Zuma’s Revenge! is nothing new, but those who have been wanting a suitable console version of the hit ball-busting classic are now in luck as PopCap have finally released it in HD for the Xbox Live Arcade. Priced at 800 Microsoft points, Zuma’s Revenge! has players match colored balls and rack up points, with some new features in tow this time around.
Here is what’s inside:
All-new Boss Rush and Weekly Challenge game modes
Updated Adventure mode: Quick Play access to any Adventure level at any time. No more lives, dying, or game over! (Iron Frog mode remains too, for the hardcore Zuma players)
Brilliantly updated HD 16×9 graphics
Vastly enhanced console controls over the original Zuma
Spirit Animal companions: an all-new player progression and leveling system. Power-up your Spirit Animals by completing all 189 Spirit Badge challenges
New updated scoring system, including multiplier balls to enable scoring massive points
If you already have Zuma’s Revenge, you should know that this version also includes the newly implemented 400 point Gamerscore, as well as 2 avatar awards. ZUMA!
Pop culture conventions are generally a tricky thing – being pop culture, it caters to a whole bunch of differing genres and mediums, thus having to make a balance between all of them. Last June 30, 2012 – July 1, 2012 saw the first Oz Comic-Con in Melbourne heralding the monolithic Stan Lee and venerable Patrick Stewart in attendance – two power houses in their respective areas. Because of this, many across Victoria, and even from overseas flocked to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to see them, creating many issues and problems and causing many to loudly voice out their complaints.
Seemingly in response to this, another large convention in Melbourne, Armageddon Expo, made an announcement that with their years of experience in running conventions and having listened to attendant’s feedback, they will strive to give quality service and experiences to those who attend Armageddon Expo 2012, which is also held in the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on 13 October, 2012 and 14 October 2012.
Amongst their arrangements is that they have expanded into a 4th bay, which will prove to be the largest Armageddon thus far, providing a larger area for autograph booths and photo booths, wider aisles in between stalls, allowing people to walk about freely, as opposed to the tight aisles and walkways previous conventions have been plagued with. They have also announced that they will be selling autograph tokens and photo tokens online to prevent the massive queuing for said tokens, and reducing overall wait times.
They have also said to feature a number of guests from different mediums and genres, and as each week passes throughout July will reveal more of their roster. As of writing, the following guests have been slated to attend:
Little Kuriboh aka Martin Billany, creator of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Abridged Series and forerunner of the Abridged series
Jonny Yong Bosch (Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach, Vash the Stampede from Trigun, Adam Park from Might Morphin’ Power Rangers)
Christopher Heyerdahl (Zor-El from Smallville, Alistair from Supernatural, Dieter Braun from True Blood)
Aldis Hodge (Alec Hardison from Leverage, Ray “Voodoo” Tatum from Friday Night Lights)
Christopher Judge (Teal’c from Stargate SG-1, Magneto from X-men:Evolution)
Bob Layton, Iron Man Artist and co-creator of the “Demon in a Bottle” Iron Man storyline)
Mela Lee (Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight, Rin Tousaka from Fate/Stay Night)
Mark Pellegrino (Lucifer from Supernatural, Jacob from Lost, Paul Bennett from Dexter)
Jonny Yong Bosch’s band, Eyeshine is slated to play on the closing evening, and what convention is complete without a little cosplay? Cosplay Parades and Contests will be ever present as well as a “Cosplay Game” event themed around the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, and celebrating 25 years of the Legend of Zelda.
While this list is incomplete, as July is only half over, and one can only guess as two who the other guests are. As always however, guest attendance is dependent on work and health commitments.
DC Comics and Warner Brothers have also given their sponsorship to the event, giving them a large presence when it opens on October 13.
Tickets for Armageddon go on sale on the 1st of August at 9 am on ticketek.com.
Netherrealm Studios’ Ed Boon has revealed over twitter that Nightwing (Dick Grayson the first Robin) and Cyborg (current member of the Justice League) will be playable characters in the upcoming DC Universe fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us. It will be interesting to see what these two are capable of doing and how they will interact with the destructible elements in each stage.
The characters who have already been revealed are Batman, Superman, Harley Quinn, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Soloman Grundy. Injustice: Gods Among Us is scheduled for release in 2013 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. What characters would you like to see joining the roster of this super powered fighter?
