Final Fantasy XV Gamescom 2015 Trailer August 5, 2015

Square Enix has released the newest trailer for Final Fantasy XV in anticipation for its appearance at Gamescom 2015. Give it a watch.

If this isn’t enough Final Fantasy XV for you, don’t worry. Square Enix is also planning to stream an all new Active Time Report live from Gamescom later today on Twitch.TV.  Subscribe to their channel to get notified as soon as they begin their broadcast.

Final Fantasy XV is coming to Xbox One and PS4.

Halo Wars 2 Announced August 4, 2015

In 2009, Microsoft began the process of branching out their incredibly popular Halo franchise by releasing two Halo spin off games, one of which was developed by a studio other than Bungie. While Bungie’s Halo 3: ODST would go on to earn incredible sales despite its short length, Ensemble’s Halo Wars never earned the acclaim of its sister game, despite gaining a devoted following.  Halo Wars proved that if it was designed with a controller in mind, an RTS was possible on a console.

Sadly, despite its grand plans for future expansions and DLC, Microsoft shut down developer Ensemble Studios shortly after Halo Wars was released.  Many believed that any plans Microsoft may have had for a sequel ended with the studio’s closing.

I never thought I would type these words out, but today at Gamescom 2015, Bonnie Ross announced Halo Wars 2.

Halo Wars 2 is coming Fall 2016 to Windows 10 and Xbox One.

Quantum Break Release Date August 4, 2015

Sam Lake and Shawn Ashmore took the stage at Gamescom 2015 earlier today to show off an all new gameplay demo for Quantum Break, the first game ever announced for the Xbox One, culminating in the announcement of the game’s release date.

After the demo ran, their presentation concluded with a live-action trailer showcasing the game’s episodic television series, which will run parallel to the game’s story.  Unfortunately those trailers have not been posted yet, but I will put them up as soon as they’re available.  Until then, enjoy this abridged trailer.

Quantum Break is coming April 5th, 2016 exclusively on the Xbox One.

Final Fantasy Explorers Release Date July 30, 2015

An all new cooperative Final Fantasy game is coming exclusively to the Nintendo 3DS early next year. Take a look.

Final Fantasy Explorers is coming January 26, 2016 exclusively to the Nintendo 3DS.

Windows 10 Released July 29, 2015

Windows users rejoice, your Operating System has become obsolete.

I know that Microsoft will typically say this every time they release a new OS and then completely forget about their promises shortly after pushing their software out the door, but Windows 10 looks to revolutionize gaming in a way that the PC was meant to for years.  Not only will the OS include the all new DirectX, allowing for exclusive graphical features in upcoming games, it will offer gamers a lot more than just graphical tweaks.  Windows 10 supports tons of gaming tools designed to make it easier for players to not only play their games but share their experiences playing them as well.

Gamers who prefer to buy their games digitally will have a lot to be happy about. The new OS will support tons of gaming marketplaces including Valve’s Steam for traditional PC games, or Oculus for users of the VR headset.  Xbox One owners with Windows 10 PC will also be able to stream Xbox One games on their PC, in case they don’t have access to the TV the Xbox One is connected to.

You can purchase Windows 10 right now for new PCs. Windows 7 and Windows 8 owners can upgrade to Windows 10 for free if they upgrade within the first year of the OS’s release.

Life is Strange Episode 4 Release Date July 23, 2015

Since its launch, Life is Strange has been hailed as one of the best new IP’s this year. It’s incredible story, remarkable characters, and unique gameplay features have made it a modern classic.

However, the series is far from over.  Only three episodes of an expected five have been released up to this point, and until today players did not know when to expect the game’s fourth episode. Today, we know when to expect Life is Strange Episode 4 to be released.  Given the huge cliffhanger episode three ended on, I don’t blame people for being impatient.  Take a look at the launch trailer and see for yourself.

Life is Strange Episode 4 is coming July 28th, 2015 to PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4 and PS3.

Happy Birthday, Virtual Boy July 21, 2015

Twenty years ago today, Nintendo launched the Virtual Boy system in Japan. Created by Gunpai Yokoi, the father of Metroid, Game Boy and the Game & Watch, the Virtual Boy would go on to become Nintendo’s greatest failure.

I first became aware of the Virtual Boy during the mid-90s.  There was a local electronics store in my area called Lechemere, which would always carry the latest technology, appliances, movies, music and games, and for the brief few years it was open it was the only place I could demo the newest games before I got my first computer.

Lechemere had a Virtual Boy demo kiosk, set up at the perfect eye level, and loaded up with a copy of Wario Land.  I remember playing the game and being tremendously impressed by it.  Virtual Reality was a big deal in the mid-90s and it looked like Nintendo was going to capitalize on it before they would go on to launch the Nintendo 64.

However, a high price, lack of a wide supply of games, and technical limitations would end up bringing a quick downfall to this promising system.  It was discontinued mere months after its launch.
To celebrate the system’s anniversary, here’s a cool blast from the past.  Several years ago, the system and its games were reviewed by James Rolfe, better known to the Internet as The Angry Video Game Nerd.  It might be a little unsafe to watch at work, but it is a pretty detailed video which looked at all aspects of the system including its history, 

I know Nintendo has been missing for a few years now that they could port Virtual Boy games to the Nintendo 3DS’s Virtual Console service. That would be a nice option. I never got the chance to own a Virtual Boy back when it was new, and it would be awesome to play the system’s games on the 3DS.

Diance Distribution July 24-27th July 20, 2015

The Pokémon Company has just made a major announcement in time for The Pokémon World Championships. They will be distributing the mythical Pokémon Diance as a free download off the Nintendo Network between July 24th and July 27th, 2015.

What will you be able to do with this Pokémon?  Take a look.

You should be able to download Diance as a gift from the game’s main menu once the distribution period begins.  Your 3DS will need to be connected to the Internet to receive Diance. If you don’t have access to a wireless network, you can always take your 3DS system to a Nintendo Zone location for free WiFi internet access.

Pokèmon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire are out now exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS.

God of War III Remastered Launch Trailer July 14, 2015

One of the first games I ever covered on this website is getting rereleased on the Playstation 4 this week and it’s coming in native 1080p at 60 frames a second.  Here’s the game’s official launch trailer.

If you haven’t played this epic conclusion to one of the greates video game trilogies in history you owe it to yourself to check it out.  Kratos must have his revenge.

God of War III Remastered is out now exclusively on the Playstation 4.

Halo: The Fall of Reach SDCC 2015 Teaser July 12, 2015

The very first piece of expanded universe content released to coincide with the launch of Halo: Combat Evolved and the original Xbox was a novel titled Halo: The Fall of Reach.

The book told the backstory of Master Chief Petty Officer JOHN-117, better known to fans of the Halo franchise as the Master Chief, the hero of Halo.  It starts with the creation of the SPARTAN-II program and details the events leading up to the first Halo game.

This weekend, 343 Industries announced that they are going to re-release this epic story as an animated feature.  If you haven’t read this amazing story you should certainly give this animated feature a look, as many of the book’s characters will be making their first game appearances in the next Halo game.

Take a look at the first official trailer below.  Its release is timed to coincide with the launch of Halo 5: Guardians this October.

Halo: The Fall of Reach is being released exclusively through the Halo Channel to anyone who purchases the Limited Edition or Limited Collector’s Edition of Halo 5: Guardians.  Halo 5: Guardians is coming October 2015 exclusively to the Xbox One.