Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games

Nintendo 3DS Review
Sega
Players: 1-4

Mario and Sonic sure do keep themselves busy, whether they are kart racing, taking part in the Winter Olympics, or in this latest release, the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Sega has teamed up with Nintendo to release Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games, a Nintendo 3DS release that has been eagerly anticipated by handheld gamers.

This type of game is perfect for the 3DS handheld platform, as it is great for both short and long-term gaming sessions due to the fact that it is extremely easy and fast to jump in-and-out of playing.

Jumping right into the game, this release packs in more than 50 events for you to take part in.  You pretty much have every type of game you would want broken out into categories such as Shooting, Gymnatics, Swimming, Track, etc.

If you want, you can quickly and easily jump right into the Single player mode where you choose and play one event at a time.

What this allows is for handheld gamers to choose how long they want to play for.  You can compete for medals based on varying difficulty modes, and can play just one event or a string of events of your choosing.

For those who want a more in-depth experience there is a story mode where you go through some cut-scenes tying together the Olympics.  Bowser and Dr. Eggman as you may have guessed, are out to ruin the Olympics, and it is up to you to save the day.

Events such as soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and others all have their own unique control schemes which work great on the 3DS handheld, making use of both the touch-screen when appropriate, as well as the face buttons on the 3DS.  The game also makes great use of the microphone, gyroscope, and every other trick the hardware has to offer.

The game has some multi-player elements to it as you can play via local play, or download play which both worked flawlessly for us during our testing.  You can also upload your records online to compare against others.

Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games is a fantastic release on the Nintendo 3DS, and is an absolute blast to play.  It is perfect for the handheld as it allows for quick, in-depth gaming sessions which make great use of the hardware.  This one will surely keep your attention, and keep you coming back as a go-to handheld title on-the-run.

Final Score: 8.6 out of 10 Chatters

The Darkness II

PS3 Review
2K Games
Digital Extremes

The Darkness II was not high up on my must-play list for 2012, as the game did not have the hype that it deserved upon launch.  Thankfully though, I was very wrong about this one, as The Darkness II has turned out to be a top-notch, quality first-person shooter with plenty of action, and tremendous presentation value.

The Darkness II is tough to describe, but I can assure you that it is certainly going to draw you in, and will not let go until you have played it through fully.  

This is one dark first-person shooter, as you once again go back to learn the fate of one Jackie Esticado, picking up where the original left off.

You start two-years after the conclusion of the original game, and you get a summary to kick things off in the event that you did not play the original.

The Darkness resurfaces after Jackie’s life is threatened yet again, and you star the game off with a bang, throwing you right into the middle of the action.  The story and entire presentation of The Darkness II is tremendous.

The cel-shaded visuals make for a very artistic feel, different than just about any other first-person shooter out there.  The style allows for a very unique feel to the game, and also allowed the developer to be able to be more creative than trying to be completely realistic at all times.

The voice-acting, cut-scenes, etc. are also top-notch as they do a great job of delivering the story and allowing you to make of it what you wish.  You will be as entrenched in the story as you will be with the action, making for one of the best single-player experiences for a shooter in quite some time.

The Darkness II is a far more linear experience than the original, but I feel as though this has helped improve the story-telling and overall presentation throughout, allowing the developing to take you on a ride rather than giving more freedom, and less substance.

From a gameplay perspective, you have the ability to continue to build up what Jackie can pull off in the game via upgrading his skills and attacks as you progress.

You will be able to not only utilize the power of the Darkness, but will also be able to use some killer weaponry throughout.  The powers and attacks at your disposal here are beyond-satisfying, and will have action junkies salivating.  You truly feel like a vicious badass while playing The Darkness II, and that is the point of the game.

The quad-wielding as the game touts, is tremendous, as you can fire off two-weapons at once all while still using your Demon Arms.  Yes, this is as cool as it sounds.

The gameplay is very fluid throughout, and maintains solid variety with the play-off of the light in the game and how it messes with your powers, abilities, etc.

From a depth standpoint, the single-player campaign has a lot here to really keep you interested throughout.  The main story will take roughly 6 – 8 hours to complete.  There is also the addition of a pretty solid 2-4 player online co-op mode which allows you to play the game with up to 3 other friends over Xbox Live, a great addition.

The Darkness II is a fantastic sequel that is the first must-play shooter of 2012.  The story is great and will really engross gamers in its plot, twists, and turns.  Based on this release, here is to hoping The Darkness III is not too far off.  For now though, go pick up  The Darkness II, it is well-worth it!

Final Score: 9 out of 10 Chatters

The Darkness II

Xbox 360 Review
2K Games
Digital Extremes

The Darkness II was not high up on my must-play list for 2012, as the game did not have the hype that it deserved upon launch. Thankfully though, I was very wrong about this one, as The Darkness II has turned out to be a top-notch, quality first-person shooter with plenty of action, and tremendous presentation value.

