Jun 6, 2018 | Game ON news

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

News:: Some madman put a giant lens on a Game Boy Camera, just because they could

I didn't own a Game Boy Camera at launch (only one person I know did and their parents were loaded), but I did pick one up eventually out of curiosity. It's...a thing Nintendo did once, but hero Bastiaan Ekeler managed to step up Nintendo's game by sticking a giant 3D-printed lens on it (every cool mod is 3D-printed these days).

Ekeler admits that the entire affair is absurd, but managed to cram the thing in nonetheless, and snapped some really cool pictures with the low-tech setup. It's best explained in his own words: "The lens adapter was designed in Rhinoceros 3D and printer on a Monoprice Select Mini v2 in black PLA at a pretty rough layer height (for speed). Minimal supports and cleanup are required to make the lens fit semi-snugly. The GBC sensor PCB screws into the back of the 3D print and with a little cutting and filing, the whole things mounts onto the partly-disassembled GBC, all with the original hardware. If there is enough interest, I might make some modifications to the 3D model and post it on Thingiverse for others to print and experiment with."

I wonder if Instragram will adopt a Game Boy filter at some point?

Game Boy Camera Canon EF Lens Mount [Ekeler.com] Thanks John!

Some madman put a giant lens on a Game Boy Camera, just because they could screenshot

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/some-madman-put-a-giant-lens-on-a-game-boy-camera-just-because-they-could-506370.phtml

News:: The Walking Dead: The Final Season will take you through one last hell this August

Telltale's The Walking Dead will get its final season this August with the first episode releasing on August 14, 2018. It will launch for $19.99 on PC, Xbox One, and PS4 before coming to Nintendo Switch later in the year. PS4 and Xbox One players that pre-order the season before August 14 will receive the entire series (including spin-off Michonne) to tide them over until release. PC gamers will receive a 10% discount for pre-orders.

The big thing with this final season is that it will only be four episodes instead of the typical five (which was originally announced). That could potentially lead to a more concise plotline, which is something a lot of modern Telltale games have been lacking. In any regard, it should mean that this season will actually finish in 2018 instead of getting spaced out over the Winter.

The Walking Dead: The Final Season will take you through one last hell this August screenshot

News:: NieR: Automata hits impressive three million shipments and downloads milestone

Square Enix have proudly announced that their dystopian android drama, NieR: Automata, has reached a milestone of three million worldwide shipments and digital downloads across the PS4 and PC platforms.

Launching in February of last year, the open-world hack 'n' slash title turned heads with its chaotic battle scenes, intriguing environments and protagonist 2B, who quickly went on to become one of the most recognisable gaming stars of the year.

NieR: Automata had already popped two million shipments by September of 2017, so to add a further one million sales in a little over half a year since is very good going for what could be considered quite a unique, niche title. No doubt the game's success will see the franchise revisited at some point in the future. Until then, we can always dream of what might be.

NieR: Automata is available now on PS4 and PC.

NieR: Automata hits impressive three million shipments and downloads milestone screenshot

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/nier-automata-hits-impressive-three-million-shipments-and-downloads-milestone-506408.phtml

News:: After some confusion, The Pokemon Company has finally explained how online play works in Pokemon Let's Go

When the duo of "Let's Go" Pikachu/Eevee Switch games were announced, we heard some concerning news about the way online play worked. Statements were made that intimated that there wouldn't be any real online functionality at all, and after a few full days of waiting, Pokemon Company designer Junichi Masuda has since clarified how Let's Go will function online.

Okay, so first off many of the advanced features introduced in later games are out -- Battle Spot, Wonder Trade, GTS, that's all gone. Instead, after utilizing your Switch online subscription, you'll be able to "battle and trade with friends." That's it, on top of local play.

While the jury is still out on Let's Go as a whole, it's clear that as a spinoff of sorts, it's not going to be as comprehensive as a mainline entry. Temper your expectations folks! There's still another "big" Pokemon game on the way for 2018.

The Pokemon Company Clarifies Let’s Go Games' Online Functionality [Game Informer]

After some confusion, The Pokemon Company has finally explained how online play works in Pokemon Let's Go screenshot

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/after-some-confusion-the-pokemon-company-has-finally-explained-how-online-play-works-in-pokemon-let-s-go-506372.phtml

News:: Team Sonic Racing looks like it's Gotta Go Faster

Sega have not only released a selection of screenshots for the recently revealed tarmac-burner Team Sonic Racing, featuring Tails, Knuckles, Shadow and Rouge, but they have also given out some exclusive in-game footage to some media outlets.

