This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Trev celebrate the 38th anniversary of the original Metroid for the Famicom and 37th anniversary on the NES.

Last week, we talked about the lack of Mario and Sonic at the Olympics. This week, we reflect on an entirely different series with a game that helped coin the phrase “metroidmania”. That’s right, Metroid was released in Japan on 6 August, 1986, followed by its US release on 15 August, 1987. We talk about our memories of the game, as well as some of the sequels.

We also delve into the latest trailer for Zelda’s upcoming title, Echoes of Wisdom. This beefy trailer gives us five minutes of superb footage, from exploring Hyrule to side quests. We also get our first look at how to travel using waypoints and horses. We love the carrot echo! There are also new abilities, outfits, and much more, and we chat about it all ahead of next month’s release.

We’re also playing a few games this week. Jemma is playing newly released Cat Quest III and loving it; watch for her upcoming review! Meanwhile, Trev is playing Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, along with another classic title in the form of JALECOlle Famicom Ver. Pinball Quest. We talk about these fun classics from the NES era and the pros and cons of all things retro.

Thanks for listening, we love putting these shows together, so let us know your thoughts! And don’t forget to leave us a review to help support the channel.

Until next time, game on everyone!

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The post Celebrating Metroid’s anniversary! | Pure Nintendo Podcast E73 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Jackbox Games has announced that Jackbox Naughty Pack, their first adults-only collection of minigames, will launch across all major platforms on 12th September 2024.

Depending on your friends group, you might be confused that this is the first naughty pack, when you can pretty much make all of the games in the series a bit filthy, just from your own answers and creative endeavours, but Jackbox Games is leaning into that aspect with a trio of games.

They are:

• Fakin’ It All Night Long (Social Deduction): A returning sequel to Fakin’ It, this game will assign one Faker per round and it is up to the group to determine which player is lying when asked questions such as “Put a finger up for every public restroom you’ve used today”. This game introduces a brand-new “remote play” mode so that everyone can join even if they’re not in the same room. 3 – 8 players.
• Dirty Drawful (Drawing, Guessing): Another returning sequel, this game challenges players to draw a picture based off of the dirty prompt they receive on their phones. Their mission is to convince everyone else that their prompt best fits the drawing, or if they’re the artist, to best match the correct prompt. 3 – 8 players.
• Let Me Finish (Debate): This new presentation game examines life’s serious questions like, “Where is this mailbox’s butt?” or “How does this avocado get aroused?” Everyone gets a chance to speak their mind, but will others pick up what you’re putting down? 3 – 8 players.

Jackbox Naughty Pack will be priced at $21.69 / €21.69, which isn’t that far off from a regular pack, which typically includes five games. That could be a disappointment for people, though as long as these are three absolute bangers, that wouldn’t be too bad.

The tenth entry in the long-running party game series arrived last year with Jason saying, “Jackbox Party Pack 10 is one of the stronger entries in the Jackbox pantheon, and I’m a big fan of it as a whole. Each game has its own pacing, and while I do think everyone will find their favourites as always, the mix feels very good this time around, and even the trivia game is fun. This is a great party pack that’ll be a good addition to any game night. Apart from Dodo Re Mi – I hope those digital birds stay eaten.”

PQube and developer Octeto Studios have revealed the release date for Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire, their homage to classic skyfaring JRPG adventures. The game will launch for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC on 10th october.

Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire follows Glenn Windwalker as he sails through the skies and takes a rag-tag bunch of pirates into battle. There will be a lot of action taking place in the skies, with a turn-based battle system for the aerial combat, but you’ll also set foot on solid ground to explore locations around the world and converse with other characters.

It’s pretty clear that Sky Oceans is a tribute to the classic Skies of Arcadia series, both in terms of the setting and the visual style, but we’d expect that this game can also carve out its own niche and gameplay direction. This feels like it will be right at home on handhelds like Switch and Steam Deck.

A demo for the game is available right now on Steam, if you want to check it out now.

Ready to hack, slash and co-op your way to victory? It'll soon be time to prove yourself as King of Meat for Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC

The post King of Meat: The Komstruct Koliseum Awaits appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Ready to serve for the win? Tiebreak is the official game of the ATP and WTA - and it's available to play today on Xbox, PlayStation and PC. 

The post Tiebreak Aces Onto Consoles: Experience the Most Realistic Tennis Game Yet appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Konami have now confirmed renewal of their partnership with Manchester United FC, ensuring that they remain one of the principal clubs in eFootball; Konami's free-to-play offering. 

