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Two 'Mega Man X' collections are coming July 24th
To celebrate Mega Man's 30th anniversary and Mega Man 11 coming out this year, Capcom planned a re-release of two bundles collecting the first ten games for the Switch. But the company must have heard fans crying out to play titles from the franchise's sister series, Mega Man X, set in a grim alternate future. Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 & 2 will be released simultaneously on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on July 24th.
'Meeky Mill' makes a game out of current rap feuds
In case you haven't been keeping up with the life of rapper Meek Mill, he's had a tough go of it over the last six months or so. After Meek accused Drake of using a ghostwriter on hit songs last summer, the Canadian rapper's musical response coined the phrases "trigger fingers turned to Twitter fingers," "is that a world tour or your girl's tour?" and left Mill as the subject of endless jokes and memes. Now that Meek has sparked another beef, this time with 50 Cent, his unenviable situation has been captured by a videogame, Meeky Mill (warning: language). Produced by musician/indie game developer Richie Branson, it's a side-scroller platformer/endless runner where Meek dodges L bombs and missiles tossed by his rivals.
Playdate: Running wild in 'The Deer God' and 'Castle Crashers'
Fun fact: If you do a Bing voice-search on Xbox One for The Deer God, instead of coming back with the option to download the indie sidescroller you'll see results for the 1996 Greg Kinnear flick Dear God, an Avenged Sevenfold album with a song named "Dear God" on it and absolutely zero games named The Deer God. Actually finding the absolutely gorgeous venison-focused title takes a lot more work, which is strange considering that it's one of this month's free downloads as part of Xbox's Games with Gold promotion. No matter! We did the digging for you and are going to play the game live on Twitch (along with Castle Crashers Remastered) starting at 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 hits Android and iOS with long-lost Palace Zone stage
If you're looking to party like it's 1993, you can now do it on your Android or iOS hand-held device, thanks to a new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 reissue from Sega. On top of the 11 levels and seven special zones from the classic game, the portable version includes the Palace Zone, a rarely seen beta stage that was cut from the original game. There's also a widescreen mode for easier portable gameplay, a "boss attack mode" and the ability to play as Knuckles along with Sonic and Tails. It's now on Google Play at $2.99 (like the original version) and should hit iOS later today. So, if you'd like to revisit your childhood, but at 60 fps this time, hit the source.
Final Exam co-op trailer lacks actual exams, shows off monster-bashing with friends instead
You know, I don't think the characters in Final Exam, formerly known as Obscure, know much about exams. I mean, here's this new trailer showing off co-op for the game, and instead of having study group and pulling all-nighters together, they're shooting rocket launchers, turning an amusement park ride into a death-mobile, and connecting with up to three friends for online monster-slaying. That's cool and all guys, but I don't think it's gonna get you on the Dean's List. Along with the new co-op trailer, Final Exam developer Mighty Rocket Studio has announced that the game is available on Steam Early Access, where pre-purchasers can play the first chapter ahead of release. The Final Exam Steam page lists a full release date of November 5, while the game's official site says it will be coming to XBLA and PSN "early November."
Excalibur's sidescrolling action now available on iOS
Last month, Android users got to taunt Apple owners with a nyeener nyeener when the sidescrolling action-brawler Excalibur's beta became available for Android devices only. But as of today, Apple users are no longer out of the loop; the iOS version is available for download free from the App Store. So now, no matter your device, you can adventure together in the realm of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table while on the go. To celebrate, R2Games and 337.com are planning some contests to give players a chance to earn some in-game goodies. With the beta release on both mobile platforms out of the way, devs can start to turn their focus on future game content, including the fourth playable class: the Archer. [Source: R2Games press release]
Excalibur takes Arthurian action to mobile devices
Claiming to be the world's first mobile sidescrolling MMO, Excalibur is obviously hoping that Guinness Book of World Records will be calling soon, although it might have to wait until the title actually releases. R2Games is preparing to unleash the title on both Android and iOS mobile platforms. Excalibur puts players in the role of a Knight, Wizard, Archer, or Assassin and tasks them to kill all the things. While it looks like a standard button-masher on the surface, R2Games claims that it's got many of the deeper MMO features that players have come to expect. These include a gear enhancement system, a buff system based on the zodiac, a guild system, co-op play, and other customization options. We've got the trailer for Excalibur after the jump, so give it a look and see if the knight life is right for you.
