If you've got the PlayStation 3 version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock and have been waiting for the "Boss Battles" download pack that Xbox 360 users have been enjoying for the past week or so, your wait is over. The Guitar Hero III "Boss Battle" Song Pack is now available through the PlayStation Store as a free download. Approximate file size is 78mb.
Just don't hold your breath hoping for the Halo 3 Mjolnir Mix track to show up for the PS3, okay? Enjoy!
November 30, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Activision, Downloadable Content, Free Stuff, Guitar Hero, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Store, RedOctane |
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No Comments
Okay, so I'm really late on this one - I meant to post it over the Thanksgiving weekend, but obviously that didn't happen due to issues involving gluttony and tryptophan. What I'm talking about here is the long-rumored release of the Halo 3 theme for the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.
While some may gripe that it was first rumored to be a downloadable track for Guitar Hero II, the fact remains that it was never officially promised by Microsoft, Bungie or Activision, so it's not like GHII owners are missing out on something that they were told they'd be getting by anyone other than the internet water cooler.
While the news about the Halo 3 track is good, the second part of the announcement is even better… it's a free download. If you've got the 360 version of GHIII, you've got no excuse to head over to the Xbox Live Marketplace and add this one to your hard drive. Get to it!
November 29, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Activision, Bungie, Downloadable Content, Free Stuff, Guitar Hero, Halo, RedOctane, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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No Comments
Hey, you! Straighten up that tie and tuck your shirt in - you're in the presence of royalty today. Two more all-time classic arcade games come to the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade as both Atari's Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe make their way to the marketplace in one neat package. That's right, you get both games for 400 ($5) points.
Now I won't lie - given the way Missile Command turned out, I am a bit concerned for Atari's dynamic duo. There are quite a few ways his one could be screwed up, and as always, the thought of the 360's controller and classic games makes me cringe. Microsoft, I implore you - release an arcade style controller already - It really is tiring dragging out all the equipment I need to make my customized X-Arcade stick work with the 360.
There's not much else to say about these two, as I'm sure just about everyone reading knows what they are all about. Give the demo a try and decide if the games are worth the five bucks for yourself. (and if you're a PlayStation 3 owner and feeling a bit left out at the moment, I will advise you that I think Super Stardust HD (available via the PlayStation Store) is a worthy modern day successor to the genre and a steal at $7.99.)
Title: Asteroids / Asteroids Deluxe
Developer: Stainless Games
Publisher: Atari
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/28/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Two of the all-time classic arcade games come to Xbox LIVE® Arcade in Asteroids©, Asteroids Deluxe©, a combo of intense action where players must save earth from a deadly bombardment of asteroids. The full historic game is available in its original form, along with a completely re-stylized version featuring evolved graphics.
- The original Asteroids: Released in 1979 by Atari, the simple black and white game was a masterpiece of vector graphics game design, and had millions of arcadegoers entranced by its simple mechanic of controlling a spaceship firing at and destroying asteroids.
- The release of Asteroids Deluxe: The sequel to the original, released in 1980, Asteroids Deluxe featured the same classic gameplay but added a new shield feature and dangerous satellite enemies. Play both the original and its sequel in all of its classic old-school style.
- Next-gen evolution: But now, both games have evolved. Support is provided for both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, including HDTV. Full-screen anti-aliasing and Dolby Digital surround sound complete the gaming experience.
- Throttle Monkey mode: Both game versions come with a high-speed version known as Throttle Monkey. Can you survive?
- Achievements and leaderboards: Twelve new achievements for you to earn, and new leaderboards to conquer. Show your friends who is the master at Asteroids and Asteroids Deluxe." - Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade release, Undertow just wasn't everything I hoped it would be. As I mentioned in last week's post, I was hoping for a side scrolling, twin-stick shooter and instead found myself playing a side scrolling team based shooter with serious gameplay issues.
November 28, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Atari, Classics, Shooter, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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No Comments
Well, that's it gang - it's over. Most of the holiday games have now hit retail, and in the post November rush, we've barely got any new titles coming to market this week.
