SEGA reveals more details about Sonic Boom games at E3 2014
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 0 comments
SEGA and Nintendo partner to launch the highly anticipated Sonic Boom videogames exclusively for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS across Europe and in Australia
2nd June 2014 – An all-new Sonic the Hedgehog will be unleashed at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles with the debut of playable versions of new titles exclusively for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and 2DS systems. Nintendo of Europe will be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the games throughout European territories and Australia, with SEGA remaining as publisher. The new games Sonic Boom™: Rise of Lyric for Wii U, developed by Los Angeles-based Big Red Button, and Sonic Boom™: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS, from San Francisco-based Sanzaru Games, will introduce new gameplay and the most vile and formidable villain in Sonic history — Lyric.
In both games, Sonic and friends – Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and the newest member of the team, Sticks, will work together as they face their most powerful enemy yet. Lyric is a giant and monstrous snake-like creature from an ancient race. An extremely tech-savvy mastermind who uses a sophisticated robotic body of armour to carry out his own nefarious deeds, he is a formidable enemy and a force to be reckoned with. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, the roles of Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Sticks, will be elevated in gameplay that capitalises on each character’s unique talents and abilities. The goal is to prevent Lyric from powering his army of robots and carrying out his plan to destroy the world. The stakes have never been higher, and the only chance to overcome Lyric is to band together and work as a team.
Nintendo brings the thrill of E3 to everyone with live online events
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News, Wii U | 9 Comments
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nintendo goes “Live @ E3” next week with four big events that deliver real-time fun directly to fans. Get ready to enjoy the year’s biggest video game convention live from anywhere in the world.
On June 10, Nintendo will air the Nintendo Digital Event at 9 a.m. PT via http://e3.nintendo.com. Fans will enjoy breaking news about great gaming experiences on the way for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014 and beyond.
More: E3 2014, press release, top
Another look at the latest Wii U firmware update
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 0 comments
More: system update
Video: A look at the Wii U quick start menu
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 1 Comment
I’ve come to realize that trying to operate the Wii U while recording is pretty tough. Hopefully this turned out fairly okay though!
Wii U update version 5.0.0 out now, adds quick start menu and more
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 31 Comments
Nintendo has released a major system update for Wii U, bringing the firmware version up to 5.0.0.
One of the major features introduced in today’s update is the quick start menu. Players can now more easily begin playing games without having to encounter the menu screen.
Other changes/additions include new GamePad Alerts that can be displayed on the GamePad when the Wii U is turned off, the ability to install system updates after they’re finished downloading while the console is in Standby, and more.
More: system update, top
More Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric footage
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 7 Comments
Mario Kart 8 sells over 1.2 million units worldwide over first weekend
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 42 Comments
Update: Here’s a quote from Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, for what it’s worth!
“The early response to Mario Kart 8 demonstrates that the best days for Wii U are still ahead. This year’s E3 is just days away, and it will be all about the future games for Nintendo platforms. This milestone is a great place to start!”
In its first weekend, Mario Kart 8 managed to sell more than 1.2 million units worldwide, Nintendo has announced. That number applies to The Americas, Europe, and Japan from May 29 to June 1.
Nintendo of Europe president Satoru Shibata said:
“Such positive early feedback for Mario Kart 8 reinforces the great gameplay experiences that Wii U currently offers. With Nintendo set to showcase its future releases at E3 next week, this is a great milestone going into the summer season.”
Along with today’s announcement, Nintendo shared sales figures for previous Mario Kart entries. The seven older Mario Kart games have combined to sell more than 100 million total units, an average of more than 14 million units per title.
Source: Nintendo PR
More: Mario Kart 8, sales, top
Big Red Button on Sonic’s new look
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 1 Comment
While speaking Kotaku, Big Red Button’s CEO and creative director Bob Rafe touched on Sonic’s new look, the public reaction, and what the character means to the studio. Head past the break for a roundup of Rafe’s comments.
Tons of Sonic Boom details
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 4 Comments
A whole bunch of Sonic Boom details have come in from new press previews. You can find a roundup of the latest information below.
