Barrel Roll Gaming

#BRGNintendoDirect - Watch tonight's Nintendo Direct here

2013-05-17T21:40:00.001+10:00

Nintendo have scheduled a Nintendo Direct video for midnight tonight/Saturday morning AEST, and you can bet your bottom dollar/remaining eShop balance that, sleep pattern permitting, Josh will be live tweeting it all for us.

You can watch it live below or at http://nintendo.com.au/nintendodirect. Happy viewing, or sleeping if you're doing that instead.

Tweets about "#BRGNintendoDirect"

Out this Week: Metro: Last Light, Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

2013-05-16T08:24:00.000+10:00

This week... in video game stores... Metro: Last Light shines brighly into our consoles, Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut is re-released on PS3, and something to take your mind off Pokémon X &Y - it's Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity.

Metro: Last Light (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

RRP:
PS3/360 - $89.95
PC - $79.95
EB Games:
PS3/360 (Ranger Edition) - $88.00
PC - $78.00
Gametraders:
PS3/360 - $63.95
PS3/360 - $79.95 (Yes, there are two identical games with different prices)
PC - $72.95
JB Hi-Fi:
PS3/360 - $79.00
PS3/360 (JB Exclusive Edition) - $79.00
PC - $69.00
Ozgameshop (import):
PS3/360 - $49.99
PS3/360 (Limited Edition) - $54.99
PC (Game code) - $35.99

Deadly Premonition: Director's Cut (PS3)

RRP:
PS3 - $49.95
EB Games:
PS3 - $48.00
Gametraders:
PS3 - $48.95
JB Hi-Fi:
PS3 - $47.99
Ozgameshop (import):
PS3 - $36.99

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS)

RRP:
3DS - $69.95
EB Games:
3DS - $68.00
Gametraders:
3DS - $63.95
JB Hi-Fi:
3DS - $59.95
Nintendo eShop:
3DS - $69.95

Closed beta ends, open beta begins for Anno Online

2013-05-15T20:30:00.003+10:00

Anno Online, Ubisoft's latest free-to-play web game has ended it's closed beta period and launched straight into open beta, with closed beta users able to keep their save data and collect an in-game gift for playing.

The English language version of the site is now in open beta, with sign-ups now available. Having played through the closed beta during the week, I can tell you it's one hell of a game.

Anno Online is currently in open beta period at http://en.anno-online.com/en

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – May 15, 2013 – Ubisoft has revealed that all English speaking fans will now have the opportunity to play the open beta of Anno Online®. Developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte, Anno Online® is a free-to-play strategy simulation game which combines the popular game-play of the Anno franchise with brand new features suited to a persistent, web-based game.

The closed beta of Anno Online® was a great success due to the high stability and the good performance provided by the game. To celebrate the end of the closed beta, players’ current accounts will not be wiped and active users will automatically receive a decorative statue gift to thank them for their involvement. Players, who carry on playing the game on the first week of the open beta, will be rewarded with an exclusive in-game item: a premium ship. This ship gives access to some great features such as the ability to carry more freight and increased speed.

Ubisoft and Blue Byte invite English speaking players to join the open beta via the official website: http://en.anno-online.com/en

New Rayman Legends trailer goes underwater

2013-05-15T20:30:00.000+10:00

A new Rayman Legends trailer was released today looking at the "20,000 lums under the sea" underwater world.

The description tells us that you can dive to the bottom of the ocean as a top-secret spy, using light and shadow to infiltrate the enemy's ocean base. However, some of the enemies have night-vision goggles and can spot you if you aren't careful. Check out the trailer below.

Rayman Legends will be released on the Wii U, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on August 29.

Nintendo Download - 15 May 2013

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000+10:00

In this week's Nintendo Download, a plethora of Wii U downloads but only one 3DS download. At least it's on special.

Title	System	Availability	Price
Resident Evil: Revelations (Demo)	Wii U - Download	Nintendo eShop, from May 15	Free
The Starship Damrey	Wii U - Download	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	AUD$10.40 (NZD$13.60)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity	Nintendo 3DS - Download	Nintendo eShop, from May 18	AUD$69.95 (NZD$89.95)
Mega Man 5	Wii U - Virtual Console	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	AUD$6.50 (NZD$8.50)
Super Mario Bros. 2	Wii U - Virtual Console	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	AUD$6.50 (NZD$8.50)
Super Ghouls'n Ghosts	Wii U - Virtual Console	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	AUD$10.40 (NZD$13.60)
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition (Price reduction)	Wii U - Download	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	Was AUD$74.95 (NZD$94.95) Now AUD$49.95 (NZD$69.95)
Super Metroid (Special Offer)	Wii U - Virtual Console	Nintendo eShop, from now	AUD$0.30 (NZD$0.30) After 14/6: AUD$10.40 (NZD$13.60)
Planet Crashers 3D (Special Offer)	Nintendo 3DS - Download	Nintendo eShop, from May 17	AUD$9.10 (NZD$11.90) After 30/5: AUD$13.00 (NZD$17.00)

Out this Week: Persona 4: Arena, The Walking Dead

2013-05-09T07:00:00.000+10:00

Not too many releases this week - Persona 4: Arena gets an Australian release, while The Walking Dead launches on Xbox 360, with PS3 and PC copies launching next week

Persona 4: Arena (PS3, Xbox 360)

RRP: $79.95
EB Games: $78.00
Gametraders: $72.95
JB Hi-Fi: $69.00
Ozgameshop (import): $46.99 (Day One limited edition)

The Walking Dead (Xbox 360)

RRP: $49.95
EB Games: $48.00
Gametraders: $48.95
JB Hi-Fi: $44.00
Ozgameshop (import): $38.99

The Sims 4 in development, launching next year on PC and Mac

2013-05-07T08:13:00.000+10:00

This morning EA and developers The Sims Studio have confirmed that The Sims 4 is in development, with a release scheduled for sometime next year.

It's predecessor, The Sims 3, was released in 2009, but has been kept up to date with expansion packs and "stuff packs", with the latest scheduled for release in late June and September this year respectively. However, it's been the first time in four years that a truly new The Sims game is on it's way.

