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Turbo: The Movie Is Better Than Most Street Fighter Films
Jarrett Lee Conaway’s slick looking short film about fighting games in the future and the attractive teenagers who play them, Turbo, previously featured on Kotaku, is now live. Yours for the watching and, of course, buying! The film’s self described plot crafted “in the tradition of The Karate Kid and Tron” couldn’t be more accurate.…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Someone Just Paid $20,000 For This NES Game
Spending $15,000 or even $17,500 on a collectible Nintendo Entertainment System cartridge, that we can understand. They’re covered in gold! But $20,100? That’s simply too much, even factoring in Nintendo Campus Challenge 1991’s rarity. But spend $20,100 on said ultra-rare NES game someone did, snapping up the “one of a kind” item on eBay. That…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
PlayStation Store Update: Crunch Time
Let’s call this week’s North American PlayStation Store update… efficient. There are just a handful of playable games new to download, but thankfully one of those games is the adorable Critter Crunch. The rest? Well, there’s “Gay Bar.” It’s now available to owners of the PlayStation 3 version of Rock Band. That’s pretty exciting. The…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
To Be Perfectly Clear, Epic Mickey Is Wii “Exclusive”
Any lingering doubts that Warren Spector’s new Disney game Epic Mickey was bound for the Wii? Didn’t think so. But if you’re wondering if it will also be coming to, well, anything else, here’s your unfortunate answer. Game Informer, as part of their epic Epic Mickey coverage, reconfirm that the game is a Wii “exclusive.”…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Reviews
Katamari Forever Review: Nothing More, Nothing Less
Namco Bandai’s Katamari Damacy series comes to the PlayStation 3 with Katamari Forever, the sixth entry in the series in five years. Once again, the Prince is tasked with rebuilding the galaxy using his all-adhesive katamari. The game may have been more appropriately titled in Japan, there known as Katamari Tribute. The PS3 version borrows…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Left 4 Dead 2 Gets “Realism” Mode For Hardcore Zombie Killers
For players who find “expert” difficulty too easy in Left 4 Dead, it appears that Valve is upping the challenge for the sequel with “Realism” mode, a game modifier that made an unplanned appearance last night. The folks at 1UP spotted the Realism modifier nestled away in one of the game’s options, then squeezed Valve…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Atari To Release Project Runway Game, Make It Work
Fashionable reality show Project Runway will be fitted for a video game release next spring, courtesy of publisher Atari, with the first licensed title planned for a Wii release. Variety reports today that the Project Runway game will likely feature the likenesses and involvement of co-hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum. In addition to fulfilling…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Wii Fit Plus Takes Japan by Storm
The release of Wii Fit Plus has been met with open arms in Japan. The newest Wii Balance Board-powered fitness game from the house of smiles sold more than 340,000 copies in its first week on sale. It was a good week for Nintendo platforms, with Level 5’s soccer RPG sequel Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Is Single-Player Gaming In Danger Of Extinction?
It’s in danger of becoming a lost art. Video game developers, increasingly focused on community building, cooperative play and massive online interactions, seem to have forgotten the satisfaction of the solo experience. As once singular experiences give way to more multiplayer, more cooperative gaming, we can’t help but wonder: Is the single-player-only game in danger…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Activision Lays Off Shaba’s Ranks, Closes Studio [Update]
San Francisco-based developer Shaba Games is no more, according to a pair of Kotaku tipsters who wished to remain anonymous. The developer of Spider-man: Web of Shadows is said to have been shuttered by parent company Activision today. Sources claiming to have knowledge of the situation estimate that some 30 employees were laid off earlier…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 8, 2009 -
Looks Like Left 4 Dead 2 Is Coming To Australia
Australia’s long national nightmare of maybe not being able to play Left 4 Dead 2 may soon be over, as the government’s media ratings board has apparently issued the zombie shooter a rating of MA-15+. That would essentially mean an end to the “ban” on Valve’s PC and Xbox 360 sequel and translate into “good…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Gearbox Prez Lets Off Some Steam About Valve
Randy Pitchford, the man, trusts Valve, the company responsible for Steam. Randy Pitchford, the businessman and president of Gearbox Software, makers of Borderlands, may not. He calls the digital distribution service exploitative and a “money grab.” Why the harsh words? After all Gearbox and Valve have been tight in the past, with the former developing…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Forza Motorsport 3’s Full 400 Strong Car List
Forza Motorsport 3’s automotive stable may not feature the impressive overkill of the Gran Turismo series, but when the list approaches 400 unique cars from over 50 manufacturers, well, that’s when we start to tune out. But for those of you who consider 400 “a nice start,” developer Turn 10 Studios has revealed the official…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Mystery Max Payne 3 Teaser Says “It’s Bullet Time”
The "coming winter 2009" release date at the end of this Max Payne 3 teaser video—slick enough to be professionally made, we think—may not be accurate, but the rest of this bullet-filled clip is right on point. That time code running in the bottom left leads us to believe that this brief teaser wasn’t quite…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
PS3’s The Getaway, Eight Days Not “Abandoned”
Sony’s decision to put in-development PlayStation 3 games The Getaway and Eight Days on ice—partly to dedicate more effort to EyePet, partly due to one game’s lack of online features—was a downer. But there’s some good news. According to Nicolas Doucet, producer and creative director at Sony Computer Entertainment London, neither title has been canceled,…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Where Assassin’s Creed II’s Ezio Gets Those Wonderful Toys
You’ve likely heard about Assassin’s Creed II protagonist Ezio’s expanded arsenal in Ubisoft’s sequel, courtesy of our eyes-on and hands-on previews of the game. But this clip highlighting each shows just how effective they are in video. And you’ll also meet Ezio’s arms dealer Leonardo da Vinci, friend and professional “genius inventor.” You may also…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Xbox 360 May Get Its Own Avatar Arcade
The Xbox 360 may be getting its own retro-themed arcade space, an environment that looks remarkably similar to the one competitor Sony offers in PlayStation Home. The above pictures come from a rumored survey hinting at an “AvatArcade.” The name AvatArcade, despite its awkward camel-capping, is one of the better naming options being surveyed, according…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 7, 2009 -
Meet Your GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony Achievements
Rockstar Games‘ second downloadable expansion for Grand Theft Auto IV hits in just a few weeks. The Xbox 360 Achievements for The Ballad of Gay Tony, however, hit today. A total of 250 new Gamerscore points can be yours upon the release of Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City or the downloadable episode,…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 6, 2009 -
Get Your Rock Band Network Tools Now, Start Making Tracks
Hey, musicians! Harmonix, the developers of Rock Band and the recently announced Rock Band Network, have released the software tools and online know-how that lets you put your songs in the game. Download ’em now! The downloadable goodies are free, but you’re going to need a copy of the audio production tool Reaper to make…
By Michael McWhertor Published October 6, 2009
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