New Games |
- Nintendo Force #1 is out, here are my impressions
- Disgaea 2 is coming to the PSN's PS2 Classics lineup
- Are you going to PAX East? Let us know!
- OC ReMix arranges the games of the Apex 2013 tourneys
- 'Gun violent' videogames removed from MA truck stops
- Destructoid is more than meets the eye in this new shirt
- Dtoid TV: Crashing Castles on Hangover
- NESteryears, killer NES remix album by OC ReMix's bLiNd
- This weekend on Dtoid TV: Sup, Holmes? with Twinbeard
- Andrew McCutchen is your MLB 13 The Show cover athlete
- The Daily Hotness: Australia is totally mature now, brah
| Nintendo Force #1 is out, here are my impressions Posted: 12 Jan 2013 10:00 AM PST Nintendo Force magazine, which was only publicly announced a few weeks back, officially launched yesterday, January 11. If you'd like to score yourself a copy of the debut issue, head on over to the Nintendo Force page and click "Buy this issue now!" There's a bit of rough -- not necessarily "bad" -- news up front. Though you can buy either a digital or physical copy of the mag right away, there is no option to subscribe just yet. This is a result of NF being distributed through MagCloud, which unfortunately does not offer subscriptions. Also, since the premier issue is a print-on-demand affair -- to gauge initial interest, I'd assume -- it is a bit pricier than anyone would have liked. The digital copy is $4.99, whereas the digital / physical bundle is a whopping $17.99 (though there's a coupon that gives you a 24% discount). This is a temporary thing until the NF crew can hammer out an affordable printing solution in time for issue #2, but in the meanwhile, know that all proceeds from mag sales are going to charity. But enough about that. How is the first issue? Let me tell you! First thing you'll notice is the cover: It is super clean! Extremely tasteful and smart, although the round Nintendo Force logo stamped in the right corner feels a bit awkward. As mentioned previously, Nintendo Force aims to carry the tradition of Nintendo Power, so it offers many familiar NP staples like reader's letters, envelope art, and a friendly writing voice. It's naturally heavy on the "Nintendo can do no wrong" attitude, but it's no more egregious than any issue of NP. Besides, it's refreshing to read a gaming publication that isn't overloaded with snark and cynicism. There are reviews of upcoming or recently released games like Fire Emblem: Awakening; previews of Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, Pikmin 3, and others; a retro section that explores old classics like Yoshi's Island and even Goof Troop; and a 2013 wishlist -- port begging inbound! There's even exclusive coverage of eShop's Mutant Mudd Deluxe, which features an interview with Renegade Kid's Jools Watsham and a peek at the new "parallel universe" levels. But the best is the original art! Throughout the issue are clay figurines of various Nintendo characters, created by Camille Young. Then we've got not one but three original comics, one of which is going to be an ongoing series -- "Super Mario Bros.: Neo Bowser City," written by David Oxford and illustrated by Mark Kelly, in which the Koopas manage to take over the Mushroom Kingdom during the plumbers' adventures in Dinosaur Land in Super Mario World. Oh, and no advertisements! The heart of the magazine is definitely in the right place, but if Nintendo Force is to succeed in a world dominated by instant information delivery across the net, I would hope the editors place a bigger focus on original features and try to score more exclusives. The Mutant Mudds Deluxe coverage is great, so I'd like to see more of that with potentially bigger titles as well. I also see potential for smart, thought-provoking editorials -- or maybe just some fun top 10 lists. Most of all, I hope the editors maintain their enthusiasm. This is a labor of love, which means there's a greater risk that they could lose interest if the magazine doesn't immediately take off. I truly want to see how far this project can go. If you are still on the fence, give the digital release a try. And if you want to be notified the second subscriptions become available, email subscriptions@nintendoforcemagazine.com with the subject line "I want to subscribe!" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disgaea 2 is coming to the PSN's PS2 Classics lineup Posted: 12 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST Get ready to join forces with Adell and Rozalin once again, as Nippon Ichi Software has announced that Disgaea 2 will be hitting the PS2 Classics lineup on the PSN come January 22nd. It'll be priced at $9.99, which is a steal provided you're a fan of SRPGs, as the game (in typical Disgaea fashion) boasts a few hundred hours of content. Of course, you're already free to partake in the enhanced edition of the game on your PSP and Vita -- Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days. While Disgaea 2 isn't my favorite game in the franchise, it's a ton of fun, and required reading for any SRPG fan. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Are you going to PAX East? Let us know! Posted: 12 Jan 2013 08:00 AM PST Holy crap! PAX East is just around the corner!! Every year, Dtoiders from around the globe make their way to Boston for the annual gathering of gamers and developers known as PAX East, and every year they have an absolute blast! This year will be no different, as the Destructoid crew will be out in full force, showing the East coast of the U.S. exactly what we're made of. This year, PAX is happening over the weekend of March 22nd through the 24th. Three day passes are long gone, but there are a few single day passes still left, so jump on 'em! Below is a very early listing of the Dtoiders currently planning to attend PAX East. If you'd like your name added to the list, let us know! Also, be sure to check out the info regarding our Google Group, as it's a great way to stay up to date with all the Dtoid PAX happenings! Dtoid Austin Again, if you're planning on attending, please tell us in the comments and we'll add your name to the list! Please be sure to include your region as well. If there isn't already a region established for you, why not start a Dtoid City Group of your very own? Contact me or Conor Elsea and we'll hook you up with all you'll need to know to get started! Also, be sure to join our PAX East Google Group and check out our Meetup Forums for additional info on group meetups, finding a roommate, travel arrangements, signing up to wear the Mr Destructoid helmet, and more! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| OC ReMix arranges the games of the Apex 2013 tourneys Posted: 12 Jan 2013 07:00 AM PST Running all weekend at Rutgers in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is the Apex 2013 fighting tournament. To promote the event as well as game arrangements in general, ten artists from OverClocked ReMix took a shot at arranging the music from the titles on the schedule. Well, technically nine artists -- DarkeSword covers two games, while John Ryan contributes the Apex 2013 main theme as the lead track. Apex 2013: Straight to the Top has tracks from Super Smash Bros., Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Persona 4 Arena, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition, The King of Fighters XIII, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, SoulCalibur V, and Pokémon Black & White 2. Hey, Pokémon isn't a fighting game! I doubt anyone is throwing up much of a fit over that, however. As with any other OC ReMix release, the album is free to download. And if you want to follow the tournament itself, you can check out any of the following TwitchTV streams: 8WAYRUN, bifuteki, and CLASHTournaments. Each are running different games, so take your pick! Apex 2013: Straight to the Top [OverClocked ReMix] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Gun violent' videogames removed from MA truck stops Posted: 12 Jan 2013 06:00 AM PST My original plan for today was to head out to Connecticut to talk to residents of Southington about their initiative to destroy violent videogames. That event was canceled. So one ridiculous sidestepping of the real issues in our society taken off the docket, right? Wrong. Just like the Hydra, cutting off one head results in two growing in its place. Now the town of Melrose, Massachusetts, is planning on doing its own "dump a violent videogame for coupons" drive, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has banned some gun-related videogames from highway rest stops, including Time Crisis and Beachhead 2000. Haven't any of these goofballs read Grand Theft Childhood? I'd be happy if violent videogames became less popular in an organic, natural way. That could be seen as an indication that American society was slowly becoming less obsessed with glorifying war and gun violence in general. To try to force that to happen by blaming and shaming violent videogames (and the people who play them) by censoring them out of existence is, at best, like putting a band-aid on a broken leg, or at worst, like amputating the wrong leg. We live in a society where news programs compete for ratings on a daily basis by broadcasting the most violent, fear-inducing, negative news they can dig up. This competition often occurs on a 24-hour cycle. We live in a society that continues to perpetuate the false idea that having a mental illness is something to be ashamed of, damning you to one of the lowest rungs on the cultural ladder if you happen to have an particular type of brain chemistry, and that mental health treatment often involves getting locked in a prison-like "Asylum" after getting punched in the face by a guy who dresses like a giant bat. We live in a society where recreational abuse of addictive drugs is frequently glorified in pop music, movies, and television, while the fact that many of America's mass shooters were self-medicating with these very same mind altering drugs gets brushed under the rug. It seems to me that our brains, and the way our brains fit into the greater culture, are the factors that most determine our behaviors. Taking a look at the brain chemistry of the those who commit murder and/or suicide, and how those brains were affected by the world around them, might be more effective in preventing future murder-suicides than banning Time Crisis. If someone plays videogames in a way that isn't healthy for them, that's a sign that the real world might not be working for them. If we try to take their coping