Sunday, May 31, 2009

LEGO Indiana Jones 2 announced

The game is officially confirmed, set for a fall release for Wii, DS, PS3, PSP and 360 release! Check out the press release below:

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Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the award-winning LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and the LEGO® Star Wars™ series, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 presents a tongue-in-cheek take on all four cinematic adventures of pop culture’s most iconic archaeologist, including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and will give players the ability to create levels of their own!

“LucasArts and TT Games continue to set the bar for next-generation family entertainment with the LEGO Indiana Jones franchise,” said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. “LEGO Indiana Jones 2 delivers something a little different for everyone. Parents will enjoy the humorous take on the classic moments from their favorite movies, and their kids have an opportunity to experience the most authentic LEGO experience by building their own fun levels brick by brick.”

“It has been a real joy to work with LucasArts on such an iconic character. Indiana Jones embodies the adventurous spirit that perfectly suits the LEGO world,” said Tom Stone, director at TT Games. “Indy also presents us with wonderful and memorable cinematic moments.”

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Rumored New Mario and New Wii Fit in '09

Nikkei, a reliable Japanese newspaper, is reporting that Nintendo will launch both a new Mario game and a new Wii Fit title this year.

The newspaper is reporting that Wii Fit Plus, will allow gamers to compete via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection. A trademark for "Wii Fit Plus" was discovered last week. The Mario title is less specific, citing a possible Super Mario Galaxy sequel, or just a Mario cameo title as possibilities.

Nintendo's E3 press conference is at 12 noon Eastern on Tuesday, so we'll find out soon enough!

Kotaku

Friday, May 29, 2009

No More Heroes 2 Trailer (M for Mature)



Travis Touchdown is back and out for blood! Combine lightsabers, wrestling moves, pimps, & hoes, and you've got No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle. Why the DS-esque title? I don't know, but look for tons of info next week at E3!

Source: IGN

Official E3 Schedule

With just 3 days left, (get excited) next week will provide us all with happiness and surprises we've longed for. Here is the schedule for next week's festivities. Don't forget G4TV will be airing all 5 press conferences (including Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony) commercial free!
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(All times are PST)
Monday June 1st:
The E3 Expo officially opens its doors for registration at 8:00 AM.

The Microsoft Press Conference will take place at 10:30 AM on June 1st.

2.00pm - EA press conference

5.00pm - Ubisoft press conference

Tuesday, June 2nd:

Nintendo's E3 press conference scheduled for 9:00 AM.

Sony's Keynote address will take place at 11:00 AM on the main stage.

6.00pm - 7.30pm - Miyamoto's scheduled round-table discussion

Wednesday June 3rd:

Meeting rooms will be open at 9:00 AM, while the show floor will be open at 10:00.

3.00pm - Konami press conference

Thursday June 4th:

The last of the closed-door meetings will wrap up and the show floor will be closed down at 6:00 PM.

VG247

Trauma Team Operates on Wii


If you enjoyed Atlus's stylized surgery sims, Trauma Center: Second Opinion and Trauma Center: New Blood, then brace yourself for Trauma Team.

Like the Center titles, Trauma Team puts players in the role of different surgeons who are faced with some very extreme medical situations.  While Center character's like Derek Stiles and Naomi Weaver were surgeons of a general nature, Trauma Team has players controlling a team of six specialized doctors.


The different surgeons include:

Gabriel Cunningham:  Examines patients using a stethoscope and other tools to figure out what's causing their symptoms.

Prisoner CR-SO1:  A surgical prodigy sentenced to 250 years in cryogenic prison.  He offers his surgical prowess in exchange for a diminished sentence.  The Prisoner character will be a more traditional Trauma Center style character, performing various operations on sick and injured patients.

Maria Toress:  An on-site paramedic doctor, Maria's scenarios have you performing advanced first aid to multiple victims at disaster scenes.

Hank Freebird:  A hotshot cosmetic surgeon who uses very intricate equipment to perform operations such as hip surgeries.  Oh, and his name is awesome.

Tomoe Tachibana:  A quiet Japanese girl with a white doctor's coat over her traditional kimono.  She specializes in endoscopic surgeries using tiny cameras to navigate the human body.

