Okay, I'll freely admit that I haven't been following all the supposed leaks surrounding Super Smash Bros. Brawl as closely as I should, but one thing I saw over at Joystiq today certainly caught my attention… R.O.B..
For those of you who may be too young to remember R.O.B., back when the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) launched in the United States, it included R.O.B., your Robotic Operating Buddy, a little robot who would play along with you in one of the included games. The initial idea was to use R.O.B. to help differentiate the NES from other gaming systems in an attempt to get retailers and customers to accept it in a post-console crash world.
In reality, R.O.B. was a dismal failure. Only two games were ever released that made use of him (including the pack-in) and in truth, even those games played better without R.O.B. than they did with him. At his best, R.O.B. was a trojan horse that got the NES onto retailers shelves in those early test markets, but one that soon found himself on the outside looking in on the NES' success. Discontinued and alone, it seemed R.O.B.'s glory days had passed – at least until today…
If the screenshots over at Joystiq are real, it would appear that R.O.B. (along with many other borderline Nintendo stars) has found his way into Nintendo's highly anticipated Wii title Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I've always held a soft spot in my heart for the little guy, and the fact that he may finally be seeing the light of day once more is more than enough to pique my interest in the title.
Check out all the latest details at the below links – Good luck little buddy, I'm pulling for you.
January 31, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Fighting, Nintendo, R.O.B., Rumors, Smash Bros., Wii |
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This week, the Xbox Live Arcade brings us two new releases in the form of the Tetsuya Mizuguchi's highly anticipated shooter Rez HD and Chessmaster LIVE.
Many of you probably only know the original Rez from the famous internet story about the game and it's curious peripheral, the Trance Vibrator, posted at GameGirl Advance, but even without the more salacious aspect of the games history, Rez does have a cult following among former Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 owners.
At it's heart, Rez HD – like the original Rez, is a rail shooter that tries to draw the player in by presenting them with a world of color and sound that responds to their every action while simultaneously overloading the senses… and for those of you wondering, while the game does not support the original Trance Vibrator, it will support up to three Xbox 360 controllers for one player – allowing two to be used in that capacity.
Rez HD will be available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace at a cost of 800 points ($10).
Title: Rez HD
Developer: Q Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Set in a cyberworld, the legendary fast-paced action-shooter Rez HD, created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, will provide the ultimate audiovisual experience as the player targets the enemies and hacks the system while creating their own beats. Rez will open your senses … let's go to synaesthesia was the watchword when Rez released in 2001 to become a fan favorite. The dynamic, total integration of visual presentation, sound and player input provides the ultimate audiovisual experience.
- Legendary gaming experience: Old-school vector style graphics, sensory response, and beat synchronization sets the title apart and is perfectly recreated in this port for Xbox LIVE® Arcade in high-definition and 5.1 surround sound.
- The world of Rez: Rez consists of five different levels, each with its own unique visual theme and style, musical track and a boss battle at the end. The game also features several different modes and lots of unlockable elements, giving it plenty of replay value.
- Game modes: Play through the five areas in regular or Score Attack mode. Go to the Beyond mode and try Direct Assault, Lost Mode, the free play Trance Mission, or take on all the bosses consecutively in Boss Rush.
- Feel the rhythm: To further enhance the Rez experience, artists including Coldcut, Adam Freeland, Joujouka, Ken Ishii and Keiichi Sugiyama (SEGA's Wave Master) contributed tracks to the game." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Chessmaster LIVE from Ubisoft – which is, quite naturally, a chess game. While graphics may play a huge role in many titles, I think anyone familiar with chess knows that a chess game can really only be as good as it's artificial intelligence. It's because of this that I really can't say much else about Chessmaster LIVE as I've yet to play the game, not am I a good enough chess player to accurately judge how well the game plays. My advice to you is to try the demo and read any reviews that are released regarding the game before investing your 800 points ($10) in the title.
Title: Chessmaster LIVE
Developer: Ubisoft Sofia
Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/30/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E – (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Enjoy playing as a real strategist with the Xbox LIVE® version of the most-acclaimed chess franchise. Chessmaster LIVE allows you to challenge friends and players all over the world in thrilling contests and determine who's the real champ. Choose among several 3-D (or 2-D) sets and play against virtual characters or real opponents over Xbox LIVE. Solve puzzles and discover exciting variations of this classic board game. Beginners can learn the basics of chess, and veteran players can improve their mastery of the game with the advanced scenario. The game is yours … it's your move!
