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1,001 Spikes taking a stab at Xbox One players on June 10
The brutal temple explorer, Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes, apparently hasn't claimed enough lives as it is, because it's setting its sights on a fresh field of meat hiding behind Xbox controllers. The death-filled platformer will deploy its traps on the Xbox One user base on June 10, whom we can only hope enjoy getting squished by falling stones, stung into their graves by scorpions, burnt to a crisp by lava or tenderized by an abundance of spikes. 1,001 Spikes started cutting adventures short last week on PS4, Vita, Steam, 3DS and Wii U. Our own Sam Prell became much more porous in his attempt to persevere through 1,001 Spikes' hazardous pathways, explaining that the option to skip levels feels like "cutting its legs out from under itself" in its deflation of a sense of accomplishment. [Image: Nicalis]
Joystiq Weekly: GOG's Galaxy, Murdered: Soul Suspect review, Homefront's combat and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. E3 doesn't technically start until June 10, but with all of this week's announcements and E3 trailers, you wouldn't really know it. Forza Horizon 2 will let you drive recklessly later this year, Homefront is due for a return in Homefront: The Revolution, and the thinly-veiled Mortal Kombat X tease is finally over. And that's just the early stuff - we're about to get trampled with news and hands-on demonstrations as the convention itself kicks off next week. Don't worry though, we'll survive by channeling Simba's light-footed evasive maneuvers. Just ... y'know, without the tragic loss immediately preceding our exercise. You don't have to stick around and watch us warm up though - this week's highlights are waiting for you after the break. There are release dates for The Witcher 3 and Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved, reviews for 1,001 Spikes and Tomodachi Life, and an exploration of combat in Homefront: The Revolution. It's all awaiting you neat and orderly-like after the jump!
New Nintendo eShop releases: Tomodachi, 1001 Spikes, Minish Cap
Tomodachi Life, Nintendo's answer to what happens when Sims hit their head, is the next headline game on 3DS. It not out until tomorrow, but in the interim there's tough-as-spikes platformer 1001 Spikes and GBA mini-adventure The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Head past the break and you'll find the full list of this week's new releases for the eShop. If it's savings you want, Conception 2 is on sale for $30 while the Just Dance series is grooving to a half-price beat, with Just Dance 4 down to $25. Both those offers end on June 9.
1,001 Spikes also coming to 3DS, Wii U on June 3 - with a catch
Earlier this week, we learned that the ultra, super, majorly difficult platformer Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes - abbreviated to just 1,001 Spikes if you're feeling saucy - will be coming to PS4, PS Vita and Steam on June 3. Yesterday, a Nicalis representative sent Joystiq an addendum to that announcement: 1,001 Spikes will also be launching on the Wii U and 3DS on June 3. Hold your cheers of joy though, because there's a catch. Apparently, the publisher discovered some last-minute issues with the Wii U and 3DS versions of the game, and were forced to choose between delaying the game or sending it out, bugs and all. Interestingly, they opted for the latter. "Our fans want to play the game and we don't plan to leave our Nintendo fans behind on a game they've been patiently waiting for," the representative informed Joystiq. While a buggy game is never pleasant to experience, there is some good news for potential buyers. A special promotion will grant customers who already own a Nicalis game (VVVVVV, NightSky, Cave Story, Ikachan or Grinsia) on their 3DS a discount for 1,001 Spikes. These customers can purchase the 3DS version for $9.99 - 33 percent off the usual price of $14.99. And as for those bugs: "Nintendo has assured us that an update could be issued within a couple of days of release to knock out those bugs," the Nicalis rep said. Hopefully doing so will be easier than navigating the game's insane levels. [Image: Nicalis]
Ultra-hard platformer 1,001 Spikes launching on Steam, PSN June 3
