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Day One DLC For Tekken Tag 2

2012-05-24T23:30:00Z

Namco Bandai announced today that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is set to release for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 the week of September 10. They're touting this installment of the series as having "the largest roster of fighters in Tekken history," but in fact, there's a way you can boost the number of playable characters. That's right, it's another pre-order bonus.

Pre-ordering at Amazon.com and Best Buy will get you Michelle Chang and Angel, while GameStop is offering Kunimitsu and Ancient Ogre in addition to Michelle Chang and Angel. So it seems that GameStop is the way to go. Unless you don't give a toss about Kunimitsu...

"Pleasing our fans is of paramount importance to the TEKKEN development team, therefore we are giving players full access to the wide array of fighters in TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 at no additional cost," said Katsuhiro Harada, TEKKEN Project Director at NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. "The roster of playable characters in any fighting game is an essential factor in contributing to a player's overall experience. By offering DLC characters at no additional cost to players, we are able to deliver a pure TEKKEN experience to all of our fans."

If they really wanted to please their fans, they wouldn't divvy up the DLC like that. While I appreciate that the bonus characters are free (albeit with a pre-order), the fact that they're releasing them at launch stinks of more of this on-disc unlockable DLC that's been all the rage lately. And honestly, if you were at all interested in pre-ordering this game to get the bonus characters, why would anyone opt to buy Tekken Tag Tournament 2 at Amazon or Best Buy if they're only going to get two instead of the four you get at GameStop?

Hands On: LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

2012-05-24T01:00:00Z

So I thought I could just swing by the Children's Museum of Manhattan for the special hands-on preview event for LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, play a little bit of the game, get some questions answered, and be on my way. What was I thinking? I'd forgotten how the LEGO games bring out the worst of my videogame OCD...

LEGO Batman 2 starts off with Batman and Robin foiling a bunch of their rogue's gallery, and then a prolonged battle against the Joker again, but then Superman flies by to say hi, and that's when things get interesting. The game will feature over 50 playable characters, and this time, in addition to Batman's cast of allies and enemies, you've got a whole bunch of the Justice League in attendance. You know, folks like Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman (and Hawkgirl), Black Canary, Martian Manhunter... and more! See, Lex Luthor decides to team up with Joker, which means it's going to take a lot more than Batman to get the job done this time!

I basically started out playing the full game from the start, and immediately you'll notice one of the biggest changes in the LEGO franchise: they speak! Yes, there is full voice acting for the characters this time around. (Clancy Brown voices Lex, as he did in the animated series, but don't look for Mark Hamill as the Joker or Kevin Conroy as Batman) It's initially off-putting, but it doesn't change the real appeal of the game, which is (to me, anyway) smashing everything you can and collecting all of those tiny little LEGO pieces! The reason for this change is that while Star Wars and Indiana Jones and Harry Potter have established stories, Batman does not, and with the first Batman, Traveller's Tales worried that the story wasn't entirely clear being told through LEGO gestures. I would argue that it was just fine, but I can't fault them for making sure their storytelling is crystal clear by giving voices to the characters.

I played as Batman and Robin for three story levels, and it was pretty much what you'd expect from a LEGO game. Smash things, solve basic puzzles to get to seemingly unreachable areas, and collect stuff. Lots of stuff. There's some new suits which give them new abilities, but it was mostly the same. Although I will say that the camera angle during a rooftop scene in the second level gave me serious vertigo, something that's never happened in a game before. After dispatching the Joker at the end of the third level, Superman swung by, and I couldn't take it anymore. So they unlocked everything for me. And I mean everything.

The hub level in LEGO Batman 2 isn't the Batcave, it's a wide-open explorable Gotham City, and it's huge (The Batcave is just one small section of it). I flew around it for a while as Hawkman, and it was pretty cool. Although running as The Flash is even cooler, because of the speed lines and blur. Everyone's got their own powers. Hawkman smashes with his mace, Wonder Woman whips her golden lasso and throws her tiara, Black Canary has a couple different canary cries, and Cyborg shoots lasers. It's almost too much fun.