It's hard to name a "Pick of the Week" when there are only nine titles on the release list, but if I had to choose one, I'd certainly go with the Nintendo DS version of Geometry Wars: Galaxies. I make no secret of my love for the Geometry Wars franchise, and the chance to play it on the go is more than enough for it to take the top spot.
As for the weak release list, you know what? I'm glad it's a slow week. Hell, I'm thrilled. I don't know about you, but I have far too many games sitting here right now waiting to be played. It's been a brutal month for new releases, and at this point, I relish the idea of being able to just sit down and really get into some of these titles without the lure of a new game on the horizon. Honestly, I probably have enough games here to last me well through the new year without even taking a break.
As you have probably guessed, even this week's highlight section is going to be a little sparse. Let's take a look;
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- Boogie (DS) - 11/28/2007
- Cranium Kabookii (WII) - 11/28/2007
- Cruis'n (WII) - 11/28/2007
- Deal or No Deal: Secret Vault Games (PC) - 11/27/2007
- Game Party (WII) - 11/28/2007
- Geometry Wars: Galaxies (DS) - 11/28/2007
- History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (360) - 11/30/2007
- History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (WII) - 11/28/2007
- Master of Illusion (DS) - 11/27/2007
- Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords (WII) - 11/30/2007
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
November 26, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
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No Comments
Sony has made the latest update to the PlayStation 3's system software (v2.01) available for download via the PlayStation Network and PlayStation.com.
This update adds a few nifty new features, including system stability updates for both backward compatible titles and web browsing along with improved upscaling capabilities. There have also been a few reports that the update has bricked more than it's share of PS3's, so if you have the ability to back up your saves, I'd suggest doing it before upgrading just as a precaution.
Check out the full list of new features below.
"The PLAYSTATION®3 system software version 2.01 (with 2.00) update includes the following:
- New for 2.01: System stability during use of some PLAYSTATION®3 format software has been improved.
- New for 2.01: System stability has been improved for some operations, including the use of the Internet browser and (Information Board).
- New for 2.01: System stability during output of upscaled PlayStation®2 format software images has been improved.*1
- New for 2.01: Functionality of the [Remote Start] feature has been changed to prevent an unintentional remote start. *2
*1 Applies only to models that support playback of PlayStation®2 format software. > See details
*2 If remote start via the Internet is enabled, the PS3™ system may turn on unintentionally, depending on the type of router in use. (In this case a remote play connection cannot be established.) To avoid unintentional power-up of the system, remote start via the Internet may be disabled automatically if a remote play connection is not established within a certain amount of time after the system is turned on.
- Custom themes
- You can now customize the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) icons or background design. > See details
- Playlists
- You can now create playlists to organize content under [Music] and [Photo]. > See details
- Information board
- [Information Board] has been added as a feature under [Network]. PlayStation® related news can be displayed on the XMB™ screen. > See details
- PLAYSTATION®Network category
- [PLAYSTATION®Network] has been added as a category in the XMB™ home menu . > See details
- Remote start
- [Remote Start] has been added as an option under [Remote Play Settings]. A PS3™ system in standby mode can be turned on from a PSP® system used for remote play via the Internet. > See details
Other new or revised features in version 2.01 (with 2.00):
- Settings
- [Color], [Background], and [Font] have been added as options under [Theme Settings].
- You can now select [Brightness] as an option under [Theme Settings] > [Background].
- The procedure for setting [Internet Connection Settings] under [Network Settings] has been changed.
- You can now select Canon printers with the [Printer Selection] option under [Printer Settings]. For a list of compatible printers, select here.
- Game
- [Vibration Function] has been added as an option under [Controller Settings] in the menu that is displayed when you press the PS button on a DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller. *
*Available for purchase in early 2008.
- You can now use the PLAYSTATION®Eye camera for voice / video chat.*
* For details on the PLAYSTATION®Eye camera, select here." - PlayStation.com
For further information or to obtain the update via the internet, check out the link below.
November 25, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 3 system update, PlayStation Network, Sony, Update |
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No Comments
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.121.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.121u1 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.
November 24, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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No Comments
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .121u1 is now available for download. This update focuses on fixing a few bugs introduced in v.121, but contains no major new features.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAME - Official website
- MAMEDev - Official site of the MAME development team
November 24, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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1 Comment
It's a rare solo release week in the Xbox Live Arcade as Chair Entertainment's Undertow rises from the depths. What we've got here is a twin-stick shooter that tries to encompass some of the more popular team game mods seen in most modern first person shooters.
