Sonic Mania Is Sonic’s Back to the Future Moment
Sonic Mania is smart, I’ll give it that. Rather than just being a new Sonic game designed as if it was still the Genesis era, as some other long-running franchises have done, Sega has instead taken old Sonic levels and seamlessly mixed them with new content. This approach, at least in the couple of stages I played, fueled my fun without relying solely on nostalgia.
Yes, I had fun. Lots of it! Sixteen-bit Sonic, in my humble opinion, holds up remarkably well for being 25 years old. Stages can begin familiar (hello, Green Hill Zone!) and then blend effortlessly into new territory, with speed, pinball bounces, and ring-collecting remaining at the forefront of the gameplay. Better, you can choose to play as Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles – the most beloved of the motley crew the Big Blue Blur has assembled over the years. The $20 price point seems right on target as well.
A Video Game Trailer Just Became Eligible to Win an Oscar
For the first time ever, a video game trailer has qualified for an Academy Award.
In a recent tweet, Irish artist David OReilly confirmed the 11-minute trailer for simulator Everything had qualified in the category for best animated short film following success at the Vienna Shorts Festival, in which he scooped the Jury Prize for Animation.
In a formal statement, the jury stated that the Everything short goes beyond entertainment and has "a strong poetic and philosophical theme.
"It serves a highly educational purpose, including an important political statement, that encourages
A Video Game Trailer Just Became Eligible to Win an Oscar
For the first time ever, a video game trailer has qualified for an Academy Award.
In a recent tweet, Irish artist David OReilly confirmed the 11-minute trailer for simulator Everything had qualified in the category for best animated short film following success at the Vienna Shorts Festival, in which he scooped the Jury Prize for Animation.
In a formal statement, the jury stated that the Everything short goes beyond entertainment and has "a strong poetic and philosophical theme.
"It serves a highly educational purpose, including an important political statement, that encourages
FOX Cancels 24: Legacy, But Franchise May Continue
24: Legacy has been canceled by FOX after one season.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, while FOX has opted against renewing 24: Legacy for a second season, the network wants to continue the franchise with a "new version" that features a fresh cast. FOX will reportedly rework the 24 franchise with a more anthological approach, such that each season will feel more like a self-contained miniseries.
The network made its final decision on which shows will return and which will be canceled for the majority of its lineup last month, but said it was waiting to make a decision on Prison Break and 24: Legacy. While we now know the fate of Legacy, the future of Prison Break has yet to be decided.
FOX Cancels 24: Legacy, But Franchise May Continue
24: Legacy has been canceled by FOX after one season.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, while FOX has opted against renewing 24: Legacy for a second season, the network wants to continue the franchise with a "new version" that features a fresh cast. FOX will reportedly rework the 24 franchise with a more anthological approach, such that each season will feel more like a self-contained miniseries.
The network made its final decision on which shows will return and which will be canceled for the majority of its lineup last month, but said it was waiting to make a decision on Prison Break and 24: Legacy. While we now know the fate of Legacy, the future of Prison Break has yet to be decided.
Comic Book Reviews for June 7, 2017
It was another big week of comics. DC delivered a game-changing new issue of Batman while also wrapping up The Dark Knight III: The Master Race. Marvel launched new comics starring Iceman and Darth Vader while bidding farewell to Nova and ending Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo's Doctor Strange run. AfterShock debuted another promising new series with Babyteeth #1. And Image wrapped up Mark Milalr and Greg Capullo's Reborn while also releasing new issues of The Walking Dead and Paper Girls.
Scroll down to check out our reviews for these and various other new releases, and be sure to let us know your favorite books of the week in the comments below.
DC COMICS
Project Cars 2 Release Date Announced
Project Cars 2 will release worldwide on September 22, 2017.
The racing sequel - which is coming to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One - has ambitions to replicate the "world's most famous endurance racing championships, past and present". Not only does it promise that "iconic" cars from a range of classes and time periods can race together in both single and championship mode, there's also a fine selection of well-known tracks and stages, including Le Mans and Nürburgring.
"Project Cars 2 delivers an unparalleled racing experience for players of all skill levels," states the press release. "Bleeding-edge visuals, precise car physics, revamped confidence-inspiring gamepad controls combined with advanced and newly refined tire grip and slip physics that provide drivers with optimised control and feel in all situations, and enhanced, realistic A.I. make Project Cars 2 the most immersive and technically-advanced racing simulation on the planet."
Konami is Discussing Bringing Castlevania to Switch
Konami is discussing whether or not to bring Castlevania to Nintendo Switch.
In an interview with Miketendo64, European Brand Manager, Richard Jones, confirmed that there'd been "lots of internal discussions" at Konami to ascertain what games the publisher "can bring to the Nintendo Switch".
“All I can say is that there is lots of internal discussions going on within Konami regarding what games we can bring to the Nintendo Switch, other than Bomberman, a game which we are well aware of its heritage and how loved it and Castlevania is," Jones said. "So much so that Castlevania is getting its own show on Netflix and because of that, we’re hearing a lot of desires from our fans for a new Castlevania series.
Pokemon Go Anniversary Events Detailed
It's been less than a year since Pokemon Go took the world by storm. Niantic is planning some events, both in-game and real-world, for the upcoming anniversary of the game's release.
Pokemon Go Fest will be hosted in Chicago's Grant Park on July 22. There will be all sorts of Pokemon themed activities to take part in with your fellow trainers.
European players won't miss out though, as there will be events from June through September in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco shopping centers.
Of course, Japan is getting involved too, with a "Pikachu Outbreak" event in Yokohama, where visitors are promised a "unique Pokemon Go experience."
Nintendo Theme Park: First Trailer Reveals Themed Areas
The first trailer for Nintendo's new theme park, Super Nintendo World, has revealed what appear to be themed zones within the Japanese version of the park.
While the trailer is all CGI footage with real humans only superimposed, it appears to give some idea of the planned layout for the upcoming theme park to be held at Universal Studios Japan.
The trailer starts with Mario entering a green tunnel to make his way into the park, which is a logical entrance for a Nintendo-centric world. Beyond this Mario moves between distinctly different areas including both Princess Peach's and Bowser's Castles.