Is Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood worth its lineage?

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is on shelves today and Gamespot.com gave the sequel to VGF's 2009 Game of the Year, Assassin's Creed II, an 8.5 out of 10:




The new online multiplayer in looks to be a refreshing addition to an online multiplayer community saturated with first-person shooters. However, the game initially feels like an expansion from Assassin's Creed II rather than another, full-fledged addition to the series as the Gamespot.com review suggests.

Is this praise warranted or is this a game that was released too soon?

Nintendo 3DS receives a Japanese release date, names launch titles

First off, sorry of the lack of activity on VGF as of late (including the lateness of this particular set of news). I've been focusing my attention in a few different directions as of late and my soon begin to do some writing for Gameinatrix.com which is very exciting.

Nevertheless, Nintendo announced the Japanese release date and price for its new 3D handheld - Nintendo 3DS.

The console is set for release on Feb. 26 in Japan at a price point that converts to about $300 U.S. A North American release will likely follow one to two months later so save some room in your Easter basket.

A new, Japanese announcement trailer accompanied the announcement last week. Does anyone read Japanese?



The Nintendo 3DS is also backwards compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles via the Virtual Console similar to the Nintendo Wii, so be prepared to again fork out some cash for games you already own. The Nintendo 3DS should play Nintendo DS game, but it is unclear if the system will play Game Boy Advanced cartridges - but, what's their incentive?

The Nintendo 3DS will launch with 10 title including a 3D upgrade to the 1998 classic - and arguably the greatest video game every made - "The Legend of Zelda" Ocarina of Time." Check out a full list of launch and announced titles via Gamespot.com:

Spring 2011
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D--Nintendo
Nintendogs + Cats--Nintendo
Pilotwings Resort (working title)--Nintendo
Pro Baseball Spirits--Konami
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle--Level 5
Ridge Racer 3D--Namco Bandai
Samurai Warriors Chronicle--Tecmo Koei
Steel Diver--Nintendo
Super Monkey Ball (working title)--Sega
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition--Capcom

Unspecified 2011
Kid Icarus: Uprising--Nintendo
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D - The Naked Sample--Konami

To Be Announced
Chocobo Racing 3D (working title)--Square Enix
Star Fox 64 3D--Nintendo
Animal Crossing (working title)--Nintendo
Dead or Alive: Dimensions--Tecmo Koei
Paper Mario (working title)--Nintendo
Mario Kart (working title)--Nintendo
Resident Evil: Revelations--Capcom
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D--Capcom

How Super Mario has changed in the last 25 years

Super Mario, the world's favorite plumber - and perhaps world's favorite video game character - celebrated the 25th anniversary his debut title Super Mario Bros. yesterday.

Who knew 25 years ago, a simple Italian plumber in red overhauls created by Japanese video game producers would eventually manifest into one of the most well know characters in popular culture.

To celebrate this milestone, Nintendo has released a rather impressive video and website celebrating 25 years of its poster boy.

Lets take a look at how Mario has changed throughout the years.

1981
Donkey Kong

Super Mario was not always super, or even Mario for that matter. Mario made his first "unofficial" debut in the 1981 classic arcade game Donkey Kong. He didn't jump as high back then, and for whatever reason jumping on things didn't hurt as much after this arcade debut.


1985
Super Mario Bros.

Anything and everything relating to Super Mario originated from the classic Super Mario Bros. This is Super Mario in his original, purest and "pixeliest" form. If you listen closely enough, you should be able to hear the classic Super Mario Bros. overworld theme in your head with just a glance of the original Super Mario.


1988
Super Mario Bros. 2

Three years brought a lot of detail to Mario's new look. It's surprising how much more detail the Nintendo could squeeze out of a simple character model. This is the first glimpse of Mario as we know him today.



1990
Super Mario Bros. 3

Again Mario's look changes ever so slightly. In fact, the Super Mario we see in Super Mario Bros. 3 (arguably the best Super Mario title) is not as detailed as in his previous bout. The Mario we see in SMB3 is a bit of a hybrid between the classic Mario in Super Mario Bros. and SMB2.



1990
Super Mario World

A new console, a new Mario. The Italian plumber's first and only game on the Super Nintendo brought back a look similar his SMB2 visage. This is also the first time we see a few different shades in his clothing.



1996
Super Mario 64

After six long years, Mario finally rose again and this time in a new dimension. Super Mario 64 was the first time we could critique Mario on a low-polygonal level and it's quite noticeable now. It was sure great to finally see Mario run and jump in a 3D environment.




2002
Super Mario Sunshine

After another six years, we finally see the return of Mario with a little hardware this time. Mario's look stays rather consistent albeit in much more detail. I just wish Super Mario Sunshine was a little longer.






