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2010: The Year Of Better Wii Games?
The Wii had a good 2009, thanks to the arrival of Nintendo fan-pleasing releases like Punch-Out!! and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. But 2010 should one-up this year’s showing thanks to Nintendo and third-party publishers. 2010 may get off to a slower start—and we may only get to sample the next Legend of Zelda game…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
It Was Like Magic, But With An Xbox
To: Ashcraft From: Totilo Re: I Am In America Welcome back to the U.S. of A. May I tell you a story about people traveling in the U.S.? The scene is downtown New York City. The day is two Saturdays ago. New York, as you know, is in the U.S. Lots people here speak English.…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Army of Two Dev: We Wouldn’t Have Done Modern Warfare 2’s Airport Scene
Matt Turner, a producer on EA Montreal‘s Army of Two: The 40th Day, praised Infinity Ward for having the sack to do its infamous “No Russian” mission, in which terrorist NPCs kill civilians, but adds “we wouldn’t have done it.” “You’re playing a CIA agent, it’s designed to show the atrocities,” Turner told CVG in…
By Owen Good Published December 15, 2009 - Reviews
Mad Catz Street Fighter IV Round 2 Arcade FightStick: Tournament Edition Review: My $150 Fireball
Friends don’t let friends do foolhardy things, but sometimes an editor of a major gaming blog assigns his least Street-Fighter-savvy writer to review a Street Fighter arcade stick. That’d be me, the guy who allegedly can’t throw a fireball. Here’s what I can be sure of. The Street Fighter IV Round 2 Tournament Edition FightStick…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Trailer Is All Potty, Talk & Guns
It’s hard to look back upon the original Kane & Lynch and its baggage and remember it too fondly. But IO Interactive and crew are at least turning out intriguing trailers for the sequel, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. The action portions are shot with much of the grainy, shaky cam styling seen in…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Banjo & Kazooie Join Sonic & Ryo In Sega All-Stars Racing
That rumor that Rare mascots Banjo and Kazooie would join the cast of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing? Totally true! Well, if you believe Sega.com, which is the source of the miniature, guest star-revealing box art. TSSZ News spotted the pre-announcement reveal of the Xbox 360 version of the box art, which seems to confirm…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Google Yanks Android Ports of Doom, Quake on ZeniMax Demand
A takedown notice sent by ZeniMax led to the Android Store’s removal of several ports of Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein; one of the developers admits that, though the port used open-source Doom code, some of the game files were proprietary. ZeniMax, which of course now owns iD software, filed the DMCA complaint with Google. Developer…
By Owen Good Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Delayed In The Atlus Way
The good news for Shin Megami Tensei fans is that the publisher’s upcoming Nintendo DS spin-off, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey has been given the Atlus treatment, now sporting a full soundtrack CD for “each and every launch copy.” The bad news is that the game has been given the other Atlus treatment, missing its…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford Talks Borderlands And More In This Week’s Podcast
While our boss is away, Gearbox Software‘s boss plays, when the Borderlands developer’s head honcho Randy Pitchford takes Crecente’s place beside Totilo in this week’s installment of Kotaku’s call-in podcast. Mr. Pitchford will be on hand to discuss anything and everything Pitchford and Gearbox related, from Borderlands to Brothers in Arms; that one Half-Life game…
By Mike Fahey Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Microwaved Xbox 360 Elite — Yours for $31,000
Remember the microwaved mutant Game Boy Advance, creepy eyeballs and all? The same artist has done the same thing to an Xbox 360, and has it listed for $31,002 on eBay. “The Only Elite Xbox 360 that has been microwaved,” boasts the advertisement by artist Kenny Irwin. I’d love to see someone zap theirs just…
By Owen Good Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Games For Windows On Demand Goes Live
Microsoft’s catalog of Games For Windows titles have become that much more “on demand” as of today, with Games On Demand launching for interested PC gamers precisely on schedule. So, what’s available? As of right now, Games For Windows devotees can—after having downloaded the latest GFW software update—enjoy Fallout 3, Dirt 2, Resident Evil 5,…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Massive Free Realms Update Brings Tiny Dinosaurs
Sony Online Entertainment drops a massive end-of-the-year update on its free-to-play MMO Free Realms today, adding holiday Snow Days, fishing, player housing, and new pets, including dinosaurs, dragons, unicorns, and pegasi. I would have figured SOE would have gone from cats and dogs to something like hamsters or potbellied pigs, but instead they go and…
By Mike Fahey Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Shadow of the Colossus Getting New Budget Re-release In Japan
Japanese retailers and import shops are showing a new release for Team ICO‘s PlayStation 2 classic Shadow of the Colossus, due to hit Japan early next year. With The Last Guardian coming “soon”, is this a good sign? Because Shadow of the Colossus has already hit Sony Computer Entertainment Japan’s “The Best” line of budget…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
This Is What Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Vampires Look Like
Wonder what the vampires of Hideo Kojima and MercurySteam’s take on the Castlevania franchise will look like? Well, there you go. Keep in mind this is *a* vampire, not *the* vampire, according to producer David Cox. What do you think? How are your hype levels for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, particularly after having seen this…
By Michael McWhertor Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Global Agenda Launches In February
Georgia-based Hi-Rez Studios is finally gearing up for the release of their futuristic team-based shooter, cementing a February 2010 release for Global Agenda, with preorder customers gaining guaranteed access to the beta test. Global Agenda is a combination of free and subscription-based team-based online shooter, but either way you’ve got to buy the game to…
By Mike Fahey Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Red Dead Redemption Impressions: Adventure In A Hard Place
You’re on a vast landscape. The biggest one ever made by Rockstar, bigger even than the terrain of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. You’re in the virtual west. No cities are nearby. Think you can have fun? Never a development studio looking to take the easy path, Rockstar Games is roaming into the gameplay wilderness…
By Stephen Totilo Published December 15, 2009 - Reviews
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes Review: Battling Clashing Colors
I don’t care what any style magazine says — green only goes with orange when you’re vomiting or when you’re lining up elven archers for an attack in Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes. Those of you familiar with the series Might & Magic are probably surprised to see it, one, on the Nintendo DS…
By AJ Glasser Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
You Run A Big Game Publisher In 2010…What Will You Do?
Cast aside those ratty sneakers and step into the expensive, well-polished shoes of the CEO of a big-name video game publisher. What changes would you make to ensure the success of your business in 2010? Welcome to the first installment of “What Will You Do?”, where we have our readers tell us what they’d do…
By Mike Fahey Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Red Dead Redemption Gets The History Channel Treatment
Give me a good ol’ Western trailer any day — horses, guns and desperadoes. When I say that, though, I don’t mean add a History Channel voice over. Not that the History Channel can’t paint a picture of the Old West just as well with some grainy-voiced fellow walking you through the environment. I just…
By AJ Glasser Published December 15, 2009 - Uncategorized
Infinity Ward Sweeps First Annual Inside Gaming Awards
While Uncharted 2: Among Thieves got the top nod from Spike’s annual Video Game Awards, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 managed to sweep a different video game ceremony just one day ahead of the VGAs. The First Annual Inside Gaming Awards was held December 11 in Los Angeles to “specifically appeal to the vast…
By AJ Glasser Published December 15, 2009