The Darkness II is tough to describe, but I can assure you that it is certainly going to draw you in, and will not let go until you have played it through fully.

This is one dark first-person shooter, as you once again go back to learn the fate of one Jackie Esticado, picking up where the original left off.

You start two-years after the conclusion of the original game, and you get a summary to kick things off in the event that you did not play the original.

The Darkness resurfaces after Jackie’s life is threatened yet again, and you star the game off with a bang, throwing you right into the middle of the action. The story and entire presentation of The Darkness II is tremendous.

The cel-shaded visuals make for a very artistic feel, different than just about any other first-person shooter out there. The style allows for a very unique feel to the game, and also allowed the developer to be able to be more creative than trying to be completely realistic at all times.

The voice-acting, cut-scenes, etc. are also top-notch as they do a great job of delivering the story and allowing you to make of it what you wish. You will be as entrenched in the story as you will be with the action, making for one of the best single-player experiences for a shooter in quite some time.

The Darkness II is a far more linear experience than the original, but I feel as though this has helped improve the story-telling and overall presentation throughout, allowing the developing to take you on a ride rather than giving more freedom, and less substance.

From a gameplay perspective, you have the ability to continue to build up what Jackie can pull off in the game via upgrading his skills and attacks as you progress.

You will be able to not only utilize the power of the Darkness, but will also be able to use some killer weaponry throughout. The powers and attacks at your disposal here are beyond-satisfying, and will have action junkies salivating. You truly feel like a vicious badass while playing The Darkness II, and that is the point of the game.

The quad-wielding as the game touts, is tremendous, as you can fire off two-weapons at once all while still using your Demon Arms. Yes, this is as cool as it sounds.

The gameplay is very fluid throughout, and maintains solid variety with the play-off of the light in the game and how it messes with your powers, abilities, etc.

From a depth standpoint, the single-player campaign has a lot here to really keep you interested throughout. The main story will take roughly 6 – 8 hours to complete. There is also the addition of a pretty solid 2-4 player online co-op mode which allows you to play the game with up to 3 other friends over Xbox Live, a great addition.

The Darkness II is a fantastic sequel that is the first must-play shooter of 2012. The story is great and will really engross gamers in its plot, twists, and turns. Based on this release, here is to hoping The Darkness III is not too far off. For now though, go pick up The Darkness II, it is well-worth it!

Final Score: 9 out of 10 Chatters

My Pet Puppy 3D

Nintendo 3DS Review
505 Games
Star Fish
Players: 1

My Pet Puppy 3D has arrived on the Nintendo 3DS to let gamers become a virtual puppy trainer, on-the-go.  Does this one have enough to keep the casual gaming crowd as happy as a puppy who just got a treat?

The latest release from 505 Games allows you to become a puppy trainer, where you have the ability to completely care for your dog.  We have seen this before with the Nintendogs series from Nintendo on the Nintendo DS and 3DS, but 505 Games has put an interesting twist on the simulation genre.

The main game starts you off in the kennel area, as you are a puppy trainer where you can care for puppies whom clients allow you to take care of.

From the main kennel area, you have the ability to tap on a puppy and start with your daily training regimen, or go about your puppy-caring business.

You earn Woofs in the game which can be utilized as in-game money.  These can be obtained by taking care of dogs that are placed in your care.  The same can be said for achieving success in some of the competitions you bring your puppy to.

Woofs can be used to purchase in-game clothing for your puppy, as well as food, and other items.

Training your puppy in My Puppy 3D is pretty enjoyable as the game allows for some good variety in terms of what you can teach the little guy or girl.

The basics are all here, meaning you can feed your dog, walk your dog, dress the dog up, play with it, or teach it tricks.

My only complaint is the disconnect that you seem to have with the way in which the game does most of the action for you.  A task such as walking the dog does not really require much work from the gamer itself once the selection is made.  Walking your dog incorporates choosing the option, sticking the 3DS in your pocket, and going for a physical walk.  The game counts your steps, and that qualifies as walking the puppy.  This seems like a cool concept, but as a game, it does not really create an engrossing experience.

Teaching tricks is also not the most intuitive and fluid experience either, requiring a lot of memorization, as well as trial-and-error.

Caring for your puppy can be an enjoyable endeavor and I can certainly see casual gamers having fun with My Pet Puppy 3D for what it is.  This one, though not perfect, is definitely a game that kids will really have some fun with at the value price of $19.99, which is its price-point at most retailers at the moment.

