game’s official website DukeNukemForever.com, has relaunched with “Duke approved” content. In addition to screenshots, game info and the like, the site also contains “Duke’s Boobtube channel and The Duke Cave, featuring babe and alien surveillance.”

I guess that’s something.

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

Honky Tonk Man struts into WWE All-Stars as free download

Posted on March 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

The Honky Tonk Man, the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in the WWE’s history, will be added to the WWE All-Stars roster as a free DLC download in April.

And that’s not all. THQ has added a range of WWE All-Stars-inspired Avatar items to the Xbox Live Marketplace including Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania” outfit, Jake The Snake’s snake, The Ultimate Warrior’s facepaint and a whole lot more.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

See Kratos in action in latest Mortal Kombat trailer

Posted on March 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

NetherRealm Studios’ upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot has been analyzed and dissected from nearly every angle. But the game’s latest trailer has definitely found a new corner to examine: gameplay footage of Kratos.

Kratos appears to be a natural addition to the Mortal Kombat universe. The God of War wields the Blades of Chaos in such a brutal way that they should be renamed the Blades of Kaos. And check out the awesome quick time event combos towards the end of the video.

Kratos will be available only in the PS3 version of Mortal Kombat when it ships to stores on April 19.

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