No Cekebration posts

Sorry, but due to a busy schedule I will not be posting celebration news on my blog.

Rayquaza Rampage!

Hello Pokemon Trainers! Poke6 here! Today, as our first post ever (yay!), I will be discussing the latest news on a future Pokemon expansion! No, it's not actually called Rayquaza Rampage (although I think that would be an awesome title), it's called Roaring skies, featuring all kinds of Dragon-Physic-Flying expansion that will focus on colorless Pokemon and primary aid that energy type. This is the equivalent to Emerald Break, which will release in Japan on March 14 (why they change the name, I have no idea). Already we have had several packs, cards, and even decks released!

   

As soon as we look at the art for the new packs we can get a pretty good feel for what the new set is going to be like. Fans of the big green flying snake are going to be excited for this set. After two sets revolving around Kyogre and Groudon, it looks like Rayquaza will finally be getting a chance for the spot light!

But, who really cares that much about the pack art? We want to see what's inside the packs: cards! So, without further ado, here are our latest TCG scans for the new set!

Rayquaza-EX - Colorless - HP170
Basic Pokemon

[C][C] Mega Awakening: Search your deck for a M Rayquaza card and put it into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterwards.

[C][C][C][C] Aero Scream: 130 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, discard 2 Energy attached to this Pokemon.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Lighting (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 2  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Rayquaza-EX - Colorless - HP170
Basic Pokemon

[C] Rising Burn: 10+ damage. If your opponent's Active Pokemon is a Pokemon-EX, this attack does 50? more damage.

[C][C][C] Dragon Pulse: 100 damage. Discard 1 card from the top of your deck.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Lighting (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 2

                                                                                                                                                  

M Rayquaza-EX - Colorless - HP220
Mega Evolution - Evolves from Rayquaza-EX

When 1 of your Pokemon becomes a Mega Evolution, your turn ends.

Δ Evolution: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may play this card from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokemon even if that Pokemon was put into play this turn or if it's your first turn.

[C][C][C] Emerald Break: 30x damage. Does 30 damage times the number of Pokemon on your Bench.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Lighting (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 1
                                                                                                                                                  

M Rayquaza-EX - Dragon - HP230
Mega Evolution - Evolves from Rayquaza-EX

When 1 of your Pokemon becomes a Mega Evolution, your turn ends.

Δ Wild: Damage done to this Pokemon by attacks from your opponent's [G], [R], [W], and [L] Pokemon is reduced by 20.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.


[?] Dragon Ascent: 300 damage. Unknown effect, but probably blows up the table.
                                                                                                                                                  


Alright, so right off the bat we have three new Rayquaza cards (two Megas and two normal EXs). Just looking over these cards, they look pretty bad. The only one that looks like it might have any promise is the only dragon type. It has one attack that does 300 damage for an unknown amount of energy and affect. Considering that Mega Charizard requires five energy and forces you to either discard 1/12 of your deck or do 50 damage to you, this may have certain consequences. But still. 300 damage?! No Pokemon could survive such a thing! This is a free 1-2 prizes against almost any Pokemon. And, with the new Rayquaza Spirit Link, allowing you to Mega evolve without ending your turn, this will be even easier!

Aside from the last Mega Pokemon, there isn't too much promise in the group. The normal Rayquaza EX are pretty horrid in comparison to other cards in the modern sets. The third Pokemon, a normal-type Mega Pokemon, has a pretty sad attack two, doing 0-150 if you have a full bench. But, it's Δ ability does show some promise. It allows you to Mega evolve on your first turn. Imagine this: you start the game and go second. You use an Pokeball (or variant of) to get out a Rayquaza EX and M Rayquaza EX. You then retreat your active Pokemon (something like a Hawlucha with no retreat cost or with a float stone) and put up Rayquaza EX. After this you attach a double colorless energy and Rayquaza Spirit Link to it. Using the spirit link, you can then mega evolve into M Rayquaza without ending your turn. Then you get out as many basic Pokemon as you can (the deck would be filled with basic pokemon with no retreat cost and with Robo Substitutes). To complete this crazy first turn, you use a tool retrieval in order to remove the spirit link and attach a Team Plasma Badge, making it a Team Plasma Pokemon and then allowing you to use Colress Machine on it, searching your deck for a plasma energy and you attaching it to Rayquaza. Again you use a Startling Megaphone or Tool Retrieval and get rid of the Team Plasma badge attached to it, replacing it with a muscle band. Additionally, to do more damage, you could play lots of Team Plasma Balls and other Pokeballs to get out as many Deoxys EX as you can, and, since you are now a Team Plasma Pokemon, the Deoxys will make your attacks do 10 damage more for each of the Pokemon you have on you deck. On turn two (the first turn anyone can attack) you have done between 170-210 damage, the perfect formal for donking and an incredibly quick setup. Very complicated and difficult, yes. But, with the perfect deck, lots of skill, and some luck, you may just score a cheap win!

