Merry Christmas to all our readers out there. Today we have an... interesting video for you for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed featuring our favorite hedgehog Sonic and NASCAR superstar Danica Patrick.... yeah... 

In the video Danica and Sonic are racing each other in fierce competition and encounter "accidents". 

Apparently its perfectly fine to run over the poor, innocent monkeys from Super Monkey Ball... why isn't this game rated M for Mature? That's horrible :( 

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is available wherever videogames are sold and will be available on Vita and 3DS soon. 

On December 27th, TREVA Entertainment will be publishing Mahjong 3D on the Nintendo 3DS eShop for $9.99.  I'm no stranger to portable Mahjong games, as I reviewed Mahjong Cu3ed a while back.  However, Mahjong 3D will offer three game modes (one of which appears to be an actual story mode), 160 levels, and a puzzle creator so you can create your own unique Mahjong puzzles.  Sometimes I can barely solve a puzzle properly, I'd hate to see what would happen if I tried to create my own Mahjong puzzle.

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999 and Virtues Last Reward are both amazing games that shouldn't be missed by anyone. Combining visual novels with point and click gameplay I spent hours with both of these games not even realizing where the time went. The first time I played 999 I think I started at about 9PM. Next thing I know I look at the clock and its 2AM. The same thing happened with Virtues Last Reward. Thats the power these games had on me.

Now if you are looking to play Virtues Last Reward and want a Vita then you are in luck as Amazon is currently running a deal where if you buy a Playstation Vita you will get Virtues Last Reward for free! This is how I got my Vita earlier this year when they offered Mortal Kombat free with a Vita purchase. 

Just click the following link to get in on the deal!

http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Escape-Virtues-Reward-playstation-vita/dp/B007FMSDUK/ref=br_lf_m_1000877621_1_7_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=videogames&pf_rd_p=1441691602&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000877621&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=11EG0CZ8PYAVWZSZS9Q5

Nintendo isn't just releasing the new Wii U and baffling, hobbled Wii Mini this holiday. They also have a 3DS XL bundle with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed. The bundle will run you $200, which I suppose is an okay deal considering the handheld is $200 on its own and sold separately the game is $40.

That said, I'm still not sold on the 3DS and I'm really not sold on the 3DS XL. Like the DSi XL before it, the 3DS XL seems like such a needless waste of a SKU and all the accompanying material, marketing and launch resources. All of that time, effort and money could have gone into developing a 3DS Lite with a much better battery and a second analog stick, but instead they release a 3DS with a bigger screen for old people? The 3DS has been one head-shaker after another, at least for me, so I'll be saving my money this holiday.

Also I'm still not too keen on Nintendo's recent trend of pre-installing games on retail consoles and acting like it's some huge bundle value. With their fledgling account-based Nintendo Network just getting underway and their shaky record on transferring digital goods in the past, I'll take a hard copy that I can hold in my hand, thakyouverymuch. [READ MORE]

With the success of Plants vs. Zombies, there's so many PvZ related items it makes you wonder "what will they think of next?"

Apparently trading cards.

Over at www.pvzstore.com you can now pick up Plants vs. Zombies trading cards.  You can get either a four pack bundle for $16 or a 24 pack retail box for around $79, with each pack consisting of 7 cards.  If you get a retail box you'll get all fifty base cards, all ten chase cards (such as scratch 'n' sniff, tattoo, and sticker cards), along with a press sheet and either a signature card OR a sketch card from original Plants vs. Zombies artist Rich Werner.

The prices listed above are good until November 30th and all profits will go to charity.

Earlier this year, I noticed that my local Giant Eagle (regional grocer predominately in OH and PA), no longer had their Microsoft pre-paid cards on display.  They used to offer 1600 and 4000 point cards in addition to 3 and 12-month Xbox Live cards.  Today, I hit their online gift card listing and noticed that Sony has also been pulled from the available options.  Previously, there were PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Network cards available, but it looks like they are also gone.  Giant Eagle is my primary grocer that I use to get fuel perks, so losing these options is a bit of an annoyance when I need points or to update my subscription.
 
