New Games

---

• Griptonite Games explores the history of Shinobi
• TROLOLOLOL: PSN will be down all tomorrow
• The DTOID Show: Jonathan Holmes reviews Skyward Sword!
• Big Head Mode in Batman: Arkham City is pretty ridiculous
• The great Zelda musical tribute celebration! Day three!
• Sins of a Solar Empire now on Steam, more Stardock coming
• Preview: SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online
• PS3 Saints Row: The Third bonus content: Saint's Row 2!
• Unidentified Furry Objects; puppets from space
• Fallout: New Vegas graphic novel now available to us all
• Happy 59th birthday, Shigeru Miyamoto!
• Live show: Skyrim dragon-shouting on Mash Tactics
• Review: Otomedius Excellent
• Cameo in Atlus' King of Fighters XIII unboxing video
• I Can't Believe It's Not Zelda!
• Give thanks for Sega's PSN and XBLA game sale
• Review: Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi
• Ninja Gaiden 3 new screens show Ryu in Dubai
• Skyrim sells around 3.5 million copies in 48 hours

Griptonite Games explores the history of Shinobi Posted: 16 Nov 2011 03:00 PM PST The Shinobi games were really good. The new trailer for Shinobi 3DS, "History of a Franchise," details  what made the games so good and what developer Griptonite is focusing on to maintain that history.  Also, the game's out now. If you own a 3DS, you might need to go check it out. I know it's on my list of pre-2012 purchases.

TROLOLOLOL: PSN will be down all tomorrow Posted: 16 Nov 2011 02:00 PM PST I hope you like your single-player MW3 because that's all you'll be doing after 8 a.m. Pacific tomorrow on that PS Triple. LOLOLOL. I'm kidding, and actually "some users may be able to play online during the maintenance," says Sony. You'll also be able to collect Trophies, though they won't be updated on your profile until the network is back up. On November 17th, from 8 a.m to about 10 p.m. Sony will be performing routine scheduled maintenance. This means that account maintenance and registration will be down, as will the PlayStation Store. Wow. Why do they need 14 hours of daytime maintenance time? [Chad Warden artwork by Virus-20]

The DTOID Show: Jonathan Holmes reviews Skyward Sword! Posted: 16 Nov 2011 01:43 PM PST Happy Wednesday, duders! I didn't get a chance to say my classic opener on the show today, so I figured I'd save it for you guys. How's that for generosity? Tonight on the Destructoid Show's Variety Hour, I provide details for the first DLC pack for Assassin's Creed: Revelations and chastise THQ for giving PS3 owners the shaft, while Max talks about how popular Skyrim is and then puts on his Captain Obvious hat to report on the latest next-gen console news. Best of all, Jonathan Holmes sent in his video review for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which may or may not have caused me to sit in front of my computer for five minutes pinching his cheeks through the screen. (I may or may not also need professional help.)

Big Head Mode in Batman: Arkham City is pretty ridiculous Posted: 16 Nov 2011 01:30 PM PST I tend to think of sports games when it comes to Big Head Mode, but Rocksteady Studios was willing to apply the equally creepy and funny style to Batman: Arkham City. Good on you! All that's required to enable the mode is holding down both triggers and moving the analog sticks in a circular fashion. Though the video demonstration showed this happening while the Cryptographic Sequencer was out, I don't think that having the device active is a requirement. Haven't had time to try this out for myself, but others are saying you can even initiate it from the main menu. One has to wonder what else Rocksteady has hidden in Arkham City. Batman gets a big head in this Arkham City Easter egg [Joystiq]

The great Zelda musical tribute celebration! Day three! Posted: 16 Nov 2011 01:00 PM PST Today's festivities are all about sick flows and phat beats. We kicked off yesterday with a lyrical spin on the NES original, but today we flip the script and lead with "Zelda II" by my favorite geek music duo, The Adventures of Duane & BrandO. Unfortunately, Duane and BrandO have since disbanded, but they've left behind a legacy of fun jams that you just wanna rap along to on long car rides. DnB also have a cover of the original game, which I've slotted after the jump. Also after the jump, catch a joint by none other than Mega Ran plus a hilariously awesome Wind Waker beatbox. Let's get to steppin'! And here's "Zelda" by The Adventures of Duane & BrandO. Obviously, I should have posted this one before the follow-up; I just think "Zelda II" is a billion times better. You should notice a few lyrical motifs shared between the two songs, linking them not only thematically but structurally as well. It's a nice touch. Hell yeah, Mega Ran! Off Random's Forever Famicom DLC EP is "Hero Muzik" featuring Ilyas of hip hop group Tanya Morgan. It uses the title theme from Zelda II as a backing for a "hero to the rescue" anthem. It's also injected with a bunch of game references beyond Zelda, from God of War to Millipede. Bonus game love! "Link's Barrel Beat" by Jake "Jenjamik" Clark takes Link's various grunts from Wind Waker and arranges them into one totally sick beatbox. The best part about it is that it loops endlessly! To get the full experience, hit the link to visit the movie's Newgrounds page and just let that sucker run for about half an hour or until your ears bleed! TTFN! Ta ta for now! ["Octorawk" artwork by Glen Brogan]

