Xbox 360 | Ex-Sony Europe head now leading Capcom Europe

David Reeves appointed chief operating officer of Capcom Europe, taking role of the recently deceased Mark Beaumont.

David Reeves is joining Capcom Europe as its new chief operating officer. Reeves, who oversaw Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for 14 years before leaving the company in 2009, will start at Capcom on April 1.

Reeves: out of retirement.

Reeves follows Mark Beaumont, Capcom's previous European and American COO, who died last month. The executive, who had been with the company since 2005, died of a heart attack on February 23. A replacement for Beaumont in the US has yet to be named.

Reeves retired from Sony Computer Entertainment just under one year ago on April 15, 2009. He originally joined Sony in 1995 and helped to launch the original PlayStation in Europe. He went on to do the same for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable, bringing Sony hardware to more than 100 countries. At Capcom, he will have "the remit to maximise potential revenue and explore new areas for growth."

At the time of his retirement Reeves said, "I am going to spend my time now trying to repay society for all I have taken from it. If your children are having physics lessons at the local school or wondering why their ski instructor is very elderly, your car mechanic has a bad back, or the social worker keeps bringing you PSP games, then it could just be me!"

XDCAM EX SONY PMW-EX1

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/supersf4/news.html?sid=6254447

Xbox 360 | Natal powered by Israeli startup's tech

Tel Aviv-based PrimeSense announces its 3D-motion-sensing system is the basis of Microsoft's upcoming camera-based peripheral, due out this holiday.

Last June, Microsoft confirmed earlier reports out of Israel and Silicon Valley that it had purchased the Israeli motion-sensing tech firm 3DV Systems. That company's Z-Cam was assumed to be part of Project Natal's motion-sensing camera, which Microsoft unveiled at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The PrimeSensor, PrimeSense's 3D camera.

Today, another Israeli firm, Tel Aviv-based PrimeSense, revealed that its 3D motion-sensing "PrimeSensor" camera is actually at the heart of Project Natal. "Xbox 360 hardware engineering teams developed the Project Natal sensor based on the PrimeSensor reference design to support the special requirements of Project Natal," said PrimeSense president and founder Aviad Maizels in a statement.

PrimeSense believes Natal is an extension of its aim to bring "engaging natural experiences to consumers." The company's Web site is reminiscent of the first Project Natal trailer from E3 (below), showing families navigating menus with hand motions from a couch and a teenager playing Grand Theft Auto IV with no controller. However, the latter image is almost certainly a mock-up, as Rockstar Games has not announced any Natal-based projects or patches for the best-selling game, released in 2008.

The site also says the PrimeSensor will let players use their own athletic equipment, as Natal will when it ships this holiday season. (Microsoft is also holding a "premiere" for the device on June 13, just before this year's E3 kicks off in Los Angeles.)

Microsoft's Project Natal.

Another image shows a woman using the PrimeSensor--which looks like a smaller version of Natal--to exercise with a virtual personal trainer. Curiously, though, one of the most popular workout games on the market appears to not be supporting Natal. At least not yet.

During the 2010 Game Developers Conference earlier this month, Electronic Arts announced its Sports Active 2.0 will use its own proprietary wireless control system based on sensors embedded in elastic bands. The game was announced for the Wii, iPhone, and PlayStation 3--but, curiously, not the Xbox 360.

E3 2009: Project Natal Xbox 360 Announcement

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/miloworkingtitle/news.html?sid=6254457

Wii | Nintendo, Google team up for Wii search game

Console maker teams with search engine giant for new party game set for Japanese release by the end of April.

Gamers searching for interesting new titles on the Wii can now look forward to a game about searching. Nintendo has enlisted the aid of Web search giant Google to power its new Japanese game Andou Kensaku.

Kawai!!!

Andou Kensaku adapts the premise of Google Fight into a party game for up to four players. The game incorporates its search function into a variety of minigames, asking players to pick from a variety of words the one that will return the most hits. The game will also make players choose between sentences or picking the combinations of words that will provide the highest hit count.

Players won't actually need to be online in order to play the game, but an Internet connection will allow the game to get the most current hit counts possible. Nintendo will also make additional questions available to download

Set for release on April 29, Andou Kensaku is a stand-alone retail game that will sell for ¥4,800 ($51). For more on the game (and its distinctive theme song), check out Andou Kensaku's official Japanese language Web site.

Nintendo Training 1991

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/kensax/news.html?sid=6254458

Xbox 360 | Microsoft explains Modern Warfare 2 DLC debacle

Software giant says Stimulus Package was accidentally released before latest Call of Duty received Xbox Live title update, still mopping up prepaid-card issues.

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"Xbox 360 | Microsoft explains Modern Warfare 2 DLC debacle" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:58:12 -0700

Microsoft Surface - The Possibilities

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/callofdutymodernwarfare2dlcworkingtitle/news.html?sid=6254466

Wii | Sega reopening Conduit this fall

High Voltage Software's original first-person shooter series returns to the Wii with new four-player co-op mode, better online cheat-busting.

Longtime licensed-game developer High Voltage Software made its first big push into the world of original intellectual properties last year with the Wii release of The Conduit. Published by Sega, the first-person shooter sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide, good enough to justify the two companies reteaming on a sequel.

Conduit 2 will introduce split-screen co-op modes to the series.

Sega today announced that it will be releasing Conduit 2 in North America and Europe this fall. The game is once again being developed as a Wii exclusive by the team at High Voltage. The single-player mode of the game will pick up the original game's alien invasion storyline, with Sega promising dynamic environments, player customization options, and giant boss enemies.

As for multiplayer, Conduit 2 will introduce new co-op modes for online play, or offline with up to four players sharing a split-screen. Sega is also promising "increased multiplayer security" for the game, in light of the cheating that undermined the online play of the original game

For more on the original game, check out GameSpot's review of The Conduit.

sega's Free Stuff Friday Twitter Giveaway for April 2, 2010

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/theconduit2/news.html?sid=6254467

Xbox 360 | Naval Assault: Killing Tide surfaces on 360

Artech Studios readying arcade action take on WWII submarine warfare for June 15 release exclusively on Microsoft's console.

