Month: June 2018

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Nintendo at E3 2018. The company has achieved massive success with the Switch thanks to its hybrid functionality and fantastic roster of games. And with highly-anticipated games in its upcoming lineup, like Super Smash Bros., Metroid Prime 4, and Pokemon, many are clamoring for more details and announcements. In addition, Nintendo continues to support the 3DS, consistently announcing compelling new games for the handheld. For both platforms, it’s fair to say the focus is going to be on gameplay and trailers for many of the games we already know are releasing this holiday, as well as a slate of new and unannounced games.

Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest Switch and 3DS games we’re fairly certain are going to be at E3 in some form or another. Hopefully most of them are playable, but even if some oprnly show up as a trailer, it’s another chance to get a feel for what lies ahead. Many of these titles have been announced, but others are ones we’re guessing based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage.

The first potential look we’ll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. To make sure you’re up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 video streams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.

The following games are only a potential sampling of all the exciting titles that will come out of E3, and be sure to check out our editor’s picks for the games we’re most anticipating. But in the meantime, what games do you hope to learn more about at the show? Let us know in the comments below!

Bayonetta 3

Bayonetta 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed character-action game series by developer Platinum Games. Revealed at The Game Awards 2017, little has been said about the game since. In the years before its reveal, series creator Hideki Kamiya had often discussed the possibility of a third game. Both Kamiya and Bayonetta 2 director Yusuke Hashimoto expressed interest in a new entry and stated that they still had ideas they’d love to pursue in future games.

Bayonetta 3 will be a Switch exclusive, as Nintendo is funding its development–similar to Bayonetta 2 for Wii U. With so little known about Bayonetta 3, there’s still so much to learn, and we’re hoping that E3 2018 will be the platform that both Nintendo and Platinum Games uses to discuss it.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Renowned Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi is almost ready to launch his first project after striking out from Konami, and if you’re familiar with his past, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. This side-scrolling action game is set in an anime-tinged gothic world built on top of a sprawling map, with plenty of puzzles, boss battles, and upgrades to uncover.

Originally pitched on Kickstarter back in 2015 (a campaign that was fully funded in a single day), Bloodstained is currently set to launch on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC sometime in 2018. Igarashi and his co-developers from Inti Creates might as well take advantage of E3 to keep spreading the word, but a recent surprise announcement has already captured the attention of fans of old-school side-scrollers. A few weeks before E3, an original 8-bit Castlevania-esque game was given to backers and put up on most digital storefronts for about $10.

Anyone interested in Bloodstained’s ongoing development can follow the latest announcements over at the game’s Kickstarter page. Be sure to keep an eye on the date next to the posts! Igarashi and co pulled a fast one when they announced that Bloodstained would passively mine digital currencies. Thankfully, this one was just an April fool’s joke.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Nintendo announced in March that underrated Wii U game Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker would be coming to both Switch and 3DS. The charming platformer stars Captain Toad, who can’t jump; instead, you rotate the map to find clever ways around obstacles. The updated version adds new content, including a New Donk City-themed level based on last year’s Super Mario Odyssey (in which Captain Toad had a cameo).

The Switch version will have two-player local multiplayer where each player uses a Joy-Con, one controlling Toad and the other providing support. The 3DS version features 3D support and touch controls. Both versions launch in July.

Dark Souls Remastered

Nintendo announced the Switch version of Dark Souls Remastered during a Direct presentation in January. It said the the Switch version would come with the Artorias of the Abyss DLC and display the game at 1080p resolution with 30 FPS when played in TV mode.

That sounds pretty good, but it was supposed to release on May 24, the same day it came out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. But publisher Bandai Namco announced in April that the Switch version–along with the Solaire of Astora Amiibo–had been delayed to this summer.

The big question is why. Is it having trouble getting it to run smoothly on the Switch hardware? Did it decide to prioritize ironing bugs out of the other versions instead of launching the Switch version on time? We don’t know.

Let’s hope all of the promises about Dark Souls Remastered running smoothly on Switch remain true when it finally launches this summer.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Will the eleventh core entry in the Dragon Quest saga finally be the one to break through to mainstream western success? The last major DQ game was back in 2010–Sentinels of the Starry Skies on the Nintendo DS–and Nintendo’s 3DS handhelds have gotten reissues of the earlier entries in the series since. But outside of the offshoot Dragon Quest Heroes games, this’ll be the first entry on home consoles since the PS2 era and the first time the series will be available on PC (in the West) ever.

The alliterative title illustrates Dragon Quest’s playful nature, and the colorful enemies and turn-based combat are mainstays of the series. But longtime fans know that Dragon Quest’s charm comes from its endearing stories and puns that rival Monster Hunter’s loquacious wordplay. And the possibility of yet another great game on Switch makes the wait for DQ11 all the more difficult.

Mario Tennis Aces

Mario might dabble in a lot of sports, but Tennis seems to be his true passion. Mario Tennis Aces marks the eighth dedicated Mario tennis game, putting it on the same level as the Mario Kart series. And while this version will include the same in-depth playing mechanics as previous entries, it will also incorporate some Wii Sports-like physicality. Players will be able to swing their joy-con like a racket to serve up a more visceral on-the-court experience.

