SDCC 2015: Nicole's Adventures: Day 2- Game Time with Skylanders, Mario, Yoshi & More

I love when even our photographers get in on these daily reports from giant-sized conventions. On the floor of San Diego Comic-Con, 100 people can have COMPLETELY different experiences. Nicole Marrokal loves to shoot all the cosplayers she can, as well as hunting up the newest Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon and My Little Pony products, but she's also into video games. At SDCC, she can get hands on time with an impressive list of soon to be released games from a number of excellent companies, and today she brings lends some of her impressions of ...well...arguably the cuter games found on the show floor!

Mario Maker:
You can play as a newer looking Mario or the old school version. The press rep on hand said there would be some pre-made levels, but you'll primarily be playing in levels you make or others online have made.
I jumped into a fast level were you have 10 or 20 seconds left on the clock to finish. You have to run-jump just right to get the star and you barely make it to the end. It took me 3 tries because missing the star means you will not win, so you've got to start all over!

Skylanders SuperChargers Launches September 20th

Skylanders® is bringing another trailblazing innovation to the #1 kids console franchise(1) with the launch of Skylanders® SuperChargers on September 20, 2015 in North America. Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) and the leaders of the toys-to-life category it created, expands upon the franchise's signature gameplay to introduce vehicles-to-life -- an entirely new way for fans to experience the magic of Skylands.

At the helm of powerful, tricked-out land, sea and sky vehicles, Portal Masters can engage in a high-octane action-adventure videogame like never before. Kids can speed across Skylands' roads in vehicular combat, race down roaring rapids and engage in aerial dogfights as they barrel-roll through enemy swarms for the first time. Developed by Vicarious Visions, Skylanders SuperChargers offers a rich story-driven gameplay experience, filled with vehicle-based and on-foot adventures, combat, puzzles, mini games, activities and platforming, set within a variety of all-new compelling environments.

NYCC 2014: MEGA Bloks Get Despicable Me 2

This would be one of those times when I'm going...mayyyybe this is news...and mayyyybe this isn't..but it's surely the first time I've heard of it so chances are, a lot of you didn't know either. Alongside Spongebob Squarepants sets that have been out for months and HALO stuffs that COULD be new but hell, it all looks the same to me, were some brilliant Despicable Me 2 construction sets from our buds at MEGA. How cool are they? One of the sets had the whole desk on fire scene. You could practically hear the beedo's coming from the lil guy's mouth. Adorkable. Check it out...

Skylanders SWAP Force Revving Up For Release

As we spiral headlong toward the October 13th US release date of the newest Skylanders expansion, we'll tip you off on a public event in Tomes Square, NYC this week and give you some new eye candy to drool over...

Activision Publishing, Inc., brings the world of Skylands to life for one special day in Times Square to celebrate the upcoming launch of Skylanders SWAP Force.  The makers of the Skylanders® franchise -- one of the world’s most successful video game franchises1 -- is inviting fans to experience the world of Skylands during the “SWAPtoberfest” event.

Kids who visit Times Square on SWAPtober 10th can participate in the “SWAPtoberfest” themed activities. Select Skylanders costumed characters will attend and Skylanders-branded prizes will be given away (while supplies last) at the event to fans. Portal Masters will also have the opportunity to win a Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Pack, as well as play the game in advance of its official launch.

Toys R Us Rolls Out Their Top Holiday Picks

Yes, we are still doing Halloween. I freaking promise. Toys R Us is doing Halloween as well...in a big big way, so sit tight and read through and we promise there is spooky in there. Ok? OK. Yesterday saw me train hopping into New York City (my home away from home) at the invitation of Toys R Us to check out the items they've selected as the shiniest for your holiday gift buying. A small, elite crew of beautiful ladies were on hand to walk us through these items, explaining features and giving the answer to the eternal question "What does this button do?" We'll give you a breakdown of what we saw along with blurbs from TRU's press release on the subject and then we'll go in depth with the items you will undoubtedly be most interested in at a later date...except for Xbox One. I'm 90% sure that was just an empty box sitting there and any time I got too close to it, I could hear ninja rustling around behind the drapes. I did pet the box, though. It was a nice box. A green box. Watch for my comments in blue amid the press blurbs.

Prepare for DISNEY INFINITY!!

I was wondering how long it would take someone to knock off the Skylanders video game and figure model! Let's face it..it's a brilliant idea and a proven money maker. My money was on Pokemon to swipe the concept first but it seems the masterminds at Disney have it covered...

Disney Interactive today unveiled its most ambitious gaming initiative ever, Disney Infinity. This all new game platform unlocks the freedom to create stories and play experiences starring beloved characters from The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios. Disney Infinity allows players to both experience original adventures in some of their favorite Disney and Pixar worlds and to build their own worlds using the power of their imagination.

    “Disney Infinity combines prominent Disney and Pixar characters and scenarios in a way that mimics how kids play in real life”

Toy Fair 2012 : Skylanders Giants On The Way

Have you heard of Skylanders? If there were any children in your family at all, you would have! This was the hottest toy this past holiday season and stores are still having trouble keeping pegs stocked with even one figure (thanks in no small part to scalpers, I am sure!) The video game sees a wide array of monster heroes transported into play via a "portal". Buying a figure of that character allows you to use his strengths and powers any time you like, switching around your team on the fly! It's really rather ingenious and I expect to see at least 2 copy cats this year. Hell, wouldn't you play this with Marvel super Heroes?! I'd be all over it. Now, Activision announces the next step...











Bring Your Toys To Life™. This novel premise takes a monster step forward with the worldwide unveiling of Skylanders Giants, the follow-up to the most successful kids' IP launch of the year. Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), will debut the sequel at the North American International Toy Fair in booths 3151 and 3251 at the Javits Center in New York City from February 12-15.

Skylanders Spyro's Adventure uniquely combined collectible real-world toys with an epic virtual game world, creating a new platform for communal play that was embraced by parents and kids everywhere. Skylanders Spyro's Adventure was the #1 best-selling kids' franchise worldwide in 2011, as well as the #1 overall new IP launched in North America, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and GfK.

According to The NPD Group, Skylanders Spyro's Adventure went on to become a Top-10 seller in North America and generated the greatest overall single-year sales, inclusive of software and accessories, of any new children's IP in North America, since NPD has been tracking the category.

Skylanders Giants builds upon the breakthrough fundamentals of the first game-merging the physical and virtual realms with an innovative line of cross-platform toy figures that have "brains," which players everywhere can magically bring to life in the world of Skylands. This next installment of the franchise features a variety of new characters, new challenges, a thrilling new story-driven adventure, and advanced integration across console, handheld, mobile and online:

Going Big: Skylanders Giants introduces eight new highly collectible figures that are more than twice the size of the main skylanders cast in both physical and virtual form. Their in-game powers and abilities reflect their colossal scale.

Bright Lights: Helping to further the real world magic of bringing toys to life, Skylanders Giants includes a set of characters that feature spectacular new light technology integrated into the toys, allowing the figure to light up when near or on the Portal of Power™. These characters have additional in-game benefits as well. Batteries are not required.

Brand New Skylanders: Eight new regular sized skylanders, each with their own unique powers, abilities, and personality, join the adventure alongside the Giants.

Forward Compatibility: Every beloved character from Skylanders Spyro's Adventure is 100% compatible with Skylanders Giants, leveled-up stats and customizations intact.

Wider Worlds: Portal Masters will see all new arenas and more gameplay options in Battle Mode for exciting head-to-head play, as well as enhanced Elemental Zones, new Hero Challenges, and other features that encourage players to collect and level up every character.

Skylanders Giants also features closer integration with Skylanders Spyro's Universe, the large online world that allows Portal Masters around the world to greatly expand their Skylanders experience.

"Skylanders Spyro's Adventure's success in 2011 validated an exciting idea-that with the right technology, and the creative minds to support it with engaging characters and story, we could define a new model for children's play," said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. "Skylanders Giants marks the evolution of this core concept. We've got super-sized figures, remarkably cool new characters that light up, as if by magic, and more ways to play and explore Skylands than ever before. We're delighted to announce the title at Toy Fair 2012 and can't wait for fans to go hands-on this fall."

Toys"R"Us has reaffirmed its commitment to Activision and the Skylanders franchise, and will remain a marquee retail partner for the launch of Skylanders Giants. "While it was still in development, we recognized the potential that Skylanders had to connect with our customers due to its unique merging of physical and digital play," said Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc. "The game was an enormous success last holiday shopping season, and the toys seem to evaporate as soon as they arrive on our store shelves. We're excited to continue our enthusiastic support for Skylanders with a comprehensive, global marketing program to introduce Giants to our customers."


Skylanders Giants Reveal Trailer by Nomadixxx
Are you ready for Toy Fair?
Watch our Flickr for image updates!
Follow me on Twitter for up to the minute news and cell phone pics as we shoot em!