Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice Harley Quinn Classic Costume 'Skin' DLC

Just revealed on the Injustice Gods Among Us Facebook Page is this DLC of Harley Quinn's classic costume!

I'm waiting for the game to have been out a while so I can get it on sale/used - I'm just not that big a gamer to need most games on opening day unless it's an 'Arkham' title - but when I do get it I'll be downloading this Harley Quinn costume that day! None other compare to the classic!

Ain't no party like a Wii U party 'cuz a Wii U party's got Mario. And free food.

This past Sunday my friend Jenny hosted a Nintendo Wii U party. She had been approached by Nintendo to host this party - in exchange they gave her a brand new Nintendo Wii U and catered the event. For free!

Clearly she is a very influential blogger. And if I can't be an influential blogger then at least I can know one and eat their food.

The event was mostly for the kids to play Nintendo and for parents to learn what the new Wii U is all about (and then run out and buy one). But the adults did get plenty of play time in as well.

Although I admit most of my playtime was seen through the amber haze of a beer bottle. That could be said about a lot of what I do, come to think about it.

Emceed by Nintendo's own Chris and Brian, the event introduced us all to the Wii U game system and it's features, playability and new GamePad component.

Our friends' son Elliot broke out his finest suit for the occasion. Which was balanced by the kid in the background who didn't wear a shirt at all.

We played family friendly games like Super Mario Bros. U and Sing Party. Elliot was clearly not impressed by our friend Chris' rendition of Katy Perry's 'Firework.' This dapper young lad's taste in fashion is clearly matched by his taste in music.

I was really hoping Nintendo would bring Arkham City along with them, but they were going for more family friendly and multi-player titles I suppose. Although if they knew MY family, they'd have brought some Batman!

Here everyone is playing Nintendoland. One of the 12 games included in this title is a tag type game wherein the GamePad player runs off and after a few seconds' head start the other four players chase them down and try to tackle them. This game was a lot of fun; when I played it I had the tagee in my sights, until the GamePad player grabbed a star and became invincible! No one told me they could do that!

At the end of their time with us, Chris and Brian gave away a few fun prizes. I won a gift certificate and my step-son won a Wii U cup. Other prizes won included Wii U games and a stuffed Wario.

All in all the event was great fun, and Nintendo's Chris and Brian handled the cacophony of what seemed like a thousand kids in one little room like champions. I'd have liked some time to play with the GamePad myself, but I have to say as a family/party system the Wii U is a blast! We have the standard Wii at home, and play head-to-head games like Mario Kart all the time, but don't generally game as a family or with large groups. Personally I enjoy games that I can play alone and decompress from the world around me long into the night. But if you're not as curmudgeonly as I am and are looking for a game system that brings people together, while still allowing you to play those single player titles (enhanced by the WiiU GamePad of course!) then you can't go wrong with the Wii U.

Special thanks to my newest Toyriffic intern Mary, who took the pics for this post (except for the pic of Elliot the music critic, which was taken by Jenny.)

Batman: Arkham Origins Revealed!

Gameinformer magazine has just released information on the next installment of the Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City videogame series.

Batman: Arkham Origins will be a 'prequel' to those games, and is set for release October 25th 2013 on all those video game systems you know and love.

Check out the video below for some story tidbits and concept art, and be sure to follow along with Gameinformer magazine as they continue to release more exclusive news over the next few weeks!

My only personal concern is that the game won't be developed by Rocksteady (the studio that released the first to Arkham video games) and will instead be produced by Warner Bros. Games Montreal. Will Batman: Arkham Origins be the 'X3' or 'Shumacher' of the series? Or will WB Studios be able to match (or dare I say it, top) what Rocksteady has done?

Only time will tell.

Poisunday Ivy :: Infinite Crisis MOBA

DC recently announced a new MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) video game: Infinite Crisis, and apparently Poison Ivy will be a playable character:

The graphics look pretty basic but the main draw is the huge online world you roam around in and interact with other superheroes I suppose. I've never played a MOBA game so I couldn't say if it really appeals to me or not, but I did sign up for the Beta, so we'll see!

