Author - Jerry Paxton

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Official Gameplay Trailer

2023/01/24
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced that EA SPORTS™ PGA TOUR™ will be launching on March 24, 2023 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the EA App, Steam and the Epic Games Store. Pre-orders begin today for EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, the exclusive home of all four majors in men’s golf – the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship™, U.S. Open Championship™ and The Open.

In addition, EA SPORTS PGA TOUR will launch with Road to the Masters which brings tradition and unmatched stakes featuring Augusta National, challenges, tournaments and gear tied to the Masters. The Masters made its first-ever virtual appearance with EA SPORTS in 2011, and its return to video games has been highly requested by golf fans. EA SPORTS will also provide more details on additional live service content throughout the 2023 PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour seasons.

“We’re bringing the premier PGA TOUR experience to players around the world with real-world golf data powering incredibly realistic gameplay with every shot, and some of the most iconic courses in the world rendered in painstaking detail,” said Cam Weber, EVP and GM, EA SPORTS. “From The Old Course at St Andrews Links to Pebble Beach Golf Links and more, we’re giving players the chance to tee off in bucket list golf experiences like never before in EA SPORTS PGA TOUR.”

EA SPORTS PGA TOUR released the official gameplay trailer today, featuring the all-new Pure Strike shot system. The full trailer can be seen on EA SPORTS PGA TOUR’s YouTube channel, and can be watched here.

Pure Strike gives golf fans all the tools they need to realistically attack every hole on every course the same way the pros do. Featuring ShotLink® powered by CDW and TrackMan, Pure Strike also helps ensure that each professional golfer’s unique swing and attributes will be accurately reflected in the game. Pure Strike incorporates the three parts of every golf shot – fluid swing mechanics that are highly accurate to a player’s backswing length and speed of follow through, innovative ball behavior allowing every bounce and roll to behave more accurately across a variety of terrain and course conditions, and lifelike course dynamics that play true to their real life course counterparts.

In addition to being the exclusive home of all four men’s majors, EA SPORTS PGA TOUR is filled with experiences and content players have been asking for in a golf game, including:

  • World Famous Courses – The tee is yours at 30 courses, including some of the world’s most  prominent venues such as Augusta National Golf Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Southern Hills Country Club, The Old Course at St Andrews Links, The Country Club, Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course, Torrey Pines, Evian Resort Golf Club in Évian-les-Bains, France, East Lake Golf Club, TPC Southwind, The Los Angeles Country Club, Wilmington Country Club and more. EA SPORTS PGA TOUR will also feature the past major host courses in 2021 and 2022 as well as the new 2023 majors courses releasing post-launch.

  • Your Career, Your Way – EA SPORTS PGA TOUR provides players with an RPG-like progression system on the Road to the Masters. As their golf game improves, the closer they’ll be to becoming a major champion. Players will be able to create and customize a golfer, develop their skills and master each course to attack every hole like a pro. With 20 shot types available as players progress in the game, they can enhance their skill set for driving, approach, short game, or putting, depending on their style. Players will be able to compete to become a major champion, and take on the PGA TOUR’s best events in the season-long chase for the FedExCup, as well as conquer the top Amateur Championships including the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the U.S. Amateur, and other elite international amateur events.

  • THE PLAYERS Championship and FedExCup Playoffs – The PLAYERS Championship and all three events of the FedExCup Playoffs will be in the game, and players can earn in-game FedExCup points in Career Mode for the opportunity to compete in the FedExCup Playoffs. As part of the Career mode, top golfers at the end of the year will be given the opportunity to win the FedExCup.

  • Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and The Amundi Evian Championship – In partnership with the LPGA, EA SPORTS PGA TOUR allows fans to compete at The Amundi Evian Championship, one of the LPGA Tour’s five major championships, and have the opportunity to play as several female athletes as well as create a female golfer in the overhauled Create-A-Player feature. Players will also be able to participate in a series of LPGA-themed challenges and other events. Iona Stephen will be joining the EA commentary team as the first female on-course commentator in-game, bringing her experienced insights from both playing professionally and working in golf broadcasting.

