[Wii U] The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD sails into Wii U waters this October

[Wii U] The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD sails into Wii U waters this October

I loved The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, in fact it is easily one of my favourite Zelda games of all time. It's way up the list with the likes of A Link to the Past, Majora's Mask, and of course Ocarina of Time.

So the idea of playing through the game again in high-definition is an immediate must-have as far as I'm concerned. Nintendo seemed to know this and had it on display at PAX Australia a few weeks ago; it was awesome.

Eager Wii U fans will be able to pick up their Wind Waker baton and jump in the King of Red Lions once again on October 4th in Europe and some time in October in North America (seriously, this press release just says "This game launches this October.")

Here's some direct feed footage from the stream courtesy of the attractive folk at GameXplain.

You'll also notice that Iwata also mentions the alterations to the game, including the sail speed and adjustments to the item collection quest towards the end of the game. However, rumours suggesting the game will feature a new difficulty remain unconfirmed.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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[PS3, X360] Zatanna prepares to join the Injustice: Gods Among Us roster

[PS3, X360] Zatanna prepares to join the Injustice: Gods Among Us roster

The next character to be added to the Injustice: Gods Among Us roster will be Zatanna Zatara, she first appeared in Hawkman comics back in the 1960s.

I'm not much of an expert on this sort of thing, so I'm just going to recommend you do some internet searching if you want to know more about her character, if you are interested in video the official Injustice YouTube page has you covered.

Zatanna will be available for download on August 13th for $4.99/400 Microsoft Points.

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[PC, PS3, X360] Australian Saints Row IV discs can't co-op with international copies

Saints Row IV finally secured an MA15+ classification in Australia after the Classification Board [url=]confirmed[/url] that they would be sticking with their original verdict concerning the unedited version of Saints Row IV.

However, more unfortunate news has now bubbled to the surface concerning the Australian edition of Saints Row IV and it concerns the compatibility of the game's online co-operative mode.

A statement on the Saints Row Facebook page has revealed that the Australian version of Saints Row IV will not be able to play online with international versions of the game because of the changes that were made.

"While we are very proud of all our different missions, we do feel that Saints Row IV on the whole remains largely the same without this single optional mission, and we also feel that you deserve to know what you are getting in Australia," reads the statement. "Due to the changes we were forced to make, this version is different to the version rated by rating boards like the ESRB, USK, and PEGI, which is why it will be incompatible with those versions in co-op."

This news will disappoint many fans who were hoping to play the game with friends internationally after the game finally managed to secure release. Of course, there are those who probably will be unaffected by this announcement because they either only play with their buddies locally or because they are importing the international version of the game.

I find it interesting that the team is being very open about the situation, and the decision to say they were "forced" to make changes is interesting as well. Personally, the board's decision disappointed me, but I'd be even more interested to hear what they think about people who plan on importing or picking up CD keys from other countries. Because, just quietly, I know a number of people who will be pursuing this option.

Saints Row IV will be released in Australia later this month for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Volition has previously labelled Saints Row IV as a "love song" to their fans.

Thanks for the heads up, Kotaku AU.

Writtne by: Kyran Morrison

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[3DS] The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds coming this November

[3DS] The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds coming this November
If you weren't satisfied with getting a HD version of Wind Waker for the Wii U then you'll be happy to hear that Nintendo has locked A Link Between Worlds in for a November launch.

During the Nintendo Direct stream they also showcase some footage from the Other World whilst also revealing Link's method for travelling between realms. The key seems to be psychedelic cracks in the wall that he can enter by becoming a drawing and moving along walls.

It is unknown if this is the only method that players will use to access the Other World.

It is also worth noting that Iwata could be hinting at a sort of anti-Triforce that exists in this other world. So, it'll be interesting to see how that ends up playing out.

I spent some time with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds during PAX Australia and the game was a heap of fun! Of course, it is hard to judge the final product based on the brief demo areas I tried, but moving around the overworld and exploring the dungeon with Link's new ability certainly opened up some interesting doors that I can't wait to see Nintendo explore. Hopefully they are able to take full advantage of his new skill to create some unique puzzles.

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[3DS] Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy confirmed for Western release

[3DS] Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy confirmed for Western release

Professor Layton's final adventure, Azran Legacy, was confirmed for Western release during the Nintendo Direct. The news will come as a relief for fans of Professor Layton in both Europe and North America, but it comes with a pinch of bad news.

A press release has confirmed that the game will release in Europe on the 8th of November both physically and digitally, but the American release date appears to be 2014 at this point. I'm sure I'm not alone in hoping that this changes, because it is quite strange that Europe has been receiving so many large Nintendo releases ahead of our American brethren recently (including Pikmin 3 and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team).

Do you think we'll get any additional doses of Layton goodness after this game?

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[Wii U, 3DS] Watch Nintendo's newest Nintendo Direct stream right here

[Wii U, 3DS] Watch Nintendo's newest Nintendo Direct stream right here
That's right, folks. Nintendo is holding another Nintendo Direct and it is due to start in under ten minutes. So before you get comfortable for the stream, which should run for just over thirty minutes, go and grab a drink and something to nibble on.

Or don't, I'm not the boss of what you do while you watch the stream.

The stream will focus on already announced Wii U and 3DS software, so we can probably expect release dates for the likes of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Edition and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, etc.

This embed is for the European Nintendo Direct, you can view the American one over here.

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[PS3] Launch trailer for Tales of Xillia is live

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Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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REVIEW – Cloudberry Kingdom (Wii U eShop)

A Game Review by Greg Dabkey

Game – Cloudberry Kingdom
Version – Wii U  eShop
ESRB Rating: ‘T’ – Teen
Price: $9.99
Release Date: 8/1/2013
Obtained – Review copy courtesy of Ubisoft/Pwnee Games

The kingdom of Cloudberry is in trouble.  A retired hero named Bob returns to the scene.  Will he be able to restore the kingdom and win the heart of the princess?  Hey it’s worth a shot!

Story/Plot

The story behind this game is somewhat ridiculous.  Ridiculously funny that is.  A princess is hanging out in her tower when Kobbler shows up with a magical orb.  Bob the retired hero returns to the kingdom and their is a struggle of power between the three of them.  Bob and Kobbler have a brief fight (pretty humorous as Bob says he has no neck as he’s being strangled) and Kobbler throws him down the tower.  There he must journey back to the top to rescue the princess who was kidnapped.  Okay, so the story isn’t anything special or different, but it does have plenty of humor in it and is entertaining to watch the cutscenes.  They also aren’t terribly long either, but it’s definitely worth watching.

Gameplay & Controls

This game has some very interesting gameplay mechanics.  Everything is customized to the player which is pretty great to see.  The game randomly generates levels based on your previous level and how well you did.  It also is generating the next level while you play the current one, so when you complete it you are basically instantly loaded into the next level.  Oh silly me, I didn’t even describe what type of game this is.  Okay, think about the hardest Super Mario level you’ve played.  Now multiply the difficulty by say 10 times, and trim the level length so it’s a little longer than a Warioware microgame.  It’s a platforming game with some short sequenced levels with up to dozens of hazards.  The entry levels are still very easy to get you into the game with only a few things to dodge or jump over.  But if you continue long enough the game will throw some exciting challenges your way that really scratch your head how you will pass through the sequence.

Every jump will eventually be on a specific schedule so that you can navigate around the hazards at a particular pace.  With each level being different, some will require you to sprint, others to do a semi-jog type of run and others must be slowly or carefully done.  There are even levels that mix up those three paces so you will rush then have to come to a complete stop to go slowly through a part of the level.  Some of the levels are timed with a wall of spikes that chases you to the end of the level.  With the random levels you never know what type of room awaits next.  There will be levels with next to no floors and you just bounce on enemies, others will have lasers all over the place, and others are just filled with chained balls and/or fire arms.  Or even some combination of everything.  There’s a lot more hazards then the ones I listed.  If you are having trouble with the level, you can send a CPU through the level, or have an orb show you the path through the level or finally activate slow motion so you can find the route and complete it a little easier.