The post Manchester United and eFootball Renew Partnership, Bringing Virtual Glory to the Red Devils appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Turtle Beach refresh their brilliant Stealth 700 Headset, announced alongside some charging options and Nintendo Switch gear. 

The post Turtle Beach: Level Up Your Gaming Experience with These New Products appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Looking for a hair-raising nightmare to immerse yourself in? The Mortuary Assistant: Definitive Edition on Xbox is going to provide it. 

The post Embrace the Horror of The Mortuary Assistant With New Content for Xbox Players appeared first on TheXboxHub.

From out of nowhere, racing towards Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC is the exhilarating high-speed racing of Phantom Spark. 

The post Inspired by Trackmania & WipeOut, Phantom Spark Ignites on Consoles & PC appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Just Crow Things releases on Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC to provide some more Unbound Creations fun. 

The post Just Crow Things: Soar Through a Fun and Quirky Adventure appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Will you Rewind or Die?

The post Rewind or Die? Can You Survive the Night Shift? appeared first on TheXboxHub.

A spooky adventure, Murder is Game Over: Streaming Death releases on console. Will you be able to get to the bottom of the mystery?

The post Beware the Seaside Curse – Murder is Game Over: Streaming Death Brings Spooky Adventure to Console appeared first on TheXboxHub.

A beautiful puzzle adventure in which you play as the most good of doggos, Farewell North releases on Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. 

The post Farewell North: A Heartwarming Adventure Awaits appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Space-themed puzzles. Real-time strategy. Short campaign. Endless Mode. Turn to Mine releases on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch with just about enough in the tank to warrant a look. 

The post Blast Off with Turn to Mine: A New Space Puzzler appeared first on TheXboxHub.

The police-sim stylings of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is making its way to the Nintendo Switch. The news came recently via astragon Entertainment and Aesir Interactive, with a Nintendo Switch Edition of the hit simulation game heading our way on October 29, 2024. Not only that, but it’s available for pre-order right now.

In Police Simulator, players take on the role of a police officer as you patrol the streets of the fictional city of Brighton. The Switch version brings portable play for the first time, allowing you to maintain law and order from anywhere – alone or with a friend. That’s right, the Switch version comes with an online co-op mode.

The game starts with a choice between one of eight different characters. Once selected, challenging tasks await within the city, increasing in difficulty and complexity as you climb the career ladder. For example, rookies begin by handing out parking tickets while on foot patrol, but are soon given their first patrol car. From there, players can chase speeding road users, clear up accidents and investigate suspects. With experience comes responsibility (is that the saying?); more experienced police officers will eventually be on the lookout for pickpockets, drug traffickers, and even major crimes.

As you progress, new interactions, vehicles, and precincts unlock, promising to make each shift feel unique. There’s even a special behavior mechanic that evaluates players, rewarding them for doing well. Misbehavior, on the other hand, could lead to dismissal. No one wants to have to hand their badge in!

The original Police Simulator: Patrol Officers was released for PC and console in November 2022. The Switch version has been optimized for handheld play, and comes bundled with everything found in the original. There’s also a special Garage Bundle for the Switch, which includes six additional vehicles. This comes separately as DLC or part of the Extended Edition of the game.

Both the Nintendo Switch Edition and the Nintendo Switch Extended Edition of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers are available for pre-order. Pre-orders receive a 10% discount, along with free access to the Interstate Police Vehicle DLC, which includes the vintage-style Interstate Police Vehicle. Not a bad deal.

The Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Nintendo Switch Edition drops on October 29 in the Nintendo eShop at 29.99 EUR/29.99 USD. While we wait for the release, check out the teaser below to get a glimpse into this world or law and order.

The post Police Simulator: Patrol Officers heads to Nintendo Switch this October appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is a slightly different take on a series which has won over legions of fans over the years.

The post A New Chapter for Ace Attorney: Investigating the Investigations Collection appeared first on TheXboxHub.

We reached out to the team at Crazy Viking Studios in hope of finding out more about Volgarr the Viking II, ahead of release on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC.

The post Crafting a Legend: Interview with the Makers of Volgarr the Viking II appeared first on TheXboxHub.

It's time to swing into action again as Aero the Acro-Bat launches on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. 

The post Swing Into Action With Aero the Acro-Bat on Xbox, PlayStation or Switch appeared first on TheXboxHub.

The pixel-art narrative shooting of Cilla drops players on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch into an alternate future universe

The post Will You Become the Perfect Soldier? Download Cilla on Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Super cheap, TENSEI is 'An experience of self-discovery set in soothing Zen landscapes' on Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. 

The post Find Inner Peace in TENSEI: A Soothing, Low-Gravity Experience on console appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Announced by the prolific Jackbox Games team is the latest addition to their franchise and portfolio - Jackbox Naughty Pack.

