Target Not Restocking Rosalina and Luma Amiibo

I'm really not sure what Nintendo is thinking with their distribution of Amiibos. As we reported late last year, Nintendo will be pulling certain characters off the shelf after only being released for a few weeks.

This trend is continuing.

Rosalina and Luma, which in fact is only one Amiibo figure, was exclusively released at Target yesterday with a notice to Target employees...This letter states that they will NOT be restocking Rosaluma (that's my new name for her figure). Period.

There isn't a "Not be restocking Rosaluma for 2 weeks/2 years/2 decades," just...not going to send you more. Period.

Listen, a few years ago Micah and I were Skylander crazy. We would go into just about every video game store whenever we could, just to see which Skylanders they had. It was suspenseful, fun and great bonding time. Honestly, looking back on it, the hunt for those little boogers when the first game came out was more fun than actually playing them.

But if Nintendo is trying to recapture this feeling by only letting certain characters be shipped ONCE. That is insane. The hunt for original Skylanders was fun, hopeful. Conversations while nearing the closest Gamestop would go like this:

Micah: "Man, Two-Dad [that's what he calls me], I really hope they have Stump Smash...or...Dinorang...or someone other than Boomer!"

Mike: "I know, me too! Hopefully they got a new shipment in!"

Micah: "I hope so..."

Yep, this conversation only happens though if there are MULTIPLE shipments of the figure. Not just one. Where is the hope of the hunt? Oh there it is, POOF! Gone.

I'm curious to see how this whole thing shakes out, but so far, I'm pretty content with my 4 amiibo characters. I'd love to add a few to my collection in the future, but I won't be driving around on my lunch break or surfing Amazon to try to find these things. If they are in the store when I need to pick up some milk, then awesome, but I've really lost interest in trying to find these things if Nintendo is going to make it this hard.

We shall see!

Free Rare Pokemon Available Via Download!

Unlock these original Pokemon in O-Ruby/A-Sapphire!

Do you or your kids play the new Pokemon Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire? Yes? Then you can snag a few rare Pokemon in game that you aren't able to get anywhere else! You may remember these Pokemon from earlier installments of the game, but Nintendo is making them available in Ruby/Sapphire.

What Pokemon are available and how do I get them, you ask? Well, never fear, I have your answer here, from the official Pokemon website!

"The trio of Serperior, Emboar, and Samurott will all be available via codes either on Pokemon.com or in the February Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter. Every one of them will have its Hidden Ability, so you'll definitely want to get all three.

This special distribution event begins with the Grass-type Pokémon Serperior. Visit Pokemon.com to get the code that will unlock the Pokémon today. Then, check back next week for Emboar, whose code will be available on Pokemon.com starting January 29, 2015. Later, be sure to check your email for the February Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter, which will include the code for Samurott. If you don't have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, create one now and sign up to receive the newsletter by January 31, 2015 to make sure you receive the final code. You can use the codes to get your Pokémon any time until November 30, 2015."

Yep, that's right, Serperior, Emboar and Samurott, right at your finger tips! Luckily, we have the codes for you here, so you don't need to hunt around the interwebs for them. Check it:

• Go into the game, and select 'Mystery Gift' from the main menu
• To obtain Emboar enter the code: POKEMON500 
• Level 50 fire/fighting type, with the ability 'Reckless,' and the moves Flare Blitz, Hold Back, Head Smash, and Take Down
• To obtain Serperior enter the code: POKEMON497
• Level 50 grass type, Pokémon with the hidden ability 'Contrary,' and it'll know the moves Leaf storm, Hold Back, Wring Out, and Giga Drain
• The code for Samurott hasn't been released yet, but will be made available in February.

So go, collect them all! Show off these rare Pokemon to your friends!

New Hearthstone Adventures Could be on the Horizon

New Hearthstone Adventure could be coming in April!

Hearthstone. The game the combines incredibly nerdy people who love World of Warcraft and the people who love trading card games like Magic the Gathering. Most of the time, these people are one in the same. And don't take offense...I'm one of these people!

Hearthstone's next single-player expansion is expected to go live in April, according to a new report with details from a purported insider at Blizzard.

An article by Yahoo Finance contributor, Tae Kim, indicates that this new adventure will be PVE focused, similar to the Naxxramas campaign that is in the game currently.

Instead of matching up against real-life opponents, these campaigns pit you against an AI controlled enemy that gets seemily more difficult the further you advance. It also seems like they always have a special set of cards that really turn the advantage of the face-off in their favor...so they are pretty challenging.

Blizzard has yet to comment on this report.

Hearthstone has been widely successful since it's creation in 2014, winning several awards and gaining over 75 million players world wide. It also helps that they have released the game on mobile platforms and will soon be release the game to mobile phones (iPhone, Android markets).

If you love TCGs and you have some interest in WoW or fantasy elements, I'd highly recommend Hearthstone. Blizzard has done an amazing job at creating a very polished electronic TCG. Oftentimes this translation to electronic devices can be a bit clunky in the TCG universe. But, the animations, sounds and experience are wonderful with Hearthstone.

And, this game is VERY family friendly. If you aren't sure if you should have your kiddos playing WoW, you can definitely introduce them to the universe with Hearthstone.

1,000 Page Views!

Hey readers! I'm happy to announce that we have reached 1,000 page views! With most of those views coming over the past couple months. Very appreciative of those who are logging on and viewing our thoughts. Our format will be changing shortly, with a video/blog/podcast currently in the works with Micah and I. This will be pretty unique and challenging at the same time, but Micah and I are super pumped to try this out.

Thanks again for reading, we hope 2015 is really the year that this blog sticks and Micah and I can continually update.

For the Alliance!

15 New Levels in Super Smash Bros. Update

Today, Nintendo pushed an update for Super Smash Bros. Wii U which adds new levels to the game. So, get your controllers out and get ready to unleash fury on your kids in 15 brand new settings. Each one of these addtions allows for the game's eight-player Smash mode.

Nintendo of Japan listed the new stages on its site:

Normal:

• Mario Circuit (X)
• Luigi's Mansion
• Pyro Sphere
• Norufea
• Rye Rat Cruise
• Pokemon Stadium 2
• Village and Town
• Suma Village
• Wii Fit studio

Omega:

• Mario Galaxy
• Mario Circuit (X)
• Cave Battle
• Rye Rat Cruise
• Pokemon Stadium 2
• Village and Town

Micah better get ready, cause I'm coming for him.

For the Parents: Mortal Kombat X Roster So Far

Back in the day

Mortal Kombat...oh, so many memories.

Parents, you are with me right? The first fight you had with those little real-life sprite looking people in MK back in the mid 90s...The shock that overtook your body when the game was way more violent and graphic than Street Fighter...The feeling you had when you realized that you probably shouldn't be playing this as a 7 year old...but you didn't tell your parents.

Yep...as the great Coach Klein said, "What Momma Don't Know...Won't Hurt Her."

MK is classic. And so far, MKX is looking like it may be creating another wonderful experience.

With the recent announcement that our favorite green scaled friend (not kid-friendly) will be joining his ninja com-padres in Mortal Kombat X, I began to wonder, "Who is officially announced on the roster?" Well, here's a quick list (with some new characters):

Welcome to 2015 Next Gen

• Scorpion
• Sub-Zero
• Reptile
• Raiden
• Quan Chi
• Kung Lao
• Kitana
• Kano
• Goro
• Cassie Cage (Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage's daughter[what?!])
• D'Vorah (An insect-like woman who controls insects.)
• Ferra/Torr (A pairing consisting of an armored dwarf-woman and a giant masked brute.)
• Kotal Khan (An Aztec-inspired "blood god", who supposedly has taken over Outworld from Shao Kahn after the events of MK2011.)

So far, that is a pretty solid roster for this game. Each week, as we near the release date in April, there seems to be another announcement. Who will be next to join these combatants? Smoke, Noob, Rain, Ermac have got to make an appearance...as you can tell...I like ninjas.

Look for more announcements as they are released!

FINISH HIM!

UPDATE: Did Netherrealm read my post earlier?! One of my favorite ninja's just got confirmed: ERMAC (not kid-friendly) Literally just posted this earlier hoping Ermac would be included. BOOM!

New Lego Games Coming Out: Jurassic World and Avengers

"We look forward to expanding the successful [Lego] series with this very exciting line-up of new LEGO experiences for players of all ages to enjoy on console, handheld and mobile gaming devices," said Executive Vice President and General Manager of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment David Haddad.

Micah will be absolutely pumped to try out some new Lego games. He really got into the series a few years ago with Lego Batman, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings...Though, once his Skylanders phase hit, these games slowly fell out of his lineup. 

Side bar: Is a 10-year old too young to see the original Jurassic Park? I don't think so. If I remember right, I believe I was around that age when I saw it...I about peed my pants with the Velociraptor scenes, but I saw it. Reason I'm asking is I'm a little worried about him seeing this newest one (I totally want to see it though), simply for the scare factor. So, would he be excited about Lego Jurassic World? Who am I kidding...dinosaurs? Legos? Done deal.

Not to mention, Lego Avengers. I don't have any selling to do with that one. Micah will take breaks from Disney Infinity 2.0 to jump on his favorite superheroes in Lego Avengers. 

The slate of upcoming Lego games includes the aforementioned titles, along with Lego Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin (Another favorite for Micah), The LEGO Movie Video Game for mobile, which is actually out now, and Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham for mobile. Check out the full press release.

Legos for everyone!