Fortunately, Kroger still has relationships with all three companies, as Nintendo DSi Point cards, PlayStation Network Cards and Microsoft Point and Xbox Live cards are still available in varying denominations, although their fuel perk system is not as good as Giant Eagle's.
 
One way to get around this and still pick up your Giant Eagle fuel perks is to purchase a retailer card that sells the pre-paid gaming cards such as Amazon, Best Buy, Toys R Us or GameStop.  While you will have to make an additional stop and purchase (or order online), you can still get the benefits of Giant Eagles fuel program.

It is a special week for our beloved industry! Whether or not you are excited about Nintendo’s new Wii U, the fact that it is the launch of a new console is an exciting time in the industry. There is a lot new to stores this week as well as a ton on sale this coming weekend with Black Friday (as Nathan outlined over the weekend)

11/18/2012

• Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition for Nintendo Wii U
• Ben 10 Omniverse: The Video Game for Nintendo Wii U
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for Nintendo Wii U
• Darksiders 2 for Nintendo Wii U
• Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of Illusion for Nintendo 3DS
• Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two for Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• Funky Barn for Nintendo Wii U
• Game Party Champions for Nintendo Wii U
• James Bond 007 Legends for Nintendo Wii U
• New Super Mario Bros. U for Nintendo Wii U
• Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge for Nintendo Wii U
• Nintendo Land for Nintendo Wii U
• Nintendo Wii U (console)
• Scribblenauts Unlimited for Nintendo Wii U
• SiNG Party for Nintendo Wii U
• Sonic & All-Stars: Racing Transformed for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii U
• Tank! Tank! Tank! for Nintendo Wii U
• Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for Nintendo Wii U
• Transformers Prime for Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo 3DS
• Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper for Nintendo Wii U
• Wipeout 3 for Nintendo Wii U
• ZombiU for Nintendo Wii U

11/20/2012

• Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage for Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS
• Assassin’s Creed III for PC
• Clan of Champions for PlayStation Network
• Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse for  PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
• Hitman: Absolution for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360
• Jet Set Radio HD for PlayStation Vita
• Persona 4 Golden for PlayStation Vita
• PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita
• Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo Wii
• Sine Mora for PlayStation Network (PS3 and Vita compatible)
• The Walking Dead Episode 5: No Time Left for PlayStation Network and PC

11/21/2012

• Kinect Sports Gems: 3 Point contest for Xbox Live Arcade
• Kinect Sports Gems: Darts vs. Zombies for Xbox Live Arcade
• Kinect Sports Gems: Ski Race for Xbox Live Arcade
• The Walking Dead Episode 5: No Time Left for Xbox Live Arcade

Fans of the Paper Mario series can now get their hands on Mario's latest flattened 2-D adventure as Paper Mario: Sticker Star is now available in stores and via digital download from the 3DS's eShop.  In Paper Mario: Sticker Star, Mario can collect hundreds of stickers that he can use to solve puzzles or use in battle.  Using stickers in just the right location can also transform Mario's world or unlock secret areas.

If you're a Club Nintendo member and purchase the game in the eShop and register Paper Mario: Sticker Star to your Club Nintendo account before January 6th 2013, you'll receive a free download code for Donkey Kong: Original Edition which has yet to be seen in the U.S. and is not available for purchase. [READ MORE]

The Lego Batman and Harry Potter games have received huge discounts this week over at Amazon's Digital Games store. The complete list of games include:

• Lego Batman - $4.99
• Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes - $7.49
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 - $4.99
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 - $4.99

Amazon is also offering a bundle of the games titled the The Harry Batman Pack, which is retailing for $13.99. All of the games are activated and downloaded through Steam. Also, don't forget that Lego Lord of the Rings releases next week on November 13 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Windows PC.

