Skylanders

[Jaymon]

I ordered Skylanders today, and some extra figures. Should be good to play with my Kid, and the figures themselves are crossplatform, so you can take them to a friends house and use your leveled up character.
My daughter is just getting into video games, but has been able to make progress in marioKart 7, and Super 3d marioland for 3DS, or something like that,
so a platformer should not be too bad, and we can play co-op, so thats a big bonus for me.
I am pretty partial to earth type creatures in all my games, so I will see how it goes with prism break, whom I had to order separately.
Post your impressions if you have them, and I'll provide a report once I have gotten some play time.

[Boudreaux]

My kids adore Skylanders. I have not played it yet, but it looks like a pretty decent platformer game, and the idea of using the various figures to bring variety to the game is brilliant. Swapping figures on and off the portal works really slick.

One thing to watch out for - they're hugely popular, and some of the figures are pretty hard to find. There are sellers on Amazon and eBay who are marking up prices to 200%-300% of MSRP, and there is also the problem of jackholes who scout out the Targets and Walmarts to buy up all the figures as soon as they're put on shelves only to resell at inflated prices on the web.

[EddieA]

The game isn't really a platformer, as you can't jump. It's more along the lines of the LEGO games mixed with light RPG elements (leveling up your characters and purchasing upgrades) and light puzzle-solving. It's nice, simple fun and leveling up your characters and getting the full three stars on each level is addictive. As for the figures, you can get most of them at list price or lower if you're patient. I was able to get one of each element from Amazon and paid $7.99 - $8.99 for each.

[GreenGoo]

My kids quite like Skylanders too. I played for a very short while with my 4 year old and I could see its appeal, although it's a bit simplistic for me. Great marketing with the figurines, although the need for the wireless usb stick means I can't run the game off the harddrive as I'd like (and do for most of my games). So I need to put the original disk in. Actually, I could probably make a backup and use that. It has been so long since I've actually copied a game to disk (rather than hard drive) that I kind of forgot about it.

In any case, we have a pile of figurines, which I'm sure we paid full retail for. Sigh. Expect to gain abilities for characters you don't have, forcing your children to bug you until you buy them the new one so they can use their powers in the game. Marketing genius.

[Isgrimnur]

Rip an ISO to your HD and just mount the disc image when you need it.

[GreenGoo]

Rip an ISO to your HD and just mount the disc image when you need it.

The HDD uses the USB port. But so does the wireless dongle for the Skylander "portal". There is a second usb port on the back but neither the HDD nor the Portal work when plugged into it. In fact I have no idea what it's for since nothing seems to work in it. It's clearly a USB port though, everything fits nice and neat. I've never gone looking to find out what the second USB port is for on the Wii, although I've been meaning to for over a year.

Bottom line, I can't have both the portal and HDD plugged in/working at the same time. Burning a copy would get around risking the original disk, which is better than nothing. Having 2 working USB ports would be even better though.

[Jaymon]

I have been enjoying this quite nicely.
True the characters do not have a jump power, but there are plenty of jumping puzzle in the game. I enjoy the mix of abilities, different characters for different situations, and the ability to change characters on the fly, even during a fight is a real nice feature.
I have heard things about the characters being hard to obtain, I have not had any trouble so far, but maybe I just arrived at the store on shipment day, because there was plenty of choice. I find the NPC dialog childish and groanworthy.
I am playing on xbox, the controls are very responsive, and the characters are easy to tell apart on the screen.
The point of view is not controllable, and can sometimes be annoying. Specifically I mean, during a jump puzzle when the point of view changes, it can cause you to go the wrong direction during the jump. That has been very annoying for me.
been through a couple of boss battles, they are not terrible, but they are repetitive.
There is a hazard, if your character gets whacked, you have the choice to use a different character, or start the level over. Unfortunately, several times when choosing a different character, whatever bad situation I was in continued to be bad, and I would quickly lose a couple more characters extracting myself from it. This was especially bad during certain "dodge the bullets" stages of boss fight.

