Rayman Origins "Around The World" Trailer

Awesome and funny new trailer from the upcoming retro-flavored (but decidedly modern) platformer set to hit PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii soon enough. Poke around on the official site for more on this fresh take on classic gameplay. If this game doesn't make you smile, you're a hopeless dope who needs an anvil dropped gently on your head. Or some rat named Ignatz aiming a brick at you from throwing distance (POW!!!). Tough love always wins over the hard-headed, I say...

Dragon Quest X Announced As A Wii & Wii U Online RPG

Holy Final Fantasy XII, Batman! Or something like that. Twitter practically fell over dead after the DQX news was dropped by andriasang a few hours ago. Rather than join the bird-buzzers out there, I'll cut to the chase. I don't think I'd like it (I'm not a big MMO fan) unless it has an offline mode and a decent story to play through. That said, it'll probably do really well in Japan, as pretty much ANYTHING with a DQ logo will sell there. As for the US, well, that depends on stuff like subscription fees, gameplay and how data is shared between Wii and Wii U consoles if one upgrades down the road after buying the Wii version. Let's see now: Akira Toriyama character designs? Check. 3D environments reminiscent of the lovely DQ VIII? Check. Interestingly enough, Square Enix seems to be developing the game in-house. While Final Fantasy XIV was pretty controversial in terms of a number of flaws in its online play, there's little doubt that the development team is focusing on making the game a far better experience. I'd also imagine that the game is going to be programmed for multiple languages in order to get it to English-speaking gamers in as many territories as possible soon after the Japanese version ships sometime in 2012.

Everything else such as story, number of players online and other features will be announced soon (no doubt TGS will reveal more and probably some awesome DQX-related swag).

Thanks to NiNTENDOMiNATiON for posting these videos!

Gamescom 2011: Rayman Origins Trailer Is Nostalgia Of The Best Possible Kind

Of all the UbiSoft games I've seen this year, I'm most looking forward to playing Rayman Origins. I still have my Atari Jaguar copy of the game (I'd be playing it again, but I need another Jaguar) and remember how amazed I was back then. RO is pure fun and just amazing in how it brings together all of what makes platforming games so great while being highly accessible to anyone who want to pick up a controller. Here's hoping all three versions (PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii) do well - I want to see this one pop up on the Vita as well, but I guess that's for the bean counters to decide in a bit. November 15 is just around the corner, so make sure you get this one...

Sony Announces PS3 Price Cuts Now, Nintendo To Release Lower Priced Wii This Xmas

Yup, the ongoing economy issues worldwide have made these price cuts necessary, but it's also the beginning of the build up to new consoles (which should more than likely be announced at next year's E3 for a 2013-2014 launch by my calculations). At its Gamescom 2011 press conference, Sony announced that effective immediately, the core 160GB PlayStation 3 model will now retail at $249.00 and the core 320GB console for $299 in the US.

Sony also announced a new value model PSP without Wi-Fi support at the event, but as far as I can tell, this model is only set for an European release at a price point of 99 Euros. I'd hope that this model makes it to US shores, as there are literally TONS of UMD games out there that will sell if bundled with the new lower-priced unit.

Nintendo @E3 2011: Day 2 and 3 Wrap-Ups

Bang and POW! Here are Nintendo's own E3 videos featuring a ton of cool games and info. I'll also be posting all of the 3DS and Wii trailers starting next week in case you missed them. Wii U videos as as well are coming. As for the stock drop as a result of the Wii U announcement... Hell, am I the ONLY one who got that darn presentation? Analysts are dopes ESPECIALLY if they're not game developers or gamers. All I'll say is this sort of inane speculation that drives stock prices down is ridiculous.

EA E3 2011 Press Conference

Yup, it's the whole darn thing warts and all, so pull up a chair and grab a nice cold drink if you haven't seen it yet. I'm buried under news, trailers and assorted updates, but who isn't? Off to NOT raise some hell and look at more games - back later...

Konami's Pre-E3 Video Is Brilliant Stuff

Absolutely one of the best and funniest presentations I've seen, Konami provided a pre-E3 showing that was informative and innovative while showing off a number of upcoming titles. I'm absolutely grabbing that Metal Gear Solid HD collection, the Silent Hill HD collection, NeverDead and a few other games. Kojima's got a great sense of humor as you'll see, but his "Transfarring" idea is one of the best uses of PSp/NGP and PS3 connectivity to date. Amusingly enough, I'd thought of this when the PSP was announced, but I don't make games. Still, why Sony didn't do this (or think of it) is a bit odd. Nevertheless, it's a phenomenal idea I can see other publishers jumping on, particularly in this day and age of people whining about games being too short or not getting enough value out of that sixty bucks. Anyway, go watch the video and enjoy the cool surprise at the end...

PrE3: Sega Lineup Packed With Aliens, Hedgehogs & Other Warm, Fuzzy Stuff...

Yeah, yeah, Thor wasn't all that hot (except for the DS version, which rocked in an solid, reliable old-school way - go WayForward!), but let's move on, shall we? It looks as if Sega has a pretty smoking 2011-2012 lineup, as you'll see from the long list below the jump.

Activision Shakes Up The Toy & Gaming Scene With New Spyro This Fall

I've seen plenty of cool "interactive" toys before (most of which I recall from a few trade shows over the years) mainly geared towards kids that could be connected to PC's for online gaming. Then there were a few oddball Japanese toys I can also recall that could sync to game consoles which failed to take off outside of that country. This year, It looks as if Activision has taken that formerly nascent technology to the next level by blending old and new elements and taking the idea to the Wii (and eventually 3DS) starting this fall. Skylanders - Spyro's Adventure is a unique collaboration between Activision and it's Novato, CA-based studio Toys For Bob that looks to give kids a great reason to collect and hang on to a really cool set of figurines. What's here is being touted as "a wholesale change in the interaction between toys and video games, opening up new possibilities and revenue streams for both industries." A bold statement, no doubt... but it just may be correct. This has been tried previously in gaming, but I'll surprise you all with that in a feature I'm planning in a few weeks.

