We’re nearing that time of the year where sometimes the download platforms take a back seat to the onslaught of retail games. In the next week, two Batman games, two Sonic games, the next Assassin’s Creed, a new Ace Attorney, and more hit stores and/or the eShop. If you like video games, it’s time to bunker down for the wonderful battlefield that is the fall game season. Also, try Star Soldier on the 3DS Virtual Console or go back in time 30 years and imagine a time when Pinball and Baseball on the NES were cutting edge.
Sales
Urban Trial Freestyle Sale
From October 24 to November 7, Urban Trial Freestyle is on sale for $4.99. If you want to take on some Trials HD-like challenges on your 3DS, there has been no better time.
3DS Retail Games
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies ($29.99)
Phoenix Wright and the gang have been dormant for a few years. Heck, the past few Ace Attorney games haven’t even starred the lovable lawyer. Dual Destinies is the fifth mainline entry, following 2008’s Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, and takes place a year after the events of the last game. Athena Cykes is his new assistant and she also introduces one of the new mechanics as she has powers that allow her to access witness’ “Mood Matrix.” So, if you worried that Ace Attorney was getting serious, don’t worry. It’s still goofy, but this one is rated M for Mature, so there might be a lot of blood.
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate ($39.99, Available October 25)
Did you know that Armature Studio, the team behind this portable “Batroid” game, is made up of some of the leads from the Metroid Prime trilogy? That’s the reason why you shouldn’t be sleeping on this exploration-heavy side-scroller that takes place in Blackgate Prison after the events of Arkham Origins. As you control the Dark Knight, get ready to tussle with the Joker, the Penguin, Black Mask, Catwoman and more from Batman’s rogues gallery.
Sonic Lost World ($39.99, Available October 29)
While the reviews may have been a little mixed, the chances are if you liked Sonic’s recent portable games, you’ll enjoy Sonic Lost World. The 3DS version is developed by Dimps, who are best known for pretty much every good portable Sonic game in the past decade. Like the Wii U version, Sonic does battle with Dr. Eggman (eventually teaming up with the villain formerly known as Robotnik, too) and the Deadly Six as he tries to save whatever creature-run world he lives in this time.
Regular Show: Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land ($29.95, Available October 29)
Regular Show is a popular Cartoon Network show known for having some sweet video game references, so it makes sense that when opportunity came knocking for a Regular Show video game, developer WayForward went quite meta. Featuring a story from show creator J.G. Quintel, Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land takes the duo on an adventure to get out of a video game they get trapped in. It is primarily a side-scroller, but also features some shooting and top-down segments, all in an ode to the show and old-school video games.
Monster High 13 Wishes ($29.99, Available October 29)
Tying into the recently released Monster High movie, Monster High 13 Wishes is a 3D platformer that allows players to swap between three different characters, including Frankie Stein and other fun pun-named characters. The story takes the gang on a quest to find 13 mirror shards inside a mystical lantern that they get trapped in. Naturally, only three high school monsters have the fortitude to find the all-important shards. What kind of school is this?
Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 ($29.95)
Last week, Cradle of Rome 2 came out. This week, Cradle of Egypt 2 is coming out. Like Cradle of Rome 2, Cradle of Egypt 2 was a retail game and is also a match-three puzzle game where you try to build up civilization. However, the twist is that you’re building up Egypt instead of Rome. So, it’s like a totally different game because it has, umm, pyramids, Cleopatra, and Mark Antony. Crap! Mark Antony was in Rome, too!
Wii U Retail Games
Batman: Arkham Origins ($49.99, Available October 25)
It’s Christmastime in Gotham City and young Batman, no longer voiced by Batgod Kevin Conroy, is about to get mobbed by the Black Mask and his assassin cronies that include Bane, Firefly, Deathstroke, and more. Expanding on the open-world concepts in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Arkham Origins gives you even more of Gotham to explore, with even more to do aside from the main story. The Wii U version, ported by Human Head Software, features GamePad support and can be played on just the GamePad. And don’t worry, the Joker shows up, and it might not be Mark Hamill voicing him, but it’s Troy Baker, the guy who voiced Joel in The Last of Us. He’s good, though. Just trust me.
