In the days of the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast, the House of the Dead provided players with zombie-blasting thrills long before zombies became cool. Fast forward to now, with the Wiimote making it easy for light gun rail shooters to make a comeback of sorts, with games such as Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Dead Space Extraction. What better time for Sega to reintroduce the House of the Dead to the masses? Of course with the popularity of games such as Left 4 Dead and Dead Rising, Sega had to insure that the new HOTD game wouldn’t be just another ‘me-too’ zombie shooter (especially after Uwe Boll’s misguided attempt to squeeze a 90 minute movie out of a game that can be completed in 20, and the forgettable HOTD 4). What better way to do this than with Grindhouse-inspired facelift?
[Read the rest of this entry…]

In New Super Mario Bros Wii, Nintendo has brought back the long dormant “Koopalings.” These seven characters are supposedly Bowser’s children and appear as stage antagonists in several Mario games. It is said that during the production of Super Mario Bros 3, Shigeru Miyamoto based each of them on a member of the design team.
But when Super Mario Bros 3 was released in 1988 to Japan, the kids were not given names. Only a year and a half later when Nintendo Of America released the game did they get names. The localization team did their best to match their appearances with some obvious, and less obvious names. See how obscure they get!
[Read the rest of this entry…]

As I played this week’s $20 GOTW entry, three questions immediately popped into my head. How were the people who made Okami make the transition from something so beautiful and artistic to well….this? How did Sega get the green light from Nintendo for this to be released on the Wii of all systems? Most of all, WHY IS NO ONE BUYING THIS GAME? The Wii’s hardcore gamer audience would love this game, as it contains the perfect combination of extreme violence and “what the hell is this” brand of zaniness that made No More Heroes and Killer 7 cult classics. It’s Japanese producers designed this game with a western audience in mind. In fact, as of this writing it’s unsure of weather of not this game will even be released in Japan!
[Read the rest of this entry…]

Following suit with Marvel, DC is bought out (again) by Warner Bros. Following suit with Siegel/Shuster (against DC), Jack Kirby’s heirs decide to sue Marvel. Kanye West makes a jackass out of himself. Sonic Team wants to make a GOOD Sonic game for a change. And Famicom Dojo Season 2 news! What’s going on in the world??

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 19: Greatest of all Time

(Name your dream team comic merger! AT&T still doesn’t own a company. How about Dark Horse? Leave your comments below!)

Show notes after the jump!

[Read the rest of this entry…]

One thing you gotta love about Goichi Suda is that he doesn’t care how well his games are received by critics. He doesn’t care how well reviewers score his product, how well his games sell, or weather or not he gets a game of the year award. In fact, he doesn’t care about gaining any kind of mainstream recognition whatsoever, as anyone who has played Killer 7 knows. He works in this same spirit as many independent game programmers, and simply wants to share his demented thoughts with the world. No More Heroes is his latest creation. Weather you love or hate the game, it will be sure to have you scratching your head in a way that few games can.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

More and more, the games Powet plays are $10-$15 add-ons and episodic content. Is this trend wide-spread? Is the era of expensive, disc-based gaming over?

Also, news of the video game world at GamesCom and BlizzCon, reviews of Ponyo, District 9, the new Professor Layton (out today), and more! Also introducing special guest Shaun Hatton of Toronto Thumbs and the 4 Color Rebellion network!

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 17: Cobra Commander’s Moustache

(Do you still buy games on discs? Love Steam and downloadable content? Leave a comment below!)

Show notes after the jump!

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Last time we went to BotCon. As soon as we stepped on the plane to go home, E3 started. Catch up on all your E3 news here! Also, reviews of Terminator, Conan O’Brien on the Tonight Show, and much more!

(What did you think of the E3 announcements? Leave a comment below!)

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 12: E3 and the 80s

Show notes after the jump!
[Read the rest of this entry…]

We just got off the plane from BotCon 2009 in LA, and now you have a new Powetcast! In the same room for the first time in years, our panel takes the opportunity to share Transformers news, delve into what they thought about this year’s convention and BotCons past, and how much everyone is looking forward to the Revenge of the Fallen.

Enjoy this special Powetcast for the week of June 1st, 2009! Tune in in two weeks for our regular news and features.

(Did you go to BotCon? Go to the Paramount Party? Leave a comment and tell us what you thought of this year’s convention!)

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 10: War of the Prequels

Show notes after the jump!
[Read the rest of this entry…]