Skylanders SWAP Force New Previews: Boom Jet, Grilla Drilla, Slobber Tooth, and Zoo Lou

One of the best things about Gamescom taking place a few weeks after E3 and closer to the big Fall launch dates is the new info.

Activision and Vicarious Visions' big Skylanders title SWAP Force was once again prominently featured for everyone to check out.  While not being there means we can't ask questions, check out the figures in person, or enjoy more of the gameplay, it does mean that we get new information!

This time around it looks like the strategy was to reveal some info on 2 Swappers and 2 of the New, Core Characters.  That broke down to a showcase of Boom Jet and Grilla Drilla for SWAP Force Skylanders and Slobber Tooth and Zoo Lou for our SWAP Force Newlanders.

Let's take a look at each...Also note you can scroll down to see the character bios, official artwork, final toy pose, and screenshots!

Boom Jet Preview

Grilla Drilla Preview

Slobber Tooth Preview

Zoo Lou Preview

Boom Jet
Air Element
Rocket Ability
"Bomb's Away"

No matter what Boom Jet did, he always had to be the best.  He could be seen day and night above his home in the Billowy Cloudplains gunning his engines and performing daredevil maneuvers as he trained to become the best sky surfer in all of Skylands.  Unfortunately, Boom Jet never had a chance to compete for the championship because a day came that changed his life forever.  The Darkness had come.  And with his town on the verge of being completely consumed by the ominous evil force, Boom Jet took action.  Using his incredible flying skills, he raced from house to house, rescuing all of the citizens and carrying them to safety… just before The Darkness destroyed his homeland.  It was then he realized the protection of Skylands was more important than personal glory, so he sought out Master Eon to offer his services to the Skylanders.

Boom Jet

Boom Drilla (Boom Jet + Grilla Drilla)

Boom Zone (Boom Jet + Blast Zone)

GRILLA DRILLA

Life Element

Dig Ability

“If There's a Drill, There's a Way!”

In the distant jungles of what was once the sprawling subterranean city of the Drilla Empire, Grilla Drilla served among the guards for the Drilla King.  Every seven years, the king would select the bravest and strongest guard to become their leader.  It was during the last selection ceremony that a troll mining operation broke through the ground above them and quickly snatched the king, wanting to know the location of the famed Drilla Diamond.  Having never ventured above ground, Grilla Drilla risked everything to defeat the trolls and rescue the Drilla King.  In return for his bravery, Grilla was selected as the new leader.  But he instead decided to join the Skylanders, where he could protect even more residents of Skylands.

Slobber Tooth

Earth Element

“Clobber and Slobber!”

Having been asleep for thousands of years, Slobber Tooth was awakened by the fiery eruption of two volcanic islands crashing together.  Immediately sought out by Kaos to become one of his minions, Slobber Tooth was promised great power.  But the gruff and headstrong fighter chose to follow his own path instead.  For this, Kaos attacked his ancient petrified homeland.  As the only one who could protect his hibernating race, Slobber Tooth fought tooth and tail against Kaos and his minions, ultimately driving them away.  For his heroism, Master Eon asked Slobber Tooth to join the Skylanders, where he could continue defending Skylands against the evil Kaos.

Zoo Lou

Life Element

“Nature Calls!”

Descended from a long line of shamans, Zoo Lou traveled far and wide to the Seven Strange Strongholds – ancient, mysterious sites of great wonder in Skylands – where he studied the wisdom and fighting styles of the Seven Strange Mages.  After many years of traveling and studying, Zoo Lou returned to find an army of trolls had invaded his sacred homeland to mine its natural magic resources.  Zoo Lou’s warrior heart burned with fury.  And having now mastered the enchanted art of communicating with nature and summoning animals, he unleashed his great mojo – attacking the trolls and single handedly freeing his lands once again.  It was this heroic feat that caught the eye of Double Trouble, who then brought Zoo Lou to Master Eon and the Skylanders.  

Skylanders SWAP Force: New Survival and Battle Modes Revealed

Greetings fellow Portal Masters!

This past week at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany Activision and Vicarous Visions were out promoting Skylanders SWAP Force.  Just think of Gamescom as a trade show similar to E3, but in Eurpope and later in the year.

When you have such a massive audience to present your product to, do you rely on the same information you revealed 2-3 months ago in the US?  Nope...you capitalize on the opportunity and showcase new and different highlights.

Most of the attention thus far has gone to the new featured characters (Boom Jet, Grilla Drilla, Slobber Tooth, and Zoo Lou), and rightfully so.  That said, often times when there is an influx of new information, a lot of the smaller, less flashy elements get cast by the wayside.

