Annie Wu is da Bomb

Not sure when I started following Annie Wu's illustration blog, but damn, is she good. Let her know how fabulous she is and buy some of her art.

Plug & Play reloaded

photo shamelessly swiped from MTV Geek.

I can't believe I missed MTV Geek's coverage of Jakks Pacific's The Walking Dead Plug it in and Play TV Game. Jakks' had a fairly nice looking show display at Toy Fair 2012 promoting the game, complete with near-lifesize cardbord cut-outs of some of our favorite cast members and what look to be the actual controllers. MTV Geek also spoke with Jakks' own Jared Wolfson to get the two minute pitch.

photo shamelessly swiped from ChipChick

Tech Woman blog ChipChick got in on the action too, with some good pics like the one above showing us how big this controller actually is. Jakks often offers their gun games in 1 or 2 player sets, so I imagine the color difference is to accommodate the 2-player set, or maybe they just haven't made up their mind on the product's color yet. The size of the gun is actually pretty impressive, especially compared to how small their hunting game controllers usually are, and I feel are likely bigger to appeal to an older demographic. I love fake paper logo label on the side of the gun that is "not quite" color matched, nor well affixed along the bottom edge.

The funniest part of this item, other than the press release, is that the product does not show up on Jakks' website. Nor, are there any screenshots to be found anywhere. Like so many things, the fans are likely far more excited by this item than the company that makes it.

So far, the release is scheduled for holiday 2012. Let's hope they can bring it to us a little sooner than that.

Destructoid previews I Am Alive

Image shamelessly swiped from Destructoid

Destructoid got lucky with an advanced look at Ubisoft's I Am Alive this past weekend. If you like Ubisoft's signature running and jumping games like Assassin's Creed, along with a dose of survival horror gameplay, you're gonna love this.

Having followed a long and circuitous development route, this game is now scheduled to be a downloadable title available on XBLA and PSN later this year. Click on over to read Destructoid's impressions, and then cruise the Wiki article for some history of how hey ended up as a downloadable title. It should be interesting to watch the sales numbers on this one, as it may impact what type of risks companies like Ubisoft will take with downloadable versus retail titles in the future.

Natsume's dark past

Who knew? Before their company hung its hat on gentle farming games, apparently Natsume made some pretty scary looking stuff during the NES era. Hardcore Gaming 101 has brought us some  selections from Natsume's darker past in their profile on this long running company.

The 3DS brings the horror, at least in Japan

The 3DS is starting out with a bang when it comes to horror, already lining up its second Resident Evil game next month. And while most of us are probably waiting for Spirit Camera to make its way state side, Japan continues to one-up us, and now gets Night of the Sacrifice on the Wii--and it uses the Balance Board, believe it or not. To wrap your head around this whole Balance Board and horror thing, just click over to Nintendo World Report and get the details first hand.

16-bit Gory Glory!

 

Bitmob posted a fun article last week about some of the more shocking horrors found in games before the advent of the ESRB. They have singled out six games that brought us pre-ratings gore the way only 16-bits can, complete with their favorite screens--just like the one above. Enjoy!

Aliens Infestation? Yeah, I jumped.

Just played my first session of the new Nintendo DS game Aliens Infestation. It looks to be another 2-D masterpiece by WayForward. So far, I can tell you this game comes loaded with what you want as an Alien fan, if you are in the mood for some old school 2-D fun.

WayForward has proven themselves to be something of an expert in the modern 2-D game, and has made some interesting titles in recent years, including a little game they are bringing us in March that you may have heard about, Silent Hill: Book of Memories.

Sure, the chills in Alien films are nothing new (we've all seen the movies, right?), but with some headphones and no distractions, you'll still jump at the orchestrated time. There is definitely some classic panic gameplay here, especially if you stumble into the wrong room at the wrong time like I did. Alien Queen + Pulse Rifle = Quick End.

Its bargain priced at $29.99 MSRP, so there is really no reason not to pick it up if you have access to a Nintendo DS or 3DS. While you're at it, pick up WayForward's 2-D Thor: God of Thunder for DS as well (make sure it is the DS version)--it was the good one.