Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
With the waning days of 2013 upon us, the itinerary of this week’s releases will all be delivered from the cloud- with not even a single new boxed game to clog store shelves. Fortunately, there’s a few notables entries in the list of digitally delivered titles- from Zen Pinball 2 premiere on the PlayStation 4 (rivaling last week’s publishing of The Pinball Arcade) to Halo: Spartan Assault, a game that reimagines the popular FPS into a twin-stick shooter. Players who purchased either the Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8 version of the game before December 15th are in for a treat- they’re able to buy the Xbox One at a discounted five dollar price.
PlayStation 4
Zen Pinball 2 (PSN, Free)
Wii U
CastleStorm (eShop, $9.99)
Castlevania (eShop, $TBA)
Knytt Underground (eShop, $TBA)
Xbox One
Halo: Spartan Assault (XBL, $14.99)
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood (XBL, $14.99)
Nintendo 3DS
3D Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (eShop, $5.99)
3D Streets of Rage (eShop, $5.99)
Banana Bliss: Jungle Puzzles (eShop, $3.99)
Brunch Panic (eShop, $2.79)
Crash ‘n the Boys Street Challenge (eShop, $4.99)
Winter Sports – Feel the Spirit (eShop, $9.99)
World Conqueror 3D (eShop, $3.99)
PC
Ef: the Latter Tale
Robert’s Pick: The bad news is that Zen Pinball 2 was delayed a week, and that the cross-buy functionality is a bit wonky. However, the good news is that there IS cross-buy support for nineteen tables and as long as players purchase DLC from the PS3 version, they will be able to import their tables into this new iteration. While it’s a bit muddled right now, Zen Studios has a solid track record of working out the kinks and keeping pin-heads happy.
Gonçalo’s Pick: The Streets of Rage series was Sega’s answer to Capcom’s Final Fight which at the time was both an exclusive and a launch game for the Nintendo Super Famicom. Graphically, Streets of Rage was a bit behind the curve even by 1991’s standards, but it made up for it by allowing up to twelve on-screen characters (ten enemies and two players) without slowing down! This may not sound like now, but back then this was unheard of in a console, especially when you consider Final Fight’s 5-character limit (four enemies and one player). Now add in the addicting gameplay, more levels than its main competitor and a soundtrack that launched Yuzo Koshiro’s DJ career and you have a recipe for a timeless beat’em up classic.
I’d love to see a 3DS cart that had ALL the Shinobi games. SEGA would get my $20-$25 on the spot.
So does Sony not offer PS4–>PS3 cross-buy? What about PS4–>Vita? I hope they didn’t screw that up.
Sony is trying to put the PS3 to rest and sell the PS4, so it really wouldn’t make much sense to offer crossbuy PS4 to PS3.
As far as Zen Pinball goes, any tables that you buy on the PS3 are available on the PS4, but any table you buy on the PS4 will not be available for PS3. Basically, what it comes down to is that you should always buy the tables on PS3 and import on PS4 them if having them available on multiple systems is important to you.
I have a Vita and PS4. Buy on Vita? Crossbuy or am I screwed?
I just hope Zen Pinball isn’t as buggy as Pinball Arcade. FarSight has a lot of work to do. And guys, please change that song you’re been using since the PS2 days.
Shit, I could have got two copies of Halo: Spartan Assault for $11 bucks instead of one for $14.
I blame you Major Nelson. And Obama.
Yeah, wish the deal was still going on.
I like knowing that if I ever breakdown and get a PS4 I have games waiting for me.
Well Zen do Xbox 360 to Xbox One cross-buy?
I wouldn’t mind reading Robert’s review of Ef: the Latter Tale. Not that I’m all that interested in the game….
Max: The Curse of Brotherhood looks really cool. Too bad it’s only on the Xbox One right now. I’d love a PC version.
Halo: Spartan Assault looks cool, but MS need a free game program like PS+ or their 360 games system.
I don’t know if I’d pay $15 for twin stick Halo.
CastleStorm always looked cool. May grab on on the PS3 and Vita.
I’ll support Zen Pinball. They have a much better plan than Pinball Arcade.
Ain’t nothing wrong with 22 real tables for $30.
Pretty cool of Zen to do that. Just wish it was clearer.
I’m pinching a new release as I’m reading this on my tablet. Hashaha.
The SoR screen is from the second game.
The original Castlevania is one of my all time favorites. Might be time to pull that turkey leg out of the wall one more time.
Nothing too exciting this week.
Looks like the cloud (eshop, Steam, PSN) really screwed up this weeks releases.
Yep. Blame Christmas and free Left 4 Dead 2.
When are more tables coming for Zen Pinball 2???
Here you go
Nice. Actual research from a website.
Definitely imagine that that you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the web the simplest thing to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed even as other folks consider worries that they just do not recognise about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , other folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you