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.

SOURCE

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The days are hot and the cosplays are getting hotter! This weekend check out the talented cosplayer, Caytie Cosplay! We’ve featured her once before earlier this year but time has passed and there’s been a plethora of new cosplays for you to see. If you weren’t convinced to follow her socials before, you’ll certainly want to now. When she’s not working as a Marketing Writer for Riot Games, she’s hard at work at her craft. Scroll on through to see our favourite picks of the summer!

Gwennom – Spiderverse

Star Guardian Kai’Sa – League of Legends

Want to check out even more awesome cosplay!

Be sure to check out the cosplay of the gorgeous Ani-Mia or check out the talented Maridah Cosplay. And of course, you should check out this spicy TikTok cosplay compilation.

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Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is the newest title to be part of the growing library of classic games with the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass. Unfortunately, many of its players have already complained about some issues less than 24 hours after its launch.

Apparently, Kirby 64 players got stun-locked so badly in some underwater areas of the game. According to their reports, they had to reset the game. They can only progress and finish through the area with some stealthy attempts.

“Kirby 64 has a game-breaking bug in underwater levels on NSO,” a fan complained. “Getting hit by certain damage sources under water causes you to enter hit stun forever and you need to quit the level to fix it.”

Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that they are going to roll out a patch some time in the next few days. “A bug has been found in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards for Nintendo 64, Nintendo Switch Online that can prevent players from progressing under a certain condition,” NoA wrote on social media. “A patch will be released early next week to fix this.”

It looks like Kirby 64 players will have to stay off the level until devs finally roll out the patch. It is that or they can keep trying until they get through it without taking any damage. “We apologize for the inconvenience,” devs continued.

This is actually not the first time that Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s N64 offerings received criticism. Multiple players have taken to social media to complain about input lag and control issues shortly after the launch of the subscription service. In addition to that, they also talked about some emulator peculiarities that are related to certain games. Thankfully, Nintendo has revealed that they are hard at work at addressing the emulation concerns.

Are you playing the game? Let us know in the comments below.

SOURCE

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This current situation with Nintendo is a bit of a mystery. For the past few days, there’s been a service that has been down: the Wii, and DSi shop channels.

Currently, this appears to be a global situation. As in, this has occurred not only in the North American regions but also within places such as Europe as well. There are no error messages given when access is attempted, which is the most baffling part- all that happens is a blank screen.

It’s a fairly odd situation, as no warning was given by Nintendo, and currently, there has been no word if the shops will even come back. As Eurogamer pointed out, this has been going on since March 16, 2022, making it four days as of this writing since this situation has arisen.

Though, it is worth noting that no one has been able to buy anything from the Wii store since 2019, and the DSi store since 2017. Still, there was no announcement or warning. This means that those that still use the service have not had the time to download difficult-to-find games from the server, or otherwise ensure there was access to their past purchases.

Funny enough though, if looking through the help pages, there does seem to be some indication of plans for both shop channels to go down at some point. For example, it reads this on the DSi store page: “The ability to re-download purchased content or transfer content to a Nintendo 3DS family system will continue after the Nintendo DSi Shop closure for an as-yet-unspecified amount of time. If you are thinking of transferring your DSiWare content to a Nintendo 3DS family system, we encourage you to do so at your earliest convenience while the service is still available.”

And on the Wii shop channel help page, it reads as: “However, for the time being you may continue to re-download content you have purchased or transfer that content from a Wii system to a Wii U system. Be aware that these features will eventually end at a future date.”

So, we did know that there would be a closure, but not that it would be at this time. Still, there have been reports from players using third-party tools that they have been able to access and even download games. This indicates that the servers are not down completely, just the storefronts. Whether this means the two stores are down for good though, is currently unknown.

SOURCE SOURCE

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Nintendo, earlier this week, has announced that 3DS and Wii U eShop stores will be slowly closing down. The online stores should be closed by 23rd May 2022, and funds will be slowly phased out by March 2023. It’s been confirmed that, in total, there will be a thousand titles that are digital-only, and will vanish permanently.

And there are a lot of people who are unhappy with the lack of accessibility to past games. And, interestingly enough, so are some video game archivists. The Video Game History Foundation, which takes a non-profit organization that preserves games and hardware, is very upset about this move. In particular, they are unhappy with Nintendo because they “actively funds lobbying that prevents even libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games”. The foundation continued on Twitter, with their statement:

“While it is unfortunate that people won’t be able to purchase digital 3DS or Wii U games anymore, we understand the business reality that went into this decision. What we don’t understand is what path Nintendo expects its fans to take, should they wish to play these games in the future. As a paying member of the Entertainment Software Association, Nintendo actively funds lobbying that prevents even libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games. Not providing commercial access is understandable, but preventing institutional work to preserve these titles on top of that is actively destructive to video game history. We encourage ESA members like Nintendo to rethink their position on this issue and work with existing institutions to find a solution.”

The Video Game History Foundation actively goes out of its way to ensure the history of video games and advocates for historical preservation. Their stance is to keep what video game history we have, as there has already been much of it lost.

Perhaps, they may be able to point out that Nintendo may be able to make a profit off of its games in the distant future- as some have done with previously unreleased games. But we will have to see what Nintendo plans to do, especially in the face of this backlash.

SOURCE

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Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct had its ups and downs. One interesting move was the announcement of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed getting ported to Nintendo Switch. It was originally developed for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, with other versions on mobile and Nintendo DS. It also spawned a sequel, which was… not as well received.

The trailer for the Switch’s port of The Force Unleashed shows *kind of* remastered visuals. As far as the gameplay is concerned, players can use their Joy Cons to activate Force powers. Thankfully, these motion controls are optional with alternative button activation.

The plot of The Forced Unleashed follows Galen Merek AKA Starkiller. Starkiller is the secret apprentice of Darth Vader following the events of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Starkiller is tasked with eliminating the remaining Jedi and is told by Vader that the two of them will overthrow Emperor Palpatine.