Phew. Got that out of the way. That was pretty long winded. If you use this deck, please give credit to Poke6! But these aren't all of the cards revealed. There are several more below!

 Shaymin-EX - Colorless - HP110
Basic Pokemon

Ability: Setup
Once during your turn (before your attack), when you play this Pokemon from your hand to your Bench, you may draw cards until you have 6 cards in your hand.

[C][C] Sky Return: 30 damage. Return this Pokemon and all cards attached to it to your hand.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 1
                                                                                                                                                                   

Unfezant - Colorless - HP140
Stage 2 - Evolves from Tranquil

Δ Evolution: Once during your turn (before your attack), you may play this card from your hand to evolve 1 of your Pokemon even if that Pokemon was put into play this turn or if it's your first turn.

[C][C] Feather Dance: If this Pokemon attacks next turn, its attacks do 80 more damage.
[C][C][C] Sky Attack: 120 damage. Flip a coin. If tails, this attack fails.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)

Retreat: 0
                                                                                                                                                                   

Swellow - Colorless - HP90
Stage 1 - Evolves from Taillow

Δ Plus: Take 1 more Prize card if your opponent's Pokemon is Knocked Out by damage from this Pokemon's attacks.

[C][C] Peck: 30 damage.
[C][C][C] Wing Attack: 50 damage.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 1
                                                                                                                                                                   

Skarmory - Colorless - HP100
Basic Pokemon

[C] Search for your deck for up to 2 Basic Pokemon and put them on your Bench. Shuffle your deck afterward.
[C][C] 30+ damage. Does 30 more damage if there is a Stadium in play.

Weakness: Lightning (x2)
Resistance: Fighting (-20)
Retreat: 1


                                                                                                                                                                   

Winona - Trainer
Supporter

Search for your deck for up to 3 [C] Pokemon and put them into your hand. Shuffle your deck afterward.


You may play only 1 Supporter card during your turn (before your attack).





                                                                                                                                                                   

Skyfield - Trainer
Stadium

Both players may have up to 8 Benched Pokemon.

If this Stadium card is no longer in play, each player discards their Benched Pokemon (and all cards attached to them) until there are 5 Benched Pokemon left.


This card stays in play when you play it. Discard this card if another Stadium card comes into play. If another card with the same name is in play, you can’t play this card.

                                                                                                                                                                   

M Latios-EX - Dragon - HP220?
Mega Evolution - Evolves from Latios-EX

When 1 of your Pokemon becomes a Mega Evolution, your turn ends.

[W][P][C] Sonic Ace: ???

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Fairy (x2)
Resistance: ?

Retreat: ?
                                                                                                                                                                   

Swampert-EX - Water - HP180
Basic Pokemon

[W][C][C] 40+ damage. Reveal the top 4 cards of your deck. This attack does 40 more damage for each [W] Energy you find. Shuffle the 4 cards back into your deck.
[W][w][C][C] Hydro Tackle: 120 damage. This Pokemon does 20 damage to itself.

When a Pokemon-EX has been Knocked Out, your opponent takes 2 Prize cards.

Weakness: Grass (x2)
Resistance: none

Retreat: 3
                                                                                                                                                                   

Mega Turbo - Trainer
Item

Attach 1 basic Energy card from your discard pile to 1 of your Mega Evolved Pokemon in play.

You may play as many Item cards as you like during your turn (before your attack).




                                                                                                                                                                   

That was a lot of cards! Most of them, though, are pretty bad again. I just want to highlight a few points. Again, a lot of these cards would help the RayquazaDonk deck (the name I just gave to the deck described above). Namely is Sky Field. This card goes way out of the norm and allows you to have eight benched Pokemon, something never even thought of before now. This brings the M Rayquaza EX up to a potential 300 damage on your first turn, an almost unthinkable feat! Additionally, you can also use Mega Turbo to take an energy card from your discard and attack it to one of you Mega Pokemon (such as M Rayquaza), allowing you to cut out the Colress Machine. Winona also allows you to get 3 colorless Pokemon and put them into your hand, helping to fill your bench and get out Rayquaza and M Rayquaza. Other than that, though, there really isn't too much more to this collection of cards and I don't want to go into a whole lot of depth on cards that have little to no function.

Lastly, before I go, they have also revealed two new base decks with this set. One revolves around Articuno, and the other around Zapdos. Wherever Moltres is remains a mystery. Maybe he went rouge...

Well, thanks for reading this complete summary on everything I know about the new set! Stay Tuned!

Sources:

http://pokebeach.com/
 -Fencer6

Pokken!

Hello gaming fans! Fencer6 here with a new post! Today we have news of a new game releasing soon: Pokken. This game is like a Pokemon Street Fighters game. It features Pokemon going up against each other and fighting it out with really good graphics. Before I go into it though, you can view the trailers below to get a feel for yourself!

