Author - Jerry Paxton

DRAGON BALL GAMES BATTLE HOUR 2024 IS COMING TO LOS ANGELES ON JANUARY 27-28

DRAGON BALL GAMES BATTLE HOUR 2024 is coming to Los Angeles, gathering fans for two days packed with exciting activities from the world of DRAGON BALL. Now in its fourth year and coming off last year’s successful event in Las Vegas, BATTLE HOUR is organized by Bandai Namco Group and partners to bring together the DRAGON BALL community for an experiential event featuring manga, anime, movies, games, toys, and more from the globally beloved franchise. This year’s event promises first looks at new content with a deep-dive panel with game producers, World Finals tournaments featuring top competitive talent, and a host of other fun activities including Dragon Ball Legends and Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle Fun Stages, SAND LAND Exclusive Movie Night, and demo stations featuring favorite games from the franchise including DRAGON BALL Z KAKAROT and DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE 2. DRAGON BALL GAMES BATTLE HOUR 2024 is scheduled to take place January 27-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

BATTLE HOUR is the place for top tournaments including the DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ World Tour Finals and the DRAGON BALL SUPER CARD GAME World Championship. Attendees will have access to all activities over both days of the show and can expect not only an intense battle between the top competitors, but also a slate of news and reveals from current and future DRAGON BALL games, along with game demo stations, photo ops, toys on display, and more.

BATTLE HOUR also features panels highlighting the latest in DRAGON BALL entertainment. This year’s event features the “DRAGON BALL Games Producer Panel” with Ryo Mito, producer on the DRAGON BALL Z Sparking! series, and Masayuki Hirano, producer on DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE. They will share stories from their time working on these memorable games and answer fan questions. The panel will cover the hotly anticipated DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO.

Announced at The Game Awards 2023, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is bringing the beloved DRAGON BALL Z: BUDOKAI TENKAICHI arena brawler series to a new generation of players. The game is a visually stunning, authentic continuation of the series featuring faithful recreations of legendary DRAGON BALL characters and their special powers as they fight epic battles in massive and destructible environments. The title is coming to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam®. For more information, visit the official website.

DRAGON BALL Executive Producer Akio Iyoku will make a guest appearance at the DRAGON BALL DAIMA Special Panel on Sunday evening. Mr. Iyoku will share behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of the DRAGON BALL DAIMA anime, which is scheduled for release in Fall 2024, including new artwork by Akira Toriyama himself for the very first time. DRAGON BALL DAIMA is a new anime in which Akira Toriyama has been directly involved with the production of its brand-new story, including the plot and character designs. Also, it is being released for the 40th anniversary of the original DRAGON BALL series, taking the fans’ expectations to a whole new level.

More details about DRAGON BALL GAMES BATTLE HOUR 2024 will be revealed at the official web site, https://dbgbh.bn-ent.net/en/.

Lawn Mowing Simulator Coming to Nintendo Switch

Düsseldorf-based video game developer and publisher astragon Entertainment and Skyhook Games Studio today announced that Lawn Mowing Simulator will be released for Nintendo Switch™ on March 14, 2024.

Lawn Mowing Simulator will be available digitally in a Standard Edition for 19.99 EUR / 19.99 USD / 15,99 GBP (RRP) and in the Landmark Edition for 24.99 EUR / 24.99 USD / 19,99 GBP (RRP). The Landmark Edition will also be released physically for 24.99 EUR / 34,99 GBP / 34.99 USD (RRP) and offers the full game experience and additional fun with the two included DLCs “Dino Safari” and “Ancient Britain”. Both DLCs will also be available separately for 4.99 EUR / 4.99 USD / 3,99 GBP (RRP) each.

Visions of Mana Xbox Developer Direct Trailer

Square Enix Ltd. revealed brand-new details about Visions of Mana™, the first mainline entry to the beloved Mana series in over 15 years. The developer showcase featured Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada, and Mana Series Creator, Koichi Ishii, who introduced players to the newly imagined world of Mana and provided a deeper look at the game’s development process and action-packed gameplay. Visions of Mana launches in Summer 2024 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC and PC via STEAM®.

The new gameplay and behind-the-scenes footage provides fans and newcomers alike with a closer look at some of the latest gameplay features, monsters and creatures in Visions of Mana. Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada, revealed new details about Visions of Mana’s combat, including the new addition of the aerial combat system, which will take players to new heights during battle and enable physical attacks with weapons and magic attacks mid-air. Fans can also expect to see the return of series staple, the Elementals. These assist players during battle in the form of specialized items, with each weapon producing a different effect in combat according to its respective element, allowing for a fast-paced, flexible fighting style.