Darth Vader seemingly betrays Starkiller to prove his loyalty to the Emperor, but instead lays plans for him to build a rebellion against the Imperial forces. After being betrayed yet again by Vader, Starkiller is faced with a Light Side/Dark Side choice, which determines the ending of the game.

There are three DLC missions for the original game, which we can assume are part of the Nintendo Switch port. However, it is not specifically mentioned that they will be included in the game. You know how remasters are these days though. Star Wars: The Forced Unleashed will be coming to Nintendo Switch on April 20th. It is available on PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, and mobile.

Would you like to see the second game on the Switch as well? Let us know in the comments below.

SOURCE

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Capcom recently resolved a lawsuit involving a copyright strike. Video games, and video game studios, can get all sorts of lawsuits for various reasons. Sometimes the lawsuits are dismissed. Sometimes, they are settled out of court. Sometimes, there does not seem to be any basis for the case. But for this case, it may be the opposite.

While there has been some talk as of late of Resident Evil 4 getting remade, it turns out that there were some problems with it. The problem is of the copyright kind. Judy A. Juracek, a designer, alleged that Capcom used at least 80 photographs from a CD-ROM, which was part of a 1996 publication. Juracek claimed that these images, which came from her book Spaces, were used as textures and images in not only Resident Evil, but Devil May Cry.

And seeing the side-by-side comparison, there does appear to be a good point. From the image under the Resident Evil game logo to wall textures, and stained glass walls, the comparison from the photography book and the video game references seem pretty overt. There was even one that still reportedly had the same file name before it was scaled and cropped for usage.

As of now, however, St Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC, the firm representing Juracek during the case, has said that the case has been filed for dismissal by both parties. The specifics have been kept under wraps, so we do not know the details of the resolution. Originally, it is known that Juracek’s lawyers were seeking $2,500 to $25,000 for each photograph used by Capcom in damages. That would make the range of what was sought 200,000 to 2,000,000, possibly more.

Whether that means that we will see changes in the Resident Evil 4 upcoming remake, or possibly in a rehauled Devil May Cry, that is currently not known. We’ll stay tuned for more updates.

SOURCE

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Kirby has been a beloved character for a good long while. What comes as a surprise though is that one of the Kirby musical tracks has been nominated for a Grammy this year, for best arrangement. Well, not quite Kirby. Let us explain.

Those who are familiar with YouTube may have already seen remixes and recreation of beloved fan-favorite tracks for various games in the past, everything from having songs played on a harp, to having them recreated on such things as rubber chickens or vacuum cleaners. This has been done with Kirby songs in the past, as well as other Nintendo games, such as The Legend of Zelda. There have even been music arrangements for titles such as Assassin’s Creed, Final Fantasy, and Skyrim.

The big deal though is that this is the third time that video game music, much less an arrangement, has been nominated for the Grammy Awards. The first video game nominated was for  Best Instrumental Arrangement with Vocalist in 2010, for Baba Yetu in Civilisation IV, which won. The second was for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media with Journey in 2013, which sadly lost to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Currently, this cover of the Meta Knight’s Revenge has been nominated for the ‘Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella’ category, and was arranged by Charlie Rosen and Jake Silverman, and the track was performed by The 8-Bit Big Band featuring Button Masher. And honestly, even listening to the song thirty seconds in, it’s a great thing that this track from Kirby Super Star was acknowledged for all to see, and hear. It’s catchy and fun, with a great jazz twist.

Game music isn’t often acknowledged in the Grammy sphere, so it is a pleasant surprise when it is acknowledged. And, too, it’s been a while since there was a video game track nominated in the Grammys, despite some beautiful music tracks that players know and love. Music, as well as sound, can make or break the experience, and even if Kirby’s track doesn’t win, maybe people will remember that game music, even if they are recreated by fans, is not to be underestimated.

The full list of Grammy nominations can be found on the Grammy Website, while the music nominated is in the YouTube link above. For those who want to play Kirby Super Star, that can currently be found in the Nintendo Online Store.

SOURCE

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SEGA has announced that they will be working together with Steve Aoki, the world-class EDM artist, DJ, and producer to host a virtual concert event celebrating Sonic’s 30th birthday. The concert will premiere on November 30th, 2021, which will also be on Aoki’s birthday, funny enough.

The digital concert will be set in the classic Sonic universe with iconic environments that players will know and love, such as Green Hill Zone, the Chemical Plant, and so much more as they listen to EDM-style Sonic tunes. This sixty-minute concert will not only feature original songs from Aoki himself but remixed versions of fan-favorite Sonic tunes from the SEGA Genesis 16-bit era, all the way to Sonic games of today.

This is not the first time that Steve Aoki has done a collaboration within the video gaming industry. Aoki has also done the music (and been a non-playable character in) for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, and has also, surprisingly, become a playable character for Speedy Ninja, an endless runner mobile game that challenged players as they ran through perilous forests and went over bizarre objects. Aoki has also been in the ranks of the top 50 of the top 100 DJs of the world, and he currently owns a portion of the esports organization, Rogue which has players competing across several different titles, including League of Legends.

For those wanting to tune into the concert, Sonic fans and music lovers alike can tune in either on YouTube or on Twitch. This is said to be only the start of Sonic’s 30th-anniversary celebrations, so who knows what else may be in the wings? If we’re lucky, there may be 30th-anniversary editions of the original game remastered, but it does seem unlikely. At least for now, there are a variety of Sonic games on the Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, and even on Steam that fans can enjoy.

What Sonic songs are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter!

SOURCE: PRESS RELEASE

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Nintendo fans around the world rejoiced when Metroid Dread was announced, marking the first new 2D adventure for Samus in 19 years! As we edge closer to its release date, I look back at other forgotten franchises which Nintendo needs to revive.

