Following up on yesterday’s announcement of the new Xbox 360 Arcade console, I had a chance to drop by a press-only Microsoft event here at the massive Times Square Toys ‘R Us to get the scoop on the new unit. I also got some hands-on time with the five very family-friendly games that come on the Arcade disc as well as a few current and upcoming releases that just may make the Arcade system one of the surprise hits of the holiday season. In case you were wondering, that $279.99 price point means that the original Core 360 has been replaced by this SKU, making it a much better value for those families on a budget that still want a next-gen system. Of course, there’s still the matter of stuff like larger storage space for all that premium content and how to reach out to the nearly 50% of broadband-less households across America, but it looks like the 360 just may be the entry-level console of choice for those about to make the move… (more…)

Namco Networks continues their classic gaming streak with yet another memorable arcade hit, Popeye. The game is now available on selected Nextel and Sprint phones directly from the Namco Games website. In addition Namco is running a sweepstakes that will make 75 lucky winners happy… (more…)

You gotta wonder how they do it, department: Bethesda keeps the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion train rolling onward with two additional console releases and another downloadable pack (at least if you’re a 360 or PC owner). First up is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion: Game of the Year Edition for the Playstation 3. The GOTY contains the original game along with the Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine expansions, allowing PS3 owners who haven’t yet had the chance to dive into the gorgeously deep game world with the potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay at their disposal. The Shivering Isles retail expansion for the 360 also contains the Nights of the Nine content and requires an original Oblivion save on your hard drive in order to enjoy its 30+ hours of quests and challenges. (more…)

Well, things just got really interesting, that’s for sure. You have to give props and a big cigar to EA CEO John Riccitiello for getting this deal done. Anyway, go read the press release below and comment away. My take: it really doesn’t matter who owns what as long as the commitment to quality still comes through. Some folks out there hate EA for being Ea, but hell… you need a lot better reason than that these days if you’re going to pass up that many good games. (more…)

While this year’s DigitalLife was a smaller affair than last year’s show, the crowds were most definitely excited and just as enthusiastic about the new tech products and games on display. NYT was there as a last-minute addition with a number of cool games in tow for the eager gamers. Our featured game was Skate from EA, which was received very well by many attendees who were familiar with the game from its recent release or from the Xbox Live demo download. Available on two of the thee 37″ Sharp LCD monitors set up, at times lines were three or four deep as people crowded around the setup to wait their turn to play. (more…)

If you’ve managed to play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion to death and for whatever reason don’t have, want or can’t get Broadband or Xbox Live, now you can finally expand your gaming experience significantly. Bethesda Softworks has announced that The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition (GotY) has shipped for the Xbox 360 and Windows and will be in stores as early as today. If you’re new to the Elder Scrolls, you’ll be happy to know that GotY includes the original version of the award-winning 2006 RPG, Oblivion, along with the official expansion, The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles, and the Knights of the Nine download pack. (more…)

Warning: musical pun alert (tape your eyes so they don’t roll out of your head, folks)…. To drum up support (ba-dum-bum!) for the upcoming multi-platform release ROCK BAND, Harmonix and MTV Games along with EA will be literally hitting the road with the game so players of all stripes can take it for a spin. If you really want to be a rock ‘n roll star (well, one playing high quality plastic instruments), your 15 minutes of fame just may be on the way. At these events, “Rock Off” auditions will also take place with the prize an opportunity to appear on MTV’s TRL. In addition, the two best bands will participate in a live “Battle of the Bands,” with the overall winner being asked to open for “one of rock’s biggest bands” at the game’s official Holiday 2007 launch.

O_O talk about pressure… (more…)

Bethesda Softworks has certainly been keeping die-hard Star Trek fans more than busy ever since they acquired the license to create games based on the classic sci-fi franchise. The fourth and latest game, Star Trek Conquest is set to hit the PlayStation 2 and Wii this fall bringing gamers a blend of turn-based strategy and challenging real time space combat. (more…)

Coming to the Nintendo DS this November from Yuke’s Company of America is NEVES, a fun puzzle game that brings over 500 tanagrams to players for brain-tingling single or competitive play. Based on Hanayama’s Lucky Puzzle, one of the thousands of timeless handmade puzzle games from the Japanese toy company that’s been in the business since the 1930’s, NEVES will test and tickle your synapses as it tests your shape shifting skills to the fullest. (more…)

Bad News/Good News Dept: Due to a problem with a special art book that was to be packed in with the game, Atlus has announced a slight delay in the release of its upcoming RPG Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3. The game was initially set to hit retailers on July 31st, however, it’s been pushed back to August 14th, 2007. I’m currently playing through a reviewable of the US version, and can safely report that it’ll be well worth the extra wait time. In the meantime, you may want to replay (or buy, if you haven’t already) Atlus’ other PS2 gem, Odin Sphere while you’re waiting. (more…)

