Dave, Callum and Kiefer return to attack your ears! Listen to the chaps as they discuss the latest titles, plus the incoming new Apple products and mobile OS. The top 10 videogame chart also returns.
You can get involved with the show via:
contact@blastprocess.com -- facebook.com/blastprocess -- twitter.com/blastprocess
Direct Download (right-click and 'Save As' to download or left click to stream)
Also available on iTunes
Welcome back...again...
Yes! The Blast Process Show is back after a long hiatus. 2 years ago we briefly returned, and here we are again, only this time we are here to stay!
Dave returns alongside new co-hosts, Callum and Kiefer. The guys introduce themselves and also delve into the what's new in the world of gaming. They also run down the latest Videogame Charts too.
You can get involved with the show via:
contact@blastprocess.com -- facebook.com/blastprocess -- twitter.com/blastprocess
You can listen to the show in various ways:
It's no secret that toy based gaming is big business at the moment. Back in October 2011 Activision released Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. As well as owning the game, consumers also got a Portal and 3 small figures, which when placed on the portal allowed gamers to play as that particular critter in game. The game was a method of getting former platform hero Spyro back on the scene too, but it soon became apparent that the gaming market had space for toy-based peripherals.
Nearly 4 years on and you can now buy around 317 Skylanders (including a number of limited editions and such) with the latest game, Super Chargers, bringing vehicle based gaming to the series.
Disney have entered the scene with a number of Disney, Marvel and (as of end of the month) Star Wars characters. Where Skylanders are more about platforming/mission based gamplay, Disney have tried to encourage a more imaginative approach, encouraging gamers to use their own inspiration to create levels and mini-games.
Did I mention LEGO are getting involved too with LEGO Dimensions? We'll cover that incoming title in more detail in a future post.
The reason for this post though was to talk about another line of toy based gaming, one of which, on face value, doesn't really have as much value in each figure. So why on earth do I keep getting tempted to buy more?!
I am, of course, talking about Nintendo's Amiibos. Where as until now the figures you buy usually unlock that specific character for use in a particular game, Amiibos are usable in multiple games but only for relatively minor content, for example additional costumes. They are though very detailed figures, more so than Skylanders/Disney Infinity figures in my personal opinion. More importantly though, is the power of Nintendo.
Nintendo have had to rely on first-party characters for years to keep gamers buying their hardware due to lack of 3rd party support, which is fine because no company has a back catalogue of popular characters than Nintendo. I planned pre-release to only pick up a couple, but as you are just about to see I've got a few more than a 'couple':
What is really frustrating, in the manner of which Nintendo have mastered, a number of particular Amiibos have been quite difficult to get hold of which has in turn helped drive some of my purchases. But you know what, I just can't stop picking them up!
Our very own Mike also has built up a collection, as you can see below:
So what I'd like to see, are your collections of Amiibos. Do you keep them boxed? Why have you bought into them? Who is your favorite?
Send us your images via Twitter (@BlastProcess), post the pictures on Facebook.com/BlastProcess or email them to contact@blastprocess.com and we'll post them in a future post.
Can't wait to see your collections!
It was announced this morning via a statement from Nintendo that sadly on Saturday, Nintendo's president Satoru Iwata, had passed away. He has been suffering from bile duct growth, causing him to miss E3 in 2014. Nintendo stated he missed this years due to other work commitments.
Once a game developer himself with Nintendo, Iwata was a hugely influential figure within today's gaming community thanks to his fun loving persona and his driving passion for high quality playable games to be at the forefront of Nintendo's consoles. He fronted a large number of the Nintendo Direct videos, speaking directly to us gamers, about what they were working on next.
His inescapable passion for gaming made him more than a company president in a suit.
