Knott's Berry Farm Announces Its New and Interactive 2015 Attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef

By

-

November 13, 2014

PRESS RELEASE: Knott’s Berry Farm announced plans for a spectacular new interactive 4-D attraction for 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef. Opening spring 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef adds high-tech fun for everyone as guests save Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk in a cutting edge media-based battle.

Ever since construction crews finished expanding the Boardwalk Pier in 2013, guests have happily enjoyed the many new attractions like Coast Rider and Surfside Gliders. But all that activity on the Boardwalk shores has reawakened a mystic lair in the depths below, filled with creatures who have risen up to wreak havoc on the classic So Cal theme park.

The Queen of the Kraken and her aquatic army have surfaced to feed on the steel of any attraction within their grasps. Their unquenchable appetite for coaster metal has turned these creatures into swimming mechanical monsters unlike anything ever seen on the ocean floor.

Guests who have what it takes to become brave deep sea navigators will climb aboard four-person submarine-inspired ride vehicles and embark on the four-minute gaming adventure into the Iron Reef. Equipped with an interactive freeze ray, guests will aim for ballooning puffer fish, an iron clad octopus and other exciting 3-D creatures as they attempt to blast the most sea life and save Knott’s from a watery doom.

Through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn. Along the way, the submarines navigate 600 feet of track and 11 scenes featuring hundreds of media-based creatures and live action special effects.

Altogether, it’s an interactive voyage that features a different experience every time and reacts to the actions and accuracy of the guests onboard. Following the thrilling finale, the number of creatures taken is digitally displayed onboard and in the undock area.

Montreal-based Triotech, the multi-sensory attraction developer that animated the popular Wonder Mountain’s Guardian at Canada’s Wonderland, is the creator behind the groundbreaking gaming system and animation for Voyage to the Iron Reef.

“Triotech is thrilled to cooperate with Knott’s team and bring our media-based interactive dark ride to Southern California, an area with a rich attraction and entertainment heritage. We feel that guests of all ages will enjoy this unique attraction,” said Ernest Yale, Triotech’s President and CEO.
Knott’s is well prepared to integrate new technologies into traditional dark ride experiences. Next year will mark the third consecutive year the park has reintroduced spectacular and unique family attractions. Both the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride recently delighted guests after both underwent extensive technological and special effect upgrades, reestablishing Knott’s as a destination renowned for premier theme park experiences.

The future home of Voyage to the Iron Reef is hallowed ground for Knott’s enthusiasts. In 1975, the show building was originally the site of the wacky and whimsical Knott’s Bear-y Tales. Designed by legendary theme park designer Rolly Crump, Knott’s Bear-y Tales transported guests to a county fair filled with anthropomorphized frogs, owls, and bears. In 1987, dinosaurs once again ruled the earth as Knott’s Bear-y Tales transformed into Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, capturing the imagination of a new generation of fans.

“The same commitment to storytelling and dedication to incorporating the most cutting edge ride technologies that made Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs so popular is what has driven the Iron Reef creative process,” said Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager of Knott’s Berry Farm. “The technology showcased in Iron Reef will honor the legacy of the attractions that preceded it, and propel the on-ride experience into the 21st century.”

Voyage to the Iron Reef is the centerpiece of an exciting 2015 at Knott’s Berry Farm.

The Curtains Have Been Lifted to Reveal the Magic of Pippin at Segerstrom

By

Joel Covey

-

November 12, 2014

An all new production of PIPPIN has leaped through hoops onto stage at Segerstrom Center For The Arts in Costa Mesa! From the creator of WICKED and the choreographer of CHICAGO: PIPPIN THE MUSICAL is an extraordinary reimagined tale of Broadways cherished show. Winner of FOUR 2013 Tony awards, PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a coming of age journey for meaning in his life through stunning magical acts and death-defying acrobatics!

Words cannot easily describe the feeling one gets from watching this incredible show. This is not the PIPPIN you may already know. New in the show is a story based more within the thrilling circus acts and events within the big tent. Some may read the word “circus” and quickly think cheesy or childish, but PIPPIN is a far cry from anything less than astonishing.