Diddy Kong Racing

Released in 1997, Diddy Kong Racing is an unsung hero of the kart racing genre. Featuring a hub world, littered with secrets and three different vehicles that felt unique, the game pushed the genre forward, influencing future titles. Although a sequel was in the works before Microsoft scooped up Rare, the IP has been dormant for years. With Mario Kart’s continued success, will Nintendo ever revisit Diddy Kong Racing? I hope so.

F-Zero

A personal favorite of mine is the futuristic racer which last graced home consoles in 2004 with F-Zero GX. Separating itself from other Nintendo titles, the high-octane racer strips away the patented bright color scheme, opting for a more chromatic style, creating a distinct aesthetic. Although there are many games that have followed the trail blazed by F-Zero, none have managed to meet the standard set by Captain Falcon. With his continued success as a mainstay character in Smash Bros. is it time to put the Captain back in his vehicle?

Mother/EarthBound

The first time I saw Ness was in Smash Bros. and It was only later when I learned about the EarthBound/Mother series. Although the franchise has a hardcore following, there are many players who missed out on the games. With Nintendo’s focus on recreating and re-releasing older games, it seems odd that EarthBound hasn’t had a look in. Are they planning something big for the baseball cap sporting kid or is he doomed to spend the rest of his days as the character no one picks on Smash Bros.? 

Mario Strikers

The mustachioed plumber has hit the courts and teed up on the Switch but it’s been 14-years since he laced up his football boots. Whilst FIFA has dominated the soccer sim for years, there have been no arcade iterations to speak of. Due to this, there is a clear gap in the market that is screaming for Mario and his crew to fill.

Wario Land

I love the WarioWare games and I’m excited to check out Get it Together! when it drops in September, however, I miss his platforming escapades. Playing as the villain puts an interesting spin on the genre, creating some fun and humorous moments. Not many child-centric games use this perspective which gives the game a unique identity. His mischievous and selfish demeanor sets him apart from other leading characters. Sadly, due to the success of WarioWare, it’s very likely that 2008’s lackluster Wario Land: Shake It! is his last adventure. 

Punch-Out!!

Where are the boxing games? It’s been years since I played a good iteration of the sport, which is depressing. Fight Night has been replaced by UFC and seems like ARMS has taken the mantle over Punch-Out!! Last released on the Wii in 2009, the game perfectly suited the motion control-based system, however, with a lack of titles based in the squared circle is it time for a comeback? You’re damn right it is! With Little Mac soaring in popularity due to Smash Bros. Nintendo needs to tape up those knuckles and deliver a knockout blow.

Pilotwings

Combining a range of aerial activities, Pilotwings has always appealed to a niche audience. With three releases in the franchise, Nintendo has never been able to replicate the success and charm of its debut, resulting in a 10-year hiatus. Due to the success of Microsoft Flight Simulator, more gamers are now looking to the sky. With the fantasy of taking the pilot seat at the forefront of many minds, is now the perfect time to relaunch the series? 

Kid Icarus

Pit’s appearance is iconic. Debuting in 1986, the winged Grecian character looked to lead Nintendo into the future. 35 years later, there have only been three Kid Icarus games, none of which have been able to capture the possibilities that engulf the character. I believe that now is the time to hand complete control over to a different developer. Similar to how Retro Studios revamped the Metroid series, a talented company should look at a way to reimagine Kid Icarus, placing Pit amongst the great mascots of Nintendo.

Star Fox

What the hell happened with Star Fox Zero? With one of my favorite developers, Platinum Games, at the helm and Miyamoto personally overseeing the project, everything about the game indicated that it would be the triumphant return of Fox McCloud. Unfortunately, the result of this incredible collaboration was a bunch of half-baked ideas, badly implemented controls and generic levels. With Ratchet and Clank leading the next generation and on-the-rails shooters dipping in popularity, should Nintendo begin work on a Star Fox Adventures sequel? 

Providing Metroid Dread does well, will Nintendo bring back other franchises that are gathering dust in the basement of Nintendo HQ? Are there any other series that you’d like the Japanese giants to revisit? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook or Twitter, and don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for some great video game content.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

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Update: 

The official Dead Space YouTube channel has been changed ever-so-slightly. The channel icon has changed from a Dead Space 3 image to a Dead Space 2 image. This channel hasn’t had any activity on it for about 8 years, shortly after the Dead Space 3 DLC was released. Was this change done to honour the 10th anniversary of Dead Space 2 or is there something more special going on? One thing I know for certain is that EA Play Live is July 22nd and if EA was going to bring Dead Space back, that would be the perfect showcase to debut it to the world. I’m not alone in believing this, as some other websites are suggesting EA Play Live 2021 might see the return of Dead Space as well.

Original Story:

In February 2011, my wife and I were expecting our first child. The town we lived in didn’t have an adequate maternity ward, so, a few weeks before the due date, we had to drive four hours south, in the dead of winter, to a larger community. We booked into a hotel, which would be our home while we waited for our firstborn to have their “Hello World” moment. I brought my Xbox 360 with me and was playing the recently released Dead Space 2. I enjoyed the first Dead Space, but something about the sequel just completely absorbed me. It was truly one of the greatest games I had ever played. My wife and I had no less than a dozen or so potential baby names… but we could not come to an agreement on a boy’s name. While playing Dead Space 2, the world would often whisper the protagonist’s name. It was spooky and haunting. “Isaac”… “Isaac”…  The name infected my brain. At one point between gaming sessions, I turned to my wife and asked, “What about the name Isaac if it’s a boy?” She loved it. Finally, a name we could agree on. And so, when our son was born, we named him Isaac, after Dead Space’s Isaac Clarke. Dead Space will forever have its mark on our family.

