Below are the games coming to the newly released Virtual Console for Wii U this week.
Pac-Man (NAMCO BANDAI Games) Wii U (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Pac-Man needs no introduction; it’s one of the most popular video games ever made! Move Pac-Man through the mazes, avoiding ghosts and eating all the Pac-Dots. Beware though; each of the ghosts behave differently! When Pac-Man chomps a Power Pellet, he becomes invincible, and is able to eat the blue ghosts. The more ghosts Pac-Man eats in a row, the higher the score. Don’t forget to eat the bonus fruit, too!
Mega Man (CAPCOM) Wii U (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Mega Man's original adventure blasts onto Nintendo eShop! The series became famous for its challenging mix of platforming and shoot 'em up action, and here you can see how it all began. As a super-robot created by the genius Dr. Light, it's up to Mega Man to traverse ten unique stages and beat the devious Robot Masters designed by evil Dr. Wily. Beating each boss allows Mega Man to use its trademark weapon, giving you an advantage in other stages – a technique still used in the series today.
Nintendo have announced that the selected games listed below will allow those owning these selected titles to play two-player with a friend, without that friend having to download the game as well!
Just trigger Download Play on the system that does not have the game and follow the on screen prompts.
Balloon Fight (Nintendo)
Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Go up, up and away with this NES classic from the 1980s. In Balloon Fight you have one simple mission: pop or be popped! Burst enemies' balloons from above, and hit them again before they have time to re-inflate. Danger comes from the sky or sea, too; watch out for lightning strikes and a very hungry fish. Balloon Fight also features a two-player mode with cooperative and competitive play, plus a survival mode called Balloon Trip - which may be familiar to fans of Nintendo Land!
Ice Climber™ (Nintendo) Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Conquer treacherous peaks, leap across icy chasms and swat snow-dwelling beasts – solo or with a friend – in this NES classic. Use your hammer to bash blocks and to defend yourself from the wildlife as you head towards the summit. Make it through all eight floors to reach the bonus stage and grab as many vegetables as you can before hitching a lift on a friendly condor. In two-player mode, either work together to reach the mountaintop or compete to see who can get the glory first!
Mario & Yoshi™ (Nintendo) Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Mario & Yoshi is a fast-paced NES puzzle game in which you must mix and match falling characters and piece together eggshells to free the Yoshi trapped inside. Simply move Mario back and forth to catch the falling Little Goombas, Boo Buddies, Bloopers and Piranha Plants. Capture creatures between two eggshell halves and you’ll release a Yoshi; the more creatures you capture, the larger the Yoshi and the bigger the bonus! Mario & Yoshi also features a split-screen, simultaneous two-player mode that brings Luigi into play.
Super C (Konami) Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console - NES) Nintendo eShop from 3/5/13
Game Description: Alien warmonger Red Falcon is back! Thought to have been defeated by the heroic warriors Mad Dog and Scorpion, he’s assembled a force of evil minions to attack Earth. Based on the hit arcade game, Super C is the sequel to the classic Contra. Battle through intense side-scrolling and top-down viewpoint shooter action, and save the planet.
SYDNEY – May 1st, 2013 - Ubisoft has announced that the Retro Futuristic Cyber ShooterFar Cry 3® Blood Dragon is now available for digital download on PC for $17.95, Xbox LIVE®Arcadefor the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft (1200 Microsoft Points), PlayStation®Network for $21.95 and retail PC for $19.95.
The soundtrack by Power Glove is available on iTunes for $16.99 and offered with the PC retail version releasing May 2nd.
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon lets players get the girl, kill the bad guys and save the world in a VHS-era vision of the future! As Sergeant Rex Colt, you are part man, part machine, all American. You are a state-of-the art Mark IV cyber-commando on a mission… of vengeance. You’re out to bring down your old commanding officer and his battalion of ruthless killer cyborgs and you’ll stop at nothing to get the job done. Hollywood action icon Michael Biehn (The Terminator, Aliens, and The Abyss), returns in this explosive 1980s style sci-fi vision of a dark future. Turn off your VCR, plug in your video game cabinet, and get ready to experience all of the thrills of Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, released as a stand-alone digital title.
To download the soundtrack from iTunes click here.
