The Rumble Pack Posts

It’s our most boffing episode yet! This week on the Rumble Pack, the guys talk to Johann Sebastian Joust himself, Doug Wilson. The Die Gute Fabrik game designer talks about the Move controller, video game academia, releasing Joust to the masses and more. Following the interview, Justin delves into a trio of handheld games that he loves to varying degrees: Gravity Rush, Pokémon Conquest and Resistance: Burning Skies. Tony conquers Diablo III twice and Kaz unboxes his the sci-fi flavored Eclipse. Plus, “Prometheus” crankiness, Princess Peach: Crying and Shopping, Old Banana’s Ambition, Pokécology, bathing in Metamucil, “The Next Generation” Blu Rays and surprising ambivalence towards Twisted Metal.

Relevant Links:

Death Valley Joust

“Star Trek: The Next Generation” Blu-ray Comparison

Sam Strange Remembers “Prometheus”

After 20 minutes of play, I thought I had seen everything Mario Tennis Open had to offer. Volleys back-and-forth, dumb A.I., unlockable baby versions of characters nobody asked for. Still, it’s not that the game was a major step back from its predecessors, but it’s a tennis game, just a really a fancy version of Pong with Toads and Shy Guys lining the courts.

But I’m here to tell you that 15 hours later, I can’t put the game down. Mario Tennis Open isn’t a terrific game, but collecting tennis duds and rackets has become an addiction I can’t shake. Never mind the fact that my current Boo costume makes it look like my Mii is wearing a diaper on his head – every knickknack I collect gives me more opportunities to customize my character and broadcast my creation to the world. It’s one of many instances in which Nintendo has tapped into a need for self-expression; MTO is just the latest proof that the 3DS is a very social device in need of a network.

Welcome to the last refuge from the post-E3 misery! This week, Tom, Kaz and Justin gather to discuss E3’s biggest announcements and games. The press conferences may have been lacking, and perhaps there was a bit too much throat stabbing to handle, but the guys still find a few games to be excited about. Games mentioned include Halo 4, Tomb Raider, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Far Cry 3, Gears of War: Judgment, Fable: The Journey, Star Wars 1313, Watch Dogs, Rayman Legends, New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, Project P-100, Wii Fit U, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, Paper Mario: Sticker Star, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Epic Mickey 2: Power of Illusion, Beyond – Two Souls, The Last of Us, Playstation All-Stars: Battle Royale, The Unfinished Swan, Dead Space 3, Resident Evil 6, Wonderbook: Book of Spells, LittleBigPlanet Vita, Sound Shapes, Assassin’s Creed III, Sim City, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, Dance Central 3, God of War: Ascension, LocoCycle and Ascend: New Gods. Whew!

Hobos abound in this week’s dramatic episode. Dr. Tony joins Kaz, Tom and Justin to field voicemails about the Wii U controller’s missing octagonal grooves and meaningful gaming deaths. Even more pressing is Diablo III…or was that II. Who can keep track? Tom embraces the Western/Euro Lords of Waterdeep, Kaz commits Cards Against Humanity and Justin slams his way through Mario Tennis Open. Plus, The Binding of Isaac expansion, nobody beating the Wiz, 38 studios’ scope creep, PixelJunk 4am impressions, Nicolo Accordino’s TableTop Tanks, Justin “Petesampras” Hemenway, and the newest social network sweeping the country!

Put everything you’ve got into canned food and shotguns! The Walking Dead have overtaken the Pack and can no longer be stopped. The guys are thoroughly impressed with Telltale’s latest, with its moral choices and swift pacing. Afterwards, Tom and Kaz catch up to Justin in Fez, so they can finally delve into the anti-cubes. Kaz also holds his ground in Awesomenauts, a MOBA that even Tom and Justin can appreciate. Plus, Avengers assembling, Datura’s trippy wooded maze, Diablo III early concerns, Minecraft XBLA milestones and plenty of board games.

Relevant Links

Fez fans are crazy!

Sam Jackson makes soup with his iPhone

Welcome to the latest (bi-weekly) installment of the Rumble Pack. It’s true that we’re cutting back on the number of regular podcasts, but we’re confident that the new schedule will mean tighter, more insightful shows. Plus, you can expect to see plenty of bonus content spread throughout the off-weeks.

Anyway, this week, Kaz, Tom and Justin are all entranced by Botanicula‘s beautiful fauna and playful spirit. They also cover another major contender, Trials Evolution, the most harrowing racing experience possible on a single plane. Afterwards, Justin digs up the obscure DSi gem Go! Go! Kokopolo, Kaz straps on a free jetpack in Tribes Ascend, and Tom moves one step at a time in Legends of Grimrock. Plus, MLB: The Show 2012 on the Vita, fat Lee Adama, gym class memories, more Fez, the “Battlestar Galactica” board game and Super Monday Night Combat.

Relevant Links:

Hardcore Gaming 101 extolls the virtues of Go! Go! Kokopolo

Skate 3 Bloopers

Who: Everyone

What: Kid Icarus Multiplayer (Light vs. Dark)

Where: Nintendo Network

When: Tuesday, April 26th at 9:00 p.m. EST

Why: Because it’s time to settle the stand/no-stand debate once and for all!

Our 3DS Friend Codes can be found here: http://www.therumblepack.com/gamertag/

RSVP here.

This week’s banner art was created using Colors 3D, a very cool eShop drawing app.

Now accepting applicants for future Rumble consultants. This week, the guys touch upon Fez and its five-year journey to Xbox Live. Can it possibly live up to the hype? Does it still stand out from all of the other quirky downloadable platformers? Meanwhile, Kaz is looking for a buddy to play Shoot Many Robots with him, while Justin digs the open expanses of Xenoblade. Plus, Skullgirls‘ boobageddon, Ketzal’s Corridors, Spirit Camera‘s disappointed AR silliness, Steam Punky-Brewster, Duudle versus Draw Something, Bethesda’s Dishonored, Harrison Ford’s “The Witness” and five minutes of dreams.

Relevant Links:

Dishonored Site

Fez Monolith Watch (spoilers within)