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  • PS4 Fortnite Players Locked from Playing on Switch

    PS4 Fortnite Players Locked from Playing on Switch

    Sony has been a notorious opponent of cross-platform play. Most recently, Sony has slammed the door shut on cross-platform play with the mega-popular Fortnite on their system. Fortnite players on Xbox One and Switch can’t play with their friends on PS4 and vice-versa. PS4 players can, however, play with players on iOS and PC. The worst part isn’t the cross-platform play, though, it’s Sony’s absurd account lockout policy. 

    Sony Holding Fortnite Accounts Hostage 

    Against the advice of literally every industry analyst, Sony has declared outright war on the concept of playing nice with Nintendo and Microsoft. After Fortnite’s Switch launch on June 12th, a number of Switch owners were stunned to see they couldn’t link their Epic accounts to their Switch. If you’ve paired your Epic account with the PlayStation 4, you’re locked out from linking it on the Switch. Or the Xbox One, for what it’s worth, but most people hadn’t ever tried to jump from the Xbox to PS4. Gamers were understandably outraged, though, as Sony had given no indication that accounts linked to the PS4 version of the game would be locked from future ports of the game. 

    Sony’s Response to Criticism 

    Sony has been frustratingly evasive on this matter. When asked directly about it, they elected to boast about user numbers on their platform. Classy, Sony. While Epic has given no indication yet of how they will handle this issue, Nintendo was quick to apologize to their affected fans. Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, expressed how he wished Nintendo could help, but the issue is out of their hands. Sony has chosen to enter this battle unbidden, purposefully alienating PS4 owners who also have a Switch.  

    For context, Switch and Xbox owners are able to play with any system that has the game, except, of course, PS4. The only thing standing between the world’s most popular game and full cross-platform play across all systems is Sony. This is really a shame, as the company is  driving a wedge between the game’s community over stubbornness. 

    What Can Be Done? 

    Sadly, for the time being, it seems that there is nothing affected users can do. If a user were to make a new account, they could play on Switch. However, their progress and any real-world money spent on their account would be locked on the PS4.  

    Perhaps Epic could allow users to migrate their accounts as a one-time service. Perhaps allowing users to remove PlayStation markers from their account and move to Xbox or Switch. Doing so would be in direct opposition to Sony. However, it would be a reasonable act in light of Sony’s unprecedented stubborn attitude. Until more news breaks, though, PS4 Fortnite users who want to play on Switch are left with few options. That, and a great deal of frustration at Sony. 

  • 5 Game Releases From E3 That Are a Must Play

    5 Game Releases From E3 That Are a Must Play

    This was considered by most to be a week year at the E3 conference. Expectations going in where low to begin with and nothing earth shattering or even mildly interesting was revealed. What we did get is a ton of really amazing games. An endless supply of games were announced and they all look pretty great. Lets take a look at the biggest and best 5 Game Releases we will be playing all next year.

     

    1. Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

    Finally we get what we wanted from Nintendo, and may have to go purchase a switch just for this. Nintendo Switch’s first “Smash Bros. was a classic hit, but Ultimate will be enev bigger. Yes, every character that’s ever appeared in a “Smash Bros.” is here (that’s over 60, including rarities like “Metal Gear’s” Solid Snake). Nintendo has really stepped up the combat and evolved every character to have the Ultimate moves, stages and animations. This will ensure “Ultimate” is the best, visually amazing, craziest and quickest “Smash” to date. This will be the game that keeps droves of children occupied this holiday season.

    2. Spiderman

    Just titled Spiderman and set for a Sept 7th release,  Sony and Insomniac’s “Spider-Man” is exploding with excitement and hitting number 2 on our top 5 Game Releases, The WebCrawlers latest installment  is going to be fantastic in its actions, NYC renderings and non stop Spidery action. Not to mention the best activity is still just swinging around over the Manhattan skyline, which will be greatly enhanced.  Bringing an “Arkham”-like combat system, impressive voice work and ridiculously cinematic battles, and endless parade of villains. This is  shaping up to be the best superhero games we’ve ever played. It’s also wowed a certain comic company: Marvel was so impressed with Insomniac’s work, they’re including the video game version of Spidey in their official canon. Hurry up and get here Sept 7th, im seriously pondering the Eric Cartman freezing my self idea.

