Max Engel - the 8BitKid » games

Trailer: Marvel Super Hero Squad Online

8BitKid — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:08:24 +0000

I’ve personally been getting back into PC gaming, and so I’m excited to see an increasing number of games on the horizon that I actually want to play. The Marvel Super Hero Squad line is definitely the kind of thing I would be into if I were of the toy-buying age. I’ve always been a fan of the Marvel comic universe, and this game looks like it might be the right mix of casual action-RPG elements and fun characters to be a great game.

Check out this trailer to see some footage of what we have to look forward to in 2011.

More Details Emerge About Mega Man Universe

8BitKid — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:32:17 +0000

Comic-Con is now under way in San Diego, and with it comes more information about the upcoming Mega Man Universe. Capcom’s Keiji Inafune revealed on a panel that they game will allow players to create and play as “the Mega Man of your dreams”. He also noted that the game will retain an 8-bit aesthetic. While there is still a great deal unknown about the title, I’m hopeful that this game will bring the formula that has made DIY titles like ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet so much fun to the world of Mega Man.

You can find more details about the panel here.

Capcom Announces Mega Man Universe

8BitKid — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:32:35 +0000

While there had been whispers about this game before, Mega Man Universe was just officially announced, and this trailer was released. While we do know that the game will be available on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network, there aren’t many other details available. After watching the trailer, my guess is that it will allow players to create their own robot hero, in a vein similar to Little Big Planet or ModNation Racers, where the parts and skills are taken from various characters in the Capcom family.

More information will be revealed at a variety of events at this weekend’s Comic-Con, where some lucky few will receive foam Mega-busters, which is almost reason enough for me to go.

Gamepark Introduces Their Next Hacker-Friendly Handheld Console: the “Caanoo”

8BitKid — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:20:10 +0000

Gamepark just released this video of their next handheld, the “Caanoo”. Terrible name aside, I have always been interested in their homebrew and ROM-focused devices through the years, but have never been able to justify having a third portable gaming system to sit alongside my PSP and DS. While this new model is enticing, the need to use a dongle to get WiFi seems like a ridiculous decision.

2010 Club Nintendo Platinum Award: Super Mario Characters Statue

8BitKid — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:08:07 +0000

Nintendo runs a pretty cool rewards program for people who love to buy Nintendo products called “Club Nintendo”. When you purchase certain games or hardware, you’re given a unique code you redeem online to earn points, and you can also receive additional points for filling out surveys. You can then spend these points on exclusive Nintendo merchandise.

Each year, Nintendo rewards the most financially-supportive fans who reach the “Platinum” level with a special prize. This year’s will be the awesome figurine pictured below. I’m certainly excited to receive mine, although I’m a little embarrassed to have spent so much on Nintendo products over the past year.

First Footage From Studio Ghibli and Level 5′s Game Collaboration

8BitKid — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:33:03 +0000

Studio Ghibli, the creators of monumental animated classics like “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke” are working with Level 5 (of “Professor Layton” fame) on a new video game called “Ninokuni”. Check out this gorgeous trailer for the title which shows off the PS3 gameplay. I get the biggest smile and goosebumps every time I watch it.

E3 2010 Recap: Get Ready for 3D Gaming

8BitKid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:09:13 +0000

Another amazing E3 has come and gone. My key takeaway from this year’s show is that the upcoming year will bring the beginning of 3D gaming. Sure we’ve had some previous forays like Nintendo’s Virtual Boy, but you can really see how Sony and Nintendo are going to be pushing the technology hard. After getting a chance to try each company’s approach to entering the 3rd dimension, I definitely think Nintendo has it right.

Nintendo’s new portable, the 3DS, features some pretty amazing 3D technology that doesn’t require the player to wear glasses. Although I was skeptical going into the demo, I came away impressed. While traditional 3D movies create an effect where items pop out of the screen at you, the 3DS feels like their is depth to the screen, where the action is taking place inside of a shadowbox. Nintendo smartly has provided a slider to tweak the amount of 3D present, allowing players to disable the feature so they won’t get nauseous when playing on trains, planes, etc. I also imagine the ability set the level of 3D means that games won’t require the feature to be enabled. After spending some time playing on the 3DS, I knew I wanted one.

Sony is taking a much more cinematic approach to their 3D implementation for the PS3. A player has to wear powered glasses, and the action comes out of the screen. I played some racing games to experience the technology, and was thoroughly underwhelmed. The glasses are uncomfortable and expensive, the effect blurred the graphics and made them murkier, and after a short time I started to get a headache. I don’t see myself going out to spend a fortune buying a set of goggles to allow for multiplayer fun, and I feel the same way about this that I do about 3D TV’s: meh.

Ultimately, I think Nintendo has come up with an innovative way to add a new dimension to gaming that really adds to the experience while Sony is pushing a technology to get us to spend more money on something that doesn’t make the game any better.

Nintendo Doesn’t Disappoint at E3

8BitKid — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:54:07 +0000

Nintendo’s E3 announcements provided a steady stream of nostalgic bliss. I can’t remember a year where I am more excited about the lineup, and the revival of classic franchises like Kid Icarus, Donkey Kong Country, and Pilotwings, on top of updates to Zelda, Mario Sports, and more means that this will be an exciting year for Nintendo fans. If you want a taste of what lies in store, check out The Big N’s special E3 site here.

Also, click into the gallery below to see the highlights.

Starfighting is Coming in Halo: Reach

8BitKid — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:36:44 +0000

E3 is one of my favorite times of the year, and this year’s expo isn’t disappointing. While there has been an avalanche of amazing news, the Halo fan in me who spent countless hours in college playing Halo multiplayer is particularly giddy about the prospect of some intergalactic dog-fighting. Check out this trailer from Halo: Reach to see what we have to look forward to.

Nintendo Classics in Stop-Motion

8BitKid — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:41:26 +0000

Check out this fantastic montage of classic 8-bit Nintendo titles, like Contra, Mega Man, Kirby, and more, recreated dutifully in stop-motion animation.