by John Carle, Mar 19 2010 // 2:00 PM
The Flickcast’s gaming division loves retro. Not one of us hasn’t broken out their old NES, blown into a cartridge, and booted up the original Super Mario Bros. even though it came out decades ago. So when we heard one of our Capcom classic favorites from the Super Nintendo and arcade era was making a return to XBox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network, of course we were excited.
Set for April 14th on XBox Live Arcade and a day later on the PlayStation Network, Final Fight: Double Impact brings back the classic side-scroller beat ‘em up goodiness of both Final Fight and Magic Sword. In Final Fight, players take the role of either Cody, Guy or the most jacked mayor ever, Haggar, as they try to save Haggar’s daughter from Mad Gear and his goons. With six levels of Metro City to explore, players will get the chance to see Cody and Guy before they appear in the upcoming Super Street Fighter IV release.
In Magic Sword, players take on the role of “The Brave One” who must defeated the evil forces of a mystical tower and rid the world of its evil lord Drokman. But The Brave One isn’t alone as he has eight companions of unique skill sets who will aid him in his journey.
Both games will feature online drop-in multiplayer as well as a fully remixed soundtrack and updated graphics. The two-pack will retail for $9.99 (or 800 Microsoft Points). Stay tuned to the Flickcast for more news and reviews on Final Fight: Double Impact as it becomes available.
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Posted in: Capcom · Games · PlayStationNetwork · Playstation 3 · Video Games · XBLA · Xbox 360
Tagged: Capcom, Final Fight, Final Fight: Double Impact, Magic Sword, Playstation 3, PlayStation Network, XBLA, Xbox 360
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by John Carle, Mar 19 2010 // 10:00 AM
Twisted Pixel has done a fantastic job so far on their past two XBLA titles, The Maw and ‘Splosion Man. Now, after keeping quiet since its September announcement, details are finally starting to pour out about their latest title Comic Jumper. With a sneak preview from SXWS this past week and more press coming out of PAX East, Twisted Pixel is ready to show the gaming world what they have in store for us this time in this comic book inspired action adventure.
Taking the role of Captain Smiley and his chest attached sidekick Star, players travel through comic books instead of levels, each with unique art style as they take on Smiley’s arch-nemesis Brad and a slew of other villains. From what we’ve seen so far, the game goes back to a simple 2D side scrolling brawler with added shooter elements. While its very early to tell, it looks like a lot of the game’s charm will rest under the dialog and comedic elements which it already seems to have begun locking down.
Take a peek at the first 10 minutes of actual game-play from Comic Jumper after the jump, as well as a bunch of artwork and character concept sketches which helped wet our appetite even further for this much anticipated downloadable title.
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Posted in: News · Trailers · Video Games · XBLA · Xbox 360
Tagged: Comic Jumper, PAX East, SXSW, Twisted Pixel, Video Games, XBox, Xbox 360, XBox Live
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by John Carle, Mar 18 2010 // 8:00 AM
UFC Undisputed 2010 is already being billed as the top contender for fighting games for this year. With Brock Lesner as its headliner and over 100 members of the UFC roster playable in the game, it may feature the most unique number of matchups on any fighting game released this year.
And as last year’s titled has shown us, it isn’t about mastering combos like Down-to-Right + Strong Punch like the classic Street Fighter II days and racking up overblown combos. It is about innovative gameplay and strategy both on the players and developers part.
Ever trying to improve on their fighting systems like they did with the SmackDown vs. Raw series, THQ has announced some additional features making their debut in this year’s UFC Undisputed 2010:
- Full upper body and head movement with a new Sway System
- New Posture System that allows for stronger, fight-ending strikes from the ground
- Introduction of Southpaw stance and the ability to change stances during a fight
- Multiple MMA disciplines, including the new additions of Sambo, Karate and Greco-Roman Wrestling
- Variety of new strikes, submissions, transitions and cage positions
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Posted in: Games · Playstation 3 · THQ · Trailers · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: BJ Penn, Brock Lesner, THQ, Trailers, UFC, UFC Undisputed, UFC Undisputed 2010
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by John Carle, Mar 16 2010 // 10:00 AM
Despite the monetary success, those closest to the original Transformers consider Michael Bay’s work on the movie franchise nothing short of abomination. Just hearing the word can now send a shiver down our spines as so much of our childhood was violated by his racism filled robotic romp.
Hearing there was going to be a new Transformers game brought us that same feeling. However, there was a shining light coming through the clouds, as bright as the AllSpark, when it was announced that the upcoming Transformers: War for Cybertron would be based on the original G1 universe.