*And yes, fear not, I'll be showcasing those 4 characters in the next blog posts and YouTube videos, lol.*

Something I have yet to see mentioned anywhere is the reveal of the new Gameplay Modes.

Skylanders SWAP Force Survival and Battle Modes Announced

Again, this is likely due to the fact that the flashy stuff (artwork, high res photos of the figures, and of course the video clips) garner instant attention.  If you read the press release, it looks much like what we have seen and heard since we first learned of SWAP Force.  However, if you are diligent, and read the whole thing, coming for any juicy tidbits of information, or dropped character names, level info, enemy insights etc, you will be very surprised....

That is what happened to me when I read one of the final sections...it highlighted the new Gameplay Modes!  Yep, that's how excited I was when first reading it!  I got even more amped up reading about Solo Survival Mode...before I go into that, let me share what we read:

-Assortment of Gameplay Modes - Players will be able to experience various Survival and Battle Modes, all featuring vibrant, action-packed arenas and environments where Portal Masters can test the true strength of their Skylanders.

--Solo Survival Mode - Single player horde style mode where players must battle through waves of enemies.

--Team Survival Mode - Two-player co-op horde style mode where players must battle through waves of enemies.

--Rival Mode - Two player "versus" mode where both players must fend off waves of enemies; the player with the higher score wins.

--Battle Arena Mode - Player vs Player-style mode that lets Portal Masters pit their Skylanders against each other.

--Ring Out Mode - Players must fight to knock their opponents out of the battle arena

That is me typing the info out verbatim...I just added the periods.  This is BIG NEWS to be overlooked.  I was stoked to read it and now I'm glad to get to relay the information along to all of you.

I am personally the most excited about Solo Survival Mode, mainly due to the fact I usually play solo.

I do think I will enjoy Team Survival Mode and Rival Mode with my Nephew.  Ring Out Mode also sounds interesting...

All of this info is great, but leads a lot to speculate.  Will Solo Survival be akin to Brock's Arena Challenges in Giants?  Will we see regular enemies, or will there be Kaos' Dark Minions and old bosses?  Will Ring Out Mode deal damage, or just end with a force out?  There is a lot to wonder about and it all sounds very promising.

What Mode are you most looking forward to?  Do you envision yourself playing Team Survival, Rival, or Ring Out more than the classic Battle Arena Mode?  Let me know what you think in the comment section.

Be sure to stay tuned...coming up next I will move on to the more "flashy" side of things and cover the four focus characters of Gamescom...if you haven't seen the artwork, figures, and gameplay you are missing out...It is some cool stuff!  Stay tuned!

Skylanders SWAP Force: All 8 SWAP Force Abilities Officially Named

This is one of those "all too apparent" posts.

By now, we have all seen the base of the SWAP Force Skylanders and have an idea what they indicate...

An example is Rattle Shake.  It is pretty clear the "Spring" icon indicates something to do with a spring: coil, jump, bounce etc.

That said, most of the die hard Skylander camp likes to have facts...they want things to be official.

Skylanders SWAP Force 8 SWAP Abilities Revealed

Well, this post is to cater to that crowd.  While most are content knowing that Rattle Shake "jumps or something" and Grilla Drilla "drills, burrows, or digs with the shovel" others have to know exactly what it is referred to as by the powers that be...

So, what is my source?  The Fact Sheet that joined the release of information for Gamescom.  Activision hit the road this past week and headed to Cologne, Germany for the big trade show (very much like E3 here in the US).  With it, they used the platform to release some new information not just on the characters, but the game itself.  I think a lot of folks tend to over look this stuff when there are media rich pictures and video clips to drool over.

For better or worse, I read...and because of that, I have this information for you!

The Character Bios included cited the backstory for several of the SWAP Force Skylanders.  They begin with the pertinent info...

Wash Buckler
Water/Climb
"Eight Legs and No Pegs!"

See what they did there?  Right after the Element of the Skylander, they cited the description for the base action.  Given the source, and the fact it was preceding the official background story, I am inclined to call this legit and ready to roll with it...

