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The live-action Knuckles TV show has officially landed on Paramount+. One name you probably didn’t expect to see associated with the show is Jorma Taccone, member of The Lonely Island and director of Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. Taccone directed the fourth episode of Knuckles entitled “The Flames of Disaster”.
In a new interview with Polygon, Taccone discusses what went into the creation of his Knuckles episode. Specifically, he details a significant portion of the episode which takes the form of a musical/rock opera. This rock opera takes viewers through Knuckles’ origin story in a style that only a member of The Lonely Island could really pull off.
Check out some quotes below, in which Taccone explains how the episode worked for him creatively and how it was filmed:
“Toby [Ascher, the showrunner], right from the jump was like, Look, I was raised on Adult Swim, I want to make this weird and push boundaries and make this as interesting and different and unexpected as possible. And obviously, that’s up my alley.”
“I am so used to working within the margins of not a lot of time or money, and being able to shoot a lot in that amount of time. And while this is way more episode days than I had had on things like MacGruber, we packed it back. I was trying to get a lot of shots per day. So certain parts we almost treated it like a music video. The first thing I did was have them buy me a little Bluetooth speaker so I could even run playback [of the song] just so I could get more takes quickly and read cue things very quickly. So I could do all these lines from Julian really fast, so fast I couldn’t wait for us to even connect to the timecode.”
“The moments I’m always proudest of are when it’s both funny and somehow musically moving. A moment where [Wade] rises up and the echidna angels are around him, bringing him up and then the music starts to soar and Bolton’s voice is soaring — you kind of feel something! It’s always my favorite to have it be both funny and insane and, like, I’m kind of inspired!”
The full series of Knuckles is available now on Paramount+. For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet, you can check out a snippet of this episode along with some more behind the scenes commentary below:
Little Kitty, Big City's first update detailed
Little game, big update
Little Kitty, Big City just launched on Switch last week, but developer Double Dagger is already talking about their plans for updates. They shared the full details of what they have planned on Twitter, which includes numerous fixes to the game’s visuals, UI, camera, and more.
When will this update land on the Switch version of the game? The developer says they’re hoping to push it on Steam within the next day or so. Then, they’ll submit the Switch version for approval, which will take at least a week longer. Fingers crossed it doesn’t take too long!
Read the full patch notes below:
General
- fixed usables not being usable in some cases after a manual load
- fixed sometimes getting stuck (and locked up) when ledge climbing that usually happened on very low ledges
- fixed being able to use doggo through the hedge
- fixed the paint buckets on the climb up being pickupable
- fixed tanuki floating off the platform after you get to your apartment
- fixed the lunch bag in the construction yard having a bad pickup offset as well as being occluded if you took it too far from where it spawned
- fixed the blue fan duck bin being rotatable
- Fixed fruitfall achievement not triggering at right time
- updates to credits
- improvements to kitty being carried
- fixed some of the convenience store props blocking the camera when they shouldn’t
- if an emote is trigger when pawing, the pawing state is now correctly cleared
- fixed being able to take a photo during the outro (and some other periods as well)
- fixed some methods of skipping past crow which would break some quests
- improved the area around doggo (Big Potato) to improve the experience of getting the balls in the hole
- fixed bad collision on some buildings which allowed players to clip into the building and get trapped inside
- fixed not being able to get the shiny jar on the vent near the shrine pond area
- fixed a line in Traditional Chinese where one of the characters was not displaying
- improved worker behavior towards kitty when eating a fish
- fixed a bug with pawing and sprinting at the same time
Visuals
- fixed the pine needles on the pine trees having the wrong material for shadows
- fixed cones and bins being occluded if you pulled them too far away from their start position
- Fixed humans doing detours fading out way too early
- removed 2 real time lights that weren’t seen or used which now slightly improves performance
- fixed gaps/light leaks in the models from the sun light by updating to new settings
