PLAYSTATION 3 CLIVE BARKER’S JERICHO DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Codemasters Clive Barker’s Jericho for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 821MB.
- Clive Barker’s Jericho – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 NBA 2K8 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of 2K Sports NBA 2K8 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 287MB
- NBA 2K8 – Official website
MAME32 .119.2 RELEASED
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u2 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.119U2 RELEASED
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u2 is now available for download. This update contains more changes to Sega Model 2 and Model 3 sound emulation in addition to the usual bug fixes. As always, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release unless you’ve got a specific reason to do so. For those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team, 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.
XBOX 360 CLIVE BARKER’S JERICHO DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Codemasters Clive Barker’s Jericho for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Germany and Asia via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 885.17MB.
- Clive Barker’s Jericho – Official website
XBOX 360 NHL 2K8 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of 2K Sports NHL 2K8 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Australia, New Zealand and Asia via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 1.0GB.
- NHL 2K8 – Official website
DIGITALLIFE 2007: DAY TWO
As you may have well noticed, there aren’t any stories from DigitalLife ’07 up on the site yet. Rest assured, they are coming, but I was on the show floor all day thursday and will be spending a good deal of today there as well. It just didn’t leave a lot of time for writing things up properly yesterday.
One thing I will say going into day two is that I was a little disappointed with the general lack of new games on the floor. While there were some upcoming titles such as Crysis, The Eye of Judgment, Gears of War (PC), Guitar Hero III and the like, those kiosks were few and far between.
Perhaps the biggest letdown was when I found my way to the console gaming area to find that some of the games weren’t just already released, they were released a long time ago. Imagine seeing a row of Xbox 360’s and finding that they were set up to play Oblivion, Fight Night: Round 3, Rainbow Six: Vegas and Madden NFL’08. Don’t get too smarmy yet Sony fans – the story was much the same at the kiosks set up with the PlayStation 3.
Still, there was plenty to see and plenty of companies to talk with, and over the next few days, I’ll be bringing the information learned in those sessions to you, because that’s just the kind of guy I am. So stay tuned as we now return you to your game news broadcast… already in progress.
- DigitalLife 2007 – Official website
ACTIVISION ACQUIRES BIZARRE CREATIONS
In a surprise announcement, Activision announced late wednesday that they have acquired UK based Bizarre Creations, the development house behind Microsoft’s Project Gotham Racing franchise. While the exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition does not include the rights to the PGR series, as Microsoft is the holder for that particular intellectual property. Geometry Wars on the other hand, as you may have guessed from the upcoming Nintendo DS release of Geometry Wars: Galaxies, is another story. I’d expect to see some form of Geometry Wars finding it’s way to the PlayStation 3 some time in the near future.
"SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sep 26, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATVI) today announced that it has acquired U.K.-based video game developer Bizarre Creations, one of the world’s premier video game developers and a leader in the racing category, a $1.4 billion market that is the fourth most popular video game genre and represents more than 10% of the total video game market worldwide.
This acquisition represents the latest step in Activision’s ongoing strategy to enter new genres. Last year, Activision entered the music rhythm genre through its acquisition of RedOctane’s Guitar Hero franchise, which is one of the fastest growing franchises in the video game industry." – Activision press release
Obviously, Bizarre will be moved into making multiplatform games, which would virtually ensure the end of their participation in the development of the PGR franchise, though the early rumor is that Bizarre will simply move back to producing the Metropolis Street Racer series, meaning that while the name changes, little else will. One thing that many seem concerned about, is whether or not Activision will show the same kind of quality control that Microsoft has shown with Bizarre’s titles. As usual, only time will tell.
- Activision – Company website
- Bizarre Creations – Company website
- Activision Acquires U.K. Game Developer Bizarre Creations – Press release
DIGITALLIFE 2007 OPENS TODAY
DigitalLife, New York’s only public consumer electronics and gaming show opens today, and I’ll be there to take a look at what we can expect to see coming to retail over the next few months. The show, which runs from today through Sunday, September 30th is a hands-on affair where attendees will not only get to try out a wide variety of gadgets and games, but can participate in the DigitalLife Pro Am Gaming Tournament.
"DigitalLife 2007 will once again host the largest gathering of professional and amateur video gamers in the United States. As well as the 3rd Annual DigitalLife Pro-Am Gaming Tournament, produced by the Global Gaming League (GGL), the show will also feature individual tournaments for Halo 2, Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, and American Idol by Konami.
The $100,000 DigitalLife Pro Am Gaming Tournament sponsored by Dell, Alienware and Headplay covers over 10,000 feet of floor space. Qualifier events will be held In August and September and will continue at the show with opportunities to qualify onsite. Eventually over 300 of the country’s best professional and amateur gamers will compete for over $100K in cash and prizes" – DigitalLife
With so few opportunities for people on the East Coast to get into a show, gamers should be sure not to miss this one if at all possible. As for me, I’ve got a few meetings with companies lined up during the show, so in addition to the normal coverage, we should have some detailed information on several of the products gamers can expect to see in the near future. Tune in over the next few days to see what all the fuss is about!
- DigitalLife 2007 – Official website
About
Here’s what you need to know about this wonderful little site that I call home…
This site is entirely based on the personal opinions of the editorial staff, internet reports, conjecture, rumors, and blatant idiocy. In no way should any report, news item, picture or description on this site ever be taken as 100 percent factual. To put it simply, if you think the 10 minutes of research I may do into a specific subject is enough for you to take something as reported at face value, you need to get your head examined.
As implied by the statement above, information on this website can, and probably will, contain numerous inaccuracies and as such should never be used to make any kind of an informed decision on a subject. Seriously. The nature of news on the internet and the business of reporting on rumors, ommissions and, let’s call it what it is, wild-ass guessing should never be mistaken as 100 percent accurate. While all attempts are made to report things as accurately as we can, things are always going to get missed or misunderstood in the shuffle.
In short, take everything on this site as what it is – news being reported by someone who is a fan of the video game industry, but who has no connections to the game industry or related businesses.
If you’ve seen something you feel is inaccurate or misinterperated, feel free to drop us a line at nylatenite@yahoo.com to let us know the truth of the matter. Thank you.
HALO 3: INSIDE THE LEGENDARY EDITION
Things have finally calmed down enough around here for me to get around to posting some images and my impressions of the Legendary Edition of Halo 3. Since this post is going to be somewhat image heavy, I’ve set up the full article on another page so that those of you who don’t want to be bothered with more Halo 3 news than absolutely necessary don’t have to deal with a ton of images slowing down your surfing. Fair enough?
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A teaser of a few of the images in the full article
- Halo 3: Inside the Legendary Edition – NYLatenite.com
THE HALO 3 MIDNIGHT LAUNCH
As I mentioned yesterday, I had made the decision to head out to my local game shop’s midnight launch for Halo 3. Now, I’ve gone out to these things in the past, and every time I go, I swear that rather than standing on line for hours, next time I’ll just show up at 12:45am and get in with the back of the line. Once again I ignored my own advice and headed out approximately 2 hours before midnight, and once again, the line had already stretched to the end of the block and turned the corner.
(The store is on the far left of the pic & the line turns the corner just past the far right of the pic)
Making matters worse, I had forgotten to charge my cell phone, which left it with little power for me to take pictures or talk with friends who were braving the lines at other stores, my DS was sitting at home on my desk and the nearest WiFi access point was just far enough away to make connecting to the internet via my Palm T|X an impossibility. Things were looking pretty grim.
Fortunately, I was surrounded by a good group of gamers, and since we all share the common language of gaming, the time passed relatively quickly. Relatively being the operative word here – no matter how engaging any conversation was, nothing was going to take one’s mind off the fact that we were lined up like cattle awaiting the slaughter. In talking with the people around me, and observing those coming out of the store after midnight, I was a bit surprised to see just how many people had ordered the Legendary Edition of the game – guess I’m not the only sucker out there. I somehow think that with at least 250,000 of them made that there will be any sort of aftermarket rush for these. (I base that number on the numbering on the back of my Master Chief helmet)
The store itself did an admirable job of running the show – during the course of the night, they ensured that everyone on the line paid their reserve in full so that once midnight came, it would be a relatively quick process of getting people in and out of the store. A raffle was held for the store’s Halo 3 standee and soft drinks were provided free of charge.
