Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[iPhone It In: Orbital]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/iphone-it-in-orbital/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/iphone-it-in-orbital/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/iphone-it-in-orbital/#comments I'm what you'd consider a pretty hardcore iPhone gamer (I know, does not compute). I probably have 30 games on my phone, and that's whittled down to my personal "best of the best." Near the top of that list is Orbital, a game that, like Canabalt, I can play anytime, anywhere I get the urge. Although unlike any of the other quick pick-up games I own, Orbital has a tendency to make me forget what I was doing, find somewhere comfy to plop and play for ... a really embarrassingly long time.

Part of that's the game's simple concept -- a "cannon" continually pans left and right at the bottom of the play field, and tapping the screen fires a projectile. It ricochets off the top and sides of the screen based on your aim, then expands until it touches the edges or another sphere. Each of these orbs in space starts with three "hit points;" hit it that many times and it explodes. So, the goal is to ricochet your shots in a way that they hit multiple orbs and create longer and longer destruction combos -- all while avoiding the game-ending mistake of your shot going off the bottom of the screen.

Oh, and then there's Gravity Mode.

Gallery: Orbital

Continue reading iPhone It In: Orbital

JoystiqiPhone It In: Orbital originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebitforgeiphone-it-iniPodorbitalThu, 04 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bungie treats us with Orbital screenshot goodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/bungie-treats-us-with-orbital-screenshot-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/bungie-treats-us-with-orbital-screenshot-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/bungie-treats-us-with-orbital-screenshot-goodies/#commentsFiled under: ,


Last week, Bungie teased us with a single screenshot of Halo 3's upcoming Orbital multiplayer map (one third of the Mythic Map Pack), and now today we're treated to much, much more.

Bungie just posted a Spartan sized bundle of Orbital screenshots (some new Assembly screens as well) that give us a pretty good taste of what multiplayer goodness Bungie has in store for us come the Mythic Map Pack's release. We've added the new Orbital screens to the gallery below, so feel free to browse and speculate about the awesomeness to come.


[Thanks, Ibrahim H.]

JoystiqBungie treats us with Orbital screenshot goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-studioshalo-3mythic-map-packorbitalx3f-twitterTue, 23 Dec 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[First look at Halo 3's Mythic map Orbital]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/first-look-at-halo-3s-mythic-map-orbital/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/first-look-at-halo-3s-mythic-map-orbital/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/19/first-look-at-halo-3s-mythic-map-orbital/#commentsFiled under: ,


(click to enlarge)
After getting a looksy at and a chance to play upcoming Halo 3 Mythic Map Assembly, Bungie has been rather mum regarding the other two maps that'll be included in next Spring's mythical map pack. But that changed today with Bungie's first screenshot unveiling of the second Mythic map, Orbital. Check out an embiggened version of the Orbital screen here and drool over its potential awesomeness. Lovely, no?

Remember, the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack includes the three maps Assembly, Orbital, and Sandbox and releases to the XBLM in March. Sometime around the release of Halo Wars.

JoystiqFirst look at Halo 3's Mythic map Orbital originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-studioshalo-3orbitalx3f-twitterFri, 19 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo 3's Orbital peeks from behind the curtain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/halo-3s-orbital-peeks-from-behind-the-curtain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/halo-3s-orbital-peeks-from-behind-the-curtain/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/halo-3s-orbital-peeks-from-behind-the-curtain/#commentsFiled under: ,


Recently, the contents of the Halo 3: Recon issue of Game Informer made their way online, detailing some never before heard Recon deets and also confirming what the Vidmaster achievements unlocked. But also inside is information (and the first screens) of the the Halo 3 multiplayer map Orbital, which is one of the three maps that'll be included in the Mythic Map Pack. From what we can read of the text, Orbital is a map based on an orbital tether that's hovering above Earth and is comprised of two asymmetrical tunnel hallways that overlap. It looks good, sounds good and gets our inner Halo fanboy giddy with anticipation. Joy!

[Thanks, John M.]

JoystiqHalo 3's Orbital peeks from behind the curtain originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiebungie-studioshalo-3orbitalMon, 17 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What is Art Style: Orbient? Watch and find out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/what-is-art-style-orbient-watch-and-find-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/what-is-art-style-orbient-watch-and-find-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/what-is-art-style-orbient-watch-and-find-out/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Nintendo Channel updated with fresh videos today, most important of which is a gameplay video showing off Nintendo's new WiiWare title, Art Style: Orbient. Our own JC noted that the title looked a lot like Orbital, a Bit Generations game for the GBA. Sure enough, it is!

Head past the break for some gameplay footage of Nintendo's new game.

Continue reading What is Art Style: Orbient? Watch and find out

JoystiqWhat is Art Style: Orbient? Watch and find out originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art-styleart-style-orbientbit-generationsgame-boygame-boy-advancegbaNintendoorbientorbitalskip-ltdMon, 29 Sep 2008 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Play-Asia's summer smoothie sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/play-asias-summer-smoothie-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/play-asias-summer-smoothie-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/play-asias-summer-smoothie-sale/#commentsFiled under: , ,

For the next week, online shop Play-Asia will be selling all of its in-stock items at a 20% discount, excluding weekly specials or anything released in the past 30 days -- cross Jump Ultimate Stars and Doki Doki Majo Shinpan off of your to-buy list. All of the import retailer's eligible products have been marked with the smoothie icon shown on the right, so it's easy to spot which games are on sale. We've picked out several noteworthy bargains that you might want to consider:
Though the sale doesn't end until next Friday, a lot of these items won't stay in-stock for long. Don't be that guy who has to leave a comment about missing out on a particular deal!

