If you were going to diagram an equation for a record-breaking software launch, it would probably look something like this:
Popular Franchise (more than 14 million Super Smash Bros. games sold in the U.S. alone) +
Demand (it has been six years since the last Super Smash Bros. console game, plus the new game benefits from heightened awareness for the franchise coming on the heels of the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS game) +
Critical Acclaim (current Metacritic score of 93, making it the highest-rated original game of this generation, tied with last year’s Super Mario 3D World game)
+
Strong Reaction from Fans (current user score of 9.2 on Metacritic, becoming the eighth Wii U game to have a Metacritic score of 85 or higher AND a user score of 8.5 or higher) =
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now the fastest-selling Wii U title ever in the U.S. market (dethroning Mario Kart 8), with more than 490,000 physical and digital units combined sold during the three-day period of Nov. 21 through Nov. 23.
“The Nintendo holiday is off to a great start, but there’s a lot of work left to do and a few more surprises in store for our fans,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.
“With great deals coming on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and great content like Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker launching next week, Nintendo will offer shoppers the best combination of fun and value this holiday season.”
*All numbers are from Nintendo’s internal sales figures and are specific to the United States only.
The first Official Trailer for Jurassic World, the fourth installment of the highly popular Jurassic Park series, has been unveiled courtesy of Universal Pictures. Originally the teaser, which is about twenty seconds long, revealed our first real look at the footage from the film, being played to a very familiar theme. It’s definitely wetting the appetite of fans who can’t wait for the film, and it’s highly effective. Now the full trailer is available (watch it above).
The full Trailer will also premiere Thursday at 9 p.m. EST during the Seahawks/49ers game on NBC, and online everywhere after. I’m not a huge football fan, but you can bet I’ll be hankering down to watch the game, just for the trailer for the movie alone.
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.
Jurassic World, starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, opens on June 12, 2015.
This Christmas, Santa’s got a brand new bag—courtesy of Cartoon Network! Following the huge success of the Jake vs. Me-Mow and Jake the Dad DVDs and accompanying Finn and Jake hats, fans of Cartoon Network’s smash hit series,Adventure Time, can now complete their Finn look with an authentic backpack, which is valued at around 20 bucks on its own, packaged with the DVD! Packed with 16 hilarious episodes from fan-favorite seasons, Adventure Time: Finn the Human is a must-have gift for any Adventure Time lover. Beginning November 25, 2014, for only $24.98, fans will be able to get their hands on nearly three hours of content and a sweet exclusive backpack, perfect for any adventure this holiday season.
The episodes included on the Adventure Time: Finn the Human DVD are:
The New Frontier
The Lich
FinntheHuman
Jake The Dog
We Fixed a Truck
Blade of Grass
The Red Throne
The Great Bird Man
One Last Job
Little Dude
City of Thieves
Conquest of Cuteness
Who Would Win
Ignition Point
Furniture & Meat
Sad Face
Adventure Time: Finn the Humanis the latest DVD release from Cartoon Network, and joins the best-selling—not to mention bonus-filled—Adventure Time seasons 1-4, as well as episodic releases, Adventure Time: Jake the Dad, Adventure Time: Jake vs. Me-Mow, Adventure Time: My Two Favorite People and Adventure Time: It Came From the Nightosphere, all of which are currently available at retail. These DVDs join a robust line of consumer products, including toys, apparel, accessories, comic books, costumes, posters, youth electronics, posters, publishing and much more.
Film Clip: Conquest of Cuteness
Created by Pendleton Ward, the Adventure Time television series is an original animated comedy from Cartoon Network that follows the everyday adventures of unlikely heroes Finn the Human and his best friend, the shape-shifting dog Jake, as they travel across the Land of Ooo and encounter its unique inhabitants. Whether it’s saving Princess Bubblegum, defeating zombie candy, mocking the “oxy-moronic” Ice King, or rocking out with undead music wiz Marceline the Vampire Queen, with Finn & Jake it’s always Adventure Time! New episodes of the Emmy® Award-nominated series debut on Cartoon Network on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT), with replays throughout the week.
