A murder mystery awaits in the plane of guilds. Set amidst the backdrop of one of Magic’s most iconic planes, new and old characters rear their heads. Prepare for a sneak peek. Prepare to return to Ravnica. Today, Wizards of the Coast granted an early look at Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming new set, Murders at Karlov Manor, in a new video. Releasing on February 9th, 2024 the set is focusing on Alquist Proft, Ravnica’s greatest detective, the set follows various characters as they solve a cold-blooded murder in a darker Ravnica. Of course, a first look video delves into the themes, cards, and plot that makes the set special. 

Magic: The Gathering- Murders at Karlov Manor centers around themes of investigation and mystery. Interestingly, players can expect cards reminiscent of Clue to appear in the set. For instance, land cards that are rooms instead of land. Additionally, the set will introduce clue tokens and various new mechanics to make a sleuth deck crack the case. However, it wouldn’t be a murder mystery without the murder. Of course, the set is not afraid to add a little brutality. It is set in Ravnica after all. Artifact cards whose designs feel a little more mystery-esque, such as a lead pipe, will be making an appearance in the set. 

Obviously, the creatures are a big draw of this set. Detectives, investigators, seedy guild members, and cold-blooded killers will all have their place. Really, it depends on how you would like to play. Check out the first look trailer below for a look at some of the cards that will be coming to Magic: The Gathering- Murders at Karlov Manor. 

Magic: The Gathering- Murders at Karlov Manor is releasing on February 9th, 2024. More information is available here. Additionally, you can join in the mystery as Thirteen “Mystery Files” puzzles draw fans in on a webpage starting the 9th of February, 2024.

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Steel spoon for humans, silver for monsters? It’s time to get cooking like the Witcher you are. With recipes from all over the continent, fans of the iconic Witcher series can eat like they are from the games. That’s right, CD PROJEKT RED, Nerds’ Kitchen Creations, and Penguin Random House have released a brand new Witcher Cookbook. The cookbook, titled “The Official Witcher Cookbook”, allows fans to immerse themselves in the world of the games through cuisine and narrator tales. Of course, a press release provides more details on the book. 

The Official Witcher Cookbook is a collection of recipes and narrative notes. Importantly, the book itself contains 80 different recipes and 256 pages, many with beautiful illustrations. Additionally, the book also contains a forward by the author and creator of the book series Andrzej Sapkowski. The book is also a lore lover’s dream as it adds in-depth notes about the unique regions that make up the dark world of the series as well as the locations Geralt of Rivia visits in the series. 

In addition to the various recipes players can enjoy, the book contains writings of a fictional narrator’s travels and discoveries of regional cuisine. Of course, this addition serves to add even more depth to the book. Fans can now, not only, craft recipes that reflect the world of The Witcher but also learn more about it as they go.

The Official Witcher Cookbook is available at major retailers and through Penguin Random House. The book is currently available for purchase. 

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Planeswalkers rejoice, it’s time to take a step back in time. Return to a plane full of dinosaurs, hidden secrets, and awakened gods. This time, the set is taking you deep under the crust of the plane to caverns full of mystery and hidden power. Yet, prepare yourself, four factions race to be the first to reach the power. Today, Wizards of the Coast are celebrating the release of the newest set for their iconic CCG, Magic: The Gathering. The new set, titled Lost Caverns of Ixalan, sees players return to the prehistoric and titular plane. Here, players will find a host of familiar and new cards, as well as, some new mechanics to make their games more intense. 

Lost Caverns of Ixalan introduces four factions of cards players can construct decks out of. The mighty Sun Empire and their fearsome dinosaurs, The Coalition of Pirates, the vampires of the Legion of Dusk, and the Merfolk. Of course, each faction comes with unique cards and game engines that will change how players interact with their decks and their opponents. For instance, the set is introducing new game mechanics such as descend, craft, and discover. Each of these keywords provides new ways to make powerful combos and stronger creatures. 

Of course, the host of new features in Lost Caverns of Ixalan are impressive. Yet, they can be a lot, especially for newer players. Luckily Magic: The Gathering provides players with a special mechanics trailer to show off some of the new card mechanics. Additionally, the trailer also spotlights some of the great new cards, like the fungal monstrosity The Mycotyrant. Check out the trailer below. 

Magic: The Gathering- Lost Caverns of Ixalan is out now. Players can find more information about the set on Magic’s website.

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The yin to Mario’s yang, Wario is an established member of Nintendo’s zany cast of characters. From side-scrolling adventures to micro-game madness, the treasure-hungry antagonist has taken the reins on an array of strange and wonderful games. With the mustachioed maniac’s new release just around the corner, I’ve decided to rank the top 10 Wario games.

10. Wario Land: Shake It!

The Wiimote was divisive. While it did allow anyone to engage, it also led to a number of games dumbing down their controls with motion mechanics. Wario Land: Shake It! managed to nail its implementation. Keeping the platform premise at the forefront, you shake your Wiimote to perform certain actions which helps to create a fun, unique adventure.

9. Wario World

Although painfully short, Wario World is a blast from start to finish. Sure, it’s conventional but the game has buckets of character and looks great on the GameCube. Often forgotten, this dusty gem is definitely worth seeking out.

8. Wario Land 4

Leaning more into the Metroidvania style of gameplay Wario Land 4 strays away from its predecessors to form its own identity. Its stand-out visuals and music are a highlight of the game and help to make this a memorable experience. 

7. WarioWare: D.I.Y.

WarioWare is all about strange micro-games. How can you crank the insanity up? Well, give players the tool to create their own. While a game like this would have exploded on the Switch, it still did extremely well and is widely considered one of the best games in the series.

6. WarioWare: Get it Together!

Get it Together! moves away from the formula by combining traditional platform mechanics with the bonkers scenarios. Each character moves in a specific way and you must complete the micro-game using their method of traversal. It’s still crazy and manages to capture that great couch co-op feeling that Nintendo is famous for.