  • True-to-Life Course Visuals – EA SPORTS PGA TOUR will also present the most realistic visuals in any golf game utilizing EA’s Frostbite™ engine. Using state-of-the-art equipment such as drone technology, custom LiDAR flight helicopters and more to develop terrain maps, EA SPORTS PGA TOUR depicts courses exactly as they appear in real life. The photogrammetry and scanners were also applied to create precise renderings of clubhouses, iconic vegetation, bridges, tee markers, rock formations, and other on-course elements offering players life-like visual experiences of their favorite courses.

  • ShotLink® – Utilizing ShotLink® powered by CDW, the PGA TOUR’s proprietary real-time scoring system since 2001, golfers will authentically be replicated with accurate player ratings, skills and magnified true-to-life in-game events.

  • TrackMan Data – Insights implemented from TrackMan, a world leader in 3D ball flight measurement and swing analysis, is a critical component to authentic gameplay utilizing a myriad of stats including club tuning, flight trajectory, landing position and much more.

Pre-orders for EA SPORTS PGA TOUR are now available, including the Deluxe Edition where players will receive three-day early access to the game and Augusta National, THE PLAYERS Championship Gear, The Grand Slam Gear Bundle, Scotty Cameron Putter in-game, 1,500 Premium PGA TOUR points, a PGA TOUR XP Bundle and The Masters gear*. EA Play** members will also receive early access to the game, starting with a 10-hour early access trial on March 21. EA Play Pro members will enjoy unlimited access to the Deluxe Edition of the game – as well as the exclusive EA Play Staff Bag – starting March 21. Lastly, all EA Play members will unlock additional bonuses for EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, with monthly drops of Pro Shop perks such as exclusive headcovers, shirts, hats and more.

For more details on EA SPORTS PGA TOUR, and to register for email updates, visit www.ea.com/games/pga-tour. Follow @EASPORTSPGATOUR on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest updates.

Sci-Fi Thriller Fort Solis Announced from Fallen Leaf and Dear Villagers

2023/01/24
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Windows PC News

Developer Fallen Leaf has just partnered with Dear Villagers on the upcoming cinematic sci-fi adventure Fort Solis. Explore an abandoned mining facility on Mars, solve the mystery of the missing crew, and make crucial decisions when Fort Solis comes to PC this Summer.

Fort Solis has you assume the role of engineer Jack Leary, as he spends the longest night of his life on an isolated mining base on Mars. Explore Fort Solis station at your own pace, gathering clues from its bunkers, labs, crew quarters, and harsh, stormy surface to understand what enigmatic horrors befell its inhabitants. As the night grows longer events escalate, spiral out of control, and the mystery as to what’s really going on deepens. You must race against time to locate the Fort Solis crew members and escape to tell the tale!

Screenshots

Utilizing the power of Unreal Engine 5, Fort Solis offers an intricately immersive setting in the deepest reaches of space. Featuring a first class crew that includes Red Dead Redemption 2 lead Roger Clark, Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Death Stranding), and Julia Brown (The Last Kingdom, World on Fire), Fort Solis grounds you in its hard sci-fi drama with no camera cuts, load times, or HUD. Fort Solis’ cinematic ambitions can be seen in the movie poster-inspired key art for its main cast below.

Make tough decisions in real time as you piece together the sinister forces that have befallen Fort Solis. Your actions will have key consequences, leading to multiple endings. Do you have what it takes to solve the mystery of Fort Solis and report back alive?

“We’re all fans of hard sci-fi and horror, so with Fort Solis we wanted to create a tense, classic sci-fi tale that players are free to piece together at their own pace,” said James Tinsdale, Game Director at Fallen Leaf. “To us immersion was the key factor here, and we’re very proud of all the work our team and our collaborators have done in bringing Fort Solis to life. It’s such a fully realized, lived in place, and we’re thrilled for everyone to discover it when it launches later this year.”

“Dear Villagers seeks to bring people new and engaging experiences, and Fort Solis is exactly that,” said Guillaume Jamet, Head of Publishing for Dear Villagers. “We’re so happy to have partnered with Fallen Leaf, as Fort Solis offers such a unique mix of narrative-driven adventure, open-ended exploration, immersive sim interaction, and chilling, ominous atmosphere. We love its vision, and are confident you will too!”