Developer 8Bits Fanatics' hyper-difficult 2D platformer 1,001 Spikes will launch next week for the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, and PC platforms via Steam, publisher Nicalis announced today. Originally released for the Xbox Live Indie Games service in 2011, 1,001 Spikes has since been upgraded with new levels, a host of new playable characters, and many, many more ways to die. Gameplay in 1,001 Spikes challenges players to avoid an endless array of instant-death traps and other environment-shifting hazards in single-player and co-op multiplayer modes. 1,001 Spikes will be priced at $14.99 when it hits Steam and the PlayStation Network on June 3. The PSN version is available as a Cross-Buy release, and Steam players who own copies of either Cave Story or Night Sky will receive a $5 discount. Ports for Wii U, 3DS, and the Xbox One are also in the works. [Image: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes nabs characters from Bit.Trip, Cave Story, and more
Nicalis showcases several recent additions to its remade, tough-as-nails platformer 1,001 Spikes in the trailer above, giving an early look at the game's expanded character roster. Newly playable in the enhanced version of Aban Hawkins and the 1,000 Spikes are Cave Story's Curly Brace, Commander Video from the Bit.Trip series, Nyx from Nyx Quest, Knytt Stories' Juni, and a trio of characters from fellow Xbox Live Indie Games platformer The Tempura of the Dead. 1,001 Spikes will launch this summer for the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, and PC platforms. [Video: Nicalis]
1,001 Spikes to feature characters inspired by Castlevania, Super Mario
When a group of friends accumulate deaths and treasure while traversing the trap-filled screens of 1,001 Spikes, they may channel some classic protagonists. NintendoWorldReport recently described a few of 1,001 Spikes' multiplayer elements, like 4-player co-op in the main game, a king-of-the-hill style battle for a money-spewing jar, and the vertically-oriented Tower of Nanner that limits each player to nine lives. Aside from teamwork and brutal competition, 1,001 Spikes' roster of characters will also host throwbacks to classic games. For instance, NWR describes a plumber-esque Mr. Video Game character that can hurl fireballs, as well as a knight that's disrobed during his death, a nod to Sir Arthur from the Ghosts n Goblins series. NWR notes another, ninja-like character that bares resemblance to the Ninja Gaiden series' Ryu Hayabusa, with a whip-wielding hero serving as a nod to Castlevania's Belmont family. Even CommanderVideo from the Bit.Trip Runner series has signed up for 1,001 Spikes' death-ridden landscape. 1,001 Spikes is a remake of Aban Hawkins and the 1,000 Spikes, previously available via Xbox Live Indie Games. 1,001 Spikes is planned to launch on the 3DS and Wii U in Q1 of 2014, with releases also planned for the PS4, Vita, PC, Mac and Linux. [Image: Nicalis]
Nintendo's eShop indie list sees Treasurenauts in May, QUBE in April
Nintendo has laid out its 2014 indie eShop lineup for the next few months: Mutant Mudds developer Renegade Kid has two games up for 3DS, Moon Chronicles in March and Treasurenauts in May. Wayforward's Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is due out in Q1, and Mojo Bones' side-scrolling bouncer, Siesta Fiesta, is due out in March, both for 3DS. Wii U's "Japan steam rock" platformer, Wooden Sen'Sey, is targeting a February launch, while Nicalis' 1,001 Spikes is due out in Q1 for both Wii U and 3DS. Nihilumbra, Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails and Squids Odyssey should land in March for Wii U. Teslagrad is aiming for March or April, and QUBE Director's Cut should launch in April, each for Wii U. For those who want to get their indie gaming on right now, the eShop's two-week Super Indie Connection Sale is live, offering a handful of games for 60 percent off, if you already own one of the games in the sale or if you buy one at full price. Sale games include Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, Spin the Bottle, Toki Tori 2 and Mighty Switch Force. As a friendly reminder, Retro City Rampage DX is due out on February 6 for the 3DS eShop, and Shovel Knight hits Wii U and 3DS (and Steam) on March 31. [Image: Toxic Games]