5. Wario Land 3

While Wario Land 4 went on to develop the structure further, I believe that the third entry was superior. The level design is fantastic and is full of innovative elements that make the moment-to-moment gameplay feel great. 

4. WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!

A remake of the GBA classic, Mega Party Game$! is an absolute blast! The originality in this game is second-to-none and was a party centerpiece at many households. Although the format has evolved into more motion-based micro-games, there’s still a place for a game like this.

3. Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land

The first title with Wario as a playable character is one of the best. While held back by the power of the GameBoy, each level is still full of clever ideas that make each step in the world an absolute joy. Don’t be deterred by the dated visuals, go back and check out this classic.

2. WarioWare: Touched

Touched transcended the fanbase and became a hit with casual gamers too. Due to the DS touchpad, this was easy for anyone to pick up and play. The ridiculous scenarios that require quick reactions were insanely addictive and made this one of the best games in the franchise.

1. WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Arguably the best use of Wiimotes can be found in Smooth Moves. Nintendo took what worked on Touched and developed this for the Wii. The absurd microgames were well-designed but also hilarious to watch others play. Performing comical actions to complete a task helps to make this the perfect party game. As a result, Smooth Moves takes first place for the best game featuring the crazed character.

Well, there you have it. Do you agree with the list? What would you change? Do you think the next game in the franchise will be better than the titles above? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more great video game content.

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Attention Planeswalkers, a world beyond what you are used to awaits. This world is harsh and crawling with danger. Yet, it isn’t anything you haven’t faced before. Prepare to enter the wasteland. Today, Wizards of the Coast is proud to announce that their massively popular CCG Magic: The Gathering is collaborating with the iconic universe of Bethesda Games’ Fallout. Importantly, the crossover is bringing over a tonne of iconic characters, items, and more all in the signature style of Magic cards. Interestingly, a first-look video gives players a look at some of the cards that are coming with the crossover. 

The Magic: The Gathering X Fallout crossover is bringing a whole host of new cards to the game. Interestingly, four new Commander decks are coming to the game. These decks will feature key characters, weapons, abilities, and lands from many of the Fallout games. Furthermore, these decks all take one key theme from the Fallout series and revolve around it. The decks are Survival, Technology, Military, and Mutants. 

Of course, each deck comes with its unique Commander card and important mechanics that make them unique. For instance, Survival decks will rely on players to scavenge for food, tools, and allies. Whereas, Military style decks rely on massive armies and cloned creatures. Magic collectors can check out the first look, in-depth, video for a look at some of the coming cards. 

Magic: The Gathering X Fallout is arriving on March 8th, 2024. More information is available on Magic’s website. 

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The Metal Gear series revolutionized the stealth game genre. It stands as one of the greatest gaming experiences to date with a whopping 17 games (including remakes, ports, or remasters) and it continues to captivate fans worldwide. The franchise first debuted in 1987 and has since become one of the most iconic and acclaimed video game series.

The franchise’s popularity knows no bounds, having sold over 60 million units across the globe. By September 2021, it had already reached a staggering 57.7 million units in sales. In November 2022, the number of units sold increased to 59.3 million, from the previous figure. The developers are even planning to resume sales on titles that got suspended temporarily. The series already generated 1 billion in revenue in February 2007. It is one of the highest-grossing video game franchises ever.

Hideo Kojima, the Japanese visionary and highly influential figure in the video game industry designed the series. The upcoming release is Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Don’t miss out on this epic adventure. Work as a member of U.S. Special Forces Unit FOXHOUND and experience the thrill, the stealth, and the extraordinary storytelling.

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Some games can’t help but reach their goals. Of course, as a reward for those that back them, new rewards keep appearing. Importantly, this is exactly the case with Mega Cat Studios‘ upcoming Game Boy game, Kudzu. With a dedicated community of people backing the game, the studio is happy to announce that they are nearing their Nintendo Switch Stretch Goal. As a result, they are excitedly unveiling two brand-new limited tiers. 

Open to only 50 backers each. Of course, any lucky backer who manages to snag one of these spots will receive all of the rewards from the original tiers as well as the limited edition Kudzu Original Soundtrack in vinyl format. Additionally, players who get into the two new tiers will also receive a high-quality art print of the Kudzu game cover and much more. 

“We’re thrilled to introduce these new limited tiers to our amazing community,” says Mina Figueroa, Retro Cat Enthusiast at Mega Cat Studios, “With your support, we’re getting closer to making Kudzu on Switch a reality. 

Recently, Kudzu developers announced the inclusion of a fishing mini-game as a reward for reaching their intended goal. Additionally, gamers who haven’t been able to check out the game can get a look at its art style and gameplay in the Kickstarter announcement trailer from last month. Check it out below. 

Kudzu is set for release in late 2023. The game’s Kickstarter is currently going on and will be available for four more days. So, for those gamers with a taste for vinyl, there isn’t a better time for you to get involved. 

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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It’s a great thing when an indie game hits its goals. Especially when reaching those goals serves to add more content to the game. Today,  Mega Cat Studios and developer Pie For Breakfast Studios are happy to announce that the Kickstarter for their upcoming Game Boy game, Kudzu, reached its goal. Of course, reaching this goal means that players have unlocked some new content for the game. A press release delves into more details about the game. Furthermore, a Kickstarter trailer gives players a glimpse of the game itself.

Kudzu introduces players to Max. As a simple gardener, Max, is interested in a species of coiling and climbing perennial vines known as Kudzu. Yet, after discovering his master has disappeared into the fields, Max sets out to find him. Importantly, the game is an adventure that combines the classic feel of old-school RPGs with modern features. Players will face off against monstrous creatures, 8 bosses, and more while using various garden tools as weaponry. Additionally, players will be able to adventure through diverse environments, like mysterious forests and enchanted gardens. 