While Aces will include new characters (including a large but surprisingly spry-looking Chain Chomp), the biggest change this time around comes from the outfits. Mario is finally getting rid of the overalls in order to play tennis in shorts and a polo shirt. In every previous game, Mario has retained his trademark plumbers outfit. But this time, he’s going for a comfortably sporty look.

Just kidding. The bigger change is the adventure-like RPG mode. There’s a story to explore that centers around a mystical racket along with bosses to battle and minigames to conquer. But those outfits are pretty fun too, right?

Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch

A new, mainline Fire Emblem game for Switch was announced in January 2017 alongside Fire Emblem Echoes for 3DS and Fire Emblem Warriors. Both Echoes and Warriors have since released, but we haven’t heard anything more about the upcoming entry into the main series. It will be the first time since 2007’s Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn that a main Fire Emblem game has launched on a Nintendo home console (as opposed to a handheld). Of course, it’ll still be portable, too, thanks to Switch.

Last we heard, the game is scheduled to launch in 2018. If that’s still true, it’s likely we’ll hear more about it at E3.

Luigi’s Mansion

In a Direct back in March, Nintendo announced a 3DS remake of 2001 GameCube game Luigi’s Mansion. It unsurprisingly stars Luigi, who has to investigate a ghost-filled mansion using a vacuum that can suck up the ghosts. The 3DS version features the same story and levels as the original, but it adds a map of the mansion on the bottom screen, improved visuals, and a new Boss Rush mode. It’s slated to launch later this year, though no release date has been confirmed yet.

Mega Man 11

For several years, it seemed Capcom wouldn’t be releasing any more new Mega Man games. Since the character creator Keiji Inafune’s departure from Capcom, little had been announced for the fan-favorite blue bomber. However, Capcom has since focused more on supporting Mega Man, having since released several collections of the character’s most iconic games on modern platforms. This ultimately paved way for the upcoming Mega Man 11, which was announced late last year to commemorate the character’s 30th anniversary.

Unlike past games, Mega Man 11 features 3D polygonal characters and environments. Aside from the new visual style, the game seems to play like classic games in the series. Since its reveal trailer, we’ve heard little about Mega Man 11. However, if there’s any time that Capcom should talk about the game, it’s E3. After all, the game is scheduled to release later this year, so we’re hoping to that Capcom goes into more detail about the blue bomber’s latest adventure.

Metroid Prime 4

Beyond the fact that Metroid Prime 4 exists and is coming to Switch at some point in the future, there’s very little we can say about the game with absolute certainty. We also know that longtime Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead a new team of talented developers for the project, but what that studio is and who is on the team beyond Tanabe remains a mystery.

With nary an official word from Nintendo following the announcement at E3 2017– consisting of a teaser video set against a star field, with familiar Metroid music, and the reveal of a logo–we are left to sift through rumors and wonder. The current working theories include: Bandai Namco is co-developing, it is scheduled to launch in 2018, and it may feature the character Sylux, who was confirmed by Tanabe to be in a spaceship featured in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.

What we know about Sylux is mostly based on lore introduced in Nintendo DS’s Metroid Prime: Hunters and, oddly enough, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (in a trophy description). But at the end of 2017’s Metroid Prime: Federation Force, we also caught a glimpse of Sylux releasing a metroid from captivity. Is it a hint? Only time will tell.

Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler is a gorgeous game. For those who played SNES RPGs back in the ’90s, Octopath doesn’t just look like those old-school games; it looks the way you remember them. The game is an evolutionary offshoot to a world where game development didn’t take a hard turn into more realistic, 3D worlds.

The quirky name refers to the eight different characters and their intersecting stories as well as representing the game’s unique mechanics. While E3 will show off a new portion of abilities and gameplay, the Nintendo Switch still has a free demo available for anyone who wants to try out the game early.

Pokemon for Nintendo Switch

At last year’s E3, Nintendo announced a new Pokemon game for Nintendo Switch. The tease didn’t include a title, logo, key art, or really any details at all–just that series developer Game Freak would be making the game, which will be a “core RPG” that “may not release for over a year.” It’s been a year now, of course, and although nothing has been confirmed for E3, it would make sense for Nintendo to give more details soon.

Shin Megami Tensei V

Persona 4 and Persona 5 elevated the Japanese RPG series to new heights in the West, but Shin Megami Tensei, the series Persona spun off from, remains a niche product despite having been around for the better part of three decades. With the upcoming release of Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch, Atlus has a chance to bring new people into the fold, and while little is known about the game thus far, there’s a good chance that Nintendo or Atlus will reveal more at E3.

When SMT V was first announced in 2017, producer Kazuyuki Yamai stated that the game’s metropolitan setting and story would invoke contemporary social concerns such as unemployment and the threat of nuclear war to form the basis of its story. Of course, the series is also well known for presenting cities (Tokyo, usually) overrun by demons, and that will be the case once again. Given that this will be the first HD game in the series, Yamai pointed out the 3D modelling process for the many demons in the game (and their combined fused forms) will take three times as long as it did for the previous games. There’s currently no firm release date in sight, but according to the official english website, SMT V is “coming soon to the Americas and Europe.”

Super Smash Bros.

After a bit of a wait, the next Super Smash Bros. game is confirmed for Switch! Details are scarce, but we do know that Splatoon’s Inklings will join the roster for the first time, and there are of course characters we expect to return (including Mario and Bowser, judging by the silhouettes in the reveal trailer).