I was suitably impressed by what I saw, and could've stayed there even longer. I mean, I was there for well over an hour playing the game... I wonder how long I would've had to stay before they said something. The event was scheduled to go for four hours... I guess they would've kicked me out when they had to close up shop! But what I saw has me excited, and any fellow DC Comics nerds out there should also get ready to check this one out. (By the way, they're obviously in modern, but still classic costumes — none of this New 52 stuff here!) LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is set ot release June 19 in North America and June 27 in Europe for the PC, PS3, 360, Vita, 3DS, Wii and DS. (So just about all of them, really!)

Capcom Causes Street Fighter Fangasms

2012-05-23T23:30:00Z

I can't believe it myself, but it seems that Street Fighter has turned 25. That's a quarter of a century of kicking and punching (and assorted special moves!). Wow. To commemorate the occasion, Capcom is planning lots of stuff throughout 2012 including global tournaments. But this article is all about that crazy-ass set of merch you see in the photo above, which is the Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Collector's Set. Each one is individually numbered and packed with Street Fighter games, video, art, music and collectibles, all in a special chest and a certificate of authenticity.

Inside the chest, you'll find four select Street Fighter games (playable on your Xbox 360 or PS3, depending on which version of the set you get): Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike Online Edition, Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition (with all costume DLC) and Street Fighter X Tekken (including all character and Swap Costume DLC). Then there's a two-disc Blu-ray set including a documentary on the franchise, the Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV anime movies, as well as all the episodes of the Street Fighter animated series and Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie.

There's also that 8" tall light-up Ryu statue that looks pretty boss. Oh, and an 11-disc soundtrack collection spanning the series' entire 25 years, including remixes and fan-created music inspired by Street Fighter. Not enough? Well, how about a 64-page hardcover art book that includes professional and fan pieces. Or maybe you're wondering what that rolled up black thing is in the bottom right corner of the photo. That's a full-size regulation martial arts black belt that is a replication of the one that Ryu wears (and emblazoned with his classic "Furinkazan" in kanji!)!

Of course, this kind of a set isn't going to come cheap, so it's pretty much for the real Street Fighter die-hards. Which, honestly, if you're even interested in the stuff that's in this box, you probably are. In which case, you're probably not going to mind shelling out $149.99 for the Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Collector's Set for Xbox 360 or PS3. (Honestly, that price doesn't seem that outrageous for what you're getting, at least not to me...)

The Devil May Cry In January Of 2013

2012-05-23T01:00:00Z

Actually, it's January 15, 2013, which Capcom has specifically slated as the release date for DmC Devil May Cry, the newest installment in the franchise starring the much hotter NuDante (YMMV, of course, but how anyone could watch that trailer where he was all nekkid and not think it was an improvement is beyond me...).

That's the release date for North America and Europe on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A Windows PC version is also in development, and is scheduled for release later in 2013. Also, DmC Devil May Cry is being fully localized with voice talent in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. And Polish, Dutch, Russian and Brazilian Portuguese languages are being supported with subtitles!

This Week's Rock Band DLC Is EPIC

2012-05-22T23:30:00Z

This week's Rock Band Music Store update is definitely epic, as long as you're a fan of heavy metal. Because today Harmonix released as DLC the six song pack they're calling "Maiden Epics," and it's a selection of Iron Maiden's most epic tracks from the '80s. In fact, the band is embarking on their "Maiden England" North American tour this June, which ties in nicely to this pack because they'll be singing almost exclusively the classics from that decade.

You'll get "Phantom of the Opera," "The Prisoner," "The Flight of Icarus," "Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Infinite Dreams," and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son." The tracks will all be available separately for the usual two bucks a pop, but the six-pack will run you only $9.99. "Icarus" and "Ancient Mariner" are the tunes with the optional $.99 Pro Guitar and Pro Bass upgrades, and only "Infitine Dreams" and "Seventh Son" have keyboard parts. (If that matters to you at all!)

