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Information About Video Games
Video Game News - September 2007
Information About Video Games
September 28, 2007
Two New Xbox 360 Demos
Looking for something to play this weekend? Boot up the 360 and guide yourself to two new demos. NHL 2K8 and Clive Barker's Jericho are yours for the playing.
Xbox 360 Holiday Bundle?
There were rumors that there were going to be holiday Xbox 360 bundles coming this year when photos of Xbox 360 boxes featured two games packaged with the system. Well, Best Buy has listed the bundles on their website with the games Forza and Ultimate Alliance. The Elite was priced at $499.99 and the Premium was listed at $349.99. The listings have since been removed, but there's another reason why you should wait to buy a 360 if you don't already have one.
Ratchet & Clank on the PS3 Delayed
The upcoming Insomniac game, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction has sadly, been delayed. Not by much though. Only a week. The game will be released on October 30th in North America.
Playstation Store Update
This weeks update brings you lots of good things. The MotorStorm Castro Capitano Add-on brings you the Castro Capitano racing truck with three different styles. It's a racing truck built around a 70's pickup that has been heavily armored and protected with a large roll cage. You can pick that up for $0.99. You can pick up the Ninja Gaiden "Speed Master" Add-On for $2.99 which adds on an additional five survival modes in which the time and power gauge are limited.
Then comes the demos. Download NBA 2K8 for some good 'ol hoops. You can play as the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers in this one. The best part of today's update comes in the form of the Clive Barker's Jericho demo. This is a squad-based horror FPS game written by Clive Barker, the writer of Hellraiser, so be prepared to be scared.
If you just want to watch some videos, check out the EOJ Overview video, NBA 08 Upside Tutorial, Guitar Hero III trailer, We Own the Night Trailer, and Iron Man Teaser Trailer.
September 27, 2007
Halo 3 Made a Ton of Money
The North American launch for Halo 3 has brought in a whole boat load of moolah. "How much" you may ask? $170 million is how much. This makes it the highest grossing release in entertainment history. Now that's a lot of green.
Kane and Lynch Coming In November
Eidos Interactive has announced that Kane and Lynch: Dead Men will be released in North America on November 20th. This violent game, which I hope I will have enough money for at the time, will be available for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC.
PC and PS3 Cross-Platform Play for UT3
Sorry, but it's not gonna happen. What a crappy headline huh? Got your hopes up. Epic Games VP has stated, "There will not be cross-platform play at launch," and that "The biggest challenge in doing cross-platform play is synchronizing the builds such that the build on the PC is 100% compatible with the build on the PS3."
The problem here lies in the lengthy certification process that is required for putting games on a console. For every update, they would be holding back updates for the PC and PC users are Epic's "bread and butter."
This doesn't mean that cross-platform play is out of the question, but the chance of it happening is very small. That sucks. That would have been really cool.
Microsoft Replacing Scratched Halo 3 Discs
If you happened to purchase a Limited Edition Halo 3 and your disc was scratched due to coming loose in the special tin case, there is no need to worry. Microsoft is replacing the scratched discs as long as you send it in before the end of 2007. It sucks that you won't be able to play it right away though, but thems the breaks.
$400 PS3 Coming?
There is a rumor floating around that a $399 Playstation 3 will be coming sometime soon. This is purely speculation as of right now, but many expect the system to come with a smaller 40 GB hard drive and to hit shelves sometime around Thanksgiving. This would most definitely bring better sales for the PS3, which isn't doing so well right now in case you haven't heard.
September 26, 3007
Jericho Demo Available Soon
According to Gamespot, a demo for Clive Barkers Jericho will be hitting the interwebs today for your PC. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 demos will be here tomorrow. I hope the demo is as cool as the trailer made it look.
Crash of the Titans Demo on XBL
Good ol' Crash Bandicoot is back in Crash of the Titans. Download the demo on Xbox Live Marketplace today. It's not available in Mexico or Asia though. Oh, and it has co-op gameplay so get a friend to join you...if you have one.
Halo 3: Free Stuff Galore
Microsoft is celebrating the release of Halo 3 by giving away a bunch of free stuff. If you are an Xbox Live Gold subscriber, you can download a free theme and gamerpic for a limited time only. Also, the release of "Inside Bungie: Halo 3 -- The Story" will be available to download tomorrow and "Inside Bungie: Halo 3 -- New Features" will be available on Friday. You can download this stuff up until September 30th, but after that, you are S.O.L.
Xbox 360 Shortage?
Bruce on Games is a great site who is written by Bruce Everiss. He has been involved in the field of marketing for a long time and was Head of Corporate Affairs with Codemasters for 2 years. His blog always has some great articles on it, such as the one he wrote yesterday. Bruce expects there to be shortages of Xbox 360 consoles for months, not only due to the recent release of Halo 3, but also for the 100 other games that will be released in the holiday season. Given the numbers that Halo 3 has produced, I don't doubt it. So if you don't own a 360 now, here is your warning that you may want to pick one up soon.
September 25, 2007
Real World Donkey Kong
Some of the guys from Jackass have created a real life Donkey Kong game. I don't know who everyone in the video is, but I do remember Rake. Isn't he the guy who really, really, hates mustard?