The controls are also very solid for this game.  The screen is also duplicated on the GamePad, so you just use that if you prefer the off-TV play.  Basically just use A to jump and Y to open the door at the end of the level.  There are at least 10 different heroes that can be used and each has a unique ability.  There’s also boxed Bob who can only move forward while midair, or Double Jump Bob who can jump twice, or even Bouncy Bob that uses a pogo stick at all times (so he’s always/constantly jumping).  There’s Mini Bob who can jump higher, and Fat Bob that is large and can barely jump.  So each hero is controlled differently, and even in story mode you will get to use each hero for at least five to ten levels and either switch back to classic Bob (no unique ability) or to a different hero.  A few of the obscure types include Phase Bob who continues to alternate in size between Mini Bob and Fat Bob, Wheelie Bob who is strapped into a wheel (so it makes it difficult to stop suddenly) and Jetpack Bob who can use a jetpack for about five seconds (until he lands on the ground or an enemy).  Each has controls that handle differently and you never know when you are about to be using them since it load a level and suddenly your form changes, so the game keeps you on your toes.  There’s several others that you will come across in addition to the ones I listed.

Game Modes

This game offers four modes and definitely worth noting them.  The main mode is Story Mode which I believe has set levels that aren’t randomly generated.  It’s divided into seven chapters of twenty or more levels each with the difficulty gradually getting harder within each chapter of levels.  I believe at the time of this writing I am on level 119 (overall total) and in chapter four.  The next mode to describe is free play.  This is where the game allows complete customization and randomization.  You set the initial amount of hazards with a scroll bar per hazard and the game allows at least two screens worth of customization.  You can even just hit Y to randomize all the settings on the page.  After this, you begin the level.  If you manage to complete it, the game will generate a new level with either more or less hazards depending on how well you did.  You can play with up to four players total to go through.  Finally, if you think it’s impossible, the game will show you that it is completely do-able.  A CPU will run through the level and show you the route and timing needed to complete the level.  This isn’t exclusive to Free Play either, it works in Story, and Arcade modes.

Arcade mode is broken into four parts, Escalation, Time Crisis, Hero Rush and Hybrid Rush.  Escalation is similar to the standard story mode, but you have a limited amount of lives.  You can gain lives by collecting twenty-five crystals (there’s about 10-15 per level).  Basically play through as many levels as possible.   Time Crisis you have a countdown clock, and with each coin you collect it adds a second onto the clock.  It continuously runs and carries over to the next level.  If you die, the coins you collected stay collected, so you will need to minimize your  deaths as you run through the random levels.  Hero Rush is similar to Time Crisis, but your hero changes with each level.  At the end of each level, you see an icon of the next hero you will be is shown above the door, and the time limit remains from the previous level and is increased with coin collection.   Hybrid Rush is a combination of Time Crisis and Hero Rush, but with a twist.  You will get two of the hero’s powers, so for instance you might be a Mini-Wheelie Bob, or be Boxed Bob and Jetpack Bob, so you will have two powers to use at once while collecting coins to expand the time to get to the door.  All modes allow up to four players with local multiplayer, and your hero Bob has complete customization with such features as: different colors, hats, facial hair, cape, with a number of different settings to change.  These character designs do not affect your controls.

Visuals & Sound

If you are looking for realism or somewhat clean visuals, this isn’t the game for you.  The characters are cartoony and simple, Bob even jokes he doesn’t have a neck!  I like the art style and find it fun and entertaining to watch.  Sure the levels are simple backgrounds and obstacles are not cleanest, but I really love how everything flows together.  You can be in an ice world and the fire arms will still be swirling around preventing you from getting to that door.  I do like how it switches up the backgrounds and settings.  You’ll be in a cave set of levels for five or ten levels, then suddenly into a series of sky levels for short while then suddenly into the frozen ice world.  There is no set type where one is always hard or always easy so it provides a nice change of space and continues to switch up the level styles.

While the sounds are simple and even somewhat similar to Mario, such as the jump sound and collecting coins, but it’s such standard and fitting sound for the movement and collection.  The door sound is also a simple door closing sound.  The voice work during the cut scenes is very well done and such a fitting tone for the characters.  My absolute favorite is the soundtrack.  If you watched any of the trailers for this game, that is the legit music you will hear while playing.  A fast paced electronic/techno style that I absolutely love.  It gives you that energy to want to rush through the level to advance to the next one.  Each track is timed, so you will hear it for a little while and then the next song in the playlist begins to play.  So it will switch in the middle of levels or between levels depending on the length of the song.  Sometimes there is a moment of silence, then the next song will kick in momentarily.

Conclusion 

Cloudberry Kingdom is an excellent platforming game that kicks it into high gear and will challenge any fan of the platforming genre.  With customization of the character to different abilities to randomly generated levels and even four player simultaneous local multiplayer it can be fun for players of all skill levels.  If you wonder where Mario’s really lost levels are, then look no farther as even the most difficult levels are beatable and at any time as a CPU can show you the way.  With essentially infinite levels and combinations you will have an infinitely fun time playing alone or with friends.  Sadly there is no online multiplayer, but I have heard that the developer has a planned patch to add in online leaderboards, so you will be able to compete with your friends online for bragging of rights of the highest score.  I’d recommend this game to fans of the platforming genre, and even those that seek a thorough challenging game.  This game will bring out many emotions, as things can get insanely crazy.

Final Score: 10 out of 10

+ Off TV play
+ custom difficulty
+ custom/random levels
+ multiple game modes
+ different heroes
+ incredible soundtrack
+ local multiplayer
-  no online modes or Miiverse integration (online leaderboards are tentatively planned)

Some videos I took of the gameplay: Story, Story + Free Play, Free Play + Arcade, Arcade + More story

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[PC, PS3, X360] Payday 2 starts the heist on August 13th for PC

[PC, PS3, X360] Payday 2 starts the heist on August 13th for PC

Overkill has officially locked in the release date for Payday 2 on both Twitter and the game's Steam hub.

"PAYDAY 2 release date confirmed!" reads the tweet. "PAYDAY 2 will be out on Steam on August 13th, other platforms between 13th-16th."

Some PC players have been going hands on with the beta and a wealth of YouTube videos are available for your viewing pleasure, if you seek them out.

I'm pretty excited to play Payday 2, I easily sunk about 20 or more hours into the original (not as much as Left 4 Dead, but I had just as much fun with it).

Thanks VG247.

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Angry Birds Star Wars – Launch Trailer for Wii, Wii U, & 3DS

Angry Birds Star Wars may be old-hat on mobile phones and iPods, but it will soon hit the consoles, including Wii, Wii U, and 3DS. Will you be purchasing it?

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[Wii U] Rayman Legends coming to Wii U this month with Mario & Luigi costumes

[Wii U] Rayman Legends coming to Wii U this month with Mario & Luigi costumes

Rayman Legends was originally intended to hit the Wii U earlier this year, that was before Ubisoft decided to take the game to multiple platforms. As a result of this decision Wii U owners were forced to wait in order for Ubisoft to uphold their policy of launch multiplatform games within the same release window.

During the stream Nintendo confirmed that Rayman Legends will be available for Wii U in Europe on August 30th and in North America on September 3rd.

Ubisoft made the most of the extra development time to cram extra content into the game, this extra content includes a number of stages from the previous game, Rayman Origins, in the Wii U sequel. Additionally, Nintendo fans will have access to Mario and Luigi costumes for Rayman and Globox.

Video uploaded by the good folk over at GameXplain.

Will you be picking up Rayman Legends for Wii U?

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Square-Enix improves losses in Q1

by Richard Mitchell on Aug 6th 2013 10:31AM

Square-Enix's latest financial numbers (PDF) are a bit mixed. The publisher posted a loss for the first quarter of its fiscal 2014, but said loss is an improvement over the loss posted during the same period last year. Specifically, Square-Enix posted net sales of 24 billion yen ($245.3 million), down from 24.9 billion yen ($253.7 million) during Q1 last year. The company recorded a net loss of 493 million yen ($5 million) an improvement over last year's loss of 2 billion yen ($21.1 million).