Possibly in response from the poor reception of the SimCity launch, EA have noted that The Sims 4 is truly a "single-player offline experience" - good news for those who want to play the game offline or those without an internet connection to begin with.

A website for the game was also launched, with a teaser image in Simlish. We have no idea what it may be, aside from looking like a list of features.

The Sims 4 will be released sometime in 2014 on PC and Mac.

Sul Sul! Maxis and Electronic Arts today announced that The Sims™ 4 is currently in development at The Sims Studio for release on PC and Mac in 2014. The Sims 4 celebrates the heart and soul of the Sims themselves, giving players a deeper connection with the most expressive, surprising and charming Sims ever in this single-player offline experience. The Sims 4 encourages players to personalize their world with new and intuitive tools while offering them the ability to effortlessly share their creativity with friends and fans.

The Sims franchise is fueled by the passion and creativity of its millions of fans around the world. Their continued devotion to the franchise ignites the fire of creativity of the team at The Sims Studio, driving them to continually improve and innovate on one of the world’s most popular simulation games that has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide.

As a thank you for the support of the more than 30 million fans that share and discuss stories about The Sims across global social networks, a special VIP briefing was held this morning where several of the world’s top fans were amongst the first to hear the news about The Sims 4. This select group was the first in the world to hear from the creative team for The Sims 4, and they will receive special access to the development team as the game progresses.

The Sims 4 is not yet rated by the Australian Classification Board. To stay up to date with the latest information please visit www.thesims.com/thesims4.

Review: Alien Chaos 3D (3DS)

2013-05-06T20:04:00.000+10:00

From the indie developers who make "kick ass games", Alien Chaos 3D is a new Nintendo 3DS 2D shooter set around two cleaners, Really Shooter and Mama, the later of whom is abducted by aliens who invade their cleaning business. It's up to really to save Mama and, to a lesser extent, their cleaning business, by destroying every extra-terrestrial being in his path.

Title	Alien Chaos 3D
Developers	Ludosity
Publishers	Reef Entertainment
Console	Nintendo 3DS Nintendo eShop (UK/EU only)
Release Date	April 5th, 2013

Alien Chaos 3D draws you in with fun, intense gameplay, with you spraying aliens with bullets 90% of the time. The other 10% is clearing their remnants and pushing them into cleaners in exchange for ammunition. You can also clear walls for even more ammunition. And yes, you need it. Alien Chaos 3D requires plenty of skill and quick thinking, because you will quite often find yourself in a situation where you're surrounded by one too many aliens. Thankfully you have 8 bars of health and if you are hit, an explosion is set off, killing every alien around you.

In Story mode, you have access to five worlds, each with four levels and a boss battle. There's also Challenge mode, with plenty of different challenges involved. StreetPass functionality is also included (but as it is a UK/EU download there's a small chance of finding anyone with it in Australia), yet no multiplayer, which is a bit of a downer as the game would work well even with co-op.

The controls in Alien Chaos 3D are simple - X to shoot, B to jump, and L or R to enter Aim mode, planting you to the floor and allowing you to shoot down overhead enemies with the D-pad. It would have been nice to be able to use the Circle Pad, but at least the D-pad was fully utilised here.

But what about visuals? Alien Chaos 3D looks great in 3D, and it adds to the gameplay (although not to the extent of other games such as Super Mario 3D Land). I must say that it's one of the best looking indie titles I've seen in a while.

In conclusion, I found Alien Chaos 3D to be a fun game to play in short bursts. That said, it was highly addicting, and the only reason I had to put it down was because I valued my eyes. The game is quite short though, with a short story mode and a challenge mode which isn't much longer. The lack of multiplayer doesn't help either. That said, the game is well made and is good to pass the time with.

BUY	(indicates the game reviewed is above average and worth purchasing by the reader)
	Review copy provided by Reef Entertainment

Game & Wario games up on June 29

2013-05-06T19:55:00.000+10:00

Wario's trademark minigame collection is back, and this time on Wii U. Game & Wario will launch in Australia and New Zealand on June 29.

Game & Wario includes 12 zany minigames, utilising the GamePad in many ways. For example, "camera" turns the GamePad into, you guessed it, a camera, while "gamer" sees you take the role of 9-Volt hiding his "favourite handhold gaming console" from his mother when he should be sleeping. I wonder where they get that idea from.

Game & Wario will be released in Australia on June 29.

Melbourne, Australia - 3rd May 2013 – Wario and his zany friends are back in Game & Wario, a brand new, colourful collection of crazy games exclusively for Wii U! Launching on 29th June, the game utilises the unique setup of the Wii U GamePad controller and the TV screen in innovative and exciting ways for a Wario experience like no other that will keep you coming back for more!

Wario has dabbled in software development since the WarioWare series - and just loves to find new ways to play games with the latest consoles. In Game & Wario, he’s trying his hand at a certain new home console system with a Touch Screen in the centre of its controller… This results in a zany set of games that can all be played using just a Wii U GamePad and a TV screen, whether playing alone or with friends and family.

In Single Player, there are twelve games to enjoy that turn your GamePad into a variety of different objects for different gameplay challenges: use it as a camera, a bow that looses arrows into the TV image, or as a method to steer a skier to the disco, amongst others!

In CAMERA, you’re tasked with snapping photos of escaped criminals with your GamePad! The TV shows a busy street in Diamond City and holding up the GamePad allows you to take a closer look at the scene. Frame those crooks perfectly in your photos to catch them, and earn a high score!

In GAMER, take on the role of 9-Volt, a kid who’s been sent to bed with his favourite handheld gaming system, but is desperate to get a high score… However his mum is prowling around trying to catch him in the act of staying up past his bedtime! While playing microgames on the GamePad, you’ll need to keep an eye on the TV screen which shows 9-Volt’s bedroom, because you’ll have to pretend to be fast asleep whenever his mum pounces! Try to hide-and-play for as long as possible for a high score - just don’t get caught or it’s game over!

You can also try your luck with Chick-N-Win, the chicken-shaped contraption that lays surprise-filled capsules, and get one of over 200 weird and wonderful toys to play with; each one showcasing something fun or eccentric you can do with your GamePad.

Game & Wario also unveils a new twist on playing with others on Wii U: using only the GamePad you can share the fun with friends or family in four different games in the Multiplayer Mode!