Sydney, Australia — April 30, 2013 —Ubisoft has announced that its highly anticipated title Watch_Dogs will hit store shelves in Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand territories on November 21, 2013 on PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the WiiU™ system from Nintendo and Windows PC, as well as at the launch of PlayStation®4. The game is also planned for other next generation consoles.
Players will be able to choose from a selection of different editions, offering a variety of digital and physical content allowing for a deeper immersion in the Watch_Dogs universe.
Details of each of the four Watch_Dogs collector’s editions available at launch in EMEA territories:
The Dedsec Edition
This premium edition is ideal for Watch_Dogs fans wishing to immerse themselves in the hacker fantasy. It includes:
Physical content:
- A 23cm Aiden Pearce Figurine
- Steelbook™
- DedSec Collector box
- Watch_Dogs Artbook: artworks and illustrations that inspired the game
- Original soundtrack of the game
- Watch_Dogs map of Chicago
- Set of 4 collectible cards: discover Watch_Dogs iconic characters through augmented reality
- Set of 3 exclusive badges
Digital content: 3 single player missions with up to almost 60 minutes of additional gameplay:
- Palace Pack: A police raid is planned on the luxury palace of an Internet mogul. His impressive databanks have intimate details on thousands of people…including Aiden Pearce. Break inside, wipe those hard drives and escape before the raid begins.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: investigation bonus allows gamers to unlock more investigative opportunities inside the network databanks, and ATM hack boost which boost the cash rewards when hacking bank accounts.
- Signature Shot: A biometrics weapon has been smuggled into Chicago for a captain of the Black Viceroys gang. The weapon only works for the first person who holds the gun. Breach a stronghold, steal the package and be the first to hold the weapon.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: black viceroys gang colours outfit and biometric assault rifle.
- Breakthrough Pack: A secret gathering is underway. The Chicago Club is negotiating power with Corporate CEOs. The Club has hired scramblers to block surveillance devices. Drive around the city to find the scramblers and take them out. Retrieve all names from the meeting and upload their images to the world.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: vehicle expert perk allowing players to get free vehicles from underground car contact and earn discounts on select cars.
The Vigilante Edition
This edition is for gamers who want to embody a real life hacker vigilante with the iconic mask and cap of Aiden Pierce. It includes all they need to become a modern day hero:
Physical content:
- Vigilante Collector box
- Aiden Pearce’s iconic cap
- Aiden Pearce’s mask
- Original soundtrack of the game
Digital content: 1 single player mission:
- Palace Pack: A police raid is planned on the luxury palace of an Internet mogul. His impressive databanks have intimate details on thousands of people…including Aiden Pearce. Break inside, wipe those hard drives and escape before the raid begins.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: investigation bonus allows gamers to unlock more investigative opportunities inside the network databanks, and ATM hack boost which boost the cash rewards when hacking bank accounts.
The Uplay Exclusive Edition
This exclusive edition available only on Uplay website addresses to gamers who wish to improve their hacking skills through 3 single player missions. It includes:
Physical content:
- Exclusive Steelbook™
Digital content: 3 single player missions with up to almost 60 minutes of additional game play:
- Palace Pack: A police raid is planned on the luxury palace of an Internet mogul. His impressive databanks have intimate details on thousands of people…including Aiden Pearce. Break inside, wipe those hard drives and escape before the raid begins.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: investigation bonus allows gamers to unlock more investigative opportunities inside the network databanks, and ATM hack boost which boost the cash rewards when hacking bank accounts.
- Signature Shot: A biometrics weapon has been smuggled into Chicago for a captain of the Black Viceroys gang. The weapon only works for the first person who holds the gun. Breach a stronghold, steal the package and be the first to hold the weapon.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: black viceroys gang colours outfit and biometric assault rifle.
- Breakthrough Pack: A secret gathering is underway. The Chicago Club is negotiating power with Corporate CEOs. The Club has hired scramblers to block surveillance devices. Drive around the city to find the scramblers and take them out. Retrieve all names from the meeting and upload their images to the world.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: vehicle expert perk allowing players to get free vehicles from underground car contact and earn discounts on select cars.
