Game Infliction, Author at Game Infliction

Nintendo Takes Wii U Versions of Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon Offline Over Security Issues

Nintendo has taken the Wii U versions of Mario Kart 8, and Splatoon offline as it attempts to fix a security issue “related to online play”.

As spotted by VGC, the following maintenance post related to the Wii U games’ online functionality appeared on the Nintendo website at 4:30 GMT (8:30 PT) on Friday, March 3.

“This network service is currently unavailable due to urgent maintenance required to fix a vulnerability related to online play,” it said. “We do not yet have information on when network services can be restored. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The security vulnerability is almost certainly ENLBufferPwn, which could allow an attacker to take over your console just by connecting to them online.
This exploit affected many of Nintendo’s games on the Switch, along with Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS.https://t.co/GWR6alQVy4
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) March 3, 2023

At the time of writing both games are still offline, and no timetable has been given for when the issue will be resolved.

Nintendo did not identify the cause of the security concern. However, established dataminer OatmealDome suggested in a tweet that the games could have been taken offline out of fear of a network vulnerability called ENLBufferPwn.

According to the twitter thread, the insidious vulnerability allows attackers to take over another player’s console simply by connecting to them online via multiplayer matchmaking.

OatmealDome notes that multiple Wii U, Switch. and 3DS games have been patched to protect users from attack, but that “Splatoon 1 and Mario Kart 8 did not receive any”.

Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer

Total War: Warhammer 3 Immortal Empires’ 1.0 release shows that hubris is good, actually

Total War: Warhammer 3? What’s next, a title screen review? A lengthy personal essay about an attract mode clip? Can my cat get a review? First off, yes. Captain Waffles is a visceral tour-de-force that no fan of the genre should miss. 10/10. Secondly, you should know that Immortal Empires is, as far as Total War: Warhammer goes, the game mode. More importantly, this ridiculously expansive, years-spanning grand-strategy project exists as tangible proof that sometimes, the limitless hubris of man is actually rad as hell, despite what the ancient Greeks said. Euripides nuts, more like.

Metroid Fusion Joins Nintendo Switch Online Next Week

Metroid Fusion is joining the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy Advance library next week.

Exactly when the game will arrive is a little unclear, however, as a tweet from Nintendo (below) has a March 9 release date, while a press release from the company states March 8. IGN has reached out for clarification on this release date.

Metroid Fusion will be the first additional Game Boy Advance game added to the Switch Online collection after Nintendo launched the service alongside six titles in February. As the fourth game in the 2D Metroid Saga, the entire collection will now (sort of) be available on Switch, with the exception of the original game’s remake Zero Mission.

The SA-X, an unstoppable X mimicking Samus, is on the loose, and it could be just around the corner…
Adventure to planet SR388 as interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran in Metroid Fusion, coming to #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members on 3/9! pic.twitter.com/gJAcAaavcI
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 3, 2023

IGN awarded Metroid Fusion a 9/10 in our review, and we also placed it on our Top 25 Nintendo Game Boy Advance Games of All Time list.

“Intelligent Systems put together a fantastic adventure on the Game Boy Advance that not only will please those Samus fanatics that were itching for a continuation of her 2D adventures, it will most likely generate interest in gamers unfamiliar with the series to seek out Samus’ previous games,” we said at the time.

Users will need both Nintendo Switch Online and the Expansion Pack before they’re able to download Metroid Fusion and the rest of the Game Boy Advance Games, but all of this can be done from the Switch Online app on the console itself.

Also available in the collection is Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, WarioWare Inc.: Mega MicroGames, Kuru Kuru Kuruin, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer and acting UK news editor. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Blumhouse are adapting Dead By Daylight into a film

Dead By Daylight is apparently coming to Hollywood in the form of a new film adaptation. The two production companies involved are longtime horror fixtures Atomic Monster (who have made The Conjuring, Annabelle, and Malignant) and Blumhouse (the company behind Paranormal Activity, M3GAN, and Get Out.) The film doesn’t have any talent attached right now, but the two companies are currently looking for a director and a screenwriter. Blumhouse says, “it’s imperative we find someone who appreciates and loves the world as much as we do, to help us bring the game to the big screen”.

Guide: 50 Best Nintendo Switch Games So Far

The very best Switch games ever (so far).

Friday 3rd March 2023 marks the sixth anniversary of Nintendo Switch’s launch. The console has built a remarkable library of software old and new in that time, so — as Switch enters its seventh year — we’re republishing this reader-ranked list of the 50 best games on the system.

A game needs a minimum of 50 user ratings to become eligible. Once it reaches that threshold, anything is fair game. Enjoy!

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Amazon Basics enters PC hardware with a familiar CPU cooler

air cooler. Judging from the manual it supports the very latest socket types for Intel and AMD’s gaming CPUs, and being under the Amazon Basics brand, it’s dirt cheap at £21 / £27.

It’s unlikely, though, that Bezos and the gang have been secretly funding R&D into an all-new line of PC gear. As Tom’s Hardware spotted, the Amazon Basics Computer Cooling Fan appears to simply be an existing budget cooler, the Cooler Master Hyper H410R, without the CM badge.

The Next Pokémon Joining Pokémon Unite’s Roster Is Goodra

Bolstering the roster later this month.

Following the news earlier this week that the Sword legendary Zacian would be joining Pokémon Unite, it’s now been revealed Goodra will be added to the game on 16th March. This pocket monster made its debut in the Ruby & Sapphire generation and takes on the role of a ‘Melee Defender’ in Unite.

It’s part of the rumoured leaks, which also suggested Chandelure, Tropius, and Inteleon would be added to the line up (@ElChicoEevee via The Gamer).

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Capcom ‘Spotlight’ Broadcast Announced, Airing Next Week

Expect updates on Mega Man, Ghost Trick & more.

Capcom is hosting its own special ‘Spotlight’ next week on 9th March. Fans can look forward to a 26-minute broadcast covering all the company’s major IP and upcoming and existing releases.

Some of the titles you can expect to hear more about include Resident Evil 4, Exoprimal, Monster Hunter Rise, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. There’ll also be a special “pre-show” before the main event.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Minecraft 1.20 Update Titled Trails and Tales, Gives Us Camels

Minecraft has revealed new details about its upcoming 1.20 update, which is now titled Trails and Tales.

The new version is set to introduce a handful of fresh features, including a new biome, a new friendly mob, and more. The developers said this expansion is “all about self-expression through representation, storytelling, and worldbuilding.”

Arguably the biggest addition is the Cherry Blossom Biome, a new biome bringing a matching colored wood set and leaves along with it. Pigs, sheep and bees will inhabit the Cherry Blossom areas.

Beyond that, Trails and Tales will introduce a new friendly mob in the form of camels. Players will be able to ride camels and use their Dash ability to cover ground quickly. Plus, two players can ride a singel camel at the same time. There’s also a brand new ancient animal called the Sniffer, which will sniff out buried seeds and help players find decorative plants.

The new items in Trails and Tales largely revolve around customization. Players will be able to create hanging signs, chiseled bookshelves, armor trims, and more to reflect their own personal style. The developers also hinted that the new archeology system could uncover “exciting hints of a forgotten past”, meaning this could be a lore-heavy expansion. Version 1.20 is set to come out sometime in 2023.

For more, check out the 10 best Minecraft house ideas to build yourself, or read our list of the 10 best survival games.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.

Creepy-Cute Indie Adventure Meg’s Monster Now Available on Xbox Series X and Xbox One

Summary

Meg’s Monster is now available to purchase on Xbox Series X and Xbox One.
Meg’s Monster is an emotionally-charged RPG featuring a duo of delightful characters.
A new twist on the “saving the world” formula.

Ever wonder what would happen if you were an invincible player in an RPG? Meg’s Monster is available now on Xbox consoles and combines a heartfelt story with a unique twist: The main character shrugs off almost every hit, but he has to protect his newly found friend if he wants to protect his world from a sudden disaster.

There is a place known as the Underworld where monstrous creatures snack on humans that find their way into the land. Unfortunately for the lost girl Meg, she’s in grave danger… until Roy comes in. An invincible ogre that’s the strongest in the land, he reluctantly decides to help her reunite with her mother. However, there’s one little problem: If she starts crying, then the Underworld will be destroyed. Players will need to guide Roy to reunite Meg with her mom in an adventure filled with quirky characters and dangerous enemies.

While the story of Meg’s Monster revolves around Meg and Roy, there are a number of cool creatures to encounter. The Council consists of four intimidating (but well-meaning) monstrous members, and each enemy has a quirky personality that oozes out of each battle. Each fight will come with a unique creature and a different way to navigate the fray. The turn-based battle system also keeps you on your toes, even when you can tank hits with ease. You need to help Roy balance dishing out damage while protecting Meg from harm.

Meg’s Monster is Odencat’s most ambitious title so far. This is our first title made specifically for consoles, and our team has put their heart and soul into creating a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. From the amazing soundtrack of Reo Uratani (Monster Hunter, Atelier Ryza 2, Hi-Fi Rush)and Laura Shigihara (Deltarune, Plants Vs. Zombies, Rakuen) to the luscious pixel art of Tomas Praestholm, we’ve made sure that this journey is a memorable one.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for taking the time to experience Meg’s Monster on Xbox. Stay tuned for more updates, and have fun!

Meg’s Monster

Odencat

☆☆☆☆☆
4

★★★★★

$14.99

$13.49

Get it now

Welcome to the Underworld—a land of monsters and mutants who eat humans for breakfast.

One such monster—a hulking ogre by the name of Roy—has no interest in eating humans. But one day, he and his best friend Golan stumble upon a lost little girl named Meg, and discover something truly terrifying: the moment she starts wailing in fear, a blood-red hue washes over the sky, and the earth itself begins to tremble and quake.

That’s right: this small girl’s tears hold the power to bring forth the apocalypse—and the only way to stop it is for them to help find her mother so she can make it safely back home.

Meg’s Monster is a short, story-driven JRPG with a big twist. Players control Roy, who begins the game with 99,999 HP and is virtually untouchable—but the real concern is keeping Meg safe, because if she starts crying, it’s game over for everyone. Players will have to master the unique mechanics and mini-games baked into each battle, all while protecting Meg and using her favorite toys to keep her pacified.

Over the course of their journey together, Roy and Meg will encounter a host of quirky and colorful characters, all lovingly rendered in Odencat’s trademark vibrant pixel aesthetic that makes even scary monsters look cute. There’s plenty of drama and intrigue to be found here—and even previously defeated enemies can be befriended through optional sub-events.

What begins as a relatively simple and heartwarming story about two unlikely friends ultimately expands into something much greater, as Roy and Meg slowly begin to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Underworld and themselves. The result is an emotional journey that, like any good storybook, will remain in your heart for years to come.