Again, most folks don't require the "official designation," but for those that do, this is about as close as it gets.  For the record, some that have an obvious action (Rattle Shake's Spring=Jumping), have other names...They are all very similar, but might not have been exactly what was predicted.  If you didn't watch the video above, here they are:

-Bounce (Rattle Shake)
-Climb (Wash Buckler)
-Dig (Grilla Drilla)
-Rocket (Blast Zone, Boom Jet)
-Speed (Magna Charge)
-Spin (Free Ranger)
-Stealth (Stink Bomb)
-Teleport (Hoot Loop, Night Shift)

I haven't listed all of the Swappers out...you know a few more...I just wanted to give an example in the event you want to see the base etc.  Again, most of us had a general idea, but now, with the release of this information, I feel pretty good this is about as good as it will get in terms of those who seek "official confirmation."

I will be making a video to recap the Character Bios and will also be adding them ALL to the blog

What do you think of these designated names?  Any you are surprised by, or would change?  How close were your guesses?

Stay tuned for more Skylanders SWAP Force News!

August 2013 Super Quick Update: What's Coming on the Blog and YouTube This Week

Hey Everyone!

It has been a long time since I've gotten to do my usual Thursday Night blog update...

That said, it is 5 AM Tuesday morning, so this doesn't really qualify.

I'm going to keep this short, at least by my standards...

Series 2 Skylander Upgrade Videos

You've likely seen me mention that that Series 2 Skylander Upgrade Videos are coming...While I had planned to start making them live (yes, they are already on YouTube, just private...all of them up to Part 150 something in the Life Element area), something came up...

Blind Draw Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Battle Mode Tournament

My Nephew spent the night this weekend to wrap up Summer and we did a lot of recordings!  What I just blogged, and have the rest of the First Round uploading is a Blind Draw SSA Battle Tournament.  This has been the main hold up as the time involved in rendering has been nuts...

Before I go to bed the entire First Round will be live on YouTube and added to the blog post right below this one...I will try to add the pictures tomorrow.  The other goal is to get the rest of the tournament edited, rendered, and uploaded this week.

I want to get it done first before I get into everything else....

Beyblade Action and Shogun Steel Unboxings

I have a new Beyblade Tournament to upload, as well as 2 New Shogun Steel Unboxings.  I put them off due to putting a priority on New Super Luigi U and the Pokemon Rumble U NFC Figures we acquired Sunday.

I will work the Beyblade stuff in AFTER the Skylander stuff is up and going...

Brand NEW Skylanders SWAP Force Info

In addition to the S2 Upgrade vids, I have some really cool, new SWAP Force info to pass along...I've yet to see or hear anyone speak of some of it, so that will be cool...If I can get the rest of the tournament edited tomorrow night, I will start in on this ASAP.  It gets the priority after the SSA Tournament and before the S2 Upgrades.

Currently Recording:  S2 Skylander Upgrades

Speaking of S2 Upgrades, going alphabetically by Element and Name, I have them all up on YouTube thru Zook.  I have recently recorded Zook and Double Trouble.  Spyro and Wrecking Ball have the cash and are ready to go.  After that, I just need to get the cash for Tech, Undead, and Water.  I hope to work on that later this week and over Labor Day.

Wii U Surprise 2P Recording

Something else my Nephew and I recorded this weekend will remain a surprise...I will say it was on the Wii U.  It should be pretty easy to edit and upload...look for it shortly after the S2 Upgardes go live.

Upcoming Releases: Big Names, Great Games

We are coming up on the fall, which is when big name games start to drop...I have had a lot of questions on my purchase plans so I will make a stand alone post there.

Skylander Blog Posts...Look for Updates!

Similarly, I will be making a lot of updates to some key blog posts...more on that later.  You could see this as early as tomorrow :)

And just for good measure...

Currently Playing

-Skylanders Giants (Wii)
-Animal Crossing New Leaf (3DS-Super Addictive)
-Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

Currently Listening
-Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Theory of a Deadman, and vintage Toby Keith

Conclusion

Again, here in a few minutes I'll make all of the SSA Blind Draw Tournament's Round 1 Vids live on YouTube and the blog.  You'll see the rest of that tournament as soon as I can get it edited, rendered, and uploaded.  Next up will be some NEW SWAP Force Info.  We'll then see the "official" start of the S2 Upgrade vids (I will aim to have the entire set up before the end of the month...prob sooner).  Mixing in with those will be some Beyblade action and the Wii U surprise.  There will also be a lot of updating on the blog.

Stay tuned for some great things!

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Blind Draw Battle Mode Tournamentfeaturing The Original 32

Playlist Link: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWU7DXRZFRMu7sbfU3Try7spQyZNNB-Sg

One of the most popular requests I continually get on my Channel is to do any sort of Skylanders Battle Mode.  As most of you know, I tend to record late at night and solo...It is just a product of when I have free time...I work during the day, run errands after work, make supper, take care of what has to be done, and then when I do have free time, I enjoy playing games.