RIP Satoru Iwata from all of us here at BlastProcess.com.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzMoXr-nvc0&w=560&h=315]
You may remember a little while back on our YouTube channel that Processor Chris had been busy playing lots of Kerbal Space Program. Well, Chris has decided that now is the time to return to space with Season Two of his Lets Play Kerbal videos. In fact, he's well underway so why not check out what he has been up too? The latest video, which was uploaded today can be viewed below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYU-90RisCs&w=560&h=315]
Want to watch all of Season Two so far? We have a playlist for that!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=PLrWFCXFx8tw3lR34hjvpqeYO0dcJIkYUI&w=560&h=315]
And finally, if you'd like to catch up with the previous batch of Kerbal videos you'll be needing this playlist:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=PLrWFCXFx8tw1Q4Zt7AtJgvMacLFbFHHhu&w=560&h=315]
Enjoy!
Mike and Neil both attended this year's Gadget Show Live.
With lots of indie games on offer they wasted no time in breaking out the SingStar mic and get the camera rolling! What did the indie devs have to say about their games?
Lets take a peak inside, shall we?
Theo and Lizzy
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Q4gehdrUA&w=560&h=315]
We talk about Theo and Lizzy with Peter Harries. Show gameplay footage of this brand new title from Butcherlab.
http://www.theoandlizzy.com
BFF or Die
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LNzGL-YLos&w=560&h=315]
Shaz shows gameplay of his game and talks us through what BFF or Die is all about.
http://www.honeytribestudios.com
TerraTech
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EigVDl_pRWY&w=560&h=315]
We talk about TerraTech with Kris Skellorn. We first saw TerraTech at last years Gadget Show Live. So we caught up with Kris and checked out what's new!
http://terratechgame.com
Raging Justice
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOdnFiBqxvc&w=560&h=315]
We play some Raging Justice and chat with Nic from Makin Games.
http://www.makingames.com
Horizon Shift
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXWH3TvIOYE?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
We play some Horizon Shift and chat with Paul from Flump Studios!
http://www.flumpstudios.com
Hold onto your wallets and purses, as LEGO are about to completely empty it. Following on from the recently popular Skylanders and Disney Infinity games, LEGO Dimensions will mix playing with actual mini figures with videogames. Sounds interesting? Here is a trailer to give you a slightly better idea...
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMQQ6FeOoFY&w=560&h=315]
Sold yet? Check out some of the packs that will be available around launch time:
Warner Brothers, who are publishing the game have stated that they intend to release content for the Starter Pack for 'many years to come' so hopefully we won't see yearly additions of new starter packs and portals. Currently the game will have content based on The LEGO Movie, DC Comics, Ninjago, Wizard of Oz and Back to the Future, with more brands promised for the future.
The mini-figures will include NFC chips similar to those seen in Nintendo's Amiibos and Activision's Skylanders characters, allowing you to place them on the portal and get teleported into the videogame allowing you to take control of them. Get bored of playing the game? Simply remove them from the portal and play with them as normal LEGO.
The game is set to launch in September. For more information check out the official site.
If I had to choose one console at the moment to say I've used above all else since the turn of the new year, it would have to be hands down my 3DS. Not only have I upgraded to the New 3DS, which in it's own right is a fab little upgrade, but I've also picked up Zelda Majoras Mask and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Add in the fact that I was (note the past tense there) knee deep in the latest Pokemon, opting for Omega Ruby and it isn't hard to see why. While for a long time I longed to finally play Majora again while continuing to enjoy the delights of Pokemon it is neither of these games that I've been plunging hours into. In fact, the Zelda remake hasn't even made it into my 3DS yet.
Why? Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, that's why.
My co-presenters on Lads Night In (Callum and Kiefer) had talked up Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (MH3) for quite some time until the fateful day when I tried the series for the first time. I had the chance to pick up a new 3DS game via an eShop promotion and I either had a copy of the other games or had no interest. So I went for MH3. It wasn't long until both Callum and Kiefer had me facing up against some massive beasties, giving me hints and tips on how to play the game. The problem was, I just wasn't feeling it. In hindsight I don't think I played the start of MH3 at my own pace and allow myself to get into the basics of the game by following all the early quests. Anyway, I played it twice...maybe three times, then that was that. I didn't 'get' the combat, the menu system was too intense, the weight of different items/collectables was just overbearing.