[Via CAG]

JoystiqPlay-Asia's summer smoothie sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bargainbargainsbit generationsBitGenerationsboundishcapdasecasecasesdealdealsdialhexdigidrivediscountdiscountsheadphonesheadsetheadsetsjumpjump ultimate starsJumpUltimateStarsorbitalouendanouendan 2Ouendan2play asiaPlayAsiasalesalessoundvoyagerurban life style caseUrbanLifeStyleCaseThu, 05 Jul 2007 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A couple of interesting GameStop price drops]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/a-couple-of-interesting-gamestop-price-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/a-couple-of-interesting-gamestop-price-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/a-couple-of-interesting-gamestop-price-drops/#commentsFiled under: ,

Scurge: Hive tortured everyone who was waiting for it with frequent delays. If you have, in turn, delayed your purchase of the isometric Metroid-esque game, you have been rewarded with a shot at a really cheap copy. GameStop has new copies for $10, which is pretty much worth it for the boxart alone.

Speaking of superficial matters, GameStop is also selling a cheap DS Lite case from Intec with smart-looking game storage compartments for $4.99. Sure, it's no $3 leather case, but it looks pretty nice and keeps scratches away. Plus, with no color, you don't have to worry about what color case you'll end up with.

JoystiqA couple of interesting GameStop price drops originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2007 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casecasesdealdealsdsds liteDsLitegamestopnintendonintendo dsNintendoDsorbitalsalesalesscurgescurge hiveScurgeHiveMon, 21 May 2007 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play-Asia's Crazy Week sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/play-asias-crazy-week-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/play-asias-crazy-week-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/29/play-asias-crazy-week-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

Starting today, popular importer Play-Asia will be hosting another one of its bargain blowouts, selling every in-stock item at a 20% discount (excluding products released in the past 30 days). Dubbing the event "Crazy Week," the online store will be marking down thousands of its games and accessories until next Thursday.

Some of you might not think that 20% off isn't a great deal, especially when you factor in shipping and handling. We would probably be inclined to agree with you if we hadn't come across Play-Asia's reduced pricing on the bit Generations series. Coloris and Orbital have been cut down to $19.92, while all of the other titles are listed at a ridonkulous $11.92! That includes critically-acclaimed games like Dostream and Soundvoyager!

If that isn't enough to convert the 49% of you who haven't imported games yet, we don't know what will.

[Via CAG]

JoystiqPlay-Asia's Crazy Week sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>colorisdealdiscountdotstreamdsdslitegbaimportimporterimportingnintendodsorbitalplay-asiaplayasiasalesoundvoyagerThu, 29 Mar 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirate Battle en route]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/pirate-battle-en-route/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/pirate-battle-en-route/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/pirate-battle-en-route/#commentsFiled under: ,

Steve.Advance Wars is one of our favorite franchises. But despite an excellent turn-based battle system and charming sprite skirmishes, we can't help but think what would have made it irresistible ... ninjas pirates. And though developer Orbital Media has been promising the turn-based strategy title Pirate Battle since like forever ago (mid-2004ish), very few droplets of hope remained.

Some recent news, however, says otherwise. Though the GBA version has been canceled (uh ... whatever), the DS version is still on the way. Also, though no other details were given, the game will also appear on "another platform". Hmm. In any case, Pirate Battle looks like an excellent strategic outing, so we'll keep an eye out for ya.

For bonus awesome, check after the break for our top three pirate pickup lines.

[Thanks, Andy!]

Continue reading Pirate Battle en route

JoystiqPirate Battle en route originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BattleDSGBAMediaOrbitalPirateThu, 18 Jan 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Scurge: Hive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/metareview-scurge-hive/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/metareview-scurge-hive/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/07/metareview-scurge-hive/#commentsFiled under:



When it comes to Nintendo's bounty hunters, it's all about the ladies. But the long-awaited, oft-delayed Scurge: Hive is no Metroid knockoff, despite similarites in heroines (and in weapons of choice). In Scurge: Hive, you take on the role of Jenosa Arma as she investigates a distress signal from a lab. Unfortunately for the intrepid Jenosa, the lab and everything around it is infected with the Scurge, a dangerous alien plague that spreads parasitically, infecting a host and taking it over. Before she can escape, she is infected and must go through a rigorous decontamination process while battling the alien menace and a wide array of monsters. But Jenosa is up to the task, difficult as it may sound. When you're a bounty huntress, that's just all in a day's work.

Overall, the game has seen solid reviews praising the pacing and story, but decrying the repetitive aspect of gameplay. No matter how interesting the story, in the end, it does come down to: kill enemies, get to sickbay. But then again, what game can't be boiled down to the sum of its parts?

Interestingly, the DS version has seen more negative criticism than the GBA -- the touch screen is barely used (it serves as a map screen) and the graphics seem to have suffered in the transition to the updated system (it was originally designed as a GBA title).

Continue reading Metareview: Scurge: Hive

JoystiqMetareview: Scurge: Hive originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionadventureDSmetareviewNintendoOrbitalreviewRPGScurge: HiveScurge:HiveTue, 07 Nov 2006 08:15:00 EST