'Major' Sonic & All-stars Racing Transformed announcement coming at E3

SEGA will be making a "major announcement" at E3 next week for their upcoming title Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the company announced today.

For those who haven't heard of the game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is a new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and the rest of the SEGA cast.  Players will race across land, air, and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars to plants to boats.

We don't have any idea what the announcement will be, but we are excited to find out next week at E3.  All we know right now is that there will be a "large reveal", so your guess is as good as ours.  Maybe they will announce it as a Wii U title as well?

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is currently set to launch in late 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, and PC.

What do you think/want the announcement to be?

Via: 'Major' Sonic & All-stars Racing Transformed announcement coming at E3

Mario Tennis Open teases 'Yoshi Chase'

Mario Tennis Open is being celebrated by 3DS gamers around the globe, though all will be trying their hardest to discover all the Yoshi characters hidden in the game. Luckily, this isn't some simple pallate swap. These characters all have a unique play style, meaning players will definitely want to hunt them all down.

Have you found any Yoshi yet? How did you get them?

Via: Mario Tennis Open teases 'Yoshi Chase'

Hitman: Absolution headlines 'powerful' Square Enix E3 2012 lineup

Square Enix has announced the titles that will be showcased during what they are calling a "powerful and diverse" E3 2012 lineup.

Leading the lineup will be Hitman: Absolution which follows Agent 47 as he tackles the most dangerous contract to date.  Undercover action thriller Sleeping Dogs will also be present along with Kim Swfit's new puzzler Quantum Conundrum.  The full lineup of PC and console titles that will be shown off include:

"At this year's E3, Square Enix will have one of the most comprehensive and diverse portfolios of titles available in its history," said Yoichi Wada, president and representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. "Our mission is to entertain and engage a wide range of consumers with the best possible interactive experiences."

"From fantasy worlds filled with some of the industry's most identifiable characters to innovative, original content, the lineup from Square Enix at this year's E3 is one of the strongest in the industry," said Mike Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix's E3 lineup will also feature a robust mobile lineup featuring a number of innovative titles that include:

We'll be sure to give you our impressions of all of these games live from E3 next week.

Via: Hitman: Absolution headlines 'powerful' Square Enix E3 2012 lineup

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Defiance Review (Nintendo DS)

The plot loosely follows that of the console version, with a Russian invasion sweeping the nation, and your team, either through U.S. or British forces, in charge of clean-up.  You won’t have to think tactically here, just run forth and use your weapon in hand – an AK-47, a knife, a handgun among others – to mow down the enemies and take back your country.

For a Nintendo DS game, N-Space has done a surprisingly capable job with the game’s audio.  There’s a huge assortment of in-game speech, from soldiers yelling to some dialogue that actually makes the storyline believable.  What’s more, the music is surprisingly well done, crammed into a Nintendo DS cartridge without so much as a hint of compression.  This is the game to pull out for your system when you want to show someone how capable its sound is.

However, with the good, we get the bad, and that lies in the visuals.  While the game doesn’t get muddy to the point that it looks like a bad port of Doom, it does have some very noticeable pixilation, particularly when you get really close to an enemy for a melee attack.  This is especially problematic when you’re trying to hit someone from a distance, as you can barely make them out in your scope.  Stick with the closer kills instead.

The rest of the game, particularly the frame rate and various weapons, don’t look half bad, and the menus are well-organized, letting you choose loadouts however you please.  It hardly compares to the customizable features of, say, Call of Duty: Elite, but considering it’s a handheld action game, it’s noteworthy.

As for the gameplay, it’s nothing to write home about.  It’s functional, to say the least, but it feels too much like previous Call of Duty games on the DS.  Movement is pretty limited compared to what you can do in other versions, though the aiming works moderately well, particularly when you’re looking down a scope.  Vehicles can be fun as well, particularly the tank.  Nothing says “BOOM” like unloading a shell on incoming soldiers.

The only problem with that is the game doesn’t pose much of a challenge.  Even on the highest difficulty, enemies are unbelievably easy to kill, since the AI acts with the thought process of a dead fish.  “Hey, let’s run forward into this guy’s gun sights!”  “Okay!”  Blam, blam.  You get the idea.

There is a formidable challenge with the online play, though.  Up to six players can take part in a session, and with the mix of weapons involved and the various loadouts, it’s longer-lasting than we expected.  Still, it’s old compared to what the higher-end console versions offer.

Now to that unanswered question.  It’s obvious that both Activision and n-Space have 3DS projects in the works…so why wasn’t Call of Duty: Defiance given the bump-up to Nintendo’s newer platform?  This would have been absolutely ideal for the 3D-displaying handheld, particularly at this time, as the system doesn’t have a first-person shooter to call its own.  It feels like a missed opportunity – and, at the very least, a lesson for what to bring to the table with the next wave of Call of Duty games.

Call of Duty: Defiance is a tolerable game if all you have is the old-school handheld, as its multiplayer entertains and its gameplay isn’t half bad.  However, there’s no doubt the game engine being used here, outside of audio components, reeks of old age, and n-Space – or Activision – really needs to step up the effort the next time around.

Via: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Defiance Review (Nintendo DS)

Tetris Axis Review (3DS)

When we first popped this game in, maybe we were expecting a bit too much, like a Mario welcome, or at least one of the modes that made the previous Tetris game worth playing.  Instead, we got some all new modes, including a couple that try to take advantage of the 3DS’ visual depth.  It’s not a losing package by any means, but it feels second-rate in certain areas.

Let’s talk about the modes.  There’s Jigsaw, an interesting mode where you rotate puzzle pieces and try to stack them so you can match an already completed image that sits on the bottom screen.  It’s not bad, but those of you who don’t care for puzzles will probably skip this one.  Stage Racer Plus is a more interesting mode, where you guide a Tetris piece (or Tetrimino, as it’s “officially” named) through a vertical maze, inching your way through sections and trying to stay afloat.  It’s a bit unnecessary, but something worth trying just to see if it sticks with you.

Continuing on, we have Fit, which is probably one of the better 3D modes in the game, where you try to use an existing set of Tetris pieces to fill in gaps to complete lines, from a viewpoint that really makes good use of 3D depth.  It can be a little distracting at first, but stick with it and you might get into it.  Topping off the modes are a pretty good Fever mode, where you work with a smaller playfield and try to score as many points as possible, and Bombliss Plus, complete with bomb blocks that can obliterate nearby pieces.

None of these modes are memorable enough to stay with you in the long-term, but if you’re a Tetris fan, they might be of interest.  What won’t be of interest, though, are the power-ups.  Rather than trying to slow your opponent down or give you an advantage in battle, they end the fight way too quickly.  We’d rather have something that stuns someone we’re playing against, rather than taking them out completely, thanks.