    3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

    Assassin’s Creed Origins was a magnificent success for Ubisoft, so much it decided to just take the leap  and blast out the next AC into a full-blown role-playing game for our enjoyment. For us, This one will be set during the Peloponnesian War in Greece, “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” lets players choose genders, bulk up tons of stats, collect gear and goodies and even shape the story with new branching dialogue options. This is shaping up to take Assassins Creed to the next level of immersion and action. Ill be pre-ording this one ASAP. Its hard not to have this as the number 1 game on the 5 Game Releases list.

    4. CyberPunk 2077

    After three games of high fantasy, via an adaptation of The Witcher series, CD Projekt Red is starting up a new franchise in a completely different genre. It’s full of big ideas and promises huge amounts of customisation and individuality when it comes to your character and play-style. Cyberpunk 2077 is a role-playing video game played in a first-person perspective as V, a mercenary whose sex, hairstyles, face, body type, body modifications, background, and clothing are customisable. V’s clothing alters how interactions fare with non-player characters who are also at V’s disposal for romantic and sexual relationships. This looks to be the game we never saw coming, totally innovative and set to really blow us away, like the original resident evil did many years ago. This will be the game all the cool kids will be talking about around the water cooler.

    5. Fallout 76

    number 5 on our top 5 Game Releases for 2018…Who doesnt love Fallout? Who hasent been anticipating the next Fallout installment? Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Skyrim and Fallout 4, welcomes us all to Fallout 76, the online prequel where every surviving human is a *real person*. Work together – or not – to survive. Under the threat of nuclear annihilation, you’ll experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe.

  • The Ten Coolest Games Showcased at E3 2018

    The Ten Coolest Games Showcased at E3 2018

    With Nintendo’s Direct in the books, the E3 2018 press conferences have now wrapped. There were some huge reveals from all the major players. Let’s check out some of the hottest games showcased during the show! 

    Gears of War 5 

    Photo Credit: NDTV Gadgets 

    As one of Microsoft’s flagship franchises, Gears of War has had some serious longevity. The newest entry focuses on Kait Diaz, pictured above. Kait was first introduced in Gears 4 and is a refreshing change from the monotonous macho-man mayhem the series is known for. The trailer Microsoft showed featured colorful new vistas and an arctic environment. Previous entries were criticized for their gray-and-brown color pallet, so it’s nice to see some color in the series. The trailer also showed off some interesting new monsters for the protagonists to chew through. Get ready for war! 

    Fallout 76 

    Photo Credit: ComingSoon 

    Few franchises command as much fanatic devotion as Fallout. After a teaser before the show, Bethesda unveiled more details during E3 2018. This time around, players will work together to make a settlement and defend it from monsters. Oh, and other players. In Fallout 76, all NPC are replaced by players. Those marauders looking for nuclear launch codes to wreck your settlement? Yeah, those are players. Go get ’em, hero! Or join them, if you want. Bethesda is giving players the freedom to adventure how they wish. 

    Spider Man 

    Photo Credit: GameSpot 

    Insomniac’s amazing-looking Spider Man game got a new trailer. In this game, things look rough for the web-slinger. The Raft, a floating prison for super-criminals, has had a prison break. Rhino, Scorpion, Vulture, Electro and Mister Negative are all teaming up to take down Spidey. The trailer showed off some Arkham Asylum-esque combat and fluid, fast-paced web-slinging. If any game is going to make you feel like Spider-Man, this is the one. Another killer exclusive for the PS4! Spider Man hits September 7th. 

    Super Mario Party 

    Photo Credit: VG 24/7 

    One of Nintendo’s surprise reveals this year was Super Mario Party. Showcasing board game-like play with multiple Switch systems, the game seems perfect for the hybrid console. While it has been a few years since the last Mario Party, this one seems poised to revitalize the series. This outing will be bolstered by the flexible “go-anywhere” Switch hardware. Mario Party while camping? Sure! Game night at a friend’s house? Bring your Switch! Meeting some friends for lunch one lazy Sunday? Bring Mario Party and make an afternoon of it! Nintendo is really bringing the heat to Switch this holiday season. Super Mario Party is landing on October 5th. 

