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Cannon Brawl devs release alpha build for free
Cannon Brawl is dropping off an alpha version, available to download and play for free on PC. The game is a 2D mix of multiplayer action and real-time strategy, in which you control a little zeppelin that can build structures and fire cannons. Unfortunately, this is an early version of the game, so it likely has plenty of bugs, performance issues, and other compatibility problems. But the devs want to get the game in your hands, so if you're in the forgiving mood you can download it starting now.Cannon Brawl has also appeared on Steam Greenlight, and is aiming for the Xbox sometime in the future.
Daily iPhone App: Brawl
Ben Brode is a game designer at Blizzard Entertainment who has created an iOS card game called Brawl (we're still waiting for iOS games from Blizzard, by the way). Brawl is actually based on a real card game, and unlike most turn-based card games, this one's played in real time (similar to Spoons, if you've ever played that one, in that you simply lay down cards as fast as you can). The basic idea is that you pile up cards of a certain color as you pull them off of a bigger deck, and then you can claim or cancel "bases" laid out on a field. The game can be a little tough to get the hang of (though there's a pretty solid tutorial to play through), but after you get it, it's pretty simple to play. It's also tough to master, however. There are a few different decks to play with, and while they may seem similar at first, there's actually a lot of strategy in choosing to either block a base or clear it out at the right time. It's a fun mix of cards and fighting games, and of course playing the game on iOS makes for a nice representation of the action. There's local and online Game Center multiplayer support, and while the game comes with three decks, you can buy more via an in-app purchase. The art's 2D and simple, but it looks great, and the game runs well -- just as solid as you'd expect from someone with Blizzard experience. Brawl's available right now as a universal version for free, and the other decks in the game can be picked up for $1.99 each.
DCUO releases new brawling screens
November 2nd is fast approaching, and you closet-superheroes are no doubt dusting off your tights, underoos and power armor in preparation for Sony Online Entertainment's DC Universe Online. The comic-inspired MMORPG will take would-be crime-fighters from Metropolis to Gotham City, and whether you've got a PC or a Playstation 3, you'll find a home as well as plenty of competition on Sony's servers. Speaking of competition, CVG has released a set of new screenshots from the game that focus on everyone's favorite MMO pastime: violence! Whether you're itching to spec out a beefy brawler who pancakes opponents with his fists and feet, or a lithe ranged attacker who fills up on POWs, WHAMs, and KRAKs from a distance, DCUO looks to satiate your hunger for action. Check out our gallery below for a little bit of the old ultra-violence. %Gallery-100729%
Dirty disc drive lens? Nintendo has your back
Reasons not to smoke: Increased risk of lung cancer, high blood pressure, bronchitis, emphysema. It smells. Wii lens damage!!1! Rather than lecture you on the first two (because hey, they're your lungs, bucko), we want to concentrate on the latter. Back in February, Japanese gamers reported that Wiis were having trouble reading newly purchased copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo's intervention was swift, with the company blaming dirty console lenses -- Brawl was the first Wii game to release on a dual-layered DVD, and therefore especially sensitive to this issue.Nintendo's first practical solution was ... not so swift. As in, it just came out now. The Wii Lens Cleaner Set is available to order on Nintendo's Japanese site for ¥800 (around $8) or Play-Asia for a tenner. It should leave your console lens sparkling and your Brawl career resurgent. Whadd'ya mean everyone plays Mario Kart now? Hush!%Gallery-26316%[Via Kotaku]
Brawl Stage of the Week: Galaxy Arena
We wanted something pure today, something easy -- a stage that's just meant for brawling. We didn't need any gimmicks, or any crazy architecture and stage design. Our one prerequisite for this week was to find a stage that was fun to fight on, period.When we came across Galaxy Arena by TwilightRaver, we knew we had found exactly what we were looking for.
Brawl Stage of the Week: Freezer Room
It may not be the prettiest stage we've ever seen, but we found ourselves having a great time while playing in Matt M.'s Freezer Room. We didn't really understand the title at first, as we originally only noticed the little ice platform up top in this very tall stage -- one ice platform does not a "freezer room" make! Once we started brawling, though, we saw the little enclosed area at the bottom with an ice floor, and everything made much more sense. Yet that's only one element of the stage that we enjoyed -- click past the break to see more!
Brawl Stage of the Week: Airborne Arena
Airborne Arena? More like "Sadistic Arena."This stage was submitted by Wii Fanboy reader K2J, who's been busy making lots and lots of Brawl stages. He let us know his favorites, which were the ones we tested out for ourselves. So, why did we end up choosing to feature Airborne Arena? Well, to put it in gamer terms, the stage completely owned us.
Dojo update: Wait, what?
We buried our friend, the Smash Bros. Brawl Dojo, many months ago. Then, like a zombie, the beast rose from its grave to honor today's European Brawl release. Aside from an apology (and the promise that you can play Brawl in five different languages), the Dojo doesn't offer much in terms of words. Yet, it does feature a snapshot gallery with some super silly Brawl images worth looking at. "Snapshots Galore" has been around the Dojo two times before, but since we happened to be around those parts today anyway, we decided to put the most recent ones in a gallery for your viewing pleasure (below). We're really proud of what the Smash Bros. community has done, regarding these snapshots (which are filled with ridiculousness, awesomeness, and "huh?") and other creations, too. Now it's your turn to take the Brawl torch, Europe. Let's see what types of goodies you can come up with.Warning: The pictures in the gallery below reveal spoilers! Only view the gallery if you're man (or woman!) enough to handle it.%Gallery-26316%[Thanks RupeeClock!]
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/16-6/22
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Well, except for the PSP, that is. Sony's handheld is still as mighty as ever. Even so, the Wii toppled all the other home consoles once again last week, reclaiming its second-place spot: The new Wii kid on the block in the charts is Mario Super Sluggers, which didn't sell as well as we thought it would, considering that it's a baseball game -- one published by Nintendo, no less. That's why we love Japanese sales so much, though. Just when we think we have the country all figured out, it goes and surprises us again.Everything else Wii related is pretty much just business as usual, but check past the break to see where the games ranked in the top thirty and how much the top tenners sold.
On sale at Amazon -- Nine cheap games for Nintendo lovers [update 5]
The "Nintendo Icon" Amazon Gold Box has gone live, so it's time for those of you who can shop at Amazon.com to get your credit cards at the ready. With nine different deals on the table today, you might just find something that appeals to you.The "Deal of the Day" is Super Smash Bros. Brawl for $25.99, which really leaves you with no excuse not to buy it. The lightning deals are where the excitement is always at, though, and there are eight of them that will cycle throughout the day. Before we get into what's on the list, we must say that the sales are slightly disappointing. Maybe it's just us, but we wish Amazon had included more second-party titles. After all, such games are considered "Nintendo Icons," too. There's one title in particular that we feel is sorely missing -- but we digress.To see Amazon's hints for the eight lightning deals, just click past the break.
Brawl Stage of the Week: Hueco Mundo
This week's stage is by IGN user Tabris_Arkangel, who had a lot of custom levels to choose from. We ended up picking "Heco Mundo" [sic] because 1) it rocks, and 2) when do you ever see a Bleach stage, really? We've featured a lot of stages here, many of them themed. But Bleach? That's not a concept we often come across.
Tallyho, guv'na -- UK Smash Showdown at Gamestation
If you like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and you happen to live in the UK, then this announcement might have some kind of connection with you. Twenty Gamestation stores across the nation will each be hosting a 64-person Super Smash Bros. Showdown on June 28. This is no slouchy, bored-marketing-guy tournament either. Every winner from every store will take home a 40" Samsung LCD TV and a Samsung Home Theater System, with all the DVD and surround sound trimmings.Tournaments are great and all, but this one is really something else. The prizes are actually extremely good, and you only need to win six matches to take home the grand prize. Only one Fanboy blogger lives in the UK, but fortunately he is awful at Brawl. In fact, he doesn't even own the game. Or pants.Register for your local tournament at the official website -- it's probably going to fill up fast, so make like a tree and hurry.%Gallery-3347%[Via press release]
Brawl Stage of the Week: Shy Guy
Any Nintendo fan worth his or her salt should recognize this character. Love him or hate him, we've been seeing Shy Guy make many Mario-related appearances ever since Super Mario Bros. 2. Ironically, he started out as a non-Mario character in Doki Doki Panic, but the conversion of the game in the West was enough to solidify his place as a popular enemy (or sports player) in many a Mario title.But, that's enough Shy Guy history for now. Check past the break to download this stage by TheDarkPlumber2.0.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 6/2-6/8
The top Wii game last week wasn't Mario Kart, or even Wii Fit. Rather, beloved roguelike Shiren got the coveted title, as Shiren the Wanderer 3 debuted in second behind the PS3's new Dragon Ball Z. The previously mentioned Nintendo games did show up in the top ten, though, along with Family Trainer. We're happy to see both Smash Bros. Brawl and Battalion Wars 2 hanging tough in the top thirty; the previous week had us a bit worried. In hardware, though, the Wii remains sandwiched between the PSP and the DS:Just click on past the break if you'd like to see how Wii software fared.