With Kudzu reaching its Kickstarter goal, players can look forward to the addition of a fishing mini-game. However, this mini-game is but the first of the expansive additions that Mega Cat Studios is bringing to the game. Of course, players can check out the Kickstarter trailer for a glimpse of the game. 

The game is set for release in late 2023. The game’s Kickstarter is currently going and offering a variety of rewards for participants. Of course, the game will be released for Gameboy. So, are you ready for Kudzu? 

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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Prepare to step into a world of gardeners and world-ending plants. It’s time to adventure into the Kudzu fields and face off against evil creatures in an attempt to save your master and the world. Today, Mega Cat Studios and developer Pie For Breakfast Studios are excited to announce the Kickstarter for their upcoming Game Boy game, Kudzu. The Kickstarter, starting today May 25th, is aiming for $20,000 CDN and is offering a whole host of rewards to be earned. Of course, a press release provides more details on the game. Furthermore, a Kickstarter trailer gives players a glimpse of the game.  

Kudzu introduces players to Max. As a simple gardener, Max, is interested in a species of coiling and climbing perennial vines known as Kudzu. Yet, he learns that his master has disappeared into the Kudzu fields and sets off to find him. Of course, this will have repercussions. Including learning about a world-ending plant. 

The game is an adventure that combines the classic feel of old-school RPGs with modern sensibilities. In fact, players can look forward to the exploration, puzzles and combat of old-school games. The game even comes with 8 bosses players can encounter while they use their garden tools to cut through the Kudzu maze. Of course, you can check out the Kickstarter trailer for a better look at the game and what’s to come. Check out the trailer below. 

The game is set for release in late 2023. The game’s Kickstarter is currently going and offering a variety of rewards for participants. For instance, players can get boxed physical copies of Kudzu to art books, goat plushies, wooden NES carts, and even the chance to have their name immortalized as a goat in the game. So, are you excited for Kudzu? 

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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If you were a fan of Monster Hunter World or Rise and want to dive deeper into this franchise, then oh boy do I have news for you. As we speak, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, 4 Ultimate, and Generations are all selling for around 5$ apiece! 15 dollars for hundreds of hours of content is an absolute steal… if you have the means to access it. Because this sale isn’t for just any platform.

A while back, Nintendo announced the shutdown of their eShop for WiiU and 3DS. As of writing, they’ve already removed the ability for you to add funds to your wallet via credit card. But the shop itself isn’t closed yet – games are technically purchasable, and any existing eShop codes you have will be honored. This platform is where Capcom has placed their Monster Hunter sale. All three 3DS titles have found an incredible price tag, assuming you have a retro handheld console and the means to work through a closing eShop.

The sale will maintain until the 16th of this month – just one week away from today.

The reason for Capcom’s sale here should be fairly obvious, given the situation. While we lack a specific announcement justifying the unprecedented sale price, context clues offer all we need to know. It’ll be hard for them to profit off of a dead marketing platform, so they might as well earn what little money they can in the time they have left.

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Everyone who plays a CCG either online or in the physical knows foil cards are great. So, it’s always a great day when a new set drops with even more rare and foil cards. Today, Wizards if the Coast is happy to announce the release of the newest expansion set for the world’s oldest and best trading card game, Magic: The Gathering (MTG).The new set, Double Masters 2022, is bringing more powerful cards as well as strong reprints. A press release provides more information on the set. Additionally, the MTG website gives the details on some of the cards coming. 

Double Masters 2022 is a set for both collectors and those looking to make viable competitive decks. The set contains 331 cards with more rare and foil cards than ever before. Each pack will contain two rares and two foils, making it easy for players to really boost their power. Of course, Double Masters 2022 is seeing some fan-favorite reprints to go along with the release of the set. For instance, fans will get a chance to grab iconic cards like Wrenn and Six, Liliana The Last Hope, and even the original Eldrazi Titans. 

Those collectors amongst the fans can anticipate premium treatments, new card flair and styles. At the same time, competitive players can expect a new layer to drafting with a three color format and multicolored limited archetypes. 

Double Masters 2022 packs are available for purchase today. Double Masters will be available as Draft Boosters, Draft Packs, and Collector Boosters. So, what cards are you hoping to get out of the new packs? What kind of deck do you play? 

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The magic comes alive off, yet on, the tabletop. Today, Xplored the developers of the Teburu game platform announced a partnership with Ares Games. Ares is the publisher behind the massively popular fantasy board game, Swords and Sorcery. Xplored and Ares Games are partnering to bring Swords and Sorcery to the Teburu game platform, bringing the tabletop game even more immersion and flare. A press release about the partnership provides the perspectives of both Xplored and Ares Games and gives fans some insight into the partnership. 

The Teburu game platform uses electronic sensors within a board. These sensors track the placement of minis, pieces, and more so that every move is on record. While players can focus on the game, the system takes care of rules, enemy behavior and story events. Furthermore the system is able to handle all of this by using specialized miniatures, dice, and lighting systems that relay information to players. 

“Expanding the S&S range with a Teburu-based ‘phygital’ version is a great opportunity to simplify the game experience and make Sword & Sorcery easier to learn and faster to play, while enhancing further the key strengths of Sword & Sorcery’s deep combat system and sophisticated AI.” Says Ares Games Director of Production, Roberto Di Meglio. 

Essentially the Teburu system is making Swords and Sorcery easier for new players. Additionally the game becomes more engaging. With Teburur system gameplay also seems faster. Rules are given right on screen. No more flipping through rule books. Last year’s sneak peek trailer at the system also gives players a general idea into how Teburu works. 

The partnership between Xplored and Ares Games will open up a line for a Teburu Sword and Sorcery line. Yet, for now, Xplored’s first Teburu project Bad Karmas and the Curse of the Zodiacs has had launched on Kickstarter. 