Video: Wootini's Video Podcast #69

2012-05-22T01:00:00Z

So if you're reading this site, you already know about the review I talk about in the beginning. But then I move on to talk about a bargain bin-ish purchase that I sort of kind of regret (though it's okay, because the game was purchased with a GameStop gift card I got for filling out online surveys, so it was technically free). And I conclude with initial impressions of a brand new action RPG that I got a review copy of and some complaining about how publishers always seem to send review copies with only a day or two before the embargo lifts like you can play a massive RPG in that kind of time without having an actual life! Enjoy this week's ramblings!

Aliens: Colonial Marines Is Releasing For My Birthday!

2012-05-21T23:30:00Z

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Aliens: Colonial Marines - Suspense Trailer, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

You know, if anyone was wondering what to get me for a present, SEGA and Gearbox Software announced today that Aliens: Colonial Marines now has an official release date of my birthday. And Abe Lincoln's. That's February 12, in case you didn't know your (allegedly gay) presidents!

"I am thrilled to announce the definitive launch date for Aliens: Colonial Marines," said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. "Aliens: Colonial Marines is the culmination of a life-time of inspiration from the films and relentless passion and drive from the exceptionally talented development team behind the scenes."

This also reminded me that I somehow never wrote up what I saw of the new Aliens game at PAX East! An odd game to let fall through the cracks, for sure! Basically, Aliens: Colonial Marines is positioned as a cannonical sequel to the movie, Aliens. I was told that if they do their job right, the game will somehow make the much-maligned Alien 3 a better movie. (Personally, I have a soft spot for the relentlessly grim third chapter in the Alien series... it was with four that it went off the rails for me) Heck, they even got master designer Syd Mead involved in the game's production to design new locations. They also used designs from the Sulaco that he'd created for Aliens that weren't used in the film.

What I saw of the FPS in the video presentation looked spectacular. The graphics were gorgeous. The action was tense, frenetic and non-stop. About the only thing I didn't really like was the voice actor for the main character. He was a little weak... and if he's the main character, that could be a problem.

But enjoy this brand new trailer as you wait until February 12, 2013 to play Aliens: Colonial Marines on your Xbox 360, PS3 or PC. (There's a Wii U version in the works as well, but its release date has yet to be determined.)

Wootini's Weekly Animal Crossing Diary

2012-05-19T01:00:00Z

Dear Diary,

This felt like a really big week in Narnia, but when I checked my camera, there were hardly any pictures at all! I mean, three of them were of the same thing, mostly, so I just picked the best one. Oh, you'll see what I mean on the next page...

]]>

It was Mother's Day again, so of course, Mom sent me a lovely note and a flower. Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?

Also, I really want to tell her that she can have more than one day off a year. From all her update letters, it sounds like she bullies Dad on a regular basis, so why she's not making him do the cooking and cleaning is beyond me!

Last week, you might recall I tried to visit my friend's town but he was just standing there like a statue. Well, this week, we coordinated a visit so he could come and check out my town. Bucky was impressed by all my flowers, as all my visitors are. Of course, anytime anyone visits, I always have to start by warning them not to run anywhere. Don't want my guests tearing up my hard-earned hybrid flower beds!

And then, on the other end of the spectrum, Poncho informed me he was leaving. I asked him to stay, but he whined about how he'd already "dropped the hammer" on this decision, and it was too late to turn back now. I went by his place the next day though, you know, to check on his "hammer dropping," but nothing was packed up or anything. So either he's not going after all, or I've still got some time to try and talk him out of it. We'll see! To be continued!

Are You Part Of Multiplayer Battle Day?

2012-05-18T23:30:00Z

Kid Icarus: Uprising has proven to be a popular game for the Nintendo 3DS, and the multiplayer is a big reason why. But if you've been having trouble finding folks to play against, Nintendo wants to make it easier for you. Tommorow, Saturday, May 19, has been designated as Kid Icarus: Uprising Multiplayer Battle Day. Either online or locally, you're invited to come on out and play!