Full press release, screens and an event video below the jump - Toy images to come in a separate posting. I'll get some hands-on time at Toy Fair over the next few days and get back to you folks with a report.

Some Friday Night Frights From WBIE...

Um.... Hmmmmm. ONE of these promo images from WBIE I got this week scares the hell out of me and one doesn't. I'll leave you to decide which one. Let's hope I'm all wrong for being a bit jittery... Maybe it's all that caffeine or lack of sleep (one leads to another and next thing you know... you're all wacky about the littlest things)...

Conduit 2 Weapons Trailer (Plus a Few Other Things)

Here's a look at some of the many different weapons from Conduit 2, High Voltage's followup to their groundbreaking Wii FPS. Sega of America has confirmed a new March 22, 2011 release date for the game, which is indeed a good thing. Since I'm in a really good mood (being the only person I know who's never played Angry Birds on a device I own is part of that), I may as well run the other two game trailers - enjoy!

Review: Lost in Shadow

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Developer: Hudson

Publisher: Hudson

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 +)

Official Site

Score: B+

Ethereal, innovative, methodically paced yet wholly rewarding, Hudson's Wii exclusive Lost In Shadow is one of those artistic gems that should appeal to gamers across a few different genres. The dreamlike visuals and puzzles that revolve around light and shadow play will draw in fans of games such as ICO or echochrome or the original Price of Persia, the platforming elements are fun and challenging for young to older players and the overall innovation and intriguing story will please fans of games with more than flashy graphics going for them. While it isn't quite perfect, it's amazingly well designed and has a way of keeping you hooked in as you traverse back and forth through some pretty trippy stages that play with your perceptions.

Hudson's Lost In Shadow Drifts Into Stores

Hudson's innovative adventure/platform/puzzle/action game (it does everything!) is in stores NOW. Go buy a copy if you have a Wii (you can thank me later). While I'm waiting for my reviewable to show up, you can keep yourselves busy reading some of my previous coverage on this gem.

WIN FREE STUFF!!! Disney Epic Mickey Swag Up For Grabs!

Well, heeeeeeeere we go again! I'm in the holiday spirit, it is indeed the holidays and that means YOU want FREE stuff, right? From now until the end of the month, I'll be running Friday giveaways of game-related gear, mostly featuring items you won't find in stores. First up, a twofer: I've ONE Disney Epic Mickey Jacket (size XL) and ONE Disney Epic Mickey Oswald the Rabbit T-shirt (size XL, with a Epic Mickey Ears Cloisonne Pin) in need of two good homes!

Batman Arkham City Teaser (Yet Another Long Wait That's Going To Be Worth It)

Well, now we know it's next fall as far as the release date goes. WBIE may be stingy with revealing assets, but heck, that's not going to stop the game from being as good as (or even better than) the original...

Lost in the Shadow Video Dev Diary 4: Pre-Launch Secrets

Some of you might be a tiny bit depressed that this year is rushing to a close too darn quickly, but for me, that just means that it's closer to seeing the final version of Hudson's Lost In Shadow hit retail on January 4, 2011. Here's the final developer diary, featuring a peek at some of the cool secrets to be found in this Wii exclusive - enjoy!

Disney Epic Mickey Launch Event Photo Gallery

Hey, I'm no star-chasing paparazzi, folks - just an creaky old gamer with a crappy digital camera. I just point and shoot that crappy camera in the general direction of smiling people and try to get good enough shots to post. Submitted for your approval, perusal or whatever - here are a bunch of pics taken at the Times Square Disney Store during the Epic Mickey launch. I'll also note that Kyle Massey is pretty funny in person and both Warren Spector and Peter David are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, period.

P.S. Jennifer Grey is cute as a button and can probably fit into your coat pocket, but let's not tell her I said that!

Thank You, Good Morning America (Not Really, Though)!

Thank you, Good Morning America... for my day off work!

Having some of your staff walk off with multiple Disney Epic Mickey press gift bags earlier this morning means that I don't have a copy of the game to review today nor the assorted goodies I'd planned to give away as a means to drive much-needed traffic to my blog.

However, being the sole games journalist at the event, I didn't walk away completely empty-handed thanks to a Disney Interactive staffer that handed me a shirt and poster upstairs and made mention about not forgetting to pick up the aforementioned gift bag waiting for me when I left. Meeting Warren Spector, Peter David and a few other folks who worked on the game was pretty special as well.

Review: SnakeByte Wii Premium Fitness Board

If you're looking to add some more active gaming to your lifestyle and don't feel comfortable working out at a public gym, You've probably heard about a little console called the Nintendo Wii and the rather impressive number of activity-based games and peripherals that have been released. Wii Fit and its sequel (plus other exercise games from different publishers) have become worldwide phenomenons thanks to Nintendo's targeting of every person as a potential gamer has really caught on since the console's launch. Here's a peek at a pretty slick peripheral you'll want to check out if you're interested in a gift for yourself or someone else starting up (or extending) their gaming workout.

Conduit 2 Update: Six New Screens

Sega's not even taking Thanksgiving off, releasing these six nice shots as well as a new game trailer for the Wii-exclusive first-person shooter set to blast into stores on February 15, 2011. High Voltage is really doing wonders with the Wii here. I'll run the trailer later, as I've got some stuff cooking I don't want to burn up - enjoy!