I've got to say I was originally really excited about this title, but once I discovered that all it featured were "capture the checkpoints" and "Team Deathmatch" game modes, my enthusiasm diminished. Based on the demo, the game just doesn't play tight enough to make those type of modes fun, and the loss of what could have been a great scrolling solo shooter does indeed make me sad. It could have been a contender for my 800 points ($10), but instead it will just sink beneath the waves of indifference.
While I wallow in sadness over this one, you can check out the particulars;
Title: Undertow
Developer: Chair Entertainment Group
Publisher: Chair Entertainment Group
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/21/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-16 online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) - Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Undertow is a fast-paced action-shooter that sends you underwater as you battle up to 16 players for control of the oceans! Non-stop conquest-style battles push the envelope of onscreen effects and combat action and boast some of the most stunning graphics ever seen in an Xbox LIVE® Arcade title.
- Combat control: Undertow features relentless high-speed combat with simple and intuitive controls.
- Visual style: The incredible next-gen graphics resonate with a vibrant underwater visual style.
- Multiplayer matches: Undertow features 16-player multiplayer battles and two-player co-op modes.
- Races and upgrades: The game includes three different playable races, each with four unique upgradeable units.
- Single-player campaign: The 15-level single player campaign has a compelling story told through cutscenes." - Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I went into detail about them in last week's post, so just click here for the required info. I can't wait until the Live Arcade starts pushing out classic titles again, because these original releases of late have left me kind of numb.
November 21, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Shooter, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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No Comments
MameUI, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.121, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent. Please note: this is the same emulator previously known as MAME32, however it's name has been changed as the builds now come in both 32bit and 64bit flavors.
Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.
- MameUI - Official home of MameUI
November 21, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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No Comments
The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.21 incorporates all of the changes made over the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.120, this new version may be the one for you.
The updated files can be found at the official MAME page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this release.
November 21, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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No Comments
It's a rare week when I can look at my "most anticipated" list down on the left and notice that all five titles on it are releasing in the same week… this is that week.
The final holiday push is in full swing now, and most of the remaining "A-List" titles will be finding their way to retail this week. While there are a ton of titles that could claim the coveted "Latenite's Pick of the Week" only one can find the everlasting fame and glory that title imparts. This week, that title is… (drum roll, please) Rock Band.
Sure, the genre isn't new, and it's a game that many will feel they've played before, but there's just something about Rock Band that is too tempting to resist. Maybe it's the chance to play the drums, maybe it's the fact that the guitar is a little larger than a ukulele, maybe it's just the thought of playing with friends or maybe, just maybe, it's the fact that in one of it's forms, it comes in a giant box, but Rock Band has that certain something that's going to set it apart from the rest.
Now, Electronic Arts has made no secret of the fact that they expect there to be serious shortages of the bundled version of the game, so if you haven't pre-ordered yet and do plan on getting the game before 2008, you may want to do so now, or at the very least, be ready to hit your local mass merchant on day one. According to some sources, once that initial supply of bundles are gone, there will not be a re-supply before the new year. What I'm saying is this - grab it now or face disappointment.
With that out of the way, let's move on to this week's highlights;
- Geometry Wars: Galaxies (WII)
- Mass Effect (360)
- BioWare's epic sci-fi trilogy kicks off as you take the role of Commander Shepard and attempt to save the galaxy from the forces of a renegade alien army and an ancient menace.
- Rock Band (360 & PS3)
- The band is back together! Grab some friends and get ready to rock the night away!
- Soul Calibur Legends (WII)
- First off, I refuse to call this one Soulcalibur Legends. It's just not going to happen, ok? Secondly, am I the only one who thinks nothing good will come from this adventure game offshoot of Namco's classic weapon-based fighting series?
- Trauma Center: New Blood (WII)
- Don't touch the sides… oh wait, wrong game. The Trauma Center series jumps to the big screen as it makes it's debut on the Wii.