Speaking of that, the game does offer multiplayer, either online through the Wi-Fi Connection (with friends or in random matches) or locally through Game Sharing.  The local option is best, as there’s not much action happening in the lobby – not as of yet, anyway.  Maybe after the holidays?  But anyway, outside of painful power-up usage, the competitive side isn’t half bad.  Find some friends and get to Tetris linking.

The presentation may be lacking that certain personality that made Tetris DS shine, but it’s still not bad.  The visuals are bright and colorful, complete with an array of backgrounds and some particularly recognizable characters from the Hudson universe (they developed it), including Bomberman.  We could’ve done without the goofy Mii dancer on the bottom screen, though.  And the music?  Nothing short of excellent.  The familiar Tetris themes are back, but remixed with a desirable amount of flourish.

If you really must own one Tetris game for your 3DS, make it Tetris DS, even if it is a little tough to track down.  However, if you don’t really care about the extras and just want to get into a match of Pajitnov’s classic game, Tetris Axis is an acceptable substitution.  Marathon Mode remains the best way to go, though local multiplayer is also recommended, just for the sake of trumping your friends in Tetrimino domination.

Via: Tetris Axis Review (3DS)

Kirby's Adventure: 3D Classics Review (3DS)

Kirby’s Adventure brings back the classic Kirby gameplay that many of his games – including the current Return To Dreamland for Wii – follow.  He runs around, sucking up enemies into his seemingly bottomless stomach and absorbing his abilities.  He’ll need every one of them to unseat the evil forces that have taken over his dream world, basically creating a menace of things.

The level variety is just as fun as we remember it being, with lots of colorful locales to visit and plenty to do.  The extra bonus stages are also a plus, including the cool crane game and the quick draw event, among others.  There’s always room to snag some extra 1-ups, which are nice to have when the going gets tough.

However, this is probably the laziest of the 3D ports we’ve seen to date.  Not that there’s anything wrong with the route the developers at Arika took. The game resembles its classic NES self, but seeing as how other games, particularly Excitebike and Urban Champion, have been fully remastered with 3D high-definition visuals, Kirby’s Adventure feels crammed and a little bit rushed.

That said, the 3D effects that are delivered here aren’t bad.  The game resembles its NES cousin, but little things stand out to show you that a little extra depth has been added, and it doesn’t really distract from the action at all.  Don’t be surprised if other 3D Classics, such as Super Mario Bros. 3, follow this same route and don’t suffer a bit as a result.

One word of warning, though.  If you’re going to play through this game, make sure you control Kirby using the D-pad.  The circle pad doesn’t really do him many favors, as we often found ourselves flying needlessly by pressing up just a little too closely on the pad.  The controls aren't impossible, but if you’re trying to keep hold of a power-up, it can be frustrating to lose it by accident.  Stick with the D-pad and you’ll have no trouble.

Yeah, Kirby’s Adventure: 3D Classics could’ve been a lot more, but sometimes it’s best to just leave some stuff the way it is, namely for the sake of the classic nature of the game.  It’s still one of the better NES offerings around, and seven bucks is a small price to pay for it.  If you need a break from the visually superior Super Mario 3D Land, good ol’ Kirby the puffball will fit the bill.

Via: Kirby's Adventure: 3D Classics Review (3DS)

Shinobi Review (3DS)

Produced by Griptonite Games and released by the good ol’ development team at Sega, Shinobi delivers exactly what it needs to on the 3DS – plenty of teeth-grinding, difficult action coupled with gorgeous 3D visuals.  The plot is nothing new – Joe Musashi sets forth to slice and dice evildoers while on a crusade to do what’s right, using whatever ninja tools are in his arsenal – but it’s the side-scrolling stuff that’s important here.  You’ll easily be reminded of some of Joe’s greatest adventures on the Genesis, including Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master.  That’s when you know you’ve done a reboot right.

Along with side-scrolling segments where you’ll use your sword and throwing blades, deflect incoming attacks, and occasionally using a grappling spear to grab ledges above, you’ll also deal with cool little 3D segments.  These include a car chase that will have you leaping from car to car while missiles fly into the screen, and a classic horse riding sequence where your steed will have to act as dexterously as you do.  There’s also some occasional puzzle solving in certain parts of each level, such as making your way down a super-spiked structure without taking too many hits to your life bar.

In addition to his weapons and defensive moves, Joe once again enables the power of ninja magic, with various types to choose from.  Once a stage, he can unleash it, devastating everyone on screen (or, at the very least, damaging a boss) and then proceeding on his merry killing way.  It’s good to see Griptonite hasn’t forgotten about the importance of ninja magic.

You’ll need it, too, because Shinobi is a beast.  We’re talking the kind of difficulty setting that’ll throw you off guard if you aren’t prepared for it.  The first couple of stages are deceptively easy, but as the game picks up, you’ll be testing your very limits for survival.  If you were the type of person who cursed the existence of the Ninja Gaiden series, perhaps you should stick with something better suited to your game skill level – like Nintendogs.

The controls are spot on, as Joe’s maneuvers handle perfectly.  So, if you do screw up, it’s something you did, not the developer.  We especially like being able to do a somersault ninja star throw like in the old days, though it is kind of a cheat that they refill shortly after using them.  Hey, you need every advantage you can get.  The riding sequences are cool, too, though the isometric 3D view takes a mild bit of getting used to.

The graphics are nice for 3DS standards.  There are times when things look a bit fuzzy, and we’re mildly disappointed that the anime-style cinemas don’t show in 3D, but everything else, from the eye-popping environments to the varied enemies, look fantastic.  The music is equally impressive, with an array of techno-style tunes that sound like they came straight from Joe’s murder-tinged mind.  Sound effects are minor, but, hey, it’s the blood spilling that counts.

Along with the main game – which will take you a few hours to get through – you can unlock additional ninja challenge missions, either through bumping into folks via Streetpass or using Play Coins earned over the course of the game.  These are actually just as difficult as the later missions in the game, so make sure you’ve got your patience level built up before tackling them.  One hit, and you’re toast.

To be honest, if a ninja stars in a game, you’re bound to have your hands full just trying to get through it alive.  That’s pretty much a rule of thumb – from what we learned through Ninja Gaiden, anyway.  Shinobi runs in a similar way, with plenty of exciting action to take in, provided you have the skills to keep up.  If you do, you’ll be promptly rewarded between the pinpoint controls and luscious visuals.  Those Miller Lite ads put it best – “Man up!”

Via: Shinobi Review (3DS)

Project X Zone: Debut trailer

Namco Bandai, Sega, and Capcom have released the first trailer for their upcoming strategy role-playing game crossover Project X Zone.

The game, due this year in Japan, sees a multiple of characters from each company come together in pairs for one of the biggest collaborations of all time.

Watch the trailer below. When you're done, be sure to check out the game's official site here.