A Franchise As Vast As Space Itself

The Dead Space trilogy is arguably the best collection of space-based sci-fi horror games to ever grace gaming. This isn’t just my personal opinion; on Metacritic, Dead Space earns a solid 89/100, Dead Space 2 earns an even better 90/100, while Dead Space 3 takes a slight dip down to 78/100. Here at COGconnected, we gave Dead Space 3 a well-deserved 83/100 and ended the review by noting, “…though I feel Dead Space 3 may not be the strongest of all the three Dead Space games I found I still enjoyed it thoroughly and feel that it is definitely a title that should be on every action gamer’s radar.”

The Dead Space trilogy has spawned three spin-off games, two animated movies, a limited-series comic, and several novels. While the three main games focused primarily on Isaac Clarke’s story, the spin-off content has explored a whole variety of aspects in the Dead Space franchise, creating such an incredible universe that even rivals that of Mass Effect.

Dead Space 3 launched in February of 2013. Four years later, the studio behind Dead Space, Visceral Games, was shut down, and the Dead Space franchise was essentially shelved. Key members of the development team have gone on to new projects at different companies. It would be almost impossible to get the old team back together. So, is it even worth hoping for a new Dead Space? You’re damn right it is. Here’s a fun fact; the development team for Dead Space evolved and changed throughout the trilogy. Each Dead Space featured different writers, directors, and producers. The point I’m trying to make is that despite the constant changing of the guard, each Dead Space game has been brilliant in its own right, and it stands to reason that a new dev team could just as easily make a thrilling fourth Dead Space if they’re truly as passionate about the franchise as us fans are.

Deadly Options

What should EA do with the Dead Space franchise at this point? In my opinion, there are two options, and if I called the shots, EA would do both in quick succession. First, remaster the Dead Space trilogy. EA would dedicate an existing studio or maybe open a brand new studio and task them with remastering the original trilogy. The remaster wouldn’t make any deviations from the original games. There is no need to cut or add content; just update the visuals and add some quality-of-life & accessibility features. There was quite a jump in visual quality between Dead Space and Dead Space 3, so this remaster will create a visually cohesive package. Fans and newcomers will get an opportunity to re-live these amazing games on modern hardware. Additionally, the dev team would get hands-on experience with the franchise to ensure they know how to develop the second option, Dead Space 4.

Dead Space 4. The thought alone gives me goosebumps. I’m no sci-fi writer, so I’m not going to sit here and suggest what the Dead Space 4 plot would be. However, according to one of the developers, we do have some idea as to what was being planned. And while some of these ideas sound interesting, I’m no fan of them shifting the focus away from Isaac Clarke as the main protagonist. To keep things simple, I’m just going to offer a simple breakdown of what I would and wouldn’t like to see in Dead Space 4.

What must be included in Dead Space 4?

• Isaac Clarke returns as the main protagonist.
• Isaac Clarke’s suit is still used as a HUD, and there are plenty of new suits to find.
• Strategic dismemberment returns in all its gory glory – but dial it up even more. Let me dismember as little as a finger or as much as a whole limb.
• The Plasma Cutter is back, along with some other favorite weapons like the Line Gun.
• Jason Graves does the soundtrack, or we riot.
• Graphic, horror content is back. I want to be constantly on the edge of my seat.

What can be left behind?

• Zero-G environments. These open space areas were visually impressive but ended up being a bit awkward to control in.
• Fully customizable weapons. It sounded great on paper, but in the end, I’d rather focus on the game rather than micro-managing things that go pew-pew.
• Co-op mode. While it wasn’t that bad in Dead Space 3, it definitely made the game feel less scary.

Of course, this is just one fan’s opinion. Who knows exactly what the next Dead Space could look like. It’s worth mentioning that one of the Dead Space creators, Glen Schofield, has opened a new development studio, Striking Distance Studios. Their first game, The Callisto Protocol, is set to launch in 2022 and has been often referred to as a Dead Space spiritual successor. Is it possible The Callisto Protocol can fill the Dead Space void? Only time will tell. However, all fans can agree that the Dead Space franchise includes some of the best sci-fi horror games ever made, and it would be a damn shame if we never suit up in a RIG again.

Thank you for keeping it locked on COGconnected.

• For amazing videos, head over to our YouTube page HERE.
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Just as we predicted, No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle will be arriving on PC next week. Grasshopper Manufacture’s cult classic games about assassination, over-the-top swordfights, and being a total nerd will soon be available on Steam. Considering the level of acclaim and consistent popularity the No More Heroes games have acquired over the years–and the release date for No More Heroes 3 looming ever closer–it’s not exactly a surprise that the first two titles are being ported now. No More Heroes 1 and 2 will also be arriving on Nintendo Switch in an exclusive physical edition thanks to Limited Run games.

The PC ports will include HD support, smooth 60FPS gameplay, and plenty of additional features such as Steam Cloud support. They will also be 10% off at launch, a deal that will last until June 15th, 2021.

The No More Heroes franchise tells the story of Travis Touchdown, a twenty-something loser who spends all his cash on a beam katana and sets out to become the world’s number one assassin. The only problem is that to become number one, you need to kill your way up the ranks–which would be a lot easier for Travis to do if people would stop lying to him. Filled with developer Suda51’s trademark sense of humor, social commentary, bizarre imagery, and deliberate cliffhangers, the first No More Heroes game is still beloved for good reason. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle picks up where the first game leaves off, with a disillusioned Travis being sucked back into the assassination game.

No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle will be available for purchase on PC for $19.99 / £17.99 / €19.99.

Will you be picking up the first two No More Heroes games? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE

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Earth Day is coming up, but how are you supposed to celebrate when we’re all supposed to stay indoors? The pandemic means that large gatherings outside are frowned upon, if not outright banned, and that means the big tree-planting efforts are hard to participate in. Though let’s be honest, most of us gamers were just going to donate money from the safety of our own homes anyway. Whatever the case, Shaw chose the perfect time to unveil a new Earth Day initiative: the Tree Spree Challenge. All you have to do is plant a tree in a game of your choice, screenshot it, and post the pic on social media with #ShawTreeSpree, and the internet giant will match it with a real tree.