    Halo Infinity 

    Photo Credit: VG 24/7 

    Halo, Microsoft’s juggernaut first-person shooter, was due for an appearance. The cutscene shown at the show looked absolutely incredible, but scant details about the story were shared. Apparently, the game will run in a new “Slipspace” Engine, designed from the ground up for Halo. The cutscene shown ran in that engine, which is assuring. While the game is likely still a year or two away, it looks exciting! Here’s hoping developer 343 Industries doesn’t repeat the narrative mistakes of Halo 5. 

    Anthem 

    Photo Credit: EA 

    BioWare’s newest project looks like a serious contender for Bungie’s Destiny. The gameplay shown looks fast-paced and exciting, and the game is gorgeous. Many have reservations about the explosions-first direction, as developer BioWare has a history of story-based games. However, the trailers shown certainly reaffirm the tight, explosive gameplay looks fun. And why else play video games than to have fun? Not to mention, the latest attempt at a story-based game by the studio was a disaster. Mass Effect: Andromeda will forever remain a black spot on developer BioWare. Hopefully they can forge a new legacy with the promising-looking Anthem. 

    Death Stranding 

    Photo Credit: Wccftech 

    Hideo Kojima-led project Death Stranding still makes no sense, but it looks awesome. Featuring Norman Reedus of Walking Dead fame as the apparent protagonist, the game seems to be a horror-exploration hybrid. The trailers so far haven’t exactly explained the plot or why exactly the main character has a baby in a tank in stasis. That said, the trailers have all been quite gripping and intense. The trailer shown at Sony’s press conference showed gameplay footage that involved traversing a gorgeous, desolate open-world. The protagonist was also shown hiding from an invisible monster with hands for feet (apparently) and avoiding shadowy, human-like monsters. And those monsters have umbilical cords, for some reason. Yeah, the game looks weird. And I can’t wait to see more. 

    Assassin’s Creed Odyssey 

    Photo Credit: Ubisoft 

    The latest entry in the long-running open-world series takes place in Hellenic Greece. Like, all of it. And a huge swath of the Mediterranean. It looks downright stunning, as one would expect from this series. This entry also introduces new RPG-like elements, allowing the player to shape the unfolding story. There are also now quests to engage in romance with NPCs, instead of just, y’know, stabbing them. With wrist-mounted knives. But don’t worry, there will still be tons of badies to shank. 

    Beyond Good and Evil 2 

    Photo Credit: Gematsu 

    Cult classic Beyond Good and Evil is finally getting a sequel! Well, a prequel, but, hey, we’ll take it. No gameplay or release dates yet, but the trailers confirm Jade and Pey’j will both return. Aside from the amazing-looking cinematic, though, we have scant few details on the game. However, Ubisoft seems dedicated to providing awesome experiences and really knocked it out of the park at E3 2018. 

    The Star of E3 2018: Super Smash Bros Ultimate 

    Photo Credit: The Verge 

    Easily the biggest game of the show, Smash Bros Ultimate promises the return of every character to ever grace the legendary series. Even Solid Snake and Pichu are back this time! Additionally, developer Masahiro Sakurai has promised this will be the biggest Smash Bros yet. The game has been made from the ground-up with new animations and mechanics for every fighter. Truly, the development team has been putting in crazy amounts of work. It looks like the game is walking the razor-thin balance of appealing to both competitive and casual players. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is sure to break records when it drops on December 7th. 

  • E3 is Soon! What are We Expecting to See?

    E3 is Soon! What are We Expecting to See?

    It’s almost time for E3! Are you excited? I know we are! We had an article about what we were hoping to see, but now that we’re in the home stretch before the big event, let’s round up what we’re expecting to see. The Hype Train is moving full speed ahead, hop on board! 