- The challenge of chess: Compete against advanced A.I. characters or challenge other Xbox LIVE members to a match.
- New message chess system: Start a game without any time limit, and play the game at your leisure over the course of days or even weeks.
- Chess puzzles and chess variations: Puzzle over a series of classic challenges such as "find the fork" or "mate in one," and experience new ways of playing chess including Dark Chess, Losing Chess, Extinction Chess, and Progressive Chess.
- Customizable environments: Choose from six 3-D chess sets and three traditional sets, each with their own distinct sound effects, piece and board design.
- Interact with opponents: Video options allow you to see your challenger during the course of the game." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, Boogie Bunnies just really didn't do anything for me. Sure, there were plenty of cute bunnies line dancing, but the game itself felt much like so many other puzzlers that I just didn't feel it justified the 800 point ($10) price tag attached to it.
January 30, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Microsoft, Q Entertainment, Rez, Shooter, Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Ubisoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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A demo of Touchstone Studios’ Turok for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in North America via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.17GB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 30, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Demo, FPS, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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Earlier today, I stopped in on our friends the Warbears to see how their holidays were, and was surprised to find that our favorite fighting bears had taken on a mission of sorts while we were all drinking our eggnog. That's right, there's a new short Warbears adventure available at the series' official site – Adventure: An A.R. X-Mas lets us join up with Warbears as they do a little Christmas shopping.
If you like graphic adventure/puzzle solving games, this free web-based series is certainly something to check out. Enjoy!
January 29, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Free Games, Fun Stuff, Graphic Adventure, PC Games, Web Games |
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Okay, wow. I didn't think I'd ever see a week where there was nothing on the Nintendo DS list, but here it is. Overall, there's really not much to get excited about here, so I'll be keeping this short and sweet once again. In other words, if you're looking for a pick of the week, you're going to have to look somewhere else.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at some of this week's more notable releases;
Abandon all hope ye who go shopping here.
- American Civil War: 1861-1865 – The Blue & The Gray (PC) – 1/29/2008
- Bomberman Land (WII) – 1/30/2008
- Pacific Storm Allies (PC) – 1/29/2008
- Pet Vet 3D Animal Hospital: Down Under (PC) – 1/29/2008
- Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice (PSP) – 1/30/2008
- The Sims: Castaway Stories (PC) – 1/30/2008
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
January 28, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.7, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u7, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.
January 27, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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The MAME development team strikes again as version .122u7 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes from the previous release.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 26, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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Ever since it was delayed from it's original October release date, things have been a bit hazy for Grand Theft Auto IV. Diffferent theories regarding why the game was being delayed bounded across the internet and Take-Two/Rockstar was eerily non-committal about when fans could expect to see the title.
Well, at least some of the mystery surrounding the game has been lifted. In a quick little e-mail, Rockstar announced that Grand Theft Auto IV will be making it's debut on April 29th, 2008. Mark that date on your calendars now, because if you think the media circus around Mass Effect has been bad, you haven't seen anything yet.
January 25, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Announcements, Grand Theft Auto, Release Date, Rockstar, Take-Two |
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A demo of Capcom's Devil May Cry 4 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 613MB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 25, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Capcom, Demo, Devil May Cry, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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A demo of Codemasters' Turning Point: Fall of Liberty for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.24GB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 24, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Codemasters, Demo, FPS, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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Just a quick reminder to all – starting this morning at 5am EST and running through 2:59am EST, Monday, January 28th, Chair Entertainment's Undertow will be made available for free to all Xbox Live members worldwide.
"Marc announced that all Xbox LIVE members (Gold and Silver) around the world would have access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game to download free of charge. We’re pleased to announce that beginning next Wednesday, 2:00 a.m. PST through Sunday, 11:59 p.m. PST, Xbox LIVE members worldwide can download the full version of the recent award-winning Xbox LIVE Arcade game, Undertow." – Gamerscore Blog
Microsoft has also been very clear that they are not leaving out those of you who have already purchased this title. If you've already bought Undertow, simply contact Xbox support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX during the promotional period and they will see to it that you get credited the 800 Microsoft points you spent on the game.
Regardless of what you may think of Undertow, free is still free, so I'd definitely suggest downloading this one regardless of whether or not you feel Microsoft could have chosen a better title to offer Live members to make up for all the problems of late.
