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Nintendo to add Star Fox 2, Super Punch-Out!!, and more to Switch Online’s retro catalog

Posted on December 5, 2019 by John Scalzo

After a short hiatus, Nintendo has announced plans to add more games to the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System apps available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

The big news is that Star Fox 2 is coming to the Switch after making its worldwide debut as part of the Super NES Classic Edition microconsole in 2017. Development on Star Fox 2 was originally completed back in 1995, but the game was shelved due to Nintendo’s worry that it’s “primitive graphics” would reflect poorly on the then-upcoming Nintendo 64. Thankfully, the consolemaker came to their senses and now more Nintendo fans will be able to try out the long-lost sequel to Star Fox. Three other Super NES games will also be added to the app (bringing the total to 24), including Super Punch-Out!!, Kirby Super Star, and Breath of Fire II.

The Nintendo Entertainment System app will receive its 73rd and 74th games, as Nintendo confirmed that Switch Online subscribers will be able to play Crystalis (which is also available as part of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection) and Journey to Silius next week.

More information about the latest additions can be found right here:

Super NES

  • Star Fox 2 – This 3D rail-shooter and second installment of the Star Fox series was first designed for Super NES, but went unreleased until it appeared on the Super NES Classic Edition system in 2017. This time, Emperor Andross is on a crusade to conquer the Lylat system and the Star Fox team itself. After a long wait, Star Fox is back in action.
  • Super Punch-Out!! – Featuring the tight gameplay and humor the series is known for, this sequel to the NES classic sees Little Mac return to the ring with the World Video Boxing Association belt once again at stake.
  • Kirby Super Star – That awful King Dedede is at it again – he’s stolen all the food in Dream Land. It’s up to Kirby to get it back and ultimately save Popstar from being taken over. There’s never a dull moment as Kirby dashes, flies, and fights!
  • Breath of Fire II – Set 500 years after the original, take on the role of Ryu, the last member of the Dragon Clan. A cast of unusual and exciting companions join you in your adventures across a wondrous land full of magic and mystery.

NES

  • Crystalis – An epic story for action-RPG fans is ready to unfold. Set in a world where civilization lies in ruins, the young protagonist awakes from cryogenic sleep and the adventure begins. Collect the Sword of Wind and venture into the unknown.
  • Journey to Silius – Join Jay on his run-and-gun mission to take down the mechanical army responsible for his father’s death. Defeat endless waves of attack robots and fulfill his father’s dream of developing a space colony in the Silius Solar System.

A short trailer featuring all six games has been embedded above, and they’ll be available to play beginning on December 12.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Next Super Mario Maker 2 update will add Link as a playable character

Posted on December 2, 2019 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is pushing out the next major update (Version 2.0.0) for Super Mario Maker 2 later this week, and it’ll add a huge number of new features to the game… including the ability to play as Link. The new Master Sword powerup will give players the chance to to play as an 8-bit Link, and he’s also bringing all of his wonderful toys to the Mushroom Kingdom:

Transforming into Link using the Master Sword opens up a whole new world of design possibilities for creators. Using his arrows, Link can shoot far off switches that Mario would normally not be able to hit. His new down thrust move with the sword will defeat usually protected enemies like spike-covered Spinies. And with bombs, some walls that would normally be impassable by Mario and friends can easily be blown up.

Other new Course Parts and enemies will make their way into Super Mario Maker 2 for the first time thanks to the Version 2.0.0 update, including Frozen Coins and Pokey the Cactus:

New Course Parts and Enemies Coming to Super Mario Maker 2 in Version 2.0.0

  • Dash Block: Available in the Super Mario 3D World style, the Dash Block course part gives Mario a major speed burst when stepped on.
  • Frozen Coin: These coins are surrounded by a block of ice and can only be released if melted by fireballs or other fire elements, including a certain angry sun.
  • P Block: When a P Switch is hit in the course, invisible P Blocks temporarily turn into hard platforms, or vice-versa.
  • Spike: This classic enemy coughs up massive spike balls and launches them at Mario. If used in the snow environment, Spike will toss snowballs instead!
  • Pokey: The iconic stacked cactus from multiple Super Mario games joins Super Mario Maker 2 for the first time. Players can even edit the height of each Pokey.

Finally, Nintendo will add a speedrunning mode to Super Mario Maker 2 as part of Ninji Speedruns, which will also give players the chance to unlock special Mii Costumes in a series of Nintendo-created courses that’ll be available for a limited time:

In the new Ninji Speedruns mode, players can take on a timed challenge in courses created by Nintendo exclusively for this mode. Other players’ Ninji Ghosts will run alongside players as they compete against rivals from around the world. The Ninji Ghosts that appear are selected from player data at a similar performance level, so players can gradually improve their performance by running the course alongside other players’ Ninji Ghosts. Players can also collect stamps by clearing courses and redeem them in-game to get special Mii costumes.

Whew! For more information about everything included with Super Mario Maker’s Version 2.0.0 update, you should definitely check out the new trailer for the game that’s been embedded above.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Valve officially unveils Half-Life: Alyx… and a March 2020 release date

Posted on November 21, 2019 by John Scalzo

Rise and shine, Valve, rise and shine.

The operators of Steam have finally returned to large-scale game development… and to the Half-Life franchise. The developer unveiled the first trailer for Half-Life: Alyx earlier today, along with confirmation that we won’t have to wait very long to play the VR-focused title. According to Valve, Half-Life: Alyx will launch in March of 2020, making an already-packed month for new releases even more crowded.

Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, Half-Life: Alyx puts players into the literal gloves of Alyx Vance as she searches for something known as “The Vault”:

Valve’s return to the Half-Life universe that started it all was built from the ground up for virtual reality. VR was built to enable the gameplay that sits at the heart of Half-Life.

