Category Archives: News

New POKÉMON Game Now On Switch!

Posted on by

As reported on the Official Pokémon Twitter (@Pokémon), the company announced several things related to their Pokémon franchise.

The first announcement came in the form of a new Pokémon RPG title for the Nintendo Switch called Pokémon Quest. Unfortunately, this isn’t the traditional Pokémon RPG title we are highly anticipating, but we’ll talk about that later. Pokémon Quest converts Kanto region Pokémon into boxy creatures a la Crossy Road in a whole new, boxy world called Tumblecube Island. The great news is that this is available for the Nintendo Switch…TODAY! You can download it for free

 

Yes…FREE!

 

According to the @Pokémon Twitter, in Pokémon Quest you can decide which characteristics your Pokémon will have. You can use special items called Power Stones to strengthen your team. The kind of Pokémon they become is completely up to you.

The second announcement was about the Pokémon flagship title that we all know and love. The new titles are Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu! And Pokémon Let’s Go Evee! Apparently, with Pokémon crossing into the console market, it’s going back to its roots by basing the game on Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu edition that was released originally in Japan in 1998!

With this new iteration, players can use their Joy-Con to toss a PokeBall in addition to other interactive features. In fact, a PokeBall Plus peripheral was announced which is a PokeBall-shaped device you can use to catch Pokémon. Also, if you didn’t get the connection, the new game will be able to connect to the wildly popular (and profitable) Pokémon GO! mobile app.

Expect the new Pokémon games to come in November 16, 2018!

IKARUGA Coming To The Nintendo Switch!

Posted on by

The genre known as the “bullet-hell shooter” described a series of games that were typically (but not limited to) top-down shooting games and featured loads upon loads of enemy projectiles, which usually filled the screen with a beautifully dangerous death spray (hence “bullet hell”). Games like DonDonPachi Revolution, Danmaku Unlimited, and Deathsmiles (which is a horizontal shooter) had their niche audience; it even spawned its own subgenre, The Touhou Project.

However, one of the most recognizable and popular of these games, Ikaruga, is coming soon the Nintendo Switch in announcement made by Nicalis. Originally created by Japanese video game developer Treasure, the game itself is spiritual sequel to Radiant Silvergun, another top down shooter (but not classified as a bullet hell) which created point combos by shooting like-colored enemies. Ikaruga took the idea and simplified it, using a simple black and white shooting scheme. Basically, a player could “switch” (see what I did there?) between black and white polarities which not only allowed the fighter to shoot that particular color polarity, it also shielded them from enemies that shot the same color. In doing so, the developer can literally cover the screen with black and white polarity projectiles, forcing the player to constantly switch polarities to avoid being hit.

Ikaruga’s radically contrasting style has a mixed reaction in Japanese arcades, citing that it wasn’t a “standard shooter” to core players, but it was a hit with North American importers, which saw the game released on the Dreamcast in 2002, the GameCube (under Atari/Infogrames) in 2003, the Xbox Live Arcade in 2008, and Steam in 2014. Now it’s going to find a home in the Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Switch’s version of Ikaruga will have loads of features as well. Not only will it support two distinct gameplay modes: Arcade and Prototype (which limits ammunition based on bullets absorbed), it will have three difficulty settings, and a horizontal mode where you can tilt your Switch in a portrait formation to play the game like the arcade! Expect Ikaruga to hit the Nintendo Switch eShop on May 29, 2018 for $14.99.

The Return Of SPYRO THE DRAGON!

Posted on by

Spyro the Dragon is a video game series that helped drive the sales of the Playstation. However, for some reason, the series never really made it past the Playstation era, instead it seemed to have disappeared along with the Crash Bandicoot series.

 

But it’s not like the title was forgotten. Many fans of the series begged Insomniac Games (creators of both the Spyro series) to bring back their favorite purple dragon, but the development company decided it was in their best interest to explore new IPs in Fuse and Sunset Overdrive. However with the release of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, many fans were wondering if they could see Spyro fly again.

And he will, though maybe not in the for the fans want.

 

What we’ll get is a remaster of the original 3: Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Revenge, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. It isn’t a bad start. With the successful reimagining of Ratchet and Clank, I believe Insomniac is trying to gauge interest in possible future games. Activision announced on Thursday that Spyro will return to the Playstation 4 in 3 pack titled Spyro Reignited Trilogy.

 

However, IF you have the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, you can enter the partial Konami Code: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square (instead of B, A) in the Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped title screen to see the Spyro Reignited Trilogy trailer.

Remember: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Square

The game will retail for $39.99 on Playstation 4 this September. As with the Crash trilogy, this may be a timed exclusive and will most likely appear on the Xbox and possibly the Switch. I guess we’ll see.

SPIDER-MAN Release Date Revealed!