Not too many folks are around at 2-3 AM during the week to join me in Battle Mode.  To make up for it, I started the Skylanders Poll Battle Series.  While it isn't quite as action oriented, it is fun, and adds a unique element to the blog and the channel.

That said, sometimes I do get an opportunity to have someone over and record with...That is usually my Nephew (aka thewalkthruking) and that was the case this past weekend.

He stayed the night Friday (school here started up today, August 26th, 2013) and we put in some time playing Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure.  This was all his idea, but he decided that he wanted to do a "Blind Draw" (Pokemon Style, drawn from a cup) SSA Matchup.  He initially wanted to do ALL the Skylanders, but we need some workable number for a tournament...so we went with 32 and since he wanted the Castaways involved, we elected to go "old school" and utilize the Original 32 from SSA.

We recorded the 1st Round of 16 matches that night, and Saturday we finished up the bracket.  We both had a lot of fun.  That said, I'm use to box-stock Skylanders and many of these guys had been sitting dormant for a long time..Plus, we never really get to play Battle Mode much...needless to say there was a re-learning curve...The best path for Story Mode isn't always the best path for Battle Mode...that said, all the Skylanders were fully maxed out and we enjoyed going head-to-head.

We set the battles up as follows: No Items, No Arena Hazards, No Powerups....We wanted a true Player vs Player experience not skewed by add-ons.  Similarly, to keep it fair, each battle was randomly assigned a course by way of my Nephew closing his eyes and tilting the Nunchuck's Analog Stick left and right.

The only real disadvantage for me is that I let him select his character first...every time.  In the future we might set up teams, rotate, or let me pick the characters first, bahahahaha!

Anyway, to try and keep dropped frames a non-issue we recorded each match individually...Ironically only one match had any drops even worth noting.  Go figure.  That said, my issue is that they take a LONG time to edit...I combined Round 1 of Brackets 1 & 2 and the rendering took several hours...as such, I kind of modified the plan and broke it down into groups of 4 Battles...which is interestingly, what we had planned to do early on...then we changed course.  Again, go figure.

Without further ado, here is our Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure Original 32 Blind Draw Tournament!
*Please note, due to editing and other issues, the "Parts" I speak of may not match up to what you see below...When in doubt, go with the blog.  That said, the video titles and upload order (as well as the playlist) will set you in the right direction.

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 1: Round 1, Brackets 1-2

Bracket 1-Round 1

Chop Chop (Wiisdom) vs Drobot (WTK)
Zook (Wiisdom) vs Slam Bam (WTK)
Double Trouble (Wiisdom) vs Cynder (WTK)
Gill Grunt (Wiisdom) vs Eruptor

Bracket 2-Round 1

Voodood (Wiisdom) vs Hex (WTK)
Camo (Wiisdom) vs Ghost Roaster (WTK)
Trigger Happy ( vs Stump Smash ()
Zap (WTK) vs Wrecking Ball (Wiisdom)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 2: Round 1, Bracket 3

Bracket 3-Round 1

Stealth Elf (WTK) vs Prism Break (Wiisdom)
Bash (WTK) vs Drill Sergeant (Wiisdom)
Sunburn (Wiisdom) vs Sonic Boom (WTK)
Warnado (WTK) vs Flameslinger (Wiisdom)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 3: Round 1, Bracket 4

Bracket 4-Round 1

Ignitor (WTK) vs Dino-Rang (Wiisdom)
Spyro (WTK) vs Whirlwind (Wiisdom)
Wham-Shell (Wiisdom) vs Lightning Rod (WTK)
Terrafin (WTK) vs Boomer (Wiisdom)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 4: Round 2, Brackets 1-2

Round 2 Matches, Brackets 1-2

Chop Chop (Wiisdom) vs Slam Bam (WTK)
Double Trouble (WTK) vs Gill Grunt (Wiisdom)
Voodood (Wiisdom) vs Ghost Roaster (WTK)
Stum Smash (Wiisdom) vs Zap (WTK)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 5: Round 2, Brackets 3-4

Round 2 Matches, Brackets 3-4

Stealth Elf (WTK) vs Bash (Wiisdom)

Sunburn (Wiisdom) vs Flameslinger (WTK)

Dino-Rang (Wiisdom) vs Spyro (WTK)

Wham-Shell (Wiisdom) vs Boomer (WTK)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 6: Quarterfinals

Quarterfinals

Slam Bam (WTK) vs Double Trouble (Wiisdom)

