Maybe Nintendo Needs a New Mascot

Mario may be identifiable as the sun to the wider population, but there’s a generation of gamers coming of age who grew up playing more Pokémon than Paper Mario. To better appeal to their sensibilities, then, perhaps Nintendo could take a look at its choice of mascot. I’m not saying get rid of Mario. Maybe…

Jet Set Radio’s a Little Slower in Real Life, But Just as Colourful

It’s not as fast as the game, and not quite as Japanese, but for a bunch of Westerners playing dress-ups with some movie-making software this Jet Set Radio tribute is pretty good. Real Life Jet Set Radio [YouTube]

League of Legends Cosplay That’s so Good it Doesn’t Look Human

Britthebadger is one of the best cosplayers going around. But even by her lofty standards, this League of Legends Orianna costume is a special piece of work. The amount of detailing and engineering required to build something this at all, let alone get it in a state where you can wear it (while still looking…

Let’s Talk About The Video Games We Played, Loved And Hated Last Week

A busy seven days chasing around after my kid then jetting off to Sydney meant I didn’t get to play as many games as usual. Still, I got to play some, and turns out this week was a case of quality over quantity. BLACK MESA – It’s almost everything I wanted it to be. And,…

These Brave Men And Women Are Making a TON of Adventure Time Games

There’s an official Adventure Time game coming, yeah, but series creator Pendleton Ward really loves video games. And video games really love Adventure Time. So just one game isn’t anywhere near enough. Which is why Ward was one of the hosts this weekend of the Adventure Time Game Jam, an indie get-together where teams were…

How Two Guys Built a Mod That Lets 1800 People Kill Each Other On The Same Map

The Just Cause 2 multiplayer project is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my 28 years playing video games. Here is a massive sandbox game that shipped without multiplayer of any kind, and which now has some that is redefining the very term “massively multiplayer” with up to 1800 people…

Black Ops II Has a Zombies Campaign?

Call of Duty’s zombie game modes have always been a multiplayer-only kind of deal, entirely divorced from the game’s singleplayer campaigns. A product listing on Amazon, however, suggests that might be about to change. As you can see above, the game’s description includes the line “The inclusion of a Zombies in gameplay, both in as…

The Week In Games: Run for the Border

The overwhelming top release this week is the highly anticipated Borderlands 2, on all three core platforms. Torchlight II at week’s end also is not to be missed. Tuesday • Borderlands 2 (360. PS3, PC) • F1 2012 (PS3, 360, PC) • Kinect Sports: Ultimate Collection (360) • Jet Set Radio (PSN) • Street Fighter…

In Search of the World of SportsCraft

Brian wanted to go to Boise State. I remember that much. Eight years ago, captivated by NCAA Football 2004, I asked my closest friends from grad school to give me their preferred position and college. I was going to create all of us as blue-chip prospects in the game’s recruiting engine and see where we…

This Cereal’s Font—and Its Namesake—Seem to Scream ‘Mario’

This is a box of “Marios,” a novelty product pitched by Mario Williams, a new member of the Buffalo Bills’ defensive line, and currently on sale in Buffalo-area grocery stores such as Top’s. Proceeds from the sale of this cereal benefit patients and families of children being treated at an area cancer institute. The nameplate…

The list of achievements in Assassin’s Creed III is out in public, not that it might contain spoilers or anything.

ChrisWarcraft’s Weekly NFL Quest, Level Two: Break the Horses of Middle Earth [Update]

Last week Chris Kluwe, the Minnesota Vikings punter and noted World of Warcraft and RPG fan, cast his team’s season opener in terms of an MMO quest. He’s done the same thing this week so we’ll hold him to it and chart his progress. Although, I do wonder who the quest-giver is: Is it head…

Frank Ocean Just Up and Leaves His Saturday Night Live Performance to Play Some Galaga

As promised, the R&B singer/songwriter Frank Ocean brought John Mayer to last night’s performance on Saturday Night Live. The two performed on a stage surrounded by some arcade cabinets with nondescript glass and cabinet art, but they were running ROMs of real games in attract mode. It appears to be a big coup for Namco…

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: The More You Know

Alright, hang with me here. While gazing at Dishonored‘s box art, I convinced myself I was looking at a deranged steampunk Destro. I’ve been too cute with topical subjects lately, so I’m just going to give everyone a concept and let you run wild with it. I want to see insane G.I. Joe cameos in…

A New Game on Mega Man‘s 25th Anniversary? Don’t Get Your Hopes Up, Says Capcom

Just because a series celebrates its 25th anniversary doesn’t automatically mean we’re going to see a new game out of it. Metroid is a notable example. And 2010 came and went without any kind of re-release of Duck Hunt That said, Rockman/Mega Man fans note the game turns 25 on Dec. 17, and the last…

Sunday Comics: That’s Justifiable

Welcome to your Sunday read of the week’s best in web comics. Make sure to click on the expand button in the bottom right to enlarge each comic. Nerf NOW!! by Josué Pereira published Sept. 15.—Read more of Nerf NOW!! Awkward Zombie by Katie Tiedrich published Sept. 10.—Read more of Awkward Zombie Penny Arcade by…

Talk Amongst Yourselves is where you should go to talk about games. And life. And onion rings as a burger topping.

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Horsing Around: The Winners

The WTFery of Konami sponsoring lifelike horseheads as a costume item in PlayStation Home gave rise to this week’s ‘Shop Contest, which I am proud to report is brony free. Keep your friends close and your ‘Shops closer with double-finalist and overall winner uscg_pa, inside! Let’s get started: ZeroToad supplies an equine take on Infinity…

If You Put Your Wii U GamePad in a Blender, Yes, Nintendo Will Sell You a Replacement

On one hand, this seems like a painfully obvious thing: Broken hardware typically can be replaced under warranty or through the manufacturer for a fee, and the Nintendo GamePad is hardware. On the other hand, it’s a controller, and Nintendo is deliberately not selling GamePads on their own in North America. So that raises the…

Dinner’s On Us, Grateful Fans Say to City of Heroes Developers

Last week’s vigil in Paragon City was misunderstood (including by me) to be a protest against the announced shutdown of City of Heroes, the eight-year-old superhero MMO. It was intended as a statement of support and tribute, particularly to the Paragon Studios development team that, let’s not forget, is seeing the end of something it…