Rayman, 99seconds and more
Wait, what? Another 3DS Virtual Console game? And this one's a Game Boy Color release? Well, if that don't just beat all. Here's what's up and at 'em in this week's bunch.
Still on course for Europe
Promising 3DS action adventure Heroes of Ruin's North American release date just took heavy damage, skulking off to 17th July. Developer n-Space didn't give any reason for the delay — which only affects North America — simply saying on its Facebook page:A note to our valued Heroes of Ruin fans and supporters... We share your excitement as we build toward the release of Heroes of Ruin, one of the most ambitious titles yet developed for the Nintendo 3DS! The game's multiplayer experiences, voice chat, daily challenges and other features will provide an unprecedented Nintendo 3DS experience. Because there are so many features within Heroes of Ruin that are new to Nintendo 3DS games, we've worked closely with Square Enix and Nintendo to deliver the highest quality experience. These collaborative efforts have ensured you'll play a uniquely enjoyable and well supported game. With development now completed, we look forward to Heroes of Ruin debuting in Europe on June 15 and North America on July 17. While the game's rollout will take slightly longer than previously announced, we know your time in the World of Veil will be all the better for it. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to crossing paths with you soon in Nexus!Hopefully the game will be worth all this waiting.
How much more waiting?
Today's Thursday. Nintendo will show off Wii U games on Tuesday. Want to make that wait seem even longer? Start guessing what these teased Wii U launch games are. The official Wii U Facebook page posted the following teaser last night:Guess what the initial game releases will be for Nintendo’s new home console, Wii U? Soon we’ll scratch off to reveal the names! ????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????? ???????????????????.To save you counting, the first silver bar is 33 characters long, the second is 27 and the third is 19. We don't know if those numbers are significant, we're just saying. Let's hear those guesses.
Told you so
In our big Wii U E3 rumour round-up yesterday we gave our reasons why the rumoured Metroid and Star Fox crossover game wasn't going to happen. And guess what? It isn't happening. Originator of the rumour Paul Gale Network has revealed the game is not in development at Retro Studios and therefore will not be shown off at E3 next week. Apparently the idea was proposed some time ago but was shot down like so many Arwings before it. So, no Samus vs. Fox team-up next week — not unless Smash Bros. turns up, which is even more unlikely than Reggie sprouting wings and flying around the Nokia Theatre — but that does mean Retro Studios should have something else to show us for Wii U. That ought to put a smile on your face.
Start your engines
Warner Bros. is set to have another go at refuelling its Spy Hunter franchise with the smartly named Spy Hunter for 3DS later this year. It ticks all the right boxes so far — you play the "Agent" and must use a car and weapons to overthrow a terrorist organisation — but of course we all want to know how it'll use the 3DS console's specialist features. Over to Samantha Ryan, senior vice president of production and development at Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (we imagine her business cards are very wide):Gamers now have more choice in the transformation and customization with greater hand controls, brilliant graphics and enhanced action cameras.Greater hand controls? Sign us up when the game's out this fall. [youtube:7sM7nNAZzM4]
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES SPY HUNTER For PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS
The Original Combat Driving Series is More Thrilling and Dangerous than Ever! BURBANK, Calif. – May 30, 2012 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces Spy Hunter, a reboot of the legendary combat driving series, specially developed for PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS by TT Fusion. The game will be available this fall. On the eve of the franchise’s 30th anniversary since the original Spy Hunter was released to arcades in 1983, the new Spy Hunter races forward on its most thrilling and dangerous ride yet. The player once again takes on the role of the “Agent,” the driver of the high-tech G-6155 Interceptor supercar, armed extensively with advanced weaponry, and ready to take on a global terrorist organization set on world domination. “Spy Hunter’s classic gameplay has been upgraded to give PlayStation Vita and 3DS players a new, adrenaline-charged experience,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Gamers now have more choice in the transformation and customization with greater hand controls, brilliant graphics and enhanced action cameras.” The Interceptor seamlessly transforms from supercar to off-road assault vehicle to speed boat, allowing players to go where they like within the game’s branching mission tracks. Players can choose to outfit and upgrade the Interceptor’s many weapons and high tech gadgets as they like throughout the course of the game. And for the first time, the Agent will have additional support in the form of an unmanned aerial support drone, allowing players to plan their destruction when assaulting enemy agent strongholds. Spy Hunter also features thrilling crash choreography and a camera system that follows the action in slow motion to let players savor the destruction they created.