Atlus USA has just made a few thousand RPG fans quite happy indeed with its latest Odin Sphere announcement. The gorgeous action/adventure RPG will hit North American retailers on May 22, a mere five days after the Japanese release. But, wait… there’s more! Atlus has also announced that the game will offer players the choice of fully voiced English or original Japanese dialogue, each version voiced by some of the top actors in the business. (more…)

With all the costumed heroes changing hands lately from one developer to another, it’s time for some sort of scorecard, that’s for sure. Sega of America and Sega of Europe have announced an exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement with Marvel Comics to create console, handheld and PC games based on Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. This latest deal comes on the heels of Sega’s recent announcement of an Iron Man video game based on the upcoming film, with both movie and game to be released in May 2008. Sega’s acquisiton of these four key Marvel licenses makes it definitely the company to watch for fans of each franchise. (more…)

Talk about an encore: in more Guitar Hero news, 30 celebrities from music, film, art and sport have teamed up with the MusicCares Foundation to design and personalize 30 Guitar Hero II video game controllers for Rock, Paint, Bid, an online charity auction by Activision, Inc. and Red Bull Energy Drink. Beginning now through April 13, the controllers will be available for an eBay online auction with all proceeds benefiting MusiCares Foundation. The pieces were on display this March 9-18 at HiLo in Austin, Texas, where legendary guitarist Slash performed alongside band Blackberry Smoke to celebrate the initiative. (more…)

Speaking of Guitar Hero, Activision and Red Octane have announced that Guitar Hero II is now available for the Xbox 360 at retail stores across North America, the Red Octane website store and other online retailers. (more…)

With Activision handling the Guitar Hero franchise these days, developer Harmonix got cooking on another great music game idea. The company has teamed up with MTV: Music Television and Electronic Arts for Rock Band, set to hit the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 this holiday season. athe game will allow players to perform music from the world’s biggest rock artists with their friends as an offline or online virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals. What makes the game even more unique are the unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, allowing for a broad selection of master recordings of the biggest songs and artists of all time. (more…)

With all the ‘Elite-ism’ going around lately, SCEA isn’t just sitting back cooling their collective heels. The company has announced a new batch of free downloadable content for PS3 owners from the PLAYSTATIONStore that includes game demos as well as game an movie trailers: (more…)

It’s finally here. Rockstar Games has officially set the Grand Theft Auto IV ball rolling with an amazing trailer available in high-def or standard Windows Media, Quicktime, PSP and iPod formats. It’s now viewable on the game’s official website, so do please go there now. You’ll need to be 18+ to access the site and enjoy the brief look at what the upcoming Xbox 360 and PS3 game has in store for you when it hits retail on October 16, 2007. We’ll have more GTA IV news for you as it comes in.

-GW

Atlus has announced that the website for its upcoming PS2 RPG, Odin Sphere has been updated with a host of new info, images and other cool stuff. Under the Archives section, there a full trailer, beautiful wallpapers and an audio clip of in-game music by composer Hitoshi Sakimoto. In case you’ve been living under a rock, the game is the latest2D project by Vanillaware, the developers of the amazing Sega Saturn import Princess Crown, one of those gems we hope Atlus will eventually localize, given its release on the PSP in Japan almost two years ago. Anyway, we’ll have more on Odin Sphere as the game moves closer to its relase date.

-GW

Konami has just announced the voice cast for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and yes, all the familiar voices will be back for this upcoming game along wth a few new talents. David Hayter (pictured) returns once more as Solid Snake and returning voice actors Quinton Flynn, Paul Eiding and Christopher Randolph who will continue their work as the voices of Raiden, Roy Campbell and Hal “Otacon” Emmerich, respectively. Hideo Kojima and Shuyo Murata share scripting chores for the game. (more…)

Atari has announced that the first downloadable content for their Xbox 360 game Bullet Witch is now available to Xbox Live subscribers. The new content includes a free, brand-new White Witch costume for the lead character Alicia, and a Bullet Witch Xbox 360 Theme pack. In addition, for 20 points each, players can download one brand new mission “Dynamite Beauty” and two enhanced versions of the “Clad in Streaming Black” mission, one featuring ‘Great Spells’ unlocked and the other a heightened level of difficulty.

Here’s a peek at Alicia’s sexy White Witch gear and two of the Theme pack screens:

Expect more cool Bullet Witch media as new updates are released.

