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EvilCast Recap - Episode 171

I'm guesting on the Games Are Evil podcast again this week.  In fact, I've taken appearing as a guest to a new level by hijacking the usual introduction and claiming absolute power.  That sort of thing is bound to happen when one is invited over enough.  I join Blake Grundman and Keri Honea to discuss the depressing news of the week (mostly studio closures and layoffs at places like LucasArts, High Moon Studios, and Square-Enix), the Ouya's rough launch, and hit on a list of the best game-breaking video game bugs of all time.  There's also some non-spoiler discussion of BioShock Infinite, a look at Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and time spent with the latest Gears of War.  Spend some time with us.  I bet you'll enjoy it.  You can find Episode 171 of the EvilCast over at GamesAreEvil.com.

Weekly Poll: Might Solve A Mystery Or Remaster History

Most of you out there have never participated in a video game tournament.  That's a shame; you really should try it sometime even just for fun.  I've competed in online competitions here and there, but never in person.  The most recent one was the Star Wars Pinball challenge on the game's The Empire Strikes Back table, and while I knew I didn't have a chance in Hoth at ranking anywhere near the top of the leaderboard, I certainly had fun trying.  Prizes are nice, but for me it's really all about the community interactions and the feeling of being part of a larger collective.  

Looking ahead, Capcom and WayForward have announced to the Internet's collective delight that a modernized version of the 1989 Nintendo Entertainment System classic DuckTales is coming to the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U under the title DuckTales Remastered featuring new content, detailed animation, reworked music, and many other additions.  Are you interested in this enhanced retelling of Scrooge McDuck's greatest digital adventure?  Let's hear your thoughts.

DuckTales Remastered Animation Is True To The Cartoon

UPDATE: Never mind. They're all images from the game. Pardon my gullibility.

I continue to be entranced and amazed by the animation and visual design at work on Capcom and WayForward's upcoming DuckTales Remastered for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U. Check out these animations of Scrooge McDuck and his nephews reacting in fright with startled jumps. Compare the game (above) to the original DuckTales cartoon (below) as seen at Fandom Flare. Pay special attention to how the WayForward animators have captured the poses and keyframes of the cartoon and recreated those for the game. When Scrooge hops, he moves in the same motion across both mediums. He even grabs his hat the same way in both instances! The nephews behave similarly; notice the movement of their legs, arms, and eyes. It's exact! DuckTales Remastered is bound to be something special when it releases this summer. Just seeing these beloved old characters in motion once again has me convinced.

EvilCast Recap - Episode 169

My friends at the EvilCast podcast at Games Are Evil have anointed me their official guest chair, so whenever one of the standard panel takes off, you can expect to hear my glorious voice adding to the experience.  I was summoned last week to sit in for Episode 169 while half of the group was off at PAX East, so I joined usuals Blake Grundman and Ross Polly along with other guest Mike Deneen to discuss the Electronic Arts one-two punch of more Origin service issues and CEO John Riccitiello's departure, Richard Garriot insulting the masses, fighting games on the Sony PlayStation Vita (I've somehow acquired five brawlers most of which include Street Fighter characters), the Star Trek: The Next Generation pinball table expansion for Pinball Arcade, a Top 5 list from Ross featuring fake spoilers for BioShock Infinite, and much more.  Join us for a couple hours of lively debate and joking around.

Forty-Five Minutes In Columbia

The gaming community is rushing to consume BioShock Infinite for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and PC before the story can be spoiled by those who just want to get their kicks by ruining the experience for others, but there's no harm is seeing how the story begins if you're on the fence about jumping into the game.  BN Games has recorded the first forty-five minutes of the game (PS3 version) and posted it to YouTube if you'd like to check out what's essentially the prologue and first chapter of the story.  I started on Infinite last night and am already captivated by what was presented.  I won't spoil anything on this site without fair warning, but I will say that the prologue area really drew me in and is the best introductory sequence I've seen in a game in quite a while.  You really should see it for yourself in-game.  Explore.  Experience.  If you can't wait for that or need a little push to get you interested, then watch the video below.  Hold out otherwise.  I'm giving away two copies of BioShock Infinite this week, so be sure to enter the contest for a chance to win.  If you just can't wait and want to see what's in store, however, I completely understand.

CONTEST: Win BioShock Infinite For PS3 Or Xbox 360

Congratulations to the winners: Jeffrey Tang and "AB".

The fervently awaited and critically acclaimed BioShock Infinite hits stores this week, but if you're looking to score a free ride to the skybound city of Columbia, then have I got a deal for you.  I'm giving away two copies of the game, one for the Sony PlayStation 3 and the other for the winner's choice of PS3 or Microsoft Xbox 360.  Note that the PS3 version includes a free copy of the original BioShock.  Your choice of formats is brought to you by Appliances Online, while the dedicated PS3 copy comes from an anonymous benefactor who believes in Press The Buttons and its audience.  Big thanks to both of them for supplying the prizes!  All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is send an e-mail to contests@pressthebuttons.com with "BioShock Infinite" and your console platform of choice (PS3 or X360) in the subject line.  For an extra bonus chance to win, follow @PressTheButtons on Twitter and retweet the contest announcement tweet.  Mention the contest on Facebook (and link to that mention in your entry e-mail) and I'll throw in another bonus entry.  If you want to go all out, listen to Episode 97 of the Power Button podcast and pay attention for the special keyword during the show.  Include that keyword with your entry (or after the fact) for yet another bonus chance to win.  Two winners will be chosen at random.  The deadline for entries is 8pm ET on Tuesday, April 2, 2013.

