The Galaxy Nexus is probably one of the hottest Android phones to ever be released. The latest in Google’s line of true Android Nexus phones, the Galaxy Nexus is the first device to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which is arguably the best and most important version of the OS that Google has released. Ice Cream Sandwich ushers in a new era of Android, one that focuses on providing a unique, clean, and polished user interface to the platform.
While the LTE Galaxy Nexus only just launched on Verizon in the United States yesterday, the GSM variant has been available here in Canada for over a week now. Today, I finally went hands-on with the device at Best Buy, and while the time I spent with the phone was short and the feature set was limited, the Galaxy Nexus certainly left an astounding impression.
The next expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card game, Next Destinies, was revealed a few weeks ago, and we now have more details about the upcoming set. Thanks to PidgiPress, we’ve got the full sell sheet attached below, which reveals that the Boosters and Theme Decks for Next Destinies will hit stores in North America on February 8th, 2012.
Next Destinies bring the return of EX cards to the TCG, though the new Pokémon-EX (as they will be known) are different from the previous Pokémon ex cards, as they feature a new design and new play mechanics.
The sell sheet reveals that, in total, 8 new Pokémon-EX cards will appear in Next Destinies, 6 of which will also appear as Full Art Pokémon-EX cards. All 6 Pokémon-EX from Japan’s Hail Blizzard and Psycho Drive sets – Mewtwo-EX, Kyurem-EX, Groudon-EX, Kyogre-EX, Shaymin-EX, and Regigigas-EX – will appear, along with their Full Art variants, as well as Zekrom-EX and Reshiram-EX from the Japanese theme decks (which do not have Full Art equivalents).
Aside from the exciting addition of Pokémon-EX, Next Destinies will also bring with it two theme decks featuring Zekrom and Reshiram – though it is unclear at this time if the theme decks will feature Zekrom-EX and Reshiram-EX, or two new or reprinted Zekrom and Reshiram cards.
What an exciting set to look forward to in the new year! Again, you can expect Next Destinies Boosters and Theme Decks to hit stores on February 8th, 2012. Check out the full sell sheet below!
Nintendo has confirmed today that the much anticipated Japanese RPG, Xenoblade Chronicles, will be coming to North America in April 2012. The game will be available exclusively through GameStop locations in the United States, and is currently listed for release on April 3rd (though Nintendo has NOT confirmed this launch date).
Xenoblade Chronicles launched in Japan way back in June 2010, and was originally announced at E3 2009 for a North American release under the title “Monado: Beginning of the World”. However, the title eventually disappeared from the North American release schedule, and fans were outraged. They began a campaign called Operation Rainfall to see the game - along with two similar Japanese RPG’s, The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower - published in North America. Finally, Nintendo has answered the call of its fans.
It’s good to see that there are still some awesome titles in the pipeline for Wii, before Nintendo unleashes Wii U late next year. Check out Nintendo’s press release announcing Xenoblade Chronicle’s North American release below.
It’s man vs. machine in a new game coming to Nintendo’s Wii™ console in spring. Xenoblade Chronicles™asks players to use the Monado blade to take on a seemingly endless series of invading Mechon robots in a sweeping role-playing adventure.
The main character is Shulk, a weapons researcher who must confront the Mechon by wielding the ancient Monado blade. It’s the only weapon that has any effect against the Mechon, and it also enables Shulk to see the future.
Players can customize their characters with a variety of weapons and armor choices, as well as headgear, boots and gloves. As in many role-playing games, players can then gain experience and upgrade their characters. Players can watch their enemies, learn their tactics and unleash real-time counterattacks.
The vast open world of Xenoblade Chronicles is ripe for exploration. Players can avert their focus from the main story and venture out looking for other challenges and side quests. Hidden areas and unique monsters are scattered throughout the game’s massive world, which players can explore freely.
Xenoblade Chronicles has already launched in Japan and Europe, and has received unanimously positive reviews, including several perfect scores.
Xenoblade Chronicles will be available exclusively through U.S. GameStop retail locations, http://www.gamestop.com and http://www.nintendo.com at a suggested retail price of $49.99 in the United States. Additional information about the game will be announced in the future. For more information, visithttp://xenobladechronicles.nintendo.com.
Created by Tom Jenkins, this short film titled “Address is Approximate” mixes Google Street View with stop-motion animation and achieves a stunning result! The short was shot on a Canon 5D Mark II and features the music of the Cinematic Orchestra - a song I’ve used myself for a previous video project.