Saints Row 2 Officially Confirmed
THQ has confirmed that their popular Grand Theft Auto inspired game will have a sequel. Saints Row 2 will be coming in 2008 and Playstation 3 owners will also be able to partake in the fun that that Xbox 360 owners were only once able to. They are also adding new features to the game, one of which being two-player co-op in campaign mode. Sound like that will be a lot of fun.
Temporary XBL Price Cuts
Microsoft has decided to give temporary price cuts on Xbox Live Arcade another go. Starting today at 5pm PDT until next Tuesday, October, 2nd at 4:59pm PDT, you can pick up these titles for 25% off:
- Bankshot Billiards - 900 Microsoft points ($11.25)
- Frogger - 300 Microsoft points ($3.75)
- Hardwood Spades - 300 Microsoft points ($3.75)
Mercenaries 2 Delayed
Thye awesome game, Mercenaries 2 was suppposed to be released sometime this Fall, but sadly, it has been pushed all the back to sometime in 2008. An exact date has not been announced. Pandemic and Electronic Arts also haven't provided a reason other than that they want to make sure then game is completely polished and ready to go. Delays always suck, but in the end, they're worth it.
COD4 Beta Ends on Sunday
The Call of Duty 4 beta on the Xbox 360 ends on Sunday, September 30. You have a whole week left to play so you better get those hours put in. On September 28, the developer will also be raising the level cap from 16 to 26. You know what, just skip work. Play until your fingers are too cramped up to play any longer.
Stranglehold Delayed on the PS3
It looks like the Playstation 3 version of Stranglehold has been delayed. It was supposed to be released this week, but it's now scheduled for October 29. A whole month! Dammit.
Wii-kly Update
Some ok games hitting the Virtual Console this week. Kirby's Avalanche is another Tetris clone, so who really cares about that one. Well, I guess it's a little different, but still. Then you got Streets of Rage 3. Have you already beaten Streets of Rage 1 and 2? Then if you aren't tired of the series, download this one. Last of all is Legend of Hero Tonma. I have never heard of this game, but it actually looks like it could be fun. Check out Nintendo full press release below.
WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Sept. 24, 2007
When you take on a challenge, it's helpful to know your goal. Are you trying to bury an opponent under colorful boulders, defeat the evil Syndicate's lifelike robots or rescue a princess? Maybe all three? Well, you can rest easy knowing that this week's diverse selection from the Wii Shop Channel is here to help you take care of all the above.
Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
Kirby's Avalanche (Super NES, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Everyone's favorite round, pink hero takes a break from swallowing his enemies to put your brain to work in this fast-paced puzzle game. Players take control of Kirby and match wits with well-known enemies from the Kirby series (including his archrival, King Dedede) in an effort to win the First Annual Dream Land Avalanche Competition. The simple-but-addictive game play revolves around brightly colored blobs and boulders. When the right amount of matching blobs are stacked, they explode and rain down on your opponent's field of play. Repeat this until your screen is clear to move on to the next round. But be carefulóthe farther you advance, the faster the blobs fall and the smarter the opponents get. Are you good enough to help Kirby become the avalanche king?
Streets of Rage 3 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Violence, 800 Wii Points): Just when you thought the world was safe from the Syndicate and its shady leader, Mr. X, they have returned to torment the city once again. Mr. X has developed lifelike robots to take the place of various city officials so he can be in complete control. Now it's up to our old heroes Axel, Skate and Blaze to stop the threat with their amazing fighting skills. With more weapons and combat moves, as well as secret characters and various endings, this return to the streets is one you won't want to miss.
LEGEND OF HERO TONMA (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 600 Wii Points): LEGEND OF HERO TONMA is an action game that puts players in control of the magic-user Tonma, whose role - as was typical for game heroes of the day - is to travel to another world and save the princess. Fight your way through seven stages using Tonma's jump ability and shot power. Collect power-ups and barriers to grow in strength and pummel your enemies. Bring that strength to the end of each stage to face off against and defeat the menacing bosses that aim to keep you from the princess. This well-detailed game's comic visuals and feel will have players wanting to come back for more frantic and exciting action.
September 24, 2007
Guitar Hero III: 100 Buckaroos
The upcoming Guitar Hero III game was rumored to have wired controllers since Rock Band's will be, but good news, the controllers are wireless. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will cost $99.99 and the PS2 version will cost $89.99. Not bad. Wireless is the way to go after all. I hate all the wires running all over my house.
Halo 3 Releases Tonight!
Don’t walk, RUN! to your nearest game store; Halo 3 hits the shelves tonight at midnight. For all of you clutching tightly to the internet rumors of the September release date, it’s time to liberate- the rumor proved to be true. Stores in the likes of Best Buy and Circuit City are keeping their doors open just past midnight for all the Halo fanatics ready with money in hand and systems a-go. Be sure to be first in line so you can get your Halo 3 fix.