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag ($59.99, Available October 29)
Taking place in 1715, Assassin’s Creed IV stars another link in Desmond’s ancestry, Edward Kenway. He’s a pirate, so the awesome naval combat from Assassin’s Creed III returns. The adventure takes place in the Caribbean, so it might be recommended for you to do your best Jack Sparrow impersonation to get the full experience. Better yet, play the game on just the GamePad and watch a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Even better, figure out a way to play the game on just the GamePad while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. If you pull that off, send pictures.
Sonic Lost World ($49.99, Available October 29)
Sonic’s Wii U-exclusive adventure will hurtle towards the eShop as quickly as the Blue Blur himself next week. This 3D adventure, with numerous side-scrolling segments, seems to take most of what people liked about Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations and turn it on its ear. Sonic has to team up with Dr. Eggman to fight the Deadly Six, new villains that aren’t to be confused with Spider-Man’s Sinister Six. Lost World even features Wii U-to-3DS connectivity, so you can play some multiplayer during your adventuring.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures ($39.99, Available October 29)
Based on the new hit cartoon show, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a game in the same vein as the Pac-Man World games. It’s a 3D mascot platformer that involves Pac-Man taking on some new powers and using his newly enhanced tongue. He’s got two new friends, Spiral and Cylindria, and he’s fending off his old ghost enemies, along with some new baddies as well.
Monster High 13 Wishes ($39.99, Available October 29)
Since the Wii U game appears to be identical to the 3DS game, here’s that description: Tying into the recently released Monster High movie, Monster High 13 Wishes is a 3D platformer that allows players to swap between three different characters, including Frankie Stein and other fun pun-named characters. The story takes the gang on a quest to find 13 mirror shards inside a mystical lantern that they get trapped in. Naturally, only three high school monsters have the fortitude to find the all-important shards. What kind of school is this?
3DS Original Download Games
My Little Baby 3D ($29.99)
Another week, another horse-related game from TREVA Entertainment. Wait? This one’s about babies? Totally different, sort of. Like TREVA’s horse games, you have to learn how to take care of a baby through mini-games and such that take advantage of the 3DS features. The key difference is that, as far as I know, you can’t ride the baby. Also, the baby can speak if you teach it, and horses can’t speak. That’s something.
3DS Virtual Console
Star Soldier ($4.99)
The Konami shoot-’em-up, which originally came out on the NES in 1989, is hitting the 3DS Virtual Console. It’s the first in a line of Star Soldier games, the last of which came out on WiiWare. In it, you control a starship named Ceasar who is trying to destroy the Starbrain supercomputer. All in a day’s work, I guess.
Wii U Virtual Console
Pinball ($4.99)
This Nintendo-developed NES launch game is exactly what the title says. It is Pinball. It’s similar in style to last week’s 3DS Virtual Console release Gator’s Revenge, but this game also features an Arkanoid-style mode where you can control Mario to save Pauline. There’s your Nintendo trivia of the week: Pauline is in Pinball. If you bought this on the Wii Virtual Console, you can upgrade to the Wii U version for $1.
Baseball ($4.99)
Another NES launch title, Baseball is, like Pinball, exactly what the title says it is. You have a choice between six teams that only differ in color and name. As a primitive form of video game baseball, it’s not bad, but by modern standards, it’s limited. However, the music is by Hip Tanaka, so it has that going for it. If you bought this on the Wii Virtual Console, you can upgrade to the Wii U version for $1.
Super Castlevania IV (TBA)
Get ready to dust off that family whip and blaze a trail straight to Dracula's castle in this re-release for Wii U Virtual Console. This early Super Nintendo release used Mode 7 and an eight-way directional whip to usher Castevania in the 16-bit generation of consoles.
