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‘The Science of the Mushroom Kingdom’ Explores Super Flora
Designed for a Communication Design Fundamentals class, The Science of the Mushroom Kingdom offers a look at the flora and fungi of the Super Mario Bros. universe, a textbook designed for budding botanist bros. Reader and Carnegie Mellon University student Theyab forwarded us a copy of his creation, which explains the properties (and dangers) of…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
The GDC Text Adventure Gives Me Flashbacks
The folks over at GameSetWatch—the blog owned by the same company that run the Game Developers Conference—posted a text adventure/”interactive experiment” version of the conference today, put together by game creator Jim Munroe. Munroe is a Canadian Sci-Fi author who designs video games in his spare time. I’m not familiar with him, but anybody who…
By AJ Glasser Published May 4, 2009 -
First Red Steel 2 Trailer
As you’ll see from the “Destination PlayStation” (ie a retailer-only event) title card, this isn’t an official consumer trailer. Doesn’t mean you can’t watch it, though. The trailer comes courtesy of MSN Games Brazil, who say they obtained it via a source at Ubisoft. It shows just how different the sequel is to the first…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 4, 2009 -
Namco Bandai Editors Day Round-Up
Namco Bandai Editors Day kicked off with the announcement of both Soulcalibur and Tekken games for the PSP – and it was all pretty much gravy from there. It was kind of a bummer not to see any Tales games whatsoever – not even screens of Vesperia for the PS3. But last year, Tales games…
By AJ Glasser Published May 4, 2009 -
Where In Greater Los Angeles Is Brian Crecente?
To: Ashcraft From: McWhertor Re: Look What’s In My Living Room! Samurai Armor!! You may have noticed a lack of Crecente in today’s stack of posts. Well, he’s busy playing games, prepping for E3 and hanging out in posh hotels in the greater Los Angeles area. He doesn’t have time to post, let alone read…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Ms. Pac-Man Gets Her Own Nikes
Nike isn’t shy about flirting with video game references for its Nike Skateboarding line of sneakers, having already released Dunks “inspired by” 720° and Skate or Die. And speaking of not shy… Ms. Pac-Man sneakers! You’d have to be pretty comfortable with that level of color on your feet, particularly since those colors—apparently lifted from…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Klonoa Wii Packaging Surprisingly Simple, Tasteful, Tasty
Namco Bandai‘s remake of Klonoa refreshingly stands out against many of its Wii peers, from a box art standpoint alone. It’s shockingly understated, with little more than protagonists Klonoa and Hewpoe clearly happy to represent. No attempts to re-brand Klonoa as some sort of party, no garish freak out utilizing every color in the spectrum.…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Star Trek D-A-C Trailer Is More Thrilling Than Your First Prune Juice
Don’t let those snippets of footage from J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot fool you. Star Trek D-A-C is a straight up space shooter for Xbox Live Arcade and (soon) PlayStation Network. And that’s probably for the best. Unless we’re dogfighting in space—whether that be in real-time or in some Starfleet Battles turn-based geek out—or hacking…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Dead Space Devs Change Their Name To Visceral Games
Say goodbye to EA Redwood Shores. The once dryly named studio most recently responsible for Dead Space and the upcoming Dante’s Inferno and Dead Space: Extraction has a new, slightly more extreme name: Visceral Games. Sound familiar? That’s the trademark aimed squarely at the gut that Electronic Arts filed for in March, leading to some…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Dragon Age To Be SecuROM-Free
BioWare’s spiritual successor to the Baldur’s Gate series, Dragon Age: Origins, will ship without the unpopular SecuROM digital rights management and copy protection software that has been attached to previous Electronic Arts games. Community manager Chris Priestly announced that the PC version of the role-playing game will use simpler, less intrusive methods to dissuade piracy…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Don’t Cross The Streams While Using Wolfenstein’s Particle Cannon
As true during World War II as it was in the 1980’s – if your weapon fires a particle beam, never, ever cross the streams. Hell, for all we know crossing the streams might be just fine, but from the look of the effect that the particle cannon is having on the enemies in Wolfenstein,…
By Mike Fahey Published May 4, 2009 -
When Chinatown Wars Fan Art Looks Better Than The Real Thing
Patrick Brown’s fantastic Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars fan art is definitely wallpaper worthy. So is his Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned fan art. Good thing wallpaper-sized versions exist! Chinatown War [deviantArt via Tiny Cartridge]
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Is Monster Hunter Tri Heading Westward?
A listing on the Capcom press sight shows Monster Hunter Tri as an upcoming release with a to be determined release date? Is this confirmation that the game is coming stateside? Not necessarily. While the assets posted at the press site and the listing itself is causing a stir about the internets, a closer look…
By Mike Fahey Published May 4, 2009 -
Wii Rock Band 2 Owners Getting The REO Speedwagon U Want
The Rock Band 2 in-game music store for the Wii updates this week with an impressive 18 new tracks, a heady blend of classic radio rock, punk, new wave, hard rock and melodic metalcore. Wii owners will get the Styx/REO Speedwagon track pack that Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners are already enjoying, but in…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Space Invaders, Arkanoid Doh Live Arcade, Extremely
The Taito corporation double teams Xbox Live Arcade this week with the release of two high-definition remakes. Arkanoid Live! and Space Invaders Extreme lead the week’s new additions, with Zombie Wranglers bringing up the rear. The excitedly titled Arkanoid Live! brings classic block-busting gameplay to Xbox 360 owners, upping the resolution, adding multiplayer options and…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Game Controllers That Clean Your Filthy Hands
You know those shaped soaps at your mother’s house that no one is allowed to actually use? Here’s our version, courtesy of Etsy seller Digitalsoaps. Digitalsoaps offers our favorite video game weapons, lovingly recreated in the form of scented soap products. Take the green Xbox 360 controller above. Scented with Mountain Dew, it’s the most…
By Mike Fahey Published May 4, 2009 -
Metal Gear Solid Touch Gets A Demo
Curious about Hideo Kojima’s attempt to bring the Metal Gear series to the iPhone, but hate spending eight bucks to satisfy your curiosity? You’re in luck, because the “Lite” demo version is now available. Metal Gear Solid Touch Lite brings the thrill of Solid Snake shooting at things to your iPhone, for free. Featuring a…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
EA Sports Prediction Of Hatton-Pacquiao Fight Technically A Knock Out
Electronic Arts latched on to the hype surrounding this weekend’s match between professional pugilists Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao. Simulating the brawl Fight Night Round 4, EA Sports called Pacquiao to win the fight. Technically, EA’s prediction was right. Pacquiao knocked out Hatton. And EA’s simulated play-by-play predicted “an aggressive attempt by Hatton to limit…
By Michael McWhertor Published May 4, 2009 -
Demigod Network Issues Should Clear Up This Week
Stardock President and CEO Brad Wardell assures the Demigod community that networking issues should be clearing up this week, and everyone who bought the game is getting a coupon for another copy half-off. Demigod has had less than and healthy start so far, with GameStop selling the game early, piracy running rampant, and of course,…
By Mike Fahey Published May 4, 2009 -
Building the Capcom Army
Capcom isn’t just relying on solid franchises or its experimental blending of East meets West game development to fuel their growth, they’re also counting on you. Capcom Unity, the publisher’s direct to consumer marketing approach for their most recent games, has been a singular success, said Mark Beaumont, Capcom’s Executive Vice President, Officer and Head…
By Brian Crecente Published May 4, 2009