We also know that Nintendo will be holding a Smash Bros. Switch invitational tournament during E3, and it will be playable on the show floor for attendees. As a result, we can expect to get more information about the game–like whether it’s a souped-up port of Smash Bros. on Wii U or an entirely new entry from the ground up–very soon.

Valkyria Chronicles 4

If you ever wanted an anime-esque tactical RPG in the modern era, you’ll want to dive into the Valkyria Chronicles series. It’s known for a unique blend of real-time controls within a turn-based strategy framework, but also for how it draws inspiration from World War II and European military history for its fiction. Valkyria Chronicles 4 continues the series’ story of the Second Europan War fought on the continent of Europa between Atlantic Federation and the Eastern Imperial Alliance, but it instead focuses on the smaller stories taking place throughout the conflict.

This will be the first mainline Valkyria Chronicles entry for major platforms since the first game, which released in 2008. Valkyria Chronicles 2 and 3 were exclusive to the PlayStation Portable, and the third game never came to North America. An action-RPG spinoff called Valkyria Revolution came out in 2016 but didn’t come close to filling that void. Needless to say, we’re hoping to see more from Sega about the localized version of Valkyria Chronicles 4 at E3 2018.

The game is currently out in Japan for PS4 but is set to release in worldwide on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and other platforms.

WarioWare Gold

The 3DS is probably near the end of its long, long lifecycle, but the console’s not dead yet. And there are few finer series than WarioWare to see the system through its golden years.

The next entry in the fast-paced franchise is a more of a Greatest Hits-type collection, rather than a wholly original creation. As it features 300 new and returning micro-games from previous entries in the franchise, Nintendo is touting this game as the largest in the series to date.

Yoshi for Nintendo Switch

Revealed during Nintendo’s E3 2017 presentation, the new Yoshi game for Switch looks as adorable as you’d expect. While we know very little–not even the game’s official title–the E3 reveal included a trailer showing off this game’s twist on the series’ slower-paced platformer gameplay. Levels look sort of like dioramas, and you switch from the front view to a behind-the-scenes look to reveal the stages’ secrets. The game will also support two-player local co-op. Since Nintendo has said that this year’s E3 presentation will focus on games coming out soon, it’s likely we’ll hear more about Yoshi then.

Welcome back to the IGN Movies Podcast! In this week’s episode, Jim Vejvoda and Tom Jorgensen explore all the latest news from the geek moviesphere!

We begin with a discussion on the box office failure of Solo: A Star Wars Story — and what it might mean for the franchise, Lucasfilm, and Disney — before moving on to our hopes for the Boba Fett movie that Logan’s James Mangold may direct.

Then we chat up the latest news on the Disney-Fox deal, Hasbro’s hopes for the Power Rangers franchise, and the casting of Jamie Foxx as Spawn. We also field listener questions and discuss the movies we most recently watched.

Listen to our latest podcast by clicking the lovely large type below – right click to download.

Continue reading…

Solo: A Star Wars Story spoilers ahead!

Solo: A Star Wars Story tells the tale of famed space scoundrel Han Solo–and we mean the whole story. This movie covers how Han met Chewie, how he met Lando, how he won the Millennium Falcon, how he completed the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, where he got his iconic blaster, and even how he got his name. If that sounds like a lot of origin to cram into one movie, it’s because it is. But those aren’t the only Star Wars references in Solo–not by a long shot.

In fact, Solo doubtless features more Star Wars Easter eggs, references, inside jokes, and callbacks than we could possibly spot ourselves. There’s even one that Dryden Vos actor Paul Bettany was sworn to secrecy over–and we still have no idea what he’s referring to.

That said, we did our best. Here’s every Star Wars Easter egg and reference in Solo we’ve spotted so far. What’s your favorite? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.

And don’t miss our other Solo coverage, including our history of the Millennium Falcon, where Solo takes place in the Star Wars timeline, whether C-3PO gets his usual cameo, and everything you need to know about the Star Wars card game sabacc. And since you’re not worried about spoilers, we even have a rundown of Solo’s most shocking cameo.

1. The Golden Dice

Han’s golden dice were featured prominently hanging in the Millennium Falcon in the more recent Star Wars movies, and they were even present in the originals, though they were less of a focus. The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary originally stated that Han used the dice in the game of sabacc that won him the Falcon, but Solo revealed that he had the dice on a chain as a lucky charm even earlier than that.

2. The Imperial March

The famous Imperial March song is heard at the recruitment center on Corellia. It’s a fun meta joke that shows the song was actually used by the Empire for propaganda purposes.

3. “So Low”

Did you think “Solo” was Han’s natural last name? A fair assumption, maybe, but it turns out he actually got his name from an Empire recruiter on Corellia.

4. Chewie’s Bandolier

Chewbacca gets his signature ammo bandolier in Solo, then apparently wears it for the rest of his life, for some reason.

5. Chewie’s name

Han notes in Solo that “Chewbacca” is a mouthful, although it appears to be Woody Harrelson’s character, Tobias Beckett, who actually gives the Wookie his famed nickname.

6. What’s Old Is New

It’s a small design touch, but the few non-hologram screens we see in Solo are what we today would consider “old.” Like Rogue One, Solo keeps up the design from the original Star Wars movies, despite technology having advanced in the real world since then.

