Scarecrow is frightening in the newest Injustice 2 trailer

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

In the various Batman comics and cartoons, The Scarecrow isn’t usually portrayed as an offensive powerhouse. Just look no further than the tasering he receives during the finale of Batman Begins. But NetherRealm Studios has different plans for the “Master of Fear,” which are on full display in the character’s “Introducing Scarecrow” trailer.

In Injustice 2, Scarecrow will become a hulking beast (in the eyes of his opponents) thanks to a dose from his Fear Toxin. And after his transformation, the character will deliver a stinging series of blows from his whip-like scythe. It’s going to take a lot more than a stun gun to drop this version of Dr. Jonathan Crane.

Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 16.

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A new version of Namco Museum is coming to the Nintendo Switch this Summer

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

People love to play classic arcade games on the go with their mobile device, but the touchscreen controls leave a lot to be desired. Thankfully, Bandai Namco and Nintendo are getting together this Summer to release a new version of Namco Museum on the Switch.

The compilation will feature arcade perfect recreations of ten titles including Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaga 88, Dig-Dug, The Tower of Druaga, SkyKid, Splatterhouse, Rolling Thunder, Rolling Thunder 2, and Tank Force. A series of Special Challenge Modes will also be included.

The first trailer for Namco Museum has been embedded above.

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Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition will include Super Mario Mash-Up Pack when it launches on May 11

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Even though its available for nearly a dozen other platforms, Minecraft fans are probably pretty excited about its upcoming launch on the Nintendo Switch. Yesterday, the consolemaker confirmed that Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition will be available to download through the Nintendo eShop on May 11.

Minecraft’s Nintendo Switch Edition will come bundled with the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack, which transports your Minecraft experience to the Mushroom Kingdom:

Super Mario Mash-Up Pack Features

  • 40 Super Mario‐Themed Skins! Including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach, as well as troublemakers like Bowser, Wario, and all seven Koopalings.
  • Super Mario World itself! Professional Minecraft builders have remade the likeness of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond, with Mario‐themed versions of the Overworld, The Nether, and The End for you to explore.
  • So Many Mario‐Inspired Surprises to Discover! from islands shaped like Warp Pipes to towering sculptures of Nintendo’s iconic characters. We’ve recreated villainous hideouts, too: like Bowser’s Castle, Bowser’s ship, and Boo’s House.
  • And More! Super Mario‐style textures, numerous Mario‐themed puzzles, dozens of character skins, and music from Super Mario 64 to enjoy.

Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition will also include local multiplayer for up to four players (in TV Mode and Handheld Mode), as well as online multiplayer for up to eight.

A retail release for Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition is also in the works, and it’ll be available at a later date.

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Get a quick glimpse at a side-scrolling stage from Sonic Forces right here

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Sonic the Hedgehog only got a few seconds to shine during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation, but Sega delivered by showcasing a side-scrolling stage from Sonic Forces during that time.

If you’re more of a fan of “Classic Sonic,” don’t worry, the publisher used the remainder of their time to show off a little more gameplay from the retro-styled Sonic Mania.

Sonic Forces will be released this Fall, while Sonic Mania will be available exclusively as a digital download this Summer. Both games are in development for the Nintendo Switch, as well as the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

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Splatoon 2 adds a wave-based Salmon Run mode when it launches on July 21

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

After last month’s Global Testfire, fans of the franchise were very curious if Splatoon 2 could live up to its status as a full-fledged sequel. Those fears were alleviated a tad during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation, which introduced a co-op mode known as Salmon Run.

In Salmon Run, four Inklings will team up to battle wave after wave of Salmonids, a species of walking fish that have overtaken an abandoned oil rig. Defeated Salmonids drop Power Eggs and Golden Eggs, which can be exchanged for “Fresh” new equipment in Splatoon 2.

Nintendo also unveiled a second series of Amiibo figures for Splatoon. The Splatoon 2 Series, which will unlock specialized gear and “remember” your favorite outfits, will include new figures for the Inkling Boy, Inkling Girl, and Inkling Squid.

The consolemaker also announced that new details about the single-player campaign will be revealed during a future Direct presentation.

Finally, Nintendo confirmed that Splatoon 2 will be released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on July 21. The new Amiibo figures will be available on the same day.

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Arms will be available for the Nintendo Switch on June 16

Posted on April 13, 2017 by John Scalzo

Nintendo mapped out the Switch’s Summer release schedule during yesterday’s Nintendo Direct presentation, and they kicked things off with Arms.