Your experience in the audience is more than a Broadway caliber musical, but a Cirque du Soleil-esque mash between circus, music and dance. The American Repertory Theater production of PIPPIN is fresh off a tremendous run at Pantages, and if you have already seen it, I can only imagine you are planning on seeing it again.

What? Am I sounding too “pro-Pippin”. Well, if so, I totally am! This has brought so much life back into theatre for me. It’s an incredible endless act of high energy, mostly light-hearted, non-stuffy class-act entertainment.

The show features SASHA ALLEN, a young star of last year’s season of The Voice, which plays into her charismatic circus barker role as the Leading Player. While I am shedding high praise for this show, this may also be the only part I felt lacking. It was lack-lusting of pep and seduction one may expect from role of this stature. I am unfamiliar with her and after looking at several photos before my review, it almost doesn’t look like the same person. Therefore, full disclosure here, I may have seen an understudy but I did not here the announcement if there was one.

This character however allows for one sexual, erotic even, telling of the story. The choreography from CHET WALKER is energetic and flashy yet remaining creative and professional while still being downright sexy at times. With revealing risqué costumes and a few coarse words PIPPIN is recommended for children ages 13+. The few adult innuendos were quite hilarious too and well-played.

KYLE DEAN MASSEY plays Pippin who many may recognize from WICKED and XANADU or even The Good Wife and Hart of Dixie. He has joined the cast direct from Broadway’s production of PIPPIN. He in no doubt embodies the character perfectly as he searches for his extraordinary life in the show. Comedically perfect, great voice, and believable in his role as the black-sheep of his royal family.

Pippin seeks outs the family business after life at war where he falls into power, sex and politics. He is unsure the life he wants to live and after a first act of trying his expected destiny, the second act follows a different choice; the choice that embodies love and an “ordinary life”. His quest for more creates a challenge for him though. A calm-life may be too difficult for him to settle for.

Along Pippin’s journey he is lead to the life of insane circus acts and beautiful, flexible… women. In fact, there is absolutely no doubt your attention will be focused on his Granny’s unbelievable performance, who is actually Lucille Ball’s daughter LUCIE ARNAZ, that then introduces the troupe of acrobats. This production features Montreal’s Les 7 Doigts de la Main who appeared in the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Not only do we get to see jaw-dropping stunts, but also impressive magical illusions. I am not going to say you won’t know how everything is done, but I am willing to bet that some of them may have you shocked and then shortly cheering thereafter. Nothing is too much or an “eye-rolling” style of magic, but instead a perfect balance that just fits.

Now hold on, you may be wondering why I haven’t mentioned anything about the music yet. That’s because the music is integrated so perfectly, not forced, that the whole show just combines it all to create a well-balanced superb show. This is not something I have seen too much of lately.

I’m not going to dive too deep into the music except to mention the favorites are there with definitely powerful ballads, soft quiet songs, and yet surprisingly not heavy on the amount of them. There is music almost throughout, but instead it is used as background to the many circus acts onstage. Shockingly enough, the show is actually 2 hours and 40 minutes! I actually had no idea it was a longer show before I went, nor did I while I was in the middle of it. In fact, I didn’t know until I got in my car and realized the time! I truly left wanting more of everything.

I guess it’s clear that I say “SEE IT!” I loved the ensemble of characters, and I do mean characters. Every acrobatic has their oddity, in the best way possible, and yet they all sing and act well too. I imagine to find such well-rounded entertainers and actors was not an easy feat.

PIPPIN is a story I relate to all too well, and I’m sure much of its audience does as well. I guess that is what has lead to its great success. It’s a moral for life that I need to remind myself daily. I’ve always looked for more, something bigger and more meaningful, something extraordinary… but when will I ever find enough. Have I tried for too long? Do I already have enough right in front of me? Did Pippin?

PIPPIN THE MUSICAL is now playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
It is recommended for ages 13+.