Gamers, this is our moment! If you’ve ever wanted to give back to the planet, prove that you’re better at planting trees than anyone else, or just an excuse to decorate your Animal Crossing island, Minecraft homes, or Stardew Valley farmsteads, now is the time to do it. Flood Twitter with the evidence. Let’s get as many trees out there as possible. Last time, the challenge ended with a total of 4,000 trees, but we think you guys can leave that number in the dust.

The event’s call to action states that: “People can post a screenshot of their in-game tree on social using the hashtag #ShawTreeSpree, and Shaw will plant a tree in real life for them, too. The initiative will run until the end of Earth Month(April 30th) and is open to any game where you can plant a tree.”

How many games can you plant trees in, we wonder? Now is an excellent time to find out.

The Shaw Tree Spree Challenge will run from April 22nd (Earth Day) to April 30th, 2021.

How many trees did you plant? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE: Press Release

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Today on COG Considers, let’s talk about localization. No, not translation–localization. There’s a difference. A translation is just retelling a story in a different language, but localization takes into account differences in culture, location, and historical context. This is why so many European TV shows get American remakes. The people in charge are trying to make the end result as relatable to the new audience as possible. This doesn’t always turn out for the best. I’m sure all of you have at least one localization horror story where everything that could go wrong did. But here’s my hot take for the evening: localization is good, actually.

No, really. I’m being serious here. A solid localization isn’t just a chance for a good series to find widespread acceptance in another country–it’s a chance for a story to bridge culture gaps and create similar reactions across very different cultures. We make localizations for the same reasons we make modern adaptations of classic literature. The English localization of Ace Attorney works for many of the same reasons you can make a vlog adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

What did Capcom do when they localized Ace Attorney? Well, first, they changed all the names to ridiculous puns (this part isn’t a mandatory aspect of localization, but it does carry across implications that would fly over the heads of English speakers. Because the original Japanese names were themselves ridiculous puns.), swapped the setting to California, made the Von Karma family German instead of American, and adjusted anything that seemed ‘too Japanese’, such as making Maya’s favorite food burgers instead of ramen. You know what they didn’t do? Actually change the plot or themes of the source material. As a result, the Ace Attorney games are beloved to this day in the English gaming community, even now that the pretense is wearing thin. Everyone knows these games don’t take place in America, just like everyone knows Maya is actually eating Ramen. We’re just willing to go with it.

But what about when they make major changes to characters during localization? That can still be good, actually. Just look at Kefka from Final Fantasy VI. In Japan, he was loathed for being a stupid villain, so the English version gave him a ton of witty (and batshit) lines that he became a fan favorite. Or, for a more recent and less polarizing example, take Zhongli from Genshin Impact. Everything about Zhongli is rooted deeply in Chinese history and culture, from the antique and poetic way he speaks to the rings on his thumbs. miHoYo knew that English players wouldn’t understand these references, so they kept the main theme of his character–the ancient deity who wishes to see his people live without needing to rely on him–and made him the god of war rather than the god of martial arts. This, combined with a simpler, bolder way of speaking and a more authoritative demeanor, gave the localized Zhongli a depth that English players found easy to love.

Is the localized Zhongli the same character as the original Chinese version? Not any more than Phoenix Wright is the same character as Ryūichi Naruhodō. I love both pairs, but I won’t deny that Phoenix Wright and god of war Zhongli are a bit closer to my heart than the originals. I also won’t deny that I know a lot more about the original characters than I would if I didn’t love the localized versions so much. At the end of the day, a solid localization can actually encourage inter-cultural understanding, and I think that’s pretty awesome.

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Did you know that Nippon Ichi Software makes games other than Disgaea? It’s hard to believe, but it’s true–from time to time, they produce standalone games with a similar cutesy art style and dark comedy sensibilities. Unfortunately, because these games are standalone, they tend to be lost to the mists of time in a way that the constantly re-released Disgaea games aren’t. So when we heard about Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1, we were already pretty excited. Then we learned that Soul Nomad & The World Eaters, one of the best and darkest SRPGs the company has ever produced, is finally getting an English re-release over a decade after its initial 2007 publication. We are now officially hyped.

In case you’re a newcomer to non-Disgaea NIS games, here’s a quick rundown of both titles. Phantom Brave tells the story of Marona, a young girl who can channel the spirits of the dead. This earns her the dreaded title of ‘The Possessed’ and leads her to be hated and feared by others, even though she’s never done anything wrong, but it won’t stop her from trying to make the world a little brighter. Accompanied by the undead Ash, a friend of her deceased parents who basically raised her, Marona works as a Chroma–an all-purpose problem-solver–which is fitting, considering that her world is about to run into a ton of problems. It’s a game that’s melancholy, funny, and heartfelt in equal measure.

Soul Nomad & The World Eaters, meanwhile, is probably the darkest of any NIS game (and yes, we are counting Disgaea’s bad endings in that statement). This game begins by having the protagonist pick up a cursed sword and be immediately possessed by the weapon’s malicious occupant: Gig, the so-called Master of Death, a cruel and sadistic god who almost destroyed the world 500 years ago, and who makes no attempt to hide his plans to take over your body and finish the job. Fortunately, your will is strong enough to save you–at least, for now–but as you set out into the still-devastated world to find and kill the World Eaters, Gig’s Godzilla-sized monstrous former minions, you find yourself with no choice but to rely on Gig’s power. To save the world, you must build yourself an army and prepare to take on slave traders, apocalypse cults, and misled empires on top of the cataclysmic World Eaters. And in the Demon Path, unlocked on New Game Plus, you get to see what happens when the savior of the world turns on it. Yes, we are saying that Soul Nomad had a genocide ending long before Undertale was a thing. That alone makes it worth checking out.

This re-release contains all the unique gameplay mechanics, memorable characters, and DLC from the original releases, as well as up-scaled artwork. That’s over 60 hours of SRPG action for each title. We’re living for it.

Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 will be available on Nintendo Switch in Summer 2021. A limited edition is available for preorder at the low, low price of $99.99 US.

What’s your favorite NIS game? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.

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Now that the Legend of Zelda franchise is old enough to have at least one persistent body ache, let’s rank all the games! For the full story behind these rankings, check out the latest episode of Press X to Podcast! Fair warning, it’s a flurry of Strong Opinions from here on out.

18/17: Four Swords / Four Swords Adventures

The bottom two slots are basically interchangeable. They’re both only Zelda games in the strictest sense of the word. Link is there (several times!) and there are enemies to slay, along with lots of puzzles to solve. For absolute diehards and completionists only.

16: Triforce Heroes

Triforce Heroes has pretty much the same problem as Four Swords. It’s an online multiplayer version of an extremely single player experience, and it shows. I’m not even sure you can still finish this game anymore. Without a robust player count, you’d just be touring a ghost town, marveling at all the locked doors and boarded windows.

15/14: Spirit Tracks / Phantom Hourglass

Spirit Tracks is only technically worse than Phantom Hourglass due to its lack of originality. Both games use the stylus for any and all controls, both games feature exhausting progression mechanisms, and both games aged rather badly. But, hey! At least Spirit Tracks has trains! Fun fact: I almost split my copy of Phantom Hourglass in half with an axe, only to be stopped by a friend who offered to buy it off me. That final dungeon is no joke.

13: Skyward Sword

Skyward Sword just brims with wasted potential. The music? Haunting and powerful! The graphics? Absolutely lovely! The narrative? Touching! And yet, the gameplay is an exhausting slog from beginning to end. Everything annoying about Zelda games is shined up and set on display in this title. It makes perfect sense that the home console follow-up was such a massive departure in every way. Thankfully, the upcoming Switch port is ditching the motion controls at least. Executing a complicated series of sword strikes and blocks with a wiimote is just as frustrating as you’d imagine it to be.

12: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

The second Zelda game ever made suffers from serious Sequel Syndrome. It’s crammed full of ideas, many of which don’t work as intended. Multiple gameplay perspectives, complex combat, an experience point system, and an open world should have been amazing. Instead, it’s just sort of… obtuse? Also pretty frustrating. If you don’t have a walkthrough open, The Adventure of Link is a convoluted mess. On the other hand, there are moves introduced here that persist to this day. Who else was rocking a solid downward stab this early on? No one, that’s who.

11: The Oracle of Ages / The Oracle of Seasons

The Oracle games also suffer from non-intuitive design, albeit to a lesser degree. They’re also better balanced, more accessible, properly translated, and anchored by unique ideas. Travelling through seasons and time is a great way to subtly alter the landscape, which is an essential element of so many Zelda games. Solving a small problem by changing the entire weather system or travelling through time is a brilliant way of making a tiny world feel big.

10: The Legend of Zelda

The original, the progenitor, the start of something tremendous. Wheels were set in motion with this game that continue to spin over thirty years later. So many of the games on this list are built from the bones of the original release. And yet, it’s a bit tough to go back to. Not as hard as you would think! Which is a tremendous hat tip to Zelda prime, all things considered. From this point onward, things get quite granular. After number ten, the differences between these titles are utterly miniscule. Each one is an absolute banger by any other, non-Zelda metric. The list continues on page 2!

The post Let’s Rank All The Legend of Zelda Games, From Worst to First appeared first on COGconnected.

Happy birthday Zelda! The Legend of Zelda franchise celebrated its 35th anniversary yesterday! Though you wouldn’t know it, according to Nintendo’s social media accounts. Everyone else spent the day fondly remembering their happiest Zelda moments, while Nintendo dropped a single tweet about Part Time UFO. So… no presents then?

Though it’s not the biggest franchise Nintendo has, it’s comfortably in the top four. Hell, Nintendo announced some special edition Joy-Cons a few days ago, and they sold out in minutes. As a matter of fact, there was SOME Zelda news just before the anniversary. It’s Skyward Sword again! So, they celebrated the 35th and the 25th with the exact same game. But, there’s still hope!

After all, The Legend of Zelda is 35 for a whole year. So as long as some cool Zelda stuff happens in the next 364 days it still counts, right? It seems like Nintendo is really hoping we think so. There is the possibility that we get Breath of The Wild 2 news or some other anniversary celebrations in the next little while. Until then, at least the fans remembered this one. Here’s hoping this article ages quite badly in the next couple of weeks.

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The modding community is a strange and glorious place. Sometimes they make new games out of old ones. Sometimes they resurrect extinct creatures with new models and new behavior. And sometimes they put cute little murderous aliens into Super Smash Bros. The Imposter from Among Us can now brawl with the likes of Mario, Bowser, Link, Sephiroth, and the rest of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl roster. Japanese Twitter user ImposterSSB has created an incredibly extensive mod, complete with a 14-minute video featuring an invitation opening segment and a mock trailer which shows off the character’s moveset. We’re loving the fact that you can just shoot people. Take a look.

There aren’t any hats or mini-mes available, sadly, but players can still customize their Imposter by choosing from four colors: purple, red, green, and blue. The character models are lovingly-crafted 2D animations that do stand out a bit against the otherwise 3D cast. However, they feel right at home in the Among Us art style, so we’re willing to accept them. This is a mod for Brawl, not Ultimate, so the art shift isn’t that jarring. Besides, most of the Imposter’s basic moves are some variety of smacking their opponent around, which we absolutely adore. Look at that tiny spacesuit go!

We’re blown away by the amount of effort and talent it must have taken to make this mod. Fingers crossed that Nintendo considers the Imposter as a possible guest fighter, especially now that they’ve seen it can be done. Until then, you can download and install the mod by going here, but do keep in mind that this is a Brawl mod.