Alright, so now that you've seen that you can now probably see what this game will look like. I'm not the greatest on Japanese, but after getting some more information on it I find it fairly interesting, First off, this is very different for Nintendo. What we usually know is Pokemon is a time based turn-by-turn attack strategy game where players are limited to certain attacks, the same number of turns, and beyond getting the best Pokemon, choosing who will be on your team, and who will attack with what, the game doesn't have a ton of battle variation or combat, making it much more of a strategy game (not that that is bad). But this takes a different spin on things. Instead, you are thrown into a 360 degree arena forced to fight with different, Pokemon melee style. While I most certainly don't want them to scrap the 'classic' Pokemon style, I find this game interesting in that you are actually fighting with the Pokemon in real time hand-to-hand combat, something I've always wondered about. I mean, if Team Plasma really were all that evil, wouldn't they keep attacking you instead of patiently waiting for you to decide what to do next? Additionally, the graphics in this look pretty amazing, with very extravagant-looking realistic attacks and high-resolution action.

Super cool as this game is, it isn't going to be easy for international fans to play. No, this is not a Japan-only Wii U release. Don't relax yet though. It's worse. Pokken isn't even a console game. It is a Japan exclusive arcade game.  

I know Pikachu. My thoughts exactly. They have yet to announce any release for a console or arcade games outside of Asia, so use on the other side of the world may never get to play this game. But, I think it is an interesting decision at least. Arcades are nearly obsolete nowadays, so to have an actual, bona-fide, get out-out-and-play-with-your-friends-in-a-real-arcade-like-the-80's is kind of cool. For most of us, with we have a game at home we either never play it because we know we can whenevery we want, or we obsessively play it to where it has no excitement to it. But with this, it has a real experience going out and inserting quarters into a machine, being an exciting and rare experience. But, I seriously hope they have a Western release. Please Nintendo? We are dying to play your newest game, and are a great audience to make money off of. The only issue is that we don't have many arcades here after the invention of home gaming, so to find a permant home may be more difficult. But, I can see it finding a place in comic/hobby shops, stores, Pokemon tournaments, and Chucky-Cheese. But, I can't really see Nintendo putting in all the work for this game and not letting the whole world play it. But, there are some interesting features to this game's arcade style. To see an analysis of all the details, see the video below (warning: while this channel is fairly clean when just one person is reviewing, I have heard cuss words before and have not watched the video to it's entire end [although I think would suspect it's fine] so proceed with caution).

First of, what I find most interesting, is the Namco Passport. This allows you to make an account and use your login to access your special Pokemon, trainer and stats. This means that no matter what arcade you go to, your info will be everywhere, like the cloud. Secondly, is the characters. Right now, we don't have the best line up. Lucario, Machamp, Pikachu, Suicine, and Gardevoir is all we have. 

                        

I love that they have very detailed Pokemon with unique statistics, attacks, battle styles, and great detailed art, but the amount simply isn't a good representation of the 700+ Pokedex we have. Not only this, but this particular group just seems... weird. I guess it's just the overwhelming presence of cool colors that's making me feel as though this group isn't very diverse, although out of all the popular Pokemon and legendaries, why they choose Gardevoir and Suicine eludes me. Not to insult Nintendo's choice of characters, but I would have added different ones if it were up to me. But, theis most likely isn't all the Pokemon, considering how cool of a game this seems to be and how many open slots there are for more characters. Almost all of these screenshots are of the demo version, and, similarly to Super Smash Bros 3DS, it most likely does not contain all the characters. Additionally, there are other support Pokemon as well, including Froagadier, Eevee, Emolga, and Lapras, Snivy, and Fenniken (all basic Pokemon), which can attacks, slow down your opponent, or aid your attacks.

                                 

Overall, I think this game is super cool, and am really hoping to be able to experience this internationally. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

Sources: 

http://pokebeach.com/

http://www.serebii.net/

https://www.youtube.com/user/GameXplain

Pokemon/Nintendo images and trailers

Google Images

Star Wars comics

Live long and prosper Star Wars fans! (Lol that would've made a hardcore fan flip out!) Anyway, I have exciting Star Wars news, as well as exciting Marvel comics news! That's because that Marvel is now doing a line of Star Wars comics series that are just releasing!

Can wait for Star Wars Episode VII? While the movie is still a while away, you don't have to wait in order to get new Star Wars content! Marvel has announced three new Star Wars comic series (one of which is a mini-series), all taking place during the rebel era (20 BBY-20 ABY approximately). One series depicts the life of Han, Luke, Leia, and Chewy between episodes four and five. The second depicts the life of Darth Vader around the same time after the destruction of the death star, allowing Star Wars fans to take a look into the side of the Empire. Last is a new mini-series, once more taking place after the destruction of the Empires largest weapon in Yavin, we take a look into the life of Princess Leia after the destruction of Alderaan.