Posted on by

When Spider-Man was officially announced at E3 2016, trying to get fans hyped up for the Spider-Man Homecoming movie that was to release the next year and heralding the new relationship between Sony and Marvel. Development was given to Insomniac Games, whose titles include Fuse, Sunset Overdrive, Ratchet and Clank, and Spyro the Dragon, which was a great move for the new title and would mark the first time the studio would work with an established IP.

 

When E3 2017 came and went, many fans were left wondering when the game would come out. The gameplay trailers looked amazing, but there was no confirmed release date. Ryan Penagos, VP and Executive Editor of Marvel Digital Media announced the game would be released in 2017 and many fans were anticipating it would be released by the end of 2017, while Shawn Layden, President of Sony Interactive Entertainment America announced a first half 2018 release.

 

But the final confirmation seems to have come from Game Informer and Sony itself on Wednesday. While the release of the Game Informer features a fantastic cover and a lot of detail about the game in the magazine, James Stevenson, Community Director of Insomniac Games announced the release date on Playstation blog site, covering the digital end of the news.

    We will finally get to see Spider-Man on PS4 on September 7, 2018.

 

It’s not exactly the time that fans were expecting, but if you know Insomniac, you’ll know that they thrive on quality (just look at their recent Ratchet and Clank game…it’s such a smooth game!) and quality takes time.

Providing the voice of the masked wonder is none other than Yuri Lowenthal. He has been a driving force in the voice acting community with voice credits on Naruto as Sasuke Uchiha, the Prince in The Prince of Persia video games, and Ben Tennyson on the Ben 10 series (though not in the current iteration as Ben, he still voices some of the creature forms).

Are you excited about the new Spider-Man?

NO MAN’S SKY Comes To Xbox!

Posted on by

When No Man’s Sky (NMS) released in August of 2016 on the Playstation 4 and Microsoft Windows platforms, followers of the game were expecting something really revolutionary. It was a game that featured a procedurally generated universe that had over 18 quintillion planets to explore in the game. Each planet was unique, and had various distinct wildlife and environments. Potentially, players could meet each other if they were on the same planet, but the chances of this happening were slim to none.

However, the game’s reception turned out to be something other than positive. Lackluster gameplay, constant crashes, and a very weird incident that had two players coincidentally on the same planet, but were never able to see the other player in game. Reviews were mixed as some praised its innovative direction while most panned it due to lack of content. Upon release, there were over 35,000 players on average with a peak of over 200,000, and sharply fell to a little over 750 average players with a peak of over 2,000 just 2 months later.

 

But developers kept hammering away at the game and released updates over time that started fixing and improving on the released game. By August of 2017, average players on Steam rose to a respectable 5,000 and peaked at just under 20,000. However, the update wasn’t enough to keep that audience as it has fell to an average of 550 with a peak of 1,000.

This should change with the announcement that 505 Games acquired the distribution rights to NMS and announced on their Twitter that they will not only be updating the game in a huge patch later this year, but will be releasing for the Xbox platforms with no set date announced.

Were you one of those people that jumped on the NMS train? Were you disappointed or are you one of the few die hards that can’t wait for the new update.

Nindies Show Big During Game Developers Conference

Posted on by

Nintendo has had a knack recently for making big announcements at very opportune times. This isn’t any different. On March 20, Nintendo released their lineup of Nintendo Indie games, or Nindies for short, to be released for the US audience. Here’s the official press release:

REDMOND, Wash., March 20, 2018 – In a Nindies Showcase video released during this year’s Game Developers Conference, Nintendo featured more than a dozen independent games coming to Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch system in 2018. These “Nindies,” the term for independent developers making games for Nintendo systems, are creating unique experiences that fall into multiple genres – including stealth action games like Mark of the Ninja Remastered, tactical role-playing games like Banner Saga 3 and rhythmic “bullet hell” games like Just Shapes and Beats. And because of the unique features of Nintendo Switch, all of the independent games featured in the video can be played at home or on the go. “Since the launch of Nintendo Switch, we’ve continued to be blown away with the amount of high-quality games coming from our passionate Nindie developers, and the positive fan reception for those experiences,” said Damon Baker, Nintendo of America’s Senior Manager for Publisher & Developer Relations. “This talented and ever-growing community of Nindies has found a home on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch, and we absolutely welcome their inventive and visionary contributions.” To view the Nindies Showcase video in its entirety, visit http://live.nintendo.com. Highlights of the presentation include:

 