Naomi Kimishima:  A returning character from the Trauma Center titles (where she was a supporting cast member).  She is now a CSI-style forensic specialist who reconstructs crime scene evidence.  Supposedly her segments will play like more traditional adventure games.


Other than a wider, more specialized cast, Trauma Team is also said to include co-op surgeries (introduced in New Blood) and hospital drama that will make Grey's Anatomy look like a game of Operation.  I'm still praying for online co-op, a feature that hasn't effectively been used on my Wii since Mario Kart.  Hopefully we'll hear a lot more at E3.

Source: 1up

Note: All of this information is based on 1up's Japanese to English translation of Atlus's announcements in Famitsu Magazine.

Majesco's E3 Lineup; a boy and his blob & more

They're all coming in! Check out Majesco's E3 line up:
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About a boy and his blob (Wii):
Marking the 20th anniversary of this NES classic, a boy and his blob is a rebirth of this fan favorite title that expands upon the original platform adventure. This Wii exclusive is a heartwarming story of friendship that challenges players to work together with their new blob friend to solve puzzles, defeat monsters and escape danger on Earth and Blobolonia. By feeding the blob jelly beans, players can activate his special abilities to transform him into helpful tools - including a ladder, trampoline, parachute, cannon, shield and many more. Every different blob form aids the boy as he navigates 40 side-scrolling levels filled with hidden treasures and unlockable bonus content.

About Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 (Wii):
The Biggest Loser fitness expert follows up her best-selling debut in Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010. Players enter a Hell Week-style boot camp packed with new features and energetic workout modes that fully utilize the motion capabilities of the Wii Remote™ and the Wii Balance Board™ accessory. Under Jillian Michaels' expert guidance, players engage in one-on-one workouts featuring all-new core exercises in Cardio Training, Strength Training, and Balance Training superset routines.

About Flip's Twisted World (Wii):
A unique gameplay mechanic is at the center of Flip's Twisted World for Wii™. This puzzle platform game puts the world literally in the palm of your hand as you navigate topsy-turvy landscapes where up and down, and left and right are only a matter of perspective. Players will help the curious magician's apprentice Flip rotate the environment 90 degrees at will to solve puzzles and ultimately help Flip escape his cube prison.

About Go Play City Sports (Wii):
As part of Majesco's new motion-based Go Play family brand, Go Play City Sports lets players experience six classic street games in their living room. The all-new sports compilation includes stickball, kickball, handball, rooftop hockey, shootout soccer and jump rope. Players use the intuitive movements of the Wii Remote™ and Wii Balance Board™ to dodge obstacles like manhole covers, fire hydrants and parked cars as they compete with up to 4 players to earn trophies and unlock new courts and equipment.

About Our House: Party! (Wii):
Our House: Party! is the only game that lets players build and remodel their homes into their own unique customized creations. Players use their Wii Remote™ to hammer, saw, paint, tile and much more as they assemble and decorate their family dwelling in this unique four-player party game. Compete with friends in "build-off" mode or share creations with others via WiiConnect24. If you dream it, you can build it!

About My Hero Firefighter (Nintendo DS):
The Nintendo DS™ stylus becomes a hose, ax and extendable ladder in My Hero: Firefighter, another game within Majesco's new My Hero line of aspirational products. Players must drive fire engines swiftly and safely through crowded city streets and react quickly to house fires, chemical explosions, and forest fires in 13 hazardous missions. As they move up the ranks to Captain, players can acquire upgraded trucks and equipment and learn real fire safety tips along the way!

Tiger Woods ditches game disc for PC/Mac

While we all wait to pick up our copies of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 on June 8, PC and Mac gamers will be able to just sit back and relax. EA Sports has announced that the computer version of the game (debuting this fall) will not be on game discs at all, instead offered as a download only.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online is for anyone who loves golf and is on-the-go,” said Executive Producer Mike Taramykin. “Whether you have ten minutes on your PC in the office, or hours on your Mac at home, this is a golf game that makes time for you. With Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online, golf lovers can satisfy their golf fix anytime.”

The game also uses a subscription based plan to play online. Different plans will be offered to accommodate those with busy schedules and just cant find the time to tee off.