Dark Horse Comics

All three series look fairly interesting. In all honesty I am most excited for Darth Vader's new series, with a new look into the life of a character who is probably the most famous villain of all time and yet also one of the most mysterious (just don't try whatever he does at home kids!). Additionally, it has a very bright, bold and realistic art style to it, while the Star Wars series (middle comic) is more bright-and-cherry while still looking fairly real, and the Leia comic in what appears to be a very cartoonish, rocket-racconish style (referencing the style of the new Rocket Racoon series). 

Excited about the new release? Can't wait for these to come out? Well, you don't have to! The new Darth Vader series has just released its first issue this a few days ago, Star Wars released a month ago and has two issues already out, and Princess Leia... well, that one's scheduled for later this year. Still, I'm am very excited that these issues are already out and I will be able to enjoy them all year! 

To purchase or learn more about these issues, you can go to the following URL's!

Darth Vader: https://comicstore.marvel.com/Darth-Vader-2015/comics-series/35302

'Star Wars': https://comicstore.marvel.com/Star-Wars-2015/comics-series/33133

Princess Leia: https://comicstore.marvel.com/Princess-Leia-2015/comics-series/36742

In all honesty, I'm not shocked that Marvel is making these series. In the past, Dark Horse Comics has been known to publish all Star Wars comics much more than Marvel. But, with Disney's purchase of both Marvel and Star Wars, it was just a matter of time before they jumped back into the business. But there is one thing they all have in common, They all use IV characters. There is a 13,000,138 year long Star Wars history, and yet all character come from the 0 BBY time period (meaning they were alive during the attack on the Death Star). This could be because they wish to get a new generation familiar with the characters of the original trilogy before most of them return in episode 7. 

Whatever the reason, I am very happy about these comic's release, and can't wait to read them. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

Imagine Dragons Smoke + Mirrors

Sup guys! Rocker6 here! Today I have a super exciting new post about Imagine Dragons! I know you guys usually listen to me blog about video games under the name of Fencer6, but today I wanna take a look at some music news and blog as Rocker6. Anyway, my all time favorite band, Imagine Dragons, is releasing a new album called Smoke + Mirrors on February 17! This is there second album since Night Visions, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I am absolutely thrilled to have them releasing a new album so soon! It looks like another Imagine Dragons style album, with various influences of sound. Listening to the previews, I heard some hard-rock, some soft and smooth, some deep and thoughtful, and some everything in between, although I really can't review it until I heard the whole thing several times over.

By the way, did I mention how REALLY excited about this I am? Well, I REALLY am. Imagine Dragons, is really thoughtful and deep, unlike some of there fellow artists whose songs are 90% chorus and really have no meaning, as much as we all like to "shake 'it' off". You can view some of the previews now by clicking on this link and opening it ITunes. Both Shots, Gold, and I Bet My Life have been fully released on ITunes.

Well, until it fully releases, thanks for reading and stay tuned. I can't wait to buy this!

Legend of Zelda TV series!

Hey everyone! Fencer6 here! Today I have some exciting news for fans of the Legend of Zelda (LoZ) franchise. Do you remember the 1990's live action Super Mario Bros. movie that was amazing and very well written?

...

Okay yeah, that movie sucked. But, here's one thing that might excite you: Netflix

Yep! Nintendo is teaming with Netflix in order to bring the Legend of Zelda series to the internet. They're making a live-action television LoZ series!

The show is said to be a 'Game of Thrones for families', making me think they will take the shots very seriously and have sets using actual castles and realistic battle scenes and costumes. But of course, we don't know much yet because... they haven't even actually wrote it.

Yeah, they're still looking for an author. So it could be a while before the show would hit Netflix, if at all. But, a note to Nintendo: If you're looking for a writer, please contact me. I'd be happy to apply!

I, and a lot of LoZ fans I'm sure, am hoping this becomes a reality. I would love Nintendo to try to do these things, as long as they don't totally ruin it. Until more is released on this though, stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

Sources:

http://nintendonews.com/2015/02/live-action-zelda-tv-series-netflix/

Anaheim News!

Sku! Fencer6 theck! That's Ewokese for 'Hello! Fencer6 here!' Today I have some exciting news for fans of the Star Wars series, but won't be able to go to the Star Wars celebration. I will be posting updates from the Star Wars Celebration 7 to my  blog!

That's right! You may have heard about the Star Wars Celebration from a post I released nearly a year ago. It is a convention filled with hardcore Star Wars fans all looking at vendors, artists, props, costumes, and screenings. Well, my family has decided to take a trip all the way from the east coast to California just to go to the celebration. But, I know that tickets are limited and many fans simply can't go to the event. So, I will be posting news, photos, and videos from within the convention center on the Friday and Saturday events. The celebration starts April 16 and ends the 19, although my updates will only be from the 17 & 18.

