Video games are constantly evolving and thanks to the efforts of modders, that is true for classic releases, too. At E3 2017, Nintendo unleashed a wealth of information about Super Mario Odyssey and how a new character called Cappy will change Mario’s typical gameplay. Already, a talented modder has implemented some of these mechanics in Super Mario 64.
As you may have guessed from the name, Cappy is a sentient cap. Its abilities are rather less obvious, as throwing the cap at a character or an object allows Mario to take full control of the target, a brand new gameplay mechanic for the franchise.
However, a modder called Kaze Emanuar introduced this skill to Super Mario 64, publishing a video on YouTube just a day after the new Super Mario Odyssey trailer debuted. Given the timeframe and the task at hand, it is an impressive piece of work.
Just like in Odyssey, Mario can fling his cap at a Bob-omb and take over its motor functions, according to Nintendo Life. The cap can also be used as a platform, giving the plumber a handy bit of wiggle room during intense platforming scenarios.
Of course, Super Mario 64 was not designed with this cap-flinging mechanic in mind, but that does not mean that Emanuar’s mod does not have any practical applications. The video shows how players can use the ability to take out certain enemies with ease and even reach the top of the castle without having to collect every star in the game.
While there are some rough edges to the way Cappy has been added into Super Mario 64, the skill required to complete such a project in a matter of time is undeniable. This mod is not exactly Super Mario Odyssey, but it might just hold fans over until the game comes out on October 27.
Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 finally has a US release date and price, several months after the company first showed off the handheld in May. The highlight is the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip inside, which has been adopted by only a couple of other consoles besides the Atlas 8. This version will go on sale exclusively at Best Buy on November 1 for $1,299.99.
Acer originally said the Atlas 8 would arrive in North America in October, but left pricing open at the time. The launch came amid the ongoing DRAM crunch, which has made memory more expensive across the PC industry and complicated pricing for hardware makers.
Gaming laptops and I have a complicated relationship. One of my first gaming rigs was an Acer Predator that was already outdated when I bought it. I was a broke college kid, and that was the best I could afford. So trying out high-end gaming laptops is always fun. But ASUS' ROG Zephyrus G14 is a lot more than a laptop that can run AAA games. It is portable, so you're not lugging around a 2.5kg machine everywhere you go. It is built well, none of that plastic chassis, and can even function as a normal laptop outside of just gaming.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.