Many of the video games already available for PS3 and Xbox 360 will also have PS4 and Xbox One versions in the coming days.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Injustice: Gods Among Us, Need for Speed: Rivals, and Skylanders: Swap Force are among them, and for the most part, the PS4 and Xbox One games are the same as their earlier console counterparts.

What differs is the visual fidelity of the experiences. The animation and graphics on games made for PS4 and Xbox One are stunning, and one game above all others shows that dramatically: FIFA 14.

Today (November 12), at Sony’s press event to show off the PlayStation 4 entertainment console in New York, I saw first-hand how the developers at EA Canada have been able to more realistically re-create the experience of being at a true soccer match.

As a strike by a virtual Lionel Messi was heading toward the goal, I watched the crowd in the stadium, and thought I was watching a real audience.

Some people were already on their feet, cheering. Others were leaning forward, anticipating the goal. There were already arms extended in the air.

This was a digital crowd, but they looked—and responded—as if they were real people. It was the most dramatic and obvious example I’ve seen of what the new gaming consoles are able to deliver.

Sony’s PlayStation 4 is available on Friday (November 15). Microsoft’s Xbox One is available the following Friday (November 22).

Skylanders: Swap Force (Activision; 3DS, PS3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360; rated everyone 10+)

Easy to play and with lots to explore, Skylanders: Swap Force is the third game in the action game series that is made for kids, but as much fun for adults. There’s lots that’s new here, including a new villain, a new focus on melee attacks, and new abilities such as bouncing, climbing, digging, and flying.

But the real fun comes from the new characters. The 16 Swap Force Skylanders have top and bottom halves that can be switched. So Blast Zone’s top and Wash Buckler’s bottom can be combined to create Blast Buckler, which has powers and abilities of both. In Swap Force are the expected elemental gates that can only be opened by associated Skylanders, but there are also new multi-element gates, which can be opened either through the cooperation of two players or by creating a Skylander with a top and bottom representing the two elements.

Yes, it may all be in service of encouraging the purchase of more characters, but with dozens of hours of play, it’s a far better investment than another recent fad: Trashies. PS4 and Xbox One versions of Swap Force, in all their technicolour glory, will be available later this month.

Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight

Has the apocalypse begun?

Moments ago in downtown Vancouver, zombies flooded the streets near the giant Xbox One replica at the corner of Nelson and Seymour streets.

Thankfully, citizens armed with foam weapons immediately began battling the undead creatures. Not unlike what video gamers will be doing when they play Dead Rising 3.

The game, developed at Capcom Vancouver, is exclusive to the Xbox One and will be available when the new system releases on November 22.

The “dead rising” experience is part of the publicity campaign for the Xbox One from Microsoft and is an attempt to re-create the game in real life.

Now that the giant Xbox One has opened, fans will be able to get hands-on with Dead Rising 3, Forza 5, Killer Instinct, and Ryse, which are playable on 14 Xbox One stations.

You’ll also be able to get zombified by special effects makeup artists and get green screen photos taken with you holding custom weapons from Dead Rising 3.

The replica Xbox One will be in Vancouver for about another 12 hours before it gets packed up and departs for other locations in Canada.

Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight

A giant Xbox One has appeared on the streets of Vancouver.

The replica of the entertainment console looms at the corner of Nelson and Seymour treets. It’s about 40 feet long and 20 feet wide.

Now we know what the enticing video that’s been playing on the Xbox 360 dashboard for the past week has been teasing.

Xbox Canada representatives told me that the massive Xbox One model will “unlock” when enough fans pledge their gamertag.

Members of the Xbox community can pledge their gamertags in person at the giant Xbox One, online, or from the dashboard on their Xbox 360. Doing so also makes them eligible to win digital rewards. Prizes include Xbox One consoles and trips to Toronto for the Canadian launch of the new system.

What, exactly, will occur when the box unlocks is unknown. But you should expect it to be something special.

This national campaign from Microsoft Canada is called “One Source”, which refers to the idea that the Xbox One entertainment console is a single device for games and entertainment.

The giant replica Xbox One departs Vancouver at the end of the week for other Canadian destinations. Exact locations have not been announced, so fans in other parts of the country will have to keep their eyes open.

The Xbox One, priced at $499.99, releases on November 22.

Cross-posted at the Georgia Straight

Pokémon is all about collecting. Since the creation of the video-game franchise in 1996, a goal of most players has been to capture as many of the “pocket monsters” as possible. With Pokémon X and Pokémon Y—which are essentially the same except for a few characters—there are hundreds to seek out.

Read more at the Georgia Straight