DIGITAL EDITION
Premiere 2016, Issue 1 $6.99 USA $7.99 CANADA
Star Fox and Star Fox Zero are Trademarks and Copyrights of Nintendo.
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Our Mission Statement
Little Player Magazine’s mission is to provide a safe, fun and advertising-free reading experience that parents can feel good about giving to their kids. We also want to inspire and teach kids to make good gaming choices and play what is appropriate for their age group. We only cover and review games that are rated EC, E, and E10+ to ensure that young children are not exposed to content meant for teens or mature audiences. 2 Little Player Magazine
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little player
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Video games are actually good for you! Video games allow the young imagination to roam free and play. You get to explore a world made entirely of wool, or swim in a deep ocean just waiting to be explored. Where else can you do that? Only in video games. And if that wasn’t enough, children can now create their own worlds for others to share and explore, how cool is that? This type of gaming creates an entirely new social experience their parents never had. Which leads us to another benefit to playing video games... social skills. The internet connects us globally in ways we could never imagine, and video games are great for creating that connection. Playing video games with friends, near and far, creates social skills which become valuable later in life. Learning how to cooperate with others and share are valuable skills to use in school and later in the workplace, and those can be learned by playing video games. Video games help children to develop problem-solving skills and cognitive abilities. Solving puzzles in games and learning how to deal with foes is a great learning tool and teaches children how to resolve conflict. And because some games use specific patterns or rhythms in the gameplay, memory is also enhanced as well. There are many positive aspects to playing video games that can follow a child through their life. From memories of playing their favorite games to spending social time with friends, video games leave a lasting impression. I started as a little player at the age of 7 and I’m still playing today!
Shelly Alessi
Video Game Magazine for Kids A Massive Impact, Inc. Periodical
Premiere 2016, Issue 1 1st Printing
Publishers Martin Alessi & Shelly Alessi Editor-in-Chief Martin Alessi Senior Editors Jason Kaplan Tim Wilkus Associate Editor Nathan Alessi Junior Editors Bridget Bonner Isabella Ocampo Brody Patterson Contributing Editors Jerry Bonner Michael Crisman Carl Williams Copy Editor Jennifer Gavigan Industry Correspondant Patrick Scott Patterson Art Director / 3D Artist Allen Forbes Illustration Artist Thor Thorvaldson Video Capture Technician Pete Hahn Creative Consultant David Ray Siller
Publisher
Legal Counsel Erich G. Monzon A very special thanks to Doc Mack of the Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, IL.
© Copyright 2016, Massive Impact, Inc. All rights reserved. Little Player is published bi-monthly by Massive Impact, Inc., P.O. Box 512, Wheeling IL 60090. Subscriptions are 6 issues for $24.99. Please allow 6-8 weeks before receiving your first issue as well as any subscription changes on an existing account. Little Player is a registered trademark of Massive Impact, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of Massive Impact, Inc. Trademark and copyright for all other products and characters contained therein are owned by the respective trademark and copyright owners. For permisson to reuse material from our publication or to use our logo contact martin@littleplayermag.com. DIGITAL EDITION
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Little Player is published bi-monthly. Domestic rate is $24.99 for 6 issues. NEW SUBS: www.shoplittleplayer.com Subscription Inquiries: 312-574-0499 subs@littleplayermag.com Please send letters and artwork to: letters@littleplayermag.com or Little Player Magazine P.O. Box 512 Wheeling IL 60090 Little Player Magazine 3
BIG Editor’s Choice Tim
Jason
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Super Mario Maker - Wii U
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Super Mario Maker - Wii U
Ori and the Blind Forest Xbox One Splatoon Wii U
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Super Mario Maker - Wii U
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Yoshi’s Woolly World - Wii U
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LOZ: Majora’s Mask 3D - 3DS
4 5
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Rocket League - PS4, Xbox One
Martin
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Forza Motorsport 6 - Xbox One
4 5
Journey - PS4
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D - 3DS Ori and the Blind Forest Xbox One DIGITAL EDITION
Ori and the Blind Forest - Xbox One
4 5
Yoshi’s Woolly World Wii U Megaman Legacy Collection - PS4, XO, 3DS
little Editor’s Choice Isabella
Bridget
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Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer - 3DS
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Lego Jurassic World - PS4, XO
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Super Mario Maker - Wii U
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Lego Dimensions PS4, XO, Wii U
Super Mario Maker - Wii U
3 Mario Party 10 - Wii U
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Splatoon - Wii U
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Minecraft: Wii U Edition - Wii U
Yo-Kai Watch - 3DS
4 5
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3
Toca Town Android
Brody
Pokemon: Super Mystery Dungeon - 3DS LOZ: Majora’s Mask 3D 3DS DIGITAL EDITION
Crossy Road - iOS, Android
4 5
Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes - iOS, Android Skylanders: Superchargers Xbox One Little Player Magazine 15
FEATURE STORY
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Platinum Games, NEAD Systems: Wii U Players: 1 or 2 players Release Date: April 22, 2016 ESRB Rating: E10+ Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence
Get ready to pilot the Arwing and save the Lylat system!
By Jerry Bonner
The time has come for all you armchair Arwing pilots out there to dust off your barrel roll skills as a new Star Fox game, Star Fox Zero, is just around the corner. Star Fox Zero will be the first Star Fox game in quite some time—the first since the DS’s Star Fox Command almost 10 years ago. Star Fox Assault, the last console Star Fox title, dates all the way back to 2005 when it was released for the Gamecube. The Star Fox series is one that Nintendo has pushed off to the backburner in the last decade for sure, but with Zero (and Star Fox Guard as well) now looming on the horizon, 2016 looks to be the “Year of the Fox” on the Wii U.
