New Releases For the Week of July 19th-25th, 2013

Stealth Inc A Clone in the Dark

Look past the crass movie tie-in and smartphone port, and this week’s list of new releases reveals a couple of once-overlooked gaming classics. Widely considering one of the best games on the ‘90’s, Earthbound was largely ignored when it was made available to stateside Super Nintendo owners. The release of the game onto the Wii U’s Virtual Console may finally help to mend that transgression. Likewise, Shantae was released during the Game Boy Color’s waning months, producing only a modest response at retail. Now, 3DS owners can decide if the title deserves a spot in the pantheon of platformers.

360
The Smurfs 2

PS3
Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark (Cross-buy, $9.99, $7.99 PS+)
The Smurfs 2

Wii
The Smurfs 2

Wii U
Earthbound (Virtual Console, $9.99)
The Smurfs 2

3DS
Attack of the Friday Monsters! A Tokyo Tale (eShop, 7.99)
Robot Rescue 3D (eShop, $2.99)
Shantae (Virtual Console, $4.99)
Undead Bowling (eShop, $6.99)

DS
The Smurfs 2

Vita
Roll in the Hole
Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark (Cross-buy, $9.99, $7.99 PS+)

PC
NASCAR: The Game 2013
Rugby Challenge 2 (The Lions Tour Edition)
Shadowrun Returns
The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief

Robert’s Pick: While WayForward’s output has some dubious inclusions (check out Centipede Infestation or Ping Pals if you must) the studio has also created a number of commendable titles. Released for the Game Boy Color in 2002, Shantae might just be WayForward’s magnum opus- a graphically rich 2D platformer where the protagonist can turn into four different creatures via a hypnotic, hip-sashaying shimmy. In concept, it may echo the ability of a certain plumber, but Shantae is the rare third-party game that can hold its own against a Nintendo original.

Shantae

Say’s Pick: This week I’ll show some KING’s Art clicky love! A fast paced heist story from 1960’s with breathtaking illustrated realism. The Raven: Legacy of the Master Thief has received quite the praise from previews where they promise an engaging plot and compelling narrative and allowing you to experience both sides of the story. This one is the first of three episodes in which you get to play as Swiss policeman, who is closing into his retirement yet he gets the opportunity to become involved into this murder mystery investigation which follows “The Raven”- a well known thief thought to be dead many years ago. As a big fan of KING’s Art work, I know this clicky will not disappoint.

The Raven Legacy of the Master Thief

Eric’s Pick: Earthbound. $9.99. I repeat, Earthbound for $9.99. For those who haven’t been keeping up with Super Nintendo cartridge prices, Earthbound is usually incredibly expensive, even in cart-only form. Cartridges can go for $200 in great shape, if not more, and complete copies with the strategy guide soar even higher than that. While there has apparently been editing of some kind done to the Wii U Virtual Console version, it’s still far better than paying the ridiculous eBay prices that Super NES copies go for, A nice touch with this release is that the official Nintendo strategy guide can be displayed on the Wii U GamePad’s screen.

EarthBound (1)

Jeremy’s Pick: Earthbound is a fairly unique creature in the pantheon of video games. Its appeal may derive from its unconventional design, or perhaps from its memorable characters and scenarios, or just because it’s rare and we all want things we can’t have. In any event, Nintendo has given it to us again for the first time since its SNES debut, and there are a lot of reasons to give it a try, even at the (also unconventional) price point of $10. The charms of Earthbound are proclaimed far and wide across the Internet, but consider it also an opportunity to experience an ex post facto superstar of the 16-bit era AND a chance to send a message to Nintendo that giving fans what they want is a GOOD thing.

EarthBound (2)

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

28 comments

  1. I was aware that there was a Smurfs 2 movie until now. Thanks for making me a bit more cynical.

  2. Earthbound is $10? Jeez, Nintendo thanks a bunch. ;(

  3. Better put on your shit boots. Crappy week ahead.

  4. Shantae is overrated if you ask me. Just an OK platformer with well drawn graphics. The mechanics down hold up at all.

  5. Is the picture from Despicable Me 2? Only see a listing for the Smurfs 2.

    (confused)

    • Minions and Portal cubes? What is this Stealth Inc heresy?

      Also Roberts got a thing for Shantae because she’s a sexy GBC moe character.

  6. I know nothing about Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark, other than it’s probably bout stealth. It’s one of those mystery PSN titles it seems.

  7. At this rate the Wii U is doomed.

  8. devildakimakura

    Lets play guess the aggregate score for the Smurfs 2.

    I say 51.

  9. I wish Earthbound was also on 3DS.

  10. Wasn’t Stealth Inc. A Clone in the Dark’s original title Stealth Bastard? They should’ve kept that title xD

  11. Whats a clicky?

  12. Is it me or is Robert more jaded these days? He always putting one thing down like the Smurfs or Centipede.

  13. Blame NOLA. He’s an easy scapegoat.

  14. How the hell has everyone ignored Undead Bowling? GOTY, for sure.

  15. Smurfs 2 is already on sale at Best Buy. Not a good sign.