Sins of a Solar Empire now on Steam, more Stardock coming Posted: 16 Nov 2011 12:30 PM PST Guess what, Steam gamers? (I think that's just about everyone on PC these days.) Stardock is now offering its games on the popular digital distribution service. The first title, Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity, is already available. It will be $19.99 regularly, but right now it's on sale for $14.99. Stardock used to own its own digital distribution service, Impulse. It's since been sold to GameStop, so they don't have any reason to to keep their games off of Steam. Sins is just the first one, and Stardock is planning on introducing more titles over the next few weeks. If you have never played Sins, then you need to drop everything you are doing and go get it immediately. It's a giant scaled real-time strategy game, and it will let you carve out your own empire in space. There is plenty of fun to be had battling the AI, or you can fight with your friends in some multiplayer action. It's one of my favorite games that I have never had time to really play. Now that there is a version of it on Steam, maybe I'll finally find some friends to play it with me. Other Stardock games which could become available include Elemental: War of Magic, Demigod, and Galactic Civilizations.

Preview: SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online Posted: 16 Nov 2011 12:00 PM PST The Gundam series is unarguably one of the most influential anime series to have ever left the shores of Japan. I mean, what's not to like about it? It has giant robots, crazy space battles, and enough compelling content with the myriad animations, toys, and videogames it has conceived to last a lifetime.  The latest to join the ranks of (its often mediocre at best) videogame entourage, is the free-to-play, MMO third-person shooter SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online. A collection of Gundam's past and mostly present -- containing mechs up to the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 series -- fans of all ages have a lot of nostalgia to discover when this game blasts its way onto PCs next month. SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online (PC) Developer: Softmax Publisher: OGPlanet Release: December, 2011 The first thing enthusiasts will notice about SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online is (like the "SD" suggests) this title brandishes the super-chibi style of Gundams that are fun for all ages, and not the traditional style mechs of the animes. Some may be disappointed with this design choice, but it's hard to be upset for very long once you see how adorable these tiny little badasses are in action. Perhaps what makes them so infectious is the games unique and clever way of distributing each Gundam. Whether it be through real or in-game currency, players unlock new Gundams by spending money on capsule machines. (You know, the things you once crammed quarters in at the front of the grocery store to get a giant sticky hand or stale skittles.) The thrill of opening up these rare and powerful Gundams adds tremendously to the game's childlike charm, but it's not the only means of acquiring powerful units. Blueprints are also offered as a way of cashing in lower-level Gundams (as spare parts) to make stronger mechs for those who have bad luck with the capsule machine's randomness. Every Gundam can also be fully customized when it comes to paint and stickers -- just like building a model kit at home. Paints can be added individually or, for faster results, by using preset schemes and there are even high-gloss finishes. Unfortunately, there's no mixing and matching of parts to create crazy Franken-Gundams. On top of altering the look of each Gundam, players can also adjust the skills of their mechs with experience earned from battles. With the right augments, a class C Gundam can hold its own against a more powerful class A, which currently is the highest rank. Combat in SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online is very fast and intense -- at least in the co-op mission I played during my preview. My first go tossed me, with a developer of the game, into a highly chaotic fight where we were tasked with taking down four much larger "boss" Gundams. As someone who is used to the traditional WASD keyboard and mouse setup, getting the feel of my mech was instantaneous. Scrolling the mouse wheel (as well as the 1 through 4 keys) cycles weapons and double tapping any direction results in a quick effective dash. With this knowledge at hand, I was ready to make scrap metal out of the opposition with my sword and blaster. Trying to run and gun by yourself will -- as I quickly and repeatedly found out -- lead to very fast death. Fighting the giant Gundams with their irksome troops running interference, on first attempt, proved to be too much for us. It's not a one-death sort of situation in a co-op mission, but boss Gundams can pack a series punch -- which for me meant getting constantly trapped in its deadly laser blasts -- leading to many deaths and our ultimate failure. But we were not going to let this defeat crush our spirits. Enlisting the help of a third player (co-op supports up to four) I took, along with my team, a newly found respect for the tactical aspect of SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online's skirmishes. The city environment our encounter took place in offered many tall buildings to snipe and hide from. This cover became extremely beneficial when the boss Gundams would fire their massive laser beams. With this much more coordinated attack, we were able to effectively draw fire from our enemies and flank them 'til victory was had. The game may have a simple look, but fans of Gundam young and old will find plenty of challenge in the tough-as-nails AI. As a third-person MMO (I use that term loosely), SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online's biggest draw is in its player-versus-player combat. Up to 12 players can duke it out in four different modes that range from points, tag, stock, and greed. Battles can range anywhere from 6v6 down to smaller 2v2 matches and some modes even allow for units to be swapped during the middle of combat from a support ship. While I didn't get a chance to try this mode out, it's apparent from a design standpoint that PvP is the game's focus. There are 30 PvP maps to fight in, where as of now, co-op only offers nine missions and the brief single-player only has two. SD Gundam Capsule Fighter Online has a simple look, with very generous minimum computer specs needed to play, but the combat mechanics strike a balance that should offer a rewarding experience for those who invest the time. I only worry that there may not be enough content to keep the more casual fans entertained for the long haul. Regardless, diehard Gundam followers have a lot fan service to look forward to when the game launches in early December.