Yes, it was 5 years ago today, on November 19th, 2006, that Nintendo launched the Wii and forever changed the future of gaming and game control. That image above was among the first promotional images for Wii, and is an image that still evokes excitement for me. It reminds me of those days leading up to launch back in 2006.
I remember it like it was yesterday! Nintendo held special events around the world in September to announce the launch information for each market. I marked the 19th down on my calendar, and got my preorder in as soon as they opened at my local EB Games (thanks, Dad)!
Launch day was such a thrill! It was the first major console launch I had ever participated in. I got to the store early, lined up with the rest of the Nintendo fans, and within a few minutes I had my shiny new Wii console!
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was the first game, aside from Wii Sports, that I bought for my Wii, on launch day. It only seems fitting that the games successor, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, is launching tomorrow: 5 years and 1 day later.
I’m beginning to work on a 5 Years of Wii Retrospective that will be on the site soon. Stay tuned, and go play some Wii tonight!
REDMOND, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)— The most epic game Nintendo has ever produced is set to soar into stores. On Nov. 20, Nintendo introduces The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword exclusively for the Wii™ home console. It’s a sweeping adventure that all players, regardless of the type of video games they play, will want to pick up. Critics are already lining up with their accolades: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swordhas earned perfect-10 reviews from leading outlets Game Informer and IGN.
“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a once-in-a-console-generation game,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This new adventure offers intense sword combat, engaging puzzles and a beautiful, stylized look. Once again,The Legend of Zelda franchise finds ways to surprise and challenge players.”
The world of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is expansive. The game takes players flying in the air, searching through dungeons and exploring on land. Players help heroic Link™ explore volcanoes, forests, deserts and the sky itself. The epic quest lays the foundation for the events in the critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ and marks a turning point for the franchise.
The game uses the motion controls of the Wii Remote™ Plus controller (or a Wii Remote controller with a Wii MotionPlus™ accessory) to immerse players in the action. Every motion, whether swinging the sword to fight enemies, tossing bombs or shooting arrows, feels natural and intuitive. Players must solve each battle by analyzing enemies’ attacks and defenses and coming up with effective countermeasures.
The game will be available at a suggested retail price of $49.99 in the U.S. A limited-edition version will be offered at a suggested retail price of $69.99 in the U.S., which includes a gold-colored Wii Remote Plus controller.
As an additional treat for fans, every game in the initial production runs will include The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD at no extra charge. This special recording features 45 minutes of iconic music spanning the 25-year history of the Zelda franchise and offers fans who weren’t able to attend the sold-out Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony concerts in Los Angeles, Tokyo and London an opportunity to hear some of the arrangements created for those shows.
Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii.
The Galaxy Nexus is officially coming to Canada! Bell and Virgin Mobile announced this morning that the device will be available on their network in “early December” and interested customers can pre-register today!
The Galaxy Nexus is the first Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone, and features a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and a 4.65” HD Super AMOLED display. The carriers are also touting the phone’s panoramic camera function, Face Unlock, and 4G speeds, though it appears we will not be getting the LTE version here in Canada, only the HSPA+ model.
You can register for information here at Bell or Virgin Mobile. And check our Virgin Mobile’s press release after the break.
Get downloading! iOS 5.0.1 has been released by Apple for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and promises to improve battery life. The update also brings bug fixes for Documents in the Cloud, multitasking gestures for the iPad 1, and improved voice recognition for Aussie users using dictation.
iOS 5.0.1 also marks the first time that iOS devices can be updated over-the-air, which can be done by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
While we still don’t have a confirmed release date for the Wii U - though it is expected to hit in Q3 or Q4 2012 - we now have the first confirmed launch title for the upcoming system! Tecmo Koei has announced that the Wii U version of Ninja Gaiden III, called Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge, will be a launch title for Wii U.
Ninja Gaiden III will launch in February 2012 for PS3 and XBOX 360, quite a few months ahead of the Wii U version.
Google has sent out invitations to a special event taking place next Wednesday, November 16th, and they’re calling it “These Go To Eleven”. The Spinal Tap reference seems to indicate, and many in the industry concur, that the event will be be focused on Google Music.
Rumours have been pointing to the imminent launch of a Google Music Store, and perhaps some Google+ integration in the form of song sharing between friends.
