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Beginner's guide to My NBA 2K17

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 9th, 2016
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

It's not basketball season yet. Heck, it's not even hockey season yet, and for some unknown reason, the men who take to the ice in the NHL return to action even sooner than the hardwood warriors of the NBA.

Be that as it may, 2K is already thinking hoops, as evidenced by the fact that the company has already had Cat Daddy games release My NBA 2K 17, which just so happens to have shot right to the top of the U.S. App Store charts.

It could be fulfilling some pent-up demand for basketball during the dog days of the summer, but more than likely, it's just that fans enjoy the card game aspect of it while also checking out its console functionality (albeit before NBA 2K17 itself is out).

We dig it, so we figured we'd whip up this beginner's guide to My NBA 2K17 to help newcomers get into it. Veterans of the series won't need any assistance, seeing as it's pretty darn similar to last season's game.

Let's get to it!

Rodeo Stampede update: hats, new animals and more

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 8th, 2016
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: RODEO EM ALL :: Read Review »

If it's been a while since you've tended to your sky zoo in Rodeo Stampede, it's time to go back. And not just because the people in charge of ensuring animals get treated properly are going to be looking for you by now.

No, it's time to return because the game's latest update has introduced a few new things you've probably been craving. Also hats.

I'm not even making that up. Unfortunately, it's not animals wearing hats. Here's what you'll find in the game's latest update anyway:

Will the iPhone 7 change much for mobile gamers?

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 8th, 2016

When Apple held its press event earlier this week, everything went more or less according to plan. The occasion was indeed mostly to unveil the iPhone 7 to the anxious world of Apple customers, though the company did spend some time on its newly upgraded Apple Watch, iOS 10, and a few other things.

There were two definite highlights for mobile gamers, albeit not both for iPhone users. The first was the reveal of Super Mario Run, an honest to goodness Nintendo mobile title (via its partnership with DeNA) featuring everyone's favorite plumber. Miyamoto even made an appearance to show it off.

The other was for Apple Watch owners, who will soon be able to play a very full-featured version of Pokemon GO. Not too many popular mobile games have found a comfortable home on Apple Watch, but this looks like it will be an exception.

Still, what most observers from this industry wanted to know is whether or not the coming of the iPhone 7 will change much for mobile gamers. And the answer is pretty short and sweet: probably not. Let's see what will effects the new phone might have on your gaming habits.

When you can (probably) order and actually get an iPhone 7

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 6th, 2016

The Apple press event is Wednesday. Officially, we don't know what the company is going to roll out, because Apple never officially tips its hand about such things ahead of time.

Unofficially, there's an entire cottage industry devoted to reading the tea leaves grown in Cupertino. So not only do people think they know what Apple is revealing tomorrow, they also feel pretty confident about when you'll be downloading all your favorite games and apps onto it.

5 free apps you need for football season

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 5th, 2016

The arrival of Labor Day can only mean one thing: football is back! Yes, we've talked about global football on this site before since it returns sooner, but this time we mean American football in all its glory.

College football has been as wild as ever right out of the gate, with three top 10 teams falling in the first week and another one in a tough game as this post was being written. The 2016 NFL season is right around the corner too, kicking off Thursday night with a championship rematch.

The question is whether you're ready for the season. And we mean really ready. We'd suggest that that you aren't unless you're rolling with the right apps. We've got five free suggestions to ensure you're as prepared for football in every aspect as you could possibly be.

How to get stars faster in Six! -- and what you do with them

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 5th, 2016

There's no more popular mobile game in all the land right now (if by all the land, you mean "the United States") than Six!The GramGames puzzler which is one part Tetris, one part Jenga, and one part it's own thing has captured the imagination of the casual crowd, leading to plenty and plenty of downloads.

It's simple enough that it doesn't need a ton of explanation. That's great for you, the player, yet something of a bummer for me, the explainer.

Does that mean we're done here? Perish the thought, friend. They haven't invented the mobile game yet about which I couldn't wax poetic in some (hopefully) helpful way, and when it comes to Six!that means two related questions: How can you rack up more stars faster, and what do you do with them once you have them?

Why the next Pokemon GO update needs to get here now

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 4th, 2016
+ Universal & Apple Watch App - Designed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
Our rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar :: POCKET MONSTER :: Read Review »

There's no need to panic about Pokemon GO. Though you're almost certain to have read articles in various places about how it has fallen off in terms of popularity since its stellar debut, that was inevitable. When your star burns as bright as Pokemon GO's did, literally the only place to go is down.

The numbers tell a slightly different story. Pokemon GO is still a top 20 app as we head into the holiday weekend in the U.S., even bouncing up a spot from the previous chart. That's not too shabby for a game that's been out for two months.

More importantly, it's still the top grossing iPhone game (though unlike some of its competitors for that throne, it's way further down on iPad). That should give Niantic all the resources it needs to keep plugging away on updates.

And make no mistake, those updates are definitely needed.

How to get stronger characters in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on September 1st, 2016

Naruto is a fine guy to have on your side in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing. It's his game and his franchise after all.

Still, the three- or four-star Naruto you have leading your team early on isn't necessarily going to cut it. Or at least, he'll need to rank up and be stronger to conquer the enemies you'll face later on.

So that leaves you with a couple of choices. Either make Naruto and the friends (and foes, in some cases) you find more powerful, or simply find some characters that are tougher.

Better yet, do both. We can help you, as we dive into how to get stronger characters in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing.

Marvel Tsum Tsum tips, tricks, and hints for beginners

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 31st, 2016

If you've not been bitten by the Tsum Tsum bug yet, let me assure you in the words of Master Yoda, "You will be. YOU WILL BE."

There's something irresistibly cute about the stackable plush toys, so much so that people love them even when they are forced to do battle. You'll find them doing exactly that in Marvel Tsum Tsum,the latest release from XFLAG. Interestingly, you don't actually stack them, but you do match three or more and get them to unleash cool special abilities.

You won't find that in your average plush toy. Or maybe they're pillows, because that's how my wife uses her Hulk Tsum Tsum. In any case, if you'd like to get the basics of Marvel Tsum Tsum down, we've got the tips, tricks, and hints you need.

How to get coins faster in Madden NFL Mobile

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 31st, 2016

All aboard the coin train. By that I mean you need coins to improve your team in Madden NFL Mobile. Whether you prefer the excitement of opening packs or hitting up the auction house, your squad won't get any better without more coins to spend.

(Or buying in-game cash with real money, of course, but let's say for the sake of argument we're not doing that for now.)

Since the energy system in Madden NFL Mobile can be fairly restrictive, especially in the early going, you've got to plan wisely. If coins are all you love, then that's what you'll receive.

No, wait, that's from Star Wars. But if you want to maximize your coins while playing, here's what you should be doing.

Six! Tips, tricks, and hints for beginners

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 30th, 2016
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

There's nothing pretentious about Six!, the latest release from Gram Games. As puzzlers go, it's so unassuming that it took me some time to even realize why it was called what it was. Somewhere, my high school geometry teacher is now sobbing softly.

That's because the game gets its name from the hexagon that you try to maneuver toward the bottom of the screen by removing a series of blocks of different shapes from beneath it. Think of a virtual game of Jenga, except that instead of trying not to knock the tower over, you're trying to make it smaller while keeping the hexagon from tumbling off the side.

Many games make reviewers claim that they are easy enough for anyone to pick up and play, but this one really is. Yet there's just enough going on that it requires thought and strategy, which is good, because it gives us a chance to roll out these Six! tips, tricks, and hints for beginners to get you moving that hexagon like a pro.

Mobius Final Fantasy: Multiplayer update guide

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 30th, 2016
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

Up until now, Mobius Final Fantasy has been about as single-player an experience as an RPG can be. Not only do you play solo, but you are literally one among a seemingly unending wave of faceless warriors on the road toward the same goal.

That changes with the game's latest update, though not officially until Thursday, September 8, when the multiplayer mode called Ring of Braves goes live. Here's what you need to know.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing tips, tricks, and hints

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 29th, 2016
+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad

I'm not sure if it's possible to say you are an anime fan but also never have seen one episode of Naruto. If it is, then I resemble that remark, and if not, I offer a hearty apology.

Sometimes, though, playing games based on anime franchises without knowing the source material can actually be a boon, as it allows you to experience the narrative fresh. Such is the case with yours truly and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing. It's fun whether you already know the story or not.

It's also similar to but not exactly like other Bandai Namco mobile games based on popular anime properties. That doesn't mean it's exceptionally complex, just that it might help to read through our Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing tips, tricks, and hints to gain some more confidence that you're headed for ninja stardom.

5 mobile games that let you explore space like No Man's Sky

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 29th, 2016

No Man's Sky hasn't exactly turned out to be everything it was promised. Though its core concept of exploring an unimaginably vast universe of different planets is an intriguing one, the execution has left many PS4 and PC gamers feeling like they were not entirely satisfied with the result.

But hey, there are theories out there in the scientific community that there are actually an infinite number of parallel universes that exist. In gaming terms, if one isn't to your liking, you can simply go explore a different one.

None of these games will allow you to wander through a nearly limitless expanse encountering totally new worlds and lifeforms at every stop, but given what some people are saying about No Man's Sky, maybe that's not an entirely bad thing.

How to get four NFL superstars for your Madden NFL Mobile team

Posted by Nick Tylwalk on August 26th, 2016

Even though you're probably well on your way to building a top notch squad for the new season in Madden NFL Mobile, let's say you could beef it up by adding Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, Von Miller, and Todd Gurley to your roster. That's something I imagine would interest you.

It's not hypothetical either, but something you can actually do thanks to the Madden Season Blitz events going on right now in Madden NFL Mobile. It will require some effort on your part over the next two weeks, but if you act now and play often, you could snag elite versions of one or more of these stars before the real NFL season kicks off.

Instead of simply telling you about it, we'll actually tell you how to do it too.