And, props aren't all. There will be showings from all of the six Star Wars movies, the original trilogy all in 3D. Additionally, there will also be a screening of Star Wars Rebels Season 2 early premier, a Disney XD animated series that takes place between episodes 3 and 4. I will try and post a plot summary for this if I see it, although I will be sure to give a giant SPOILER ALERT before posting. 

I will try to take pictures of everything I can there and post it at the end of each day, as well as a quick synopsis of exciting events that occurred that day. I am also trying to get a public social media account, which I would post important photos to in real time. If I can get this account, I will post the user name to this site. 

Thanks for reading, stay tuned, and may the force be with you! 

Fanbase growing!

Hey guys! Fencer6 here! Today I have some exciting news for the viewers of this blog: we have a pretty large fan-base!

I was looking at my statistics and found a great surprise! We are growing in the number of people viewing this blog! It seems like everyday we have several people view this blog from all over the world, which is very exciting. Yes, I know that the internet is a big place that connects 3 billion people, but just knowing that a few people out there really read my work is amazing. And it isn't just the US either! There are many very loyal viewers all across the world! Namely, Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia, Poland, Australia, the UK, Brazil and Malaysia are some of my largest non-American based viewers in the world. I thank all my viewers for, well being viewers!

And, in honor of that, I am making a promise: there will be at least one post on this blog per week!

This is huge for me. Many times, I go through cycles, making lots of blog posts for one month, and then not typing a word for another. I know this is probably killing my blog, so I will post at least weekly.

And no, this is not just a 'I'm gonna try' thing. Because, if I want a successful website, then there is no try. There is only do, or do not. And I'm going to do. I promise. If I decide to stop this policy one day, then I will make a formal blog-post announcement, although I plan to stick to this for a while at least.

Thank you, all of my viewers. I hope you like this. Please stay tuned, and have a great night.

-UPDATE-

This has ended. For my latest posts, please visit fencer6blog.blogspot.com. Thank you, and sorry.

Terraria for Wii U!

Hey guys! Today I have some exciting news for you from GameFly and Amazon. We may be getting Terraria for Nintendo Wii U and 3DS!

If you don't know what Terraria is, it's a 2D sandbox game that shares many similarities to MineCraft, except that it has more of a fighting and quest aspect to it with goals to accomplish and bosses to defeat. If you have never heard of it, I would recommend going to http://terraria.org/ and learning more.

Anyways, Terraria has always been known for being on lots of platforms. It is an Android, Samsung, and IOS app; it is a PC game; it is for the the Plays Station and PS Vista; and it is on XBox. But, similarly to MineCraft, what is it leaving out: Nintendo. I have a feeling this is more of a Nintendo problem than a Terraria one. Nintendo has always had a very closed off market, with games not exclusively Nintendo produced being limited. But, that may soon change.

GameFly, a videogame rental website, recently added Terraria for Wii U and 3DS to its lineup of games. This immediately makes on think that the game could be in the process of being released. While it was soon take off of GameFly's website, it is now listed on Amazons website. It has no picture, has a price of $29.99 (not thirty, its 29.99 *eyeroll-at-cheap-selling-techniques*), and is expected for release on October 31, 2015 which can be seen by going to http://www.amazon.com/Terraria-nintendo-wii-u/dp/B00SMOAH2W. 

Oh, and there is one last really exciting piece of news regarding the release of this new game: It's gift wrap available! Nothing makes one happier to tear open a gift wrapped package so hey- might as well!

While it may be a while to wait, I am very excited for the possibility of this great platformer hitting my favorite videogame company of all time: Nintendo (even if I do already have the mobile and PC version). While I may not get it, I'm thrilled Nintendo may begin ushering in new and popular 3rd party games, which could both benefit gamers and Nintendo's industry. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading!

Source(s):

http://nintendonews.com/2015/01/terraria-wii-u-nintendo-3ds-amazon/

Packaging Problems

Mario's gone bald with stress, Peace has had both of here legs removed after a lava-incident in Bowser's castle, Star Fox had his arm blown off in an explosion on the Wolfen II, Luigi got his hand stuck in the poltergeist 3000, and Samus got a suit upgrade after deciding that one arm cannon wasn't enough. Or, that's at least what Nintendo's Amiibo figures would lead us to believe.

 

  

The images above are all factory defects. If really starting to think that Skylander-like figures just
aren't Nintendo's thing. I have seen almost no defects in Skylanders figures, but Nintendo seems to be messing them up like mad. Not that this isn't advantages for consumers. Lots of the owners of these defective Amiibo made some massive money! The owner of the Samus figure with three arm cannons got $2,500 for the thirteen buck toy, and the legless Peach sold for a whopping 1,000% percent more at $25,000!!! Quite frankly, I don't know why anyone would want to blow 25 grand on a broken toy. Sure, it's rare and collectible, but I just think these defects just look ugly. Oh well. At least they're helping the economy, I guess. Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!

