Home Blog Page 5278

Super Mario Bros. Super Show All Steamed Up Classic Collection Review

Benjamin Webb
-
0
Super Mario Bros. Super Show All Steamed Up Classic Collection Review


Super Mario Bros. Super Show! All Steamed Up Classic Collection
Studio: DiC
Publisher: Beyond Home Entertainment
Format: DvD
Release Date: June 27, 2012
Price: DvD $19.99 (Buy Here)

Overview

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show All Steamed Up Classic Collection is a collection of episodes from the Super Mario Bros. Super Show series that aired back in the 80s. It stars Lou Albano and Danny Wells as the main characters Mario and Luigi.

The series is a kind of hybrid of live-action sequences and animated episodes sponged together to make an entertaining show. The show is also based on a video game series, Super Mario Bros., and adapts Mario and Luigi’s adventure in a different medium. Does this work? Read on to find out.

Story

The Super Mario Bros. Super show is one part live action shorts and another part 20-minute animated episodes combined together to make a complete series. Much like most cartoons from before the 90s, the series doesn’t have all that much continuity between episodes, making it an adventure of the week kind of deal.

The way each episode lays out is there will be a live-action opening sequence and a live-action story that will generally involve some kind of guest-star getting into some kind of shenanigans that will have to wait to be resolved by the end of the episode. After this live-action opening story, there will be a cut to an animated opening and then there will be a 20ish-minute animated episode involving Mario, Luigi and various other characters from Super Mario lore. Finally, towards the conclusion of the episode, it will cut back into the live-action story and resolve that before cutting to the credits.

I’m not entirely sure why, but to me the series didn’t really feel like it was connected between episodes. I’m not sure if it should have or not, but there was this overwhelming sense of discontinuity from the series. For instance, in one episode they might be in World 7, and in the next they will have almost travelled across 10 more worlds. If I recall correctly, in the games each world was pretty interesting, so I don’t see why we should have missed out on all of these extra adventures.

One of the best parts of this series is the overly cliched Italian-American dialogue. A lot of people will probably disagree with me here and will say that it’s really bad and not one of the best things of the series. But really, to me anyway, I felt that it was so bad that it was good. Although I will mention that there are too many pasta mentions in the show; and why does Princess Toadstool sound like an Italian-American?

What was really strange for me was that some of the enemies didn’t behave the way I would have figured their characters would have behaved from what I could perceive from the games. This is fine though, as it adds a new dimension to some creatures that I didn’t think existed.

Video

I actually really quite enjoyed the visual quality of the series. In my opinion the animation has aged pretty okay in comparison to other animated works that are very near impossible to watch today, when compared to the past. However, I have to say that the live-action film bits do look a little dodgy compared to the animation and shows of today.

The one thing that I absolutely love about the Super Mario Bros. Super Show is the live-action opening sequence of Mario and Luigi. For some reason, having the the real-life actors performing while having the opening song playing in the background is just really awesome to watch and when it’s coupled with the ending of Captain Lou (Mario) ‘doing the Mario’, it’s just amazing. In my opinion, this show is worth the purchase just for the opening and endings.

The characters resemble their game-versions quite well, which I largely attribute the success of this show to. I also like how each episode has it’s own look and feel, much like each level in the video games.

Audio

The most awesomest thing about the Super Mario Bros. Super show is the opening and ending sequence’s audio. I mean seriously, a rap song about the Super Mario Brothers? A hilarious ending track involving a dance called ‘The Mario’? How is it that things from before my time are way cooler than the things from after my time. For reference, my childhood was super-awesome and counts as before my time.

What is also really cool about the Super Mario Bros. Super Show is that the series lifts sound effects and background audio from the games, making the show tonnes more authentic and way more entertaining to watch. Seriously, this is like one of the greatest things ever about the show, I think that a blind person could even have fun watching this.

However, as I stated in my story section, the dubbing is very Italian-American. It also heavily references things like pasta and other cliched Italian cliches. However, I don’t feel that this is detrimental to the show, even if it  does seem incredibly corny.

Extras

Unfortunately, I could not find any additional features or extras on the discs. However, with such a classic and possibly obscure series, it’s amazing that they’ve even gotten the episodes back and in working order. So, unless you count a Spanish track as an extra, I’m afraid there isn’t really any that I could find.

I don’t feel that this lessens the value of the package, considering it’s not like it was something that was withheld from us. It’s just something that probably never existed in the first place. Although, conversely to this, I do feel cheated out of The Legend of Zelda Show, considering it is promoted in every single episode on these two discs.