Guitar Hero III Soundtrack
Considering that Guitar Hero III is mainly about music, it only makes sense that there would be a cd containing your favorite tracks from the game. Interscope will be releasing a soundtrack CD for the game on 30th, which is only 2 days after the game release. Each disc will also contain a code that will allow Xbox 360 owners to download three extra tracks from the Xbox Live Marketplace. No news yet if Playstation 3 owners will also get the same deal. Here are the tracks that you can get.
- AFI - Carcinogen Crush
- Flyleaf - Tina
- Marilyn Manson - Putting Holes in Happiness (Nick Zinner Remix)
Ubisoft release uber games for holiday line-up
Look no further for the great game line up for the closing of 2007. Anticipated titles cater to all gamers and systems releasing games from family titles to the more serious gamers. It’s a great way to stuff those stockings with a one-stop shopping spree at your local game store for everyone on the Christmas list. Featured games from Ubisoft range from Assassin’s Creed, Haze, NARUTO to Chessmaster, Cranium Kabookii and Petz.
September 21, 2007
Viva Pinata Demo on XBL
If you need a Viva Pinata fix, go to your Xbox 360 and download Viva Pinata Party Animals demo. Up to four players can play in a sampling of several mini-games.
New Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
Microsoft has plans to launch a new HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 sometime next year, which was announced by Mark Bennett, who is the business development directory for the HD DVD in Europe. The new drive will have new interactive features, including picture in picture capability.
FlOwer
Remember the beautiful looking game, Flow? Well, it's getting a sequel. Check it out.
Playstation Home Delayed
Awwww...that sucks. Home was supposed to come out any day now, but Sony has announced that it will be delayed. Unless you are in the beta, you will now have to wait until Spring 2008. That's not too long. This is apparently due to development issues which include the fact the game will be released worldwide.
Download Stuff to Your PSP From the PC
Sony has revealed that Japan PSP owners will be able to download Playstation Store PSP content from their PCs and not only from the Playstation 3. There isn't any news of this service hitting the US right now, but it's likely in the works.
PSN Update
Today is the day you can download LocoRoco on your PS3, which has been talked about for a while now. Here are the details of the game; Full HD at 1080p, SIXAXIS wireless controller support, and additional mini-games. All for only $6.99. Including a whole bunch of wallpapers here is what else came this week:
Demos
- Skate Demo
- Stuntman: Ignition Demo
- Sega Rally Revo Demo
- NBA 08 Demo
Videos
- Devil May Cry 4 Summer Trailer
- GT5 Prologue Leipzig Video
- Ratchet and Clank Future: ToC Trailer 3
- Folklore "Realms and Creature" Trailer
- LocoRoco Cocoreccho! Trailer
- NBA 08 Free 6 Tutorial
- Heavenly Sword Release Trailer
- Lair "Going For the Kill" Video
September 20, 2007
Folklore Contest Winners Announced
Recently, there was a Folklore contest in which contestants were asked to create their own "Folk." Well the winners have been announced. Lisa K. is the official winner and her "Folk" is pretty damn cool. I can't wait to kill it. Check out the winning entry below and the runner up entries here.
New Guitar Hero II Song Pack
More songs for Guitar Hero II are coming. Expect to see a new map pack on Xbox Live when you start up the 360 today. For 500 Microsoft points you can get three new tracks. Here they are:
- Trivium - Detonation
- Atreyu - Right Side of the Bed
- Protest the Hero - Bury the Hatchet
Halo 3 Early Players Get Banned
FALSE. There was news about those people who got their hands on Halo 3 a little early and that they would be banned if they played it before the release date. Well, Microsoft has confirmed that if you do play it, you have nothing to worry about. Nobodies Xbox Live accounts will be banned, so if you have it, play it.
PS3 Rumble Controller Confirmed
At the Tokyo Game Show, the Playstation 3 rumble controller has finally been revealed. That's right, the rumble controller has been confirmed, finally. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal when you think about it, but when you actually have rumble, it makes a great difference. I'm excited for it.
Create a Character Contra 4 Contest
Konami has announced that in honor of Contra's 20th anniversary, they have started a new contest. This one is imaginatively called the "Design Your Own Contra Character" contest. From now until October 1st, you can create your own character, design the weapons and write a brief description, and hope that you'll soon be playing as that character.
September 19, 2007
Smash Bros. Brawl Has Online Play
Smash Bros. has always been a really fun game to play with your friends, but you can expect it to be fun with strangers now too. Nintendo will be giving the Smash Bros. game the good 'ol online treatment. A variety of modes will be announced soon.
XBL Wednesday
Today you can expect to download the action-puzzler, GEON: Emotions from Eidos Interactive on Xbox Live Arcade. In this game you utilize the emotions of your characters to navigate your way through the puzzles. You can pick it up for 800 Microsoft points.
"UR MR GAY" in Mario Galaxy Box Art
This is some odd news. You know how Disney has been known for sneaking sexual themes into their movies? Well, it looks like Nintendo may be guilty this time. If you look at the box art of the "Super Mario Galaxy" game for the Wii, you'll notice that the letters that have stars underneath them spell a secret message. U R MR GAY. You heard Nintendo. Should I feel offended?
