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XBLA in Brief: Rocket Riot, Magic: The Gathering, Sam & Max

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 18th 2009 at 5:05PM }

Now that Xbox Live Marketplace is working properly again, we finally got to try our hand at this weeks new Xbox Live Arcade releases. There are five very different games available this week. We've got the collectible card RPG Magic: The Gathering (800

/ $10), the point-and-click adventure Sam & Max Save the World (1600

/ $20) and even a straight-up action game in Rocket Riot (800

/ $10). Check out the latest XBLA in Brief and see if any of them tickle your fancy.

Download the trial version of Rocket Riot
Download the trial version of Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers
Download the trial version of Sam & Max Save the World

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This Wednesday: Magic the Gathering, Sam & Max hit the XBLA

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 15th 2009 at 1:43PM }

This week, Xbox Live Arcade gets not one, but two genres that rarely see the light of day on consoles. First, we've got the collectible card game, Magic the Gather: Duels of the Planeswalkers. Unlike the weird Magic title on the original Xbox -- which played something like a weird monster summoning / volleyball hybrid -- Planeswalkers sticks to the traditional card game, which should make fans mighty happy. The game will deal 800

($10) damage to your wallet.

Next, we have the XBLA debut of the Sam & Max adventure series, Sam & Max Save the World. Save the World is actually the first season of the Sam & Max episodic series that has been available on PC and Wii for some time now. That's six episodes of comedy gold for 1600

($20). For those keeping score, that's the same price as the PC version and $10 cheaper than the Wii version.

Sam & Max save the world on XBLA June 17

by Randy Nelson { Jun 11th 2009 at 9:45PM }

Telltale Games just slipped a note under our door to inform us that season one of Sam & Max, subtitled Save the World, is all finished up and coming to Xbox Live Arcade on June 17 for 1600 Microsoft Points (or $20 Earth Bucks). That's next Wednesday! (Thankfully, the spit-take shield for our TV should arrive on Monday.)

But what of season two, Beyond Time and Space? It's definitely headed to XBLA "in the coming months," according to the tellers of tales. That's good to know, seeing as nailing down something outside the bounds of space-time can be pretty tricky.

Telltale working on Sam & Max Season 3, using cursor-less controls

by Griffin McElroy { May 28th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Everyone's favorite bipedal canine and hyperkinetic rabbity thing missed the "Early 2009" window for the launch of their third season of adventure games -- but fear not! In a recent interview with The Inquirer, a few fine folks from the Telltale crew explained that the developer is still working on Sam & Max Season 3 -- though the controls may feel a little less clicky this time around.

According to Telltale co-founder Kevin Bruner, Season 3 will feature the cursor-less, console controller-friendly control scheme featured in the PC and 360 adventure title Wallace and Gromit's Grand Adventures. Makes sense -- we know Telltale is interested in bringing the new season to consoles, and having a sans-pointer control scheme would let them do that with ease. However, we imagine adventure game purists and mouse fetishists alike will be none too pleased.

Telltale to reveal new game series at E3

by Jem Alexander { May 14th 2009 at 9:45PM }

In a self-congratulatory press release celebrating the company's fifth anniversary and the sale of its millionth episode, episodic puzzle-adventure developer Telltale games has indicated that "a new series in development will be announced at E3." The press release doesn't contain any more information about the new series, though we're always happy to hear that Telltale is working on something new.

Chances are that it will be another point-and-click adventure series based on an existing, popular property, though we'd be very interested in seeing a new, home-grown IP coming from the developer. Whatever it turns out to be, we look forward to finding out at E3 early next month.

Telltale talks episodic content on Wii

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 11th 2009 at 12:55PM }

Telltale Games (Sam & Max, Strong Bad) CEO Dan Connors mentioned in a recent interview that WiiWare "requires the most planning" of the online console marketplaces. In fairness, though, he explains that all the current console makers' online storefronts attempt to make content relatable to the audience. Connors notes that Strong Bad was "perfect" for Nintendo, which we're sure has a little bit to do with the enhanced sales after Nintendo's "storage solution" was introduced.

Connors doesn't make any further announcements for Telltale's brand of episodic gaming for the Wii, but he does say that the company will continue to evolve the adventure genre and feels the developer will continue growing the adventure genre for "years to come." A positive sign for more potential Telltale titles on the Wii front, perhaps?

Sam & Max Surfin' the Highway bundles games with funny

by Jason Dobson { Apr 8th 2009 at 8:25AM }

Sam: Whatcha got there, little buddy?
Max: Why, Sam, it's a book about us? That's creepy!

Telltale Games is selling the 20th anniversary edition of Sam & Max Surfin' the Highway, bundling together the 197-page graphic album with the publisher's Sam & Max episodic adventure game for the PC. The book, which has been out of print for nearly a decade, contains the complete collection of Steve Purcell's Sam & Max comics, including 25 new pages of previously unreleased artwork.

The collection is currently available in paperback for $29.95, which includes both the book and a DVD containing the most recent 5-episode season of Sam & Max. A more pricey $59.95 hardcover edition is also available, which ships with both seasons tucked between its supple pages. Closet lagomorphs with some extra geld can also shell out for the $99.95 bundle, which nets the book, games, soundtrack, the complete animated series and a Sam & Max t-shirt and hat.