November 11th – 23rd, 2014
Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $25

For more information visit scfta.org

Photos credit: Terry Shapiro

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric & Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal Now In Stores!

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 11, 2014

SEGA® of America, Inc., a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, has announced that Sonic Boom™: Rise of Lyric and Sonic Boom™: Shattered Crystal are now available at retailers nationwide. Following the U.S. premiere of Sonic’s first CGI animated TV series Sonic Boom™ on Cartoon Network and a full merchandising program, these two games are cornerstones of the newly created Sonic Boom universe and expand the Sonic Boom vision for fans. Set in the same world as the Sonic Boom animated TV series, Sonic and team – including new friend Sticks – work together to stop the evil villain- Lyric! Gamers play as multiple characters, each with their own abilities, as they explore, fight and speed through an undiscovered land.

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric exclusively for the Wii U™ system, is an original game developed by Southern California based studio Big Red Button Entertainment in collaboration with Sonic Team and its head Takashi Iizuka. Sonic Boom™: Rise of Lyric finds Sonic and his friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy as they release a powerful snake-like villain named Lyric from an ancient tomb sealed deep within an island. The group must put aside their differences and work together as a team to save the world from Lyric’s evil plan and his army of war mongering robots!

Nintendo 3DS exclusive title, Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, was developed by the Northern California based Sanzaru Games Inc. in collaboration with Sonic Team. In Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, Amy discovers a secret ancient language and manuscript detailing the history and whereabouts of a Lost Crystal of Power. The evil and vile villain, Lyric, kidnaps Amy in his eagerness to get his claws on this long-forgotten power that has been hidden throughout the jungles and canyons of a mysterious new island.

The Sonic Boom titles deliver totally different experiences than previous Sonic games with collaborative gameplay at their core, all while featuring the traditional element of Sonic and his adventures – SPEED. Taking advantage of the innovative hardware of both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, Sonic Boom introduces exploration, combat and a new Enerbeam gadget that allows the Sonic Boom world to be discovered in totally unique ways.

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for Wii U is available at retailers in North America at an MSRP of $49.99 with a rating of “E10+ for Everyone 10 and up” by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for Nintendo 3DS is available at retailers in North America at a MSRP of $39.99 and is rated “E for Everyone” by the ESRB.

"Into the Woods you go again, You have to every now and then"…- Into the Woods Reunion in Orange County

By

Luis Mejia - Associate Entertainment Editor

-

November 10, 2014

The evening of November 9th at Segerstrom Center for the Arts a very near and dear event to me was held, an Into the Woods reunion with the original Broadway cast! It was part conversation and part musical selections featuring Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Kim Crossby, Danielle Ferland, Ben Wright, Robert Westenberg as well as the creators of the show: James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim! Below are some of the highlights of the night.

First of all, in the lobby of the Segerstom Center they had various props and costumes from the original show such as Milky White (the cow), the giant’s golden harp, the carriage and various costumes. It was exciting walking around and being able to get a gander at what these Broadway stars once wore and used. Also at the Segerstrom Center they had various stations selling a never before released Blu-Ray version of the original Broadway show for $20.00.

The show, which was moderated by Mo Rocca, featured many stellar performances such as “It Takes Two,” “No More,” “On the Steps of the Palace,” Hello Little Girl,” “Moments in the Woods,” Giants in the Sky,” “Your Fault,” “No One is Alone,” “Witch’s ‘Rap,’” “Stay With Me,” “Your Fault,” “Last Midnight,” “Children Will Listen,” and “Act II Finale.” All of the numbers sounded absolutely fantastic and you could tell all of the actors truly felt each and every song. The audience members were completely enthralled; laughing at the choreography like in “Hello Little Girl” and giving multiple standing ovations. It was truly a magical evening full of laughs and tears. This was definitely true especially when Bernadette Peters sang a heart-wrenching rendition of “Stay With Me,” or when Chip Zien, Kim Crossby, Danielle Ferland and Ben Wright sang “No One is Alone.”

