Cruis'n coming to Nintendo Wii

Cruis'n

Release Date: 15-Feb-2008
Age Rating: PEGI 3+
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Genre: Arcade Compilation

An all new version of the classic Midway arcade racer, Cruis’n is coming exclusively to the Wii. Choose your ride from an impressive lineup of licensed cars and experience a rush of adrenaline as you race opponents through twelve different street circuits using the Wii Remote to steer and perform outrageous stunts. Win races and earn upgrades including: turbos, body kits, neon and nitrous, allowing you to create the ultimate ride.

Features:

• Midway arcade racing classic with fast action, crazy stunts, close finisehes and customizable rides that you can drive using the Wii remote.
  
• Win races and earn points to upgrade your cars with spoilers, engines, tyres, body kits and turbo kits in the Cruis'n shop.
  
• The game features tracks in 12 cities and licensed cars from Toyota, Nissan, Dodge, Pontiac, Chevy and Mitsubishi
  

Atlus Pulls The Trigger On Persona 3 FES

Atlus Pulls The Trigger On Persona 3 FES For North America

Revisit the Dark Hour this April 22

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., the vanguard of role-playing games, today announced Persona 3 FES for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the highly-anticipated definitive cut of 2007's RPG of the Year, Persona 3. With two games on one disc-a brand new chapter featuring 30+ hours of gameplay and an enhanced version of the original game loaded with new content and features-Persona 3 FES is the comprehensive version of one of the most acclaimed RPGs of 2007.

Persona 3 FES is a stand-alone product and does not require the original Persona 3 to play. However, players with save files from the original game will be able to transfer some of their saved data, such as their Persona compendium, to be used in the enhanced main story. The new story is accessible from the start and does not require players to finish the original game beforehand.

Persona 3 FES is scheduled for release on April 22nd for an MSRP of $29.99.

For more on Persona 3 FES, please visit the official website: http://www.atlus.com/persona3

Triggerheart Exelica Scrolls Onto Xbox LIVE Arcade

"Triggerheart Exelica" Scrolls Onto Xbox LIVE Arcade

A unique spin on a classic shooter, players can capture enemies with anchors and fling them away with “Triggerheart Exelica.” The vertical scrolling shooter deploys on Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday 27th February at 09.00.

“Triggerheart Exelica” on Xbox LIVE Arcade is an upgraded version of the original Japanese arcade game and allows players to take down or trap-and-toss enemies by controlling humanoid weapons systems known as Triggerhearts. Players will enjoy the smallest and newest model of Triggerhearts, which feature the perfect combination of artificial intelligence and an imposing arsenal. They are the ultimate weapon against the mysterious enemy ships of the Ver’mith! “Triggerheart Exelica” also features five stages of enhanced graphics, BGM sound tracks, three difficulty levels and a “Variable Boss Attack System,” which adjusts the difficulty level to match player’s skills.

Where can I get this game from?
Triggerheart Exelica will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.

More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/t/triggerheartxboxlivearcade

GuildCafe Announces the Next Guild Wars Competition

GuildCafe Announces the Next Guild Wars Competition

Top Players Organize the Next Installment of the 2008 Rawr Cup, sponsored by GuildCafe.com and KillerNIC.com

GuildCafe.com announced that the next competition within the Guild Wars 2008 Rawr Cup series will be held on April 5, 2008, featuring a new tournament committee led by top players and featuring new prize sponsors including the KillerNIC from Bigfoot Networks.

"The first installment of the 2008 Rawr Cup exceeded all of our expectations," explained Jackie Vu, captain of the GuildCafe Tournament Committee. "This time we wanted to build on the event by bringing more of the Guild Wars community into the competition’s leadership."

The April 5 competition has grown beyond its roots to become a 100% community-run event. The next installment is organized by the GuildCafe Tournament Committee, which includes top Guild Wars players including Melissa of [LaZy], Billiard, Ekelon, Joey Knight and Awowa Classic. Like the first installment, the April 5 competition will feature three divisions: Phoenix, Dragon and Tiger—intended to make the event accessible to all Guild Wars players.

