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Exclusive Target Wii DVD for only a penny
Joystiq was checking out the games section of Target today, and we stumbled across a massive display of these Wii DVDs, stuck in the middle of the Wii accessories rack. It looked like a freebie, but the cashier told us it was a penny. Then she boggled at the price on screen and asked a manager. The manager was also puzzled, then shrugged her shoulders and said, "Wow. A penny?" Four dollars later, it was ours (we bought some beef jerky).What do you expect for a penny? What you get is a white plastic (did Nintendo just get tired of colors or what?) DVD snapcase (hey, that's worth a penny at least), and inside is a disc emblazoned with GAME TRAILERS ONLY -- GAMES NOT INCLUDED. Well, dur. We feel sorry for the poor sap who races home with this thing, and then not only discovers that the Wii won't play DVDs, but they don't even have a Wii because it hasn't come out yet.Anyhow, it's a nice collection of trailers, behind the scenes videos, and screenshots for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam. Check out the doppelgangers from The O.C. in the video after the jump playing Marvel and tossing popcorn around. You too can party like this, just hook yourself up with a Wii and wait for the party to go off the chain. Plus, you'll get to use the line "Hey, wanna check out my Wii?" over and over again.
Target hooks us up yet again
One of our readers was visiting his local Seattle, WA area Target store recently and stumbled upon a DVD for sale at the low cost of only a penny. This DVD, which features game trailers for both Marvel: Ultimate Alliance and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam for the Wii, is titled Living the Game with the Wii and Activision. With the combination of the Wii gift card, it seems like Target has caught the fever the rest of us are suffering from.Anyone else see this in their local Target? Can anyone confirm how many trailers are on this disc?[Thanks mykie!]
X-Men: The Last Stand due on Blu-ray November 14th
There has been considerable speculation over when Twentieth Century Fox would put out one of its biggest recent titles on the Blu-ray format and it has finally answered that question. X-Men: The Last Stand is set for release November 14th, specifically timed to be on store shelves for the release of the PlayStation 3 November 17th. Carrying an MSRP of $39.98, the film is authored in standard HDMV using MPEG-4 AVC compression and includes such extras as a 6.1 DTS ES HD Lossless Master Audio soundtrack, two commentary tracks, twelve deleted scenes and a Marvel Trivia Track enabling pop=up bits of information and comic panels referencing different information about the characters during the movie. Did we mention that all of the extras are high definition? With X-Men debuting at the same time as Fox's previously announced first round of Blu-ray releases Fox has been very clear that its Blu-ray strategy is centered entirely around Sony's console, with or without $100 HDMI cables gamers can look forward to some excellent releases that week.
Metareview - Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Joystiq has posted a metareview of Marvel Ultimate Alliance. The consensus: it's good. From the creators of X-men Legends, it's no surprise that the game is fun. Highlights include a revamped, simpler healing system, better villains than Justice League, good enemy AI, and overall great production values. Check out Joystiq for some quotes and links to prominent reviews. Anyone picked this up yet?
Joystiq hands-on: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
After previewing Call of Duty 3 and seeing the trailer for Flags of our Fathers for the umpteenth time, we wanted a diversion from the battlefields. Returning to Activision in search of something that would allow us to shed our daily mundane identities and to become heroes that weren't dressed in fatigues, we encountered our friend the receptionist again, still holding a grudge from our earlier victory. She led us into a dark room that had the villainous look of a secret lair. We had entered the realm of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance.The green glow of Xbox 360 rings of light around the room looked like laser-activated booby traps, but we managed to evade them and press on. After a short briefing we were off to hand pick our four fellow heroes. You pick from tons of playable characters, although some of them are unlocked as you explore areas and find more heroes. Putting The Thing, Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, and the Human Torch on our team got us a Fantastic Four bonus (it was a no-brainer, we admit it), but we couldn't figure out any of the other combinations. We spied Deadpool and Spider-Woman on the Wii version -- which are probably the two unique characters that only the next-gen systems will be serving up. There is an extremely Nick Fury-esque shoulder holster on one of the silhouetted locked characters, and our fingers are itching to play the cigar-chomping, insult-hurling leader of the Howling Commandos.
City of Heroes II: The Marvel Universe [update 1]
Looks like Marvel and Cryptic Studios not only buried the hatchet, but got all snuggly and close during their courtroom time together. Now they are ready to make a baby with the aid of Dr. Microsoft.Microsoft and Marvel Entertainment officially confirmed today that Cryptic Studios (City of Heroes, City of Villains) will develop Marvel Universe Online, an MMO for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. Whether Marvel Universe Online will work cross-platform, Director of the Game Development Group at Microsoft Scott Henson says, "We haven't confirmed that yet, but that is certainly an option."Although Henson hasn't confirmed it, the press release on Cryptic Studios site says, "Marvel Universe Online will unite gamers in a cross-platform experience, allowing for Xbox 360 and Windows Vista users to play alongside one another." Michael Lewis, president of Cryptic Studios says, "Cryptic Studios and Microsoft share a common vision for online gaming and commitment to quality titles. Together we will create a new exciting game that captures the uniqueness of the Marvel IP."Translation: It'll be nice to make an updated version of City of Heroes without Marvel breathing down our necks trying to sue us. Oh, and it's great to have the support of Microsoft.It's only a matter of time now before Sony Online Entertainment officially announces details regarding their upcoming DC comics based MMO.[update 1] Added cross-platform information[Thanks Matt]
Konami pits DS against PSP
This winter, Konami is hedging their bets by releasing a flurry of games on both the PSP and the DS. The upcoming titles Marvel Trading Card Game (trading cards for a handheld? really?) and Xiaolin Showdown will be released for the competing platforms, and Konami is also debuting a pair of games based on the animated series Winx Club. But their real winner, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, is exclusive to the Nintendo DS -- and a good thing, since it makes heavy use of the Nintendo handheld's touchscreen. Anyone wanna guess which console's games will win in this deathmatch? Where did we leave those sales figures ....