For more information on Fort Solis:
Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1931730/Fort_Solis/
Visit the official website: fortsolis.com
Visit Fallen Leaf’s official site: https://www.fallenleafstudio.com/
Visit Dear Villagers’ official site: https://dear.link/dearvillagers/

Civilization VI: Leader Pass DLC Rulers of China is Available Now

2023/01/24
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

The next DLC pack for Civilization VI: Leader Pass — Rulers of China — is now available! Establish new dynasties with the Rulers of China Pack*, which includes Yongle (China), Wu Zetian (China), and Qin Shi Huang the Unifier (China). Check out the First Look here; specific details about the Leaders are also available below:

Yongle (China)

When Zhu Di, prince of Yan, ascended to the throne, he took the reign name Yongle. As emperor, he didn’t overindulge in luxuries, but sought and received tributes from dozens of other countries. In-game, he likes Civilizations with positive income per turn and dislikes those with negative income per turn.

New Ability: Lijia

  • All Cities receive projects where they can convert 50% of their Production into Food, Faith, or 100% if it is Gold.
  • Cities with 10 or more Population receive +2 Gold, +1 Science, and +1 Culture per turn for each Population in the city (requires Rise and Fall or Gathering Storm DLC pack).

Wu Zetian (China)

The only woman ever to sit on China’s throne, Wu Zetian shifted the focus of power away from powerful families in favor of a more centralized bureaucracy and, by opening administrative examinations to all, moved Chinese politics towards a more meritocratic system. As the empress regnant, she relied on her secret police to eliminate any perceived rivals, and she’s no more tolerant of competition in-game. She dislikes any nearby armies and settlements that aren’t hers.

New Ability: Manual of Entrapment

  • All offensive Spies operate at 1 level higher.
  • Whenever an offensive spy mission is successful, you also gain 25% of the Culture and Science that the targeted city earned that turn.
  • Receive a free spy after discovering Defensive Tactics.

Qin Shi Huang the Unifier (China))

While he didn’t personally lead troops, Qin Shi Huang is remembered as a warlord who unified China, even going so far as to standardize weights and measures, make Chinese writing uniform, and issue a new Imperial currency.  He’s also remembered for the creation of what we now know as the Terracotta Army, which was constructed to protect him in the afterlife. Since he likes to recruit Barbarians in-game, he dislikes when other Civilizations attempt to defeat them.

New Ability: Thirty-Six Stratagems

  • Melee units receive the Converts Barbarian Action. This action transforms Barbarian units into your units.

Civilization VI: Leader Pass** is a new season pass that adds 18 new playable leader selections to Civilization VI. Civilization VI: Leader Pass content will be delivered via six DLC packs scheduled for release through March 2023*** on Windows PC via Steam and Epic, MacOS via Steam and the Mac App Store, and iOS via the App Store. For more details on Civilization VI: Leader Pass, visit www.civilization.com.

Age of Wonders 4 Announced with Trailer

2023/01/24
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Paradox Interactive, a developer and publisher of wondrous games for all ages, today revealed a new game from Triumph Studios: Age of Wonders 4. The first sequel in nine years for the award-winning Age of Wonders fantasy strategy game series brings new levels of customization and replayability to the games’ iconic empire-building, role-playing, and best-in-class tactical combat. Age of Wonders 4 will launch on May 2, 2023 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.

“For 25 years now, Triumph has been exploring new places to take our original fantasy strategy series, and the fans who have taken the journey with us have made it a rewarding endeavor,” said Lennart Sas, Co-founder of Triumph Studios and Director of Age of Wonders 4. “Even after all this time, we’re still adding amazing new ideas to Age of Wonders, and whether you’ve been playing since the beginning or ready to visit our worlds for the first time, you’re about to experience something special.”

Age of Wonders 4 invites players to rule a fantasy realm of their own design, in a blend of strategy, role-playing, and turn-based combat. Powerful Wizard Kings have returned to the realms to reign as gods among mortals, and players will rise to challenge their rule using Tomes of Magic to unleash arcane destruction and evolve their armies, gaining new abilities and forms. For the first time in the series, players can create their own custom factions, and leave their mark on countless worlds through each choice they make.