The ANZ Special Edition
This Special edition features the retail copy of the game and a single player mission for gamers who want to step into the action right away. In addition to this, ANZ customers will get 2 unlockable bonus packs:
Digital content: 1 single player mission:
- Breakthrough Pack: A secret gathering is underway. The Chicago Club is negotiating power with Corporate CEOs. The Club has hired scramblers to block surveillance devices. Drive around the city to find the scramblers and take them out. Retrieve all names from the meeting and upload their images to the world.
Rewards unlocked upon completion of the ULC mission: vehicle expert perk allowing players to get free vehicles from underground car contact and earn discounts on select cars.
Single Player unlockable bonus pack:
- Untouchables Single Player Pack: A nod to Chicago’s infamous 1920s criminal world. Rewards: Tommy Gun + 1920s Chicago Outfit.
Multiplayer unlockable bonus pack:
- Multiplayer Pack: The visual incarnation of 2 multiplayer factions. Rewards: Skins of these 2 multiplayer factions + Double $$ rewards for the contracts of these 2 multiplayer factions + 2 faction tags.
The ANZ Special Edition will be included as part of the DedSec, Vigilante and Uplay Editions.
In Watch_Dogs, players will assume the role of Aiden Pearce, a new type of vigilante who, with the help of his smart phone, will use his ability to hack into Chicago’s central operating system (ctOS) and control almost every element of the city. Aiden will be able to tap into the city’s omnipresent security cameras, download personal information to locate a target, control systems such as traffic lights or public transportation to stop a chase, and more. The city of Chicago is now the ultimate weapon.
Gears of War Judgment takes place long before the events of the original trilogy, and is that event to witness to facets to this war, or do the battle scars run deep already?
Gameplay
For anyone who has played any of the previous Gears of War games, you won’t feel like you have to re-learn anything, as the controls in this game are amazing. They work as they always have and not once did I find myself sticking to cover due to the control issues. In fact, the controls are that good, I did not once have to think about them. I jumped right in and was on my way.
For those new to the series, the game does take its time in introducing new elements and not once does it overwhelm. And at the end of the campaign you will feel like your true veteran of the series. Moving from cover to cover is the way to stay alive in Gears of War, more so the harder the difficulty. Cover is the name of the game in many ways, as you use it to flank the enemy, get behind them to close emergence holes and even help get to your fallen comrades in the midst of combat.
Sadly, there are no times in this game where you get to ride vehicles or enemy mounts, but that does detract from the experience. As you play through the game you are tasked with explaining the events that have lead up to that point, and you will take a turn playing through as one of the 4 members of Kilo Squad. At the start of each area, a giant glowing COG sign, will add additional challenges to the map, which if you complete them, you earn more stars.
Star is the name of the game here, as the better you play the more stars you earn. And depending on the difficulty, it determines what type of stars you earn, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Onyx. At the end of the stage you are shown the results and then, If you choose, you can replay the level and attempt to get more stars.
Graphics
Being that this game is co-made by Epic Games, the makers of Unreal Engine you can see that they have mastered their tool set. The game is amazingly detailed and nothing in the world looks out of place. Even since Gears 3, they have fixed the loading issues of the graphics where it would take more time to load in textures right.
Of course, most of us have already seen the world of Sera, and the world below, many times before. But never have we seen the world with such beauty as it holds this time through. Granted, the world is mostly destroyed, but it’s these moments when you are walking through the destruction that you can see glimpses of how the world would look before the war. There are mansions to wander through, shopping areas to stroll past and even roof tops to clamber about, giving you even more of a view of the world.
Sadly, there is one aspect of the graphics where it is noticeable, and that is the cut scenes that happen mid-game. Whilst the design of the characters is there, the jump from in game graphics to a rendered scene is quite noticeable.
Sound
The sound design has not really changed a whole lot. We are treated to some new score, but the rest of the sound is really the same. The Locust horde still shout out things in their graveling gargle voices. The guns sound just as impactful as they have in past game. And when you clear an area of enemies, you get that same sound to let you know that you can stop breaking the controller into two.
It’s a shame that most of the sound is recycled, and whilst I can understand why, it would have been great to get some new sounds. Thankfully the voice acting is impressive, and its great to hear Baird and Cole bantering back and forth just like we remember them doing. The addition of Paduk and Hendrik make Kilo squad feel alive.
Final Thoughts
Gears of War Judgment does everything right with a modern game. It provides countless options for play, with single player and multiplayer content. The gameplay is well polished and the entire package shows it.