Now for the customary reading of the rules, and pay attention because this is a bit more complicated than usual.  Contest for the dedicated PS3 copy is open only to those with a North American mailing address, while the PS3/X360 copy is open to North American and UK residents.  PTB is not responsible for lost or misdelivered entries or prizes.  The winner will be notified to provide a mailing address for prize delivery which will be shared with the prize sponsors in order to send out the prizes.  Each assures me that they will only use it to mail the prize and not for marketing purposes.  If you have any questions about all of this, would you kindly ask?  Good luck!

Amazon Opens The Gaming Gold Box Again Today

We're about due for another of Amazon.com's big all-gaming Gold Box and Lightning Deal days, so right on schedule comes today's big sale.  In-demand games and accessories will be going on sale all day long.  The new Tomb Raider for the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 is the big item of the day; it's on sale for $41.99.  Other deals occuring throughout the day include the Collector's Edition of Tomb Raider for $75, Call of Duty: Black Ops II for $34.99, a variety of Disney games, a selection of dance games, at least one Disney dance game, Kingdom Hearts, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, a travel kit of some sort for your console, Dolby headphones, and much more.  A portion of every item you buy via the green link above goes to help support Press The Buttons which, as always, is very important.

Scrooge McDuck: Then And Now

The talented developers on Capcom's original DuckTales team went out of their way to create 8-bit renditions of familiar and beloved characters such as Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack, but were limited by the technology of the day.  Simple sprites composed of a few basic colors were the upper bound of artistic expression, although the artists did a wonderful job with the tools available.  That was back in 1989.  Now, today in 2013, WayForward's art team has much more technological power with which to work when it comes to creating DuckTales Remastered which means that fans will be treated to much more accurate takes on McDuck and friends.  Over at NeoGAF, alr1ght has posted a few side by side comparisons of character sprites to show how the original DuckTales game for the Nintendo Entertainment System stacks up to DuckTales Remastered for the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U.  Check out the impressive work.  There's a definite joy to these creations.

Capcom Reviving DuckTales With Remastered Remake

Capcom achieved great things with the suite of licenses for the cartoons of the Disney Afternoon programming block in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  The most well-remembered product of that era has to be 1989's DuckTales which sent Scrooge McDuck on a worldwide treasure hunt through places such as the Amazon, Transylvania, the African Mines, and even the Moon.  It's a beloved game for many and presumed long lost due to all kinds of licensing issues, but today the company announced that it's bringing it back to the Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U as DuckTales Remastered.  Woo-ooh! Here's some of the press release:

DuckTales Remastered has seen the development team take the levels and layout from the original 1989 release as a foundation before expanding upon them to significantly enhance the gameplay experience but where this update truly impresses is its graphics and sound. All of the visuals from the 8-bit game have been beautifully re-created as hand-drawn and animated sprites, across a backdrop of luscious, re-envisioned level backgrounds. Furthermore, original Disney Character Voices talent, including some from the cartoon TV series, bring in-game characters to life with charm and wit, while the classic melodies of the original soundtrack are given a modern twist.

Further additions to the original include an all new tutorial level where players can get familiar with the iconic pogo jump and cane swing; while Scrooge McDuck’s Museum allows players to track all their stats and compare their progress with others via global leaderboards.

Short of Darkwing Duck, I can't think of any other Capcom production from the Nintendo Entertainment System years that I'd want to see revived in this format.  WayForward is handling the development with its usual hand-drawn animated flair.  This really is the best way to bring DuckTales back; suddenly a lack of a Virtual Console release doesn't seem so bad, eh?  The trailer is gorgeous and makes me feel like I'm just home from elementary school and eager to plop down in front of the television for another visit to Duckburg.  Nostalgia is a power force!  DuckTales Remastered is due out this summer and Capcom can have my money on day one for this.

Star Wars Pinball Tournament Begins Today

Have you been practicing your skills on the recently released Star Wars pinball tables for Zen Pinball 2 and Pinball FX2?  You'll need all of your flipper and bumper talents to compete in the big tournament that Zen Studios is sponsoring over the next few months for the Sony PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and Microsoft Xbox 360 versions of the game.  The first phase of the competition begins today and challenges players to take the top score on the set's first movie-based table, The Empire Strikes Back.  You have one week to set a high score.  Next month the focus shifts to the Boba Fett table followed by Clone Wars in May.  The rules, dates, prize list, and complete details are on Zen's blog, but here's the relevant part: 

The top 3 high scores for the Empire Strikes Back table tournament will receive a code for our next Zen Pinball 2/Pinball FX2 DLC, a pair of Zen Studios slippers, and an awesome Star Wars t-shirt from We Love Fine! T-shirt designs will be announced for the Boba Fett and Clone Wars tournaments as we get closer to the week of the tournament.

There's also a random drawing for prizes that you can enter just by competing which I feel may be my only hope.  I'm no pinball slouch, but I never hit the heights that some of my friends achieve in the hundreds of millions of points range.  I'm usually satisfied if I break fifty million.  I appreciate Zen giving the rest of us who aren't level 99 pinball wizards a chance to win something neat.  If you're behind on your Star Wars Pinball news, be sure to read my review of the tables and don't miss Episode 95 of Power Button in which we talk with Zen's creative director, Neil Sorens, about all of the effort that went into acquiring the Star Wars license and creating the tables.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to try and improve my Empire score.  May the Force be with us all on this one.