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Bullet hell shooter 'Ikaruga' comes to Switch on May 29th
Ikaruga is beloved (and notoriously difficult) Japanese arcade game from the early 2000s, and now it's coming to the Nintendo Switch. The developer, Nicalis, revealed this week that the shoot-em-up style game would be priced at $14.99 in the Nintendo eShop. It arrives on May 29th.
A single image of the Nintendo Switch tells us three things
Nintendo has shown precious little of the Switch's user interface so far -- just a few seconds teasing the console's menu during last week's livestream and a fleeting glance during a Treehouse livestream. Apart from showing off the general layout and confirming the presence of the Nintendo eShop, Nintendo's tease didn't tell us much. Now, an image tweeted out by indie developer Nicalis tells us a lot more: The Switch may have multiple users, menu themes and even a couple of unannounced games.
Castle in the Darkness lights up Steam on February 5
Castle in the Darkness from Nicalis, developer and publisher of 1001 Spikes, will make its Steam debut on February 5. Matt Kap, who is credited as the lead artist on The Binding of Isaac and 1001 Spikes, took the helm on this game. Priced at $6, Castle in the Darkness is described as an action adventure game with "damning difficulty." Those who've played the other games Kap has made a name for himself with should not be surprised by this one tiny bit. [Image: Nicalis]
Binding of Isaac: Rebirth dev has 'big plans' for expansion
It's been less than a month since The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth returned players to the dark, unsettling basement of action-dungeon crawler The Binding of Isaac with a host of new features, yet designer Edmund McMillen is already planning ways to expand the upgraded re-release. "[O]nce the holidays end, the [N]icalis gang will be jumping back into the abyss and digging into the very large design doc [I] have ready for [them]," McMillen writes in a recent blog entry. "[I] have big plans for this expansion, [I] hope to add a very huge chunk of gameplay in the form of a new game mode that will almost double the amount of things you can do, [I'm] very proud of this new design." Additionally, McMillen notes that the expansion will include additional enemies, bosses, areas, endings, items and a new playable character. As it's in the very earliest stages of development, there's no release date nor title for the next Binding of Isaac expansion. While you wait, McMillen would like your help adding new items to the game. He's currently accepting suggestions on Reddit. [Image: Nicalis]
PS Plus in November: Binding of Isaac, SteamWorld Dig
November brings PS4 owners a final tide of big 2014 releases like Assassin't Creed Unity and Little Big Planet 3, but it also brings PS Plus subscribers some slick downloadables like the long-percolating Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. Sitting alongside Isaac on PS4 is Image & Form's SteamWorld Dig: A Fistful of Dirt. While you spend an inordinate amount of time underground in both games, Isaac has you exploring adorably grotesque, randomly-generated dungeons while SteamWorld has you digging through an interconnected, sprawling cave system under an Old West town. PlayStation 3 owners get a hearty selection of games as well. Luftrausers, Vlambeer's minimalist dogfighting escapade, joins strategy shooter Frozen Synapse Prime on Sony's elder statesman console. PS Vita owners can pick up The Hungry Horde as well as the tricky, creepy launch game Escape Plan. Lucky for them, Luftrausers, Rebirth, and SteamWorld are all Cross Buy on the platform as well. Vita owners with PS Plus are going to have a busy Thanksgiving. [Images: Nicalis]
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth spins to November [Update: trailer]
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, the twin-stick shooter's total remake for consoles, will launch November 4. Nicalis flashed gameplay clips and the release date for the remake in a new disturbing trailer, which has since been pulled from public view on YouTube. The developer teased that an announcement for the game was imminent on Twitter. The Binding of Isaac first launched on PC in September 2011, and Rebirth was originally discussed by creator Edmund McMillen in November 2012. The console port was previously expected to arrive in early 2014, but will hit PS4, Vita and Steam now in November. Rebirth was also originally planned for PS3 and 3DS, though the latter was disallowed by Nintendo due to the game's religious content. As of July, McMillen did not rule out an eventual appearance by Isaac on the 3DS eShop. [Image: Nicalis]
Uncover Castle in the Darkness' secrets soon on Steam
1001 Spikes developer Nicalis announced a new damning action-platformer today, Castle in the Darkness. The game "recalls a golden, bygone era" thanks to its retro-inspired art and steep difficulty curve. In it, players explore the kingdom of Alexandria, hunting down an evil force that took out every knight in the land save for the leaping hero they control. Castle in the Darkness has been in development for the last two years by Matt Kap, who is credited with work on The Binding of Isaac and 1001 Spikes. The game features over 100 weapons, armor and magic to equip as well as RPG-style elements similar to games in the Metroid and Castlevania series. It also includes over 50 bosses to hunt, plus "so many secrets that they all might never be found." Castle in the Darkness will launch on Steam later this summer. [Image: Nicalis]
Joystiq Streams: Taking a hike through 1001 Spikes [UPDATE: Relive the stream!]
A theme has emerged on Joystiq Streams. Revisiting our recent tours through Secret Ponchos, Gods Will Be Watching, and Killzone Shadow Fall Intercept, it would appear that the Joystiq crew plays video games wherein we die a lot. Rather than try to sit back, reassess our skills, and try to not die so much, we have made the extra bold decision to lean into the death. Nicalis' 1001 Spikes is our destination, a veritable pit of doom, demise, and destruction perfect for our willfully mad approach to playing games live for your entertainment. Old-style pixelized punishment in the grand tradition of La Mulana, Super Meat Boy, and VVVVVV, 1001 Spikes is primed to tear us apart. Starting at 4PM EST, we'll be streaming 1001 Spikes on Joystiq.com/Twitch. If you've ever wondered what it sounds like when a South African man struggles desperately to not curse like a sailor, you're in for a treat, because Ludwig Kietzmann will be playing. Anthony John Agnello will be hanging out in the chat, whispering your words of encouragement to Ludwig even as we silently laugh at his failures. Joystiq Streams broadcasts every Tuesday and Thursday at 4PM EST at Joystiq.com/Twitch, but we often stream other times, so make sure to click that follow button on Twitch to get an alert when we go live. [Images: Nicalis]
Binding of Isaac: Rebirth local co-op FAQ talks flying babies
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth's renovated basement looks prettier than the one players fought through in the original 2011 release, but definitely still full of unsettling monsters. What lurks in the touched-up labyrinth will presumably provide the same intensely-difficult journey found in Rebirth's predecessor, but thanks to Rebirth's addition of local co-op, we won't have to face the horrors alone. Edmund McMillen recently posted a FAQ to explain how Rebirth's co-op works, and the short answer is: flying babies. Rather than getting a full-blown Isaac equivalent, sidekicks steal a heart from Player 1's life and spawn as a randomly-generated baby. If Player 2 willingly drops out to give Isaac his health back, they'll play as the same type of baby if they drop back in at a later point, but getting killed off means a fresh spawn from the baby generator, which offers types including Love Baby, Psy Baby and Spider Baby. Player 2 is free to return as a freshly-spawned baby so long as doing so doesn't leave Isaac with less than one heart. Also, so long as Player 1 doesn't slap the controller out of their hands for wasting health. McMillen stresses that the game is balanced for co-op, so you won't be mowing everything down just because you have double the projectile tears. Babies don't have the same capabilities as Isaac either, so they won't be able to pick up objects, nor will they determine when items are used. Babies also have a "cursed" attribute, like automatically dropping a bomb every minute, a risk McMillen equates to the downsides of the game's pill power-ups. If you're worried about co-op's addition hindering your ability to showcase your talents, McMillen's FAQ states that there will be some related Achievements, but assures that co-op challenges won't stand between players and the 100% completion Platinum God Achievement. [Image: Edmund McMillen]
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]
1,001 Spikes review: Temple of doom
Aban Hawkins and the 1,001 Spikes from Nicalis is the latest specimen of a breed resurgent in the 21st century: the ultra-difficult 2D platformer. It is a game that is hard for the sake of being hard, and it wears this label proudly. It absolutely does not care if you can't keep up, how many times you die, how frustrated you get. Unfortunately, difficulty alone does not a great experience make, even in such a brutal subgenre. There has to be a sense of gratification, of progress and reward; a dash of masochism to even out its sadistic torture of players. But 1,001 Spikes lacks self-awareness, and feels bogged down by unnecessary design.
Vita, 3DS versions of 1,001 Spikes won't have multiplayer
Just because you'll have 1,001 lives to clear the less-than-OSHA-complient pathways in 1,001 Spikes doesn't mean you'll eventually get through them. Teaming up with friends would certainly help diversify your survival odds, or at least supply emotional support as you're torn apart by ancient deathtraps, but that social safety net won't be strung for Vita and 3DS players. A recent tweet from developer Nicalis states that 1,001 Spikes "will not have multiplayer" on either handheld. If you're still planning on braving the journey on the 3DS or Wii U, know that the first few days of your treasure hunt might be a little buggy. Still, Nintendo has assured Nicalis that a patch could be issued "within a couple days of release" to fix any issues that arise with the experience. [Image: Nicalis]
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]
This is VVVVVV on iPad, dev says mobile, Vita ports imminent
Gravity-twisting platformer VVVVVV should arrive on iOS and Android soon, after creator Terry Cavanagh said the mobile ports are "ready to submit any day now." According to Cavanagh, the Nicalis-developed Vita port is "imminent" too. Aside from its roaring chiptune soundtrack, VVVVVV is known for its challenging, twitchy platforming. Players have to move quickly while flipping the direction of gravity if they hope to navigate its mazey landscapes. It sounds like a tough thing to translate well to touchscreens, but Cavanagh reckons he's done just that. The Super Hexagon creator admitted gamepad controls are always going to be better for the kind of game VVVVVV is, but he added the swipe-and-hold controls he's implemented "are feeling really nice." Cavanagh posted a video of him navigating one of the game's hardest sequences on iPad, but don't be fooled into thinking you'll find it just as easy. The man is a beast at his own games, even relative to most devs; watch him play Super Hexagon if you don't believe us. [Image: Terry Cavanagh]
Cave Story coming to European 3DS eShop on May 1, Australia eventually
European 3DS owners are still waiting for 2D action adventurer Cave Story to reach their 3DS eShop? Oh no, oh no, oh no! Nah, just kidding, it'll be okay - Nicalis tweeted a May 1 release date for the European eShop this week, along with the above homage to a conceptually-terrifying drink mascot. A price was not provided, though Nicalis told a fan that exact details should be available sometime next week. Nicalis also confirmed that Cave Story will eventually make it to the Australian 3DS eShop, though a release window was not shared for that version. Still, eventual Cave Story is better than no Cave Story.
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]
'90s Arcade Racer revving up for mid-2014 release
The '90s Arcade Racer publisher Nicalis details its latest development milestone in a recent status update, reporting that the Wii U port of its throwback racing game is shaping up nicely as it speeds toward a mid-2014 release. "Fidelity, image quality and a smooth framerate are our priorities," Nicalis explains. "Wii U is proving very capable of running the game at 60fps at 720p with 4xMSAA and FXAA resulting in a crystal clear image." Funded last year by a successful Kickstarter project, The '90s Arcade Racer aims to recreate the sheer speed and blue-skies atmosphere that defined classic Sega racing games like Daytona USA and Super GT. The game's development team later partnered with Cave Story publisher Nicalis for assistance with Unity programming, physics, and production. The '90s Arcade Racer is due for a digital release this year for the Wii U, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. [Image: Nicalis]
Indie fighter Legend of Raven takes the brawl to PS4, Xbox One
Circle Edge's one-on-one fighter Legend of Raven (formerly Yatagarasu) is gearing up for a digital release on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One later this year, publisher Nicalis announced this week. Nicalis revealed that Legend of Raven's online competition will be fueled by GGPO netcode, minimizing lag between players. The PlayStation 4 version of Legend of Raven will additionally feature Cross-Play compatibility with the previously announced PlayStation Vita port, and players will receive both versions of the game upon purchase on either platform. Legend of Raven is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2013.