WindSlayer 2 patch brings PvP, updated UI
Ignited Games' upcoming title WindSlayer 2 just entered open beta earlier this month, but the team is already rolling out updates. The latest patch to hit the game introduced players to Team Match PvP, which is the first PvP mode introduced to the game. In addition, the update brought changes to the game's UI and graphics settings as well as added 52 new item shop products. To get in on the side-scrolling PvP action, just head on to the WindSlayer 2 official site and sign up. [Source: Ignited Games press release]
Massively Exclusive: Elsword Online community Q&A, part deux
KOG Studios, developer of free-to-play hack'n'slash MMO Elsword, has unleashed the second round of an ongoing series of Massively-exclusive community Q&A segments for your enjoyment. A bit of backstory for the uninitiated: Elsword is a popular Korean side-scrolling MMO that saw its North American launch in May. The game puts players in the role of one of three characters as they face off against legions of manga-styled enemies, or against one another. This second Q&A session covers questions from the Elsword community regarding the hilarious mishaps of localizing the game for North American launch, the team's preferred style of play, and what games the team plays when they're not working (or playing) on Elsword. For the full Q&A, jump on past the cut!
La Tale offers up a new Time Traveler patch
The colorful world of La Tale is expanding yet again, with three new areas to adventure in. This newest update called Time Traveler will offer players not only these three distinct new areas -- and a time machine to travel to them in -- but also adds in the new Guild Crops system. What's a Guild Crop? Well, the idea is this: La Tale players will be able to grow plants with their guild mates in special guild rooms. If they take good care of them, the plants will grow into monsters that players will then battle to gain access to a special dungeon with guild weapons, armor, and a fun new boss.
WonderKing goes open beta, offers panda pet
If you enjoy side-scrolling free-to-play MMOs that you and your kids can play together, then you'll be glad to hear this piece of news. Ndoors Interactive, the company that brought Atlantica Online to this side of the pond has opened up the doors on their newest MMO offering, WonderKing. Set in myriad worlds thanks to dimensional travel, this new game pits players against hordes of demons who seem to inhabit everything from particularly pernicious jackalopes and jello to testy tiki monsters. Returning players from WonderKing's closed beta who come back and play in open beta will be treated to a special secret gift. (Could be meat, could be cake!) If you haven't tried out WonderKing, don't worry -- they have something for you too. Between now and January 10th at 6PM Pacific, all players who log in will be given an adorable Black Panda pet as a way to help them test out their shiny new pet system. So, if you've been looking for a way to while away the winter hours with the family, or perhaps you're simply passionate about panda pets, head on over to the WonderKing site and take advantage of their shiny new open beta.%Gallery-82305%
ESRB rates SOE-published 2D brawler 'Revenge of the Wounded Dragons' [update]
Update: An SOE rep has confirmed to Joystiq that more details on the game will be released next Monday. Hold tight! If it weren't strange enough that Sony Online Entertainment is listed as the publisher for recently ESRB rated PlayStation 3 side-scrolling brawler Revenge of the Wounded Dragons, we find it all the stranger that a trademark filing from last September puts Wet developer A2M in the developer's seat. The game's description, aside from pinning it as a PS3 exclusive, tells us that it's a "2D fighting game" where players will "frequently punch, kick, and throw enemies as they 'side-scroll' forward through the platform city environments." We put our top men on deciphering this rating-wary, encrypted message, and they have surmised that the title will likely be some form of a Double Dragon clone. Reading further into the description, we see that the game follows "two brothers attempting to avenge their grandfather's death and rescue their sister from the local mafia boss." A 2D, sidescrolling brawler that follows the tale of two brothers out for revenge? You don't say! We contacted both A2M and Sony Online Entertainment for comment, but have yet to hear back. Source 1 - ESRB Source 2 - USPTO Congratulations to osuiscoolteam2008 on being the first to comment. You've been emailed a free Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta code. Click here, for more information on this giveaway. Official rules apply.
Dreamland Online coming to North America and Europe this year
Dreamland Online is a 3D sidescrolling MMO that is currently in its testing phase in China. The latest news from the game's developer IGG is that Europeans and North Americans can expect to be able to play an English version of Dreamland before the year is through. One of the defining aspects of the new title is said to be the involvement of pets: "The main feature of Dreamland Online is its pet system. In Dreamland pets play a central role - they can assist players in fighting monsters and completing quests, but they are also loyal companions on lonely adventures." There will also be some form of competitive player-versus-player gameplay.The game has an official site up with some limited information, along with a link to some forums. Check out our new gallery for a handful of screens from the Chinese version.%Gallery-68589%
Swords & Soldiers: now with Morefun
How many games task players with defending "their freakishly large pepper?" Not enough, that's how many. Won't someone please think of the freakishly large pepper? We knew that Ronimo Games' Swords & Soldiers, the 2D side-scrolling strategy game, was very pretty, and very funny, but it wasn't until this latest trailer and its press release that we knew just how wonderfully weird it is.The press release names, among the strategy game's features, "historical inaccuracy" and "Morefun™," which is described as "Ronimo's patent pending version of fun that makes games interesting and enjoyable to play. Imagine playing a game, that at the same time is actually fun. Powerful stuff."Swords & Soldiers could be out as soon as this month, but we wouldn't bet our freakishly large peppers on it. It's already been delayed once, and that vague "early 2009" at the end of the trailer isn't promising.
