Smash Bros. Player Builds Controller That Tazes Him, Pichu-Style

A Smash Bros. player has built a special controller that will inflict the pain Pichu feels after certain special moves.

YouTuber insertcontrollerhere created a mod for a Gamecube-style controller that uses a tazer to inflict electric shocks at the same time Pichu shocks itself after using some moves. When Pichu uses the special moves Thunderjolt, Skullbash, Agility, or Thunder, they take a few percentage points of damage and now, thanks to this mod, insertcontrollerhere will feel that pain as well.

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You can check out the controller in action below:

insertcontrollerhere, whose real name is Eric Heckman, was going to upload footage of live gameplay with the taser controller hooked up, but posted last night that the recorded footage was lost after a camera issue. Heckman will be posting footage soon though, according to Twitter.

As to why someone would want to create a controller like this, Heckman doesn’t offer any answers in the video about the controller, but a quick stroll through the insertcontrollerhere YouTube channel will give you some idea why, given its focus on mods for all kinds of controllers, to do wildly different things.

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Those projects include a controller that makes Smash Bros characters “teabag” when insertcontrollerhere dips a teabag connected to a controller into water, as well as a controller that lets you rage quit with the power of salt. When you want to rage quit, poor salt into a cup of water connected to a controller and the controller will then automatically pause the match and select the quit option. It’s a treasure trove of unique controller mods.

For more controller mods, check out this ex-NASA engineer’s PS4 and Xbox One mod that makes the controllers’ vibrations 10 times more powerful.

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Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.

Campaign for New Marvel vs. DC Crossover Builds Momentum

Writer Gail Simone is spearheading a call for the Big Two comics publishers to do another epic Marvel vs. DC crossover. Simone, best known for writing Deadpool, Birds of Prey, and Wonder Woman, wants the two companies to make it happen because she thinks it will generate buzz and bring in a new audience, which will help comic book shops recover in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has left the comics industry in a bad spot.

“When comics shops open back up as we all hope they will, I would love it if DC and Marvel could ask the lawyer to step outside, and have another big Marvel/DC crossover,” Simone tweeted. “A lot of people would love it and it would lay the welcome mat back out in a big way.”

 

While Marvel and DC have had a handful of crossovers in the past — like the Amalgam Comics crossovers that fused together iconic characters to make extreme hybrid heroes like Dark Claw (Batman + Wolverine) and Catsai (Catwoman + Elektra) — there hasn’t been one since the ‘90s and the notion of another crossover has been a distant thought for the Big Two.

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But it’s fair to say that many things have been happening lately that we all never thought were possible, so perhaps in these trying times we’ll see Marvel and DC join forces for the common good once more.

That’s the hope, at least. Simone got the ball rolling with the hashtag #PleaseMarvelDC and offered a few ideas on which characters should crossover and which creator should execute the idea: Vision/Mr. Miracle by Tom King, Thor/Wonder Woman by Donny Cates, and Superman/Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis.

 

Numerous creators replied with their dream crossovers, which built momentum for the campaign and spread the idea across social media like wildfire.

Writer Tom Taylor (DCeased, X-Men Red) wants to do a story where Harley Quinn and Deadpool team up to take down Darkseid and Thanos.

Writer Christos Gage (Avengers Academy, The Amazing Spider-Man) went for a more obscure (yet no less awesome) approach.

 

Then writer Scott Snyder (Batman, American Vampire) presented a very spot-on idea for a crossover story featuring the Dark Knight.

It looks like the comics creators themselves are all on board and have plenty of exciting ideas. Even though the general public might see Marvel and DC as fierce rivals, the people that create the comics are all part of one artistic community that work in the same industry and make friends with one another regardless of which publisher they happen to be working for. In fact, most creators end up working for Marvel and DC at one point or another, sometimes both at the same time. So it all boils down to whether those in charge at Marvel and DC would ever make a deal to do another crossover. DC senior editor Chris Conroy has already cast his vote in favor of the crossover, but with one specific condition.

 

Do you want to see another Marvel and DC crossover? Which characters do you want to see go up against one another? Let us know in the comments.

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Joshua is Senior Features Editor at IGN. If Pokemon, Green Lantern, or Game of Thrones are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter @JoshuaYehl and IGN.

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Pre-order Guide: Release Date, Bonus Content, And More

It turns out Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition is coming to Nintendo Switch pretty soon. Initially revealed last September, the Definitive Edition of the heralded Wii RPG will land on Switch on May 29. Nintendo revealed the release date during a surprise Nintendo Direct Mini that showcased a bunch of previously unannounced Switch games. The Definitive Edition is joined by a new 250-page art book dubbed Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works that will be bundled with the $80 Definitive Works Set (US exclusive). Meanwhile, fans in the UK can grab the Collector’s Set, which comes with a few more goodies.

The biggest addition to the Definitive Edition is the brand-new epilogue, Future Connected, which provides some incentive for those who have already played Monolith Soft’s grand adventure to grab it again on Switch. The Switch version also includes some quality-of-life improvements, including remixed music, updated controls, and enhanced visuals. Menu screens will be more user-friendly and feature easier-to-read text, too.