SRP: $24.98
Street Date: November 25, 2014
Run Time: 176 minutes
UPC: 883929444069
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
With Star Wars: The Force Awakens wrapped and currently in post production, and the fans are feverishly waiting for the the first teaser from the film, attention is starting to turn to the first of many spin-off films set to take place in a galaxy far, far away. The first spin-off film is set to debut in 2016, and is going to be directed by Gareth Edwards, hot off his success with Legendary’s Godzilla earlier this year. But while little is known about the project, a new rumor has surfaced that may unlock a big piece of the puzzle of what the film may be, and if it’s true, it’s certainly an exciting one.
Slashfilm, hot on the heels of announcing how The Force Awakens would debut this weekend, was the first to look into what this new spin-off film could be about, and they didn’t come away empty handed. According to their sources, but obviously taken with salt, says that the film would be a heist film starring the Bounty Hunters, dealing with them trying to steal the Death Star plans for the Rebels before A New Hope. It’s also said that one of the main characters will also be introduced, albeit much older, in The Force Awakens.
This is all very interesting for multiple reasons. First, this is a key moment in the Star Wars saga. We’ve never really dealt with how the Rebels got the plants for the Death Star, and it’s one that drastically alters the course of history in the universe. That alone makes it very fascinating and ripe for mining as a film. Secondly, the film being Bounty Hunter centric makes for a very intriguing concept as well. We’ve seen the likes of Boba Fett, IG-88, and the others in the films, but mostly in the backgrounds or in one or two scenes. This would give these highly loved and interesting rogues a really cool chance to shine. My only hope, if this is all true, is that the Bounty Hunters stay true to who they are, and we don’t see this as some sort of redemption tale. These guys are cold blooded mercenary types, and should be treated as such. But it doesn’t change that having them as the leads of a film like this could be a whole lot of fun.
While all this is rumor for now, it’s all very fun and interesting to think about, and seems like the perfect place for the spin-off series to use as a jumping off point. We can only hope that it ends up being the case. I’m sure we’ll learn more in the coming weeks about exactly what the spin-off will entail, because production will have to begin ramping up soon if they want to make their 2016 date. It’s all very exciting to think about though, and it’s great that we’re getting to return to a galaxy far, far away in such a big way.
Over the weekend, Slashfilm broke the news that the highly anticipated teaser trailer the newest film in the Star Wars sage, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, would be making its debut sometime over the Thanksgiving weekend. The initial report was that the trailer would be playing in about one hundred theaters nationwide, in front of every film screening at the theaters, all day.
Update: The entire list of theaters now showing the trailer has been released. From November 28-30, you’ll be able to catch the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the group of theaters below.
AZ PHOENIX HARKINS TEMPE MARKETPLACE
CA LOS ANGELES AMC CENTURY CITY
CA LOS ANGELES Indep EL CAPITAN
CA IRVINE REGAL SPECTRUM IRVINE 21
CA SAN FRANCISCO AMC METERON 16
CA SAN JOSE CINEMARK OAKRIDGE 20
CA SAN DIEGO REGAL MIRA MESA 18
CAN TORONTO CPX YOUNGE & DUNDAS
CAN VANCOUVER CPX RIVERPORT
CO DENVER AMC WESTMINSTER 24
DC WASH D.C AMC TYSONS CORNER 16
FL MIAMI CARMIKE PARISIAN 20
GA ATLANTA REGAL ATLANTIC STATION
IL CHICAGO REGAL CITY NORTH
MA BOSTON AMC BOSTON COMMONS 19
MI DETROIT CINEMARK SHOWCASE 20
MN MINNEAPOLIS AMC SOUTHDALE
MO KANSAS CITY AMC STUDIO 30
NY NEW YORK AMC LINCOLN SQUARE 12
NY NEW YORK REGAL UNION SQAURE
OH CLEVELAND CINEMARK CINEMARK 24
PA PHILADELPHIA REGAL WARRINGTON 22
TN NASHVILLE CARMIKE THOROUGHBRED 20
TN KNOXVILLE REGAL PINNACLE
TX DALLAS CINEMARK PLANO 20
TX HOSTON REGAL MARQ*E STADIUM 23
TX AUSTIN ALAMO ALAMO S LAMAR
UT SALT LAKE CITY CINEMARK CINEMARK 24 WJ
WA SEATTLE REGAL THORNTON PLACE 14
WI MILWAUKEE MARCUS BROOKFIELD 16
Mark your calendars, Star Wars fans, and get your road-trip gear ready with your friends. Because this weekend, we’ll get our first new footage of live action Star Wars in almost a decade, and that’s truly something worth being thankful for!
Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, co-organizers of Times Square New Year’s Eve, has announced that Disney’s Aladdin, the new, Tony Award®-winning, Broadway musical comedy based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, will partner with the acclaimed New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome 2015. As the official sponsor of the evenings annual confetti wishes tradition Aladdin stars, Adam Jacobs (Aladdin), James Monroe Iglehart (Genie), and Courtney Reed (Jasmine) will take part in the Ball Drop celebration, and events leading up to the big night.
“The story of Aladdin is a great match for Times Square New Year’s Eve, as both involve big magical moments, wishes coming true, striving to be better and finding love and friendship in unlikely places,” said Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance. “Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie will be a magical addition to the program.”
“Who better than Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie to lead our Confetti Wishes tradition joining the millions of New Year’s Eve revelers hoping to make their wishes come true in 2015,” added Jeff Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment. “We’re thrilled that the cast of this phenomenal show will be joining the Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration this year.”
“It’s a wish come true for the entire company of Aladdin to play a special role in New York City’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square. Partnering with The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment allows us the opportunity to take part in a special tradition that perfectly aligns with the feel-good spirit at the heart of our show,” said Andrew Flatt, Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales, Disney Theatrical Group.
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, as the Ball Drop signals the start to 2015, 3,000 pounds of confetti will flutter down on revelers in Times Square. The confetti will include wishes shared by people from around the globe. For the weeks leading up to the Ball Drop, these wishes will be collected and displayed at the first ever Mobile Wishing Wall set to be presented throughout Times Square during the month of December. Fans and revelers in New York are invited to write their wish on a piece of confetti when they visit the Wishing Wall in person, and wishful followers throughout the world can participate by submitting their wish online at www.TimesSquareNYC.org/NYEWishes.
For information on when and where you can find the Wishing Wall, details about New Year’s Eve in Times Square or to make your own wish online, visit www.TimesSquareNYC.org.
Assassins Creed: Unity, the latest entry in Ubisoft’s Assassins Creed franchise was released on November 11th alongside with Assassins Creed: Rogue. Ubisoft hyped up Unity way more than they did for Rogue, which is surprising with all of the flaws Unity had at release. Before getting into all of the nitty gritty (for those of you who are unfamiliar with the series) Assassins Creed is about a company called Abstergo using a machine called an Animus to access ancestral history, which they have discovered lies in everyone’s DNA to locate specific items and locations relating to advanced ancient civilization. However, Abstergo wants to use these items to unify the world through the means of fear and manipulation and sculpt the world as they see fitting. This is where we come in, we join the Brotherhood of Assassins to prevent Abstergo, which is mainly a front for the Templar order to thwart their plans and allow the world their freedom of choice.
In this installment you play as Arno Dorian in Revolutionary France. You start with Arno while he is still a boy and witness your father getting killed. This leads to a man named Monsieur de la Serre to adopt you; what you don’t know at this point is that Arno’s father was part of the brotherhood and De La Serre is part of the order. The game then fast-forwards you and long story short you also witness Monsieur de la Serre getting murdered, which you then get thrown in the Bastille for. There, Arno meets an assassin who reveals to Dorian that his father was an assassin as well and is the reason why he was murdered. This assassin then invites Arno to join the brotherhood, and driven by feeling responsible for his father and de la Serre’s death he joins the brotherhood to enact his revenge.