Crash the boards
2K's highly acclaimed NBA 2K series is on the way to Wii U. NBA 2K13 is coming to the system during its launch period, which could be any time from release to three months later based on the launch period for past consoles. The simulation — which is also coming to Wii on 2nd October — is one of the top-rated sports series so should be a welcome addition to Wii U's software line-up.2K Sports Announces NBA® 2K13’s Triumphant Return to Virtual Hardwood on October 2, 2012 Fans to receive NBA All-Star add-on content presented by Sprite with pre-order purchase, including all-new Sprite Slam Dunk Contest mode New York, NY – May 30, 2012 – 2K Sports today announced that NBA® 2K13, the next installment of the top-rated NBA video game simulation franchise* for twelve straight years and the follow-up to the award-winning NBA 2K12, will be available on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in North America and October 5, 2012 internationally for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ system and Windows PC. A Wii U™ version of NBA® 2K13 will be available in the launch window, at a later date. Fans that pre-order NBA 2K13 for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 will receive a new downloadable NBA All-Star content package presented by Sprite. This add-on content will be set in Houston, the site of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game and will allow fans to stage their own NBA All-Star Game, including three NBA All-Star events - the Foot Locker Three Point Shootout, BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, and the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest featuring all-new intuitive, pick-up-and-play controls. “The NBA All-Star package is our way saying ‘thank you’ to fans for their ongoing love of the NBA 2K series,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “This content provides a ton of depth and value to our fans, and it’s just the beginning of a lot of big news about NBA® 2K13.” Gamers can pit the NBA’s current superstars against classic players in both the Foot Locker Three Point Shootout and Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. Rosters for both the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge and 2013 NBA All-Star Game will feature the 2012 All-Stars, with dynamic updates to the 2013 rosters once the participants are announced. Developed by Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio, NBA 2K13 is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available on October 2, 2012 in North America and October 5, 2012 internationally. The Wii U version of the title will be available during the holiday season. Fans are encouraged to pre-order now at participating retailers in order to receive the NBA All-Star content on day one at no extra cost. For more information on 2K Sports, visit www.2KSports.com.
For more information on NBA 2K13, visit http://www.facebook.com/NBA2K.
2K Sports is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). *According to 2008 - 2012 Gamerankings.com and The NPD Group estimates of U.S. retail video game sales through April 2012. NBA 2K13 ESRB RATING PENDING: Visit www.esrb.org for rating information
We have no words
Legendary SEGA arcade racer Daytona USA and Namco's Ridge Racer finally collide after years of taking separate racing lines, with Ridge Racer on Vita set to get the legendary Daytona Hornet as DLC. The car hits Japan on 6th June, alongside a song called Ridge Racer: Ridge Racer USA Mix, which we can only assume mashes up the famous Daytona song with Kaz Hirai's infamous "Riiiiiiiiidge Racerrrrrr" quote from E3 2006. Let's hope this DLC makes it outside of Japan. [youtube:zcPKS4XxZNQ]
Natsume and RSG on board
Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada recently set up his own studio, TOYBOX, with a simple message: "we are gaming for Love, Peace and Earth." Natsume, Rising Star Games and TOYBOX have just announced Project Happiness — a temporary title — with more details to come at E3. The announcement doesn't give much more away than that, but does specify "Project Happiness will warm the hearts of gamers both young and old." Sounds very much like a Wada creation: as well as Harvest Moon, he also worked closely with Yoshiro Kimura on the similarly heartwarming Little King's Story. Natsume, Rising Star and Wada all have plenty of history on Nintendo platforms, so we're pretty confident this'll come to 3DS or possibly even Wii U.CODENAME: PROJECT HAPPINESS UNVEILED Rising Star Games, TOYBOX and Natsume Inc. go for global happiness with new IP 31 May 2012 – Rising Star Games today announces its partnership with TOYBOX and Natsume to bring an exciting new IP to the global audience: Project Happiness (working title). Developed by Yasuhiro Wada, the ‘Father of Harvest Moon’, and his new studio TOYBOX, Rising Star Games will publish the title in Europe and PAL territories - Natsume handling the Americas. More information about Project Happiness will be revealed by Yasuhiro Wada during E3 2012. “Rising Star Games is privileged to work on the wonderful new IP Project Happiness with our friends at TOYBOX and Natsume,” said Martin Defries, managing director, Rising Star Games. “Our previous collaborations to bring great games to Rising Star Games European audience are a highlight of our game release history. The shared goal of all of us is to bring compelling entertainment to gamers, Wada-san and TOYBOX have an unquestioned skill in doing that.” With decades of combined experience in producing family-friendly games, TOYBOX will delight gamers young and old with adventure, discovery and wonder. “Project Happiness is an IP that is very close to my heart, and stems from years of working on other great titles like the Harvest Moon series,” said Yasuhiro Wada, CEO of TOYBOX. “Project Happiness is not only meant to be a fun game experience, but I also want it to help expand the player's view of the world, and make them ponder what their life means to them. From the very beginning of the idea of this product, we knew that to help bring its true vision to light, we wanted to partner with quality publishers who share our values like Natsume and Rising Star Games." "Project Happiness is the culmination of Wada-san’s many years of creating fun and wholesome gaming entertainment, and we’re incredibly excited to be working alongside TOYBOX and Rising Star Games throughout this project," said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “As more details are revealed throughout the year, players will begin to understand why we think Project Happiness will be the next major IP and fan favorite for Natsume.” Yasuhiro Wada will host behind-closed doors meetings to reveal the first details of Project Happiness at E3 where Natsume will host a booth in the South Hall, booth 515.