Skip forward a couple of years and both Callum and Kiefer were eagerly anticipating the next Monster Hunter to hit the UK, again for the 3DS, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (MH4). Thanks to some clever Nintendo marketing in the shape of cool looking DLC (such as a Link costume for use in game, and Mario costumes for your in-game felynes) I could feel myself getting on the hype train, even with me not enjoying the previous title at all. One free demo later and boom, I was sold. Day one purchase.
It's been out for a few weeks now, and while I haven't been playing it as much lately as I have been, I'm still really liking it. In gameplay terms, the mechanics, the combat, the structure are almost identical to MH3, so what makes this one so playable this time round? Easy question to answer really, I started the game at my own pace. All of the tutorial stuff? Done. All of the text? Read. I played the start of the game at my own pace. No multiplayer for me straight away, not this time, and it paid off big time. Most of my time played on MH4 recently has been via local multiplayer, however this is a game that rewards those new to the series to kill a couple of the starter beasts on your own (well, alongside your felyne). It also features a comprehensive set of individual tutorial quests for each different weapon variant. Fancy trying dual blades? The game hands you a starter pair, some tips on how to use them and a beast to try them out on. The C-Stick on the 'new' 3DS makes playing MH a whole lot easier if you ever tried playing the previous game on the normal 3DS without the aid of the additional Circle Pad Pro. This allows faster panning of the camera, as you'll face monsters that are constantly sprinting around you.
More recently I've been delving into the multiplayer a bit more, to the point where I've geared up far past the point I should be in the single player. But multiplayer is where this game really shines, especially with local play (although they have now included online play for the first time on handheld, but sadly without any voice chat functionality). Teaming up not only helps with completing quests, but also allows up to four players to dodge and team up against some of the biggest, baddest monsters the game has to offer.
It still is a niche title which requires a lot of killing the same critters over and over again in the hope that a certain item/piece drops of which you may need to create or upgrade your armour and/or weapon. Hitting the blasted things has always felt a little hit and miss on occasions, while I also feel scrolling through items to be a little awkward (although changing the touch screen to allow more quick to select items has made life a fair bit easier). A feature this game is crying out for is some sort of screenshot function, as for a game which revolves around continuously upgrading your item sets based on stats and looks it seems bizarre to have no way of taking a screen grab to show off to your friends (or put into articles such as this). You can create and customize Guild Cards which are distributed via StreetPass sort of makes up for it, but only other Monster Hunters are going to see these.
The best way for me to sum up Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is to quite simply say pick up the demo. Its free, and does a fantastic job of introducing you to the series. You'll know hands down if the game is for you after playing through the demo, which is something a few demos I've played recently have failed to do. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is available now for the Nintendo 3DS/2DS. If you are using a original style 3DS I'd highly recommend picking up a Circle Pad Pro. New 3DS owners need not worry thanks to the new C-Stick.
Lads Night In: Friday Nights, LIVE! 7pm-9pm. www.redshiftradio.co.uk Listen to us talk about Games, Films...and stuff!
On this last week's show, presented by Dave, Kiefer and Callum...(and and Kelly too!!) - We introduce Kelly-Ann onto the show (as she dishes out some on the air training for Kiefer and Callum!) - Create Your Own Superhero Team! Iron Man? She-Ra? The Hulk? Lots of listener feedback plus hear ours! Next week...we want your Villain Teams! - Online Heists is finally coming to GTA finally - LEGO Micro Fighters Series Two - Top 10 Videogames (including a surprise game jumping 25 places!) and Movie Charts
Listen to last week's show below. Join us this coming Friday as we choose our Villain teams to pit against our Heroes!