    Nintendo at E3: Super Smash Bros and Pokemon 

    Nintendo surprised everyone when they announced Pokemon Let’s Go a full two weeks ahead of the event. You can rest assured we’ll see an in-depth breakdown of Nintendo’s newest Pokemon games at the event. Given that these are the first big console Pokemon RPGs since the Gamecube’s Gale of Darkness, they’re going to be huge. Expect to see Switch sales bolstered immensely by Nintendo’s yellow mouse mascot. 

    Speaking of Nintendo mascots, the other surefire topic at the event is assuredly Super Smash Bros. After the surprise reveal during March’s Nintendo Direct, the internet has been abuzz with rumors and speculations. Expect to see gameplay footage, new stages, new characters, and tons more. Nintendo has promised a tournament in the new game featuring some of the top Smash Bros players from around the world during the event. We’re sure to see new characters and gameplay features during this event. 

    Microsoft: More Exclusives? Please? 

    The Xbox One X is the most powerful home console out there, no doubt. The PS4 Pro doesn’t keep up. But that means very little when the system has next to no exclusives. Sea of Thieves doesn’t count, sorry; that game doesn’t come close to making the system flex. (Even if it is super fun.) Rumor has it that Microsoft is looking to remedy this with a slew of first-party titles to be revealed during E3. 

    Big names like Crackdown 3, Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 5, Halo 6 and more are expected at the show. Hopefully Microsoft has more than just sequels to aging franchises, though. Something fresh, exciting and new should be at the top of their list of reveals this year. 

    Sony: Upward Trajectory 

    Sony’s doing pretty well in the gaming world. They’re not doing too amazingly well elsewhere, but they’re leading the current console war. Expect to see news on first-party titles like Spider-Man and The Last of Us 2. New IPs like Ghost of Tsushima, Days Gone and Dreams will also likely make appearances.  

    Sony’s PS4 has been selling well and riding a wave of newfound popularity. God of War, the revival of the popular action series, has already sold over 3 million units. All Sony needs to do this year is keep telling us about awesome new games on the way and we’ll be happy! 

    The Other Stuff 

    Other big names at the event will be showing off their multiplatform efforts, of course. Bethesda will talk about Fallout 76, that one is for sure. They launched a teaser video last week with scant details, so fans will be ravenous for more come showtime. Borderlands 3 will likely be on display from Gearbox. We can expect Just Cause 4 and Kingdom Hearts 3 to also make appearances. Also, oddly, Rage seems to be getting a sequel and will be unveiled at E3 this year.  

    What Won’t We See? 

    Next gen consoles, probably. Sony and Microsoft have both only just pushed out updated versions of their existing consoles with better hardware. The odds of them overshadowing these updated consoles with announcements of next gen are pretty low. Similarly, Nintendo just released the Switch last year, and its sales have been quite strong.  

    Odds are good that this year is going to have the focus on games, first and foremost. This is good news for gamers who were getting sick of too much focus on gimmicks like Kinect and AR and the Wii U. Wait, that last one was its own console? Man, Nintendo fumbled the marketing for that thing… 

  • Fortnite For Switch! Get Ready to Battle on the Go!

    Fortnite For Switch! Get Ready to Battle on the Go!

    Fortnite, the astronomically popular battle royale shooter, is coming to Switch! The Korean ratings board posted their rating for the Switch version, confirming that the game is being ported. This news, ahead of E3, shows that Epic likely planned to announce the port at the large game conference.  

    Fortnite and Switch: A Match Made in Heaven 

    Fortnite, with its cartoony graphics and fast-paced action seems to be a perfect match for Nintendo’s hybrid console. Getting to battle and build while in handheld mode is sure to be hours of fun! Additionally, the Switch has very little in the way of free-to-play games, meaning the game will have little competition on the system. Children are likely to download it, thanks to its free-to-play model and bright graphics. Those same children will certainly then pester their parents for a few bucks to spend on in-game items, thus securing a great revenue stream for Epic.  

    While the demographics of the system make it a natural fit, this move also makes sense from another perspective. Fortnite had already been ported to every other modern console! The Xbox One and PS4 both have versions of the game, as does PC, of course, and even mobile! If the popularity of the game on mobile is any indication, demand for a handheld battle royale game is quite high. 

