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14 Sep 2023

HHW Gaming: ‘Mario vs. Donkey Kong,’ OG Lara Crofts Returns & More Nintendo Direct Announcements

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Nintendo Drops Plenty of Announcements During Nintendo Direct

Source: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong

The PlayStation State of Play event is a couple of hours away, but Nintendo kicked things off this morning with many games coming to the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch owners have a lot of games to look forward to playing well into 2024 as they continue to patiently wait for Nintendo to confirm the existence of the Nintendo Switch 2.

Until that day comes, there are some very exciting titles Switch owners should be excited to get their hands on this winter and in 2024.

So, in case you were still sleeping while it was going on, don’t worry. HHW Gaming has got you covered.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong



The iconic rivalry between Mario and Donkey Kong comes to the Nintendo Switch. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is described as a puzzle-platforming game that will see the legendary plumber on a mission to regain a bunch of stolen Mario toys taken by Donkey Kong.

The game features local co-op play and comes to the Nintendo Switch on February 16, 2024.

Princess Peach: Showtime



Princess Peach doesn’t need to be saved this time. In Princess Peach Showtime !, the titular character teams up with her companion, The Sparkle Theater’s guardian Stella, to stop Grape and the Sour Bunch, who have taken it over.

The trailer showcases Princess Peach’s ability to take multiple forms: Detective Peach, Kung Fu Peach, and Swordfighter Peach. The game launches on the Nintendo Switch on March 22, 2024

F-ZERO 99



We’re finally getting a new F-ZERO game, but it’s not exactly what fans of the iconic racer that first arrived on the Super Nintendo were asking for.

F-ZERO 99 is a battle royale race that will see up to 99 players hit the track and duke it to finish at the top. The game has new gameplay features, allowing players to customize their favorite F-ZERO racer vehicles.

The game is available right now to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Starring Lara Croft



OG Lara Croft is back! Crystal Dynamics and Aspyr are bringing the first three Tomb Raider video games and slapping them with a fresh coat of HD paint. For the retro purists, you can play using the original graphics.

We are curious to see how well this game has aged and how it will feel when it arrives on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG on February 14, 2024.

Contra: Operation Guluga



Contra is a classic, so it put a smile on our faces to see Konami and developer WayForward’s complete remaster of the iconic Nintendo shooter.

Contra: Operation Galuga brings the shooter to the Nintendo Switch with a new look and feel, and we honestly can’t wait to play this one when it launches on the Switch sometime in early 2024.

For the rest of today’s Nintendo Direct announcements, hit the gallery below.

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Photo: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong

1. Trombone Champ – Launch Trailer – Nintendo Switch

Trombone Champ is available today on Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Honk, blow, and toot your way through over 45 songs! Up to 4 players can play together in local multiplayer! The Nintendo Switch version supports multiple control modes: Tilt, IR Motion Camera and Tilt-Motion. Try your best to get higher scores, and compete with your friends on the online leaderboards! Collect all 50 unique Tromboner Cards, meet mysterious characters, and uncover the mysteries of the Trombiverse. Do you have what it takes to become the Trombone Champ?

2. Unicorn Overlord – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch

Unicorn Overlord is releasing for Nintendo Switch on March 8, 2024! Wishlist today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

From the creators of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere, Unicorn Overlord shines in combining overworld exploration and an innovative battle system in the iconic Vanillaware style. Traverse the vibrant world, cultivate a grand army with over 60 uniquely designed characters, and grow your renown throughout the five nations in this unique epic fantasy experience!

3. SaGa Emerald Beyond

SaGa Emerald Beyond is coming to Nintendo Switch in 2024! Wishlist today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

The latest standalone entry in the SaGa franchise, SaGa Emerald Beyond, brings together the very best elements of the beloved series to offer each player their own unique gameplay experience.

As players venture across 17 mysterious worlds, they will forge their own unique branching stories that unfold based on their very own choices and actions. With multiple endings and countless scenes to discover, players will experience a unique tale upon each playthrough!

4. SPYxANYA: Operation Memories

SPYxANYA: Operation Memories is coming to Nintendo Switch next year! Wishlist today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Complete a photo diary for homework by living your daily life as Anya in the world of SPYxFAMILY! You will surely find treasured memories in the ordinary daily life.

