Ph LEVEL Review: Sonic Mania

To say the hype surrounding Sonic Mania has been considerable, would be quite the understatement. The game started as a fan-game, with a dedicated group of players coming together to take matters into their own hands, and create a true-to-form Sonic the Hedgehog game in the vein of the classics, using new and older content to craft intricate levels, with updated sprites.

However, SEGA got word of the project and it was quickly ordered a cease-and-desist. Except, it wasn’t. Instead, SEGA snatched up the developers and started working together with them, noticing a rare opportunity, and taking full advantage of of the situation to create a great game. Did it work out? Hit the jump to find out.

New Mazinger Z Trailer

A new Mazinger Z trailer has debuted, spotlighting the supporting cast for the upcoming anime film premiering next year. We’re shown the new look for several returning characters, as well as a few new characters in the mix. The trailer also debuts the release date for the film, which is set for January 13th, 2018.

Mazinger Z is one of many upcoming anime films and series being brought to Netflix, so expect to see it streaming early next year, as well.

Microsoft Announces Xbox One X: Project Scorpio Edition

Microsoft announced at their GamesCom briefing that they wouldn’t be giving up that epic Project Scorpio name just yet, as the Xbox One X will be receiving a special launch edition console, similar to its predecessor’s Day One edition, called the Project Scorpio edition. While there’s particularly special about the system, it does come with special engraving on the console and controller, as well as special themed box, after the original Xbox.

Microsoft announced that pre-orders for the system are now open, at $499 at various retailers. They also announced a special Minecraft edition of the system, that will be bundled later this year. The Xbox One X launches on November 7. Hit the jump to check out the GamesCom reveal trailer, and a look at the Minecraft bundle.

New Starfighter Assault Star Wars: Battlefront II Trailer

EA and DICE have debuted a new trailer for Star Wars: Battlefront II detailing the long-awaited starfighter battles that the game will include. While Battlefront ended up being a disappointment with very little for players to dig into, the new game looks set to be the exact opposite, with more than enough for fans to enjoy.

Star Wars: Battlefront II will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 17th.

New Assassin’s Creed: Origins Trailer

Xbox began their GamesCom conference with this fantastic cinematic trailer detailing Assassin’s Creed: Origins, and spotlighting the games Ancient Egyptian setting further. Mummification, scorpions, and a lot of gold fill out the trailer, with the usual Assassin’s Creed fight at the end.

While I haven’t played an Assassin’s Creed game in quite some time, the setting alone could be enough to sell me on this one. Assassin’s Creed: Origins will be available on October 27th for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Jurassic World: Evolution Announced

Microsoft announced during their GamesCom conference today that a new Jurassic World title, Jurassic World: Evolution would be released summer of 2018. The game is an amusement park sim where players will take on the duty of running their own park, with the inevitability of the dinosaurs escaping hanging over their heads.

The game is being developed by Frontier Developments of Elite Dangerous and Planet Coaster fame, and is set to release in the summer of 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Yakuza 6 After Hours Edition Unveiled

SEGA has announced that Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is getting a North American release, along with the first ever Premuim Edition, which is honestly one of the coolest premium editions I have ever seen. The “After Hours Premium Edition” will retail for $89.99 and will include the following.

• Hardcover Art Book
• Two Bar Glasses
• Two Ice Stones
• Two Coasters
• An outer box

It’s an impressive send-off for series protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, and absolutely worth the wait when it debuts on March 20, 2018, exclusively for the PlayStation 4. Hit the jump to check out the North American reveal trailer for the game.

Dissidia NT Collector’s Edition and Release Date Revealed

Square Enix has announced a massive Collector’s Edition, and several Deluxe Editions for the upcoming Team Ninja-developed Final Fantasy fighting game, Dissidia NT: Final Fantasy. Releasing January 11 in Japan, and January 30 in North America, the Ultimate Collector’s Edition will run you $189.99 USD, exclusively from the Square Enix store, and includes the following:

• 8.25″ tall Warrior of Light bust
• Official soundtrack with 15 tracks selected from the Dissidia series as well as new music
• 80-page hardcover artbook
• Season Pass that gives access to six new playable characters and post-launch DLC
• SteelBook case unique to the Ultimate Edition
• Collector’s Box featuring legendary Final Fantasy characters

Pre-ordering the standard version at $59.99 will still get you the “Steelbook Brawler Edition,” which offers one of three randomly selected steelbook cases featuring various characters from the game. There’s also a digital version that comes with a five song soundtrack and Warrior of Light skin, or a deluxe digital version ($84.99) which comes with those two things and the season pass. Hit the jump to get a full look at the cover art, and all the versions of the game.