Not only would Transformers: War of Cybertron take place in the most beloved of Transformers canon, but it would fill in the blanks for many fans of the series. All under the watchful gaze of franchise creators Hasbro, High Moon Studios has put together the pieces of what happened during the civil war between Autobot and Decepticon before the two factions found themselves warring on earth. In the video after the jump, it is obvious that High Moon Studios shares the affinity for Transformers Generation One that Michael Bay looked over.
Published by Activision, Transformers: War for Cybertron will come out for the XBox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS and the PC in May of this year. Click through to take a look at what is in store for longtime and newfound fans of the Transformers.
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Posted in: Activision · Games · PC Games · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Transformers · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, High Moon Studios, Nintendo DS, PC Games, Transformers, Transformers: War for Cybertron, Wii, Xbox 360
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by John Carle, Mar 15 2010 // 3:45 PM
Sometimes we watch Machinima because it tells a compelling story with some of our favorite characters. Most of the time we end up watching it because we appreciate a quick, cheap laugh. Ultrahouse 13: Mega Kitchen comes from an entirely different perspective: amazine visuals. You are probably asking how a Machinima could bring amazing visuals if it is just taking footage captured from a game.
Ultrahouse 13 uses the assets from the Half-Life 2 engine and places them in a real life house. Combine soldiers, no taller than a few inches, storm their way through a home and deal with resistance fighters along the way. The Combine don’t come alone as they are quickly joined by a Strider walker and drop-ship. But the rebels don’t go down easy as they defend their home with a gigantic DOG robot.
The short presentation seems very reminiscent of the style of “Ataque de Panico” which led to director Fede Alvarez being signed to Sam Raimi’s studio. Not to say that a “simple” Half-Life 2 Machinima will bring massive success to an aspiring effects artist, but after seeing what was accomplished here, it wouldn’t a huge surprise to see creator Eddie Smithson’s name in the credits of the silver screen someday soon.
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Posted in: Action · Machinima Mondays · News · PC Games · Video · Video Games
Tagged: Half-Life, Half-Life 2, Machinima, Machinima Mondays, Ultrahouse 13: Megakitchen, Video
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by John Carle, Mar 12 2010 // 7:00 AM
Credited as the biggest entertainment launch in history, players have flocked literally by the millions to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on XBox 360, PC and PlayStation 3 to battle through the game’s already legendary multiplayer mode. Since its release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has dominated the top played games over XBox Live without anyone else even coming close.
It’s no surprise that the first new multiplayer maps will be coming to the XBox 360 in the form of the “Stimulus Package” as it has been dubbed by Activision. Other than its release date of March 30th, nothing else is known as of yet about the “Stimulus Package”. Many players are keeping their fingers crossed already for “Zombie Mode” maps to come to fruition as they did in Call of Duty: World At War through DLC.
In additional Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 news, in a move geared to give Activision a more positive image after the recent Infinity Ward controversy, it looks like XBox Live Silver members will get a chance to experience the game’s online multiplayer for free. While PC and PlayStation 3 gamers experience this already, Activision will be allowing XBox 360 users a free weekend between March 12th and 15th to play without the worry of XBox Live’s subscription cost.
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Posted in: Activision · Games · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Call of Duty, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Stimulus Package
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by John Carle, Mar 11 2010 // 1:00 PM
Maybe it’s the fact that we have an affinity for music games around here. Maybe it’s because two of our review crew are former disc jockeys. Maybe it’s just because it is a damn good game. Whatever the reason, we’ve been big fans of DJ Hero since its release late last year. Between a 9.0 review score and awarding it “Best Music Game of 2009″ along with Beatles: Rock Band, DJ Hero has earned itself a place in our hearts and on our gaming shelves.
Lucky for us (and for you), yesterday Activision announced a downloadable three pack of mashups for DJ Hero featuring the headline artists of the game’s Renegade Edition, Jay-Z and Eminem. Coming on first to the XBox 360, the three pack will include:
“Can I Get A…” by Jay-Z / “Lose Yourself” by Eminem (Shown Below)
“Shake That” by Eminem / “Show Me What You Got” by Jay-Z
“Without Me” by Eminem / “Encore” by Jay-Z
The XBox download will cost 640 Microsoft points ($8.00) on March 18th.
PlayStation 3 will be receiving the pack at $7.99 on March 25th.
Wii will have all three songs as downloadable singles for 300 Nintendo Points ($3.00) each on March 25th.