The intersection of arcade-style action and submarines is one rarely visited by developers. Underserved fans of the genre can clear off some shelf space next to In the Hunt, Critical Depth, and AquaNox, as 505 Games today announced its own historically themed entry into the market.

Everything's better, down where it's wetter…

On June 15, the publisher plans to launch Naval Assault: The Killing Tide exclusively for the Xbox 360. Set during World War II, Naval Assault casts players as an Allied submarine commander hunting his Axis counterparts throughout the North Atlantic. The game will feature 30 missions and multiplayer modes for up to four gamers.

Naval Assault is being developed by Ottawa, Ontario-based Artech Studios, a developer with a long and varied history. In its 28-year history, Artech has produced more than 100 games, from licensed titles like Nerf: N-Strike Elite on the Wii to interactive DVD board games to the black-humored original Xbox shooter Raze's Hell. Naval Assault isn't even the company's first time under the sea, as it developed the early '90s PC submarine sim Das Boot.

skorean Naval Ship Sinks Near nkorea; 46 Missing

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sim/navalassault/news.html?sid=6254489

Macintosh | Nintendo 23% of GameStop's non-used business

Fewer companies accounting for increasing amount of specialty retailer's new product purchases; the "Big Three," EA, and Activision now make up 75 percent of chain's business.

To fill its stores with new gaming software, hardware, and accessories, GameStop does business with roughly 75 companies worldwide. That number of business partners has remained steady for years, but the company has seen a dramatic shift in how much business it does with which partners.

GameStop has done its part in keeping Nintendo's coffers full in recent years.

In its annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today, GameStop broke down some of the numbers on its vendor relationships, revealing that a single company, Nintendo, was responsible for 23 percent of the retailer's new product purchases for its fiscal 2009 (the year ended January 31, 2010). That's down from a peak of 25 percent the previous fiscal year.

Additionally, the top five companies GameStop buys from--Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Activision, in that order--combined to account for 75 percent of its new product purchases during its fiscal 2009. Sony claimed 17 percent of the company's business for the year, with Microsoft and EA each grabbing 12 percent. Activision accounted for 11 percent of GameStop's product purchases, reaching double-digit percentages with the retailer for the first time.

The top 10 companies GameStop does business with accounted for roughly 85 percent of its new product purchases in fiscal 2009. That's up from 80 percent in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2006, the retail chain's top 10 business partners combined for only 65 percent of its new product purchases, with Microsoft taking the single largest share with 14 percent.

Nintendo Training 1991

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254420.html

Macintosh | 220 million consoles & handhelds in US - GameStop

Citing NPD figures, megaretailer gives estimate of domestic installed base; 112 million current-generation devices owned; DS & Wii top platforms.

As part of its annual earnings report today, game megaretailer GameStop revealed that nearly a quarter of its non-used business for the year came from Nintendo. It also revealed its estimates of the installed base of handhelds and consoles in the United States--a number that is over two-thirds of the country's 307 million-person population (as of July 2009).

GameStop believes 38.6 million DSs were sold in the US.

Citing "reports published by NPD Group," the industry-tracking firm that is the standard for US game sales, GameStop "believes that" over 220 million gaming handhelds and consoles have been purchased in the US as of December 2009. Of those, some 112 million are of the current generation of handheld and console hardware, which began in 2004 with the launch of the DS and 2005 with the Xbox 360's debut.

As the country is reminded every month when NPD releases its US sales figures, the DS remains the most popular platform to this day, having sold 38.6 million units domestically by GameStop's estimate. Coming in second is the handheld's console sibling, the Wii (released in 2006), with 27.1 million units. In third is the Xbox 360 with 18.6 million units, just ahead of the PSP (released in 2005) with 16.8 million units. Bringing up the rear is the PlayStation 3 with 11.1 million units sold since it launched in 2006, within days of the Wii's debut.

Though released a year after the Xbox 360, the Wii has sold nearly 10 million more units domestically, according to GameStop.

US CONSOLE & HANDHELD INSTALLED BASES (GameStop estimate)

Total consoles & handhelds: 220 million units

Current-generation consoles & handhelds: 112 million units

DS: 38.6 million units

Wii: 27.1 million units

Xbox 360: 18.6 million units

PSP: 16.8 million units

PlayStation 3: 11.1 million units

tatu - 220 Official Music video

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254421.html

Macintosh | Activision quietly restructures

Publisher splits business into four units specifically focused on Call of Duty, Blizzard, owned IP, and licensed properties.

Activision has been tinkering with its organizational structure in recent months, dedicating a business unit to Call of Duty and shuffling the executive deck. However, changes at the company have gone beyond the level of tinkering, according to The Los Angeles Times.

After Guitar Hero sales tanked in 2009, the franchise no longer warrants its own business unit.

The paper reported on its Web site today that Activision has quietly undergone a complete restructuring, partitioning off its business into four separate units. The Call of Duty and Blizzard Entertainment divisions will remain unchanged, but the rest of the company's business has been segmented into one unit for owned properties like Guitar Hero and one for licensed games like the Marvel Comics and Transformers titles. Previously, the Guitar Hero franchise was a business unit unto itself. According to the Times, the publisher considers the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater line an owned property and has placed it in that division.

The publisher's executive reshuffling has also been more extensive than previously revealed. Former Activision Publishing president and CEO Mike Griffith is now the company's vice chairman and advisor to CEO Bobby Kotick. Tippl is filling Griffith's old role on an interim basis, the report says, and now oversees Blizzard president Mike Morhaime. As for the newly established business units, the licensed games group will be headed up by Activision Value veteran Dave Oxford, with executive vice president of owned properties Maria Stipp taking over the owned properties line.

According to the Times, Kotick explained the moves to employees in an internal memo, saying, "This is an important change as it will allow me, with Thomas, to become more deeply involved in areas of the business where I believe we can capture great potential and opportunity."

