E3 Day 2 - The Legend Continues

Joe Hogan here once again, and I just had to share some of these screenshots and artwork released by Nintendo today after their Nintendo Direct. They include glimpses of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds (3DS), The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U), as well as Super Smash Bros. (Wii U). Plenty of Link and company to get you excited! Note the Zelda themed fighting stages in Smash Bros. too!

The spin attack never looked so good.

You can find Zelda Dungeon's coverage of the A Link Between Two Worlds and The Wind Waker HD images by clicking those blue links! And the Smash Bros. images are from their official site! Here's a few of my favorites!

E3 Day 2 - Nintendo Direct

Oh, boy. Here we go, folks! Joe Hogan here, back with some new E3 coverage for you on The Missing Linc. Nintendo has been doing their own thing for years, and declining to host a press conference on the main stage in the first time in E3 existence is no exception. While all the main players are going about their usual press conferences, Nintendo will be broadcasting their biggest news via their popular Nintendo Directs, a series of announcement videos broadcasted throughout the year, in all corners of the world. So, strange decisions aside, where did they leave us Nintendo faithful fans with? The games touched on today during the E3 Nintendo Direct:

3DS:

• Pokemon X/Y
• Batman: Arkham Origins
• Scribblenauts Unmasked
• Shin Megami Tensei IV
• Skylanders SWAP Force
• Sonic: Lost World
• Super Smash Bros 3DS (2014)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds
• Yoshi's New Island
• Mario and Luigi: Dream Team

Wii U:

• Super Mario 3D World U
• MarioKart 8 (Spring 2014)
• Wii Party U
• Wii Fit U (Delay notice)
• Art Academy
• AC Black Flag
• Batman Arkham Origins
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution Director's Cut
• Disney Infinity
• Just Dance 2014
• Rayman Legends
• Scribblenauts Unmasked
• Disney Planes
• Skylanders SWAP Force
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist
• Sonic Lost World
• Watch Dogs
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (October 2013)
• The Wonderful 101 (August 23rd)
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
• Bayonetta 2
• Monolith's mystery game
• Super Smash Bros U (2014)
• Pikmin 3
• New Super Luigi U

Nintendo eShop:

• Ballpoint Universe
• Cloudberry Kingdom
• Coaster Crazy Deluxe
• Ducktales Remastered
• Dungeons and Dragons
• Mutant Mudds Deluxe
• Oddworld: New 'n Tasty
• Scam Kitty and His Buddy on Rails
• Shovel Knight
• Spin the bottle Bumpie's Party
• A World of Keflings

Mega Man joins Smash Bros! Fanboys rejoice!

First of all, I think the Nintendo Direct was a smart choice on paper, but did have quite a few hiccups. There were some streaming issues but jumping to a different stream was an easy fix. Nintendo knew they couldn't compete with Sony and Microsoft for attention, especially with both releasing new consoles this year. All eyes are on those two, while Nintendo kicks back and just showed off the games the 1st party fans have been clamoring over. And while the ship that is the Xbox One begins to collapse in on itself like a dying star, I bet the Wii U is suddenly looking a lot more appealing to some folks. While Sony clearly has the graphical superiority over Wii U, the Wii U still has no used game fee, does not need to be connected to the internet to play games, does not need to register software to the console before playing, and, unlike Playstation 4, has backwards compatibility.

All aboard the Nintendo Hype Train! Next stop: YOUR WALLET!

Nintendo knows what their fans want on Wii U. Today's lineup is clearly proof of that! Zelda, Mario, Donkey Kong, Smash Bros., and more.  I mean, just look at the list. The twin releases of the Smash Bros series, one on 3DS and the other on Wii U, look absolutely stellar. I can't wait to get my hands on both and to see how they interact with one another. Mario Kart 8's gravity-defying courses are another reason to return to your colorful go-karts as well! The Wind Waker HD also looks GORGEOUS.

Come at me, bro.

I'm a bit concerned that the new Mario, Super Mario 3D World, might be a little too safe of a gamble in terms of a new 3D Mario. It doesn't seem to be pushing any bounds like Mario 64 or Mario Galaxy dared to do. Even Super Mario Sunshine took a big risk with the entire water mechanic, but this game really just looks like a Wii U version of Super Mario 3D Land with one new power-up. A bit of a disappointment!

The Nintendo 3DS also surprisingly had a strong showing. The next installment in the handheld Zelda series has been given a name -- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Two Worlds. A little long but it works!

Come on, we all wanted a full 3D Wii U Pokemon. This guy most of all.

Today proved the first party titles are coming, even if there weren't a few that I personally have been hoping for. Long have I prayed for Majora's Mask 3D, but was given Wind Waker HD. While I'm still excited to relive that game in glorious HD, I can't help but feel like that wasn't the game people were asking for. Just look at Operation Moonfall. But at the same time, we're getting three Zelda games soon, so that is pretty badass. I also feel like the Wii U's potential for a full Pokemon game is not yet realized either. That tablet controller is begging to battle Pokemon in HD. And Joe Sorbera would've liked a Star Fox installment! COME ON, BIG N.

What else is in store for today? I'm going to be making some rounds to cover any games not mentioned in the big press conferences, and bring you all the new news that might've fallen between the cracks, as well as a thorough look at the PS4/Xbox One battle! Check back soon!

Your Linc at Lunch: "Magnitude" Ackbar Mini-Bust, Life in the Whedonverse, Zelda Fan Film, and More!

Rainy days are perfect for sitting in, kicking back, and finding out what's going on around the internet. Let's dive in to your Linc at Lunch:

1. "Magnitude" Admiral Ackbar Mini-Bust is....Simply....Amazing

Gentle Giant has revealed their exclusive mini-bust for San Diego Comic Con. And it...is....epic:

It's a trap! A fancy, fancy trap.

Based on the artwork of Steven Daily, "Magnitude" shows Admiral Ackbar in his finest regalia, ready to lead the Rebellion to victory...and then perhaps a fancy dress party. It also comes with a beautiful wooden case.

Perfect for storing some Mon Cal Brandy!

The mini-bust will be on sale for $175 but Premiere Guild members can pre-order it now!

2. Much Ado About Everyone: Joss Whedon Assembles His All-Star Friends for Shakespeare

Joss Whedon might have some of the coolest friends around. His actors from current and former shows and movies are fiercely loyal to him and are often seen in more than one of his productions. Today, his latest film, Much Ado About Nothing brings many of the familiar faces from Buffy, Firefly, The Avengers and more to the big screen in a black-and-white adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale. Buzzfeed has an incredible and in-depth interview with many of the actors, and the man himself, detailing their fondness for each other and their absolute faith in Joss.

He also, apparently, had the power to insert them all into the opening credits for Doctor Who.

I think the most amazing part of all of this is that the movie was based on semi-regular Shakespeare read-throughs at Whedon's home, where the movie was adapted, shot, and produced in only 12 days! Only the sheer awesome power of the Whe-Don could get that done!

You can also check a SXSW 2013 Panel on the film here:




3. It's Dangerous To Go Alone...But It Might Be More Dangerous If Someone Was With You

YouTube user CorridorDigital has released an incredible video featuring Link as he battles his dark side. Incredibly shot, edited, and coreographed, I would shell out a few rupees to see a longer version of this in theaters.



4. Going My Way? Poster Details All The Famous Cars in Geekdom

"Star Cars", by artist Scott Park is an incredible compilation of 77 of the most famous rides around Can you name them all? Larger version here.

Your Linc at Lunch: Star Wars Every Year, Doctor Who 50th News, New Zelda Game for 3DS, and Heroes May Be Revived

It's time once again for a little digestivo, Missing Linc style!

1. Star Wars Updates: Sequels/Spinoff Alternating Every Year, May the 4th History, And Patton Oswalt is a Genius

Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, announced today at CinemaCon in Las Vegas that Disney will release one Star Wars movie every summer beginning in 2015. After Episode VII's release in 2015, the movies will alternate between spinoffs and Episodes VIII and IX. Ooh, just typing those Roman numerals gives me goosebumps! Perhaps each spinoff will be affected by, and then lead into, the next Sequel movie? If there's ever a time to be a Star Wars fan, it's during the buildup to a new movie. There's so much excitement every time a new shred of information is revealed. More details to come as this unfolds!

Also be sure to head over to Star Wars.com for a great, brief history of "May the 4th Be With You" in preparation for Star Wars Day in a few weeks. And if you haven't seen actor and mega-geek Patton Oswalt's completely improvised Star Wars-inspired filibuster, which will be featured on tonight's on Parks & Recreation, do yourself a favor and check it out below. The man is an absolute genius....and frankly I'd love to see the movie he proposes.

 

I can also 100% forgive all the mispronunciations and errors since this was a completely off-the-cuff speech. Hopefully we'll hear more of his ideas in the future.

