Nintendo 3DS Miiverse Update Released December 10, 2013

Without a doubt one of the best features of the Nintendo Wii U is its Social Networking client, Miiverse.  With it, you can post drawings or tweets about all the different Nintendo Wii U games or major properties, and connect with other like-minded Nintendo fans.  Today, Nintendo has brought that service to the Nintendo 3DS for free to all 3DS owners.

Starting today, you can run the Software Update feature on your Nintendo portable device and it will automatically install the Nintendo Miiverse client.  If you already have a Nintendo Network account, you can carry your Miiverse profile over to the Nintendo 3DS

Just be aware, you only have ONE chance to link your Nintendo Network account to your Nintendo 3DS.  If you already own a Wii U, make sure that you link the same account to your 3DS to share funds between the two platforms.  Once you lock a Nintendo Network account to a device it cannot be brought to a different one unless you perform a complete system transfer.  Once you install the new firmware, you may need to perform an update to your StreetPass Mii Plaza as well.

The update is required to access the Nintendo eShop.

Halo: Spartan Assault Xbox One Release Date December 9, 2013

In anticipation of their 343 Day festivities, 343 Industries has announced the release date for the Xbox One version of Halo: Spartan Assault, a downloadable twin sticks action game originally released for Windows 8 PCs and portable devices.  The new downloadable console game takes place between the events of Halo 3 and Halo 4 and includes all the content originally released for the Windows 8 version, including its expansion, but will also feature an entirely new cooperative campaign exclusive to the console versions.

The Xbox One version of the game will cost $14.99 US.  Anyone who already purchased the game on their Windows 8 PC or portable device will be able to buy the console version at a discounted price of $4.99 US.  343 Industries will be streaming new content about the game on their Twitch.TV Channel starting at 1PM PST, along with other Halo content.

Halo: Spartan Assault is coming December 24th, 2013 to the Xbox One.  The Xbox 360 version is expected to come in January 2014.  It is out now for Windows 8 devices.

343 Day Announced December 8, 2013

343 Industries, who now control the Halo franchise, has announced that Monday, December 9th, 2013 will be 343 Day!  To celebrate, they will be doing a live stream on their Twitch.TV channel between 1pm and 4pm PST.  They’re going to kick off the broadcast with the latest information on Halo: Spartan Assault for the Xbox One, which is expected to launch on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 this month.  There are also going to be developer interviews, giveaways, and live gameplay from Halo 4 matches.

Because they’re streaming through Twitch.TV, you should be able to watch it on a wide array of devices including your Smartphone, PC, or Xbox.  You can read all the details about the event here.

Halo: Spartan Assault is coming this month to Xbox 360 and Xbox One.  It is out now for Windows 8 PCs and portable devices.

Destiny Release Date December 7, 2013

Bungie has announced the release date of one of next year’s largest profile multiplatform titles, Destiny.  Very little is known about the game’s larger story, but we do know it will take place in a persistent multiplayer world and you will receive game notifications through the Bungie mobile app.

Anyone who has preordered the game, regardless of the platform they chose to play on, will be granted access to the Destiny beta test next year.  The PS3 and PS4 versions of the beta will launch first in Spring 2014, with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions to follow afterwards.  If you preordered the game, make sure to check your preorder receipt for your beta access code.

Destiny is coming September 9th, 2014 to the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Nintendo Announces 3DS StreetPass Weekend December 6, 2013

Nintendo has just announced that December 14th and 15th (next weekend) will officially be StreetPass Weekend!  Any user with a Nintendo 3DS or 2DS system can bring their handheld to any Nintendo Zone location (usually located in Starbucks, McDonald’s, Barnes and Noble, or AT&T retail stores) and trade StreetPass data with players from other Nintendo Zone locations across North America.  Take a look at the video below to see all the details.

This may be a great opportunity for people who haven’t had the chance to take their portable systems where they could StreetPass with players from other regions.  The 3DS actually keeps track and issues achievements based upon how many players you StreetPass with, and what regions the other players come from.

Nintendo also promises something special may be coming at New Year’s, but didn’t elaborate further on that.  If you’re interested to learn more about our thoughts on Nintendo’s StreetPass feature, you can check out this video.

Playstation 3 Firmware 4.53 Released December 5, 2013

Fire up your PS3 system update, the latest firmware for the Playstation 3 has been released.  Version 4.53 adds a closed-captioning feature for all Blu-Ray Discs which should help out the hard of hearing.  The new update also includes a way to modify the font of the closed captioning text, which could help people having an issue reading the printed text when on the screen.

You can download the firmware update right now through the PS3 System Update feature.  The firmware is currently not required to access the Playstation Network.

Everything You Need to Prepare for Ryse: Son of Rome December 4, 2013

Greetings to all the Sons of Rome out there.  The game, Ryse: Son of Rome launched alongside the Xbox One last week, but there was a lot of content that Microsoft released before the game’s launch that I never had the chance to post up on this site.  So, for anyone who is currently working on completing the game or starting on their later playthroughs, here’s some interesting content which should provide further information on the game’s universe and set up the game’s story.

First off, there is a four part live action series, Ryse: Son of Rome – The Fall.

The second thing is a three part comic series which details a history of the game’s mythology.  The cool part about this is that by checking out these comics you can get the chance to unlock free gold for use in the game, as long as you tie it to your Xbox Live GamerTag as you read.  You can check out the comic and earn yourself some free multiplayer gold here.

Ryse: Son of Rome is out now exclusive to the Xbox One.

Gears of War Free From Games With Gold December 2, 2013

Microsoft’s Games With Gold promotion continues this month with one of the first truly killer apps for the console on its first year of release, Gears of War.  The game that made us ask the question why hasn’t anyone put a chainsaw at the end of an assault rifle before?

I have many fond memories playing this game with friends.  It’s drop in and drop out cooperative play is common in today’s games but it was revolutionary when it was released.  Previously, if a game even supported co-op at all (and there weren’t many that did), getting a friend into the game was a complex and annoying process that frequently didn’t work.  After Gears of War proved cooperative play could work in a major title, it has become the gold standard for cooperative single-player campaigns.

Gears of War will be free until the 15th of the month to all Xbox Live Gold Subscribers.  Just download the game on your Xbox 360 and its yours forever, even if your Gold account expires.  Once you have the game downloaded, don’t forget to download the game’s two multiplayer map packs free off Xbox Live Marketplace as well.

Gears of War is out now.  After the 16th, it looks like the Xbox Live Arcade game Shoot Many Robots will be the next Games With Gold free game.