Overall

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show All Steamed Up Classic Collection is an excellent package for fans of classic animation and video games. As a show, the series is quite entertaining and is very easy to watch. As a package, the show is an excellent investment and a great addition to anyone’s collection of video games and video game themed items.

I would definitely advise everyone to pick this up, either for themselves, or their kids as soon as they can. This is because of the reasons that I have listed in the review and I believe that is an excellent series.

7-0-capsules-out-of-10

Suit Story Hopefully Dressed for Success this Year

Simon Wolfe
-
1

Developer _Discovery (Underscore Discovery) is hoping to release their point and click exploration and management game Suit Story this year.  Sound like an interesting combination?  I thought so too.  The game features a grad student who has just finished school and has been offered the chance of a lifetime, a huge wad of cash and 10 years to gain his dream job as a Business Acquisition Work Specialist.

By combining the management of what to do with the money and point and click to head both narrative and exploration, Suit Story gives players challenges that shift based on the choices that they make through the game’s 10 years.  Challenges and choices can make a big difference throughout gameplay included the ultimate failure state of death, so it’s probably a good idea to be smart about what to do with the money.

Suit Story is being made for Mobile and Desktop platforms to release this year, but a few screenshots are available in the gallery below for players to check out.

Deus Ex The Movie Coming From CBS Films

Benjamin Webb
-
0

This is something that I, myself, am incredibly excited for – The Deus Ex Movie! In an article over at the LATimes, it has been revealed that the movie will focus on the Human Revolution storyline set in the year 2027.

From what I can tell, this will be a film adaptation of the recent Deus Ex: Human Revolution game featuring the protagonist Adam Jensen who is a security agent for one of the largest Augmentation firms on the planet. Even further digging on this report reveals that (in an article by Variety) Roy Lee and Adrian Askarieh are set to produce the film.

So who else is excited for this film?! Let us know in the comment section below.

Two Time Travelers Commercials Released

Joshua Spudic
-
0

This week sees the release of Time Travelers, Level-5’s handheld story driven game, for Nintendo 3DS, Playstation Portable and Playstation Vita. To help promote the game, Level-5 is airing two commercials in Japan. The first commercial, “Change The Present,” shows off game footage in a movie theatre.  The second commercial, “Theatre,” has a young woman playing the game on a Nintendo 3DS. She is emotionally involved. The female in this commercial remarks “This small screen becomes a theater,” according to a translation from Andriasang. In both commercials, Time Travelers is referred as a “playing cinema.”

The two commercials are available to view below:

Change The Present

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYK5PeFNDsk&feature=youtu.be[/pro-player]

Theatre

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaT7–G44I4&feature=youtu.be[/pro-player]

 

 

Details Emerge For Ys: Foilage Ocean In Celceta’s Battle System

Joshua Spudic
-
0

The next issue of Dengeki Playstation will shed some light on the battle system for Ys: Foilage Ocean In Celceta, the Playstation Vita remake of Ys IV. The system will be party based with similarities from Ys 7, a later game from the series.  Players can change teh character they control with the press of the square button. Each character will also have access to three different attacks. Each attack will have a different effect depending on the enemy.

Even though you only control the action of one character at a time, the game will utilise the rear touch pad to issue orders to you AI party members. The two example gestures listed are pinching in, which makes the character attack and pinching out which priorities evasive actions. Characters will have skills which require skill points to use. Character can also acquire new skills. Dengeki Playstation also lists some of the party members your main character will encounter: Nina, Ozuma and Kanririka. Ys: Foilage Ocean In Celceta will be released for the Playstation Vita on September 27 in Japan.

Source: Andriasang

 

 

Ys: Foilage Ocean In Celceta

Nippon Ichi Reveals New Games In Dengeki PlayStation

Joshua Spudic
-
0

In the next issue of the biweekly Dengeki Playstation magazine, Nippon Ichi is set to reveal three new titles, including one coming from the Disgaea team.The two non-Disgaea team games have no set title, instead going with code names. They are Project Arcadia and Project D. Project Arcadia is described as side scrolling action game, while Project D has no genre or even one shred of gaming information which may hint on what the game is. Instead, Project D is a game that will please both new and longtime Nippon Ichi fans.

