• Reviews

  Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance: The Kotaku Review

  There are moments in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, when, caught up in a storm of hectic keyblade slashing and chromatic aerial theatrics, you might not notice the ticking timer on the bottom of your screen. Until it hits 0. Then, abruptly, as if the game has decided you were having too much fun,…

  By Jason Schreier Published July 31, 2012
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  Uncategorized

  Tekken Tag Tournament 2‘s Fight Lab Looks a Lot More Fun Than… Tekken

  Some people live for the thrill of intense, one-on-one fighting. They thrive on the click of arcade stick buttons and sideways glances at the player attempting to steal their thunder. Me, I just want to be a robot kicking a bear wearing a ballerina costume while dodging chickens. Most of my Tekken memories involve me…

  By Mike Fahey Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Here Is What’s New in New Super Mario Bros. 2

  In 2006 Nintendo released New Super Mario Bros.—the first big 2D Mario title since the SNES’ Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. This game would go on to be the best selling game of the DS’ formidable library, selling over 28 million copies worldwide. Now, six years later, it’s a new decade and a new…

  By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 31, 2012
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  Kotaku East

  HD Games Are Like Putting on Tons of Make-Up. Wait, What?

  While I can appreciate the skill and art that goes into make up, I find this Sony teaser to be baffling. It’s comparing HD editions of video games to a woman being made up. The central point is that a woman whose face is covered in make up is the same woman underneath. But the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  All Female Theater Group Bringing Ace Attorney To Life (Again!)

  The Takarazuka Revue has twice done productions based on Ace Attorney. Those went so well that the troupe is planning on doing a third next January. It will center around Miles Edgeworth. Takarazuka actress Hiro Yuumi will play Miles—hopefully not in that Louis Vuitton raincoat. She’ll be reviving her Edgeworth role from previous productions 宝塚歌劇『逆転裁判』第3弾、2013年1月に公演決定！　今回の主役は検事マイルズ・エッジワース（御剣怜侍）！！…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Man Declares Love to Booth Babe and Is Taken Away by Security

  At the recent China Joy gaming expo in Shanghai, a young man in mirrored sunglasses stormed the stage with a bouquet of roses that were made from 100 yuan bills. He presented the roses to a booth companion and confessed his love to her. She didn’t exactly seem pleased and neither did show security. The…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Final Fantasy III Is Totally Coming to Ouya

  Square Enix is bringing its Android version of Final Fantasy III to Ouya. Sure, FFIII is a game you’ve played—and bought—a million times. And you can buy it again when it hits Ouya in March 2013! [Square Enix]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  3DS XL Forced on the Circle Pad Pro

  While you probably wouldn’t want to do this yourself (it certainly doesn’t look comfortable!), one Japanese gamer apparently forced the recently released 3DS XL on the Circle Pad Pro and got it to recognize the larger 3DS—which makes sense! Nintendo will release a Circle Pad Pro for the larger 3DS. If you don’t like destroying…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  New Super Mario Bros. 2 Is, Well, a Mario Game (And That’s Not a Bad Thing)

  Six years ago, Nintendo returned to its 2D platforming roots with New Super Mario Bros. It went on to become not only the bestselling DS title but also the third bestselling hand-held title ever (behind Pokemon Red/Blue and Tetris) with over 28 million copies sold worldwide. After a brief detour to the Wii, the series…

  By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Japanese Cosplayers Turn Up the Summer Heat

  Holy crap summer in Japan is hot. That doesn’t keep the country’s cosplayers from wearing full body costumes, such as Godzilla or Jin Roh outfits. It also certainly doesn’t discourage them from wearing skimpy ones, either. At the recent Wonder Festival, a slew of cosplayers turned up to show off their costume creations. Sister site…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Kids, Stop Sticking Your Fists in Pikachu’s Mouth

  This is a thing, I guess. Children in Japan continue to cram their hands in Pikachu’s open mouth—most recently, at a Pokémon event in Kyoto with celebrity Shoko Nakagawa. STOP IT, KIDS, JUST STOP IT. ピカチュウ、ギザカワユス♪　中川翔子さんが京都駅の一日駅長 [産経]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Sorry China, No PS Vita for You (Yet)

  The PlayStation Vita was released in Japan nine months ago and went sale around most of the world by this past spring. However, there is one market that the Vita hasn’t been announced yet: China. Earlier this year there was speculation that Sony was in talks with telecom company China Unicom about releasing the system…

  By Eric Jou Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Phantasy Star Online 2‘s Character Creator Brings Sci-Fi Anime Characters to Life!

  Like most MMOs, Phantasy Star Online 2 comes with a robust character creator. And with its sci-fi setting, it’s perfect for making all sorts of futuristic characters. I, for one, made Kotaku’s very own anthropomorphic avatar, Kotaku-tan, as my character. Of course, I am not the only one to re-create a character. Japanese players have…

  By Richard Eisenbeis Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Indecent Cosplayer Banned for Being…Indecent

  Late last week, unknown Chinese model Li Ling made a name for herself after causing a ruckus. She appeared at the China Joy gaming expo in a highly revealing cosplay. Dressed as Athena, Ling caused quite a stir. Her revealing costume showed off more than her underpants—way more. Online in China, some heralded Ling’s arrival,…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Persona Fighting Game Patch Incoming!

  Xbox 360 owners dealing with Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena lag issue, take heart! The game’s developer, Arc System Works, is readying a patch, which will be released sooner, hopefully, than later. [Atlus]

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Tearing the 3DS XL’s Guts Open

  Japan’s Nikkei tore a Nintendo 3DS XL apart to see what is inside. What did Nikkei find? Parts. Lots and lots of parts. Nikkei showed off the handheld’s main board, which reveals Samsung memory and a wireless LAN module from Hon Hai. For more nitty gritty, check out the report in the link below. 3DS…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  There Is a Correct Way to Play the PS Vita. This Isn’t It.

  PS Vita owners, you probably play your machine on the train or the bus. Maybe you play it when you are out and about—or perhaps at home. You might even play it at the beach, like Polish model Natalia Siwiec. There really isn’t a “correct” place to game. There is a correct way to hold…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Kotaku East

  Can You Handle All This Collectible Nerd Plastic?

  The real question isn’t how many figures and toys are at the bi-annual Wonder Festival, but rather, can you process all the stunning plastic chaos? Well, can you? Dubbed “Wonfes”, the Wonder Festival is a Japanese model figurine event that brings together professional model makers, figure companies, and collectors in a big event to celebrate…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published July 31, 2012
• Uncategorized

  Meet Gary, The King of Nintendo 64

  Gary went to Otakon 2012 in this costume. A costume made almost entirely out of Nintendo 64 consoles, controllers and cartridges. He called himself King Nintendo 64, but just for today, he is also King of the Internet. Memes in meatspace: Costumes inspired by the Internet [The Daily Dot, thanks everyone!]

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2012
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  Uncategorized

  44 Great (Multiplayer) Indie Games You Can Play Right Now, For Free

  The wonderful website Pixel Prospector turned three yesterday. To celebrate, they cooked up this very useful little video called 44 Free Indie Games In 4 Minutes (Multiplayer Edition). Which pretty much sums it up. These games are all on PC and all available right now to not only play, but play and enjoy with/against another…

  By Luke Plunkett Published July 31, 2012