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Persona 3 is a game about depression, which may explain why it never reached the same popularity as its successors. This doesn’t mean that Persona 3 isn’t a fantastic game. In fact, I’d argue it may be the best Persona game so far. It’s certainly one of the most memorable. The Persona games are known for their trademark mixture of occultism, dating sim, and smiling in the face of despair. Although the first two Persona games touched on these themes, Persona 3 truly embodied them. With rumors of Persona 3 Portable possibly getting a multiplatform remaster soon, it’s time to look back at this incredibly optimistic game about depression.

First things first: every recent Persona game has a theme. Persona 5 was about rebellion, Persona 4 was about finding the truth, and Persona 3 is about depression. The opening features the Latin phrase “memento mori,” meaning roughly “remember you will die.” Throughout the rest of the game, death is only ever a stone’s throw away. Persona 3 is a dark, grim, and often truly horrifying game about depression and suicide. Despite this, it also manages to be a genuinely optimistic look at how people can overcome depression by supporting each other.

This Game is Rated M For Good Reason

Persona 3 is the Persona game that comes to capturing the larger Shin Megami Tensei franchise’s creepy tone. Often games are rated M for gore and crude humor. Persona 3 is rated M because the characters summon their Personas by acting out the motions of shooting themselves. Although the only weapons they hold are Evokers, replica guns with no actual bullets, the intent is clear. To summon your Persona is an act of self-destruction–an act that brings you literally and metaphorically closer to death.

This title is about depression from start to finish. Battles, cutscenes, and even simple conversations are all filled with imagery that reflects death and suicide. Several characters forcibly awaken their Personas, which must be kept under control through medication. Unfortunately, the medication is both expensive and has lethal side effects. Just about every character in the game has experienced some level of depression, including the protagonist himself.

By the end of the original game, every single surviving character’s Persona is linked to a dead loved one. However, the protagonist’s Persona is literally part of Death, the incarnation of humanity’s drive for self-destruction. Death entered the protagonist’s soul after his parents died. It’s been sleeping quietly within him ever since, but its mere presence has left him numb and sleepwalking through life. In fact, the protagonist specifically confirms that he doesn’t have any strong attachments to being alive. The game’s opening act makes a point of highlighting his unsettling grin as he sets Yukari’s Evoker against his temple and pulls the trigger. This nightmarish imagery contrasts sharply with the kindness the protagonist shows throughout the story.

Your World Deserves Saving

It’s not enough for Persona 3 to present players with a depressed protagonist living in a gloomy world of monsters and magical guns. The game demands the player shove him out of his comfort zone. In order to unlock new Personas and power up, you have to complete Social Links. To complete Social Links, you talk to people. You help them with their problems, and get invested in their struggles. Each person you can connect with represents a different kind of depression and detachment. Forming bonds with them means confronting feelings of emptiness, trauma, and alienation. And in the end, these bonds save the whole world from falling into suicidal despair.

While the characters may hate their own feelings of despair, Persona 3 treats depression with kindness. It’s a game that puts a spotlight on the joys of life, especially when things are dark. In the game, as in real life, forming relationships with others can save lives. This focus on communication and reaching out to others hits harder in Persona 3 than any other Persona game. Persona 4 and 5 may have their casts literally confront their Shadows, but Persona 3 has its cast confront themselves.

Persona 3 may have more in common thematically with The World Ends With You than it does with Persona 4 and 5. The difference is that Persona 3 focuses on a very specific part of the teen experience. This game pulls no punches when it comes to showing how high school students can fall into self-destruction–and how they can emerge from it. Persona 3 is a game about depression, and the angle it takes is that depressed kids can save each other. I think that’s pretty cool.

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It’s time to get retro once again. Incube8 Games and indie developer Ben Jelter have announced the release date for their upcoming dystopian Gameboy Color game, The Machine. A press release about the game provides details on story as well as background on Jelter. 

The Machine is a game that presents players multiple storyline paths to follow. Set in a dystopian world where people inhabit a giant machine, within which an election is taking place. An election that could shape the future of the game’s society. Additionally the society the player finds themselves a part of is hierarchical in nature, a fact that will shape gameplay opportunities for players. 

Because of the nature of society in The Machine, players get to experience storylines in different lenses of hierarchy. An aptitude test determines people’s roles at a young age within the machine. With this in mind players can see how this may become a mechanic in game to let you experience different storylines. 

The press release explains how players will “experience each playthrough as a factory worker, a police officer, a secret agent, a hippie, or more…concluding in one of over 25 possible endings.”

 Developer, Ben Jelter, has worked on many games. Other games of his include Opossum Country and Unearthed among others. Pre-orders for The Machine open on February 16th 2022. The game will be available on Gameboy Color, Gameboy, and Gameboy Advanced. Currently, players can visit a landing page created for the game. A demo is available on the landing page for free. The demo is played with the keyboard, but demonstrates the gameplay players will find in the game. Are you excited to brave The Machine? 

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Ah, the Game Boy Color – a console so old, there’s a good chance it predates you. The retro platform was among Nintendo‘s first ventures into the handheld market, and it seems like they left an impression. It may not be the most powerful console on the market, nor does it have the biggest library – but that world of games just got one entry bigger. Incub8 games is publishing a physical cartridge for an upcoming title by Spacebot Interactive.

“Dragonborne DX” is an upgraded version of their original Dragonborne title, being given an extra layer of polish. On its store page, it boasts of improved combat, visuals, and music from the previous version. Pre-orders will open up in march of next year, with not word (yet!) of a release date.

Other than that, it’s still got all the features of the original retro-style game. It’s a turn-based RPG in the style of Final Fantasy or Pokémon, clocking in at around 10 hours in length. But of course, it’ll last you longer than that if you want to see each of the game’s multiple endings.

