Facebook’s Favorite Games of 2012

There are what Kotaku thinks are the best games on Facebook, and then there are the games Facebook’s game curators and players think are the most playable pieces on the social network. I find their lack of Robot Rising disturbing. For the most part the official Facebook list contains the usual suspects. There’s a couple…

A Glimpse At One Of The Dungeons In The New Final Fantasy XIV

This one is called the Tam-Tara Deepcroft, an instanced dungeon from Final Fantasy XIV. The above video footage shows what this dungeon will look like in version 2.0 of the game, A Realm Reborn, which will launch next year for PC and PS3. Cool music. Reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics Square plans to start…

Tank! Tank! Tank! Makes a Little Kid Cry on Christmas Morning

Everyone, say hi to Reese. He got the thing he really, really wanted most for Christmas. And yes, it’s Tank! Tank! Tank!, which was … not exactly the best launch title for the Wii U. When Reese’s dad sent us this video, we first thought, “Well, wait, surely he’s crying because Tank! Tank! Tank! is…

The Best Games for Your New Nintendo Handheld

There’s a reason Nintendo owned the on-the-go gaming market for decades. From the Game Boy to the 3DS XL, the House of Mario consistently packs a one-two punch of great software and clever hardware in its portables. Want proof? Take a gander at our compilations of the best games on current Nintendo handhelds. You’ll see…

Touch Detective on Android, What Took You So Long?

After a highly successful stint on iOS, the stylish 2006 Nintendo DS game Touch Detective finally lands on Android. If anyone needs me I’ll be playing it all day. KotakuMobile is your one-stop shop for all of Kotaku’s Android, iOS and Windows Phone 8 game coverage. Follow @KotakuMobile on Twitter and stalk us on Facebook

A LEGO Cortana That Actually Shimmers Like A Hologram

OK, if we’re going to be honest, at face value, this LEGO depiction of Halo star Cortana doesn’t look that great. It’s “2D”, and in places looks more like ASCII art than a portrait. But there’s a reason for that. This isn’t supposed to resemble Cortana’s 3D model in the games. It’s meant to resemble…

The Japanese PS2’s Last Game Gets A Release Date

A couple of months ago, I wrote about how the Japanese PlayStation 2 has one unreleased game left. For the longest time, this title, Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin, had been simply labeled as “Release date: 2013.” Now, at last, it has an official release date. Seekers of Adoulin is in fact the first…

Ixion Saga DT is One of the Funniest Anime I Have Ever Seen (And It’s Only Half Done)

Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: A teenager from our world is magically transported to a fantasy world where he/she is the key to saving the kingdom—or perhaps the entire world. Of course you have. Ixion Saga DT is an anime built around this most common of themes, seeking to deconstruct it piece…

Here’s What Solo Gameplay Is Like in Lightning Returns: FFXIII

By now, most fans have seen the trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and are at least partly aware of the new game system that will involve a limited time of 13 days in which Lightning must save the world. Video from the trailer shows Lightning in her new outfit running, fighting, climbing and…

PC Gamers Choose Their Favourite Mods From 2012

I’ve already sounded off on what I thought were the best mods for 2012, but a second opinion is always welcome. And there’s no more authoritative second opinion than the “Best Of” winners at mod specialist site ModDB. In addition to an overall winner and awards for sub-categories, the site’s community (the awards were determined…

Sony’s DVR System Goes Portable On The Vita… Only In Japan

“Torne?” “Nasne?” If you’re wondering what the Hell these terms are, don’t worry. Sony’s PS3 compatible DVR systems currently have no announced release outside of Japan. Just for an overview, torne (pronounced “TOR-neh”) and nasne (pronounced “NAS-neh”) are Sony’s digital recording systems to record HD TV. torne is the name of the interface software, while…

The Soviets Made a Hobbit Movie In 1985. It’s So Terrible it’s Incredible.

And you can watch it right here. It’s missing characters like Beorn, and entire sections of the story like the trolls, but you can still catch the gist. Well, sort of. If you speak Russian. The project was unlicensed by Tolkien’s estate, and its full name in English was “The Fairytale Journey of Mr. Bilbo…

Everyone In Far Cry 3 Looks Absolutely Crazy. Everyone.

The images you’re about to see are the work of Bruno Gauthier Leblanc, an Ubisoft artist who we’ve previously featured for his contributions on Splinter Cell: Conviction Today, though, we’re looking at things a little more tropical in nature. Namely, his work on Far Cry 3 As you can see, many of these designs made…

Download Your Own Copy of Grand Theft Auto’s Colourful Maps

Despite the ease of Steam and the comfort of my couch, I still own physical copies of both Vice City and San Andreas on PC. Why? Because of the maps It’s long been a tradition with Rockstar’s open world games, right through to GTAIV and Red Dead Redemption, to include physical maps of the game…

An Exquisite Replica Of Corvo’s Mask From Dishonored

This isn’t an exquisite 3D render of Corvo’s mask from Dishonored. It’s an actual mask, put together by the team at Technically Magic Effects. Sadly, it’s not available to buy—it’s a one-off made for a competition—but that only makes it that much more of alluring. The accuracy is a result of the source material: developers…

One Real Good Incentive Just To Work At Blizzard

It’s not just those who have worked at Blizzard for 5, 10 or 20 years that get awesome presents. A lot of other people do as well. The statue you see was the company’s “2012 Holiday Employee Gift”, something only those on Blizzard’s payroll were eligible to receive. Sculpted by Blizzard’s Brian Fay, the same…

“Wii U Kid” Gives “Nintendo 64 Kid” A Run For His Money

The internet-famous Nintendo 64 kid is about as perfect a summary of Christmas morning excitement you can get. For a more contemporary take, though, here’s AJ opening his Wii U yesterday morning. What he lacks in blood-curdling terror he makes up for with heart-warming affection. Seriously, that’s maybe the longest hug I’ve ever seen. Wii…

Gerry Anderson, the creator of Thunderbirds and Space: 1999, has passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83.

2012: The Year The PC Showed Everyone Who’s Boss

For years it slumbered in darkness, deep within the earth. An Old God, maybe even the First God, its hibernation marked by rattling breaths reverberating in the deep like cinderblocks dragged across wet asphalt. Sleeping… resting. One day to wake. And in the year 2012, the day of awakening arrived, and the great PC Gaming…

Midweek Moneysaver: 364 Shopping Days ‘Til Christmas

This Wednesday edition of Kotaku’s The Moneysaver catches all the offers, promotions and bargains that can’t wait until the weekend. The Midweek Moneysaver is brought to you by Dealzon. • This week Toys ‘R’ Us has a “Buy 1, Get 1 40% Off” sale on 349 games for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, and Wii…