IGN shows why it's a great time to own a PSP
We've all been saying "just wait until later in the year when the really good games start coming out for the PSP. Yeah, maybe then the PSP will kick the DS in the nuts."Well, IGN has done us all a great service and compiled all the best upcoming games set to be released this fall.Here's a list (in alphabetical order) of the games: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception ATV Offroad Fury Pro Bounty Hounds Death Jr. 2: Root of All Evil EA Replay Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories Justice League Heroes Killzone: Liberation LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy LocoRoco Lumines II Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Medal of Honor Heroes Mercury Meltdown Metal Slug Anthology Scarface: Money.Power.Respect WTF: Work Time Fun WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007 Wow, that is some list, eh? While there are more than a couple games on the list I know I won't be interested in, there are just way too many good games to ignore. Later this year, the PSP will finally be making some noise again.(Via IGN)
Behind the scenes: Wii game testers
With the new, innovative control scheme presented by the Wii, no doubt game testers and QA folks are getting a work out. Not only are they now charged with pushing buttons, but must also add in the spectrum of movement with the Wiimote. How does a fast swipe react in-game compared to that of a slow, long swipe? How about thrusting? Clearly, it's a tough job that even rocket scientists request no part of.In the behind the scenes article, associate designer Mike Chrzanowski commented that initially his game, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, had around 20 different gestures translating into in-game actions. This caused a lot more harm than help, however, which then dropped the 20 down to a more modest and manageable 5. Obviously, including more gesture-based gameplay leaves a larger possibility for error, so in cutting it down to 5 the player need not worry that when Spidey is supposed to do a web swing, he instead does another signature, albeit less-popular, maneuver in the patented getting beaten to death by multiple thugs move. [Via Joystiq]
Wii game testers wanted: must have flailing arms
An article on MTV News delves into the process of creating and testing gestures for the Wii version of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (the one without hyper-realistic graphics) and highlights how videogame testing is affected by Nintendo's unique approach to gaming. Unlike traditional games that might pose challenging requirements such as pressing the A-button to jump or the X-button to attack, Wii games may ask players to perform more elaborate motions. The wide range of movement detected by the controller means that the gestures used in gameplay require a lot fine-tuning, lest your arm's attack thrust becomes misinterpreted and your character instead chooses to hug the mutant abomination attacking your party. Associate designer on the project, Mike Chrzanowski, points out that the game initially started with over 20 different gestures but was eventually simplified to include only five. With players constantly shooting webbing and tossing patriotic shields about, it was vital that the game could successfully recognize and distinguish between the various gestures. Tasking testers with repeating various swipes and stabs, the Vicarious Visions team carefully monitored the motions that resulted and how different players interpreted and reacted to the on-screen instructions. After countless coding and tweaking, they claim to have constructed an interface that is 97 percent reliable. While Marvel: Ultimate Alliance doesn't make the most extensive use of the Wii's controls, it does illustrate how game testing and control mechanics need to be adapted for the platform. It remains to be seen whether or not other developers will go through as much trouble as Vicarious Visions did to differentiate between specific arm motions and mindless flailing (there will likely be several games that count on the latter). More interesting is the recurring issue of shoehorning game actions into motion-sensitive controls. There's a fine line between taking advantage of a platform's capabilities and tacking on new mechanics. After all, is it really better that you twist your wrist in order to open a door as opposed to merely pressing a button? [Via Game|Life]
Ultimate Alliance producer interviewed
UGO recently interviewed Activision producer Matthew Paul to get some background details on Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Paul discussed the creative process he and Marvel games writer C. B. Cebulski used to craft the Alliance plot, and also talked about how the reworked X-Men Legends technology allows for a greater range of combat moves. Look for alternate costumes and unique gameplay with the Wii controller when Alliance ships in October.
Details on Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
IGN confirmed during an interview with producer Evan Skolnick of Vicarious Visions that the Wii build of the game won't be totally lacking. The biggest let-down from the piece is that the game will offer no online support whatsoever, meaning that we will not see any WiiConnect 24 features utilized as well as no online co-op play. On the bright side, however, is that the game will be a launch title and retail for $49.99 US. Evan also commented that the game's controls on the Wii will differ from the other console versions of the game, something we were horribly mislead to believe wasn't happening. Turns out that while in other console versions of the game you can only map two super powers to the controller at any given time, on the Wii the game will allow the player to use any power whenever they wish simply by performing a specific gesture with the Wiimote.
Screenshot explosion: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
When we found out that Marvel: Ultimate Alliance would not use the exciting and innovative control scheme that the Wii offers, many a Fanboy staffer cried, ever so softly, in the corner huddled in the fetal position, sobbing heard long into the night. Without a Wii controller in hand, their realistic interpretation of Spider-Man's web-slinging and Wolverine's claw-slashing would only make them look like a fool. With the controller in-hand, at least they could say they were playing a game. OK, fine...that staffer was me.Regardless, for those of you who have large amounts of sanity on tap, you may still be looking forward to this title. Surely, with such super-dudes as Ghost Rider, Blade, Spider-Man, The Thing, and Thor, there's plenty of reason for you to want to pick up the Wiimote and beat down a henchman or thirty. If that's the case, then go ahead and drool over the 39 new screenshots after the link.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance trailer
Alright, perhaps I was too hasty in judging the Marvel Ultimate Alliance screenshots the other day. I know, I know, gameplay over graphics. Judging from the trailer, Marvel looks to be a pretty good time. It's also a lot prettier in motion, and it doesn't hurt that Activision seems to be cramming in every Marvel character except The Kitchen Sink (who's totally underrated). Seriously, playing as Doctor Strange? That's Cool with a capital C. Now if they could just squeeze Doctor Orpheus in there...
Activision auditioning voices for Namor
Earlier this month, Activision started its online voice-over contest for the roles of Bruce Banner and Jean Grey in the upcoming Marvel Ultimate Alliance. The Marvel games publisher is no longer accepting entries for puny Dr. Banner, but a new casting call for Namor the Sub-Mariner (the elvish-looking guy with wings on his feet) has just been announced. If you're lucky enough to become the voice of the Atlantean prince, maybe you'll get a chance to woo the Invisible Woman.Activision is also still auditioning voices for Jean Grey, so ladies, step on up to the mic! The contest ends July 23.
Get a glimpse of the Halo graphic novel
Marvel is offering a sneak peak at the upcoming Halo Graphic Novel (that's HGN for those of us in the know). They're teasing the Halo-faithful with some panels from each of the four main stories -- "The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor," "Armor Testing," "Breaking Quarantine," and "Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa" -- as well as a short strip titled "Shore Leave: Master Chief on Holiday." It also has the release date emblazoned on the back page: oh seven-twelve-oh six. That's less than a month away, fanboy. You can make it. We believe in you. Master Chief believes in you. *Registration is required so try user/pass: gimmewallpaper/gimmewpaper (Bugmenot). [Update: Forget Marvel's obnoxious, interactive, reg-required site. Check out Bungie.org for some regular, plain-ole JPGs and a little background on the preview. Thanks, supersloth!]
Marvel wants your voice for Ultimate Alliance
Attention, true believers! If you've got the chops to be a super hero, Marvel and Activision want to hear from you (literally). The creators of Marvel Ultimate Alliance are currently auditioning aspiring voice actors for the parts of Hulk alter ego Bruce Banner and the X-Men's Jean Grey (a.k.a. Marvel Girl/Phoenix/Dark Phoenix). The top male and female entries will have their voices featured in the game, and will also take home an Xbox 360 and other prizes.Now, before you dust off those old Bill Bixby videotapes and start practicing the classic "you wouldn't like me when I'm angry" line, there is specific dialogue you will have to read into the Flash recorder on the official site. Practice up and make Stan Lee proud.[via TeamXbox]
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance forged on DS
After beating the radioactive, magical and often otherworldly crap out of each other in Capcom's excellent Marvel Vs. series of 2D fighting games, it seems that the comic giant's major superheroes now find themselves forced to cooperate for the good of the entire Marvel universe. Activision has officially announced Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for PC, current and forthcoming consoles, as well as handheld platforms. I don't know about you, but my hands are usually the first choice when it comes to holding the DS. Developed by Raven Software, the game will be an action-RPG, no doubt similar to the X-Men Legends series (but hopefully a whole lot better). Various levels of customization are touted, but the one that has us most pleased is the ability to create a custom vehicle for your team. When I'm done with that, the Fantasticar won't know what hit it.No word yet on how the DS version will differ from the rest--would cooperative Wi-Fi play be too much to ask for?
X-Men Legends II PC demo
Oh my stars and garters! Activision's X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse has been out for over a month, but PC gamers unsure about unleashing their latent mutant powers can give it a test drive with Raven's new downloadable demo. The 336 MB freebie includes the introduction movie, a tutorial, and two maps from the beginning levels. Download the demo now, bub!
X-Men Legends II review round-up
The second entry in Activision's mutant-themed RPG series, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse, has been out for a few weeks now and here's a look at what the industry pundits are saying. So who do you prefer to play as: X-Men or Brotherhood? Gamespy (90) TeamXbox (89) Next Level Gaming (88) ConsoleGold (87) Game Chronicles (85) IGN (85) Gamespot (81) [via Metacritic]