Both US editions of Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition are available to pre-order now. The UK-exclusive Collector’s Set isn’t available to pre-order just yet, but you can check out all of the details below.

Pre-order Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition | $60

The base game on its own will cost $60. No pre-order bonuses have been announced at this time, but you can currently order it from Best Buy and GameStop.

Pre-order Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works Set | $80

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works Set
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Works Set

The Definitive Works Set comes with the game and a premium hardcover art book in a slip case. It’s available to pre-order at Best Buy for $80.

Pre-order Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Collector’s Set (UK only)

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The UK-exclusive Collector’s Set includes several more goodies. In addition to the art book, you’ll get a poster and official soundtrack on vinyl and digital. We’ll add pricing information once it’s available to pre-order.

Now Playing: Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition – Nintendo Direct Mini Trailer

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Nintendo Direct Showcases A Bunch Of New Switch Games, Including Burnout Paradise Remastered

Today’s surprise Nintendo Direct Mini was hardly mini, packing in a lot to its nearly 29-minute runtime. In addition to all of the Switch games and updates that were featured prominently–such as the Borderlands and BioShock Collections, Animal Crossing’s next update, and Smash Ultimate’s next DLC fighter–there was also a montage of other games on their way to Nintendo’s hybrid console. Not all of them were new, but it did provide release dates for many of them.

Chief among these was Burnout Paradise Remastered, the beloved open-world racing game. This was previously released on other platforms, but it still makes for an exciting addition to the Switch’s library, which isn’t exactly overflowing with racing games. Unfortunately, of all the games in the montage (watch it below, starting at the 23:40 mark), it also had the vaguest release date, with Nintendo only saying it would release in 2020.

If you’re looking for something more imminent that you can play–other than the Switch games that surprise-released today—Saints Row IV: Re-Elected was also highlighted, and that arrives on March 27. Next month, we’ll get a closed beta for Vigor on April 9, and Trials of Mana (which recently got a free demo) releases on April 24. May brings Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus, while The Elder Scrolls: Blades and Minecraft Dungeons are due out sometime this spring.

In June, we’ll get Mr. Driller DrillLand (June 25) and The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (June 30), the latter of which has a demo out now if you’re eager to see what It’s like. Later in the year, sometime this fall, we’ll also get the DJ rhythm game Fuser from Rock Band maker Harmonix.

Outside of the montage, Nintendo also showcased King’s Bounty II (coming in 2020), free-to-play action game Ninjala (May), Catherine: Full Body (July 6), and Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (May 29).

Regarding the release dates, Nintendo did note at the start of the Direct that any dates included in the video are subject to change due to the coronavirus.

Here’s the full list of everything in the montage:

  • Trials of Mana – April 24
  • Fuser – Fall 2020
  • The Elder Scrolls: Blades – Spring 2020
  • Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus – May 2020
  • Vigor – closed beta April 9
  • Burnout Paradise Remastered – 2020
  • Saints Row IV: Re-Elected – March 27
  • The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III – June 30 (demo out now)
  • Mr. Driller DrillLand – June 25
  • Minecraft Dungeons – Spring 2020

Bravely Default 2 Demo Available On Nintendo Switch Eshop

Nintendo snuck up on us with a surprise Nintendo Direct Mini presentation, and despite the name it was chock full of new game announcements and even some game releases. One sweet treat for RPG fans is the release of a demo for Bravely Default 2, the latest in the retro series coming to Nintendo Switch later this year.

The demo features a band of four heroes on the continent of Excillant. A tweet from Nintendo suggests that Square Enix is looking to collect feedback from this demo to incorporate into the finished game, so surveys will go out to those who download it. Unlike many other recent demos from Square Enix, this one doesn’t mention whether your game progress will transfer to the full game.

Bravely Default is the latest from Team Asano, which created Bravely Default and Bravely Second before going a different direction with Octopath Traveler. The small team has become known for interesting retro experiments, and this third game in the Bravely series will probably continue that tradition.

The surprise Nintendo Direct debuted a bunch of new games coming to Nintendo Switch, including some compilations from 2K, and even some games that released on the Eshop today. Nintendo’s first-party games got some love too, with the announcement of the next Smash Bros Ultimate fighter and the April update for Animal Crossing.

Now Playing: Bravely Default II – Announcement Trailer

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Next DLC Fighter Is From Arms

Nintendo dropped a surprise Nintendo Direct Mini today, although there was certainly nothing “mini” about it, as the presentation ran for nearly 30 minutes and revealed a ton of new details on games coming to Switch in the next few months. Among other things, we got our first info on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s next DLC fighter.

The next character coming to the mascot fighter is from Arms, Nintendo’s colorful 2017 fighting game. Nintendo didn’t yet reveal the identity of the fighter, but this will be the first DLC fighter to arrive as part of the Fighters Pass Vol. 2, which covers six additional characters and costs $30 USD.

Just as in Arms, the next DLC fighter will have extendable arms, although Nintendo joked that it would have to “extend” its development time because of this. The fighter is slated to be announced and released sometime this June, although Nintendo noted at the start of the presentation that release dates could be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch the Nintendo Direct segment above.