If you have mates with an Xbox, then grab some copies of Gears and hang on for a great ride.
Scenario Mode sets each team a series of either offensive or defensive challenges and mixes them up with the extreme and unpredictable conditions of E.D.N. III. Players can compete in both third person on-foot action and in first person combat using the futuristic Vital Suits, making this a dynamic gameplay experience.
Akrid Survival sees two teams of three players compete independently of each other in a series of encounters against waves of hostile Akrid before the teams go head to head in a final PvP elimination round.
Sydney, 24th April 2013 – From round-the-world expeditions to family walks on a Sunday afternoon, the new Cyber-shot™ HX50V from Sony gives every scene the colour, detail and clarity it deserves – even at high zoom. Boasting a 20.4 megapixel[2] sensor and built-in image stabilisation, the HX50V delivers beautifully vibrant photos and Full HD videos, even when you are far away from your subject. What’s more, it is the world’s smallest and lightest digital still camera that packs a powerful 30x optical zoom range.
Packing Really Big Features in a Small Body
While it is tempting to rely on your smartphone, the HX50V gives photographers plenty of great reasons to invest in a dedicated pocket camera. Its wide-ranging optical zoom gives users more flexibility to pick their optimal shooting position, while Optical SteadyShot camera-shake compensation ensures that image quality is not compromised even when shooting on the move. Even at 30x zoom, the HX50V now offers image stabilisation that is twice as effective as the Cyber-shot™ HX200V[3].
Powered by a 20.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, the HX50V produces high-resolution, high quality images with exceptional low-light performance. Working at more than twice[4] the speed of the Cyber-shot™ HX200V at full zoom, high-speed autofocus captures even the most fleeting moments for posterity. What’s more, integrated Wi-Fi lets you share those special memories quickly and easily with friends and family.
For more advanced photographers who like to fine-tune the details of a shot, there’s a dial to adjust exposure compensation, plus a mode dial for other manual shooting settings such as P/A/S/M modes. There is also a Multi Interface Shoe for attaching compatible electronic viewfinders, flashes, or microphones that can offer better video sound quality and complement the high quality Full HD video shooting and 50p[5] recording capability of the HX50V. Furthermore, the Multi Terminal allows for the use of a remote controller, which will come in handy for close-ups and movies.
Battery stamina is crucial when you are travelling and not know where the next plug point can be found. You can now travel worry-free with the X-type lithium-ion battery in the Cyber-shot™ HX50V, which is smaller than any of its predecessors[6] yet delivers 400 photos[7] from a single charge. GPS functionality is also offered on the HX50V with an embedded GPS Log Recording function, enhancing your post-shooting enjoyment as you reflect on your travels.
Make Your Own Movies
With more people shooting video alongside still photos, the HX50V promises to deliver both with stunning results. It captures beautifully smooth Full HD movies (50p) that benefit from Optical SteadyShot (Active Mode)[8] compensation which reduces camera-shake when you are shooting videos on the move. Compatibility with TRILUMINOS Colour technology, the footage can be enjoyed with rich, natural colours when viewed on any TRILUMINOS Display TV.
Ready to get more creative? The HX50V offers nine different picture effects[9] to experiment with, enhancing your shots with an entirely new perspective. There are also three picture effects in Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode[10] and four unique movie effects[11] available.
The Cyber-Shot HX50V with powerful 30x zoom from Sony will be available in Australia from June 1st 2013 for $499SRP.
Insomniac are honoured to play a hands-on role with the film’s production, screenplay, character development, and animation consulting. Furthermore, Ratchet & Clank writer, T.J. Fixman, who has written all of the recent Ratchet & Clank games, is also writing the script for the film.
“We’ve always thought Ratchet and Clank would be a fantastic all-ages movie and are thrilled our intergalactic heroes will finally get their chance to shine on the big screen,” said Ted Price, founder and CEO of Insomniac Games. “Insomniac is especially honoured to play a hands-on role with the film’s production, including the screenplay, consulting on character development and animation, and adding support to the film's marketing.”
SYDNEY, 24th April 2013 - The power of gaming is set to truly make its mark on the world of film this April as Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) confirms the arrival of BEYOND: TwoSouls™ at the Tribeca Film Festival. Following the incredible casting of Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, announced just a few weeks ago, all eyes are now focused on the next step in the journey towards showcasing the unique cinematic prowess of BEYOND: Two Souls™ after the game was chosen as an Official Selection by the Tribeca Film Festival.