In DISCO, you’ll be battling against a friend toe-to-toe in a dance-off, where the players are setting the pace and moves on the GamePad for points. Each player holds one end of the GamePad and tries to outwit his opponent with fancy fingerwork, rhythmically tapping the touch screen in three places to place moves his opponent needs to replicate... Each misstep earns the player’s opponent points – you’ll need the highest score to win – so make sure you can keep in rhythm!

In FRUIT, up to five players play together in different roles: one player becomes a dastardly fruit thief, using the GamePad to work in secret as the others play agents and watch the TV screen, using their powers of observation to find the thief in a crowd and spot when the fruits disappear. The agents have their work cut out for them with bustling streets, passing traffic and smoky chimneys obscuring the view. At the end of the game, each of the agents pass around the GamePad to point out who they think is the thief; but only the most eagle-eyed may win as the line-up of would-be fruit thieves look rather similar!

In ARTWORK, up to five players compete in a sketching showdown to see who can draw and guess drawings the fastest for a high score. Each player takes turns to sketch prompted words as fast as possible on the GamePad, with the other players guessing what the word might be. It’s a frantic test of communication with friends and family as points are earned both for correct guesses and for drawing fast, as one man’s squiggle is another man’s solution!

This game type is also integrated into Miiverse as Miiverse ARTWORK, where you can select one of four prompts to draw in 60 seconds, after which your mini masterpiece, or hilarious doodle, is posted to Miiverse to be appreciated by all! You can even submit your own words to be prompts for others to draw, which may even trend in the Gallery section of Miiverse Artwork as popular words other players are enjoying sketching!

Game & Wario launches exclusively on Wii U across Australia and New Zealand on 29th June, a fun-filled package of sixteen games and hundreds of toys all showcasing the myriad uses of the Wii U GamePad. Unleash Wario’s unique wares on your family and friends for a winter jam-packed with mischief!

New Batman: Arkham Origins screenshots released

2013-05-06T19:41:00.000+10:00

WB Games have released five new screenshots from Batman: Arkham Origins, the newest instalment in the Batman series due for release on October 25.

These are pretty much self explanatory, and they look amazing. You can see them below.

Batman: Arkham Origins and it's companion Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will be released on October 25 on our shores.

The next instalment in the Call of Duty series announced - Call of Duty: Ghosts

2013-05-02T08:25:00.000+10:00

The new Call of Duty game is on its way, and this time it's revolving around Ghosts. Yes, the new Call of Duty is Call of Duty: Ghosts, scheduled for November 5, 2013.

In announcing the game, Activision and Infinity Ward (yes, it's their time to shine) released a teaser trailer, which description reads: "There are those who wear masks to protect themselves. And there are those who wear masks to protect us all."

To say I'm intrigued is an understatement.

Call of Duty: Ghosts is due out on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on November 5, but the trailer also confirms that the game is scheduled for next generation consoles. We'll have to wait to the next-gen Xbox event on May 22 for more information.

Sydney, Australia – 2 May, 2013 – Prepare for the next generation of Call of Duty®. The franchise that has defined a generation of gaming is set to raise the bar once again with the all-new Call of Duty®: Ghosts. Published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), and developed by Infinity Ward, the studio that created the original Call of Duty and the seminal Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® series, Call of Duty: Ghosts ushers in the next generation of the franchise. The new title delivers a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation.

“Infinity Ward set the gold standard for first-person action for a generation, and they’re going to do it again with Call of Duty: Ghosts,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, Inc. “Ghosts delivers an all-new story, all-new characters, an all-new Call of Duty world, all powered by a next generation Call of Duty engine, which is a leap forward for the franchise. Infinity Ward is going all-in to create the next generation of Call of Duty worthy of the world’s greatest fans."

“Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do. But we're not resting on our laurels,” said Mark Rubin, executive producer of developer Infinity Ward. “We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty. So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can't wait to share them with our community."

To see an exclusive first look at Call of Duty: Ghosts tune in to Xbox: the Next Generation Revealed on 21 May at 10AM PDT on Xbox.com or Xbox LIVE for the debut of the all-new game from Infinity Ward.

“We are consistently thrilled with the overwhelming response received from critics and consumers alike to the Call of Duty series, which has firmly established its home on the Xbox 360 with the game’s largest and most engaged community,” said Don Mattrick, president of the interactive entertainment business at Microsoft. “With Call of Duty: Ghosts, we have no doubt that our longtime partners, Activision and Infinity Ward, will raise the bar higher than ever before for this incredible franchise.”

Starting today, fans can begin pre-ordering their copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts at retail outlets worldwide.

“There’s no other video game property like Call of Duty. It’s the biggest game franchise on the planet that has had some of the biggest game entertainment launches in history,” said Tony Bartel, president of GameStop. “We are very excited for the launch of Call of Duty: Ghosts, as we transition to next generation consoles.”

Call of Duty: Ghosts will release on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC on 5 November. Call of Duty: Ghosts will also be available for next generation platforms. For the latest intel, check out: www.callofduty.com/ghosts, www.facebook.com/CODGhosts, or follow on Twitter @InfinityWard, @CallofDuty_ANZ. Call of Duty: Ghosts is not yet rated.

First of two major Wii U updates go live, Virtual Console and PanoramaView now available

2013-04-29T17:22:00.000+10:00

Nintendo has been promising two major firmware updates for the Wii U for a while, and finally the first one is now available for download.

Courtesy of Nintendo, here's a handy list of items in the update.

Addition of Standby Functions Feature

This feature enables data for purchased software, system updates and software updates to be downloaded and installed automatically even after the console has been turned off.

Updates to Miiverse

Controls using the Wii Remote, the Wii U Pro Controller, and the Classic Controller are now supported.
The input screen for handwritten posts is now also displayed on the TV.
The input screen for handwritten posts now features an undo/redo button.

Updates to the Internet Browser

Controls using the Wii Remote and the Wii U Pro Controller are now supported.
It is now possible to switch search engines when performing a keyword search.
It is now possible to navigate to the start page from bookmarks.

Update to Nintendo eShop

When purchasing downloadable software, any available updates for that software will be downloaded at the same time.

Updates to Download Management

It is now possible to reorder downloads.
Newly purchased downloadable software will automatically install once the download completes.