With the success of downloads from music to apps, it looks like PC/Mac game developers may have found a great way to save costs and please gamers.

TigerWoodsOnline

Matrix Online Takes the Blue Pill


Honestly, I didn't realize that The Matrix Online (or MxO) was still running.  But Sony Online's MMO has been running for almost four years now with a minimal, but fanatically dedicated group of players.

Despite a die-hard following MxO Community Leader, Daniel "Walrus" Meyers, announced that everyone who swallowed the red pill will have a blue pill forced upon them on July 31st.  His heartfelt blog post is entitled "All Good Things Must End" and is a bittersweet read.


Other than fond memories, Meyers includes steps to take for refunds of monthly subscriptions that continue after The Matrix Online is shut down.  Meyers is also working with the development of The Agency for PS3, which we'll hopefully hear more about come E3.

Eidos E3 Lineup: Batman, Just Cause 2, Mini Ninjas

Eidos Interactive has just released their E3 line up. Here's the press release:

Featuring the world-renowned characters of DC Comics, Batman: Arkham Asylum, developed by Rocksteady Studios, will be playable on The PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, offering show visitors a journey into the depths of Gotham City's psychiatric asylum for the criminally insane as Batman faces his greatest challenge yet. Visitors will have the chance to experience a selection of the game's extensive FreeFlow™ Combat and Invisible Predator™ Challenge Maps. Also playable for the first time will be one of the eight maps that will allow fans to play as The Joker, a character that is playable exclusively in the PLAYSTATION3 Challenge Maps that will be made available as a free download for owners of the game through PlayStationNetwork. Rated “T” for Teen, Batman: Arkham Asylum will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the Xbox 360video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows, and PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system. The game will be available in North America August 25th and throughout Europe August 28th.

Mini Ninjas, from IO Interactive, will take you on a journey to feudal Japan where you'll join Hiro, Futo, and the rest of the ninja clan on their biggest ninja adventure ever, as they embark on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older, Mini Ninjas will be playable on Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Xbox 360video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system. The game will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and made available in September 2009.

Just Cause 2, from Avalanche Studios, will be showcasing the latest code demo of the hotly tipped action sequel. Set on an Island Paradise, Just Cause 2 is an explosive open-world adventure of insane, adrenaline-fuelled stunts and action. Using the grapple and parachute combo, Just Cause 2 has no vertical limit and takes to the air like no other game. Just Cause 2 will be behind closed doors and strictly by appointment only. Rating pending, Just Cause 2 will be available on the Xbox 360video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows, and PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system.

'Just Cause 2' E3 Trailer

Check out this new official E3 trailer for Just Cause 2.



GameTrailers

New TMNT: Smash Up E3 Trailer



Gamespot

Thursday, May 28, 2009

PS3 Greatest Hits Library Expanding


If you've been a bit frugal when it comes to your PS3 game buying, Sony is about to hook you up.  On June 16th, Sony is adding six titles to its Greatest Hits PS3 lineup.

The rather ballin titles include:
  • Army of Two
  • Battlefield: Bad Company
  • Devil May Cry 4
  • Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
  • Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
  • Ratchet & Clank: Future Tools of Destruction
As the Greatest Hits logo implies, each of these titles will see a retail price of $29.99.  So start pinching those pennies and get 'em while they're hot!

White Knight Chronicles E3 Trailer


If you're a fiend for Japanese RPGs then check out this E3 trailer for White Knight Chronicles.  The PS3 exclusive (developed by Level 5) was released last year in Japan and is expected to hit the US this Winter.

And if you're NOT a fiend for JRPG's, you can still enjoy the trailer... if you're into Michael Bay set pieces.


Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing trailer

Sonic is back in a racing title that ditches the flying hover craft thingies for a more traditional racer. Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing seems to feature cars, planes, and all things in between. Check out the announcement trailer, courtesy of 1UP.

G4TV's Olivia Munn to get Playboy cover

Gaming hottie and cable TV host Olivia Munn has announced today that she will be gracing the cover of Playboy magazine during the months of July and August. It's actually a 2-month issue, but her beauty will luckily keep gamer's enthralled during the hot summer months.