  • Mark of the Ninja Remastered from Klei Entertainment: Originally released in 2012, this high-definition remaster of the critically acclaimed stealth action game is coming this fall. The game really makes players feel like a ninja, as they use silence, agility and wits to navigate beautifully designed 2D levels.
  • Banner Saga 3 from Versus Evil: As the epic conclusion to the award-winning Banner Saga trilogy of mature, story-driven role-playing games, players will need to brace themselves for tough battles, difficult choices and tragic losses. Banner Saga 3 launches this summer. The original two games, Banner Saga and Banner Saga 2, are also coming to Nintendo Switch. Players’ personal stories, progress and choices from the first two games will carry over to Banner Saga 3.
  • LUMINES REMASTERED from Enhance Games: A bombastic harmony of light, sound and intense puzzle action make this HD remake of the original critically acclaimed LUMINES as unforgettable to play alone as it is with a friend in local multiplayer. LUMINES REMASTERED launches on Nintendo Switch in spring.
  • Just Shapes and Beats from Berzerk Studio: This “musical bullet hell” game might be a genre all its own! Navigate deadly shapes solo or in local or online co-op multiplayer, all to a soundtrack composed by 20 chiptune artists. Just Shapes and Beats launches as a timed console exclusive on Nintendo Switch this summer.
  • Reigns: Kings & Queens from Nerial and Devolver Digital: As a monarch of the modern age, players face a seemingly never-ending series of requests from peasants, allies and enemies. By swiping left or right in the game, players impose their will on the kingdom. The Nintendo Switch version of Reigns: Kings & Queens, which launches this spring, features an exclusive local co-op multiplayer mode.
  • The Messenger from Sabotage and Devolver Digital: The Messenger allows players to transform the game from an 8-bit platformer into a gloriously rendered 16-bit timetraveling adventure. Players will find upgrades, new abilities, hidden levels and great speed-running opportunities as they journey through a cursed land. The Messenger launches on Nintendo Switch this summer.
  • Fantasy Strike from Sirlin Games: In a world where fantasy meets martial arts, anything can become a weapon. This gorgeous fighting game employs nuanced mechanics with simple combos and easy-to-perform special moves in local or online multiplayer modes. (Additional accessories required for local multiplayer mode; sold separately.) Fantasy Strike is coming to Nintendo Switch this summer.
  • Pool Panic from Rekim and Adult Swim Games: More than 100 levels await players in this game, in which everything – from jungles to deserts to cities – is one giant cartoon game of pool. The weird and wild game has the option to play in local multiplayer with up to four players. (Additional accessories required for local multiplayer mode; sold separately.) Pool Panic launches first on Nintendo Switch later this year.
  • Garage from tinyBuild Games: Inspired by the gloriously gory VHS era of Bmovies, Garage is a top-down shooter set in a gritty underworld. Slay hordes of the living dead using a variety of weapons and skills. Garage launches first on Nintendo Switch this spring. •
  • Light Fall from Bishop Games: This platforming adventure takes players to the forgotten world of Numbra, where they’ll have to master their surroundings by manipulating the Shadow Core, a magical box used to propel them into the air. In Speedrun Mode, players can race their friends or even the fastest players in the world to place on the online leaderboards. Light Fall launches first on Nintendo Switch as a timed console exclusive this spring.
  • Bomb Chicken from Nitrome: Who wouldn’t want to play a good old-fashioned chicken platformer? That’s the question asked by Bomb Chicken, a fast-paced game that combines action, puzzles and arcade gameplay. Lay bombs to escape tricky situations and discover secret areas when Bomb Chicken launches first on Nintendo Switch this summer.

Nintendo Switch Kicks Off its Second Year with a Surge of Standout Indie Games Page 3 • Pode from Henchman & Goon: Two unlikely travel companions embark on an adventure in this co-op exploration puzzle game. Pode is inspired by Norwegian art and culture, resulting in stunning environments and gameplay. Pode launches this spring. • West of Loathing from Asymetric: West of Loathing is a slapstick comedy stickfigure Wild West adventure role-playing game. How’s that for a genre? The hilarious game, full of puzzles, quests and turn-based combat, launches on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive this spring. • Bad North from Plausible Concept and Raw Fury: Arm troops, shore up defenses and protect citizens in this rogue-lite real-time strategy game. The Viking-themed Bad North launches first on Nintendo Switch this summer.

 

Remember that Nintendo Switch features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about other features, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/.

 

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 Nintendo Switch™ system and the Nintendo 3DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 4.5 billion video games and more than 710 million hardware units globally, including Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS™ family of systems, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™, Nintendo GameCube™, Wii™ and Wii U™ 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 Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nintendo.com/.

 

Personally, I’m really excited for Lumines Remastered as it was pretty much the staple game I played on my PSP. Fantasy Strike also intrigues me as I’m a fan of Sirlin Games’ line of analog games (to which the characters from the video game originate from) and those games are well put together.

 

Other titles I’m interested in are the 8-bit to 16-bit platformer The Messenger. I’ve always been a fan of new mechanics and in one of my classes, one of my students had an idea of a game changing its resolution as the game progressed. Looks like they weren’t the only ones with that idea. Pool Panic just looks really fun to play and is a great twist off of the traditional pool mechanic. The last one I’m interested in is Bomb Chicken, where its simplicity really stands out.