Not only the family members, Loid and Yor, but also Anya’s friends, Damian and Becky, and even Yuri and Fiona will appear in the game.

In addition to outings, play unique mini-games to get cute costumes, and add color to your memories by dressing up characters in your style!

5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 6

The final wave of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass arrives this holiday! Learn more: https://mariokart8.nintendo.com/boost…

Wave 6 includes Daisy Circuit plus 7 more courses, along with 4 returning playable characters: – Diddy Kong – Funky Kong – Pauline – Peachette

6. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door from the Nintendo GameCube system will return with enhanced graphics for Nintendo Switch in 2024!

7. Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Side Order DLC

The Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass – Side Order DLC is releasing spring 2024! Learn more: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Featuring a brand-new story, the single-player Side Order DLC will challenge you to ascend the Spire of Order in an experience that’s designed to be replayed over and over!

8. Super Mario RPG

Super Mario RPG is releasing for Nintendo Switch on November 17, 2023! Pre-order today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Mario and his teammates are tougher than ever in Super Mario RPG! Use the updated Action Commands to unleash the all-new Triple Moves, where Mario and his party members team up to unleash a unique group attack.

9. Another Code: Recollection

Another Code: Recollection is releasing for Nintendo Switch on January 19, 2024! Pre-order today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

The Nintendo DS game, Trace Memory, and its sequel, previously unreleased in North America, return fully enhanced for the Nintendo Switch system as Another Code: Recollection.

10. Detective Pikachu Returns

Detective Pikachu Returns launches for Nintendo Switch on October 6, 2023. Pre-order today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Unravel a series of mysteries across Ryme City with a tough-talking, coffee-loving Pikachu and his human partner, Tim Goodman. When a jewel theft occurs, the case sets this great detective duo down a path filled with mystery. Why did Tim’s father, Harry, go missing? What is causing the Pokémon-related incidents around Ryme City? Answer these questions and more by searching for clues, investigating scenes, and using your case notebook to make deductions.

11. Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD

Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is releasing for Nintendo Switch summer 2024.

Welcome to Evershade Valley, a place that’s screaming and teeming with the supernatural. Luigi and his vacuum-like device, the Poltergust, ensue mansion mayhem, and Luigi must face his courage to save the day! Up to 4 players can play together locally and online across different multiplayer modes.

12. Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is coming to Nintendo Switch on January 18, 2024! Pre-order today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is an action-adventure platformer game set in a mythological Persian world, bringing new characters & lore, engaging narrative, and exciting gameplay mechanics to a legendary franchise.

13.

WarioWare: Move It! is releasing for Nintendo Switch on November 3, 2023! Pre-order today: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Strike a pose with a multitude of motion-based microgames in a brand-new entry in the WarioWare series! You can laugh out loud with over 200 lightning-fast microgames, and multiplayer modes aplenty!

14. Horizon Chase 2 – Gameplay Trailer

Horizon Chase 2 is available today on Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/store/produc…

Get your crew together and embark on this new trip around the World with the classic signature high-speed arcade gameplay within a dynamic environment, unique art style, thrilling soundtrack and online gameplay!

14 Sep 2023

Offset Announces New Album ‘Set It Off’: Here’s When It Arrives

Offset is back. The rapper announced on Thursday (Sept. 14) that his upcoming album, Set It Off, is arriving on October 13.

He shared the announcement on Twitter alongside the album’s cover art, which features the star falling from an upside down city engulfed in flames. Set It Off will serve as a follow-up to his solo 2019 album, Father of 4, which arrived in 2019 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. He also released an EP in 2021, Culture III (Offset’s Way). As a member of Migos, he released four studio albums.

Last month, Offset ended his legal battle with Quality Control Music, the label that helped launch Migos’ career. In August 2022, the rapper  — whose real name is Kiari Cephus — filed paperwork in Los Angeles seeking a declaratory judgement “that Quality Control has no rights, title, or interest in or to Offset’s recordings” since he bought out his deal with the company early last year. He alleged that despite buying the rights to his solo works, QC continued to claim ownership over his recordings.

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Offset is currently signed to Motown Records, under which Set It Off will be released. See the announcement and the corresponding cover art below.