Nintendads? Father-son Brawl tournament
Nothing shows Dad your life-long appreciation more than kicking his butt at Super Smash Bros. Brawl, further affirming to him that he is now a lost soul in a whole world of new technology. Well, that could be the case, but plenty of parents have proven their dedication to gaming in the past, so the chil'n may not have the upper hand.Stroll on down to the Nintendo World store in New York City on Father's Day for an official Brawl tournament, where fathers and sons will engage in battle, bond lovingly, and question each other's sexuality upon choosing Peach or Zelda.Save any household fussin' and feudin' for the tournament, as pent-up male rage is set to explode in an ocean of umbrellas, star wands and banana peels. Nintendo is awarding two Wii consoles, two copies of Brawl and a winner's trophy for whichever dynamic duo takes the tournament crown. All the action goes down from 1 - 4pm on Sunday, June 15.%Gallery-3347%
Brawl Stage of the Week: The Colosseum
During the days of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was a place where many would spectate gladiatorial contests. These contests were usually gory and brutal, and the gladiators had to face daunting challenges. It's for the best that such barbarisms were put to an end in real life, but we're glad we can try entering the ring ourselves in this new Smash Bros. Brawl stage by Ryan E.In Rome, the Colosseum is also known as an architectural masterpiece. Building a stage upon such ideals has a lot to live up to, but luckily, this one delivers. So, click on past the break if you want to download or find out more about this level.
Amazon gives reasons to buy Brawl and Guitar Hero if you don't own them yet
It's not often that we find great deals on big-name titles, especially two on the same day, but perhaps you were feeling lucky, punk, and the fickle game deal gods decided to reign their glory upon you.Behind door number one, we have Super Smash Bros. Brawl for $48.99! Okay, we're just joshing you (not about the price, since it is marked down a dollar, but that's not what we're excited about). Rather, with a purchase of Brawl, Amazon is offering a $10 gift card. Around these parts, an Amazon gift card is as good as cash, so those of you who are Brawl-less (in North America) should consider getting your rumble on.The other deal is for Guitar Hero III, which has been on sale before, but usually as a "Deal of the Day." We're not sure how long this particular sale will last, but if you want $20 off your Guitar Hero purchase, you can get it for $69.99 (also at Amazon).Of course, there is one bad thing about popular games getting deals; the chances are high that everyone already has them.[Via CAG]Source: Super Smash Bros. Brawl with $10 gift cardSource: Guitar Hero Wii for $69.99
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/26-6/1
Wii Fit gained some competition last week, as Family Trainer finally made its debut in Japan. Even so, Namco Bandai's game couldn't overtake Nintendo's six-month-old fitness title. Many Wii games were also pushed to the bottom of the top thirty in this week's chart, with Smash Bros. Brawl in danger of falling off completely. Despite less than stellar software sales, Wii hardware performed well. Yet, once again, the Wii fell behind the currently dominating PSP:The software figures are located after the break, so click on.
Brawl Stage of the Week: Spear TWMX
If you've been completing your events like a good little boy or girl, you've probably unlocked the Spear Pillar stage. The layout in this stage is simple, but effective, and it stands out as one of our favorites. Yet, there are just a few, teeny obstacles that may get in your way -- like, say, some badass, legendary pokémon.Do you love Spear Pillar, but are tired of getting your butt kicked by Dialga, Palkia, or Cresselia? Would you rather the stage be about straight-up brawling? Then you should check out McBey's Spear TWMX after the break.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 5/19-5/25
No new Wii games debuted last week; at least, none that ended up in the top thirty. There was one teensy weensy title that was introduced into the Japanese market, though. You may have heard of it: Guitar Hero III.To put it bluntly, sales for the game were low. In fact, it didn't even make the top fifty in Media Create's charts, and Famitsu reports that the title only sold 1,300 copies. Compared to sales in other regions (like North America and Europe, for example), where Guitar Hero III performed fiercely, you can see that tastes often differ between western and eastern gamers.Other than that, there's not to much to report about the software charts. Battalion Wars 2 managed to hang in the top ten, while Mario Kart Wii slipped into third place. Meanwhile, Smash Bros. Brawl might be in danger of falling out of the top thirty soon.In hardware, the gap between the Wii and the PSP lessened as sales for Nintendo's console rose, while sales for Sony's handheld fell. Still, the PSP had a lead of about 15,000 units last week, keeping the Wii locked in its second place spot:The software numbers are located after the break, so go on and take a look.