Roller Coaster Tycoon is one of my favorite sim games of all time so I cannot wait to get my hands on the 3DS version which releases today. The game also brings many new features to the table such as the ability to ride your custom roller coasters in all of its 3D glory. Other new features include

• An entirely new gameplay mode called “Coaster Story”, which blends together tutorials and park challenges into a cohesive and entertaining narrative and offers players tons of special unlockable content
• The first-person view for coaster rides fully immerses players with the innovative 3D display exclusive to Nintendo 3DS
• The ability to freely customize the design of roller coasters and theme parks with the use of a stylus and the touch-screen interface
• Just like at a real theme park, take a snapshot of yourself on a ride and share it with your friends
• Gyro sensor allows players to look around their theme park by simply tilting their Nintendo 3DS
• Create the ultimate coaster and easily share it with friends through StreetPass™
• Invite your Mii Plaza™ friends to your theme park

Awesome stuff!

Also announced is that the original Roller Coaster Tycoon games and their sequels will be released soon at retail for $29.99

For more information about the game check out their official website and/or their facebook page 

Earlier this week I got a chance to sit down with a brief demo of Disney Interactive’s Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion for the Nintendo 3DS. The game is a self-contained adventure launching alongside Epic Mickey 2 on the home consoles this Holiday season. The game is being touted as the spiritual successor to the classic Illusion series which called Sega’s 8- and 16-bit consoles home; after spending a short time with the game, it is easy to see why it has garnered that label.

The picks up directly after the events of Epic Mickey, sending Mickey back to the Wasteland to rescue a large cast of classic Disney Toons. The game features a classic visual style akin to classic 16-bit platformers but uses the system’s 3D capabilities to produce a layered effect. The characters and the backgrounds appear to existing two different planes, almost as if it is made from cut outs like the early South Park episodes. Both the gameplay and the cut scenes featured throughout utilize this style.

In addition to looking like the classic series it pays homage too, the game plays a lot like it as well. Power of Illusion isn’t as fast paced as you would expect (compared to today’s platformers); the game is slow and methodical, which may turn some people off. Fans of the original however will feel right at home. Gameplay is focused on classic platforming elements such as avoiding environmental hazards and enemies; you can take out some of your enemies with the classic, Mickey-butt-stomp or tap into some new abilities.

This is Epic Mickey after all, and among the new tools to enjoy is the magical paintbrush. The brush gets put to good use on the 3DS’ touch screen. Occasionally, players will come to an area of the stage that seems like a dead end; this could be a door that can’t be opened or perhaps a chasm that is too large to cross. Referencing the game’s mini-map, which appears on the bottom screen of the 3DS, you occasionally find visual clues that will indicate when the magical brush (once obtained) can and should be used. At this point, you can enter the game’s “draw” mode which will challenge players to trace Disney-themed shapes in a certain time limit; completing the challenge will spawn a bridge over that impeding chasm or unlock that seemingly impassable door.

I have to be honest, my time with the game was VERY brief. However, what I saw was great and it reminded me of everything that I loved in the classic series. Power of Illusion is a great combination of both homage to a classic series and application of modern elements in the platforming genre. Epic Disney: Power of Illusion will b e available on November 18, 2012.

Sega has released a new trailer for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed just in time for the New York Comic-Con.  The trailer features numerous ways to play including World Tour Mode, arena battles, split screen online multiplayer, and the ability to have up to ten players compete together online.

Quick question: if the Wii U is aimed at core gamers, why is its exclusive Transformers title based on the Hub's Transformers Prime that's aimed at younger audiences?

Anyway, the Wii U's Transformers Prime, based on the Hub animated series, will lets fans step into the giant metal boots of Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, and of course, Optimus Prime.  The combat is "brawler-style" and the game will include the obligatory driving sequences.

Transformers Prime will also feature multiplayer that will allow fans to choose from one of 11 different transformers from either the autobots or the decepticons.  To learn more, visit www.TransformersPrimeTheGame.com.

*I'm so sorry, but I couldn't resist such a lame pun.  Please forgive me.

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