Together At Last – Jasmine Joins Aladdin in Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition)
Princess Jasmine now joins her one true love Aladdin to create a whole new world in Disney Infinity Toy Box 2.0.
From within the walls of the Sultan’s palace in Agrabah, Princess Jasmine leaps into acrobatic action and combats her way into Toy Box 2.0. With the help of a magic carpet, Jasmine can summon desert winds to keep enemies at bay. Jasmine will be joining a variety of Disney fan favorites, including the popular Marvel Super Heroes, and hundreds of themed items, locations, props, vehicles and more to create all-new adventures born from the imagination of players.
Fans can purchase Jasmine individually for $13.99 or in the Aladdin Toy Box Pack for $29.99.
The Aladdin Toy Box Pack includes:
(1) Jasmine Disney Infinity figure
(1) Aladdin Disney Infinity figure
(2) Aladdin-themed Power Discs – “Jasmine’s Palace View” and “The Sands of Agrabah”
Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) is rated E-10+ by the ESRB. Additional characters will be hitting North American stores in the coming months.
Disney Interactive has launched the free Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 app for iPad and – for the first time – iPhone. The app, which is a new addition to the Disney Infinity game universe, features all of the tools and enhanced features of Toy Box 2.0 from Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition), as well as all-new multiplayer functionality so mobile gamers can create one-of-a-kind Toy Boxes together using their favorite Marvel and Disney characters, vehicles, settings and items. The game also utilizes the iOS 8 Metal graphics engine’s processing power to deliver a seamless play experience across console and iOS devices.
“With the Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 app, we wanted to give our fans the chance to build and play console-quality Toy Boxes on their tablets and smart phones, and Metal allows us to offer the highest-quality Disney Infinity experience, whether players are already on console or coming to the game exclusively through their mobile devices,” said John Blackburn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Infinity. “Disney Infinity’s mobile players have been some of our most engaged in our community, with iPad users downloading and uploading more Toy Boxes than all other platforms combined over the past year.”
Following is a detailed list of game features:
Toy Box 2.0 anywhere – Ability to transfer creations cross-platform for further editing and play
Bring on the Super Heroes – Marvel Super Heroes come to Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 with some of Marvel’s most memorable characters from The Avengers, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy universes.
Optimized for Metal – Full Metal optimization provides higher quality graphics and gameplay performance to near-console quality on compatible iOS devices.
Multiplayer functionality – Players can now build and play simultaneously in a Toy Box on their mobile devices online with Wi-Fi connection.
Toy Box Games – Gamers can now play the included, fast-paced Toy Box Games or even create their own games to share with friends.
New features in Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 – New tools that make it easier to create and customize worlds and games, daily challenges, and the ability to customize INteriors
Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 for iOS is available now as a free download from http://di.sn/6004Izzy. Three characters are always free to play at any one time and will rotate often. All of the characters from across the Disney Infinity universe, which includes Disney Infinity and Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes, are playable in Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 for iOS. Purchases from Disney Infinity: Toy Box for iPad will carry forward into Disney Infinity: Toy Box 2.0 for iPhone and iPad with the player’s DisneyID./
Universal Studios HollywoodSM shifts into high gear with the debut of an innovative, national 30-second commercial for its summer 2015 launch of the “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” thrill ride during NBC’s Super Bowl Pre-Game coverage on Sunday, February 1, 2015.
The gripping spot will jump-start Universal Studios Hollywood’s campaign for the eagerly-anticipated opening of “Fast & Furious—Supercharged,” a high-octane, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride and new grand finale to the world-famous Studio Tour.
“What better place is there than the Super Bowl to launch a campaign where millions of viewers huddle for non-stop, edge-of-your-seat suspense,” said Larry Kurzweil, President, Universal Studios Hollywood. “In just 30, thrilling seconds, our compelling spot resonates with the exhilaration this immersive thrill ride will deliver when it opens at Universal Studios Hollywood this summer.”
“Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will reunite stars from the Fast & Furious series in a groundbreaking mega-attraction, conceived as a new installment to the dynamic film franchise that can only be experienced at The Entertainment Capital of L.A. Featuring Vin Diesel (Dominic “Dom” Toretto), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz), Dwayne Johnson (Luke Hobbs), Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce) and Luke Evans (Owen Shaw), “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will catapult guests into the high-stakes underground world of fast cars in a harrowing escapade to save one of their own from an international crime cartel.
The dynamic hydraulic motion-based ride will tell an original Fast & Furious story that fuses sophisticated hyper-realistic special effects with a state-of-the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery, projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360-degree screen. Spanning nearly 400 feet in length to encircle Studio Tour guests within a newly constructed 65,000-square-foot structure on the legendary backlot, the sprawling custom-built screen will employ 34, 4K projectors and a sophisticated projection configuration system to fully envelope guests in unprecedented realism.
Coupled with an intense blend of thrilling visceral effects, “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” will take guests on a wild ride that begins the moment they board the Studio Tour. Exclusive interstitial content, filmed with the cast members, will be featured on the tram monitors highlighting interactions as they engage guests en route to the ride’s climatic scenes. Along the tram route and featured at the ride, sightings of numerous prop cars from the Fast & Furious series, including Dom’s iconic Dodge Charger, will enhance the story.
The adventure will culminate with spectacular action sequences that send guests careening through the streets of Los Angeles—at perceived speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour—aided by the elite team of unforgettable heroes.
FANTASTIC FOUR, a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team, centers on four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways.
Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.
It’s very interesting taking in this new teaser. The first thing of note is how different it looks stylistically from Fox’s first two Fantastic Four films, which may be a blessing in disguise. However, there’s a small worry that maybe the tone of the film is too far in the other direction this time around, being incredibly serious and gritty, moving too far away from the campy nature of the first two. Hopefully it’s just the way the teaser plays out, and the movie doesn’t feel as bleak as the teaser shows. It really gives a very strong Interstellar vibe, and this really does feel different than any other comic book films out there right now.
The one thing that I will say is it feels like it’ll be a nice compliment to Fox’s X-Men series, which will be great if they manage to merge the two brands together down the line. It’ll be interesting to see if they manage that, because I like what Trank seems to have envisioned here. The film looks gorgeous, and his cast is fantastic. There’s so much great talent in front of and behind the camera, that this could end up being one of the biggest surprises of the year. We just have to hope that everything comes together, and all those rumors of behind the scenes turmoil were false, because this film could end up being very special.
Fantastic Four, starring Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, and Toby Kebbell, is set to be released on August 7, 2015.
Spy movies are a dime a dozen. There’s so many, you have to be truly unique to standout for the audience to take notice. Matthew Vaughn has not only taken the challenge, but he may have just made every other spy series obsolete with Kingsman: The Secret Service. The film has the DNA of the Roger Moore era James Bond films, turning the tropes level up to 11, and letting the violence and insanity of it all play out in a way we’ve never quite seen before. It’s a loving send up to the spy genre in the same way that Vaughn similarly did to the superhero genre with Kick-Ass, but this really feels like the stronger film.
Vaughn has a very particular eye and outlook, and his films always feel different than all the others around. Kingsman feels like it has caffeine flowing through its veins, because from its opening moments, the movie doesn’t stop, never lets up, and just gets crazy. There’s a frantic nature to it that actually feels similar to that of what Wright did with The Cornetto trilogy and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and that nature really carries the film. The self aware nature of it all really helps as well, because it really gives the film the chance to be over the top, cheesy, and completely ridiculous, but we completely buy into it all. Even if there’s absolutely no way that the most over the top scenes could happen, Vaughn made the film so dynamic and fun, it feels like it could happen in this world.