Final Score: 7.4 out of 10 Chatters

NBA 2K12 Legends Showcase DLC Xbox 360 Review

Xbox 360 Review
Visual Concepts
2K Sports

NBA 2K12 has been expanded with the release of the NBA 2K12 Legends Showcase DLC.  We have been fortunate enough to be able to jump into the new content, and we are very pleased with the results.

Legends Showcase is the brand new DLC mode for NBA 2K12.  The idea here is that you will really get to play and experience some of the best NBA players in history.

The new DLC has tons of additions to the game including new game modes, as well as the ability to play in Times Square in New York City.

All of the action takes place in a very cool-looking Times Square court with a cel-shaded visual style, playing with the likes of Alonzo Mourning, Dr. J., Bill Russell, and many others.

Some of the new game modes include H-O-R-S-E, 21, 3-on-3 challenges, and more.

This is not the deepest DLC release, but it does add a lot to the game as some of the pick-up games you will take part in are much more fast-paced than what you get in the standard NBA 2K12 games.

It is almost a mix-up of street basketball and the standard 2K simulation-style ball, with some cel-shaded visuals thrown in for good measure.

The NBA 2K12 Legends Showcase is a very fun addition to the great basketball game that is NBA 2K12.

We found it to be a very good change of pace from the simulation-style we are used to, and being able to play in the new online mode with the Legendary teams is a blast.

NBA 2K12 Legends Showcase makes for some very fun competition between friends with its many new modes, and is well-worth the price on the Xbox 360.

ChatterShmatter Final Score: 8.2 out of 10 Chatters

Boston (ChatterShmatter) – The Darkness was a game and new franchise that was very well-received when it was originally released on the PS3 and Xbox 360. 2K Games has followed-up with a sequel that has just hit store shelves, and we are celebrating by giving away two copies of the game!

With the release of The Darkness II, we are already hard at work on our review of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

While we wait though for the Digital Extremes sequel’s review, we are giving away a copy of the game on the Xbox 360 as well as the PS3.

To enter the contest, we want to know your favorite part of The Darkness. Put together a brief write-up of your favorite part of The Darkness, what you are looking forward to in The Darkness II, and send over an e-mail to:

pr@chattershmatter.com

The contest will run through next Friday, February 24th.

Winners will be e-mailed after the contest concludes, as stated we will be giving away one copy on the Xbox 360 and one on the PS3.

Also, stay tuned for our upcoming reviews of The Darkness II on the Xbox 360, as well as the PS3.

Boston (ChatterShmatter) – Sony is gearing up for the big release of the PS Vita in the U.S. in just a few weeks time, and it appears that retailers are already battling for their launch-day positions against one another.  One retailer has gone as far as to discount its bundle by $50.

The Sony PlayStation Vita is releasing with what has been dubbed the PS Vita First Edition Bundle in the U.S.

The bundle has been the most popular among gamers who have decided to pre-order the handheld.

The entire package consists of the Sony PS Vita itself, along with a 4GB memory card, limited edition case, the PS Vita game Little Deviants, and more.

The majority of retailers have been selling the bundle for the price point of $349.99.

Radio Shack has made a bold move though as readers have notified us that the handheld is now up for sale for $299.99 on their web site.

Those who pre-order the bundle per Radio Shack will have their bundle available on February 15, 2012.

There is no word yet as to whether or not other retailers will be following suit by dropping the price point of their handheld bundles on launch day.

Regardless though, it appears that RadioShack.com is now the front-runner for the cheapest bundle on launch-day for the Sony PS Vita.

Boston (ChatterShmatter) – Sony is in an interesting position with their next-generation handheld the Sony PS Vita.  They have a handheld that the public is certainly interested in, but is struggling in sales due to its high price point.  Whet we have learned though is that Sony is in a position to drop the price of the handheld in a big way.

The Sony PS Vita released in Japan in December in two models.  The 3G model sells for the equivalent of $300 in the U.S., while the base model sells for $250.

These are the price-points that the next-generation handheld will retail for on February 22, 2012 when the handheld releases in the U.S. and Europe.

When the PS Vita released in Japan, a big deal was made over the somewhat lackluster sales immediately after launch.  Sony, however, seemed to be perfectly fine with the sales, and here is why.

UBM TechInSights has done research and has discovered that the 3G Sony PS Vita costs Sony only $159.10 for them to manufacturer.

This means that Sony is turning a profit or $140 on every 3G Sony PS Vita they sell.

This is a huge change from when the Sony PS3 released, as it was expected that Sony was incurring a loss on every console sold.

So what does this all mean?  What this means is that the reason Sony is perfectly fine with the PS Vita sales, is because of the mark-up.

Sony is in the position where they are going to charge this price point for the early-adopters of the handheld, making a considerable profit.

Once these consumers are tapped out, they could easily cut the price of the PS Vita to under the $200 price point and still be making money off of the handheld, all while they continue to profit off of accessories, the PlayStation Store, etc.

