It’s been a while since I’ve posted a video about Super Mario Galaxy 2. Mario keeps evolving and evolving, in fact, I have two videos to share, that details features about Galaxy 2’s new gameplay mechanics. Nintendo’s mantra of adding new features, and evolving the Super Mario franchise is in increments rather than leaps and bounds. Nintendo have added features to Galaxy 2 without having to sacrifice gameplay at all. For example, there’s a Co-Op mode, which you’ll see in the first trailer I am going to be talking about.
In this trailer, there are two new gameplay mechanics, one is the “Phantom Princess” partner. The other is “Cloud Mario.” Phantom Princess looks to be a Game Guide in helping casuals how to play better, and being more effective with regards to jumping at a timer’s notice. This is going to be handy and helpful for later levels because Cloud Mario looks like it requires timing to get to secret locations and hard-to-reach locations. Cloud Mario evidently has a limit of 3 clouds per minute or row. So you’re going to have to place the clouds in the right place, with the right distance – which again requires timing – when to “puff” the cloud.
Finally, notice anything in the video? Co-Op. How? Second player or third player are the “partners” for mario – notice how the stars helped make way for mario when he slides into a sphere water? In previous platform games of the 90’s, Sonic had Tails to help him in his quest – but this was only by Artificial Intelligence, which eliminates the accuracy of what the player wants to happen. You can’t even control the AI to work the way you want it to, its all automatic.
In the last video, features weren’t objects, they were enhancements for mario. In this other trailer, it shows new features for mario to be using, such as walking on a ball. One of my favorite parts of the video is the ability to play a ghost. When I first played Super Mario World on SNES, I was scared of them ghosts because they were hard to ‘avoid’ in tricky platform spots. And wondered to myself “Can I play the ghost in this stage?” The same way my cousins used the cheat code to Sonic 2. T’was fun.
Another favorite part is when Mario upgrades himself into a flame Mario. We’ve known flame Mario since the original Super Mario Bros. but, in Galaxy 2 it doesn’t just “knock off” enemies, it explodes some objects, which is a very welcome change for the suit. Mario can be a bee, he can be an invisible bomb, too!
Super Mario Galaxy is in stores on May 27th for Nintendo’s widely successful Wii! Huzzah!
April 27, 2010 — Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced Super Street Fighter IV, the ultimate vision of Street Fighter, is now available in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. The follow up to one of Metacritic’s highest-rated games of 2009, Super Street Fighter IV features 10 new characters, new Ultra Combos, new stages, the return of Bonus Stages, and beefed-up online modes (including the free Tournament Mode DLC after launch) all for a low price of $39.99.
Super Street Fighter IV features the full roster of 25 characters from Street Fighter IV such as Ryu, Ken, Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus, while adding 10 characters new to the world of Street Fighter IV. The impressive new roster includes classic combatants from previous Street Fighter games including Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto, Guy, Cody, T. Hawk, Dee Jay and Adon, as well as all-new characters to the series such as the mysterious and deadly Korean fighter Juri and the over-the-top oil wrestler Hakan.
Super Street Fighter IV adds new Ultra Combos for every character and advancements to the online matchmaking and online gameplay introduced in Street Fighter IV, including new modes Team Battle, Replay Channel, and Endless Battle. This will be followed by the all-new Tournament Mode, coming as a free download in June 2010, which will determine the best players in the world as Street Fighters compete online for unique Championship Titles.
Its been a little while since Bungie launched the multiplayer trailer for Halo: Reach. They’ve gone an extra mile by talking about Halo Reach’s multiplayer beta which is going to drop in no less than week from now (May 3rd), and all we could do is eagerly await its launch – because once it drops, an all out war on Reach will become so wild, so chaotic that it creates a Carnage! And as such, Bungie released a VidDoc (short for Video Documentary) discussing the game’s awesomeness.
Without further rage. *AHEM* I mean, heh. Without further ado, Carnàge Carnivàle!
Which carnival are you going to attend? The clowns at Activision, or the talent at Bungie? If you’re going to the Bungie camp, don’t forget to buy Halo 3: ODST to participate in the multiplayer beta of Halo: Reach!
For a series that has been on the market beyond ten years – yes. More than a decade. Marvel vs Capcom is actually the fourth game in Capcom’s “Vs.” series of games. Marvel Vs Capcom isn’t just a series, its a universe, starting from X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter. SNK vs Capcom is included in that list, even though its not part of the Marvel universe – it is the idea that came particularly from that series of games. It took Capcom quite a long time to pull together another Marvel vs. Capcom game, thanks largely to Electronic Arts’ acquisition of the Marvel fighting license. MvC fans weren’t too happy about the announcement made by EA to do a fighting game based on the Marvel universe. And as such, EA’s Marvel effort, Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects was met with lackluster sales. Largely due to poor gameplay execution. Lets not forget that the name isn’t particularly good; the longer the name, the harder it is to distinguish one game from the other. Say “Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects” out loud and tell me not only is it long, but is it also an attractive name? I mean, EA advertised this game as if it was its last video game.