To mark this momentous occasion, the star-studded cast and creative team behind this boundary-pushing game are poised to walk the red carpet at an exclusive premiere event in New York on 27thApril 2013 with live-streaming set to ensure that everyone gets a front row seat.
Fresh from her latest silver screen hit, ‘The East’, co-starring Alex Skarsgård, Academy Award® nominee Ellen Page returns to the red carpet once again to build on her already impressive body of work and celebrate her first ever foray into gaming as the lead role of Jodie Holmes - a young woman who possesses supernatural powers through her link to an invisible entity, Aiden. Speaking ahead of the Tribeca Film Festival, Page notes “This has been a really intense and exciting experience for me, and one that I am extremely proud of. I’m excited to see everyone’s reaction to the extended scene we are going to be screening – and to feel the powerful emotion that David Cage instils in all his games.”
The event will offer a rare opportunity for attendees to participate in a live Q&A session with the attending cast Ellen Page, Kadeem Hardison (A Different World), Eric Winter (The Mentalist, Days of Our Lives) and the games writer director, Quantic Dream’s David Cage.
Hollywood A-lister Willem Dafoe, who offers a gripping performance as scientist Nathan Dawkins in the game, comments that: "This is a momentous event both in the world of gaming and in the history of the Tribeca Film Festival. I wish I could be there on the night of the exclusive showing of a part of the game - it'll be an exciting event. BEYOND: Two Souls tells a beautiful story and the players can wholly participate in each scenario and choose the characters' action. This game is unlike any project that I've ever been involved with before."
Live streaming of the event will mean that everyone has the opportunity to be part of the evening and can join those lucky enough to be there on the night to view an exclusive one-hour scene from the game, the debut of a major trailer and an all-new behind-the-scenes look.
You might not know of Nordic Games, but Lars Wingefors knows business. He knows that making games himself is not where his skills are. Check out this excerpt from an interview over at Polygon
"First of all, I'm an entrepreneur and business man of games," Wingefors explained to me. "I'm not a game creator. We don't have the creative talent to make sequels. But I'm saying that I know that over the last 24 hours we have been in contact with quite a few of the original creators and studios. We just want to find the right team who have the creative talent to make something good out of these properties."
London, UK. — April 23, 2013 — Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today confirmed that Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is now available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in North America and coming to Europe on April 26, 2013. Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is the next exciting chapter in the Dragon’s Dogma franchise delivering a huge brand new area, quests, enemies and more, plus all of the content from the original game. In addition to the content contained with the original Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen introduces Bitterblack Isle. Home to a massive underground realm and new storyline for players to unravel, Bitterblack Isle is a cursed territory teeming with incredible treasure and terrifying new foes, each requiring unique strategies to defeat. Travel to-and-from Bitterblack Isle as well as around the mainland, Gransys, is more accessible by means of an improved travel system and more frequent Portcrystals. Players will be able to take their characters to new heights with brand new high-level skills and augments, as well over 100 additional weapons and armor sets.
Owners of the original Dragon’s Dogma will be able to export their existing characters and all other saved data to continue their journey as the Arisen. Furthermore, owners of the original Dragon’s Dogma will receive 100,000 Rift Crystals, an Eternal Ferrystone and the Gransys Armour Pack consisting of six brand new costumes for free, upon purchasing Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen.
Released on May 22, 2012, Dragon’s Dogma redefined the Action-RPG genre with exhilarating skill-based combat and free exploration of a rich environment. Introducing an innovative team dynamic called the Pawn system, a fully customizable main Pawn companion accompanies the Arisen throughout their journey. Two further support Pawns can be swapped out based on the player’s needs. Players recruit Pawns by venturing into the Rift, a space between worlds which can be accessed either offline or online. Playing online, those using Xbox LIVE® or PlayStation®Network, can rent out their main Pawn companion to friends as temporary secondary Pawns in those parties.
The power of the PS Vita allows TheJak and Daxter Trilogy to feature authentically reproduced graphics from the original games. Long-time fans of the franchise will feel instantly at home in the game world and new players will get to experience the world of Jak and Daxter for the first time via the new touch based applications of certain mini games throughout the collection. Holding these games in the palm of your hand has never been more exciting and responsive.