The post Dim the lights – the Jackbox Naughty Pack is adding dirty fun! [Update] Games now detailed! appeared first on TheXboxHub.

In Landnama you'll be found exploring, expanding, enduring and given the opportunity to go writing your own saga.

The post Forge Your Viking Destiny in Landnama: A Unique City Builder appeared first on TheXboxHub.

The Red Planet awaits as Qubyte Interactive release MARS 2120 to PC and consoles. 

The post Master Elemental Powers in MARS 2120 appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Bringing a classic up-to-date after two decades, is a rebooted, reworked, revamped STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC.

The post Hunt Your Way Through the Galaxy in the Revamped Star Wars: Bounty Hunter appeared first on TheXboxHub.

Nintendo has released a new video for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, showing off the world and gameplay of the first mainline series game to feature a playable Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is coming out for Nintendo Switch on 26th September 2024.

With a focus on exploring this latest iteration of Hyrule and how Zelda can get around with her new summoning abilities, the video takes us to the searing heat of Gerudo Desert, and the village of Gerudo tribe, and the Jabul Waters, which plays host to both the Sea Zora and River Zora, who don’t always get along. Kakariko Village is at the base of Eldin Volcano, but this has been transformed by the weird rifts that kicked this adventure into gear, and you’ll have to figure out how to reach the home of the Gorons. And finally, the Faron Wetlands are all kinds of leafy and play home to the Deku.

Echoes of Wisdom will throw plenty of side quests your way, such as tryiing to held an elderly man cheer up his wife with a flying plant, save someone from being trapped up a wall, gathering up Cuccos, and dealing with a… a Tornado Ghost?

You’ll be able to zip around the world using Waypoints as fast travel nodes on the map, but Zelda will also be able to ride a horse and hop up and over obstacles. All you need is to learn the Carrot echo and you’ll be able to summon a horse wherever you are.

Smoothies take the cooking of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom and blend them into something a bit lighter, as you can combine gathered items to make smoothie combos. Electro Apple mixed with Floral Nectar, for example. You can also use outfits and accessories to enhance Zelda’s abilities, like Zora flippers improving her swimming.

Another ability was also revealed, in addition to the Echo summoning. For larger obstacles, Tri will help you with the power of Bind. This latches any object to Zelda’s movement, from a huge boulder to a half-buried chest, and even to summoned echoes, if you want to have an impromptu spiky shield. You can also reverse bond to map Zelda’s movement to other creatures and objects, switching back and forth.

Echoes of Wiszom borrows the visual style of the Link’s Awakening remake, which was a real highlight from a few years ago, which was already rather delightful, but will make for a real change in the series by having Zelda be the main playable character, using magical abilities and her wits, as opposed to combat in order to get ahead.

A recent Sega trademark filing could point towards the title of the next game in the Yakuza franchise. According to Trademark Watch (spotted by our friends at Gematsu) the Sonic the Hedgehog publisher trademarked the name “Yakuza Wars” late last month.

Details on the next Yakuza game are pretty sparse for now, but with TGS 2024 fast approaching (taking place between the 26th and 29th of September) Sega is expected to make a new Yakuza reveal. What we do know is that the team at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio are teasing another surprise twist for the popular series, potentially introducing a new setting or protagonist, or maybe even shifting genre. The name “Yakuza Wars” suggests more of a strategic focus, perhaps allowing players to manage their own Yakuza clans, recruit famed gangsters, and war for territory.

When did Yakuza become so popular?

After years spent shrouded in obscurity, the Yakuza series witnessed a sudden burst of popularity among western gamers around a decade ago with the launch of Yakuza 0 and a much-requested English port of Yakuza 5. Sega was quick to harness this momentum, releasing “Kiwami” remasters of the first 2 games, which originally launched exclusively on PlayStation 2.

For the seventh mainline instalment, the developers decided on a drastic change of direction. Yakuza was known for its frenetic action-fuelled combat, immersive open world, and bizarre humour, but the team at RGG Studio wanted to change that formula. Not only did Yakuza 7 (titled “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” in western markets) introduce a new player character – Ichiban Kasuga – it featured traditional turn-based JRPG gameplay. This year’s sequel, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth would refine this new template but whether Sega will triple dip for the upcoming Yakuza Wars (or whatever the next Yakuza game will be called) is a mystery for now.

Looking to get into the series? There are a few good entry points with Yakuza 0 being a solid prequel for those wanting to kickstart the full Yakuza timeline. You can also skip ahead to Yakuza Kimawi which is a remaster of the first game or, if JRPGs are your thing, then Like a Dragon may be geared more towards your tastes.

