Category: Games

During the recent Nintendo Direct, Square-Enix announced plans to release Final Fantasy VII, IX, the X and X-2 remaster, and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age for the Nintendo Switch. Coming later in 2019, the series’ most iconic entries will make their longtime debut on Nintendo platforms, offering fans the chance to play the long-running series in a new way.

Though the series found its footing on Nintendo platforms, it eventually moved to the PlayStation 1, with all following main entries remaining on non-Nintendo platforms since, including PS4, PC, and Xbox One. The last major release of a core Final Fantasy game on Nintendo platforms was Final Fantasy VI on the Super Nintendo. The announcement of today’s re-releases on Switch is notable for the fact that it shows the largest focus the series has had on a Nintendo platform in sometime.

Not much else is known at this time, aside from the fact that they will be the most recent ports of each game from other consoles and Steam, and that they will also release on Xbox One as well. Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age in particular is a standout, which is a port of 2017’s stellar re-release. Along with these ports, we also saw news of Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition–originally on mobile–in addition to an enhanced port of the FF compilation game World of Final Fantasy and updated Crystal Chronicles making their way to the portable console.

There was much more announced during the recent Nintendo Direct, including the release of Katamari Damacy Reroll, and a new Animal Crossing game for the Switch, and a special bundle for Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Plenty of news came out of the recent Nintendo Direct presentation, which included a whole bunch of Final Fantasy announcements. The 2017 remaster Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is coming to Switch sometime in 2019; it’s currently available for PlayStation 4 and PC, and will also come to Xbox One in 2019.

Final Fantasy XII featured the semi-automated Gambit battle system which broke away from the franchise’s traditional turn-based RPG gameplay. A neat addition to the remastered version was the option to speed up the pace of combat to make grinding through dungeons quicker.

If you want even more of the long-time RPG franchise’s past, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is available now for Switch on the Nintendo Eshop and Xbox One digitally. And if that’s not enough, a few classics are making their way to Switch and Xbox One next year, including Final Fantasy VII, IX, X, X-2. The remaster of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, that features online multiplayer, is a Switch exclusive also due out next year.

In our Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age review, it was stated that, “Its epic, lore-abundant story and its time-tested Gambit System should also appeal to those who missed out on the mainline series’ trip to Ivalice the first time around. And thanks in part to the new audio and speed options, The Zodiac Age is an ideal definitive edition: one that improves the game over its original version across the board.”

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

Nintendo’s September Direct was filled with surprise announcements for Switch, from Luigi’s Mansion 3 to another new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character. On top of those, Nintendo gave fans their first look at a brand-new Switch RPG from Game Freak, the studio behind the mainline Pokemon series.

Tentatively titled “Town,” the game is set in “a village with a secret to hide.” The entire adventure unfolds within this town, which enjoyed peace and prosperity until monsters suddenly appeared. Players will need to battle these invaders by selecting from “a variety of battle commands.” They’ll also be able to enlist the aid of other villagers in certain situations.

Beyond that, Nintendo didn’t share many more details about Town, but the game is slated to launch for Switch sometime in 2019. Game Freak also has a “core” Pokemon RPG on the way for the console in the second half of that year, and before then, the studio is releasing Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Let’s Go, Eevee on November 16.

Regarding the latter, The Pokemon Company recently shared a trailer showcasing some new areas and attacks in the game. Like Pokemon Sun and Moon, the Let’s Go titles are eschewing HM moves completely; instead, players’ partner Pokemon will learn Secret Techniques that serve the same function, such as chopping down certain trees and crossing bodies of water. The trailer also provided a glimpse at Celadon City–one of the largest towns in the Kanto region–and its Gym Leader, the Grass-type Pokemon Trainer Erika.

There were many other reveals from the new Direct, including more details on the Nintendo Switch Online service and the announcement of Animal Crossing for Switch. You can find more news from the presentation below.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

Bandai Namco’s beloved puzzle game Katamari Damacy is making its return, with the original game being re-released as Katamari Damacy Reroll on Nintendo Switch. During today’s Nintendo Direct, it was confirmed that the game will have Joy-Con gyroscope controls and support HD rumble.

Additionally, players will be able to take part in multiplayer battles using a single Joy-Con controller each. Katamari Damacy Reroll will be available in Winter 2018. Created by Keita Takahashi and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, Katamari Damacy was unlike anything other game around, and its uniqueness helped it develop a passionate fanbase.

In GameSpot’s Katamari Damacy review, Ryan Davis said the game “is not overly esoteric, and the mechanics are simple and enjoyable enough that people of virtually all shapes and sizes should be able to pick it up and start having fun in minutes.