Activision logo

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/mac/rpg/worldofwarcraftcataclysm/news.html?sid=6254440

Xbox 360 | Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package has rocky launch

Xbox Live-exclusive debut of popular shooter's first map pack beset by matchmaking issues, map problems; Microsoft, Infinity Ward claim fix is in.

Get the full article at GameSpot

---

"Xbox 360 | Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package has rocky launch" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:51:26 -0700

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Launch Trailer (Official HD)

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/callofdutymodernwarfare2dlcworkingtitle/news.html?sid=6254412

PC | Darksiders falls on PC

Vigil Games' apocalyptic action game set for release on new platform this June.

Biblically speaking, the end of the world is supposed to be prefaced by natural disasters, war, and the breaking of seven seals. But for a PC port of Vigil Games' end-of-the-world action game Darksiders, a simple announcement on the game's official Web site will have to do.

Before feasting on orphan sorrow and widows' tears, War likes to say grace.

PC gamers will be able to saddle up as the apocalyptic horseman War this June. While THQ and Vigil Games haven't indicated whether or not there will be added content to the game, they have acknowledged some changes that will be made for the PC edition. Vigil is currently incorporating PC-friendly features like user-defined resolutions and keyboard/gamepad controls, and the game will be available through digital distribution.

Darksiders tells the story of War and his mighty flaming steed Ruin. As the story goes, War inadvertently triggers the end of days after being tricked by a demon known as the Destroyer. The hornswoggled demigod then sets down a path of wanton carnage in a quest to destroy the Destroyer's minions along with the demon itself.

For more on the console versions of the game, check out GameSpot's original review of Darksiders.

Darksiders : Wrath of War - Official E3 CG Trailer

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/darksiderswrathofwar/news.html?sid=6254414

Xbox 360 | Nintendo 23% of GameStop's non-used business

Fewer companies accounting for increasing amount of specialty retailer's new product purchases; the "Big Three," EA, and Activision now make up 75 percent of chain's business.

To fill its stores with new gaming software, hardware, and accessories, GameStop does business with roughly 75 companies worldwide. That number of business partners has remained steady for years, but the company has seen a dramatic shift in how much business it does with which partners.

GameStop has done its part in keeping Nintendo's coffers full in recent years.

In its annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today, GameStop broke down some of the numbers on its vendor relationships, revealing that a single company, Nintendo, was responsible for 23 percent of the retailer's new product purchases for its fiscal 2009 (the year ended January 31, 2010). That's down from a peak of 25 percent the previous fiscal year.

Additionally, the top five companies GameStop buys from--Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Activision, in that order--combined to account for 75 percent of its new product purchases during its fiscal 2009. Sony claimed 17 percent of the company's business for the year, with Microsoft and EA each grabbing 12 percent. Activision accounted for 11 percent of GameStop's product purchases, reaching double-digit percentages with the retailer for the first time.

The top 10 companies GameStop does business with accounted for roughly 85 percent of its new product purchases in fiscal 2009. That's up from 80 percent in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2006, the retail chain's top 10 business partners only combined for 65 percent of its new product purchases, with Microsoft taking the single largest share with 14 percent.

Nintendo Training 1991

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254420.html

Xbox 360 | 220 million consoles & handhelds in US - GameStop

Citing NPD figures, megaretailer gives estimate of domestic installed base; 112 million current-generation devices owned; DS & Wii top platforms.

As part of its annual earnings report today, game megaretailer GameStop revealed that nearly a quarter of its non-used business for the year came from Nintendo. It also revealed its estimates of the installed base of handhelds and consoles in the United States--a number which is over two thirds of the country's 307 million-person population (as of July 2009).

GameStop believes 38.6 million DSes were sold in the US.

Citing "reports published by NPD Group," the industry-tracking firm which is the standard for US game sales, GameStop "believes that" over 220 million gaming handhelds and consoles have been purchased in the US as of December 2009. Of those, some 112 million are of the current generation of handheld and console hardware, which began in 2004 with the launch of the DS and 2005 with the Xbox 360's debut.

As the country is reminded every month when NPD releases its US sales figures, the DS remains the most popular platform to this day, having sold 38.6 million units domestically by GameStop's estimate. Coming in second is the handheld's console sibling, the Wii (released in 2006), with 27.1 million units. In third is the Xbox 360 with 18.6 million units, just ahead of the PSP (released in 2005) with 16.8 million units. Bringing up the rear is the PlayStation 3 with 11.1 million units sold since it launched in 2006, within days of the Wii's debut.

Though released a year after the Xbox 360, the Wii has sold nearly 10 million more units domestically, according to GameStop.

US CONSOLE & HANDHELD INSTALLED BASES (GameStop estimate)

Total consoles & handhelds: 220 million units

Current-generation consoles & handhelds: 112 million units

DS: 38.6 million units

Wii: 27.1 million units

Xbox 360: 18.6 million units

PSP: 16.8 million units

PlayStation 3: 11.1 million units

tatu - 220 Official Music video

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254421.html

Xbox 360 | Activision quietly restructures

Publisher splits business into four units specifically focused on Call of Duty, Blizzard, owned IP, and licensed properties.

Activision has been tinkering with its organizational structure in recent months, dedicating a business unit to Call of Duty and shuffling the executive deck. However, changes at the company have gone beyond the level of tinkering, according to The Los Angeles Times.

After Guitar Hero sales tanked in 2009, the franchise no longer warrants its own business unit.

The paper reported on its Web site today that Activision has quietly undergone a complete restructuring, partitioning off its business into four separate units. The Call of Duty and Blizzard Entertainment divisions will remain unchanged, but the rest of the company's business has been segmented into one unit for owned properties like Guitar Hero, and one for licensed games like the Marvel Comics and Transformers titles. Previously, the Guitar Hero franchise was a business unit unto itself. According to the Times, the publisher considers the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater line an owned property, and has placed it in that division.

The publisher's executive reshuffling has also been more extensive than previously revealed. Former Activision Publishing president and CEO Mike Griffith is now the company's vice chairman and advisor to CEO Bobby Kotick. Tippl is filling Griffith's old role on an interim basis, the report says, and now oversees Blizzard president Mike Morhaime. As for the newly established business units, the licensed games group will be headed up by Activision Value veteran Dave Oxford, with executive vice president of owned properties Maria Stipp taking over the owned properties line.

According to the Times, Kotick explained the moves to employees in an internal memo, saying, "This is an important change as it will allow me, with Thomas, to become more deeply involved in areas of the business where I believe we can capture great potential and opportunity."

Activision logo

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/modernwarfare2/news.html?sid=6254440

Arcade Games | Activision CFO promoted to COO

Thomas Tippl elected to publisher's chief operating officer position as base pay jumps to $850,000.

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"Arcade Games | Activision CFO promoted to COO" was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:52:51 -0700

Activision logo

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254359.html

Xbox 360 | Xbox 360 Slim (not) spotted in the wild

Dutch site Game Kings touts photos of rumored downsized model of Microsoft's console…but is in fact the long-dead HD DVD peripheral.

Get the full article at GameSpot

---

"Xbox 360 | Xbox 360 Slim (not) spotted in the wild" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:05:53 -0700

E3 2009: Project Natal Xbox 360 Announcement

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254393.html

Xbox 360 | XBLA Game Room weekly updates start next month

Microsoft says launch lineup for Xbox 360 and PC's virtual arcade service will have to tide rabid retro fans over until late April.

Last week, Microsoft launched its Game Room virtual arcade on Xbox Live and PCs with a catalog of 31 games. The company has said it has 1,000 vintage titles in the pipeline for Game Room, but it will be a few weeks before Microsoft opens the spigot.

Yar's Revenge should be able to tide anyone over until new games arrive.

A member of Microsoft's gaming product team has posted on the Xbox forums that the company won't be releasing new Game Room titles until late April. However, once Microsoft begins adding new games to the service, the representative said it will bring "new" retro selections to the Game Room on a weekly basis.

Microsoft has not revealed which games will be introduced to the Game Room once it begins adding to the catalog, but it is accepting requests. Gamers who want to ask for a specific title can weigh in on the "official" requests thread, while another thread has been designated for more general Game Room suggestions.

Game Room titles can be purchased for play on both the Xbox 360 and PC for MSP 400 ($5) or for an individual platform at MSP 240 ($3) apiece. Single rounds of any individual game can be played for MSP 40 ($.50). The Game Room also supports Xbox Live Avatars, as well as voice chat, 1080p graphics, cross-platform leaderboards, and achievements.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane for XBLA

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gameroom/news.html?sid=6254408

Wii | WarioWare DIY opens Showcase on WiiWare

Nintendo Store Update: DSi XL launch title gets WiiWare complement; Diner Dash, Disney Fireworks, Super Yum Yum Puzzle Adventures, Ogre Battle 64 also available.

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"Wii | WarioWare DIY opens Showcase on WiiWare" was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:04:43 -0700

warioware: Smooth Moves - Mysterious Form Baton Found! (1)

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/dinerdash/news.html?sid=6254344

PlayStation 3 | Activision CFO promoted to COO

Thomas Tippl elected to publisher's chief operating officer position as base pay jumps to $850,000.

Get the full article at GameSpot

---

"PlayStation 3 | Activision CFO promoted to COO" was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:52:51 -0700

Activision logo

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254359.html

DS | No DSiWare transfers to DSi XL

Nintendo confirms device-tethering software DRM system used by current DSi will force buyers of new handheld to repurchase all previously bought DSi Shop DLC.

Last year, Nintendo confirmed that DSiWare games bought from the DSi Shop were tethered to the handheld they were downloaded onto. This DRM practice means that games bought on a particular DSi were locked to said device, and would have to be re-purchased at full price if owners buy a new DSi. DSiWare games include titles such as WarioWare Snapped! and WarioWare D.I.Y., released just today.

Though they can snuggle, the DSi and DSi XL can't transfer DSiWare content.

Sunday's launch of the DSi XL raised the prospect of Nintendo might offer some sort of solution to let players transfer their DSiWare content to the larger-screen model or download it again for free. No such luck, according to a Nintendo of America representative.

"No, the games and applications are specific to each system, not each user," a spokesperson told GameSpot.

The forced repurchase of DSiWare content is unique amongst the current generation of dedicated gaming devices. Games bought for the PSP and PS3 via the PlayStation Store can be re-downloaded for free, as can games bought on Xbox Live Marketplace. However, if an Xbox 360 is replaced and its hard drive attached to a new console, the new console must be constantly connected to Xbox Live for the downloaded games to function outside of demo mode. New Xbox 360 hard drives also come with a transfer cable to allow players to move content from one hard drive to another.

Shakira - No ft. Gustavo Cerati

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/madeinore/news.html?sid=6254377

DS | Hydro Thunder Hurricane forecast for XBLA

Indie studio Vector Unit prepping downloadable sequel to Midway arcade speedboat racing game with eight-player online, four-player split-screen.

When Midway went bankrupt last year, Warner Bros. paid $49 million for most of the Mortal Kombat publisher's assets. Not included in the deal were some of its studio locations, the TNA wrestling license, and apparently the Hydro Thunder speedboat racing franchise.

The boats in Hydro Thunder Hurricane sure do log a lot of flight time.

Independent studio Vector Unit today announced that it was developing Hydro Thunder Hurricane for Xbox Live Arcade, a sequel to the original 1999 arcade hit. The original Hydro Thunder quickly found its way into gamers' homes, as Midway had a Dreamcast port ready for that system's September 1999 launch and produced Nintendo 64 and original PlayStation editions the following year.

Billed as a full-fledged sequel to the arcade original, Hydro Thunder Hurricane will feature new levels, speedboats, water physics, and cooperative as well as competitive multiplayer modes. The developers are including online races for up to eight players, with split-screen support for four gamers. The game's races will be set across eight "theme park" worlds with some over-the-top trackside obstacles, including distractions like a giant warhammer-wielding Viking and a sea serpent threatening to sink players' chances of finishing first.

For more on the series, check out GameSpot's review of the original Hydro Thunder for the Dreamcast.

Twiztid - Hydro

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254258.html

DS | Shippin' Out Mar. 28-Apr. 3: DSi XL, Modern Warfare 2 DLC

Nintendo launches up-sized $190 update to popular portable line alongside WarioWare DIY; five-map add-on to Infinity Ward's top-selling shooter assaults 360 for $15.

Last Monday, Nintendo stunned the industry by announcing the 3DS, a "successor" to its 125-million-unit selling DS series that features 3D gaming capabilities without the need for specially designed glasses. With reports indicating the 3DS may arrive as soon as this year, Nintendo of course still needs to get the DS' fourth hardware iteration out the door.

The DSi XL is a handful.

Available starting today for $189.99, the DSi XL sports 4.2 inch dual screens, up from the DSi's 3.25 inch screens. Nintendo claims that the XL's battery life clocks in at four to five hours on maximum brightness and 13 to 17 hours on lowest brightness, on par with the DS Lite. The supersized handheld will also come preinstalled with several games and applications, including Photo Clock, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, and Brain Age Express: Math. Notably, DSiWare games are not transferable to another handheld, meaning they would have to be repurchased on the new DSi XL.

Accompanying the release of the DSi XL will be WarioWare DIY, an extension of Nintendo's zany line of chaotic minigame compilations that includes 90 bite-sized games. As its name implies, DIY lets gamers take these experiences one step further by creating their own minigames either by using premade graphics and sound samples or by starting completely from scratch.

WarioWare DIY Showcase for WiiWare doesn't include game-making tools, but players can download minigames crafted in the DS edition. It also includes 70 exclusive minigames for players to work through.

The end-of-the-fiscal year doldrums dominate the remainder of the week. However, Activision will be livening things up a bit with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package. Modern Warfare 2's first map pack arrives this week for the Xbox 360 for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15), $5 more than the popular map packs released last year for Call of Duty: World at War. Infinity Ward has into the pack three new maps as well as the Crash and Overgrown maps seen in the original Modern Warfare.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later in the week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

March 28, 2010
America's Test Kitchen: Let's Get Cooking--DS--Nintendo
DSi XL
WarioWare DIY--DS--Nintendo

March 29, 2010
WarioWare DIY Showcase--WII--Nintendo

March 30, 2010
Again--DS--Tecmo
Cabela's Monster Buck Hunter--WII--Activision
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package--X360--Activision
Dance Sensation!--WII--Majesco Games
Dead or Alive Paradise--PSP--Tecmo
Mimana Iyar Chronicles--PSP--Aksys Games
Monster Rancher DS--DS--Tecmo
Mount & Blade: Warband--PC--Paradox Interactive
Prison Break: The Conspiracy--X360, PS3, PC--Deep Silver
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love--WII, PS2--NIS America
Samurai Shodown Sen--X360--Xseed Games
The Secret Files: Tunguska--WII, DS--Deep Silver
Sushi Go Round--WII, DS--SouthPeak Games

March 31, 2010
Commandos Complete--PC--City Interactive
Mega Man 10--X360--Capcom
T.A.C. Heroes: Big Red One--DS--Storm City Games
TibiaME--IP--CipSoft GmbH
Zenonia 2: The Lost Memories--IP--Gamevil

April 1, 2010
No new releases announced.

April 2, 2010
No new releases announced.

I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ds/puzzle/madeinore/news.html?sid=6254210

Xbox 360 | Battlefield 1943 enlists 1 million on Xbox Live

EA DICE's multiplayer-only online shooter goes platinum on Microsoft's platform alone nearly nine months after launch.

EA has had no problems raising an army for Battlefield 1943. One week after the downloadable multiplayer-only shooter launched on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in July 2009, EA trumpeted the game's 600,000-unit opening sales. Despite initial server instability, that figure had doubled across the two platforms by November.

Battlefield 1943 has amassed a million-unit army.

Today, EA said that the Xbox Live edition of Battlefield 1943 has sold 1 million units on its own. The publisher notes that the WWII-themed shooter has become the fastest to reach such a milestone on Xbox Live Arcade. EA did not provide sales figures for the PSN edition of the game, and had not responded to requests for additional information as of press time.

The DICE-developed Battlefield 1943 received a warm critical reception upon its launch for downloadable platforms last year. Created using the same engine as DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the competitive online shooter includes four 24-player maps inspired by arenas that first appeared in Battlefield 1942. The shooter costs $15 (1,200 Microsoft points) on consoles, and a PC edition of the game is expected to arrive "soon."

Battlefield 1943's success has proven to be important for EA. Commenting on an analyst and investor conference last week, Wedbush's Michael Pachter said that EA plans to introduce what equated to "a very long game demo, along the lines of 2009's Battlefield 1943" for $10-$15 through Xbox Live. These premium samplers would be available shortly before the full game is released.

Check out GameSpot's video review, below, for more on Battlefield 1943.

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/battlefield1943/news.html?sid=6254321

PlayStation 3 | PS3 update locking out Linux April 1

Next firmware update for console will disable "Other OS" feature due to "security concerns"; owners who opt out will lose PSN access.

When the PlayStation 3 debuted in 2006, Sony played up the fact that alternate operating systems could be installed on the console. However, when the PS3 Slim was released last year, it lacked the "Other OS" feature, causing some grumbling from the Linux community. That grumbling turned to outrage today, when Sony Computer Entertainment announced the April 1 v3.21 PS3 firmware update will disable the Other OS option altogether.

Pre-Slimline PS3s had the ability to run Linux and other operating systems.

On the PlayStation Blog, SCEA director of corporate communications and social media Patrick Seybold said the move was due to "security concerns." Though no specific concerns were named, the move comes almost exactly two months after American hacker George Hotz, who famously unlocked the iPhone, announced he had hacked the PS3's operating system. In a BBC Interview, the software wunderkind said the effort took five weeks, and would allow hacked systems to play pirated games. Sony's PSP has suffered from similar exploits, leading to widespread piracy on the portable.

Seybold emphasized that the v3.21 firmware update is optional for current PS3 owners with Linux on their systems. However, consoles which do not have the update will no longer be able to log onto the PlayStation Network, play games online, use online features of games, play newer Blu-ray discs, or play copyright-protected videos from media servers.

The "Other OS" feature allowed technically savvy gamers to legitimately install the open-source Linux OS on the device, turning it into an alternate home computer. The US government also took advantage of the feature, with the Air Force ordering 2,200 of the powerful consoles to use as a linked supercomputer. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Cyber Crimes Center is using a similar system to to crack encrypted child pornography.

Xbox Vs. PS3: Round 1

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/puzzle/playstationhome/news.html?sid=6254322

PC | Hacker targets Xbox Live director

Microsoft's Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb has online account hijacked through Xbox.com as part of underground group's publicity bid.

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"PC | Hacker targets Xbox Live director " was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:34:24 -0700

The Hacker...Car Shopping

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254330.html

PC | Star Wars: The Old Republic Xbox 360-bound?

UK retailer schedule lists LucasArts and EA's MMORPG as coming to Microsoft's console in spring 2011; BioWare says no console version planned "at this time."

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"PC | Star Wars: The Old Republic Xbox 360-bound?" was posted by Tor Thorsen on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:25:29 -0700

Reamonn - Star

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/starwarstheoldrepublic/news.html?sid=6254333

PSP | Atomic Operations cooking up PS3 Fat Princess DLC

Gluttonous add-on for team-based multiplayer game handed off to new development house formed by former Titan Studios lead developer.

Fat Princess is about to get a little more meat on its bones. The newly formed Seattle, Washington-based independent developer Atomic Operations has announced a deal with Sony Computer Entertainment America that has the studio working on new downloadable content for the PlayStation 3's downloadable team-based multiplayer action game.

The rescue effort will continue in new DLC for Fat Princess.

Atomic Operations is headed up by Chris Millar, who was the lead developer on the original Fat Princess at Titan Studios. A pair of additional Fat Princess veterans, John Mundy and Chris Coster, are also working on the downloadable content.

Matches of Fat Princess play out much like a standard game of capture-the-flag, with the flag in this case replaced by rotund royalty. The game debuted on the PlayStation 3 last July and made its way to the PSP earlier this month with the European release of Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake. A US launch for the handheld adaptation is set for next month.

SCEA has not provided any details on the release date or the pricing of the DLC. For more on Fat Princess, check out GameSpot's recent preview of Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake for the PSP.

Blondie- Atomic

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/fatprincessfistfulofcake/news.html?sid=6254228

PlayStation 3 | Hendrix's Axis boldly spinning on Rock Band

Guitar virtuoso's second album, including "Little Wing," "If 6 Was 9," plus newly released "Valley of Neptunes" heads to 360, PS3, Wii games next week.

Get the full article at GameSpot

---

"PlayStation 3 | Hendrix's Axis boldly spinning on Rock Band" was posted by Tom Magrino on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:52:31 -0700

Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/puzzle/rockband/news.html?sid=6254246

Xbox 360 | Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 canceled

Webcomic creators confirm third installment in episodic adventure game series from Hothead has been shelved; story to continue as graphic novel on Web site.

Get the full article at GameSpot

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"Xbox 360 | Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 3 canceled" was posted by Tom Magrino on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:22:21 -0700

Guinness World Record Penny Pyramid- 300 hours in under 3min

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/adventure/pennyarcadeadventures/news.html?sid=6254256

Wii | Hydro Thunder Hurricane forecast for XBLA

Indie studio Vector Unit prepping downloadable sequel to Midway arcade speedboat racing game with eight-player online, four-player split-screen.

When Midway went bankrupt last year, Warner Bros. paid $49 million for most of the Mortal Kombat publisher's assets. Not included in the deal were some of its studio locations, the TNA wrestling license, and apparently the Hydro Thunder speedboat racing franchise.

The boats in Hydro Thunder Hurricane sure do log a lot of flight time.

Independent studio Vector Unit today announced that it was developing Hydro Thunder Hurricane for Xbox Live Arcade, a sequel to the original 1999 arcade hit. The original Hydro Thunder quickly found its way into gamers' homes, as Midway had a Dreamcast port ready for that system's September 1999 launch and produced Nintendo 64 and original PlayStation editions the following year.

Billed as a full-fledged sequel to the arcade original, Hydro Thunder Hurricane will feature new levels, speedboats, water physics, and cooperative as well as competitive multiplayer modes. The developers are including online races for up to eight players, with split-screen support for four gamers. The game's races will be set across eight "theme park" worlds with some over-the-top trackside obstacles, including distractions like a giant warhammer-wielding Viking and a sea serpent threatening to sink players' chances of finishing first.

For more on the series, check out GameSpot's review of the original Hydro Thunder for the Dreamcast.

Twiztid - Hydro

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254258.html

Wii | Shippin' Out Mar. 28-Apr. 3: DSi XL, Modern Warfare 2 DLC

Nintendo launches up-sized $190 update to popular portable line alongside WarioWare DIY; five-map add-on to Infinity Ward's top-selling shooter assaults 360 for $15.

Last Monday, Nintendo stunned the industry by announcing the 3DS, a "successor" to its 125-million-unit selling DS series that features 3D gaming capabilities without the need for specially designed glasses. With reports indicating the 3DS may arrive as soon as this year, Nintendo of course still needs to get the DS' fourth hardware iteration out the door.

The DSi XL is a handful.

Available starting today for $189.99, the DSi XL sports 4.2 inch dual screens, up from the DSi's 3.25 inch screens. Nintendo claims that the XL's battery life clocks in at four to five hours on maximum brightness and 13 to 17 hours on lowest brightness, on par with the DS Lite. The supersized handheld will also come preinstalled with several games and applications, including Photo Clock, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, and Brain Age Express: Math. Notably, DSiWare games are not transferable to another handheld, meaning they would have to be repurchased on the new DSi XL.

Accompanying the release of the DSi XL will be WarioWare DIY, an extension of Nintendo's zany line of chaotic minigame compilations that includes 90 bite-sized games. As its name implies, DIY lets gamers take these experiences one step further by creating their own minigames either by using premade graphics and sound samples or by starting completely from scratch.

WarioWare DIY Showcase for WiiWare doesn't include game-making tools, but players can download minigames crafted in the DS edition. It also includes 70 exclusive minigames for players to work through.

The end-of-the-fiscal year doldrums dominate the remainder of the week. However, Activision will be livening things up a bit with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package. Modern Warfare 2's first map pack arrives this week for the Xbox 360 for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15), $5 more than the popular map packs released last year for Call of Duty: World at War. Infinity Ward has into the pack three new maps as well as the Crash and Overgrown maps seen in the original Modern Warfare.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later in the week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

March 28, 2010
America's Test Kitchen: Let's Get Cooking--DS--Nintendo
DSi XL
WarioWare DIY--DS--Nintendo

March 29, 2010
WarioWare DIY Showcase--WII--Nintendo

March 30, 2010
Again--DS--Tecmo
Cabela's Monster Buck Hunter--WII--Activision
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package--X360--Activision
Dance Sensation!--WII--Majesco Games
Dead or Alive Paradise--PSP--Tecmo
Mimana Iyar Chronicles--PSP--Aksys Games
Monster Rancher DS--DS--Tecmo
Mount & Blade: Warband--PC--Paradox Interactive
Prison Break: The Conspiracy--X360, PS3, PC--Deep Silver
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love--WII, PS2--NIS America
Samurai Shodown Sen--X360--Xseed Games
The Secret Files: Tunguska--WII, DS--Deep Silver
Sushi Go Round--WII, DS--SouthPeak Games

March 31, 2010
Commandos Complete--PC--City Interactive
Mega Man 10--X360--Capcom
T.A.C. Heroes: Big Red One--DS--Storm City Games
TibiaME--IP--CipSoft GmbH
Zenonia 2: The Lost Memories--IP--Gamevil

April 1, 2010
No new releases announced.

April 2, 2010
No new releases announced.

I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/asobumadeinore/news.html?sid=6254210

PlayStation 3 | Section 8 leads PSN update

PS3 sees TimeGate Studios' sci-fi first person shooter, Blue Toad Murder Files, three more added to online storefront; Cho Aniki Zero spearheads a slate of five new PSP games.

The saying goes that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but Sony's last PlayStation Store update of the month is more fearsome than fearful. Beyond the expected assortment of game add-ons, trailers, and other features, the PlayStation 3 and PSP each see five new games introduced to their respective downloadable catalog.

TimeGate has redone some of the textures for the PS3 release of Section 8.

Beginning today, PS3 gamers can download TimeGate Studios' sci-fi first-person shooter Section 8 for $29.99. Released on the Xbox 360 and PC last year, Section 8 for the PS3 includes tweaks to the graphics and multiplayer match-up system, as well three extra maps originally available as downloadable content for the other versions of the game.

For more cerebral gamers, Buzz! Developer Relentless Software has launched the first three episodes of its Blue Toad Murder Files for the PS3. The murder mystery games are available for $7.49 each or can be purchased as a bundle for $14.99. Though they are available separately, episodes two and three each require the first episode be installed on a system in order to play. Episodes four through six are expected to launch April 29.

A pair of prolific PSN developers also have new games available for the PS3 this week, as TikGames launches the Super Monkey Ball-styled Hamsterball for $9.99, while Creat Studios' Wakeboarding HD offers exactly what the title suggests for $14.99. Rounding out the PS3 releases, Anarchy: Rush Hour brings arcade racing based on real locations to the system for $7.99.

Over on the PSP, Aksys Games releases Cho Aniki Zero, the latest installment of the imported Japanese side-scrolling shooter series. Known for its frequently bizarre and suggestive subtext, Cho Aniki Zero sees a pair of scantily clad bodybuilders thwart an evil plan to steal all the protein in the universe and sells for $19.99.

The PSP is also getting a new PSP Mini in the form of the $3.99 offering Alien Zombie Death. The side-scrolling action platforming game sees players assume control of a seemingly doomed astronaut determined to cut down wave after wave of alien zombies before his demise. The game includes a variety of power-ups, medals awarded for in-game tasks, and 14 different levels to shoot up.

The last three new PSP games added to the PlayStation Network this week have all received retail releases in the past. Natsume's role-playing game Adventures to Go! Is now downloadable for $14.99, while Konami's 3D action games Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory and Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. are now available for $11.99 each.

Finally, Sony has added one more game to its lineup of original PlayStation games that is playable on either the PS3 or the PSP. Gray Matter's 1996 beat-'em-up Perfect Weapon is now available to download for the standard PSone Classics price of $5.99.

E3 09: Section 8 Trailer

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/section8/news.html?sid=6254225

PC | Xbox 360 USB memory support coming April 6

Microsoft dates, details upcoming system update allowing the use of third-party storage devices.

Last week, rumors surfaced that Microsoft was planning to introduce USB memory device support for the Xbox 360 through a firmware update this year. Not only has that rumor proven true, but gamers won't have to wait long to check out the new functionality. Xbox Live director of programming Larry Hryb announced today through his official blog that a system update allowing the use of third-party USB storage devices with the Xbox 360 is scheduled to arrive on April 6.

Xbox Live just picked up a few more menus.

With the update, users will be able to store up to 16GB of Xbox 360-related content on a third-party storage device. Any remaining space on the USB drive, which must have a minimum capacity of 1GB, can be allocated for use with a PC or Mac. Two 16GB storage units can be used concurrently, allowing for up to 32GB of external memory.

Hryb went on to note that while USB hard disk drives are compatible with the update, flash drives should perform better and are thus recommended. Users will be able to use their devices to store profiles, game saves, demos, and other information. The update will also tweak memory management functions to allow better control of what the user wants to copy or move between devices.