You can use Nintendo's Meetup Everywhere community to organize your own Kid Icarus: Uprising multiplayer gathering, or I suppose, since it's a bit late to put something together this last minute, find out if there's going to be one in your area. That way you can not only battle it out in Kid Icarus: Uprising, but trade AR cards, or StreetPass in-game weapons. (Not to mention the usual StreetPass benefits of more puzzle pieces and Find Mii soldiers!) Plus, Nintendo is sweetening the pot because they've said that the 20 groups with the most participants will receive special premiums, like AR Card packs and T-shirts!

So check out the Nintendo 3DS Meetups Everywhere site to find the 3DS community nearest you!

Review: Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir

2012-05-18T01:00:00Z

The Augmented Reality features of the Nintendo 3DS are lots of fun to mess around with, but can they really sustain an entire game? That's what Tecmo Koei's Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir hoped to find out, with the latest installment in the popular Fatal Frame series (technically considered a spin-off, I believe). This time, you're using an actual camera to capture the ghosts... but does it work?

]]> There are three modes to the game: Story Mode, Haunted Visions and Cursed Pages. The meat of the game is Story Mode, titled Fatal Frame: The Diary of Faces, where you come into possession of a cursed diary and use the 3DS cameras to unlock its secrets and interact with the ghosts in the world around you. The diary is an actual physical booklet included with the game, and has some nicely disturbing imagery within its pages. Each chapter has you investigating the diary for a bit and then using the Camera Obscura to defeat the unleashed ghosts by photographing them. There are multiple lenses you receive along the way, which are used to solve specific riddles. Most of them are not particularly difficult, although there are a couple that force you to really think outside the box. Meaning manipulating the 3DS and diary in reality and divorcing yourself from what's on-screen. That aspect, I found really intriguing, and I wish there was more of it.

Haunted Visions uses the 3DS cameras to take photos that can reveal the supernatural elements around you. Basically you take a picture of something or someone and the game "enhances" it with a ghost. There are three sections. In Spirit Photography, you take a photo of something and the game adds a ghost. Spirit Check, you take a photo of yourself or someone else, and the game adds a ghost. In Spirit Challenge, you take a photo of someone's face, and then it unleashes a ghost you must defeat with your camera. It's a cute novelty, and you can save any photos that come out well to your 3DS photo album, but usually they don't work that well.

Cursed Pages is a collection of four mini-games using the enclosed diary that are just extended versions of some of the tasks from the main game, including a hide-and-go-seek game where you track a ghostly boy through the pages of the diary. There's not much to them, and sadly, there's not much to the main game, either. It doesn't last long, and while finishing Story Mode does unlock a harder version (as well as stand-alone versions of the game's battles), it's still the same game with a bit of additional material. It's a shame, because the story is pretty decent, and some of the AR interactions in the diary are quite creepy. When they work, that is.

The main problem with Spirit Camera is that while the spinning around 360 degrees to photograph the ghosts attacking you works just fine, the diary is much more problematic. When you've locked onto a page and the image comes to life in a spooky tableau it can be very effective, but getting the camera to register the page can often be an exercise in frustration. You need enough light to make the page readable, but too much light and you'll create glare. And the slightest amount of glare on the page will throw the 3DS cameras off completely.

Graphics are good, although sometimes it seemed like the 3D effects were backwards, with a background mist appearing to be in front of Maya, the ghost that you're trying to help. There's minimal music, but the cues are effective enough. Oddly, only about half of Maya's dialogue with you is voice acted. The rest is just text. It's a little off-putting to begin a conversation with a spoken line and then read a few more lines, then have her speak the last line. Why not record the entire thing? That just feels lazy.

Seeing the diary come to life on your coffee table/lap/etc is a great effect, and looking around your own living space to interact with/defeat ghosts is a fun idea, but Spirit Camera is hampered by the limits of the overly-sensitive technology and the Story Mode's length. It's also not particularly portable for a handheld game, as you need to be able to rest the diary in front of you and spin around 360 degrees to see all the ghosts. Not something you can do on the train to work! But for fans of the Fatal Frame series, Spirit Camera might be worth picking up when the price drops (if you get it used, hopefully the diary is included, because it's required!), just for the novelty alone. It does have its charms...