PS3 Saints Row: The Third bonus content: Saint's Row 2! Posted: 16 Nov 2011 11:30 AM PST The bonus content for the PS3 version of Saint's Row: The Third has been revealed by THQ today. Get the game and redeem your online pass in 90 days and get a digital copy of Saints Row 2 for free! Sometimes "additional content" is crap costume DLC. This time it's a free game, and a good one at that. Your free Saints Row 2 will be available early next week. If you've already redeemed your code, keep your eye out for the content. For the rest of you, this offer expires at midnight on February 13, 2012, so get on it!

Unidentified Furry Objects; puppets from space Posted: 16 Nov 2011 11:00 AM PST Once Upon a Monster came out last month, and now has some DLC coming out which adds a new chapter to the storybook game. Starting November 22 and for 400 MSP, you can shake your booty with all of the usual Sesame Street gang, their new monster friends, and now aliens. Double Fine has released some screen shots of the new DLC, so you know what you're in for, but really it is just more cuteness. How can you say no to cuteness?

Fallout: New Vegas graphic novel now available to us all Posted: 16 Nov 2011 10:30 AM PST The Fallout: New Vegas Collector's Edition was no Skyrim Collector's Edition, but it was still pretty damn sweet with the cards and the bonus in-game content. Among said extras was the Fallout: New Vegas - All Roads graphic novel, which was only available through the Collector's Edition. Bethesda seems to have changed their mind about this, and are letting anyone and everyone get their hands on a digital version of All Roads for a price. No, not your lives -- you already did that after playing one of Bethesda's games -- I'm talking about money, people. For $2.99 you will gain access a digital copy of All Roads for either PC or on iTunes.  All Roads tells an interesting story, which was written by the game's senior designer Chris Avellone, set in New Vegas which leads up to the beginning of the actual game. Dark Horse Digital helped out a bit, and it can be bought directly from their site. You can also preview the graphic novel, which is nice.

Happy 59th birthday, Shigeru Miyamoto! Posted: 16 Nov 2011 10:00 AM PST On this day 59 years ago, one of the most influential men in gaming was born. How fitting that the father of Mario and Link would celebrate his birth during Zelda week! Happy birthday, Shigeru Miyamoto! Celebrate with some tribute videos, beginning with Awkward-Squid's amazing "Legend of Miyamoto" above! Mega64: New Super Mario Bros. Video GameJew Sings To Miyamoto (Hey! Remember GameJew?) The greatest moment in E3 history

Live show: Skyrim dragon-shouting on Mash Tactics Posted: 16 Nov 2011 09:30 AM PST At long last, Mash Tactics is exploring the land of Skyrim in Elder Scrolls V. People in our channel's chat have been asking repeatedly when Carnage and Wesley will play Skyrim and today, at 4pm Pacific, the time finally comes. Come watch the guys shout at dragons, get launched into orbit by giants, and stick buckets on NPC's heads. Mash Tactics airs Monday through Friday at 4pm Pacific. Watch Jon Carnage and Wesley Ruscher down energy drinks and freestyle rap about the human perineum on Destructoid's Twitch TV channel. Also, there are videogames being played. Join us for your chance to win prizes, talk to industry guests, and witness all of the glorious antics.

