Nintendo 3DS Firmware Updated Today December 5, 2012

Pull out your Nintendo handhelds, Nintendo released a brand new firmware for the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL today.  No patch notes were included with the release, so it is likely that the new firmware simply did some bug fixes or behind the scenes optimizations.

You will likely be prompted about the firmware update if you try to access the Nintendo eShop.  You can update the firmware from the eShop or manually update it.  If you need help how to update the firmware on your 3DS manually, check out this handy video.

Depending on your connection, the 3DS firmware update shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Released to DVD and Blu-Ray Disc Today December 4, 2012

For those of you (like me) who was disappointed that the Halo 4 Limited Edition featured only a downloadable code for the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Director’s Cut and not a physical copy of the game on a disc can breathe a sigh of relief.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn was a five-part live-action web series that was released in October and November of this year.  It expanded the story of Halo and told the backstory of some new characters in the Halo universe, including one of which who had a major role in Halo 4.  In a lot of ways, this could be the closest thing we ever get to ever seeing a Halo movie.

The new physical disc release includes a brand new Special Edition cut of the series, giving it more of the editing of a movie than an episodic web series.  I think this is really important because as I watched the series progress episode to episode I felt that I should have been watching it as one continuous story instead of in weekly twenty-minute episodes.  If I ever planned on reviewing Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, I wanted to review it in the format of a movie.  Now, the Special Edition release makes that possible.

The Blu-Ray Disc sports a DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound track for those with HD surround sound receivers.  It also includes over an hour of behind the scenes documentaries, featurettes, a live-action Red vs Blue PSA, two commentaries, and there’s even some easter eggs.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn has been released to DVD and Blu-Ray Disc today.

Halo 4 Spartan Ops Episode 5 Released December 3, 2012

Another week has passed and another Spartan Ops episode has been released for Halo 4.  Spartan Ops is the new episodic campaign in Halo 4 which promises to bridge the gap between Halo 4 and Halo 5.  So far, all Spartan Ops episodes have been released free of charge to owners of Halo 4, and 343 Industries has promised that this will continue until the episodes have reached their season finale.

So, what’s going on this week in the Halo Universe?  Take a look for yourselves!

It has been amazing to see a weekly episodic game released free of charge to game owners, stay on schedule, and expand the game’s story this well.  Keep up the great work 343!

Halo 4 is out now exclusive to the Xbox 360.

Uplay Wii U App Released December 3, 2012

When I started to play ZombiU for the Wii U last week, I found myself in a bit of a pickle.  The game makes heavy use of UbiSoft’s Uplay service and offers players four unlockable rewards to go along with four unlockable achievements in the game.  UbiSoft has been offering Uplay rewards and achievements in their games for a while now, and while many PC users have had problems with it, it doesn’t intrude that much into the console games that support it.

While ZombiU is able to interface with the Uplay service and doesn’t give players much issue simply logging into their accounts to record their game progress, it lacks the ability to do Uplay account management.  Without a Wii U Uplay app, I had to go looking for Uplay apps on alternate platforms to unlock my ZombiU rewards and manage my Uplay account.  My favorite so far has been the iPhone version.

However, UbiSoft has just released the Uplay app for the Wii U and it can be downloaded immediately.  The program interfaces with your Uplay account and allows you to manage your rewards and track your achievements.  The best part is that you won’t need to log back into your Uplay account if you’ve already have in a Wii U game, the app will automatically log you in.  The worst part is that it doesn’t seem to make any use of the Wii U Controller’s Touch Screen, even though the menus look as if they’re designed specifically for the touch screen.

The Uplay app is free and can now be downloaded on the Wii U through the Nintendo eShop.  The app can already be downloaded to the iPhone or PC.  If you use any Uplay supported UbiSoft games, you can register for a Uplay account here free of charge.

Halo 4 Crimison Map Pack Release Date December 1, 2012

Before the launch of Halo 4, Microsoft and 343 Industries promised a steady output of multiplayer game maps and game types as well as a regular release of cooperative levels.  Well, now they’ve announced the release date for the first official Halo 4 Map Pack, dubbed the Crimson Map Pack.

Just what is coming with the new Crimson Map Pack?  Three new maps and a whole new gametype.  Want to see it for yourself?  Take a look.

Want to read all the details about the new map pack?  Check them out here!

Halo 4 Crimson Map Pack is coming December 10th, 2012 through the Xbox Live Marketplace.  Players who already purchased the Halo 4 Limited Edition or Halo 4 War Games Map Pass will be able to download the Crimson Map Pack free of charge, as well as two other Map Packs coming next year.  Halo 4 game required.

Xbox 360 System Update Today November 27, 2012

A minor system update for the Xbox 360 was released today. The update focuses on fixing some behind the scenes problems with the new Xbox Dashboard and specifically fixes issues with Xbox Smartglass Playlists, bugs in Xbox Video and a few other problems.

You will be automatically prompted about the update at log in. The update is required for Xbox Live access and may take around 5-10 minutes to download and install.

You can read all the details about the system update on Major Nelson’s Blog.

Halo 4 Spartan Ops Episode 4 Released November 27, 2012

Another week has passed and Microsoft and 343 Industries have released an entirely new episode for Spartan Ops.  Spartan Ops is the cooperative mutliplayer campaign which continues the single-player story of Halo 4.  Each new episode released brings the story one step closer to the announced but still unseen Halo 5.  Until Season 1 of Spartan Ops concludes, each episode is expected to be released free of charge to Halo 4 owners.

And just what is coming in this episode?  Take a look for yourselves!

Halo 4 is out now exclusive to the Xbox 360.

Playstation 3 Firmware 4.31 Released November 27, 2012

It looks like Sony has quietly released a new firmware to the PS3 recently.  Firmware 4.31 is currently out for download through the Playstation 3.  No patch notes or change log was included with the release and it looks like this firmware merely features some bug fixes or optimizations.

PS3 Firmware 4.31 is currently available through the PS3’s Network Update option.  It is not currently required for access to the Playstation Network.

ZombiU iPhone Companion App Released November 20, 2012

You might notice that UbiSoft has released a ZombiU app for the iPhone.  With it, it can get you to take pictures of yourself or your friends and it can track the stages of your “infection” just as you can with the Wii U Controller, or record survivors videos.  It seems to be released to coincide with the advertising campaign for ZombiU and has direct access to the ZombiU Official Site.

Unfortunately one thing that this app does not have is integration with the game, the Nintendo Network, or Uplay.  However, if you would like that kind of functionality it is available.  The Uplay app for the iPhone, DOES integrate with ZombiU’s Uplay integration and allows you to unlock bonus content in the game.  You even get 10 free Uplay points just for using the Uplay program for the first time, which can be used in any Uplay enabled game, like ZombiU or Assassin’s Creed III.

The ZombiU and Uplay app are out now for free download to your iOS device from the Apple App Store.

Halo 4 Spartan Ops Episode 3 Released November 19, 2012

Episode 3 of Spartan Ops has come to Halo 4 today and boy, take a look at just how they’re setting the story with this one. Warning, its probably not a good idea to watch this video unless you’ve already played through Spartan Ops Episodes 1 and 2.

New episodes of Spartan Ops are expected to come on a regular basis. The cooperative exclusive campaign follows the game’s single-player story and leads up to the events of the announced but not yet seen Halo 5.

Episode 3 of Spartan Ops is free of charge and avalible to anyone who owns Halo 4. Halo 4 is out now and is exclusive to the Xbox 360.