January 23, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Apology, Free Games, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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A demo of Sega & Bizarre Creations' The Club for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in North America via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.36GB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 23, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Bizarre Creations, Demo, Sega, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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Yup, you heard me right – while the game is going to set most Xbox 360 owners back 800 points ($10) when it hits the Xbox Live Arcade, a select few are going to get their grubby mitts on Rez HD for the low low price of free. I'll let that sink in for a moment… freeeee.
Okay, now that you've been properly prepared, here's the deal – I came across this little tidbit over at Kotaku earlier tonight, and figured this is something most of you with a 360 would probably want to know about. All you have to do is register at Q Entertainment's official website for Rez HD by 11:59pm PST on January 27th AND make sure to click the box that says you want to be participate in the drawing for the free download codes during the registration process. That's it. Pretty easy, huh?
According to the site, within 72 hours of the above deadline, 50 winners will be notified by e-mail that they've won and will receive their codes. Good luck all!
January 22, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Contest, Free Games, Q Entertainment, Rez, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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Things are definitely looking up this week as we actually have something to talk about this time around. There were several "A List" titles competing for the number one slot this week, but when push comes to shove, I've got to put my money behind… (drum roll please) – Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for the Nintendo DS. This turn-based strategy series is one that has never disappointed on a handheld and is one of those games that has always done an excellent job bringing players along in it's learning curve. Yes, It's due to that long heritage of quality that I'm glad to bestow the oh-so coveted (insert sarcasm here) "Latenite's Pick of the Week" award to Days of Ruin. Congratulations!
That said, there are a few other titles you may want to keep an eye out at retail this week, so let's take a closer look.
- Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)
- As mentioned above, Nintendo's Advance Wars series is a favorite of mine, so this game finds it's way to the top of the list almost automatically. Perhaps the biggest improvement in the series is the toning down of CO powers so that they don't change the face of a battle instantly. In other words, expect a more even battle.
- Burnout Paradise (360 & PS3)
- I should be excited about Burnout Paradise, I really should… I certainly want to be, but unfortunately, I just am not a fan of the "open-city" approach Criterion took this time around. Call me old fashioned, but I'll still put my money for best title in the series on Burnout 3: Takedown any day of the week. Still, if you're a fan of the series, you should probably at least rent Paradise and decide if you like it for yourself.
- Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC)
- It's an mmog based on being a pirate – do you really need to know anything else? While I'm not sold enough to run out and buy a copy, the moment there's a free trial, I am so there. Arrrrr.
Look upon this week's release list and despair.
- Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS) – 1/22/2008
- Burnout Paradise (360) – 1/22/2008
- Burnout Paradise (PS3) – 1/22/2008
- Endless Ocean (WII) – 1/22/2008
- History Channel: Lost Worlds (PC) – 1/23/2008
- Iridium Runners (PS2) – 1/22/2008
- Kawasaki Jet Ski (WII) – 1/23/2008
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS) – 1/22/2008
- Mission: WWI Combat (PC) – 1/23/2008
- No More Heroes (WII) – 1/23/2008
- One Piece: Unlimited Adventure (WII) – 1/23/2008
- Pacific Storm Allies (PC) – 1/23/2008
- Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC) – 1/22/2008
- Rainbow Islands Revolution (PSP) – 1/22/2008
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
January 21, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.6, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u6, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.
January 20, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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No doubt about it, the MAME development team is working overtime of late. There's yet another update available for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u6 is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes from the previous release.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 20, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
1 Comment
A demo of Touchstone Studios’ Turok for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.08GB.
January 19, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Demo, FPS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Store |
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A demo of Electronic Arts’ FIFA Street 3 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 293MB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 18, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Demo, Electronic Arts, Soccer, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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You know gang, I don't know how to feel about this next bit of news… according to Gamasutra, THQ has entered into negotiations to buy Big Huge Games. Now I know that the two have been working closely together since March of 2007 or so on some unnamed RPG, but I still have to say that I get an uneasy feeling about this one. I don't know, maybe I was just hoping to see Brian Reynolds and company come back to the Rise of Nations franchise following 2006's somewhat weakly received Rise of Legends.
One thing of interest in the article is the statement that it was actually a new intellectual property Big Huge was working on that prompted THQ to make an offer;
"We asked what else Big Huge is bringing to the table, given that one of THQ's stated goals in addition to increasing its internal development capabilities, is to expand its portfolio of owned IP.