7. The VCX-100

The fictional ship that Han mentions in his first sabacc game with Lando (fictional in the sense that he doesn’t have it) is a VCX-100 model. Fans will know of another famous VCX-100: the Ghost from Star Wars Rebels.

8. Teräs Käsi

Emilia Clarke’s character, Qi’ra, is a formidable fighter thanks to her knowledge of the “Teräs Käsi” fighting style. Teräs Käsi has been mentioned in Star Wars before, most notably in the title of the 1997 PlayStation game Star Wars: Masters of Teräs Käsi.

9. Bossk

Thandie Newton’s character, Val, mentions a few other bounty hunters early in Solo. One is Bossk, a Trandoshan bounty hunter who’s popped up in Star Wars before, including in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

10. Zan Sisters

Val also mentions “the Zan sisters,” which is likely a reference to Zan and Zu Pike, twin sisters and masters of the Teräs Käsi fighting style who first appeared in the 1996 novel Shadows of the Empire.

11. “Han,” Like “Pan”

When Han finally meets Lando, actor Donald Glover pronounces “Han” just like Billy D. Williams, the original Lando, did back in the day: like “pan.” Han initially corrects him, but quickly lets it go, which apparently leads to Lando pronouncing his name wrong for the rest of their lives.

12. “I Know”

The moment when Han replies “I know” to Lando’s “I hate you” is a reference to the famous scene in Empire Strikes Back when Han replies the same to Leia’s “I love you.”

13. Wizard Chess

We learn in Solo that the Millennium Falcon’s Dejarik board was already installed by the time Han won the ship from Lando. In Star Wars, Dejarik is a popular two-player game in which teams of holographic creatures battled each other on a circular board.

14. That’s Not C-3PO

C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels has appeared as the iconic golden droid in every live action Star Wars movie–until now. However, Daniels does have a cameo in Solo–just not as C-3PO. You can spot him during the droid rebellion on Kessel.

15. Recognize That Blaster?

Han gets his iconic blaster from Tobias Beckett, then apparently never upgrades to a less cobbled together gun for the rest of his life.

16. Who Killed Aurra Sing?

It’s mentioned in Solo that Tobias Beckett infamously killed Aurra Sing, a character who first appeared in the background in Phantom Menace.

17. Warwick’s Returning Character

Actor Warwick Davis has appeared previously in Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace, The Force Awakens, Rogue One, The Last Jedi, and Star Wars Rebels. But we rarely see his face, as he often portrays an alien or droid. Solo, in which Davis plays the “pirate” Weazel, is one of the only exceptions–and it’s even more notable because Davis played the same minor character in The Phantom Menace. He even gets a line in Solo.

18. The Gangster On Tatooine

The Tatooine gangster Tobias Beckett refers to toward the end of Solo is no doubt none other than Jabba the Hutt, who Han will go on to work for, and, later, owe money to.

19. A Good Bad Feeling

The line “I’ve got a bad feeling about this” is uttered in most Star Wars movies (all if you count droid speak). Solo plays with the line a bit when Han says, “I have a good feeling about this,” before flying into the storm.

20. She’s In The Ship

L3’s melding with the Millennium Falcon may seem strange at first–does anyone remember the Falcon having an onboard AI? But it’s actually a reference to a C-3PO line in Empire Strikes Back: “Sir, I don’t know where your ship learned to communicate, but it has the most peculiar dialect,” the protocol droid says. L3’s marriage with the ship explains that quite neatly.

If that wasn’t enough, the scene in Solo is punctuated by what we know to be the classic Falcon start-up noise, implying L3 herself may be the source of the iconic sound effect.

21. The Rebellion Begins

Han Solo may be a scoundrel, but he ultimately makes the right choice and hands the goods over to the “pirates” who’ve been hounding him throughout the movie. It’s implied that these fighters form the seed of what will eventually become the Rebellion, indicating that Han was helping them from the very beginning, whether he intended to or not.

22. Han Shot First

The scene in which Han shoots Tobias Beckett is a direct reference to the scene George Lucas changed in A New Hope. In the original version, Han shot Greedo, but Lucas later altered it so that Greedo takes a shot at him. In Solo, we learn that Han really is the type of person who shoots first.

23. Benthic Two Tubes

As Reddit users pointed out, the extremely minor character Benthic Two Tubes from Rogue One appears in Solo, although he’s simply named “Tubes” here.

24. The Kessel Run

The Kessel Run Han and the rest of Solo’s characters heroically pull off was, of course, first mentioned in A New Hope. In Solo, we finally got to find out exactly what it is.

25. Holy S*** It’s Darth Maul

The leader of Crimson Dawn turns out to be none other than Darth Maul, and if you’re confused about that, don’t worry–we got you covered.

26. Welcome To Dathomir

At the end of the movie, Maul tells Qi’ra to join him on Dathomir, a planet that’s popped up multiple times throughout Star Wars history. The planet has a strong association with the dark side, implying Qi’ra is going full evil should we ever see her again.

27. Fair And Square

At the very end of the movie, Han points out to Lando that he won their sabacc rematch “fair and square,” a reference to Lando’s earlier cheating. It’s also a reference to the original trilogy scene between Han and Lando, where Han once again uses the phrase.

