News of the Week: 7/23/11

There is certainly no lack of video game news this week. With the San Diego Comic-con still going on, video game companies, such as Capcom and Nintendo, are putting their all in showing off their new or most anticipated games to perhaps the most appropriate fan base. NERDS!!!! Anyway here are the juiciest tidbits coming at you from this week.

MegaMan Legends 3 Cancelled:

After cancelling the odd but much anticipated MegaMan Universe earlier this year, Capcom would go and commit dickiest of dick moves by cancelling the much more beloved long awaited sequel in the MegaMan Legends series, MegaMan Legends 3 for the 3DS. Now if that wasn't bad enough, CapcomEuro via Twitter stated:

"it's a shame the fans didn't want to get more involved :-( if we saw there was an audience for MML3 people might have change minds" - CapcomEuro

It's easy to see how this hurt not only MegaMan fans excited about a new game but the community developers and fans who spending their days making sure this title saw the light of day. Capcom's statement hit nerves everywhere including one guy who stated via Twitter:

"how exactly do you want people to be "more involved?" Do you want us to make the game for you?" - dertek

To which Capcom with much class responded:

"well yes that's the point of the Dev rooms." - CapcomEuro

In all fairness Capcom did attempt to clarify their poorly received statment:

"I was expressing dissapointment with a Capcom marketing tool rather than blaming fans . . . because we create something and not all fans like it = Capcom's fault not the fans." - Capcom Euro

By saying "create something and not all fans like it" do they mean creating a game that isn't a Street Fighter add-on or Resident Evil spin-off is bad for the company? If so, then I'm going to half to say bye-bye to Capcom and hello Crapcom. And by saying they weren't blaming their fans when a day ago they clearly were blaming their fans is almost as insulting as bad as promising two game starring their most iconic character and then cancelling it last second.

Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Announced:

While we're on the subject of Capcom, they announced at Comic-con Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 which will feature twelve new characters, eight new stages, and a more balanced fighting system (a balanced Sentinel, not in your dreams).

Four new fighters were confirmed by Capcom: On the Marvel side is Ghost Rider and Hawkeye while on the Capcom side is Strider and Firebrand.

But of course the rest of the characters were leaked so everyone knows them and here they are: for Capcom it's Phoenix Wright, Frank West, Nemesis, Vergil; while for Marvel it's Iron Fist, Nova and Rocket Raccoon (Come on, no Howard the Duck!?)

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is due out this November

Freddy Krueger enters Mortal Kombat:

That's right! The man who lives to kill your nightmares is entering the same arena as SubZero. At Comicon Freddy Krueger was announced to be DLC coming in August 4th. I personally can't wait to pit Freddy against Kratos! YES!!!

In other news:

-Old World Blues, the 3rd add-on for Fallout: New Vegas released

-Nintendo 3DS released live streaming video to help showcase unique movies and trailers

Quick Review: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

Quick Review:

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

Developed by Nintendo and Grezzo

Published by Nintendo

for the Nintendo 3DS

Released June 19th, 2011

"Improving on a Masterpiece"

Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 is thought to be not only the best game of the Zelda series, but the greatest game of all time. When a fully 3D remastered version of OoT was announced for the 3DS, it quickly became one of the most anticipated games for the handheld. I'm going to make this review quick seeing as how there's not much else to say about OoT that hasn't already been said so allow me to talk about how well this iteration is handled on the 3DS.

The first thing to notice are the improved graphics. The game, for the era, looked gorgeous but Nintendo took the models, the environments, the textures, and the animations and improved upon those pesky 64 bits by bringing the game up to date. Now, with Gamecube quality graphics and beautiful HD 3D that makes Hyrule come alive, the game never looked better.

The controls are intact but now allow for quick equipping with the touch screen capabilities. For convenience sake, there are now six slots for items compared to the three slots in the 64 version (The ocarina takes up a permanent spot) For those who hated the Water Temple with a passion, the iron boots can be equipped by a simple touch, instead of having to open the menu, going to the equipment menu and select it. The most impressive aspect of the 3DS controls is the gyroscopic aiming. Aiming with the bow and arrow has never felt smoother or more accurate.

This version adds a bit more replay value to the tons already implemented into the game. Beating the main quest with unlock Master's Quest. Originally for the Gamecube, Master's Quest brings a rearranged and overall more difficult version of every dungeon. The game also has a boss attack mode that keeps track of how fast you can be each dungeon end-boss.

When it comes to Ocarina of Time and Nintendo's devotion towards it, there's nothing else to do but add to this masterpiece. Ocarina of Time 3D is a perfect way to bring the classic into this generation without leaving anything behind. Ocarina of Time will forever be one of the greatest games of all time and now we have another chance to relive the experience in beautiful 3D.

Details -

Genre: RPG, Adventure

ESRB Rating: E for Everyone (Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes)

Player Options: 1-Player

Learning Curve: 30 Minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Stats -

Graphics: 5/5

Sound: 5/5

Playability: 4/5

Fun: 5/5

Lasting Appeal: 5/5

Amazing!!

35 Hit-Combo!!!

Review Description

Critical Hit: Operational Rainfall

If you are a dedicated Wii player, it's hard not to feel a little forgotten with the anemic 2011 line-up which only consists of Skyward Sword. Now, I'm not undermining the power of Zelda but I would be a little more satisfied if I had a something else to look forward to to ease the pain of waiting until Winter for a game.

Wii fans from all over are indeed hurting and rightfully so, especially when three great games (The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, XenoBlade) have already or will soon be launched on Japanese consoles. I know Nintendo is focusing on supporting the 3DS and creating a great launch for the Wii U, but the utter neglect Nintendo is showing to its dedicated fans is down right insulting.

It is time to take a stand and a group of gamers are doing so by putting forth the effort to bring these games state-side. Operation Rainfall, created on June 26th, is a fan campaign that hopes to persuade Nintendo to bring these to North America.

Operation Rainfall, through their endeavors, has sent letters to the developers of the games and to Nintendo telling them of the situation and pleading for these games. They have also made Xenoblade one of the top pre-orders on Amazon despite not being officially announced in the U.S. Nintendo has taken noticed of OR's efforts and told them that they appreciate their enthusiasm but do not have any plans on localizing these games.

This doesn't mean the fight is over! Europe is getting these games in 2012, it's time we Americans do! So, as a Wii player, or a gamer in general, do your part and join Operation Rainfall and bring these games to us. The campaign has already received much media attention and its just a matter of time but we cannot let up just yet. What you can do is pre-order these games on various shops that allow you to, send letters to the developers and to Nintendo, and like the Operation Rainfall page here.

Hopefully, these games will come to the United States (even those Europeans are expecting them in 20121.