Via: Project X Zone: Debut trailer

Cave Story 3D Review (3DS)

Maybe that’s why I like Cave Story 3D so much.  A modernized remake of the independent PC development that came out in 2004 (and has since been reborn as a downloadable title for WiiWare and the Nintendo DSi Shop), this game hasn’t lost any spring in its step while becoming a new 3D title.  That’s because the gameplay retains every bit of its richness, a Metroid-vania style of adventure that will take you several hours to conquer – if not more.

The story does grow over time, but the general gist of it is that you’re a robot that's dropped in the middle of a subterranean metropolis with strange creatures called Mimigas.  What stems from there is a story for survival, but one that has a few interesting turns that keep you wondering what challenges lie ahead.  Symphony of the Night it ain’t, but there’s enough here to keep you interested.

Where most of that interest lies is in the gameplay.  Rather than trying to screw something into a 3D format, Cave Story sticks with the traditional puzzle-solving and action bits, working just as naturally as they did before.  What’s more, the weapon system actually shows signs of innovation.  You can power up a gun to the point it becomes a supergun.  (Mind the lack of a better word.)  Here, you’ll discover that it can serve a secondary purpose, like turning a machine gun into a propulsion tool that shoots you upward to otherwise unreachable areas.  You’ll have a ball discovering what every little thing can do.

There are times you’ll get stuck with puzzles, but that’s part of the game’s immeasurable depth.  The creator of the original Cave Story, Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya, reworked the game so it stayed just as challenging as before, and while the content isn’t entirely new (keep an eye out for bonus items, exclusive to the 3DS game), it’s great to see that the guy hasn’t lost his touch, even after all these years following the game’s release.  Besides, if you get really stuck, you can always check Internet videos for tips.

Still, on a side note, it would’ve been nice for Cave Story 3D to come with the original game that inspired it.  I’m a stickler for that sort of thing, mainly because it’s important for gamers to see what inspired such greatness to begin with.  There’s a reworked mode, but it looks like an artificially crafted side mode, rather than the mini-game that should’ve been here.  (On the other hand, you probably already bought the original Cave Story anyway.  And if not, it’s only a few bucks out of your wallet.)

Though the first game is cheaper, Cave Story 3D does have some bells and whistles to keep you occupied.  The 3D presentation, while slightly distracting at first (this is a far cry from simple pixels), is fantastic.  It features beautifully designed levels and little details that pop out of the screen – which is an indication you’re playing a good 3DS title.  The animations on the characters could use a little touching up, but overall, this is a fine-looking product.

The music is equally up there in greatness, with a retouched soundtrack that comes blaring out of your 3DS like a cool little jukebox.  More sound effects would’ve been nice, but it’s nothing to really complain about.

So, is a $40 remake of a small-priced indie game worth investing in?  Well, if you loved the first Cave Story, absolutely.  Again, this isn’t entirely new territory, but rather a director’s cut of a beloved cult classic, with the kind of touch-ups that do it credit rather than dragging out the proceedings.  Plus, the soundtrack is killer and the unique gameplay still stands out over most other platformers for the system.  With pure inspiration and fun backing it up, this Cave Story is worth delving into.

Via: Cave Story 3D Review (3DS)

Sonic Generations Review (3DS)

This game is at its best when it sticks to its old-school intentions.  For the most part, it does that.  Sonic Generations features two iterations of the fast-running hero, both the modern-day one and the “classic” one we grew up with way back in 1991.  The retro version is arguably better, as we don’t have to fuss with little gameplay extras.  Instead, we run through remade versions of old-school levels, such as Casino Night and Green Hill Zone, among others.  When the game sticks to these basics, it really accomplishes quite a bit.  (Funny, huh?  Doing all this by dealing with what works.)

Now, by comparison, the new Sonic levels aren’t bad.  Rather than going through the motions in full 3D, Sega elected instead to make more modernized 2D levels for the ‘hog to run through, but they pale in comparison to the older ones.  They seem a little bit smaller for their own good.  You’ve reached the exit before you even know it, wondering where the time could’ve flown by.  Fortunately, they’re reasonably big enough for you to explore and find the “little things” you missed the first time around, like 1ups and other little goodies.

One thing I noticed about the two together, though, is that they get progressively harder.  Dedicated platforming fans may be thrilled by this, but kids and less experienced players may be frustrated by the fact that there are so many bottomless pits to accidentally fall in, or scattered enemies that bring your run to a halt.  It’s a matter of memorization, I guess, but we could’ve used more depth and less instant traps.

Furthermore, some of the boss battles are really lacking here.  We’re used to battling Dr. Robotnik at every twist and turn, and we were interested to see what contraptions he had here.  Some disappoint, while others aren’t so easy to destroy.  However, there could’ve been more of them, instead of lame speed contests with Silver and Shadow the Hedgehog.  I suppose Sega threw them in for nostalgia purposes, but they don’t really work as well as expected.

Nevertheless, the games play like a classic Sonic adventure, so you’ve got that.  Playing as classic Sonic, you may be a little miffed over the lack of the homing jump, but that adds to the glorious old-school fun.  The newer Sonic stages are pretty good, too, even though there are times you don’t have direct control over the hero, such as using a turbo button to outrun a toppling tower and not having any other mobility.  Could’ve been helped a little, perhaps…

The graphics look great for 3DS standards.  While the character models are a little lacking in areas, the levels themselves look outstanding, hunkering back to the classic design of Sonic games while throwing in some fresh elements.  The black-and-white (at first) map system is easy to navigate through, so you can see what acts need to be completed and what’s left to run through.  The game runs at a suitable speed, so you can get your blast processing fix.

Plus, if you prefer 3D Sonic, you’ll love the bonus stages, which borrow some design ideas from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, running in full 3D as you collect items and chase after a Chaos Emerald on the run.  These are fun – could’ve used more of them.

As for the music, it’s vintage Sonic, with a few new tunes thrown in for good measure.  Not all of them will be in your head, but I admit that I smiled a little bit when the all-too-familiar Casino Night riff played in my ears.  The sound effects are old-school as well, right down to the “sproing” from jumping on a, well, spring.  They’re “sproingy” I suppose.

With better level design and less difficulty spikes, Sonic Generations could’ve been a spectacular must-own alongside Super Mario 3D Land.  But as it stands, it isn’t bad, and it’s a nice little reminder that Sonic Team and Dimps still care about their hero.  No signs of Werehog-ness here.  Whew.

Via: Sonic Generations Review (3DS)

Square's new Heroes of Ruin trailer showcases thrilling multiplayer mode

Everyone knows it takes a few years for a console to get up to speed, which means this newest wave of portable devices (PS Vita, Nintendo 3DS) are still waiting for their game libraries to be fleshed out. Thankfully, Square Enix seems to be wasting no time in delivering the first epic RPG experience to this portable generation, with the 4-player action of Heroes of Ruin looking to eat up plenty of our time.