2. Doctor Who 50th: Tennant Speaks, Doctors Unite, and More Monsters to Be Featured

David Tennant, the man behind the beloved Tenth Doctor, turns 42 today. Happy Birthday, Doctor! He recently spoke to the Radio Times about his return to Doctor Who:

“It is strange being back in the same suit, but it also feels very familiar and comfortable," (Tennant said.) "There’s nothing quite like Doctor Who. It has a wonderful excitement about it. I always had happy times there and it’s lovely to be around Billie again, even though I see her all the time anyway.”

And while we can't wait to see Ten and Rose back together again, here are a few shots on location of David Tennant and Matt Smith outside what looks to be Ten's TARDIS:

10 and 11

A wider shot. Check out that Zygon strutting his stuff (Ladies?)

Ten running with Queen Elizbaeth I

Allons-y!

And it won't just be the Zygons that the (at least) two Doctors will be facing. According to writer Robert Banks Stewart in an interview with Digital Spy, we will see Daleks, Cybermen, and more! Will the villains team up in an effort to destroy the Doctor once and for all? Who knows! (Pun aside...Moffat and only Moffat knows.)

3. Time To Update Your Hyrule Historia: Nintendo Announces "A Link to the Past" Sequel for 3DS

Oh you read that right! Yesterday, Nintendo revealed that they will be releasing a direct sequel to 1991's "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past"! According to NBC:

"The new "Link to the Past" will follow directly in the footsteps of the original SNES classic, featuring everything from the iconic top-down perspective and cartoonish art style of early nineties-era Zelda games and the same Hyrule that series protagonist Link explored more than a decade ago."

Since it's being released for the 3DS, developers have utilized that feature to use the height of platforms in new and exciting ways. And there will apparently be a feature that will allow Link to become a drawing, flattening him against walls and making him able to get around tight spaces and obstacles. Check out the video below and see the first glimpse of what looks to be a visually stunning and incredibly fun game.

 


4. NBC's Heroes May Find New Life on X-Box Live

Let's be honest here: When Heroes debuted in 2006 it was incredible. Characters like Peter Petrelli, Hiro Nakamura, Matt Parkman, Claire and Noah Bennett, and the evil Sylar took hold of our imaginations as the super-hero genre went mainstream. I really enjoyed it because it presented every day people being thrust into extraordinary circumstances. It asked the question "just what would happen if suddenly you woke up and had super powers?" and did so in a believable and intriguing way. It also had, for the first time, a truly international cast and we were taken from New York to India and Japan as the good guys tried to stop Sylar and "the bomb". The ubiquitous catchphrase "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World" was whispered among my friends all year!

Also, if you didn't squeal like a little girl when he showed up, I can't help you.

And then...I don't know what happened. Convoluted plots, more characters than a Simpson's collage, and just the overall poor quality of the show in its last two seasons spelled the end for the show. But, it looks like the show might heal quicker than Claire after a fall off a water tower, with a new cast and stories possibly to be downloadable from XBox Live. Hopefully during this interregnum Heroes' house was put back in order and we will see fresh, exciting content (with of course some cameos) soon.

Yatta! \(^0^)/


And that's all for today! Well, one more thing. In honor of David Tennant's birthday, here's a clip of every time he uttered his famous catchphrase.

 

Allons-y!

- Joe

And so it begins...

It was in 1995 that my dad brought home the original Star Wars trilogy VHS box set...and my life was changed forever. From that point forward, Star Wars would be a huge part of my life. I was absolutely entranced by the story, the characters, the action, and the effects. I knew everything about everything: What the abbreviation AT-AT stood for, how old Yoda was when he died, and the names of characters so obscure they weren't even credited in the film.

Through the movies I made many close friends (including my best), traveled across the country, and have gotten to take part in some pretty cool events. That love for Star Wars has continued to this day, but it also kindled something inside me: a yearning for stories that were both grand in scale and yet felt personal, that stretched the limits of my imagination but also hit close to home. Star Wars did something more than give me a few movies (and novels, and comics, and toys) to enjoy...

Star Wars made me a fan.

Behold, my childhood.

Fandom, in its truest sense, is about exploring yourself through stories. Books like Harry Potter, films like Star Wars, shows like Doctor Who, and games like The Legend of Zelda are just some of the myriad of ways in which people can both lose themselves in a story and discover themselves in the process. Fandom is an unabashed, unwavering, unyielding passion for those things that make us connect to the deepest parts of our humanity. 

Being a fan is about love.

And so I've created this blog to share my love for the things I like with all of you. As time goes on I'll be adding my thoughts, recaps, rumor checks, links, reviews, retrospectives, and interviews (you lucky people you). I hope that, together, we can continue to develop that sense of wonder I felt all those year ago...in that galaxy far far away that just happened to be right in my heart.

And so it begins...

-Joe