Players were also introduced to a new companion they can expect to encounter in Visions of Mana called the “pikuls.” Designed by Mana Series Creator, Koichi Ishii, the adorable new companion takes inspiration from animals and mythology and will help players traverse the game’s expansive ground map as they explore the vibrant world in Visions of Mana.

SQUARE ENIX® also revealed that the Visions of Mana soundtrack will feature a track list of 100 songs at launch, all of which have been composed or received contributions from musical creators who lent their talents to previous Mana titles, including Hiroki Kikuta, Tsuyoshi Sekito and Ryo Yamazaki. Visions of Mana will also feature a new adaptive music system, which will allow players to seamlessly transition from map exploration into battles and heighten their sense of urgency through the arrangement of background music which will change the moment players enter or leave combat.

Since the series’ debut in 1993 as MYSTIC QUEST™, a spin-off of the FINAL FANTASY series, Mana games have immersed players in bright vibrant worlds, breathtaking environments, heartwarming characters and high fantasy storylines across many genres and platforms. Based on 30 years of legacy, Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada, and his team are incorporating everything they have learned from the last 17 Mana games to ensure that Visions of Mana is a faithful addition to the series that fans know and love, while also offerings fans and newcomers a fresh new experience with an all-new story, characters and gameplay mechanics.

Ghostrunner 2 Dragon Pack Revealed

Ghostrunner 2, the first-person cyberpunk-action thriller by leading video game publisher 505 Games and developer One More Level celebrates the Year of The Dragon with long-awaited free content updates. As part of the Lunar New Year celebration, a much sought-after Chinese VO will now be featured from February 8th, along with an expansion of the current ‘Roguerunner.exe Mode’ that will require mastery of Jack’s wingsuit, more parkour elements, and vicious enemy encounters.

For fans who have bought either the Season Pass or Brutal Edition, February 8th will also see the launch of the deadly new Dragon Pack Expansion which contains cosmetic content, all themed around the Year of the Dragon. Also available as a standalone purchase at $4.99, the new content includes…

  • Three sword skins
  • Three hand skins
  • A brand new motorcycle skin

Nominated for Action Game Of The Year at the 2023 Game Awards, Ghostrunner 2 is bursting with new powers, upgradeable abilities, traversal mechanics, an expanded narrative, deeper world building, and devilish new enemies. Every kill is earned.

For those yet to experience Ghostrunner 2, it will also be on sale across selected platforms during this time, with anywhere between 30% and 50% off the MSRP. Head to Steam, PlayStation, Xbox Series S|X for more details.

Prison Architect 2 Announcement Trailer

Paradox Interactive and Double Eleven today announced Prison Architect 2, the 3D successor to their prison management simulator. The game offers deeper simulation, greater player control, an inhabitant behavior system and creative options to define the next generation of management gameplay. Prison Architect 2 launches on March 26 on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 for a suggested retail price of $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99. Enterprising Architects can pre-order Prison Architect 2 on PC today.

Prison Architect 2 offers advanced simulation systems, enabling players to construct intricate compounds with a high degree of creative freedom in a 3D environment. From building elaborate structures to managing inmates’ needs while maintaining the facility’s financial stability, Prison Architect 2 expands gameplay and creative tools across the board, for an engaging sandbox experience. The game also introduces a connection system between the prisoners, who will make friends or enemies with each other, impacting who they will hang out, partner or fight with. Prison Architect 2 brings prison construction and management gameplay to a new level by entering the third dimension and bringing deeper simulation than ever before.

“In Prison Architect 2, our team set out to create the next level in management gameplay. A greater degree of player freedom, impactful choices, and inmate simulation come together to provide an enhanced presentation of prison management, in a 3D world. Much loved features make a return to help you manage your inmates, quell riots, prevent escapes and share your prisons, but now cross-platform! In addition to a new upgrade system, a new Career Mode, and more.” said Gareth Wright, Game Director at Double Eleven. “We look forward to seeing how players get creative with multiple floors and catwalks to finally construct and expand in 3D. And then optimize and balance their prison’s safety, security and self-betterment.”