– Demo broken up into different selectable sections
– Level from the campaign, Doctor Eggman boss fight, on-rails level to zoom through
– Each played differently
– Zoomy level had several paths to take
– Each one leads to more or less rings
– Combo system assigns letter grades based on performance
– This seems to be based on number of hits and not variation of moves
– Also in play is some sort of collectible currency (apart from rings) that go toward what might be an upgrade system
– Puzzles are mixed in with combat and exploration
– Eggman fight features him in a giant suit and he shoots rockets which either crash into Sonic and/or Knuckles, or come to rest on the ground
– Need to pick up the undetonated ones and use the EnerBeam to fling them back at the evil doctor
“If you’re a classic Sonic gamer, a 2D fan, you have an appreciation for the platforming. This game has quite a bit of that classic platforming. I think these levels inspire some of that feeling for the old places that Sonic went back in the day.” – Steve Frost
– Game has some hub world interactions
– Most levels will feature a branching path that only one specific character (you’re presented with a choice of two per level) can take
– Select characters on the GamePad
– Hub worlds and speed levels will make use of Sonic Boom’s full roster
– When two local players are in the same game and the time comes to split up, player one runs a character with the GamePad on its screen and player two uses a Wii Remote or Pro controller for their character on the television
– Big Red Button Entertainment thought hard about adding split-screen local multiplayer — either to bring more human players to the game, or to let the Wii U Gamepad perform other functions for them
“We had, for a long time, considered split-screen play. And it just didn’t feel as special. If we’re out in real life, and we’re off exploring, we have our cell phones and cameras out, we’re calling each other and saying, ‘Hey, you should see what I’m seeing.’ We wanted to have that sharing.
“Split screen doesn’t really do that because you’re constantly staring at the other person’s screen. That sense of wonder, of what the other person is doing, is gone.”
– Sonic and his cohort are exploring an ancient, unknown island
– Eggman has sought to exploit an ancient evil being named Lyric,
– It’s turned out to be more than he can handle
– Eggman isn’t supposed to be a bumbler — “he’s still got that fun personality, but his presence overall is more formidable”
– Sonic’s principal concern is exploring the surface and neo-Atlantean ruins and beating up the danger lurking within
– Knuckles can climb rock walls in sections specific to him
– Tails can hover on air currents and ride them to his goal
– Each character comes equipped with an “enerbeam”
– This lets you grapple and move pieces in puzzle levels
– With it, you can also lasso and toss foes into one another
– This will be required in some battles
– Previews mention that the camera isn’t up to snuff
– 3DS version is more of a traditional 2D, scrolling platformer
– No multiplayer in the 3DS version
– Can swap characters on the 3DS touch screen and solve multiple platforming puzzles
– Sonic Boom on 3DS features its own story and another entry point into the canon
– Sega’s strategy is that wherever someone’s interest might be piqued they may find something different in the other two.
“The thought is, we can only show you X amount of the world, and the others can show you even more. By virtue of the cartoon, the toys and the games, you can see this big cohesive world.”
Falling Skies: The Game first screenshots, details
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 1 Comment
Little Orbit has published the first screenshots for Falling Skies: The Game, and we have several details about the title as well.
Falling Skies: The Game is in development for Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Steam. The tactical strategy RPG, due out this fall, takes place “in the tense, gritty world of the critically acclaimed series from Amblin Television.”
An overview is posted below:
Survival of the human race is at stake. Players will dive into a world gone wrong and command a squad of recently-rescued survivors who have been recruited into the human resistance fighting to save the planet. The team will engage in covert tactical operations against the Espheni fighting to survive against alien invaders while also rescuing and recruiting survivors to the join the 2nd Mass. With addictive strategy-based gameplay, players will be immersed into the unique story line with all their favorite heroes from the show.
Falling Skies: The Game offers “engaging tactical combat and an immersive story driven experience”. It will also provide players with “a never-ending list of missions as they join the 2nd Mass and fight the alien invasion including Mechs, Skitters and Harnessed Humans.” Hundreds of character skills and equipment upgrades can be unlocked, and dynamic enemy AI and map randomization are among the included features.