Midnight did come, and the line did indeed move more quickly than normal. That said, It still took me 45 minutes to actually get into the store once midnight came, but again, once inside things went pretty quickly. I took my new shiny box and went home to enjoy the unpacking…
Two last things to note here;
1.) I should have a post about the contents of the Legendary Edition (with pictures) up shortly. I wound up massively oversleeping and am currently racing to try and get several things done at once. Don’t blame me, blame Bungie.
2.) To the people who feel the need to perform burn-outs and then tear out of the parking lot at 90 mph, contrary to what you may think, no one thinks you’re cool – we all tend to just say “what a moron” in unison. Sorry to disappoint you.
- Halo 3 – Official website
XBOX 360 CRASH OF THE TITANS DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Sierra’s Crash of the Titans for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Asia and Mexico via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 530.76MB.
- Crash of the Titans – Official website
THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 24TH – SEPTEMBER 30TH
I’ve got to admit, I was a bit surprised by the sheer number of titles releasing this week. I had figured with the Halo 3 behemoth coming to town, just about everyone (at least on the Xbox 360) would steer clear of the inevitable retail mauling. Looks like I was wrong.
I could go on about how the first Halo truly put the Xbox on the map with innovative (if at times repetitive) gameplay and how the second revolutionized online gameplay and matchmaking, but instead I’ll stick with Halo 3 itself and the hope that it will finally deliver on the promise of all out Human vs Covenant warfare on Earth. If Bungie can pull that off, then it will indeed be a fitting end to the saga of Spartan 117.
For those wondering, I’ll be standing outside of my local game shop tomorrow night for the midnight release, and with some luck, I should have some pictures of the Legendary Edition packaging and contents up when I get back from the store or early the next morning. I’m really interested to see whether or not the “original storyboard art” the Legendary Edition is supposed to contain is actual storyboard artwork direct from Bungie or just a cheap reproduction of what was on hand. I won’t lie here, I’m still extremely angry about the way Microsoft is treating Legendary Edition buyers by not including the hardcover art book Limited Edition purchasers get, but in the end, the game collector in me won out and convinced me to keep my Legendary order intact.
Yes, I’m both a consumer whore and a sucker. I know this, so no need to e-mail me on it. I also know that for the extra money I’m shelling out for the Legendary Edition, I could purchase one of those awesome Master Chief statues from Kotobukiya, so there’s no need to e-mail me about that as well.
Simply put, I’ll be putting common sense in the trash bucket on this one and going for the shiny object in the corner. Should the Legendary Edition wind up for sale used at $19.99 at some point, feel free to e-mail me about that one. We’ll both get a good laugh out of that bit of news.
Here are the week’s retail highlights;
- Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts (PC)
- Halo 3 (360)
- Bungie’s blockbuster trilogy comes to a conclusion as the Master Chief faces off against the forces of the Covenant and the Flood once more. By now you know whether or not you’re excited about this one, so there’s really no need to say more here, is there?
- NBA 08 (PS2, PS3 & PSP)
- Sony tries it’s hand at basketball once more, but if last year’s effort is any indication, you’ll want to stay away from this one.
- skate (PS3)
- Electronic Arts turned it’s eye towards the skateboarding genre when it released this game a few weeks back, and now it’s made it’s way to the PlayStation 3. Word is it takes a more realistic approach to skateboarding than the Tony Hawk series. Time will tell.
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- 30,000 Games – PC – 9/25/2007
- Big Buck Hunter – PC – 9/25/2007
- Bratz: The Movie – PS2 – 9/25/2007
- Bratz: The Movie – WII – 9/25/2007
- Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts – PC – 9/25/2007
- Halo 3 – 360 – 9/25/2007
- Halo 3 Legendary Edition – 360 – 9/25/2007
- Halo 3 Limited Edition – 360 – 9/25/2007
- Hour of Victory – PC – 9/25/2007
- Jackass: The Game – PS2 – 9/25/2007
- Jackass: The Game – PSP – 9/25/2007
- Math Play – DS – 9/25/2007
- Original Frisbee Disc Sports – DS – 9/25/2007
- Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/25/2007
- skate – PS3 – 9/25/2007
- Spelling Challenges and More! – DS – 9/25/2007
- Tarr Chronicles – PC – 9/25/2007
- Animal Genius – DS – 9/26/2007
- Backyard Basketball – DS – 9/26/2007
- Backyard Hockey – DS – 9/26/2007
- Balls of Fury – WII – 9/26/2007
- Brain Spa – PC – 9/26/2007
- Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2008 – PC – 9/26/2007
- Crayola Treasure Adventures – DS – 9/26/2007
- CSI 4: Hard Evidence – PC – 9/26/2007
- CSI: 3 Dimension of Murder – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party Bundle – WII – 9/26/2007
- Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 Bundle – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- Dora the Explorer: Candyland – PC – 9/26/2007
- Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire – WII – 9/26/2007
- Ghost in the Sheet – PC – 9/26/2007
- Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue – PC – 9/26/2007
- Hot Wheels Beat That – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- Hot Wheels Beat That – WII – 9/26/2007
- NBA 08 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- NBA 08 – PS3 – 9/26/2007
- NBA 08 – PSP – 9/26/2007
- Race Driver: Create & Race – DS – 9/26/2007
- Settlers: Rise of an Empire – PC – 9/26/2007
- Soul Nomad – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- World Series of Poker 2008 – PS2 – 9/26/2007
- World Series of Poker 2008 – PS3 – 9/26/2007
- CSI: Hard Evidence – 360 – 9/27/2007
- Hot Wheels Beat That – 360 – 9/27/2007
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance Enhanced (Platinum Hits) – 360 – 9/27/2007
- World Series of Poker 2008 – 360 – 9/27/2007
- Kurupoto Cool Cool Stars – DS – 9/28/2007
- Arctic Tale – DS – 9/29/2007
- Battleship/Connect 4/Sorry/Trouble – DS – 9/29/2007
- Left Behind: Eternal Forces Expansion Pack – PC – 9/29/2007
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
MAME32 .119.1 RELEASED
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.119.1, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.119u1 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.119U1 RELEASED
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .119u1 is now available for download. This update contains major changes to both Sega Model 2 and Namco System 21 emulation in addition to the usual bug fixes. Because of these changes, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release unless you’ve got a specific reason to do so. As always, 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.
XBOX 360 CALL OF DUTY 4 MULTIPLAYER BETA UPDATE
In a post on his blog, Infinity Ward’s Robert "FourZeroTwo" Bowling confirmed that the Xbox 360 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta will be ending on September 30th at 11:59PM. To cushion the blow of that news, Bowling also reported that on September 28th at 10:00AM PST, Infinity Ward will be raising the level cap to 25, unlocking all non-classified items listed in the weapons and perks menus.
"Friday Sept. 28th, (first thing aka 10 am PST) we’re going to be maxing out the level cap for the beta at Rank 25. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock everything that’s not marked Classified including new weapons, perks, and challenges such as:
Assault Rifles:
> G3Light Machine Guns:
> M60E4Sniper Rifles:
> DragunovPerk 1:
> Claymore X2Perk 2:
> Slight of HandPerk 3:
> MartyrdomNext weekend (Friday 28th / Sunday 30th) is going to be a mad rush to level 25 as it’s official, come 11:59pm on Sunday the 30th the beta will be coming to a close. I know, I know… but don’t worry. It’ll only be a little over a month from that point that you’ll be able to get your hands on the full version of the game on November 5th." – Robert "FourZeroTwo" Bowling
While I’m absolutely thrilled about the level cap being raised, I really am not looking forward to having to go without CoD4 for a whole month. Beyond a few annoying bugs and exploits, which will hopefully be addressed in the retail release, the beta has been an absolute blast to play. Based on the multiplayer aspect alone, Call of Duty 4 is shaping up to be a must-buy title.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Official site
- Gold Like Your Mom’s Bridesmaid – FourZeroTwo
PLAYSTATION STORE: LOCOROCO COCORECCHO!