    Epic in the Headlines 

    Epic has been in the headlines recently thanks to more than just their mega-popular game. PUGB Corporation, the Korean company that makes rival game PUBG, has accused Epic of copyright infringement. To that end, PUBG Corp has sued Epic in Korea. Given just how much money both games make, it seems likely that if a case materializes, it will be incredibly high stakes.  

    In the meantime, though, both games continue to host millions and millions of players every day, all vying for the number one spot. If you’re interested in checking out Fortnite today, it’s free to download and on (nearly) every system! 

  • It’s Happening! Pokemon coming to Nintendo Switch!

    It’s Happening! Pokemon coming to Nintendo Switch!

    Nintendo and the Pokemon Company have finally unveiled some details for their new Pokemon games. Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Pokemon Let’s Go! Eevee are slated for release on Nintendo Switch on November 16th, 2018. What are the details? What can we expect to see? And does it live up to the hype? 

    A New Look for an Old Adventure 

    For a certain generation, the first few Pokemon games mean a lot. If you’re like me, you have fond memories of Pikachu and the gang running around on your GameBoy screen. Gamers in that camp will be delighted to hear that this new game is a reimagining of Yellow Version, the enhanced GameBoy Color port of the original Red and Blue. 

    Yellow version is fondly remembered for introducing elements from the anime, such as the starter being Pikachu. The new games are set to feature the original 151 Pokemon and the original setting, the Kanto region.  

    Let’s Go! 

    The new games take a cue from the mega-popular Pokemon Go app. Let’s Go! seems to adapt the capture mechanic from the smartphone entry. It seems the new Switch games are set to appeal to the more casual crowd pulled in by the surprise success of Go.  

    Additionally, it seems random encounters in the wild will not be featured in this game. Instead, encounters will be visible in the overworld. Battling wild monsters also seems to be skipping this entry, much like the smartphone-friendly Go. However, the game does feature trainer battles! Though at this time it’s unclear how big a role training and battling will play. 

    Pokeball Plus 

    Nintendo also announced a new controller for the Switch called the Pokeball Plus. The ball-shaped controller is adorable, and also offers new functionality for Let’s Go! The Pokeball Plus allows you to store a Pokemon from the console game and take it for a stroll with you. This functionality echoes the Pokewalker from HeartGold and SoulSilver.  

    What’s more, Let’s Go! promises connectivity with Pokemon Go, allowing you to transfer monsters from your phone to your Switch. Nintendo seems to be viewing these games as onboarding for smartphone-only players. Those who were introduced to the series via Go will have the chance to transfer their faovrite Pokes to their consoles. This could entice them to check out next year’s core entry. What’s that? Oh yeah, there’s more. 

    More Pokemon to Come 

    The best news of all? This isn’t the only Pokemon coming to Switch. While Let’s Go! is aiming to appeal to the more casual crowd, Nintendo promises a new “core” entry in the series in 2019. In the meantime, those craving a fun adventure with their favorite Pocket Monsters have a treat in store for them! 

  • Top Ten Things We Want to See at E3 2018

    Top Ten Things We Want to See at E3 2018

    It’s almost that time again. E3, the biggest conference for gaming news, starts on June 12th, and runs through the 14th. What kinds of news can we expect from the big three console makers? And what news will break from third party developers? Buckle up and get ready for a one-way ride to hype town, because we’re counting down our biggest E3 wishes! 

    Rocksteady Superman 

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine 

    Rocksteady, the developers behind the phenomenal Batman: Arkham series, have been rumored to be working on a Superman game. Such a project may well represent a chance for the big blue Boy Scout to finally star in a good open-world video game.  

    After seeing what Rocksteady could do for the Caped Crusader, it’s exciting to think about how they could handle Superman. Free-flying through Metropolis, beating up bad guys and saving the innocent? Sounds like a recipe for an awesome adventure! Here’s hoping it doesn’t play anything like Superman 64… 

    Fable 4 

    Photo Credit: Game Skinny 

    There are rumors circulating that a reboot of the storied Fable franchise might be on the way. An announcement at E3 would be met with trepidation by some, and joy by others. Lionhead Studios, the team responsible for the series, was shuttered back in 2015. This came after a series of downright awful Fable titles that experimented with the series’ direction. Namely the disastrous “Fable: The Journey,” an on rails (!) shooting game (!!) that was played with Kinect (!!!). 