28. Colo Claw Fish

Dryden Vos offers our heroes “colo claw fish.” That’s a reference to the giant fish seen on Naboo in Episode 1.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

29. Lando’s diaries

In recording his audio diary, The Calrissian Chronicles, Lando makes references to three real world books: Lando Calrissian and the Mindharp of Sharu, Lando Calrissian and the Flamewind of Oseon, and Lando Calrissian and the Starcave of ThonBoka, all published in 1983.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

30. The Maw

This wasn’t the first appearance of The Maw. The giant black hole near Kessel was first mentioned in the 1994 novel Jedi Search.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

31. Hands Up

Chewie pulls the arms off a guard on Kessel, just like Han Solo described way back in A New Hope.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

32. Droid discrimination

When we meet L3 in the tavern where Han and Lando play sabacc, she’s lamenting the fact that “They don’t serve my kind here.” That’s reminiscent of C-3PO and R2’s treatment in the cantina on Tatooine in A New Hope.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

33. The disguise

The disguise Beckett wears on Kessel has been seen once before–Lando wore it to infiltrate Jabba’s palace in Return of the Jedi.

Thanks reader Medleystudios72 for pointing this one out!

There’s plenty of exciting new games that we’re eager to see more of at E3 2018. With so many major companies bringing their best games to the show, there’s likely to be a fair amount of surprises in store. Despite the recent leaks, we’re hoping that this year’s show yields an assortment of notable announcements worth getting hyped up towards.

Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the biggest games we’re most looking forward to seeing. Many of these titles have been confirmed, but others are titles we’re guessing at based on the list of companies on the official E3 homepage.

The first potential look we’ll get at most of these games will be during the press conferences before E3 even begins. We’re hoping many of the games listed here are playable, but even if some only show up as a brief teaser, it’s still another chance to get a feel for what’s ahead. To make sure you’re up to date with the times as well as the location for our E3 livestreams, we have a hub rounding up all of that info as well.

Like previous shows, this year’s E3 will likely yield plenty of exciting announcements. While this feature contains only a selection of the games we’re most excited about, you can check out our other more comprehensive features covering all of the biggest PS4, Xbox One, and Switch games at E3 2018. But what games are you most excited to see at the show? Let us know in the comments below!

Animal Crossing for Nintendo Switch

I am the embodiment of “Animal Crossing on Switch, or we riot.” There are so few series that I know I can count on to be fantastic with each iteration, and Animal Crossing always nails it for me. I don’t know if it’s because all my neighbors are always happy to see me or what, but I adore this wee chore simulator.

Following New Leaf will be difficult as it really ironed out the kinks of City Folk and Wild World, in addition to having its own handful of lovable quirks. Pocket Camp has its own unique charms as well, though it doesn’t do the series quite enough justice. What I would really love to see is a new game that focuses on the elements we’ve seen in Pocket Camp, like crafting, friendship levels, daily challenges, and more. I’d especially love to see even more fun events and things to collect too. And, if it’s on Switch, it would be really amazing to see local co-op with the characters that live in your town, or an integrated online marketplace. | Aiden Strawhun, News Writer

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

For never was a story of more woe, than of the Wii U and Captain Toad. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker released on Wii U right at the end of 2014 in the US, thus taking it out of contention for GameSpot’s Game of the Year awards voting that year and pushing it into 2015. I’m not saying it would’ve won, but at least it would’ve farted better in 2014 than having to battle 2015 heavy hitters like The Witcher 3 and Metal Gear Solid V. But alas, the much maligned Wii U was, even at that point, already fading into obscurity.

But on Switch, Captain Toad has another chance to rise to the top and claim the glittering star of fame that he seeks out so tirelessly. As a re-release, Captain Toad won’t make its way into our Game of the Year discussion (though it might be able to slug it out in the re-release/remaster category), but just giving more people a chance to experience this passed over gaming gem is great news. And since it’s coming out this July on 3DS and Switch, it will undoubtedly be playable at Nintendo’s E3 booth.

And like every other Switch re-release so far, the Switch re-master will add new content like fresh Super Mario Odyssey-inspired locales, and local co-op play. So even intrepid adventures like me who already dove deep into the adventure on Wii U will have a reason to return. But what will Nintendo show off at E3? At least I don’t have to wait much longer to find out. | Justin Haywald, Managing Editor

Crackdown 3

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Crackdown 3 for years now. I was a huge fan of the original’s blend of open-world action and superhero powers, and even a decade later, it remains satisfying to scale a giant building and collect an agility orb. Like many others, I was disappointed by its seq uel, but since the announcement of Crackdown 3, I’ve been excited to see how the introduction of environmental destruction would shake up the formula.

Despite being such a great idea, we haven’t seen many developers tackle the superhero open-world genre; Saints Row 4 is one of the few exceptions, but that came with its own distinct style of zaniness. Crackdown 3 has the opportunity to go a different route while also leveraging the impressive cloud-based tech we’ve seen demonstrated in the past–assuming that remains part of the game. The delays and long wait has, admittedly, worried me, but I remain hopeful that’s all in service of getting things right, not because things have gone terribly awry. | Chris Pereira, News Editor

Death Stranding

Hideo Kojima’s enigmatic and bizarrely detailed Death Stranding will no doubt be one of E3 2018’s most exciting games. Even though we’ve had a few trailers to see what’s to come with the open-world action-thriller, the general narrative comes off as a bit incomprehensible, yet still alluring. And seeing Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen as the game’s two lead characters offers a lot of excitement for what could happen when these two will eventually face off.