He replied, "I would say that the RPG was enough, but what definitely sealed the deal for us on both sides is the next one. It's more innovative, more unique, and we just felt like it requires both long-term thinking from both sides. But also from THQ's perspective, it showed us that this is a studio that can gen some new concepts. Anything else coming out of Big Huge is icing on the cake."" – Gamasutra
Now being as big a fan of Big Huge and Brian Reynolds as I am, I've got to say that the idea of some new concept coming out of the studio is more than enough to snag my attention. I remember talking with a good friend of mine back when Rise of Legends came out that while the game made wasn't the best RTS title I had ever seen, it would certainly be a great backdrop for a massive multiplayer online game.
I almost wonder if this new, long-term game would be just such a thing. Certainly, the profits coming to Activision Blizzard from World of Warcraft are more than enough to make anyone consider trying to grab a piece of the pie. Admittedly, there's been nothing to make me think that's whats going on beyond that conversation – in fact, I'm not even sure if the "Rise" IP is actually held by series developer Big Huge or publisher Microsoft Games.
Getting back to the matter at hand, there is one (hopefully) bit of good news to be found here – according to the Gamasutra article, THQ currently plans on taking a hands-off approach to managing the company. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that this all works out in the end.
January 17, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Announcements, Big Huge Games, Brian Reynolds, Mergers & Acquisitions, THQ |
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Xbox Live Arcade brings us an original title this week in the form of Sierra's Boogie Bunnies. I'll say that again slowly to let it sink in… Boogie…Bunnies.
Initial shock aside, what we've got here is some type of puzzler with mass bunny dances thrown in for good measure. I'm not quite sure if someone (*cough* Sierra *cough*) is trying to cash in on the popularity of the Rabbids or what, but they certainly seem to be banking on the cute factor helping to sell this one.
I'm not going to pass judgment on Boogie Bunnies though, as I really don't know what to expect from it besides puzzle-style matching, dancing rabbits and an 800 point ($10) price tag. It's because of this, I'd highly recommend trying the demo of the game before purchasing it.
Title: Boogie Bunnies
Developer: Artech Studios
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/16/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Help the Boogie Bunnies achieve their dream of superstardom as they shimmy shake their way through exotic, colorful destinations all the way to Hollywood. Only you can ensure they make it. In this revolutionary match-3 puzzle game, Boogie Bunnies lets you match up these wacky disco fur balls from three different sides—left, right, and from the bottom. Score chain combinations and watch them get their groove on. Let's get the party started!
- Multiple game modes: Play this great match-3 game with a twist at your own pace in three different game modes, Classic, Arcade, and Endless.
- Exciting destinations: Travel with the bunnies to the Arctic, Amazon, and Hollywood as they adopt the local culture.
- Stylish 3-D bunnies characters: Discover new bunnies along the way from designer sunglasses-wearing bunnies to completely outfitted diva bunnies.
- Fancy dance animations: Set up extensive chain combinations to trigger the bunnies' creative dance moves to catchy tunes.
- Family fun play: Join the party online or offline in two-player cooperative or competitive mode for the whole family to enjoy." – Xbox.com
So what about last week's Live Arcade titles? Well, let me start off by saying that Tron is just a travesty. How they could have picked control schemes that bad for the game is just beyond me. The main culprit in this crime against a classic is the use of the right analog stick as the spinner – it just feels unnatural and makes playing the game a bit of a chore. Since that aspect wouldn't affect the light cycle mini-game, they also chose to add in the usual control issues to make that more difficult than need be.
Thankfully, all was not lost as Omega Five, despite a few notable issues, is quite a fun shooter. It's a game that really captivates with it's look and follows up with some solid gameplay. If I had to take issue with it, my only two complaints are the size of your avatar (too large for the playfield – and quite confusingly, your legs don't seem to count as collision points) and the inability to switch between weapon types. Beyond those gripes, what you've got here is a fun shooter that, in my opinion, is worth the 800 point ($10) price. Don't' take my word for it though, download the demo for yourself and give it a try!
January 16, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Puzzle, Sierra, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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Those of you who purchased the Wii version of Guitar Hero III are probably well aware by now that Activision accidentally recorded your discs in mono sound instead of Dolby stereo. You're probably also aware that Activision promised to ship out replacement discs early in the new year.