You know, almost every time Sony releases an original game via the PlayStation Store, I find myself saying "I really wish there was a demo" – I’m sure many of you feel the same way. Anyway, Sony has brought the LocoRoco franchise to the PlayStation 3 with the release of LocoRoco Cocoreccho, a game that would appear to be patterned off of titles such as Lemmings, but with a slight twist – instead of placing objects in strategic areas to control the flow of the critters being saved, players use the motion controls of the Sixaxis controller to move a butterfly, which the LocoRoco will attempt to follow, around the playfield.
"All new LocoRoco™ game exclusively for the PS3™! Play as a butterfly and guide the cute little LocoRoco to safety. The LocoRocos respond to the environment, interact with each other, and sing along to the music. Running at 1080p, LocoRoco™ Cocoreccho! brings all new gameplay, use of the SIXAXIS™ wireless controller technology, mini-games, and online rankings.
- New Gameplay – Control the butterfly to guide the cute little LocoRoco to safety! LocoRoco will try to follow the butterfly wherever it goes!
- Full HD at 1080p – Fly around a richly detailed environment to wake up and rescue up to 200 LocoRoco!
- SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller- Use the SIXAXIS controller to rock, launch, and bounce the LocoRoco.
- Additional Mini-games – Discover three addicting mini-games." – PlayStation store product description
The game is priced at $6.99, and as I alluded to earlier, no demo is available.
PLAYSTATION 3 NBA 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Sony’s NBA 08 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 888MB.
- NBA 08 – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 SEGA RALLY REVO DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Sega’s SEGA Rally Revo for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 713MB.
- SEGA Rally Revo – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 STUNTMAN IGNITION DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of THQ’s Stuntman: Ignition for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 608MB.
- Stuntman: Ignition – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 SKATE DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts skate for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 977MB.
- skate – Official website
XBOX LIVE BRINGING IT HOME: TOKYO GAME SHOW ‘07 – DAY TWO
As you may have figured out already by how late today’s posts are going up, I’m a bit rushed at the moment. Microsoft has continued uploading selected content from the Tokyo Game Show to Xbox Live subscribers everywhere via a "Bringing it Home" promotion. Here’s the new stuff you can expect to find from Friday’s update;
Content: Lost Odyssey – Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Size: 103.06 MB
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] Lost Odyssey trailer (Tokyo Game Show 2007)Content: Sega Rally – Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] Sega Rally trailer shown at Tokyo Game Show 2007.Content: Xbox 360 Title Montage – Video
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Size: 270.96 MB
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] Upcoming Titles shown at Tokyo Game Show 2007.
I’m not sure if the promo is over yet as, while the show runs through Sunday, Microsoft generally doesn’t update the Live Marketplace on weekends. Should more TGS ’07 content hit the marketplace, I’ll be sure to post it.
XBOX LIVE BRINGING IT HOME: TOKYO GAME SHOW ‘07 – DAY ONE
Microsoft is once again bringing selected content from the Tokyo Game Show to Xbox Live subscribers everywhere via a “Bringing it Home” promotion. As par for the course, I’ll be highlighting the content being offered for free via the Live Marketplace, so be sure to check back each day as Microsoft is sure to be loading the marketplace will tons of promotional materials to prepare gamers for the holiday season rush.
We’ve already gotten the demo for Viva Pinata Party Animals out of the way, so all that’s left to talk about right now are the trailers that hit Live yesterday. Here’s what you can expect to find;
Content: Devil May Cry 4 Summer 2007 Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Size: 94.51 MB
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] View the latest trailer for the newest installment in the mega-hit action series Devil May Cry. Old faces-off against new with series stalwart Dante taking on new hero, Nero, in a highlight reel of Devil May Cry 4’s opening scenes.Content: Xbox LIVE Arcade Montage – Video
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] Xbox LIVE Arcade Montage shown at Tokyo Game Show 2007.Content: VF5 Demo Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All regions except Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
Size: 75.15 MB
Dash Text: [ESRB: T (Teen) SUGGESTIVE THEMES,USE OF ALCOHOL,VIOLENCE] Virtua Fighter 5, the world-renowned fighting game, now features online gameplay. VF5 also lets you download replay data of top players from its online leaderboards, and includes the latest updates to game balance, in-game items, and CPU rival character AI. Check out the excitement now in this downloadable movie.Content: VF5 Demo Movie
Price: Free
Availability: Only in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan
Size: 78.87 MB
Dash Text: Virtua Fighter 5, the world-renowned fighting game, now features online gameplay. VF5 also lets you download replay data of top players from its online leaderboards, and includes the latest updates to game balance, in-game items, and CPU rival character AI. Check out the excitement now in this downloadable movie. (Not Rated)Content: ACE COMBAT 6 TRAILER #02 Full Trailer (480p/720p)
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: ACE COMBAT 6 full trailer available now! The paths of a broken family, a fallen ace, a scheming soldier and a fated pilot intertwine, as they struggle to overcome the intense flames of war. Swarms of fighter jets race across the horizon as massive missile explosions blanket the sky. Take part in the intense drama of the battlefield, and witness Ace Combat redefined! (Not Rated)Content: Dark Sector Webisode #1 (HD)
Price: Free
Availability: All regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)] Dive deeper into the world of Dark Sector with this series of webisodes. For more information go to www.darksector.comContent: KUF:COD TGS Gameplay Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All regions except Japan
Size: 79.96 MB
Dash Text: [ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD AND GORE,SUGGESTIVE THEMES,VIOLENCE] New KUF:COD Trailer featuring gameplay and story sequences…Launching Winter 2007. Answer the call to battle in this Action-RPG where the Lords of Light and Darkness wage war for ultimate dominion. To save the world from eternal darkness, you must overcome hordes of demented monsters, journey through twisted, surreal environments and face unspeakable nightmares. Use your strength and skill to end the Circle of Doom and bring back the Light!
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the next batch of TGS goodies!
XBOX 360 VIVA PINATA PARTY ANIMALS DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Microsoft’s Viva Pinata Party Animals for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 971.17MB.
- Viva Pinata Party Animals – Product page at Xbox.com
- Viva Pinata Party Animals – VivaPinata.com
XBOX 360 RECEIVES MINOR SYSTEM UPDATE
According to Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, Xbox 360 users should see a small update the next time they log onto the Xbox Live service. This update is not the oft-mentioned Fall Dashboard Update, but rather just another minor tweak to the 360 to allow use of the specialized controller that will be included with "Scene It?".
"Today the team is releasing a minor system update via Xbox Live. Over the next few hours, when you sign in to Xbox LIVE, you’ll receive a prompt to accept this mandatory update. What’s in this update? Much like the update last month, the only thing this minor release will do is prepare your Xbox 360 for the Big Button Pad that is being released this holiday. Why do we need to release this update now? Simple: The certification team needs time to test the new controller against the retail hardware/software combination before it hits stores.
One more thing: no new features beyond this big button pad support are included in this update and, once again, this is not the ‘fall dashboard upgrade.’ When I have firm details on the next major update, I will share them." – Major Nelson
Despite the Major’s explanation, I really do question the wisdom behind this move. All too often these updates seem to cause mass console brickings and with Halo 3 launching in just a few days, it seems like taking an unnecessary public relations risk. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for everyone – please do the same for me.
- Xbox 360 System Update – Major Nelson
SONY CONFIRMS DUAL SHOCK 3 CONTROLLER
Confirming the rumors that have been spreading across the ‘net for the last few days, at their press briefing for the Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai confirmed that that vibration feedback would be coming to the PlayStation 3 in the form of the Dual Shock 3 controller.
The new controller looks identical to the current Sixaxis controller and will be hitting retail in Japan this November with the United States and Europe following in the Spring of 2008. No price has been quoted at this time.
This is great news for PlayStation 3 owners who have been sorely missing the feature – though I’m sure some who purchased multiple controllers may feel a little burned by the move. Even better news was that in addition to future PS3 games supporting vibration feedback, Hirai noted that some games in the existing PlayStation 3 catalog could have the feature added via downloadable updates.
XBOX 360 NBA 2K8 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of 2K Sports NBA 2K8 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 325.23MB.