The addictive looking quest lets up to four friends roam about the game's various maps, defeating baddies with intense real time combat and fighting over the sweet, sweet loot drops that follow. Kind of looks like a scaled down MMO, replacing the massive overworlds with some bite-sized dungeons perfect for a quick play session. 

Check out the multiplayer trailer and let us know what you think. Will you be picking up a 3DS for Heroes of Ruin?

Via: Square's new Heroes of Ruin trailer showcases thrilling multiplayer mode

Wii U, Nintendo 3DS dual support is 'key' for new Super Smash Bros.

The new Super Smash Bros. game won't just be a rehash with some added characters, items, and stages.  According to franchise creator Masahiro Sakurai, there is a "certain dead end we come to if we just expand the volume of the game."

Sakurai is looking beyond just content for the new Super Smash Bros.

"I intend to change direction a little as we go," Sakurai said in an recent interview.  "The key to that's going to be its dual support for 3DS and Wii U."

We've heard very little about the new game's development so far.  Back in 2011, during E3, Sakurai and Nintendo global president Satoru Iwata both acknowledged interest in linking both the handheld 3DS and console Wii U versions of the game.

"I'm really just getting started on this so it's going to take time, but I'll come up with something that uses that link as the game's central axis, so I hope you're looking forward to it."

Indeed we are, Mr. Sakurai.  Hopefully we learn more about what Sakurai is thinking of at E3 this June.  Hopefully, we learn more about the Wii U as well, since it's said to "shock us".

[IGN]

Via: Wii U, Nintendo 3DS dual support is 'key' for new Super Smash Bros.

WWE All Stars Review (3DS)

The game features over 40 superstars from the current and past WWE roster, including legends like The Rock and Hulk Hogan, mixed in with current superstars like CM Punk and John Cena.  Some great faces have been thrown into this game, and you can finally see who would win the argument between Punk and Chris Jericho – and, for that matter, the long-standing feud between Hogan and the legendary “Macho Man” Randy Savage – ooh, yeah!  Each wrestler has their special moves intact, along with authentic ring entrances and music, and they look great in 3D.

Along with regular arcade bouts and the option to wrestle in special matches (cage ones can be enjoyable), you can also tackle the Path of Champions, in which you select one of three pre-set Wrestlemania-style routes in an attempt to become a belt holder.  These modes take some time to get through, and can be challenging, but they’re worth it.  The only downside is that a bug may send your winning streak crashing down.  We haven’t seen it, but a few folks indicated it’s making the rounds.  Keep an eye out.

The gameplay relies a lot on arcade-style tactics, as you’ll use punch and kick combos along with grapples and throws.  Most are easy to pull off, though reversals take a great deal of practice, as you have to hit the L button at just the right time or be put into a dire situation where you might just submit.  Tapping buttons to get out of a pin is slightly annoying as well – why didn’t THQ just implement touch-screen support?  As for the rest of the attacks, they’re great, especially the finishers, which have your wrestler flying high up in the air and bringing their opponent literally crashing back down to Earth.

Though the game performs well, there is a great deal of loading time, particularly with the wrestler intros.  You can shut them off to save a little time, but, really, you’d be cheating yourself out of some quality authenticity if you did.  Just put up with it and you should be fine.

Along with single-player bouts (which are neatly balanced with mostly fair AI, which you can adjust in the options), you can also wrestle a friend in local multiplayer.  It would’ve been nice to involve more human players in a Royal Rumble set-up, but we won’t argue with the ability to pass around systems and see “who got got”, as R. Truth might say.  (And no, we won’t mention “Jimmy”.)

There are times the wrestlers look a little iffy, but the in-ring action flows so smoothly you won’t really care.  In addition, the lighting attacks are splendid, when you turn a bright yellow or orange as you send your opponent flying around in a tizzy.  The crowd gets into each match, and the action really comes at you in a great way in 3D.  The Path of Champions segments are fun to watch too, and some live-action WWE wrestling action, provided in full 3D, is fun to watch.  The music and voice acting are great, even if some of these wrestlers don’t sound as intimidating as their real-life counterparts.

One more thing – Fantasy Warfare has also been included, so you can pit Stone Cold Steve Austin against CM Punk’s straightedge lifestyle to see who’s superior.  And the Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero match-up is a full tribute to the fallen wrestler.  We like the addition of the Fatal Four Way too, though it can be challenging when it comes to grabbing a target you didn’t intend to grab.

Bugs, gameplay issues, and loading times aside, WWE All Stars is as entertaining a rasslin’ machine as its console counterparts.  Wrestling fans shouldn’t be without it.

Via: WWE All Stars Review (3DS)

KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] screenshots showcase frantic combat

I had a chance to get some hands-on time with Kingdom Hearts 3D at PAX East 2012 this year, and it confirmed that the action is fast paced, frantic and awesome, despite it happening on a tiny screen. Square Enix was nice enough to send over more screenshots for fans to take in, before they can get their hands on the game come July 31st.

These screenshots showcase the fast paced battle system, which you obviously won't get a sense of since it's not in motion but you can trust me when I tell you, it's awesome. You even get a sneak peek at Riku, who is a playable character in the game as well.

Spirits and Nightmares are two different types of Dream Eaters. Spirits accompany Riku and Sora during their journey to protect them from the evil spirits, or Nightmares.  

Additionally, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] utilizes the AR function of the Nintendo 3DS™ system in which players can pet and feed the spirits, and play mini-games to improve the compatibility with the Spirits.

Remember to stay tuned for more news on Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance, as well as our inevitable review, once the release date rolls around.

Via: KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] screenshots showcase frantic combat

Mario Kart 7 Review

Granted, that’s not the only thing that Nintendo has changed for the series, but this is probably the most primary addition, as the graphics literally jump right out at you.  Each track has a new layer of depth that really springs the game to life like never before, especially when you’re whooshing through the air or dodging a dreaded Bullet Bill that’s flying right at your face.  Mario Kart pulls off a neat trick.  It executes said effects while retaining a pretty high frame rate, keeping the action smooth and enjoyable.  To innovate while still sticking (mostly) with what works is the way to go, and Nintendo follows that path straight and narrow.

Likewise, the music and sound effects haven’t changed much either.  It’s still a bouncy collection of upbeat tunes, stuff you can bop along to while you’re listening with your headphones; Mario and the gang still have plenty of say, whether they’re getting thwacked by a blue shell or cheering their first place victory.

As for the gameplay, here’s where you might notice a few changes.  Some are good, others not so much.  Let’s get the bad out of the way first.  Mario Kart 7 doesn’t let you use the D-pad for gameplay.  Instead, you have to rely either on tilting your 3DS or steering with the thumb pad.  That isn’t to say the game’s not controllable, because it certainly is, but it would’ve been nice for all of the options to be on the table, rather than yank one away when some folks might’ve preferred it.  (Look what it did for Mario Kart Double Dash.)