"One of the things we’re most excited about is that GuildCafe events are becoming the place where players compete for the most advanced gaming hardware," said Jon Radoff, CEO of GuildCafe.com. Winners of the Phoenix division, intended to attract top-ladder teams, will receive a Killer NIC Gaming Network Card from Bigfoot Networks. The Killer NIC is designed to reduce lag and latency in high action MMO and First Person Shooter games for a smoother, more responsive experience and a competitive edge.

Because registration to the event is limited, teams and players are encouraged to sign up for the event early. Registration is completely free, and usually takes less than a minute. Visit: http://www.guildcafe.com/tournament

wipEout HD fact sheet on Sony PlayStation 3

wipEout HD

FACT SHEET

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (Studio Liverpool)
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system
Genre: Action-Oriented Racing
Players: Single-player, 2 to 8 players via wireless multiplayer connectivity
Launch Date: TBA
Rating: “RP” for Rating Pending

OVERVIEW

Get ready to race at blazing speeds and experience adrenaline-filled, anti-gravity racing action in full-1080p High Definition (HD) running at a breathtaking 60-frames-per-second on PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3). Coming to the PLAYSTATION Store soon, wipEout HD is set to redefine anti-gravity combat racing.

Featuring a selection of the best tracks taken from previous versions of the wipEout® franchise, wipEout HD offers meticulously crafted and fully reworked tracks that showcase the processing power of PS3. And for the first time, players will have the option to navigate their ships utilizing the SIXAXIS™ wireless controller’s motion sensing technology.

Additionally, players will be able to take on the best competition from around the world in online multiplayer modes as up to eight players will be able to compete against each other in a range of online races. And to keep the adrenaline flowing, wipEout HD will include nine tracks from wipEout Pulse soundtrack, all remixed in 5.1 Dolby surround including artists like Kraftwerk, Booka Shade and Noisia.

Available exclusively by download on the PLAYSTATION Store, wipEout HD will set a new standard for the future of the iconic anti-gravity racing series.

KEY FEATURES

• PS3 – Get ready to experience wipEout in full-HD 1080p resolution at 60-frames-per-second. Greater processing power of PS3 enables more immersive visuals and sound effects in wipEout HD, heightening the speed within the stunningly beautiful environments.
  
• SIXAXIS wireless controller – wipEout HD provides full support of the SIXAXIS wireless controller to give the player a variety of choices and depth of control unseen in any previous iteration of wipEout.
  
• Tracks – A selection of the best tracks taken from previous wipEout titles, meticulously crafted and fully reworked from the ground-up to showcase the full-HD resolution.
  
• Vineta K – On the southern shores of Makana Island, the circuit at Vineta K snakes in and out of the ocean and across the beaches. The highlights of this 4.4km track include spectacular underwater tunnels and cutting-edge architecture along the waterfront.
  
• Chenghou Project –The feature-packed circuit at Chenghou Project weaves its way around the offices and corporate buildings of Makana Island's business district. The 4.8 km track contains a tricky inverse-cambered spiral and culminates in a long jump into the tunnelled entry of the final chicane.
  
• Sebenco Climb – The 4.8 km Sebenco Climb track is cut into the hillsides of Makana's Sebenco mountain range. It features a steep traverse up the snowy mountainside, followed by a breathtaking plunge into an icy tunnel carved through the very heart of the mountain. The final section takes pilots through a challengingly tight chicane before they swing back onto the grid.
  
• Sol 2 – The 4.4 km Sol 2 circuit hangs suspended in the clouds high above Makana Island. Consisting of a series of fast-flowing, occasionally open-sided corners linked by sweeping straights, the combination of harsh sunlight and blind summits ensure that Sol 2 is a test of nerve for every speed class.
  
• Ubermall – In the heart of Makana Island's commercial zone is Ubermall, a 4.6 km circuit built into a vast shopping centre. The latter half of the track contains a brief split which rejoins into a narrow hill, followed by an outdoor park section that leads swiftly to the finish.
  
• Anulpha Pass – The 5 km Anulpha Pass track is located in a custom-built entertainment arena on the east side of Makana Island. Although the track looks deceptively simple from above, the undulations of the track surface and narrow skill-cut are enough to keep any racer on their toes.
  
• Moa Therma – The immense man-made complex of Moa Therma is located just off the northern coast of Sicily, with around a third of the track surface built using mag-strip technology. The centrepiece of this 5.3 km circuit is the gigantic horizontal loop which sits just above sea level.
  
• Metropia – The 4.7 km Metropia circuit weaves its way between the skyscrapers and traffic control towers that dominate the Kyoto skyline. Glass-bottomed track surfaces and a stunning vertical mag-strip drop into the depths of the city are just two of the highlights of this popular track.
  
• Teams – wipEout HD features eight teams from wipEout Pulse, including: Feisar, Assegai, AG-Systems, Qirex, Piranha, Triakis, Goteki45 and EG-X.
  
• Pilot Assist – Get help navigating your way around the HD circuits with the new Pilot assist feature.
  
• Five Race Modes – wipEout HD features five race modes, including: Single Race, Tournament, Time Trial, Speed Lap and Zone Mode.
  
• Difficulty Levels – wipEout HD offers three difficulty levels; adjustable independent of speed class.
  
• Online Multiplayer – Up to eight players will be able to compete against each other in a range of online races, across several game modes.
  
• Additional Content via Download – Extra game content will be made available to download and plug directly into the main game, including extra teams and ships, extra tracks and additional events for the race campaign mode.
  
• Photo mode – During any race, pause the game and select the Photo Mode option. You can choose which ship will be the focus of the camera, and adjust the camera angle, zoom level, and so on. Images are saved to your HDD.
  
• A Full Arsenal of Weapons – Choose from a wide range of weapons including missiles, rockets, mines and the brand new leech beam.
  
• Score Posting – Post your best lap times and race records in game (for both offline and online modes) and compare them against other wipEout players across the globe.
  
• Pumping soundtrack – Feel the beat with 9 fully licensed music tracks, all remixed in Dolby 5.1 surround sound for an even more intense game experience.
  
• Custom Play lists – As if that wasn't enough, wipEout HD also supports 'Custom Play lists': playback your own music using play lists created in the PS3 XMB™ (Xross Media Bar).
  

SEGA's Valkyria Chronicles Role-Playing Game Heads to the PLAYSTATION 3

SEGA's Valkyria Chronicles Journeys To The West

Visually Stunning Role-Playing Game Heads to the PLAYSTATION 3

SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that Valkyria Chronicles a fresh new take on the traditional role-playing genre, is coming exclusively to the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Soon to be released as Valkyria of the Battlefield: Gallian Chronicles in Japan, where it has already gathered the interest of legions of gamers, Valkyria Chronicles combines strategy elements of tactical role-playing games with real-time action sequences. All of this is played out in an innovative and beautiful visual style.

Valkyria Chronicles is set in a fictitious continent reminiscent of 1930s Europe - divided in two and ruled by the Empire and the Federation. The Empire has set its sights on invading a small neutral country called Gallia, which is situated in the middle of the two great empires. The game follows a hero named Welkin and his fellow soldiers of the Federation’s 7th Platoon as they engage in a series of epic battles.

Built upon the new “CANVAS” engine, developed internally by SEGA Game Studios Japan, Valkyria Chronicles’ stunning 3D graphics resemble a watercolor painting in motion, taking full advantage of the processing capabilities of the PLAYSTATION 3. The power of the PLAYSTATION 3 also allows the development team to exploit the full potential of this new engine, giving players many different stunning environments to explore. A new type of tactical battle mechanic has been specifically designed for Valkyria Chronicles. Known as “BLiTZ,” this gives players freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. The new “CANVAS” engine technology, the “BLiTZ” battle concept and an epic storyline offers players hours of exciting gameplay.

“Valkyria Chronicles has been enthusiastically requested by European fans” said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe ltd. “The unique graphics and compelling gameplay are just two reasons why we’re delighted to bring it to them.”

Ubisoft to bid for game licences rather than major takeover - Guillemot

Ubisoft Entertainment may speed up its expansion plans as a result of the bid by Electronic Arts for Take Two Interactive Software but is targeting the purchase of new licences for games rather than a major takeover, Yves Guillemot, chairman of the French video games maker, told Les Echos.

