Mega Man might be suffering brand confusion, says senior VP

Capcom USA’s senior vice president Christian Svensson recently took to the forums, sharing his opinion on the big problem with Mega Man as a franchise.

"I (and probably I alone, so please don't ascribe said belief to "Capcom") think one of the problems MM has had as a brand is that we've had too many competing splinter sub-brands within it," he wrote. "I'm not sure starting yet another is the way to get the franchise as a whole back on track more than creating greater brand confusion, but we'll take it under advisement."

Svensson's words come in response to the user "Metal," who suggested Capcom reboot the Mega Man Legends series.

Both Mega Man Universe and Mega Man Legends 3 were canceled last year, and now only the Japanese Rockman Xover is in development as a social RPG for iPhone and iPad.

For a franchise celebrating its 25th anniversary, Mega Man is in poor shape. Hopefully, Capcom will reveal a brighter future for the icon come December, when the festivities begin in the US.

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

[Siliconera]

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What's downloadable this week, Nintendo? 9/6/2012

Okay, okay, so this post was supposed to go up on the site yesterday. But you know what? Sometimes you can't follow through with plans. In any case, our weekly recap of the latest Nintendo downloadables is now live. Check out the Big N's digital wares below and see if you fancy buying yourself anything.

The Wii Virtual Console makes a rare return. We've got an oldie but a goodie in Prince of Persia. This SNES title can be downloaded for 800 Wii Points. If you want a look back at the series' beginnings, or if you just want to play a fun game, this is a good download.

If you're looking for something new to download to your 3DS, the eShop's got Balloon Pop Remix for $7.99. You basically draw lines on the screen and perform chain reactions while popping balloons. If inflated rubber bubble genocide isn't your thing, you can also engage in some number puzzle gameplay in Heyawake by Nikoli, also $7.99.

Of course, if you've got a hankerin' for some DSiWare insanity, there's Crazy Hunter for 500 DSi Points ($4.99 on the eShop). You control a crocodile who goes around in a boat collecting goats so he can stack them up, create a tower, and get gold eggs from a chicken that sits on a cloud. Yup, that's officially a thing that exists now.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

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New Super Mario Bros. 2, Nintendo 3DS XL see successful sales for August

Despite a slumping August for video game sales in the United States, Nintendo's 3DS XL and New Super Mario Bros. 2 — with only five days of reported data — saw impactful sales numbers for the month.

The 3DS XL (Check out our review), which features 90% larger screens than the original handheld system, and the new side-scrolling Mario both launched on August 19. Nintendo noted today that the 3DS software sales increased by more than 68% over sales in July, while hardware sales increased by more than 36% over sales in July.

The number one and two top-selling software titles — New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] — are both exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS. New Super Mario Bros. 2 sold more than 240,000 units while Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts sold more than 180,000 copies.

"Software sells hardware, and no one sells either quite like Mario," said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

"In addition to helping New Super Mario Bros. 2 get off to a great start, Nintendo 3DS XL is driving increased interest in titles such as Kid Icarus: Uprising, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and Mario Kart 7," Moffitt added. "These games have been on the market for more than six months but provide a completely new experience on the larger screens."

"Combine these titles with the upcoming Paper Mario: Sticker Star and a robust list of third-party games, and Nintendo 3DS is poised to be high on holiday wish lists this year," Moffitt concluded.

Total video game sales declined 20 percent year-over-year, falling from $647.2M to $515.6M.

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Weekly wrap-up: PAX Prime 2012 edition

The first week of September has come and gone, and we've got a bunch of video game content right here for ya. PAX Prime 2012 made for an awesome weekend, and we delivered some sweet previews throughout the week. Miss anything? Interested in an upcoming title? You'll find all the week's gaming coverage right here.

Reviews

Lawless review (Movies)

While not without a few hitches and questionable production elements, this flick ultimately delivers a highly entertaining experience.

The Possession review (Movies)

Exorcist inspiration be damned! It looks like we've got another clone on our hands, but at least this one's actually okay.

Mutant Mudds review (PC)

Renegade Kid's eShop gem invades the PC and provides gamers with a genuinely satisfying (and challenging) 2D platforming romp.

The Walking Dead Episode 3: Long Road Ahead review (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

Telltale has really managed to outdo itself here, delivering the most shocking and thought-provoking chapter of The Walking Dead to date.

Previews

This Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn 'Cryo' trailer is more chilling than the last vignette ... literally

GameZone takes a look at the latest trailer for Halo 4.

PAX Prime 2012: Adventure Time hands-on preview

We give the upcoming Adventure Time game a go and take a quick glimpse at what we can expect when the game launches for the DS and 3DS.

PAX Prime 2012: Sacred 3 hands-off preview

If you're looking for some cool co-op dungeon crawling, you may want to keep an eye on this one.

PAX Prime 2012: Injustice: Gods Among Us hands-on preview

GameZone enters the fray and gives the upcoming DC Comics-based fighter a whirl.

PAX Prime 2012: Epic Mickey 2 hands off preview with Warren Spector

Disney fans, be on the lookout for the next Epic Mickey adventure, because it may just be a good one.

PAX Prime 2012: Talking End of Nations with Chris Lena

GameZone gets the scoop on End of Nations straight from Chris Lena.

Pax Prime 2012: League of Legends Syndra preview

We take an in-depth look at Syndra from League of Legends and dish out all the details regarding her abilities.

Alien Spidy updated impressions

This upcoming 2D platformer is nearing its October launch, and if you’re looking for a retro-inspired challenge, you should definitely watch out for it.