The Good:
Visuals-I have to hand it to Ubisoft, Assassins Creed: Unity is by far it’s most gorgeous game to date. The backdrop of Paris is absolutely stunning. They definitely make good use of what the Next-Gen consoles are capable. Cinematics look absolutely phenomenal; there are moments where it feels as if you are watching live actors instead of animated characters. Moreover, even the in game moments are gorgeous! Running around Paris and gazing at La Cathedral de Notre Dame is breath taking. I have yet to go to Paris, but through this game I feel like I have been there and have been able to truly appreciate its architecture. Perhaps one of my favorite moments in the game has been scaling the Eiffel Tower and gazing at the rest of Paris.
Missions- I feel like AC Unity finally got it mostly right with the missions. With missions you were able to make your own decisions on how you wanted to go through it; you didn’t have to go to point A to perform act 1 and then proceed to point B. With this game you had options; you could infiltrate the location a numerous of ways, or go guns blazing and take over by force. For example, in one of the early missions you have to infiltrate Le Notre Dame and assassinate a Templar, you are able to steal keys to grant you entry, you can assassinate another leader that is assisting in the patrol of the Notre Dame or you can just run in and pray you’re the last one standing. I really enjoyed this particular feature; I felt as if they were acknowledging that gamers are smart and capable of making their own decisions to complete the missions.
In Unity they also introduced a co-op mission mode that fits right into your own game. You are able to play with up to three other players to try to complete certain missions. It was amazing playing with friends and random people around the world to complete missions and reap in the rewards.
Customization- Like AC giving you the option of how you want to complete your missions, you also are able to customize your Assassin. Arno’s facial features are set, but the game allows you to easily change his color schemes, type of robes you use and upgrade that equipment. You are also able to switch how Arno fights throughout the game; you can choose to use a one-handed melee weapon, a heavy and a long ranged weapon as well, which each has their own fortes and drawbacks.
The Bad:
Story- The story of AC Unity isn’t completely revolutionary; you are a character who witness their father get murdered and then seek revenge against the perpetrators (like Ezio Auditore). The premise is similar to AC II, but they try to spice it up with a love story; you have Arno, the young assassin who is in love with Elise, daughter of De La Serre and… a Templar! However, Arno still feels like a two note character; I didn’t feel like he was a standout character like Ezio or Edward Kenway.
Soundtrack-Overall it’s an ok soundtrack; it revs up when a fight breaks out, or when you are about to perform a leap of faith. However, nothing is memorable; while it is great during those brief moments, I probably would not be able to hum out any of its tunes.
The Ugly:
Controls: In AC Unity they try to incorporate a more fluid parkour system which should make scaling monuments and building a breeze, but I kept getting frustrated when Arno would get stuck and not be able to climb to the next ledge, which should be totally feasible. I then climb down and try again then magically he is able to climb up. This itself isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the game, but it sure gets annoying especially when you are trying to get to an area quickly. Another major annoyance in the game was its drop in frame rate. I’m not the biggest stickler when it comes to frame rates, but this happened so frequently that it made it painfully obvious something was broken. What really hurts this game is that sometimes Arno falls through the floors or gets randomly stuck; there are no quick fixes with these and you are forced to restart the entire game. This infuriated like no other; every time this occurred it pulled me out of the experience and would cause me to put the controller down.
Now mind you this review was written a little more than a week after its release and has played over 15 hours of the game and these problems were present every time I picked up the controller. It’s disheartening and aggravating knowing a company is releasing an unfinished product out into the market. I know when I buy a game I want a finished product.
The Verdict:
AC Unity had the potential to be a great game; I loved the amount of customization you were allowed; ranging from what Arno wore to how the mission would go like. The story was mediocre, but I did enjoy the missions…that is when it would work without a hiccup. Ubisoft has released announcements that they are planning to release patches to fix those issues, but the major issues should have been resolved prior to release date; otherwise delay the game. I’d rather wait an extra month or two to play an amazing game rather than getting it and realizing it was an unfinished product.
[review]
Assassins Creed: Unity is available for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and for the PC. This review was written playing the PS4 version.
