Friday, January 12, 2018

News:: The D.I.C.E. Awards are all about Horizon Zero Dawn

Here we go again. When the Game Developers Choice Awards recently listed its nominees, CJ wondered if The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild had another win left. Well, it might actually have two!

The finalists for the 21st annual D.I.C.E. Awards are out and Breath of the Wild is contending with the likes of Cuphead, Horizon Zero Dawn, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, and Super Mario Odyssey for top honors. That said, Horizon Zero Dawn leads overall with ten nominations compared to Zelda's six.

We'll see how everything shakes out beginning February 22 at 8:00pm Pacific.

Nominees for the 21st annual D.I.C.E. Awards

Game of the Year
Cuphead
Horizon Zero Dawn
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
Super Mario Odyssey
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Outstanding Achievement in Animation
Cuphead
For Honor
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Horizon Zero Dawn
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 

Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction
Cuphead
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Horizon Zero Dawn
Little Nightmares
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

Outstanding Achievement in Character
Assassin's Creed Origins - Bayek
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice - Senua
Horizon Zero Dawn - Aloy
Star Wars Battlefront II - Iden Versio
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - Chloe Fraiser

Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
Call of Duty: WWII
Cuphead
Horizon Zero Dawn
RiME
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
Destiny 2
Injustice 2
Star Wars Battlefront II
Super Mario Odyssey
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 

Outstanding Achievement in Story
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Horizon Zero Dawn
Night in the Woods
What Remains of Edith Finch
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

Outstanding Technical Achievement
Assassin's Creed Origins
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
Horizon Zero Dawn
Lone Echo/Echo Arena
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

Action Game of the Year
Call of Duty: WWII
Cuphead
Destiny 2
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus 

Adventure Game of the Year
Assassin's Creed Origins
Horizon Zero Dawn
Super Mario Odyssey
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy 

Family Game of the Year
DropMix
GNOG
Just Dance 2018
SingStar Celebration
Snipperclips 

Fighting Game of the Year
ARMS
Injustice 2
Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite
Nidhogg 2
Tekken 7 

Racing Game of the Year
DiRT 4
Forza Motorsport 7
Gran Turismo Sport
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Project CARS 2 

Role-Playing Game of the Year
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Middle-earth: Shadow of War
NieR:Automata
Persona 5
Torment: Tides of Numenera 

Sports Game of the Year
Everybody's Golf
FIFA 18
Golf Clash
Madden NFL 18
MLB The Show 17 

Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year
Endless Space 2
Halo Wars 2
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Total War: Warhammer II
XCOM 2: War of the Chosen 

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement
Lone Echo/Echo Arena
Robo Recall
Star Trek Bridge Crew
The Invisible Hours
Wilson's Heart 

Immersive Reality Game of the Year
Lone Echo/Echo Arena
Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin
Robo Recall
Space Pirate Trainer
Wilson's Heart 

D.I.C.E. Sprite Award
Everything
Gorogoa
Night in the Woods
Pyre
Snipperclips 

Handheld Game of the Year
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth
Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Metroid: Samus Returns
Monster Hunter Stories 

Mobile Game of the Year
Cat Quest
Fire Emblem Heroes
Gorogoa
Monument Valley 2
Splitter Critters 

Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay
Call of Duty: WWII
Destiny 2
Fortnite
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands 

Outstanding Achievement in Game Design
Gorogoa
Horizon Zero Dawn
PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS
Super Mario Odyssey
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction
Gorogoa
Horizon Zero Dawn
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
What Remains of Edith Finch

For reference, the last D.I.C.E. game of the year was Overwatch. Before that? Fallout 4.

Horizon Zero Dawn Leads with Ten Nominations for the 21st D.I.C.E. Awards [AIAS]

The D.I.C.E. Awards are all about Horizon Zero Dawn screenshot



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News:: Bang bang, back-to-back dinners for the D-Team

[Extremely Freddie Mercury voice] I've paid my dues
Time after time.
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime.
And bad mistakes ‒
I've made a few.
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through.

(And I need just go on and on, and on, and on)

We are the champions, my friends,
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world.

Bang bang, back-to-back dinners for the D-Team screenshot



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News:: Disney is releasing a new Star Wars multiplayer shooter...for mobile devices...