14 Sep 2023

TikTok & Billboard Partner to Launch TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart | Billboard News

On Thursday (Sept. 14), TikTok and Billboard announced the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart — a new weekly chart that will track the most popular songs on the platform in the U.S. The chart is available to all TikTok users in the U.S. and on Billboard.com. Sexyy Red claims the first No. 1 spot on the chart with the song “SkeeYee.”

Tetris Kelly:
You’ve heard them on TikTok thanks to the hottest trends. They’ve even climbed to the top of Billboard‘s charts. And now, they’ve got a chart of their own.

Today, we’re launching the TikTok Billboard Top 50. It’s the first official Billboard chart for songs on TikTok. The chart is based on a combination of creations, video views and user engagement by the U.S. TikTok community. And the first artist to claim the No. 1 spot is SexyyRed with “SkeeYee.” I mean, who can resist the good skeeyee?

Every Thursday, Billboard will bring you the verified list of the hottest songs on TikTok by monitoring music discovery and engagement on the platform in the United States. To find the TikTok Billboard Top 50 each week, users can simply go to any sound detail page and tap the top right button to access the charts page.

This week Doja lands at No. 2 with “Paint the Town Red,” thanks to some quick feet and devil horns. And Taylor Swift’s Folklore track “August” has everyone running on the beach, landing her at No. 3.

For a full look at the TikTok Billboard Top 50, check in the app or on Billboard.com. Happy liking and posting, and we’ll see you on the charts.

14 Sep 2023

Fall Celeb Trends: 5 Shackets to Layer Up In Without Sacrificing Style

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Fall weather means it’s time to layer up! And one of the biggest trends celebs including Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez have been spotted wearing is the cozy yet chic shacket. Not every cool-weather day calls for an oversized white puffer jacket, and as much as a teddy coats boast coziness, sometimes you don’t want the added bulk.

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Incorporating a shacket into your outfit will not only help you bundle up, but won’t leave you sweating on a 60-degree day. As an added bonus, the style is celebrity-approved and comes in a variety of prints, fabrics and lengths, making it the ultimate versatile jacket to show off this season.

As you start collecting your new fall and winter wardrobe, make sure you add one (or three) of the highly sought-after layering piece to your cart.

Don’t want to wait the standard seven-day shipping time to try on styles? Amazon has a 30-day free trial, which will give you all the Prime membership perks including free next-day shipping and access to Prime Try Before You Buy.

Below, we picked a few of the best shackets to get you layered up and ready to hit the town warm, but in style.

model wearing brown, white and black shacket with black leggings

Amazon

Automet Casual Plaid Shacket

$32.99 $49.99 34% OFF

Nothing says fall more than a gingham pattern, and this plaid shacket is ready to provide all the autumn vibes. Not only is it a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, but it comes in colors to choose from and has a mid-weight feel for added warmth.

model wearing red, white and purple shacket with white t-shirt

Walmart

Fantaslook Flannel Shacket

$27.99 $42.99 35% off% OFF

You’re bound to look fantastic in this Fantaslook Flannel Shacket that’s currently less than $30. It comes with a button-up design, and features a polyester fabric that aims to provide warmth, breathability and comfort.

model wearing black cropped corduroy shacket

Amazon

Gihuo Cropped Button Down Corduroy Shirt Jacket

$29.99

Ditch the length and instead, try this cropped shacket on for size. It comes with an above-the-wasit length and a corduroy material for added texture and comfort. Plus, the neutral colors mean you can wear that statement top without worry about your jacket stealing all the attention.

purple plaid shacket

Madewell

Brushed Jacquard Shirt Jacket

$109.50 $138 21% off% OFF

Make a statement in Madewell’s shacket featuring a bright purple plaid pattern you can pair with leather pants for the ultimate night out in elegance. The two front pockets will also help with storing a few small things like your spare lip gloss and phone.

brown shacket

Zara

Zara Soft Overshirt

$49.50

Keep things basic without looking basic in Zara’s version of a shacket. It comes in three neutral shades including beige, light pink and Ecru, and has a 100% polyester shell to keep you warm, whether you layer it under a denim jacket or over your turtleneck.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best affordable varsity jackets, Ugg boots and eco-friendly leggings.