Voodood (WTK) vs Stump Smash (Wiisdom)

Stealth Elf (WTK) vs Sunburn (Wiisdom)

Spyro (WTK) vs Boomer (Wiisdom)

Skylanders Arena Rumble Battle Tournament, Blind Draw Part 7: 

Semifinals and Championship

Semifinal Matchups

Slam Bam (WTK) vs Stump Smash (Wiisdom)
Sunburn (Wiisdom) vs Spyro (WTK)

Championship Matchup

Stump Smash (Wiisdom) vs Spyro (WTK)

Bonus Matches

Dark Spyro (Wiisdom) vs Spyro (WTK)
Dark Spyro (WTK) vs Spyro (Wiisdom)

That wraps it up!  We hope that you enjoyed our SSA Throwback Tournament!  If time allows, we will continue to record Skylanders Battle Tournaments!

Unboxing Pokemon Rumble U NFC Figures

What?  Pokemon Rumble U NFC Figures
Where Did You Get Them?  GameStop
What Did They Cost?  $3.99 plus tax
What Was Stock Like?  One Box on the Counter

Opening Up Two Pokemon Rumble U Figures: Piplup and Darkrai

NFC...Near Field Communication...that little area on the Wii U Game Pad just below the D-Pad.

Pokemon Rumble U launches here in the US on Thursday, August 29th, 2013 for $17.99.  You can get it via the eShop on the Wii U, or via download card at GameStop.  If you pre-order, or pick up while supplies last, from GameStop you can get in on Legendary Black Kyurem or White Kyurem.  I plan to get in on that!

The Rumble U Figures are a little smaller than Skylanders Sidekicks if that helps you determine the scale.  The cool thing is they only cost $3.99...the bad thing is they come in blind capsules so you will literally have to will your way to landing the complete set of 18.

That said, if you are running tight on cash, the figures are not necessary to play the game, unlock any additional content, or aid you in ways beneficial to someone not having the figures.  However, most Pokemon fans are diehards and these are cool, small figures at a budget price. Most folks can probably trade their duplicate figures with friends to make the process easier.

Regardless, you have do admit it is a neat concept.  While it is essentially the same thing we see with Skylanders, the goal here is just to have the ability to save character data and progress to the figure and then take it to a friend's house.  You simply place the figure on to load up...play the game...and then scan it back via NFC to save the progress...very slick.

What I was going to say earlier is that this game is special for two reasons:  First, it is the very first Pokemon game for the Wii U.  Second, it is the very first time Nintendo has used the NFC feature of the GamePad...this is something I could see them continuing, and under this set up, I would not mind.  The figures are optional, inexpensive, and really just something for diehards to collect.

My Nephew, a big time Pokemon fan, was really into this and very excited.  We plan to pick the game up Thursday and grab a few more figures.  They would be right at home in the living room, at the dorm, or even in the office.  The fact the figures interact with the game is a perk.

For kids who may not have been exposed to Skylanders, this would make a nice stepping stone.

I am excited to try out Pokemon Rumble U as it would be my first foray into the genre.  I've seen quite a few episodes of the cartoon, heard my Nephew talk about it for 2 years or so now, and despite him always playing the game on the DS, I haven't really gotten any hands on time like I have with other titles.

Again, the only real downside is that the figures really are "blind."  You won't know what you are buying...that can come into play when you have 17 and are trying to land the pesky last one to complete the set...My advice is find other players and work the trade circuit!

The figures are surprisingly well detailed for $4...they are by no means close to the scale of detail found on Skylanders, but they are far from being a cheap, junk type toy.  These really are nice, versatile add-ons to what will hopefully be a fun solo and coop endeavor game!

Stay tuned for more on Pokemon Rumble U and of course, more Pokemon Rumble U Figure unboxings!

Round 2, 3 Figures (+1 Bonus): Genesect, Mewtwo, Croagunk, and White Kyurem

Round 3, 3 Figures: Shiny Pikachu, Deoxys (Normal Forme), and Lucario

Unboxing New Super Luigi U

What: New Super Luigi U
Where Did You Get It?  GameStop
What Did It Cost?  $29.99 plus tax
What Was Stock Like?  Limited New Copies, Primarily Reserves

Unboxing New Super Luigi U for the Nintendo Wii U

I have to say, I was very excited to hear of New Super Luigi U a few months ago.  I felt it was a great addition to the planned line up for the Year of Luigi.  Plus, I knew my Nephew would like it and figured it would make a great Christmas gift...That part kind of fell through since I got it for him today, but I digress.