Well, according to ArsTechnica, Activision has now opened pre-registration for those replacement discs. Apparently you'll have the option of either calling to get on the list or being notified via e-mail.
"Pre-registration for the remastered disc is fairly simple: owners looking for an updated copy need only call (866) 780-8286 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday, to get their names on the list. Alternatively, the help entry on Activision's customer support knowledge base has a handy "update me by email" function. No date has been given for when the discs will actually be sent out." – ArsTechnica
You know, while I applaud Activision for making good on their mistake, if I had bought the Wii version of the game, I'd be seriously pissed right now. It really shouldn't take this long to get what you paid for. I certainly hope Activision plans on giving those affected something else for their troubles too – even if just a free song.
January 15, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Activision, Guitar Hero, Oops, Replacements, Wii |
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The drought is back with a vengeance. Looking over this week's release list, I just can't find a single title to get excited about, so I'm once again going to suggest that you just catch up on some titles you've been meaning to get around to, read a book, catch a movie or do whatever it is that you do.
Look upon this week's release list and despair.
- Carrier Strike Force (PC) – 1/16/2008
- CSI: Hard Evidence (WII) – 1/16/2008
- FlatOut: Head On (PC) – 1/16/2008
- FlatOut: Head On (PSP) – 1/16/2008
- Furu Furu Park (WII) – 1/16/2008
- Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey (WII) – 1/15/2008
- Miami Nights: Singles in the City (DS) – 1/16/2008
- Nitrobike (WII) – 1/16/2008
- Rail Simulator (PC) – 1/17/2008
- Samurai Warriors: Katana (WII) – 1/16/2008
- The History Channel: Lost Worlds (PC) – 1/16/2008
- The Sims Carnival: Bumper Blast (PC) – 1/16/2008
- The Sims Carnival: Snap City (PC) – 1/16/2008
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
January 14, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.5, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u5, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.
January 12, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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Yes, there's yet another update available for the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u5 is now available for download. This update is another one that mainly focuses on bug fixes for the previous release.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 12, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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If you remember, awhile back H.R. Kaufmann, the president of Xidy (formerly known as Exidy), began making all the titles in the company's classic arcade lineup freely available for use with MAME via the official site of the MAME development team.
Although it's been awhile since the last set of ROM releases, it appears that Mr. Kaufmann is still following through on his generous gift to classic game enthusiasts everywhere, as the ROMs for both 1980's Spectar and Targ can now legally be obtained via MAMEDev's ROM page.
Once again, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Mr. Kaufmann for his generosity.
January 11, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Classics, Emulation, Free Games, MAME, ROMs |
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A demo of Electronic Arts’ NFL Tour for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in Canada and The United States via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 710MB.
Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
January 11, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Demo, Electronic Arts, Football, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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In the February issue of Electronic Games Monthly (EGM), Editor-in-Chief Dan "Shoe" Hsu announced that EGM had effectively been blacklisted by a few companies for publishing what amount to less than glowing reviews of certain games.
"Except with some game publishers, of course. Less-than-totally-positive previews don't sit well with those who are used to those press-release rehashes. Combine that with our candid reviews, and you can imagine the consequences that we have to face constantly.
For the time being, you'll get little, late, or no coverage of the following products: anything Mortal Kombat (they didn't like our reviews), anything from Sony's sports department (ditto), and now, anything from Ubisoft (it seems our coverage of Assassin's Creed was the last straw). So in case you're wondering why you're seeing so little of these games in our magazines and on our websites, now you know." – Dan Hsu
Now before you think that the above statement is EGM punishing those publishers for their stance, it's not. Hsu does say the the magazine will continue to cover affected titles as much, and as fairly as possible, but that previews and such will be hard to come by while being essentially blacklisted.
Now the whole review thing has certainly been getting out of hand of late, what with the Gerstmann firing over at Gamespot and now this. It's one thing to invite the media in and give them a snow job about your product, show them it's best features only and try to get them excited about it, but when you start attempting to influence the final review by methods of coercion, that's another.
These publishers need to realize that review sites are in the business of reviewing a product, not working as an extension of a company's marketing department. The bread and butter of any good review site is that people know they can trust the reviewers to tell them what they honestly thought about a title. When a magazine or site compromises on that, they either become a laughing stock or people just stop paying any attention to them – either way, it's not good for business.