- updated the trash jump animation to the newest that has the tail not clip through the wall and also no longer does a weird horizontal slide on exit
- fixed the dynamic tail animator being on in some cases when it shouldn’t be
- fixed the tail chase sequence having a huge pause in between the players actions and the actual spin
Camera
- fixed the camera doing weird things and also clipping into the ground when carried and dropped
- fixed the camera when trash diving not being in a position where you could see kitty exit the can and land
- Fixed camera rotation not being the same at different FPSs
Saving
- added versioning to save files to help us deal with saves better going forward
- fixed us not saving the game when a quest is GIVEN, which caused some things to be out of sync on load because some map elements needed to know if a quest was started or not
- improved timing when autosaves happen to be less problematic
- fixed saving during conversations which can break things like when Tanuki gives you a shiny and breaks the conversation
UI
- fixed the chat bubble text being shifted down if a glyph was imbedded into the first line
- fixed being able to open the esc menu before the gacha item or fish collect was complete which could get you stuck
- the escape menu can now be closed with the cancel button
- fixed opening the esc menu on controller when you pressed B (“cancel”)
- fixed being able to open the emote menu when pawing
RUMOR: More Zelda Great Deku Tree LEGO set details leaked
It sounds... Great!
More details have leaked about an upcoming LEGO set based on the Great Deku Tree from The Legend of Zelda series. Some of these details were heard previously via past rumors about the set, now further corroborated by German LEGO blog Bricktastic, and shared via Video Games Chronicle.
According to the recent reports, the Great Deku Tree set will be released on September 1, 2024. It will cost 300 Euros, which is about $325 USD. The set will consist of 2,500 pieces, and you’ll be able to use those pieces to build two different variations of the Deku Tree - one inspired by its appearance in The Ocarina of Time, the other in Breath of the Wild. Both builds will rest on a black plate with a Zelda logo, but the shape and features (such as green leaves vs. pink leaves) will differ.
You won’t be able to build both versions at the same time with just one set. It also sounds like the set will include minifigures of Classic Link, Young Link, Breath of the Wild Link and Breath of the Wild Zelda, plus a Hylian Shield and Ocarina.
We still don’t have an official confirmation for any of this, but based on the repeated leaks from reliable sources, it’s probably safe to assume that most of this information will come true. We’ll see what happens!
KAMiBAKO: Mythology of Cube hits Switch Aug. 29th, 2024 in Japan
It's a CubeGame
Gravity Game Arise has announced that they’re bringing KAMiBAKO: Mythology of Cube to the Nintendo Switch on August 29, 2024. This is an RPG featuring turn based combat and puzzle solving. There will be both a digital and physical release in Japan, but a date has not been announced yet for a Western release. The Japanese version will not support other languages.
You can check the game out in action via the new trailer above, or read more details below. Hopefully we’ll hear about an English translation of the game on Switch soon!
Map-Crafting x Puzzles x Battle x RPG!?
Repair the fragmented land through puzzles, and rid the world of darkness by defeating monsters. All resources obtained through repairing the land can then be used to design the world to your liking! The medley of genres in this RPG is surprisingly accessible to players of all types, but there’s no shortage of challenging elements, too! A variety of activities and a vast world lie ahead. It’s up to you to repair what has been destroyed and restore peace.
A Sprawling Overworld
Our adventure takes place in the distant continent of Noahtun, a region rich in land and sea with various seasons. As you move through the overworld, the land will materialize where you advance. What awaits in the untouched regions of the world? New encounters? Battles? Perhaps an instance of fragmentation? Find out for yourself by traveling to every corner of the land.
Puzzles
Restoration Puzzles are a mission exclusive to the Restorer. By clearing the puzzle, the fragmentation of the land is then eliminated, restoring the land to its former state.
Map-Crafting
If the land has not been afflicted with fragmentation, it can be developed to have farmland, buildings, and other facilities so you can harvest crops and various resources. As you develop the land, more resources can be obtained and even stores can be accessed. Once a certain number of facilities have been established and the area is enclosed by fences, walls, or gates, it will become a village or town and you can give it a unique name.