Following the reveal, Nintendo announced that it is offering a free trial of Arms for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. The free trial kicks off today, March 26, at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET and runs through April 6. During that time, Switch Online members will be able to sample the full game at no charge.

There were a ton of other announcements during the Nintendo Direct Mini. We learned that BioShock, Borderlands, and XCOM are all coming to Switch. Nintendo also detailed Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ first seasonal event, which sees Zipper T. Bunny arrive and hide eggs all around your island.

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Next DLC Will Feature A Character From ARMS

The next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC fighter will be from Nintendo’s Switch-exclusive fighting game ARMS, and they’ll arrive in June.

The news was revealed as part of today’s surprsie Nintendo Direct Mini which revealed a whole host of new games coming to the Switch. For the rest of the announcements, check out our roundup.

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The fighter will be announced and released this June, but we have no word on which character from the game will be featured in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. During the announcement, a picture of the entire roster flashed on the screen. Hopefully, we’ll hear more about which particular fighter will be joining the fray in the coming few months.

Nintendo flexed its ‘dad joke’ game when the company mentioned that due to the fact that this fighter’s arms can extend, they will, in accordance, have to extend their development time on the fighter.

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Last week, creator Masahiro Sakurai was discussing the possibility of stopping production on Smash Bros. DLC entirely due to the spread of COVID-19 and mentioned that, even with an announcement, it may not be possible to develop the character. Here’s hoping we can avoid that eventuality.

In lieu of a release, a free game trial for ARMS will be available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. It’s free to play from today for those with an active subscription and will start on the 26th of March and last until the 4th of April.

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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer from IGN. Follow him on Twitter!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ April Event And Update Detailed

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has just gotten a new 1.1.1 update, but it’s actually last week’s 1.1.0 update that enabled an upcoming event. As detailed in the surprise Nintendo Direct Mini broadcast, the first seasonal event is now just days away, with another to come later in April.

Bunny Day, Animal Crossing’s equivalent of Easter, runs from April 1-12 and sees Zipper the bunny visit your island. Eggs will be hidden for you to hunt down through means like digging and fishing, and new limited-time items from the egg series will be craftable during the annual event.

You can get a glimpse of some of the items you can make in the Animal Crossing portion of the Nintendo Direct, which begins at the 8:23 mark.

Another new update for New Horizons will be released at some point in April that will enable the event for Earth Day, which falls on April 22. Specific details were not shared, but the Nintendo Direct did feature the likeness of a returning Animal Crossing character, Leif.

There was a ton of news shared during the Direct, including the release of the Borderlands and BioShock Collections on Switch.

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BioShock, Borderlands, And XCOM Are All Coming To Nintendo Switch

2K Games has been one of the Nintendo Switch’s biggest supporters thus far, and the publisher is adding even more games to the system from major franchises like Borderlands, BioShock, and XCOM.

Announced during a surprise Nintendo Direct presentation March 26, 2K Games is bringing three game collections to the Switch. BioShock: The Collection includes the original game, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite, and it was previously released on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. They include DLC, as well, for those who really want to dive into the unique science-fiction multiverse.

Borderlands: Legendary Collection includes the original game, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel with their add-on content. This covers villain Handsome Jack’s story and the origin of the looter-shooter franchise, which began in 2009. Borderlands 3 is not included in the collection.

Last up is the XCOM 2 Collection, which includes the base game as well as the War of the Chosen expansion and four DLC packs. Firaxis’ turn-based strategy game is one of the toughest we’ve ever played, but it’s extremely rewarding and a great fit for the Nintendo Switch’s portable mode.

All of these games will release for Nintendo Switch on May 29, though Nintendo noted that this could change due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). They were just a few of the pile of games Nintendo revealed during its surprise Nintendo Direct presentation, which you can watch in full above. There will be plenty of games to keep you busy if we’re stuck inside for a few more months, including Burnout Paradise Remastered and Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition.

Four New Nintendo Switch Games Surprise-Released Today

Nintendo surprise-released a new Nintendo Direct Mini presentation, and packed inside the announcements came another unexpected treat: a handful of surprise game releases, ready to buy right now through the Nintendo Switch Eshop if any of them strike your fancy.

Four new games hit the Eshop alongside the Direct Mini: Shinsekai: Into the Depths, Good Job, Panzer Dragoon: Remake, and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy. The presentation also mentioned that Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer is coming soon, so we may see that appear on the store in the near future.

Shinsekai is a lovely underwater exploration game from Capcom that was a timed exclusive for Apple Arcade last year. Good Job is a puzzle game that has you working your way up the corporate ladder of a company. Panzer Dragoon and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy are both remakes or ports of classics.

And while not exactly a new game release, the presentation also surprise-released a demo for Bravely Default 2, the upcoming RPG from Square Enix. So altogether you have plenty to play today.

Other announcements from the Nintendo Direct Mini include a number of 2K compilations–namely Borderlands, BioShock, and XCOM–the next fighter reveal for Smash Bros, and details on the April update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Now Playing: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Early Review Impressions

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