Take a look at “Can I Get A…”/”Lose Yourself” from the upcoming pack after the jump and keep it here for more news on the game as it breaks!
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Posted in: Activision · Games · Music · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, DJ Hero, DJ Hero: Renegade Edition, DLC, Eminem, Jay Z
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by John Carle, Mar 10 2010 // 7:00 AM
For the first time in nearly nine years, WWE’s Monday Night Raw went head to head with opposing wrestling programming. TNA, who’s normal timeslot runs on Thursday night from 9 to 11, has made the jump to Monday nights in hopes of going head to head with Monday Night Raw much like WCW Nitro did for the first time back on September 4th, 1995. This rivalry lead to some of the greatest programming in wrestling history in the eyes of its fans.
TNA Impact’s first weekly Monday night episode drew a 0.98 cable rating and drew 1.4 million viewers. This rating was down 12% and it’s viewership down 6.1% compared to the preview week’s Thursday edition of Impact. Surprisingly headlined by some of the very same performers from Nitro like Sting, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, it is likely that TNA and Spike TV officials were not thrilled with only a 1.0 rating.
On the other hand, WWE’s Monday Night Raw counted in a 3.4 cable rating and 5.1 million viewers based on the overnight reporting. Raw saw a 7.4% drop in ratings and a 4.2% drop in viewership showing that TNA’s move may have affected Vince McMahon and USA Network’s Monday night programming staple.
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Posted in: Action · Drama · News · Sports · TV · USA
Tagged: Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy, Monday Night Raw, Monday Night Wars, Ratings, TNA, TNA Impract, Wrestling, WWE, WWF
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by John Carle, Mar 8 2010 // 12:00 PM
Back in 2003, a risque Sesame Street inspired musical by the name of Avenue Q featuring puppet leads came out with a shocking statement: “The internet is for porn.” How could this be that a network that enabled global communication and business opportunities could come down to such a lowbrow concept as porn? But as the audience began listening to the lyrics, it was hard to argue that the internet really my revolve around men cozying up to watch various acts of depravity they weren’t experiencing at home.
The truth is, everyone knows that the internet is for porn. The only ones who don’t are just living in denial like Kate Monster does in Avenue Q. And, interestingly enough some of the most frequent patrons of this less than social activity may end up coming from the world’s most social game: World of Warcraft. It was only a matter of time before a mash up of the two came to be.
Using their beloved MMO, a group of players came together and put together an animated version of the song using their on screen avatars. Still in the early days of machinima creation in 2006, “The Internet is for Porn” does a fantastic job of taking the canned animations of World of Warcraft and lip synching the song to the on screen characters. The result turned in to another internet hit as the Machinima closes in on almost six and a half million views up to this point.
Sit back, relax and let yourself open up to some high culture by viewing the following clip. Yes, culture. If it has been on Broadway, it’s considered culture. That’s our story and we are sticking to it.
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Posted in: Fan Films · Features · Machinima Mondays · Video · Video Games
Tagged: Avenue Q, Machinima, Machinima Mondays, The Internet is for Porn, World of Warcraft, WoW
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by John Carle, Mar 5 2010 // 2:00 PM
Who hasn’t walked down the street and seen people with their heads buried in their iPhones? And you know they aren’t all looking up stock quotes or making work calls. Most are playing Paper Toss or checking in with Foursquare. We even see those jealous Verizon customers with their Droids as they secretly wait for their carrier to pick up the iPhone.
Smart phones are the way technology is pointing with their layers of functionality and ever increasing capabilities. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise Thursday morning when the Wall Street Journal reported that Sony would be entering the smart phone arena. Of special interest to this particular item though is that it will be “capable of downloading and playing PlayStation games”, possibly referring to PlayStation One titles specifically.
Reported as a device that “blurs distinctions among a netbook, an e-reader and a PlayStation Portable,” they are already expecting a 2010 launch. It is possible that Sony may make a big announcement regarding this phone next week during the Games Developers Conference.
With ever declining PSP sales and the lackluster response to the PSP Go, one would think the portable device market was in trouble. Nintendo has shown with the DS and the record breaking game sales of Plants vs. Zombies on the iPhone have shown that this isn’t the case however and that Sony is just searching for its niche still.
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Posted in: Gear · Geek · News · Playstation 3 · Sony · Tech · Video Games
Tagged: DROID, Foursquare, iPhone, Nintendo DS, Paper Toss, Plants vs. Zombies, PlayStation Portable, PSP, PSP Go, Smart Phone, Sony
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