Outside of Square-Enix's overall performance, the Digital Entertainment arm of the company (i.e. video games) showed some growth, with net sales of 11.5 billion yen ($118 million) and an operating income of 1.3 billion yen ($13.4 million), up from sales of 11.3 billion yen ($115 million) and a 111 million yen ($1.1 million) operating loss last year. Even so, Square-Enix cited "weak" sales of console games, as no major titles were released during its first quarter. Meanwhile, its browser and smartphone titles have been making "smooth progress" and the Wii MMO Dragon Quest X "has been showing steady performance."

The financial statement reiterated comments from earlier this year – when the company posted a $134 million loss – noting the rapid spread of mobile devices like tablets and smartphones, while the console game market becomes increasingly competitive. These changes have already led to major restructuring, in particular a lot of executive shuffling.

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[Wii U] Animal Crossing Plaza available for free on Wii U right now

[Wii U] Animal Crossing Plaza available for free on Wii U right now

Nintendo has released a new application for the Wii U called Animal Crossing Plaza, it is a free service available for download right now and will operate through until the end of 2014.

Using this service Animal Crossing fans from around the world will be able to "meet, interact and exchange information through the Animal Crossing Miiverse community." You'll also be able to import images that you've taken on Animal Crossing: New Leaf and custom QR code patterns you've created and organise them neatly into albums, from here you'll be able to post them to the message board directly (I guess this will suffice until the Miiverse comes to the 3DS). Additionally, players can select their favourite animals in Animal Crossing Plaza to post about those specific animals or view posts only about them.

If players want to see more posts then Nintendo reminds wants to remind you that you can jump over to the full Animal Crossing Miiverse community.

I'm not sure what the goal is here, but that didn't stop me from firing up my Wii U in order to download this free application. I was just starting to quit my Animal Crossing: New Leaf addiction as well, Nintendo.

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[Wii U, 3DS] Year of Luigi continues as Luigi is confirmed for new Super Smash Bros.

[Wii U, 3DS] Year of Luigi continues as Luigi is confirmed for new Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo is continuing the Year of Luigi celebrations by announcing him as the newest playable character in the Wii U and 3DS versions of Super Smash Bros. currently in development.

Disappointingly the images don't seem to confirm any new moves for him, personally I'd been hoping he'd include some tools from his exploits in Luigi's Mansion 2. Hopefully Sakurai has more announcements regarding his moveset up his sleeve still.

Here's a look at Luigi in action in both the Wii U and 3DS games.

You can see more images of the green plumber at the official site.

Hopefully this means we'll learn about new details concerning the Super Smash Bros. games in each Nintendo Direct, that could just be wishful thinking on my part though.

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Nintendo Direct Incoming August 7, 2013

UPDATE: We have the full video and detailed press release available now!

The next Nintendo Direct will be August 7, 2013, at 7:00 AM Pacific Time (10:00 Eastern Time). The press email we received states that there will be “details about previously announced games for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.” We will post the recap notes here, but to watch it live, head to nintendo.com/nintendo-direct.

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Shadow of the Eternals – Concept Art

Precursor Games sent out a press release and video showing some concept art for their upcoming game: Shadow of the Eternals. This is the spiritual-sequel to Eternal Darkness (GameCube). Check it out!

—————

PRESS RELEASE

ARTISTIC VISION SHOWCASED IN NEW SHADOW OF THE ETERNALSVIDEO

Indie developer Precursor Games revealed today a video montage conveying the depth and beauty of the artwork set within its upcoming action-adventure game steeped in psychological horror, Shadow of the Eternals, currently on Kickstarter.

Comprised of sweeping vistas, dungeons, horrific characters, and highly detailed backgrounds, the newly released video illustrates the breadth of time and locations that the player will travel to as well as the vast landscapes and environments of each era.

Support the Shadow of the Eternals Kickstarter campaign: www.ShadowOfTheEternals.com/Kickstarter

Shadow of the Eternals is a single-player, story-driven action-adventure steeped in psychological horror that is the spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem(GameCube, 2002). Developed by Precursor Games, Shadow of the Eternals is expected to launch in fall 2014 on PC and Wii U. And, because Precursor Games recently became an official PS4 developer, it has added the PS4 as a stretch goal in its Kickstarter Campaign.

Precursor Games is putting out a call to all its fans, asking them to support the Kickstarter campaign in order to make Shadow of the Eternals a reality. Support it: www.ShadowOfTheEternals.com/Kickstarter.

[PR Email]

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[3DS] Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney coming to the West in 2014!

[3DS] Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney coming to the West in 2014!
So, did you think that Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney wouldn't make its way over to our shores? If so...
That's right, Satoru Shibata had the good news for 3DS owners and adopted the appropriate style to deliver it as seen in the image above.

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney will arrive sometime in early 2014 for both North America and Europe, the game has been heavily requested for localisation ever since its release in Japan in 2012.

Mixing puzzles with court trials the game is certain to be worth checking out, especially considering the legacy that both Layton and Wright now have on Nintendo handhelds.

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The Legend of Zelda CGI movie that never was

by David Hinkle on Aug 2nd 2013 11:00PM

A pitch reel from Imagi Animation Studios for a CGI The Legend of Zelda film, proposed in early 2007 and subsequently turned down, has made its way online. It was supervised, shot and edited by animator Adam Holmes, who thankfully posted it to his online portfolio for us all to see – well, not here. Embedding has been disabled on the video.

Imagi Animation Studios, formed in 2000, is the outfit that produced TMNT, the studio's first major feature release. Two years later, Imagis followed up TMNT with Astro Boy, which reportedly lost money on its initial $65 million production budget.

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[PS3, X360] Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII demo footage surfaces on YouTube

[PS3, X360] Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII demo footage surfaces on YouTube

YouTube user Dante14181 has uploaded footage from Square Enix's next big release, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, directly to YouTube.

The footage is in Japanese, as a result neither the text or audio is in English, and is shot off-screen, that being said the video offers a decent look at the game in action and contains no background noise. So, if you are curious to see how the newest Final Fantasy game is shaping up it is worth checking out.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is set to be released next February for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Thanks AGB.

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[Wii U, 3DS] Sonic Lost World brings the blue blue to Wii U and 3DS this October

[Wii U, 3DS] Sonic Lost World brings the blue blue to Wii U and 3DS this October

Nintendo started their Nintendo Direct off with some new information regarding Sonic Lost World, it was also accompanied with some new footage.

Firstly, Nintendo confirmed that Sonic Lost World will be available for the Wii U and 3DS on October 18th in Europe and on October 22nd in North America.

Secondly, the stream revealed that the game includes special radio controlled gadgets that players will be able to create and customise on the 3DS version of the game. After they've created a gadget they are happy with they'll be able to send it to the Wii U version and use it in the game's co-operative multiplayer modes.

Lastly, here's the footage that was shown in the stream courtesy of GameXplain.

This game actually looks quite good, it could be the first Sonic game worth keeping an eye on in a long while. What will you be picking it up for; Wii U or 3DS?

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[PC] New Battlefield 4 footage showcases some pretty impressive detail

[PC] New Battlefield 4 footage showcases some pretty impressive detail
I'm starting to tire of the annual tirade of military shooters, but I will happily concede that Battlefield 4 looks stunning on PC. Some new footage has been uploaded by YouTube user Threatty showcasing some pretty amazing attention to detail.

Before hitting the play button I highly advice kicking the video quality to the highest setting to help the visual prowess really sink in.

Battlefield 4 is coming to PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 this October; it will also be available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One sometime around their launch. I'm very interested to see how the next generation versions of the game will stack up against the PC version.

Thanks VG247.