Neal Ronaghan objects to this many games coming out in the span of five days. Witness his struggle against his gaming rogues gallery of Phoenix Wright, Batman, and Pikachu on Twitter at @nron10 or at www.nintendoworldreport.com.
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Sales
Urban Trial Freestyle Sale
From October 24 to November 7, Urban Trial Freestyle is on sale for $4.99. If you want to take on some Trials HD-like challenges on your 3DS, there has been no better time.
3DS Retail Games
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies ($29.99)
Phoenix Wright and the gang have been dormant for a few years. Heck, the past few Ace Attorney games haven’t even starred the lovable lawyer. Dual Destinies is the fifth mainline entry, following 2008’s Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, and takes place a year after the events of the last game. Athena Cykes is his new assistant and she also introduces one of the new mechanics as she has powers that allow her to access witness’ “Mood Matrix.” So, if you worried that Ace Attorney was getting serious, don’t worry. It’s still goofy, but this one is rated M for Mature, so there might be a lot of blood.
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate ($39.99, Available October 25)
Did you know that Armature Studio, the team behind this portable “Batroid” game, is made up of some of the leads from the Metroid Prime trilogy? That’s the reason why you shouldn’t be sleeping on this exploration-heavy side-scroller that takes place in Blackgate Prison after the events of Arkham Origins. As you control the Dark Knight, get ready to tussle with the Joker, the Penguin, Black Mask, Catwoman and more from Batman’s rogues gallery.
Sonic Lost World ($39.99, Available October 29)
While the reviews may have been a little mixed, the chances are if you liked Sonic’s recent portable games, you’ll enjoy Sonic Lost World. The 3DS version is developed by Dimps, who are best known for pretty much every good portable Sonic game in the past decade. Like the Wii U version, Sonic does battle with Dr. Eggman (eventually teaming up with the villain formerly known as Robotnik, too) and the Deadly Six as he tries to save whatever creature-run world he lives in this time.
Regular Show: Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land ($29.95, Available October 29)
Regular Show is a popular Cartoon Network show known for having some sweet video game references, so it makes sense that when opportunity came knocking for a Regular Show video game, developer WayForward went quite meta. Featuring a story from show creator J.G. Quintel, Mordecai & Rigby in 8-Bit Land takes the duo on an adventure to get out of a video game they get trapped in. It is primarily a side-scroller, but also features some shooting and top-down segments, all in an ode to the show and old-school video games.
Monster High 13 Wishes ($29.99, Available October 29)
Tying into the recently released Monster High movie, Monster High 13 Wishes is a 3D platformer that allows players to swap between three different characters, including Frankie Stein and other fun pun-named characters. The story takes the gang on a quest to find 13 mirror shards inside a mystical lantern that they get trapped in. Naturally, only three high school monsters have the fortitude to find the all-important shards. What kind of school is this?
Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 ($29.95)
Last week, Cradle of Rome 2 came out. This week, Cradle of Egypt 2 is coming out. Like Cradle of Rome 2, Cradle of Egypt 2 was a retail game and is also a match-three puzzle game where you try to build up civilization. However, the twist is that you’re building up Egypt instead of Rome. So, it’s like a totally different game because it has, umm, pyramids, Cleopatra, and Mark Antony. Crap! Mark Antony was in Rome, too!
Wii U Retail Games
Batman: Arkham Origins ($49.99, Available October 25)
It’s Christmastime in Gotham City and young Batman, no longer voiced by Batgod Kevin Conroy, is about to get mobbed by the Black Mask and his assassin cronies that include Bane, Firefly, Deathstroke, and more. Expanding on the open-world concepts in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Arkham Origins gives you even more of Gotham to explore, with even more to do aside from the main story. The Wii U version, ported by Human Head Software, features GamePad support and can be played on just the GamePad. And don’t worry, the Joker shows up, and it might not be Mark Hamill voicing him, but it’s Troy Baker, the guy who voiced Joel in The Last of Us. He’s good, though. Just trust me.