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT UNVEILS

INFINITE CRISIS

First Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Game Based on DC Multiverse to Debut Fall 2013

Players Can Register Now for a Chance to Participate in the Beta

BURBANK, Calif. – March 25, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Infinite Crisis, an all-new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Turbine, the award winning studio behind free-to-play online games including The Lord of the Rings Online™. Infinite Crisis is a free-to-play game that features a deep roster of DC Comics characters and is scheduled for release in 2013 for the PC.

Infinite Crisis is a new entrant into the wildly popular MOBA genre that delivers a heart-pounding competitive player vs. player battle experience set in the legendary DC Multiverse - a world in which familiar DC Comics characters have been reimagined in startling ways.  Featuring a wide variety of DC Comics heroes and villains, Infinite Crisis puts players in control of twisted incarnations of their favorite characters throughout the Multiverse such as Nightmare Batman and Gaslight Catwoman, playing in league with well-known characters including Green Lantern and The Flash.

“We are thrilled to bring Infinite Crisis, a truly competitive experience featuring the DC Comics lore and characters, to the MOBA genre,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “Turbine is a pioneer in online gaming and combined with the amazing world of DC Comics, they are executing on a game concept that expands the MOBA genre.”

“The Turbine team is very excited to reveal Infinite Crisis to the world and extend the MOBA genre with new features,” said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer, Turbine.  “We are utilizing years of experience in the online game space to deliver innovations to the MOBA genre with a game that features fast-paced action, a major story arc, destructible environments, catastrophic events and a deep roster of iconic DC Comics characters.”

For more information or to sign up for a chance to participate in the beta visit www.infinitecrisis.com.

# # #

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.  In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is a premier creator and operator of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is wholly owned by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group and has created some of the world’s most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online™, Dungeons & Dragons Online®, and Asheron's Call®.  For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
INFINITE CRISIS software © 2013 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Turbine. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.  All rights reserved.
DC LOGO, and all characters, their distinctive likenesses, and related elements are trademarks of DC Comics © 2013.

TURBINE LOGO, WB GAMES LOGO, WB SHIELD: ™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.    

Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice "Alternate Earth" Harley Quinn

It appears an 'Alternate Earth' costume will be available for Harley Quinn in the upcoming Injustice: Gods Among Us video game. No word yet on how you will access this costume (in game win, DLC, pre-order exclusive?) but as you can see from the in game image above and the concept art below, it is clearly inspired by Harley's Arkham City groove.

I dig it!

And here's a look at her 'standard' Injustice costume concept art, just for kicks.

Bane will also be getting an Alt. Earth costume inspired by Arkham City, but this is Harley Qwednesday not Banerday, so screw him. One can assume more heroes and villains will be getting alternative versions as well.

Pics via Shoryuken.com

Harley Qwednesday :: Injustice Cosplay

The fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us isn't even out yet, but cosplayer Jessica Nigri has been cosplaying Injustice Harley Quinn since...oh about fifteen minutes after the first images of HQ from the game were revealed!

And I'm pretty sure it'll not be done better by anyone ever!

For reference, here's a shot of Harley Quinn as she appears in the video game, which isn't due out until April 2013.

And here are a bunch of pics of Jessica...

For good measure, here are some pics of Jessica cosplaying as Lady Joker...

Follow all of Jessica's cosplay antics at Jessica Nigri's Facebook Fan Page.

K'Nex Angry Bird blind bags have (crash) landed!

I didn't initially think I would get any of these. They are cute and all, and everyone loves playing Angry Birds, but with so many blind bagged toys to choose from nowadays, I just didn't think I'd care.

But when I discovered there was a code break over at Raving Toy Maniac (via Battlegrip) AND a BOGO 40% off sale at Toys R Us, I decided to take one for the Toyriffic Team. That 'team' would be the Toyriffic Terrors, by the way.)

Based on the code breaker, I aimed my hunt directly at Space Red Bird. Because he has some cool eighties punk glasses. Or maybe because he reminds me of Robin.

BRING ME THE HEAD OF ROBIN!

I blindly picked a second pack for the fun of a random find (since the Space Red Bird was really the only must-have I decided I, well, must-have) and ended up with a frozen Pig with helmet.

Cool, a good guy and a bad guy! I'll let you decide which is which.

These blind bagged figures are of course designed to supplement the K'Nex Angry Bird building sets, which include a slingshot to launch the birds. Therefore the bird figures are designed with a connection slot on their backs to fit the slingshots. Conversely, the pigs are designed to attach to a base or structure. The bird is mostly a hard rubber 'shell' around a plastic 'core.,' while the pig is designed via your standard build toy type plastic construction. The bird is two halves clamped together and that's pretty much it, but the pig can be built and deconstructed to your heart's content.

Also, his helmet is removable, which is pretty neat.

Each one came with the same 'accessory,' an egg with an antenna. I didn't photograph them because they are kinda stupid but you can see them in the checklist above.

These figures (if you can call them that) do make for fun desk-dressing though; the Pig will join King Koopa and Donkey Kong as another video game villain amongst their ranks: here's hoping for some Pac-Man ghosts when Wreck-it Ralph comes out and (hopefully) toys of Q-Bert and Pac-Man and other eighties video game heroes and villains.

Next on my Angry Birds must-have list: the Hot Wheels Angry Bird Cars. Yes, you heard me right. Stay tuned!

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Injustice Catwoman

This is what Catwoman will look like in the upcoming fighter video game 'Injustice: Gods Among Us.'

The robo feet are...interesting.

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Wii U Armored Catwoman first look

I don't know anything about the 'Wii U' but I believe it's the next iteration of Nintendo's Wii (I'm at least THAT smart.)

Anyways, Wii U's version of Arkham City will include all the DLC from previous versions as well as exclusive armored-up versions of Batman and Catwoman. Keen.

"Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition contains all of the content from Batman: Arkham City, including all available downloadable content, and introduces Battle Armored Tech (B.A.T.) Mode and the new Armored Suits for both Batman and Catwoman. Fans can become the Dark Knight like never before with the upgraded battle suit that gives players an additional power-up by allowing them to build kinetic energy during combat.  When activated, players enter B.A.T. mode and dole out more damage than previously possible.

The Wii U GamePad provides instant access to the wrist-mounted Batcomputer throughout the game, allowing players to use the touch screen to seamlessly select objectives, choose their gadget, track forensic evidence, upgrade their gear, detonate explosive gel, and more, all while remaining immersed in the action. Additionally, all gadgets have been reimagined to utilize the power of the GamePad, offering an unprecedented level of accuracy when using the Batarang and scanning for clues. 
The game is scheduled for release holiday 2012"

Hmm, that Wii U Gamepad sounds pretty awesome!

via SuperheroHype.com

Skullgirls

Skullgirls is a crazy-cool old-school 2D arcade style fighting game available for download on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Okay I admit,what first caught my eye and prompted me to check out this game was the sexy character designs. Cute cartoony girls with big thighs are kind of my thing, you see. Hell, cute real girls with big thighs are pretty hot too nowthatithinkaboutit...but I digress.

Cute designs aren't quite enough to reel me in, though. What really prompted me to take the leap and download this game to my Xbox was two-fold: 1) this game clearly understands and loves classic 2D hand drawn animation. As a classically trained animator myself, I can spot good animation (and bad) a mile away, and this game has all the right stuff: squash and stretch, secondary motion, exaggeration etc. etc.

Frank and Ollie would be proud.

And 2) this game plays just like those fighting games I used to love in the arcade: Street Fighter, Marvel vs. Capcom...a joystick and six buttons making countless move variations -

- one player against another, tagging in a teammate when things got rough -

- light, middle and heavy hits and kicks - hit combos - and surprise moves - it's all here!

I also soon discovered that the character designs are cute and sexy...and CRAZY! There's Filia, whose hair is some sort of monster symbiote ala Venom. There's Cerebella, who wears a living weapon hat...

...Ms. Fortune, a cat girl by way of Frankenstein's monster and my favorite...

...Peacock, whose character design truly reveals the game designers' love for classic animation.

Skullgirls is no simple fighting game - I am still working my way through the tutorials (I tried fighting without having done so and got my butt handed to me in no time on the simplest of difficulty settings!) - And I would love to play it on a more 'traditional' joystick/six button layout over the Xbox controller - But I plan on studying the character guide and continuing with the practice levels until I can sufficiently hand back some heavy damage!

In the meantime, check out what one could do were one a little more agile than myself at the moment: