The Super Smash Nintendo Change Up

While Nintendo may not have had a press conference this year at E3, they still delivered on game announcements. And if we're being honest, it was probably a good move to save all that money, specially with the big guns of Microsoft and Sony an their new consoles. Nintendo came at us with a Nintendo Direct 40 minute showcase broadcast, a booth at E3, demos, trailers, and a couple of roundtables at the conference, so they weren't absent altogether at the Expo.

So what did they show us and what are we excited to see? There we actually quite a few titles announcements, for both the Wii U and the 3DS. Some old favorites like new Pokeman X and Y coming out this October, including a new fairy class that will be strong against Dragon class. A new Super Mario 3D World including a new cat power up, and Peach! Peach finally as a playable character, and giving everyone an old throw back move from Super Mario World 2. Not a dream this time Nintendo? And of course new Mario Kart 8 that includes a new antigravity driving style.

This is what I think of your franchise and promises

They of course announced their 3rd Party titles, some not so surprising, and some we're no doubt excited about. The expected Assassin's Creed IV, Batman Origins, Disney Infinite, Just Dance 2014, Spinter Cell Blacklist, and Watch Dogs. A new Batman Origins Blackgate coming out for the 3DS, Scribblenaughts Unmasked: DC Adventure for both the Wii U and 3DS, Shin Megami Tensei IV for the 3DS, and hold on, a new Sonic game, Lost World, coming out for both console and handheld. It looks like they took the 3D in semi 2D worlds like they did in Generations. Not even crossing my fingers.

Ta Da! I'm Back!

They threw out a bunch of new eShop titles with no release dates, including Ducktake Remastered, Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, Oddworld New N Tasty, and World of Keflings which most will recognize from the XBLA library. A new trailer for a game very near and dear to my heart, The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker HD. The graphics will look pretty amazing on the Wii U in 1080p, and they've added some new features including an option to go faster while you're sailing the vast ocean. Although from the trailer it looks like you're only able to activate this while you're catching a certain amount of wind in your sails. I know I'm not the only one who would sail in in zig zags to get to my next destination just so I wasn't moving at a snails pace, or so I didn't have to change the wind directions every time I needed to turn. They've also changed the Tingle Tuner! Obviously you can't connect your GameBoy Advance to the Wii U, (also holy crap, throw to the past with the GameBoy Advance Nintendo!) so they've changed the Tingle Tuner to the Tingle Bottle. From the beaches of Islands you can write a message, take screenshots, and through them out into the water. What good will this do? Your messages will then start to wash up on shore in other players games while they play. An interesting little addition, it seems like it could be fun.

They also teased up with some images and gameplay of The Wonderful 101, a group of heroes that unite against space invaders to their city. They use the Unite Morph abilities to gather together and change into different weapons, like swords, or defensive items. It will offer a multiplayer options of up to five players. That one will release this coming September.

Let's just appreciate how spry Link, Pit, and Samus look here.

The three trailers and teasers we got next might have been some of the most exciting ones. A New Donkey Kong Country, backed up with some old classics tunes in the background that had my little gamer heart excited. DKC Tropical Freeze features the return of Diddy Long and Dixie Kong and her blond helicopter hair. Then they hit us a new trailer for Bayonetta 2, this time featuring a full on look of the sassy Main Character, and her pixie style hair cut, (I'm a woman, yes I know hair styles,) and her new outfit. We saw some cinematic and in game action and while I didn't see a whole lot of changes, there was enough to keep me interested. Then we saw a rather pretty looking trailer for a new game from the creators of Xenoblade called X. So far we know that it's going to be an open world with monsters, and looks like a switch between the city and the wilds, and some mech play. Interesting. Expect that in 2014.

Retro Throwback of Nostalgia

Let's not beat around the bush anymore, it's liable to catch fire from the next announcement. Super Smash Bros. The trailer opened showing us a new character. Villager from the Animal Crossing franchise running to join along. Gonna have to be honest and bet that a lot of people weren't very excited that, he's not your first choice to join the cast of characters now is he? Then we see some of our cast of regulars; Mario, Link, Samus, Fox McCloud, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Pit, Pikachu, and Bowser. First we see them in a cell shaded style, outlined in black. They're announcing a 3DS Version. I think the black outline of the characters is a good move because we know how crazy the battle screens can get on a regular TV screen, and with this new style it makes it easier to pick our our fighters on the craziness of the background paired with the smaller screen of the 3DS. While it's all but confirmed that this will be a direct mirror of the Wii U version, it looks like some levels are going to be better suited for the smaller screen of Super Smash; For instance the train level from the Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks.

Mario jumps out and breaks from his cell shaded 3DS style and we get to see the Wii U's HD graphics come into play. Link takes on the look of the Wii U demo we saw him in last year and some of his Skyward Sword apparel. Samus how shed the old classic armor for her Prime look. Looking snazzy there, girl. We don't see Zero suit Samus, but we only have a handful of the confirmed line up so far, so she could make her return in both versions. Pit takes on his more stylized look from Kid Icarus: Uprising, and some of his new attacks, including two shields for an upper punch. When will this Nintendo Powerhouse come out? 2014 of course.