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag ($59.99, Available October 29)
Taking place in 1715, Assassin’s Creed IV stars another link in Desmond’s ancestry, Edward Kenway. He’s a pirate, so the awesome naval combat from Assassin’s Creed III returns. The adventure takes place in the Caribbean, so it might be recommended for you to do your best Jack Sparrow impersonation to get the full experience. Better yet, play the game on just the GamePad and watch a Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Even better, figure out a way to play the game on just the GamePad while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. If you pull that off, send pictures.
Sonic Lost World ($49.99, Available October 29)
Sonic’s Wii U-exclusive adventure will hurtle towards the eShop as quickly as the Blue Blur himself next week. This 3D adventure, with numerous side-scrolling segments, seems to take most of what people liked about Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations and turn it on its ear. Sonic has to team up with Dr. Eggman to fight the Deadly Six, new villains that aren’t to be confused with Spider-Man’s Sinister Six. Lost World even features Wii U-to-3DS connectivity, so you can play some multiplayer during your adventuring.
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures ($39.99, Available October 29)
Based on the new hit cartoon show, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is a game in the same vein as the Pac-Man World games. It’s a 3D mascot platformer that involves Pac-Man taking on some new powers and using his newly enhanced tongue. He’s got two new friends, Spiral and Cylindria, and he’s fending off his old ghost enemies, along with some new baddies as well.
Monster High 13 Wishes ($39.99, Available October 29)
Since the Wii U game appears to be identical to the 3DS game, here’s that description: Tying into the recently released Monster High movie, Monster High 13 Wishes is a 3D platformer that allows players to swap between three different characters, including Frankie Stein and other fun pun-named characters. The story takes the gang on a quest to find 13 mirror shards inside a mystical lantern that they get trapped in. Naturally, only three high school monsters have the fortitude to find the all-important shards. What kind of school is this?
3DS Original Download Games
My Little Baby 3D ($29.99)
Another week, another horse-related game from TREVA Entertainment. Wait? This one’s about babies? Totally different, sort of. Like TREVA’s horse games, you have to learn how to take care of a baby through mini-games and such that take advantage of the 3DS features. The key difference is that, as far as I know, you can’t ride the baby. Also, the baby can speak if you teach it, and horses can’t speak. That’s something.
3DS Virtual Console
Star Soldier ($4.99)
The Konami shoot-’em-up, which originally came out on the NES in 1989, is hitting the 3DS Virtual Console. It’s the first in a line of Star Soldier games, the last of which came out on WiiWare. In it, you control a starship named Ceasar who is trying to destroy the Starbrain supercomputer. All in a day’s work, I guess.
Wii U Virtual Console
Pinball ($4.99)
This Nintendo-developed NES launch game is exactly what the title says. It is Pinball. It’s similar in style to last week’s 3DS Virtual Console release Gator’s Revenge, but this game also features an Arkanoid-style mode where you can control Mario to save Pauline. There’s your Nintendo trivia of the week: Pauline is in Pinball. If you bought this on the Wii Virtual Console, you can upgrade to the Wii U version for $1.
Baseball ($4.99)
Another NES launch title, Baseball is, like Pinball, exactly what the title says it is. You have a choice between six teams that only differ in color and name. As a primitive form of video game baseball, it’s not bad, but by modern standards, it’s limited. However, the music is by Hip Tanaka, so it has that going for it. If you bought this on the Wii Virtual Console, you can upgrade to the Wii U version for $1.
Super Castlevania IV (TBA)
Get ready to dust off that family whip and blaze a trail straight to Dracula's castle in this re-release for Wii U Virtual Console. This early Super Nintendo release used Mode 7 and an eight-way directional whip to usher Castevania in the 16-bit generation of consoles.
Neal Ronaghan objects to this many games coming out in the span of five days. Witness his struggle against his gaming rogues gallery of Phoenix Wright, Batman, and Pikachu on Twitter at @nron10 or at www.nintendoworldreport.com.
More...