In short, I'd like to congratulate Dan and the rest of the EGM team on sticking up for journalistic integrity on this one and not caving in to external pressure. Way to go guys – it makes me proud to be an EGM subscriber. Keep telling it like it is, and I'll keep renewing.
Dan's entire editorial has also been reposted over at 1up.com, so check out the link below for all the details.
- Banned – Dan Hsu editorial reprinted at 1up.com
- EGM – EGM's homepage at 1up.com
January 10, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Banned!, EGM, Journalistic Integrity, Magazines, Mainstream Media, PR Nightmare |
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Xbox Live Arcade returns to it's familiar two-a-week format this time around with the release of both an arcade classic and original title make their way to the Xbox Live Marketplace. That's right, we've got the best of both worlds in the form of 1982's Tron as well as Hudson's new shmup Omega Five.
As indicated above, Tron made it's debut in arcades back in 1982, following the release of the Disney film of the same name, and quickly won over gamers with both it's mix of mini-games and replication of the film's iconic light cycle scene. While I do (once again) question how well the game will control with the 360 control pad, this is still a title that I can see myself picking up even if only for reasons of nostalgia.
Title: Tron
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 400 points ($5)
Rating: E – (Everyone) Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"The arcade classic is back! And Tron is even better this time around with enhanced graphics, CD-quality sound and two-person multiplayer.
Battle as mighty video warrior Tron against the insidious Master Control Program and his ruthless right-hand man, Sark. Tron offers a retro-futuristic test of gaming ability. Race life cycles, demolish tanks, dodge grid bugs, and even face off against the MCP himself to find out who truly rules the computer world!
- Enhanced original: Tron is a perfect recreation of the classic arcade game based on the pioneering computer animated Disney film. Authentic graphics, gameplay and audio have all been upgraded to take advantage of the high-definition graphics and CD bit rate quality of Xbox 360™.
- Light cycles rule: Now you can be a part of the most famous scene from the movie. Ride your blue cycle and battle the enemy yellow cycles in a gridline battle royale.
- Great gameplay elements: Exterminate the Grid Bugs and escape into the I/O Tower before time runs out. Demolish all enemy tanks and Recognizers to clear the board. Smash the blocks and move your character into the MCP cone to clear the level. A bonus is awarded if you destroy all the blocks.
- Multiplayer capability: The original arcade game was single player only. Now, Xbox LIVE® Arcade brings you the first version of the game with two-person multiplayer functionality.
- Multiplayer modes: Split screen and online, co-op and versus, there are lots of ways to play Tron. In Versus mode, the players race to achieve the highest score. Try Versus Speed mode, where the first player to reach a host-defined score wins. In Co-op, both players' scores are added together to achieve a high score. And beware the Pressure Cooker where players race to achieve the highest score, but taking the lead after a sub-stage causes the other player's game speed to increase." – Xbox.com
Next up, we have Omega Five – a new shoot-em-up from Hudson. I haven't seen much of the title so far, but the little that I have seen has been encouraging. O5 seems to be a character driven, side-scrolling shooter with a high-def coat of paint on top of it – and that's certainly not a bad thing to be. The game rings in at 800 points ($10), so be sure to try the demo before committing to buy.
Title: Omega Five
Developer: Natsume
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/09/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 – (Everyone 10+) Fantasy Violence & Mild Suggestive Themes
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Omega Five is a true next-gen, high-definition shooter, with the most awe-inspiring graphics around. Fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller as enemies come at you from all sides, even the background. Grab an extra controller, choose your merc, and engage in two-player local co-op play for more action.
- Unbelievable visuals: This side-scrolling shooter is set in a gorgeous 3-D environment.
- Challenging gameplay: If you're a hardcore player, try your hand at the ultra-challenging ++ Mode, where you're only allowed one hit!
- Local co-op: Grab an extra controller and demolish enemies with a friend by your side.
- Dangerous environments: Enemies come at you from all sides, even from the background.
- Merc variety: Fight as Ruby, Tempest, or other characters, each of whom has three unique main weapons and special attacks.
- Unlockable extras: Discover new characters, game modes, and options.
- Intuitive controls: The modern control scheme uses the right analog stick to aim and fire." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade title, I have to say that I didn't experience any of the problems many reported with Metal Slug 3 – or at least the demo version of it. What I did come to realize is that Metal Slug 3 has never been my favorite of the series, and with my recent purchase of Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii, there really was no
reason to pay a premium price for the game.