But they weren't done with Super Smash yet. Last year they big names were Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. This year they throw another one at us. If you arne't excited for this one then I don't even know you. Mega Freaking Man. He gets the classic pan up, hair blowing in the wind, and then the helmet is on, it lights up and he opens his eyes. Game. On. They throw in some Mega Man 2 theme in there, until he gets beat down, shown the way of Super Smash. Then we see the powers of Mega Man int he game. Hit with some rock of Wily's Castle theme and we see what we can expect form our little blue dude in the game. You need to see the trailer (linked above) to see the awesomeness. 

And stretch. And hold. Good Job

One day after announcing Mega Man as a playable character, Nintendo showed their next new character. No one saw this one coming. The Wii Fit Trainer. Don't knock her yet, check out the trailer bewlow. I think she could be a bit of fun. 

Once upon a TCPS Holiday Guide

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and lots of people are thinking about gifts. Whether it be the person who's going out to buy them or the person being asked (or pestered) by their family for gift ideas because they can't come with something right away and they go through the same thing every year, and they're forced to make a- Sorry. Point is, it's the holidays. So what should you buy or want? Well, I Could give you a few ideas, but let me just run through some of the things that came out recently, so if you haven't picked them up yet, and you feel that you can wait until present opening time, you have something to tell those pestering persons of interest. (Also, I live in the US, so everything I state is based on availability and prices here.)

While the Nintendo 3DS didn't recently come out, it did get some awesome titles for it recently, and that enough should be enough to go out and pick up the handheld. If you're feeling lucky, or generous go and pick up one of the special editions or bundles. The new Flame Red bundle comes with Super Mario 3D Land, while a new Pearl Pink version has shown it's pretty face bundled with Nintendogs + cats. Of course there is the Cosmo Black Legend of Zelda Special Edition 3DS, detailed with gold art on the outside and gold buttons on the inside, and bundled with The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D. That's my personal favorite, but we've already clarified that I'm biased towards LoZ. You can pick all three of those up at your local GameStop(.com). (Please call ahead before you run in there saying TCPS told you so.) Walmart stores will have the Pink bundle, while you're local Target will be carrying The Pink and Red bundles. Both the Mario and Zelda 3DS Bundles will run you about $200, while the Pink puppy bundle will run you the regular price of $170.

But you're going to need something to play on your 3DS if you don't get a bundle! Well, just released is the new Mario Kart 7! Swim and Fly in this installment, and experience the fun that you know from the Mari Kart series. Also why not pick up some other Mario games, like Super Mario 3D Land, and the DS Mario games New Super Mario Bros, Super Mario 64, and many others. Not wanting to play as the courageous Link running around Hyrule in Ocarina of Time 3D? Got you covered. Do a freaking barrel roll in Star Fox 64, or spin dash into Egg Man in Sonic Generations. All of these games will run you between the sweet wallet spot of between $30 and $40. And don't forget to pick up those accessories for your games and handheld! You'll need a case to protect your pretty new 3DS, maybe a car charger, and a travel charging base if yo're gonna take it on the road. You might want to think about picking up a case to carry all of your games in to so you're not toting 10 to 15 big plastic cases with you in your bag. You'll need that space for the accessory to turn your 3DS into a controller for easier handling.

If we're gonna talk about Nintendo we can't forget the Wii. It's had some pretty good releases and so far the best selling release would have to be The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword. This isn't just my bias talking, it's gotten some amazing reviews. Nintendo really took advantage of their Wii MotionPlus with this game, and it's paid off. Again, if sword fighting isn't your dig why not take a break and dance with Just Dance 3, or maybe some fighting in WWE '12. Maybe Spyro is more your likes and you want to pick up some Skylanders. It's all there for the range of $30 to $70.

I know, you're really interested in the other consoles, right? Xbox 360 and Playstation 3? Yeah, they've had some amazing releases, too. Like Skyrim. If you haven't picked it up, and you think you can wait that long, go ahead and put that at the top of your list. Then when you open the gift and thank the person who bought it for you, tell the rest of your family and friends goodbye while you immerse yourself in a game that's going to easily last more than 90 hours. It was nice knowing you. Don't want to disappear for quite so long? Yeah, I don't blame you, (even if it is a really good game.) Why don't you ask for the newest installment in the AC series with Assassin's Creed Legacy. I hear that Ezio is older and searching for something, something that may or may not have to do with Altair. Just a hunch, I'm not actually sure. *ignores blatant AC ad playing in the background* Don't forget about Sonic, he's not just on the Wii and 3DS, and of course Batman Arkham City. New DLC coming out for that one. Or maybe you're more of a FPS person, yeah we've got you covered there, too. Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. You're welcome.