[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/LadsNightIn/lads-night-in-6th-march-2015/ width=660 height=208 hide_cover=1 hide_tracklist=1]
ZOMMMMBBBIIEESSS!!
Thanks to the release of Dying Light this week at retail we've been posting lots of content centered around those not-so-loveable that we all shall eventually fear, Zombies!
To see an update list of our Zombie related content, hit this link. The page will update automatically as new zombie-content is posted, so keep coming back!
I've just taken a short break from writing a review and decided to have a bit of a catch up on the days goings on via the power of the internet.
Lots of new gameplay videos, release dates, a limited edition that includes a house, new patc...wait...
A limited edition that includes...a house?!
It's true! UK gamers keen to get the best version of Dying Light (which is out now via direct download from the Playstation Network/Xbox Live or on disc at retail from Friday) is getting a £250,000 edition of the game, courtesy of GAME. It's called the 'My Apocalypse' Edition
What does £250,000 get you then?
- Custom built zombie-proof cabin, thanks to Tiger Log Cabins
- Parkour Lessons, thanks to Ampisound, the fellas behind the video below
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPhuefvauuk&w=560&h=315]
- A trip to the Techland studios in Poland to meet the devs
- An online match of 'Be The Zombie' with the devs
- Your face added to the game (Night Hunter character skin)
- Night Vision goggles
- Adult Diapers (OH COME ON!)
- 2x Razor Tiamat Headphones
- Human sized Volatile model (I assume to 'decorate' your new cabin)
Oh...and 4 signed copies of the game, in steelbook cases, of course.
Don't believe me? It's apparently going up for preorder on GAME's website tomorrow (25th Feb) so you'll be able to see for yourself.
Check out the image below for the full contents. If any of our readers decide to splash the cash, ensure you invite us round for a brew.
Lad's Night In: Friday Nights, LIVE! 7pm-9pm. www.redshiftradio.co.ukListen to us talk about Games, Films...and stuff!
On this week's show, presented by Dave, Kiefer and Callum... - Top Five Gadgets - eShop Update - New LEGO games incoming! - Kiefer has played Dying Light - Top 10 Videogames (including a surprise game jumping 25 places!) and Movie Charts
[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/LadsNightIn/lads-night-in-30th-jan-2015/ width=660 height=208 hide_cover=1 hide_tracklist=1]
Are you a Nintendo Ambassador? Did you check your emails yesterday? If that is a no, then perhaps you should. Nintendo Europe are offering the New 3DS to a select number of Nintendo Ambassadors yesterday via email for the price of £179.99. Adored in a limited edition design this truly is a late Christmas present (albeit, one you have to pay for) to those lucky enough to be able to log in and buy one.
The main body of the console is White and also includes:
- Exclusive Ambassador cover plates (front and back)
- Super Smash Brothers cover plates (front and back)
- Charging Cradle, Stylus and a 4GB Memory Card.
It would seem only a very select few people have been given the opportunity to seize one. If you were an early adopter to the original 3DS (receiver of the free 20 games issued as a thank you back at the 3DS launch pre-price cut) it's well worth giving your inbox another look (don't forget those spam folders!) to ensure you haven't skipped over it. Those fortunate only have until the 12th January to purchase it.
Eurogamer.com asked Nintendo to clarify how they decided on who to select, of which Nintendo replied stating they could not disclose how you'd have needed to be eligible, aside from being an Ambassador. You can find the original Eurogamer article here.
Some members of the StreetPass Manchester community received the email. While the reaction was for the most part positive, a couple of the members did have their reservations, mainly concerning the model on offer (the smaller 'regular' size 3DS and not it's larger brother). Robert Bland was one of those who got the opportunity to purchase one and had this to say on the situation:
it's cool that Nintendo do things like this and it sets them aside from other companies in that respect. However, the offer didn't appeal to me personally.