14 Sep 2023

Matthew West to Receive ASCAP’s Golden Note Award

ASCAP will honor contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West with the Golden Note Award during ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards celebration on Oct. 2 in Nashville.

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The invitation-only event celebrates the writers and publishers of ASCAP’s most-performed songs in Christian music over the past year. ASCAP’s Golden Note Award is presented to songwriters, composers and artists who have earned exemplary career achievements, with previous honorees including Garth Brooks, Michael W. Smith, Reba McEntire and Mary Mary.

“Matthew’s remarkable gift for lifting others up with his music transcends genre or format,” said ASCAP chairman of the board/president Paul Williams in a statement. “He is one of our most-lauded Christian songwriters and artists and from the start of his nearly two-decade career, stars from Christian, country, and pop music have brought his passionate and profound songs of hope and healing to audiences around the world. We congratulate him on this well-deserved award.”

West, a five-time Grammy nominee, has had his songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, among others. Among the hits he’s co-written with and for other artists are Anne Wilson‘s “My Jesus,” Casting Crowns‘ “Thrive” and “Scars in Heaven,” Natalie Grant‘s “Something Beautiful” and Tasha Layton’s “Look What You’ve Done.”

As an artist, West has released 11 albums (including two that reached the pinnacle of the top Christian Albums chart) while earning 12 No. 1 Christian Airplay hits and six No. 1 Hot Christian Songs chart hits. In 2018, the GMA Dove Awards feted West’s songwriting by honoring him with its songwriter of the year accolade, marking his third win at the ceremony.

14 Sep 2023

A$AP Press Killers Sentenced To 20 Years To Life For 2016 Shooting

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A$AP Press

Source: Twitter / Twitter

Justice has been served for the killers of A$AP Mob member A$AP Press, who passed away in 2018.

According to HipHopDX, 37-year-old Chester Taylor and 37-year-old Darius Hastings were just sentenced to 20 years to life for shooting Pressie Taylor Jr. aka A$AP Press in the head in 2016. Though Press had initially survived the assault, he passed away in 2018 when he suffered a fatal seizure, which was caused by the injury. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the sentencing of the two men Friday (Sept. 8).

“Chester Taylor and Darius Hastings shot and killed a young Harlemite with great ambitions, talent and a bright future,” said Alvin Bragg in a statement. “Although Pressie Taylor Jr. miraculously survived the shooting in its initial aftermath, his life was forever changed. He made a valiant attempt at resuming his life and music career, but unfortunately, he succumbed to the effects of his serious injuries, depriving his family and community of a promising star.”

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Bragg added, “Thanks to the jury’s careful review of the evidence, both defendants were found to be responsible for his murder, and I hope that the sentences imposed today bring the victim’s family some form of peace.”

Just a sad situation all around.

Members from the A$AP Mob have yet to publicly respond to the sentencing, but at least the family and friends of A$AP Press have some closure over the situation.

Rest In Peace, Press.

What do y’all think of the situation? Let us know in the comments section below.

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14 Sep 2023

Fabrice Morvan Tells His Side of the Story in ‘Milli Vanilli’ Documentary Trailer: Watch

Milli Vanilli‘s music career was marred by a multitude of highs and lows. And now, one half of the duo, Fabrice Morvan, tells his and former bandmate Robert Pilatus’ side of the story in the new trailer for the group’s self-titled Paramount+ documentary.

In the trailer — which arrived Sept. 14 — Morvan sits down for an interview, expressing his and Pilatus’ thought process behind going through their deal with record producer Frank Farian, who infamously revealed that Milli Vanilli did not sing on any of its records in 1990. “We thought, ‘OK, just one song. We do this and you’re out,’” he tells the camera. “We won’t say no to this powerful producer.’”

In another interview, Morvan recalled his disbelief at Farian insisting the duo lip-synch despite their desire to provide their own vocals on their records. “They didn’t want us to sing … what?” he asks incredulously.

Commentators throughout the trailer summed up Milli Vanilli’s rise on the charts, propelled by the duo’s first hit single, “Girl You Know It’s True” (No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100): “Them visuals were on point. They had it all,” one says in between archival footage of the group performing and the television coverage they received. Another adds: “One minute Milli Vanilli were there, the next minute they weren’t.”

