Most Recent: PS4
Capcoms rolls out a Launch Trailer and a Live-Action Trailer for Resident Evil 2
We’re just one day away from Capcom’s long-awaited remake of Resident Evil 2, and the publisher has rewarded out patience with a creepy new Launch Trailer featuring Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, the Birkins, Ada Wong, and more. They’ve also unveiled a new Live-Action Trailer that pays homage to George Romero’s original advertisement for the game from 1998.
You can view both videos after the break, and don’t forget that Resident Evil 2 will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One beginning tomorrow. (more…)
Watch this Kingdom Hearts III “Gameplay Overview” ahead of next week’s launch
Kingdom Hearts III is almost here, and with it a chance to learn more about the franchise’s complicated storyline. But while your average Kingdom Hearts fan might have a bit of difficulty recalling every plot twist from the last 17 years, Square Enix wants to make sure everyone knows how to play the new sequel with this Gameplay Overview video.
Prospective players will learn about Sora’s abilities in battle, including the various Keyblades he’ll be able to wield, as well as magical and Attraction attacks:
As the Heartless invade the universe, players must prepare Sora and his friends to protect the Disney and Pixar worlds against darkness and unlock the mysterious power of the Keyblades, which only the strong of heart can wield. For the first time in the Kingdom Hearts series, the Keyblades have the ability to transform into different forms with powerful new abilities and dazzling attacks inspired by the characters and elements of each world.
Players can also learn how to use elemental magic for offensive and defensive purposes, such as creating ice slides and wind vortexes to navigate through the chaos in battle. Taking the form of classic Disney rides, players can utilize the power of the Attractions, or team up with Donald, Goofy and other legendary characters from Disney and Pixar worlds to turn the tides against the darkness.
Kingdom Hearts III will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on January 29.
Red Dead Redemption 2 cowboys up as the best-selling game of 2018
A wise man once said, “When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.” And that’s exactly what Rockstar Games did with Red Dead Redemption 2.
The publisher’s western epic has been nine years in the making, and it blew away all expectations (and chased every other big release away from its October 26 launch date) as the best-selling game in November. Now, The NPD Group has revealed that it’s also the best-selling game for all of 2018.
Activision’s mighty Call of Duty franchise claimed the #2 spot with Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and many of the other usual suspects can be found throughout the top ten including NBA 2K19 (#3), Madden NFL 19 (#4), Far Cry 5 (#7), and Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (#10).
It was also a good year all around for single-player games as Spider-Man (#6) and God of War both cracked the top ten. Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was also able to break into the top five (at #5) after only being on sale for a few weeks. Finally, the surprising success of Capcom’s Monster Hunter: World helped the latest entry in the franchise come in at #9.
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, the NPD Group said that the entire game industry generated $16.7 billion in sales in 2018, a 13% increase over 2017. That includes a 33% increase for accessories, as a 7% increase for software, and 8% for hardware. On that note, the Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console of 2018.
The NPD’s Top 10 best-selling games for 2018 (in handy list format) can be found after the break. (more…)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beats up the competition as the best-selling game from December 2018
Even though it’s one of Nintendo’s marquee properties, the Smash Bros. series has always drifted a bit below the radar of the average gamer. That is definitely no longer the case, as The NPD Group revealed the best-selling games from December 2018 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate absolutely blew away the competition.
In fact, the tracking firm told GamesIndustry.biz that Smash Bros. Ultimate had a record-setting debut, and set a new “Launch Month” sales record for a platform exclusive. More impressive, it set this record even though Nintendo doesn’t share digital sales data with The NPD Group.
With the gift-giving season in full swing, some of 2018’s biggest games populated the rest of the list. Red Dead Redemption II slid down to #2, and it was followed by Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (#3), Battlefield V (#4), and NBA 2K19 (#5).
Nintendo dominated the back half of the top ten, with three more titles on the list… Mario Kart 8 (#6), Super Mario Party (#8), and Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu (#9). Madden NFL 19 (#7) and Insomniac’s Spider-Man (#10) rounded out the top ten.
A complete look at The NPD Group’s list of the best-selling games from last month (in handy list format) can be found after the break. (more…)
New Retail Releases: Resident Evil 2, More
The Resident Evil franchise will rise again this week with the launch of Resident Evil 2 for the PS4 and Xbox One (it’ll also be available as a digital download for the PC). More than a simple re-release, Capcom has taken the already-popular second entry in the series and given it the full remake treatment. Players will be able to play through Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield’s fight for survival with a new “over-the-shoulder” camera and a modernized control scheme.
Also available this week is a pair of smaller re-releases that are bound for new platforms. Senran Kagura Burst ReNewal is a new Director’s Cut of the 2012 beat ’em up for the PS4. And The Raven Remastered is a point-and-click adventure game from 2013 that’ll be making its way to the Switch after a re-release on other platforms last year.
That’s it for now, but we’ll be back later this week with a look at every new game coming to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.
Overkill’s The Walking Dead has been indefinitely postponed on PS4 and Xbox One
Overkill’s The Walking Dead, a team-based shooter set within Robert Kirkman’s vast comic universe, was originally released for the PC back in November. At the time, it was expected that a console launch would follow on the PS4 and Xbox One in February. But according to publisher Starbreeze, that’s no longer the plan.
In a press release, Starbreeze said they’re going to postpone the console launch for Overkill’s The Walking Dead:
Starbreeze is currently evaluating and reviewing the performance of the game Overkill’s The Walking Dead on consoles.
Starbreeze has decided to postpone the release date from its original February 2019 date, further information regarding the future release will be announced at a later date.
No new release date was given, but prospective players will receive further information on Overkill’s The Walking Dead future “at a later date.”
Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid fighting game will be released this April
Today has been a big day for fighting game fans. Not only did NetherRealm Studios unveil the first details for Mortal Kombat 11, but nWay has announced they will release Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid for the PS4, Switch, and Xbox One this April. A PC launch will follow later in 2019.
According to nWay, Battle For the Grid will feature Rangers from multiple eras of the show, as well as an “easy to learn but hard to master” control scheme:
Power Ranger: Battle for the Grid is an easy to learn but hard to master fighting game that delivers a modern take on the Power Rangers franchise. The game features stunning graphics with vivid details and pits new and classic Rangers and villains against each other in team battles. Featuring a streamlined combat system, the game welcomes newcomers to the genre with simplified controls, while maintaining depth and detail for more intense and experienced competitors. Players will be challenged to test their skills online against friends and other players around the world, providing endless replayability. With new content and game modes releasing throughout the year, the game will continuously offer the community new ways to play and compete.
A special Digital Collector’s Edition of Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid will also be available for purchase, and it’ll include the full game, a Season One Pass, and two exclusive character skins (Lord Drakkon Evo II and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Pink Ranger).
The first trailer for Power Rangers: Battle For the Grid has been embedded above.
NetherRealm officially reveals a ton of new trailers and information about Mortal Kombat 11
Today was the day. NetherRealm Studios officially pulled back the blood-soaked curtain on Mortal Kombat 11 in a massive livestream that featured a ton of new information and a handful of new trailers.
You might be disappointed if you were expecting something radically different from the eleventh game in the long-running series, but fans of the franchise got exactly what they wanted out of this first look at Mortal Kombat 11. That includes a “time-bending” new storyline that picks up directly where Mortal Kombat X left off, as well as a glimpse at some gruesome new Fatalities, seven confirmed kombatants (Baraka, Raiden, Skarlet, Scorpion, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero, and new fighter Geras), and an Injustice-inspired Gear System:
The Story Mode [is an] all-new, time-bending narrative, featuring Kronika, the first female boss character in Mortal Kombat history, who is the Keeper of Time and creator of existence. New fighter Geras [is] a powerful and loyal servant of Kronika, who is able to manipulate time.
Mortal Kombat 11 will be released for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on April 23. PS4 and Xbox One owners who pre-order the game will receive access to a Private Beta that begins on March 28, and players who pre-order the game on any platform will be able to play as Shao Kahn at launch.
Seven new trailers for Mortal Kombat 11 can be found after the break, including Reveal Trailers for Geras and Sonya Blade (who will be voiced by WWE’s Ronda Rousey), a Story Trailer, a Gameplay Trailer, a Fatalities Trailer, a walkthrough for the new Gear System, and a Behind-The-Scenes Trailer filmed at NetherRealm. (more…)