A copy of Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir was purchased for the purposes of this review. Story Mode was played through to completion, and all mini-games were unlocked and tried.

Kingdom Hearts 3D's Mark Of Mastery

2012-05-17T23:30:00Z

I know some of you are really big Kingdom Hearts fans, and those of you with a Nintendo 3DS are probably anticipating the July 31release date of Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. Well, if you're a super-fan, you might be interested to know that there's also going to be a collector's edition of the game!

Square Enix has announced the Mark of Mastery Edition, which will be housed in a magnetic box. It will contain the game, a clear hard case skin cover for your 3DS, and 12 art cards. There will also be 5 AR cards to unlock rare Dream Eaters and a viewing stand so you can view your Dream Eaters from all angles. (This is the same viewer included if you pre-order the game, but here you'll get two additional AR cards)

This is the first collector's edition for the series, which is somehow celebrating its 10th anniversary (it doesn't look a day over 6!), and will run you $54.99.

Take That, SingStar!

2012-05-17T01:00:00Z

This week, there's a bunch of Take That songs in the SingStar DLC update that were originally part of the Take Thank 3 song pack, but are now available separately. Unfortunately, I only know one song from that particular UK boy band, and not even that well. And it's not one of these, anyway. I could do with some more Boyzone, personally. Anyway, this SingStore update is the usual eclectic mix of tunes that should have a little something for everybody:

"I Just Don't Have The Heart" by Cliff Richard
"Going Under" by Evanescence
"Ms. Jackson" by OutKast
"What's My Name?" by Rihanna feat. Drake
"Beautiful World" by Take That
"I'd Wait For Life" by Take That
"Greatest Day" by Take That
"Hold Up A Light" by Take That
"Rule The World" by Take That
"You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers

More Pokémon Coming To The 3DS

2012-05-16T01:00:00Z

Everyone knows that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are coming later this year for the DS, which means that it's also playable on the new 3DS, but only in 2D. However, if you are planning on playing it on the 3DS, Nintendo has some additional apps for you to download this fall.

First is Pokémon Dream Radar, which uses the 3DS camera and AR tech to catch Pokémon by looking around with your 3DS and zapping them. Caught Pokémon can be used in the new DS games, so it's another way to build your roster. Pokémon Dream Radar will also include some hard-to-get Pokémon, so there's a little more incentive to get this app.

The other app is Pokédex 3D Pro, which is an upgraded and enhanced version of the original Pokédex 3D app. This one will feature information on the more than 600 Pokémon throughout the game's history. You'll be able to sort, compare and rank them, and read up on all their abilities and evolutions. Pokédex 3D Pro also comes with some fun AR features that let you take photos of Pokémon in the real world.

Neither app has a definitive release date yet, but they should be available in the eShop around the same time that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 hit stores. There's also no information on price, either, but as soon as any of that is revealed, I'll pass it along!

More Paramore In Rock Band

2012-05-15T23:30:00Z

Rock Band discs always include some songs you probably aren't familar with, but you end up really liking, and for me, Paramore's "CrushCrushCrush" was one of those. However, I didn't buy their 2009 album, Brand New Eyes, so I'm not familiar with the three new Paramore tracks that Harmonix has added to the Rock Band Music Store starting today.

Okay, obviously I've heard "The Only Exception," but not the other two tracks: "Ignorance" and "Brick by Boring Brick." But all three are in the store as of now for $2 each, or $5.49 for the Paramore Pack 01. All the songs have keyboard parts, but only "The Only Exception" has the optional $.99 Pro Guitar and Pro Bass upgrades.

Video: Wootini's Video Podcast #68

2012-05-15T01:00:00Z

Shorter podcast this week as I don't have a major topic. Nope, just playing some new games. One is only natural, considering last week's topic, and the other came as a complete surprise to me. Then there's a minor complaint as well as a skeptical possible future purchase. Still not sold, yet. What am I talking about? Well, you'll just have to watch and find out — I'm not going to put the whole thing in text! It would defeat the purpose of making the dang videos!