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[PC] Bethesda announces The Elder Scrolls Anthology for PC

[PC] Bethesda announces The Elder Scrolls Anthology for PC
Do you like Bethesda's Elder Scrolls series? Were you late to the bandwagon? If so, then Bethesda have sent me some news that will make you feel a little better about being late to the party.
On September 10th Bethesda will be releasing The Elder Scrolls Anthology for $79.99 on PC, the collection will include all of the Elder Scrolls games and their associated DLC. The collection is also presented in a nice looking case as well, if you're into that kind of thing.

The collection includes: The Elder Scrolls ArenaThe Elder Scrolls II: DaggerfallThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (including Tribunal and BloodmoonThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (including Knights of the Nine and Shivering IslesThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (including Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn)

You'll also receive five physical maps that detail the lands of Tamriel, Iliac Bay, Morrowind, Cyrodiil, and Skyrim.

I'm actually considering dropping some cash on this collection myself, what about you guys?

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Nintendo Files Lawsuit against HackYourConsole.com

Nintendo does not mess around when it comes to video game piracy, and their latest attack is against the site HackYourConsole.com. The site promotes and sells unauthorized Nintendo games and other hacking devices. They also want your help in tracking down others. Find out more in the press release below.

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– In the ongoing global fight against video game piracy, Nintendo of America Inc., has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against the owner of HackYourConsole.com. The site blatantly promotes and sells unauthorized Nintendo games along with devices and services that circumvent the security in the Nintendo DS system and the Wii console.

The operator of HackYourConsole.com has developed a global business focused on selling unauthorized copies of Nintendo games and game-copying devices (such as the R4 device) used to circumvent the technological protection measures contained in the Nintendo DS family of hand-held systems. The website operator, for a fee, also provides services to hack and modify the Wii console and allow the play of illegal software.

HackYourConsole.com also claims to be an authorized distributor for the yet-to–be-released 3DS Gateway cards. The Gateway device is promoted as operating similar to the R4 game copier for the Nintendo DS, which facilitates the play of illegally downloaded games. Game copying devices, such as the R4, severely undermine the sales of video games created by thousands of developers.

“Piracy on the Nintendo DS system has a huge impact on games sales,” said Jools Watsham, co-founder and director of Renegade Kid. “It can affect everyone involved, including the many honest players out there. If independent studios, like ours, are unable to recoup the money they invest into game development, through the sales of their games, we will unfortunately see fewer independent games developed in the future.”

Illegal copying of video game software is an international problem that continues to stifle the growth of the creative development community. Companies such as Nintendo, various law enforcement authorities and trade organizations such as the Entertainment Software Association, continue to take aggressive steps to prevent the proliferation of these devices on a global scale.

To report game copiers, illegal Nintendo software or other piracy-related activities, please contact Nintendo at 800-255-3700 or piracyscene@noa.nintendo.com.

For more information about Nintendo’s fight against piracy, visit http://ap.nintendo.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.1 billion video games and more than 655 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

[PR Email from Nintendo of America]

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[Multi] New project from thatgamecompany is still at least two years from completion

[Multi] New project from thatgamecompany is still at least two years from completion

If there is one thing that Sony managed to get right this generation, it was working together with thatgamecompany to craft some unforgettable PlayStation 3 exclusives (with Flower set to grace the Vita soon enough). Journey was one of the only games in recent years to completely steal my heart (The Last of Us and Fire Emblem: Awakening are both up there but for different reasons).

As a result of this it is only natural to assume that people are clamoring for the next game from the guys who made Journey and Flower. However, Jenova Chen spoke to the New Yorker about the team's new project and confirmed we probably won't see its release for another two years.

Chen labelled their new venture as "risky" and confirmed that the multiplatform title is going to incorporate some similar themes to their previous games. Additionally, their new game will include either solo or with others where players will communicate without words. Although it hasn't been conclusively decided how players will interact Chen seems interested in allowing players to engage in co-operative activities locally this time around.

"A lot of people asked us why Journey didn't let them play with friends or family, and obviously we had a reason - because that would have defeated the purpose of the game," said Jenova Chen. "But for a game to be truly accessible, to both children and adults and to men and women, it has to allow people to play with the ones they love."

I'm definitely excited, I've been one of thatgamecompany's more vocal fans throughout this generation. I'm definitely happy to hear that friends will be able to play together, but if there's an option to play the co-operative play like Journey's then that's the route I'll be pursuing. There's very little that springs to mind that can compare to completing that adventure with a complete stranger and only learn their identity after the game concludes.

That's when you get to send wonderful messages to each other through the PlayStation Network.

What would you like to see thatgamecompany work on next?

Thanks VG247.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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Official SteamWorld Dig video trailer is now live! Plus screens!

You know the drill by now: 
The remaining scraps are huddling in caves beneath the surface, and steam-powered robots have taken over the Wild West. A horror scenario? No, rather the setting for SteamWorld Dig, the new 3DS eShop game from Swedish developer Image & Form. Don’t worry: the robots are the good guys. And you’re one of them.

You play the protagonist, Rusty – a lone-wolf, steam-powered cowbot who has come to an old mining town in great need. While digging your way through the old earth for riches and helping the townfolks get back on their feet, you unwittingly wake an ancient evil that lurks below…

SteamWorld Dig is a hardcore platform mining adventure that will be released on the Nintendo 3DS eShop™ in Europe and Australia on August 7, 2013 and America on August 8 (Japan will have to wait a couple of months). You dig tunnels, collect rare minerals, sell them for better equipment and take on the terrors of the underground – while Rusty undergoes the strangest of transformations.

For more, visit the SteamWorld Dig website:
http://www.steamworldgames.com/dig

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[X1, X360] Xbox One versions of games to have separate Achievements from Xbox 360

[X1, X360] Xbox One versions of games to have separate Achievements from Xbox 360

OXM is reporting some news that the Achievement obsessed among you will be very interested to hear; Xbox One versions of Xbox 360 games will feature a separate list of Achievements.

That's right, this means that you could achieve twice the Gamerscore on one account for unlocking all of the Achievements in an Xbox 360 game (such as Watch_Dogs) and the next generation counterpart on the Xbox One.

The news was confirmed by Microsoft's Marc Whitten yesterday when he was speaking to IGN about the Xbox One and Xbox 360.

"Every game has its own set of achievements, so if you're playing Call of Duty: Ghosts on Xbox 360 and on Xbox One, you can earn a separate set of Gamerscore in each game," said Whitten. "But on the Xbox One version, you're getting a much richer set of features, such as seeing your achievements progress on the Xbox One console, being able to unlock new achievements throughout the year, and earning real prizes inside and outside of the game."

So, there you have it. If you are eager to boost your Gamerscore as much as possible then it might benefit to pick up an Xbox One.

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Nintendo Direct Brings Animal Crossing Plaza and More!

Today, we were treated to another Nintendo Direct. Initially, we were told via press release that we they would only cover games already announced. While that might have been the case, there were still a few surprises, like the Animal Crossing Plaza for Wii U. Feel free to watch the entire video and check out the official press release with all the details below.

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Animal Crossing fans are getting a new place on Wii U where they can talk about their towns and share images with players from all over the world. Nintendo announced the free Animal Crossing Plaza application during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation. Nintendo also discussed a variety of other topics about Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including the debut of the Pokémon series on Wii U with Pokémon Rumble U and the story behind The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds for Nintendo 3DS.

Animal Crossing Plaza Logo (Photo: Business Wire)

“The second-half of 2013 is packed with great games and great experiences for Nintendo fans, from new entries in longstanding franchises to software that highlights the many benefits of connecting our hardware to the Internet,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “We’re always on the lookout for new ways that our fans can interact with their favorite game series, andAnimal Crossing Plaza extends the fun of the infectious series to Wii U.”

