Destination Ares is Now Available on Steam and is 10% off!*

You’re the AI of a rickety colony ship, bound for the red planet. You have limited resources, a desperate crew, and an unknown fate awaiting you. Can you survive the journey across the Big Black?

*Offer ends September 29 at 10AM Pacific Time

This weekend is one of the most anticipated periods in the Japanese gaming calendar, with the Tokyo Game Show halls being open to thousands of eager members of the public. Among the world’s most popular and renowned expo events, it’s a significant part of game promotion and reveals in Japan.

As we reported at the start of the month, CIRCLE Entertainment and Flyhigh Works – two entities that combine forces across markets – have one of the most packed line-ups at the event from a Switch perspective. Both names are familiar for publishing games like VOEZ and Kamiko in the West, but they’re also active bringing Western games to Japan. The following list is all of the games they’re publishing in the country that are on show in Tokyo, along with some snaps of their booth; some of these titles naturally have different publishers in North America and PAL regions.

We asked CIRCLE Entertainment’s Chris Chau for his perspective on Tokyo Game Show, and he talks of its vibe and the continued interest of gamers from around the world.

Tokyo Game Show has so much Western media in attendance, and also many Western developers show up; they seek entry into the Japanese market, plus Korean and Chinese markets for many platforms. Asia seems to be very interesting for these developers.

Nintendo staff went to many booths at the start and gave exhibitors a Switch label box to mark Nintendo Switch titles; that allows for very clear information to tell the public that a game will have a Nintendo Switch version.

Like a Western game show it’s loud because there are many stages with live shows, with high volume speakers. Most people are particularly hyped for Japanese traditional titles, many that are Manga styled.

One thing I feel is really good is you won’t be lost in the exhibition venue; the hall is connected with one straight way, it’s very clear – you can really walk from Hall 1 to Hall 8 step-by-step. The staff of exhibitors always smile and are pleasant when showing their games to visitors; they are positive, say hi and want to give you some free gifts.

Setting the game show in September also means it doesn’t feel too hot; it’s quite comfortable to wait in a queue or wait to purchase a ticket.

As an exhibitor you need to be positive to manage your table, keeping the space, headphones and controllers clean, and to also manually reset games for the next visitors. I think the service, positive attitude and professional spirit are a big part the week; they’re important for Japan and the Game Show.

Let us know if you’re at Tokyo Game Show this year, or if you hope to go in the future.

The past few months has brought a steady stream of good news for Nintendo Switch owners. For fans of the eShop it’s been a terrific period, with lots of varied and talented developers confirming their games for the hardware. We’ve also – gradually – seen an increase in third-party support from the big players in the retail scene, and that’s what we’re addressing today.

After the Wii U was dropped by most major publishers after around 18 months of its life, it’s satisfying to be back in a position where Nintendo’s latest hardware is gaining support. The powerful portable / home console hybrid has achieved its most important goal in its first half year – a stong start in terms of sales. In fact all that’s held it back, particularly in territories like Japan and North America, has been logistics and manufacturing. The big N has struggled to meet demand, though has been making encouraging noises about ramping up manufacturing; restocks have been improving, too. The Switch is hot right now, getting favourable coverage in the broader media (and not just dedicated gaming sites) and also on social media. It’s a cool little device, and plenty of people are interested in it.

Nintendo, undoubtedly, will try to capitalise as much as possible, which will mean trying to get as many units as it can onto store shelves. Yet in some ways the well-earned buzz clashes with the stark reality; right now – as of 30th June – Nintendo’s official figure for hardware sales is 4.7 million units, now it may be somewhere between 6 and 8 million, depending on restocks. Forget the fact it’ll hit the Wii U lifetime sales as quickly as Nintendo can manufacture the systems – we’re in the early days and have a small-ish userbase. Nintendo’s financial year estimate was still 10 million as of 30th June; that’ll likely climb if manufacturing picks up, but it’s a reminder that we’re in the early days and any developer bringing games to the system is gambling on two things – a high adoption rate from early buyers, and ‘evergreen’ potential.