Updates to Parental Controls

The "Viewing Distributed Videos" restriction has been changed to "Entertainment Excluding Games".
A screen requiring parental consent will be displayed before the first use of any non-game software (including video-viewing software) or other new service.

Enabled Direct Opening of Wii Menu

When the Wii U logo is displayed after turning on the console, holding down the B Button on the Wii U GamePad will open the Wii Menu directly. (If no default user has been selected on the console, the user-selection screen will be displayed, and a user must be selected.)

Updates to System Settings

Under Data Management, two USB storage devices can now be connected to move and/or copy data. You can move and/or copy data between the system memory and a USB storage device or between two USB storage devices. (Up to two USB storage devices can be connected when moving, copying or deleting data. In all other cases, only one USB storage device can be used at a time.)
Under Data Management, you can now move, copy or delete data for a selection of software titles.
The TV option now includes the option to adjust the screen size of the display on the TV. (This replaces the similar options previously available within Miiverse, Nintendo eShop, and the Internet Browser, which have now been removed.)
The "Auto Power-Down" option has been renamed to "Power Settings", which now includes both the auto power-down setting and the new standby functions feature.

Improvements to System Stability and Convenience

Improvements have been made to system stability and convenience for greater user enjoyment.
The time required to start the Wii U console, launch built-in applications, exit software and return to the main menu, jump between applications and jump between software and Miiverse has been reduced.

Additional features were also released including:

Virtual Console
A library of quality classic games from NES and Super Nintendo are scheduled for the Virtual Console service on Wii U, with favourites such as Super Mario World, Excitebike, Mario’s Super Picross, F-Zero, Ice Climber, Donkey Kong Jr. and Punch-Out!! available at launch*. Many other gaming classics such as Pac Man, Super Metroid and games from the Mega Man, Street Fighter and Super Mario Bros. series will be available soon, while popular Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 64 games will also be added in the future.

Each game in the Wii U Virtual Console library has been developed to include off-TV play on the Wii U GamePad, customisable controls, Miiverse community support and the ability to instantly save game progress. NES games will cost AUD $6.50 or NZD $8.50 while Super NES games will cost AUD $10.40 or NZD $13.60. People who have already downloaded these games to their Wii system can transfer them to their Wii U consoles and play them in Wii Mode at no charge. To upgrade and take advantage of the improved Wii U features, they can purchase them at the special discount price of AUD $1.30 or NZD $1.70 for NES games and AUD $1.95 or NZD $2.55 for Super NES games.

Wii U Panorama View
Wii U Panorama View opens a window to the sights and sounds of some of the world’s most exciting destinations. Wii U owners use the GamePad controller to look in every direction to control an immersive 360-degree video guided tour as these destinations come to life from the comfort of your living room. Imagine catching all the sights during a tour of London on a double-decker bus or exploring the streets of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Four individual video tours are offered for AUD $2.50 or NZD $3.50 each on the Nintendo eShop. An interactive preview is also available for download allowing you to taste the different experiences of the individual tours for free.

If you need help with updates then Nintendo's support website is your best resort.

Sydney developer Nnooo approved as PS4 developer

2013-04-26T18:19:00.000+10:00

escapeVektor and Spirit Hunters Inc. developers Nnooo have today announced that they have been approved as a developer for Sony's upcoming console, the PlayStation 4.

Nic Watt, Nnooo Creative Director, said that “It’s exciting to be developing for a new generation of consoles. We’re delighted to get early access to PS4 development kits so we can get our games on the console as quickly as possible.”

Nnooo have also said that they will be hiring additional staff to help with programming and animation. More details on that will be released next week.

Hopefully we'll see more news on their new game, which is also planned for Wii U and PlayStation Vita, in the near future.

PRESS RELEASE - Sydney, Australia - April 26, 2013 - Nnooo is pleased to announce developer approval from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for the PlayStation®4 (PS4™).

The PS4 will be the second PlayStation platform Nnooo has developed for, having recently released its critically acclaimed escapeVektor™ on the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita).

“It’s exciting to be developing for a new generation of consoles,” said Nic Watt, Creative Director at Nnooo. “We’re delighted to get early access to PS4 development kits so we can get our games on the console as quickly as possible.”

Nnooo is currently developing a new game which is expected to be released across multiple platforms, including the PS4 and PS Vita.

“We’re still at an early stage of development of our new game,” said Watt. “We don’t want to announce anything until we are more advanced with the project. Hopefully we’ll be able to say something about it around the middle of the year.”

As a result of the PS4 approval the company will be looking to hire additional experienced staff to help with programming and art/animation. Details of the Sydney-based roles will be announced next week.

E3 2013: EA confirms conference time and date

2013-04-23T20:28:00.002+10:00

EA has jumped in early with confirmation of an E3 conference on Tuesday, June 11 at 6:00am (Monday 1pm local time). That gives us just over a month to speculate our heads off.

EA posted the news on their website, with an embed of their 2012 E3 conference. Maybe some unanswered questions from last year will be answered. Who knows? We'll have to wait and see.

Nintendo Direct 17.04.13: A Summary

2013-04-18T17:30:00.000+10:00

If any of you were following this morning's Nintendo Direct via this post you would have seen all of this in real time, but if you were sleeping like most of us you would have missed it. Never fear, all what went down is right here.

Satoru Iwata opened the stream alongside Mario and Luigi themselves, and after the usual hand gestures, preceded to discuss more on the Year of Luigi. First up, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros., with more information on where the game is set - a place called Pi'illo Island, some new moves for Mario & Luigi - including one where Luigi turns into a massive ball which Mario must roll on top of, and a release date - July 13th in Australia.

Next, Mario Golf: World Tour. Although a release is far off, Iwata and the many Luigis showed us new information relating to online multiplayer. When it releases in Winter, Mario Golf: World Tour will include real time multiplayer and the ability to upload scores to Nintendo's servers. Taking a leaf out of Mario Kart 7's book, you will be able to create two types of communities - friend communities and theme communities - to find other players to golf against. You will be able to add special conditions to these communities, too. Of course, there will also be local multiplayer, so no reason to stress there.