- NBA 2K8 – Official website
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – GEON: EMOTIONS
Ahoy me hearties, it be another edition of Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays, and those scallywags at Microsoft be bringing us some buried treasure. Aye, this week we be getting our hands on Strawdog Studios Geon: Emotions.
Now I be the first to be tellin’ ye that I be havin’ no idea what this one be about. There be no doubt in me mind, that the description of Geon that Xbox.com be serving up be the biggest pile of manatee leavings that I be ever seeing. From what little scuttlebutt I could find at the bottom of Davy Jones Locker, the game be something in the lines of that rascal Marble Blast Ultra, but I really can’t be bein’ sure.
Me advice to you matey, is to be sure to be downloading the demo of this one before ye be putting down any of ye hard earned swag on the game. There just be too many questions about what ye should be expectin’ to find here. I tell ya, it be like part of an old salt’s treasure map – a mystery to be sure.
So grab your best serving wench and have a grog on me as we look at the scurvy-ridden Xbox.com product description of Geon: Emotions.
Title: Geon: Emotions
Developer: Strawdog Studios Ltd
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/19/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Love it? Hate it? Does it make you angry? Does it calm you down? Feel the energy of powerful emotions as you compete amongst your opponents to master the unique sport of Geon: Emotions. What’s your strategy going to be? Will you choose to spread fear among the other players, or unleash a wave of bliss over them with the aim of subverting their cause? Play to your emotional strengths. Allow your dark side to dominate, or win through speed, courage, and style. You can be the master of Geon, but you must learn to use your emotions to your advantage.
- A different game: Geon: Emotions is something different, a fast-paced abstract sports game that lets you explore your emotions as you compete against opponents.
- Next-gen graphics: The razor sharp visuals are accompanied by a pulse-pounding soundtrack.
- Game modes: Perfect your skills in a head-to-head duel or try the time attack to win medals and unlock mini-games. Then, go multiplayer on Xbox LIVE with up to four players and let it all hang out on the emotional battlefield.” – Xbox.com
Some of ye may be wonderin’ about that treasure we done found last week. Well, let me telling ya boys, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 be a damn fine retelling of that old tale, full of adventure and mystery. Those of ye who used to sail with Cap’n Genesis and be longing for the good ‘ol days before the pirate’s sunset should be digging this booty up right quick. Arrrr.
- Talk Like a Pirate Day – Original website
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day – Wikipedia
XBOX 360 SEGA RALLY REVO DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Sega’s SEGA Rally Revo for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Japan via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 691.82MB.
- SEGA Rally Revo – Official website
THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 17TH – SEPTEMBER 23RD
Wow, retail comes alive with a vengeance this week as plenty of decent titles – and a fair amount of fodder – find their way to retail. If I had to pick one title to be this week’s king of the hill, I guess I would aim at Namco Bandai’s Eternal Sonata. The game is not only highly anticipated, but received excellent scores when it debuted in Japan earlier this year under the name Trusty Bell: Chopin’s Dream.
Here are the week’s retail highlights;
- Eternal Sonata (360)
- Namco Bandai’s highly anticipated role playing game makes it’s debut on the Xbox 360 this week. Players enter the imaginary world of dying composer Frederic Chopin and adventure ensues. While it will only be out this week on the 360, a PlayStation 3 port is planned for Spring 2008.
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (360, DS & PS2)
- A street racing game with the title of an adult movie. Juiced 2 should provide fans of the genre with some thrills.
- My Sims (DS & WII)
- Electronic Arts opens a new chapter in the Sims franchise with this cutesy version of the venerable series.
- Namco Museum DS (DS)
- Namco once again brings a compilation of their classic arcade hits to a Nintendo handheld.
- Stranglehold (PC)
- Take control of Inspector Tequilla and bring some crime lords to their knees in this spiritual successor to Woo’s film Hard Boiled.
- Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror (PS2)
- There was a time when Gabe Logan and company were big names on the gaming scene. Those days have passed. Still, it should be interesting to see if this one can revive even some interest in the Syphon Filter franchise.
- World in Conflict (PC)
- The premise of this Real Time Strategy title from Sierra is that the Soviet Union did not collapse in 1991, but rather attempted to stave off it’s end by blackmailing the world with a demand that the United Nations financially support it’s economy or face an invasion of Western Europe. Since this is a war game, you can guess what the United Nations answer was. Expect battles in both Europe and North America.
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- 30,000 Games – PC – 9/18/2007
- 7 Wonders – DS – 9/18/2007
- AniMates – DS – 9/18/2007
- Big Buck Hunter – PC – 9/18/2007
- Eternal Sonata – 360 – 9/18/2007
- Experiment 112 – PC – 9/18/2007
- History Channel: Battle of Rome – PC – 9/18/2007
- I Love Kittens – PC – 9/18/2007
- I Love Puppies – PC – 9/18/2007
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – 360 – 9/18/2007
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – DS – 9/18/2007
- Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights – PS2 – 9/18/2007
- Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/18/2007
- Stuntman: Ignition – PS3 – 9/18/2007
- Anubis II – WII – 9/19/2007
- Backyard Basketball – DS – 9/19/2007
- Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of World War II – 360 – 9/19/2007
- Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of World War II – PC – 9/19/2007
- Coded Arms: Contagion – PSP – 9/19/2007
- Cosmic Family – WII – 9/19/2007
- Dewy’s Adventure – WII – 9/19/2007
- Digimon World: Data Squad – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- Digimon World: Dawn – DS – 9/19/2007
- Digimon World: Dusk – DS – 9/19/2007
- Fishing Master – WII – 9/19/2007
- Growlanser: Heritage of War Special Edition – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- Honda: SBk-07 Superbike – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- Master Jin Jin’s IQ Challenge – DS – 9/19/2007
- Mercury Meltdown: Revolution – WII – 9/19/2007
- My Sims – DS – 9/19/2007
- My Sims – WII – 9/19/2007
- Namco Museum DS – DS – 9/19/2007
- Nancy Drew – DS – 9/19/2007
- Pokemon Pocket Pokedex Vol. 2 – WII – 9/19/2007
- SingStar 80’s – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- SingStar 80’s (with 2 Microphones) – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- SingStar Amped – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- SingStar Amped (with 2 Microphones) – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- Sonic Rush Adventure – DS – 9/19/2007
- Stranglehold – PC – 9/19/2007
- Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- Warriors Orochi – 360 – 9/19/2007
- Warriors Orochi – PS2 – 9/19/2007
- World in Conflict – PC – 9/19/2007
- World in Conflict Collector’s Edition – PC – 9/19/2007
- Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force 2 – PSP – 9/19/2007
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
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This site is entirely based on the personal opinions of the editorial staff, internet reports, conjecture, rumors, and blatant idiocy. In no way should any report, news item, picture or description on this site ever be taken as 100 percent factual. To put it simply, if you think the 10 minutes of research I may do into a specific subject is enough for you to take something as reported at face value, you need to get your head examined.
As implied by the statement above, information on this website can, and probably will, contain numerous inaccuracies and as such should never be used to make any kind of an informed decision on a subject. Seriously. The nature of news on the internet and the business of reporting on rumors, ommissions and, let’s call it what it is, wild-ass guessing should never be mistaken as 100 percent accurate. While all attempts are made to report things as accurately as we can, things are always going to get missed or misunderstood in the shuffle.
In short, take everything on this site as what it is – news being reported by someone who is a fan of the video game industry, but who has no connections to the game industry or related businesses.
If you’ve seen something you feel is inaccurate or misinterperated, feel free to drop us a line at nylatenite@yahoo.com to let us know the truth of the matter. Thank you.
PLAYSTATON STORE: PIXELJUNK RACERS
PixelJunk Racers, the second game added in last week’s PlayStation Store update, is a bit of a strange title – I’d almost call it a throwback game. The game is based on the slot car race sets many if us played with as children in which cars race around a track with only the ability to change speed or lanes. Several game types appear to be available to add some mix to the flavor, but ultimately, it’s still slot car racing.
"PixelJunk™ Racers is an addictive slot car racing game that supports 1080p and features single player and multiplayer fun (up to 7 players simultaneously offline!). Intuitive controls, 32 different race modes, and online rankings will provide countless hours of racing mayhem.