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Star Fox Zero has the most impressive graphics of the whole series. Wait until you see it in HD!
The Star Fox Team is back for a new adventure!
Fox McCloud
Falco Lombardi
Slippy Toad
Peppy Hare
On the surface, Star Fox Zero looks a lot like the classic Star Fox 64. And that’s because it’s supposed to: The game deliberately mimics the strongest game in the series. It has a similar structure, similar gameplay…even a similar look, but it is more a reimagining of Star Fox 64 rather than a prequel or sequel. “Because the game is split between two screens, we feel the gameplay this time is going to feel very fresh,” legendary game designer and producer of Star Fox Zero Shigeru Miyamoto stated. “And thus we thought it would be a good opportunity to go back to the roots of Star Fox. The game itself is not a Star Fox 4 or 5, and it’s not a new spinoff. It really is going back to the roots, and that’s where the ‘Zero’ comes from.” Joining Fox McCloud on his adventure to once again save the Lylat system are fan-favorite characters Falco, Peppy and Slippy. Players will use the Wii U GamePad and their TV screens together to create a oneof-a-kind play system that permits them to experience the game with two different viewpoints from inside the Arwing. As an example, players can aim and shoot enemies in one direction while flying the ship in another, much like what was seen in Star Wars episodes I (Luke and Han fending off Empire TIE Fighters) and VII (Finn shooting down First Order TIE Fighters). This frees up the TV for a more movie-like flying experience. DIGITAL EDITION
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PREVIEW
Publisher: 505 Games Developer: Giant Squid Systems: PS4, Windows Players: Single-player Release Date: Summer 2016 ESRB Rating: Pending Content Descriptors: To Be Announced
Reach into the Depths By Carl Williams of the Ocean! Roughly translated from ancient Sumerian, ABZÛ means “The Ocean of Wisdom.” The surface of our planet is about 29 percent dry land, the rest is water. We know so little about what happens under the waves of our oceans. Giant Squid, developers of ABZÛ, are giving gamers a chance to explore that world, at least their idea of what is down there. Exploration is the intended element of ABZÛ, there is no air gauge to worry about. Just explore. Learn about the various aquatic life, how it lives, reacts to your presence, and even make friends with some of them. It is believed that at one time, what is under water was not. If Giant Squid are going with this myth, then there will be plenty of surprises around corners, inside of dark caves, or just laying out in the open waiting for you to rediscover them.
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You can swim to the deepest parts of the ocean or go to the surface and look around.
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There are lots of different environments in ABZÛ!
Ride along with friendly sea creatures! One of the coolest features of ABZÛ is the ability to ride on sea creatures such as giant manta rays or friendly sea turtles. We don’t know all the details as to other friends you can make, but we sure hope there is a Whale Shark somewhere in the game.
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Collector’s Corner
By Jason Kaplan
Collecting “Toys-to-Life” figures is really fun! Here is a guide to some of the newest figures that are coming out this year. You can use the check boxes to keep track of your collection.
There are going to be some brand-new amiibo’s coming out this year. In addition to that, Nintendo will be adding all-new functionality as well. For example, you can use your Mario or Sonic amiibo in the upcoming Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2106 Olympic Games to boost Mario or Sonic’s outfits with their power for the day.
Kirby
Series: Kirby Release date: 6/10/2016
King Dedede
Series: Kirby Release date: 6/10/2016
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Waddle Dee
Series: Kirby Release date: 6/10/2016
Meta Knight
Series: Kirby Release date: 6/10/2016
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By the time you’re reading this, Roy, Ryu, and R.O.B. the robot from the Smash Bros. series and Rover, Kapp’n, and Timmy & Tommy from the Animal Crossing series should be available for purchase. Roy is exclusive to Gamestop, Timmy & Tommy are rumored to be exclusive to Target, while the others are available at most stores. Sometime later this year the rest of the Smash Bros. amiibo will be released. That means you’ll be getting Cloud and Corrin. When summer rolls around, there will be another wave of releases. Isabelle (summer outfit) from Animal Crossing and Kirby, King Dedede, Waddle Dee, and Meta Knight from the Kirby series. That’s a lot of new amiibo to collect!
For the first time since it was released, there will not be a new Disney Infinity playset this year. Fortunately, the 3.0 playset will continue to have new things released for it. In fact, if you’re reading this, the all new Marvel Battlegrounds set is out! It’s the first playset that allows four players at the same time. Best of all, you only need one base to make it work. Scan in your characters one at a time and then select them in the game. In addition to that, all of your Marvel characters from 2.0 and 3.0 will work with Marvel Battlegrounds. Black Panther, Vision, Black Suit Spiderman, and Ant Man are the new characters that join a brand-new Captain America, who comes with the set. Boba Fett from Star Wars and Baloo from the Jungle Book should also be available. This summer will see the release of the Finding Dory playset. It should be out around the same time the movie is released. Alice, The Mad Hatter, and Time from Alice in Wonderland are also on their way. All you Star Wars fans can pick up a Light FX Kylo Ren figure in 2016 too! And don’t forget about Peter Pan, the winning character of the Toy Box Artists Choice who will be joining the lineup at some point.
Boba Fett
Series: Star Wars Release date: 2016
Peter Pan
Series: Peter Pan Release date: 2016
Baloo
Series: Jungle Book Release date: March 15, 2016
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Collector’s Tip! Count on Little Player Magazine to keep you informed on all the new “Toys-to-Life” figures coming out. Use our guides in this and future issues to plan and keep track of your collection. If you do not want to write on your magazine, try photocopying these pages or if you have the digital version of the magazine, try printing these pages before you check anything off. Ask your parents first!
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