The musical numbers were sang intermittently, separated by the cast and director’s anecdotes of the show’s inception, Broadway performances and some of the aftermath of the show. To note some of the memorable things that were said were:

Crossby admitted she received some advice from Gleason saying that her (Gleason’s) character had a secret that no one in the show would know about; that secret? she was pregnant once more at the start of Act II.

Lapine wrote the role of Little Red Riding Hood with Danielle Ferland in mind.

Sondheim revealed that the only song he has written without a rhyme is “I Guess this is Goodbye”

Gleason admitting that she and Zien (the baker and his wife) had a very close and relationship that Zien has been the only actor whom she has hit.

Westenber and Crossby talking about the wolf’s costume and its anatomically correct suit that would often upstage the actor. So much so that each show they had to readjust and reduce the well endowed package.

Another touching moment was when each of the cast members revealed which line was their favorite line in the show and Bernadette’s answer of: “No One is Alone” and what it meant to her. Sondheim then added to her answer and stated that many people often misconstrue what it means; most people take it literally that no one is ever truly alone. What Sondheim revealed was that the song is actually saying is that your actions and words have consequences for you and those around you; what you do isn’t something that won’t have an effect on other people and so no one is alone.

As Sondheim stated when he was asked how it felt watching the original actors performing once more as “very upsetting” we too felt the same way realizing that we would not be able to watch them all perform the songs together again after that night. It was a spectacular, one that I for one will never forget and I know many in the audience would say as well. Thank you Segerstrom Center for the Arts for allowing us to attend and hosting this wonderful evening.

Assassin's Creed Rogue Launch Trailer

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 10, 2014

In Assassin’s Creed Rogue, you’ll play as Shay Patrick Cormac, an Assassin who turns his back on the Brotherhood to join the Templar cause and hunt the Assassins to the ends of the earth. From New York City to the perilous Arctic sea, Shay will stop at nothing as he follows his own creed.

Set in the middle of the 18th century during the Seven Years’ War, Assassin’s Creed Rogue gives players new locations across North America to explore, including the frozen North Atlantic, the Appalachian River Valley and New York. In Assassin’s Creed Rogue, players experience the Assassin’s Creed universe through the eyes of a Templar. As Shay Patrick Cormac, players suffer the brotherhood’s betrayal and transform into an Assassin hunter. Assassin’s Creed Rogue will be available on November 11 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The game will also be available for Windows PC in early 2015.

Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi Re-Team for Ash vs. Evil Dead

By

Patrick Campbell

-

November 10, 2014

Good things come to those that wait, and for fans of The Evil Dead franchise, the waiting is finally over. Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, the director and star of the Evil Dead series, are coming together once again to bring the continuing misadventures of Ashley J. Williams, the reluctant hero of the first three films in the popular horror series, but this time on your television screens. This summer, both Raimi and Campbell announced that they had begun work on a television continuation of the series, which would pick up just over twenty years after the end of Army of Darkness. But after years of back-and-forth answers on whether the series would continue, if at all, it seems it’s finally time for Ash to emerge as the hero once more, as THR reports that Starz has given the new series, Ash vs. Evil Dead, a straight to series order for a ten episode first season.

According to THR, the series’ story will be as follows:

Campbell reprises his role as the title character Ash, a stock boy, aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter who has spent the last three decades avoiding responsibility, maturity and the terrors of the Evil Dead. When a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind, Ash is finally forced to face his demons — personal and literal. Destiny, it turns out, has no plans to release the unlikely hero from its evil grip.

So it seems almost twenty years later, Ash still can’t seem to escape his fate as the one man who has to stop the Necronomicon and its army of Deadites, which continues to stand in the way of Ash having a good time. While many remember that just last year, the series was rebooted in the Fede Alvarez film, The Evil Dead, which Campbell and Raimi produced, and while a sequel to that was planned at one time, nothing new has been said on that front in some time. Bruce Campbell’s Ash did make a cameo at the end of the film, and there was talk about doing a crossover of the Jane Levy character Mia and Campbell’s Ash in a feature film, but whether that will happen now remains to be seen.