Secondly, the difficulty is bumped up.  That’s not to say it’s impossible, but the “rubber band” style of AI has been replaced by more aggressive drivers.  Pro racers who thought that Mario Kart was too easy in the past will absolutely love this, but some kids might be frustrated by the barrage of incoming special attacks.  It can be a bit much to bear, especially in the 150cc later circuits.

There are some useful power-ups introduced this time around, including a much more helpful fire flower and the Tanooki tail, which doubles as both an offensive hitting weapon and a defensive shielding tool.  It would’ve been nice if it were more effective against spiked shells, but for the most part, it’s great to see in action.

Nintendo also introduced some new tactics in racing.  You now have the option to modify your vehicle with new parts and tweaks, and it really does make a difference with performance.  We especially like the new ability of flight.  When you hit a special ramp, you’ll find yourself soaring in the air for several seconds, either staying afloat to collect airborne coins (which you can turn around for precious upgrades) or hit the ground running for a speed boost.  Flight also proves useful when it comes to reaching otherwise inaccessible hidden paths, which could help give you a first place lead.

There’s also underwater racing, and while we’re not too fond with how your vehicle performs compared to flying, it’s pretty cool.  You actually have to modify your style when you’re under the sea, including drifting, and it adds a neat little strategic element that could – or couldn’t – give you a push into first.

Finally, there’s a first-person perspective, in which you can control your kart and see things from your driver’s viewpoint.  It’s interesting, to say the least, but not entirely helpful due to the limited range of seeing what’s on the track.  Plus you can’t really see much of what’s happening behind you.  It's worth a try for a couple of races, then go back to the normal view.

The track selection is superb, with a few old favorites returning and being combined with new ones.  The characters, however, need some work.  There are 17 Mario favorites here, but we’re still trying to figure out why Metal Mario and Wiggler got the nod instead of more obscure Nintendo types.  Maybe next time around, Nintendo will give us the option to create a better driver for the road.  Just saying.

Where Mario Kart 7 really shines is multiplayer.  The AI will put up a hell of a fight, but you don’t have much else to do in single-player due to the sore lack of a Mission Mode.  (Why?!  It worked so well in Mario Kart DS!)  You can link up to eight players at once during races, creating a league of friends and going at it in various circuit races.  It would’ve been nice to have better random match-up options that tracked our progress, as well as time postings, but overall, the online racing component remains a huge part of this racing universe.  Kudos, Nintendo.

Some imperfections keep Mario Kart 7 from hoisting the flag in victory for the racing series overall, but spiffy 3D visuals, great customization options, (most) new gameplay quirks, and online multiplayer make this entry worth revving up for.  Here we goooooo!

Via: Mario Kart 7 Review

Pac-Man Party 3D Review

Pac-Man Party 3D is essentially another party game with the board game premise built in. As Mario Party is the forerunner in this genre, Pac-Man Party is a simple, less complicated clone. Story Mode and Party Mode are essentially the same. Up to four players are allowed to play on each world or board with the goal to obtain a certain amount of cookies, which is the currency of the game. The only difference being you can customize the rules in Party Mode. It is more of a free play type mode, whereas Story Mode has certain rules.

Just like a board game, you will move a certain number of spaces, but instead of throwing the normal dice, players will play short mini games to determine how many spaces they can move. Along the way, players will encounter certain spaces that reward you and spaces that will hurt you. In each empty space you land on, your character will create a castle, which helps you get cookies each time you get around the board. Think Monopoly, except instead of houses and property, you own a castle and wear a crown.

Building up castles is the goal. By landing on consecutive spaces, the castle will gain a higher level, which takes up more spaces. Again, this will help you gain cookies and open more opportunities to you. As all players start building castles, if you land on an opponent’s castle, a mini game battle will ensue; these can help in a few ways. By landing on your enemy’s castle, players will have a chance to take possession of the castle by winning the mini game. On the other hand, if a player lands on your castle, you have to defend it. If successful, you win more cookies.

Pac-Man Party 3D does offer quite a selection of things to do. Along with the story and party modes mentioned above, there is also a mini-game mode, collection mode, classic games mode, and a local wireless mode. Each one presents different things to do. The mini-game mode is where the player can go to play all of the mini games available, whether you just want to practice or cure away the boredom with friends. The collection mode doesn’t really offer gameplay, but instead offers a look into the built-in achievements that the player has achieved. The Classic Games mode is exactly what it sounds like. It offers up three arcade titles from the past--Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug--that you can play anytime you want. Lastly, the local wireless mode allows you to play with up to three other players in local or download play.

Although Pac-Man Party 3D has many modes to play, it doesn’t bring much to the table that hasn’t been done. Whereas Mario Party has made a name for itself by integrating Mario elements and items into the series and offering up a great experience, Pac-Man Party 3D offers an experience that is the exact opposite. The actual board experience and building of castles is just a side note; Pac-Man Party focuses everything on the mini-games and the outcome of those mini games. With party games, the focus on mini games is always strong, but Pac-Man Party 3D focuses on the mini-games too much, which presents the biggest flaw in this game. Unfortunately, the mini-games that Pac-Man and all his ghostly friends get to compete in are sometimes pointless and very flawed.

The competition will always be there with this type of game, but it is hard to want to keep playing when you start to lose strings of mini games because the instructions weren’t that clear or the controls are a little strange. There are worse party games out there, but it’d be nice to see Pac-Man throwing it down again in the 3D world without flaws.

Although the mini-games were ridiculous at times, the game takes too long to play out. The game saves after each round and forces you to see the stats of each player before moving on to the next round. Unfortunately, that isn’t the only problem. Pac-Man Party 3D has some ridiculous load times as well. With the combination of load times and the save feature, it takes too long to get through each stage and creates a level of monotonous that will have players literally falling asleep between rounds.

As with all the 3D titles for the 3DS, people usually wonder how well it incorporates the 3D into the gameplay. In Pac-Man Party 3D, when the 3D is used, it brings a little extra fun to Pac-Man’s world, but it doesn’t always use the 3D throughout the game. Throughout the menus and intro battle screen, the 3D is turned off, which isn’t a plus. Although, it does take advantage of the 3D during the gameplay, its lack of 3D on everything else was a negative. In past 3DS games, it has been very cool to see how differently games have been designed to help the menu pop out. Unfortunately, you won’t get to see that on Pac-Man Party.

Honestly, there is only one mode that keeps this game from being forgettable--the Classic Games Mode. Although a little random, the mode offers three arcade classics in Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug. Without these three classics, players would be gritting their teeth and holding back strong words because of the frustration of slow load times and boring gameplay. Instead, it gives them a break from the frustration by providing three good, quality arcade titles that could keep them addicted for hours.