“Katamari Damacy is far and away one of the strangest, most original games to come along in years,” he continued. “The gameplay concept, the visual style, the soundtrack, even the backstory are all conceived and executed with such a unique flavor that, when presented as a whole, it’s difficult not to be drawn in by all the weird little idiosyncrasies.

“It’s not a complex game, nor is it especially challenging, or long. It is, however, unapologetically surreal, which can make it tough to look away from, and its toylike gameplay model makes for a surprisingly satisfying experience.”

Although the Nintendo Direct is over, there’s plenty of news to get caught up on, including the announcement of Luigi’s Mansion 3 for Nintendo Switch, more details about the Nintendo Switch Online service, fresh content for Mario Tennis Aces, and a new Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch bundle.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

With Nintendo bringing so many of its franchises to Switch, fans have wondered when Animal Crossing’s turn will come–especially given how perfect of a match it is for the portable system. While details were more than light, the company did finally answer that question during its September Nintendo Direct stream: 2019.

As the presentation came to a close, we saw footage of Animal Crossing’s Isabelle hanging out in the mayor’s office, lamenting your absence. It seemed as if it was preparing an announcement of Animal Crossing, only for it to turn into a reveal of Isabelle as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

After a look at her in action, the video then cut to Tom Nook, seemingly setting him up as a character. Instead, he talks about getting things ready from when they’re tired of playing Smash and the Animal Crossing mobile game, which led to the announcement of Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch (the current working title).

Unfortunately, we didn’t get any more details than that, just that it’s coming in 2019. A subsequent press release from Nintendo affirms this is a “mainline” game, marking the first since 2013’s New Leaf for 3DS. That would suggest it’ll consist of the same basic town management, house-decorating, bug/fish/fossil-collecting gameplay we’ve come to know and love, though just what kind of changes Nintendo has in store for us remains to be seen.

You can check out how the announcement unfolded for yourself above. We’ll report back as Nintendo reveals more about the upcoming game, and what kind of tie-ins it’ll inevitably offer with the mobile game.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

New Super Mario Bros. U, originally released for the Wii U, is coming to the Switch as New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. During the latest Nintendo Direct, it was confirmed that four people will be able to play together as with the original. A couple of new characters are being made playable for the Switch version, however: Toadette and Nabbit.

Toadette joins the fun with the ability to transform into Peachette and float around stages. In total, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe will have a 164 courses to platform through. This version will also include the New Super Luigi U expansion. The game will be available for Nintendo Switch from January 11, 2019.

New Super Mario Bros. U originally launched for Wii U in 2012 and was received well. “New Super Mario Bros. U is not a game that takes many risks, nor is it definitively the best 2D Mario title, but it’s certainly a contender,” said GameSpot’s Peter Brown.

“It’s consistently charming, often challenging, and an excellent illustration of that which makes Mario games so special. Nintendo seemingly recaptured traditional, distilled platforming, but also incorporated a newfound attention to modern gaming trends and expectations. It’s a challenging platformer, an excellent recreation of Mario’s best moments, and it’s the perfect way to kick-off Nintendo’s journey into HD.”

The game received an 8.5/10. You can find out more about the game and our verdict on it by reading the full New Super Mario Bros. U review. During the Nintendo Direct, a new entry in the Luigi’s Mansion was also revealed, though there was precious few details about it. All we know is that “Luigi’s Mansion 3″ isn’t final and that it’ll be available for Nintendo Switch in 2019.

Watch the ongoing Nintendo Direct here to see everything Nintendo has in store for Nintendo 3DS and Switch owners. You can also keep an eye on GameSpot to read all the news from the event.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

During the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, it was announced that Mario Tennis Aces will receive an update that includes additional characters and the new Co-Op Challenge mode. The version 2 update is coming September 19.

As for the new characters, Birdo, Shy Guy, Koopa Paratroopa, and Petey Pirahna will join the roster of tennis aces. It was stated in the Direct that the these characters can be acquired by playing online, though it wasn’t clear what that meant. More content is scheduled to drop for Mario Tennis Aces until June 2019.

If you’re looking for new ways to play, Co-Op Challenge mode will bring up to four players together online to complete different objectives. Challenges are said to be limited-time and you can earn cosmetics such as outfits, character color schemes, and hats.

Mario Tennis Aces released back in June exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. In our review, author Justin Clark stated, “Off-beat stages and creative use of characters from the Marioverse ensure that you’ll never lose sight of simply having fun, but don’t let the adorable exterior trick you; Aces takes its unorthodox tennis very seriously.” You can also check out gameplay of Diddy Kong in Mario Tennis Aces from a previous update.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

Nintendo has announced it is developing a third entry in the Luigi’s Mansion for Nintendo Switch. The game made its debut at the very start of today’s Nintendo Direct presentation, where a very short teaser was shown, along with a 2019 release date. The name, Luigi’s Mansion 3, was listed as a working title. No further details were provided about the game.