The Punisher Gets a First Trailer

For the few that binged the entirety of The Defenders since its release this morning, you received a gift in the form of the first Punisher trailer. The rest of us? Well, it’s been leaked online! The trailer is short but does a good job of showing the tone of what to expect from the ultra-violent vigilante.

We get shots of Frank Castle reliving his time in the Middle East, as well as the murder and memories of his family, interspersed with the man himself pummeling a concrete floor, revealing the iconic skull logo. Hit the jump to check out the trailer, which was posted on Twitter.

Splatoon 2 Switch Bundle to Walmart in North America

It looks like we’re getting that epic Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch bundle after all! Nintendo has revealed it is a Walmart exclusive and will be available for $379.99 on September 8, 2017. The price increase is thanks to the included bonuses. The Joy-Cons in the Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch bundle are lime green and pink, to match the colors used in the game. The bundle also includes a download code for Splatoon 2, as well as a themed carrying case.

While a bit late, it’s nice that we’re getting this bundle at all, as it looks great, and Splatoon 2 has gotten nothing but great reviews. Splatoon 2 is available now on the Nintendo Switch.

New Pokémon Ultra Sun & Moon Trailer Revealed

The Pokémon Company released a new trailer for Pokemon Ultra Sun & Moon, and with it, a ton of details about what to expect from the expanded versions of the mega-hit game titles. Along with the previously revealed Lycanroc Dusk Form, players will have plenty of new area to explore, as dark clouds have begun to appear over Alola, and new buildings, as well, with new stories to tell.

Players will also have a new look, with the heroes being given new outfits, and even new Z-Moves for their Pokémon. Head over to the Official Website for more information on Pokémon Ultra Sun & Moon, releasing on the Nintendo 3DS, November 17th.

Check Out Zane Plays Proboid The Animation

The new animation from Polaris is online now, and it’s pretty damn hilarious. The new short follows an explorer named Zane, who has his MBA from Moonbase Academy deployed on a mission to explore the universe. Except, his emergency chat channel has been silent for quite some time, until it suddenly turns into a Twitch chat.

Suffice to say, things don’t go so well, and the first episode of Zane Plays Proboid ends on a cliffhanger, albeit a hilarious one.

Obi-Wan Confirmed as Next Star Wars Standalone Film

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Lucasfilm has taken the first steps to finalize a deal with director Stephen Daldry (The Reader, The Hours, Billy Elliot) to helm an upcoming Star Wars spin-off movie centered on the fan-favorite Obi-Wan Kenobi. As the project is still in its early stages, there is no script as of yet, but if he signs, Daldry will be developing the script alongside Lucasfilm.

There’s also no news on whether longtime Obi-Wan actor, Ewan McGregor, who has expressed numerous times his interest in returning, will be back for the role.

Real Final Defenders Trailer

Well, ignore that previous final trailer, because it totally wasn’t the real final trailer. With hours remaining until The Defenders hits Netflix, they’ve decided to drop one more trailer on us, with plenty more footage of the series. How they’ve been able to keep so many mysteries with all of this footage unveiled is beyond me.

The final trailer is a doozy showing not only teamwork between our heroes, but dissension, as well. Iron Fist going toe-to-toe with Daredevil would be a hell of a thing to watch, so needless to say, I’m pretty damn excited for this show to go live tomorrow!

Shenmue Finds Publisher in Deep Silver

Shenmue III developer, Ys Net, has shared that they’ve signed a global partnership with publisher Deep Silver for the long-awaited sequel. Updates have been quiet on the Shenmue III front for quite some time, since the crowdfunding campaign was a massive success.

The good news? Ys Net also announced that Yu Suzuki will be attenting GamesCom, and is expected to show off many new updates, clips, and gameplay footage from the game. Shenmue III launches in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and PC.