    However, Microsoft would be handling Fable 4’s development in-house. If they stick to the RPG roots the franchise was founded on, it could be something truly exciting for the struggling Xbox brand. Fingers crossed that Microsoft learns from past mistakes made with the franchise and just makes a freaking RPG. If this one even mentions the word Kinect, I’ll be disappointed. 

    Borderlands 3 

    Photo Credit: DSO Gaming 

    It’s been rough for Gearbox lately. Their foray into the hero shooter genre, Battleborn, was absolutely trounced by Blizzard’s Overwatch. While Battleborn was quirky and cool in its own ways, it was unfavorably matched up against Blizzzard’s smash-hit. That’s in the past now, though, and Gearbox can push forward with their flagship franchise: Borderlands. The famous frenetic shooter was a smash-hit for Gearbox back in 2009, and its sequels were fantastic.  

    Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, the last entry in the looter-shooter franchise, came out in 2014. In the meantime, the gaming world has changed pretty tremendously. Here’s hoping Gearbox sticks to their guns (ha) on this one and makes a solid Diablo-like shooting RPG. If they try to go toe-to-toe with Fortnite and make this one a battle royale I might scream. Gearbox, come on, guys: do what you’re best at! 

    Elder Scrolls VI 

    Photo Credit: GamingScan 

    With the exception of Elder Scrolls Online, we haven’t seen an Elder Scrolls game since 2011’s Skyrim. Many single-player RPG fans have been clamoring for another entry in the open-world series. While Bethesda has been experimenting with spin-off card game titles and their MMO, they’re clearly still dedicated to their core games.  

    Odds are pretty good we’ll see at least a trailer or some gameplay footage from a hypothetical new Elder Scrolls. However, some of Bethesda’s other franchises like Prey or Doom might be receiving the next full-game treatment. If so, we’ll be sure to see them at E3. With luck, we might just see one of those in addition to a new single-player Elder Scrolls!  

    Next Gen Systems from Sony and Microsoft 

    Photo Credit: NDTV Gadgets 

    The Xbox One and PS4 are five years old now. There’s definitely some speculation that Sony and Microsoft might be showing off some new hardware at this year’s E3. If so, pricing, graphical capabilities and exclusive games will certainly be the topic of conversation.  

    However, it is worth noting that the Xbox One X and the PS4 Pro were recently released. This might give a bit of extra life to the aging systems. However, with the Nintendo Switch only recently being released, it might be wise of the other two console makers to fast-track their follow ups.  

    Star Fox 

    Photo Credit: DeviantArt 

    Star Fox is one of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, but it’s had a bit of a rough patch lately. The unusual and pervadingly awkward Star Fox Zero has somewhat sullied the franchise. However, rumor has it that a racing game like F-Zero is in the works with the Star Fox cast. This would be more than a little odd, but it would be interesting.  

    Nintendo hasn’t released an F-Zero title in America since 2003. Seeing it live on, even in spirit, would be great. I would definitely rather see a new F-Zero than see Star Fox become a racing game, I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand. Hopefully, though, the rumor is empty, and we’ll see a real follow-up to 2006’s fantastic Star Fox: Command. Either way, expect to see something from Star Fox at E3! 

    Fire Emblem 

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons 

    Fire Emblem, once circling the drain and ready for cancellation, is now one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. Buoyed tremendously by its characters appearing in Super Smash Bros, Fire Emblem is an example of the latter franchise’s propensity for playing king-maker.  

    Announced at last year’s E3, the Switch version of Fire Emblem is likely to be part of Nintendo’s June 12th presentation. The Switch is a perfect fit for the franchise: console releases like Path of Radiance have delivered huge, gorgeous maps. Handheld releases like Awakenings have delivered deliciously-difficult strategy on the go. Marrying these two aspects of the franchise is a match made in heaven. If Nintendo releases this game in the same window as Pokemon and Smash Bros, it’s going to be a very good year for gamers. 