Are you sick of EA's Battlefront II and want an actually good Star Wars multiplayer shooter to play? Well, the upcoming Star Wars: Rivals probably isn't for you, but that isn't going to stop Disney from trying. Soft launched last June in Australia and New Zealand, Rivals will soon be available for download from the Google Play and iOS App Stores. You can pre-register to get in on the action the second it is available.

The gameplay is apparently more Overwatch and less Battlefront, so at least you'll be able to play as iconic Star Wars characters from the get go. That means no crazy microtransactions to unlock Darth Vader, though you can happily part with $99.99 to get something in-game.

Disney is releasing a new Star Wars multiplayer shooter...for mobile devices... screenshot

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News:: Dark Souls' Dragon Slayer Ornstein makes for an imposing statue

I don't know that I'd want to immortalize my fear with an extravagant statue, but this Dragon Slayer Ornstein statue from First 4 Figures is a sight to behold. I particularly like the detailing on the base.

The statue is a whopping 26.5" tall and comes in a regular and exclusive edition, the latter of which has LED-lit lightning effects on the Dragonslayer Spear as well as an art print. Both statues cost $600 and are targeting a Q4 2018 release. Pre-orders are currently open at First 4 Figures.

The timing here is great, what with Dark Souls fresh on our minds thanks to the upcoming remaster for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. It's been a while since I've played the original, so I'm partially excited to relive the adventure and partially dreading certain moments. Bring it, Ornstein.

Dark Souls' Dragon Slayer Ornstein makes for an imposing statue screenshot

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News:: Grab this New Pikachu 2DS XL on January 26

The new 2DS XL is a pretty sleek console in general, but this Pikachu edition has me thinking about throwing my perfectly functional 3DS XL in the garbage. 

Rest easy, this gorgeous-looking handheld isn't some Japan exclusive. It's launching in America on January 26 where it'll retail for $159.99. 

Nintendo of America [Twitter]

Grab this New Pikachu 2DS XL on January 26 screenshot

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News:: Can we just get Mario Maker on Switch now?

Nintendo snuck out a brief Direct the other day and among the announcements, we saw a few more Wii U titles making their way to the Switch. Both Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze and Hyrule Warriors will soon be playable on the Switch with some additions. 

As Nintendo makes every effort to leave the Wii U in its rear-view mirror, it seems to be slowly porting over every big release from the forgotten son of its library. It's great news for Switch owners, but as a Wii U owner, I feel like the console's greatest gem is getting shafted. Can I just get a Mario Maker port, please? 

Can we just get Mario Maker on Switch now? screenshot

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News:: Dark Souls Remastered will not be using new assets

After the surprise announcement of Dark Souls Remastered from Nintendo's mini-direct yesterday, a lot of speculation started about what this new version of From Software's masterpiece would entail. Dark Souls theorist VaatiVidya had claimed that this new port would be using engine assets from Dark Souls 3 and would contain HDR lighting and some PS4 Pro enhancements.

Turns out that information was false. Vaati has already apologized on Twitter, but it looks like there won't be any brand new assets or even HDR support for this remastered version. That doesn't mean a change in game engine is out of the question, but this will look pretty similar to the version of Dark Souls we already know.

Dark Souls Remastered will not be using new assets screenshot

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News:: Xbox One is getting a new 'Duke' controller for $70

It's still hard to believe the original Xbox controller is mounting a comeback in 2018.

Xbox designer Seamus Blackley and Hyperkin have updated "the Duke" for Xbox One and PC players who (for one reason or another) have fond memories of the gargantuan gamepad. As revealed today, the revised controller will cost $70 when it ships in March. While that isn't exactly cheap, it is cheaper than I was expecting for this sort of nostalgia purchase. It's not a total wallet buster.

So, what's different? The new Duke has an OLED screen in its center that plays the Xbox startup animation, a USB cable, and a few extra buttons, including right and left bumpers.

"I don't know a lot of brands that would rerelease an unpopular product from the past ... and [Head of Xbox Phil Spencer] I think correctly understands that it sends a message," Blackley told CNET. "He understands that it sends a message about how serious Xbox is about its heritage, and about the fans."