The two main points of it seem to be that you can get a New 3DS before other people, and it comes with exclusive Ambassador faceplates. The trouble with this is that people already have the New 3DS and the XL model (which is the one that interests me more personally) thanks to importing from Australia, so that's not really that special. As for the faceplates, they're pretty boring to be honest. They'll be rare, yes, but I also worry that faceplates will be easy to manufacture, and thus the Ambassador plates could be cloned (even if it's done illegally).
Like I say, it's very nice of Nintendo to do this, but I can't help feeling that they maybe should've offered an exclusive New 3DSXL to lucky people. That way the design can't simply be cloned and it would be more of a rare collectable item, and I certainly would've bought it
Chris Joyce added:
To begin with it's not an XL model, and after owning XL models for a while now, I could never downgrade the screen size. Secondly, the ambassador face plate isn't even that nice, in my opinion.
The console itself isn't special in any way, it's only the exclusive face plate. I also don't think the cost is worth it. For that price you can get a New 3DS XL - you just won't get the charging dock and face plates, but the XL doesn't use the plates any way.
I imported a New 3DS XL back in late November/early December, so I'm all set with the new model.
It's nice that Nintendo are giving some people the chance to get their hands on one early - without having to import one, which less serious collectors/gamers won't get involved in - and I think that keeping it limited was the right thing to do
And finally, James Patrick Bowden felt this offer was more of a marketing tool, rather than a reward:
The Ambassador name has sort of been used in vain to an extent as where before the 'Ambassador Program' felt like a reward for being an early adopter, here it feels like what it is - marketing.
Thing is, I purchased a Nintendo DS way back when when it was offered through Club Nintendo as a VIP Pack. No cheaper, but a month early, and a free t-shirt (which said 'touch me', not Nintendo's finest hour). Ergo I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I said I don't see the appeal of the offer; getting the console before general release (ignoring the reality of importing), especially when general release is still an unknown, is a huge thing for many and the Ambassador faceplate looks functional if completely unspectacular. Throw in the fact that this pack will be the only way to get said faceplate, and that collectors 'need' starts to take control, and in many ways this is what Nintendo is cashing in on. The fact it seems no more expensive than the console will be at retail rounds it off as a pleasant offer that is welcome, even if it's largely devoid of spectacle.
Did you get an email? Wished you had? Let us know in the comments below or discuss the subject via our social media pages. We can be found at facebook.com/blastprocess or you can tweet to us, @BlastProcess.
My memory has never been that great...but can anyone remember the last time we, that is us the British, have had the privlidge to be graced with not one, but two fantastic Nintendo games on one release day? Answers on a postcard! (or tweet, or Facebook comment or even an email!).
Anyway, regardless it is happening this coming Friday! Super Smash Brothers, fresh from the recent news that it is now the fastest selling Wii U game (over taking Mario Kart), is out on the Wii U from this Friday. After playing a number of hours on the 3DS version I can safely say I've been really looking forward to the options-abound Wii U addition. Multiplayer madness will ensure no doubt, especially with Christmas incoming.
While some of us maybe dusting off our Wii Us, others may par-take in purchasing the other Nintendo release. Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby are both out too, on the 3DS/2DS. As the names suggest they are remakes of the GBA classics Sapphire and Ruby, but with the inclusion of Mega Stones and other various mini features, including the ability to link to the Pokemon Bank allowing you to truly attempt to 'catch 'em all!'.
I really did think, for quite some time, that when the time came I'd be more excited for Smash Bros rather than Pokemon. While I cannot wait to crowd round a TV and play some HD 'Smash', I'm actually more ready for Alpha and Omega. Playing X and Y at the same time as my friends last year was really fun. The constant competition between gym battles as we all sought out new Pokemon, tweaking teams, trying out new move combos and such only added to what was a very good addition to the Pokemon series.
This got me thinking. What are you more looking forward too?
Shall we do a poll? We'll discuss the results next week!
