Nintendo's mysterious E3 3DS game is... Codename: S.T.E.A.M.

After several speculations as to what Nintendo's mysterious unannounced 3DS game on 3DS ranging from Metroid, to a Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask remake for the 3DS, they finally unveiled the said game and to much surprise of everyone in attendance... its a brand new IP called "Codename: S.T.E.A.M."

Developed by Hitoshi Yamagami (who's previous works include Fire Emblem, Xenoblade Chronicles and Pokemon) along with Intelligent Systems (famous for their Advance Wars and Fire Emblem games) is a brand new strategy game for the 3DS. According to My. Yamagami, he developed the game in hopes of "finding a way to introduce more people to strategy games and have them fall inlove with them the way I have." This I have to see for myself.

Set on a Steampunk, Victorian London setting, Codename: S.T.E.A.M. players control a group of steam powered soldiers who are tasked of defending the world from an imminent alien invasion, thus the game's monicker "S.T.E.A.M." which stands for "Strike Team Eliminating the Alien Menace".

The game looks really nice with its cel-shaded art style giving it an old-school comicbook vibe to it. 

As for the game itself, it feels like Valkyria Chronicles (a PSP/PS3 game that I LOVE) where soldiers in Code name S.T.E.A.M. runs on steam powered weaponry. They have a limited amount of steam to perform attacks and move around the battlefield. Yep, sounds pretty much like Valkyria Chronicles alright.

And if that's not enough, the developers are saying they have come up with some alien designs that are heavily inspired from creatures from the Lovecraft mythos (Cthulu anyone?)

The game will also be having a sort of multiplayer mode to it, but for now details are pretty scant.

The game is coming on the Nintendo 3DS (and 2DS) next year 2015!! :D

Mortal Kombat X gameplay @ E3!! [UPDATE]

Fresh from the Playstation press conference unveiling of the new Mortal Kombat game; Mortal Kombat X, the creator of the game; Ed Boon, joins the Playstation panel to introduce what's in store for gamers with the new MK game.

Right off the bat, the game looks GORGEOUS. I mean just look at these screenshots:

According to Ed Boon, the story of the game takes place 25 years after the events of the last Mortal Kombat game on PS3. So aside from seeing new fighters (like Cassie Cage which apparently is the daughter of Sonia Blade and Johnny Cage. WTF?), you will also be seeing older versions of past Kombatants. As for the main villain this time around, it will be a surprise returning character that people won't be expecting... interesting. :D

New gameplay mechanics include character variations where you can select different styles per character. 

Just like in the case of Scorpion, wherein he has 3 variations to choose from: Ninjitsu, Inferno and Hellfire styles. In Ninjitsu style, he has access to 2 ninja blades, while if he selects the Inferno style, he has access to demonic minions, where as Hellfire style gives Scorpion the ability to throw fireballs and stuff. Nice touch right there! :D

Also returning from MK3, is the run ability, where characters are able to run across the screen and not just dash. This speeds up the gameplay considerably and adds more gameplay options. Also confirmed is the interactive environments, which takes a page from NetherRealm's previous fighting game; Injustice. Basically all characters can now interact with the stage and play around with more strategic options than ever before. 

I'm super excited to see more fighters in the roster and for the game's release next year. :D

[UPDATE: 06/12/2014]

Added new gameplay footage exclusive to IGN, where it shows off more characters in the game being demoed. Enjoy!

Super Smash Bros 3DS/WiiU @ E32014 = SO HOT RIGHT NOW!! [UPDATED]

With Super Smash Bros's release dates coming near, E3 set the bar high for announcements and highlights for the hotly anticipated game. And one of the best announcement they had was this.

Here's Mr. Sakurai himself introduce and help explain, how the Miis can be used in Super Smash Bros for both 3DS and WiiU!!

With this new feature, almost any popular celebrity or person can be in the new Super Smash Bros!! Here's some examples by Nintendo:

Just imagining all the possibilities with this, got me all creative and doing a mock-up of Pacquiao as a Mii Fighter in the game!!

Definitely one of the best new features of Super Smash Bros introduced this E3!! :D But as expected, they revealed 2 new fighters joining an already robust roster of playable characters!!

Now with Pac-man joining Sonic the Hedgehog, Megaman, along with Nintendo classics such as Mario, Luigi and Little Mac, Super Smash Bros is turning into a classic gamer's heaven!! What is missing would probably be Simon Belmont from Castlevania, or the Contra guys. XD

Can't wait for Super Smash Bros to arrive this coming October 3rd for the Nintendo 3DS and this coming Holiday for the Nintendo WiiU!!

PS: Please bring back Solid Snake. Would LOVE to have him back for more Super Smash Bros loving. <3

[UPDATE: 06/12/2014]
Added the private roundtable from Nintendo TreeHouse event!! More information about the MiiFighters and other modes exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version of the game. Take a look!

Nintendo's E3 2014 is simply pure FUN!

It's E3 week again, and as a gamer, I look forward yearly to the 3 gaming giant's (Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft) press conferences. And just like last year, Nintendo goes for an unconventional approach to E3 with a "Digital Event" compared to an actual live press conference that both Sony and Microsoft always does. Last year, Nintendo's attempt at this was dismal at best. It proved to be the weakest outing of the 3 and quite frankly I was expecting worse this year.

Thankfully, Nintendo proved me wrong. Starting off with an awesome pre-E3 presentation, they delivered a uniquely memorable E3 showing this year. If you want to watch the entire Digital Event, simply click the video below:

Right off the bat, they made it clear, that Nintendo isn't just about games... its about HAVING FUN. And their Digital Event, helped push that point even further, with this.