The Duke, the original Xbox controller/doorstop, returns [CNET]

Xbox One is getting a new 'Duke' controller for $70 screenshot



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News:: ‘Pokémon Go’ Community Days bring exclusive captures every month

Starting this month, Pokémon Go players will be able to participate in monthly events that will bring out special Pokémon with exclusive moves. Community Days will be worldwide events and to take part, you'll just have to head outside to your local park. Each Community Day will feature a special Pokémon that will pop up more frequently for a few hours. Other event perks could include increased XP or Stardust, and Lure Modules activated on Community Days will last for three hours.

Source: Pokémon Go



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News:: Involuntary manslaughter charges filed in connection to Kansas swatting death

Late last year, Kansas resident Andrew Finch was killed by Wichita police when a frivolous 911 call was made stating that there was a hostage situation at the address of Finch's mother. Broadly, this act is known as "swatting" -- a reprehensible way of seeking online revenge by getting a SWAT team sent to someone's house.

This particular incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a low-stakes Call of Duty match, and Finch's mother's residence seems to be a random nearby address to one of the parties involved in the game. Here's a comprehensive write-up that details exactly how a tragedy like this could unfold.

In the days following Finch's murder, Los Angeles resident Tyler Rai Barriss was arrested and extradited to Kansas in connection with the crime. Bariss is the one who allegedly made the phone call to the Wichita police. As the LA Times reports, Bariss was charged in Sedgewick County court today for involuntary manslaughter, causing false alarm, and interfering with law enforcement. His bail was set at $500,000.

The involuntary manslaughter is the most severe of the charges listed. Involuntary manslaughter is generally defined as a killing that's unlawful but also unintentional. According to the Kansas Statutes Annotated (Kansas' laws enacted by its state legislature), involuntary manslaughter is listed as a felony severity level 5. Kansas prosecutes non-drug felonies based on this grid; it appears as though Bariss, if found guilty, would face a maximum of 55 months in prison on that one charge with the possibility for parole after three years.

L.A. 'swatting' suspect to answer charges in Kansas over hoax call that led to fatal police shooting [LA Times]

Involuntary manslaughter charges filed in connection to Kansas swatting death screenshot



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News:: Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition will release in March according to Nintendo Hong Kong

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition was announced during Nintendo's mini-direct yesterday, but not much else was talked about. A vague Spring release window could mean anything, with a release coming as late as June. According to Nintendo Hong Kong, though, we won't have much longer to wait.

As seen on this press release from the Hong Kong branch, Hyrule Warriors' Switch port will be available on March 22, 2018. It will also contain a Traditional and Simplified Chinese translation, which is pretty good news for that region of Asia. While this doesn't necessarily mean a worldwide release is in order, it would be very odd for a Zelda game to release in China before the US.

For a long time, Nintendo games typically launched in Japan first, but the Zelda series shifted gears towards the West with the release of Twilight Princess in 2006. Every subsequent game, apart from Breath of the Wild, has released in the West first (Breath was the first worldwide release for the series). My money is on Hyrule Warriors coming out in March worldwide based on this.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Dark Souls Remastered Support Chinese; Hyrule Warriors Release Date Revealed [Siliconera]

Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition will release in March according to Nintendo Hong Kong screenshot



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News:: ‘PUBG’ already has over 3 million players on Xbox One

A preview version of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds launched on Xbox One on December 12th and at the end of 2017, it already had over three million players. The game broke records left and right last year, so this may not be too big of a surprise. But it's notable since PUBG had quite a few issues when it launched on the console last month.

Source: Xbox



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News:: Plot thickens as Play-Asia dates Scribblenauts Showdown for Europe

At the start of December, the Taiwan video game ratings board classified an as-yet-unannounced new entry to the dormant draw-em-up franchise, Scribblenauts, which is apparently being developed for PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Well, further reasons have been unearthed to dust off your crayon box, as Play-Asia now have a pre-order page up for the Switch release of the mysterious Scribblenauts Showdown, with a scheduled European release date of March 9, priced at £34.

Despite all of these pretty snug signs, there has still been zero official word from publishers Warner Bros. or developers 5th Cell, on any such title being even developed, let alone ready for pre-order. We will keep you updated should any further news be forthcoming.

Scribblenauts Showdown pre-order [Play-Asia]

Plot thickens as Play-Asia dates Scribblenauts Showdown for Europe screenshot



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News:: The new season of Elite Dangerous starts this month with an open beta

Elite Dangerous picks back up this year with a third season, Beyond, and PC/Mac players will soon be able to test out its first chunk of content. Frontier Developments is holding an open beta on January 25 for Beyond - Chapter One before its full launch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One in Q1 2018.