Review: Otomedius Excellent Posted: 16 Nov 2011 09:00 AM PST We don’t often have guest reviewers at Destructoid, because we need to offer the utmost credibility when analyzing a game in a critical light. However, there is no one more credible than my Uncle Nachos when it comes to the Gradius series. While I personally have been awaiting the series spiritual successor Otomedius Excellent since I saw it at E3, this event means a lot more to my uncle, who is a dedicated fan of Konami’s shooter series. So, for this one time only: Climb aboard Uncle Nachos' magical anime-boobie ship and blast off into a land of super credible critical analysis. It may just change your life forever. Otomedius Excellent  (Xbox 360) Developer: Konami Publisher: Konami Released: November 8, 2011 MSRP: $29.99 Hi there. My name is [redacted] but you can just call me Uncle Nachos. Since the ‘80s I’ve been a Gradius super-fanatic! For you hot 'n sexy youngins (HEH) that think shoot-em-ups are some sort of military shooter where you shoot foreigners in space, you are sorely mistaken. Back in the day, vertical and sidescrolling shoot-em-ups ruled the arcade, but above all it was Gradius and its sequels that entranced me the most. I only got out of the state penitentiary eight months ago, so I’m a bit behind on what happened to my beloved Gradius series. A friend in the pound, Lil’ Yo, told me that Gradius V was the last one he played and it was one of the best PS2 games in existence. I sure would like to try that, but I only have a Xbox 360 at my papa’s place. Imagine my surprise when I heard of Otomedius Excellent! Otomedius Excellent is everything I love in life: Gradius, graphics, and cute little girls! Hehe! Not since I laid my hands on [redacted], have my palms been so wet and sticky to get a hold of a babe. I should say “babes,” because Otomedius offers many choices of quality women dressed in attire that is perfectly suitable toward my tastes. As a collector of [redacted] porn, it really makes me feel right at home. I also appreciate that the menu screens are navigated with a cursor mapped to the right-stick and A button; this leaves my other hands free for extra fun! ;) Don’t pull your pickle out just yet, guys, because this little whore ain’t the woman she used to be (if you know what I mean!) Sure, Gradius' unique upgrade system, that lets you choose what ability to unlock by spending collected points, returns. As does the ship customization options that let you alter your loadout before a game. However, Otomedius lacks the tight controls, imaginative levels, and challenging bosses I expect of a Gradius title. I’m as big a fan of big-boobed girls in tight ships as the next guy -- OK, maybe not as much as my ex-cellmate 'Jackin' Jojo -- but Otomedius looks like ass and probably would taste like one if you could bite into it. Along with the excellent Gradius series, Konami had a goofy, surreal spin-off series in the ‘90s called Parodius. Otomedius doesn’t have the imagination or spectacle of Parodius, nor does it have the atmosphere and smart design of Gradius. It stands in between the two as a very average shoot-em-up that happens to feature some lovely ladies that I’d love to fly around in my cockpit (HEH!) I admit that I’m new to using a Xbox 360 controller, but damn if these ladies aren’t as slippery and wet as a walrus’ throat. One tap on the left-thumbstick sends your lovely gal a couple positions foward, making for some very choppy action. I felt my chub going flat in my skin-tight cougar pants, as I tried to acquire the pin-point accuracy the game’s bosses demand. This problem only gets worse as you upgrade your speed, making it possible to fly across the map in a milisecond like some sort of disco-club methhead who just fisted a bag of angeldust into his rectum. On top of being a very lousy game, this console port is a technical mess. There are slowdown issues, the default button placement is awkward, and you can’t access any options mid-game. Like its arcade predecessor Otomedius G, Otomedius Excellent is about as pretty as a beatdown crackwhore popping a squat next to a dumpster outside a Denny’s (reminds me of last night, hehe). Deathsmiles II, another shooter from this year which features some very young and lovely ladies, also resembles a Dreamcast title, but it managed to still offer good art direction and some nostalgic eye-candy. Otomedius just looks flat-out bad, although the later sections in space look alright. I mean, how can you make space look anything less than alright? The game includes leaderboards -- which you can organize by birth month for whatever reason -- online/offline three-player co-op, and video replays. These are to be expected of a retail release for a game that could have very well been a downloadable title. The game still feels like a rushed port. This is most evident by the awkward menu navigation and the lack of English voice-overs. It’s as if Konami hit its head on its crackpipe (HEH) and forgot how to make a good Gradius game! The bullets often blend into the colorful backdrops, making them hard to see: C’mon, this is basic! I never played a shooter before that I wanted to end so badly. The game’s final two stages are the most awkward of all, since they throw a cavalcade of bosses at you that all share a similar weakness. Sure, I find that hot little big-boobed cat-pirate anime babe boss enticing but I’d rather serve another five year sentence than play through this game again. It’s a trap! Look, I spent five years in jail for the distribution of [redacted] so I can understand If you are in dire need of some anime boobs. Sometimes a man needs some lovely ladies to accompany his shoot-em-up action. But I highly recommend seeking out Deathsmiles I & II and Trouble Witches Neo! before bringing this ugly, confused game back to your place for some potentially incriminating fun. ------------------------------------- If you guys have any questions about Otomedius, the classic Gradius games, or how to pick-up chicks on Craigslist, feel free to shoot away in the comment section below. And thanks again to the Dtoid guys for letting me offer some old man insight. You guys rock! <3  ~UNCLE NACHOS~