methods away, they'll just find something else to replace them with, something potentially much more dangerous than videogames (like those addictive drugs that our society so frequently glorifies). Better to help people get to the root of their problems before cutting off their methods for dealing with life. Some people who have a tough time with life also enjoy videogames. Some people with migraine headaches routinely take aspirin. Lets not blame the aspirin for the headache. State removes violent games from rest stops [Boston Globe, via GameSpot] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Destructoid is more than meets the eye in this new shirt Posted: 12 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST You know what's cool? Transformers. You know what's not cool? That the Autobot symbol looks a little, well, emo. Have you really looked at it before? The robot mascot is sporting a frown face and looks like it's on the verge of tears! So we got to thinking what would happen if you cross the Autobot symbol with Mr. Destructoid. The result is Desctrutobot! This mega crossover was created by Baltazar Rosiles, and he's also responsible for our Metroid minimalistic design. The Destructobot t-shirt can be yours now for $19.95 over on our merchandise store filled with t-shirts and hoodies. And don't forget! If you purchase over $60 from our store you will get free shipping worldwide! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dtoid TV: Crashing Castles on Hangover Posted: 12 Jan 2013 03:50 AM PST The time has come once more to brandish weapons and set off to rescue damsels, as Saturday Morning Hangover reaches way, way back and fires up a little Castle Crashers. But first, Jordan and I will have to brave the dark and treacherous world of this week's Xbox Live Indie Games releases. And we'll also be taking a look at the most recent contributions to "Dafoeverse," the official Willem Dafoe Miiverse community on Wii U. Come and join us for another riotous good time this morning as we kick off the broadcast day on Dtoid TV!
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| NESteryears, killer NES remix album by OC ReMix's bLiNd Posted: 12 Jan 2013 02:00 AM PST MAGFest is the gift that keeps on giving! There was the new Armcannon album, and now we've got a full-length remix album by OverClocked ReMix legend Jordan "bLiNd" Aguirre. Will the magic and music ever stop? Just in time for last week's big event, bLiNd made available his first solo work, NESteryears. As the name implies, he chopped up some classic NES jams from Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more for your listening pleasure. bLiNd has been in the remixing biz for quite a while, so you know he's got this sh*t on lockdown. NESteryears is 11 tracks of electronica bliss for $7, or $10 for a physical disc. You can score it from GameChops, but be sure to catch the stream after the break before you do. NESteryears [GameChops]
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| This weekend on Dtoid TV: Sup, Holmes? with Twinbeard Posted: 12 Jan 2013 01:00 AM PST Join in on the conversation this weekend, as the always amazing Jonathan Holmes sits down with Jim Crawford from Twinbeard Studios, creators of Frog Fractions. If you haven't had a chance to check this game out, do your self a favor and play it now. I won't spoil anything, but trust me when I say there is a lot more going on here beyond a simple game about learning fractions with a frog. Although, that kind of happens as well. Check out our full schedule for the weekend:
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| Andrew McCutchen is your MLB 13 The Show cover athlete Posted: 12 Jan 2013 12:00 AM PST Box art is kind of a big deal. Bioshock Infinite's generic packaging landed Irrational Games in hot water last month and now Sony and Major League Baseball have created some excitement of their own. Nearly half a million votes were cast this week as a part of an online promotion to choose the cover athlete for MLB 13 The Show. Emerging victorious from the swarm of tweets and Facebook posts is centerfielder Andrew McCutchen. The Pittsburgh Pirates star garnered more than 100,000 votes to beat out the likes of CC Sabathia, Miguel Cabrera, Matt Kemp, Bryce Harper, Buster Posey, and Ryan Braun for the spot on the game's cover. Now if only the Buckos can play two halves this year, they might just be able to achieve their first winning season in two decades. Congratulations! Andrew McCutchen [Major League Baseball] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Daily Hotness: Australia is totally mature now, brah Posted: 11 Jan 2013 03:59 PM PST Ninja Gaiden R18+ down undah, son! Australians are hardcore macho gamers with all the blood and guts like everyone else. No one will ever think they're childish anymore. Today, Jayson Napolitano shares some Anarchy Reigns jams while Chris Carter shares some Anarchy Reigns tips, Ian Bonds thinks Fire Pro Wrestling for XBLA is poopy, CES flaunts a 4K TV as I smack my forehead, and Nintendo is gracious enough to give us a new 3DS bundle. Destructoid Originals: Community: Reviews: CES: News: Offbeat: Media: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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