Gamecube adapter discontinued?!

Rumor has it- eww! Rumor has it- eww! Rumor has it- eww! Hello gamers! Today we have a particularly pesky rumor going around regarding the GameCube controller adapter for Wii U. According to a tweet from a Canadian video game retailer, the Marth, Villager, and Wii Fit Trainer amibos as well as the GameCube controller adapter have all been discontined.

While I find this hard to believe, they are Canadians. And, not only this, but GameStop also lists the adapters as 'not available'. When Nintendo News called GameStop, they said "demand for the product currently outweighs its production, but we will receive more when Nintendo makes more." Does this mean Nintendo really has discontinued these products? It sure does seem like it.

Screenshot of GameStop website at
http://www.gamestop.com/wii-u/accessories/wii-u-gamecube-adapter/115426

If this really is the case, I'm going to be peed. Nintendo got all of us diehard fans of the GC controller all siked for this and then they swipe it away before it's even the holiday season. I haven't gotten a copy of SSB for Wii U, but I was hoping I might receive it as a Christmas gift or get it afterwards. While I could handle using the 3DS, Wii U gamepad, or Wii U Classic Controller (although they are way overpriced and I don't plan on buying one soon) it just isn't the same as that classic GC feel that I used with my first SSB and Mario Kart game. I hope this is just a temporary shortage, similar to the Skylanders famine a few years back.

Whether or not this rumor turns out to be true, I hope you stay tuned as we hope for the best. Thanks for reading!

Sources:
http://nintendonews.com/2014/12/gamecube-controller-adapter-discontinued/

Battle Pokemon in real life (well, sorta)

Hello trainers! Now, tell me. When you're running around in the Pokemon universe, do you ever wish you could battle Pokemon for real? Of course you have (unless the Pokemon felt pain from their battling, in which case it wouldn't be worth it). Well, now you can[ish]! Well, ok you can't exactly do it in real life. But a new fan project called Pokemon VR is getting us one step closer!

They are programming their own application for the Oculus Rift. While it may not be perfect, it's very impressive. The way it is made, the graphics are seamlessly 3D and looks as if you're right there in the Pokemon world. It isn't perfect, and is a little shaky, but the idea seems pretty cool. I really want Oculus to make some sort of glove or sleeve that would let you control the game with your arm and hand instead of a controller, but I'll give that some time.

Overall I think this is really cool and is the beginning to being able to play your favorite video games in (what appears as) real life. Thanks for reading, and check out the video below for more info (although I have not watched it the whole way through so there is a small possibility that it may not be 100% perfectly clean, although I doubt it would have anything bad).

                                   

Sources:

http://nintendonews.com/2014/12/pokemon-vr-oculus-rift/

Majora’s Mask 3D announced

Hello Gamers! Fencer6 here with some new Legend of Zelda news! LoZ has been possibly one on Nintendo's biggest hit series, after Mario and Pokemon of course. Two of the greatest hits for the series originally debuted on the N64, Nintendo's second home console it made (excluding other NES versions and the Virtual Boy, which was really cruddy). But, since many people don't own these devices, although they do have the 3DS, Nintendo ported an updated version of The Ocarina of Time, the best selling LoZ game of all time, to the new system. Well, in the latest Nintendo Direct, Majora's Mask was announced to be ported over in the same way to the 3DS as well.

It appears that the new game will have a few touch ups on the standard graphics, as well as be given a 3D effect, but otherwise will stay true to the original game. I'm not quite sure if I will get this though, since I already own an N64 and would rather get the feel for the original. For more info you can see the trailer below. Thanks for watching, and keep checking back until the world meets a terrible fate!

           

Sources:

http://nintendonews.com/2014/11/majoras-mask-3d-spring-2015/

http://www.zelda.com/majoras-mask/

Noteworthy Nintendo Numbers!

Hello gamers! Sorry it's taken me so long to get out another post! I've been doing Nanowrimo which you can learn about here. But today we have some astonishing numbers from Nintendo.

Super Smash

352,945 years ago, humans didn't exist. But in just two months, we gamers have spent that much time on the new Super Smash bros game alone. The amount of total hours of people playing SSB for 3DS and Wii U is over three billion! And this statistic was released when the Wii U version was only released in North America (that's right, we actually received it before Japan)! We have spent 356 millenia just playing a new video game in the past two months alone!

I have no regrets.

Those aren't the only surprising numbers either, as of November 25. Players playing the new smashes have already spent 47,825,359 pieces of gold on bets, received 16,090,871,592 damage (assumably over internet only), played 13,252,084 online battles, and have gotten 160,929,807 KOs.