A surprise announcement followed this - a new Mario Party game. It will include seven new boards each with completely different rules and dramatically changing events, like a giant Bullet Bill one on of them. It includes 81 new minigames testing skill, concentration, luck, and even the 3DS hardware, which you can, as always, play directly instead of playing the board. It will include AR card support and use of the 3DS Camera. The new Mario Party is due out for release sometime this summer, and hopefully by then it will have a title.

Keeping up with more Luigi news, Satoru Iwata confirmed new details and a release window for New Super Luigi U, the Luigi-only DLC for New Super Mario Bros. U. The DLC includes the same map as Mario Bros. U, but includes edited courses suited to Luigi's capabilities. For starters, Luigi can jump higher than Mario, so there will be higher platforms for him to reach. On the flipside, it is harder for Luigi to stop after a dash, so you'll have to be on the look out for traps. Most of the levels start with only 100 seconds on the timer, too. New Super Luigi U will be available to download sometime this Winter.

Taking a break from Luigi now. Next up was Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, which now includes a new mode called New Mode. Seriously, it's called New Mode. Anyway, the new New Mode contains an edited gameplay style to the original Wii version, with the ability to take extra damage, new power-ups and a green balloon to return you to where you were if you fell off at a point in the level. Also included is a new world (World 9), which is only unlockable after you complete the other 8 in true Mario fashion. Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will be released on May 25.

After that, shock one of the night - a new Yoshi's Island title. So far un-named, the new title includes more Yoshi and Baby Mario doing more flutter jumps, ground pounds and egg throws then ever before, plus new abilities utilising the 3DS hardware. More information will be released later in the year.

Next up was Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move. You will be able to play more than 180 different stages in four different modes, as well as the ability to create and share your own and play those other players have shared. Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move utilises the 3DS' touch screen as well as the 3D top screen for enhanced and addictive gameplay. It will be out exclusively on the eShop on May 9.

The first of the two previously announced Wii U system updates will be available starting next week, speeding up menu access times and unlocking new features including the ability to transfer data between two external storage devices, the ability to press B at startup to access the Wii Menu and, of course, Virtual Console, available the day after the software update goes live. Each game will have off-TV gameplay and it's own Miiverse community. Also available from the eShop will be Wii U Panorama View, including a free demo. This will be available after the system update launches.

Next, Pikmin 3. Yes, the Nintendo 3DS Direct included plenty of Wii U news too. Shown off were "winged Pikmin" that follow Olimar and can carry items in the air. More information will be released between now and launch.

The second shock? Earthbound is coming to the Wii U Virtual Console. That's right, the game unreleased in Europe and Australia is getting a second chance 17 years later. No release date was set, but it will be released by the end of 2013.

Satoru (Iwata) handed over to Satoru (Shibata), who confirmed a new 3DS XL model, this time a special Animal Crossing: New Leaf edition, pre-installed with Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It is set for a release on June 14, however Nintendo Australia have said there are "no plans" for the console to be released here.

Shibata then teased us with a list of Nintendo 3DS titles released this year, and then those scheduled for release so far. He then says that two more titles are on their way, released "ages ago", and are great for newcomers and "seasoned" players. By now, everyone had guessed it - The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons are coming to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in May. There's a new ultimate final boss for those who complete both Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, too.

Next, more on the eShop. Guild 02, another one of LEVEL-5's "bring great Japanese developers together" titles, with games Bug Tank, The Friday When The Monsters Appear and Spacecraft Damrei, will be available on the eShop "soon". Atlas' Shin Megami Tensei IV is also on it's way, while Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies will be out by the end of the year. Bravely Default: Flying Fair is also joining that list, with a release scheduled for this year.

And that's it. Oh, except for Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past will be getting a sequel, or rather a new game set in the same time period as LTTP, with new dungeons and new abilities. Right now, you can see a 3D video demo of this. Thankful, you won't have to wait long, as it too is due by late 2013.

What do you think of this month's Nintendo Direct? Excited for the new Link to the Past game? Maybe you're looking forward to Yoshi's Island? Let us know in the comments (oh, and watch the video below if you haven't).

#BRGNintendoDirect - Nintendo 3DS Direct: 17.04.13 live tweets

2013-04-17T21:00:00.000+10:00

Tonight the future of Nintendo's handheld console, the 3DS, will potentially be decided. Will we see a new 3D Zelda? Maybe something new for the Year of Luigi? Perhaps something Australia won't get (ha!)?

Whatever happens, Josh (@Mario__Bones for those following the Twitter stream) will hopefully be live tweeting this for us. We've also tried to embed the Ustream video in below, but in the likely event it doesn't work, you can see it here or alternatively via the Nintendo Australia website.

Remember, the stream kicks off three hours from now. That's 12:00am Thursday AEST, 11:30pm Wednesday ACST, 10:00pm Wednesday AWST and 2:00am Thursday NZST.

Tweets about "#BRGNintendoDirect"

Review: Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition

2013-04-16T17:15:00.000+10:00

Tekken and Street Fighter are forever competing to bring out the best console and arcade games in the 2D fighting genre. Namco have made the first move on the latest console to hit the market with their latest title Tekken Tag Tournament 2, this time ported to the Wii U. Will this game live up to the expectation and hype? Or be just another, plain old fighting game?

When you first start up the game you see a cut scene and seeing the beautiful and ultra-realistic facial expressions and movement of characters, with realistic sweat and everything. Routinely you would have high hopes for the graphics, but as you start you first fight against a character from TTT2's seamlessly never ending character roster (59-60, can't remember off the top of my head) you feel slightly disappointed and deceived. The graphics are average. And for more effort to be put into the opening cut scene rather than to graphically enhance the game is just stupid. And it is like that for all cut scenes throughout.

I thoroughly enjoyed the games soundtrack as soon as the start menu boots up, you are greeted by some electronic music with a variety of songs to choose from. This theme continues throughout the game.

The game is like all 2D fighting games, but this one has something a bit different that sets it apart from the rest. That is the customizable characters. You can tweak everything about your desired character to your absolute hearts content. The only bad thing is you're not able to make your own fighter. But seriously the moves, appearance and clothes your character wears are all changeable.

Another disappointment with the game is the Fight Lab mode. When I saw this game mode, let's be frank - I was excited. "Finally! A 2D fight game with a story mode!" I thought. Then I see the first effortless cut scene (if you can even call it that) then you soon realize it isn't that. It is just a boring distraction to keep you playing for longer.