Here's a summary of what's coming up:

New Ship: Chieftain
Elite Dangerous Horizons Commanders will also be able to take to the stars in the new Alliance Chieftain, designed not only to dish out punishment, but to avoid it. Manufactured by Lakon Spaceways, the Chieftain is more maneuverable than ships of similar size and weight, and its combat profile means it can more than hold its own in a fight.

Improved Core Mechanics
Chapter 1 of Beyond will bring improvements to some of Elite Dangerous' core mechanics, including accessibility enhancements to the engineering mechanics, an overhaul of mission rewards and big changes to Crime and Punishment. We’ll be sharing more information on the changes to Crime and Punishment, and the Engineers in a future post here on the forums and in the livestreams mentioned above.

Wing Missions
Chapter 1 of Beyond will give you the chance to take on wing missions with your fellow Commanders, sharing both the efforts and rewards.

Revised Trade Data
Commanders will now be able to access trade data from systems they have previously visited, in order to make more informed decisions when shipping goods across the Milky Way.

Planetary Visual Improvements
Chapter 1 also includes the first of the planetary visual improvements coming as part of the Beyond series of updates (with more surface level improvements coming later in the year) bringing a new vibrancy to the Elite Dangerous galaxy.

GalNet Audio
With the introduction of GalNet Audio, you will be able to catch up on the latest news from across the galaxy without ever leaving the action.

This stuff will be free. That said, some of the upcoming improvements are only accessible to Elite Dangerous: Horizons owners. As Frontier puts it, "those without Horizons will still get access to the changes that affect the base game (such as the modifications to Crime and Punishment)."

"Throughout 2018 we're bringing four Beyond updates to Elite Dangerous Commanders which focus on adding new content, uncovering and progressing the mysteries of the galaxy and enhancing existing core gameplay experiences," says Frontier. Beyond - Chapter One will be "followed by two smaller content updates through the year and our largest update coming in Q4."

I continue to like the idea of this game but haven't taken the plunge.

Elite Dangerous: Beyond - Chapter One Beta Announcement [Frontier]

The new season of Elite Dangerous starts this month with an open beta screenshot

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News:: New map and weapon arrives in Splatoon 2 for new Splatfest

Some new additions are hitting Nintendo's arena-shooter Splatoon 2 this week, preparing fans for the weekend at the start of the first global Splatfest of 2018, which will see Action battle Comedy.

Already available on the colourful shooter is a new map. The Shellendorf Institute is a museum of artifacts, no doubt gathered by legendary lore character Ammoses Shellendorf, hero of The Great Turf War. Eagle-eyed players have already spotted a selection of classic Nintendo hardware on display among the Institute's ink-stained walls.

Those wishing to partake in some neon-splattered antiquing can do so with this week's weapon. The Dapple Dualies Nouveau, which come equipped with a Toxic Mist sub and and Ink Storm special. The Shellendorf Institute map is available right now. The Dapple Dualies Nouveau go live this evening in America, with Europe and Japan to follow early tomorrow.

The Action vs Comedy Splatfest runtimes are as follows: For America, January 12 at 20:00PT until January 13 at 20:00PT. For Europe, January 13 at 13:00CET until January 14 at 13:00CET. For Japan, January 13 15:00JST until January 14 15:00JST.

Good luck, Squid-kids!

New map and weapon arrives in Splatoon 2 for new Splatfest screenshot

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News:: The Las Vegas strip's first eSports arena opens in March

Last year, Allied Esports and Esports Arena announced plans to convert a Luxor Hotel and Casino nightclub into the Las Vegas strip's first dedicated eSports arena. That arena is almost complete and is scheduled to open on March 22nd. To celebrate the opening, Esports Arena Las Vegas will host a multi-day, live-streamed tournament that's invitation only. "With Las Vegas rapidly becoming a hub for eSports, Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor will be the city's home for competitive gaming and interactive entertainment," Allied Esports CEO Jud Hannigan said in a statement.

Source: Allied Esports



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News:: Praise Kat: Online shutdown for Gravity Rush 2 has been delayed

Gravity Rush 2's online component isn't absolutely essential to the game's core, but it's really nice to have. Through a cute little treasure hunt game you can send hints to other players and issue challenges -- fun asynchronous stuff. Originally all of that was set to get nuked on January 19, but according to a brand new in-game pop-up, the online shutdown process has changed.