- Unlimited Racing Action – 16 core racing modes with varying degrees of difficulty for a total of 32 modes, including an in-depth single-player tournament and offline multiplayer modes (up to 7 players!).
- Full HD at 1080p – Speed through 10 richly detailed courses.
- SIXAXIS™ Wireless Controller – Use the controller’s left and right buttons on the D-pad to steer through traffic, master cornering, and overtake rival vehicles.
- Global Online Ranking – Play for your personal best in Score Attack and see how you stack up against other racers worldwide." – PlayStation Store
PixelJunk Racers is priced at $6.99 and a demo is available for download via the PlayStation Store. I had the chance to try this one out this weekend, and I’ll rate it as a pass – there’s just not much of a game there.
PLAYSTATION STORE: HIGH STAKES ON THE VEGAS STRIP: POKER EDITION
Last week’s PlayStation Store update saw the addition of two new games to the service. The first we’ll be talking about is High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition. As this game has managed to stay far under the radar and no demo is available, I really can’t really tell you what to expect (other than that it’s a poker game of some sort) beyond what’s listed in the product description – so let’s take a look.
"Go all in on the Vegas Strip. Take a seat, put on your poker face and experience the casino action of Vegas; play limit or no-limit poker in five different game types including Texas Hold’em, Super Hold’em, Billabong and more! Master your skills against the computer or challenge up to five others in multiplayer action to become the online poker champ! Ante up and risk it all in High Stakes on the Vegas Strip.
- Multiplayer Action – Challenge up to 5 others
- Online leader boards and in-depth hand statistics
- Power through the tournament circuit in Turbo Mode
- Live audio feed
- High definition up to 1080p." – PlayStation Store
High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition is priced at $9.99 and, as I mentioned earlier, no demo is available. I really don’t see how anyone could screw up a poker game at this point, so if you’ve been waiting for a poker game and don’t mind paying $10 for one, this is probably for you
PLAYSTATION 3 SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATED TO V1.93
If you own a PlayStation 3 and have logged onto the PlayStation Network in the last day or so, you have undoubtedly noticed that there is a new system update available for the console. System Update 1.93 doesn’t seem to add all that much to the mix, as according to the PlayStation 3 System Update page, the only addition in the update are some tweaks to network stability.
"New for 1.93: The stability of the network connection has been improved." – PlayStation.com
Not much else to say here, it was a small update and one that most will probably never notice the effects of.
- PlayStation 3 System Software Update – PlayStation.com
MAME32 .119 RELEASED
MAME32, the Windows GUI port of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, has now made the jump to v.119, incorporating all of the changes seen in the most recent build of it’s command line based parent.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.119 RELEASED
The latest version of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available. Version 1.19 incorporates all of the changes made in the last series of interim updates. If you were having problems with anything in v.118, 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 update.
- MAME – Official website
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
- MAME v.119 "What’s New" File – MAMEDev
PLAYSTATION 3 FIFA 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts FIFA 08 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 732MB.
- FIFA 08 – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 342MB.
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Official game website
PLAYSTATION 3 NHL 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts NHL 08 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 685MB.
- NHL 08 – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 TONY HAWK’S PROVING GROUND DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.47GB.
- Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – Official website
XBOX 360 FIFA 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts FIFA 08 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and The United States via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 702.70MB.
- FIFA 08 – Official website
XBOX 360 SPIDER-MAN: FRIEND OR FOE DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
An Xbox 360 demo of Activision’s Spider-Man: Friend or Foe is now available for download in all regions except Asia via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 431.29MB.
- Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – Official website
MICROSOFT SHUTS DOWN FASA STUDIO
There were a lot of rumors during Shadowrun’s development that Microsoft would be shutting down FASA Studio once the game was complete. Well, it looks like the rumors were true as according to a post on the official Shadowrun message boards (found by way of Kotaku) the studio has indeed been shut down.
"It is my sad duty to announce that FASA Studio has officially closed its doors. Today was the official last day of employment for those of us who had not moved on to other positions within Microsoft Game Studios. While the rumors have been circulating forever, we chose to wait on an official announcement because we didn’t want people’s attention distracted from our last product, Shadowrun, a game we love." – Mitch Getelman, producer – Shadowrun
According to the same post, roughly half of the employees from FASA have taken positions elsewhere within Microsoft Game Studios and Microsoft proper, and I’m quite sure that Microsoft will continue to hold whatever intellectual property rights they gained from their purchase of FASA. Still, it’s sad to see one of the last remnants of FASA Corporation go down.
- FASA Studio – Company website
- Shadowrun – Official website
- FASA Studio has closed its doors – Official Shadowrun forums
- Shadowrun Developer Shuts Down – Kotaku
- Microsoft to Shut Down FASA Studios? – NYLatenite.com (3/22/07)
XBOX 360 TONY HAWK’S PROVING GROUND DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
An Xbox 360 demo of Activision’s Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is now available for download in all regions except Asia via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.04GB.
- Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground – Official website
MAME32 .118.6 RELEASED
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.6, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u6 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.118U6 RELEASED
Unfortunately, it appears that there were a few bugs in the last interim update of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, so version .118u6 is now available for download. This update makes a few fixes to the emulator as well as adding a few new clones as well as Mega Man – The Power Battle to the list of supported titles.
As version .119 should be right around the corner, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, 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.
LAZY DAY TRAILERS: NINJA GAIDEN 2
The big news coming out of Microsoft’s pre-show press conference for the Tokyo Game Show was the confirmation that Ninja Gaiden 2 is indeed in the works for the Xbox 360. While we don’t have any gameplay footage to show you yet (though apparently there was a gameplay demonstration by Tomonobu Itagaki) we do have the first teaser trailer for the game ready for your perusal. Check it out.
According to Gamespot, Microsoft will be both financing and publishing Ninja Gaiden 2 with Tecmo, meaning that it’s highly doubtful that the game will appear in any form on another system other than the Xbox 360.
“Currently, Ninja Gaiden 2 is set for a worldwide release on the Xbox 360 sometime in 2008. However, unlike its predecessors, it won’t be ported to other consoles down the line. Instead of being published by Tecmo, holder of the Ninja Gaiden license, the game is being bankrolled and distributed directly by Microsoft Game Studios.” – Gamespot
As stated above, there is no specific release date for the game at this time. Let the drooling begin.
- Ninja Gaiden 2 – Product page at Xbox.com
- Ninja Gaiden 2 official, Rez and Ikaruga XBLA-bound – Gamespot
- Ninja Gaiden 2 Teaser Trailer – GameTrailers.com
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
Looks like we’re getting quite a few Sega Genesis titles these days, doesn’t it? While it still remains to be seen if this will be a rare one-title week, Microsoft has confirmed that Sega’s Genesis classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will be making it’s Xbox Live Arcade debut today.
Sonic 2 introduced the world to Sonic’s sidekick Tails, a fox who, oddly enough, had two tails and could use them to hover like a helicopter. The game also saw the introduction of Sonic’s now famous Spin Dash attack – a move that allowed Sonic to spin quickly in place and then release all that energy in a massive burst of speed. By default, the player will play the game as Sonic with a AI driven Tails tagging along, however players did also have the option to either play as Sonic or Tails by themselves.
This one is probably my favorite of the Sonic series for reasons of nostalgia, and while Sega has certainly not been treating the Sonic franchise well in recent years, this one harkens back to the days when Sonic truly was an “A list” character. So long as the game doesn’t somehow get ruined in the translation to the Xbox 360, 2D platformer fans will certainly be pleased with this one.
Title: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/12/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“With his new Super Spin Dash and “Tails” the Fox, Sonic is back and better than ever in Sonic The Hedgehog 2! Defy gravity in hair-raising loop-de-loops, bounce like a pinball and race like lightning. Play against friends at home or against others over Xbox LIVE® in this classic game.
- Classic Sonic action: One of the world’s most famous video game characters comes to Xbox LIVE in one of his fans’ favorite titles. Experience the thrill of the fastest hedgehog in the universe.