Munn however wants fans to know that her photoshoot is non-nude. It's unclear whether her photoshoot will include pies, her one true love.

You can buy the issue starting June 19th.

UPDATE: Want a sneak peak? Visit here!
OliviaMunn

PlayStation Home to get Buzz! with 64-players

(Something tells me that guy on Blue is wrong)

The PlayStation Home service will soon be the mecca for your favorite trivia game. Buzz! is coming to Home, allowing players to interact in a virtual trivia experience, allowing up to 64 players to compete together.

As you can see from the image, you and your Home acquaintances will scour the game board, and will stand on the answer of the question being asked. After 4 rounds, winners will be decided, and prizes are given (more like a Home prizes, but still!).

Questions are decided upon from the MyBuzzQuiz.com website, which adds to the coolness.

Just a great idea for the Home service! No word when we'll see a release date.
Kotaku

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days releases this Fall


Here are some facts about Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, straight from the Square Enix Press Release:

Follow Roxas, the “other” hero from KINGDOM HEARTS II, and discover more about his days as a member of the mysterious Organization XIII. What is the connection between Roxas and Sora? Who is the mysterious 14th member and what were the reasons for his eventual departure from the organization? KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 DAYS adds one other exciting and essential component to the fun, being the first KINGDOM HEARTS game to offer a multiplayer mode.
The Story

-Twilight Town-
Roxas and Axel were watching the sunset from their usual spot on the station's clock tower after a long day of collecting "hearts" from the Heartless, as ordered by their organization. When their daily work ended, they often spent their evenings there. They talked about the day's work and other things over ice cream.

"Do you know why the sun looks red as it sinks below the horizon? It's because among the countless colours comprising light, red travels the greatest distance."

"You're just trying to show off, Axel!"

It was idle chatter between two boys without hearts.
This is the untold story of Organization XIII's Roxas.

Features
• World-renowned creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura and his team once again unite the magical world of Disney with the characters of FINAL FANTASY, inviting fans to an enchanting gaming experience
• Multiplayer Mode – for the first time in KINGDOM HEARTS. Four players can team-up as their favourite Organization XIII members
• Fully 3D environments and characters, gigantic boss battles and an orchestral soundtrack push the Nintendo DS capabilities to the full
• A wide variety of missions to complete across a range of huge worlds. Lots to explore including Standard Missions, Trial Missions and multiplayer Mission Mode
• Limit Breaks! The special near-death ability from FINAL FANTASY VII is brought to the world of KINGDOM HEARTS allowing for explosive special attacks
• Panel System – organise your weapons, spells, abilities and even levels with this new system that makes you strategically think about what you can carry

Castlevania Movie Shelved


The Castlevania series has been flirting with film ideas for a good while now.  The latest script by Paul W.S. Anderson seemed to have a little more tangibility, as Anderson was responsible for video game/nerd franchise films like Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator.

Anderson's script, focusing on Dracula's origin and the rise of the Belmont clan, was submitted for review and promptly shelved according to Bloody Disgusting.

Despite Anderson's track record of making beloved franchises like Resident Evil into subpar b-movies, the real problem seems to be with the proposed director of Castlevania, Sylvain White.  You may remember White's work on "Stomp the Yard" and "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer."  And then again you may not.


Regardless, White has officially left the project and Anderson's script has been indefinitely shelved.  Say what you will, but I'll sleep much better tonight knowing this.

Activision E3 Lineup: Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, Prototype, Tony Hawk & more

With just 5 days left, developers and publishers are gearing up for the event of the year... E3! Activision Publishing has just releases their list of heavy hitters to display at next weeks conference:
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In DJ Hero, faces in the crowd are transformed into the life of the party as the game's turntable controller - created exclusively for DJ Hero and featuring familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and cross fader - immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation2 computer entertainment systems and Wii system from Nintendo; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Guitar Hero 5 features the strongest, most varied set list to-date comprised of master tracks from 85 of the hottest bands of today and the biggest classic acts including Kings of Leon, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, Santana, Vampire Weekend, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, plus more than 25 artists from a variety of music genres that will be making their music video game debut. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii and PlayStation 2 system; not yet rated by the ESRB).