2007/2010
Super Mario Galaxy/Super Mario Galaxy 2

Lets speed ahead to the Mario we now know and love. He's not all that different from what we saw in Super Mario Sunshine - probably because the Wii isn't any more powerful graphically than the Nintendo GameCube. Nevertheless, Mario has matured a tad bit from the two-dimensional, pixel-filled hero of yore.

Happy 25th Mario!

Final Fantasy Football: Cheerleaders - Rikku, Oerba Dia Vanille, Yuffie Kisaragi

Most of the nation is crazed about their fantasy football picks.

Gamers are organizing their Final Fantasy Football selections.

Final Fantasy, the more than 20-year-old video game franchise, provides more than enough characters and attributes to warrant an official fantasy football selection. There is even a couple Wiki "Uncyclopedia" entries on the topic, so you know it's legit.

Over the next week VGF will showcase the best picks for the ultimate Final Fantasy Football team taken primarily from the franchise's most recent endeavors. Who's your pick?

Previous picks:

Running Back - Zidane Tribal

Tight End - Cecil Harvey

Kicker - Tidus

Fullback - Barret Wallace

Quarterback - Cloud Strife

Wide Receivers - Sephiroth, Squall Leonhart, Tifa Lockhart

Cheerleaders
Rikku, Oerba Dia Vanille, Yuffie Kisaragi
Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy VII


At the risk of sounding or seeming overly sexist there is a reason here. Any Final Fantasy fan could tell you that recent installments of the series have nearly all featured some sort of bubbly and cheerful female character. As you can see they try to evenly space these "girlie girls," but they are near copies of each other and the perfect (and very cheerful) support for your team on the field.

Final Fantasy Football: Wide Receivers - Sephiroth, Squall Leonhart, Tifa Lockhart

Most of the nation is crazed about their fantasy football picks.

Gamers are organizing their Final Fantasy Football selections.

Final Fantasy, the more than 20-year-old video game franchise, provides more than enough characters and attributes to warrant an official fantasy football selection. There is even a couple Wiki "Uncyclopedia" entries on the topic, so you know it's legit.

Over the next week VGF will showcase the best picks for the ultimate Final Fantasy Football team taken primarily from the franchise's most recent endeavors. Who's your pick?

Previous picks:

Running Back - Zidane Tribal
Tight End - Cecil Harvey

Kicker - Tidus

Fullback - Barret Wallace

Quarterback - Cloud Strife

Wide Receivers
Sephiroth, Squall Leonhart, Tifa Lockhart
Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII


Wide receivers have to be strong, agile and accurate. Final Fantasy villain champion Sephiroth, Final Fantasy VII hero Squall Leonhart and one-third of the Final Fantasy VII love triangle, Tifa Lockhart, represent all three qualities. Indeed, there are other Final Fantasy heroes that could fill this role such as, Firion or the Hero of Light, could easily fill in at times. These particular may have the best chemistry with quarterback Cloud Strife (ok, maybe not Sephiroth). Look for these heroes on the Final Fantasy Football field soaring and crushing defenders.

Final Fantasy Football: Quarterback - Cloud Strife

Most of the nation is crazed about their fantasy football picks.

Gamers are organizing their Final Fantasy Football selections.

Final Fantasy, the more than 20-year-old video game franchise, provides more than enough characters and attributes to warrant an official fantasy football selection. There is even a couple Wiki "Uncyclopedia" entries on the topic, so you know it's legit.

Over the next week VGF will showcase the best picks for the ultimate Final Fantasy Football team taken primarily from the franchise's most recent endeavors. Who's your pick?

Previous picks:

Running Back - Zidane Tribal

Tight End - Cecil Harvey

Kicker - Tidus

Fullback - Barret Wallace

Quarterback
Cloud Strife
Final Fantasy VII

The unlikely leader of Final Fantasy VII is a noble pick for perhaps the most important player on the field. The notorious Final Fantasy fanboy favorite, Cloud Strife does possess quite a bit of leadership skills. Remember Cloud's coordinated assault against Jenova and Sephiroth in the Northern Crater. Besides, if he can wield that big of a sword with any accuracy, I'm sure he can throw a football.

Final Fantasy Football: Fullback - Barret Wallace

Most of the nation is crazed about their fantasy football picks.

Gamers are organizing their Final Fantasy Football selections.

Final Fantasy, the more than 20-year-old video game franchise, provides more than enough characters and attributes to warrant an official fantasy football selection. There is even a couple Wiki "Uncyclopedia" entries on the topic, so you know it's legit.

Over the next week VGF will showcase the best picks for the ultimate Final Fantasy Football team taken primarily from the franchise's most recent endeavors. Who's your pick?

Previous picks:

Running Back - Zidane Tribal

Tight End - Cecil Harvey

Kicker - Tidus

Fullback
Barret Wallace
Final Fantasy VII

Like the running back, the fullback can run the football. However, the fullback doesn't rely so much on speed as he does on power. Why not through a machine arm wielding ally in the fray? Barret has the lethal force and sheer strength to rip apart any defensive line.