    Gears of War 5 (Or Really Any Xbox Exclusives) 

    Photo Credit: Game Rant 

    The Xbox One isn’t doing too well when compared to the PS4 and the Switch. A lot of momentum Microsoft carried into this console generation was wrecked by their awful DRM policies when the system was announced. Following the abysmal reaction to the announcement, early games on the system were plagued by network issues and bugs. Notably, the Master Chief Collection, a game that should have been an easy home run for the company, was bungled out of the gate and nearly unplayable.  

    Needless to say, Microsoft needs some wins. While they’re in no danger of going out of business or anything (hello, Windows), they do run the risk of becoming irrelevant. Sony does everything Xbox does, but with better graphics and better exclusives. At least, for now. Maybe Microsoft has some heavy hitters up their sleeve for E3. Maybe something like… Gears of War 5? Alright, I guess Gears games are cool. Maybe try somehting new, guys? Oh well, time will tell. 

    Pokemon 

    Photo Credit: Den of Geek 

    It’s absolutely astonishing that it took this long for a core Pokemon game to make it to home consoles. It’s almost funny: Nintendo had to make a hybrid console to finally maneuver Game Freak into making a Pokemon for one of their home consoles. In any event, the internet is collectively abuzz with hype for this release. This one is guaranteed money for Nintendo if they just put in a few much-demanded features.  

    A “pro” mode where they don’t teach you how to throw a damn Pokeball would be cool. Let my Pokemon follow me around in the overworld. Give me a 3D, over-the-shoulder camera. Little things, man. You guys should knock this one out of the park. Hell, Game Freak already made 1080p 3D renders of the entire Pokedex for X and Y. (Don’t believe me? Emulators can extract those models, and they’re gorgeous.) Fingers crossed that we see a lot of this one at E3. 

    Most Hyped Game of E3: Super Smash Bros 

    Photo Credit: Screen Rant 

    Nintendo set the Internet ablaze when they announced Smash Bros for Switch at the end of their March Nintendo Direct. This series has achieved legendary status among Nintendo fans. Smash Bros singe-handedly ignited interest in the Fire Emblem series in the US. Characters included in this fighting game’s roster become instant icons. The promise of Smash on the go on a big, gorgeous Switch screen is a huge one. Two-player fighting in table top mode with split Joy Cons! Huge LAN-style parties with linked Switch systems! The Switch was seriously made for Smash. 

    Nintendo likely plans to launch their paid online service alongside Smash, so we’re likely to see it in September. I don’t think there’s another game that deserves as much attention at E3 as Smash. Seriously, any information Nintendo gives during their E3 Direct will be dissected, obsessed over and talked to death in the months before the game finally drops. Hopefully we can all keep our hype contained in the meantime. 

  • New Trademark Suggests Nintendo is Working on N64 Classic

    New Trademark Suggests Nintendo is Working on N64 Classic

    After the resounding success of the NES and SNES Classic systems, it comes as no surprise that Nintendo would push forward with more mini classic systems. Nintendo has filed a trademark that suggests they may have plans to create an N64 Classic system. This is exciting news, especially given the recent news that the Switch will not have a Virtual Console. 

    Everything Old… 

    The NES and SNES Classic systems sold out on their first productions, proving to be wildly successful. Nintendo surely seeks to emulate that success with their next mini console, but there are still some questions.  

    Will supply finally meet demand? Thankfully the original two classic mini systems are getting reissues in late June, so maybe Nintendo has learned their lesson? The other pressing question is, which games would an N64 Classic even have? 

    …Is New Again 

    Rare, the company responsible for Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye 007, is now owned by Microsoft. This could lead to some odd inclusions for games for a potential N64 Classic. Nintendo famously was the main developer releasing quality titles for the system: most of the great games were either first party or Rare.  

    If Nintendo is able to secure the rights to re-release Rare’s games, the system could have an amazing library. Thankfully, Microsoft has shown willingness in the past to work with Nintendo over older Rare games.  

    When Might We See the N64 Classic? 