- Enhanced graphics and sound: The game stays true to the original, but takes full advantage of high-definition graphics, with enhanced sound effects.
- Achievements and leaderboards: Take on the challenge of new achievements to conquer, and use the leaderboards to compare scores among friends and the rest of the Xbox LIVE world.
- Multiplayer: Play with a friend at home, or go online and play Sonic and Tails with the world at large.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s two Live Arcade releases, it really was a disappointing set of titles. As I mentioned, I was never a Fatal Fury fan, so I wasn’t expecting much from Fatal Fury Special at all, but I did have high expectations for Cyberball 2072 – and those expectations were crushed by the lack of a 2 player versus mode. Why Midway chose to go the cheap and easy route and only emulate half of the experience is mind-boggling – though I’m willing to bet it has something to do with the rather unique setup of the arcade machine. (Those of you who never saw Cyberball 2072 in the arcades should note that 2 player versus mode was accomplished by having what was essentially two arcade machines back to back built into one. Each player had their own screen and didn’t have to worry about their opponent being able to look at their play selection.)
PC ENEMY TERRITORY: QUAKE WARS DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of id Software’s Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is now available for the PC from any one of your favorite file download locations. The demo allows both single player (with bots) and multiplayer play. Approximate download size is 727MB.
- Enemy Territory: Quake Wars – Official website
- Play ETQW Now – id Software
MORE XBOX 360 CALL OF DUTY 4 MULTIPLAYER BETA TOKENS AVAILABLE TODAY
Those of you who missed out on the first run of invite tokens for the Xbox 360 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta will get a second chance at glory starting today. Gamespot will be distributing a limited number of tokens via their website to those that sign up starting today at noon EST.
There’s no word on how they plan on handling the distribution of the tokens, so don’t be surprised if this turns into another server outage fiasco. Still, those of you who desperately want to get into the beta should give it a shot.
"A hundred thousand may seem like a lot of keys. But we expect them to go fast. After all, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year.
So if you’re a registered GameSpot user who is also a Xbox Live Gold Member in North America over the age of 17, then come back on Monday, Sept 10th at 9:00 am PT to enter the beta test.
How it works is quite simple: Our big stockpile of tokens will be broken up into five stashes. Each day we will release one of those stashes. If you get a beta token, great. If you don’t, try again the next day. Once you sign up, you’ll get a token code and a confirmation email. You’ll use your Token Code to download the Beta from Xbox Live Marketplace." – Gamespot
Having played the beta for the better part of two weeks now, let me tell you that if you have a 360 and meet the above listed criteria, you really should try to get a hold of a token. The game is that good. Expect demand for these tokens to be extremely heavy.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Official website
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Gamespot beta invite page – Gamespot
THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 10TH – SEPTEMBER 16TH
It’s a decent week at retail with the highlight being the release of Heavenly Sword on the PlayStation 3. This game could be a make or break point for Sony’s holiday aspirations as it’s the last of the company’s big three first party titles (Lair and Warhawk being the other two) to hit retail – and perhaps the one that has the best chance at scoring decent reviews. That said, let’s get to it;
- DiRT (PS3)
- Codemasters off-road racing title DiRT finds it’s way to the PlayStation 3 this week. Expect the same kind of experience as the Xbox 360 version of the game.
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Game of the Year Edition (360, PC)
- Bethesda Softworks epic role playing game gets a second life in a bundle that includes both the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles expansions. Good stuff indeed.
- Fatal Inertia (360)
- Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (PS2)
- The latest 2D fighter in the Guilty Gear franchise comes to the PlayStation 2 and fighting fans will most certainly not want to miss it.
- Heavenly Sword (PS3)
- At long last, PlayStation 3 owners will get to take Nariko on the journey to kill King Bohan and avenge her clan as Heavenly Sword comes to retail. The game has often been compared to God of War and it should be interesting to see if the game can live up to the hype. Advanced word has been mixed on this one, so approach it with some caution. I do wonder if those comparisons to God of War have created an expectation that Heavenly just won’t be able to meet. When all is said and done, I’ll still be buying this one.
- NHL 08 (360, PC, PS2 & PS3)
- It’s hockey EA style.
- NHL 2K8 (360, PS2 & PS3)
- It’s hockey 2K style.
- Skate (360)
- Electronic Arts turns it’s eye towards the skateboarding genre with the release of this game. Word is it takes a more realistic approach to skateboarding than the Tony Hawk series. Time will tell.
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- Dot.Hack//G.U. Vol 3 Redemption – PS2 – 9/11/2007
- Drawn to Life – DS – 9/11/2007
- Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition – 360 – 9/11/2007
- Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition – PC – 9/11/2007
- Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power – PC – 9/11/2007
- NHL 2K8 – 360 – 9/11/2007
- NHL 2K8 – PS2 – 9/11/2007
- NHL 2K8 – PS3 – 9/11/2007
- Aircraft Power Pack II – PC – 9/12/2007
- Democracy – PC – 9/12/2007
- DiRT – PS3 – 9/12/2007
- Fatal Inertia – 360 – 9/12/2007
- Guilty Gear XX Accent Core – PS2 – 9/12/2007
- Hearts of Iron Anthology – PC – 9/12/2007
- Heavenly Sword – PS3 – 9/12/2007
- Jam Sessions – DS – 9/12/2007
- Kengo: Legend of the 9 – 360 – 9/12/2007
- NHL 08 – 360 – 9/12/2007
- NHL 08 – PC – 9/12/2007
- NHL 08 – PS2 – 9/12/2007
- NHL 08 – PS3 – 9/12/2007
- Pet Luv Spa & Resort Tycoon – DS – 9/12/2007
- Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – PC – 9/12/2007
- skate – 360 – 9/12/2007
- Spelling Challenges and More! – DS – 9/12/2007
- Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco – DS – 9/12/2007
- AnaCapri: The Dream – PC – 9/13/2007
- Da Vinci’s Secret – PC – 9/13/2007
- Seven Kingdoms Conquest – PC – 9/13/2007
- I Love Kittens – PC – 9/14/2007
- I Love Puppies – PC – 9/14/2007
- Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/14/2007
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
MAME32 .118.5 RELEASED
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.5, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u5 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.118U5 RELEASED
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .118u5 is now available for download. This update continues the work previously started on the CD32 drivers, makes some driver fixes for Mappy and adds a new parameter (-refreshspeed) which will adjust the emulator’s speed to match your monitor’s refresh settings.
While none of that will probably screw up anything in the emulator, the average user still really has no reason to upgrade to this version – especially given that this should be the last update before the release of v.119. I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, 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.
PLAYSTATION 3 STRANGLEHOLD DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
The long-awaited PlayStation 3 demo of Midway’s Stranglehold is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.31GB. This is one you should definitely download – lots of fun here.
- Stranglehold – Official website
PLAYSTATION 3 NBA LIVE 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts NBA Live 08 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 661MB.
- NBA Live 08 – Official website
XBOX 360 NBA LIVE 08 DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Electronic Arts NBA Live 08 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 562.57MB.
- NBA Live 08 – Official website
XBOX 360 CALL OF DUTY 4 MULTIPLAYER BETA TO INCREASE LEVEL CAP
According to a post over at Destructoid, Infinity Ward has sent out an e-mail notice advising testers that starting today at 1pm EST, they will be raising the level cap in the Xbox 360 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer beta from eleven to sixteen. This of course means new features, weapons and fun.
"Friday morning at 10 am PDT (1 pm EST) we’re going to be increasing the Rank level cap to Level 16. This is going to allow you to rank up and unlock more weapons, more perks, and more features; including Clan Tags (lv. 12). This is the first of several level increases we’re going to do throughout the beta, so keep playing, and we’ll keep you informed of incoming updates. Thanks to everyone currently playing for the tremendous amount of feedback we’ve been receiving; Keep sending it, and we’ll see you online!" – Infinity Ward (as per Destructoid)
This is welcome news indeed. I don’t know about you, but I just can’t stop playing this game – it’s actually delayed. my progress in BioShock – and that’s saying something.