The greatest Super Hero action/RPG of all time is back with the world's largest army of heroes and villains in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, the game allows players to choose their side and team up with revered heroes and villains, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters' powers and unleash astonishing new attacks. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and Nintendo DS; not yet rated by the ESRB).

On November 10, 2009, Infinity Ward will make its return with the release of Modern Warfare 2, the most-anticipated game of the year and the sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which has sold more than 13 million copies to date. Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing saga with an unprecedented level of action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

An all-new, third-person open-world/action game, PROTOTYPE lets gamers feel the power of being the ultimate shape-shifting weapon. You are the PROTOTYPE: Alex Mercer - a genetically mutated man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting your way to discover what created you and determined to make those responsible pay. As Alex, gamers tear through a densely populated contemporary New York City with Parkour-style agility, consuming anybody that gets in their way...assuming their physical identity, memories and abilities. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; the game is rated "M" by the ESRB).

Singularity pits shooter and sci-fi fans against a devastating fracture in time. As players attempt to unravel a conspiracy, they must fight their way through ever-shifting epic sci-fi environments, occupied by Russian soldiers and time-ravaged creatures, while sudden time waves hurl them back and forth between 1950 and the present day. Use time as a weapon as you attempt to unravel the mystery and prevent a catastrophic event that threatens all humanity. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Featuring an innovative skateboard-shaped controller, Tony Hawk: RIDE redefines the sports genre by offering a dynamic hands-free gaming experience. Using full motion sensing technology, players physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game in a variety of settings and half pipes. The new wireless skateboard controller provides an accessible and social gaming experience that allows players to feel what it's really like to skate. Without complex button combinations or analog sticks, gamers can literally step on the board to play the game. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii; not yet rated by the ESRB).

Based on Hasbro's legendary TRANSFORMERS property and Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures' upcoming feature film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the video game thrusts players into a battle for supremacy across the globe as either AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS to drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. Delivering more control than ever before, players can select from an extremely diverse range of playable TRANSFORMERS characters and jump straight into action as they instantly switch between robot, vehicle and weapon modes to fight for the preservation or annihilation of all mankind. Players can also fight the epic war between the AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS online in explosive, multiplayer combat. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system PSP system, Nintendo DS and Games for Windows; the game is rated "T" for the console and PC versions and "E10+" for the handheld versions by the ESRB).

Wolfenstein brings the Nazi's dark obsession with the occult to life, by intertwining fast-paced, intense story-driven combat with a diverse sci-fi experience. As BJ Blazkowicz, a highly decorated member of the Office of Secret Actions (OSA), you are sent on a special mission into the heart of the Third Reich to investigate evidence that the SS hierarchy may possess a new and mysterious power. Wolfenstein is scheduled to be on store shelves on August 4, 2009. (Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows; not yet rated by the ESRB; the game is rated "M" by the ESRB).

Activision Press Release

SpongeBob's Truth or Square fact sheet

Here's some facts about SpongeBob's next adventure:

Hold on to your SquarePants for the ultimate SpongeBob game ever!

SpongeBob SquarePants has gotten himself into quite a predicament. After being entrusted by Mr. Krabs to keep the Krabby Patty formula safe, SpongeBob is overcome with grief for losing the recipe. He then relies on the help of the most unlikely companion, Plankton, who wants the secret Krabby Patty recipe for himself. With the help of his friends, SpongeBob must use Plankton’s memory machine to retrace the happiest moments of his life to find the Krabby Patty formula in time for the Krusty Krab’s Eleventy Seventh anniversary.
  • New Wacky Morphing Abilities:
    • Turn SpongeBob into a Sledgehammer Smash to whack intruders, a WaterBob sponge to spew liquid and stun enemies, or even an Explosive Canon to aim and blast baddies.
  • Relive Side-Splitting SpongeBob Moments:
    • Reminisce through fan’s favorite SpongeBob moments as the game draws upon
    • ‘The 10 Happiest Moments of SpongeBob’s Life’ and hilarious story elements from the animated television series.
  • Share in the Hilarity with Family and Friends:
    • Play as SpongeBob or with a friend playing as Plankton throughout the entire game on both the Wii and Xbox 360 platforms.
  • Experience Exciting New Levels:
    • Run, jump and spin through 12 challenging levels. Find familiar faces from the series as these transformed supersized bosses take quite a bit of over-the-top battling to bring them down.
  • Go Deep into SpongeBob’s Universe:
    • Revisit SpongeBob’s most memorable locations, such as downtown Bikini Bottom, the Krusty Krab, the Jellyfish Fields, or even Rock Bottom as players experience all of their favorite characters from previous SpongeBob games and TV Series.
PressRelease