As Pac-Man makes his first appearance in the stereoscopic 3D world, fans will not be pleased. Although there are a ton of mini games, classic arcade titles, and download play, it has too many flaws to help Pac-Man make his comeback in the 3D world. Its slow load times, ridiculous save feature, and boring gameplay will have you searching your brain for old memories of playing Pac-Man and it still being fun.

Via: Pac-Man Party 3D Review

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy conjures up some screenshots

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is an upcoming rhythm game that celebrates the phenomenal music spanning 25 years. But did you realize that beneath that rhythm game coat, is a surprisingly deep RPG system? These new screenshots illustrate character progression in the game, which actually has impact on the world of Theatrhythm.

Players can level up characters and improve skills by fighting monsters, exploring the world and completing events.

Each character has a unique set of Abilities that aid in completing stages.

Looks like both rhythm game aficionados and RPG buffs will find a lot to love in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, once it ships July 3rd.

Via: Theatrhythm Final Fantasy conjures up some screenshots

Sega reveals Sonic & All-Stars Racing with new trailer

Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Star's Racing, the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain. The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favorites – including Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi – return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia. The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA's illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you on Super Monkey Ball's Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-maneuver rivals and obstacles before transforming back in to a car and racing to the finish line.

Via: Sega reveals Sonic & All-Stars Racing with new trailer

Centipede: Infestation Review (3DS)

Centipede: Infestation is a complete overhaul of the original for the Arcade and later, the Atari. Instead of a 2D shooter of old, Centipede: Infestation takes Centipede into the glorious world of 3D graphics with the 3D capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS. It is now a shoot ‘em up type game without the limited movement the player has in the arcade version. Now, the player can move anywhere on screen instead of the left to right motion.

Along with the player, the enemies have also been re-imagined and can attack from any point on the screen. Spiders, wasps, scorpions, and of course, the centipede, have all been brought into modern day and look pretty intense.

Centipede: Infestation is a really straightforward game. You will play as Max the Bug Slayer, and yes, he prefers to be called that. He is a goofy, yet strong character that players will get to take control of. There is a main mode, story mode, which lets you fight for the minimal plant life that still exists in Max’s world. By maintaining the plant life, you will have to conquer an extreme amount of bugs that have infested everything that was once Mother Earth.

Along with the story mode, the only other mode available is a co-op, in which two players can play through the campaign together. It isn’t download play, but it is still a lot more fun shooting up immense amounts of colossal insects with an extra friend, and more importantly, an extra gun.

The story's presentation isn’t anything special. The cut scenes are animated with mostly still pictures and voiceovers. It is interesting, and it’s a good addition, but at the same time, the game really just does the bare minimum in telling the story. However, it is a surprisingly good story with some pretty significant, emotion-jerking points. In many games like this, it can stand alone without a story. So, even with the minimal story presentation, the story is a much needed and excellent addition.

The gameplay actually fits well with the story. Again, it is good, but it does nothing to set itself apart from the competition. It does the bare minimum of throwing some fun your way, but that is it. As Max, you will run around, shooting with the basic gun at enemies flying everywhere throughout the environment. In each stage, there are power ups for Max to receive if you defeat certain spiders that magically drop down from above. Shooting down wasps and tackling an enemy like the gigantic centipede is a thrill and is fun, but it’s the potential that was lost in this title. It sometimes gets too repetitive and slow.

As many of the 3DS games to date, this game lacks a true grasp on the capitibilities of 3D through the 3DS. In all honesty, it didn’t look very appealing at all. Recently released games such as Super Mario 3D Land and Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D have shown us how special a game can be in 3D, and Centipede: Infestation isn’t anywhere near the 3D experience that games like that offer. It felt as if developers didn’t find it very necessary to explore more into how great 3D could have been incorporated into this game. Instead, as mentioned before, this game provided the bare minimum, which isn’t good enough in today’s industry.

Looking back at the original on Arcade and now at Centipede: Infestation, the series is back on track, but it still lacks anything that could set it apart from its remastered arcade brethren. It does a lot of things good. The gameplay is fun, and the story is interesting enough. However, at this point of time, the competition is vast, and this game is missing things that have become default in a new title to be able to stay competitive. The lack of content is extremely disappointing.

Centipede: Infestation only has two modes, and nothing else. At the end of the day, you will play about 40 levels by yourself or with a friend, and that is it. Along with co-op, many games, especially shooters, have an almost limitless amount of other modes you can play outside of the story to immerse yourself even more into the game. This title lacks everything a modern game has, and with the potential there, it is heartbreaking to know this game could have really been something refreshing to Centipede enthusiasts.

Via: Centipede: Infestation Review (3DS)

Famous anime studios unite to celebrate Kid Icarus

We here at GameZone have a decent appreciation for the Japanese animes, and combining anime with video games is just icing on the cake. That's why these three animated shorts created for Nintendo's new Kid Icarus Uprising franchise are so cool, not only highlighting one of the better 3DS games out there right now, but also having been created by three famous anime studios: Production I.G, Shaft and Studio 4C. Definitely digging Shaft's creation: Palatena's Revolving Diner, though we're not sure whether these shorts are free on the 3DS eShop or if players are expected to pony up some Nintendo points.

We like anime and all, but... these are basically commercials right? They better be free!

Game info: Medusa has been resurrected and is gathering the underworld forces of darkness to fulfill her ambition. You play as an angel named Pit who is bestowed the power of flight from Palutena, the Goddess of Light. Repel the Medusa's underworld army with your choice of an array of weapons like: Blades, Claws, Bow, Cannon, Mace, Staff and others that you will discover along your journey. Multiplayer mode allows for competitive gameplay locally or over a wireless Internet connection. Its time for Medusa to meet the power of light and only you can guide Pit to victory!The game comes packed with a black stand for use with your 3DS console.

Via: Famous anime studios unite to celebrate Kid Icarus

Mahjong Cub3d Review (3DS)

The next iteration of Mahjong offers over 200 levels if you count all the modes and the difficulty within each board. It also offers three modes--Cube mode, VS Mode and Classic mode. Cube Mode is the main mode with the most levels. Players will have the option of playing the alpha, beta or gamma puzzles. Essentially, this is just a fancy way of saying the puzzle’s difficulty level. Alpha, beta and gamma are easy, medium and hard, respectively. To confuse you even more, within alpha, beta, and gamma, there is also another option for difficulty that players can select on each individual board. With each level, the board or cube will change into a completely different shape than the previous level. As the difficulty level increases, the number of tiles increase, and the boards get a lot harder.

VS mode is the same thing as Cube mode with the exception of one thing: an actual player on the other side matching your wits. Unfortunately, you can only play online with one other player. Obviously, this limits how much you can really do online; offering more in the multi-player area would have been nice. Also thrown into the mix is the classic mode, which is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of new, futuristic 3D cubes, it harkens back to a simpler time of flat tiles and lots of them.