PAX Prime 2012: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance hands-on preview

We check out Revengeance and leave PAX Prime thoroughly impressed by the Metal Gear spin-off.

Demo impression: NHL 13 makes tremendous leaps with gameplay

If you’re a hockey game buff, you’re probably going to want to check out NHL 13 as it may just be the best entry in the series yet.

Pax Prime 2012: Dead Island Riptide hands-off preview

GameZone has the skinny on the follow-up to Dead Island.

PAX Prime 2012: Phantasy Star Online 2 hands-on preview

Some major strides are being taken to provide Phantasy Star fans with a legitimately enthralling free-to-play experience.

Pax Prime 2012: Oculus Rift hands-on preview

We enter virtual reality with the Oculus Rift. Check out our preview and see if you should be stoked about this venture.

PAX Prime 2012: Marvel Heroes hands-on preview

The Marvel brand goes free-to-play and throws its heroes into an action-RPG experience that fans of the license may want to check out.

PAX Prime 2012: Torchlight 2 hands-on preview

Due out later this month, this Diablo-inspired title should definitely be on your must-watch list if you’re a fan of action-RPGs.

PAX Prime 2012: Neverwinter's Foundry preview

GameZone tries its hand at creating quests in Neverwinter’s new Foundry component.

PAX Prime 2012: League of Legends panel Q&A

We ask some important League of Legends questions and get great answers straight from Riot.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 preview

Looking forward to Tekken Tag Tournament 2? Check out this close look at the upcoming fighter’s modes and online features.

PAX Prime 2012: Hitman Absolution: Contracts Mode preview

Get the skinny on the online leaderboard-based challenge mode in Hitman: Absolution.

PAX Prime 2012: God of War: Ascension multiplayer hands-on

Despite raising a few eyebrows, the multiplayer component in God of War: Ascension is surprisingly fun and worth watching out for.

An in-depth look into Dead Space 3’s weapon crafting with John Calhoun

GameZone talks weapons with Dead Space 3 producer John Calhoun and gets some details on the upcoming horror shooter’s crafting system.

GZ Originals

Checking out the 45 Flavors booth at Dragon*Con

GameZone takes a detour after PAX Prime, heads to Dragon*Con, and gives the 45 Flavors booth a look-see.

Seeing the sights of Dragon*Con 2012

This year’s Dragon*Con was rife with sights to see. GameZone gives you a look at a lot of what was on hand at the event.

Talking Fix-it Felix, Donkey Kong, breaking records and ongoing rivalries with Steve Wiebe

In this video interview, we talk to the former King of Kong and a legend to many, Steve Wiebe.

Is Mario fatigue setting in? AKA How Mario lost his smile

Is Nintendo’s 2D Mario formula getting stale? More importantly, is it leading to the iconic Italian plumber's ultimate demise at the hands of alcoholism?

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

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Ace Attorney 5 revealed for 3DS

Confirmation of the next Ace Attorney game has appeared in Famitsu magazine.

The issue looks at both Ace Attorney 5 and Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, which is nearing completion.

Ace Attorney 5 will arrive on the Nintendo 3DS and star Phoenix Wright — this time with a new partner, a mysterious girl in a yellow outfit.

Sleuths from the website Tales Source, which receives the magazine in advance, suspect that the ad on the back of the magazine hints at a November 29 release date in Japan.

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney is scheduled to come to Japan this year.

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

[Andriasang]

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Mutant Mudds 3DS free update adding Grannie levels from PC version

One of the cool new features that's included in the PC version of Mutant Mudds is the addition of 20 super challenging levels. These stages star protagonist Max's dear ol' Grannie, and they're some of the toughest levels in the game. But Renegade Kid wants to make sure that all Mutant Mudds fans have access to the same sweet content across multiple platforms.

In a post on his blog, Renegade Kid co-founder Jools Watsham announced that the special Grannie levels from the PC version of Mutant Mudds would be released on the 3DS eShop iteration of the highly challenging 2D platformer. The best part is that the 20 levels will be ported over as a free update.

This is great news for 3DS owners who dig Mutant Mudds and are eager to jump right back into the experience. Having played the Grannie levels myself, I have to say they make for some of the most memorable moments in the game, and the challenge is definitely satisfying.

In other Renegade Kid and Mutant Mudds news, Watsham explained that the studio is still trying to get the game on Steam. If that's something you want to see, head on over to Steam Greenlight and give Mutant Mudds some votes.

That's not all, though. Watsham also revealed that Renegade Kid is now officially an authorized Wii U developer. Seriously, the sheer possibilities that are running through my mind right now have me stupidly excited.

[Jools Watsham's Blog]

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

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Redeem your Club Nintendo Coins for two retro sports titles

So the latest Club Nintendo update slipped completely under my radar. Because of that, you've only got a few days to redeem your precious Coins for a couple of old school sports games. Oops!

The first game available for download is NES Play Action Football. Want some retro 8-bit football? Well, here it is. This one will cost you 100 Coins, and you've got until September 3 to download it. On a side note, I would like to point out that Nintendo could have easily gotten away with making "play" and "action" one word: NES PlayAction Football. That said, I'm glad that didn't happen.

If you're looking for some handheld sports gaming, the aptly named Tennis is available. This one's 150 Coins, which seems a bit pricey. They could have totally named this Play Action Tennis, by the way. I kind of wish Nintendo would have done that, actually.

For a bunch of indie game and burrito talk, follow @thesanchezdavid on Twitter.

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