Xbox LIVE hits 20 million users

Even though Nintendo has been feverishly working to educate gamers on how to get online via their Wii console, Microsoft seems to have more technologically inclined users. The company announced today that with over 30 million consoles sold, 20 million of those are on the Xbox LIVE marketplace as active members.

One advantage Microsoft has of course, is that many more Xbox 360 titles use online functionality to enhance gameplay. Other LIVE users connect simply to chat with friend, download movies, games and TV shows.

“We’ve always been confident that Xbox 360 offers more entertainment value than any other console on the market, and these latest numbers show that consumers agree,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “We expect our growth to continue to accelerate. Our news at E3 next week will underscore our commitment to bringing blockbuster entertainment experiences to everyone and to growing the Xbox entertainment brand globally.”

New Harvest Moon DS, Wii and others announced

(From the game Afrika for PS3)

Game developer Natsume Inc. has just announced their lineup of games to appear at next weeks E3 conference.

Cheer We Go and Squishy Tank, two previously unannounced titles, both are set for a DS release. Afrika is a new game for the PS3, and Harvest Moon: My Little Shop will be released for WiiWare.

Additional Wii titles to be displayed at E3 will be previously unannounced Harvest Moon: Animal Parade, Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition and Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream.

Additional DS titles at E3 will consist of Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands and Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming for the DS.

PSP fans get Adventures To Go.

Before Batman, Christian Bale was Pac-Man

Well not really. But he starred in a commercial for Pac-Man cereal. I need to just take a second to talk about how this was truly my favorite cereal ever. Imagine like Kix cereal mixed with Lucky Charms marshmallows. Heaven in your mouth.


Kotaku

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Bubble Bobble Plus! WiiWare gameplay trailer

The classic arcade game is back, revamped, remixed, and re-mazing. Bubble Bobble Plus! launched on WiiWare this past Monday, giving us a fresh polished remake of the 8-bit original. If you are on the fence about purchasing the game, consider these two pieces of evidence:

A. This gameplay trailer:


*Bubble Bobble Plus!
|


B. The game is $6.... that's it!

GameTrailers

Rabbids Go Home, and leave President naked

I tell ya, those Rabbids are quite the whippersnappers! In this new trailer for Ubisoft's Rabbids Go Home, President Barack Obama is left in his skibbies. You see, the trailer shows the Rabbids on a mass scavenger hunt for items that will help them get home, in an attempt to pile everything up high enough to get them back to the moon. Apparently Obama's clothes fit the bill.

The game marks the third of the series, but leaves the mini games behind for a traditional platformer. Rabbids Go Home is set to release exclusively for Wii later this year.

Shaun White World Stage set for Wii release

Ubisoft has just revealed that it is planning on releasing a brand new snowboarding experience, exclusively for the Wii; Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage. The game will bring the same elements such as balance board compatibility, while trying to expand upon the brand. Here's the press release from Ubisoft below:
“Working with Shaun on the first title was an excellent experience,” said Antoine Guignard, producer of Shaun White Snowboarding : World Stage at Ubisoft. “The great public reception of Shaun White Snowboarding and the wonderful collaboration with Shaun made it a slam dunk for us to reunite to create a fun, new adventure for fans.”

