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Twisted Pixel Games Bundle spins onto XBLA for 800 MSP
Twisted Pixel's XBLA bundle is available for purchase as of this morning, and the price is not bad, not bad at all. At 800 MSP, the collection of 'Splosion Man, Ms. Splosion Man, The Maw, and Comic Jumper comes in at two ninths - or around 22 percent for non-fractionists - of the games' total cost when purchased separately.If you've been waiting to twist on the talented Texas studio's XBLA collection all this time - is The Maw really four years old now? - then we'd say today your luck is in.
Daily iPhone App: Ms. Splosion Man splodes out onto iOS
I'm a big fan of developer Twisted Pixel -- their console games are always terrific, with the original Splosion Man being one of my favorites. Now, the company has teamed up with developer Iron Galaxy and publisher Microsoft to bring the sequel to that one, Ms. Splosion Man, to iOS, and the result is a really impressive port. In fact, I don't know if "port" is even the right word for this one. If you'd never heard Ms. Splosion Man was released on Xbox before it arrived on the iPhone, this could just be one of the best platformers on the App Store. The idea here is that you play a very silly creature that can "splode" whenever you touch the screen, which allows you to destroy objects and jump all in one explosive movement. You can "splode" up to three times before you need to touch the ground again, so essentially the game is a pretty twitchy triple jump platformer, challenging you to navigate Ms. Splosion Man through fifty different levels. Just looking at the game itself, Ms. Splosion Man is great -- it takes Twisted Pixel's original Splosion Man idea, and improves on it with huge boss fights, perfectly designed levels, and lots of new mechanics, like rotating cannons and a very active camera. As a port, however, this title is even more impressive. I am not sure how Iron Galaxy was able to make the game look and run this well, but they did it -- the title looks like it was lifted straight from the Xbox, and it runs just as smoothly on my iPhone. There are some new additions, too, like challenges to complete for "Fame" as you play, and even full AirPlay support. My one complaint here is that the touchscreen controls sometimes cover up the action, but that's not a huge issue, especially considering the rest of the app's quality. Ms. Splosion Man is a great game already, and it's been delivered to the App Store with panache here. You can pick it up there now for just $2.99.
Ms. Splosion Man let off Steam today
Ms. Splosion Man cannot be contained to any one platform. Following the iOS release of Twisted Pixel's combustion platformer, Ms. Splosion Man has also burst onto Windows (via Steam) and Windows Phone, two platforms owned by Twisted Pixel parent company Microsoft.The Windows Phone version only works on Windows Phone 7.5, so even in the event you have a Windows Phone device, make sure you have the proper equipment to handle splosions.
Ms. Splosion Man iOS out now, PC next week
Ms. Splosion Man brings her bewitching mixture of science and 'splosions to iPhone and iPad today, with the iOS port available now for $2.99. Developer Twisted Pixel also revealed the PC port of the original XBLA game is due next week.The iOS version, developed by Iron Galaxy Studios, introduces six new power-ups to the platformer along with a whopping 1,500 challenges to complete, including racing ghost replays from Twisted Pixel's QA team.Meanwhile, Twisted Pixel says the PC version is a straight port of the original XBLA game, courtesy of Firehose and Panic Button Studios. By the by, we awarded Ms. Splosion Man on XBLA a glittering five stars, deeming it to be "dripping in charm."
Twisted Pixel bundle includes studio's XBLA library, coming 'soon' to Live
Twisted Pixel is packaging all of its XBLA games into one 'Twisted Bundle,' which is making its way onto Xbox Live "soon." We're waiting for the four-in-one compilation, which includes The Maw, 'Splosion Man, Ms. Splosion Man, and Comic Jumper to twist on a price and date.
Ms. Splosion Man bringing power-ups to iOS by the end of March
Ms. 'Splosion Man will launch on iOS by the end of March, Twisted Pixel told Joystiq at PAX East. The game introduces power-ups, which will be specific to the iOS version of the game. Power-ups include "nuclear 'splode," a bullet-time item and a option to cheat on the game, skipping a level entirely.The "cheat" power-up isn't new to the series, as Ms. 'Splosion Man originally gave players the option to move past a level should they fail a little too much. In this case, the iOS version offers that choice via power-ups in the in-game power-up store. The game is also coming to Steam and Windows Phone.