But this also has a fantastic cast that helps flesh out the world as well. Colin Firth is having a blast as Harry Hart, and the role is so different than what we’re used to seeing him in, which makes it that much more fun. Seeing Mr. Darcy shooting people and causing mayhem makes it all that much sweeter. This film really belongs to Taron Egerton, who plays Eggsy, a charming and fantastic relative newcomer who turns out to be one of the film’s biggest highlights. He’s very charismatic, manages to go toe-to-toe with Firth, Jackson, Strong, and Caine, and still shines. He’s definitely a rising, and it’s great Vaughn discovered him. His character learns and grows so much, really getting fleshed out by the time the credits close, and his transformation is feels natural, as well as earned.
A good spy movie is only as good as its villain though, and Samuel L. Jackson’s Valentine and his henchwoman Gazelle are two of the most fun villains in some time. Jackson’s Valentine character is the stereotypical Bond villain, but he has a small quirk: he hates violence and blood. It’s hilarious, and it makes the character so much fun to watch. It helps that the cheesy nature of the character with the lisp and his whole outlook is just insane, you can’t help but love him even though he’s completely crazy. Gazelle has a great presence as well, thanks to Sofia Boutella and the character’s cool sword legs. These archetypes are so fitting from what we expect from a Bond film, seeing them being so overdone is absolutely ridiculous and fun.
Really though, you can’t talk about a spy film without mentioning the action, and Vaughn brings that in spades here. Kingsman features some of the most well put together, exciting, and flat out fun set pieces that have been on film in some time. There’s just a real crazy nature to it all, and every action scene is different, well choreographed, and memorable. The actors really throw themselves into it all, and you can tell they had a blast. It’s that feel that also gives the film it’s semi off kilter humor, which should be expected from any Vaughn film.
Kingsman: The Secret Service is violent, offensive, funny, and absolutely crazy, everything you could want from a Matthew Vaughn spy film. The film is an almost satirical look at the Bond series, and it works so well. Filled with spectacular action, a great cast led by Firth and Egerton, this is one of the best surprises in some time. Vaughn has continually proved what a spectacular filmmaker he is, and this may be his strongest offering yet. This movie deserves a lot of love, and it’s great to see a hard R rated action film in theaters again.
Bikini Bottom fans can venture off the beaten path with the all-new SpongeBob SquarePants game, SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run, based on the upcoming The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, in theaters February 6. Launching today globally, the app is an endless runner mobile game available for iOS, Android and Amazon app stores.
In the app, SpongeBob and Plankton are racing to find the lost Krabby Patty formula in 3 seaworthy locations including Bikini Bottom, Apocalyptic Bikini Bottom and a real-world beach. When he is not running, SpongeBob is flying past obstacles with Plankton’s jetpack, floating in a bubble through a coral forest, racing through Bikini Bottom in the Patty Wagon, or has Plankton jumping through his surreal imagination. When the running gets tough, SpongeBob gets heroic as he transforms into Super SpongeBob. The new upgrade allows SpongeBob to knock through any obstacle in his way without risk.
Features:
Customize SpongeBob with unique costumes like Caveman and Pirate
Run through iconic locations including Bikini Bottom, Apocalyptic Bikini Bottom and on a beach
Power up with Plankton using shields and magnets
Become Super SpongeBob and knock everything out of SpongeBob’s path
Hilarious dialog between SpongeBob and his arch-rival Plankton
Compare distance and scores after your run with other players
Custom animation and voice-overs with SpongeBob and Plankton created just for the game
SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run was developed by Playside Studios, creators of the App Store’s Worldwide Editor’s Choice game Catch the Ark.
Club Penguin, the #1 virtual world for kids on web and mobile, has been taken over by the evil Empire, and it is up to penguin citizens to join the growing rebellion and strike back against the Imperial forces. For a limited time starting January 22, Club Penguin will be transformed into Lothal, home planet of the hit Star Wars Rebels™ TV show, and players are challenged to prove their skills in a variety of special Star Wars Rebels quests to save the Island. As they fight the evil Empire, members will be able to dress up in new Star Wars™-themed outfits like Agent Kallus, Vizago, R2-D2 helmets for puffles and many more.
