RipTen Videogame Blog » The Joker

New Batman: Arkham City Screens Are No Joke

Garrett Hartman — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:10:00 +0000

The most recent Arkham City screens released by Warner Bros. focus more on the clown prince of crime himself – the Joker. Eveyone knows you can’t have up without down, ying without yang, and the seriousness of the Batman without the maniacal lunacy of the Joker.

Check out the new screens below.

Five O’Clock Fan Art: Joker Medic

Dylan Duarte — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:35 +0000

As our own Dave Oshry put it, “we do so much TF 2.” We do Dave, but look at this one. It’s the TF 2 medic AND it’s The Joker. It’s both of them!

Five O’Clock Fan Art is perfect for wrapping up the work day. You don’t want to think anymore, you just want to look at awesome things. And there’s nothing more awesome than a well crafted piece of videogame fan art. If you don’t agree, what the hell are you doing at a gaming blog?

This expert mash-up is the work of TheMinttu.

The Penguin, Two Face, Catwoman, & Black Mask Join Joker As Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 Villains?

Chad Lakkis — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 16:51:08 +0000

Geoff Keighley posted a tweet nine hours ago asking his followers if they happened to pick up on any of the villain reveals in the Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 trailer revealed on Spike TV’s Video Game Awards show last night. This prompted me to watch the trailer a few times over to see if I could spot any of them myself.

In addition to Harley and the Joker, who are clearly visible towards the end of the clip, the freeze frame images and animations snapped below from the VGA trailer seem to point to the possible additions of The Penguin, Two Face, Catwoman, and Black Mask.

The first image looks to spell the word “ICEBERG” on a building structure. I originally thought this was a reference to Mr. Freeze, but Demi (who apparently knows way more about the Batman franchise than I do) told me about an Iceberg Lounge operated by The Penguin, so it seems that this is most likely a reference to him.

The second comes by way of three dimensional lettering on a brick wall that spells “Sionis.” The Black Mask’s true name is Roman Sionis.

The third is a “We Want You” style poster sporting what looks like a coin flipping character with a partially disfigured face. It’s blurry even after Photoshop enhancement, but this sure as hell looks like Two Face.

There’s at least one other that we haven’t been able to identify yet, so if you were able to spot any other villain reveals, feel free to share them in the comments section below.

The fourth villain Keighley may have been referring to could be Catwoman. The animated gif I just put together is based on a portion of the trailer that features a cat perched high above the streets on a fire escape. This was brought to our attention by reader rynethomas. In the theme of things, this does seem like a very good indicator for Catwoman in the game.

While we seem to have spotted four villains, that’s not to say there aren’t more leads hidden in the video. Other possible clues are a sign that we think reads “IDEAL HARDWARE”, a greenish yellow banner hanging far down the street, and several shadows that appear to be fighting down an alley just before you enter Joker’s building. The video itself is below.

Reader Feedback Updates: I’m inserting pieces from the clip based on readers suggestions below. This will be ongoing as more feedback comes in.

The first reader update comes from paulstrife and highlights the guards shadow near the Asylum. The thought here is that the funky shadow movement has something to do with Shadow Thief. After watching the clip a few times, it seems that it may just be shadow distortion caused by the police car spinning red and blue lights.

I originally mentioned the “IDEAL HARDWARE” sign above, but didn’t include an image of it because I had no idea what it referenced. I still have no clue what it might mean, but I’ve inserted it below in the event someone else may know what it hints at (if anything). Reader oedipusopus found the following information on Wikipedia about the Mad Hatter which references hardware.

“He is an insane neuroscientist and developed hardware that can control the brain and induce hypnotic states, and often uses hats or other headgear for mind control.”

This is the best lead we have so far on the hardware sign and it seems pretty plausible to me. If you have an alternative theory feel free to add it in the comments section.

The image below is an animated gif of the shadows in the back of the same alley the cat is overlooking on the fire escape. At first it looks almost like Batman holding up an enemy, but then the thing in the air seems to transform into something else.

Here’s the mask a few of you have noted in which drops down from above in the clip. I’ve brightened it up to try and make any detail on it a little more visible. Someone suggested that it looked like the old Joker henchmen masks, but I looked and couldn’t find anything that matched it. That’s not to say it couldn’t be Rocksteady’s own personal spin on the object.

Again, I have absolutely no idea what the highlighted banner in the image below hints at if anything, but its colorful enough that it catches your eye at the far end of the street. If any of you readers think you know what it is feel free to chime in.

DirecTV Parody Ads Feature Heath Ledger, JFK, and Jesus Christ

Chad Lakkis — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:42:14 +0000

It seems that the Chris Farley DirecTV advertisement did more that just piss a bunch of people off – it also inspired the team at LandlineTV to drive the point home with a set of parody advertisements of their own. Why stop at Chris Farley when you can utilize the power of even more dead celebs?

Landline included the following comment with their reveal:

After testing the boundaries with their Chris Farley spot, DirecTV wrangles more famous people from beyond the grave to be in commercials.

Have a look at the parody video below.

I found that very amusing. As for the Chris Farley DirecTV ad, when I first saw it I’ll admit I was turned off, but I found out later that the version I saw on TV wasn’t the full version of the spot.

The full spot closes with David Spade saying “it never gets old.” That line, as short as it is, reaffirms the fact that although he just spewed out a bunch of DirecTV sales mumbo-jumbo he doesn’t get tired of watching his friend perform “fat guy in a little coat” — without that line the commercial takes on a whole new meaning.

In something as touchy as this, you would think that DirecTV would have the common sense to not use the spot outside of its full unedited version. What do you think? Does the edit make the difference or do you think the commercial is unacceptable from the start.