Lumines Live Holiday Pack
Q Entertainment has confirmed that "Lumines Live" for the Xbox 360 will receive a substantial amount of downloadable content next month. The "Rockin' Holiday Pack" will be available on October 17th which will contain 20 seasonal themes for Challenge Mode. There are also free skins that will be available to Xbox Live Gold members for a limited time.
Jack Thompson Crying About GTAIV Spoof
In the latest in Jack Thompson news, Mr. Thomson is whining again. This time about GTAIV. It seems that Rockstar has put a mission in their upcoming "Grand Theft Auto IV" game the gives the player the objective of killing a lawyer who blames video games for violence. Jack Thompson sees this as a direct reference to himself and is crying like a little baby. I can't wait to play that mission.
September 18, 2007
Man Dies After Playing Online MMO
After playing an MMO in a cybercafe for three days straight, a man in southern China has died. The 30 year old man just suddenly collapsed in front of the computer terminal and emergency personnel weren't able to revive him. An emergency medic in the city of Zhongshan has stated that the amount of time that the man spent playing games online could have given the man heart problems. I don't really believe that though. Games shouldn't be blamed for everything. Jeeze. If the guy had time to just spend three days straight playing games, he probably wasn't taking very good care of himself. Games sure can be addicting though.
Halo 3 Ending Leaked
There is supposedly a video out there with the ending to Halo 3. I haven't watched it and don't plan to watch it, so I don't have anything else to say about it, but if you want to check it out, I've heard it was posted all over YouTube, and I believe Destructoid is carrying it as well.
Sega Rally Demo On XBL
Get some awesome racing action with Sega Rally Revo. Sega has released a demo of the game on Xbox Live, which includes two tracks and two cars. Go get muddy!
Wii Get Another Virtual Console Update
Got some more classics for ya! I don't think I've played any of these ones before so I have no criticism. Ok, I'll give it a try. Yoshi's Story looks like it might be fun. Super Thunder Blade also looks like it would probably be fun. I love top view shooters like that. World Class Baseball looks like it would be boring and would suck. Anyway, check out Nintendo's official press release below.
WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Sept. 17, 2007
Everyone's favorite long-tongued, egg-tossing dinosaurs make a colorful splash on the Wii Shop Channel this week. Yoshi's action takes place in storybook "pages" made up of bookmaking materials and other familiar textures, including cut-paper forests, denim clouds, inflatable plastic islands and stacks of colored spools. It's a classic Nintendo 64 game remembered as much for its beauty as its game play. Once you're done with that, you can probably find time to fly an attack helicopter or play a little baseball to get ready for the post-season.
Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
Yoshi's Story (Nintendo 64, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): The evil Baby Bowser has cast a spell turning Yoshi's Island into a picture book. Worse yet, the Super Happy Tree has been stolen, making the island dark and gloomy. Players must take control of six Yoshis, each a different color, and travel through six pages (worlds) of platforming adventure to recover the tree and return the island to normal. Featuring huge character models and bright, vibrant colors, the game's various environments (such as woods, caves, mountains and oceans) come alive in a uniquely gorgeous 2-D look. Eat fruit, avoid enemies and obstacles, and throw eggs from the Yoshis' never-ending supply in your quest to stop Baby Bowser's plan from succeeding. If you're good enough, you can aim for higher scores by being picky about the fruit you eat. And who knows, you might even find the mysterious black and white Yoshis.
Super Thunder Blade (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Violence, 800 Wii Points): In this follow-up to Thunder Blade, you'll fly a new and improved attack helicopter in a series of attacks against guerilla armies that are bent on taking over the world. Although your aircraft is formidable, your enemies are vast and varied. You'll have to take on submarines, tanks, fighter planes and more. Your command of this state-of-the-art battle copter must be top notch, as you'll have to dodge oncoming fire and use your various weapons to eliminate all enemy targets so you can reach the guerilla base and end their nefarious plans once and for all. Put on your flight suit and step into the thrilling action of Super Thunder Blade.
World Class Baseball (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Acclaimed for its steady game play, World Class Baseball is the definitive baseball game on the TurboGrafx16. Battle the computer in OPEN MODE or play a friend in VERSUS MODE. Customize your team in EDIT MODE or even watch a game between two computer opponents in WATCH MODE. World Class Baseball offers the complete baseball gaming experience. Of course there's also plenty of single-player action. The main feature is PENNANT MODE, where the player chooses a team from one of the world's leagues and strives to win their team's league. Beat league rivals and save your progress with passwords on your way to becoming league champions. After winning your league, get ready to the face the other league's champion in the heated series for the world championship.
September 17, 2007
Colin McRae In Deadly Helicopter Crash
If you don't know who Colin McRae is, he is a very popular rally car driver who has lent his name and has been featured in several racing games from Codemasters. In very sad news, he has died in a tragic helicopter crash on Saturday. The crash happened near his home in Lanark, Scotland, and his manager has confirmed that Colin was piloting the helicopter, which he owned and was licenced to fly. His 5 year old son was also killed in the accident along with two other passengers. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Want a Free PS3 Game?