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct. Some of today’s announcements included:

Wii U News

Animal Crossing Plaza: A new application on Wii U for Animal Crossing fans is now available for download for free in the Nintendo eShop. The service will run through the end of 2014, and allows Animal Crossing fans from around the world to meet, interact and exchange information through the Animal Crossing Miiverse community. Players can import images they took in Animal Crossing: New Leaf for Nintendo 3DS, custom design QR Code patterns via their SD cards and organize them in albums. Players also can post messages to Miiverse with those images. The QR Code patterns posted can also be directly scanned and used in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Players can select their favorite animal in the Animal Crossing Plaza to post about those specific animals or view posts only about them. If players want to see more posts, they can jump directly to the Animal Crossing series Miiverse community from Animal Crossing Plaza.Pokémon Rumble U: Players have the opportunity to befriend some of the Toy Pokémon that they defeat in battle. People can play as, and do battle against, every one of the 649 Pokémon that have appeared in the video games through Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2. Pokémon Rumble Ualso lets players bring the game into the real world with optional, collectible NFC Figures that let them access Toy Pokémon with Special Traits in the game by scanning them with the Wii U GamePad controller. Players can purchase 18 different Figures exclusively through GameStop stores once Pokémon Rumble U launches. These NFC Figures are not required to see everything the game has to offer, but are a fun new way to interact with Wii U. Pokémon Rumble U launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop onAug. 29.Challenger Approaching!: Luigi has been confirmed as a playable character in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo is calling 2013 “The Year of Luigi” due to the high number of games that Mario’s brother is starring in, such as Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon for Nintendo 3DS and New Super Luigi U for Wii U.Sonic Lost World from SEGA: Launching exclusively for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 22, the game features radio-controlled gadgets that can be created and customized on Nintendo 3DS and sent to a player’s Wii U for use in cooperative multiplayer mode. Players use these gadgets to destroy enemies and collect items.Rayman Legends from Ubisoft: Even Rayman likes to cosplay! The Wii U version of the game will include a special bonus: Players will be able to unlock a Mario costume for Rayman and a Luigi costume for Globox. Players on the Wii U version will also have access to select fan-favorite stages from the previously released Rayman Origins game. Rayman Legends launches Sept. 3.Art Academy: SketchPad: This application, headed to the Nintendo eShop on Aug. 9, uses features from an upcoming edition of the Art Academy series for Wii U to let users create original artwork that can be posted directly to Miiverse.The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD: This reinvented HD version of the Nintendo GameCube classic features several adjustments that enhance the overall play experience, such as faster sailing. The game launches this October.Pikmin 3 on Miiverse: The recently released Pikmin 3 game allows players to capture in-game images from the eye-level of diminutive Pikmin, and post them directly to Miiverse. Nintendo is asking fans to post their most creative captions for a series of Miiverse images that will be posted to the Wii U Facebook page in the coming weeks. The top captions will be highlighted for everyone to see and enjoy.The Wonderful 101: Stay tuned! A special installment of Nintendo Direct dedicated to The Wonderful 101is coming at 7 a.m. PT on Aug. 9. The game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Sept. 15.

Nintendo 3DS News

Layton-Mania: The third game in the latest Professor Layton series will launch in 2014, as will a new crossover adventure co-starring Capcom’s Phoenix Wright in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: The game’s logo represents one of its key plot points: Link will undergo a new adventure across two worlds. In one world, the iconic Triforce exists, while the shadowy Triforce in the logo suggests the existence of another Triforce in a different world from where Link lives. Taking place long after the events of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, some of the game’s scenery will be familiar to fans of the series, while its puzzles and dungeons are new. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds launches this November.Summer Carnival ’92: RECCA: This notoriously hard-to-find Famicom game was originally designed for a games festival in Japan in the summer of 1992. It’s remembered as being one of the most challenging shooters ever created, and it’s coming to the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS soon.Virtual Console Games: More classics are headed to Nintendo 3DS. The NES version of Donkey Konglaunches Aug. 15, followed by Tecmo Bowl in September. Game Boy Color platformer Wario Land 3 is coming soon, and Super Mario Bros. 3 will be released in the Nintendo eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS later this year.Exclusive Animal Crossing: New Leaf Item at Nintendo Zone: Starting Aug. 11, owners of Animal Crossing: New Leaf can visit any Nintendo Zone location to receive a Pumpkin Pie in-game item. Visit a Nintendo Zone, then go to the post office in the game and ask about a present. Different in-game items will be distributed every two weeks through late September.Mario & Luigi: Dream Team: The latest hand-held adventure for this super sibling duo launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Aug. 11. While exploring the two massive worlds of the real world and Luigi’s dream, players can customize their play experience by equipping different badges and gear that impart different benefits in battle. Players can also extend their play experience by taking on Expert Challenges, such as dodging 10 consecutive enemy attacks to earn special gear.

Remember that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu and http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U™ and Wii™ home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.1 billion video games and more than 655 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

[PR Email from Nintendo of America]

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[PC, PS3, X360] Saints Row IV developer diary describes new game as a 'love song'

[PC, PS3, X360] Saints Row IV developer diary describes new game as a 'love song'

Saints Row IV has straddled the headlines over the last few weeks, mostly for controversial reasons. A new developer diary has been released describing the new game as a "love song" to the fans of the franchise.

Volition is clearly very appreciative that their fans have supported them this long, and I'm sure they are happy that they survived the collapse of THQ. Check out the video below, courtesy of GameNewsOfficial on YouTube.

Saints Row IV releases this month for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

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[Vita] Don't worry, Vita owners; Ken Levine is still pushing for BioShock

[Vita] Don't worry, Vita owners; Ken Levine is still pushing for BioShock

Do you remember all those years ago when we heard that BioShock might find its way to Vita one day? You probably do because we're all still waiting to see what actually comes out as a result of that announcement, so you are probably disappointed at the current trend of absolute silence.

Well, I shouldn't say absolute silence because it is hard to talk about something that doesn't exactly exist.

Anyway, the infamous Vita version of BioShock has found its way back into headlines after Levine revealed told Kotaku that he is "literally trying to make a match between the parties." The two parties being Take Two and Sony, of course.

No conclusion is in sight just yet, but at least Vita owners can rest easy knowing that Ken Levine is pushing for this to happen. A BioShock game, if re-tooled accordingly to suit the Vita, could be the IP to get Sony's handheld further off the ground and into the hands of more consumers. Especially if you take the success of BioShock Infinite into account.

What would you like to see Irrational do with BioShock on Vita?

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[Wii U, 3DS] Nintendo showcases European and Australian indie software line-up

[Wii U, 3DS] Nintendo showcases European and Australian indie software line-up
Nintendo managed to showcase a bunch of independent software being developed by a group of European and Australian developers during their Nintendo Direct streams.

Here's a video showcasing some of the games in action.

Indie games are definitely the way forward so it is good to see Nintendo really flexing their muscle in this department, some of the stuff shown looks very interesting as well.

Did anything catch your eye?

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StreetPass Relay Now Available at Nintendo Zones

Last night, an update to the Nintendo 3DS firmware went live that enabled StreetPass Relays. What does this mean? Essentially, when a person connects to a Nintendo Zone, they will pass along their StreetPass data. The next person who connects will get a StreetPass from that person. Similarly, they will also pass along their StreetPass data for the next person. The idea behind this is to increase StreetPasses, especially in places that are less populated.

Below is a bit more information straight from Nintendo:

Now you can get StreetPass™ data from other players at Nintendo Zone locations all across North America. When a Nintendo 3DS™ user gets near a StreetPass Relay Point and has the StreetPass feature enabled, it will automatically store his/her StreetPass data temporarily and then send it on to the next Nintendo 3DS user to visit that same location who has the same game(s). 1, 2

This new service will make it much easier to get special content for StreetPass-enabled games such as Fire Emblem Awakening and Animal Crossing™: New Leaf. And, if you’ve activated StreetPass Mii Plaza, you’ll also be able to collect puzzle pieces and play new games such as Mii Force and Monster Manor, which are available for purchase in StreetPass Mii Plaza.

Carry your Nintendo 3DS system with you in Sleep Mode while you’re out and about and see what happens! Try it out today at a Nintendo Zone near you.

For additional information, please visit our support page.