Overall, this is a good game, and a unique experience with the characters. The friend was able to grab some figures from her game, and bring them over to play on our game. They worked, instantly and completely, no hassles. Drop them on the base, and start shooting. Quite a refreshing change from the multiple hassles that other multiplayer games go through.

[Smoove_B]

Our daughter requested it out of the blue for Xmas, so I figured what the hell - we could co-op play so it sounded appropriate. I couldn't figure out why there are like 35+ characters but after spending about 3 hours with it today, now I get it and that's trouble as it is pretty much my wallet's worst nightmare. It's taking my compulsion to "get stuff" (as I do with board and card gaming) and transferring that to little plastic figures that light up on a portal. I have no idea how Marvel or DC isn't eating this up and demanding games with a similar structure where you can buy little plastic superheroes that can be swapped in an out of the game instantaneously while also gaining XP and skills that magically stick with the specific figures you own.

Anyway, she's bonkers over the game and I'm already back online looking to get more figures so we can have at least one from each realm.

The game play is rather simplistic but it works quite well in co-op. With about 3 hours in, I'd definitely recommend it -- assuming you're ready to get more figures than you know what to do with.

[Octavious]

Fuck I saw this in the store the other day and had no clue what it was. Reading up on it and it sounds really dangerous for my wallet. Now I get why the one dad in the store seemed really interested in if the kid already had a particular figure.

[Smoove_B]

Yes, it's crazy and the game makes it worse because as you wander around you might unlock (find) a special ability for Foo Foo Linkums, which of course is a figure you don't have (but now suddenly need). They also apparently started making "Legendary" versions of characters which I guess come with higher stats straight out of the package. The only good thing is that the figures are compatible between the original game and Giants, so at least I don't have to get more. I think.

If you go on Amazon, some of the figures are like $60 (normally $9). I'm guessing it is adults with problems and not 8 year olds that turned this into something ridiculous.

[Blackhawk]

I probably shouldn't mention that Amazon had a half-dozen different figures on sale for $3 each in their Christmas sale.

I got this for my kids for Christmas, too. They love it, as they already have the collector/completionist mentality. As to cost for figures after the initial purchase, they've got an allowance. The cost of a typical figure is more than their weekly allowance, so they either have to save or combine resources to make a purchase, all of which is good for them.

[Smoove_B]

I did grab four figures during the Amazon Black Friday sales for $3 each, not fully understanding why I would want to, but I figured $3 was a good deal. Now I want to travel back in time and get ALL of the $3 figures as I completely understand how bananas that was.

I have to believe for a family with multiple kids, this game is perfect. Swapping characters out on is instantaneous and I think you can "lock" them to certain players if you're so inclined. I totally missed the boat when this game first came out but I can see now why it was/is so popular.

[Smoove_B]

Two new Giants figures were apparently released today (Eye Brawl and Thumpback for those that care) - retail price $15. However, various people on Amazon are selling them for $75-$90.

Hey jerkoffs, you're ruining it for everyone. Thanks.

[GreenGoo]

Two new Giants figures were apparently released today (Eye Brawl and Thumpback for those that care) - retail price $15. However, various people on Amazon are selling them for $75-$90.

Hey jerkoffs, you're ruining it for everyone. Thanks.

Welcome to the free market.

I have enormous patience when it comes to gaming these days. For the most part. If this was something I thought my kids wanted, I could wait 6-12 months to pick them up. The must have it now feeling seems to have gone away after 40 some years. Thank goodness.

[Smoove_B]

Well that's the interesting thing I've learned. Apparently when Skylanders Giants came out they "retired" eight of the original characters to make room for new ones. Not surprisingly buying them online from various vendors is insane. To top it off, they then released the remaining 32 again, as well as modifying some of them to be "light core" or "dark core", giving them additional powers not available to their regular 2nd or 1st edition counterparts. Essentially, they figured out a way to get you to buy the same thing...again. Since I'm getting into the series about 14 months later than most people (and ~4 months since Giants came out), I'm picking up stuff now as cheap as a I can and stashing it for birthday or Xmas 2013. Interestingly enough I found one of the alleged $75 Amazon figures on the shelf at Target today on sale, so f- those guys. I'm also nearly certain Skylanders 3 is coming out this Fall.