Battle
A variety of monsters may appear in the land you explore. They can harm or damage the land they occupy, so be sure to take care of them with the help of your teammates. When battle commences, your teammates will attack automatically. Your role as the Restorer will be to grant Mana to them throughout the battles duration. Through granting them Mana, the skill sets in their weapons will be charged, eventually allowing them to perform an extra powerful attack.
Story
Long ago…
Seemingly out of nowhere, the world suddenly began to fall to pieces, fragmenting into cubes. Amidst the disaster many lives were lost, and spawned from this calamity came natural disasters, decimating all land and water.
The balance of the world was offset, and people’s lives were forever changed.
The disastrous phenomenon that reduces the land to cubes, what became known as the “fragmentation,” continued to spread throughout the world with no signs of stopping.
To restore the order of the world, the goddess Chroem selected an individual to fulfill the role of “Restorer,” the one who would restore the lands. They were tasked to journey across the world and rebuild all that had been destroyed.
The tale of our Restorer, begins now.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash to be featured in special broadcast on May 19th, 2024
What Cursed News is in store for us?
Toho Animation has announced that they’ll be holding a special broadcast all about Jujutsu Kaisen. While much of the focus will no doubt be on the anime series, the video games are going to be featured as well. This includes Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash which was recently released on Switch.
Some of the people scheduled to appear during the presentation include the games’ producers, and voice actors Yuichi Nakamura and Takahiro Sakurai. Voice actor Neki Matsuzawa will be hosting the event. Whether or not there will be any new announcements related to Cursed Clash and potential future updates remains to be seen.
The broadcast will be airing on the Toho Animation YouTube channel on May 19, 2024 at 7:00 AM ET. It will only be shared in Japanese, so hopefully you’ve got a translator handy. Click here, or sign up to be notified via the video below.
Masahiro Sakurai on the importance of post-processing for game graphics
Always look your best
Masahiro Sakurai is back with another installment in his game development video series, and today brings us a feature that falls into the “Graphics” category.
You might think that graphics are served up to you on your screen instantaneously from your video game console, but Sakurai is here to set the record straight! In today’s video, he explains how a game’s visuals are held in a ‘framebuffer’, so that they have time to be fully rendered before being exhibited on screen. This is where details like shading and reflections are added to really enhance a game’s final look.
Sakurai uses comparisons between Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to illustrate the significance of post-processing when it comes to graphics. Even on less powerful hardware, the results of this type of work can be impressive!
RUMOR: Could a game starring Princess Zelda be in the works?
Princess Zelda: Showtime?
Legend of Zelda fans have been clamoring for the series’ titular princess to get her own game for years now. Speculation was rampant before Tears of the Kingdom’s release that she might be playable there, but that never came to pass. Now, a new rumor seems to indicate that there could be a brand new game with a playable Zelda on the horizon.
This rumor comes to us from PapaGenos on Twitter, a leaker who has previously indicated both Metroid Prime: Remastered and the Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong ahead of their official announcements. Yesterday, they shared a post noting that a game with Zelda as the main character is long overdue. If you look close, you’ll notice that the capital letters in the post spell out the phrase, “This is a hint”.
PapaGenos’ reputation of accurate past leaks is what makes this rumor worth examining. That said, it could easily turn out to be nothing. Even if the source is accurate, that doesn’t mean that Nintendo will necessarily stick with any Zelda-centric game plans they might be considering. As always with rumors like this one, heavy grains of salt are recommended.
On the other hand, Princess Peach recently got a starring role, so Zelda could be a logical follow-up. If the rumor does turn out to be true, might this be a swan song game on Switch, or a launch title for its successor? We’ll have to wait and see…
Monster Outbreak comes to Switch May 16th, 2024
They finally broke out
Freedom Games has announced that they’re bringing the pixel art survival game Monster Outbreak to the Nintendo Switch on May 14, 2024. You might remember that this game was originally supposed to be released all the way back in 2022, but that never happened for Switch. Better late than never!