In the never ending pursuit of dastardly villains and to save innocent townsfolk from the forces of darkness, fans of the dynamic duo will be able to explore the vibrant worlds packed with wacky characters, blistering action and madcap comedy and crack challenging mini-games on their PS Vita using the intuitive controls such as front and rear touch screen.
These three classic titles will be available together in June 2013 at the fantastic price of AUD$39.95.
SYDNEY, Australia - April 18, 2013 - Feel the battle this Friday as Origin's Mystery Deal for Australia is unveiled: Battlefield 3TM for $5.00! From 12:00:00 pm AEST Friday, April 19, 2013 until 11:59:00 pm AEST Friday, April 19, 2013, Origin will be offering Battlefield 3 for $5.00 AUD, down from the usual price of $49.99 AUD. You'll have to act fast; Origin's discount on Battlefield 3 is available for 12 hours only! Visit the Battlefield 3 page on Origin after midday on Friday to get your copy for $5.00!
The Battlefield 3 army continues to grow quickly, capturing more than 20 million players since release in October 2011 and has been lauded by game critics worldwide for its compelling single player campaign, intense co-op missions and world class, all-out-war multiplayer experience. Since its debut in June 2012, more than 2.9 million players have signed up for Battlefield 3 Premium, the innovative offering that delivers five massive, themed digital expansion packs loaded with a wealth of content – Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand, Battlefield 3: Close Quarters, Battlefield 3: Armored Kill, Battlefield 3: Aftermath and Battlefield 3: End Game – all for $64.95 on the PlayStation® Network, PC at Origin.com or 4000 MS points on the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace.
Take on the moral dilemma of Agent 47 in Hitman: Absolution as he is faced with the most complex contract of his career. Forced to choose between the wishes of his agency or the life of his acquaintance, he’ll need to use all of his skills to survive and uncover the truth.
After several unexplained deaths in the city, things begin to take a dark turn for Kevin in the psychological horror adventure Catherine, when he has a strange encounter with an irresistible woman and his nightmares turn into a dreadful reality.
Enter a world of chaos in the unusual action title MALICIOUS in whichthe Kingdom of Santville lies in pieces and traitorous King Eldrake's forces have been slain. You are a spirit vessel summoned by the prophets to battle the dark force that has emerged and come to be known as the MALICIOUS.
If you like to game on the go, then grab your PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) and enjoy the unique shoot 'em up hit Sine Mora, which will be available on PS Plus from 9th May. Alternatively, prepare to be impressed by the ultra-sharp and stylish visuals in the innovative space-age shooter Velocity Ultra HD,available from the 16th May.
PS Plus provides subscribers with access to top-rated games* on PS3 and PS Vita throughout the course of the subscription. Gamers also have access to great PlayStation®Store discounts as part of their subscription package.
PS Plus subscribers receive an array of exclusive features and access, including 2GB cloud storage (1G for PS3 & 1G for PS Vita ) for game saves which will be welcomed by subscribers keen to take advantage of the Instant Game Collection. Automatic update and beta access, as well as a huge collection of exclusive dynamic themes and PlayStation®Network avatars, makes PS Plus the place to be in 2013.
PS Plus is also available on PS Vita, extending the service to two platforms for a single price of AUD$69.95 for a one-year subscription or AUD$19.95 for a 90 day subscription will give users the same fantastic features including exclusive access, special features and huge discounts.
18th April 2013 – In a new Nintendo Direct video announcement today, Nintendo revealed a whole host of news in relation to Nintendo 3DS. Topping the list for many gamers is a new Nintendo 3DS game in The Legend of Zelda series set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game is scheduled to launch towards the end of the year in Australia and New Zealand. Fans will also be excited to hear that a new game in the Yoshi’s Island series is being developed for Nintendo 3DS.
In keeping with the Year of Luigi theme, this Nintendo Direct announcement featured additional information on upcoming Nintendo 3DS games starring Luigi, including Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros., Mario Golf: World Tour, and a new instalment in the Mario Party series. On Wii U meanwhile, further details were released onNew Super Luigi U, due for release this winter in Australia and New Zealand.