If you don't have any games to play on the Playstation 3, you're in luck. Q Entertainment will be bringing their online RPG "Angel of Love" to the PS3 sometime in December of this year and it will be free. The PC version, available now, is available as a free download as well. The game brings in money by using micro-transactions with players buying items in the game. This seems to be a very popular theme in PC games lately, and is a great idea. It's nice to see it spreading to consoles. Gives us gamers more options.
PS3 Call of Duty 4 Collector's Edition: Not Happening
For their upcoming shooter, Call of Duty 4, Activision will be releasing a collector's edition version of the game for $69 on Xbox 360 and $59 on the PC, but if you own a PS3, you don't have to pay anything for the collector's edition, because Activision won't be releasing a special version. What a rip-off. The game looks awesome though, and I bet PS3 owners will be happy just to play it. Look for it on November 5 later this year.
September 14, 2007
New Demos On XBL
Some great new demos on the Xbox 360 this week. If you go to Xbox Live Marketplace, you can pick up FIFA 08, which is a great soccer game, as well as Spider Man: Friend or Foe. With these along with Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, you should have a pretty good weekend.
Steam Community Now Live
Valve recently had a beta for the Steam Community program which is kind of like a gamers online social network. The community gives gamers the ability to create profiles, track friends gaming habits and chat with other users via any game with the Steam platform. Awesome right? And what's even better is that the program is now out of beta and will be going public on September 17, 2007. Look for Steam Community on Monday.
PSP Firmware Update
The PSP firmware has been updated to version 3.71 and brings many new features.
- Revisions to strengthen security
- The number of Playstation Network titles that can be played have been increased
- Ability to set custom themes
- The ability to assign buttons
- Scene search has been added
- Sequential playback is now supported
- Simlultaneous playback of content under [Music] and [Photo] is supported
PSN Update
There are lots of things for you to download this week on the Playstation Store. You can download High Stakes: Poker Edition for $9.99 and PixelJunk Racers for $6.99.
If you didn't pick up Heavenly Sword this week, you can just play some demos. You have several choices; PixelJunk Racers, Tony Hawk's Proving Ground, FIFA 08, NHL 08, and Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix.
Check out some trailers too. You can download the Warhawk "Release" trailer, Soul Calibur IV trailer, Lair "Mastering the Beast" video, Juiced 2 Hot Import Nights trailer, High Stakes: Poker Edition trailer, and Everyday Shooter trailer. There is also a movie trailer for Feel the Noise.
The wallpapers this week consist of High Stakes: Poker Edition, PixelJunk Racers Wallpaper 1 and 2, and Folklore Wallpaper 2.
The last thing to mention about this weeks update is a music track. The first one for the Playstation Store too. Go download Lair OST "Battle for Asylia" and get your groove on.
September 13, 2007
Tony Hawk Demo on XBL
Have you been craving some new Tony Hawk skateboarding action? Then head on over to the Xbox Live Marketplace and download the demo for Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. In this demo you get to skate through Philadelphia as well as try out new features to the series, such as the video editor and environment modification.
PS3 and PSP Firmware Update
Sony has announced that they will be bringing a firmware update within the next few days for the Playstation 3 and the PSP due to customer feedback and internal testing. The update will fix the network disconnect issue resulting from the 1.92 firmware update and the PSP update will add many features that have been requested. Check back later for more details.
Manhunt Changes Sound Crappy
Everyone has been wondering what kind of changes have been made to Manhunt 2 in order to be approved for an M rating from the ESRB, and it sounds like some of them have come to light. Well, IGN has played both the "AO" rated demo and the "M" rated demo and are letting us know what the differences are.
The biggest and most disappointing change relates to the major death strikes. When Danny sneaks up on an enemy, gamers can hold the A button down, at which point they will be given the option to pick from three different murder animations (on Wii, they get to act them out with Nintendo's motion-sensitive controllers). In the AO-rated build of Manhunt 2, we could clearly see these over-the-top and horrific animations. In the M-rated version, Rockstar has added both an extreme blur effect and in most cases darkened the graphics so that it is nearly impossible to make any sense of what is going on. Players will be able to see character movement, blood splatters, and sometimes they may catch a glimpse of an identifiable action (for example, Danny jamming nails into the legs of a chair-bound opponent), but mostly it's guesswork - a garbled, motiony mess that's far less satisfying. This truth is doubly unfortunate because both everything else is unchanged and because these death strikes are what gamers will want to work toward; they're the pay off for a job well done, but now the pay off is not nearly as rewarding.
Well if that's the case, I have a feeling I'll be very dissapointed by this game. I'll just go back and play the first Manhunt then.
Ninja Gaiden 2 Trailer
Check out the trailer for the Xbox 360 exclusive, Ninja Gaiden 2, which is the sequel to Ninja Gaiden of course.
Rez HD Coming to XBL
Rez is one of those games that everybody loves but didn't buy. A rare game that is hard to find for either the Dreamcast or the Playstation 2 and if you really want it, you still have to pay around $50 for a used copy of the game. If you own an Xbox 360, you no longer have to worry about that though. Q Entertainment will be bringing the game back and in HD. They have announced that the game is scheduled for released in the first quarter of 2008. I can't wait.