Throughout the event, players will be tasked with missions from Ezra Bridger, Zeb Orrelios, Hera Syndulla, and Kanan Jarrus of the Ghost crew and earn special Star Wars Rebels-themed items along the way. Members can use their virtual coins to buy Star Wars-themed outfits from the Penguin Style catalog, shop for galactic furniture and igloos and earn special Star Wars Rebels costumes for their efforts. Members will also be able to earn different Lightsabers™ with unique moves that they can use in epic duels. Once proving their rebellious skills to the Ghost crew by completing special tasks, players must ultimately take on the nefarious Inquisitor.
Players can join the rebellion from January 22 to February 4 on ClubPenguin.com and in the Club Penguin app on iOS and Android devices. . Star Wars Rebels airs Monday nights at 9pm ET/PT on Disney XD.
Disney Interactive has launched Disney Inquizitive, a new free iOS app for fans of Disney quizzes. Disney quizzes have had stellar success on the web with more than 35 million unique users having taken quizzes since their launch on Disney Blogs in March 2014 and more than half of all site visits to Disney Blogs stemming from quiz content. The app now gives quiz fans a single destination to take their favorite Disney quizzes in a native mobile experience.
Building on the traditional quiz experience, Disney Inquizitive tracks the outcomes of the quizzes, letting users build unique personality profiles with every question they answer. The app also lets players see which quizzes their friends are taking and compare results in-app or via Facebook.
The app features categories such as Fantasy & Villains, House of Mouse, Action & Adventure, Style, Love & Friendship, and Throwback. More than 60 quizzes are already live, including:
Who is Your Lion King Spirit Animal?
Which Disney Princess Should Be Your BFF?
Which Golden Girl Are You?
Who Should Be You Star Wars Sidekick?
Which Pretty Little Liar is Your Style Twin?
Which Disneyland Ride Are You?
Disney Interactive is always looking to introduce new ways for consumers to engage with their favorite Disney stories and characters, Disney first started publishing quizzes on the Disney Blogs on Disney.com in March of 2014.
Disney Consumer Products has unveiled exclusive details about the new global toy lines celebrating Disney∙Pixar’s Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, debuting theatrically in the U.S. on June 19, 2015, and Nov. 25, 2015, respectively. Both movies will have robust toy lines from best-in-class licensee TOMY, whose innovative approach, strength in international markets and ability to reflect Pixar’s unique storytelling in its product lines made them the ideal choice for Pixar Animation Studios’ most exciting year yet.
“We put our hearts into these films, so it’s incredibly important to us that our toy-making partners care about and do justice to these characters we know so well,” said John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer, Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios. “When I visited TOMY’s headquarters in Japan, I was impressed by their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The toys they’ve created for ‘Inside Out’ and ‘The Good Dinosaur’ are fantastic – they’ve truly brought our characters to life.”
TOMY’s toy line for Inside Out is inspired by the humor, visual style and whimsical elements within the film. The poseable character figures have light up features and all of the toys allow for self-expression and re-creation of key movie moments. The broad toy range for The Good Dinosaur appeals to kids of all ages, for both action figure play and more sophisticated remote control walking and talking. The unique characteristics of the film’s dinosaurs, such as how they move and run, are reflected in the toy line, and several working models were built and shared with filmmakers to get the movements just right. Additionally, RFID technology allows the characters to interact as they do in the film, bringing their unique personalities and stories to life.
“With the debut of Cars in 2006, we introduced personality and humor to toy vehicles adding a new dimension of storytelling to an established play pattern, and lifting the entire category at retail. Dinosaurs have always fascinated kids and we believe Pixar’s unique take on our prehistoric friends will have a similar impact on the way they play with them in the future,” said Josh Silverman, executive vice president global licensing, Disney Consumer Products.
Pixar films have a strong track record of success at the box office and at retail. 20 years after the theatrical release of Toy Story in 1995, a film that transformed the animation industry and jumpstarted a billion dollar toy franchise, Pixar stories and characters hold a unique place in audience’s hearts and kids’ toy boxes. Toy Story 3 holds the title of the second biggest animated film of all time reaching more than $1 billion in global box office sales. The iconic 12 inch Buzz Lightyear action figures have sold in excess of 10 million units globally over the past decade.
