Sam Barsanti

Sam earned a degree in creative writing by building a reputation as someone who hates the things everyone else likes. While it may not have made him a fun person, it did make him totally hip. Also, he likes to write poems about Star Wars…so who knows what’s up with that. Also, he’s totally down with VentureBeat’s ethics statement, in case you were wondering.

 

stories by Sam Barsanti

This week in the Nintendo Download: Paper Mario, Epic Mickey, and a Pokédex

The Wii U may be coming soon, but that won't distract Nintendo from making another full new game available on the 3DS eShop. Also, Mickey Mouse and the most important tool for any Pokémon trainer.

Linux version of Steam enters limited beta

Valve continues its march toward worldwide computer-game-based domination as it grants a small number of Linux users access to its popular digital distribution service.

Nintendo’s weekly update adds 3DS demos for Style Savvy and Freakyforms

It's a fairly slow week for the Nintendo Download, as the company adds a few 3DS demos and not much else. Also, there's a banana monster.

Valve prepping next batch of Greenlight-approved games in November

Valve expects the next update to include 10 more games and the service's first software titles, but isn't ready to announce any specifics.

Celebrate Halloween early by preordering Dead Island: Riptide and getting free in-game goodies

You can return to the zombie-infested tropical paradise early next year, but if you preorder now, you can get some exclusive content.

Coming close to paradise with Need for Speed: Most Wanted (review)

Criterion returns to open-world racing for the first time since Burnout Paradise, and Need for Speed Most Wanted does a fine job maintaining that legacy ... even if it doesn't do very much that's new along the way.

Nintendo’s weekly download report features giant presidential robots, Professor Layton, and New Super Mario Bros. 2 DLC

This week, another full game comes to the eShop, a PC puzzler comes to the 3DS, and the world's most exciting presidential election comes to New Japan.

Nintendo adds Super Mario 3D Land, Ocarina of Time 3D, and more to eShop

Nintendo's download report for the week of Oct. 18 reveals more full 3DS games available digitally on the eShop. Plus: fashion tips!

Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty gives you a reason to return to Borderlands 2 … unless you haven’t left yet (review)

Borderlands 2 drops you into a barren desert for its first story-based DLC pack. Good thing you won't have a problem quenching your thirst ... for loot!

Happy Wars brings free-to-play gaming to Xbox 360, and it’s worth every penny (review)

The free-to-play revolution finally hits Xbox Live, and while it might not be enough to topple Call of Duty, it could be the start of an exciting new trend in console gaming.

Sonic Adventure 2 HD runs back to the beginning of the franchise’s fall (review)

Sonic Adventure 2 (and all of its 10-year-old issues) comes to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Will playing it again ruin your nostalgia for the Dreamcast era?

Nintendo realizes it still has a Virtual Console in this week’s download report

This week, the 3DS eShop makes paranoia fun, and an SNK fighting game joins the Wii's Virtual Console.

Hell Yeah: Wrath of the Dead Rabbit is an homage to bad ‘90s platformers (review)

Sega and the developers at Arkedo are keeping the spirit of Bubsy and Earthworm Jim alive with Hell Yeah: Wrath of the Dead Rabbit.

Add to your collection of classic game collections with Midway Arcade Origins

Join us for a look back at the history of Midway's classic arcade collections.

Bohemia Interactive: ‘Insinuations are completely false’ about employees’ alleged spying [Updated]

Last week, two ArmA III developers were arrested in Greece. Now, Bohemia has released a statement defending them and their actions.

Here are the Wii U games you’ll be playing at launch (or close to it)

Nintendo is playing a little loose with its definition of a launch window, but you can still play all of these Wii U games within a few months.

Satirical new puzzle game brings out the fun in arguing about politics (exclusive)

Party Politics is a little like a presidential election combined with Bejeweled ... actually, that's exactly what it is.

Two game developers arrested in Greece under suspicion of espionage

Greek authorities claim that a pair of Bohemia Interactive employees were acting as military spies.

Half-Life remake among first batch of games cleared in Steam’s Greenlight approval program

The first group of titles to make it through Steam Greenlight includes the long-awaited Half-Life remake and nine other community-approved games.

Valve launches beta for Steam’s Big Picture Mode: Now you never have to leave the couch

Starting later today, you'll be able to access Valve's TV-optimized version of Steam. Say goodbye to your desk chair.