Cameo in Atlus' King of Fighters XIII unboxing video Posted: 16 Nov 2011 08:30 AM PST Atlus busts open a copy of The King of Fighters XIII to show off the included 4-disc soundtrack compilation in this unboxing video. 4 discs! That's a crazy bonus. This free bonus set is named The King of Soundtracks '94-XIII. See what they did there? Here's another thing they did: Put Mr. Destructoid in the unboxing video. What a clever way to get our attention, Atlus. It worked. Great. Now everyone knows just how easy we are. Oh, and you should have tried to open the disc with Mr. Destructoid. Or Teddy.  The King of Fighters XIII drops on November 22, 2011 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

I Can't Believe It's Not Zelda! Posted: 16 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST All this week, Destructoid will be posting Zelda-themed features to celebrate this weekend's release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. It's Zelda week! Can you ignore a Zelda release? I can't. Sure, I've joined the "Ugh, another entry with the same formula?" army before, but after four years of speculation, I can't very well ignore Skyward Sword. There is something so enjoyable about the Zelda formula and watching it slowly evolve from title to title. It's not strange to feel nostalgic for a certain Zelda because of its systems, art style, navigation, or particular world and story. Over the years, developers have taken notice of this and applied Nintendo's magic formula to their own games. This is a list of the greatest Zelda knock-offs of all time. Whether you want an NES-style Zelda or an epic adventure in HD, many options are available to ease the anticipation for Skyward Sword. Let's explore beyond Hyrule for a short while longer. If you like The Legend of Zelda (1987) ... It's hard these days to play a game involving action of any kind that doesn't borrow many design elements originally found in The Legend of Zelda. Item collection, unlockable areas, world maps -- there are so many ideas that were introduced through this influential game. Unlike its sequels, The Legend of Zelda primarily focused on battles and puzzle-solving within dungeons. Outside of a few hidden items, the overworld existed merely to connect the dungeons together. The games listed below follow the original's structure and graphical style closely. Then you may also like ... James Bond 007 (Game Boy, 1997) Before Batman: Arkham Asylum, we had James Bond 007. It was the first time an established pop culture icon made a jump into games by following the The Legend of Zelda template heavily, and damn if it wasn't awesome! (Sure, Rambo on the NES copied Zelda II, but the less said about that one the better.) 007's combat and bosses may be lacking in retrospect, but the game still managed to capture the adventure and romance of playing as Bond while channeling the magic of Zelda through exploration and gaining new gear. It's hard to return to the Game Boy's graphics these days, but this gem is worth it. 3D Dot Game Heroes (PlayStation 3, 2010) It's hard to believe this charming, retro Zelda throwback is from the same guys who made Dark Souls. Then you get to the later dungeons and realize the final boss is f*ck-off hard! Even beyond its glorious LEGO-like visuals, 3D Dot Game Heroes is a fantastically designed game full of secrets, challenging dungeons, and tricky boss fights. Perhaps it's blasphemy to say I prefer it to its source of influence, but I do. There is nothing more satisfying then clearing a room with a giant sword in one sweep, and nothing worse than losing that ability and getting your ass kicked because of it. Golden Axe Warrior (Master System, 1991) While I'd call the other games that populate this feature "Zelda-esque," Golden Axe Warrior is a straight-up shameless clone. However, it's a good one for a system that was in sore need of one. While it's easy to write off Sega's attempt at mimicking Nintendo's winning formula, Golden Axe Warrior managed to appease both Golden Axe and Zelda fans. With superior visuals, audio, and a world populated by villages, Sega fans got the last laugh with this forgotten classic. If you are more of a Zelda II fan (weirdo!), make sure to check out the Game Gear sequel Ax Battler. Other recommendations: Neutopia I & II, Ys I & II, Willow (NES), Crystalis, StarTropics If you like Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1988) ... While Zelda II remains a divisive sequel among series fans, there is no arguing that