Raimi went on to say this of the new series:

Evil Dead has always been a blast. Bruce, Rob, and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the next chapter in Ash’s lame, but heroic saga. With his chainsaw arm and his ‘boomstick,’ Ash is back to kick some monster butt. And brother, this time there’s a truckload of it.

Campbell followed that up as well:

”I’m really excited to bring this series to the Evil Dead fans worldwide — it’s going to be everything they have been clamoring for: serious deadite ass-kicking and plenty of outrageous humor.”

It’s great to see the duo so excited to finally returning as the ringleaders of this series, especially after all the years of back and forth on the matter. While the Dynamite comic series, as well as the Freddy vs. Jason sequel comic, Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash kept our appetite for a new film at bay, in the back of our heads, we all knew we wanted to see Raimi and Campbell return to the series and give Ash another adventure. Starz is the perfect home for Ash’s continuing journey against the Evil Dead, and it’ll be great to see what everyone has in store for us this time around.

Sam Raimi will be directing the series pilot, which he is co-writing that with brother Ivan Raimi (Army of Darkness, Drag Me to Hell) and Tom Spezialy (Chuck, Reaper). Whether the three of them will be writing every episode remains to be seen, but it’s good to have the team back together again. The half hour series Ash vs. Evil Dead will be premiering sometime in 2015 on Starz. Groovy.

Movie Review: Disney's "Big Hero 6"

By

Loretta Garcia - Contributing Writer

-

November 7, 2014

Disney’s Big Hero 6 movie preview was held at El Capitan theatre on Saturday November 1 for members of the press. Shown in 3D to a packed theatre, Big Hero 6 delivered a heartwarming, action packed movie with the right touch of action, humor and Marvel heroes with a dash of Disney magic thrown in for the younger crowd.

Big Hero 6 is the story of Hiro (Ryan Potter) and Tadashi (Daniel Henney), genius brothers, being raised by their aunt in the fictitious world of San Frantsokyo. Big Brother Tadashi and his buddies, Go-Go Tomago (Jamie Chung), Honey Lemon (Genesis Rodriguez), Wasabi (Damon Wayans Jr) and Fred (T.J. Miller), hang out in the “Nerd” lab where they spend their time trying out one invention after another.
Tadashi has come up with a medical droid named Baymax (Scott Adsit), an inflatable, squishy big marshmellowy looking robot. After the visit to the “Nerd” lab, where Hiro meets Baymax and friends, he decides to enroll into the university.

Hiro shows off his invention of tiny bots at a school function and receives his acceptance letter. Everything appears to be fine and on track until a tragedy occurs and throws Hiro into the adventure of a life time to find his missing mini bots and the man behind the mysterious mask responsible for Tadashi’s death. Hiro, Baymax and the lab nerds join forces and together become Big Hero 6.

Full of traditional Disney adventures and Marvel special effects, Big Hero 6 is the perfect Disney movie for younger Marvel comics fans. The relationship that develops between Hiro and Baymax and the emotional moments between the two will pull at your heart strings and the ending will have you smiling and waiting for Big Heros 6 part 2.

Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams, and produced by Roy Conli . The film hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 7, 2014.

My name is Loretta Garcia. Follow us on www.socalthrills.com for all your news.

Toy Story 4 is coming in 2017. Plans Revealed!

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 6, 2014

Nearly two decades after Pixar Animation Studios created the world’s first computer-animated feature film with “Toy Story,” it revealed plans for Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” an adventure that returns audiences to the world of the studio’s signature characters.

Director John Lasseter works with members of his story team on Disney•Pixar's "Toy Story 4," a new chapter in the lives of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the "Toy Story" gang. — Director John Lasseter works with members of his story team on Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” a new chapter in the lives of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the “Toy Story” gang.

John Lasseter, director of the original “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2,” will direct the film, which opens a new chapter in the lives of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the “Toy Story” gang. The story was dreamt up by Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter and Lee Unkrich, the storytellers who have been the driving force behind all three “Toy Story” films.

“We love these characters so much; they are like family to us,” said Lasseter. “We don’t want to do anything with them unless it lives up to or surpasses what’s gone before. ‘Toy Story 3’ ended Woody and Buzz’s story with Andy so perfectly that for a long time, we never even talked about doing another ‘Toy Story’ movie. But when Andrew, Pete, Lee and I came up with this new idea, I just could not stop thinking about it. It was so exciting to me, I knew we had to make this movie—and I wanted to direct it myself.”

Writing team Rashida Jones and Will McCormack (“Celeste and Jesse Forever”) joined the project, and Pixar veteran Galyn Susman (ABC’s “Toy Story OF TERROR!” and “Toy Story that Time Forgot”) is producing.

The film is slated for release on June 16, 2017.

Ubisoft Introduces Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 6, 2014

Ubisoft has announced Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals, a brand new free-to-play strategy and RPG mobile game is now available on the App Store, Google Play and the Amazon app store. Players will create their own fantasy world where they will be able to control their Heroes and cast devastating spells, train lethal units, defend their city and fight against other Heroes to conquer Evagar.

Players will use their Hero’s skills and abilities to cast meteoric spells and unlock new Heroes as they defeat foes and build up their citadel with outposts, catapults, archers, mages and warriors. Support units including archers, warriors, wall breakers, riders and mages can be trained to fight alongside Heroes to help turn the tide of battle. With 3D graphics players will get lost in the beauty and battlefields of Evagar.

Playable in single player or player versus player, Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals lets players choose what type of experience they want to enjoy. For players looking for competition they can face off with rival players and pit their Heroes against each other to fight their way up the leaderboard.

Developed by Ubisoft Barcelona Mobile, Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals will receive post-launch support with regular free content updates.

For more information on Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals visit https://www.facebook.com/battleofheroes.ubisoft

Download Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals now: App Store, Google Play

Spectacular New Trailer for Disney’s INTO THE WOODS

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 6, 2014

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on several of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), all tied together by an original story involving a Baker and his Wife (James Corden and Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the Witch (Meryl Streep), who has put a curse on them.

Rob Marshall, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” directs the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics. Produced by John DeLuca, Marshall, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall, “Into the Woods” will be released in theaters December 25, 2014.

Starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine, “Into the Woods” is a humorous and heartfelt musical that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a Baker and his Wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the Witch who has put a curse on them.

Also check out these new Character poster GIFs (look at them closely):

Super Smash Bros Nintendo 3DS Video Game Review

By

Luis Mejia - Associate Entertainment Editor

-

November 5, 2014

The fourth installation of Super Smash Bros is finally here! Each version of the game that has come out has provided countless hours fun so you can imagine my excitement when I finally got my hands on this game. To no surprise this game lived up to my expectation and once again I found myself totally engrossed in the game. For those of you who are new to the series Super Smash Bros is a fighting game that pits Nintendo characters (and a few that are not such as Pac Man and Mega Man) against each other. The goal is to knock the other opponent out to have the most number of KO’s, to be the last one surviving, etc. depending on the rules of the match.

The controlling scheme is the same across all the characters, i.e. the B button is for your special moves, A button is for standard attacks, etc. and so if you know the scheme for one character you’ll be set for the rest. Now the difference is what the character does when you do the input and the timing of it. For example a standard B attack with Mario is his fireball, but with Link he’ll bring out his bow and arrow, which you can charge up. Thus you’ll have to have different strategies depending on whom you use. In total there are 48 characters in this version; 36 of which are in your starting roster and the other 12 are unlocked through various conditions or by having an “x” number of battles. One new feature is that you can customize your characters and even create your own mii fighter and customize its appearance and moves.