I have to say, it's not particularly impressive footage. I'm a huge fan of 2012's Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing Transformed, so I'm looking forward to getting back behind the wheel with the spiky one. But, although the colours, characters and visuals are there, the game seems to be missing its mascot's one defining trait: Speed.

The tracks clearly have the typical Kart Racer pickups, stunt-jumps and boost pads, all present and correct, but when racers aren't activating that stuff, things seems to sort of trundle along, particularly when cornering. That said, this is early footage, and maybe the full game will have different speed levels pertaining to tournament modes or difficulty.

It's already a little disappointing the the cast is Sonic universe only, missing the many amusing Sega mascots from All-Star, as well as the fun transformation mechanic, so here's hoping that at least the racing is up to par, because this speed, combined with the obtrusive voices, is kind of pumping my hype brakes a little.

Team Sonic Racing is in development for PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch.

Team Sonic Racing gameplay video [Shacknews]

Team Sonic Racing looks like it's Gotta Go Faster screenshot

News:: Blizzard turned Overwatch's Junkrat into a goblin, and it's pretty great

Remember clicking on Starcraft and Warcraft RTS units over and over to get them to say funny things? Blizzard never really stopped doing that.

Heroes of the Storm just introduced its Warcraft event this week (which is now live in PTR if you want to check it out), and with it, a Junkrat goblin skin. I had to do a double-take though as the skin actually goes above and beyond what you'd expect -- it's not just Junkrat with green skin. Rather, it's Junkrat completely goblin-fied with robot arms and legs so it looks like a normal Junkrat model.

Overwatch fans have been clamoring for a lot of Heroes skins to make the trip over to the source, from EVA Unit-01 Genji to Deathwing D.Va. Now they have another one to pester Blizzard about! Get a load of goblin Junkrat's great voice lines below -- it's quite a bit of work for one skin.

Blizzard turned Overwatch's Junkrat into a goblin, and it's pretty great screenshot

News:: The rise of 'Fortnite' means gaming phones might make sense

When ASUS announced the ROG Phone this week, I thought it was ridiculous. A gaming smartphone with a vapor-chamber cooling system? An external fan just in case the phone runs extra hot? As my colleague Dan Cooper said to me following the announcement, how far do you go before you give up and just buy a Switch? But the more I learned about the phone, the more I became enthralled by it. I realized that the very fact that it was so over-the-top is what made it weirdly appealing, especially to an ever-growing niche of hardcore mobile gamers. As strange as it may be, the ROG phone could be the latest sign that gaming phones are finally finding their audience.

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/06/06/asus-rog-phone-mobile-gaming-fortnite/

News:: 'Tetris Effect' is PlayStation's trippy take on the classic puzzle game

If you've been looking for something to whet your appetite after finishing Rez Infinite on PSVR, Sony's got you covered. Tetris Effect is a trippy new project from rhythm game legend Tetsuya Mizuguchi, best known for Rez, Child of Eden and Space Channel 5. There's a lot going on in the short reveal trailer beow, but the game's website has a few descriptions that should help make sense of everything. The game will surround you with "fantastic, fully three-dimensional worlds that react and evolve based on how you play. Music, backgrounds, sounds, special effects -- everything, down to the Tetris pieces themselves, pulse, dance, shimmer and explode in perfect sync with how you're playing."

Source: Tetris Effect

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/06/06/tetris-effect-ps4/

News:: Treasure announce Ikaruga is winging its way to PS4

Treasure have announced that, following its recent Nintendo Switch port, their classic arcade shmup Ikaruga is on its way to PS4.

Rumblings of a PS4 port first happened earlier this year, when a rating for the 2001 game showed up on Germany's ratings board. Developer Treasure have now confirmed that the game is in development on PS4 via their twitter account, where they also noted that the game will see an official unveiling next week, with a release to follow "soon".

Ikaruga's twitchy, deep, reflex-based gameplay has won it an army of fans in the 17 years since its original release on in the arcades and later on multiple generations of home platform. No doubt its PS4 debut will only serve to introduce waves of fans, old and new, to its complex, timeless gameplay.

Ikaruga is scheduled for release on PS4 soon.

Treasure announce Ikaruga is winging its way to PS4 screenshot

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/treasure-announce-ikaruga-is-winging-its-way-to-ps4-506401.phtml

News:: Sony reveals a Lumines looking Tetris Effect during a pre-E3 stream

In a pleasant surprise, Sony has just revealed a brand new Tetris game for PS4/PSVR -- Tetris Effect. The moniker comes from the popular phenomenon that involves seeing blocks or puzzle sequences after you close your eyes, and what better person to herald in that concept than Tetsuya Mizuguchi -- creator of Lumines and other ambitious, trippy puzzle projects.

Sony noted that people will be getting their hands on it sooner than later as it is playable at E3, and in addition to a tentative 2018 release we'll get a demo eventually. Tetris Effect supports up to 4K60FPS visuals, and optional PSVR use -- yep, as is the deal with a lot of PSVR titles recently the hardware isn't required to play.

PlayStation [Twitch]

Sony reveals a Lumines looking Tetris Effect during a pre-E3 stream screenshot

News:: What to expect from E3 2018

The Electronics Entertainment Expo is basically New York Fashion Week for the joystick crowd, five days brimming with an overwhelming number of media briefings and new game announcements. And now, E3 is upon us once again.

Despite Walmart Canada's leak of alleged product listings last month, there are still a lot of question marks for this year's show. As always, the Engadget crew will be on the ground, bringing you all the news as it unfolds in downtown LA. Sony has come out and said not to expect a new hardware announcement from its keynote this year. Microsoft and Nintendo both released new consoles in the past year, too, so barring any wild surprises, this should be the first E3 in a while that's all about software. You know, the reasons we buy gaming consoles and PCs to begin with.

via Engadget RSS Feedhttps://www.engadget.com/2018/06/06/what-to-expect-from-e3-2018/

News:: Review: House Flipper

There's no shortage of highly-specialized simulator games on Steam, but none of have spoken to me quite like the promise of House Flipper, a first-person sim in which you clean, fix, paint, and furnish rooms for well-meaning clients before earning enough cash to buy and flip homes of your own.

That premise probably sounds boring to many of you and, no bullshit, it kind of is: it's a whole lot of monotonous mouse clicking as you perform repetitive tasks necessary to renovate a home. But for me, that isn't such a bad thing. This type of "boring" experience can be soothing and gratifying.

Going into the game, I fully expected to knock down walls, lay hardwood floors, tile some bathrooms, and put up kitchen cabinets. I can't say I anticipated mopping up a bloody crime scene.

Review: House Flipper screenshot

News:: Minecraft on New Nintendo 3DS is finally worth buying

Despite the fact it won't be seeing any new content from the Better Together update, Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition is still trucking along with new content and updates. It's most recent update, version 1.5 brings with it new skins (for purchase), new texture packs (for purchase), and Super Mario Mash-Up content (for free).

One of the big selling points of Minecraft on Switch and Wii U is the inclusion of Super Mario skins and textures. While this 3DS content isn't as extensive as it is on either of those two consoles, it's still some much needed Nintendo charm that was missing at the game's launch. It joins support for two players over local play, a feature added in version 1.4. The Super Mario Mash-Up isn't just added textures to the regular map. It's its own mode, accessed by starting up a new map with the Minecraft Super Mario Edition option.

Minecraft on New Nintendo 3DS is finally worth buying screenshot

News:: New Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy listing teases 'Future Tense' bonus stage

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is coming to platforms other than the PS4 soon, and if a new retailer listing is anything to go by, it may have new content in tow when it does arrive on Xbox One and Switch.

According to a listing at Brazilian retailer Saraiva, the box art seems to indicate that there will be a "Future Tense" bonus included in addition to the existing DLC "Stormy Ascent" -- which was cut from the original Crash. "Bonus Faces," or, "bonus stage" likely points to an actual level rather than just a random bonus, and somehow this extra could tie into the upcoming Spyro trilogy (but that's just speculation).

I'm not sure if one stage is enough for me to double dip, but those of you who missed out on the original PS4 release have the deal sweetened a bit. We've reached out to Activision for comment on the listing, as well as whether or not the PS4 edition will receive an update to include Future Tense if it does exist.

Crash Bandicoot [Saraiva via Gematsu]

New Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy listing teases 'Future Tense' bonus stage screenshot

via destructoid https://www.destructoid.com/new-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-listing-teases-future-tense-bonus-stage-506375.phtml

News:: Neo Geo Mini online presentation happening this weekend

During the festivities of the E3 pre-show press conferences, Japanese publisher SNK will host a live stream for their recently announced retro device, the Neo Geo Mini.

Titled "The Legacy Lives On", information about the stream itself is pretty thin, although many are expecting the long-time arcade developer to showcase the Neo Geo Mini in action, as well as announce a price and a street date for the portable unit, that comes with a 3,5 inch screen, HDMI support, and is pre-loaded with 40 Neo Geo classic titles.

If you want to check out the stream yourself, then you should tune into the official SNK YouTube channel on Saturday, June 9, at 19:00 PT / 22:00 ET. This will be 11:00 on Sunday, June 10 in local Japanese time. So there's one more stream to add to the bursting-at-the-seams timetable.

Neo Geo Mini online presentation [YouTube]

Neo Geo Mini online presentation happening this weekend screenshot