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Programmer of Smash TV Has Hope For Fallen Franchise
by Zach Carmichael | 11/06/09 | 8:55 PM PST


A few years ago, when the Gamecube was my primary gaming console, I had the pleasure of getting Midway Arcade Treasures for Christmas. Most of the arcade games on it were a bit cheezy, but Smash TV didn't fall into that category. I can remember spending hours teaming up with my friends to kill hordes of monsters and win prizes.

In a recent podcast, Smash TV programmer Mark Turmell shared his thoughts about the forgotten franchise, including his expectation of another installment.

GEN
100 Hacks in 10 Minutes
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 4:57 PM PST

Instead of his usual speed runs, Ross Miller has instead this week brought us something quite different: 100 hacks in 10 minutes. Weird, wild, crazy, pointless, sadistic, and sometimes even offensive (so don't say you weren't warned), many of these hacks seem to prove that people the world over really just need something better to do with their time.

How many can you recognize?



A lot of Mario and Mega Man love in there... and sometimes both, together. Some look fun to play, others boring, and still others I can't even tell were touched at all.

There's also at least one "official" hack in there; can you spot it?

GEN
Podcast: Kombo Breaker - Episode 50: We celebrate 50 episodes with John Davison (Gamepro), Jeff and Dan (Totally Rad Show), and James Stevenson (Insomniac Games)
by Dan Johnson | 11/06/09 | 4:48 PM PST

We promised #50 would be crazy and we feel like we delivered. Nearly two and a half times longer than our recent episodes, this behemoth may seem daunting at first, but we promise you'll want to sit through the whole episode. If for some horrible reason you refuse to do so, we're happy to provide the times for each guest so you can get your fix.

John Davison kicks off our first segment discussing his transition from whattheyplay.com to Editor in Chief of Gamepro Magazine. I know, I know, Gamepro does still exist. John Davison explains why you should care now that he's at the helm. We're convinced!

Totally Rad Show's Jeff Cannata and Dan Trachtenberg join us around the 40 minute mark to launch into a discussion about movie games and moreso game movies, especially in light of the fact that the Prince of Persia trailer has just been released. These guys know their stuff and it was a blast to have Jeff explain to us how Doom the movie could've been good.

Finally James Stevenson, Community Manager over at Insomniac Games, sits down with us to talk about their fantastic new release, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. The interview starts around the 1:47 mark and delves into a lot of the design choices for the game, and he gives the slightest hint of what might come in the future.

It's hard to believe we've actually made 50 of these things. We just want to offer our sincere thanks to anyone who's been listening since the beginning, all the way to anyone who might've joined us even just last week. We're really privileged to be able to spend time with people from every corner of the gaming realm and hope to only bring you more guests that you (and we) love.

If you're new to the show, make sure you subscribe on iTunes. We'd love some feedback either here or on the iTunes show page itself. Follow us on Twitter (@KomboBreaker) or email us (kombobreaker@kombo.com).

Next week, gaming press legend Garnett Lee graces us with his presence. You won't want to miss it!

Download | Subscribe on iTunes | Episode 50 | 2h 25m

360
Random Video of the Day: Grand Theft Auto vs. Frogger
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 4:43 PM PST

Here's a surprise: another mashup video from Dane Boe, this time featuring Grand Theft Auto IV and Frogger. I can already see how this wouldn't end well...



Okay, I'll admit: that went the exact opposite of how I expected, which involved Niko attempting to run over Frogger, stopping his car, getting out, and shooting him. And in hindsight, I should have realized that's not how these things work.

360
EB Games Canada Offers 500 Nintendo Point Card for Pre-Ordering New Super Mario Bros. Wii
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 3:32 PM PST



Sure, it's not a tin, or cool figures, an artbook, or even a coin, but at least if you pre-order New Super Mario Bros. Wii at EB Games in Canada, you'll at least get something.

As you can see in the illustration above, those who pre-order New Super Mario Bros. Wii will get a neat little NSMBWii card, which can be redeemed for 500 Nintendo Points. Nothing too grand, but hey-- free NES game. That's not too bad for a game you were probably looking at getting anyway.

GoNintendo has the full flier here, which talks about the official Modern Warfare 2 launch event in Toronto, a bonus with a Tony Hawk RIDE pre-order, and a tax credit for Assassin's Creed II.

360
Activision CEO Says Modern Warfare 2 Could Be "Biggest Entertainment Launch" of All Time
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 2:21 PM PST

Modern Warfare 2 is shaping up to be quite the big release. Really big. Extremely big. Perhaps even absurdly big. So big that when it is released, all the real wars in the world will be put on hold so everyone can play the game.

Okay, maybe not that big.

But close, at least in the eyes of one Mr. Robert "Bobby" Kotick, the Chief Executive Officer of Activision.

360
OTX Data Shows Xbox 360 Console Defections to PlayStation 3 for Holiday Sequels
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 2:09 PM PST

While Ken might be baffled by the number of people who are going to buy Modern Warfare 2 on the PlayStation 3 over the Xbox 360 (see Editor's Note in the sidebar), it would seem that such a development does not come as a surprise to OTX's GamePlan Insights. Data they've provided to Gamasutra shows that many of those in the market to purchase a sequel this holiday season might be switching over to the Sony style of life, and for more than just one major release.

"In addition to identifying the cash-strapped consumer's most-wanted games for the holiday season, GamePlan Insights previously examined "franchise lineage," or gamer intent to purchase sequels to favorite games," the site says.

