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Nobody Knows How Powerful The Wii U Actually Is
Gamers and game developers have spent much of the past year arguing and speculating over Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U console. Will it be more powerful than other gaming devices? Less powerful? Just as powerful? Will it have HD graphics? Online connectivity? Arms? Will it do your taxes? The truth is that nobody seems to know…
By Jason Schreier Published April 4, 2012 -
The Worst Thing Players Did in Borderlands Made It Better
Gearbox Software’s first Borderlands won fans over with its awesome, awesome loot, high-contrast art style and wacky characters. But, as great as the game’s procedurally-generated weapons were, Gearbox say that the first-person shooter/role-playing hybrid was whatever the gamer wanted it to be. During Gearbox Software’s trip to NY for a Borderlands 2 preview, I asked…
By Tina Amini Published April 4, 2012 -
Harmonix’s Newest Rock Band Ditches Plastic Instruments Without Ditching Fun
In attics and closets around the world, plastic drum sets are gathering dust. Battery acid leaks into the casings of countless replica Stratocasters long since pulled from under the coffee table and placed in the closet under the stairs. A lot of people don’t really play Rock Band anymore. The game hasn’t gotten any less…
By Kirk Hamilton Published April 4, 2012 -
Notch’s New Game Takes Place In The Year 281474976712644 AD
The man who made the grand, open-ended Minecraft appears to want to go bigger with his next game. Markus “Notch” Persson and his team at Mojang have launched an official website for the new game—which is called “0x10c”—and Notch’s plans make Minecraft seem paltry. Partial plot summary: It’s now the year 281 474 976 712 644 AD, and the…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 4, 2012 -
‘Worst Company in America’ EA Says Big Tobacco Must Be Relieved It Wasn’t Nominated
Game publisher Electronic Arts, which won The Consumerist’s reader-voted ‘Worst Company in America’ contest today, did not take its victory sitting down. In a statement to Kotaku, EA Senior Director of Corporate Communications John Reseburg said: We’re sure that British Petroleum, AIG, Philip Morris, and Halliburton are all relieved they weren’t nominated this year. We’re…
By Jason Schreier Published April 4, 2012 -
This Is Possibly The Worst Easter Egg In A Game. Ever.
Easter eggs are fun, usually somewhat hidden references to games you might recognize. They’re a friendly nudge in their direction. A wink even. But not all easter eggs are created equal. In fact, this easter egg in Skyrim might just be the worst one yet. Pac-Man is certainly a good choice, but I’m not sure…
By Tina Amini Published April 4, 2012 -
Game of Thrones Made Out of Minecraft Is A Jaw-Dropping Thing
You’ve already seen pictures of the tremendous Minecraft take on the world of Game of Thrones. Now there’s full-on video coverage. Project lead Jacob Granberry sent over this new flythrough of the project, which is truly stunning both in scope and beauty. I kind of want to live there. Game of Thrones in Minecraft (Tour…
By Jason Schreier Published April 4, 2012 -
Liam Neeson and Megan Fox are Just Two of the Celebrities You Can Play as in Guild Wars 2
I thought I’d gone pretty deep into the Guild Wars 2 character creation tools during my time playing the beta. That was until Sven AKA Lumin showed me the stars hiding behind the customization sliders. I never even thought to attempt to create the likes of Clint Eastwood or Scarlett Johansson in Guild Wars 2,…
By Mike Fahey Published April 4, 2012 -
English Country Tune Gets You Addicted to Messing With Perspective and Gravity
The bare-bones presentation in English Country Tune constantly teases you with questions: What’s up with that name? What’s with the retro-glitchy sounds? Why are these balls called larva? And, most importantly how the hell do I clear this level? ECT challenges you to move objects on the playfield from one point to another. It’s that…
By Evan Narcisse Published April 4, 2012 -
Epic Mickey On 3DS Looks Straight Outta 1992
This is Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion. It’s an upcoming game for the Nintendo 3DS. That’s Nintendo 3DS. Not Super Nintendo. Or Nintendo Entertainment System. Though I can see how you might be confused. Here’s how Disney describes the game: In “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” Reality is What You Paint of…
By Jason Schreier Published April 4, 2012 -
Go Blow Up The New York Times‘ Website. It’s Fun!
The New York Times wants you to destroy its recommended articles, its magazine cover art and even its ads. And it’s using a an homage to classic arcade game Asteroids to let you do it. The interactive game accompanies a huge feature on “stupid games,” which focuses on the time-sucking nature of games like Angry…
By Evan Narcisse Published April 4, 2012 -
The Kinect Star Wars Credits Are 22 Minutes Long
We don’t know how many Bothans died to bring us Kinect Star Wars, but we know that a hell of a lot of people worked on the game. For a couple of years, at least. We’ve got at least a half dozen studios listed in the credits, and lots and lots of other names. If…
By Stephen Totilo Published April 4, 2012 -
Talk Amongst Yourselves
Welcome, wanderers, to Kotaku’s official forum, known affectionately as Talk Amongst Yourselves. This is the place where we gather on a daily basis to discuss all things video game and existential. Want to talk about new games, old games, game where you solve mysteries? Knock yourselves out! This TAYpic by Mr. Marsu gets straight-up creepy,…
By Evan Narcisse Published April 4, 2012 -
Who Better Than Star Trek‘s Q to Star in Quantum Conundrum?
If anyone is qualified to create an Interdimensional Shift Glove it’s the man that flexed his interdimensional muscles s dozen times over the course of three different television series. John “Q” de Lancie steps into the disembodied voice of Professor Fitz Quadwrangle in Airtight Games’ Quantum Conundrum Now here’s a man that’s perfectly happy being…
By Mike Fahey Published April 4, 2012 -
Let’s Stop Pretending iPad Gaming Isn’t For Gamers
It’s impossible to read a Kotaku comment thread about iPhone or iPad games without wading through a bevy of grumpy dissenters—disgruntled gamers who say things like “iPad games aren’t real games!” and “lol iPhone.” This isn’t exactly surprising. A few weeks ago, I wrote an op-ed about how Apple’s ubiquitous devices won’t win over the…
By Jason Schreier Published April 4, 2012 -
The Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure Cycle is Complete
All good and terrifically frustrating things must come to an end, and for countless parents, children, and collectors the release of the final three Skylanders figures marks the end of an era, to be followed later this year by the beginning of another. Prepare to plug those last three holes in your Skylanders roster as…
By Mike Fahey Published April 4, 2012 -
The Beautiful Side of a Fighting Game Tournament
Passionate. Sweaty. Loud. Excited. There’s a lot of words you can use to describe a fighting game tournament, but can you use the word beautiful? Sometimes. Especially when Richard Li and his camera are involved. Li, who has a habit of making very pretty videos about fighting game tournaments, was at the recent NorCal Regionals.…
By Luke Plunkett Published April 4, 2012 -
The Shadowrun Video Game You’ve Always Wanted
For more than two decades pen-and-paper role-players have been losing themselves in the dirty streets and glimmering megacorps of Shadowrun, yet only four largely forgettable video games have explored the setting’s unique mix of cyberpunk and urban fantasy. Series creator Jordan Weisman would like to fix this oversight. Weisman and his team at Harebrained Schemes…
By Mike Fahey Published April 4, 2012