That awesome Bullet Hell Shooter we revieweda while back is now heavily discounted at $4.99 to purchase. The game also includes a new Facebook login feature that allows the game to integrate with your Facebook account.
The price drop comes in with the games recent upgrade to version 1.2, where the developers have fixed a few minor of bugs with the game. Shmusicup comes from Tzai Entertainment and is a bullet hell shooter that allows you to upload your own MP3’s and then play a level based on that song. Games like these allow for a varied experience based upon the song you have selected.
Be sure to visit the official website to pick up your copy of the game.
Disney Mobile Games have announced the launch for Tap Tap Revenge: Tour, the newest version of that Guitar Hero-esque, addictive music app, Tap Tap Revenge. Tap Tap Revenge: Tour will have the game’s biggest catalogue of songs available at launch, and will be giving a free track away daily for the first time.
In addition, Tap Tap Revenge: Tour will also feature a completely redone user interface that simplifies and streamlines the whole experience. In terms of gameplay it allows you to slice through special tappers, use multidirectional shake capabilities, or use enhanced visual themes.
Also, as the title suggests, there is also a new gameplay mode called ‘Tour’, where the player can be a concert promoter, tour manager and rock star. While on Tour players can play an Opening, Supporting and Headliner Act in a new city every day, unlock encore acts to earn bonus points and gain weekly rewards. You can also win memorabilia and merchandise to show off on your ‘Tour’ wall, which can be personalized and shared on Facebook.
The free hit songs available at launch will be ones from such hit artists as LMFAO, AVICI and Selena Gomez, as well as featured artists Gotye, Carly Rae Jephsen and Kaskate (feat. Neon Trees). There is also a rotating free music store of over 300 trakcs, as well as 17 bundles of new premium content available for purchase.
Senior Vice President and General Manager of Disney Mobile Games, Bart Decrem, had this to say about Tap Tap Revenge: Tour
“Tap Tap Revenge: Tour represents an important evolution for the Tap Tap franchise. The game has been completely streamlined and focused on getting players into a more immersive and fun music gaming experience. Tap Tap Revenge: Tour gives users more new music than they can tap their fingers at, as well as a new “Tour” challenge that will have players coming back daily, sharing their progress with friends, and feeling a greater sense of accomplishment.”
Tap Tap Revenge: Tour is available NOW for FREE for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad HERE.
Ubisoft has announced Spartacus Legends a new game based on the Spartacus series from Starz Media. Not coming until early 2013, the game focuses on much of the gladiator experience from the training, to the full battles, to making a name for yourself.
Spartacus Legends will let players choose from not only the cast of gladiators from the show, but also create their own custom gladiator to build exactly how they like. Utilizing whomever they please, players can then go at it against friends and offline or on, as well as being ranked against the world on the leaderboards.
The game has apparently gone through strides to maintain that Spartacus feel, including getting Spartacus himself, Liam McIntyre, to provide both likeness and voice. Not only that, but Liam additionally provided feedback through development when given the chance to play early builds.
Players at Comic Con this year will get the first public chance to check it out at the Starz Media booth, in San Diego July 12th-15th. Those unable to attend can still check out the gallery below to see a bit of what Spartacus Legends will have to offer.
Gaming hardware creators, Alienware, are now hosting a tournament of their own called the Alienware Game Victorious 2012 Battlegrounds. This is an online tournament held on the Alienware Arena website and features contestants from the Asia-Pacific region. This region includes countries such as: Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, India, China and Japan.
The tournament says that it is designed to cater to elite gamers and enthusiasts, but it only includes games like DoTA2, League of Legends and Hat Fortress 2. Each of the games will have an Open Category, but DoTA2 will also have an elite tier that is open to invitees only. It should be noted that players will be competing for $13,000USD, making this a pretty decent tournament to participate in.
The following is a statement from organisers –
“The United Kingdom is not the only nation hosting a major games event this year,” said Frank Azor, General Manager, Alienware. “The Alienware Game Victorious 2012 Battlegrounds regional tournament is the perfect platform for international e-sports and is offering gamers across Asia-Pacific the opportunity to showcase their skills on the world stage while they attempt to game victorious.”