Monster Outbreak will be available on the Switch eShop for $14.99. Click here to check out its store page, or see below for more details.
Gather resources, build defenses, and upgrade your arsenal to defend the kingdom against waves of dangerous monsters! The Dimensional Orb was a promise of wealth and knowledge beyond humanity’s wildest dreams, hidden away from all until it was discovered and brought to the king. Being human, the king was easily tempted, and for a time the promise held true. Riches, knowledge, and incredible stories flowed into the Kingdom thanks to the Orb… but then came the monsters. Lots and lots of monsters!
Monster Outbreak is a pixel top-down survival game. Take control of Yulia, the last surviving member of the Royal Guard, and confront the endless monster hordes spawned by the out-of-control Dimensional Orb. Gear up, prepare defenses, lay down traps, cook a possible last meal, and try to stay alive.
Go at it alone or enlist fellow survivors in multiplayer! The last stand of the Royal Guard isn’t over - until it’s over.
- Yulia has access to a broad range of weapons to be enchanted, from simple swords and axes to sophisticated bows providing elemental attacks, dealing additional damage and opening new ways of containing the endless waves of enemies.
- Build up those defenses! Choose from dozens of turrets, including the bomb-javelin launcher, crossbow turret, and bomb slingshot to set up lethal defensive zones.
- Keep hordes of dimensional horrors at bay with a selection of traps to deploy including spike strips, tripwire bombs, and elemental traps.
- Each wave, eventually, peters out. Use the lull in combat to fix up the base - or venture out, explore, fix bridges, and scavenge the derelict Kingdom.
- Hunt down monsters for essential components to craft weapons and items to increase the chances of survival - but watch out for brutal bosses that can decide to crash your party at the worst possible moment.
Nintendo has shared a new promo for Princess Peach: Showtime! on their family friendly Play Nintendo channel. In this video, Play Nintendo host Jordan plays through some of the game’s early stages, providing commentary along the way. Get a look at a few of Peach’s in-game transformations in greater detail, or share this video with a young relative!
Lights, curtains, SHOWTIME! Grape and the Sour Bunch have taken over the Sparkle Theater and are causing a whole lot of drama. Watch Jordan play through the Princess Peach: Showtime! game as she explores the different plays, meets exciting new characters, and more. Let’s Play!
Fire Emblem Heroes, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, and Pokémon Masters EX have all received a content update. Check out the full details for each game below via perfectly-nintendo.com.
Fire Emblem Heroes
- [Events] The latest Hall of Forms Revival is now live. It features the following Heroes: Dorothea (Solar Songstress), Ingrid (Solstice Knight), Sylvain (Hanging with Tens), and Lorenz (Highborn Heat) (available until May 19th)
- [Summoning] A new Summoning Focus is now live: Hall of Forms Revival. It features the following Heroes: Ingrid (Solstice Knight), Sylvain (Hanging with Tens), and Dorothea (Solar Songstress) (available until May 26th)
- [Events] You can now vote for the Hall of Forms event to bring back in July. Check out this page to cast your vote! (available until May 16th)
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
- [Scout] The following Sync Pair is now available via Variety Scout: Plumeria & Gengar (available until May 23rd, with Ticket Scout running until May 30th)
Pokémon Masters EX
- [Goals] A new set of time-limited Goals is now available: Grasshopper Goals (available until May 14th)
Official Pikachu VW Beetle listed for sale on Facebook
Own a piece of Nintendo history
OG Pokémon fans will surely remember the Pikachu Volkswagen Beetle. In 1998, Nintendo partnered with Volkswagen to have ten of these cars produced. They were used in various Pokémon events and promotions over the years, then eventually given away as contest prizes.