I've said it before. If they figure out a way to make a "mature" game using comic book heroes with this formula? I'm in trouble.

[Smoove_B]

Ahhh...now it all makes sense. As we're watching the end-game credits, I see that the creative director for the game is Paul Reiche III. Mail Order Monsters. Star Control. Toe Jam and Earl. It all makes sense now...

[Jaymon]

I have been enjoying Skylanders Giants, although its a harder game, and my daughter has gotten frustrated with it.
There are so many situations when having a giant is required, or just better, there is no advantage to playing the smaller characters,
so you either switch out constantly, or just play a giant.
Although there are more secrets and they added a tile collecting game, I don't really know if I cannot honestly recommend this unless you really really enjoyed the first game.

If you are on the fence, perhaps wait a while, the 800 pound Mouse is set to enter the fray, supposedly having sandbox mode as well as scripted levels.

https://infinity.disney.com


*Edit, I see Infinity already has its own thread.

[Smoove_B]

Skylanders Swap Force is coming this Fall - I'm guessing in time for the holidays. Unfortunately based on the new technology, they will require a new portal, however they've said it's 100% backwards compatible.

16 Swap Force Skylanders including Magna-Charge (Tech), Wash-Buckler (Water) and Blast-Zone (Fire)
16 new core Skylanders including Rollerbrawl (Undead) and Countdown (Fire)
16 Series 3 Returning Skylanders including Eruptor and Stealth Elf
8 new Lightcore Skylanders
8 new Swap Force areas, equivalent of Elemental Zones but with more varied play
1 new Portal

They're going to Call of Duty this series, eh?

[Octavious]

Thankfully my daughter doesn't seem all that interested in it. This just seems like pure pure evil. Run Smoove RUNNNNNNN.

[EvilHomer3k]

Our kids got this for Christmas (giants). My son gets $5 for every "Good Deed" award or A test he gets at school. He got one or each before Christmas. He has gotten 8 since Christmas and spent all of his money on skylanders. My other son has shifted his money from Little Big Planet costumes to Skylanders as well.

Also, screw every asshole who buys these to sell them online. It is not new and I expect it but seriously, fuck those guys.

[Smoove_B]

Also, screw every asshole who buys these to sell them online. It is not new and I expect it but seriously, fuck those guys.

Absolutely. It was actually cheaper for me to purchase a retired series 1 figure from a store IN ENGLAND and have it shipped across the freaking ocean than deal with the savages on Ebay. F all those guys - every single one.

[Buatha]

FYI, Amazon has some of the Giants that a-holes were jacking up 100% (Thumpback and Eye Brawl) available for order as of midnight CST.

[EvilHomer3k]

Thanks for the heads up. (even though I just saw it)

We got eyebrawl at gamestop. He wasn't out on the floor. We had to ask. I got thumpback at Walmart. I was there buying wipers for the car and decided to take a look and see what they had. Figured I better get it so that when the kids ask for it I don't have to go searching around and pay extra.

[EvilHomer3k]

Ninjini is $40 on amazon right now. The guys at gamestop said they expect another shipment later this week and to call after 2:00. They said there is no reason to call before 2:00 because they can't open boxes until 2 people are there and that is when the shifts overlap. I expect it to be available at walmart and gamestop within the next few weeks.

I wish there was a skylander of the month deal. My kids' allowance covers about one skylander a week (per kid) and I think they'd be happy to use it to buy them whenever a new one comes out.

[Buatha]

Yeah, I just wait until either Amazon gets it in stock or I stumble across the things in the store. My son loves them, but I don't see them as toys. He likes to take them to school to show his friends, and sure enough, some kid broke off one of the pieces the other day. Fortunately, I was able to repair it without any visible issue. I keep trying to tell him that these will be gone from the store soon, so if he breaks/loses one, they're most likely gone forever (and I'm not paying some 200% in the future on Ebay).

Of course, they're already releasing a teaser for Skylanders Swap Force(?). Unless I can find these on sale again like at Christmas, well, we'll see.

[Daehawk]

I posted this yesterday in the other Skylanders thread.

http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp ... y&view=all

If that link doesn't take you right to them try this one http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp ... y&view=all

ToyRuS all Skylanders buy 1 get 1 50% off.

PS And it shows Ninjini at $15.

[EvilHomer3k]

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately it shows Ninjini as unavailable for ship to store or ship to home but available in stores. Essentially unavailable. Most of theirs are unavailable for shipping. I did find some we don't have and they are having a buy one get one 50% off sale.

[Smoove_B]

I grabbed a Ninjini off Amazon last Thursday - it was a total random find; shipped for retail (Prime). Since all the other new Giants have come down to retail price, I'm guessing you'll start seeing them regularly available at the right price very soon.

[EvilHomer3k]

Does anyone know if there is a difference between skylanders original figures and giants figures? ToysRus has Whirlwind in a spyros package (series one?) and a Giants (series 2) package.

[Smoove_B]

Yes. The 1st edition characters that were re-released for Giants (to get you to purchase them) apparently come with a "Wow Pow" upgrade skill that's unlockable in the game. No idea how much it impacts playing and/or finishing Giants, but I'm guessing it's minimal. If you slap them into the original Skylanders, they work like a normal character. There are also store exclusive characters that have boosted ability scores. Those are either going to be "Legendary" characters or now they're giving them unique colors.

You can get more info here.

[EvilHomer3k]

Thanks for that link, Daehawk. I got the following for $42.56 shipped with tax (with the buy one get one 50% off deal).
Lightcore Drobot
Legendary Lightcore Chill
Voodood
Hex

[Daehawk]

Good to hear! Sounds like you got a great buy. I've seen just one run for the price you paid. Sweet!

[EvilHomer3k]

I think I hit the skylanders jackpot. Someone on craigslist is selling their collection for $4 per figure. Some of the more expensive ones that they listed were ghost roaster, hex, sunburn, and legendary bash. They all seem to be series 1 which seem to be much harder to find. They have 29 loose figures (most with online codes). I'm going to look at them tonight. They want $100 for all of them. I believe I could sell most of them to friends for their kids (after taking the best). Anything I should be wary about?

[Smoove_B]

Make sure they work. There are tons of ebay listings for busted figures, i.e. they have no ability to work in the game -- they're just selling the plastic models. Some people then re-purpose them into birthday decorations or kids just like to play with them but they're electronically dead.

Also, for figures that came in an add-on pack (like Ghost Roaster), if you don't get the Crypt with him I think he's unable to get his super mega ultra unlock power (or whatever it's called). You can level him up, but you'll never find the power medallion.

Ghost Roaster is my White Whale.

[EvilHomer3k]

Thanks for the info. I'll check the figures and they crypt. Since they are getting rid of all of them I would guess that the crypt is included in the 29 figures but I'll check. Any way to check that they work without hooking up a portal (assuming they don't have one).

[Smoove_B]

All the listings I've seen for used (open) figures clearly indicates somewhere in the text description that it's a working figure. I've only snagged two loose Skylanders and they worked without any problems. I also paid near-retail prices for them, so I expected them to work.

[EvilHomer3k]

Yeah, this is a kid selling his collection so I think I'll be fine. If they have a portal I'll ask to test them, though. If they have the original skylanders I'll ask what they want for that, too. We only have Giants.

[Van5]

spam redacted

[Kurth]

Skylanders was the big thing in our house for Christmas this year with my 9 year old. He never played the earlier game, so he got the Giants starter pack and a bunch of figures. Now, the little guy is turning 5 this weekend, and he's asking for all kind of Skylanders stuff, too. The question: Is this just his brother manipulating him to get more Skylanders, or does the little guy really have an interest? He seems really into them, to be honest, and he does play with his older brother (although that often ends up in an argument about someone not carrying their weight).

Anyway, I picked up the following for him:
- Spyro's Adventure Starter Pack with portal, game and three figures (brand new, from eBay for $27)
- Thumpback
- Hothead
- Scorpion Striker Battle Pack

I figure, if he decides he doesn't like them, there's always eBay (or OO) for resale. We'll see.

[Daehawk]

Who let the bot in?