The Disgaea team game isn’t being revealed, only details are coming into light. This game will be called Kamisama to Unmei Kakumei Paradox (a rough translation on Andriasang has the English title being “Gods and the Fate Revolution Paradox”). In this game, a boy has ascended to godhood. He teams up with an angel to help grant people their wishes. The game will be an RPG with the possibility of added SRPG elements, seeing they are behind the successful Disgaea series. This is the first of two 20th anniversary projects already revealed earlier this year. No platform has been set.

Nippon Ichi will also hold a press conference on July 12, which happens to be this Thursday. This is also the day that the 20th anniversary site is due to go live, so expect the conference to be about the 20th anniversary projects.

Source: Andriasang

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 heading to console in 2013

Luke Halliday
-
2


Namco Bandai Games have revealed that they will be releasing a third instalment in the popular fighting game series Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm. The third instalment in the franchise, will be aptly titled Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 and will be the first in the series that utilises stereoscopic 3D vision.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 will be available on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 with compatibility with 3D technology. As per usual this game will include more playable characters than any previous game in the franchise to date.

Namco Bandai also released a trailer for the game which can be seen below. What do you think of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 come to console in 2013? Let us know in the comments section.

New Tails Of Xillia Screenshots Released

Joshua Spudic
-
0

tales-of-xillia-01

Namco Bandai have released a new batch of screenshots for the game Tales of Xillia. This is to celebrate the recent announcement that the game will make its way to North America and Europe in 2013. The screenshots show off both the characters of Jude Mathis and Milla Maxwell, the two protagonists of the game, as well as the battle system, which will be known as the Double Raid Linear Motion Battle System. The screenshots are below if you want to check them out.

In additional release news, Namco Bandai have confirmed that both Australia and New Zealand will also receive Tales of Xillia in 2013 alongside the already announced release territories of North America and Europe. Tales of Xillia will be release exclusively for the Playstation 3.

Why Resident Evil 6’s 4 Hours of Cutscenes are a Good Thing

Dustin Spencer
-
4

The British Board of Film Classification has rated Resident Evil 6 as of recent, giving the game an expected 18+ rating. With that rating also comes the news that there will be 4 hours and 15 minutes of cutscenes within the game.

I know what a lot of you are thinking. Games heavy in plot can actually suffer in the long-run, as the gameplay usually takes a backseat. Resident Evil is no longer in need of proving itself as a top tier franchise with gameplay though, as we already expect the gameplay to be good. Just look at Resident Evil 4, which is still considered to be one of the best video games of all time by many. 5 was arguably just as good, introducing a fluid and functional co-op mode while still remaining solid until the grand finale.

Resident Evil has detracted away from the very survival horror genre considerably, and like it or not, that’s a good thing.

Over the years, fans have gotten to know Leon, Chris, Ada, Jill, and all of the other characters in the series very well – and these faces have proved themselves as a team that no longer need to prove themselves to their antagonists. When you are playing as protagonists who have seen it all, you’re not supposed to be surprised by danger around every corner. There is no longer a purpose for jump scares – as they just don’t make sense with a cast who have faced countless zombies and a virus that turned men into cannibalistic beasts.

I know many think that Resident Evil should be scary, but we are past the point of being afraid with this aging roster. Instead of making players weary of their next step, this series needs to concentrate on telling it’s story and tying up all loose ends with those who entered the mansion over 15 years ago. From the looks of it, this is exactly what Resident Evil 6 plans to do. Yeah, I don’t see it being the end everybody’s story arc, and there is no doubt Jill will be back yet again in a future installment, but I personally feel if Capcom want to successfully move back into the realm of survival horror with Resident Evil, it’s time to drop the gimmickry and allow these characters to get the send-off they deserve. Then, and only then, can we go back to fearing the unknown and start being afraid while playing the grandaddy of horror all over again.

Panzer Corps on sale at 33% off

Jorel Alvarez
-
0

It has been nearly a year since Panzer Corps has been released and to celebrate its first anniversary, Slitherine and Matrix Games have announced that it will go on sale at 33% off. That’s $10 off the original price! But you have to be quick, this sale starts today and it will end this Sunday, 15th July.

Panzer Corps is a World War II, turn-based strategy game where players are in charge of the Axis armies to lead them to victory. This award-winning game’s features include 20 unit specific attributes to differentiate the 400 unit types in 19 classes, a campaign with 26 scenarios, and upgradable core units that gain experience as you progress through the campaign.

You can download Panzer Corps for only $19.99 on Slitherine’s official website.

1...5,2775,2785,279...6,792Page 5,278 of 6,792