That’s how it is for all systems in their first year, of course, but coming back to retail third-parties the situation is more complicated for Switch. Outside of unique titles on the 3DS, a lot of these publishers haven’t even attempted to sell to a Nintendo audience in a big way for 3-4 years, maybe even longer. People online like to criticise these publishers for not ‘backing’ Switch, but a bit of realism helps – these companies are gambling on a new system when its predecessor (in some cases) burned them quite badly. Add to that the fact Nintendo produces concept-based hardware that makes ports quite challenging to produce, and it’s not so simple as ‘lazy third-party publishers are naughty’. Some of them are, no doubt, but let’s not tar the whole lot with the same brush.

Yet some big companies are stepping up with Switch, which is the encouraging thing. Plenty hold a grudge against Ubisoft, but it’s delivered the excellent Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, while Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is a pleasant option. Let’s not forget, either, that the company put Switch up first in its big E3 reveal of Starlink: Battle for Atlas, a game that looks like an enticing fit for the Nintendo audience. Then there are the tasty recent announcements. L.A. Noire raised eyebrows and will have Switch-exclusive controls, and Bethesda turned heads recently with DOOM and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The latter two from Bethesda are bonafide current-gen big hitters, and they’ll be playable on a portable. DOOM on a portable, what a delicious phrase.

It’s a really good time, then, with others like Rocket League also on the way. Yet we’re also seeing occasional retail releases of the risk averse and sloppy kind – let’s peg NBA 2K18 with that label. On the one hand it’s impressive to get that on the Switch, but it’s not there yet; we had a good debate in our team on how to score it, or not as the case was. We’ve set a timed deadline (albeit loosely) for an update fix before we slap a score on, but our review certainly didn’t recommend a purchase – far from it, as we were rather damning of what it has to offer at launch.

That naturally makes us nervous about titles like FIFA 18 and WWE 2K18; will they be really solid ‘custom’ versions, or buggy messes?

It’s a minefield then, which is unsurprising. Yet with recent reveals we’ve seen borderline over-confidence from some Switch fans about third-party prospects; on social media, YouTube and comments sections we’ve seen language like “third-parties have no excuses now” and “I want all the games”, and we think a bit of context and sanity is needed. The Switch could have some enticing multi-platform games in the future, and if sales momentum remains high for the hardware publishers may even consider some left-field exclusives. But don’t start placing your bets on all the biggest triple-A multiplatform games of 2018 and beyond rushing to Switch.

Some will throw Wolfenstein II at us now, but let’s throw a phrase back – id Software. This team and their id Tech 6 engine are sensational, and DOOM is an example. It is gorgeous and mostly 60fps on PS4 and Xbox One, when many major games on those systems struggle to hit a solid 30; when playing DOOM on PC the scalability to support humble rigs is seriously impressive. It’s that fantastic technology that is helping bring the likes of DOOM and Wolfenstein II to the Switch, along with the seemingly talented Switch specialists at Panic Button.

Digital Foundry addressed this and did an intriguing video where they built a PC to mimic a Switch, a slightly inelegant but interesting idea. It demonstrated the sort of compromise required, and also showed how games using other engines toil terribly. As DF admitted the testing wasn’t perfect – for one thing console development allows talented teams to get ‘close to the metal’ and extract every ounce of performance, whereas a PC gets distracted more by background tasks. In other words, you can conceivably do more with a Switch than a PC build clocking similar numbers.

Yet still, there’s another factor. Every Switch release has to support its portable mode, even if an Indie game like VOEZ is portable only. When docked the Switch works harder because it has a solid power supply, but undocked the clock speeds are reduced in the interest of efficiency. In theory it helps that the handheld only goes up to 720p because of the screen, but the discrepancy between docked and portable resources is a factor. Sometimes the docked performance is only a little better – games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle are 900p docked, and other times there’s a bigger difference. At launch LEGO City: Undercover ran pretty well docked but was rather messy on the portable. Conversely, some games don’t quite nail the extra speed available docked and mess up the balance in boosting resolution, making games run better in portable mode. Mostly developers make it work, but any Switch game review needs to test a game in both configurations in case there’s a difference.

The overall picture seems to result in the Switch, even docked, not quite supporting all modern engines to make porting seamless, and then developers need to cater to the portable performance and perhaps prioritise that area. That may explain why the likes of Bethesda and EA continually focus on their upcoming games as ultimate portable experiences; EA focused on that angle with its FIFA marketing, and Bethesda showcased DOOM that way to the press, focused on tabletop / handheld demonstrations.

Take all of this together, and it’s over-optimistic to simply expect a golden future of major games making their way to Switch without hiccups – E3 should have taught us that. What we can hope for, provided the Switch maintains its excellent momentum, is cleverly targeted ports with some exclusive features, and in the longer term maybe more unique releases as publishers take more of a financial punt on Switch projects. Yet the Switch hardware has its limits, and with developers chasing the gravy train on PS4 / PS4 Pro / Xbox One / Xbox One S that drifts towards optional 4K and visual splendour, not all games will work on Nintendo’s hardware. Not all engines are as adaptable as id Tech 6, and no matter how talented the Switch porting houses are – that are making some of these third-party games possible – there will always be steps that are too far.

And you know what? That has to be ok. Besides, the Switch has a lot more going for it than this specific space. It has Nintendo games, first and foremost, and then particular development partners eager to work with Nintendo on specific types of Switch-exclusive games. It has a thriving eShop scene, and the potential for lots of unique and fascinating titles to download. Plus it has the system’s fundamental positives – intuitive multiplayer, the ability to share games with friends and family wherever you go, portable and TV play; you know, that Switch Life.

Add a select range of tasty current-gen multiplatform games to that mix, and we have a system that could be a huge success in the coming years for Nintendo.

Pokkén Tournament DX is here, plus two classic Pokémon titles return

Available today, the Pokkén Tournament DX game lands on the Nintendo Switch™ console with added Pokémon fighters and new enhancements. With Nintendo Switch, you can battle at home or on the go to become the Ferrum League champion!

Features:

• Master the fighting styles of over 20 Pokémon, including Croagunk, Scizor, Empoleon, Darkrai, and the formidable Decidueye!
• Use Support Pokémon, including the newly added Litten and Popplio, to help you out in battle with impressive special moves.
• Execute powerful Pokémon attacks with simple button combinations that all skill levels can enjoy.
• In Team Battles, pick three Pokémon and carefully choose which order these Pokémon join the fight against your opponent’s team.
• Find online competition with Group Match Mode, an easy way to match players with custom settings.*
• Record and upload your favorite fights with a new replay feature.
• Grab a friend and play together on just one system with one set of Joy-Con™ controllers!
• Local wireless play.**

Learn more on the official site or buy the digital version. You can also try it out with a free demo.

But there’s more good news for Pokémon™ fans. The Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version games, originally released for the Game Boy™ Color system, are now available for the Nintendo 3DS™ family of systems. Explore the Johto region as you battle and collect Pokémon. A new feature even lets you trade and battle Pokémon using local wireless on your system.** To learn more or purchase, visit Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version.

Games Rated:

Disclaimers:
Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version: Games in 2D.
*Nintendo Account required. Online services and features, including online gameplay, are free until the paid Nintendo Switch Online Service launches in 2018.
**Additional games and systems required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately.

Samus is back!

Explore a hostile alien planet as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran in the Metroid™: Samus Returns game for the Nintendo 3DS™ family of systems.

This intense, side-scrolling action platformer revitalizes classic, exploration-focused, atmospheric Metroid gameplay with stunning 3D visuals and a wide range of new content sure to please both new and veteran players.

Metroid: Samus Returns is available now, only on the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. It can be purchased in stores, in Nintendo eShop, and at Nintendo.com. For more information about the game, visit http://metroidsamusreturns.nintendo.com/.

Use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.

Game Rated:

Animated Blood
Fantasy Violence
Mild Suggestive Themes

NBA 2K18 is out now on Nintendo Switch! Are you ready to run the neighborhood?

The highest rated annual sports title of this console generation comes to Nintendo Switch! Test your skills against friends, or RUN THE NEIGHBORHOOD with your MyPLAYER on the Road to 99. And with the Nintendo Switch™ console, you can take the entire experience on the go.

Features:

• Create your MyPLAYER and play the game the way you like. Build your career in NBA games, hit the courts in The Playground Park, or join the Pro-Am circuit.
• Explore the Neighborhood, an immersive virtual space where you can work on your style, relax at the 2K Zone, or practice your skills.
• Build your all-star MyTEAM with new card types.
• The greatest players in NBA history from all 30 teams, together on All-Time franchise rosters for the very first time.
• The biggest roster of broadcasting talent in sports videogame history, including legends Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett.
• Whether on the go or at home, connect up to 4 devices locally to play with your friends.
• Compete against players online or instantly challenge a friend with just one pair of Joy-Con controllers.

If you would like to learn more about the game, or purchase the digital version, please click here.

Game Rated:

Crude Humor
Mild Lyrics

Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures

Explore randomly‐generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in Creative Mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.

• Create and explore your very own world where the only limit is what you can imagine.
• Includes five skin packs and two texture packs to customize your gameplay!
• Use the touch screen to check your map or manage your inventory!

You can learn more about Minecraft New Nintendo 3DS Edition here.

Game Rated:

Fantasy Violence

New Developer Interview: Discover the secret origin of F-Zero!

The Super NES system introduced many beloved game franchises like Super Mario Kart™ and Star Fox. Now you can discover the origin of another favorite series, F-Zero, with this in-depth interview with members of the original development team and learn how a group of only nine people brought this revolutionary racing game to life.

To play F-Zero and many more classic titles, check out the Super NES Classic Edition system, available on Sept. 29, 2017 for a suggested retail price of just $79.99. This miniaturized version of the original system lets you plug-and-play 21 classic Super NES games.

Learn more on the official site at http://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic.

Game Rated:

Suggestive Themes
Violence

We know you’re busy and might miss out on all the exciting things we’re talking about on Xbox Wire every week. If you’ve got a few minutes, we can help remedy that. We’ve pared down the past week’s news into one easy-to-digest article for all things Xbox! Or, if you’d rather watch than read, you can feast your eyes on our weekly video show above. Be sure to come back every Friday to find out what’s happening This Week on Xbox!

Your Invitation to Feel the True Power of Xbox One X
Starting Saturday, September 23, head to one of several retail locations across the United States hosting in-store demos of Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One X, so you and friends can be one of the first to experience true 4K gaming on the world’s most powerful console… Read more

List of Xbox One X Enhanced Games Grows to Over 130, Console Pre-orders Available Today
Last month at gamescom, we unveiled pre-orders for the Xbox One X Project Scorpio Edition, a limited edition console designed for our biggest fans. Thanks to you, we saw record-setting sellouts in the first five days, making Xbox One X the fastest-selling Xbox pre-order ever… Read more

Play Battlefield 1 During Xbox Live Gold’s Free Play Days, September 22-24
Between September 22 – 24, all Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One can enjoy Battlefield 1 for free with Xbox Live Gold’s Free Play Days. Once the event begins, download Battlefield 1 by clicking on the Gold Member area on the home dashboard or downloading directly from the Xbox Store… Read more

Play FIFA 18 First on Xbox One to Win 2 VIP Packages to Watch Real Madrid Play Live
Today, Xbox One owners can kick off a brand new season of the world’s game with EA Sports FIFA 18 ahead of its official launch on September 29 thanks to EA Access. Available exclusively on the Xbox console, EA Access members get FIFA 18 up to five days before anyone else… Read more

James Corden to Play FIFA 18 on Xbox Live Sessions on September 24
Xbox is thrilled to announce James Corden, comedian and host of “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” as the next guest to join Xbox Live Sessions. James Corden, and his witty sense of humor, will be sure to entertain viewers as he plays the all-new FIFA 18 on the interactive livestream… Read more