New Super Luigi U has been out for a few months...as a download.  I am one of those people that prefers a physical copy over any download.  When you factor in how special this packaging is, it made the 2 month wait a no brainer for me.

New Super Luigi U is an attractive package...literally.  Instead of the textbook blue Wii U cases (which I personally like) NSLU gets a nice Yoshi Green case.  I say that because the green is more lime than forest...or, in Mario terms, you'd brush a swatch of this on your wall and think it looked like more of a Yoshi color than Luigi.  That said, it is still cool, it is still green, and it is still a nice collector's item.

There is a "Year of Luigi" seal in the upper LH corner and there is no sign of Mario.  Inside the game lacks any special booklets or even a base instruction manual, which was a bit disappointing given the opportunity there to really honor Mario's bro.

The game disc was also customized...virtually nothing is the same as New Super Mario Bros. U!

While I do feel they could have done more to honor Luigi, the game was only $29.99, which I think is more than a fair price for what you receive.  In fact I, like many others, plan to pick up another copy to keep sealed for display purposes!  You don't see many US released Nintendo titles in "special" cases...Just a few red ones come to mind from the Wii.  I'm pretty sure this is the first time we've ever seen green on the casing!

That said, what about the game?  From what I know there are 82 courses, all redesigned and structured specifically for Luigi.  Those that are veteran players of the series will no doubt recall Luigi having a longer and higher jump than Mario..that was taken into account here.

The other thing comes with a greater challenge.  The levels were not only set u to be more challenging, but have a 100 second time limit.  This is something I could do without.

While I appreciate the fact it makes the game unique and even more challenging, one of the things I enjoy most is exploring the levels...really taking time to get to know them thoroughly.  That can't happen with a 100 second time limit AND a more challenging layout.  I think the solution could have been that once you complete the game, you can unlock a "Leisure" mode that either defaults the time limits, or turns them off...Oh well, one can dream.

The other touted feature is that you can play as Nabbit...which sounds lame...until someone tells you he is invincible to enemies!  Yeah...game on!  I'm excited to try that aspect out and see how it changes gameplay...that said, I'd prefer to experiment with it in time constraints greater than 100 Seconds, but what can you do?

Still, despite the time limit drawback I am excited not only to own this game, but to play it.  It looks great with any collection and should be a nice challenge for veterans of the series. 

What are your thoughts on the game?

Unboxing Beyblade Shogun Steel Ifrit Salamander Fire Synchrome 2 Pack

What: Beyblade Shogun Steel Ifrit Salamander Fire Synchrome 2 Pack
Where Did You Get It: Toys'R'Us
What Did It Cost: $16.99 ish plus tax (honestly don't remember, just go with less than $20)
What Was Stock Like: Well Stocked...store just set up the display!

Unboxing Ifrit Salamander Fire Synchrome Two Pack

Something I've had for quite some time, and have wanted to get opened up and tested out is a big box of Beybades.  I got a good deal on some back around Christmas...That said, the displays had grown stagnant, always having the same things, and never any Beys my Nephew was looking for...

After just 2 weeks of not checking our local TRU restocked with the new Shogun Steel line!!

We caught the display, figured out what it was all about, and decided to just stick to the Beyblades for now...The rest can come later.

I picked up a Two Pack and a couple of singles to have us some cool, new Beys for the summer.  This past week, we FINALLY got around to opening them, lol.  The two singles are still waiting...along with a nice assortment of the old guard.

The Blade that caught my attention was Samurai Ifrit...looked great, even i the packaging.  Lucky for me, my Nephew decided to stake claim to Ninja Salamander (the battle videos are coming!!  I had to get the Skylanders Castaways vs Newlanders stuff cranked out first!).

That said, we were both very excited to unbox these new Beys!  Just for the record, I know realize that Shogun Steel is basically our version of Zero G...Last I checked around I was under the impression Zero G was going to launch here in the fall on Cartoon Network and have toys out before Christmas...I didn't realize that the toys were here and under the Shogun Steel line.  And yes, this post is being typed BEFORE the video is uploaded and LIVE on YouTube...not that many commenters will come here and check...oh well.

The coolest thing, in my opinion, about this pack was the E230 Spin Track on Samurai Ifrit...The Elevator Disk concept is really cool.  I think my Nephew's favorite feature was the way the Warrior and Element Wheels tied together.  Check the box for the breakdown:

Anytime I can unbox with my Nephew, I like to do it...especially with Beyblades since he is more attuned to the community than I am.  We recorded a showdown between Samurai Ifrit and Ninja Salamander right after unboxing!  We also tossed in a few other battles...Be on the lookout for that video!