Arrow Video US – February 2024 Release Schedule

Arriving on February 13th is the unique action/crime thriller Fear is the Key, based on a novel by Alistair MacLean (The Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare), and featuring car-chase choreography by the legendary Carey Loftin (French Connection, Vanishing Point, Bullitt). The story offers surprising twists at every turn, including an assassination, an unexpected witness, a kidnapping, and an intricate conspiracy with millions of dollars at its center. Director Michael Tuchner brings MacLean’s complex international espionage bestseller to life. The film stars Barry Newman, Suzy Kendall, John Vernon, Dolph Sweet, and Sir Ben Kingsley in his feature film debut.

The Blu-ray special features include a new audio commentary by filmmaker and critic Howard S. Berger; a visual essay, featurettes and interviews; the theatrical trailer; a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh; a double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh; and an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing by filmmaker and critic Sean Hogan.

The Shaolin Plot kicks Valentine’s Day into high gear with a 2K restoration from the original film elements. The film stars Sammo Hung in his final collaboration with directing legend and mentor Huang Feng. With only the Shaolin and Wu-Tang missing from his collection of martial arts manuals, Prince Daglen (Chan Sing) concocts a plan to steal both with the aid of a vicious agent (Hung). But Daglen didn’t count on the heroics of the surviving Shaolin and Wu-Tang warriors (Casanova Wong, Kwan Yung Moon, and James Tien) to thwart his plot. Intrigue, double-crossing, and feats of heroism all culminate in one of the greatest action film finales ever. Filmmaker Huang Feng is one of the most influential martial arts filmmakers in the world and was instrumental in the careers of John Woo (Hardboiled, Face/Off) and Stanley Tong (Supercop, Rumble in the Bronx).

The Blu-ray special features include a commentary by martial arts film experts Frank Djeng & Michael Worth; commentary by action cinema experts Mike Leeder & Arne Venema; alternate English credits; the original theatrical trailers; a double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady; a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady; and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Peter Glagowski.

Lionsgate Announce: The Expendables 4-Film Collection

Return to all the global superstars, explosive stunts, and mind-boggling weaponry when The Expendables 4-Film Collection arrives on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital March 5 from Lionsgate. With the fourth film’s release in 2023 and the franchise grossing over $780 million at the box office, this is the ultimate Expendables collection, featuring four mission-ready art cards. The Expendables 4-Film Collection will be available for the suggested retail price of $44.99 on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS
This action-packed, star-studded bundle includes all four films in The Expendables franchise. In The Expendables, the elite mercenaries (Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham) are caught in a web of betrayal and deceit when they’re hired by a shady operative (Bruce Willis) to overthrow a South American dictator. In The Expendables 2, a deranged arms dealer (Jean-Claude Van Damme) turns the team’s (Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren) easy paycheck into a tragedy, while The Expendables 3 pits old school vs. new blood when Barney Ross and his team (Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford) square off against a longtime foe (Mel Gibson). In Expend4bles, a new group of mercenaries (50 Cent, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa) joins the “old guard” to help fight an arms dealer with his own private army.

Battle The Mutant Goblin Queen In New MARVEL Future Fight Update

Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality mobile games, launches a new game update for its blockbuster mobile RPG MARVEL Future Fight. Agents can experience several new game contents including a new epic quest, characters, character-tier upgrades and more.

This new game update adds four new characters: Havok, Exodus, Hope Summers, and Madelyne Pryor. A new uniform is now available for Rachel Summers.

Agents can participate in “Goblin Queen,” a new Epic Quest featuring stories of the villainous mutant clone and have the opportunity to obtain this update’s Havok, Hope Summers, and Madelyne Pryor. Additionally, five new items have been added in the latest Odin’s Blessing update.

Character tier upgrades have been added for Cyclops (Tier-4 with new Striker Skill), Havok (Tier-3 with new Ultimate Skill) and Madelyne Pryor (Tier-3 with new Ultimate Skill). Awakened Skills have been added to select heroes including Rachel Summers, Hope Summers and Kid Omega.

MARVEL Future Fight has over 150 million players across the world with the game currently available worldwide in the App Store® and Google Play™.

For more information, please visit http://marvelfuturefight.netmarble.com.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro Review

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro arrives with an absolute goal in mind – not just to be another great gaming keyboard, but to redefine the very notion of what a keyboard can do. It features cutting-edge optical key switches, unparalleled customization, and an outstanding build quality that promises to satisfy the most demanding gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. But does it deliver on its lofty promises? Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into the world of the Huntsman V3 Pro.