This year, Death Stranding will be one of the key games of Sony’s press conference, putting it into the spotlight alongside the likes of The Last Of Us: Part II, Ghost of Tsushima, and Marvel’s Spider-Man. As the first game from Kojima’s new studio in the wake of his departure from Konami, there’s a lot of anticipation for his big return. Personally speaking, I hope the game will only get weirder from here. While there is likely a method to Death Stranding’s madness–all set within a world where the laws of time and space are in flux–it’d be better for them to keep specifics under wraps, and just let us stew in the strangeness of it all. | Alessandro Fillari, Editor

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

When Final Fantasy 7 launched in 1997, it was a huge moment for us longtime RPG fans. I’d been playing the series since its first installment on NES, and even after two ambitious, fantastic SNES sequels made their way stateside, the genre still wasn’t getting the mainstream respect it deserved. That all changed when Final Fantasy 7 landed on PlayStation.

The game was a massive hit, and it’s easy to see why. It was huge–remember leaving Midgar for the first time and realizing it was just one city in a much larger world? It also had memorable characters, great writing, lots of secrets, and fun side missions. Sephiroth was the coolest, most vile villain we all loved to hate. And those graphics–no one had imagined CG cutscenes could look so good.

Of course, in the age of 4K TVs, Final Fantasy 7 doesn’t seem quite so gorgeous or massive anymore–but that’s where this remake can come in. If the project can get on track after some apparent behind-the-scenes turmoil, a modernized version of Final Fantasy 7 could make this beloved classic feel like it did when it first came out. Let’s just hope it materializes sooner rather than later. | Chris Reed, Commerce Editor

Fire Emblem for Nintendo Switch

It feels like a veritable lifetime since Nintendo revealed that a mainline Fire Emblem game is in development for Switch, and we still aren’t any clearer about what we can expect from the game. Despite being announced during a Direct presentation back in January 2017, Nintendo hasn’t provided any details about the title–only that it will apparently arrive sometime in 2018. Whether or not that remains the case is certainly up in the air considering we haven’t even seen a second of footage from the game, but if it is indeed coming soon, then we’ll undoubtedly hear more about it at E3 2018.

While Fire Emblem Switch is still very much shrouded in mystery, it remains one of my most anticipated titles for the console. The recent slate of 3DS Fire Emblem games have been some of my favorite installments in the series, and I’m excited to see what direction developer Intelligent Systems will take for the next chapter. Switch’s hybrid nature also means that the upcoming title will be the first console installment since Wii’s Radiant Dawn, and I’m excited to see how Intelligent Systems will take advantage of the Switch’s greater horsepower.

More than anything, though, I’m excited by the prospect of being able to play Fire Emblem Switch anywhere I want. As the recent 3DS entries have demonstrated, Fire Emblem is perfectly suited for on-the-go play, but I’d also love to settle in for extended sessions on my TV. We may know next to nothing about the game, but given Intelligent Systems’ recent track record, Fire Emblem Switch is certainly one of the most promising titles on the way for the hybrid console. | Kevin Knezevic, News Editor

Ghost of Tsushima

I’ve honestly never been a big fan of Sucker Punch Productions’ previous games. Despite trying multiple games in both the Sly Cooper and Infamous franchises, none have managed to capture my imagination in any meaningful way. However, the studio’s latest effort has me excited. Titled Ghost of Tsushima, the game is a samurai-themed open-world set on the island of Tsushima during the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1294. You play as a lone samurai turned vengeful assassin–likely fighting to drive out the Mongol army from Japan.

As a history buff and lover of classic Japanese Chanbara films, Ghost of Tsushima sounds right up my alley. An open-world set in a faithfully recreated version of medieval Japan has always been a dream game of mine, so to say I’m enthused would be an understatement. Heck, I’m already wondering what mechanics will be included. For example, if there’s a system involving manipulating clan loyalty–similar to what the protagonist of Akira Kurosawa’s Yojimbo does–that would be amazing.

Sony has said little about Ghost of Tsushima since its initial reveal at Paris Games Week. However, the company has confirmed that it’ll talk more about the game at its E3 2018 press conference. I’m holding out hope for a first look at gameplay and even a possible release window. | Matt Espineli, Associate Editor

Kingdom Hearts III

I’ve been a fan of Kingdom Hearts for as long as the series has existed, and I’ve grown up playing it across too many home consoles, handhelds, and cell phones to count. Kingdom Hearts III is tasked with not just completing the trilogy, but with pleasing a fanbase that has stuck with the franchise for 16 years. Between several all-new worlds, a suite of epic attacks based on Disney theme park rides, and new battle options, Kingdom Hearts III is looking to turn every element of the game up to 11.

That’s why I’m excited to see it at E3 this year, presumably as the highlight of Square Enix’s press conference. I want to know what other new ideas creator/director Tetsuya Nomura and his team are bringing to the latest entry, but most importantly, I want to know when I can actually sit down and play it from the comfort of my couch. Kingdom Hearts III has a herculean task of tying up more than a decade of stories and spin-offs, but the first step in satisfying fans is to simply tell us when we can play it for ourselves. | Tony Wilson, Video Producer

Metro Exodus

Metro 2033 and Last Light nailed down something I don’t experience often in first-person shooters; the feeling of vulnerability. This works thematically as humans are stuck in the metro tunnels of Eastern Europe, trying to survive the post-apocalyptic world. But human factions vying for resources and territory and mutated monsters threaten your very existence. The “Dark Ones” in particular are central to the plot–descendants of humans called Homo Novus who evolved out of nuclear radiation–and you’re given some key decisions that decides the fate between both species. That’s all to say that I’m eager to see how the series evolves with Metro Exodus.

The upcoming Metro Exodus continues the story of Artyom where he and a group of rangers flee the tunnels to head east and start a new life. From what’s been revealed, it seems that a large chunk of this game will take place on the surface which is hostile to human life. You’ll also be making your trek in the midst of a nuclear winter. Searching for new gas mask filters added tension to exploring on top of the fact that death can await you around every corner. Military-grade bullets dealt more damage but also acted as currency, driving home the fact that resources are scarce in the Metro world. While we don’t know much about the actual game mechanics, I expect these elements to return because they are such a huge factor in creating that foreboding atmosphere that Metro captures perfectly. | Michael Higham, Associate Editor

Metroid Prime 4

Nintendo’s announcement of Metroid Prime 4 at E3 2017 was awesome and all, but my god the wait for new info has been agonizing. I feel like it’s safe to assume that it will be a first-person shooter, Samus will appear, and you know, there will be a lot of equipment upgrades to find, but surely Nintendo will strive for more than a by-the-numbers sequel, and it’s those kind of details I want to know about most of all. That is if the game appears at E3 at all.

One of the big rumors floating around is that Prime 4 will prominently feature Sylux, a little-known character who made brief appearances at the end of both Prime 3 and the 3DS co-op shooter Federation Force. Maybe he’ll be a villain, but what if he replaced Samus as the lead character? My imagination is running wild because Nintendo hasn’t said word one about anything related to the story, or the world, or where Prime 4 fits in the timeline, and I might as well grasp at crazy straws while I can, right? | Peter Brown, Senior Reviews Editor

Pokemon for Nintendo Switch

A new, core Pokemon RPG is coming to Switch, and we still know nothing about it. My imagination has been running wild since its reveal last E3. Will it be a full 3D world? Where will it be set? Most importantly, what will a Pokemon game look and feel like on a home console that’s also portable? It has the potential to be the Pokemon game I’ve been dreaming about since I was a kid–more open, more engrossing, more of a fantasy than ever. I can’t wait to see what that journey will be like. | Kallie Plagge, Associate Editor

Red Dead Redemption 2

After multiple delays, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 is finally coming out this October for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The 2010 original is one of my favourite games of all time, and I could not be more excited to see what Rockstar has in store for the sequel as it relates to advancements to storytelling, gameplay, systems, and overall presentation. We’ve learned that the game is a prequel where you play as a man named Arthur Morgan. He’s in the Van der Linde gang, but he questions his place in the group, and that will surely have consequences.

The first Red Dead offered a level of freedom that I hadn’t experienced in a game before, and it is exciting to think about what Rockstar will do with the power of new consoles. I am expecting and hoping to see more detailed environments, bigger set pieces (please let there be another train robbery mission), and all kinds of interesting characters to meet. I am also very intrigued to see and learn more about the game’s online component, which will no doubt take learnings from the uber-popular GTA Online and add its own Western-style flair. More than 1,000 people from across the company’s network of studios reportedly worked on Red Dead Redemption 2, and it won’t be much longer until we finally see what that collective effort can deliver. | Eddie Makuch, Editor

Remedy Games Project “P7”

We know that Remedy–the Finnish studio behind memorable cinematic third-person games Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Quantum Break—are working on something new, and it’s going to be revealed at E3.

The project is codenamed “P7”, and a few small details are already certain: It’s going to be another third-person game set in an entirely new universe, it’s going to be multi-platform, and it’s going to be released in 2019. We also know that Remedy are aiming to maintain their focus on storytelling while experimenting with ways to increase replayability, according to a Eurogamer interview with Sam Lake.

I’m a big fan of Remedy’s past titles, I’ve always found their cinematic approach to games really enjoyable, especially Alan Wake. Each game’s unique action twist has always been really enjoyable, too–they were one of the first studios to make bullet time work well! When Quantum Break was announced, I remember being stunned at how ambitious it was, and I’m hoping that they leave me with a similarly significant impression when they reveal P7. | Edmond Tran, Editor and Senior Producer

Spider-Man

Spider-Man has been done, and done well, plenty of times before in video games–so why does this time feel so different? It’s probably because, by all appearances, Insomniac has managed to inject some new life into a tired franchise. And certainly the production values have gone up now that it’s a major tentpole exclusive for Sony.

But more than any other factor, I get the sense that Insomniac loves and understands what makes Spider-Man special. His improvisational style appears to manifest in a wide array of combat options that can be mixed and matched at will. His brilliance leads to light gadgetry that’s believable coming from the kid genius who invented web shooters. He can stalk enemies to thin out their ranks, but without the overbearing darkness of an Arkham wannabe. This version of Spider-Man is a colorful, flexible everyman hero, and those are just the shoes I’d like to step into for a larger-than-life fantasy.