it contains some brilliant ideas (regardless of how well they were executed). Between the addition of experience points, populated towns, and sidescrolling combat, Zelda II presented a unique experience that didn't rest on the laurels of its predecessor. I personally wouldn't touch the game with a ten-foot pole, but I'd happily play the great games it inspired. Then you may also like ... Faxanadu (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1989) Much like Zelda II, Faxandu is a complete left-turn of a follow-up that leaves most of the hard RPG elements from the Japan-only Xanadu out of the picture. Instead, Faxandu favors side-scrolling action without forgoing item-hoarding and experience-grinding. The result is a much more gothic take on the Zelda II format that is well worth playing for its combat and haunting world. The game has received a cult following over the years, and it's now available to a much wider audience via Virtual Console. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (Master System, 1989) In stark contrast to Faxanadu, Wonder Boy III is a twee, colorful alternative to Zelda II. It lacks an overworld map, but in its place is a large non-linear world full of shops, enemies, and collectible items. Many consider Wonder Boy III an early example of a "Metroidvania," since you need to acquire specific items to progress through certain areas. However, I liken the game to Demon’s Souls since most of this exploration is optional and mainly there to make battles easier. You can handle levels in order or jump ahead for a weapon that will help you out. This interesting approach, paired with the game's gorgeous visuals, help it stand out as the best in its series (something that will always be contended). You can pick up both the original and the equally good TurboGrafx-16 port on Virtual Console. The Battle of Olympus (Nintendo Entertainment System, 1990) No other game copied the Zelda II formula as faithfully as The Battle of Olympus (also known as "The Adventure of Link in Greece"). Yet there is a strong argument to be made that this obscure, historically inaccurate title is superior to Link's second outing. With improved combat and a compelling story -- fans of mythology will especially appreciate this one -- it's easy to forgive Olympus' grueling difficulty and tiresome leveling. Unfortunately, you'll need to hit up eBay for a $5-10 copy of this lost odyssey. Other recommendations: Ax Battler, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Rygar (NES), Legend of Princess, Golvellius: Valley of Doom If you like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1992) ... Link's Super Nintendo sequel built upon the original while introducing a memorable plot twist, iconic items (the hookshot!), and a world full of details and secrets. It's the first Zelda game that you could get lost in, and like many others, I did just that every day after school in second grade. It's difficult to replicate the perfection of this game, but many attempted and a few came surprisingly close. Then you may also like ... Crusader of Centy (Genesis, 1994) While Crusader of Centy is a much briefer adventure than A Link to the Past, it has its share of plot twists, secrets (Sonic the Hedgehog has a cameo), and mini-games (such as a top-down kart racer). It's kind of amazing that developer Nextech was able to get such colorful, detailed graphics that mimic A Link to the Past quite well, despite the console's limited hardware. Centy's unique combat system is entirely its own creation. Throughout the game, you collect animals that modulate your sword attacks and give you special abilities, and you can even combine them for different attacks. Centy lacks the epic scope of its SNES competitor, but it gave Genesis owners a little taste of Nintendo's classic without feeling like a soulless clone. You'll have to throw down ~$65 on eBay to play this one, though. Alundra (PlayStation, 1998) From its flashy anime cutscenes to its Chrono Trigger-esque visuals, Alundra is everything an old-school Zelda fan wanted in 1998. The story was more mature, the puzzles were more difficult, and the game oozed atmosphere. It's a much different beast than A Link to the Past due to its focus on storytelling, platforming, and puzzles. As a result, the game has an intense fanbase that claims it to be superior to any of Link's 2D adventures. Just don't mention its awful sequel; it's a real sore spot for them. Head to PlayStation Network if you want to see whether the