The upcoming Amazon Prime series should also serve as a handy primer, though we’re not quite sure just how much it will deviate from the video games. That will be launching on October 24th.

It seems out of nowhere THQ Nordic and Gunfire Games have confirmed that a Darksiders game is in development, but outside of a teaser we do not know whether this is Darksiders 4, another spin off, a prequel, or a remake. You can see the teaser below, which gives very little away but it is sure to excite Darksiders fans.

The only clue given is the tagline, which is “Be Prepared to Ride Again.” That could point to either a sequel to the original Darksiders, carrying on from the final scene which saw the other Horsemen coming to join War. It also could allude to a remake of the first game, which did already get a remastered version when it was re-released as Darksiders Warmastered Edition back in 2016. It could be another game entirely, starring one of the other Horsemen. Darksiders II had Death as the main character, Darksiders III had Fury, and Darksiders Genesis saw War and Strife as the playable characters. Ideally, this will be Darksiders 4 which will see the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse working together.

UPDATE: At the very end of the trailer you can see the words “Originally developed by Vigil Games” which does suggest this is yet another remake or remaster of Darksiders 1 or 2, or both.

Darksiders Genesis Review 

Darksiders Genesis was the last Darksiders game to release, launching in 2019. In our review, Dom said, “Despite the fundamental changes to the series’ viewpoint, Darksiders Genesis feels like a true Darksiders game, and banishes any memory of the lacklustre third entry.”

That third lacklustre entry, Darksiders III, got a 7/10 in our review. Thomas said, “Darksiders III, while more limited in scope than its predecessor, provides a tighter, more deliberate experience that elaborates on the lore we’ve seen so far. The smaller world of Darksiders 3 may disappoint some fans of the previous game, but this feels like a reboot of the series. Poor PC performance, a lack of side-objectives and some unimaginative world-design point to a game with ambitions bigger than its budget, but Darksiders III is a fun and challenging experience that kept me engaged across the length of its story.”

Source: YouTube

This is the Police developer Weappy has announced their next, rather different game: The Eternal Life of Goldman. In development for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC, it’s a platformer with a thoroughly lovely art style.

Set in a fantasy world that is torn asunder by mysterious forces, you play as the titular Goldman in a side-scrolling adventure. This older gentleman looks rather unassuming, but comes with an upgradeable cane that lends new ability after new ability to get around the world. A sturdy hook on the handle lets Goldman latch onto balloons with rings or pull certain objects around, while the bouncy shaft turns the cane into a pogo stick, which can be souped up to ping him higher into the air as well. There’s further abilities like a laser pointer and a globe aura that Goldman can emit.

The island that Goldman fights to save is filled with creatures and elements inspired by ancient fairytales and fables, with Weappy drawing upon Greek, Jewish, Mesopotamian tales. The narrative will have a bit of an existential twist to it, questioning life and death… but there’s also just some great looking boss battles featured in the trailer.

The Eternal Life of Goldman comes with a classic hand-drawn and animated visual style. The intention is to capture some of the lustre of classic 16-bit platformers, but with modern fidelity. Weappy take great pains to state that there’s no generative AI used in the making of this game. Everything is hand drawn – we clarified that it’s mostly by hand and mostly in digital form, but with many pieces starting as physical sketches – inspired by the traditional ligne claire style made famous by Hergé’s Tintin adventures, and the game uses classic frame-by-frame animation techniques.

This is one I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of, and THQ will be featuring the game at Gamescom later this month.

SEGA has dropped a music video for Sonic X Shadow Generations, giving us a remix of Kingdom Valley Act 1. The music has been remixed by Audissi Studios. Kingdom Valley first appeared in Sonic The Hedgehog 06, but has not been seen since, though has been referenced in Sonic Generations. You can check out the Sonic X Shadow Generations Kingdom Valley Act 1 remix below.

Sonic X Shadow Generations is promising two very distinct experiences, you’ll be able to play as Shadow the Hedgehog in a new story campaign that features brand new powers for the Ultimate Life Form. Then there’s a remaster of 2011’s Sonic Generations which saw modern and classic Sonic teaming up for a mixture of 2D and 3D stages.

The game will be released on October 25th, though those who pre-order the Digital Deluxe edition will get three days early access to play it from October 22nd. The digital deluxe edition of Sonic X Shadow Generations will include another level for Shadow, which will be released in the winter, as well as skill points and the digital soundtrack and artbook. Sonic X Shadow Generations will be available on  PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC.

Source: Press Release