September 12, 2007
Mario Level Plays Itself
Check out this video from a Mario level that doesn't even require you to touch the controller. It seems that this is actually a mod, but it's still really cool.
The Only Mario Level That Plays Itself - Watch more free videos
Ratchet and Clank Demo Coming Soon
How cool is that!? Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is sure to be lots of fun and probably an instant hit. So I bet you can't wait to hear that a demo is coming soon. The demo is scheduled to hit the Playstation Store on the October 4th. Less than a month away.
2 Millions Guitar Hero 2 Songs Downloaded
Wow, Activision has mad a killing selling downloadable content for Guitar Hero 2 over Xbox Live. They have sold 650,000 total downloads for the game, which includes more than 2 million songs. My Chemical Romance alone sold more than 50,000 content packs. I didn't know they even had that many fans. Guess I just don't know good music anymore. Anyway, this just goes to show how great downloadable content is, and you can bet that Guitar Hero III will be bringing in tons of dough too.
PSP Firmware Update
Sony has updated the firmware for the PSP to version 3.70. The update adds some new functionality for remote play, which gives players the ability to assign buttons. It also includes support for custom themes, movie scene search while viewing movies and you can now listen to music while going through your photos.
Guitar Hero III Coming To Mac and PC
Considering how popular Guitar Hero III, I can't believe this isn't available on the computer yet, but alas, it isn't. Activision is looking to expand their audience though, and will not only be bringing Guitar Hero III to the PC, but also to the Mac. Look for it this Fall, the same time the other versions will be available.
September 11, 2007
Wii Zapper Gets a Date
Do you remember the Wii Zapper that was announced during E3 earlier this year? Well, Nintendo has confirmed a release date for it. For only $20, you can get the Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training as of November 19th. So if you are interested in purchasing an almost useless (in my opinion) piece of plastic that aligns the Wiimote into a gun type configuration, this is for you. I guess I shouldn't speak until I've actually played some games with it, but we'll see when that time comes.
3 More New Tracks For Rock Band
Every week we get a little more insight into what kind of music is going into the upcoming Rock Band game, and this week is no different. MTV and Electronic Arts have announced three more tracks, and as always, they are good. Check 'em out.
- Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun"
- Red Hot Chilli Pepper's "Dani California"
- KISS' "Detroit Rock City"
XBLA Wednesday
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is coming to an Xbox 360 near you. On Wednesday, you can get the classic, and extremely fun game for only 400 Microsoft points. Hit Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow!
Virtual Console Update
Check out Nintendo's press release below.
WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL
Football season is here, and whether you're into high school teams, college or the pros, everyone can use a little gridiron refresher. This week Nintendo's Wii Shop Channel helps you tackle the challenge with NES Play Action Football, a classic sure to revive feelings of gaming greatness. If football isn't your thing, you can always join forces with a speedy hedgehog or explore labyrinths as you try to defeat evil demons.
Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:
NES Play Action Football (NES, 1-4 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): "Ready! Hut hut hut..." Nintendo takes to the gridiron with the classic football powerhouse NES Play Action Football. Featuring a distinct overhead viewpoint that creates an almost 3-D field, the action is more simulation-based than many of the more arcade-based games of the time. Play through four 15-minute quarters (in accelerated time) and even substitute players when your first-stringers get tired. Want more options? Each of the eight available teams has multiple running/passing plays to choose from while on offense, as well as a wide selection of defensive schemes that can be run when you're on the other side of the ball. And in addition to viewing two full teams on the screen at once without any slowdown, you'll hear voice snippets at key points of the game. Line up, and see if you have what it takes to win the Power Bowl.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): Sonic and Tails are back for another adventure as they again battle the evil Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik), who is desperately trying to collect all the Chaos Emeralds to rebuild his Death Egg. Our heroes must again find the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, but winning the race won't be easy this time – a new adversary, Knuckles the Echidna, has arrived on the scene and will do whatever he can to keep Sonic and Tails from reaching their goal. Grab all the golden rings, find various bonus zones and overcome Knuckles and Dr. Eggman as you rocket through the third chapter in Sonic's adventures.
Neutopia II (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points): Experience improved graphics and controls in this exciting sequel to the action role-playing game Neutopia. Take on the role of the main hero's son and watch as the story begins with the apparent revival of Dirth, the evil demon. Once again you'll need to rely on your magic compass and the information you've gathered to find entrances to labyrinths and defeat the bosses in them. Make your way through the field, which can be tricky at times, to search for and find hidden information and items, or move blocks and destroy walls to uncover secret rooms. Like the original, this game has a save function, a finely tuned difficulty level and a fast-paced story, making it truly an RPG that everyone can enjoy.
September 10, 2007
Quake Wars Demo Today!
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars has gone gold and is ready to go. In response to this, id Software has decided to release a demo of the game to prepare you for the full version release, which comes October 2 in North America and September 28 in Europe and Australia. The demo will be available sometime today, so visit the id Software website for details.
Manhunt 2 Leaked
Is it always bad news for Rockstar? It looks like the uncut version of Manhunt 2 has been leaked on the internet. It's not known right now if it's the full version or a beta version of some sort, but either way, it's out there somewhere. Project Manhunt has a thread dedicated to the topic.