Skylanders SWAP Force Dark Edition Starter Pack Exclusive at GameStop

Well, just as the post late, last night alluded to, we got our BIG news on the "Dark Secret" Skylanders Game had for us...

The big reveal you ask?  The GameStop Exclusive, Dark Edition Starter Pack:

Let's cover the details:

As you can see, this is your standard Starter Pack amplified with darkness (and a dash or two of Awesome).

Rather than just offer up Wash Buckler, Blast Zone, and Ninja Stealth Elf in their dark forms, we got the addition of Dark Mega Ram Spyro, and Dark Lockjaw (or is that Slobber Tooth?)  We also have what is dubbed the "Mega Character Poster."  I would love to know more about this...Is it simply bigger, will it include all of the potential variants etc?  More details would be nice, but a surprise would be just as cool.

The questions I have are pretty simple past that:

Is it Dark Lockjaw as indicated in the press release, or is Dark Slobber Tooth?  We saw this character in leaks a few weeks ago, and more recently a box was revealed with Slobber Tooth.  I'm inclined to believe this is Dark Slobber Tooth and that perhaps this release was crafted prior to the name change.  However, it could be that Lockjaw is correct...maybe this character will have a standard form name (Slobber Tooth), and a different Dark form name...My money is still on Dark Slobber Tooth, but we will see.

Next up, is it Dark Spyro and Dark Stealth Elf, or Dark Mega Ram Spyro and Dark Ninja Stealth Elf?  I, once again, lean more towards the adjectives being in place.  We already have Dark Spyro.  The S3 Skylanders (and S2 returnees from the original Giants cast) all have adjectives in front of their names.  This will help fans, parents, and everyone really keep the figures straight.  It only makes sense for this to apply here, thus creating Dark Mega Ram Spyro and Dark Ninja Stealth Elf.

I know many of you wonder about the available systems for this Starter Pack.  I currently do not know if it will be available for PS4 or Xbox One.  I don't see it being announced for the 3DS due to the differing line up in the Starter Pack...Plus, it already boasts Volcanic Eruptor, who follows in line with Dark Spyro and Punch Pop Fizz.  If not for the different characters (Rattle Shake and Free Ranger).

That said, what we do get for sure is:
-SWAP Force Game
-SWAP Force Portal of Power
-Mega Character Poster
-5 Sticker Sheets with Secret Codes
-5 Trading Cards
-5 Skylanders
-Bragging rights, value, and a unique collection!

The Dark Edition Starter Pack is up for pre-order now and retails for $99.99.

Let's take a look at the 5 Dark Skylanders Included in the Starter Pack:

Dark Wash Buckler

Dark Blast Zone

Dark Mega Ram Spyro

Dark Ninja Stealth Elf

Dark Slobber Tooth

Similarly, here are some screen shots:

Dark Slobber Tooth and Dark Mega Ram Spyro Coop:

Dark Ninja Stealth Elf

Dark Blast Zone in Swap Zone

Dark Wash Zone (Swapped)

Dark Blast Buckler (Swapped)

Dark Wash Zone and Dark Blast Buckler

All-in-all, this looks to be a great setup!  I plan to pick one up, likely for the Wii U.

You can pick up your Dark Edition Starter Pack at your local GameStop, or here:

http://www.gamestop.com/browse?nav=16k-3-swap+force+dark+edition,28zu0

Nintendo Wii: http://www.gamestop.com/wii/games/skylanders-swap-force-gamestop-exclusive-dark-edition-starter-pack/111320

Nintendo Wii U: http://www.gamestop.com/wii-u/games/skylanders-swap-force-gamestop-exclusive-dark-edition-starter-pack/111318

Microsoft Xbox 360: http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/skylanders-swap-force-gamestop-exclusive-dark-edition-starter-pack/111319

Sony PS3: http://www.gamestop.com/ps3/games/skylanders-swap-force-gamestop-exclusive-dark-edition-starter-pack/111317

And, just for good measure, here is the Official GameStop Press Release:

http://news.gamestop.com/press-release/exclusive-offers/gamestop-announces-exclusive-skylanders-swap-force-dark-edition-start

Are you going to pick up the Dark Edition Starter Pack?  Let me know!  I've also created two new blog polls:

-Which SWAP Force Starter Pack are you getting?

-Which Dark Skylander do you like better?

Check them out and vote!