Xbox 320GB hard drive to include NFS: Hot Pursuit, Ms. Splosion Man
The Xbox 360 S-compatible 320GB hard drive is getting a new batch of games, forcing out the formerly bundled-in Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.As of sometime next month, the additional storage space includes downloadable copies of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Ms. Splosion Man, and Pinball FX 2 with the Sorcerer's Lair DLC. As for the price, that sticks at $129.99.
Ms. 'Splosion Man Cinco de Mayo promo teases E3 game announcement
Twisted Pixel's next joint will be revealed at E3 this year in LA – specifically, on June 5. Word comes via a Cinco de Mayo promotion for Ms. Splosion Man, which adds a new challenge level called "Splokour" and will gift five lucky winners a copy of Twisted Pixel's next title.In addition to winning the new game, the top five on the challenge level leaderboard will also snag a Ms. Splosion Man plushie. The free challenge level will be available from May 5 until 11pm ET on May 20.%Gallery-154712%
Sliding and 'sploding with Ms. 'Splosion Man on iPad
Rather than create an all new experience tailored to touch screens, the iOS version of Twisted Pixel's excellent Ms. 'Splosion Man attempts to replicate the console experience -- and, yes, that means virtual buttons. So, many people have already stopped reading.If you're still here, stick around to read about Ms. 'Splosion Man's portable outing and the future of Twisted Pixel on Mobile devices.
Ms. Splosion Man platform 'splosion: coming to PC, iOS, Windows Phone
Like playing Ms. Splosion Man, but have an intractable grudge against your Xbox 360? Twisted Pixel is bringing its concussive platformer to several new platforms, including PC (on both Steam and Games for Windows Live), iPhone, iPad, and Windows Phone 7. The porting process is a multi-studio endeavor, requiring the talents of not only Twisted Pixel, but Iron Galaxy, Fire Hose Games, and Panic Button Games as well.The PC version appears identical to the XBLA release, but the mobile game is a "unique experience" designed specifically for touchscreens -- using a virtual d-pad. You'll be able to find out how well these new containers withstand explosive force this summer.
Ms. 'Splosion Man celebrates Valentine's Day with steak
A new challenge level for Ms. 'Splosion Man is set to debut this Valentine's Day, with a special reward for its best players. From February 14-27, players will have access to the "Shoot the Glass" challenge level Ms. 'Splosion Man's main menu. As the title implies, the goal is to smash all the glass in the level, with missed panes adding ten seconds to your clear time.What really makes the challenge special, however, is the prize. At the end of the challenge period, the five US players with the best times will receive a prize pack from Omaha Steaks. A prize pack composed of steak. Just make sure you 'splode it before you eat it.%Gallery-147254%
'Splosion Man coming to Retro City Rampage
Not even the metaphorical constraints of intellectual property are enough to contain Twisted Pixel's 'Splosion Man, apparently, as indie developer VBlank Entertainment has revealed that both Mr. And Ms. 'Splosion Man will join the cast of its upcoming pixel-art chiptune meta-homage Retro City Rampage. VBlank told MineCon 2011 attendees that 'Splosion Man is "the first of Retro City Rampage's official indie (or previously indie) crossovers," a statement that indicates future crossover announcements while simultaneously poking at Twisted Pixel's recent change in corporate structure. Check out the trailer above for a glimpse at RCR's isometric take on 'splode-based platforming.%Gallery-139924%
Ms. Splosion Man half off, '2K Publisher sale' this week on XBLM
Cotton candy pandas! Ms. Splosion Man, Twisted Pixel's solid sequel to the imitation-worthy 'Splosion Man, is on sale this week for 400 MSP ($5). Next week will see Sega's Streets of Rage 2 and Crazy Taxi on sale for 200 MSP ($2.50) and 400 MSP, respectively. This week also has a "2K Publisher sale" with "up to 50 percent off" all items. We obtained a list of the discounted items, which includes BioShock 2's "Minerva's Den" for $5, Borderlands DLC and The Misadventures of PB Winterbottom.