Including eShop
3DS owners, it's a good job you like castles. Yesterday we had Castlevania: Lords of Shadow — Mirror of Fate confirmed and today Zen Studios — yes, the pinball guys — announced CastleStorm for "Nintendo digital platforms". The tower defence/strategy hybrid was officially confirmed for the 3DS eShop but Zen has said it's in development for "literally every digital platform", so we're putting bets on a Wii U digital release later this year. Big bets. As for the game itself, it's a side-on take on tower defence with a dash of physics-based play in there too. The trailer below explains more. Zen Studios will be at E3 next week so we should see more. [youtube:Qm9_llv7vwo]
Nintendo UK just announced a new 3D photography initiative called Another Dimension, heading to the UK from next week. Interested 3DS owners can head out on special photography field trips with celebrities, like pop group The Saturdays or bird-botherer Bill Oddie, with their 3D snaps displayed as part of an installation by artist Graham Hudson. The events are free and open to the public on a first-come, first served basis by emailing photocomp @ nintendo.co.uk. The line-up of events includes: 1 JUNE : DRESS UP WITH THE SATURDAYS (secret location)
NINTENDO 3DS PRESENTS ANOTHER DIMENSION EXHIBITION, 3D PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION AND FIELD TRIPS ANNOUNCED 1-18 JUNE 2012: FIELD TRIPS BY BILL ODDIE, THE SATURDAYS AND MORE
6-8 JULY 2012: INSTALLATION BY GRAHAM HUDSON Nintendo UK is excited to announce ANOTHER DIMENSION, a series of special events and an interactive gallery exhibition, to celebrate the Europe-wide 3D photography competition that is currently underway. Taking place in June will be a series of intimate photography field trips hosted by a range of high profile names, including one of Britain’s best-loved nature enthusiasts, Bill Oddie, and members of The Saturdays. Work created during these unique trips will then be exhibited alongside the best 3D photography work from the competition, within a special pop-up installation created by acclaimed artist Graham Hudson. Taking in themes of People, Places, Animals, Augmented Reality and Objects, members of the public will be invited to take part in memorable and inspiring experiences, led by some of the UK’s best known and engaging personalities. Together with the opportunity to visit interesting places on a unique day out, they will also learn how to take 3D photographs using Nintendo 3DS consoles, to create a series of fun and eye-catching images, which will be entered into the 3D competition. Each field trip will also be attended by a member of the Royal Photographic Society who will be on hand to teach people about how to take high quality 3D photographs on their Nintendo 3DS. A unique opportunity to be taken on an intimate, visual adventure by a host of high profile names, the ANOTHER DIMENSION field trips are free and open to the public, and will be filled on first-come, first served basis, by signing up to photocomp @ nintendo.co.uk . Confirmed field trips include: 1 JUNE : DRESS UP WITH THE SATURDAYS (secret location)
13 JUNE: WALK WITH DINOSAURS WITH RICK EDWARDS (Bristol Zoo)
14 JUNE: STREET ART WALK WITH PURE EVIL (East London)
15 JUNE: A TRIP TO THE ZOO WITH BILL ODDIE (Battersea Park Zoo, London) The best of the photographs created during the field trips will also be featured as part of a giant installation at The Loading Bay Gallery, The Old Truman Brewery, Dray Walk off Brick Lane, E1 6QL from 6 - 8 July. The exhibition will be created by the award-winning artist Graham Hudson, who will build a large-scale architectural sculpture created from scaffolding, to house the 3D images. Having exhibited at London’s Zabludowicz Collection, Auto Italia, Saatchi Gallery, Seventeen Gallery and a host of international gallery spaces, as well as being featured at the Frieze Sculpture Park in 2009, and creating commissions for Comme des Garcons, Hudson was also shortlisted for W Hotels’ Designers of the Future Award at DesignMiami in 2010. The Nintendo 3DS Photography Competition has been launched in association with National Geographic Kids, famed for its exceptional wildlife photography, and the world’s oldest national photographic society, The Royal Photographic Society (RPS). Competition entries are split into six dedicated categories, so no matter what you love to shoot, there’s a theme to suit you. The categories include: Animals, People, Places, Objects, Plants and Augmented Reality, which fully utilises the Augmented Reality features of the Nintendo 3DS system. The photo entries will be judged by an expert panel, including Tim Herbert, features editor of National Geographic Kids magazine, and Dr Michael Pritchard, Director General at the RPS. The most promising photographer will win the top prize of a trip for two to Paris and a photography masterclass, while lucky runners-up will be awarded Nintendo goodies in recognition of their skill.
My name is James Newton, and this is my website - a collection of my writings about
videogames, music and all my other thoughts.