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare – Official website
- Call of Duty 4 beta level cap to be increased this Friday – Destructoid
XBOX 360 WIRELESS RACING WHEEL REQUIRES RETROFIT
Yes gang, another piece of Microsoft hardware is being labeled as faulty. Microsoft has announced that due to a possible flaw in one of the components of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel that could result in overheating, smoking and an implied potential fire hazard, they are requesting that all owners stop using the powered functions of the wheel until they can get a retrofit kit from Microsoft to correct the problem.
The wheel itself can be used in the meantime with no risk if not plugged in, however that does eliminate all force feedback functionality.
“As a precautionary measure, Microsoft Corporation is voluntarily providing its customers with a free retrofit to the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel. The Wheels were manufactured during 2006 – 2007. A component in the Wheel chassis may in rare cases overheat and release smoke when the AC-DC power supply is used to energize the Wheel.
There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage due to the Wheel malfunction. Despite no known safety incidents, we are advising our customers about this because of our strong commitment to ensuring that our products are safe and perform to our design specifications.” – Xbox.com
Now I’m not sure what exactly this retrofit kit includes, but whatever it is, it’s apparently a simple enough installation that Microsoft feels you can make the change yourself – because that’s what you’re going to have to do. Owners of the Wireless Racing Wheel should either contact Xbox support by phone at 1-800-4MY-XBOX or use the form located at this link to have the kit sent out to them. Once mine arrives, I’ll be sure to at least post what you can expect to find in the kit and what is involved in making the required repair.
Racing wheel requires retrofit kit – say that ten times fast. Microsoft, I love my Xbox 360, but you guys have GOT to get your act together on the hardware reliability front. Seriously.
- Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel – Xbox.com
- Free Retrofit for Wireless Racing Wheel – Xbox.com
- Wireless Racing Wheel retrofit kit request form – Xbox.com
XBOX 360 FLATOUT: ULTIMATE CARNAGE DEMO NOW AVAILABLE
A demo of Flatout: Ultimate Carnage for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate demo size 751.67MB.
- FlatOut Ultimate Carnage – Official website
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – CYBERBALL 2072 & FATAL FURY SPECIAL
It’s another week of Xbox Live Arcade double features as Cyberball 2072 and Fatal Fury Special find their way to the Xbox 360.
What can I say about Cyberball 2072? Well, to be honest, I’ve always stunk at it. Cyberball was one of those games that I would always see during my college years, and despite my love for football I just couldn’t do much at all with the game. (Though back then, I would absolutely kick your ass at John Elway’s Quarterback or Ten Yard Fight)
Still, there’s always been a feeling in my mind that I need to master Cyberball – probably because one of my best childhood friends was a master at the game and would (and still will) rave about just how intricate it was. Yes, I am that competitive about things like this – especially when it comes to playing against good friends.
When it comes down to it, my biggest problem with the game was that back in ’89, I didn’t care much about the running game, and given the difficulty of mounting a really good passing attack in Cyberball, I was just doomed to failure. I finally overcame that shortcoming during the reign of the NFL2K series on the Xbox, but it really is too late to go back and change the past, isn’t it?
By now you’ve probably just scanned down to the relevant details of this release, so I’ll cut to the chase. Cyberball 2072 was Atari Games vision of what football would become in the future. It’s a rough sport that’s played with a bomb instead of a ball, where each team must find a way to score before said bomb detonates. Each team consists of highly specialized robots that can be repaired, replaced or upgraded for better performance depending on how your team is doing in the game. It’s a fast paced game and not one that will be to everyone’s liking – especially those of you who, like me in those golden years, greatly value the passing game over the running game.
Title: Cyberball 2072
Developer: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Midway
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“Touchdown! Rediscover the arcade classic game Cyberball 2072™ on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Take control of your robotic team, and call the plays to move your downfield for a touchdown. But watch out. The ball gets hot if you don’t keep moving. Keep your eye on the ball to make sure it doesn’t go critical before you can score.
- Play selection: Call more than 100 plays for your robotic team.
- Beat the Coach: The Beat the Coach mode enables you to go up against the A.I., simulating a live opponent.
- Challenge Mode: The special Challenge Mode tests your ability to make the play under pressure.
- Improve your team: Build up your win record, and buy upgraded robots to improve your roster.
- Futuristic football action: Fast football action with robots. The ball gets hotter with each play and can only be reset by moving past the 50-yard line or scoring a touchdown. Keep your eye on the ball!” – Xbox.com
If robot football isn’t your thing, SNK’s Fatal Fury Special may fill your arcade needs for the week. While I do love SNK’s 2D fighters, Fatal Fury was never one that I played with any regularity. To me, it was (along with the Art of Fighting series) always the lesser of SNK’s fighters with both Samurai Showdown and King of Fighters constantly outshining it.
Since I don’t have much personal history with the game to go on here, I’ll stick with the basics and say that the Fatal Fury series did pioneer the concept of multiple vertical playfields for each level and was a source of constant tweaking which probably led to many of the features we see in fighters today.
Title: Fatal Fury Special
Developer: Mine Loader Software
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 9/05/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: T (Teen) Mile Suggestive Themes & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
“The grandmother of all fighting games is here, with FATAL FURY SPECIAL™, a unique adaptation of the original 1993 arcade smash Garou Densetsu Special. Experience all the great fighting game action, with added network play and high-definition display, now available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade. Fifteen fighters (plus a special guest), gather for the match of the millennium. Can you beat them all?
- Fifteen (plus one) unique characters: All your favorite characters are here, including Terry Bogard, Billy Kane, Wolfgang Krauser, and a special hidden character.
- Classic fighting arcade action updated: The classic game has all the original features of the arcade smash, but has been updated for high-definition displays.
- Twelve unique achievements: Twelve new achievements, ranging from easy such as beating a fighter without sustaining any damage, to difficult, such as taking 10 straight wins on Xbox LIVE, are presented for you to master.
- Four leaderboards: Four ways to track your overall performance in the game.” – Xbox.com
As for last week’s titles, while I skipped Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, I did pick up Streets of Rage 2 – and I can honestly say it’s a great port of the original game. I was a huge Streets of Rage fan back in the days of the Genesis and this one certainly brought me back to simpler times. I have heard that there are some issues with multiplayer online play (specifically co-op versus mode), but if you loved the game back then, you’ll still love it now. Highly recommended at only 400 ($5) points.
LAZY DAY TRAILERS: HEAVENLY SWORD: LEGEND OF THE SWORD – PART FIVE
The fifth and final installment in Sony’s animated Heavenly Sword series has been released and as predicted last week, Nariko’s clan didn’t take too kindly to their heavenly warrior being born a girl. Still, Nariko undergoes her training with the clan to become the warrior of legend. The story has once again rapidly moved forward and leaves us at the scene of what will most likely be a great battle – and possibly the opening of Heavenly Sword.
The word on Heavenly has been pretty mixed so far, but I’m not about to give up hope on this one yet, though I am tempering my expectations quite a bit.
Those of you looking to play catch-up with the series should check out the below videos in their proper order.
- Heavenly Sword – Official website
- Heavenly Sword: Legend of the Sword – Part Five – GameTrailers.com
- Heavenly Sword: Legend of the Sword – Part Four – GameTrailers.com
- Heavenly Sword: Legend of the Sword – Part Three – GameTrailers.com
- Heavenly Sword: Legend of the Sword – Part Two – GameTrailers.com
- Heavenly Sword: Legend of the Sword – Part One – GameTrailers.com
PLAYSTATION 3 SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATED TO V1.92
If you own a PlayStation 3 and have logged onto the PlayStation Network in the last day or so, you have undoubtedly noticed that there is a new system update available for the console. System Update 1.92 doesn’t seem to add all that much to the mix, as according to the PlayStation 3 System Update page, the only addition in the update are some additional tweaks to backward compatibility.
"New for 1.92: Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation®2 format titles. To check on the latest status, visit the search site for compatible titles (coming soon)." – PlayStation.com
My guess is now that the latest model PS3s are shipping without hardware based backward compatibility, we’ll be seeing that message in quite a few of the upcoming patch messages.