Incub8 Games has developed something of an MO when it comes to Game Boy Color releases. Other titles like The Year After and Deadeus can be found on their site, all with “(GBC)” labels that proudly display their retro console home to potential customers.

After the grandeur of the Matrix’s Unreal Engine 5 demo, and the plethora of titles revealed during The Game Awards last week, it’s almost wholesome to see older platforms still getting love. And it’s no small amount of love either – even without sales figures in hand, the original Dragonborne must have performed well enough to warrant a release like this. Retro games like Dragonborne are still getting plenty of love!

SOURCE, SOURCE

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To commemorate the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo has released a brand new, limited edition Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda. This celebration of The Legend of Zelda is perfect for fans both new and old, providing an opportunity to relive the original adventures as they were intended. This isn’t the first time Nintendo has released a special edition Game & Watch.

In 2020, Nintendo released Game & Watch Super Mario Bros. which included the original Super Mario Bros. game, Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, and a remake of the Game & Watch classic Ball. However, despite featuring one of the most iconic games ever, Game & Watch Super Mario Bros. still felt a bit lacking in content. Nintendo must have heard the criticisms because Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda feels like a more complete and worthwhile package.

Link’s Origins

Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda comes with a lot of content that is sure to make most Zelda fans happy. Included are the first three The Legend of Zelda adventures; The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, both of which originally appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, which originally appeared on the Nintendo Game Boy. All three of these games are unique and special in their own way. If you’ve never played these games before, they might feel a bit dated – and they are – but they’re also the perfect opportunity to see just how far the Legend of Zelda games have come. For those of us who have played them in our younger years, it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane and I couldn’t be happier.

In addition to the aforementioned Legend of Zelda games, this Game & Watch also includes a few neat bonuses. First, there is a The Legend of Zelda-inspired Playtime Clock. The clock displays the time, in real-time, but features Link wandering around random environments from the original Zelda game fighting bad guys. It’s fun to just prop it up by my desk and watch the action unfold. And if I want to, I can actually jump in and take control of Link as well.

Second, there is a Zelda II: Link’s Adventure-inspired Timer. Just like the clock, you can either watch or take control of Link as the timer counts down. The timer caps at 10 minutes, perfect for keeping track of how long the Kraft Dinner noodles have been boiling for. And finally, there is a Game & Watch mini-game called Vermin with Link taking over as the main character. This whack-a-mole style game is a fun little time-waster that’ll have you constantly vying for a top score. For those of you keeping score at home, my top score was 251 in Game A – let me know in the comments below if you manage to beat that score. The device has a couple of neat Easter Eggs to discover as well – I won’t spoil them here, but I’ll give you one hint; look at the backside of the device when it’s turned on.

Wish List

While this package has a pretty solid collection of content, which is a vast improvement over last year’s Game & Watch Super Mario Bros., there are a few things I wish were included. For one, I wish they included both the original and DX versions of Link’s Awakening. The DX version brings some much welcome colour to the world and some additional content. I also wish there was a built-in music player featuring music from the included games. And finally, a museum-style section with interviews, instruction manuals, concept art, etc, would have brought the whole package together nicely.

Of course, it’s also worth noting that the device is small. For me, my hands would usually cramp up after about a half-hour of playtime. This isn’t a complaint – just an observation. I wouldn’t want Nintendo to change this – as its portability is a key feature. However, if you’ve got big hands, this could be a factor in your purchasing decision.

If you’re a fan of The Legend of Zelda or you’re a young fan eager to experience Link’s origins, Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda is a perfect addition to your collection. Having these iconic classics in a handy, portable form should make your next vacation a bit more entertaining. The inclusion of the first three Legend of Zelda games will provide most with hours of solid gameplay. This collection is also a huge improvement over last year’s Super Mario Bros. collection, which felt a bit lacking.

Unless you’ve played the original Legend of Zelda games to death, there really isn’t a reason not to pick this Game & Watch up. Will we see a third Game & Watch collection from Nintendo next year? And if so, what might it include? I’m hoping for a Game Boy collection, featuring a handful of classic Game Boy games such as Tetris, Super Mario Land 1 & 2, Metroid II, Kirby’s Dream Land, and maybe a Pokemon game. What would you like to see in a future Game & Watch collection?

***Game & Watch: The Legend of Zelda was provided by Nintendo***

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Every year on December 5th, we celebrate our fascination and love of all things ninja with International Ninja Day. Historically, ninjas were highly-skilled and lethal mercenaries, originating in Japan hundreds of years ago. Today, ninjas continue to make an everlasting impact on pop culture, including video games. From classic gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System to recent powerhouses like the Xbox Series X, ninjas continue to show up in video games. Join us as we take a look at some of our favourite gaming ninjas.

Ryu Hayabusa – Ninja Gaiden Series

Ryu Hayabusa has been slicing and dicing since the NES days. Check out our review of the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection released earlier this year.

Taki – Soulcalibur Series

Taki is a ninja as deadly as she is beautiful, and a staple of the Soulcalibur franchise. Check out our review of Soulcalibur VI here.

Sub-Zero & Scorpion – Mortal Kombat Series

While not the only ninjas in the Mortal Kombat franchise, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are definitely the most iconic. Get over here!

Mai Shiranui – Fatal Fury Series

Mai Shiranui is an iconic character from the Fatal Fury series dating way back to her first appearance in Fatal Fury 2 (1992).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – TMNT Series

These bodacious ninjas might not have started in gaming – but they’ve been kicking radical butt since the NES days. They’ll be back next year in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Check out page 2 for more gaming ninjas.

The post Celebrate International Ninja Day With The Best Ninjas in Video Games appeared first on COGconnected.

In an article on the Sega website today- not quite a press release, or a blog, but somewhere in between- Sega announced that it will be forming a tactical alliance with Microsoft as a way to create large-scale games that will reach across the globe. Technically, they did say they wanted to create a “Super Game” (I’m not even kidding, that’s what’s written in the article). What that entails is anyone’s guess at this point. But what we do know is that Sega wants to use Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform in order to do that, so they can stay on top of gaming developments and trends in the gaming world.

What’s more, they want to use this as a focus for their Mid-to Long term strategy, business-wise. Yukio Sugino, President, and COO, SEGA Corporation, was enthused about the matter and released a statement about the alliance. “We aim to build an alliance that utilizes both SEGA’s powerful game development capabilities and Microsoft’s cutting-edge technology and development environment.”  What’s more, Sarah Bond, CVP, Microsoft Corporation, also spoke of what Microsoft wants in moving forward together with Sega. “We look forward to working together as they explore new ways to create unique gaming experiences for the future using Microsoft cloud technologies.”

Sega is known for creating iconic games such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Bayonetta, and Yakuza.  Microsoft isn’t doing too badly for itself either, with its capabilities in PC or Xbox gaming, as well as its VR. So it is possible, even probable, that working together, Sega and Microsoft will release, well, a Super Game. Still, with those two words being tossed around, Super Game, it appears that Sega and Microsoft may rise player expectations of what will be initially released.

What do you think Sega and Microsoft will create together? Let us know in the comments below!

SOURCE

The post Alliance Forged by Sega and Microsoft to Create Large Scale Games appeared first on COGconnected.

The Steam Deck FAQ has finally been released, and with it comes some major hardware and software details.  Not much is known about the Steam Deck – it will use a custom AMD chip, it can be treated like a portable PC, and you will be able to install Windows on it.  However, with the recent FAQ announcement, some questions are at least answered officially by Valve.

On the hardware side of things, there are a few important confirmations.  First, the Steam Deck does work with VR headsets – which is especially promising, given that Pistol Whip developers received a Steam Deck and were hinting at testing VR their games out.  Docking the Steam Deck will not increase performance, unlike the Nintendo Switch – the Steam Deck will retain full power even in portable mode.  In terms of “haptics” or vibration, there will be two LRA motors under each trackpad.  If you want to use the Deck as the most expensive controller ever, you can also hook it up to your PC as purely a controller.  Finally, the Deck will not support external GPUs.

On the software side, it seems like Valve is adding some important QoL features to their OS ahead of the Steam Deck’s release.  You can have multiple accounts, each with their local games and settings, on your device for family sharing.  In addition, you can run non-Steam games, have multiple OS’s installed on your Steam Deck through multi-booting, and even store an OS on a separate SD card.  This is especially good news for those who were worried that they would have to either install Windows or SteamOS.

What do you think of the details in the Steam Deck FAQ?  Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook. 

Source

The post Steam Deck FAQ Finally Released; Major Device Questions Answered appeared first on COGconnected.

There has been negative and buggy footage of Sonic Colors Ultimate circulating online – albeit with the nature of the hardware dubious.  Now, there has been confirmation by early reviewer Nintendo World Report that the bugs can be replicated on real hardware.  

Our review of Sonic Colors Ultimate isn't ready yet, but we can confirm that the glitches being discussed on Twitter can happen on real Switch hardware with the 1.0.3 version of the game installed.

The following video was captured from our review copy. See replies for details. pic.twitter.com/8xad5LjlNy

— Nintendo World Report (@Nintendo_NWR) September 5, 2021

Sonic Colors Ultimate is a remaster of the original Wii version released in 2010 which received great critical acclaim.  As the game is a Switch port of a more than a decade old game, it was surprising to see the multitude of bugs that the port brought.  Although some of the footage was revealed to be captured using Yuzu, a Nintendo Switch emulator, Nintendo World Report recently revealed that they were able to replicate the glitches circulating online.

When the footage of Sonic Colors Ultimate starts with the warning “This video contains rapidly flashing lights in different colors. Viewer discretion is advised,” that spells major trouble for the port’s release.  As you can see in the video, there are a multitude of visual glitches and bugs that are extremely detrimental to a player’s experience.  

Following official confirmation of the bugs, Katie Chrzanowski, Sega’s social media manager for Sonic the Hedgehog, released a quick statement to assuage players’ concerns: “Hey everyone! Appreciate all your feedback on Sonic Colors: Ultimate, and the teams are listening and assessing for an upcoming patch. Thank you all for your patience as we dig into this!”  

It seems like all the issues there are known will be fixed in a future patch.  However, it still is pretty unbelievable that a Wii port to Switch would be bungled so badly.  

What do you think of the glitches in Sonic Colors: Ultimate?  Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook. 

Source, Source, Source

The post Confirmation of Sonic Colors: Ultimate Glitches on Official Switch Hardware appeared first on COGconnected.

A major concern of many is the Steam Deck’s compatibility with Windows games, which depends on the compatibility layer of Proton.  With many popular games, such as those which use Easy Anti-Cheat, currently incompatible with SteamOS through Proton, Valve’s bold announcement that the Steam Deck could run your entire library seemed to hint at a major update to Proton.

When the Steam Deck was first announced, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais announced “All the games we wanted to be playable is, really, the entire Steam library. We haven’t really found something we could throw at this device that it couldn’t handle.”  Valve also announced that they would fix compatibility issues with Easy Anti-Cheat, which is in games such as Rainbow Six Seige and Dayz.  These statements, when taken literally, seem to indicate that Proton will be given a major update and will soon be able to run every single game available in the Steam Store.  

However, recently, James Ramey, president of Proton developer Codeweavers, cast doubts on Valve’s confident Steam Deck announcements.  In an interview, James stated that he believes that Pierre-Loup was referring to the Steam Deck’s hardware capacity to run any game, rather than Proton supporting all games.  James further expounded on his statement: “​​People have kind of taken that and they have said, “well, that means it can support the entire Steam library.” Well, I don’t necessarily think that is true because not every game runs in Proton as of today.”  

