Category: Video Games

Super Nintendo World Hollywood Now Open For Technical Rehearsals

Clips and photos ahead.

Surprise! Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood is now open! Technically. Like many other theme parks, the new park is going through a “soft opening”, so it’s not officially open as such; rather, it’s available to members of the public but with the discretion that entry may be limited at any time and guest numbers may be capped.

Members of the Universal park-themed website Inside Universal have managed to get inside the park, which “opened” yesterday ahead of the proper launch on 17th February.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 16 to 20

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Let’s jump in!

Re:Call - January 17 Box Art

Re:Call – January 17

An enthralling adventure told inside memories. Navigate through the recollections of a quirky cast of characters and mold their destiny.

Wings of Bluestar - January 18 Box Art

Wings of Bluestar – January 18

As mankind faces the remnants of a mysterious artificial intelligence, it’s up to trainee pilot Aya and veteran ace Zarak to investigate the resurgent threat against free space. Along the way, these defenders of peace will need to confront their past and learn more about themselves before they can uncover the truth of their enemies.

Graze Counter GM – January 19 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S Box Art

Graze Counter GM – January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

A refreshing and highly re-playable bullet hell style shooter that pushes you to play dangerously. “Graze” past enemy bullets to charge your Graze Counter, then unleash it upon your enemies as a highly deadly attack! Ride the razor’s edge of life and death in this high-risk high-reward danger-oriented arcade style shooting game.

Persona 3 Portable - January 19 Smart Delivery / Game Pass Box Art

Persona 3 Portable – January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass

If I say, there’s an hour “hidden” between one day and the next… would you believe me? Master the power of the heart, Persona, and uncover the tragic truth of the Dark Hour. Experience the iconic, critically acclaimed RPG that reinvented the Persona series! Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Persona 4 Golden - January 19 Smart Delivery / Game Pass Box Art

Persona 4 Golden – January 19
Smart Delivery / Game Pass

Experience a coming-of-age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders. The world-renowned Persona 4 Golden promises unforgettable adventures, meaningful bonds, and heartwarming experiences shared together with friends. Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

A Space for the Unbound – January 19 - Box Art

A Space for the Unbound – January 19

A slice-of-life adventure game with beautiful pixel art set in the late ‘90s rural Indonesia that tells a story about overcoming anxiety, depression, and the relationship between a boy and a girl with supernatural powers. When a mysterious supernatural power is suddenly unleashed threatening their existence, they must explore and investigate their town to uncover hidden secrets, face the end of the world, and perhaps learn more about each other.

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale – January 19 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery - Box Art

Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale – January 19
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Raid and voyage in the Caribbean; engage in tactical naval battles; parley with pirate legends, and more in Tortuga – A Pirate’s Tale. Being a pirate is not your fault, but it is your responsibility! Take action to relieve the Spanish, Dutch, French, and English colonies from their burden of drowning in riches. But be wary! Unless you are sure you are the biggest fish in the sea, don’t venture out too early or too far from your trusted hometown port.

Monster Hunter Rise - January 20 Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass - Box Art

Monster Hunter Rise – January 20
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Game Pass

The critically acclaimed action-RPG series returns! Set in the Japanese folklore inspired land of Kamura, players will team up to battle fearsome monsters, craft a wide variety of gear and prevent the world from falling into calamity. Rise to the challenge and join the hunt! Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC.

Omega Bot – January 20 - Box Art

Omega Bot – January 20

As the OmegaBot, dodge metallic dangers, acquire powerful weapons, and blast your way through a ravaged world full of deadly machines. Avoid various traps and deadly obstacles by using your weapons and abilities. Make your way through metallic forests, ruins of futuristic cities, and other environments. Step away from the beaten path to find hidden secrets and maybe even new friends who will help you vanquish the curse that has stricken the land.