PS3 Exclusive Batman: Arkham Asylum Playable Joker Full of Surprises

Chad Lakkis — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:45:10 +0000

What good is a console exclusive feature if you can’t rub it in the face of your competitor a few days before a large game related social gathering?

Edios released a trailer of the PS3 exclusive Batman: Arkham Asylum playable Joker a few hours ago and if you haven’t seen it yet, I advise you give it a look. Best viewed through a pair of swirly vision glasses, but we won’t joy buzz you if you forgot them in your other purple jacket. Hit the jump.

Now that is some sweet ass action. I’m not sure I would buy the PS3 version for that feature alone but it doesn’t hurt. How about you? All gag or worth the rag?

Joker Fatality in its Full Glory for European Market

Sam Naylor — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:00:06 +0000

It appears that the European version of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will feature an uncensored version of the Joker’s fatality sequence. For those not in the know, the sequence featured the Joker firing a trick gun (one with a flag inside that says “BANG”) at the victim, but then taking out a real gun and shooting them right between the eyes. The American version was censored, having the victim walk off-screen before the fatal bullet hits, in order to receive a “Teen” rating.

The European version will however feature the sequence in full, with the headshot in full view. This is because in Europe, the game will receive a “15/16+” rating, and can feature more adult content. In an interview, Hans Lo, the game’s senior producer, said:

You know, for North America we have a Teen rating, and teen really means 13 and above. Thirteen is pretty young, you have to admit. For Europe we have a 15, 16+ rating – so it’s a bit different.”

Any hardcore fans of Mortal Kombat out there who want to see the fatality in full for the US version (maybe you just want to see the Joker shoot Superman, but I’m not one to judge)? Personally, I’m glad that they decided to keep it in the European version, but I’m not sure it should be different in the US version. It of course depends upon the individual but I don’t really think a shot to the head is the worst thing a 13-year-old can possibly see. Let us know what you think in the comments.

Source: Videogamer

Joker’s T-Rated Gag Gun Fatality All Gag No Gore

Chad Lakkis — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:32:32 +0000

In the midst of all the Metacrtic user score bashing, you may have missed out on some fairly important Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe news. The Joker’s Gag Gun fatality that took the internet by storm has been reworked due to ESRB Teen rating scrutiny.

If you have been following our coverage of the game here at Ripten, you already know that we had a chance to sit down with Hector Sanchez (the game’s producer) at E3. He walked us through the latest MK installment, and we spent some hands-on time with it as well.

Overall, my impression was positive, and I was looking forward to the game’s release. That excitement escalated further when I saw Hector unveil the Joker’s Gag Gun fatality in late August on GameTrailers TV. He wrapped up the segment by addressing skeptics.

“So for all the people that thought that this was going to be Mortal Kombat light, you’ve seen it here first on GameTrailers TV, the Joker actually blows Katana’s head off.”

The concept was vicious and yet the blood wasn’t persistent — something Hector explained to be a key requirement in order to achieve a Teen rating. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to be enough to convince the ESRB powers at be.

The Joker’s Gag Gun fatality that I fell in love with just two short months ago has been further “teen-a-fied”. Kotaku describes the new version after experiencing it first hand:

Joker still whips out his prank gun, a “BANG!” flag unfurling. Unfortunately, you won’t see the follow up of Joker shooting someone in the face; that actually happens off screen now, the headshot safely out of sight.

Meh. I’m disappointed. Personally, I find those damn Highschool Musical films more disturbing than a little non-persistent blood. It’s too bad. I’m holding out hope for Hector and the crew at Midway, but it appears that the ESRB has them right where they want them — drained, dazed, and ready for a finishing move of their own.

Joker’s Card Deck Fatality Deals a Killer Hand

Chad Lakkis — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:10:28 +0000

We recently stumbled on a video highlighting the “kombat modes” of Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe, and the end of the clip reveals yet another Joker fatality.

The first MK vs DC Joker fatality, which we reported two months ago, utilized a gag gun double take to brutally finish off the opponent, while the second installment gives new meaning to the saying “Jokers Wild.”

Hit the jump and see why the Joker’s version of fifty-two card pick up only needs five cards.

MK vs. DC Fighting System Explained (Video)

Dan Landis — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:25:57 +0000

Some of the dudes working on the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, namely Senior Producer Hans Lo and Associate Producer Hector Sanchez, put together a little video to help us all understand this crazy new fighting game. Arguably, the most important factor in what makes a good fighting game is good fighting (no shit), and these producer fellas give us the rundown on how exactly we can beat each other’s asses. It also showcases another one of the Joker’s fatalities (yeah!). Video follows.

Joker’s Gag Gun Fatality Ends with a BANG!

Chad Lakkis — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:41:25 +0000

I got some hands-on time with Hector and the MK vs DC game at E3 this year, and while I was impressed with the amount of blood they worked into the game, the Fatalities and Brutalities demonstrated at that point were a little on the lighter side.

So when I saw the Joker’s Fatality (and yes, it appears that DC Villains will be able to perform Fatalities) I almost shit my pants. If you are one of the many gamers out there who vowed they would never buy a Teen Rated Mortal Kombat game, you may want to check this clip out before you utter another word.

The clip above was zoomed in and cut out from a GameTrailers video interview (shown in full below). I opted to feature the animated gif because it highlights the Fatality, but if you want to see the full video, and check out the rest of the Joker’s moves, have at it.

Afterthought: What say you? Are you impressed by the creativity and graphic nature of the Joker’s Fatality, or is this type of thing still not good enough?

Update: The Joker’s second fatality has surfaced online. Click here to check it out.

Source: Neogaf