Features of Age of Wonders 4 will include:

  • Create the Empire of Your Wildest Fantasies: Craft your followers by combining bodily forms, societal traits and arcane powers. Build anything from a clan of cannibal halflings to mystic moon elves, or recreate your favorite fantasy tropes. Seek powerful tomes of magic to enchant your armies and see your people physically change as they morph into angelic beings or scions of chaos to face their enemies.
  • Strategy Meets Role-Playing Like Never Before: Every choice opens up new possibilities and tactical advantages; deep, multilayered strategy allows you to try new tactics or explore new powers at every turn. Tactical turn-based battles bring your armies to life, from skirmishes with roaming monsters to vast sieges with many units on each side!
  • Write Your Own Legend: A new event system provides unexpected levels of storytelling for 4X games. See your decisions shape the world around you as you seek glory through brutal domination, cunning alliances, or ultimate arcane knowledge. Your own creations may even appear as potential rivals or allies in subsequent games, as you experience the next chapter in your own story!
  • Make Your Mark on a Vast, Reactive World: Explore a new realm in each session – or create your own! Challenge new variations and combinations of locations and features, from frozen wastelands ruled by ice queens to desolated ruins where dragons roam. With a tremendous variety of empires, units, and environments to keep the game endlessly replayable, Age of Wonders is more open-ended – and mod-friendly – than ever before in the series’ history.

Age of Wonders 4 can be wishlisted now at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1669000/Age_of_Wonders_4.

For more information about Age of Wonders 4, visit https://www.paradoxinteractive.com/games/age-of-wonders-4/about.

Monster Hunter Rise Out Now

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 4 News, PlayStation 5 News, Windows PC News, Xbox One News, Xbox Series X News

The award winning and top-selling Monster Hunter™ series brings the critically acclaimed Monster Hunter™ Rise to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation®5, and PlayStation®4 today for an MSRP of $39.99. The global launch is also available with Xbox Game Pass for console, PC, and cloud. Receiving widespread praise for its trademark action RPG gameplay, exciting new features, and ongoing free post-launch support, Monster Hunter Rise has already sold over 11 million units. Monster Hunter Rise offers features including 4K resolution support, advanced graphics options, voice chat, 3D audio, and more. Following its highly regarded Nintendo Switch™ and Steam releases, Monster Hunter Rise transports players to the colorful Kamura Village as it prepares to defend against the looming Rampage.

To overcome the looming Rampage, the hunters of Kamura make use of the new Palamute hunting companions and “Wirebug” grappling mechanic as they engage in the series’ trademark action-packed combat. The “Canyne” Palamute companions join the series favorite “Felyne” Palicoes in assisting players while out on hunts. In addition to lending their considerable offensive capabilities to any fight, Palamutes can also carry hunters on their backs to swiftly chase fleeing monsters and traverse the open maps. Wirebugs, on the other hand, enable hunters to nimbly grapple in any direction during a hunt, and can be paired with each of the 14 weapon types to create unique “Silkbind Attacks.” Damaging monsters with these new attacks make them susceptible to the new “Wyvern riding” technique, which allows players to temporarily take control of a monster and yield spectacular battle sequences during a hunt.

When players aren’t exploring the five expansive locales, such as the Shrine Ruins, Flooded Forest, and Sandy Plains, they can also battle hordes of massive monsters in the new Rampage quest type introduced in Monster Hunter Rise. In these quests, hunters work with the citizens of Kamura Village to prepare defensive installations and guard the Stronghold barricades against waves of invading monsters, including any powerful Apex monsters that may arrive during the siege. In addition to the new game mode, Monster Hunter Rise also introduces new “Switch Skills” for each weapon as hunters progress through the game. By swapping out these new skills with existing Silkbind or regular attacks, players can create all new combos and strategies that match their preferred playstyles.

Monster Hunter Rise also includes new features to improve joining up with others for hunts. Dynamic difficulty scaling for multiplayer automatically adjusts as new players enter and exit hub quests. The new “Hunter Connect” feature allows players to create tags with their objectives and playstyles, search for other players with the same tags, or invite friends to any tags they have joined. Upon completing a quest in multiplayer, players are also able to like the other hunters in their party, and increase the odds of finding each other in matchmaking.

Monster Hunter Rise features customizable optimizations, enabling hunters to enjoy their journey in 4K resolution and 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, while also offering 3D audio for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Ranged and shielded weapons also make use of DualSense™ adaptive triggers on PlayStation 5. Additionally, the massive Monster Hunter™ Rise: Sunbreak paid expansion will arrive in Spring 2023.

