Today Nintendo finally gave us some hard details on the upcoming Amiibo launch. These figurines, which take advantage of the Wii U’s (and upcoming New 3DS) built in NFC technology, are now available for pre-order. So if you want to be the cool kid on your block, set aside some cash now. Each figure costs a cool $12.99. Thats a decent chunk of change if you want the entire launch lineup of 12 figures.

The first game to utilize the figures will be Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, so you won’t have to wait long to summon NPC fighters into your single player game to help you smack down your rivals. Mario Kart 8, Yoshis’s Wooly World and Captains Toad’s Treasure Tracker are also set to get Amiibo compatibility. Other figures are sure to be in the pipeline as well. For those curious, the launch lineup includes:

• Wii Fit Instructor
• Marth
• Pikachu
• Fox McCloud
• Kirby
• The Villager (Animal Crossing)
• Samus
• Link
• Yoshi
• Mario
• Donkey Kong
• Peach

Are you excited for the launch of Amiibo? Let us know in the comments below!

Smashdate! #5 looks into the future to bring you an all seeing beatdown! This fighter brings a tactical expertise like no other to the battle!

Shulk

Wielder of the legendary Monado, a sword that grants its user the ability to manipulate Ether and see into the future, Shulk enters the arena for the first time. Young and brash, but a talented fighter and tactician, he utilizes the different elements of the Monado to out-manuever and out think his opponents. Shown using a variety of stances and moves, including some impressive counterattacks, Shulk will no doubt prove to be a formidable presence on the field of battle. His Final Smash seems to harken back to the tactics based combat of Xenoblade, seeing him call in party members Dunban and Riki to deliver a devastating chain of attacks. Interestingly, (and true to Xenoblade) Shulk calls out all attacks as he executes them. Though not widely known, due to the release of Xenoblade Chronicles late in the life cycle of the Wii, Shulk is a cult favorite who has been much requested.

The Stage Is Set

Little was revealed about Shulk’s stage, seen here in the background. However, Xenoblade Chronicles was noted for its massive environments and gorgeous vistas. It would seem only fitting for the Smash Bros. stage to reflect that legacy.

We have a fan favorite now being included in Smash. Which just leaves me with one question: WHERES MY MEWTWO?!

Microsoft’s decision to separate their newest console from the Kinect has so far proven to be a good idea. Sales of the Kinect-less and thus cheaper Xbox One have been high and interest in the console that includes the Kinect has also gone up. So far though the separate Kinect for the console hasn’t gone on sale for those who wished to pick it up separate from the console.

However Microsoft have now announced that the Kinect will go on sale in both Europe and North America in October, on the 7th. Except it isn’t on its own, it comes bundled with a code for the game Dance Central: Spotlight. These will be priced at $149.99 in North America and £129.99 in the UK. This does mean that the US will be getting the sensor and code a bit cheaper than Britain will be.

Think you’ll be looking into getting one when it launches?

Creators of popular and long-running MMO EVE Online have closed yet another American office following on from the closure of their Atlanta office earlier this year. This time it’s the office in San Francisco as CCP move to “combine and simplify” their operations.

The closure also comes with the news that prominent employee David Reid who joined the company in 2012 to oversee the launch of Dust 514 has also been let go, along with CFO Joe Gallo who had worked at CCP for five.

The recent changes are meant to refocus efforts on back on EVE as a game and in the Reykjavik HQ, where Eve is developed. As of yet though the Eve Valkyrie team in Newcastle remains operational.

GOG’s had some pretty big changes made recently. No worries though, it’s all good.

The first of the big changes is one that was discussed earlier but then scrapped. Regional pricing means that customers in countries other than the USA can now see prices in currencies other than just American dollars. Currently Euros, Pounds Sterling, Australian Dollars and Russian Roubles are supported. The plan was previously scrapped because just as with Steam the prices in other currencies didn’t exactly match those ones in dollars, but GOG are now getting around this by making it an option to choose to pay in a currency other than dollars. They’ve made the prices more equal too, although where the publisher of the game follows a different regional pricing you’ll be able to get the difference refunded in store credit if you choose to pay with something other than dollars.

The other big change suggests that GOG are trying to beat Steam to the punch with their upcoming support for movies and televisual media. There are now 21 documentaries about gaming available for purchase on GOG, some free while others are currently discounted under a launch offer. There’s also plans to bring more to GOG but no one seems to want to be the first to try.

“DRM-Free distribution is not a concept their lawyers would accept without hesitation. We kind of felt that would be the case and that it’s gonna take patience and time to do it, to do it, to do it right.” said GOG