[polldaddy poll=8477510]
Our man Chris (aka DrTarsus) has been playing one of the past couple of week's big releases, Alien Isolation. To add a little spice to his gameplay videos however, he has been using his recently acquired Oculus Rift headsets. He is a brave man is our Chris. Could using the rift add to the drama of Aliens? I think so. Judge for yourselves with the first three videos from the Alien Isolation gameplay series:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iUl4aX8CGc&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ymFOPU04Gk&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMA0YMu2uf8&w=560&h=315]
Lad's Night In: Friday Nights, LIVE! 7pm-9pm. www.redshiftradio.co.ukListen to us talk about Games, Films...and stuff!
On this week's show, presented by Kiefer and Callum... - Age of Ultron, the upcoming Avengers film has a teaser trailer - Titanfall + Plants Vs Zombies both have new free updates! - Can a game be over-hyped? - Hooverboards, Back to the Future style, are finally on the way - GTA San Andreas is being re-released on Xbox 360 - Top 10 Videogames and Movie Charts - Technical Hiccups...sorry!
And much more!
[mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/LadsNightIn/lads-night-in-24th-october/ width=660 height=208 hide_cover=1 hide_tracklist=1]
Lad's Night In: Friday Nights, LIVE! 7pm-9pm. www.redshiftradio.co.ukListen to us talk about Games, Films...and stuff!
On this week's show, presented by Dave, Kiefer and Callum... - The week's Movie Chart, which is dedicated to someone we sadly lost last week - Is the Pokemon Alpha/Omega demo any good? - New Releases discussed. Say 'hello' to The Evil Within, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and F1 2014 - Pokemon Mystery: Who is the ghost girl from X & Y? - Marvel Rumours: Could Iron Man be appearing in Captain America 3? And could we be seeing Spiderman in the third Avengers film? - Top 10 Videogames
And much more!
[mixcloud http://www.mixcloud.com/LadsNightIn/lads-night-in-17th-october/ width=660 height=268 hide_cover=1 mini=1]
Chris has been playing through the upcoming title, Qora, via Steam. It's a quirky pixel-art sidescrolling exploration adventure game by Curve Digital. It is due to be released on October 10th. Intrigued? You should be! Why not check out the first 15 minutes of gameplay? [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOKuwr0kL-o&w=560&h=315] Want to learn more about the game and the studio? Head on over to the official site!
Thanks to my good friend Kiefer (@Kipikins) I've managed to obtain a demo code for the upcoming 3DS version of Super Smash Brothers. I'm a long standing fan of the series since it's beginnings back on the Nintendo 64. I mean...come on...who didn't and wouldn't want a over the top fighting game featuring some of Nintendo's most loved franchises? Many precious GCSE 'revision sessions' were lost to several rounds on Smash Bros! The series returned on the Nintendo Gamecube with the added title of Melee fixed to the end, and I can safely say I probably sunk more hours into that iteration than that of its predecessor and the later version released on the Wii some years later combined. The Gamecube controller was the perfect fit (of which I'm really glad they allowed you to use the same pad on the Wii and the upcoming Wii U version too). Anyway...I digress.
The upcoming 3DS version is the first handheld Smash Bros. Boasting the same roster of characters which will be available later in the year on it's bigger brother, the Wii U, this game is crammed full of Nintendo fan service. The 3DS iteration will share some of the same levels from the Wii U plus includes a few of its own.
Lets get down to business. The demo...what do you get?
Smash mode is the only way to play in the demo, giving you the option of fighting on your own against 1-3 CPU opponents of adjustable difficulty. You can also play via local wireless, allowing you and up to 3 friends to battle it out, with or without CPU opponents to pad out the contest. 5 characters are playable, with veterans Mario, Link and Pikachu being pick-able alongside newcomers MegaMan and the Villager (of Animal Crossing fame), giving you a good selection of different fighting styles. You can only do battle on one map, the straightforward Battlefield (with either the additional 'floating' platforms included or not, pressing X on the map selection screen allows you to flick between the two settings). Pickup/item options cannot be changed, nor can the time limit, which is set at 2 minutes.