Moving on, Mahjong Cub3d is basically the same Mahjong Solitaire that we’ve been playing on our computers and video game consoles for many years now with the exception of one tiny thing: 3D. Using stereoscopic 3D, the classic Mahjong is taken into a completely new world. Instead of being flat, each tile is now placed on a four-sided cube. Using your circle pad and the L or R buttons, you will rotate the massive shape to match cubes on the board, making them disappear until you are left with no tiles at all. As you do this, you will have a limited number of moves and a limited amount of time, presenting even more challenge to the title.

Fortunately, the game also has a couple of help features to help players if they start to struggle on a particular puzzle. There is an undo button that lets the player undo his last move. Although players only get a specific number of undoes, it is nice to have that there just in case. In addition to the undo button, there is also a hint button; when it's pushed, you can see the next best move available.

The stereoscopic 3D brings Mahjong into the modern day. The graphics are beautiful; its simplistic form will capture the player immediately with its well-designed menus and look into a new 3D version of Mahjong. Finding matching tiles is even more fun than Mahjong titles of the past because the environment, as simple as it is, is able to immerse you into a puzzle world like never before.

Simply put, Mahjong Cub3d is strictly a variation of a traditional puzzle game. Its combination of simplicity and difficulty makes it an enjoyable experience. Regrettably, with the reinvention of the classic puzzler, a few things went wrong.

The controls for Mahjong Cub3d, although not horrendous, are still a little inconvenient to use. There are no touch controls at all, and It will only take a matter of minutes to figure out that a stronger control scheme could have helped this game indefinitely. Holding the R or L button while using the thumb stick to move the cube feels extremely awkward. Not only that, but you are constantly having to move the cube around to find tiles. Doing this combination all the time is a hassle and could have easily been prevented.

The lack of content is also saddening. The only things available are Cube Mode, VS mode and Classic Mode. To Mahjong Cub3d’s defense, there are lots of levels between all the modes. However, there are a lot of different modes that could have been added to make this game even better. Sure, having 200 puzzles is nice, but regurgitating a harder difficulty on the same level doesn't really consistute as a level all on its own.

Overall, what makes Mahjong Cub3d good is its simplicity. It isn’t hard to pick up, it is challenging, and visually, it looks pretty good. It's fun and its simple gameplay offers a new and welcomed puzzle presence on the 3DS. Although it would have been great to have more content and an easier control scheme, Mahjong Cub3d is still a must-have if you are a puzzle fan.

Via: Mahjong Cub3d Review (3DS)

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] pre-order incentives revealed

Square Enix has announced the North American incentives for customers who pre-order Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance].

Those who pre-order the Nintendo 3DS game will receive a set of three augmented reality (AR) cards which will allow players to unlock rare Dream Eaters and a 360 degree viewing stand that will let them take a closer look at their Dream Eaters from all angles.

One wild AR card will randomly unlock one of the three rare Dream Eaters: Ursa Circus, Sudo Neku or Meowjesty. The second AR card unlocks R&R Seal Dream Eater, and the last AR card unlocks the 360° viewing stand.  These AR cards will only be available "while supplies last".

Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will be available on July 31, 2012 for $39.99.

Via: Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] pre-order incentives revealed

VVVVVV Review (Nintendo 3DS)

Originally released back in 2010 for PC and Mac, this platformer has made a successful transition to the 3DS shop, available for a somewhat reasonable price of $7.99.  If you’ve been waiting for a solid downloadable title, or just something to kill time with until the next great game arrives, this is definitely the one to go with.

In the game, you control Captain Viridian, a simple looking dude who finds his ship on a collision course with some strange teleport.  He barely escapes with his life, but his crew members aren’t so lucky, as they’re scattered across a vast, trap-filled map.  The Captain takes it upon himself to rescue them, though he’s got no weapons to speak of, nor can he bop enemies on the head Mario-style.  The only ability he is able to use is a temporary switch in gravity.  With a tap of a button, he can go from walking on the floor to the ceiling, and back again.

When you first start VVVVVV, it’s simple enough, so you get an idea of how the gameplay works.  It’s easy to get into, but after a few stages, you’ll realize how vitally important precision is.  Hitting a spiked floor with even the slightest touch by the Captain’s foot kills him, so you have to be perfect in some areas.  (Luckily, the game comes with unlimited lives, so you can keep trying without severe punishment.)

As you proceed through the map and find crew members, you’ll find bigger and badder challenges awaiting, including randomly moving enemies that require timing to get around and walls that automatically bounce you back, making movement even trickier than you could’ve expected.  As you proceed, you can also unlock bonus levels, which really test your abilities to an even greater effect.  We love it.

Yeah, it’s tough, but you’ll find satisfaction when you finally beat a challenge, only to come upon another one that pushes you to think even further.  Kudos to the developers for throwing in sparingly helpful checkpoints, so that you don’t have to start all the way back at the beginning.  We hate when a game does that.

While VVVVVV isn’t the kind of game that takes advantage of the 3D layout (it’s about as effective as, say, Kirby’s Adventure, with cosmetic touches), it does look great when it comes to recreating the Commodore 64 vibe.  Characters are simply designed, but smile-inducing, especially the captain, who boasts a stupid grin throughout most of the game – unless when he’s dying, of course.  Then it’s all frowny.  The level design is diabolical and tricky, but that just adds to the fun.

Likewise, the music is upbeat and charming.  It sounds like something you’d hear out of a really good NES cartridge, a well-composed soundtrack that keeps you listening to hear what’s coming up next.  The sound effects are minimal, but not really necessary.

While $7.99 may be a bit hard to swallow for a downloadable game (especially one without a level editor), VVVVVV is definitely worth it, not only with its nostalgia but also its challenging gameplay and unlockable extra levels.  It’s worth flipping out with.

Via: VVVVVV Review (Nintendo 3DS)

New Mario Tennis game promises some serious racketeering

Longtime gamers will know that Mario Tennis for the Gameboy Color was the best Mario sports title ever released, and honest-to-god Tennis RPG adventure, letting players advance their character in rank and skill by competing various tennis challenges. That's why we're hoping some of those same elements make it into this latest portable iteration: Mario Tennis Open. If it's just another sports title with Mario characters... well, we might pass. Then again, our 3DS library is feeling kind of lonely, maybe some solid multiplayer would be worth the price?

Check out the trailer and let us know what you think!

Via: New Mario Tennis game promises some serious racketeering

Zen Pinball 3D Review

Well, like Crave’s Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Experience before it, Zen Pinball does get a slight boot from the addition of a third dimension, as it actually feels like you’re sitting in front of a real machine, seeing the ball coming down the lane so you can prepare for shots.  It can be slightly distracting if something bigger is happening on the table, like the gigantic robot moving its arms in Earth Defense, but the game comes with multiple view options, so you maintain control for the most part.  The only time we felt like we were losing track was when multiball was activated, and a default wide view was used.  Other than that, we experienced no problems from a technical standpoint.