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3)
- See? you don't need great legs and a nice rack to search for treasure! Join Nathan Drake in the search for El Dorado. Depending on where you look, this one is already in stores.
- Unreal Tournament III (PC)
- Epic's premiere shooter comes back for another round, and I for one could not be more disappointed. Not because the game isn't going to be good, but because there's just no way my PC can handle it. Good stuff.
- Wii Zapper (with Link's Crossbow Training) (WII)
- Okay, so the game itself is really more of a tech-demo for the Wii Zapper, but it's still a peripheral that comes with a game.
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- AMF Bowling Pinbusters (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Avatar: The Burning Earth (360) - 11/20/2007
- Baby Pals (DS) - 11/20/2007
- Cabela's Monster Bass (PS2) - 11/20/2007
- College Hoops 2K8 (360) - 11/20/2007
- College Hoops 2K8 (PS2) - 11/20/2007
- College Hoops 2K8 (PS3) - 11/20/2007
- CSI: Dark Motives (DS) - 11/20/2007
- Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (DS) - 11/21/2007
- Geometry Wars: Galaxies (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Ghost Squad (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Godzilla Unleashed (PS2) - 11/21/2007
- Godzilla Unleashed: Double Smash (DS) - 11/21/2007
- History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PC) - 11/21/2007
- History Channel: Battle for the Pacific (PS2) - 11/20/2007
- Imagine: Fashion Designer (PC) - 11/20/2007
- John Deere: Harvest in the Heartland (DS) - 11/21/2007
- Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (PS2) - 11/21/2007
- Mario Party (DS) - 11/20/2007
- Mass Effect (360) - 11/21/2007
- Mass Effect (Limited Edition) (360) - 11/21/2007
- Medal of Honor: Airborne (PS3) - 11/20/2007
- Monster Jam (WII) - 11/20/2007
- Petz: Dogz 2 (PS2) - 11/24/2007
- Petz: Hamsterz Life 2 (DS) - 11/24/2007
- Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminus (PC) - 11/21/2007
- Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of Illuminus (PS2) - 11/21/2007
- Rock Band (360) - 11/21/2007
- Rock Band (PS3) - 11/21/2007
- Rock Band (Bundle) (360) - 11/21/2007
- Rock Band (Bundle) (PS3) - 11/21/2007
- Sega Rally Revo (PC) - 11/20/2007
- Showtime Championship Boxing (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Soldier of Fortune: Pay Back (PS3) - 11/20/2007
- Soul Calibur Legends (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Star Trek: Conquest (PS2) - 11/21/2007
- Star Trek: Conquest (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake (DS) - 11/21/2007
- Time Crisis 4 (with Guncon) (PS3) - 11/20/2007
- Timeshift (PS3) - 11/20/2007
- Trauma Center: New Blood (WII) - 11/21/2007
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) - Released
- Unreal Tournament III (PC) - 11/20/2007
- Unreal Tournament III (Collector's Edition) (PC) - 11/20/2007
- Wii Zapper (With Link's Crossbow Training) - 11/20/07
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
November 19, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
|
No Comments
It's been awhile since I've had anything new to report about our crime fighting friends the Warbears, but thankfully series creator Gionatan "Ioji" Iasio has been busy working on their latest adventure - and now it's ready for the world to play. Warbears: Mission 03 - An Oceanic Problem sees the ursine quartet responding to a distress signal coming from an offshore platform with a sinister secret…
"An S.O.S. signal from the Gas Platform in the Great Ocean! A new enemy surfaced with an evil plan. Will the Warbears be able to stop them?" - Warbears.com
As always. this Warbears adventure is a free, web based game, so if you like puzzle intensive graphic adventure games, you have absolutely no excuse not to check it out!
November 18, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Free Games, Graphic Adventure, PC Games, Web Games |
|
No Comments
If you've been waiting to be able to play the tracks used in the boss battles of Guitar Hero III as regular songs on the Xbox 360, you're in luck. The Guitar Hero III Boss Battle Song Pack is now available via the Xbox Live Marketplace, and best of all, it's a free download. Approximate download size is 75mb. Enjoy!
