Update on TheProtector!

Hello everybody,

It has been a while since I have posted anything on the site and I just wanted to give an update on why and what I have plans for in the future for my GVN posts.  First off the main reason I haven't been posting much is because I am back in school finishing up my bachelors degree.  A lot of my focus has been on school and completing my classwork.  I have been able to finally find a balance between work and play so I have finally had time to play some video games.

Nintendo "Amiibo"

Alright gamers, we heard about the Amiibo figures back at E3 in June and finally you can pre-order them at your local Gamestop or online at Gamestop.com.  The initial release of Amiibo figures will be 12 in total and will cost $12.99 each.  Currently we know that the Amiibo's will work on both the WiiU and the 3DS for certain games and the first game to take advantage of them will be Super Smash Bros. 3DS and WiiU.  

I don't know about the rest of you but I have been collecting the Disney Infinity figures because I think they look amazing and are very well made.  So I will also be collecting the Amiibos but know that I will get more use out of them because they will work on more games that I will actually want to play.

The first wave of figures include: Animal Crossing citizen, Link, Samus, Mario, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Pikachu, Wii Fit Trainer, Yoshi, Star Fox, and Marth.  These figures look amazing and I think their use will be amazing and make the games the work with be even more entertaining.

I'm heading to the store after work and will pre-order the figures I really want and then eventually get the rest.  Have fun everyone and keep gaming!

Anthony

aka Protector

Quick Review: Shovel Knight (Wii U)

Shovel Knight 

Nintendo Wii U
Publisher: Yacht Club Games

Developer: Yacht Club Games
Release: June 26, 2014

Upon first look, Shovel Knight just appears to be just another indie title with a retro 8bit graphic look.  This year alone there have been an insane amount of retro style games released and Shovel Knight at first doesn't seem to be any different.  To its credit however, Shovel Knight proves to be an excellent Action Adventure game akin to many of the NES greats like Faxanadu, Zelda 2, Kirby's Adventure and Battle of Olympus.  Shovel Knight barrows much from these games and runs with it making it a diamond in the rough among a sea of indie shovelware.

GVN Quick Look
First 40 Minutes of Shovel Knight on the Wii U played by yours truly, Rolento13!!!



So far, Shovel Knight seems to be everything that we expected out of an action platformer and more. The controls feel great and not sluggish at all, classic NES style graphics that remind you of the video games you missed being a kid in the 80's, classic (slightly updated) styled music soundtrack for a truly immersive retro experience, and it forces you to think and hone your various skills you've gained through the years. You're not going to run through levels like a Pro on your first playthrough (I mean, You can try, but have fun dying). Even after this video, it just gets better and better. So, is it worth a buy? You better believe it buddy!!! It's so good that I'm highly tempted to buy it again on my 3DS XL so that I can play it on the go!!!

Nintendo @ E3 Preview!

Another year has past and it is now time to get ready for E3!  In the next few days, we will finally see what the new video games that are being created, will look like and hopefully have some information about their release days.  I am super excited for this years E3 because of 2 reasons, 1. As a part of GVN I get to express my thoughts and have all you wonderful readers understand what I am feeling and 2. there should be an announcement for the new Legend of Zelda game coming out for the Wii U!

GVN Quick Look
First 20 Minutes of Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U played by yours truly, Rolento13!!! Yes, ladies and gentlegamers, I'M BACK!!!

GVN Radio Episode 45

Robert, Anthony, and Andrew chat about what' they've been playing and have a huge discussion about what they feel makes a good/great game.  Also the usually classic gaming chit chat.

Warning.  The audio feed breaks down here and there but everything is still understandable.

Download Episode 45

GVN Quick Review: Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze (Wii U)

 

Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Retro Studios
Genre: Platformer
Release: Feb 21, 2014

Donkey Kong has been around as long as Nintendo's famed plumber and despite Mario's soaring success, Donkey Kong was never able to match it.  At least not until the release of the Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo. The Donkey Kong Country games gave us some of the best platforming action on the Super Nintendo and that continued onto Nintendo's future consoles.

GVN Radio Episode 44 is live

Happy New Year. Hubbs, Andrew and newcomer Anthony bring in 2014 by discussing what hit and miss about good ole 2013.  We also manage to discuss Anthony and Hubbs interest in retro game collecting.

Download GVN Radio episode 44

GVN Quick Review: Super Mario 3D World(Wii U)

Super Mario 3D World
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer
Release: November 22, 2013

Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS was one of my favorite games on the mighty little handheld.  It's wonderfully designed 3D environments used the 3D effect in ways I actually expected since the system launched.  It contained lots of challenging platforming action that harkens back to the days of Super Mario 64 and even borrowing elements from the classic Super Mario Bros. 3 on the NES.  Needless to say it was a smash hit.

GVN Quick Review: Ducktales Remastered (Multi)

Ducktales Remastered
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Wayforward Technologies
Genre: Adventure
Release: Aug 13th, 2013(PSN, Wii U, Steam) Sept 11th, 2013 (XBLA)

As a child growing up, Ducktales and the rest of the Disney Afternoon shows, were ingrained in my mind.  The cartoon was fun, adventurous and creative with memorable characters.  To this day, I look back at this show with fondness.  The original game was also stellar as well, doing a great job of adapting characters from the show and putting them into a well made platformer that required quite a bit of patience and memorization to beat.

GVN Radio Episode 39

*Notice* I apologize for the audio quality of this episode. Mic volumes were somehow distorted and will be corrected for future episodes.*

It's all about E3. Hubbs and Andrew of GVN are joined by Diehard Gamefan Elite Mark B. And Sean Madson, and newcomer Chris Bahn of putthatback.com. We discuss The big 3 conferences, the games that stood out and what disappointed us.

Download Episode 39

GVN Radio Episode 38

Hubbs is joined by super personality, Shidosha the Fly Guy, as they catch up about what Shidosha has been up to since his last appearance on the show and a rant about the Xbox One. Hubbs and Shidosha also discuss a topic about sports games. Do we need more companies again to promote growth of the sports genre or do we need less companies to not flood the market?

Download Episode 38

GVN Radio episode 32 replay

Missed last night's wacky episode about Wii U gaming, well here is your chance to catch up. MP3 version will be available tomorrow.
Watch live video from Gaming Vision Network on TwitchTV