Sam: And look, the thing was also nominated for an Eisner Award. That'll look good on the wall.
Max: Yup, right next to Hitler's head!
Sam: You're a scary bunny.

Telltale not frightened by more competition

by Justin McElroy { Mar 17th 2009 at 8:30AM }

The tough thing about being the first to perfect something? Everyone else thinks they can step in and repeat what you did, only better. That's the position Telltale Games CEO Dan Connors finds himself in now. Connors says that he expects more companies to move into the episodic gaming field -- in fact, many have approached him about working on a deal.

But before the beef has even started, Connors is squashing it, reminding all comers that Telltale runs the game: "I think there's still that point about people needing to understand what it is, and Telltale is always going to define its own kind of game." We know he was talking about literal games rather that the game of the streets, but we're just going to pretend.

Sam & Max's first two seasons punning to XBLA

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 26th 2009 at 1:10PM }

Sam and Max are ready to hit the road (ouch!) and make themselves available for freelance detective work on Xbox Live Arcade. Telltale has announced that the previously released first two seasons of adventure for the dog detective and his psychotic rabbity-thing partner are "upcoming," but no dates nor pricing have been revealed.

Sam & Max: Save the World and Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space will be the new XBLA names given to seasons one and two, respectively. The titles will be released as full-season bundles -- we hear that winter is a real pain to pack in there.

Gallery: Sam and Max Season Two

Telltale: Sam and Max Season Two coming to Wii 'later this year'

by David Hinkle { Feb 6th 2009 at 12:30PM }

For those of you looking for more bunny-and-dog action, Telltale is working hard to meet your needs. Emily Morganti, Marketing Coordinator for Telltale Games, has dropped word that Sam & Max: Season Two is currently being worked on and will release to anxious Wii gamers sometime later this year. Atari will be handling publishing duties on Season Two.

We hope this Wallace & Gromit preview becomes relevant

by JC Fletcher { Dec 22nd 2008 at 7:15PM }

We're quite happy Eurogamer suggested that Telltale's latest episodic adventure game, Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures, could be headed to Wii, because we wouldn't have been able to post about it otherwise, and we're totally excited about it! They seem very confident, even putting a Wii icon in the image on the front page that links to the article.

Eurogamer's logic is fairly sound: the game is to be released on PC and some console, so why not the one that Telltale put their last two games, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People and Sam & Max, on? Especially since Strong Bad has done so well as a WiiWare game.

The new game sounds brilliant, combining Telltale's signature humorous puzzle-solving with elements of the classic Aardman series like Wallace's baroque inventions, and bringing more personality and interactivity to NPCs. We suggest you read Eurogamer's preview and set yourself up for potential future disappointment should this end up on N-Gage or something.

New trailer, screens for Sam and Max: Season 2

by David Hinkle { Dec 4th 2008 at 5:21PM }

Following up this week's announcement that Sam & Max: Season Two would be releasing on Wii, Atari was kind enough to shoot us over some new screens and a trailer for the upcoming compilation. As one would expect, it's business as usual for the duo, with the above trailer showcasing the wacky hijinks one should expect in a Sam & Max game. So, watch the trailer above, then head into the gallery for the new screens.

Gallery: Sam & Max: Season Two

Sam & Max coming back for a second season

by David Hinkle { Dec 2nd 2008 at 6:21PM }

Click image for new screens

Nabbed a copy of Sam & Max: Season One and looking for more? Well, the second season of the most excellent episodic series will be available to Wii gamers in another compilation disc, titled Sam & Max: Season Two. This gathering of all of season two's episodes is planned to reach store shelves some time early next year. Be sure to check out our gallery below for some screens.

So, who's ready to enjoy season two of Sam & Max's antics?

Gallery: Sam & Max: Season Two

Metareview: Sam and Max: Season One

by David Hinkle { Oct 15th 2008 at 6:15PM }

Sam and Max: Season One has finally released on the Wii. We've been talking about the duo coming to the Wii for some time now. Has the wait been worth it? There haven't been that many reviews yet, so we'll keep updating this post when they come in. But, that's not to say a few outlets haven't tossed their two cents in. So, without further delay, let's get to the scores.

1UP (67/100) explains you'll need lots of patience to get through this one: "The game's still fun and unusual, and it's worth checking out if only to enjoy some of the more clever writing in gaming. But don't forget your patience -- you'll need lots."

Game Informer (70/100) found the gameplay to be lacking: "When the laughter dies and some of the jokes fall flat, however, Sam & Max teeters as its gameplay is unable to support much interest for some stretches." [Sept 2008, p.105]

Nintendo Power (70/100) says the game isn't really that funny: "There are moments of genuine hilarity, but the humor too often feels overwrought or simply falls flat." [Oct 2008, p.89]

Gallery: Sam & Max - Season One

Retail and download releases for the week of October 13th

by David Hinkle { Oct 13th 2008 at 8:57AM }

If you've been digging the Strong Bad episodes, then you're definitely going to want to check out Sam and Max: Season One. While the episodes have been available on the PC for quite some time, us Wii owners are finally getting them in the form of this convenient package. All of the episodes in one bundle? Sign us up!

Cruise past the break to check out the rest of the new gaming content available for the Wii this week.