He did give some words of hope for the future of game compatibility on the Steam Deck, saying that Proton is “a living, breathing project” and will support more games in the future of the Steam Deck’s lifespan.  This could be the case especially if the Steam Deck sells successfully, and game developers work with Valve or Codeweavers to ensure compatibility with their games.  

What do you think of the Steam Deck game compatibility at launch?  Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook. 

Source, Source

The post Steam Deck Will Not Run Your Entire Library, Announces President of Proton Development appeared first on COGconnected.

One of the most intriguing new consoles releasing this generation, the Steam Deck is a powerful little handheld developed by Valve that’ll allow you to play all your favorite games in your Steam library on the go. Gabe Newell has described the game as, essentially, a mobile PC – it’s not only able to run Steam, but also other software like the Epic Games Store and the Microsoft Store. Now, as we get closer and closer to the shipping date, Steam Deck dev-kits are being made available to Steam developers, letting them get their hands on the console to see exactly how well their projects run on it.

In the announcement on the Steam events page, Steamworks Development outlined the process of getting your hands on one of the dev-kits: “As a Steam developer, you can go to the hardware request form to request a Steam Deck Dev Kit. Fill out the form and be sure to read through the agreement and dev kit guidelines. Dev kit supplies are limited, so we’ll be reviewing requests via the online form on a case by case basis and will be shipping them out as quickly as possible.”

There are currently 3 different models of the Steam Deck on offer, each with a different amount of storage space – you can choose between a 64GB, 256GB and 512GB model, or you can add some memory of your own using a microSD card. While each model comes pre-loaded with SteamOS, they’re basically just handheld PCs, and as such can be modded to your heart’s content. However, it’s not perfect – there have been a few concerns raised about the console’s battery life, which is only between 2 and 8 hours depending on the intensity of the programs being run.

The Steam Deck is available to order right now, with shipping scheduled to get started in December 2021 – Hopefully gamers will have commercial Steam Decks in their hands by early 2022!

SOURCE

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My wife has heard me complain about my laptop since the pandemic started, which seems like forever now. She’s getting sick of hearing me gripe about my old crappy Lenovo laptop that can’t run any decent games, consistently slows down, and is sometimes possessed by a demon when I am doing something absolutely critical to COGconnected. I need to retire it, but I am cheap and picky, so inevitably I will likely keep driving this old beater into the ground.

When the opportunity surfaced (see what I did there?) to take a look at Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go, I was all over it. On the surface (okay, I’ll stop now) this seems like a perfect fit for me. It’s a small laptop with a touch screen that I can take anywhere, can stream anything and it can do pretty much everything most affordable laptops can do. It’s certainly an upgrade from my current clunker and maybe, just maybe, this could become my permanent day-to-day lappy. Yet after a couple of weeks of use, I have determined the Surface Go isn’t quite for me, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad laptop. It just doesn’t do everything I need it to do and that is okay, it might be perfect for you.

In any event, here are some things I love (and hate) about the Surface Laptop Go:

The Love List

Thin & Light

Simply put, the Surface Laptop Go is perfect for students or adults who are looking for a basic starter laptop that is small, can stream all their shows, surf the internet, and draft reports. The size of it is truly the star of the show. It’s got a 12.4” screen that makes it perfect for taking on a plane or in a classroom. So if you are looking for a laptop that is cute and does all the basic things you need it to do, the Surface Go is perfect.

It weighs much less than I anticipated too. It’s easy to carry around the house and super light which is fantastic. It weighs just over 1100g and its ultra-thin design makes it perfect for throwing into any backpack or large handbag. I love how light it is and certainly does weigh me down like this cruddy Lenovo.

Looks Sharp

It really is a sharp-looking laptop that feels and looks much more expensive than it is. It doesn’t look cheap and its mostly metallic finish makes it comparable to some of those older mac notebooks. While the bottom of the laptop is plastic (which apparently keeps the weight down), the top and monitor have a metal casing which makes the Go look like a premium product. To a certain extent it is, but regardless, the Go is a great-looking laptop that you won’t be embarrassed hauling around.

Decent Processor And Battery Power

The unit I looked at has an Intel Core i5, 8GB ram, and 256 GB SSD, which is the most expensive model. It can run some basic games with no issues, run any streaming service, and have numerous tabs open while working away. I pushed this sucker to its limits and it still performed great. It managed to keep up with everything I was doing. Once you start downloading several apps and playing some bigger games, you do notice a bit of a slowdown, so I’d recommend playing games at the lowest settings. So if you are looking at picking this up for gaming, I’d recommend you don’t.

The battery power is excellent and lasted just over 12 hours during my time with it. I really have no complaints about its battery life and am quite happy with its performance in this regard.

Head over to PAGE 2 for the hate list…

The post 3 Things I Love (and 3 Things I Hate) About the Laptop Surface Go appeared first on COGconnected.

Troubled teenagers are one of the most common types of characters found in video games, but they’re also one of the most difficult to do well. This is partly because it’s hard to capture the storm of emotion that is the teenage experience–especially if the writers have left that turbulent age far behind them–and partly because it’s very easy to make teenage characters annoying. Youth and inexperience are often the cause of teen characters’ problems, and it’s easy for players to get frustrated with them, especially when depression is involved. However, The World Ends with You proves that when troubled teens are pulled off well, the results can be incredible.

