QCF: Chasing Aurora

Broken Rules has volunteered to be the forerunner of independently developed game for the Wii U, an admirably brave task considering that larger, more experienced studios have been skeptical of their own ability to significantly take advantage of the Wii U’s potential. Nintendo's new console excels at offering a cavalcade of dynamics in a multiplayer setting, evident by the direction of Nintendoland.

Broken Rules therefore staked their hands at creating their software that centered on a competitive theme with their imaginative take on the philosophy of flight through the portrayal of paper art in Chasing Aurora. While the cliché of an indie studio taking the humble route in order to concentrate all production value towards the creative process and to convey a deeper meaning through a solid game mechanic, the Austrian studio takes this trait to heart, and it works both against them and in their favor in the end.

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The Wii U: Two Weeks Later

Well known freelance artist and internet color commentator Bill Mudron, has recently coined  quote, “Nintendo is making silent film-era games in a stereo/Technicolor world” and  it got me thinking, just how much weight does this analogy hold? Today marks the fourteenth day since North America was introduced to the Wii U, Nintendo’s new hope that represents so many different factors for both the Big N and a reflection of the video game industry as of late; a desire to possibly experience the prospect of playing video games with the ideals of the next generation.

The stalwart box of fun also symbolizes Nintendo’s intent to embrace the age of tech and online functionality, an exploit they’ve neglected for so long in the very industry they once helped pioneer back into relevance.  The last two weeks with the machine has given ample opportunity for me to gauge an impression of what was delivered to us and analyzing the end result of what pushed me and so many other to plunk down over $350 and some change for.

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PPR Presents Lime Light: New Super Mario Bros. U

Nintendo’s quote unquote “Next-Generation” console is dropping on Sunday and George is going to muck it through some lines to get his hands on one. So what a better way to show off the WiiU to everyone than putting together another edition of Limelight, and the game on tap is the newest entry to the red-overall wearing plumber saga, New Super Mario Bros. U! Tune in around Sunday, November 18^th, at 3:00 PM pacific time and join us in the chat on our Justin.TV account or settle in for the stream right here where George, Andrew, and Matt Jay get down on the get down and might have a couple of brews while they’re at it.

Control Factor: Nintendo's Wii U GamePad in Dollars

With the recent reveal of Wii U's pricing and release plans, Nintendo was mum on details regarding the North American pricing of a second, standalone GamePad controller. In fact, none of the games on release will support the second GamePad controller, and it will not be available at launch on its own. But in Japan, it will be available. So just how much will you pay? If you like your pills to swallow huge and bitter, get ready for your fix.

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QCF: New Super Mario Bros. 2

If you came to me 22 years ago and told me I'd be second guessing the number one plumber in video games, I would have told you to fuck right off (in a much more polite, 8-year-old tone). Until very recently, I had always been a ridiculously faithful Mario fan -- especially as a child. I collected everything from posters and comics to pasta noodles (seriously). I even had a letter printed in the September 1991 issue of Adventures of Super Mario Bros. by Valiant Comics (which I'm searching for again, so contact me if you have it).

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PPR 59

 Another E3 is in the books, and now is the time to discuss all of the big announcements and reveals that were shown during the year's biggest convention for the video game culture. The crew skips current news and events, and focuses solely on their biggest hits and misses from all three of the major press conferences as well as a few surprises. Has E3 lost it's staying power, or was the lineup of titles and new innovations enough to win us over? We will discuss this and so much more on this episode of Press Pause Radio. Make sure to join in on the conversation on the site or on our Twitter and Facebook pages, and while you're at it also make sure to rate and review us on iTunes, Zune or Stitcher Radio. Every little bit helps us reach more people, and it makes us feel special. Thanks!

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PPR 58

With E3 in full swing and conferences from the Big Three already in the books, everyone is buzzing with excitement about all the new games and technology that will be in store for the next year. On Sunday evening before the conference was underway, the crew sat down to discuss their predictions for this year's expo. How close were their predictions to what has actually happened at the convention so far? And will there still be some news to follow in the days to come? We will discuss this and much more on this week's episode of Press Pause Radio. Join in on the E3 conversation on our Facebook and Twitter page, as well as on the site and in our forums. Be sure to come back in a few days as we recap all the happenings from E3 2012!

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E3 2012: Nintendo Direct Presentation Summary and Thoughts

Once again, E3 predictions and pre-show streams are flying across the web. As a result, everyone and their nonspecific grandpa (we'll get to that) is freaking out about who's going to showcase what. But truth be told, this is likely to be a slow year for all the major "hardcore" players tied in with Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo, however, has other plans.

Satoru Iwata recently presented a stream via Nintendo Direct where he discussed some of the features for the upcoming Wii U, Nintendo's ultimate weapon (or so we assume) in the continual console wars.

Between awkwardly familiar looking remote controls, and even more awkwardly disturbing possibilities with the Wii U controller's camera, here are some highlights from the brief yet satisfying presentation.

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