Related:
Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Monster Hunter Rise, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 4 Golden
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for January 9 to 13
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for December 12 to 16

IGN UK Podcast #679: The Last of Us is Very Good

Cardy has watched all of the first season of HBO’s The Last of Us and is here to tell you why it’s great. Matt has finished Marvel’s Midnight Suns and is here to tell you why it’s great. Jesse has played a bit of Sons of the Forest and is here to tell you why it’s looking great. Hopefully, it’s a great podcast this week.

Got a game for us to play or some feedback you’d like read out on the show? Why not email us: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.

IGN UK Podcast #679: The Last of Us is Very Good

GTA Online’s new weapon shop is essentially an ice cream van that flogs railguns

Grand Theft Auto Online’s latest addition is the Gun Van, and it’s going for a similar vibe. You can flag down the entrepreneurial van driver to buy pieces from a weekly rotating selection of what Rockstar calls “top-of-the-line weapons, ammunition, and armor”. It’s pretty much just the GTA equivalent of an ice cream truck, but for guns. Witness a short snippet of the Gun Van in action below.

Read more

Random: Scarface Goes Duck Hunting In An Excellent Toy Photo Shoot

“Say hello to my little friend!”.

If you’ve ever seen the 1983 version of Scarface starring the excellent Al Pacino, then you’ll know what a mischievous, rambunctious fellow that Tony Montana is. He’s got quite the temper on him, and we reckon a few video game sessions would go a long way to helping him calm down a bit.

It seems that photographer ‘Dwayne Shoots Toys’ agrees and has created a remarkable photo depicting a toy version of Tony Montana playing Duck Hunt on the NES. Check it out:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Poll: Kazuya & Sephiroth Smash amiibo Now Available, Will You Be Getting Them?

Let us know.

It’s officially the 13th of January in certain parts of the world, and that means the Kazuya (Tekken) and Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII) amiibo are now available in-store. These latest amiibo releases are part of the Super Smash Bros. UItimate Fighter Pass DLC waves. Here’s a brief video of both amiibo, courtesy of Nintendo Australia’s Twitter account:

These amiibo will be followed by Pyra and Mythra (Xenoblade Chronicles 2) and presumably, Sora from Kingdom Hearts (the final DLC fighter) will be added to this line-up. Will you be adding these new amiibo to your shelf? Vote in our poll and leave a comment below.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Nvidia, Google, Reportedly Voice Concerns Over Xbox’s Activision Acquisition

Google and Nvidia have both reportedly joined Sony in raising concerns to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding Microsoft’s planned $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, according to a Bloomberg report.

The two companies reportedly contend that by acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft would gain an unfair advantage in the cloud, subscription, and mobile gaming markets. That said, one source told Bloomberg that Nvidia at least is not expressly opposed to the acquisition, though it did stress the importance of equal access to game titles.

The report does not elaborate on either company’s other specific concerns. Microsoft currently is a strong contender in cloud gaming alongside Nvidia with GeForce Now, with Google’s Stadia program having folded last year. In mobile gaming, though, Microsoft has markedly little presence.

In fact, Xbox head Phil Spencer previously pointed to Activision Blizzard’s mobile King division as the keystone of the intended acquisition, and filings connected to the deal have revealed that Microsoft wants to use King to create a new “xbox Mobile Platform.”

Nvidia and Google join Sony as major companies bringing issues forward to governing bodies about the acquisition, though based on the tone, these latter two are coming in notably softer on the issue. Lat elast year, the FTC announced it would sue to block Microsoft’s attempted acquistion due to concerns that the deal would harm competition from rival console-makers through exclusivity. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has also raised similar concerns.

Over the last several months, Microsoft has been repeatedly attempting to counter such concerns, including by offering a deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for as long as ten years, and a similar promise to bring the series to Nintendo consoles.

While it’s unclear exactly how involved Nvidia or Google will continue to be, both companies could potentially be called to testify before the FTC when the lawsuit goes to trial, which Bloomberg notes is planned for August of this year.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.