Plus, that Miles Morales tease doesn’t hurt. | Steve Watts, News Writer

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch

Super Smash Bros has officially been announced for Nintendo Switch and I for one cannot wait to find out more about it. Since the series first debuted back on the N64, I have been hooked on playing it with friends as often as I possibly can. Some of my closest friends were ones I made in college while staying up late in the dorms playing Melee until the sun rose.

With Smash on Switch, I’m hoping to see a more unique roster. While I definitely want some of the past characters to come back, I hope to see plenty of new ones this time around. While the silhouettes shown seem to clearly indicate we are getting Mario and Link, I’m hoping returning characters at least have a more unique moveset in this iteration.

During E3, I have a feeling we’ll see at least eight characters from the game’s roster. We’ll likely see the latest iterations of established characters, like Mario and Link, as well as some predictable returning characters, like Samus, Fox, and Kirby. In addition, we’ll likely see a big third party character announced. With so many possible characters to be added and new mechanics to be introduced, E3 can’t arrive sooner. Fingers crossed for Geno to be added! | Gajan Kulasingham, Senior Social Media Producer

This is a spoiler-free review. FLCL: Progressive airs on Adult Swim’s Toonami on Saturday, June 2 at midnight ET/PT.

FLCL: Progressive wastes no time making parallels to the first season. Certain familiar quotes and references are sure to please any fan of FLCL, but they also had me a little worried Progressive might rely too much on its predecessor instead of developing an identity for itself. However, this premiere managed to twist these series conventions in unexpected ways, giving me faith in this sequel series’ to potentially live up to the original.

Progressive stars Hidomi, a high schooler who sums herself up by telling us “there is nothing I want to be. There is nothing I want to do. All that exists is zero.” Her actions (or lack of reactions to the strange people around her) reflect this indifference. She simply keeps hear headphones on and her thoughts to herself. On the other hand we have Ide, a boisterous boy who brags about is romantic conquests. The series jumps between the two over the course of the episode, and I found both of them to be incredibly endearing after just a few short scenes. Knowing FLCL’s past history with examining the difficulties of youth, I’m already interested to see how the show will dissect their contrasting personalities.

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Microsoft has launched another set of games to be added to its all-you-can-eat Game Pass service on Xbox One, this time for June 2018. Those include a brand-new co-op dungeon crawler along with several other games joining the service.

The headliner of the bunch is Next Up Hero, a co-op dungeon crawler that has you gather loot and upgrade your skills. Every time you die you’ll leave behind an echo, which can be raised by the next hero to fight as an AI companion. It will come sometime in June, alongside its debut on the store for non-subscribers to purchase.

Before that, though, June 1 brought a rich bounty of new additions. That saw the additions of MotoGP 17, Mega Man Legacy Collection 2, The Technomancer, Wasteland 2: Director’s Cut, and Disneyland Adventures. Those joined the growing list of Xbox Game Pass games. Game Pass gives unlimited access to a pretty large collection, for a subscription fee of $10 per month.

Microsoft has been adding a handful of new games to the service every month, often with a single headliner new release that’s added the same day as it becomes available to purchase for non-subscribers. Microsoft’s first-party Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2 were both the big-ticket items of their respective months.

The Pokemon invasion of your Nintendo Switch has begun. The “free to start” RPG Pokemon Quest is already available, and a new core Pokemon game is heading our way in late 2019. But the lovable critters aren’t done with Switch yet. Coming November 16, 2018 are Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee, a pair of games designed for newcomers to the franchise and for players who got their start with the mobile game Pokemon Go.

Developed by Game Freak, the makers of the core Pokemon titles, these Let’s Go games share some DNA with Pokemon Go. Instead of battling the monsters to catch them, you’ll collect them by tossing Poke Balls at them. You can even transfer Pokemon from Go to Let’s Go via Bluetooth. We also know that the first 150 Pokemon as well as their Alolan forms from Sun and Moon would appear in the Let’s Go titles.

We have a lot more information about these games in our article Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu And Eevee: Everything We Know So Far, so check that out to satisfy your curiosity. But if you’re ready to lock in your pre-order for one (or both) of these games, you’ll probably want to know where to find them, how much they’ll cost, and what–if any–extra goodies you can expect to come with them. We have you covered below.

Pre-Order Bonus

Currently, there’s only one pre-order bonus available for Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, and it’s retailer-specific. If you buy the game from Pokemon Center (while supplies last), you’ll get a plush keychain featuring the corresponding Pokemon.

Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu!

• Amazon — $60 ($48 with Amazon Prime)
• Best Buy — $60 ($48 with Gamers Club Unlocked)
• GameStop — $60
• Pokemon Center — $60
• Walmart — $60

Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee!

• Amazon — $60 ($48 with Amazon Prime)
• Best Buy — $60 ($48 with Gamers Club Unlocked)
• GameStop — $60
• Pokemon Center — $60
• Walmart — $60

FX announced today it has renewed Noah Hawley’s (Fargo) trippy X-Men spinoff series Legion for Season 3.

According to the announcement, the show will return in 2019. Rwo episodes left to air in Legion’s second season. The show recently saw its original 10-episode Season 2 order upped by one more to 11 episodes for the season.

“Legion has redefined the superhero drama and exceeded all expectations as the intensity and revelation build through the second season,” said President of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions Eric Schrier. “We are incredibly proud of Noah Hawley’s achievement and are honored to continue the series as it pushes the boundaries of conventional television storytelling.”

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