January 9, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Classics, Hudson, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.4, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u4, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.
January 8, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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It's been a busy week for MAME as this is the third interim update that's been released within the last seven days. Yes, the work continues on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u4 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, as well as adding support for Dangerous Curves and Big Fight.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, or own the boards for the added games, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update. It should be noted that the U4 update is contained in two parts, so be sure to download and apply both.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 8, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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Well, it may not be jam-packed with new titles, but at least we have some things to talk about – including the first "pick of the week" of the new year – Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom.
Yes, the long running Xbox series makes it's debut on the Xbox 360 with KUF:CoD and brings a mix of hack and slash and strategy gaming to the console. While I haven't had a chance to try it as of yet, there is a demo of this one available in the Xbox Live Marketplace, so be sure to check it out. That said, let's take a look at the rest of the notable titles this week;
Be sure to check out the below list for all the titles you can expect to find at retail this week.
- Brain Challenge (DS) – 1/9/2008
- Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel (PS2) – 1/9/2008
- Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PS2) – 1/9/2008
- Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (PSP) – 1/9/2008
- Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (WII) – 1/9/2008
- Jackass: The Game DS (DS) – 1/9/2008
- Kidz Sports: Ice Hockey (WII) – 1/12/2008
- Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom (360) – 1/9/2008
- Luxor: Pharaoh's Challenge (WII) – 1/9/2008
- NFL Tour (360) – 1/9/2008
- NFL Tour (PS3) – 1/9/2008
- Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (PS2) – 1/9/2008
- Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (WII) – 1/9/2008
- The Sims Carnival: Bumper Blast (PC) – 1/9/2008
- The Sims Carnival: Snap City (PC) – 1/9/2008
- World Championship Paintball (PS2) – 1/8/2008
- Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Beginning of Destiny (PS2) – 1/9/2008
Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.
January 7, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
This Week's Releases |
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If you remember, last week we reported on a rumor that Microsoft was considering compensating Xbox Live members for the recent string of outages and issues with the service by giving away a free game – as it would turn out, that rumor has now been partially confirmed by Microsoft.
In a recent post on MajorNelson.com, Xbox Live General Manager Marc Whitten confirmed that the company does plan on giving away a free Live Arcade title to Live subscribers.
"During this past holiday season you helped us break a number of Xbox LIVE records. This included our largest sign-up of new members to Xbox LIVE in our 5 year history and just yesterday you broke the record for the single biggest day of concurrent members ever on the service.
As a result of this massive increase in usage we know that some of you experienced intermittent Xbox LIVE issues over the holiday break. While the service was not completely offline at any given time, we are disappointed in our performance. I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for your patience and understanding as our team has worked around the clock to return the service to a stable state.
At the same time we would like to offer a token of our appreciation to all of you in celebration of record success for the service. And as a thank you for your loyalty during this holiday period, we will be offering all of our Xbox LIVE members around the world access to a full Xbox LIVE Arcade game that will be available to download free of charge. In the coming weeks we will be sharing the specific details of this offer with you.
Thank you again for helping make Xbox LIVE everything that it is today!" – Marc Whitten
Interestingly, the above statement doesn't state that the game is being given out because of the issues, but rather as a gift to members because of the growth of the service – something which certainly may have led to the opening several people in Texas felt was needed to file a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft for the aforementioned issues.
It still remains to be seen just what game Microsoft plans on giving away, though at this point anything other than a quality title that no one currently owns is certain to just fan the internet flames even more.
January 6, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Downtime, Free Games, Microsoft, Rumor Confirmed, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Arcade |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.3, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u2, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for your CPU.
January 5, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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Sounding much like our last MAME update (and with good reason), the work continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u3 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, but doesn't appear to add anything overly exciting to the mix.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 4, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
1 Comment
Okay, so it's two weeks in a row I've been late with the Xbox Live Arcade post – sue me. So this post is a day late, sue me. It was New Years, I was having a good time, things like this are to be expected.
This week, I'm guessing Microsoft's plan was to start the new year off with a bang by bringing SNK's classic Metal Slug series to the Live Arcade. As such, Metal Slug 3 was told to put on it's best outfit and wow everyone with it's pure arcade goodness. While I have yet to get the chance to try even the demo of the game (and it's not because I don't love the Metal Slug series, I do), there's been a lot of negative feedback on this one already. Complaints have ranged from graphical glitches to slowdown when the action on screen gets to heavy.