The team that wins the tournament will be set to represent their country at the Asian Cyber Games DoTA2 event grand finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You can also watch the Alienware tournaments online at TwitchTV, Youtubeand Alienware Arena. Be sure to check out the official site for more info.
The first full trailer for the new Dreamworks animation, Rise of the Guardians, has been released. Rise of the Guardians is a film about the Boogieman launching an assault on Earth, putting all of the children in danger, and all of the childhood heroes must try to put a stop to it. Including Santa Claus, the Sandman, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny and Jack Frost this is bound to be the new popular children’s film.
With a star-studded cast including Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, and Jude Law, this is certain to be a good movie to take a look at watching when it comes out.
Rise of the Guardians is due for release on December 13, 2012, just in time for the holiday season! Check out the trailer for the film below. What do you guys think? Will this be the next animated comedy hit? Is this something you’d like to take your kids to, or just something you want to watch yourself? Let us know in the comments section below!
PC Hardware manufacturer Kingston have announced their second generation Bitlocker USB device for the Australian market. The device is essentially a USB Storage device that comes in many different variant, such as 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and 32GB. The device is called a DataTraveler Locker+ G2 and is going to have the capability to be used interchangeably between popular operating systems Windows and OSX.
The device is secured by having users place a password on the device upon it’s initial use and it also allows users to add up to 20 additional users and passwords into its built in database. No external software is required to run the device or access its files.
Unfortunately I haven’t been told much on the devices security algorithms or any other kind of details outside of basic technical details, I would really like to know how encrypted my data actually is. Here are the technical specs –
Kingston DataTraveler Locker+ G2 Features and Specifications:
· Hardware Encryption: The best in personal security to keep your data safe
· Superior Password Protection: User sets a password to prevent unauthorised access
· Versatile: Works interchangeably between Mac OS X and Windows systems
· Secure: Drive locks down and reformats after 10 invalid login attempts
· Easy to Use: No application installation required
· Password Manager: Access and store user names and passwords for up to 20 accounts
· Stylish: Durable metal casing with built-in key loop
· Customisable1: Co-Logo program available
· Supports: Windows 7, Vista, XP & Mac OS X
· Guaranteed: Five-year warranty with free technical support
· Capacities2: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
· Speed3: 10MB/s read and 5MB/s write
· Compatibility: Designed to USB 2.0 specifications
· No Admin Rights Required
· Minimum System Requirements:
– USB 2.0 compliant and 3.0 compatible
– Two (2) free consecutive drive letters required for use
· Dimensions: 2.28″ x 0.73″ x 0.38″ (58.00mm x 18.6mm x 9.75mm)
· Operating Temperature: 32°F to 140°F (0°C to 60°C)
· Storage Temperature: -4°F to 185°F (-20°C to 85°C)
A week ago we brought you the news that a new gaming console called the Ouya had been informally announced via an AngelList post. The listing explained that the Ouya would be a revolutionary gaming console powered by Android that would offer free games and only cost $99. The goal: bring change to the industry, offer an alternative to the more expensive big names and allow independent development to flourish. Well, based on the amazing success of the Ouya Kickstarter, we are likely to see this little console on shelves sooner than later.
Let’s let the numbers do the talking; the Ouya Kickstarter raised 1 million dollars in 8 hours and 22 minutes. This, according to Kickstarter, is a record breaker; fastest project to reach 1 million dollar mark in funding. Then another record was broken when the Ouya raised 2 million dollars in 24 hours. Now it sits at over 3.5 million with 27,836 backers and 28 days to go. To give you an idea of just how fast this thing is getting money thrown at it, after refreshing the page another 10,000 dollars was added to the funding. The original goal: 950,000. So much has been raised that an update was posted by the lady in charge, Julie Uhrman, thanking backers and asking what stretch goals they would want to see. If you are interested in getting in on the action check out the Ouya Kickstarter and become a backer yourself.
Disney Mobile Games have announced the launch for Tap Tap Revenge: Tour, the newest version of that Guitar Hero-esque, addictive music app, Tap Tap Revenge. Tap Tap Revenge: Tour will have the game’s biggest catalogue of songs available at launch, and will be giving a free track away daily for the first time.
