Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe might not have won fans over initially with its concept, but it looks to be getting there.  First, was the confirmation that there will indeed be blood within the game.  Now you can finally realize that fantasy of pummeling a bloody Superman.  Second, there’s this new render of Scorpion which appears to be from in-game.  It’s slick and his bone mask looks very cool.  Maybe there could be hope for this match made in Hell after all?  Click the image for a full sized version.

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

Sure, you know the questions game designers want you to ask.  Do Mario and Peach end up together?  What is that planet Master Chief is drifting toward?  But what about the more obscure questions that break the very logic of the games?  Beware, spoilers lurk ahead.

(more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

One supposes that Midway had the trailer for this title all ready to go about two weeks ago, but then somebody pointed out no one would take it seriously launching around April 1.  Now, two weeks later and there’s hardly a soul that can believe it, still.  Seriously, while comics are known for their bizarre crossovers and match ups, was this one anyone was really asking for?  And what happened to that rebooting of the Mortal Kombat franchise with a hard edge that had long ago been lost?  Is the Green Lantern the answer to a hard edge?

Posted by Justin | 1 Comment »

If you happen to own Midway stock, now would be a good time to sell it. In fact, about a year ago probably would have been the best time. Despite a huge loss in 2006, Midway could not course correct in 2007 and bled another $97.4 million. Things do not look good for the house that Mortal Kombat built.

Things aren’t going to be getting any better anytime soon, either. Midway expects another loss for the first quarter of 2008. Yes, this is starting to get into Atari and Sega territory. But, despite all the doom and gloom, Midway is trying to put a positive spin on things. David F. Zucker, president and CEO, said of the future of the company (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

Ninjas are cool. They’re even cooler if you’re a self-referential hipster living your better days on the Internet. How things become “trendy” on the Internet is not the focus here, but suffice it to say the Chuck Norris games are likely not far off. Ninjas have been a huge part of the gaming environment for decades and with good reason. They make both great heroes and great villains. They can also be adapted into a variety of gameplay styles. Below is a look at some of the more memorable incarnation of the ninja in video games, with a look toward the future and where gaming ninjas might be headed next.

The Adventurer – Ninja Gaiden (NES)

While not the first incarnation of the ninja in gaming form, Ninja Gaiden for the arcade and NES are two of the most famous. Plus, they encapsulate the same style that previous titles such as The Last Ninja employed. Ninjas began as adventurers. In Ninja Gaiden you must guide Ryu through several stages around the world as he tries to avenge the death of his father. Along the way he meets a variety of characters who try to help him; though in the end most betray him.

It’s important that most will betray Ryu in the end. While Ryu is personally played up as a respectable character, the ninjas generally are not. Oddly, the actually heroic samurai are rarely featured in games (with the Samurai Warriors series being an exception). This idea that the ninja is alone, even among friends, is carried on throughout the history of the gaming ninja. (more…)

Posted by Justin | 4 Comments »

Variety reports that more of the Street Fighter remake cast is coming together. Actually, it should be noted this is not exactly a remake as much as a relaunch of the potential franchise. The announced cast includes Michael Clarke Duncan, Kristen Kreuk and Chris Klein. Yes, those are crickets you hear.

Fourteen years ago the idea of a Street Fighter film sounded like a good idea. The game was wildly popular in arcades and the core cast was widely known by gamers. Fourteen years later is a lifetime in gaming. Many younger gamers don’t even know the characters or their stories anymore. The heyday of fighting games has long passed. Studio executives would be better off making a Guitar Hero game, if popularity was their only concern.

So, why make another Street Fighter movie? In many ways it and Mortal Kombat (also getting a new film) are perfect for the transition to the big screen. They’re notable by name, if not story. They are basically excuses to produce cheap action films with a built-in audience for the opening weekend. Action films don’t exactly sell like they did twenty years ago, at least not on the name of an actor alone. You either need a gimmick (see Crank), or you need a known property (see the rash of comic book films). (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »

Are video games really all sex and violence? Not according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). It recently released its ratings numbers for 2007 and revealed that only 6% of titles received a Mature rating.

In fact, games in general got very acceptable ratings with 74% receiving an Everyone rating of some form. Another 20% of titles received the Teen rating. So, what does all of this mean to gamers?

For one, it means that mature games simply aren’t being made, despite the aging of the gaming audience. Whether this is due to fear of social backlash or limiting a game’s potential market is debatable. Still, this is hardly the future of games many pictured fifteen years ago after the success of Mortal Kombat and Doom. (more…)

Posted by Justin | No Comments »