Now, the online component is set to blow up on July 18 at 10PM PDT. The pop-up reminds us that the game will still be fully playable after this part of it bites the dust. Despite the delay, it's still sad. It was originally set to be removed a day after the one year anniversary of the game, which might as well be the death knell for the series.

Gravity Rush 2 [ResetEra]

Praise Kat: Online shutdown for Gravity Rush 2 has been delayed screenshot



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News:: SNK Heroines gets more details and a Diamond Dream Edition

Yesterday saw the announcement of a new all-gal fighter coming from SNK for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. SNK Heroines: Tag-Team Frenzy sees some of the studio's famous warriors team ups for glamourous punch-fests.

A limited edition box-set has also been announced. The Diamond Dream Edition will include a copy of the game, on PS4 or Switch, along with a whole host of extras. These include a hardcover art-book, a double-disc soundtrack CD and a selection of pin badges. Also included is some amusing clothing apparel; a tank-top featuring Mai Shiranui, a sweat-band (because it's 2004) a towel (go figure) and a replica of Terry Bogard's legitimately iconic hat, except instead of saying "Fatal Fury" it says "Fatal Cutie". I WANT that.

In Europe and the U.S. the Diamond Dream Edition will be the only way to purchase a physical PS4 copy of SNK Heroines, although it will also be available as a downloadable title. The limited edition set is available for Pre-order on the NIS America store, priced at $120.

SNK Heroines gets more details and a Diamond Dream Edition screenshot

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News:: GoldenEye with Mario characters is just as silly as it sounds

Someone made a Mario mod for GoldenEye 64, and it's surprisingly comprehensive.

In addition to adding an amalgam for all the characters (Toad is Oddjob, in case you were wondering), the entire campaign is present with Koopa Troopas subbing in for soldiers, and three Mario-centric multiplayer maps are in (Peach's Castle, Bob-omb Battlefield, and Big Boo's Haunt). Impressively, it all works on actual hardware, and will even feature the right amount of slowdown.

If you want the mod, you can grab it in the below video's description.

GoldenEye with Mario characters is just as silly as it sounds screenshot

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News:: Pro-gaming giant Fnatic is introducing eSports to CES

Sam Mathews founded Fnatic about 13 years ago, when he was just 19. Today, Fnatic is a household name for eSports fans: It's one of the most successful and prolific professional gaming franchises in the world, regularly competing at the top tier in games like League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The brand has expanded past the games and into hardware, and Mathews showed up at CES this year to demo Fnatic's latest keyboards and mice, which are due to hit the market in the coming months.



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News:: Sakura will be free-to-play for one week in Street Fighter V:AE

Sakura Kasugano, the first of Street Fighter V's Season three characters, will be bringing her scrappy personality to the arena next week, alongside the long-awaited, much-needed, Arcade Edition update.

Capcom have also announced that Sakura, her Story mode and her costumes will all be available to try out, for free, for one week, letting players see what they think of the schoolgirl slugger before putting down their hard-earned Fight Money (or Real Money).

Sakura will be available to all from January 16 until January 23. All XP and Fight Money earned with her will be removed from your account should you not commit to purchasing her. It seems a little random for Capcom to do this with just Sakura, so I'm thinking this will be an ongoing marketing gimmick for all future DLC characters.

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition will attempt to revamp the 2016 fighter with a host of new modes and options that many believe should have been a part of the game years ago. The update will also bring a balance overhaul of all characters, as well as new V-Skill moves, trials and challenges.

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition lands on PC and PS4 in North America on January 16. The PS4 physical and digital release is now delayed in Europe until January 19. But existing SFV owners will be able to download the expansion on the 16th.

Play as Sakura for free in Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition [Capcom Unity]

Sakura will be free-to-play for one week in Street Fighter V:AE screenshot

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News:: 'Detective Pikachu' game's US debut set for March 23rd

Ever since the Detective Pikachu game launched in Japan in early 2016, there's been a lingering question: when would it be available elsewhere, if it ever left Japanese shores? At last, there's a date. The Pokémon Company has announced that its 3DS sleuth title will reach the US and Europe on March 23rd, 2018 for $40. On top of that, there will be a $30 giant Detective Pikachu amiibo (nearly double the usual height at 5.35 inches tall) which unlocks videos that might provide clues.