Ms. 'Splosion Man challenge round two features Fruit 'Friend'
Listen, Penny Arcade's Fruit F**cker certainly isn't a "friend" to fruit, though we can understand the need to tone down the juicing robot's vile moniker for more tender audiences. It turns out he's not a friend to Ms. 'Splosion Man either, as he now appears in a new challenge level for Twisted Pixel's latest 'sploderific opus. The challenge level is available now -- handily offered without needing a special download -- and is littered with 9 of the little buggers. The challenge level is open until September 11, and the three players who walk away with the highest scores will receive a prize pack filled with Twisted Pixel and Penny Arcade goodies. We're not sure if said prize packs include a Fruit "Friend," but you might want to hide your produce just in case.%Gallery-132733%
Ms. Splosion Man's Pinball FX table out Aug. 31, playable at PAX
The Ms. Splosion Man pinball table for Pinball FX2 will blast pinkness across XBLA on August 31 for 240 MSP ($3) -- that's less than a box of doughnuts. Heading to PAX? You'll be able to flip over the new table at Twisted Pixel or Microsoft, located at booth numbers 3003 and 432, respectively. While you're waiting for the table, why not try out the actual Ms. Splosion Man game? It's fun, we promise.%Gallery-130510%
See the Ms. 'Splosion Man Pinball FX2 table
What with all the sensitive parts in a pinball machine, you'd normally keep one as far away from explosions as possible. Thankfully, digital pinball saves us from such hazards, allowing for the existence of this Ms. 'Splosion Man table in Pinball FX2. The table will launch later this summer.
Ms. 'Splosion Man gets first challenge level, free DLC released for 'Splosion Man
Twisted Pixel has announced that the first Title Managed Storage (TMS) challenge has been launched for Ms. 'Splosion Man. The challenge, which features Mr. Destructoid as an in-game character, requires no extra download and should be accessible from the main menu of the game. It will be open until July 31. Those who managed to grab 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in the leaderboard by the end of the challenge will win a prize pack including a Ms. 'Splosion Man statue, Destructoid bobble head and T-shirts and posters. One random contestant will also receive a Twisted Pixel prize pack, so even those without the best 'sploding skills have a shot at winning something. In addition to the TMS challenge, Twisted Pixel has also released a new level for the original 'Splosion Man. The level serves as a quick prologue to Ms. 'Splosion Man, and details just how the team at Big Science lured him into a trap. The DLC is free and available now on Xbox Live Marketplace. %Gallery-128891%
Ms. Splosion Man's 'TMS' system isn't what you think
Though Ms. Splosion Man features online co-op and ghost data races against friends, the folks at developer Twisted Pixel are, like, really concerned with keeping you interested in their newest game. One such indication of this is today's launch day announcement that the "TMS" (or "Title Managed Storage" system, as explained here) will add "special rules and new content" to existing levels on a rolling weekly basis. Like previous TMS-assisted titles (Super Meat Boy, Monday Night Combat), no patch or update will be required for the new content to appear in the game. There will be leaderboards specifically targeted at the TMS challenges, from which the studio will pull winners to award "real prizes and other fun stuff." It heralds a "new way of giving away free stuff to people who buy our games," says marketing director Jay Stuckwisch. If you aren't already on that MSM tip (following our review), have a look at the launch trailer just above.
Ms. 'Splosion Man review: Sweet science
People like to ask if video games can be art. I think I've come up with a better question: Can video games be science? Using specific and carefully arranged digital stimuli, is it possible to reliably reproduce the same result? In the case of Ms. 'Splosion Man, I believe it is. The desired result, in this case, is fun.%Gallery-108665%
Ms. 'Splosion Man contains a hidden dig at Capcom
You might remember the drama surrounding a Capcom mobile title that sprung up earlier this year. In January, the publisher released MaXplosion, a title that bore more than a passing resemblance to the Twisted Pixel game, 'Splosion Man. Twisted Pixel's own Mike Henry stated at the time that the rip-off made him "sad." Capcom, which had previously passed on the opportunity to publish 'Splosion Man, stated that it was "saddened" by the situation. Furthermore, the publisher distanced itself from the title, noting that it was created by Capcom Mobile, "a different division of Capcom with separate offices and as such." Twisted Pixel obviously hasn't forgotten, hiding a playful Capcom burn in the 'Splosion Man sequel, Ms. 'Splosion Man, which releases later this week. The dig is hidden in a secret area of the game, which is itself an homage to another title we won't spoil here. See it for yourself in the video above.