Just recently, one of those rare Pikachu bugs went up for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Madison, Wisconsin. The vehicle is being listed for $125,000 with 170,000 miles on it. In addition to being a functional car, it also comes with a remote that can make trigger four different Pikachu sounds. Unfortunately, some aspects have been changed from the original model, including the engine, wheels, and some decals. The originally included playable N64 hookup has also been removed.
Speaking to The Drive, current owner Kerry K. says that she originally bought the car for her two sons, but took a liking to it herself eventually. It’s a manual car, so buyers will need to be able to drive stick if they’re serious about driving the thing!
Click here to view the Pikachu bug’s Facebook listing for yourself. If you’ve got $125,000 and a Pikachu Beetle shaped hole in your heart, this could be your big moment!
All the way back in 1998, gaming magazine EGM played an April Fool’s joke on its readers. They claimed that players could unlike Street Fighter character Akuma in Resident Evil 2 by beating the game six times with an A rank using only the handgun and knife, then entering the name Akuma in a lab computer. This is the type of classically elaborate video game hoax that spread like wildfire on school playgrounds back in the day, but now one fan has turned it into a reality.
Modder Snipzu has created a mod for Resident Evil 2 that actually allows you to play as Akuma, just as EGM promised decades ago. No elaborate tricks are required for this unlock, and you’ll even be able to use Akuma’s elite Street Fighter skills to take down zombies and monsters. Check out some footage from the mod below:
If you’d like to fulfill your childhood dream of playing as Akuma in Resident Evil 2, you can grab the mod for free at this link. You can also click here for more info on the original EGM hoax.
Localizer 8-4 says they would happily help localize Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay
Don't make us beg
Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay recently hit the Switch eShop in Japan. Unfortunately, publisher Namco has made it clear that they have no intention of localizing the game for non-Japanese audiences due to a general lack of interest. Now, the CEO of a localization company called 8-4, Ltd. has come forward to state that they would be happy to help with the localization process if given the chance.
CEO John Ricciardi said via Twitter, “8-4 (who helped coordinate the magazine content in the original RGC, and who localized the GCCX crossover vids for Sakurai-san) would happily help localize the games if a publisher were to step forward…”.
As Ricciardi says, their team has experience with the world of Retro Game Challenge, having helped translate parts of the original Nintendo DS game into English. There’s definitely a small, but passionate fanbase for this series, both behind the scenes, and on the consumer side.
Could Namco change their minds on a translation in light of 8-4 offering their assistance? It might be a tough sell considering the less than stellar sales of the original game, but stranger things have happened. Maybe with enough fan support, we could see a localized version of Retro Game Challenge 1 + 2 Replay at some point in the future. Stay tuned!
Resident Evil franchise hits 157 million units sold worldwide
What are ya buyin'?
Capcom has shared a new financial earnings report featuring their most recent sales statistics. According to the report, Capcom has just seen its highest net sales and operating income in the publisher’s history. The good news extends specifically to the Resident Evil franchise, which has apparently sold over 157 million units worldwide.
That 157 million figure includes sales of all Resident Evil games across all platforms since the series’ debut in 1996, several of which are currently available on Switch. The franchise shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. Capcom seems quite eager to release new entries and remakes that reinvent exactly what a Resident Evil game can be.
Other Capcom series are no slouches. The report shows that the Monster Hunter series has sold over 100 million units, with Monster Hunter: World being the highest selling title in Capcom history. Meanwhile, Street Fighter has hit 54 million, and Mega Man 41 million.
Click here to read the full report for more insight into Capcom’s finances.
EA SPORTS FC 24 “Title Update 14” is now available. You can see the patch notes for this update below.
Ultimate Team
Addressed the following issue:
- Addressed a rare situation in which a Contract did not apply to a Player Item as intended.
General, Audio, and Visual
Addressed the following issues:
- Updated instances of incorrect text, UI, and ad boards displaying.
- Updated some gloves, balls, and kits.
- Addressed instances of stability issues that could have occurred.