'The desire of EA to buy Take Two pushes us to go faster, to accelerate internal growth but also to look at acquisition opportunities,' the business daily quoted him as saying.

Ubisoft shares fell 1.85 pct yesterday after investors decided that EA's bid for Take Two meant the US games giant is less likely to seek to acquire its French rival, in which EA holds 25 pct of voting rights.

Source: Forbes AFX

Wii Homebrew add Linux emulators, mp3, how to get home brew on the Wii

"Fans of Homebrew on the Nintendo Wii can celebrate with an explosion of releases today, in just a few hours there has been a release of a proof of concept version of Linux for the Wii, an MP3 Player, the Super Nintendo emulator Snes9X has been ported and a converter that converts Gamecube Dol files into Elf for usage on the Wii (Which opens up a multitude of emulators and homebrew games and applications).

A tutorial on how to get homebrew working with the Twilight Hack will help those interested."

Source: Slashdot games

Video Game Review: Turok

The “Turok” series has been dead for a long time.

When the game first came out for Nintendo 64, it was heralded as one of the best console first-person shooters. The two proper sequels that followed improved upon their predecessor.

But when Turok Evolution came out on the next generation of consoles, the world wept as their favorite Native American hero was featured in what many considered to be one of the worst games ever. Now, almost six years later, the franchise is back with a Xbox 360 title, simply called “Turok.”

This game has potential but falls short in almost every area.

The story is about space marines that must find a war criminal on an unknown planet and bring him back to earth. As players progress, bits and pieces about Turok and the war criminal, Kane, will be revealed through some very cool flashbacks. The flashbacks will make Turok seem more human and develop his character better than anything else in the game. That’s a problem. The flashbacks may be cool, but the story never picks up. Deeper things are hinted at and the dialog can be funny at times, but it just seems like a summer flick that relies too much on explosions and action with not enough story development. It’s just too bad that the depth isn’t there. Much of that is also due to the fact that the game is beatable in two sittings.

The gameplay is generic but works. Some areas of the game seem to hand out cheap deaths, and can get frustrating as hell. After the short campaign, players can play the typical capture-the-flag and death match modes online. The only thing that sets these modes apart is the inclusion of dinosaurs and bugs on the maps that will constantly attack everyone in the match. One neat online mode is a four-person co-op mode. Unfortunately the mode only has three maps to play, more potential that never gets built upon.

It was hard to love this game. I liked it, but could never stop thinking of what this game might have been if only it had spent more time in development. Hopefully the next “Turok” game doesn’t take so long to come out, and the developers take the time to build on all of the potential laid out in this game to make a worthy sequel.

Source: Advance Titan

Video Game Review: Chibi Robo: Park Patrol

The “Chibi Robo” series is vastly overlooked. In today’s gaming world filled with hyper-realistic graphics and violence-fueled platforms, Chibi Robo: Park Patrol may be too cutesy for most. However, by passing up this game because of its cuteness, gamers are doing themselves a great disservice and missing out on a fun game.

The point of Chibi Robo is to grow flowers in a park and get visitors to come to this barren wasteland. The environment is in trouble and Citrusoft, the makers of the Chibi Robo units, are making special Chibi units to clean up the parks for free. In order for the four-inch hero to get more flowers into the park, he must dance to make the plant send out more buds. It is a strange concept, but it’s a lot of fun. Then, armed with his trusty squirter, Chibi must water all of the buds and continue to do this until the park is green again. Every action is controlled with the touch screen.

During his mission to restore the park, Chibi can also collect happy points to upgrade himself, buy new items and even get vehicles to make traveling faster. Mini games are also sprinkled around through out, the best one being five-pin bowling.
There are very few enemies in the game. Chibi will only have to fight Smoglings and Smoglobbs. This tends to make the game repetitious. Even though the game can get a little boring with the same tasks being performed every day, somehow the new items for sale and mini games keep the game just fresh enough.

Chibi Robo: Park Patrol is a charming game for everyone. Although not as good as the GameCube iteration, it still deserves to be played by fans of the series and gamers looking for a fun DS game. The game is only available at Wal-Mart, and I urge everyone to buy it so Nintendo makes a Chibi game for the Wii.

Source: Advance Titan