hype is deserved. Beyond Oasis (Genesis, 1995) With its comic book visuals, Middle Eastern-inspired setting, and beat-'em-up combat, there is a lot to like about Beyond Oasis. Whereas Crusader of Centy gave Genesis owners a strong Zelda-inspired adventure, Beyond Oasis feels much more original and innovative. I personally enjoy Oasis' combat a lot more than A Link to the Past's and thought the boss fights were just as memorable, if not as clever. The game also includes a leveling mechanic that should satisfy Secret of Mana fans. It lacks the details and charm of A Link to the Past, but this is a great contemporary for the Genesis. Now Nintendo fanboys can play the game on Virtual Console or Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for PS3/Xbox 360. Other recommendations: Ganpuru: Gunman's Proof, Guardian of Paradise, Brave Fencer Musashi, Illusion of Gaia, The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang If you like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) and its sequels ... With the jump into 3D, Zelda increased its ambitions and scope. Now Zelda titles have multiple city hubs, tons of mini-games, and lock-on targeting. Not much has changed since then -- a wolf, a boat, whatever -- but the format for a modern Zelda is just as compelling as the structure that accompanied the 2D entries. If you are looking for a change in setting or some interesting twists on the format, look to these titles below. Then you may also like ... Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (Nintendo 64, 1998) Mystical Ninja gave N64 owners something to make the long wait for Ocarina of Time easier -- hell, Goemon even has a hookshot! Released six months before Link's foray into 3D, Mystical Ninja gave us a taste for 3D action-adventure through one of Konami's best series ... that they often deprive Westerners of. Between Goemon's golden crack pipe weapon and pointless inchworm crawl ability, he's a lovable character despite not having much sway with American gamers. The game's camera was frustrating, but the world was, nevertheless, a joy to explore due to its unique take on Japanese mythology (sprinkled with elements of sci-fi). Nothing about the game was refined, but it had spunk and many memorable surprises (mech battles!). If you don't fall in love with its terrible theme song, you better move on. This is another game in sore need of a Virtual Console release. Beyond Good & Evil (GameCube/PC/PlayStation 2/Xbox, 2003) For those looking for a more cinematic and mature Wind Waker, Beyond Good & Evil should do the trick. In contrast to Wind Waker's intimidatingly large world and complex dungeons, Beyond Good & Evil streamlined the 3D Zelda approach into a memorable plot full of conspiracy theories, likable characters, and stunning set pieces. As evidenced by its recent HD re-release, the game holds up surprisingly well due to its focused pacing and attention to detail. Every time you revisit the game's main city hub, there are subtle changes that reflect your accomplishments within the game's varied "dungeons." The focus on stealth and sea travel makes this especially worth seeking for Wind Waker fanatics. This is the perfect game to pick-up on PSN or XBLA to prepare you for Skyward Sword. Darksiders (PC/PlayStation 3/Xbox 360, 2010) It's ironic that Darksiders was written-off as being a shallow God of War clone before its release, as it was labelled a shallow Zelda clone afterward. If you hear someone say either, it's because they haven't actually played the game. While I find the game's art direction appalling, the combat, puzzles, and world felt like an intelligent update to the 3D Zelda format. Instead of a circle slash, you have a relatively deep combo system. Instead of pushing blocks, you solve puzzles with a freakin' portal gun! How cool is that? The game lacks the free-roaming aspect of a Zelda title, but it keeps the same dungeon and item-upgrade structure that gives comfort to many of us. Even Jim Sterling loved it, and as we all know, he doesn't enjoy videogames at all! Other recommendations: Okami, Mega Man Legends 1 & 2, StarFox Adventures, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, Batman: Arkham Asylum ----------------------- How do you guys feel about the term "Zelda clone"? Should we accept these games as merely entries in a genre and ignore their Zelda influence? Any glaring omissions from this list that you'd like to point out? What's your favorite "not Zelda but still a lot like Zelda" game?