This summer Disney Consumer Products will roll out a special toy line to celebrate Toy Story’s 20th anniversary that will include a broad assortment of characters in a collectible figure range, favorite characters in action figure form and true-to-film talking versions of Buzz, Woody and Jessie.
During a Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo announced that the New Nintendo 3DS XL system will launch in the U.S. on Feb. 13 at a suggested retail price of $199.99. New Nintendo 3DS XL offers a number of new enhancements designed to offer the smoothest and most engrossing portable gaming possible. New Nintendo 3DS XL features a wider range of controls with the addition of a C Stick and ZL/ZR buttons, super-stable 3D via face-tracking technology and built-in NFC functionality that allows for communication with amiibo figures.
“We are only a couple of weeks into 2015, and Nintendo is already starting the year off with a bang,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With New Nintendo 3DS XL coming very soon and an enormous library of exclusive Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games launching throughout the coming months, it has never been a better time to be a Nintendo fan.”
All of the new features of New Nintendo 3DS XL make it the ideal way to experience upcoming portable games like The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., as well as all other existing Nintendo 3DS software. The system also enhances certain games like Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS with amiibo functionality, faster processing speeds and more control options when compared to the Nintendo 3DS system. In addition to the standard hardware in New Red and New Black, two other New Nintendo 3DS XL designs will be available at launch: a system featuring artwork inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D and one based on Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate available exclusively at GameStop with the game pre-installed. The three stand-alone New Nintendo 3DS XL models and the Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate bundle will all be available on Feb. 13 at suggested retail prices of $199.99 and $229.99, respectively.
In addition to the New Nintendo 3DS XL news, Nintendo also revealed the Feb. 13 launch date of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, a new game in the Fire Emblem series, a line of amiibo featuring classic characters from the Super Mario series, the arrival of amiibo compatibility in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and many details about upcoming Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including Code Name: S.T.E.A.M., Splatoon, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse and Mario Party 10.
Nintendo 3DS
New Fire Emblem Game: The latest game in the Fire Emblem series is coming exclusively to the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Developed by the same team that created Fire Emblem Awakening, the new adventure adds challenges never before seen in the series and asks players to make decisions that will affect the game’s world in new ways.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate from Capcom: Play alone in a robust single-player experience, join up to three other players locally or, for the first time on a portable system, play online using a wireless broadband Internet connection. Starting soon, select players will receive early access to a demo for the game that includes both single- and multiplayer options. A special-edition New Nintendo 3DS XL bundle, which includes a slick custom-designed system and a copy of the game, launches on Feb. 13 alongside the game’s release.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS amiibo Compatibility: In February, a new system update will allow amiibo support for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS using the Super Smash Bros. series of amiibo and the NFC technology built in to the New Nintendo 3DS XL system. The previously announced NFC adapter for amiibo support on Nintendo 3DS will launch in the future.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3D: In April, a remake of the well-received Xenoblade Chronicles game for the Wii system is launching exclusively for New Nintendo 3DS XL. The new version offers 3D visuals and allows players to view the maps and character stats on the bottom screen. An additional bonus mode lets players view 3D models of the characters and listen to music tracks from the game.
Puzzle & Dragons Z / Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition: Based on the popular Puzzle & Dragons game – a game with RPG and strategy elements that previously launched in Japan – Puzzle & Dragons Z and Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition will launch as one package for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in May. Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition features characters and worlds from the Super Mario Bros. series.
Code Name: S.T.E.A.M.: A month after the launch of New Nintendo 3DS XL, Abraham Lincoln will bring together heroes from classic literature and American folklore to fend off an alien invasion. Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. launches for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 13 and is one of the first Nintendo 3DS games to use amiibo. By tapping an existing Fire Emblem amiibo character like Marth or Ike, or an upcoming one like Robin or Lucina, on the touch screen of the New Nintendo 3DS XL system, players can enlist their help in battle as playable characters.