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo Release Date Trailer

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Are you ready to embark on a journey to become the most powerful mage of all time? SpellForce: Conquest of Eo, launching on PC on February 3rd, 2023, offers a deep 4X experience with an abundance of content and high replayability. With over 80 handcrafted battle maps across 15 unique environments, players can assemble their armies from a variety of over 100 units, including dwarven axe wielders, stone golems, orcish shamans, and majestic griffons. Perfect your armies by hiring one of more than 15 heroes and apprentices to lead them. Embark on a plentitude of adventures and master over 700 handwritten quests. As a master of magic, research over 100 different spells in your grimoire and use them strategically in tactical battles that demand consideration of flanking, range, visibility, high ground, and special battle enchantments. Explore the vast world of Eo, a magical realm full of treasures and resources, inhabited by various races such as men, elves, orcs, dwarves, goblins, and monsters. Are you ready to experience the ultimate adventure?

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience by combining elements of 4X strategy games, RPGs, and turn-based tactical combat. The mobile base of operations – your mage’s tower – and depleting resources keep players constantly moving, preventing the stagnation that can occur in the late-game of other 4X games. Instead, the game focuses on the thrill of discovery and danger of early gameplay, while also allowing for research and experimentation to improve units as they level up and acquire new equipment and abilities. With a wealth of procedurally generated adventures and RPG elements, SpellForce: Conquest of Eo transforms the classic RTS-RPG mix into a turn-based 4X RPG experience that is sure to keep players engaged.

Launch Discount
SpellForce: Conquest of Eo is a new turn-based chapter in the SpellForce series, and will be available for PC on February 3rd, 2023 at an SRP of $ 29.99 / € 29.99 / £ 24.99. If you are swift as the wind, you can save 20% for the first week after SpellForce: Conquest of Eo’s release.
Get the game here:
Steam: https://thqn.net/SFCoE-steam
GOG.com: https://thqn.net/SFCoE-gog
Epic Game Store: https://thqn.net/SFCoE-egs

Per Aspera VR Announcement Trailer

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Raw Fury and Tlön Industries are excited to share Per Aspera VR is coming to Meta Quest 2 on February 9th, 2023.

Announced during the Upload VR Winter Showcase 2022, the award-winning planetary simulator will be available as a digital download for $24.99. Bringing a distinct, uniquely designed base-building experience to a whole new audience, players are tasked with crafting a terraforming plan and cultivating a thriving interplanetary civilization with the intention of setting a new strategy game standard in VR.

Before then, Steam and GOG owners of Per Aspera will benefit from a free content update titled ‘Home’ which is available on January 23. Players will be able to take on an all-new quest that tasks you with building out your population and floral coverage across the red planet. New and continuing technologies have also been implemented, as well as special projects, buildings and four new achievements. The new content has been implemented in time for the Steam Base Builder Fest on January 23rd.

Free UTV Update Available for Way of the Hunter

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, PlayStation 5 News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News, Xbox Series X News

Hunting in open-world games with a day & night lifecycle is about careful planning and time management, as in real life. With environments of 55 square miles and hard-to-reach terrain, it can be challenging to get to the desired destination in the Way of the Hunter on time while traveling by car or on foot. UTV is here to help. This free content removes the constraints of hard-to-access terrain. It brings new options while planning the hunt for animals in specific terrain and at a particular time.

What is a UTV? It stands for Utility Terrain Vehicle. It’s a workhorse, making life easier for farmers and hunters alike. UTV is an agile vehicle with two or more seats that can get you in and out of places otherwise hard to access by any other vehicle. One of the other reasons UTVs are so great is the combination of comfort, capability, and an open-air cabin. Hunters in the real world are using UTVs for various purposes, including animal food distribution, getting to hunt stands on time in harsh terrain, or hauling trophies back to their cabins or lodges.

In Way of the Hunter, UTV serves two primary purposes. You can enjoy dynamic rides throughout the vast environments when you saddle the UTV without additional gameplay requirements. You can reach places behind the wheel; otherwise hard to access with a jeep. You can quickly get to hunting stands on time to watch or hunt your desired animal. You can enjoy beautiful vistas on top of the mountain and still get back to the lodge in a timely manner.

Riding UTV in the Way of the Hunter is fun and useful at the same time. This new vehicle can change how you plan your hunting adventures or explore the environment.

Players can check the UTV experience without constraints as it is available now as free DLC content for the Way of the Hunter on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Lara Croft’s Mansion Coming to Powerwash Simulator

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News, Trailers / Videos, Windows PC News

Square Enix Collective®, FuturLab, and Crystal Dynamics® announced today that a free TOMB RAIDER® Special Pack is coming to all POWERWASH SIMULATOR players on January 31. The super-soothing simulator is also set to launch on PlayStation®4 (PS4™), PlayStation®5 (PS5™) consoles and Nintendo Switch® on the same day.

“Creating the TOMB RAIDER Special Pack has been an honour and a fantastic experience” said Dan Chequer, Lead Designer at FuturLab. “We can’t wait for players to get up close and personal with Croft Manor and explore its many secrets!”

“What Tomb Raider fan hasn’t explored Croft Manor and thought ‘Winston could really use some help with these grounds! I would love to power wash this place!’?” asked Dallas Dickinson, Franchise General Manager for TOMB RAIDER at Crystal Dynamics. “Now, with the help of Square Enix Collective and FuturLab that’s not only possible, but immensely satisfying as well.”

“We know the community wants more to clean, and I’m delighted we’re able to kick off our post-release plans in style with this TOMB RAIDER collaboration,” added Phil Elliott, studio head at Square Enix Collective®. “We’ve had so much great support from players, press and content creators, and we wanted to do something special to say thank you!”

POWERWASH SIMULATOR is currently available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC via Steam® and Windows 10, and is available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. POWERWASH SIMULATOR will launch on PlayStation®4 (PS4™), PlayStation®5 (PS5™) consoles and Nintendo Switch® on January 31.

For more information, visit: www.powerwashsimulator.com

Super Nintendo World’s Power-Up Band Information Released

2023/01/23
Jerry Paxton
Geek News, News

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ opens at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, so let’s take a closer look at the land’s exciting Power-Up Band™, a fun interactive component designed to help guests level up their experience during their visits within the land.

With the grand opening date quickly approaching, here’s a topline overview of the Power-Up Band and its functionality.

These wearable wristbands sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s official free downloadable app and function as a complement to the land’s many interactive elements. The Power-Up Band is available for purchase in six design options with character themes, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toad and Princess Daisy; choosing a particular character also defines which Team guests will be a part of.

With the use of a Power-Up Band, guests can elevate the overall experience by competing against other teams to achieve the highest score throughout the day by collecting the most digital coins. To see who’s in the lead, guests can check their personal and team scores by linking the Power-Up Band to the app or by referring to the Checkpoint Screens located within the land.

When riding “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” guests are encouraged to tap their Power-Up Band on the ride vehicle’s steering wheel. By doing so, they can track digital coins collected as well as gauge their ranking against friends and family, when synced to the official Universal Studios Hollywood app. The Power-Up Band will enable guests to enjoy “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” over and over again in an attempt to beat their best scores.

The Power-Up Band also unlocks additional gameplay activities and experiences, such as collecting digital coins and stamps when completing milestones within the land. Checkpoints positioned within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will enable guests to track their status against others. Guests can also amass keys after winning Key Challenges from Goomba Crazy Crank, Koopa Troopa POWer Punch, Piranha Plant Nap Mishap and Thwomp Panel Panic – collecting at least three of them will ultimately allow access to the final boss battle with Bowser Jr.

While meet and greet interactions with Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are accessible to guests visiting the land, the Power-Up Band may provide an enhanced experience with the characters. The Power-Up Band, however, isn’t a required purchase to enable guests to enjoy SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase within SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and guests are welcome to download the official Universal Studios Hollywood app prior to visiting so the fun can start from the moment they warp into the land via the giant green pipe. The Power-Up Band will be available for purchase, beginning February 17, at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park and on CityWalk.

The February 17 grand opening of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD marks its official arrival to the United States. The all-new, innovative, immersive and highly-themed land debuts as a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will feature the groundbreaking “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will be an inspiring addition to the world-famous Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo® and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

            For more information, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.