Until now, users wishing to increase the memory capacity of their Xbox 360s were limited to Microsoft's own memory cards and hard drives. Attempts to circumvent this have led to system updates locking out unauthorised storage devices. Late last year, Datel, a manufacturer of storage devices, responded by taking legal action against Microsoft and accused the software giant of antitrust violations.

Hryb also revealed a partnership with SanDisk to release an Xbox 360-branded flash drive preconfigured for use with the console in May. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that its 250GB hard drives for the Xbox 360 are now available separately for $129.99 in North America.

E3 2009: Project Natal Xbox 360 Announcement

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6254231.html

PC | Lost Planet 2 moved up a week

Capcom to launch sci-fi shooter sequel on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 May 11, PC version slated for fall; new multiplayer demo coming next month.

Lost Planet 2 was originally expected to launch before the end of March, but the publisher pushed it back to May 18 in order to avoid an unusually potent assortment of high-profile competition. Since that time, Capcom has seen publisher after publisher announce their potential blockbusters to launch on the same day. First Alan Wake was slated for May 18, then Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and Split/Second, and finally Red Dead Redemption.

Terraforming a planet can have adverse side effects on the local wildlife.

Capcom has apparently seen enough, because today the publisher moved Lost Planet 2's launch date up a week to May 11. It also gave the PC version of the game a release window, saying that it would follow the console editions onto shelves this fall.

To whet players' appetites for the game, Capcom also announced that it will release a new multiplayer demo of the game on the Xbox 360 April 21 and on the PlayStation Network April 22. The 16-player versus mode demo will include a single map, as well as chat support and stat tracking features.

Lost Planet 2 is set 10 years after the original, following substantial terraforming on EDN III that replaced the frigid tundra with large swaths of lush forests. Its campaign will follow the protagonist and three non-player characters through six chapters, each of which will have multiple outcomes that hinge on players' actions.

For more on Lost Planet 2, check out GameSpot's latest preview.

Coldplay - Lost

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/lostplanet2/news.html?sid=6254237

PlayStation 3 | Atomic Operations cooking up PS3 Fat Princess DLC

Gluttonous add-on for team-based multiplayer game handed off to new development house formed by former Titan Studios lead developer.

Fat Princess is about to get a little more meat on its bones. The newly formed Seattle, Washington-based independent developer Atomic Operations has announced a deal with Sony Computer Entertainment America that has the studio working on new downloadable content for the PlayStation 3's downloadable team-based multiplayer action game.

The rescue effort will continue in new DLC for Fat Princess.

Atomic Operations is headed up by Chris Millar, who was the lead developer on the original Fat Princess at Titan Studios. A pair of additional Fat Princess veterans, John Mundy and Chris Coster, are also working on the downloadable content.

Matches of Fat Princess play out much like a standard game of capture-the-flag, with the flag in this case replaced by rotund royalty. The game debuted on the PlayStation 3 last July, and made its way to the PSP earlier this month with the European release of Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake. A US launch for the handheld adaptation is set for next month.

SCEA has not provided any details on the release date or the pricing of the DLC. For more on Fat Princess check out Gamespot's recent preview of Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake for the PSP.

Blondie- Atomic

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/fatprincess/news.html?sid=6254228

PSP | Section 8 leads PSN update

PS3 sees TimeGate Studios' sci-fi first person shooter, Blue Toad Murder Files, three more added to online storefront; Cho Aniki Zero spearheads a slate of five new PSP games.

The saying goes that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but Sony's last PlayStation Store update of the month is more fearsome than fearful. Beyond the expected assortment of game add-ons, trailers, and other features, the PlayStation 3 and PSP each see five new games introduced to their respective downloadable catalog.

TimeGate has redone some of the textures for the PS3 release of Section 8.

Beginning today, PS3 gamers can download TimeGate Studios' sci-fi first-person shooter Section 8 for $29.99. Released on the Xbox 360 and PC last year, Section 8 for the PS3 includes tweaks to the graphics and multiplayer match-up system, as well three extra maps originally available as downloadable content for the other versions of the game.

For more cerebral gamers, Buzz! Developer Relentless Software has launched the first three episodes of its Blue Toad Murder Files for the PS3. The murder mystery games are available for $7.49 each, or can be purchased as a bundle for $14.99. Though they are available separately, episodes two and three each require the first episode be installed on a system in order to play. Episodes four through six are expected to launch April 29.

A pair of prolific PSN developers also have new games available for the PS3 this week, as TikGames launches the Super Monkey Ball-styled Hamsterball for $9.99, while Creat Studios' Wakeboarding HD offers exactly what the title suggests for $14.99. Rounding out the PS3 releases, Anarchy: Rush Hour brings arcade racing based on real locations to the system for $7.99.

Over on the PSP, Aksys Games releases Cho Aniki Zero, the latest installment of the imported Japanese side-scrolling shooter series. Known for its frequently bizarre and suggestive subtext, Cho Aniki Zero sees a pair of scantily clad bodybuilders thwart an evil plan to steal all the protein in the universe and sells for $19.99.

The PSP is also getting a new PSP Mini in the form of the $3.99 offering Alien Zombie Death. The side-scrolling action platforming game sees players assume control of a seemingly doomed astronaut determined to cut down wave after wave of alien zombies before his demise. The game includes a variety of power-ups, medals awarded for in-game tasks, and 14 different levels to shoot up.

The last three new PSP games added to the PlayStation Network this week have all received retail releases in the past. Natsume's role-playing game Adventures to Go! Is now downloadable for $14.99, while Konami's 3D action games Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory and Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. are now available for $11.99 each.

Finally, Sony has added one more game to its lineup of original PlayStation games that are playable on either the PS3 or the PSP. Gray Matter's 1996 beat-'em-up Perfect Weapon is now available to download for the standard PSone Classics price of $5.99.

E3 09: Section 8 Trailer

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/psp/strategy/adventurestogo/news.html?sid=6254225