As for the modes of this game classic mode and all-star mode make a return. A difference however, is that in classic mode you choose the path you take and so you’ll have a choice as to who your opponents are or maybe taking a road that contains extra coins and trophies. In higher difficulties you also get to choose whether you face Master Hand alone or you can choose to take on Crazy Hand and Master Hand. In higher difficulties they also switch it up and you’ll get a surprise on who your opponents will be, but I won’t spoil that you’ll have to get there on your own; I’ll just say that it really spices things up. As for All-Star mode it works like in previous games, but you fight characters in chronological order of when their respective games were first released or that the character is introduced. Other modes that return are multi-man smash, target blast, home run contest and a brand new one called Smash Run. Smash run is an online mode where you and three other plays go through a maze like stage defeating characters to pick up power boosts. This goes on for 5 minutes and once the 5 minutes are up you get to fight the other players based on the power boosts you collected. On paper this sounds like a great idea, but truth be told I was annoyed having to go through this 5 minute ordeal only to have a 2-ish minute fight afterwards. Moreover, another thing that seemed off was the layout of the menu. It felt like it was a bit scattered; first starting the game I felt like if I was going on a scavenger hunt just to play Classic Mode.

Another issue I had with this game was that when I would have a 4-player match it would be hard to keep track of my character or sometimes not know exactly what was going on because the screen was so tiny. I learned quickly to stick to the one on one battles or even three player matches were ok. This is hardly an issue of the game itself, more that the 3DS is limited with its size. Undoubtedly this will not be an issue with the console version.

Regardless of these minor issues I had a ton of fun playing online against other players across the globe or even playing solo trying to obtain as many trophies as possible. The new characters are a welcomed addition to the veteran fighters. Nintendo isn’t afraid to throw in a ton of characters and introduce new game modes, even if the execution was a bit off. I would definitely call the Nintendo 3DS version of Super Smash Bros a success, I cannot wait for what is in store for the Wii U version.

Check-out Screen Shots from the game:

[review]

Assassin's Creed Unity 101 Trailer

By

Robbie Bulus

-

November 5, 2014

Assassin’s Creed Unity has been reimagined from the ground up to bring you the most exciting and immersive Assassin’s Creed experience ever. From parkour, combat, and stealth in the huge interactive city of Paris to Arno and other key players, this trailer will tell you everything you need to know about the newest chapter in the Assassin’s Creed saga, including an Assassin’s Creed first: four-player co-op.

Assassin’s Creed Unity will be released on November 11 for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. Set in a once-magnificent Paris, Assassin’s Creed Unity plunges into the terror of the 1789 French Revolution and features the most dense and immersive Assassin’s Creed city ever created. Through the streets of Paris, the starving inhabitants are set to take up arms for freedom and equality. In this time of chaos and brutality, a young man named Arno, wounded by the loss of those he loved, sets out on a deadly path of redemption. Arno’s pursuit throws him into the middle of a ruthless struggle for the fate of a nation and transforms him into a true Master Assassin.

Socalthrills.com

Knott's Berry Farm Announces Its New and Interactive 2015 Attraction, Voyage to the Iron Reef

The Curtains Have Been Lifted to Reveal the Magic of Pippin at Segerstrom

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric & Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal Now In Stores!

"Into the Woods you go again, You have to every now and then"…- Into the Woods Reunion in Orange County

Assassin's Creed Rogue Launch Trailer

Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi Re-Team for Ash vs. Evil Dead

Movie Review: Disney's "Big Hero 6"

Toy Story 4 is coming in 2017. Plans Revealed!

Ubisoft Introduces Battle of Heroes: Land of Immortals

Spectacular New Trailer for Disney’s INTO THE WOODS

Super Smash Bros Nintendo 3DS Video Game Review

Assassin's Creed Unity 101 Trailer

Latest Posts

JAKKS Reveals All New Toys at SDCC

Disney Store’s Mickey Mouse Family Halloween Collection

Theatre Review: Spring Awakening

Your August 2025 Disney+ Streaming Guide

Disney Releases Trailer for “Tron: Ares”

Thunderbolts Treatz Truck Arriving in SoCal with treats