E3 2013 Preview: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a game to look forward to

June 13, 2013 - Written by Mark Fajardo of JustPushStart.com

When it comes to a classic The Legend of Zelda game, I must say that Link of the Past is the one that stands out the most. Over a decade following its release, Nintendo finally decided to give the game a true sequel on the Nintendo 3DS and carry the name: A Link Between Worlds. At first glance, the game will give some nostalgic moments to a lot of Zelda fans who have played the game. Playing through it gives a lot of good memories back when it was out and I’m sure with the game coming out this year, it’s the game everyone will be looking forward to get.

Visually, A Link Between Worlds has the same playing style as the original. The camera angle is somewhat on the birds eye view where we see Link’s head and a portion of his body. The build that I got to play was divided into two sections; one is where I got to play in the field and the other in dungeons.

The way the game is laid out this time in the sequel is almost the same as the original. You see the grasses that you can cut, and those who have played the original before will see somewhat of a familiar area in the game that I’m sure fans have explored in the original. The green slime blobs that we used to fight will make a return, especially those knights with a shield that stops your way. The area that I got to play is a small one, but it sure is enough to give me the original feeling when I played the original over a decade ago. Was it a good thing? Definitely as it really feels a true sequel that Zelda fans have been waiting for.

As for the dungeons, the puzzles and the traps will show some sort of similarities to the original too. The challenge is still there and getting around with it will take some time to get used to. Expect to pull pots to go from one way or another. Sometimes, you will dodge stuff to get out from the game. Combat wise, it’s more of a hack and slash thing, but one improvement they implemented in the sequel is the ability to use three weapons at a time. Unlike in the original, you have to press stuff to switch from the bow to the sword and three weapons will be placed in the Y, X, and B button. The weapons that I got to use was a Master Sword, a Bow, and a hammer when it pounds enemies, they get stunned in an instant.

Remember the time when if you hold the sword button long enough, Link will do a 360 degree slash? Unfortunately it was not in the game at all. However, with Link using the Master Sword, he is now able to do a sonic wave attack to enemies within a distance, which is helpful against enemies that are hard to get close to.

Overall, the experience with The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is a fantastic experience. It’s really something to look forward to this year, especially the fans who have played the original.

Kirby has always been one of those game series that I've never grew tired of. Today, I had the opportunity to try the newest installment of the franchise, Kirby Mass Attack. Nintendo always seems to deliver quality games when you least expect it, and this is no exception.

Nintendo World held a special pre-launch event on Wednesday demonstrating Kirby Mass Attack to the public, and seemingly everyone at the event (including myself) were impressed by the concept of this game.

You control Kirby by using the stylus (similar to Kirby: Canvas Curse) but this time, you help Kirby by attacking enemies and gathering fruit. Killing those enemies will cause them to explode into pieces of fruit. Once you've gathered 100 points in fruit, another Kirby will appear on screen and assist you with your journey. You can gather up to 10 Kirby at once. However, if your Kirby becomes hurt, they will first turn blue then a few more hits will cause them to perish. Your goal is to use your gathered Kirby to defeat enemies and advance through the game (in many levels, there will be a minimum of number of Kirby you must have in order to advance).

As for the stylus control itself, it feels very responsive. When you have multiple Kirby on screen, pressing and holding down the stylus will pick them all up at once and allow you to execute a "mass attack" (hence the title). Flicking the stylus will launch one Kirby at a time, which is useful for solving puzzles or breaking blocks to collect fruit.

Once I had completed the level, I was allowed to receive a free strawberry ice cream bar from a former Mister Softee truck painted in a Kirby Mass Attack advertisement.

In addition, guests received a Kirby Mass Attack portable calendar and bookmark.

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Overall, Kirby Mass Attack is very addictive and I would most likely spend hours trying to unlock all of the potential this game offers. There are also mini-games such as Pinball to keep you occupied well after you've beaten the game.

Kirby Mass Attack will be released in North America on September 19th. I would highly recommend picking this one up for yourself.

This story was written by TSS_Killer for PPN Studio Blog

Here are some images of the Snack Attack truck all decked out in Kirby graphics:

NINTENDO NEWS: WII ARE NO. 1

Feb. 21, 2007 - Nintendo's new Wii™ has become the best-selling video game system of any kind in January in the United States, and the fastest-selling new-generation home system. According to the independent NPD Group, Wii sold through 435,503 systems to customers in its January reporting period. By comparison, that's 70 percent higher than any other new video game system in its first January of availability during the last 10 years.

In addition, Nintendo DS™ once again triumphed as the top-selling portable system, with nearly 239,000 hardware and more than 2.4 million software units sold. In combination, Nintendo game systems accounted for nearly as many unit sales (46 percent of the total market) as those of all other manufacturers combined.

The continuing success of Wii and DS demonstrates that the public has embraced Nintendo's philosophy of entertaining current gamers in new ways, and expanding gaming for the masses. Four of the top 10 best-selling games in January were for Nintendo systems, both home and portable.

The only limit on Nintendo's success is the availability of Wii and DS systems, which continue to sell out as fast as Nintendo can ship them. Shipments are being made continuously to feed the huge demand around the country.

From DigiMon to Tamagotchi, there are dozens of choices for the virtual pet lover. The latest, "Nintendogs," ($30, rated E) debuts in the United States next week, exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld game machine.

Available in Japan for months, "Nintendogs" is a lifelike digital rendering of perhaps the most universally admired of all domestic animals: puppies.

It's a superb example of just how interactive the DS can be with its microphone, built-in wireless and two screens -- one of them touch sensitive.

As in the real world, obtaining a pet starts with a visit to the kennel. After toying around with several breeds, my wife and I settled on a Shetland sheepdog. She named him Huggy.

The dogs are shown in 3D and do an amazing job of mimicking the real thing: they'll sniff around, pant and bark when excited. (They even engage in some unpleasant but necessary business).

The DS touch screen and microphone are ingeniously used. You can "rub" your pet by stroking it on the bottom screen.

You teach your pet various tricks by speaking into the microphone, then rewarding your dog with a rub on the back or behind the ear.

Huggy has only mastered the basics so far, including "sit," "lie down" and "shake."

The trick for owners is to say each command clearly and consistently. Barking orders, in my experience, prompted tail wags but not much else.

In "Bark Mode," your DS will scan the wireless airwaves for fellow pet owners to play with. (I never had the good fortune to bump into other players, however).

"Nintendogs" is real time, so it's important to frequently check on your pup.

I neglected Huggy for two days and returned to find him thirsty, hungry and in no mood to play.

Guilt-ridden, I gave him a bowl of food and water, which he quickly gulped down. He then curled up and took a nap. I quietly saved the game and turned off my DS to give him some dream time.

Checking on Huggy isn't the chore I thought it would be -- it's fun teaching him how to beg, shake, play catch and take walks around the virtual block.

After only a few weeks, I've already formed an emotional attachment with my pixelated pup.

It's this sort of bonding that ultimately makes "Nintendogs" the perfect test run for families considering a real dog -- or anyone uncomfortable with the thought of pet dander, pooper scoopers and veterinarian visits.

There are three versions of "Nintendogs," each with different breeds.

Clearly, pets are becoming more high-tech than ever. In the real world, South Korean scientists recently cloned a dog -- Snuppy, an Afghan hound. Last year, a Texas woman paid $50,000 for a kitten engineered from the DNA of a pet cat she had owned for 17 years.

"Nintendogs" certainly won't replace our love and devotion for flesh-and-blood creatures -- but it's paws-down the cutest virtual pet I've ever cared for.

**** Four stars out of four.
By: MATT SLAGLE

On the Net:
http://nintendogs.com