Players will hit the slopes with Shaun White and his crew, but this time the stakes are higher as you pursue the world’s top competitions from a half-pipe in the middle of New York’s Time Square to the most prestigious competitions of France, Canada and Japan.
“Ubisoft has been a great partner, and I'm excited for World Stage,” said action sports phenom Shaun White. “It's cool to give people insight on what my life is like on the competition circuit.”
So far, we don't know much about how the game will differ from the first title. Just to remind you, Nintendo has said that the original Shaun White Snowboarding was a Wii exclusive, only to turn out to see a multi-console release. Additionally, I'm just hoping for dual balance board compatibility, something that hasn't been included in any title so far.
ShaunWhiteGame

E3: Nintendo Confirmed Presenters

It's now been confirmed that Satoru Iwata and Reggie Fils-Aime are both set to take the stage at next week's big E3 2009 press conference. Also taking the stage is snowboarding champion Cammie Dunaway.

All joking aside, Dunaway is actually a great addition to Team Nintendo! Of notable absence however is Shigeru Miyamoto, maybe indicating that a Mario or Zelda title is not on the table for E3. Then again, Fils-Aime is more than capable of announcing big titles, as he announced Mario Kart Wii back in 2007. Or rather, Miyamoto could be a surprise guest!

6 days and counting....
Joystiq

Heavy Rain, new game trailer!



Check out this new footage from the upcoming horror title Heavy Rain. This game is YEARS in the making, and looks like it's been worth the wait!

GameVideos

JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii

Rising Star Games today officially confirms that JU-ON: The Grudge is in development, exclusively for the Wii and scheduled for release in Europe during Q4 2009. Based on the classic Japanese horror movie, JU-ON: The Grudge is a ‘haunted house simulator’ where accessibility and instant scares are a highlight over other game aspects. Original movie creator, Takashi Shimizu, is heavily involved in the development of the game and serves as a creative consultant.

Using the Wii Remote as a flashlight, JU-ON: The Grudge has players move forward with the touch of a button and explore haunted areas such as an abandoned warehouse, a dimly lit hospital and a mannequin factory. With a story revolving around the unfortunate Yamada family, JU-ON: The Grudge features a new unique gameplay mechanic that measures your movements during play - the more you flinch and jump, the worse your success rate becomes. The player can progress through the game with bad scores, but it is those with a steady hand and nerves of steel that will have the most to gain from this experience.

“We are absolutely delighted to have secured JU-ON: The Grudge for a European release,” enthused Yen Hau, Rising Star Games’ product marketing assistant. “This is a renowned horror title not only in its native Japan but also in worldwide cinema. With Shimizu-san also heavily involved in the creation process of the game, this is as close as you can get to an interactive horror movie and is perfectly suited to join the Rising Star Games family.”

The game is set for release at the end of 2009.

Rising Star Press Release

Taito milking retro hits, I applaud

When you have a few solid gaming franchises, it's a good idea to stick with what you do best. Taito is well aware of their successes, and is releasing new versions of some of their biggest hits.

Bust-A-Move Plus, Rainbow Island: Towering Adventure and Arkanoid Plus! are all WiiWare bound, offering enhanced graphics and intense multiplayer. Additionally for you handheld enthusiasts, Space Invaders Extreme 2 and Space Bust-A-Move are set for a DS release, featuring an enhanced battle system.

All titles will release this summer, except Space Invaders Extreme 2 debuting this fall.
1UP

Street Fighter IV OST now available

Get those iPod's ready, because your gym workout is going to get a whole lot more exciting. The Street Fighter IV soundtrack is now available on a 2-disc set from Sumthing Digital.

With over 50 delightful tunes to air-hadouken your way through, the OST is definitely worth the $10 price tag. If you just want a few tunes, you can buy individually at $1 each. So whacha waitin' for? Download away.

Capcom Unity via Joystiq

Guitar Hero 5 to release September 1

Neversoft has announced that the next Guitar Hero game will launch September 1, that is if you don't count GH: Van Halen which will hit later this summer. Not much else is known about the title, but we can assume it's just more of the same with new bands, new songs, and more finger crampage.

No complaints here.

Visit the game's site here.

Xbox Un-Live

Don't worry! It wasn't just you. Xbox Live was down or may still be down right now for some of you. Microsoft has issued the following statement:
Xbox Live is experiencing a temporary service interruption. We are aware of the problem and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we apologize for this interruption and thank you for your patience.
Hopefully everything will be back online for everyone soon.

Kotaku

GTA? More Like GT-GAY



Rockstar Games has announced the next iteration in the GTA IV episodic storyline and it's safe to say that Xbox Live is about to be riddled with club lights and techno music.