November 17, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Activision, Free Stuff, Guitar Hero, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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No Comments
Just a quick note here for those of you waiting on Sony's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - some retailers (and Gamefly) are now listing the game as available. I'm not sure if Sony moved the launch date up at the last minute, or if some locations have decided to break the release date, but it appears the game is, at least unofficially, out in the wild.
November 16, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Naughty Dog, PlayStation 3, Release Date, Rumors, Sony |
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1 Comment
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.120.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.120u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may have noticed in this post's text, there's been a slight change to MAME32. The emulator has now been renamed MameUI and is available in both 32 and 64 bit flavors (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively), so be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.
Check out the official MameUI page here for more details and the download links.
November 16, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
|
No Comments
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .120u4 is now available for download. This update features a decent number of small background updates, but contains no major changes to the emulator's code.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAME - Official website
- MAMEDev - Official site of the MAME development team
November 16, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
|
1 Comment
Xbox Live turns five years old today, and to celebrate Microsoft is rolling out a bunch of freebies for the masses via the Xbox Live Marketplace. That's right - Xbox Live is having a birthday, but we get the presents.
"Wait… presents? What presents?", you ask - well, let me tell you all about them;
- Carcassonne
- On Thursday, November 15th and Friday, November 16th, Carcassonne - the Xbox Live version of the classic European board game - will be made available to all Xbox Live subscribers as a free download. The game is normally priced at 800 points ($10), so be sure to grab it during this 48 hour window.
- Xbox Dashboard Themes
- Microsoft will be offering the following "special edition" Dashboard Themes available as free downloads;
- Live is 5ive - A dashboard theme celebrating five years of Xbox Live.
- Return to Castle Wolfenstein - A dashboard theme based on the game of the same name.
- Gears of War - A dashboard theme based on the game of the same name.
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 - A dashboard theme based on the game of the same name.
- Halo 2 - A dashboard theme based on the game of the same name.
- Mech Assault - A dashboard theme based on the game of the same name.
- Special 5 Year Member Bonus
- Xbox Live members who have been with the service since the very beginning will be receiving 500 Microsoft points ($6.25) and a few bits of "exclusive content" as Microsoft's way of saying "Thank You". According to the promotional page, those eligible will be receiving more details via e-mail. I've been a member since day one and haven't seen that e-mail yet, so I'm assuming it won't be sent out until the promotion is fully underway.
It's definitely been a fun five years and I think just about everyone will agree that Xbox Live is without a doubt THE defining feature of the Xbox 360. It really is amazing when you stop and think just how fast the service has grown since the launch of the 360.
Think about it - at the time Live was launched, many people said it would never work, that no one would be willing to pay for the privilege of playing their games online. Microsoft took that challenge and presented a solid service on the original Xbox that many (myself included) felt was well worth the price and then massively expanded the concept with the Xbox 360 while raising the quality of that service even farther. If there is one thing Microsoft has done right since their entry into the console market, it would have to be Xbox Live.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY XBOX LIVE - SEE YOU AT THE 10 YEAR MARK!
November 15, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Announcements, Free Games, Free Stuff, Microsoft, Woot!, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace |
|
No Comments
You know, it's been awhile since I've been thrilled by an Xbox Live Arcade release and it looks like the string of yawners is going to continue for at least another week. Sure, last week's set had one passable, yet overpriced, game in the form of Switchball but I still find that, of late, there just hasn't been much to get excited about. I'm hoping that it's due to the end-year rush of A-List titles and no one wanting to get lost in the shuffle. Oh well, as they say, the show must go on… which leads us to Screwjumper! and Shrek-n-Roll.
We'll open up with Screwjumper! - a game that certainly qualifies for the "games that sound dirty, but really aren't" genre. I sometimes look at the flavor text the marketing folks at Xbox.com come up with for these games and wonder if they have as much of a hard time finding things to say that are interesting about the game as I do writing about Live Arcade games that I couldn't care less about. That little bit of random trivia aside, I decided that I'd give Screwjumper! a fair shake and load up the demo to see what it was all about. The game itself isn't horrible, it's just a little too basic. Fall down a shaft, avoid some obstacles while hitting others. Then do it in reverse. Try the demo and see for yourself - I think you'll agree that there are better Live Arcade titles for the money they're asking.
Title: Screwjumper!
Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 - (Everyone 10+) - Mild Violence, Tobacco Reference
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Take the plunge in Screwjumper!™ Freefall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, and drive the aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. Demolish structures in freefall as you increase your destructive power by increasing your velocity. Use dynamite to pick off hazards and high value targets. Destroy the mine core and jetpack out alive. Dead screwjumpers don't get paid!
- Multiple levels and characters: Descend and destroy 20 mines on four different planets with six different characters, including Skruii the foreman of the Screwjumpers Union, Filch the reckless thrill-seeker, Zyree the unpredictable, Xoona the aloof, Ula the mad, and Zomar the mysterious.
- Ultimate destruction: Chain your destruction by plunging through objects at ultra-terminal speeds. You're a screwjumper. Go for it!
- Single player modes: Risk your neck in four single-player modes including Destruction, Race, Time Trial, and Score.
- Multiplayer: Compete with your friends via split screen and Xbox LIVE® multiplayer." - Xbox.com
Which brings us to the second release of the week, Shrek-n-Roll. Looking at this title, all I can say is "at least they didn't try to release it as a retail title for $59.99". It looks much like that kids game where you bounce a marble down a board with pegs in it to see what prizes you get. In other words, certainly not something worth playing as a videogame nor something worth 800 points. ($10) - Needless to say, unless someone comes along and says this is the greatest thing since ice-cream, I'm not even going to bother with the demo.
Title: Shrek-n-Roll
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E - (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in Shrek-N-Roll, an addictive and hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages!
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique evironments in Far Far Away's newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode.
- Adventure through Shrek's world: Start rolling at Worcestershire Academy, venture forth onto the Pirate's ship, visit Shrek's Swamp and brave the Evil Queen's Castle. Mastering each of the 16 levels allows you to move on to more fun and challenging puzzles.
- Play the whole Shrek gang: Play with 24 twisted fairy tale characters, including Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and other unlockable heroes and villains.
- Enjoy signature Shrek humor: From fast-talking Donkey to sword-fighting Puss in Boots, the animation, dialogue and environments throughout the game bring the humor of Shrek alive!
- Experience multiple game modes: Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode." - Xbox.com
As for last week's Arcade titles, like I mentioned earlier, Switchball was an enjoyable enough game that, while not having the same charm as Marble Madness, at least kept things varied enough to stay interesting throughout the demo. Unfortunately, while I would have rated it a buy at 400 points ($5), I don't quite feel the same about it at 800 ($10). As for Word Puzzle, I didn't even bother with the demo and I
doubt I ever will. Don't encourage trash is my motto.
November 14, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Activision, THQ, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
|
No Comments
You know, it's been awhile since I've been thrilled by an Xbox Live Arcade release and it looks like the string of yawners is going to continue for at least another week. Sure, last week's set had one passable, yet overpriced, game in the form of Switchball but I still find that, of late, there just hasn't been much to get excited about. I'm hoping that it's due to the end-year rush of A-List titles and no one wanting to get lost in the shuffle. Oh well, as they say, the show must go on… which leads us to Screwjumper! and Shrek-n-Roll.
We'll open up with Screwjumper! - a game that certainly qualifies for the "games that sound dirty, but really aren't" genre. I sometimes look at the flavor text the marketing folks at Xbox.com come up with for these games and wonder if they have as much of a hard time finding things to say that are interesting about the game as I do writing about Live Arcade games that I couldn't care less about. That little bit of random trivia aside, I decided that I'd give Screwjumper! a fair shake and load up the demo to see what it was all about. The game itself isn't horrible, it's just a little too basic. Fall down a shaft, avoid some obstacles while hitting others. Then do it in reverse. Try the demo and see for yourself - I think you'll agree that there are better Live Arcade titles for the money they're asking.
Title: Screwjumper!
Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 - (Everyone 10+) - Mild Violence, Tobacco Reference
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Take the plunge in Screwjumper!™ Freefall into the depths of the chaotic underworld as a Screwjumper, and drive the aliens back to their home world by destroying their precious mining equipment. Demolish structures in freefall as you increase your destructive power by increasing your velocity. Use dynamite to pick off hazards and high value targets. Destroy the mine core and jetpack out alive. Dead screwjumpers don't get paid!