Etrian Mystery Dungeon: From ATLUS and Spike Chunsoft comes a Nintendo 3DS exclusive that combines the game play of the Etrian Odyssey and Mystery Dungeon RPG series. The game launches this spring and gives players the freedom to create their own party of heroes and then embark on a near-infinite loot-hunting quest.
Story of Seasons from Marvelous USA and XSEED Games: Combining farming and life simulation, Story of Seasons connects players with other lands across the in-game world and with other players online. The game launches exclusively for Nintendo 3DS in March.
Pokémon Shuffle: Launching exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS in February, Pokémon Shuffle finds players putting their puzzle-solving skills to the test by matching three or more Pokémon in the Puzzle Area to deal damage as they battle wild Pokémon across a variety of stages. Clearing Pokémon efficiently is the key to success. Players can download and start the game for free and purchase in-game items using Nintendo eShop funds.
ACE COMBAT ASSAULT HORIZON LEGACY+ from BANDAI NAMCO Games America Inc.: The high-flying Ace Combat series is back with an improved 3D view and added C Stick and ZR/ZL button controls that make playing on New Nintendo 3DS XL the ideal way to experience the game. Players can even tap select amiibo figures to the New Nintendo 3DS XL system to unlock special aircraft skins. The game launches for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on Feb. 13.
Fossil Fighters: Frontier: A new entry in the Fossil Fighters series is stomping its way onto the Nintendo 3DS family of systems on March 20. Fossil Fighters: Frontier lets two to six players team up and battle each other’s Vivosaurs in local or online tournaments.
Wii U
Splatoon: A central “plaza” that connects to all the different modes in the game also grants access to a shopping center that lets players customize their weapons and outfits with in-game currency. Splatoon launches exclusively for Wii U in May.
Hyrule Warriors DLC: New “Majora’s Mask Pack” DLC will launch for Hyrule Warriors on Feb. 5 for $7.99. The content includes two new characters (Tingle and Young Link), a new Adventure Mode map and three additional costumes.
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse: Kirby, King Dedede and Meta Knight amiibo are compatible with the game. Once a day, players can tap Kirby, King Dedede or Meta Knight amiibo to the GamePad to power up Kirby. Kirby and the Rainbow Curse launches for Wii U on Feb. 20.
Mario Party 10: The new “amiibo Party Mode” brings amiibo compatibility to the classic party-game series. Select amiibo from both the Super Smash Bros. and Super Mario series will work with the game: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Yoshi, Bowser, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Wario. While at least one amiibo is required to play, amiibo Party Mode lets players tap an amiibo to the GamePad to use that character as a game piece, as well as play on a game board themed to that classic character. Mario Party 10 and a limited-edition Mario Party 10 bundle including a Mario amiibo figure launch for Wii U on March 20.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: A new update on March 20 will add amiibo support to the charming Wii U game. Tapping the Toad amiibo on the GamePad will make Pixel Toad appear in a stage, waiting to be found by the player.
Xenoblade Chronicles X: The upcoming Wii U game is an open-world RPG that allows seamless access to anywhere in the massive world. Xenoblade Chronicles X is planned for launch in 2015.
Wii Games Coming to Wii U: Starting today, players can purchase and download Wii games directly to their Wii U HOME Menus via the Nintendo eShop on Wii U – no need to access Wii Mode. The first game that is now available is Super Mario Galaxy 2. The future lineup includes Punch-Out!! (Jan. 22) and Metroid Prime: Trilogy (Jan. 29). The Wii U GamePad can be used to control Wii games that were compatible with the Wii Classic Controller. The games will be on sale for an introductory price of $9.99 each during their first week of availability, and $19.99 after.
amiibo
Super Mario Series amiibo: A line of amiibo figures inspired by the characters of the Super Mario series will launch on March 20. The lineup includes new models of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi and Bowser, as well as the introduction of Toad. Crossover amiibo characters from the Super Smash Bros. and Super Mario lines like Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser will have the same functionality in all compatible games, so players can choose which design they like best!
Additional amiibo Figures: Robin, Lucina, PAC-MAN, Wario, Ness and Charizard amiibo figures, which are all compatible with Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, will launch this spring.
Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars: In this puzzle/platformer hybrid, players guide Mario Minis to the exit door using touch control. As with previous games in the series, players can create their own levels and share them with other players online. In this game, players can “tip” the creators of the user-generated puzzles with stars, which can be used to buy new parts in the robust level creator. Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars will launch exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS on March 5. As a bonus, players who buy one version will receive a free download code for the other version!
IronFall: Invasion from VD-Dev:Created by a small team of talented indie developers, IronFall: Invasion brings fast-paced 60-fps shooting action to the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS with six-player local and online multiplayer and a dedicated single-player campaign. While playable on Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 2DS, the C Stick on New Nintendo 3DS XL enhances the control options. IronFall: Invasion launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems in early 2015.
Third-Party Games: Many great third-party games are coming soon to the Nintendo eShop, including the following:
Elliot Quest from PlayEveryWare, Blek from Broken Rules & kunabi brother, and Citizens of Earth from ATLUS for Wii U.
Gunman Clive 2 from Hörberg Productions, Moon Chronicles (eps. 2, 3, 4) from Renegade Kid, Citizens of Earth from ATLUS and SEGA 3D Classics from SEGA for Nintendo 3DS.
Project Treasure: A new four-player co-op game from BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT and Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada is currently in development for Wii U.
Disney Interactive and Marvel Entertainment has announced that fans of Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (2.0 Edition) will be able to walk on the wild side as three of Marvel’s biggest bad guys join the game.
Spider-Man’s arch-nemesis the Green Goblin and Guardians of the Galaxy rabble-rousers Ronan and Yondu join all of the previously announced Marvel and Disney characters in the popular video game franchise.
Green Goblin: Armed with Pumpkin Bombs, the brilliantly nefarious Goblin uses his Electro Shock Gauntlet to dispatch opponents handily in both Marvel’s Spider-Man Play Set and the Toy Box (2.0 Edition). Superhuman strength, spectacular jumps, and the ability to charge his bombs into more powerful bolas all make him a villainous force to be reckoned with for both symbiotes and Super Heroes alike.
Ronan: Wielding the Universal Weapon, the ruthless Ronan the Accuser is an unstoppable force in both Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set and the Toy Box (2.0 Edition). Cloaking, energy blasts, and superhuman strength are all part of the powerful arsenal at Ronan’s disposal as he vies to become the mightiest villain in the galaxy.
Yondu: From deepest space to both Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Play Set and the Toy Box (2.0 Edition) comes Yondu, leader of the outlaw crew known as the Ravagers. Whether he’s trying to outwit the Guardians of the Galaxy or face off against a squadron of Sakaarans, the crafty Yondu uses his whistle-powered flying arrow, devastating combat skills, and wicked wit to come out on top.
Disney Infinity (2.0 Edition) is rated E-10+ by the ESRB. Additional Disney and Marvel characters will be hitting North American stores in the coming months.
A brand new trailer for Marvel’s highly anticipated Avengers: Age of Ultron has just debuted, and it’s a dark, ominous, and action heavy trailer that feels more teaser than trailer…And that’s a good thing! Joss Whedon returns to direct the second Avengers film, with much of the first film’s cast returning, as well as some new faces as well. Check out the full trailer below.
Pretty great, isn’t it? It’s chill inducing, and it seems like Marvel is certainly playing close to the vest with this one, trying not to reveal too much before the film is released on May 1, 2015, and I couldn’t be happier about that. Too many film’s show their whole hand before we even get into the theater, and it’s good to see Marvel continually trying to take a less is more approach so they can truly surprise us in the theater.
What did you think of the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill and Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.
Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.
Disney Legend, author and Cal State Fullerton alumna Martha Blanding will speak at a CSUF commencement ceremony for the College of Humanities and Social...
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