Hot on the heels of GTA's leather clad The Lost and Damned comes GTA The Ballad of Gay Tony.  Potentially containing equal amounts of leather.

"Liberty City is the most vibrant game world we've created yet.  The episodic structure has allowed us to interweave stories, gameplay and atmosphere in a whole new way," claims Rockstar founder Sam Houser.

"The team at Rockstar North have yet again surpassed themselves, and made something that is both epic and very innovative.  The episode's focus on high-end night life contrasts with the biker gangs portrayed in The Lost and Damned, whilst giving us a lot of new gameplay possibilities."

The protagonist of this piece is Luis Lopez, part time hoodlum and full-time assistant to legendary nightclub impresario Tony Prince (Gay Tony).  Luis' loyalties will be questioned as he tries to figure out "who is real and who is fake in a world where everyone has a price."


Niko Bellic... cold blooded killer and purveyor of man candy.

You can get your hands of Gay Tony this Fall for 1600 MS Points ($19.99).  Or you can get The Lost and Damned AND Ballad of Gay Tony on a retail disc (which doesn't require GTAIV to be played) for $39.99.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Rainbow Six: Vegas on the cheap

Right now, NewEgg has the game Xbox360 shooter Rainbow Six: Vegas is for just $9.99. Best of all, they offer Free Shipping!

Buy the game here!

Final Fantasy XIII or Godzilla?



Square Enix has been hinting at a US Final Fantasy XIII release in "April 2010 or later" with a lot of people betting their money on the "much, MUCH later."
However, some giant size advertisements for FFXIII have cropped up in Los Angeles touting a definitive 2010 release for the title.

The original pictures and announcement come from the Square Enix Members page which had the following to say:  "With E3 right around the corner, it's pedal-to-the-metal mode for us here at Square Enix, which means very late nights (or early mornings, depending on how you see it) and more fast food than you can imagine.  There are some big things planned for you, so we're all excited about this year's E3."


With that quote out in the open I feel somewhat comfortable saying stay tuned for some hefty Final Fantasy XIII announcements at this year's E3.

GameStop Plagued by Bees



There have been times when I've wished things upon GameStop employees and prayers for a plague of bees may or may not have escaped my lips.  
However someone's prayers (or incantations) were heard in a New York GameStop where employees were trapped for hours inside their store by thousands upon thousands of bees.

New York's ABC7 was on hand for the chaos but experienced several problems of their own.  The ABC7 crew reportedly called the police for help, who told them to call the fire department,  who told them to call 911, who told them to call 311, who told them to call Mayor Bloomberg.

Yowza.

Eventually the police department's resident bee expert, Tony Planakis, used a queen bee scent to lure the insect horde away while he removed the hive.  Crisis averted, GameStop employees resumed harassing patrons into reserving games and purchasing Game Informer subscriptions.



A word of warning GameStop... ease off the, "Would you like to reserve bla-bla-bla," and "for a few dollars more you can get a subscription to GameInformer along with our Edge card yada yada."  Bees are where the plagues start.  The next step?  Bears.

E3: 1 Week Away... Nintendo Predictions!

Since E3 is officially a week away, it's time for some predictions. Because of the disappointment of last year's E3, many of these predictions are probably the same as last years! Based on nothing but wishful thinking, release date timelines, and gaming knowledge,...here are my Nintendo predictions:

  • A teaser trailer for a new Wii Zelda title.
  • A new Pilotwings title (or plane flying will be included in Wii Sports Resort).
  • Pikmin 3
  • New Donkey Kong Wii
Let's see if any of these are right!

UPDATED: Well not bad, not bad. At this year's E3, Shigeru Miyamoto did debut new artwork for the upcoming Legend of Zelda Wii title. We also got confirmation that plane flying is in fact included in Wii Sports Resort (score!). Additionally, Miyamoto claimed that Pikmin 3 is still being developed, but the team working on that is small considering the bulk of the Nintendo team is spread pretty thin, working on new Mario and Zelda titles. And Donkey Kong? Well, again, it's just not his year. However, he will be a new playable character in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

So overall, I think I get an above average on my E3 report card!