Play Forza Motorsport 7 Today with Xbox One and Windows 10 Demos, Check Out Our Launch Trailer and More!
We’re excited to let everyone know that the official Forza Motorsport 7 demo for both Xbox One and Windows 10 PC is now available for download, with three unique racing experiences showcasing the depth and breadth of the experiences available in the game… Read more

Rise of Nations: Extended Edition Available Now on Windows 10
Calling all Real Time Strategy (RTS) fans! You might remember that last month, we announced that Rise of Nations: Extended Edition would be arriving to the Windows Store, for a special price and with features like cross-network play with Steam… Read more

Get Ready to Party Like It’s the 1930s at the Cuphead Launch Party
It feels good to say it – Cuphead is almost here! Whether it’s the gorgeous hand-drawn 1930s inspired artwork, the wonderfully jazzy big band soundtrack, the incredibly precise gameplay or frantic antics in local co-op, Cuphead has something to offer everyone… Read more

Ghost Recon Wildlands Adds PvP in Ghost War Open Beta, Starting September 21 on Xbox One
Ghost Recon Wildlands shows that a four-person Ghost fireteam can accomplish just about anything, from stealth to assault to taking down a massive drug cartel. So what happens when two teams of formerly cooperative players draw down on each other? The upcoming Ghost War mode… Read more

Tips and Tricks for Agents of Mayhem
Hey, Xbox gamers! The Tips & Tricks team is here with 5 tips for Agents of Mayhem! This is an open-world, over-the-top action game based in Seoul, South Korea. You play as a team of Super Agents who’ve been given the green light to do whatever they need to in order to grow the agency… Read more

At the Heart of Warframe’s Open Zones Lies the Sentients of Eidolon
The day before we held TennoCon 2017, our second annual Warframe convention, in July, I worked late into the night. Of course I wasn’t the only one! Our team here at Digital Extremes burned the midnight oil polishing the Plains of Eidolon demo while trying to calm their nerves… Read more

Creating Living Tracks in Project CARS 2, Available Now on Xbox One
Hi everyone! For today’s release of Project CARS 2, the team at Slightly Mad Studios would like to share some insights on the process of creating the authentic motorsport experience you’re going to discover in-game, particularly how we got all four seasons of weather into Project CARS 2… Read more

Starting Saturday, September 23, head to one of several retail locations across the United States hosting in-store demos of Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One X, so you and friends can be one of the first to experience true 4K gaming on the world’s most powerful console.

Experience firsthand the gorgeous graphics of Forza Motorsport 7 on Xbox One X. Forza Motorsport 7 immerses players in the exhilarating thrill of competitive racing. Built from the ground up to be UHD at 60 frames per second and true 4K resolution in HDR, Forza Motorsport 7 will be the premiere 4K gaming experience. From mastering the new motorsport-inspired campaign to collecting a wide range of cars to experiencing the excitement of driving at the limit, this is Forza reimagined.

Games play better on Xbox One X. With 40% more power than any other console, experience immersive true 4K gaming. Blockbuster titles look great, run smoothly, and load quickly even on a 1080p screen.  In case you’ve missed it, here’s a peek at what’s under the hood:

• Faster processing and smoother gameplay: The 8-core Custom AMD CPU is clocked at 2.3GHz to bring enhanced AI, real world detail, and smoother interactions to your gaming
• More memory, bigger worlds: 12GB GDDR5 of graphic memory add speed and power to game performance to enable bigger worlds, further horizons, and quicker load times
• Immersive worlds, life-like detail: A 6 Teraflop GPU enables 4K environments and characters to become more realistic than ever, with more detail and smoother animations
• Memory bandwidth means faster load times: Game graphics are faster and more detailed with 326 GB/sec memory bandwidth, to keep your gaming momentum flowing

Xbox One X also works with all your Xbox One games and accessories as well as Xbox Live, the most advanced multiplayer network, giving you more ways to play.

Try it out for yourself with a friend or three. Check out Best Buy to find a store hosting demos near you, and stay tuned for more details for demos at Microsoft Stores and GameStop locations.

Xbox One X is available November 7 — reserve yours today.