E308: Wario Land: Watch It
Following on from last night's assault of screens is this U.S. trailer for Wario Land: Shake It. The first half deals with the game's story of marauding pirate Shay King, his capture of the "Bottomless Coin Sack," and the imprisonment Queen Merelda. Wario comes to the rescue, but naturally shows no interest whatsoever until said coin sack is mentioned. 'Atta boy!The second part is the usual lifestyle shots of people enjoying the game from their fashionable sofa, interspersed with actual gameplay footage, which obviously looks fantastic. On a different note, anyone else surprised that this is going to be out in Japan next week? It feels like we only found out about it yesterday.%Gallery-26293%
Who needs E3? iPhone engraved with River City Ransom
When Sal Cangeloso of Geek.com had the chance to get his (no doubt super-expensive) iPhone engraved with a laser-etched design of his choice, he didn't opt for something as mundane as having his name on there (though "Sal Cangeloso" is one rad name). Instead, he chose possibly the most awesome, most BARF!-tastic design that has ever appeared on an iPhone -- this still of River City Ransom's Alex doling out the pain to some Generic Dude.Forget E3, people -- this has just trumped everything that could possibly appear in LA over the next few days.[Thanks, Sal!]
VC Friday: Neo Geo duo
This week's muscle-bound PAL Virtual Console update comes exclusively from SNK's sleek, black beast of a console.Art of Fighting 2 makes its worldwide Virtual Console debut, though if you own a PlayStation 2, Art of Fighting Anthology is available cheaply, and should be coming to the Wii ... at some point. Also worth noting: it has some of the most brilliantly awful voice-acting ever (go past the break to see some footage). Sidescrolling duff-'em-up Ninja Combat completes this week's offerings. Art of Fighting 2 -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points Ninja Combat -- Neo Geo -- 900 Wii Points
Twist and shake with Wario Land: Shake It!
The importance of shaking in Wario Land: Shake It! is apparent from the moment you read the title, but there are also moves available to Wario that involve twisting. Spencer of Siliconera spent some time studying videos from Shake It!'s official Japanese site, and listed down the different types of shake and twist that feature in Wario's adventure.He quickly discovered that many moves in the game are context-sensitive. So, shaking the Remote up and down repeatedly allows our dungareed hero to swing from bars, as well as shake the treasure from bags or enemies. Twisting the Wiimote is also multi-functional, and will let players steer minecarts, fire themselves from a cannon at a certain angle, or aim at where they'd like to chuck enemies. A respectable range of moves, all performed with two simple motions -- neat!%Gallery-26293%
We're all shook up from Wario Land videos
We knew that Wario Land: Shake It! looked really nice, but we simply were not prepared to see it in motion in the gameplay video available on the new Japanese site. The crisp backgrounds and fluid character animation make Shake It one of the best-looking games on Wii or any other console. It's surprisingly beautiful for something that is also so Wario-like -- the gameplay footage is all busting stuff and hoarding treasure.The site also features the animated intro created by Production I.G., which we've embedded after the break. In addition, an animated controller diagram details the game's sideways-Wiimote-based control scheme: the 1 button tackles, the 2 button jumps, and shaking the Wiimote performs various context-sensitive actions, usually shaking stuff.
22 unlockable characters confirmed for Castle Crashers
You'll need more than your fingers and toes when counting up the number of playable characters in The Behemoth's upcoming (and long awaited) XBLA opus Castle Crashers, as the devs have confirmed that the game's roster will pack in "about" twenty-two unlockable slots. How exactly characters will be unlocked remains, much like the game's eventual release date, a mystery, with Behemoth blogger Emil teasing only that characters will be added "by various different means." However, given that since it was first announced some two years ago the heavily-stylized side scroller has remained near the top of a short list of titles we cannot wait to sink our thumbs into, it's just shy of hyperbole to say that we'd do anything Castle Crashers asked of us anyway. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