We can't forget the exclusives, like Kinect exclusives, or PS exclusives. Looking for fun for the whole family? Pick up Disneyland Adventures, seriously, I'm almost 24 and I kind of really want that game. Of course you can dance with the many dancing games, like Just Dance (1,2 or 3) The Black Eyed Peas Experience or Dance Central. Want to just kick back, or kick something? Kinect Sports season 2 is out, or kick some alien animals with Raving Rabbids Alive and Kicking. And the one Playstation 3 exclusive game worth buying is the next installment in the Uncharted franchise, Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception. Perfect for any Nolan North fan. Seriously, that guys voice gets around. Did you know he was in Marvel vs Capcom 3? No? Well go get that game, too!

Then for you PC players, you can pick most of the games mentioned above. Probably through Steam. Assassin's Creed Legacy, Sonic Generations, COD: Modern Warfare 3, Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Batman Arkham City, Saints Row The Third, Lord of the Rings: War in the North, and many many more. You could also play some Terraria and Minecraft which just came out with their own releases! Minecraft is official people, and Terraria is 1.1! You should think about picking up Bastion also, and maybe look into Trine and Trine 2.

Whatever you play this holiday you now have some idea on what to those gift hounds, and what to pick up for those that just have too much on their list, or too little. Whether you're going to stop at GameStop, Walmart, Target or Best Buy, at least you're not going to go in blind. Happy shopping all! Thank you for letting TCPS add a little more confusion into the busy season of shopping.

TCPS 15: E3 Special - Nintendo

We watched the press conferences, we took notes, and now we talk about it. We cover Nintendo and what they announced, how the brought their game, and how excited we are about it!

Apologies and Nostalgia

*Dusts off controller*

*Presses start*

Hello. My Name is Strife. Remember me?

No. Didn't think so.

The truth is that I've been busy. Hella busy. Real life has actually stopped me from doing my duties as a TCPS co-host and blogger and for that, I am indeed sorry. Honestly, I thought about stepping down as TCPS co-host because it seems like I couldn't really keep up with the times. Then I sat myself down and decided that I really REALLY wanted to do this. I really wanted to give you guys (all 3 of you) a moment of insanity that is only Megan and Antonio. So, I'm here. And I vow with all of my heart pieces to keep updating this blog until I can't any longer. Updates may be far and inbetween, but I'll get it done.

With that being said, I'm going to tell you why the Nintendo 3DS is the best nostalgia tool ever.

When the Nintendo3DS was announced, I had no idea of what the hell Nintendo was thinking. It sounded cool, but I brushed it off as another DS. Man, was I proven wrong. It turned out to be one of my favorite handhelds, hands down. Not only was it powerful, it touted amazing 3D graphics AND a fantastic lineup of games. While the launch titles weren't as great, the system itself still touted amazing games to play even if you didn't buy a 3D game. The system is that awesome.

We here at TCPS operate on steam-powered Nostalgia. Our video blogs are pretty much old school games being played and compared to new school. Nintendo sees our nostalgia and gives it to us on a 16-bit platter. We got a 3D ocarina of time. We got Excitebike. We're getting Starfox. We're getting Shinobi. And It doesn't stop there. Nintendo also gave us new things like Street Fighter, Dead or Alive, Resident Evil and Splinter Cell. A good bit of us are clamoring that new games are nothing like they used to be. Getting a 3DS is the answer to that. And if you're one of the people saying "Oh Noez, I hate re-releases of old games" but can't wait for the inevitable Final Fantasy 7 remake, then I'm thinking that you should re-analyze your gaming viewpoint. Also, laugh tremendously if it gets a re-release on 3ds.

Continue?

The Ides Of March: Games that should have gotten reviews, but didn't

*Presses Start*

So, I have to get off my 3DS long enough to tell you about some games that came out in March that should have gotten full fledged reviews but most of my time was spent between real life and Dragon Age 2.

Speaking of Dragon Age 2, I promise a review, but I'm actually replaying this game to catch up on some of the things I missed (like characters) so that'll come soon enough. Promise.

Now to the games:

Rift: The World Of Warcraft "killer" that released earlier this month has gotten pretty amazing reviews so far. I haven't reviewed it because of my disdain for (Most) MMORPGs, but reader reviews so far are saying that it's good, but it's not going to stop WOW anytime soon. Aion anyone?

Pokemon: The racist version of the game dropped this month and so far people are saying that it's pretty good. I should actually pick up, but once you pick one up, you've picked them all up.

People are saying that it's incredibly different, but I've yet to know a difference.

Homefront: The THQ answer to call of duty that really left me wanting to play call of duty. The solo campaign was really terrible. The Multiplayer was OK, but I'm more a solo guy myself.

Okamiden: Yes. 10x times yes. It's not on the same plain as the original, but it's holds it's own well enough to suppress the urge for an sequel.

Dissidia 012: Harder to start from scratch, but overall, a satisfying prequel. All the new characters are interesting.

Crysis 2: Definitely deserving of a full review. So many cool things in the game, it's pretty good so far. The Multiplayer is solid and the Single Campaign is great. And yes, my PS3 can run Crysis.

I know March isn't over yet, but most of the major ones are already out, and there's some games that should have gotten a solid review, but because I am only one man, I can only tackle what I can. Expect another blog real soon guys.

Continue?