Give thanks for Sega's PSN and XBLA game sale Posted: 16 Nov 2011 07:00 AM PST My favorite thing about digital distribution is that publishers will use any event or holiday as an excuse to have a game sale. Sega is having a 50 percent off sale on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, running from now through November 29. For this I am thankful.  PSN is up first, with sale prices good from now through Nov 29: • Comix Zone: $2.99 (was $4.99)  • Streets of Rage 2: $2.99 (was $4.99)  • Golden Axe: $2.99 (was $4.99)  • After Burner Climax: $4.99 (was $9.99) XBLA follows with a sale running from Nov 22 through Nov 28: • Crazy Taxi: 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)  • SEGA Rally Online Arcade: 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)  • Streets of Rage 2: 200 Microsoft Points (50% off)  • OutRun Online Arcade: 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)  • Happy Tree Friends: 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)  • Phantasy Star 2: 200 Microsoft Points (50% off) Phantasy Star 2 is too good of a game to be priced that low! I missed OutRun Online, so I'll definitely be picking it up at this price. What will you be getting? Be sure to remember Sega when you give thanks this holiday.

Review: Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi Posted: 16 Nov 2011 06:00 AM PST Dragon Ball Z games are a dime a dozen. The TV series may have ended 15 years ago, but that hasn't stopped developers and publishers from trying to make the ultimate recreation of the show's experience in game form. The latest attempt even goes so far as to claim such right there in the title! So what makes Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi so... well... ultimate? Is this truly a case of truth in advertising, or is it merely a wish made once all seven Dragon Balls are gathered? Read on, dear friends, and ready those "Over 9000!" comments. Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 [reviewed]) Developer: Spike Publisher: Namco Bandai Released: October 25, 2011 MSRP: $59.99 First, let me say how ambitious Ultimate Tenkaichi is. Taking the huge storyline of the Dragon Ball Z series and condensing it for a game is no small task, especially when you weigh the fact that every DBZ game has repeated the same story ad nauseum. If I have to fight Raditz and Piccolo has to kill Goku at the beginning of every game, I'm going to shoot someone. Thankfully, the story has been nicely condensed to keep things fresh for folks familiar with the source material while not alienating those who are viewing a DBZ product for the first time. Developer Spike has done a great job of emulating the look and style of the show without going overboard on re-hashing. The bright colors pop and the backgrounds all fit within the scope and storylines involved. Recreating the epic battles the show is known for is an entirely different matter, and despite some issues, Spike has done admirably well in that respect too. Combat is heated, with characters charging Ki here and blasting energy there. There's even environmental damage based on attacks, though the environments only stay damaged for a brief, cinematic "aftermath" moment. Once the animation is finished, the area is clear of craters. It would have been nice if they stuck around and affected gameplay, but it's still a cool effect once the devastation occurs. There are two standard attacks, quick and hard. After a series of quick attacks, you'll go into "Clash" mode, where you basically have a 50/50 shot at hitting the opposite button your opponent does in order to win the clash and beat down your foe with a series of flashy moves. The first few times you do this, it's exciting and visually stimulating, but after a while, it becomes what all DBZ games degrade to: repetition. The main problem here is that all the characters perform essentially the same way. Sure, their special attacks (executed by tilting up or down on the right analog stick once "Spirit" energy has been gathered in battle) are unique to each character and look fantastic, but the standard combat looks and acts the same. As the game progresses, your character naturally evolves with the storyline, but since they all play the same, it doesn't make much difference, even despite the obvious power difference (cue "Over 9000!" now). In fact, while floating through the overhead map in story mode, I stumbled upon the in-game "World Tournament" and beat it with my base character without having advanced at all.. That isn't to say there's not a lot to do here. Far from it, as Ultimate Tenkaichi boasts the most robust gameplay modes in the series. For the first time ever, players can create their own Saiyan heroes and take them on an alternate-history version of the DBZ storyline, leveling and powering up their characters through training missions between battles. While the character creation isn't as deep as, say, those found in a WWE game, there's still a decent variety of edits to be made. Plus, it's kind of cool to power up your character for a brand-new beatdown. The story modes (the main story and "Hero Mode") will last about a dozen hours each, but they do get a bit tiresome. The presentation switches between cutscenes with in-game graphics and clips from the anime itself. Sadly, all of this is consistently broken up by long, arduous loading screens -- if I ever see another damn capsule, it'll be too soon! There are also your standard versus and tournament modes, as well as online play, but I had some connection issues in trying to find matches. Capturing the breadth of the Dragon Ball Z franchise is no small feat, and Ultimate Tenkaichi does an admirable job. While combat can be a bit on the repetitive side, there's still that hint of satisfaction when you decimate your foe with an canyon-creating power move. There's a lot here for fans to enjoy, and while the story may be streamlined for new fans of the franchise, I can't really recommend it to anyone but the hardcore.

Ninja Gaiden 3 new screens show Ryu in Dubai Posted: 16 Nov 2011 05:30 AM PST I get that Ryu Hayabusa is a total ninja badass, but I doubt that even he could stand the Dubai heat in all of that black, constrictive ninja garb. His little sleeveless number probably keeps his arm cool, but I'm sure he's withering away under all that rubbery chest wear and that mask.  Team Ninja sent out these brand new screens of Ninja Gaiden 3 today. Technically they're in Dubai, but you won't see much scenery through all of that blood. You'll also see those freaks from the Alchemist Forces getting cut the f*ck up. Ninja Gaiden 3 will be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in early 2012.

Skyrim sells around 3.5 million copies in 48 hours Posted: 16 Nov 2011 05:00 AM PST Bethesda has officially announced news that will shake the Earth -- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim had a successful launch! The publisher boasted "more than fifty perfect review scores" and expected global sales worth $450 million.  "More than 50% of launch units were sold in the first 48 hours and Bethesda Softworks has been receiving large reorders from major retailers in  North America, and across Europe and Australia," stated the company. "Online activity has been notable, with Steam reporting that in the first 24 hours of its release, Skyrim set a record with over 280,000 concurrent players, far outdistancing all other titles. "The eagerly-awaited title has garnered more than 50 perfect review scores, earning praise from some of the industry’s most influential and respected critics including: USA Today, G4TV, GameSpy, Wired, Eurogamer, Destructoid, GamePro, Official Xbox Magazine, Joystiq, The Guardian, and GamesRadar." Bethesda said it shipped seven million units to retailers and sold over half of them. Doing the math, Skyrim sold at least 3.5 million copies with 48 hours. Just think about that. That's almost half the amount of quests that I have incomplete in my Skyrim journal! Amazing!

You are subscribed to email updates from Destructoid To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610