- PlayStation 3 System Software Update – PlayStation.com
GEARS OF WAR HIDDEN FRONTS PACK NOW FREE
I’m still feeling a bit under the weather, so I’m keeping today’s update short. As promised by Microsoft, the Hidden Fronts map pack for Gears of War is now available as a free download. The pack includes four new multiplayer maps which I’ve taken the liberty of listing below;
- Bullet Marsh
- In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving you to fend for yourself against the Kryll.
- Garden
- This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.
- Process
- Fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.
- Subway
- Timgad’s Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.
So there you have it – if you’ve been waiting for this pack to go free, head on over to the Live Marketplace and download it.
- Gears of War – Official website
- Free Gears of War Hidden Fronts Map Pack – Xbox.com
THE LATEST FROM BEN HECKENDORN – THE NESTARI
It’s been awhile since we last checked in with console hacker extrordinaire Ben Heckendorn, so we figured it would be time to head over to his website and see what he’s been up to. Turns out, it’s another handheld system – the NEStari.
This time, Ben has taken an Atari Flashback 2, one of those "Nintendo on a chip" systems and some technical know-how and built a combination Atari 2600 / NES handheld. I don’t know about you, but I really do wish I had this guy’s technical expertise – I’d probably spend all day building consoles. (ok, I’d at least spend all day starting console projects)
Be sure to check out his earlier projects if this is the first time you’re visiting his site – you’ll probably be drooling in no time flat.
- The NEStari – BenHeck.com
THIS WEEK’S RELEASES: SEPTEMBER 3RD – SEPTEMBER 9TH
Sorry for this post being so late today, but I’ve felt horrible all weekend and have spent much of the last three days in bed. In fact, out of the entire list of things I wanted to accomplish over this long weekend, the only thing that I did manage to accomplish was playing the hell out of the Call of Duty 4 multiplayer beta. Needless to say, while that has certainly been an enjoyable experience, I’d really rather have gotten down to working on my damned “to do” list.
This week’s release list would be pretty short if it weren’t for the massive influx of crapware PC titles, most of which will probably be on the list next week and the week after as well (Mission: Combat Force) – making these lists every week really has shown me why the big three all have royalty structures in place on their consoles – because without them, we’d probably see tons of this crap as on the consoles as well.
Well, it’s almost time to get off the soap box and on to this week’s highlights, but before I’d like to say one more word about the Call of Duty 4 beta – if you happen to see me playing and want to say “hello”, “love the site”, “you suck” or the like, please don’t be offended if I don’t answer you. It’s not that I’m ignoring you, it’s that in order to preserve my sanity, I’ve probably got my headset volume off and my mic muted.
- Medal of Honor: Airborne (360 & PC)
- Electronic Arts drags out the Medal of Honor franchise for another go around. While I freely admit that I’m about as sick of World War II games as the rest of you, if a game is done right, I’ll enjoy it. Unfortunately, based on the demo, this one isn’t particularly good and given the glut of WWII shooters on the market, you’ve got a good reason to skip it. PlayStation 3 fans please note; the game is also coming to the PS3, but it’s currently slated for a November release.
- Resident Evil: The Essentials (PS2)
- This one is a bundle of three of Capcom’s classic survival horror games. While I certainly would call Resident Evil Code: Veronica and Resident Evil 4 “essentials” of the series, I’m not quite sure where Outbreak fits in there.
- Star Wars: Empire at War Gold Pack (PC)
- If case you skipped over LucasArts second take at the real time strategy genre, but always wanted to try it, this pack is geared towards you. For one price you get both the original Empire at War title along with the Forces of Corruption expansion pack. The structure of the original game seemed a little too rigid for my liking, so I’m going to advise you to download a demo first before you buy anything.
- John Woo Presents Stranglehold (360 & PC)
- Finally, a title on the list that I can feel excited about. Stranglehold finally makes it’s way to retail this week, and if the game is anything like the demo, this one is going to be loads of fun. Take control of Inspector Tequilla and bring some crime lords to their knees in this spiritual successor to Woo’s Hard Boiled. There are a few things to note here – first, only the PlayStation 3 Collector’s Edition will include a copy of Hard Boiled, and second, the PS3 version will not be out until the middle of the month or so.
- The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
- The Sims franchise continues to expand, and once again it’s time to take your Sims on vacation. Hi jinks ensue. I think I’d be able to get a lot more excited about these Sims expansions if Electronic Arts would at least price reduce the older ones when they launched a new one. I’ve got the original The Sims 2, and I certainly enjoy it, but the cost of keeping those guys housed gets damn expensive.
- Worms: Open Warfare 2 (DS & PSP)
- It’s another Worms game. By now you should know if you like the series or not and make your decision accordingly.
- Xbox Live Messenger Kit (360)
- Sure, this one isn’t a game, but it’s enough of a departure from Microsoft’s usual offerings that it’s worthy of a slot in this week’s list. For those of you unfamiliar with the device, it’s a keyboard attachment for your 360 controller that will let you type away to your heart’s content without having to connect a real keyboard to the Xbox 360. Some will say it’s a godsend, others will say it’s useless – it all comes down to how you use your 360 and how your home gaming are is set up. Personally, I like the idea and will be grabbing one of these. The downside here is that they only come in white, so Elite owners will have to deal with some color issues, as will purchasers of the new Halo 3 themed controllers that are hitting retail this week as well.
Beyond that, the pickings are pretty slim, but feel free to peruse the below list and see if you can find anything that suits your fancy.
- AnaCapri: The Dream – PC – 9/4/2007
- Da Vinci’s Secret – PC – 9/4/2007
- Mission: Combat Force – PC – 9/4/2007
- Panzer Killer – PC – 9/4/2007
- Seven Kingdoms: Conquest – PC – 9/4/2007
- Garfield: Nightmares – DS – 9/5/2007
- I Love Kittens – PC – 9/5/2007
- I Love Puppies – PC – 9/5/2007
- Left Behind: Eternal Forces Expansion Pack – PC – 9/5/2007
- Medal of Honor: Airborne – 360 – 9/5/2007
- Medal of Honor: Airborne – PC – 9/5/2007
- Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles 2 – PS2 – 9/5/2007
- Pirate’s Revenge – PC – 9/5/2007
- Resident Evil: The Essentials – PS2 – 9/5/2007
- Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened – PC – 9/5/2007
- Star Wars: Empire at War Gold Pack – PC – 9/5/2007
- The Sims 2: Bon Voyage – PC – 9/5/2007
- The Sims 2: Limited Edition Bundle – PC – 9/5/2007
- Worms: Open Warfare 2 – DS – 9/5/2007
- Worms: Open Warfare 2 – PSP – 9/5/2007
- Pool Party – WII – 9/6/2007
- Stranglehold – 360 – 9/6/2007
- Stranglehold Collector’s Edition – 360 – 9/6/2007
- Xbox Live Messenger Kit – 360 – 9/6/2007
- Hearts of Iron Anthology – PC – 9/8/2007
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
MASS EFFECT COMING NOVEMBER 20TH
Microsoft has announced that BioWare’s Mass Effect will be hitting retail on November 20th, 2007.
"Today, Microsoft Game Studios and BioWare Corp. announced that the highly anticipated action role-playing game (RPG) “Mass Effect” will ship to retailers throughout North America on November 20, 2007. The recipient of more than 50 awards, including the 2007 Game Critics Awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best RPG” at the Electronic Entertainment Expo last month in Los Angeles, “Mass Effect” is poised to become the must-play RPG of 2007." – Microsoft press release
Mass Effect will be an Xbox 360 exclusive release. Not much else to say at this point – November is looking to be a very expensive month for gamers.
- Mass Effect – Official website
- Critically-Acclaimed RPG “Mass Effect” Begins Epic Journey to Retailers on November 20 – Gamerscore Blog
MAME32 .118.4 RELEASED
Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MAME32 v.118.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.118u4 is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MAME32 as well.
Check out the official MAME32 page here for more details and the download links.
- MAME32 – Official home of MAME32
MAME V.118U4 RELEASED
The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .118u4 is now available for download. This update makes a few background changes to the emulator, including more improvements to the way DIP switches are handled and better support for Amiga system emulation.
While none of that will probably screw up anything in the emulator, the average user still really has no reason to upgrade to this version. I’d recommend holding off on upgrading your installation until the next full release. As always, 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.
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