Among Us will be receiving updates in the near future, including an airship map, so keep your eyes peeled for more news in that area.

Who else would you like to see modded into Super Smash Bros.? Let us know down in the comments, or hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.

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While everyone has more or less agreed that the Wii U is a black mark on Nintendo’s console history, that’s not the same thing as a confirmation. Even the sales figures only seem to tell part of the story. In light of this incomplete truth, Reggie Fils-Aime. former head of Nintendo of America, discussed the ill-fated console on a recent Twitch stream. Like the rest of us, his prognosis of the console was pretty bleak.

You know, Nintendo has done so many innovations in the space. I think what Nintendo did with the Switch, after the poor performance of Wii U, I think to me and what I was part of, that’s my lasting memory. People forget, when the Wii U launched, the performance over that life cycle was so poor, I mean it was the worst-selling platform, I think maybe Virtual Boy was a little bit worse, but Wii U underperformed pretty radically in the marketplace. And when your only business is video games that next had to be successful and the Switch continues to be a dynamic platform – selling exceptionally well. And the ability for the company to come up with the concept, to bring it to life, to bring it to the marketplace, to have not only great first-party content but great third party and independent developer content – that is going to be something I will always be proud of. Along with so many of the other things I was part of, but the Switch really was a make or break product for the company and luckily it was a hit.

It’s one thing to speculate, to perform armchair analysis of a failed product. It’s another thing altogether to hear a former company head do the same thing. But what does all this mean, really? Were we really so close to Nintendo following in Sega’s footsteps? Would Nintendo have dropped out of the console game for good? Thankfully, we don’t have to ponder such things. For now, the Switch has ensured that Nintendo’s market share is a healthy one.

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When it comes to long-standing characters, it isn’t uncommon to see multiple voice actors don the role. This has been the case for many characters over the decade including Sonic the Hedgehog, who for the last 10 years has been voiced by Roger Craig Smith.

Smith first took over the role in 2010 for the Xbox 360 Kinect exclusive, Sonic Free Riders, and the Wii exclusive, Sonic Colors. Since then Smith has been the voice of the speedy blue hedgehog in Sonic Generations, Sonic Lost World, Sonic Forces, the Sonic & Mario at the Olympic Games series, the Sonic Boom series, Super Smash Brothers 4 and Ultimate, and more. He even voiced the character for its little cameo in Wreck-It Ralph. Basically, if you’re heard Sonic speak over the past 10 years, it was almost certainly the work of Roger Craig Smith.

Now, after over a decade with the blue bur, Smith has seemingly announced his departure from the role on his Twitter account.

“Welp, 10 years was an amazing run. Onward to new zones! Much love to the fans who’ve been so kind. It’s been an honor.”

Welp, 10 years was an amazing run.
Onward to new zones!

Much love to the fans who've been so kind.?

It's been an honor.
? pic.twitter.com/7Rn9PVA92m

— Roger Craig Smith (@RogerCraigSmith) January 28, 2021

While it isn’t clearly stated that he will no longer be voicing the role, the tweet does suggest his time with the character has come to an end. Details as to whether the change in cast was Smith’s decision or was one made by SEGA in a potential attempt to rebrand the character, is currently unknown.

Smith has received an outpouring of support and admiration for his role in the replies to his tweet. He even received praise from fellow voice actor, Travis Willingham.

Well done, pal. Heckuva ride.

— Travis Willingham (@WillingBlam) January 28, 2021

and from the official ToeJam & Earl Twitter account, amongst many others.

Thank you for all the joy and happiness you brought to me, my friends and family. It may have only been 10 years but your voice will echo throughout the halls of legendary character portrayals for an eternity.

????

— ToeJam & Earl (@toejamandearl) January 28, 2021

Regardless, Smith shouldn’t struggle for roles without his connection to SEGA as the voice actor is extremely prolific with close to 300 acting credits on his IMDB page.

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Pikmin 3 Deluxe has officially become the best selling Pikmin title in Nintendo’s home country of Japan. Pikmin 3 Deluxe sold over 170,000 copies in Japan during its first week and according to compiled sales data from Japan, Pikmin 3 Deluxe has sold 513,225. The original Pikmin title was the second best-selling title in the series in Japan, selling 502,996 while Pikmin 2 sold 483,027. Pikmin 3 Deluxe is available right now exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

According to Japan game sales data for the Pikmin series, Pikmin 3 Deluxe sold 513,225, while Pikmin sold 502,996, and Pikmin 2 rounded out the top three with 483,027. New Play Control! Pikmin 2 on the Wii sold a less impressive 237,064. The original release of Pikmin 3 didn’t sell quite as much as Pikmin 3 Deluxe, selling only 232,313 in Japan to date on the Wii U.

The Pikmin series has been a staple for Nintendo since 2001, and the original Pikmin re-released on the Nintendo Wii as New Play Control! Pikmin which only sold 170,866 units in Japan, a clear contrast from the recently released Pikmin 3 Deluxe. Finally, Hey! Pikmin on the Nintendo 3DS (which took the series to 2D platformer levels) sold 157,007 units since it released in 2017, setting the lowest bar for the series as Pikmin 3 Deluxe now set the highest bar.

Pikmin 3 Deluxe continues to prove that re-releasing Wii U titles on the Nintendo Switch is a profitable idea for Nintendo and something that consumers are interested in. Which title or titles in the Pikmin series have you purchased since the original released in 2001? Have you been playing Pikmin 3 Deluxe like so many Japanese gamers? Let us know in the comments below!