Dark Skylanders in SWAP Force

Late last week we saw a true teaser shot from Skylanders game across all social media:

What we can conclude from the posted image is three basic things:

1.  There is a "dark" secret.

2.  There are 5 pairs of eyes involved.

3.  We will get answers today (I'm blogging this at 4:41 AM lol).

We since saw another teaser about guessing who anchors are secret new group:

Clearly, the image and description allude to Wash Buckler.

If you look closely you'll notice his attire is black and his blue tentacles are now more of a gunmetal grey.  

It makes sense this could be a new contingent of in-game variants.  Whether this ties in with Dark Spyro from SSA, or is more akin to the Legendary Skylanders we don't know.  Will this just be a recolor or will there be a different pose?  Will the moves and powers be standard issue, or will there be different or new upgrades for this dark legion?  At this point we just don't know; it is all speculation.

I'll likely be at work when the reveal breaks, but rest assured I will assemble the information and relay it to you!

You can get the info first hand by following Skylanders Game on Twitter, Circling them on Google +, or simply checking their Facebook Page.

I can make out most of the eyes (and maybe all of them in all honesty), can you?

Stay tuned for the big reveal!

Unboxing Mario & Luigi Dream Team

What: Mario & Luigi Dream Team
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
What Did It Cost: $39.99 plus tax
Where Did You Get It: Toys'R'Us
What Was Stock Like: Plenty

Sunday, August 11th, 2013 was a big day for fans of the Year of Luigi, and Mario RPG fans in general.

Mario & Luigi Dream Team hit shelves today (and the eShop).  This installment follows on the footsteps of Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (DS), Mario & Luigi Partners in Time (DS), and Mario & Luigi Superstar Saga (GBA).  Much like we saw increased interaction with Bowser, in 2009's "Bowser's Inside Story," this version promises similar treatment with Luigi.

The Year of Luigi celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Luigi's debut and has already included the 3DS hit Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and will usher in New Super Luigi. U here in two weeks!

The game looks quite enjoyable and follows much along the line of what you see in Bowser's Inside Story.  While this is an RPG, it has a lot more action that your typical, turn-by-turn title.  A staple of the Mario & Luigi RPG series is humor...this one seems no different with the back cover boldly dubbing the game a "hilarious action RPG."

My Nephew is a big fan of these games and I am looking forward to playing it myself.

The best deal we could find was via Toys'R'Us.  While all retailers had the game for $39.99 with no major sales, TRU did have a nice promotion.  When you purchase Dream Team (and yes, it is limited to this title), you can get ANY Video Game Accessory (think stylus, cases, cleaning supplies etc), or Strategy Guide price $19.99 or less, for $0.99.  That my friends is a sweet deal!

Now, before you jump up and grab that pack of $9.99 rainbow stylus pens, think about it...If you max it out, you save more in the long run...

My Nephew latched on to one of the final copies of Pokemon Black 2/White 2 Strategy Guides and after some consideration, I walked out with New Super Mario Bros. U.  My decision was two-fold: it was in good condition (no tattered corners) AND it was the first big Mario title to the Wii U..I'm thinking long term here, lol.  I was tempted by Skyward Sword, ACNL, and MLDT, but ultimately went for the big ticket item...Plus, I knew it would have cool artwork...I was right!  The maps are very nice and I've enjoyed reading up on the new enemies etc.  I often times appreciate strategy guides more for their thorough explanation of the characters than the actual gameplay hints.

Anyway, we both left quite happy and that is without even putting much stock into the hours of enjoyment we'll no doubt get from Mario & Luigi Dream Team.

If you have never played a title in the series, I would suggest you watch some gameplay vids, or study up on the trailers.  These titles are not your conventional platformers most think of with Mario games.  That said, this series is also not your conventional RPG that most bring to mind.  The Mario & Luigi RPG is kind of a "Mario" twist on the RPG...expect a lot more action, some comedy, and a crazy cast of characters to ultimately form a very memorable story line.

The unboxing is by no means great...I seamlessly edited 2 stop points (text and email of high importance), and was (cough, am) very tired.  Between having to start and stop 3 times (can't forget the batteries died!), it rambled on a bit longer than I intended.

That said, you get a decent look at the game case, the game cartridge, and insights on the best deal for launch week!  My apologies for the rambling and lack of detail...there isn't really a lot to showcase here with the limited art work etc.

If you do pick up Mario & Luigi Dream Team, make sure to register it ASAP with Club Nintendo for 50 Coins!  I'll see you back in two weeks for New Super Luigi U!!