Left 4 Dead "Dangerous Escape" Gameplay
Check out some gameplay from the game Left 4 Dead.
Army of Two
Get a taste of the great looking shooter, Army of Two.
September 7, 2007
PSN Update: My Weekend Is Now Planned
This weeks Playstation Network update is pretty damn huge. For Demos, you can download both the NBA Live 08 Demo as well as the Stranglehold demo, which I am really excited to try out.
If you are looking for some add-ons, there are some of these too. On Ninja Gaiden Sigma for $2.99, you can download "Weapon Master," which consists of five survival modes in which players are only allowed to use a limited amount of weaponry. Master each weapon and kill as many enemies as you can.
You also get the Motorstorm "Revenge Weekend" content pack, which includes the new map "Coyote Revenge", five new vehicles, a new "Eliminator" online mode, and nine new events for $5.99. You can also purchase each vehicle by itself for 0.99.
Now on to the game trailers. This time around you get the MotorStorm Coyote Revenge Video, Heavenly Sword Anime No. 5, Heavenly Sword "Making Of" No. 5, Turok "Quiet Kills" Video, Lair "World in Chaos" trailer, and a Pixel Junk Racers trailer.
Lastly, for movie trailers, you can download a Resident Evil: Extinction Trailer and a Drillbit Taylor Trailer. Oh, I almost forgot. There is one wallpaper you can download too, which is the Heavenly Sword Anime No. 5 wallpaper.
COD4 Beta in the UK Today
Hey UK, are you ready to join in on the fun that the U.S. has already been enjoying? Well, todays your chance. If you visit www.cod4beta.co.uk, you can get details on how to get a token for a chance to access the beta. I hope you get in!
NBA Live 08 Demo on XBL
A full playable demo for NBA Live 08 is now available on Xbox Live. You have a choice of playing as either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the San Antonio Spurs. Hoop it up, baby!
F.E.A.R. Sequel Named: Project Origin
If you don't remember, a short while back, there was a contest to name the sequel to F.E.A.R. The contest has come and gone and now a name has been chosen. Project Origin is the name that has been picked and the coolest thing about it, is that the gaming community had a say in the decision.
New Street Fighter Movie Has a Director
You did know that there was going to be another live action Street Fighter movie didn't you? Scary huh? Considering how bad the first one was, I'm really surprised Capcom is giving it another go. Anyway, a director has been named for the upcoming film. Andrzej Bartkowiak has been placed in charge. The name might not sound all that familiar, but he has directed films such as Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2 the Grave, Exit Wounds, and Doom. I really like to see how video game adaptations come out, so hopefully this one comes out good. Production is scheduled to take place early next year.
Bush Given Subpoena By Jack Thompson
Wow. Idiot attorney, Jack Thompson has filed documents with a federal court in Florida yesterday, which requested the subpoena of our president. Jack Thompson will stand trial before a referee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court on November 26th, and that is who Idiot attorney, Jack Thompson will be suing, as well as the entire Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Bar. Supposedly, both George W. Bush and his brother, Jeb Bush have something to help his defense. Will George really appear? Doubtful. It looks more like idiot attorney, Mr. Thompson is trying to stall. Read the full story at Gamepolitics.com.
Gamer Social Network
Do you like sites like Myspace and Facebook? Well, now there is a social network similar to those types of site, except it is strictly for gamers. Gleemax is a mix of social networking, on-line gaming and game related content and will be for all types of gaming, whether it be RPG, FPS's, tabletop, board games, or Barbie games. The site is not yet available, but it sounds like it will be interesting. I can't wait for it.
September 6, 2007
Xbox Live: Good Stuff
If you are looking for something new to download on your Xbox 360, there are several things available to you this week. You can get the classic Fatal Fury Special on Xbox Live Arcade for 400 Microsoft points, which includes multiplayer on Xbox Live and local gameplay modes as well as HD. You can also pick up Cyberball 2072 for 400 Microsoft points. This also includes Xbox Live Multiplayer and HD compatibility.
If you don't feel like buying a game, you can download FlatOut Racing and Derby. Race and destroy. That's basically the gist of this game. Drive fast and destructive and just plain go nuts. Happy downloading!
UK To Get Into COD4 Beta
If you live in the UK and are jealous of the US being able to play Call of Duty 4, now's your chance. If you pre-order COD4 from the retailer, Game, you may be able to reserve your spot in the beta test, in which they hold a limited amount of spaces. The beta is set to begin on September 7 in the UK so make your decision soon.
Name a Level for Unreal Tournament 3
Epic Games and Midway have started a new contest that will let you name a level in the upcoming Unreal Tournament 3 game. That would be fun, wouldn't it. You also get to have your name permanently placed in video game history, because it will be placed within the credits of the game. Then you can beat it and record the credits and show it to everyone who ever comes over to your house. Check out the contest here.