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Today on COG Considers, let’s talk about the way some genres and gameplay mechanics just work really well together. It’s hard to deny that this happens–that’s why card-battle games so often have RPG and gacha elements, why shooters are often bleak war stories, and why fighting games don’t usually focus on a group of friends learning to solve problems non-violently. Even so, cosmic horror and roguelikes are a pairing that sticks out in my head. Why? Simple: it’s just really hard to think of two storytelling and game genres that fit together better. We’ve all heard about how difficult it is for video games to get truly Lovecraftian, but in my experience, roguelikes have come the closest to evoking that atmosphere of dread, horrified fascination, and the mingled certainty that you’ll lose everything if you keep going but can’t turn back now. Besides, name a genre more suited for the repetitive, brutal, and lethal mechanics of the roguelike. Go on. I’ll wait.

I’m far from the first person to come to this realization. Plenty of people have tried to make cosmic horror roguelikes over the years–Baroque, Sunless Sea and its sequel Sunless Skies, and World of Horror are my personal favorites, though I’m sure you can think of others. Baroque is technically an attempt at merging survival and roguelike mechanics, but in practice, everything from the rotting setting to the monstrous NPCs to the hopeless cycle the player is trapped in bleeds cosmic horror. Sunless Sea and Sunless Skies have a less eldritch atmosphere, but more than make up for this with the quality of their writing and the tension captured in the scenarios they present. These games are a constant struggle between the devil you know–18th century London and all the horrors that implies–and the devil you don’t. There are countless ways to die, go insane, or end up eating your crew, and the morbid fascination of watching things play out tastes exactly like top-quality cosmic horror. And World of Horror–well, if you’ve ever read a Junji Ito manga, then you know what you’re in for. A trip into the surreal, deranged underside of Japan, where urban legends roam the streets and madness is always lurking on the next page.

You could make an argument that Darkest Dungeon counts as cosmic horror, too, though I tend to see it as more of a particularly gory gothic horror. Either way, the focus on dwindling sanity, desperately trying to hold your party together, and the disposableness of your adventurers definitely fits what I’m talking about mechanics-wise. Also, it’s just a really good game. And that’s what we’re all here for in the end: good games. I think people should make more cosmic horror roguelikes, not just because I personally love the combo, but because it tends to produce some fantastic and memorable experiences.

What are your favorite cosmic horror roguelike games? I’ve already shared mine.

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Back in 2019, Japanese publisher Hobonichi released a compilation of President and CEO of Nintendo Satoru Iwata’s “Iwata Asks” interviews known as Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom. This collection of interviews is being translated for English to be released in the US on April 13th, with a later release expected for the UK. Since Satoru Iwata regretfully passed away a few years ago, this compilation of interviews is a great way for Nintendo fans to remember him. Nintendo Switch Online is available right now for $19.99 per year.

English-speaking Nintendo fans can enjoy Satoru Iwata conversations that featured conversations with people like Shigeru Miyamoto and Shigesato Itoi to name two of the highest-profile Iwata Asks guests over the years. Satoru Iwata tragically passed away in 2015 and before this English translation, Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom was only available in Japan. This collection of interviews includes a variety of conversations that encompass more facets of life than just gaming.

Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom is approximately 176 pages and it’s being published by Viz Media in the west, where publishing in Japan was handled by Itoi’s company Hobonichi. While the original interviews with Satoru Iwata are still up on Nintendo’s official website, Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom is a great way for Nintendo fans to spread the joy of Iwata to their friends and family. Considering Satoru Iwata was widely beloved beyond Nintendo and Japan, this book will likely receive a strong reception when it releases in the US on April 13th.

Are you planning to buy Ask Iwata: Words of Wisdom or do you prefer to watch the late President and CEO in video format? Let us know in the comments below!

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One of the Wii’s most iconic and first stints with Mature-rated games seems to be coming to PC. Today, we spotted Grasshopper Manufacture’s No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle were seen getting a rating from ESRB for PC. The games are known just as much for their hack and slash gameplay as they are for their crude language and sense of humor, which is what earns them their ratings. These two games were recently ported to Nintendo Switch earlier this year, so it is not a huge surprise that they would now come to PC.

The success and critical acclaim of the No More Heroes games will tell you that having these games finally ported to PC is a very welcome thing. It is also kind of timely since No More Heroes 3 was announced at E3 2019 with an expected release for 2021, which we just happen to be on the precipice of. No More Heroes 3 is currently only slated for a Nintendo Switch release, but perhaps if the first two games sell well on PC, Travis Stikes Again and No More Heroes 3 could also be ported. Just an idea.

There is currently no solid release date for No More Heroes 3 or No More Heroes 1 or 2 on PC, if they really do follow through on that. Here’s to hoping. No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle are both available on Wii and Nintendo Switch.

Would you like to see this series on PC? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shakedown: Hawaii is both a parody and throwback to the original Grand Theft Auto games. You know, the top-down shooter. It also is a bit of a parody of Hotline Miami, which itself is a throwback to classic 80s aesthetic. Developer Vblank Entertainment takes the whole throwback and classic elements of Shakedown: Hawaii and turns it up to 11 though. It grabbed our attention earlier this year when physical copies were being made for Wii and Wii U, but they’re at it again with Shakedown: Miami cross-buy on the PS5 release.

What’s being described as “cross-buy” is nothing new. You buy it on one platform and you can play it on another. Microsoft has Xbox Play Anywhere titles, both Xbox and PlayStation have backwards compatibility, but cross-buy is for Shakedown- Hawaii. In this case, when if you buy it on PS5, Vblank Entertainment is making sure that you can play it on the earlier PlayStation consoles PS4 and PS3. That’s right, we’re going back two generations. It’s pretty crazy and definitely not necessary, but it’s also totally on-brand for Vblank Entertainment.

If you like top-down shooters like the old school GTAs or Hotline Miami games, you should probably check out Shakedown: Hawaii on the platform of your choice, because chances are it is on whatever you can think of. Shakedown: Miami is out now on PC, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, and will be out on PS5 on December 15th.

Have you played Shakedown: Hawaii yet? Let us know in the comments below.

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