Mario

If there is one thing I found cool about New Super Mario Bros 2 for 3DS, it was the tons of coins you could find and add to your own personal giant coin counter. This number isn't completely personal, though, because that as soon as you connect to the internet your coin count is added to the international counter on the New Super Mario Bros. 2 website. The current coin value has reached 1,811,555,509,008, nearly 2 trillion coins! Assuming each coin is worth one U.S. dollar, you could buy Google, Twitter, Nintendo, Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, and Facebook, with still a trillion to spare. But that isn't all. It has been calculated that each mario gold coin is worth...

$508,000!!!

That means that, in real life, players have earned 9.2 *  10¹⁷ a number so large my calculator couldn't display it. This equals 920,000,000,000,000,000, or 920 quadrillion. Let that sink in for a minute. The estimated value of Earth is around 4,720,440,000,000. So yes. If you wanted to, you could buy the Earth 230,000 times over. This is so much money that if you had it in one dollar bills you would have a pile the size of 460,000 empire state buildings.

                                 

And to think, all of that money was just shooting out of drain pipes.

Sources:

http://nintendonews.com/2014/11/total-smash-bros-play-time-3-billion-hours/

http://newsupermariobros2.nintendo.com/

http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/27/mario-coin-calculato/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1361145/Earth-worth-3-000-trillion-according-scientists-new-planet-valuing-formula.html

New 3DS update

Hey guys! Fencer6 here! Today I'm going to be talking about thew 3DS update. Usually, when the 3DS gets an update very few things change and we really don't notice. But with the 9.0.0-20 U (yeah, they couldn't just call it 9.0.1-it has to have a fancy 20-U) it changes things a considerable bit. Before we get into the cool stuff here are a few tidbits about the update-

1. You can now take screenshots of your home menu (yay?)
2. The Eshop has been 'improved' to make it easier for you to see demos, videos, and user reviews of new games (so basically more free advertising for them)
3. Just random minor stability improvements. 

OK, now here's the cool part- they now have changeable homescreen themes. These themes can change the home screen look, sounds, and button sprites!

 

Pre-installed in the update are asic: Red, Basic: Blue, Basic: Yellow, Basic: Pink, and Basic: Black, but lots of other super cool ones are available for purchase in the new 'Theme Shop'. Below is a list of all available themes. 

1. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Main Theme background music)
2. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Seven Swords background music)
3. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Beyond Blue Morph background music)
4. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Fog Clock background music)
5. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Door Morph background music)
6. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Pain background music)
7. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Burning background music)
8. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Red Mayfly background music)
9. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Moon Route background music)
10. Azure Striker: Gunvolt (Reincarnation background music)
11. Youkai Watch
12. Famicom Series Jump Mario
13. Mario
14. Luigi
15. Peach
16. Yoshi
17. Mushrooms
18. Blue & Yellow Big Dot
19. Pink & Green Big Dot
20. Animal Crossing Isabelle’s Office
21. Animal Crossing Mabel Able
22. Animal Crossing Sable Able
23. Animal Crossing Timmy & Tommy
24. Animal Crossing Bulletin Board
25. Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
26. Hanafuda Art
27. Circular Mario
28. Circular Bowser
29. Circular Peach
30. Circular Rosalina
31. Mario Characters (Wood Grain)
32. Mario Characters (Felt)
33. Black & White Checkered Flag
34. Black & White Border
35. Black & White Dots
36. Gold & White Dots
37. Gold & Black Star Pattern
38. Yellow & Purple Star Pattern
39. Aqua Blue Checkered Pattern
40. Pink & White Stripes
41. Simple Clear Color Set (Volume No. 1)
42. Simple Color Set (Volume No. 1)
43. Okiraku Family Set
44. Escape Adventure
45. Bureiburu
46. Monster Hunter 4G (characters)
47. Monster Hunter 4G (icons)

That's an entire 47 themes, and they're still adding more*!

They all look pretty cool, and I can't wait to try them out!

CODE RED! CODE RED! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY! MINECRAFT HAS BEEN BOUGHT!

The apocalypse is upon us. This is it. This is the end of Minecraft as we know it. Microsoft has- I can't even bring myself to say it. They've, they've-bought Minecraft.

                              

I have no words. Actually, I have a lot. Most of them just can't be written on this website to keep it kid friendly.

But seriously- I CANT BELIEVE THIS! How could this happen?! Notch, you've betrayed us! The entire company of Mojang was sold to Microsoft for a total of 2.5 billion dollars. According to them, the reason that they sold the company was because, quite frankly, Notch couldn't handle it. He was overwhelmed by the major responsibility of owning Minecraft, and he has been looking to sell it for quite some time now. They claim they have partnered with Microsoft since 2012 and that they have a great dedication to the game, and they hope they can give it the improvement it deserves. Honestly though, I don't know a ton of ways they could improve on it. I certainly don't want them changing the entire game, but with a company as big as Microsoft I don't think we can avoid it.