-GW

No, you’re not dreaming folks, it’s finally happened. Nintendo and Sega are putting their two mascot characters together for an upcoming video game. Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, with appear together in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. The game is currently in developement for the Wii and Nintendo DS only and has a tentative release date of ‘Holiday 2007′, which should make Sony and Microsoft diehards who happen to be closet Mario or Sonic fans a bit steamed in the seams… (more…)

Konami has shipped two more interesting Nintendo DS games to retailers across North America, one is an original title, the other is a collection of Konami classics. Honeycomb Beat, published by Hudson and distributed by Konami, is an addictive puzzle game featuring intuitive pick up and play action with 200 different puzzles, slick visuals and an unlockable selection of backgrounds, “visualizers” and music tracks. The game should appeal highly to fans of music-based puzzlers such as Lumines.

Exclusive to the DS, Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits features 15 of the company’s 1980’s quarter munchers such as Contra, Gradius, Yie-Ar Kung Fu and Track & Field. The collection includes new features such as dual screen presentation, wireless multiplayer and the ability to send demo versions of the game to nearby DS users. Additionally, the game packs in a ton of bonus content that includes music tracks, vintage concept art, promotional materials, photos of original arcade cabinets and even the actual arcade boards themselves.

Honeycomb Beat is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $19.99. Konami Classics Series: Arcade Hits is rated “E10″ (everyone 10+) by the ESRB and is $29.99. For more information on both games, head on over to Konami’s web site.

Speaking with Namco Networks’ Scott Rubin is always a treat. Here’s a guy that knows what he’s talking about and is genuinely enthusiastic about what he does. Of course, with a strong mobile games lineup that’s about to get stronger, it’s hard not to become equally thrilled. With a stable of Namco arcade classics such as PAC-MAN, Dig Dug, Galaxian and many more mixed with exclusive titles such as Pro Pool Online II, it’s no wonder you’ll find people enjoying these titles just about everywhere you look. We discussed the recently released Scene It? Movie Edition (currently available for selected video enabled mobile phones) and the upcoming return of the 1983 classic arcade hit Popeye to the gaming scene. (more…)

With Majesco’s excellent Wii game, Cooking Mama Cook Off in stores now, you’d better believe there are some cool promotional events on the way to get gamers and non-gamers alike cookin’ with gas. A launch event for the game is being held Saturday, March 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nintendo World Store, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City. At the event, an on-site chef will be preparing snacks as gamers compete in a wide variety of in-game cooking challenges on interactive stations throughout the store. Contest winners will receive a copy of Cooking Mama: Cook Off and attendees can win additional prizes. In addition, the game’s official web site is running a contest where you can submit family recipes for your chance to win a limited edition, collectible Cook Off apron. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

No, you’re not dreaming and yup, the press release is a total hoot, so I’m running part of it as is. Anyway, Midway is developing a PlayStation 2 game based on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim hit Aqua Teen Hunger Force. As you can probably guess, the game isn’t quite related to the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film coming to theaters on April 13, but hey, you can’t expect every conspiracy theory to pan out, right?. Set for a fall release, The game, called Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am is an (get this) “epic, action-adventure combat golf, cart racing game that gives fans an opportunity to experience the Aqua Teen universe in a whole new way.” Mmmmm-kay. And how so, Mr. Press Release? (more…)

Turner Broadcasting System’s GameTap is bringing its excellent multiplayer adventure game Myst Online: Uru Live to Macintosh computer users as of today. The game experience on that platform will be exactly the same as the PC version currently available to Gametap subscribers, including all of the regularly added features, destinations, and missions. (more…)

With thousands of attendees crowding every conceivable nook and cranny, the second New York Comic Con was a massive success. This year, gaming was an even bigger focus with a number of key titles on display from Sony, EA, Sega, Namco Bandai, 2K Games, D3Publisher of America, Activision Konami, Ubisoft, Majesco and others. NYT’s Game Lounge was pretty busy throughout the show with some great current and upcoming releases displayed on brand new 26″ Sharp Aqous HDTV’s. Outside the event area, trailers for most of the games on display ran continuously on three screens that drew attendees into the gaming lounge where they were able to see or play the following titles… (more…)

With only five days until the second New York Comic Con, we’re all psyched about the great selection of current and pre-release titles we’ll have on display in playable (and trailer) form. Here’s an updated listing of what you can expect when you step into Room 1E04 at the Javits Center:

(* denotes pre-release titles)

Spider-Man 3* game trailer (Xbox 360): Like the first two films, the upcoming third movie in the series is sure to be a HUGE summer blockbuster and Activision is providing a non-playable sneak peek at the game, also certain to be a gigantic smash. We haven’t seen it just yet, but expect some amazing next-gen visuals and plenty of dynamic web-swinging action! (more…)

For Immediate Release
Gamers Nite Groove (GNG), NYC’s original monthly game event since 2003, is coming back to NYCC this year!