You must have your 3DS updated to system version 6.2.0-xU or higher to take advantage of the StreetPass Relay Point service.You will not receive any StreetPass data from the relay station if you are the first person to pass it with whatever game you currently have inserted or if the relay station currently has your StreetPass data.Your wireless home network cannot be set up as a StreetPass Relay Point.

[Nintendo.com]

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[Wii U] Super Smash Bros. on Wii U image showcases Pilotwings stage

[Wii U] Super Smash Bros. on Wii U image showcases Pilotwings stage
Sakurai has been somewhat sneaky with a few of his picture updates for the upcoming Super Smash Bros. titles, first he revealed that Captain Olimar would return as a playable character and now he seems to have shown a new stage.

The image was posted today and features the classic SNES Pilotwings island in the background, however there is nothing indicating how the stage will actually work.

It seems as though the actual image could be a background, indicating a floating stage similar to the Super Mario Sunshine stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but Sakurai could surprise us with something completely different.

Recently, Pilotwings moved away from this location and moved the action to the skies over Wuhu Island in Pilotwings Resort for the 3DS.

How would you like to see this stage flow?

Thanks ONM.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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[Wii U] Absence of local co-op in Wii U version of Splinter Cell Blacklist confirmed

[Wii U] Absence of local co-op in Wii U version of Splinter Cell Blacklist confirmed

Splinter Cell: Blacklist will not have local (offline) co-operative play on the Wii U; despite still having online co-operative play as an option.

Liu Jun, Producer on Splinter Cell: Blacklist, confirmed the absence of the feature in an interview with Nintendo Life. Jun cites the game's ship date as the reason to leave the feature out of the Wii U version.

"In order to ship at the same time as the other consoles, we unfortunately weren't able to delve into this feature," said Jun. "But we think Nintendo gamers will be really excited to get the game at the same time as other consoles."

I can understand Jun's point, it also upholds Ubisoft's policy with releasing games across all available platforms in the same window. If there's any consolation prize to be taken away from this it is the confirmation that the Wii U will still have online co-op, a feature that will not be included in the Wii U version of Batman: Arkham Origins later this year, as well as taking full advantage of the Wii U's GamePad and included a DLC schedule that is the same as the other platforms.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist releases this month for PC, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and Xbox 360.

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[PS3] First developer diary surfaces for Rain; delves into the central themes

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Pikmin 3 – Tips, Tricks, & Cheats

If you are looking for all the tips, tricks, and cheats in Pikmin 3, you have come to the right place. We have compiled all of them below.

SPOILER WARNING: If it was not completely obvious, some of these will contain spoilers, so tread lightly.

Tips:

The best control scheme to use for most players is the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, allowing the GamePad to function as the map.Before starting your day, have a good idea of what you will try to accomplish. Go in with a plan.Use all three of your characters. While splitting up is tougher, you can accomplish much more that way.Be careful using your whistle around water, because Pikmin cannot swim.Fruit: Collect as much as you can!Lock onto enemies (Z or L) before attacking, which allows you to strafe during offense and defense.After locking-on an enemy, use your charge-attack wisely to inflict the most damage.Pikmin, while cute, are expendable. So, if you need to, do not feel bad about losing some along the way.Rock Pikmin will usually take down an enemy faster.Butterflies mean Pikmin nectar, so kill away.If you can, leave Pikmin in the ground, so they can fully blossom into a flower-topped Pikmin.Take time to explore. You will find suit upgrades and other random items along the way.The suit upgrade that allows your entire team to quickly evade attacks is in the snow area.Plant bubbles are very helpful, so collect them whenever you can. In fact, if you can, leave a few Pikmin at the start of the day to collect them.Sometimes, your best offense is a good defense. Know when to retreat, regroup, and try again later.The final boss requires a good mix of all five Pikmin, so keep a good balanced amount of them in your Onion.

Secret Messages

There are 10 secret messages in the game. according to game developer, Miyamoto. When you find them all, they will combine into a secret code.

Endings:

Find all the fruit for the best ending. The difference is that the narrator’s words are different and about a minute longer.

Bad Ending: Finish the game not finding enough fruit.Normal/Good Ending: Finish the game with most, but not all, of the fruit.Best Ending: Finish the game with all of the fruit.

Unlockable DLC:

According to Miyamoto, there will eventually be new campaign missions and multiplayer maps available via downloadable content (DLC).

Video Guides: Miyamoto and others have created video walkthroughs of some areas. Here they are.

Introduction

Get to Know the Three Captains

Get to Know the Explorers

Get to Know the Pikmin Types

Mission Mode

Bingo Battle

———-

Did we miss something? Post it in the comments below, and if we can verify it, we will add it in.

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[PC, PS3, X360] Censored version of Saints Row IV rated MA15+ in Australia

[PC, PS3, X360] Censored version of Saints Row IV rated MA15+ in Australia

Earlier this week the Classification Board confirmed that their stance regarding the unedited version of Saints Row IV would remain unclassified in Australia; shortly afterwards Grand Theft Auto V picked up a R18+ classification ahead of its September launch.

Many fans were scratching their heads and wondering what separated the two games, but that really isn't important anymore because today the board announced that the edited version of Saints Row IV would be available in Australia with an MA15+ classification.

That's right, it will not carry a R18+ classification. In order to get the game by the Classification Board Deep Silver confirmed that Volition removed a single 20-minute mission and noted that the controversial 'Rectifier' anal probe weapon would be available as DLC.

Here's the statement from Deep Silver:

Quote:Deep Silver and [local distributor] AIE are pleased to report that the Australian Classification Board has now approved Saints Row IV for sale. They have granted the game a MA15+ rating. To achieve this rating one loyalty mission featuring the character Shaundi has been removed. This mission has been widely reported on and contains the use of alien narcotics to obtain certain superpowers. This mission represents approximately 20 minutes of gameplay out of the hours available to purchasers. The removal of this mission has no negative impact on the story or the superpowers and will not detract from the enjoyment players will get from their Saints Row IV experience. The rectifier weapon will be available as part of a DLC package as originally intended. Deep Silver respects this decision and thanks the Australian Classification Board for their assistance with this matter.

That puts that issue to rest then, Australian fans will be able get their hands on the edited version of Saints Row IV as of August 22nd for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Or you could import it.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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[PC] Looks like Left 4 Dead 3 is actually in development

[PC] Looks like Left 4 Dead 3 is actually in development

Yes, that's right. Valve may have unintentionally confirmed that Left 4 Dead 3 is on the way.

It was uncovered recently by a group of fans from the Reddit DOTA 2 community who were taken for a tour of the Valve offices recently. During the tour the group were allowed to take photographs, some of which have revealed a few secrets that Valve were probably hoping to hold out on.

First of all, an image mentions the existence of Left 4 Dead 3. This one shouldn't really surprise people considering how successful the previous two Left 4 Dead games were; what was surprising was the fact that it confirms that Valve can count to three. Will fans rise in protest again like they did when Left 4 Dead 2 was announced?

Secondly, the image confirms that Source 2 engine is in the works and will power Left 4 Dead 3. The Source 2 confirmation isn't exactly news, Valve has talked about it in the past, it is interesting to consider what this will mean for Valve's next wave of games.

So, Left 4 Dead 3, huh? What do you think Valve will do with the new installment and when do you think they'll officially unveil it for the eyes of the public? Can you piece together a conspiracy theory confirmed the existence of Half-Life 3 from this story?

Thanks Destructoid.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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Now Playing: August 5-11, 2013

by Danny Cowan on Aug 6th 2013 1:30PM

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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[Multi] Capcom has no Darkstalkers plans on the immediate horizon

[Multi] Capcom has no Darkstalkers plans on the immediate horizon

Are you a fan of Capcom's Darkstalkers franchise? Did you purchase Darkstalkers Resurrection? If not, then you might want to re-consider your decision, because Capcom seems ready to put the series back on hiatus.

Siliconera is reporting that Capcom's disappointment over the sales of Resurrection has helped them with the decision. "Darkstalkers Resurrection did nto perform as well as would have liked to perform. You never know what the future may hold, but Street Fighter is definitely not dead," Matt Dahlgren, fighting game manager at Capcom, told Siliconera.