360
Media: Split/Second "Standstill" Trailer
by Eric Jones | 11/06/09 | 1:10 PM PST

While 2010 is already getting some massive racing games including Gran Turismo 5 and Blur, one game not getting as much fanfare is Disney Interactive's Split/Second. Developed by Black Rock Studios, the same company behind the excellent ATV racer Pure, Split/Second promises high-octane thrills with some very pretty graphics, as the below trailer shows.



Set within a hyper-competitive reality show, the game's unique obstacle triggering system allows players change the race course at a moment's notice, making no race the same and every race an absolute thrill. Split/Second is set for release on the 360 and PS3 next year.

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Capcom: The Best Third-Party at Cross-Platform Support?
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 12:51 PM PST

Sometimes it seems as though some developers and publishers hold a bias for or against certain platforms. But while their offerings may differ from platform to platform, Capcom does not believe they are in the business of playing favorites.

360
WWE Superstars Talk SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, Plus the Making of with R-Truth and Cryme Tyme
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 12:07 PM PST

While we're working on our review of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 (expect the PS3/360 version's early next week, if all goes well; blame late delivery for that one), WWE.com has assembled some of the Superstars from SmackDown and Raw (what? No ECW?) to tell people what they think about the game, and moreso, what it's like to actually be in a game.

360
Can New Super Mario Bros. Wii Outsell Modern Warfare 2?
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 10:48 AM PST

Nintendo President Reggie Fils-Aime said on GameTrailers TV that he thinks the upcoming New Super Mario Bros. Wii can outsell the massively anticipated Modern Warfare 2 under certain circumstances. He said this while also giving respect to the competing game.

In an interview with GTTV host Geoff Keighly, Fils-Aime said that he thinks New Super Mario Bros. Wii can outsell a single SKU of Modern Warfare 2 by the end of January 2010. "On a single platform...absolutely," said Fils-Aime. "I say that unequivocally."

"You've got to give me the entire holiday selling season," said Fils-Aime. "Let's take it all the way through the January NPD data." This is probably taking into account the nature of the sales of Nintendo's successful first party games.

"It's going to be close," said Fils-Aime, admitting his own anticipation for the game. "Of course I'll play it...I play all the content out there."

360
UK Retailers Break Modern Warfare 2 Street Date
by Christopher Burke | 11/06/09 | 10:45 AM PST

So, I don't know if you've heard about this Modern Warfare 2 game, but apparently it's pretty big. Not due to hit stores until November 10, UK customers who ordered their copy from Love Film or The Hut are already finding the game in their mailboxes.

According to The Hut, orders were shipped early in anticipation of a strike:

"We are dedicated to getting products to customers on release. We use Royal Mail as our preferred courier and were advised to dispatch on Thursday for delivery on Tuesday due to the impending strike action. This was called off on Thursday evening and we have contacted Royal Mail to hold the product until Tuesday."

GameIndustry.biz is also reporting that some mainland European stores already have the game up for sale.

At this point, street dates are pretty pointless when it comes to major games. It's hard to think of a triple-A title in the last couple years that hasn't gotten out ahead of schedule. None of that makes getting a game early any less exciting, though. Congrats to the lucky owners!

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Katamari Creator Feels Unsuited for Game Development, Feels Many of Today's Games Aren't Fun
by David Oxford | 11/06/09 | 10:14 AM PST

One would think that Keita Takahashi, the man behind such wonderfully unique and bizarre video games as Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy, would be a natural at performing such a task as designing a theme park. But since announcing his desire to create such an establishment four years ago, it seems that his otherwise creative mind has made little progress towards achieving his goal.

If this is the type of problem he faces, however, then why would he seek to leave gaming in order to pursue it?

GEN
Is Champions Online Ready for Consoles?
by Eric Frederiksen | 11/06/09 | 9:38 AM PST

In case it isn't clear just looking along the top bar, Kombo is a console-focused site. So why are we reviewing Champions Online? Other than just wanting to, I wanted to take a peek at a PC massively multiplayer game that lists a console as its next destination, see what works, what doesn't, and take a look at its prospects for making the jump to consoles. Though I won't be giving it a traditional review score, I'll review it in the usual Kombo format.

What the Game's About
Champions Online is the newest MMO from developer Cryptic Studios. Taking notes from their first outing, City of Heroes, they've returned to the Superhero genre once more in hopes of perfecting the formula. Licensing a classic pen-and-paper RPG, Champions Online brings the characters and stories of Champions to life for players to experience firsthand.

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Final Fantasy XIII To Include XIV Beta
by Kombo Staff | 11/06/09 | 8:35 AM PST



Leaked scans from this week's issue of Shonen Jump revealed that the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII in Japan will include a beta for XIV. Shonen Jump beat Famitsu to the punch on this and other announcements about the game.

Square Enix seems to be taking advantage of the unusually close releases of two numbered Final Fantasy games – one of them an online title. It is not known if this beta might also apply for Final Fantasy XIII releases outside of Japan.

Also in Shonen Jump were the first images of what full-grown Chocobos will look like in the game. They look, well, like giant yellow birds except now they have big flappy ears hanging downward. The character Hope's summon was also revealed. Called Alexander, all that can be seen from the scans at this point is that it is yellow and very large.

The latest Famitsu revealed that next week's issue will go into these things in more detail.