I mean SERIOUSLY, where on earth can you find 2 gaming industry big wigs duking it out ala JoJo Bizarre's Adventure?! While Sony and Microsoft's CEOs are busy trying to look "professional", only in Nintendo's bizarre world can you find the Global President and the COO having fun while dressed in corporate attire.

To add more fun into the mix, they even employed the guys from Robot Chicken, to give a slight jab to the demanding fans, as well as adding some humor into the presentation.

And this is what separates Nintendo from the competition. Admittedly, watching both Microsoft and Sony's E3 was great, but abit samey, Nintendo's Digital Event was a breath of fresh air. Sure I do miss the crowd reaction, but I'm having a blast just watching the entire Nintendo event, compared to Microsoft which quite frankly bored me to tears.

Also, Nintendo announced their brand new "Amiibo" platform. Similar to Skylanders and Disney Infinity, but with Nintendo's characters. Here's the trailer:

But when all boils down to it, its all about the games... and Nintendo delivered. Some of them shown during the digital event, some shown afterwards. Here's but a few of the games (I'm personally excited about) that Nintendo has in-store for gamers.

There were also a few new games announced during the Digital Event, and one of them that caught my attention, was a brand new IP called "Splatoon". Check out the announcement trailer for the game:

 

According to an interview with IGN, Reggie claims that Splatoon will do to FPS, what Mario Kart did to racing games. Here's the said interview:

And judging from the video trailer, and pretty much stoked actually. I really am looking forward to playing the game myself, although part of me wishes that Nintendo should also release this on the 3DS, as they did with Mario Kart. Seriously that handheld NEEDS FPS games right now...

But as awesome as these trailers and unveilings are, nothing compares to the short teaser that Nintendo prepared for gamers for the upcoming Legend of Zelda for the WiiU.

WOW. I've never been this excited over a Zelda game for quite some time. And hearing that it is all open world ala Skyrim, and with gorgeous graphics, with the Legend of Zelda touch, makes me all fanboy glee inside.

At first I was in shock and disbelief with Nintendo abandoning the traditional way of doing a press con. But after watching their Digital event, I'm convinced, that this is the way to go. With edited pre-recorded Digital events such as these, companies are able to better present their new games without any technical difficulties or awkward unscripted jokes that most press cons are known for (remember Mr. Caffeine? Ugghhh). With an edited event, it feels more focused and gives more leeway for companies to be creative in their presentations and be more entertaining overall.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if either Microsoft or Sony takes a page out of Nintendo's E3 outing this year for their next E3 event next year. Overall, congratulations Nintendo!! You nailed it this year. :D

Throwback Post: My Epic God of War birthday cake!! :D

Earlier today, I was tagged by my significant other on a list of geeky cakes that geeks like me would love. Upon seeing the list it was alright, but I think the list missed out on the epic God of War cake (beautifully made by the folks at Captain's Mix and Magic) I got before on my 29th birthday. :D And so, since for some reasons I haven't exactly talked about it, I decided why not make a throwback post of sorts? :D

Here's the cake in its glory.

It's basically a cake recreation of the box art of God of War II.

When the project first started, I was worried that I'm asking too much from the team of Captain's Cake and Magic. Admittedly, the project was indeed a big undertaking, but kudos to them for accepting the challenge and pulling it off quite magnificently. :D

The project took the team a whopping 160-man hours to make this impressive gaming themed cake!! No small feat and you can certainly see the attention to detail on the cake.

Here's me having fun with the cake.

As epic as the cake looked (and as heartbreaking it is for me to cut it up), cakes are meant to be eaten in the end. And here's the aftermath of the cake after it was cut up and eaten by my guests. YES, you read that right, 95% of the cake is edible. :D

Even after all these years, this epic cake still stands as one of my most memorable cake ever. :D Thank you Captain's Mix and Magic!! If you want to make a geek-themed cake done, hit them up via their website: http://captainsmixandmagic.com/

Introducing the latest MK game; Mortal Kombat X!! :D

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Mortal Kombat (particularly MK I & II), and the announcement of the latest Mortal Kombat game got me all excited and giddy like I was back in gradeschool. XD

After several leaks and rumors floating about a new Mortal Kombat game, NetherRealm Studios finally confirmed what we fans have been waiting for... with an AWESOME TEASER TRAILER:

And after watching that teaser trailer (except for the end part), I'm like...

Some thoughts (with screenshots) of the teaser trailer:

Sub-Zero and Scorpion; the rival ninjas locked again in.... *AHEM* Mortal Kombat. XD

Lovin Scorpion's new look with the hood and all... Kinda reminds me of this cosplay...

...which ironically is a cosplay of Sub-Zero and not Scorpion. But I guess it's NetherRealm Studio's nod to this OG cosplay.

Sub-Zero looking bad-ass and thankfully NOT a Cyber Ninja (damn that version of Sub-Zero was dumb as shit). His costume taking some cues from Scorpion's alternate costume from MK9.

DAMN THAT'S GOTTA HURT!! D: Yep, this is DEFINITELY a Mortal Kombat game folks.

2015 can't come soon enough!! D: I WANT THIS NOW!! XD

The new MK logo highly reminiscent of the metallic MK dragon logo they used back in MK II. Love it. :D

The latest Mortal Kombat is slated to release next year 2015, on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox360 and XboxOne. :D I do hope they release a version for the 3DS, even if its a slightly retooled version. :P

UPDATE: Via Kotaku, here's a promotional pic of one of MK's poster boy; Scorpion.