The online is definitely the standout of the game, trying to level up your characters and winning cash to buy stuff to customize characters. It rarely lags. That said, there are the Alisa head-kicking spammers that annoy the living hell out of the online community (and, of course, me).

The combos are easier than ever to pull off, with you being able to access four straight from the game pad (which you are able to assign via the customization section), the only complaint is I wish there was a preview to show what the moves do because it's really just trial and error.

This is a fighting game with a few rough edges, but more pros then cons. In saying that, fans of the genre will love it, but people just starting to get into fighting games might not enjoy it as much.

Score: TRY

EA: Worst company in video games? Maybe. Worst company in America? No.

2013-04-12T07:26:00.001+10:00

In case you've hidden away from the Internet in the last week EA has been voted, again, "Worst Company in America" by The Consumerist readers, beating out Bank of America with 78% of the votes. Sure, EA have made mistakes (SimCity anyone?) but there are definitely companies in the United States that have more than ruin the launch of a game.

Let's look at some companies that have done worse. McDonald's, who own the largest chain of fast food restaurants in the world, are commonly blamed for obesity, especially among kids with their (Mc)Happy Meal. News Corporation, parent company of News International and News Limited, were involved in a large scandal relating to phone hacking by journalists in late 2011. In comparison, what have EA done?

EA's COO Peter Moore posted on the official EA blog last Saturday about the "Worst Company in America" award and used the line "our audience lives on the Internet". In this day and age, we are using the Internet to the point where companies are getting involved with social media and are more easily subjected to public criticism and scrutiny. People can read that and base their opinions on someone else's experience and subsequently make EA look worse then they might be.

That said, I do disagree with Peter Moore on other angles. For starters, claiming that SimCity's always online is not a DRM scheme is, if not rubbish, confusing, because Maxis' Lucy Bradshaw said in March that an offline SimCity could be done. If so, why hasn't it been? That would remove something for irrational haters to grab onto.

"Some people think that free-to-play games and micro-transactions are a pox on gaming," Peter Moore goes on to say. "Tens of millions more are playing and loving those games." Sure, and you're probably right, but what about all of the Real Racing 3 hate (like here, here and here)?

But then again, are we all being irrational? Do we expect too much out of game developers and publishers? Are we the ones who need to change?

Maybe. Could you imagine EA's situation, having to deal with angry gamers shouting in your face online all the time? Isn't it just easier to, if you're unhappy with EA, just not buy their games? We have the privilege in the western world to have Democratic rights - why not use them for the better?

Remember that if no-one buys their games that EA will be forced to change their business model. No sales = no money. Money is at the end of the day what makes things happen. It goes the same with any other developer, publisher or hardware manufacturer. Don't like DRM? Don't buy games that have it. Don't like always-online? Don't buy games that have it.

I could go into more hate about EA but frankly they need a bit of support right now. If they can fulfil their promise of "we'll do better", maybe Bank of America won't look so good next year.

What do you think about EA receiving the "Worst Company in America" status? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Batman to return to his Origins with two new games

2013-04-11T12:12:00.000+10:00

It's been more than a year since Batman: Arkham City was released, and many of you have been hungry for a new Batman game. You can turn your bat signals off now, because Warner Bros. Interactive are launching two brand new games - Batman: Arkham Origins, a prequel to Arkham City for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U and PC, with a worldwide release on October 25, and a companion game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, for Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita.

Although Arkham Origins is a prequel to Arkham City, it includes a much more expanded Arkham City on top of a new storyline showcasing a younger Batman in his early career (if you could call it that), and the events of Arkham Origins will set his path in becoming the Dark Knight.

“Batman: Arkham is a huge triple-A videogame franchise and we are delighted to expand the experience with Batman: Arkham Origins,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “WB Games Montréal has an incredibly talented team building upon Rocksteady’s award-winning gameplay and technology to deliver a deep, immersive, quality experience fans will love.”

Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate will be released on October 25 in Australia and around the world.

Sydney, Australia – April 10, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Batman: Arkham Origins™ and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™, the next instalments of the blockbuster Batman: Arkham videogame franchise. Batman: Arkham Origins will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 system, the Wii U™ system, and Windows PC. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™ will be available for the Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system, and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system. Both titles are scheduled to release worldwide Oct. 25, 2013, which will apply to Australia also.

Developed by WB Games Montréal, Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and introduces an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, the first two critically acclaimed games of the franchise. Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is a 2.5-D game developed by Armature Studio that brings the Batman Arkham experience for the first time to Nintendo and Sony handheld systems. A companion game to Batman: Arkham Origins, players can continue the storyline of the console version and discover more details of the Dark Knight’s past.

“Batman: Arkham is a huge triple-A videogame franchise and we are delighted to expand the experience with Batman: Arkham Origins,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “WB Games Montréal has an incredibly talented team building upon Rocksteady’s award-winning gameplay and technology to deliver a deep, immersive, quality experience fans will love.”

“WB Games Montréal is honoured to have the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Origins, a new chapter in this amazing franchise” said Reid Schneider, Vice President and Executive Producer, WB Games Montréal. “We are huge fans of the franchise and are committed to creating an experience that offers players more of what they love, as well as the chance to play as a younger Batman within a fresh storyline and expanded world.” Batman: Arkham Origins is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamorigins.com for more information about the game.

# # #
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles. About WB Games Montréal

Since its launch in 2010, WB Games Montréal has more than 300 employees and continues to grow and recruit additional talent. Working with some of Warner Bros. Studios’ biggest brands, including DC Entertainment, the studio is focused on the most cutting-edge approach to games for the digital space as well as current and upcoming video game consoles.

About Armature Studio
Founded in 2008 by three of the principal members of the Metroid Prime franchise, Armature Studio strives to bring their game design sensibilities to a new audience. Located in Austin, TX, Armature currently has over 30 employees and is working on multiple titles.

Mac version of SimCity releasing June 12th, big 2.0 patch inbound

2013-04-11T12:02:00.001+10:00

Mac users still awaiting their chance to play the latest SimCity need not wait much longer. EA has confirmed today that the Mac version of the game will be releasing on June 12th.

