Nintendo Switch Online Service Detailed

Nintendo has finally revealed their plans for their paid online service for the Switch!  They have outlined the differences between the paid and free memberships, but most importantly they have told us how much is is going to cost in 2018(and yes, that means it is going to be free for 2017).

When the service launches this year, all users will have access to online multiplayer at no cost.  Once the currently unspecified date in 2018 rolls around, only subscribers will have online access for most games.  The website makes it sound like there will still be games that do not require a subscription, but I'm going to guess those will be few and far between.

Subscribers will also have a smartphone app that will control game invites, voice chat, and regular chat.

Also, much like Sony and Microsoft's services, Nintendo will be offering free classic games, which are going to have newly added online play.  That is fairly exciting news to me!  The first three games that were announced are Super Mario Bros. 3, Balloon Fight, and Dr. Mario.

And now the important part: the price.  I was expecting prices in line with Sony and Microsoft($9.99/month, $59.99/year), but Nintendo will only be charging $3.99/month or $19.99/year.  I think it is fair to say those prices are extremely reasonable.

There is still no word on when the service will start up, but I think it is safe to say the most likely time is when Splatoon 2 is released on July 21.

Source: Nintendo.com

Fight the Empire's High Scores With Star Wars Rebels Pinball Table

This week brings us the eleventh Star Wars Pinball table with the release of Star Wars Rebels.  Now, I don't have Disney XD, so I haven't seen any of this show yet, but this table looks pretty good (if nothing else, it's gotta be better than the table for The Empire Strikes Back).

The table is available today (April 28) for PSN, for Steam and Xbox 360 on April 29, and April 30 for Xbox One, iOS, Android, Amazon, and Wii U.

You can read the press release below.

Deadpool Pinball is Now Available

Two of my big loves, Deadpool and Pinball, have finally been brought together!  Zen Studios, the people behind the best fake pinball tables (including the other great Marvel Pinball tables), have released Marvel Pinball: Deadpool on Steam, Xbox Live, PSN, Android, Amazon, and iOS.


Now to dream the (seemingly) impossible dream of waiting for this table on the Wii U and 3DS.  Yes, I will buy it on Steam as soon as I can, but dammit, I want it on my Nintendo systems! 

Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara is Finally Here!

Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, one of my most anticipated digital releases of the year (and two of my all time favorite arcade games), is finally here!  The game is available today for $14.99 on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade (for 1200 MS Points), and PlayStation Network here in the US, and tomorrow for €14.99/£11.99 in Europe.  The title is also coming to the Wii U "soon after", but unfortunately, no release date has been announced yet.  That makes it kind of a bummer for me, because I have funds sitting in my eShop account on my Wii U waiting to be spent on this game.

You can watch the trailer after the break.

Capcom Releasing DuckTales and Dungeons & Dragons This Summer!

The part of my brain that controls how happy I am is currently on overload.  Capcom has announced that they are bringing DuckTales Remastered and the two Dungeons & Dragons arcade games (under the name DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: CHRONICLES OF MYSTARA) to Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop, and PCs this summer. 


I have always been a fan of all three games, but holy cow, look at the DuckTales game!  It is being made by WayForward and looks completely amazing!

It's like Paper Mario leaked into Disney!

Make sure to check the press release for all of the details!

Review: BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien

BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
(Available on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U (reviewed), PC (also reviewed), and PS Vita (Summer 2013)

When I reviewed BIT.TRIP Saga for the Nintendo 3DS, I stated my love for the series, so when BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien was announced, it should be no surprise that I was pretty darn happy.  I wasn't sure how I would feel about the new aesthetics of the game, but I knew that the game play would still be solid.  I got even more excited about it when the developers said that the Wii U version was the best console version of the game.  Could the game ever dream to live up to my lofty expectations?

Darkstalkers Resurrection is Here

As a long time fan of the series, I am pretty excited to see this re-release of the classic fighting game (even though I don't have anything I can play it on).  The game is available on the PlayStation Network today for $14.99, and will be available on Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow for 1200 MS Points. 

Do yourself a favor and buy it.  You know you want a fighting game where you can have a rocker zombie fight a werewolf. Or the scantily clad cat-girl versus the scantily clad succubus. 

Hit the jump for the press release.

Star Wars Pinball: The Clone Wars Trailer

Star Wars Pinball from Zen Studios is making its way to digital stores (almost) everywhere this week.  The more I see of this game, the more I can't wait for it!  Unfortunately, it seems as though I will have to wait a bit longer, because I can only play it on Windows 8, Wii U, or the 3DS, and those are three places these tables are not being released this week (we don't even know they will ever be released on the latter two).  Until then, make sure you don't wait to try these tables out, because they are from the people who make the best digital pinball around!

Star Wars Pinball Coming Soon

So, I know I'm a bit behind on this one, but it somehow slipped through the cracks and it is still worth mentioning.

Zen Studios, the creators of the best pinball video games ever (Pinball FX and Zen Pinball) has announced the theme of their newest tables: Star Wars.  Yes, one of the most loved sci-fi series is getting a bunch of themed pinball tables, and they are coming to just about every version of the games.  The only one that it hasn't been announced on yet is the Wii U, but there was a tweet from the studio that implies it will be released:

Pricing and a release date are both expected soon, but in the meantime, you can check out the trailer after the jump.

Sacred Citadel: Meet Safiri

Just don't let him beat your face off!

Dude really looks like someone I want on my team in battle!  You can read more about him in the press release after the jump.  Sacred Citadel arrives on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC in 2013.