The consolemaker gave fans an extended look at their upcoming stretchy-armed boxing game with a brand new gameplay trailer narrated by Biff, the Arms League Commentator. In addition to briefly discussing the Arm Types and their special abilities, Biff introduced viewers to another playable character: Min Min, “The Ramen Bomber.”

She’s a martial artist with a fire-breathing Dragon Arm that’s able to hold a longer charge, and Nintendo pitted her against Spring Man in a full match. The two characters ducked, dodged, and counterpunched as they circled the arena, and we learned that you can disable your opponent’s arms. The match showcased the many strategic options players will have in Arms, but Min Min ultimately emerged victorious thanks to her powerful Dragon Arm.

Finally, Nintendo also confirmed that Arms will include 2v2 fights. We’ll likely hear more about those in a future Nintendo Direct.

Arms will launch for the Switch on June 16, alongside the separate release of a special Neon Yellow Joy-Con set and a Joy-Con AA Battery Pack.

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Xbox Store Today: Yooka-Laylee, MX Vs ATV 2017, The Sexy Brutale, more

Posted on April 12, 2017 by John Scalzo

Relive the late 90s with today’s Xbox Games Store update, as Playtonic Games has released Yooka-Laylee for the Xbox One. Most of Playtonic’s employees are veterans of Rare, and they’ve brought the same “collectathan” style of platforming to their latest game. In Yooka-Laylee, players will guide a giant chameleon and a wisecracking bat through the jungle as they hop on floating platforms and attempt to stop the nefarious Capital B from destroying the world’s books.

Also available to download for the Xbox One today is MX Vs ATV 2017 Official Track Edition, an update to MX Vs ATV Supercross Encore that includes all 16 official tracks from the 2017 Supercross Championship Season. Why don’t more sports games do this?

Finally today, Cavalier Game Studios and Tequila Works teamed up to bring the mysterious and intriguing The Sexy Brutale to the Xbox One. Players will waltz through the titular casino mansion as they attempt to solve a murder… and escape the neverending time loop they’ve found themselves trapped in.

More information on all of these games (and a few other new releases) can be found after the break.

Press Start to Continue →

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Sega will release Yakuza Kiwami for the PS4 on August 29

Posted on April 12, 2017 by John Scalzo

Sega has announced that Yakuza Kiwami will be released for the PS4 on August 29.

Yakuza originally launched for the PS2 in 2005, and Sega is billing Yakuza Kiwami as an “Extreme” remake of their gangland tale. In addition to the expected graphical bump, the PS4 re-release will also include re-recorded Japanese audio, nearly 30 minutes of brand new cutscenes, and loads of other bonus features. In another bit of good news, Sega tagged the game with a wallet-friendly sticker price of $29.99, and players who purchase the game during its initial printing will receive a special Steelbook case.

Yakuza Kiwami Features

  • A Family Patriarch’s Ransom of New Content – “Kiwami” literally translates to “Extreme,” and the game was named that for good reason. Not just a simple graphical upgrade, Kiwami adds nearly 30 minutes of cutscenes alone, providing all-new insight into the game’s plot and creating common threads with series prequel Yakuza 0. There’s also added distractions (Pocket Circuit car racing, MesuKing: Battle Bug Beauties, new hostesses, and more), side quests, combat updates, re-recorded Japanese dialogue, and more to bring the original Yakuza game into the latest console generation.
  • A Place for Newcomers and Veterans – Yakuza Kiwami is the ultimate bridge in the series. Newcomers or those whose Yakuza experience started with Yakuza 0 will have familiar, exacting controls, top-notch Sega localization, and a solid starting point for entering the Yakuza franchise fresh. Veterans will experience a familiar Kamurocho and plot, but with new levels of story depth and graphical polish.
  • But It Was Me! Majima! – Completely new to Kiwami is the “Majima Everywhere” system, where the series’ deranged, one-eyed maniac will constantly surprise and challenge Kiryu to combat when he least expects it. We’re talking “popping out of a goofy costume” levels of surprise, so players must stay on their toes and be ready to defend themselves from Kiryu’s chief rival.
  • Extreme Revitalization – Kiwami is rebuilt from the ground up with all new HD assets, optimized for the PlayStation 4 and running in 1080p/60FPS. And following suit with Sega’s commitment to the Yakuza series, the game will release in both physical and digital formats in the west.

    • If you’re unfamiliar with Kazuma Kiryu’s story, Sega also launched the Yakuza Experience website today, and you can learn more about the franchise’s history with an interactive timeline and character map, as well as the first issue of a 10-part digital comic series.

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