Visually, Zen Pinball performs admirably.  The 3D layouts are fascinating, each with their own themes, skill shots and special areas to gain mega points.  And little markers come up to show you just what kind of point value you earned from each shot, without getting in the way of the action itself.  Some of these pinball table designs are pretty neat, too.  Excalibur definitely has a medieval flavor to it (even if the warrior won’t shut up about the might of the sword – yeah, we get it, buddy) and we dug the old-school sci-fi vibe of Earth Defense, as it reminded me about the classic Mars tables that Williams used to make in its pinball heyday.  Even if you turn the slider down to 2D, you’ll like the presentation this game is packing.

What’s more, the game is conveniently laid out across both screens.  You see the pinball action happening in 3D on the top screen, while the bottom displays both the LCD screen for that table (complete with classic light-ups and score display) and indications through the online leaderboards.  (More on that in a second.)  Kudos to Zen Studios for keeping it simple.

While the game doesn’t have the most in-depth leaderboards we’ve seen, it is quite competitive.  You’re given constant reminders about where you stand on a leaderboard, such as a point value that needs to be reached before you move up a place or how you’re faring against friends you’ve got registered.  While the pop-ups happen more frequently than expected, they are good reminders that keep you flipping for that high score.

Zen Pinball only comes with two modes.  You can jump right into a single player session for high score boasting, or jump into Hot Seat, where you play along with friends and pass the system around when it’s their turn.  Nothing major, but it works for party play, and keeps things competitive on a local scale.

The game comes with four tables, a decent value for $7.99, but the lack of any major licensed tables from, say, Marvel or other companies, is slightly disappointing.  There is some variety here, but we expected at least one of the major tables from Marvel Pinball to show up.  Don’t fret, though, as more are on the way via downloadable content over the next few months.  We’ll keep you posted.

While Zen Pinball 3D isn’t the ultimate pinball collection, it’s still a top-notch addition to your eShop library, and a good deal if you’re up for a night of flipper tricks and skill shots.  Zen Studios does it again.

Via: Zen Pinball 3D Review

EA details 'revolutionary' changes for FIFA 13

Electronic Arts today unveiled five "game-changing" innovations coming to this year's highly anticipated FIFA 13.

“We are perfecting the best sports game in the world with innovations that capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer for FIFA 13. “These are game-changing innovations that will revolutionize our artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and collisions to create a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and deliver freedom and creativity in attack.”

Leading these sophisticated artificial intelligence changes include an all-new Attacking Intelligence.  This enables players to "analyze space, work harder and smarter to break down defenses".  The ability to create, curve, or alter runs to capitalize on openings, make runs that pull defenders out of position to open passing channels, and better position yourself for new opportunities will now all be possible in FIFA 13.

EA also claims to have the "most comprehensive and intuitive dribbling system ever created"in FIFA 13 thanks to a new Complete Dribbling feature that enables you to face your opponent and use precise dribble touches combined with true 360 degree mobility with the ball.  Players will change direction quicker, are more explosive accelerating with the ball, and are more effective shielding defenders for the longer stretch.

FIFA 13 1st Touch Control will transform the way you control the ball, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating variety and uncertainty around ball control.  Factors such as defensive pressure, trajectory of the ball, and velocity of the pass now impact a player’s first touch, creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession.

FIFA 13 will also introduce the second generation of the impressive Player Impact Engine.  It expands physical play from just collisions to off-the-ball battles between players.  Defenders push and pull for position, and use their size and strength to win possession or force opponents into poor touches and decisions before the ball arrives.

FIFA 13 Tactical Free Kicks provides the tools to create dangerous and unpredictable free kicks utilizing the most skillful players on the pitch. Position up to three attacking players over the ball and utilize dummy runs and more passing options to create elaborate free kicks. Opponents can counter by adding or subtracting players to the wall, creeping the wall forward, or sending a bullet man to intercept the pass or block the shot.

Other features include:

FIFA 13 will be available this Fall for PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, Wii, PC, Nintendo 3DS, iOS devices, and PSP, along with other mobile devices.

Via: EA details 'revolutionary' changes for FIFA 13

Mutant Mudds Review (Nintendo 3DS)

In the game, the Earth is being overrun by these creatures known as Mudds, little rolling balls of mud that are simply making a mess of things.  A young kid by the name of Max sees these as a threat to not only his grandmother, but also the planet, so he grabs his water gear and heads out to eradicate the threat.  Of course, battling this evil force is a lot more than he bargained for.

Along with dealing with this army of mudballs, Max will also have to be careful through each stage he runs through.  Dangers lurk about, including inexplicably spiked floors that can easily end his turn.  Fortunately, along with his trusty water cannon, he can also activate a water-powered jet pack, enabling him to hover for a few extra seconds to reach areas just outside his jumping range.  While this is nothing revolutionary in a platforming game (Mario sported the FLUDD in Super Mario Sunshine), Mutant Mudds handles it with utmost precision.

The gameplay is pure old-school fun.  Mutant Mudds is all about shooting enemies on the fly while avoiding rocks that jump from the distance and collecting diamonds.  There are 100 scattered throughout each stage, and picking them all up enables you to unlock additional rewards, including a higher powered water cannon and a better jetpack.  You are limited to only using one power-up at a time, but Renegade Kid probably set it up that way so the game wouldn’t be a total pushover.  No biggie.

What’s more, it utilizes 3D in an ingenious way, where you can actually jump between the background and foreground without it being a distraction.  Enemies pop out beautifully, right at you, and it never gets to the point of feeling gimmicky.  Renegade Kid has a damn good idea how the third dimension is supposed to work, and we can only imagine where they’ll take it with their next project.

Along with savvy 3D effects, the graphics smack of old-school NES flavor.  The character design is vintage, with tricky level design, cartoon-like explosions and little pieces of environment that stand out in their own right, including clouds and trees.  Clearly, Renegade was influenced by the earlier era of video games – thus my estimation of what their offices are like.

For that matter, the music also shines.  The soundtrack is definitely of the “bit chip” variety, but truly excellent.  The sound effects aren’t much, save for little bop noises and explosions, but they serve their purpose.  Plus, I’m happy with the fact that Max isn’t saddled with a cruddy nerd voice.  We hate it when the unlikely hero sounds even more unlikely than he’s supposed to be.

The only way Mutant Mudds could’ve been any better is if Renegade added some online leaderboards to the completion times.  But that’s a very minor complaint for an otherwise superb platformer that every 3DS owner needs to experience.  Mutant Mudds is well worth its $9 price tag, an adventure that’ll remind you of the good ol’ days – or prompt you to check out what made them so special to begin with.

Via: Mutant Mudds Review (Nintendo 3DS)