    It seems unlikely that the system would be out anytime in 2018. Nintendo is already set to have a big Fall season. Super Smash Bros and Pokemon for are both confirmed for this year. However, the yearly games conference, E3, is in a few weeks. We’re likely to hear news of a new Classic system there first, even if it is just an announcement and a teaser. We’ll likely even see a release window, if the system materializes. We’ll have to wait and see what the big N has in store! 

  • NES Classic to Return to Store Shelves in June

    NES Classic to Return to Store Shelves in June

    The beloved Nintendo Entertainment System lives again, again! NES Classic Mini systems are slated to return to retailers June 29th, according to Nintendo, and the company claims the systems will be available until the end of the year. This is fantastic news for retro gaming enthusiasts looking to relive some of the most iconic games of all time!

    Tremendous Hit

    Since its initial release in Fall 2016, the NES Classic has been a tremendous hit, selling out its initial run in record time. Following its astonishing success, Nintendo released the SNES Classic, a miniature version of the NES’s successor, which experienced similar sell-outs. Finally, this Summer, fans who missed the initial release window will have a chance to snag the tiny retro console for MSRP, which is $60. For those who held out for a re-release, or simply couldn’t find a reasonable price on the secondhand market, this news is great!

    eBay Scalpers

    Notably, the NES Classic and its successor were both heavily targeted by eBay scalpers, scam artists who buy collectibles in large quantities and resell them on eBay and similar sites for absurd markups. Nintendo clearly didn’t expect such a massive demand for the systems, and scalpers capitalized on the low supply by further bottlenecking it and preying on nostalgia. This time around, however, Nintendo promises a much higher supple of both NES and SNES Classic systems, ensuring retailers will have them stocked for MSRP. This is awesome for customers, and terrible for scalpers. Win-win!

    NES Classic systems come preloaded with 30 iconic games, including Super Mario Bros, the Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Balloon Fight and more! You can grab one of your own and enjoy games from the 80’s that helped redefine the gaming industry when the system re-releases on June 29th.

  • Nintendo Unveils Details of Switch Online Service

    Nintendo Unveils Details of Switch Online Service

    After multiple delays and rampant speculation, Nintendo has finally announced details of their paid online service for Switch. Originally slated for a Fall 2017 release, the service will finally launch this Fall. Priced at $20 per year, the service will allow users to browse and play a select library of NES games with new online functionality.

    The Games

    Nintendo is bringing classic NES titles the Legend of Zelda, Balloon Fight, Dr. Mario and Super Mario Bros. 3, Donkey Kong, Ice Climber, Mario Bros., Soccer, Super Mario Bros. and Tennis to the service, with more to follow. This is in contrast to Nintendo’s previous Virtual Console branding, which Nintendo says won’t be returning to Switch. This Netflix-like approach resembles game-streaming services and could represent a new, modern direction for Nintendo.

    Interestingly, Nintendo promises online play for many of these NES classics, but has given no further details. One could only hope for simultaneous co-op in Super Mario Bros 3, or epic matches of Tennis! This is clearly Nintendo playing to their deep well of classic games in order to set themselves apart from their competition.

    Cloud Saves

    This service will also (finally) allow users to make cloud back-ups of their game saves, a feature that has been standard for Nintendo’s competition for years. Many players have noted that the lack of cloud saves led to them losing all of their save data when their console was lost or damaged. The inclusion of cloud saves will certainly lead to sighs of relief from Switch fans.

    Online Play

    The online service is also necessary to play games online, of course, so fans of Mario Kart 8, Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros. will have to shell out if they want to play those games main modes. Thankfully the service is significantly less expensive than Sony and Microsoft’s offerings, positioning Nintendo as a more family-conscious company yet again.

    Speaking of families, the online service will also allow a $35 subscription that allows one account to share online features to the other accounts on the Switch. The $35 plan would be ideal for families who all play games from the same Switch.

    What Else?

    This is a somewhat bare-bones announcement, and leaves room for speculation. Certainly, Nintendo will have more to say about this service, which launches this fall, by E3 this summer. Many fans are hoping for news of digital versions of Game Boy and Super Nintendo games. many others are eager to see if Nintendo will incorporate voice chat in a form other than their much-maligned Nintendo Online App.