Nintendo today announced a new edition of Nintendo Direct. The ‘Nintendo 3DS Direct’ will be streamed from the Nintendo Direct website at midnight between 17th and 18th April (AEST).
Select one of the following options to view the presentation
Sydney, Australia – Apr. 16, 2013 – The Hutt Cartel is making a huge play to become the next galactic superpower and only the Republic or the Empire can stop their rise! BioWare™, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), and LucasArts announced today that the first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic, Rise of the Hutt Cartel, is now available for players worldwide. Available for $19.99 (USD), or at half price for current Subscribers ($9.99 USD), players can extend their personal Star Wars™ saga, with exciting new playable missions, new features and a striking new planet, Makeb. Playing through Rise of the Hutt Cartel will raise the game’s level cap to 55 and allow players to access a host of new, higher-level group content in the recently released Game Update 2.0: Scum and Villainy.
“We’ve worked hard over the last year to ensure we were listening to player feedback and acting on it. This month, we’re not only adding hours of new story-driven content and features with Rise of the Hutt Cartel, but we are also adding depth and content to the end game with our latest Game Update 2.0: Scum and Villainy,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer of Star Wars: The Old Republic. “All of this new content, combined with a much larger, more active and engaged community since the addition of the Free-to-Play option last year, makes this the best time to join or return to The Old Republic!”
In Rise of the Hutt Cartel, players will explore a new storyline on the beautiful and exciting new planet of Makeb. Here players will continue their faction storylines as they fight against a nefarious new threat, the Hutt Cartel, attempting a take-over of the planet and all its resources. As players progress through the new levels they will earn new gear and abilities, along with access to new Elder Game content. As part of the experience, players will also be able to acquire new technological gear including Macrobinoculars and Seeker Droids, which take players on galaxy-spanning new missions to unlock valuable rewards.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is set thousands of years before the classic Star Wars movies. Players are immersed as they team up with friends online to fight in heroic battles reminiscent of the films, exploring a galaxy of vibrant planets, experiencing visceral Star Wars combat, all set to a sweeping musical score. Now, players can experience the complete storylines of the eight iconic Star Wars classes, all the way to Level 50 without having to pay a monthly fee. The new Free-to-Play option complements the existing subscription offering, providing greater flexibility in how to experience Star Wars: The Old Republic.
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO– 15thApril, 2013 –SEGA® Europe Ltd., and SEGA® of America, Inc. in collaboration with Disney Interactive today announced the upcoming digital release of Castle of Illusion staring Mickey Mouse™, a complete re-imagining of the iconic Mega Drive/Genesis side-scrolling adventure first released in 1990. Developed by Sega Studios Australia, Castle of Illusion Featuring Mickey Mousewill be available worldwide for digital download on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®Network and Windows PC in summer 2013.
Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse first debuted on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive in 1990 to critical acclaim. Excellent controls, music, and graphics helped to bring the magic of Disney to millions of SEGA fans around the world. Castle of Illusion Featuring Mickey Mousewill continue this tradition. Completely rebuilt from the ground up, Castle of Illusion has stunning visuals and new gameplay mechanics. Fans will enjoy the original storyline as they help Mickey save Minnie from the evil witch, Mizrabel.
“The original Castle of Illusion was tremendously entertaining and has a well-deserved reputation as a SEGA classic. Castle of Illusion Featuring Mickey Mousebrings this great game to a new generation,” said Chris Olson,vice president of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “Mickey is back and he looks fantastic.”
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including Windows PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA® Europe’s Web site is located at www.sega.com
About SEGA® of America, Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including Windows PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment. SEGA® of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com
About Disney Interactive
Disney Interactive, one of the world’s largest creators of high-quality interactive entertainment across all platforms, is the part of The Walt Disney Company responsible for the global creation and delivery of interactive entertainment, multi-platform video games, and family-focused content across all current and emerging digital media platforms. Disney Interactive produces and distributes a broad portfolio of content from Disney Interactive Games and Disney Interactive Media. Products and content released and operated by Disney Interactive include blockbuster mobile, social and console games, online virtual worlds, #1 kid’s entertainment destination Disney.com and the #1 Family/Parenting portfolio on the Web.
Disney Interactive is the interactive entertainment part of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS).
SEGA and the SEGA logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SEGA Corporation.
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“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