Another pivotal moment featured in the documentary is Milli Vanilli’s press conference on Nov. 20, 1990, which came after the Recording Academy revoked the pair’s 1990 best new artist Grammy award following the duo’s lip-synching controversy.

Pilatus, who died in 1998 after an accidental alcohol and drug overdose, tells the reporters in the archival footage, “We were seduced, we were abused, and we’re happy that it’s over. You get something, but you make a pact with the devil.”

Milli Vanilli — which features commentary from Billboard‘s contributing writer Gil Kaufman — arrives on Paramount+ Oct. 24.

Watch the trailer above.

14 Sep 2023

Catch Megan Thee Stallion in the New ‘Big Mouth’ Season 7 Trailer

Big Mouth is getting the Hot Girl treatment.

The animated Nick Kroll show Big Mouth returns to Netflix for its seventh season next month, and a new trailer was released on Thursday (Sept. 14) featuring none other than Megan Thee Stallion as a hormone monstress. “It’s a big motherf—ing deal that they got me on the show,” her voluptuous character says in the 47-second teaser, before she breaks into a twerk.

Alongside series regulars Kroll, John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen, the upcoming season will feature a slew of guest stars in addition to the “Savage” rapper, including Lupita Nyong’o, Zazie Beetz, Randall Park, Chloe Fineman, Zach Galifianakis, Mark Duplass, Brian Tyree Henry and more. 

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In other Meg news, the rapper is fresh off a high-intensity performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday (Sept. 12), where she took the stage with her collaborator Cardi B to deliver a debut performance of their new song, “Bongos.” The pair’s new single marks their first teamup since the blockbusting “WAP” in 2020. 

Big Mouth season 7 hits Netflix on October 20. See the trailer below.

14 Sep 2023

Fulton County Drops RICO Defendant YSL Polo Charges After Conviction

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Georgia Secretary Of State Raffensperger Testifies In Federal Court

Source: Megan Varner / Getty

Prosecutors in the YSL racketeering trial have dropped charges against one defendant who was recently convicted of murder for the second time.

On Tuesday (September 12th), Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love informed the judge that the office would “nolle pros” the two RICO charges in their case against Cordarius Dorsey, also known as YSL Polo. This was prompted by his conviction by a jury for the murder of Xavier Turner last week. It marks the second time Polo has been convicted of murder in less than a year. He was sentenced to life in prison on the first conviction.

The murder of the 44-year-old Turner took place at the Old National Village Discount Mall in College Park, Georgia. Video evidence showing the incident was used in this case to convict Dorsey. Video evidence also played a role in the conviction for the 2019 armed robbery and murder of Sulaiman Jalloh, a 39-year-old husband and father of six at a gas station in October 2019.

Young Thug had petitioned the court to sever his case from YSL Polo’s. “Jeffery Williams, by and through undersigned counsel, hereby files this motion to sever parties in the above-referenced case,” wrote his attorney Brian Steel in a motion. “In support of this Motion, Mr. Williams shows as follows. Mr. Williams is innocent of all charges in the above-referenced indictment. Mr. Dorsey, a co-indictee, has displayed unprofessional and unacceptable conduct in Court, in the presence of this Honorable Court, as announced on the Record on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.”

The move now leaves seven defendants in the sweeping racketeering trial including Young Thug. The case originally involved 28 people who were indicted in what Fulton County District Attorney Dani Willis called “havoc” caused in the city of Atlanta dating back to 2015. Since then, most including Gunna have accepted plea deals or have had their cases severed from the main case. There is no date set for opening statements in the RICO trial, as jury selection – which started in January – is still ongoing.

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14 Sep 2023

Here Are 5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Warning | Billboard

The Warning reveals five things you didn’t know about them to Billboard at the 2023 MTV VMAs.

The Warning:
Hi! We are The Warning, and these are five things you didn’t know about us.

Alejandra Villarreal:
We are three sisters.

Dany Villarreal:
We are Mexican — viva Mexico!

Paulina Villarreal:
We’ve been a band for 10 years, which is, like, more than half of our lives. Another thing …

Dany Villarreal:
… This is our first time at the VMAs.

Alejandra Villarreal:
We just released our new single called “More,” so go check it out.

Watch the full video above.