Sony is clearly thinking long-term with their next-generation handheld, and they are displaying patience in the fact that they have yet to drop the price.

It is clear based on the research by UBM TechInSights that Sony wants to make money off of the handheld in the short and long run, and due to the high mark-up, they simply do not need to sell as many PS Vita handhelds to garner the profits they may be seeking.

In the short-term, expect Sony to stay the course, but what this means is that in the months ahead, expect Sony to be in a position to aggressively price the PS Vita to further grow their market share.

Boston (ChatterShmatter) – Sony is getting ready to enter some critical years in terms of its role and place in the gaming industry as they continue to do battle with Nintendo and Microsoft.  Will Sony announce the PS4 at E3 2012 though?  They would be genius if they did.

Let’s go back in time when Sega was gearing up for the big launch of the Sega Dreamcast console.

They had all of the makings of a huge hit on their hands.  The console was competitively priced, the controller input itself was highly unique.  The memory cards had a cool little built-in LCD screen (sound familiar?) and the launch line-up appeared stellar.

There was one problem with the Sega Dreamcast launch, gamers knew what they would get if they just waited, they would have had the Sony PS2 a year later.

Lets fast-forward now to the situation at hand.  Nintendo is getting ready to launch the Wii U, and gamers are going to be greeted to the next-generation of consoles yet again.

Sony is in an interesting position at E3 this year.  They could let Nintendo have the spotlight to themselves, or they could show gamers why it may be worth waiting for the PS4 to arrive.

By announcing the Sony PS4 at E3 2012 this year, they would showcase to gamers that the next-generation starts when Sony says it does.

Not only that, but they would be able to utilize the PS4 to further showcase the PS Vita technology, which will likely work in a cooperative fashion with Sony’s next-generation console.

This would give them not only an edge over Nintendo, but also the Xbox 720, what we will call the Xbox 360 successor for now.

Sony may not be able to get out of the gate first with the next-gen consoles, but they will show gamers why they are worth waiting for.

Boston (ChatterShmatter) – Nintendo is preparing as a company to once again show why they are the leaders of the gaming industry, as they gear up to release the successor to the highly-popular Nintendo Wii, the Nintendo Wii U.  Nintendo has many hurdles it is facing though with the Wii U, and we have highlighted our top five reasons why we believe Nintendo has to keep the price point below $300 at launch for it to truly be a success right out of the gate.

5. Recent History

In recent years, the gaming industry has shown that consoles are having a hard time coming out of the gate when the price point is at too steep of a level.  Sure, they garner sales from the hardcore early-adopters, but not the mass market.  Recent history has shown that the Sony PS3 struggled at its price point of $600 out of the gate, the Nintendo 3DS struggled with its high price point, and most recently, the Sony PS Vita struggled due to its price point in Japan.  Gamers want to purchase new consoles, but they are clearly not willing to, at a mass market level, spend more than what they deem reasonable for the new hardware.

4. Mass Market Appeal

Nintendo enjoyed so much success with the Nintendo Wii due to the fact that it was a mass-market product that launched with a price point of $250.  This allowed both hardcore and casual gamers to jump on the release of the console right at launch.  A price point of $300 at launch for the Nintendo Wii U ould allow Nintendo to accomplish this yet again, as they would be able to truly make the Wii U an impulse purchase in a sense and what that is attainable by the mass consumer come the next holiday shopping season.

3. Extra Costs

Nintendo has stated that the Wii U tablet controller is going to be pricey, and one would have to guess that by pricey, they mean most likely around $100.  There are going to be many gamers out there who want to pick up more than one controller at launch, and asking them to spend an extra $100 on top of the price of the console makes it that much more important to keep the cost of the console itself low.

2. Head Start

Nintendo will be jumping the gun on both Microsoft and Sony in terms of starting the next-generation of consoles.  The key for Nintendo long-term is to build up as large of an installed user-base as possible with the Wii U.  This will ensure the long-term success of the Wii U, allowing it to be more appealing to third-party developers and publishers, as well as the consumer due to its popularity.  Failing to get a big enough head start will allow the Xbox 360 and PS3 successors to surpass it quickly, as they will both likely be technologically superior from a hardware standpoint.

1. The App Store Factor

Nintendo has not hid the fact that they are launching a full-fledged app store with the Nintendo Wii U.  Nintendo sees profits in this type of digital store, but these profits will only be seen if they have users on there purchasing items.  These additional profits will allow Nintendo to keep the price of the Wii U console itself low, as they will be making more money on the back-end after purchase.  To grow this app store, they need users, and keeping the launch price below $300 will ensure that.

What are your thoughts, what price point should Nintendo launch the Wii U at and why?