The World Ends with You is an action-JRPG set in modern-day Shibuya, a commercial hub in Tokyo with an estimated population density of 14,679.09 people per square kilometer. It’s about young people–or young-looking things that were once people–using art, music, and fashion to declare their existence, and it has something to say about unjust systems and depression. Mostly, though, it’s a coming-of-age story for four kids: Shiki Misaki, Daisukenojo “Beat” Bito, Raimu “Rhyme” Bito, and especially Neku Sakuraba. All of them reflect very real ways that teenagers are failed by society and their peers. They are also dead, and the whole game is structured to bring out the very best and very worst of them as they struggle to win the Reapers’ Game and earn their lives back.

It’s So Wonderful

The World Ends with You is in many ways a very dark comedy, which allows it to treat its young cast’s emotional problems seriously while still keeping the tone relatively light. The game shows them both getting into fun hijinks and suffering under the weight of their mistakes, all under the constant, unsettling reminder that these kids are very dead. And if they aren’t very lucky and very careful, they’ll be deader than dead at the hands of a callous afterlife bureaucracy. The high-risk, high-reward nature of the Reapers’ Game, focus on second chances and learning from your mistakes, and playful amorality of it all makes for a very engaging storyline.

More than that, though, The World Ends with You forces its young characters to realize what’s most precious to them by taking it away. The results tend to be ironic or tragic–Shiki only realizes how much she liked herself once she’s walking around in her best friend Eri’s more conventionally attractive body, Beat sacrifices his life to try and save his little sister only to find himself a stranger to her–but Neku’s journey shows what the end goal of the Reapers’ Game is. All this suffering exists to temper the characters and make them stronger, yes, but it’s specifically meant to help them overcome personal flaws they overlooked in life.

Shiki’s jealousy of her best friend nearly ruined their friendship, but after literally walking around in Eri’s shoes, Shiki resolves to win the Game so they can make up. Beat constantly fought with his parents, struggled in school, and wasn’t sure where he was going in life. After his bond with his little sister Rhyme is torn away by the Reapers’ Game, Beat becomes much more focused on getting her back–and becoming the kind of brother she could look up to.

The Reapers, meanwhile, have already cast off the limits of their previous lives. Their eccentric habits, bizarre speech patterns, and larger-than-life attitudes contrast sharply with the more realistic nature of the main cast, but they also serve another purpose: to show that the Reapers have already identified what’s most precious to them. From Yodai Higashizawa’s constant food references to Sho Minamimoto’s obsession with math and art to Uzuki Yashiro’s drive to gain points and earn her promotion, every Reaper in the game has something driving them forward. Def Märch has their band, Mitsuki Konishi has her ambitions, and even the notoriously lazy Koki Kariya is driven by his care for his partner. While the Reapers are in no way role models for the protagonists–in fact, Neku spends much of the game trying to carve his way through their ranks and mostly succeeding–they do represent the game’s themes quite well.

Cheer Up, Emo Kid

Speaking of themes, let’s talk about depression and alienation, which are a vital part of the teenage experience–and one of the reasons teenagers are so hard to write well. Show me a teenager who never once did something stupid in an emotional outburst and I’ll show you a liar. All of The World Ends with You’s reflect very real ways that teenagers are failed by society and their peers, from Beat and Rhyme getting hit by a car to Shiki fighting with Eri out of jealousy, but Neku takes the cake. After the death of his only friend in the past, he’s become increasingly withdrawn, misanthropic, and generally unpleasant to be around. Unfortunately for him, the nature of the game’s battle system forces him to partner up with another dead Player or else cease to exist, and if he doesn’t learn how to trust his partner he’ll never win the Reapers’ Game.

The result is one of the best depictions of the struggles of being young and in pain that I’ve ever seen in a video game. Neku has a reason to be depressed, but his refusal to let anyone else into his small world leads directly to him almost killing Shiki on Day 2 of the week-long Reapers’ Game at the order of a lying Reaper. This moment does more to raise the stakes in a single brief cutscene than some games manage in their entire runtime. Just like that, it becomes clear that Neku’s misanthropy isn’t just annoying–it’s dangerous.

The problem is that Neku has spent years locked in his own head. Not only does he not want to trust others, he doesn’t know how to identify what’s most important to him until it’s already too late. Throughout the course of The World Ends with You, the player has the chance to watch him slowly unlearn toxic coping mechanisms and achieve positive personal growth–despite having been chosen for the Reapers’ Game specifically because he’s kind of awful.

All in all, The World Ends with You does a fantastic job of acknowledging the very real pain, isolation, depression, and body image issues that teens can go through without ever feeling like it’s milking those issues for “clout” or “points.” Neku, Shiki, Beat, and Rhyme all end up feeling like very real, very complicated people, all of whom are allowed to make mistakes and grow. Beyond that, the game captures the feeling of being young and uncertain, but allows the player to slowly find their footing just as Neku is doing the same, making it one of the most effective coming of age stories I’ve ever encountered. I truly believe it’s a benchmark for how to write troubled teenagers in video games.

The post How The World Ends With You Made Troubled Teens Beautifully Human appeared first on COGconnected.

We’re back with the weekly COGconnected cosplay feature. As you might have guessed, we love cosplay. Photographs, tutorials, even convention recordings, whatever form it takes. This week, we’re taking a look at Klepto, a Japanese cosplayer with a hefty library of gorgeous cosplays. All of her outfits might as well have stepped right out of the screen, including wigs, contacts, accessories, and even some really impressive tattoo work. If you’re impressed by game–and anime–accurate cosplays, look no further, because Klepto has a knack for bringing 2D characters to vibrant life.

 

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Sora – Kingdom Hearts

 

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Aoba Seragaki (featuring Mabs/@ionceateaspoon as Noiz) – DRAMAtical Murder

 

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Toshinori Yagi/All Might – My Hero Academia

 

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Ookurikara – Touken Ranbu

 

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Yuna – Final Fantasy X

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay?

Why don’t you check out our features for Knightmage, Anaelic, and Hakken Ryou.

The post Klepto Presents Iconic and Intricate Cosplay That is Out of This World appeared first on COGconnected.