Via: Polygon

Source: Pokemon (1), (2), BusinessWire



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News:: Dragon Ball FighterZ's open beta is ready to download

Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of the most anticipated games of the year. Pretty much everyone in the fighting game community is excited for it, as are millions of other DBZ fans who will potentially be incorporated into that community.

With just a few short weeks to go there isn't much hype left -- people are officially in "just give us the damn thing" mode -- but there's one more open beta just in case. You can go download it now from the PS4 or Xbox One store, you just won't be able to play it until tomorrow at 3AM EST (if you have early access through pre-ordering), or Sunday through general access. The beta file is a manageable 2.5GB, and this particular beta will feature 11 characters -- Goku, Beerus, Vegeta, Nappa, Frieza, Kid Buu, Cell, Adult Gohan, Krillin, Android 18, and Piccolo.

Even after all this stress testing I think the servers are going to take a massive hit on day one because of the demand, then they'll level-out.

Bandai Namco UK [Twitter]

Dragon Ball FighterZ's open beta is ready to download screenshot



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News:: SNK's King of Fighters '98 out now on PS4 and Xbox One

In what has been a fun week for SNK fans, given new news concerning the KoF anime and an all-new title starring the company's badass ladies, HAMSTER have also gone and released Neo Geo classic The King of Fighters '98 on PS4 and Xbox One.

KoF '98 is one of the most regularly revisited games in the KoF franchise. Coming as a stop gap between the series' Orochi Saga and interminable NESTS story arc, KoF '98 was a "Dream Match" title, featuring all of the characters that had been playable in the series up to that point. So if you wanted that Blue Mary vs Brian Battler fight to happen, you got it, buddy.

It should, however, be noted that is it a straight up dump of KoF '98s arcade version, not the revamped and optimised KoF '98: Ultimate Match, that was made previously available on PC, Xbox 360 and PS2, which features training modes and online play. Still, it's nice to have one of the go-to titles of the series available on modern platforms in some form, at least.

King of Fighters '98 is available now on PS4 and Xbox One, priced at $8. The game has also previously been released on Nintendo Switch.

SNK's King of Fighters '98 out now on PS4 and Xbox One screenshot

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News:: Insult your dumb friends on Switch with Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator

If you know me or my work here at Dtoid, you know that I like the strange and arcane. And the silly and dumb. And I really only try to write about those things because those are the only things worth writing about. Which is why I'm writing about Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator, set to release January 18 on the eShop on Nintendo Switch.

Just what is Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator? Well it's a game where you find yourself in certain scenarios verbally jousting with a foul-mouthed foe, slinging insults and hurling ill will until one duelist is utterly smote by the barrage of wit. It looks funny, and I like that.

Insult your dumb friends on Switch with Oh...Sir!! The Insult Simulator screenshot

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News:: This might be the Game Boy's ultimate form

Hyperkin is working on something for retro gamers looking to retire any venerable Game Boys that have seen better days. The aluminum-hewn Project Ultra GB might be the hardware you need to break out your old Game Boy hits. It takes the original cartridges, as well as keeping the dimensions of the Game Boy Pocket and those iconic simple controls.



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News:: An hour of Fist of the North Star's Hokuto ga Gotoku gameplay right here

Earlier this morning, Sega debuted an entire hour of gameplay from the upcoming Hokuto no Ken/Fist of the North Star title, currently in development from Yakuza Studio.

The lengthy footage shows series protagonist Kenshiro doing what his does best - popping heads and taking names - as he ventures through the post-apocalyptic wilderness of a barren Earth. We see him engage in battle with bitter rival Shin, and an appearance is also put in by spunky sidekick Bat. Obviously, the one hour clip may contain minor spoilers.

Unfortunately Hokuto ga Gotoku is yet to receive a confirmed release for the West, but here's hoping, as it looks as though the game would be welcomed by fans of the Yakuza series, as well as Hokuto no Ken fans in general.

Hokuto ga Gotoku launches on PS4 on March 8 in Japan. A limited edition PS4 console is also available for pre-order.

An hour of Fist of the North Star's Hokuto ga Gotoku gameplay right here screenshot

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