ROOM 1E04 NEW YORK–TOKYO PRESENTS GNG
3 DAYS OF NON-STOP GAME ACTION, FEATURING OVER 20 PRE-RELEASE TOP GAMING TITLES and GOOD BEATS

Feb. 14, New York, NY - Last year’s New York Comic Con was a gigantic success and tons of fun for GNG, so we’re back and ready to bring you plenty of gaming lounge greatness! Come join us during this three-day game blast to play some of the best current and upcoming releases from major publishers. (more…)

If you’re looking to cure that intense Ms. PAC-MAN or Pro Pool Online II addiction, Namco Networks can help you in a sort of devious way… by hooking you on yet another cool game. Following yesterday’s launch of Scene It? Movie Edition for mobile phones, Namco Networks and Sprint have announced free demos of the game will be available as of today. If that wasn’t enough to get you downloading, Sprint and Namco will give away five copies per day of Screenlife’s top-selling Scene It? Deluxe Movie Edition DVD game.

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Turner Broadcasting’s GameTap broadband service has announced that its GameTap Originals massively multiplayer adventure game, Myst Online: URU Livewill officially become available today. Developed by Cyan Worlds, this latest installment of the best-selling franchise introduces all-new Ages and puzzles while fusing the social concepts of a traditional massively multiplayer online game with mystery and problem-solving facets. (more…)

Electronic Arts and Def Jam Interactive have that a series of DEF JAM: ICON tournaments will be sponsored by retailer GameStop to be held in four major U.S. cities throughout the month of February. Selected GameStop and EB Games retail stores in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York will hold tournaments, but only one venue will be fortunate enought to have a special appearance from one of the in-game celebrity fighters. Hip-hop artist, Fat Joe will be launching the tournament in Atlanta on February 13 with an on-location visit from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The tournament begins at 3:00 pm, making Joe fashionably late, but still a guaranteed draw for fans. (more…)

At its recent Gamers Day event, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced its 2007 lineup which happens to be packed with some really cool titles for current, next-gen and portable systems as well as mobile phones and even ‘plug & play’ controllers. As you’ll see from the list below, the company certainly has a diversifled set of games on the way…

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One of the holy grails in hardcore gaming circles finally makes its way to America later this year, courtesy of Konami. The company has announced Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is coming exclusively to the PSP. The UMD will feature the classic (read: super expensive) PC Engine game Castlevania: Rondo of Blood with updated 3D graphics and all-new gameplay elements. Purists need not petition, however: an unlockable version of the original PC Engine version of Rondo of Blood, localized in English for the first time, is also included. Additionally, players will get the seminal PS One masterpiece Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, pretty much making this pound for pound the gaming value of the year on the handheld. (more…)

Electronic Arts, along with Def Jam Interactive, has released the complete track listing from the upcoming DEF JAM: ICON game coming to the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 in March. The game will feature a total of 29 tracks from prominent artists such as The Game, Lil Jon and Young Jeezy, to name a few. The 360 version of DEF JAM: ICON will also feature an exclusive ‘My Soundtrack‘ mode that allows players to use any MP3 tracks to truly customize the brawling experience.

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With Namco Networks already a leader in the mobile gaming field thanks to it’s huge library of classics, it’s a safe bet that whatever they release is going to find a wide audience willing to pay and play. The latest game from the company, Pro Pool Online II, is now available and features 8- or 9-ball games, head-to-head play with opponents in real-time and a great offline mode for one or two players.
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Atlus just keeps bringing the J-Game goodness to RPG fans here with its latest upcoming releases. Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner (PSP) and Izuna, Legend of the Unemployed Ninja (Nintendo DS) are both guaranteed to give gamers the warm and fuzzies as they both look great and sound even more promising based on what’s on each game’s official site.

Set for a February 13 release, Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner is developed and produced by the legendary Cozy Okada, Atlus’ co-founder and creator of the long running Shin Megami Tensei series. The game features over 5 hours of voice acting, a lavish score designed by 10 game composers including Shinji Hosoe (Ridge Racer series), Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII), Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger) and more.

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Atari has announced that an all new Godzilla title will be hitting US shores later this year. Godzilla Unleashed will be coming to the Nintendo Wii, DS and Sony PSP in fall 2007.

Like the previous titles in the series, the game will be an arcade fighter that features many monsters from the long-running Toho film franchise. Gamers can expect plenty of destructible urban environments and more likely than not, a slew of hidden characters and possibly game modes.

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