Further complicating the matter is that the game is priced at 800 points ($10) – while Metal Slug 3 is certainly a great game, the fact that it's available in other consoles packaged with all the other games in the series for just a little more money may lead you to decide that you'd rather pick this one up elsewhere even if it does mean sacrificing online co-op.
What I'm saying here is that regardless of your feelings for Metal Slug, be sure to download the demo before you buy it so you know what you're in for.
Title: Metal Slug 3
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 1/02/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood & Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio, the four veterans of the elite Sparrows Unit now come to Xbox LIVE® in METAL SLUG 3™! The popular action shooting series is in all of its original arcade glory, with gorgeous graphics and all the run-and-gun action you can handle. There is no time for indecision. General Morden is on the warpath and you must prevent him from creating the New World Order. Stop the Rebel Army!
- Multiple routes: Different routes through the stages allow for extended replayability.
- Different metal slugs: Various slugs are available for help in battle. Handle all the different slugs to learn their capabilities and complete the mission.
- Individual enemies: Different enemies appear depending on which route the player takes, and each enemy has its own unique characteristics.
- Classic arcade graphics: The classic graphics are faithfully reproduced for your gaming enjoyment." – Xbox.com
As for last week's Live Arcade titles, I had no intention of playing Spongebob Squarepants Underpants Slam!, so I have nothing to report to you on that end. If you want to know about it, go download the demo and try it for yourself.
January 3, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Classics, Metal Slug, SNK Playmore, Xbox 360, Xbox Live Arcade |
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Following in the footsteps of the latest MAME update, MameUI v.122.2, the Windows GUI port of MAME v.122u2, is now available. The same advice I gave about the latest build of MAME applies to this version of MameUI as well.
As you may or may not already know, MameUI was previously known as MAME32. The emulator's name has been changed as it is now available in both 32 and 64 bit versions (as MameUI32 and MameUI64 respectively). Please be sure to download the correct version for you CPU.
January 2, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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The updates continue on the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, as version .122u2 is now available for download. This update focuses on quite a few driver updates and fixes, but doesn't appear to add anything overly exciting to the mix.
As usual, unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release. Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.
The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.
- MAMEDev – Official site of the MAME development team
January 2, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Arcade, Emulation, MAME |
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As many of you have no doubt noticed, Xbox Live has been a bit wonky since just after Christmas. Numerous reports of issues with signing in, buying marketplace content, accessing downloaded content and matchmaking problems in both Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 have been flooding in since just after the start of the holidays.
Rest assured, the folks at Microsoft are well aware of the situation and, according to Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb, have been working around the clock to get the problems resolved. While most of the service is back up and running, some users may still be experiencing issues – and unfortunately, there is still no ETA on a full fix.
"You may have noticed that the LIVE service has been having a few issues over the past few days. This includes things like signing in, matchmaking and account recovery. Not everyone has had problems, but I know some of you have and I wanted to give you and update. While the service was never completely offline, problems like this are not acceptable. The entire LIVE team has been working day and night to ensure that you can have a great LIVE experience. While we’re not done yet, I wanted to let you know that things are getting better each hour and that no one on the team is going anywhere until the job is done. Thanks for your patience.
Edit: As people have noticed, we have made good progress. We have a bit more work to do, but we’re doing much better now. I know some of you still may be having issues, and we’re working on those. Oh, and Happy New Year to those that are celebrating." – Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb
Before anyone runs off to get the torches, according to a gaming blog called The Bitbag (found by way of Kotaku), an unnamed source at Microsoft confirmed that the company does plan on compensating Xbox Live Gold members for the outage, though no exact details on what that would entail were given.
"I got some info from my Microsoft contact after questioning whether or not Gold Members will get thrown a bone for all the downtime they had to sit through. While nothing has been officially announced, they have stated, “…we will definitely be doing something for our Gold members that weren’t able to get online over the last week.”" – Torrence Davis, The Bitbag
While it's just an unconfirmed rumor at this point, I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see at least a few days added onto everyone's expiry dates or the like.
January 1, 2008
Posted by nylatenite |
Downtime, Major Nelson, Microsoft, Rumors, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Marketplace |
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NYLatenite's Gamer's Paradise 