At Capcom’s annual Captivate press event taken place in lush Hawaii, Capcom announced a new Marvel vs Capcom is coming after 10 years of demand, and ten years of waiting. Without further ado, Marvel vs Capcom 3!
Tidbits and information known so far about Marvel vs Capcom 3: It is coming to Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 next Spring. The game is still using the 3 vs 3 fighting rules – tag, assist your mates in battle. And perform a triple super special move. The 3-on-3 Tag Team Fighting is a trademark of the Marvel vs Capcom series of games, and many people love the play style.
Marvel vs Capcom 3 uses an advanced version of the MT Framework Engine. Lost Planet 2, and Resident Evil 5 are games that uses the MT Framework Engine. Capcom wanted to use a developmental engine that their top talent was most comfortable with and was powerful enough to deliver the new and unique graphical direction. Capcom’s goal is to maximize depth but minimize complexity. Making sure that MvC2 fans are taken care of but also the millions of new Marvel fans and gamers from the past decade are not alienated. Marvel is highly involved in the development and direction of the game. Specifically, making sure that the Marvel characters are accurately presented and represented.
Living Comic Book Art Style: See the characters from the Capcom and Marvel universes brought to life in a “moving comic” style, blurring the boundaries between 2D and 3D graphics. This is made possible by the MT Framework and the use of special shaders that capture the Marvel comics style and Capcom flavor. The MvC3 debut trailer is using the in-game graphics engine.
GameSpot interviewed Capcom about MvC3:
To learn how I felt about Marvel Vs Capcom 2 for Xbox 360 and PS3, here‘s the article.
Bionic Commando Rearmed has met with a blockbuster success when it first came out. And now, Capcom comes out with a new Bionic Commando game, set in a 2D world, with 3D graphics just like the original did. The game look like it takes place in Hawaii, how interesting that the announcement’s location was conveniently at the same place the game looks like it’s going to be in! At Captivate 2010, the place of the event was no other than Hawaii. What a way to announce your upcoming game, Capcom! I think this is an absolutely great way to advertise your newest game. The trailer is below:
As you can see, the game takes place in lush new environments – including the jungle. You are going to be using the grapple hook once again, along with a slew of new weapons. You are going to be leaping, swinging, and grabbing to new locations, new enemies, new bosses. New features include:
– New Weapons, attacks and enhancements for the the all-purpose Bionic Arm
– New physics-based puzzles.
– 2-player co-op.
– Enhanced graphics and better camera functionality.
– All new musical score inspired by NES-era sound effects, produced by the same creative mind behind the original Bionic Commando Rearmed soundtrack.
– Cut-scene art designed by cutting-edge art studio Massive Black, whose previously worked on Infamous, Bioshock 2, and God of War III.
Are you ready to save the world from a new villain named General Sabio? Next year, Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 is going to land on Xbox Live Arcade, and PlayStation Network. Price tag? Judging from BCRearmed’s price – $15.
To read my review of Bionic Commando Rearmed, here you go.
When you’re marketing a product, you’re supposed to look at things from many perspectives. A brand perception isn’t a one-way street when it comes to how people react to how companies execute their marketing scheme. And the latest marketing stunt by an advertising company is a reminder that you must do things thoroughly, instead of just waltzing out there and “doing it.”
UbiSoft, developers of the Splinter Cell contracted Monaco Corporation to market Splinter Cell: Conviction, when they in turn hired yet, another marketing firm to do the job. What? Monaco Corporation can’t pull a marketing stunt of their own? What game promoter contracts out another marketing firm to do the job for them?
Nonetheless, the actor that the marketing firm hired was dressed as Sam Fisher in his signature stealth suit. The actor arrived at a bar called “Degree” and decides to pull out a fake pistol pointed at the Degree patrons. The customers were drinking outside of the bar when he pulled the gun out. When he did, the customers were diving into tables for cover, yelled out “he’s got a gun!” Which in turn scared the other patrons inside the bar. (Source)
This is NOT the way to do it, Monaco! Your marketing firm should have done the following, to ensure that the cops don’t come out pointing guns at your actor. The better way to do it would have been:
– Talking to the Degree Bar owners or managers about staging a marketing event. This includes whatever you want. You can even bring out the same actor and dress you used in the first place.
– Place a banner of Splinter Cell: Conviction across the bar, while doing the same stunt you wanted to do in the first place. It would have given the “Ah-ha.” feeling when they look around.
Splinter Cell: Conviction is an Xbox 360 exclusive slated to be released on April 13th, 2010. So, its out on store shelves as you read this. Don’t forget, if you buy the game, you get exclusive beta invitation to Future Soldier.
This article is a copyright of CarlosX360 Co. Ltd., any use of this article without the author’s permission is liable for a lawsuit.
Nintendo has always been known for its high quality video games. At the first glance, it’s easy to think that Nintendo is a hardware powerhouse, because of their success with Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, the entire GameBoy family of handhelds, the Nintendo DS family, and the recent worldwide acclaimed Wii. The truth is they’re not masters of Hardware. That belongs to Sony.
You see Nintendo contracts out other companies to design their proprietary chipsets, chips, and the like. And the only thing they do best is design video games for that particular hardware. Consider this: What if Nintendo developed for Sony branded consoles exclusively, or Microsoft’s consoles exclusively, that would mean they’d go 2nd party. But, why not take the Sega approach, but in a unique way? Nintendo has plenty of game divisions within’ its own company. So, while Nintendo becomes a Third Party developer, why don’t they contract out its “second party” teams to specific companies and act as the “face” of the brand.
Let’s take an example. Tecmo is a third party developer, but they contracted out Team Ninja to do Nintendo’s Metroid brand. I love Metroid, but it’s always on a Nintendo console or handheld, which pisses me off a lot. I would love nothing more than to see a big Metroid game on Sony’s PS3 – the only thing that Metroid suffers is from graphical limitations on Wii. But, Nintendo makes its games look good even though it’s on a chipset with specs of an earlier generation console. This is where Nintendo succeeds where other third party developers fail in.
Team Ninja is currently in development of Metroid: Other M for the Wii:
I love Nintendo for its video games – everything from Zelda, to Metroid, to Super Smash Bros. Its consoles are either a hit, or a miss. For example, when I saw Nintendo 64 for the first time – I was ecstatic. The code name for the console was “Ultra 64” and its flagship title was none other than Rare’s Killer Instinct. It was not only one of the best fighting game that I’ve played at the time, it was also one of the best looking game of its time, the CG graphics was enough to wow everyone.
I used to go off-campus of my high school just to play Killer Instinct 2 every day, I spent almost a dollar just to play a few games, and when I had no time left to stay there and play. I did, and I was late to class sometimes. I loved it that much. So, when N64 came out, the very first game that I got was Killer Instinct Gold. Granted, it wasn’t sharp, but it’s freakin’ Killer Instinct, dude. I will never forget the famous “Ultraaa” echoes. It’s better than Mortal Kombat’s “toasty.” It was so famous, that everytime you pulled off a two digit combo, and knocked him out of the ring, everyone, and I mean, everyone was excited about it. Everyone. Never played Killer Instinct? Doesn’t matter, you were excited to hear it.
Zelda was charming in its 8-bit, and 16-bit days, but when I got Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I was excited to play it, because it allowed for free roaming play, I enjoyed every single second of Zelda 64, much to my surprise. How surprising? Because no matter how much I hated change at the time, the switch from 2D to 3D for a Zelda game, I embraced the idea as long as it plays good. The surprising part of it was how well it was executed, while delivering an epic game of its proportion. It’s like the first time you saw a huge boss, you went like “holy…$#!t.” Two reasons; 3D was a new technology at the time. So, how far they pushed the hardware is what impressed people. Secondly, you don’t remember an enemy filling up the entire screen in mere seconds, whereas in 2D games, the boss has to be positioned in a place to be able to “fill” a screen.
Turok is another game that pushed the hardware in ways other developers couldn’t. Granted, it had a lot of fog, but even then, it was charming. It added a dimension to gameplay because you can’t see the other side. So, the first time you saw them raptors leaping at you for the first time – you retreated and tried to fight for your life. Or when you are about to look around in a new area, you find out that you have platforms to jump to, like Super Mario. And when fog’s added to the mix, Houston we got a problem. I loved the platforming part of Turok 64. No matter how hard it was, and no matter how many times I died. I came back for more. And then, we have the musical score that Turok was packed with. Acclaim folded because they forgot what Quality means to people.
Thing is, N64 sold a measly 32.93 million units when compared to PlayStation’s 100 million units sold. Conversely, GameCube only sold 21.74 million units which is a step back from N64’s numbers, while compared to PlayStation 2’s staggering success at 150 million units sold. Wii has sold more than 67 million units, surpassing NES’s record for best selling console in Nintendo’s history. And also surpassing Xbox 360, and PS3 by only 30 million and 33.3 million respectively.
My point is, Nintendo is synonymous with quality games. Why can’t Nintendo be a third party developer and create new brands with their creative minds? Why the hell do I have to buy every single one of their consoles just to be able to play Metroid, Zelda, Super Mario?
Why not bring Metroid, Mario, Zelda to other consoles, while creating new brands along the way?
When I look at the Wii, all I see, is that Nintendo only makes games for its own brands, its franchises, and its mascots – exclusively only to its past games. I don’t see new brands being made. How about focusing all their cash flow to its games, instead of juggling between games and hardware?
This article is a copyright of CarlosX360 Co. Ltd., any use of this article without the author’s permission is liable for a lawsuit.
Sony doesn’t have too many space shooters on its PlayStation Network platform. The original Söldner-X: Himmelsstürmer sold enough units to warrant the sequel; Söldner-X 2: Final Prototype. The game is a classic type of shoot ‘em up (also referred to as shmup) on a horizontal plane, some stages change perspectives – some go up, down or sideways, or spiral out of control. In the successor to Soldner X, your mission is to prevent the galaxy from an invasion by a technologically superior race; the D’aarg. You battle through 7 stages to save mankind from the brink of extinction.
What to expect from Soldner X2:
– Impressive audio, and visuals.
– High Definition 3D backgrounds supporting up to 1080p.
– Non-Stop and Action-Packed.
– Enemies filling the screen with every intention of destroying your ship.
– Exciting bullet patterns that test your skill.
– New and powerful weapons.
– New limit attacks.
– New “FourFold Chaser System.”
– Newly designed chaining system.
– New Online Leaderboards with detailed scoring and stats.
– An adrenaline pumping soundtrack of 30 unique tracks.
And then a lot more. Lets to the video, shall we? In May 2010, this is what you’ll be playing:
I’ve written a review article about the original Söldner-X.
For years, Epic Games and Microsoft have collaborated on the Gears of War series, and brand. Gears of War spanned 2 games, and millions of copies sold worldwide. At GDC, Epic Games was showing off a tech demo to show off the power of the new Unreal Engine. Since then, rumors spiral out of control that a new Gears of War may indeed be coming. This is what the tech demo looks like:
Recently, on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” Cliff Bleszinski from Epic Games spoke with Jimmy Fallon about his upcoming blockbuster Xbox 360 game. He took the time to use the show to announce that Gears of War 3 is indeed coming, and that its coming around this time next year. The trailer that he debuted at Jimmy Fallon’s show is below:
Gears of War is an Xbox 360 Exclusive franchise, so Gears of War 3 will land on Xbox 360 in April 2011. Some are speculating the date to be around April 8th.
For a almost years now, Microsoft and Sony has been wanting a piece of the Wii market. And in my opinion, Sony wanted it more than Microsoft. Sony included a tilt-sensing feature into their legendary Dual Shock controller. It didn’t make sense when they did add it to the DS3 controller, but I see the point. When they revealed the motion controller was in development, they talked about how players can use the DS3’s with the motion controller, now officially named “Move.” The Six-Axis wasn’t just a feature, it was something Sony implemented it to give developers freedom to give players new experiences – and to work with future products such as “Move.” PlayStation Move integrates with EyeToy for movements. Much like Wii and Natal, Move will need a peripheral in order to function. You may already have EyeToy in your living room, but if you don’t you’ll need to buy it before using PS Move. You can watch the announcement done at Sony’s GDC press conference:
Here’s PlayStation Move’s demostration video:
Sony has revealed some games that will revolve around tailored for PlayStation Move:
– Sports Champion
– Move Party
– Motion Fighters
Announced on the PlayStation Blog, comes the announcement that PlayStation Move support is coming to EyePet. Other pre-existing franchises getting PS Move support are:
– LittleBigPlanetl
– SOCOM 4
Third party companies onboard with PS Move are:
– Koei Tecmo
– Square Enix
– Crave Entertainment
– Sega
– Konami
– UbiSoft
– Bandai Namco Games
– Disney Interactive Studios
– Electronic Arts
– Warner Bros. Games
– Capcom
– Activision
The only third party company with an offcial “Move” support is Electronic Arts, with Tiger Woods 11.
PlayStation Move will have a “sub-Controller” alongside it at launch. It will be bundled with the PlayStation Move, included in various bundles including a PS3 Console Bundle. The peripheral will be available this fall for a staggering price of $100. But if bundled with something else, you can get more value for your buck.