- Multiple levels and characters: Descend and destroy 20 mines on four different planets with six different characters, including Skruii the foreman of the Screwjumpers Union, Filch the reckless thrill-seeker, Zyree the unpredictable, Xoona the aloof, Ula the mad, and Zomar the mysterious.
- Ultimate destruction: Chain your destruction by plunging through objects at ultra-terminal speeds. You're a screwjumper. Go for it!
- Single player modes: Risk your neck in four single-player modes including Destruction, Race, Time Trial, and Score.
- Multiplayer: Compete with your friends via split screen and Xbox LIVE® multiplayer." - Xbox.com
Which brings us to the second release of the week, Shrek-n-Roll. Looking at this title, all I can say is "at least they didn't try to release it as a retail title for $59.99". It looks much like that kids game where you bounce a marble down a board with pegs in it to see what prizes you get. In other words, certainly not something worth playing as a videogame nor something worth 800 points. ($10) - Needless to say, unless someone comes along and says this is the greatest thing since ice-cream, I'm not even going to bother with the demo.
Title: Shrek-n-Roll
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 11/14/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E - (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and 20 other twisted fairy tale friends in Shrek-N-Roll, an addictive and hilarious puzzle game designed for ogres of all ages!
Navigate through 16 challenging mazes across four unique evironments in Far Far Away's newest competitive tournament. Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode.
- Adventure through Shrek's world: Start rolling at Worcestershire Academy, venture forth onto the Pirate's ship, visit Shrek's Swamp and brave the Evil Queen's Castle. Mastering each of the 16 levels allows you to move on to more fun and challenging puzzles.
- Play the whole Shrek gang: Play with 24 twisted fairy tale characters, including Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss in Boots and other unlockable heroes and villains.
- Enjoy signature Shrek humor: From fast-talking Donkey to sword-fighting Puss in Boots, the animation, dialogue and environments throughout the game bring the humor of Shrek alive!
- Experience multiple game modes: Test your tilting and rolling skills in Single Player mode, challenge others in Versus mode, work together with friends and family in Co-op mode, or gain bragging rights with the highest points in Score Attack mode." - Xbox.com
As for last week's Arcade titles, like I mentioned earlier, Switchball was an enjoyable enough game that, while not having the same charm as Marble Madness, at least kept things varied enough to stay interesting throughout the demo. Unfortunately, while I would have rated it a buy at 400 points ($5), I don't quite feel the same about it at 800 ($10). As for Word Puzzle, I didn't even bother with the demo and I doubt I ever will. Don't encourage trash is my motto.
November 14, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Activision, THQ, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
|
No Comments
Just a quick note here - according to Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, Xbox Live (and Xbox.com) will be down for maintenance in the early hours of this morning (11/13) and should be back online some time after 5:00am EST.
"On Tuesday November 13th from 0000-0200 PT our engineering team will be performing server maintenance.
Specifically, Xbox.com maintenance will begin at 0000 while the Xbox LIVE service maintenance will begin at 0100.
That means you can stay on LIVE until approximately 0100.
Click this link to find out what time the maintenance will begin in your time zone
Both Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE will be available again at 0200.
This is for maintenance only, there will be no new features that will appear on Xbox.com, your dashboard or Xbox Live when we return to service. It’s not time for the dashboard update…yet." - Major Nelson
I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes as planned for those of you who happen to have the day off and were hoping to get some online gaming in today.
November 13, 2007
Posted by
nylatenite |
Announcements, Maintenance, Major Nelson, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live |
|
No Comments
We're heading into the heart of the storm now! The next two weeks will see the heaviest of the holiday releases, and while picking just one title as my game of the week is pretty rough, when all is said and done, it's Assassin's Creed that really has me most excited.
Set in the year 1191, Assassin's Creed will put you in the role of Altair, an assassin charged with killing several figures who seem to be behind much of the cruelty on both sides of the crusades. The game features realistically modeled cities, a revolutionary crowd AI system as well as open ended gameplay - all of which should help it stand out from the pack.
We've got a lot of ground to cover, so we'll cut this short and get on with this week's highlights;
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail th