That’s right, folks. Kickstart This! is back with a vengeance after some time away while I completed my own Kickstarter project for The Water Rat, which is hopefully coming soon to a film festival near you. Running a campaign and delivering something to a number of backers is a rich and rewarding experience, and I cannot recommend it enough.
It also takes a massive amount of work, dedication, and the kindness of strangers. Around half of our backers are people I have never met, and that in itself is quite humbling. So why not make a game developer’s day and contribute to their campaign?
This edition of Kickstart This! sees us farming in space with Elysian Fields, smacking shuttlecocks in Badminton Warrior, and slicing the undead in Zombie Golf.
Dinosaur Polo Club has announced that their minimalist subway simulator, Mini Metro, will arrive on the PS4 (via the PlayStation Store) on September 10th.
Designer Robert Curry recently stopped by the PlayStation Blog to share a few details about the game, which was a big hit on the convention circuit, and during previous stops for the PC, Switch, and mobile devices:
Now you too can design subway systems from the comfort of your couch. Now I know what you’re thinking. Designing a metro map? Surely this is someone’s job? But haven’t you ever, while waiting for a bus or a train, though you could organize things better? Here’s your chance.
It starts simply — a handful of stations, some passengers wanting to move between them, and you have to draw the lines to set the whole thing in motion. Trains travel the lines and passengers hop on and off automatically to get to where they need to go. So far so good.
Then a few more stations pop up.
Mini Metro will include more than 20 real-world maps (such as London, Paris, Mumbai, and Shanghai) when it pulls into the PlayStation 4 station tomorrow.
We’re nearing the first anniversary of Nintendo’s Switch Online subscription service, and the consolemaker wants players to celebrate the big day in style… Super NES games will soon be available to play through a new app. Beginning this Friday, September 5, Nintendo Switch Online will be able to download a selection of 20 Super NES games, with more to come in the future.
As you might expect, the list is littered with some of Nintendo’s greatest triumphs (such as Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past), as well as a few more surprising inclusions (Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics is a deep cut even among deep cuts). Nintendo was also quick to point out that a trio of titles in the initial collection (Stunt Race FX, Super Soccer, and Super Tennis) will be available again for the first time since their original release back in the 90s.
Here’s the full list:
Super NES Games Available to Download Through Nintendo Switch Online
Brawl Brothers
Breath of Fire
Demon’s Crest
F-Zero
Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics
Kirby’s Dream Course
Kirby’s Dream Land 3
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Pilotwings
Star Fox
Stunt Race FX
Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts
Super EDF: Earth Defense Force
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario World
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
Super Metroid
Super Puyo Puyo 2
Super Soccer
Super Tennis
Nintendo also announced that Nintendo Switch Online subscribers interested in purchasing up to four replica Super NES controllers for their Switch can do so through the consolemaker’s Online Store for $29.99 apiece. There’s no ETA on when the controllers will be available, but it should be soon.
Tetris 99 is set to take another quantum leap forward tomorrow, as Nintendo has announced a slew of updates for the popular multiplayer puzzler.
First, the consolemaker will unleash Tetris 99’s free Version 2.0 update, which features a brand new Invictus Mode that’s only available to players who have previously won an online match against the 99-player field. New Daily Missions will also be available, and completing these challenges will let players earn Tickets to unlock new Themes and Player Icons.
Nintendo will also release the second half of Tetris 99’s Big Block DLC tomorrow, which will add two new modes to the game. The paid expansion will include 2P Share Battle Mode, which allows two players to compete in Tetris 99’s battle royale mode on the same screen against CPU-controlled opponents, and Local Arena Mode, which gives up to eight players a way to battle via local wireless multiplayer.
If you’re interested in trying out Tetris 99, but you’re not yet a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber, Nintendo will also release a physical version of the game this Friday, September 6. The package will be priced at $29.99 and come bundled with a 12-Month Subscription to Nintendo Switch Online and all the new content from both Big Block DLC expansions.
Like Thanos and The Terminator‘s Judgment Day, Overwatch coming to the Switch was seen as inevitable by many. And Blizzard finally made that prediction a reality during today’s Nintendo Direct presentation.
Overwatch: Legendary Edition, which includes 15 Skins and a 3-Month Subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, will be available to download through the Nintendo eShop on October 15. New players will also receive the “Noire Widowmaker” Skin, as well as a Golden Loot Box containing at least one Legendary item.
Naturally, Nintendo had to put their stamp on Overwatch, and while we’re not getting any exclusive Skins just yet, Blizzard has announced that optional motion controls will be added to their “Hero Shooter” on the Switch:
In addition, Nintendo Switch gamers have the option to take control of their heroes in a whole-new way using the console’s built-in gyroscopic motion controls, which let players tilt their console to line up the perfect shot as McCree, pilot D.Va through the air, or quickly turn to deflect incoming projectiles as Genji.
“Overwatch brings players together to cooperate and compete in a bright and optimistic vision of the future, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Nintendo Switch gamers into the fun,” said J. Allen Brack, the President of Blizzard Entertainment. “The Legendary Edition includes more than three years’ worth of content updates and gameplay enhancements, and we’re excited to team up with Nintendo to provide players with new ways to enjoy the full Overwatch experience—including on the go.”
A new trailer for Overwatch’s Switch debut has been embedded above.
Nintendo just blew away the Internet with possibly their biggest Nintendo Direct ever. Front and center during the presentation was Trials of Mana, an upcoming RPG from Square Enix. The publisher confirmed that Trials of Mana, which is a modern-day remake of Seiken Densetsu 3 (AKA Secret of Mana 2), will be released for the PC, PS4, and Switch on April 24, 2020.
Originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3 in 1995, and later making its debut in the West with the Collection of Mana on Nintendo Switch earlier this year, Trials of Mana is a full, high-definition remake of the third entry in the classic Mana series, seamlessly bringing the beloved story and characters to a new, modern era of fans with real-time combat, beautiful 3D graphics and updated gameplay. The game tells the story of six heroes as they battle against the forces of evil that threaten a world where Mana has been weakened. Players will craft their own experiences by selecting a party of three from these unique characters as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime to protect the very essence of Mana itself.
Naturally, a new trailer for Trials of Mana has made its way online, focusing on the game’s upgraded visuals, new combat system, character classes, and the brand new English voiceover. Square Enix produced an expanded version of this video for next week’s Tokyo Game Show, and it’s been embedded above.
Though Doom 64 is canonically a direct sequel to Doom II, the fact that it was released exclusively for the Nintendo 64 (and published by Midway) has made it something of a black sheep for the franchise. It’s sprite-based graphics also made it stand out (and not in a good way) from the polygonal shooters of the late 90s.
But a handful of references to Doom 64 managed to make their way into 2016’s excellent Doom reboot, so somebody at id Software or Bethesda must think highly of the game. And after those teases (and on the eve of Doom Eternal‘s November launch), it looks like the publisher might be prepping a re-release for Doom 64.
Over the weekend, a Doom 64 re-release for “Multiple Platforms” received a Mature rating from the Australian Classification Board for “Horror themes and violence.” While that can’t be seen as concrete confirmation that Bethesda plans to re-release the game in the near future, it should be considered a very good sign.
So cross your fingers and gas up your chainsaws, we’ll hopefully get the chance to replay Doom 64 soon.
Square Enix launched Final Fantasy VIII Remastered for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One today, and the publisher also produced a new Launch Trailer for the re-release, which has been embedded above.
While the RPG was a massive hit in 1999, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered marks the first time its been actively available in more than 20 years (save for a short PC print run in 2000). So it’s possible that fans won’t be as familiar Squall as they are with other Final Fantasy protagonists:
About Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered celebrates its 20th anniversary by bringing the cherished RPG to modern platforms, featuring newly rendered visuals that bring the game’s beloved characters to life like never before. Players step into the shoes of SeeD recruit Squall Leonhart and resistance fighter Rinoa Heartilly as they work together to save the world from the military nation of Galbadia.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered’s Enhancements
Battle Assist: The ability to always have maxed out HP and ATB, and trigger Limit Breaks at any time.
No Encounters: An enemy encounter option that allows players to enjoy the storyline uninterrupted. While enemy encounters are turned off, players can still enjoy the story event battles.
3x Speed Boost: Play through the game with three times the speed.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is available to download now and it’s been priced at $19.99 on all platforms.