This holiday season is all about Mario. And Link. And Yoshi. And Samus. And Kirby. And … well, a lot of classic video game characters. That’s because Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and the first round of amiibo figures, Nintendo’s first foray into the toys-to-life category, are both now available, right in time for the holiday shopping season. Nintendo’s favorite characters are going to be everywhere, whether on the battlefields of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, on store shelves as must-have amiibo figures or at the top of everyone’s holiday wish lists.
“Launching Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and amiibo on the same day kicks off the holiday shopping season with a bang … and a smash,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With a wide range of amiibo figures to choose from and a new Super Smash Bros. game on Wii U with more features than ever before, shopping for the Nintendo fan on your list will be easy this year.”
With amiibo, Nintendo is letting people experience games in fun new ways. By tapping an amiibo figure to the Wii U GamePad controller, gaming’s most recognizable characters can be used in different ways in many compatible games. Some games, like Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, will save data to the amiibo, while other games, like Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors, will give you bonus content just for tapping an amiibo to the GamePad. There’s no need to purchase an additional portal accessory!
When the first round of amiibo launches on Nov. 21, 12 characters will be available: Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, Samus, Wii Fit Trainer, Villager, Pikachu, Kirby and Marth. Zelda, Luigi, Diddy Kong, Little Mac, Pit and Captain Falcon amiibo will be released in December, with additional figures launching throughout 2015. Individual amiibo can be used across multiple compatible games, a first for the toys-to-life category. For example, players who own a Link amiibo can use it as a fighting partner in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, to get a fun racing suit for their Mii characters in Mario Kart 8 and to access a special weapon in Hyrule Warriors. For more information about amiibo compatibility, visit http://www.amiibo.com.
After tapping an amiibo figure in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the amiibo appears on the selection screen as a custom version of the character in the game. Players don’t control the amiibo character itself; the character acts as the players’ battle companion, fighting alongside or against them. Players can use amiibo as a partner, brawl with them in teams or have amiibo battle each other. In a first for the franchise, a special mode in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U lets up to eight players battle simultaneously on select stages in local multiplayer. And these battles can be a combination of real-life players and amiibo – one player vs. seven amiibo, four vs. four or even an all-amiibo battle with eight amiibo characters duking it out for victory! As players battle, amiibo gradually level up and learn how to fight through battles with players, other amiibo characters and computer players.
Even without the added fun of amiibo, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is easily the most robust version of Super Smash Bros. ever created. Coming off the heels of the Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS game, the first portable entry in the series, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U offers even more fun and exclusive content than ever before. In addition to a giant roster of classic video game characters and all the fighting action that fans of the series have fallen in love with over the years, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U offers plenty of new modes and stages that aren’t found anywhere else that will keep fans playing the game throughout the holiday season and well into 2015.
Among the almost-too-numerous-to-count new features in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the ability to use the touch screen of the Wii U GamePad to create custom stages. Players who own the Nintendo 3DS version of the game can even use their Nintendo 3DS systems to control the action on the TV screen, in addition to Nintendo GameCube controller support and a variety of other available control options. (The GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U accessory is required for GameCube controller support.) Nintendo recently premiered a video that detailed these, and more than 50 other, new features unique to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is now in stores, at Nintendo.com and in the Nintendo eShop on Wii U at a suggested retail price of $59.99.
Fans who can’t wait to play the game with a Nintendo GameCube controller can purchase the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U game bundled with the new GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U accessory and a custom Super Smash Bros. GameCube controller at a suggested retail price of $99.99. Individual amiibo figures are also available in stores at a suggested retail price of $12.99 each.
The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.
A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, “Cinderella” brings to life the timeless images from Disney’s 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually-dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.
Directed by Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh (“Thor,” “Hamlet”) and starring Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine,” “Elizabeth”), Lily James (“Downton Abbey”), Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”) and Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech,” “Alice in Wonderland”), “Cinderella” is produced by Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Elysium”), Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part I”) and David Barron (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”) with Tim Lewis (“Goldeneye”) serving as executive producer. The screenplay is by Chris Weitz (“About a Boy,” “The Golden Compass”).
“Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13, 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...