As I started my first battle it soon became apparent that this was the Smash Brothers I knew and loved. No tinkering of controls, no changes to the mechanics, it's Smash Brothers, only on a handheld console. Playing as one of my favorites (Link, of course) only cemented that fact as all the combos and moves came back to me in a flash. It's been some time since I played the Wii version, but just like riding a bike you soon get back into the swing of battering people out of arenas. Today I managed to play with a couple of friends at work via local wireless and we were soon letting out gasps and cursing each other in a way only local multiplayer games can. While the demo may only give you 5 characters and 1 arena, it's unsurprising that we were all agreeing on having 'one more go' after each match.
I'm currently using a standard 3DS, while my 2 friends were using XLs. The Battlefield map in the demo perhaps isn't the greatest way of testing how well the game will work on my tiny screens, as screenshots/videos and other hands-on articles I've read have all pointed at the XL being the console you should be playing this on. This is mainly due to some of the other arenas being much wider, meaning when the fights get stretched and the camera inevitably has to zoom out so everyone can see what's going on the action is going to be very hard to see on the standard 3DS screens. This isn't something I can personally confirm, as previously mentioned the Battlefield map is a pretty straight-forward arena.
I've put most of my game time so far into the two newcomers to the series, especially MegaMan. At first, I wasn't that taken with his move set, but the more I've used him, the more I'm getting into his combos. I don't usually play with ranged characters, which with a gun attached his arm, it's obvious how MegaMan was going to play. His recovery move doesn't have any offensive power for example, but I'm really getting into the swing of his abilities.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3RabYT_Log&w=560&h=315]
The Villager has some nifty moves, with my favorite being the summon-able missile, aka the Gyroid. Hop on one, and use it as a guided missile, allowing you to jump off before it hits its target, ideal for taking out characters trying to recover. I've got a lot more rounds to play through before I can really say if either of them will be ranked as my most played characters.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCE6jzt2z9Q&w=560&h=315]
My circle pad is taking some stick when I'm going for the smash moves, so I'm a little worried I may eventually break it... Hopefully a future update may slightly adjust the sensitivity of bringing out the powerful moves. The 3DS's other buttons suit the default Smash Bro's button layout, although I guess if the console had a second C-Stick like the Gamecube controller to pull off the Smash attacks that would be awesome (and may lengthen the life of my main console stick). Speaking of which, sadly you won't be able to use the Circle Pad Pro as it won't be compatible. Nintendo have confirmed you will be able to use the 2nd stick on the 'new 3DS' which is coming out next year with Smash Bros though.
All and all, the demo does a fantastic job of making me very impatient when it comes to having to wait for the full release (which no doubt will make me want the Wii U version even more than I already do...). It looks fantastic, and I'm glad that Nintendo decided to give each of the characters a black outline to make the characters a little easier to battle with on the smaller screens. I am a little concerned about the arena sizes in the full release when played out on the 3DS screen. I don't feel restricted by the layout of the buttons in conjunction with the default control layout, aside from possibly the sensitivity of trying to pull off the smash moves with the stick. The newcomers fit in with the already established veterans, who play just like their bigger console iterations.
If you didn't get a code via Club Nintendo (or via an awesome friend!) then have no fear, the demo will be available to download from the eShop from September 19th.
Enjoying your week so far? Did you miss last friday's Lads Night In show of which I co-host over on RedshiftRadio.co.uk? If so...I can help you out there! It is now up and ready to be listened to via Mixcloud. The show has been embedded at the bottom of this post.
On last week's show we discussed the newly announced 3DS, along with Xenoblade. Callum laughed an awful lot (who knew the number 7 would be so funny?) while Assassins Creed Unity, Star Wars Commander and Amazon buying Twitch are also mentioned.
The theme for the music for this week related to over-played tracks. Admitably, a few of them may make you run away in fear...
Anyway, enjoy!