Immerse yourself in deep environmental interactions, puzzle solving, world exploration, and visceral combat.

Lean to aim around a broken wall and under a Barnacle to make an impossible shot. Rummage through shelves to find a healing syringe and some shotgun shells. Manipulate tools to hack alien interfaces. Toss a bottle through a window to distract an enemy. Rip a Headcrab off your face and throw it out the window.

Half-Life: Alyx will be compatible with all major VR headsets, including the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality. But all Valve Index owners will receive a copy of the game for free when it’s ready.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Geoff Keighley has announced the nominees for the 2019 Game Awards

Posted on November 19, 2019 by John Scalzo

We’re getting closer and closer to the end of the year, and that’s means that it’s finally time for the Game Awards. The nominations for the annual awards show were announced earlier today, and Remedy’s Control, Kojima Productions’s Death Stranding, Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds, Capcom’s Resident Evil 2, From Software’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will all be competing for “Game of the Year.”

Host Geoff Keighley isn’t involved in the nominating process, but it still feels strange to realize that he actually appears as a non-player character in Death Stranding. Hideo Kojima’s latest game, and first as an independent developer, ultimately received nine nominations across eight categories (both Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen were nominated for “Best Performance”).

Fans are once again encouraged to vote for their favorite games at the award show’s official website, and fan votes will have a real effect on the outcome, as they’ll count for a 10% share of the voting jury.

The 2019 Game Awards will be held on Thursday, December 12. In addition to all the winners, we can also expect to see a lot of World Premiere Trailers for upcoming games, some of which will be announced in the coming days.

In the meantime, you can find a complete list of all the nominees after the break. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , ,

Valve will unveil Half-Life: Alyx this Thursday

Posted on November 19, 2019 by John Scalzo

Half-Life.

Even saying those words is enough to conjur a variety of emotions in your average. Awe at the first two games in the franchise. Disgust at Valve for their decision to drop the almost-mythical Half-Life 2: Episode 3. And a wistful sense of longing that maybe someday the developer will bring the goateed Gordon Freeman back from the dead.

While that last one is still just wishful thinking, it looks like Valve is finally ready to return to the world of Half-Life:

Meet Half-Life: Alyx… or rather… check back on Thursday at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time) to get your first look at Valve’s “flagship VR game” for the PC.

As of now, we don’t know anything about Valve’s mysterious new project, but it more than likely stars Half-Life 2‘s Alyx Vance and, oh yeah, it’s the first new entry in the Half-Life saga in over ten years.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Dragon Quest Builders 2 will make its way to the PC on December 10

Posted on November 18, 2019 by John Scalzo

It looks like Dragon Quest Builders 2, Square Enix’s second attempt at melding an RPG-style adventure with Minecraft‘s building and crafting mechanics, will be available to download for the PC (via Steam) on December 10:

Dragon Quest Builders 2, the critically acclaimed block-building RPG from Dragon Quest series creators Yuji Horii, character designer Akira Toriyama and composer Koichi Sugiyama is coming to Steam on December 10th, 2019!

Create your customized character, team-up with your fearless friend Malroth, gather the skills required to become a full-fledged builder, and combat the Children of Hargon, a vile cult that worships destruction! Then, take your builder online and join your friends to collaborate and create something truly magnificent.

Originally released for the PS4 and Switch earlier this year, Dragon Quest Builders 2’s PC launch will include the base game, as well as all the new content from the game’s Season Pass (be on the lookout for more “Recipes, Hairstyles, Clothing, and new areas to explore”).

Players who purchase the game by January 6th will also receive a six-pack of bonus Recipes to further customize their game.

A new trailer for Dragon Quest Builders 2’s PC debut has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Google adds 10 more games to Stadia’s launch lineup

Posted on November 18, 2019 by John Scalzo

Google’s Stadia game streaming service is launching in… let me check my notes… less than 24 hours, but that hasn’t stopped the search giant from continuing to tweak its launch lineup.

Last week, Google confirmed that 12 titles would be available to purchase on November 19, with an additional 14 set to be released before the end of the year. But earlier today (via Twitter), they moved ten titles from the “Coming Soon” column into the “Available on Launch Day” column.

In addition to games like Destiny 2 and the Stadia-exclusive Gylt, the updated launch lineup now also includes Final Fantasy XV, NBA 2K20, Rage 2, and a few others:

Additional Games Available at Launch for Google Stadia

  • Attack On Titan 2: Final Battle
  • Farming Simulator 19
  • Final Fantasy XV
  • Football Manager 2020
  • Grid
  • Metro Exodus
  • NBA 2K20
  • Rage 2
  • Trials Rising
  • Wolfenstein: Youngblood

As before, Google said that Stadia users will still be able to purchase Darksiders: Genesis, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, and Borderlands 3 sometime before the end of the year.

Posted in News, PC |

New trailers for Gears Tactics and Ori and the Will of Wisps will debut at the 2019 Game Awards

Posted on November 16, 2019 by John Scalzo

This year’s Game Awards will be held on December 12, and as usual, Geoff Keighley and company are busy gathering a mind-bending collection of World Premiere Trailers to debut during the broadcast. Yesterday, they revealed two trailers that fans can expect to see on Twitter… and they both hail from Microsoft.

Though the consolemaker just revealed a ton of new stuff at their X019 event in London, Keighley confirmed that World Premiere Trailers for both Gears Tactics and Ori and the Will of Wisps will make an appearance at the 2019 Game Awards. Both games are currently in development for the PC and Xbox One, and both are expected to be released in 2020.

The nominees for this year’s Game Awards will be announced on Tuesday, November 19, which will probably be followed by a few more trailer announcements over the next month, but we can surely look forward to a few surprises on the big day as well.

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