The last Luigi’s Mansion title was Dark Moon, which was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. The game received a 6.5, with reviewer Carolyn Petit describing it as a”mostly pleasant game marred by the possibility of moments so frustrating, they threaten to overshadow the entire experience.”

She continued: “These missteps are all the more disappointing because the better elements of the game are so charming. You may still want to take up the PolterGust 5000 and explore these haunted houses, but be warned: the things lurking in these dark places aren’t likely to scare you, but they may well have you seeing red.” Read the full Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon review here.

As the name suggests, the Luigi’s Mansion games star Mario’s perpetually on edge brother as he attempts to rid an area of spooky inhabitants by sucking them up using a vacuum. He’s effectively a Ghost Buster, except always terrified of everything. The games are usually a mix of exploration, puzzle solving, and a tug of war against spooky poltergeists.

The first game in the series launched for the Nintendo Gamecube and a remake of this is coming to Nintendo 3DS. A mini-game themed around Luigi’s Mansion was also included in Nintendo Wii U launch title, Nintendo Land.

You can watch the ongoing Nintendo Direct here to see what else Nintendo has in store for us, and keep an eye on GameSpot to read all the news from the stream.

September 2018 Nintendo Direct News

For one day only, on Saturday, September 15, GameStop is running a special sale just for Pro members. It will feature tons of excellent discounted games, plus additional savings on pre-owned games and bonus credit for trade-ins. It’s GameStop’s Pro Day Sale, and it’s shaping up to be a great time to save cash on PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch games and hardware. The catch, of course, is that you have to be a PowerUp Rewards Pro or Elite Pro member to get the savings.

If you’re not already a Pro member, a subscription costs $15 per year and comes with 10% bonus credit on trade-ins and 10% off pre-owned games year-round. You also get a year’s subscription to Game Informer and a “buy two, get one free” welcome offer on pre-owned games. You can find more about the program here. Now onto the sale.

On the hardware side of things, if you buy an Xbox One, you’ll get a free $50 gift card. Buy a PS4 Slim, and you can save $20 on a PS Plus membership. If you trade in a current-gen system toward another current-gen system, you’ll get between $125 and $275 guaranteed credit; you can check trade-in values here.

Tons of games are also on sale for Pro members, including a number of Call of Duty titles. You can pick up Black Ops III Zombies Chronicles Edition and Modern Warfare Remastered for $25 each, or WWII for $30.

Switch owners can grab a physical copy of the breakout indie game Dead Cells for $25. Or, if you want to prepare your reflexes for the upcoming launch of Mega Man 11, you can pick up Mega Man Legacy Collection 1 + 2 for $25 or Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 + 2 for $30.

PS4 owners are well served during the sale, with God of War and Detroit: Become Human dropping to $40 each, and the massive RPG Persona 5 discounted to $30. And anyone feeling nostalgic for the previous console generation can grab BioShock: The Collection for $20 or Borderlands: The Handsome Collection for just $15.

Lastly, Pro members will get 20% more credit for trading in games and accessories. Elite Pro members get an additional 30%. Also, all pre-owned games and accessories are 20% or 30% off, depending on your membership level.

Remember, these deals are only live Saturday, September 15. You can find more game deals below, or you can visit the Pro Day Sale page for the full list.

While many hit movies spawn sequels in Hollywood, few have had as strange a journey as the Predator movies. The first film might have introduced one of modern cinema’s most iconic monsters, but back in 1987 it was promoted as an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, and there is no doubt that Arnold’s huge popularity during the ’80s helped it become a box office hit. Yet neither Schwarzenegger nor director John McTiernan returned for the sequel, which changed the cast, tone, and setting, and was not nearly as financially successful.

More than a decade later, the Predator finally returned to screens, but he had to share screen time with another of cinema’s great creatures–the Xenomorph. Unfortunately, the two Alien vs. Predator movies failed to satisfy fans of either franchise, and once more, a third movie fail to happen. By the time we reached the current decade, The Predator was back to headlining his movie solo, with 2010’s Predators and this year’s The Predator both trying to recapture what made the first movie so popular.

Even the most dedicated fan of the franchise would admit that the films haven’t always lived up to their potential. And yet, it’s not hard to see why the Predator has inspired so many movies, comic books, novels, and video games over the decades. From his technology and honour code to the ruthless pursuit of his prey, it’s a testament to the enduring popularity of the creature that has kept the fans coming back for more. So with The Predator now in theaters, here’s our ranking of every movie in the Predator series to date…