Rock Band Raising the Dead
The Grateful Dead have been announced as some new content coming to the upcoming Harmonix and MTV Games title, "Rock Band." They have partnered with Rhino Entertainment in order to bring a total of 18 tracks to Rock Band in downloadable form. This should please many a hippie. Some of the confirmed songs include; "Casey Jones," "Sugar Magnolia," "Touch of Grey," "Truckin'," and "Uncle John's Band." There is going to be so much stuff available for this game, nobody is gonna know what to do with it. The game is scheduled for release this November, so you better get saving just so you can afford the game and instruments, not to mention all of the great music you'll be able to download.
Boogie Coming to PS2 and DS
Electronic Arts previously released their fun game Boogie only on the Wii, but EA wants more people to enjoy their groovin' product. Hence the reason they will be bringing it to the Playstation 2 and the Nintendo DS. The PS2 version is expected to be pretty much just a straight port of the Wii version, without the motion controls. The DS version however, will be getting some new modes, such as Career Mode, Copycat, Freestyle, and Choreography as well as more than 10 mini-games. Look for it sometime this holiday season.
September 5, 2007
Master P and Seth Green = RPG
If you've listened to rap longer than 10 years, you've likely heard something from Master P and probably seen about 100 albums from him per month. The albums sucked more and more with each new one too. Although I have to say that Ice Cream Man and Ghetto Dope were damn good.
Seth Green is a pretty funny guy, but a little bit of a dork in my opinion. He is the co-creator and producer of Robot Chicken (awesome), and played as Doctor Evil's son in Austin Powers.
Now that you know a little about them, what do you think they have in common? A hip hop RPG of course. Duh. The role playing game is expected to let players seek out the fame and glory famous people really get. You can choose from such careers as a hip-hop artist, athlete, and brokers among others. Sounds boring to me. I'd rather play the board game "LIFE."
New Track for Motorstorm
If you are tired of the small amount of tracks you have available to play on Motorstorm, there is a new track that's coming soon that you can use up and toss away. The new track, Coyote Revenge, is a mirror of the Coyote track and will be available this Thursday on September 6. Later this month, you will also be getting two new vehicles for the game which will be scheduled for September 13 and September 27.
Playstation 3 Firmware Update
It's a very small update so you might not even care. Sony has released version 1.92 firmware for the PS3 which focuses on PS3 compatibility and playability issues for certain titles.
Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive Getting Price Drop in UK
UK residents should be happy to hear this news, considering that the US has already gotten a price drop down to $179 back in July. Well, the UK gets a price drop on the drive sometime soon. No date has yet been announced and the price is rumored to be reduced by €20, which will bring the price down to €180.
September 4, 2007
Haze a PS3 Exclusive Now
This one is confusing. One day it's a PS3 exclusive, the next day it's for the PS3, 360, and the PC. Then, it's for PS3 first and then will eventually be on the 360 and PC. Now, it's a PS3 exclusive. What the hell. You know what, who cares. Whichever system it comes out on, I'll eventually own it. I know one thing though, Sony definitely needs some exclusive stuff to compete in this next-gen war.
They Is Coming
That isn't proper English is it? Sure it is. "They" is a first person shooter that has had many people wondering what exactly the game is about, when the developer released very little information about it a short while back. Well, if you watch the new trailer, you might get some sort of idea. I didn't get one, but you could. Check it out. I think it still looks cool.
September 3, 2007
Virtual Console: More Games Then Usual
Usually, the Virtual Console gets only three games a week, but this time there is four! Is that really news? Nah, not really but oh well. Here is what you get this week.
Adventure Island (NES, 500 points) is a side scrolling game that takes place in a tropical paradise called Adventure Island of course. You take control of Master Higgins who must retrieve his true love, Tina, who has been kidnapped by the evil Witch Doctor. Take Master Higgins through eight stages, all crawling with baddies in order to rescue his love.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math (NES, 500 points) is a fun learning game in which you play along with Donkey Kong Jr. in practicing and honing your math skills. You must direct Kong Jr. up and down vines to collect numbers and math symbols in order to solve math problems given by his father.
Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole (Sega Genesis, 800 points) puts you in control of Nigel, who goes on a quest to find the legendary treasure of King Nole. As Nigel travels through villages and dungeons, collecting pieces of the treasure, he must also help protect the people of the island from Duke Mercator, who is also searching for the treasure. Defeat Duke and get your treasure huntin' on.
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure (TurboGrafx16, 600 points) is the third installment in the once popular side-scrolling Bonk series. King Drool is at it again, and Bonk must thwart his evil plans. There are seven rounds within the Dinosaur Kingdom and this time around, you can even play two player and defeat King Drool with a buddy.
Ubisoft Just Giving Away Games
Some good games for you to download for free onto your PC if you want 'em. If you go to FileShack, you can download the full versions of Far Cry, Rayman Raving Rabids, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, and Ghost Recon. Those are all some great games.
"Gears of War" Map Pack Free Today
Originally selling for 800 Microsoft points, the "Hidden Fronts" map pack for Gears of War is now free. The pack contains the maps "Bullet Marsh," "Garden," "Process," and "Subway."
Nights on the Wii
Want to take a look at what "Nights" will be like on the Nintendo Wii? Check out this Japanese trailer.