Unboxing the Huntsman V3 Pro is an experience in itself. The sleek, minimalist packaging whispers luxury, and the keyboard itself is a thing of beauty. The brushed aluminum top plate exudes a cool solidity, while the double-shot PBT keycaps feel substantial and textured. The magnetic wrist rest snaps into place with a satisfying click, adding a plush cushion for marathon gaming sessions.

The Huntsman V3 Pro showcases Razer’s Chroma RGB lighting system in all its glory. Each key is individually assignable, allowing for intricate lighting effects and mesmerizing animations. The built-in underglow adds another layer of visual depth, casting a colorful halo around the keyboard. Customization options are endless, thanks to the comprehensive Razer Synapse 3 software. From static colors to reactive effects, you can tailor the lighting to your mood, game, or even the rhythm of your music.

But the true star of the Huntsman V3 Pro is Razer’s Second Generation Analog Optical switches. Unlike traditional mechanical switches with a single actuation point, these support a full range of actuation from 0.1 to 4.0 mm, offering unprecedented levels of control and precision. The Rapid Trigger mode takes customization to another level. With a dedicated toggle switch, you can adjust the actuation point on the fly, enabling lightning-fast bursts of fire in FPS games or rapid-fire commands in MOBAs. It’s a game-changer, literally, giving you an edge in competitive situations. During my time with the keyboard, I played everything from first-person shooters like Destiny 2 and CoD: Warzone to my current favorite game on the market: Baldur’s Gate 3 (so much BG3…). No matter what type of game I was playing, the Huntsman V3 Pro was more than up to the challenge. I preferred to create different profiles for every game so that I could truly dial in the performance of the keyboard to my liking.While the Huntsman V3 Pro shines brightest while gaming, its talents extend far beyond just helping me play Baldur’s Gate 3. The typing experience is a joy, with the switches offering a satisfyingly snappy response and minimal noise. The double-shot PBT keycaps are resistant to wear and tear, ensuring crisp legends for years to come. I also LOVE their typing feel. The texture and quality make the keys seem like something you’d find on some high-end industrial control panel at NASA. Furthermore, the dedicated media controls and multi-function keys make it a productivity powerhouse, ideal for content creators and professionals alike. Heck – I am even typing this review on the keyboard!

No product is perfect, and the Huntsman V3 Pro has its quirks. The premium price tag might intimidate some budget-conscious buyers, and while the wrist rest is comfortable, its detachable nature might put some off. Plus, I have found that my fingers tend to rest on the WASD keys while not in use (an old gamer habit), and I tend to put slight pressure on the keys, which triggers them. But these are all small gripes in an otherwise outstanding product.

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro is a truly remarkable keyboard. It pushes the boundaries of performance and customization, offering gamers and tech enthusiasts a tool that is a joy to use and play with. The innovative Analog Optical switches, with the stunning build quality and dazzling Chroma RGB lighting, create an exhilarating and empowering experience. While the price might be a hurdle for some, the unique features and sheer quality make the Huntsman V3 Pro a worthy investment for anyone who demands the best from their peripherals. It is available now for $249.99 at Razer’s official website.

Overall Score: 5 out of 5

TIEBREAK: Official game of the ATP and WTA Announced

NACON and Big Ant Studios are pleased to announce that TIEBREAK: Official game of the ATP and WTA, the new tennis game from the creators of AO Tennis 2 and Tennis World Tour 2, is being released on early access for PC (Steam) today. It will be released on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Nintendo SwitchTM later this year.

TIEBREAK is the official tennis game of the ATP and WTA. Players with controller in hand can take their style of play to the biggest courts and make it count against the computer or the community in multiplayer mode.

Today’s early access launch offers players the chance to take to the virtual court, as the 2024 ATP and WTA tennis seasons kick into gear. The developers’ aim in this phase is to use player feedback to further develop the most authentic and ambitious tennis game around.

The early access version includes an initial set of official ATP and WTA tennis players including Belinda Bencic, Taylor Fritz, Marta Kostyuk, Petra Kvitova, Nick Kyrgios, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Andy Murray, Naomi Osaka, Maria Sakkari, Shuai Zhang, Alexander Zverev. It also includes Quick Match mode, allowing for play on all ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 series courts and Basic Tutorials will help players learn and level up their games.

This early access phase will incorporate additional official WTA/ATP licensed content, new game modes, improvements and game balancing over the coming months, with regular updates right up to the game’s final release: