What It’s Like To Play A Fighting Game With A Newbie

The first time you play with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing in a fighting game, it always goes down a little like this: there is a lot of pausing. Lots of checking movelists. Lots of negotiating returning hits to keep it balanced because they initially got hurt when they weren’t ready. And lots…

Track: The Birds and the Bees | Album: Jim Hall & Pat Metheny | Artist: Jim Hall & Pat Metheny Kotaku Soundtrack is a selection of the stuff we’re listening to – and gaming to – at the moment.

The PC Versus Console Debate, Simplified

There are plenty of legitimate reasons to feel that being a PC gamer is more advantageous to your hobby. There are also valid statements made about being a console gamer. It’s been said before, and the deft hands at Dorkly are saying it again: let’s just enjoy bonding over a shared love, no matter how…

How Do The Angry Birds Go! Toys Interact With The Game? Watch.

Angry Birds Go! launched worldwide today, several months after the game’s scannable toy line hit stores. Since no one keeps instructions for that long, here’s how Hasbro’s plastic and Rovio’s mobile go-kart game get along. Like Hasbro’sAngry Birds Star Wars II Telepods, the Angry Birds Go! racers scan in using a clever combination of mobile…

StarCraft Player Gets Pro Athlete Visa, Delays Military Service

In August, the U.S. government, for the first time ever, gave a professional gamer the kind of special visa it issues to professional athletes. It was largely thanks to lobbying by Riot Games, makers of League of Legends. Now the first visa has gone to a professional StarCraft player, and it gets him out of…

DC Universe Online‘s next DLC means nothing without playable cats. In The War of the Light Part 1, players meet the hopeful Blue Lanterns and take on the rage-fueled powers of the Red Lanterns, but f they can’t be the greatest of the Red Lanterns, then what’s the point? Read about all the non-lava-vomiting-cat-inclusive changes…

Nothing Says ‘Christmas’ Like Retro Pixelated Killing

I don’t know if you’ve looked at a calendar recently, but it’s Christmas in two weeks. What better time than right at this moment to reminisce on Christmases past with two classic Amiga demos? Hopefully some retro pixelated killing will put you in the mood for the festive season. Music by www.purple-planet.com Wish to tweet…

Rayman Legends On PS4/Xbox One Will Be 10x More Awesome For One Reason

That reason is the Far Cry 3 “best villain ever” Vaas-skinned Globox that’s exclusive to the PS4 and Xbox One release on February 25th. And, yeah, an Assassin’s Ray costume is pretty neat, too. Along with the announcement of an official release date and two exclusive new costumes, Ubisoft promises improved graphics, fixed loading times,…

A Year’s Worth of YouTube In Five Minutes

The average online-savvy person probably watches a ton of YouTube videos over the course of a year—and memes come and go so fast, it’s kind of hard to keep track of everything that was popular in 2013. Thankfully, this YouTube Spotlight video that features a ton of cameos of the most viral stuff this year…

Spelunky For Under $4, 3DS XL Discounts, Game of Thrones [Deals]

Some great deals today, especially if you’re looking for a 3DS XL, but you can’t beat getting Spelunky for $3.75 if you’re a Playstation Plus member. The purchase is even cross-buy, so you’ll get both the PS3 and Vita versions for under $4. [PSN] 3DS XL with $40 Gift Card and 4GB SD Card |…

Steam Machine Prototypes Will Go Out On December 13

The first Steam Machines will ship on December 13, Valve said this afternoon. Three hundred beta testers will win their very own high-powered Steam Machines, complete with crazy trackpad controllers and free SteamOS games. If you won, you’re getting one hell of a computer. Lucky bastard. Winners will be notified at 2pm Pacific, so start…

Battlefield 4 Problems Have Shareholder Law Firm Thinking Lawsuit

A law firm that appears to specialize in suing publicly traded companies suffering publicly embarassing problems has turned its attention to Electronic Arts, specifically over Battlefield 4 The “investigation” that Atlanta firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel has begun concerns whether EA “complied with federal securities laws” when the company was making statements about Battlefield 4…

The Most-Viewed YouTube Gaming Videos Of 2013

10. A Minecraft mini-game lays the foundation for YouTube’s top ten trending video game videos of 2013. It’s the only Minecraft-centric video on the list. Can you believe it? 9. Sony’s cheeky takedownof the Xbox One’s original used games policy was certainly one of the hottest (and most parodied) videos of the year. 8.YouTube’s screaming…

Microtransactions don’t work exactly like this in NBA 2K14, but this parody video by GoodGameBro clearly communicates how ridiculous some find the practice when it intrudes on their favorite sports game. Actually, you can purchase dunks, they’re just signature animations for your created MyPlayer.

Microsoft Sells Two Million Xbox Ones, Which Is Good News For Everyone

Microsoft announced this morning that they’ve sold two million shiny new Xbox Ones, and if your immediate reaction, dear Kotaku reader, is to say something about the PS4, please stop. Forget asinine console wars and nonsensical company loyalties for a second—both current-next-gen consoles are selling quite well, and that’s good news for anyone who likes…