                                   
Whether we like it or not, Minecraft is officially in ownership of Microsoft. If Mojang seems so confident in them, maybe they won't completely mess up the game. But still, I have always like that Mojang was a small company owned by just a few people, and was more concerned with the gaming community than money. Maybe 1.8 was the last update we will ever use again. Maybe Microsoft will redeem itself (because after Windows 8 they really need a win). No one knows, but I hope Microsoft will respect the integrity of Minecraft. Even still, something tells me that the PlayStation and Mac versions of Minecraft might not be seeing an update any time soon. Until next time, the is Fencer6, sadly signing off.

Originally posted October 6th

Super Smash for 3DS demo released!

Hey guys, Fencer6 here, and I have exciting SSB news! The Super Smash Bros. 3DS demo has finally hit the North American EShop, and it is awesome! The graphics are amazing, unlike any smash game ever before and the fighting style simple and addictive fun.

The only issue with the demo is, well, its only a demonstration. You get access to only five characters- Mega Man, Link (my favorite), Pikachu, Villager, and Mario, which was a little disappointing. Additionally, you only have access to one stage (the blandest one in the entire game). There are many other, more interesting characters you can choose from, but at least they included Link. Now I am dying to purchase the full game (which is probably the whole point of the demo). Thankfully, though, it comes out on the 3rd of October, which is now less then a week away. If you are interested in the game at all I would recommend you check it out for yourself. Overall, it is a really amazing demo, and I hope to have a video and more in-depth look into it soon, so stay tuned!

Originally posted September 17

Not again... Another new 3DS.

Hey guys, Fencer6 here We have some fairly big news from Nintendo. They're coming out with a new handheld console! Great right? Well, not really. It's just another model of the 3DS. We have had the original 3DS, then the 3DS XL, then the 2DS. Not even to mention the fact that we had the original DS, then the DS lite, then the DS Xl, then the DSI. We have had 7 models of the DS already, and now we have our eighth. The new 3DS and 3DS XL.

So what does this "New 3DS" have to offer? Well, for starters it will have another joystick, as you can see with the small joystick seen above the XYAB keys (honestly though I think it is to tiny to be much help to you), called the C stick, similar to the C joystick on the GameCube controller. It will be able to control minor things like camera angles and such, which would make hardcore games like RPGs anf thing easier. Additionally, the new 3DS will also have two new "shoulder buttons" like the L and R buttons, and my guess is these will act pretty much the same as the ZR and ZL buttons on the Wii U gamepad.

Finishing with the external details the new 3DS will also include a general 'updated' look to it, with the start and select buttons returning to the right side similar to the original DS and leaving the home button at the center, a third light at the bottom which we have yet to know what it means (although all pictures have it turned off), and the volume control has been moved up the top left side alongside the 3D control. 

But the exciting part of the new 3ds comes with what it can do internally. It has improved graphics, a longer battery life, a camera upgrade, and the ability to use micro SD cards. While I prefer a normal SD over micro, the rest of the features are quite interesting. I love the Wii Us HD, and while Nintendo has yet to reveal how much higher the graphics are I would love to see it have an HD display, because even phones are now getting quad-HD screens, so I think it's time for Nintendo to step up it's game. Additionally, the extra battery life sounds really awesome considering how fast the normal 3DS dies without an extra power source. What I really want to know though is how much extra battery life it has. I would love them to double the battery span of the 3DS, but doubt they would do this. It may just be a little bit of extra juice just so they can say it has more battery power for the ads, but I doubt they would do that. I mean, when have the ads ever looked cooler than the actual product?

 

Anyway, while these upgrades are obviously to attract more hardcore gamers and 3rd party developers, I can't say I will be getting one. Honestly, I would rather spend my money on a Playstation than just another 3DS model. But, there is one feature that may be a deciding factor for many people- it will have its own exclusive games. 

Now a lot of you out there are probably really mad with Nintendo because you just bought your shiny new 3DS and now you need a new system to play the newest games. I really doubt that there will be too many of these though. The DSI, which added many new features, as well as the ability to have exclusive games. And how many did it have. 3. Thats right, just 3. My guess is that very few games will be released for the new 3DS exclusively, and they will most likely be cruddy Eshop titles or other minigames. There is no way that they would ever make a large game only playable on the new system, so I wouldn't worry about it. And there is no way that a 3rd party would ever make a game exclusive for this system because that they know so few people will have it. But, many RPGs will probably include special features for some of the new upgrades, although if your tight on cash this new system is really no reason to roll out a couple hundred bucks.

Overall, while I think these new systems are cool, they probably won't be anything Earth shattering for the Nintendo community. If your 3DS is beat up and your a hardcore gamer who wants an XL for a bigger screen, and you have pretty deep pockets, I say go for it, but otherwise I would recommend most people to not to waste money on this new model if they already own a perfectly good one (I'm looking at you, person who lines up outside the Apple store to pay $700 dollars for the newest IPhone model even though you just got a new one like six months ago). Stay tuned for more info on this new model and tons of other Nintendo news, reviews, playthroughs, and how-tos!