“SimCity is coming to Mac on June 12 and one purchase will give you both the Mac and PC versions. You only need to buy SimCity once to play together across the same servers, regardless of which version you’re playing,” said Lucy Bradshaw, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA’s Maxis Label. “We didn’t want to make any compromises when it came to the Mac so we created a native version that is optimized for the hardware and OSX.”

If you've already bought (or but at a future date) either version, you'll also be granted access to the other version, which can both be accessed by the same Origin account. Both platforms can play with each other, and your cities are consistent across the platforms.

This news follows the return of Cheetah Speed to the game, which was a functionality removed during the launch debacle in order to lessen the stress on the game's servers, and also that a big 2.0 patch is on the way that aims to fix some of the game's issues. Reddit users have found some preliminary patch notes more or less translated from Czech, which have since been removed from EA's site. Some of the fixes include broke cities being able to get financial assistance from other cities, casinos becoming more profitable and the improvement of public transport systems. It will, however, not fix the 'rollback' issues experienced by some issues. If the post is accurate then the patch should be releasing next Tuesday, American time.

SYDNEY, Australia. – April 11, 2013 – For more than 23 years, SimCity™ has entertained over 30 million fans worldwide and it returns to the platform that started it all on June 12. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that SimCity will be coming to the Mac on June 12 exclusively as a digital release via Origin™ and other online retailers. Fans who purchase SimCity will be able to play the game on Mac and PC, regardless of which version they buy, as well as access their cities from across both platforms. Players who have previously purchased SimCity for PC, either as a physical or a digital copy will receive the Mac version as a free digital download on Origin* on June 12.

“SimCity is coming to Mac on June 12 and one purchase will give you both the Mac and PC versions. You only need to buy SimCity once to play together across the same servers, regardless of which version you’re playing,” said Lucy Bradshaw, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA’s Maxis Label. “We didn’t want to make any compromises when it came to the Mac so we created a native version that is optimized for the hardware and OSX.”

With more than 1.3 million units sold on PC since launch, the beloved city-building simulator is back with the series creators at Maxis™ and it delivers the most immersive and personalSimCity experience ever, where players can create and destroy the cities of their imaginations. SimCity runs natively on Mac and its entire software renderer was rewritten for OpenGL, ensuring the best performance for the platform. Via Origin, SimCity is cross-platform compatible, so all players will be able to play together across the same servers. Players will be able to play both versions with the same Origin account, allowing them to seamlessly continue their cities, achievements and leaderboard progress across the PC and Mac.

SimCity has been rated G by the OFLC and is currently available for PC and will be available for Mac on June 12. For more information regarding SimCity, please visit www.SimCity.com.

Nintendo to attend Supernova in Melbourne and the Gold Coast

2013-04-08T15:52:00.003+10:00

For those of you heading of to the Supernova Pop Culture Expo in Melbourne this weekend and on the Gold Coast the week after, you'll be happy to know that there'll be more than just StreetPass for your 3DS to do, as Nintendo will be there with their own booth with on-the-spot competitions and giveaways and a lounge for all of your multiplayer gaming needs.

Nintendo will be open for business from 10am-6pm on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th at the Melbourne Showgrounds and Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre. Don't forget to tell them that Barrel Roll Gaming sent you!

8th April 2013 - Nintendo Australia announces today that it will be attending Supanova Pop Culture Expo in both Melbourne and Gold Coast in the coming weeks. The Supanova Pop Culture Expo is a celebration of all things Pop Culture, featuring special guests, anime, comic-books, manga, sci-fi, TV shows, movies, cosplay, and of course gaming, with Nintendo's booth at the expo set to be your gaming destination right throughout the weekend.

Bring along your Nintendo 3DS™ for a big day of multiplayer fun and enjoy all your favourite Nintendo 3DS titles like Luigi's Mansion™ 2 and Mario Kart™ 7 with other Nintendo fans. With the recent release of Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate, the hunt is in full effect and Supanova will be the perfect place to team up with other hunters to take down the dangerous beasts that lurk in over 200 action-packed quests. Come and get some tips from the pros, team up with other hunters or sample the game for the first time on either Nintendo 3DS or Wii U™ in 4-player co-operative multiplayer.

If you're in need of a few puzzle pieces, looking to exchange some ghost data in Mario Kart™ 7, Weapon Gems in Kid Icarus™: Uprising or maybe just looking for a few Mii™ characters to help you through StreetPass Quest, the Nintendo lounge will be the perfect place to enjoy all the StreetPass™ functionality of Nintendo 3DS, so don't forget to bring yours, as we'll have charging stations on hand so that players can keep charged throughout the day.

There will be give-aways and on-the-spot competitions right throughout the weekend, so come and chill out with Nintendo at Supanova 2013.

Melbourne Supanova
Where
Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032
When
Saturday April 13th, 10am to 6pm, 2013
Sunday April 14th, 10am to 6pm, 2013

Gold Coast Supanova
Where
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Cnr Gold Coast Highway & TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach, Queensland 4218
When
Saturday April 20th, 10am to 6pm, 2013
Sunday April 21st, 10am to 6pm, 2013

Visit the official Supanova website for more information

Uprising map pack coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops II, launching first on Xbox 360

2013-04-05T09:03:00.000+11:00

Good news for Xbox 360 Black Ops II gamers; Treyarch are set to release the second map pack for the game, titled Uprising, on April 17. So far, we have no idea when PS3 and PC gamers are likely to pick it up.

The map pack contains four brand new maps and an additional zombies map.

Magma - An erupted volcano with lava rivers cutting through a small Asian town
Encore - An outdoor concert hall in London
Vertigo - A tall Indian skyscraper
Studio - A backdrop set in Hollywood. Also a reimagining of the classic map Firing Range
Mob of the Dead - The new Zombies map set at Alcatraz, with four prohibition-era mobsters (Billy Handsome (Liotta), Al “The Weasel” Arlington (Pantoliano), Salvatore “Sal” DeLuca (Palmentiri), and Michael “Finn” O’Leary (Madsen)) having to escape Alcatraz and now zombies.

Sydney, Australia – 5 April, 2013 – Call of Duty® fans are set to receive another premium offering of Downloadable Content (DLC) with Call of Duty®: Black Ops II Uprising on 17 April. The game’s second, epic DLC pack of the year from award-winning studio Treyarch and Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), will be available first, exclusively on Xbox LIVE® for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft beginning on 17 April, with other platforms to follow. Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising will include four new exotic multiplayer maps, plus an exciting new Zombies experience called “Mob of the Dead” that takes players to Alcatraz with four of the actors behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic mobsters, including Ray Liotta, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pantoliano, and Michael Madsen.

“With Uprising, the team has really outdone itself again,” said Mark Lamia, Treyarch’s Studio Head. “In addition to creating four amazing new multiplayer maps, the Studio has been hard at work on the Zombies front to surpass what we accomplished with ‘Call of the Dead.’ What they’ve done this time around is nothing Zombies fans have seen before – and if you don’t believe me, just wait until you get into Purgatory.”

Following tradition of the original Call of Duty: Black Ops fan-favourite Zombies mode “Call of the Dead,” Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising’s wildly creative new “Mob of the Dead” Zombies experience finds the four prohibition-era mobsters, Billy Handsome (Liotta), Al “The Weasel” Arlington (Pantoliano), Salvatore “Sal” DeLuca (Palmentiri), and Michael “Finn” O’Leary (Madsen) serving time in Alcatraz Prison, only to discover that being behind bars is the least of their problems. With plans to break out of Alcatraz foiled by the rise of the undead, the quartet of inmates will have to lean on their mob-derived skills with firearms, blunt instruments and improvised weaponry as they battle the zombies infesting and overrunning the island. In order to survive, players must work their way through the steel cells and aging concrete buildings while fighting off a multitude of zombified prisoners and guards trapped on the island with them. Additionally, if a player becomes an unfortunate victim, “Mob of the Dead’s” new feature known as “Purgatory” sends players into the afterlife. This new twist on Zombies gameplay is ripe with its own set of objectives, and offers fans a truly new and unique experience.

Uprising also delivers another four new, exotic and diverse multiplayer maps set around the globe for fans to jump into. “Magma” is a modern Japanese village with volcanic eruptions carving multiple paths throughout the town. “Encore” takes place in the aftermath of a deserted London music festival and leaves numerous opportunities for run-and-gun, close quarters combat. “Vertigo” is a futuristic high rise in India housing a high-tech lab featuring dizzying vistas and multi-tiered pathways. Finally, “Studio” is a contemporary remake of “Firing Range,” a fan-favourite multiplayer map from the original Call of Duty®: Black Ops. “Studio” is a Hollywood movie back lot with a variety of cinematic themes that range from Sci-Fi to the Old West.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising will be available first, exclusively on Xbox LIVE for 1200 Microsoft Points on 17 April. The Uprising DLC Map Pack is also included in the Call of Duty: Black Ops II DLC Season Pass*, where fans can purchase all four epic DLC Map Packs planned for the year, and also receive the Nuketown Zombies bonus map, and an exclusive in-game calling card as part of the discounted bundle offered at a suggested retail price of $69.95RRP / 4000pts Microsoft Points – a discount of 800 Microsoft Points off the individual purchase of all four DLC Map Packs**.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence and Coarse Language) by the Australian Classification Board. More information on Call of Duty: Black Ops II can be found at http://www.callofduty.com/blackops2 or on www.facebook.com/codblackops. Fans can also follow @Treyarch on Twitter.

About Treyarch
Treyarch is an industry-leading game developer, wholly owned by Activision Publishing, Inc. whose Call of Duty: Black Ops II set world-wide launch day records, and whose previous game Call of Duty: Black Ops set an entertainment launch opening record upon its release in 2010 and continues to be one of the best-selling games of all time, according to NPD and GfK Chart-Track.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, mainland China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Toki Tori 2 out now for Wii U (finally!)

2013-04-05T08:00:00.001+11:00

Toki Tori was released on the GameBoy Colour way back in 2001. Now, more than a decade later, developers Two Tribes are back again to finally released a true sequel; the obviously titled Toki Tori 2.

For $19.99 in Australia or $23.99 in New Zealand you can pick up the "Metroidvania" title which has no text whatsoever. If you've been following the development process, you'll know that Two Tribes wants you, the player, to work everything out for yourself.

Here's a trailer which only contains a small amount of text - the disclaimer.

Toki Tori 2 is out now on the Wii U's Nintendo eShop.

Trials Crash Academy web game goes live

2013-04-05T08:00:00.000+11:00

According to Ubisoft, "nothing can prepare you for the realistic physics and 3D graphics of Trials Gold Edition for PC". In case you need a little practise, they have launched the Trials Crash Academy web game for you to test your skills and beat everyone else's high score.

If you want to play the game you can visit its page on MochiGames or stay right here and play it! We might even be able to give away some Ubisoft swag if you guys are good enough...

Disney closes LucasArts, lays off 150 staff and cancels all upcoming projects

2013-04-04T20:38:00.001+11:00

You've likely heard by now but Disney has announced it is closing LucasArts, a mere 154 days after it purchased it alongside parent company LucasFilm. This not only means the cancellation of key projects Star Wars: First Assault and Star Wars 1313, but that 150 people have lost or will loose their jobs.

We don't yet know if any of the games will ever see the light of day, but there is hope that they may survive by being licensed out to another publisher. However, a source has told Kotaku that the chance of that is "effectively zero".

The name LucasArts won't disappear altogether - the studio is going but Disney will likely continue to use the name to license future games.

In a statement, LucasArts parent company LucasFilm said that “After evaluating our position in the games market, we’ve decided to shift LucasArts from an internal development to a licensing model, minimizing the company’s risk while achieving a broader portfolio of quality Star Wars games. As a result of this change, we’ve had layoffs across the organization. We are incredibly appreciative and proud of the talented teams who have been developing our new titles.”

People have been sharing their memories, like game designer Tim Schafer, who told Kotaku that "Even though part of me felt this was coming, I’m still, somehow, shocked. I never thought that Lucas would actually shut down. I feel badly for all the talented people there. LucasArts was my first job in the industry. And sad to see all that history go away." Naturally, people have also shared their hatred of Disney, but we won't go into that, there are children here.

R.I.P. LucasArts, you will be missed.