That certainly doesn't bode well, but when Siliconera pushed Dahlgren concerning rumours about a new Darkstalkers game running on the Street Fighter engine he didn't seem optimistic.

"There is nothing Darkstalkers on the immediate horizon for sure," said Dahlgren.

What do you think? Is it fair that Capcom has decided to step back from the Darkstalkers franchise after a re-release of some old games performed poorly? Or should they have gambled an actual new game and suffered the game's losses for the sake of the fans?

Capcom is busy working on Ultra Street Fighter IV and will be releasing it both physically and digitally sometime in 2014.

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[Multi] Phil Fish announces cancellation of Fez II

[Multi] Phil Fish announces cancellation of Fez II

Were you excited for Fez II? If so, then I've got some bad news for you. It sounds as though the game may not be completed after somewhat of a blowout on Twitter earlier caused Phil Fish to announce that he would be cancelling Fez II and leaving the games industry.

The tweets were a little bit touchy, but essentially Marcus Beer had some selective words to say about Phil Fish and Jonathon Blow. During the latest episode of Invisible Walls he sarcastically labels the duo as "BlowFish" and commented on how they reacted when asked to comment on Microsoft's reversal concerning indies and self-publishing on Xbox One. What followed were some very radical tweets from Phil Fish, who has since made his Twitter account private and effectively blocked out everyone who wasn't already following him.

If you want to know more about what was said then I'd recommend checking out this NeoGAF thread.

The biggest news was, of course, the cancellation of Fez II. A tweet was posted by both Phil Fish and Polytron confirming the news, which has been solidified on Polytron's website.

"Fez II is cancelled. I am done. I take the money and I run. This is as much as I can stomach. This isn't the result of any one thing, but the end of a long, bloody campaign. You win," read the statement on Polytron's site.

My opinion on Phil Fish is divided, I really enjoyed the original Fez when it was released on PC and thought that Fish had some really good ideas going. However, it seems that he is vulnerable to flying off the handle and making spur of the moment mistakes, but he is human and that is definitely something that we're all guilty of.

Do you hope that Fish will return to games and resume working on Fez II? Or are you glad to see him bow out of the industry?

On the flip side, Jonathan Blow has handled the situation with a much more level-headed approach.

Thanks VG247.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

(This post was last modified: 07-27-2013 08:41 PM by LemonManX.)

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REVIEW-Retrobit’s Wireless Hypermode N64 Controller

A Product Review by Greg Dabkey

Product - Retrobit’s Wireless Hypermode N64 Controller
Version – N64  
Price – $29.99
Obtained – Review copy courtesy of Innovations

The N64 launched back in 1996 and over fifteen years later there is now a new controller for the console.  Will it be able to hold up to the controllers of today or will it be cast aside?

Handling/Design

The controller  holds up incredibly similar to the stock N64 controller.  While holding it in my hands (and not looking down at it) it can be difficult to identify it as a third party controller.  The buttons and layout of the controller is identical to the stock controller.  The main addition is the hypermode options above the start button.  The player can toggle between turbo and auto where the difference is holding down the button to trigger turbo pressing of that button.  Auto assumes the button is continually pressed without any action from the player.  The controller weight is very comparable to the stock controller, so it should not feel significantly heavier or lighter than what the player was accustomed to.  A battery pack is inserted into where a memory card would go on the stock controller.  A memory card slot is on the receiver that plugs into the controller port for use with that particular controller.

One honorable mention is that it does not have rumble built in. However, since this wasn’t implemented as a permanent feature of a controller till the GameCube generation, this is a non-issue as fewer games use the feature since it was a pack that plugged into the back of the controller for the Nintendo 64. It cannot be plugged into the receiver for obvious reasons. The receiver plugs into the console and has the same connector that a stock controller has. When I met with Retrobit, they had informed me that the joystick issue has been corrected with this design. Previously on the stock controller after excessive use of the joystick, it would have trouble staying in a vertical position. Since I haven’t had an excessive amount of play time with it, I’m unable to deny Retrobit’s claim.

Use

Since I only have two N64 games at the present time (don’t worry I’m trying to expand it again, after previously selling them off). For the most part the controls handled perfectly. I noticed while playing Donkey Kong 64, that at times it seemed like the joystick might stick just slightly off-center. If I wiggled it in circles for a few seconds, it would reset the position. However, if you are trying to cross a narrow gap or make a tricky jump, or stand still on a small platform, or even attempt to use the Kong’s gun, you could see the character or cursor moving ever so slowly in a particular direction. I had noticed this on every play session (meaning different days/times). I was able to adjust to counter it and fixed it when I needed to by using that workaround. This may be an non-issue since the controller may not be fully broken in and the controller stick is just a little stiff.

I had no problem syncing the controller to the receiver, nor had any sort of lag issues while playing the game. I tested the range within my house and I can get it work at least 15-20 feet or so. At E3 the rep told me it could go up to 30 feet, but I wasn’t able to test that in a more realistic environment. In terms of the battery life, so far it hasn’t really drained a whole lot from what I can tell. I can further update this post when the batteries die. However, there has been numerous days worth of the batteries being idle and unused. I would also update this post if the joystick issue becomes a non-issue. To date, I’ve had 3 multi-hour play sessions in a 10 day period and haven’t noticed an issue or had to replace the batteries.

Conclusion 

I thoroughly enjoyed being able to use this N64 controller. It is definitely worth having despite the possible issues since the consoles of today are connected to an HD TV that is not five feet in front of our faces. It is now closer to ten feet if not further away, and the last two generations of video games have had wireless controllers. This controller fits right into the mold of society and allows gamers to be able to play the N64 from a safe distance from the TV. The controller is designed and shaped to be as close to the stock controller as possible making it an excellent choice for a third party controller. I would recommend this to anyone that still enjoys playing their Nintendo 64 and those seeking a brand new controller for their console.

Final Score: 8.5 out of 10

+ Wireless
+ Has hypermode options
+ Feels authentic (like an official controller)
+ Excellent range
+ Easy to sync
+ Reasonable battery life (so far)
- Non-rechargable battery (batteries also not included)
- Issue with joystick not always centered while using

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Activision bullish about Skylanders in face of Disney Infinity

by Alexander Sliwinski on Jun 13th 2013 3:00PM

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, says the company isn't changing its sales projections on the Skylanders franchise, or this fall's Skylanders: Swap Force, in the face of Disney Infinity.

"We're still bullish on our projections. We feel like it was only a matter of time, given the scale of the success of Skylanders, that other competitors entered the genre. That's to be expected," said Hirshberg.

"I get this question a lot on Call of Duty. We have tough competition every year. We have tough competition in every category we play in, it's a part of the business. We try not to focus on it. We try to focus on making the best games we can and exceeding the expectations of our fans and bottling magic."

Skylanders has surpassed $1 billion in lifetime sales since launching in 2011. Disney Infinity will launch this August.

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[PC, PS3, X360] BioShock Infinite DLC takes us back to Rapture later this year

[PC, PS3, X360] BioShock Infinite DLC takes us back to Rapture later this year

Today it was announced that players can look forward to returning to Rapture later this year in a new two-part story campaign for BioShock Infinite.

The DLC will be set in Rapture on New Year's Eve 1958 and will star both Booker and a grown-up Elizabeth. An interview with Eurogamer revealed that Booker will be a private eye in Rapture who is approached by Elizabeth. The two don't seem to know each other, so it'll be interesting to see what other connections the game will share with BioShock Infinite's story. Don't worry, you'll also encounter Big Daddies as you journey through Rapture.

"Originally we wanted to show Rapture when it was fully alive, but do it in the context of an interesting story, not just go back and talk about Midi-chlorians, you know? To do it in a sort of integrated way, but to tell a story we thought was important to tell with these characters as well," said Irrational Games' creative director Ken Levine.

BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea will be available later this year and is a part of the game's season pass, or you can purchase it for $15/1200 MSP if you'd rather not take the plunge on the season pass.

Additionally, Clash in the Clouds will be available for download today and pits you against waves of Columbia's guard. It doesn't add multiplayer or anything, so you can be prepared to fight through more of BioShock Infinite's particular variety of combat. I wasn't a huge fan of it, so this DLC doesn't really interest me.

Clash in the Clouds is also a part of the season pass, but can be purchased separately for $5/400 MSP.

So, what do you think of Irrational's announcement? Are you excited to be heading back to Rapture? Do you care about facing waves of enemies in Clash in the Clouds?

Honestly, the combat in BioShock Infinite was actually my least favourite aspect. As a result of this fact I'm not incredibly interested in today's DLC, but I'll be keeping my eyes on the story content.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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REVIEW-Resident Evil Revelations (Wii U)

A Game Review by Greg Dabkey

Game – Resident Evil Revelations
Version – Wii U   
ESRB Rating: ‘E’ – Everyone
Price: $59.99
Release Date: 5/21/2013
Obtained – Review copy courtesy of Capcom

The epic 3DS action/horror game has now been ported to home consoles.  It receive a major graphical overhaul from the original version.  But is that enough to justify purchasing it on the home console?

Story/Plot

For those of you that are new to this game and did not play the 3DS version, read on for a little story information.  Already familiar with the story of the game?  Skip to the next section.

I didn’t really cover this in my 3DS review (link above), but basically the player alternates between different team members searching for this T virus that has been causing a plaguing problem in other games in the series.  The primary focus is aboard a cruise ship controlling Jill as she and Parker search for this reappearance of Veltro.  Aboard the ship they run across Raymond (an operative for a different organization) who is also investigating the ship.  They work together to try to restore power to the ship to prevent it from sinking as fellow teammates Parker, Jessica try to track down the ship’s coordinates in order to help them since they had not radioed back to HQ for a while.  The entire mess turns into a huge conspiracy as everyone tries to figure out how the T virus has turned up again and if Veltro is still alive.  Will they be able to prevent the spread of the virus and make it off the cruise ship alive?

Gameplay & Controls

For those of you new to this game, the gameplay is divided into episodes containing three parts.  There’s two shorter missions involving other team characters and one advancing the main part of the ship with Jill and Chris.  Some of the segments are flashbacks or parts that took place before the game started, others are just other investigations that are ongoing.  Basically in each part you control a character and you walk around looking for clues or hints to advance the story.  Along the way you kill zombies that can pop out of anywhere and you can also find ammo, new weapons, custom parts and secondary weapons such as grenades.  The gameplay overall is pretty fun as you explore the ship or locale and you only have an end goal or clue what you should be doing.  You have the option of exploring wherever instead, like if you wanted to revisit an area to get into a room that was previously locked and you had found the proper key for it.

The game does a great job for completionists by forcing you to go back to these areas so that you can collect additional weapons and custom parts.  Basically the controls mirror those of 3DS, however you get two extra shoulder buttons and the second control stick.  This makes aiming and moving around much simpler, and also easier to use physical attacks and scanning the area/enemies for hidden items or scan percents.   The gameplay is identical to the 3DS one, but the controls definitely make the game play much smoother with the joysticks and additional shoulder buttons.  If using the TV, some weapon customization along with the map are displayed on the GamePad.  The player can also opt to play the entire game on the GamePad which is also a great option to have for those of us with family that like to use the television.

Overall, I was a big fan of the gameplay as I thought it was pretty solid.  I love having open exploration and facing some challenges and puzzles in completing the objectives.  With zombies popping out of anywhere really adds that element of horror into the game and will make you jump back as you are taken by surprise.  This game also offers a third difficulty level that the 3DS version did not have called infernal.  This changes up the weapon and item locations along with pumping out the AI at a difficult level.  The game also offers a casual (easy) mode along with normal.  With plenty of enemies, the game still offers a good challenge and replay value.  There is also an online Raid mode where you can play with friends to defeat swarms of zombies as well.  It also allows you to play raid mode by yourself if you wish to level up your character before playing with friends.

Visuals & Sound

As I mentioned at the beginning, between the 3DS original and this one, the graphics got a major overhaul to HD.  Everything looks very detailed, the backgrounds come in crisp and clear and easy to see individual items on the shelves and in the junk piles.  Also the zombies look more terrifying as well.  The boost from the small screen to the big screen made me appreciate the environment a lot more and I had an easier time seeing the emblems on the doors to know if I had the proper key as well.  The one thing that I can say against the pretty graphics was that the voices did not match the animations of the characters mouths.  I think this adds more to the realism of the game to see characters speak when we hear/read what they are saying.

In terms of the soundtrack, I didn’t notice anything new in this regard, but I felt the voices fit the characters well.  Also, the sound effects of opening a door, and firing the weapons seemed very appropriate for this genre.  I absolutely loved the way all the sounds work together as you explore the ship as you can hear Jill walking on the metal floors, or traveling through knee deep water, or whether you are scanning a room for clues and you hear a grate pop open with a zombie rolling out.  It’s these little things that make this genre enjoyable to play with the sound on, and perhaps a dark room for an additional effect.

Conclusion 

Resident Evil Revelations is a great game to get, even if you played the 3DS original.  It looks and plays much better on the home console than the handheld.  Those familiar with the series also get an option to start on a hard difficulty for those looking for a challenge.  I’d recommend everyone to upgrade to this version of the game that enjoyed it on the 3DS, and also recommend to those that have never played a Resident Evil game.  The 3DS version was my first experience with Resident Evil, and this version definitely solidified to me that the series is pretty solid, but more so on the home console.  All of the main Wii U features are present with off-TV play and Miiverse, so if you are looking for a quality third party game, put this one at the top (or at least near the top) of your list.

Final Score: 9 out of 10

+ HD graphics
+ intriguing story
+ online raid mode / Miiverse integration
+ 3 difficulty levels
+ off TV play
+ great control scheme
- not a lot of new content added
- voices don’t match up with video

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[PAX, 3DS] Special Animal Crossing: New Leaf video from PAX Australia

[PAX, 3DS] Special Animal Crossing: New Leaf video from PAX Australia
Clumsy Kyran actually forgot to post this earlier, but Nintendo Australia were kind enough to upload the special Animal Crossing: New Leaf presentation that was shown at the first ever PAX Australia last weekend.

The video features Directors' Isao Moro and Aya Kyogoku and Producer Katsuya Eguchi.

If you were unable to attend or just want to re-live the video then hit 'play' below to see what questions were asked of the development team.

I'm suffering from a severe case of Post-PAX Depression right now, it's actually pretty crippling. I'm just going to go and flick through some photos and re-live the event through them.

Also -- if you attended, did you spend much time at Nintendo's booth? I did and I had a great time, so far Nintendo's won my heart with the two previous shows I've attended, PAX Australia and the EB Expo last year.

Written by: Kyran Morrison

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Now Playing: July 29 - August 4, 2013

by Steven Wong on Jul 29th 2013 4:00PM

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Skylanders Giants starter kit stomps on Amazon Gold Box

by Sinan Kubba on Jul 23rd 2013 9:00AM

If, like some of us, you've been peering over the windowsill, staring sadly at all the happy, smiling faces playing with their Skylanders Giants, wishing you had the excuse to say what-the-hey and jump in to some toy-portal-fun-stuffs, then today's Amazon Gold Box might be for you. The online retailer's daily deal squishes the game's starter kit, complete with game, Portal of Power, and three figures, to less than half-price at $29, which is pretty handy.

Elsewhere, the lightning deals aren't quite as exciting as previous Gold Box fare, although unusually the first deal of the day, a $20 PlayStation Move controller, is already sold out. The next deal, starting 6AM PT/9AM ET is the Move navigation controller, so expect a similarly wallet-friendly price and speedy sales. Based on the not-so-cryptic blurbs, we're forecasting flashes of lightning deals in the Epic Mickey 2 and Hitman: Absolution regions among others.

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