Don't Underestimate the Power of PlayStation - the 10 best ads

Perhaps our previous feature on the ten worst PlayStation ads has left you with sleepless nights? We apologize for any bodily harm or psychological damage we may have caused you.

You just need to remember that the history of PlayStation ads and campaigns is rich and rife with content.

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Guitar Hero to Rock the Isle of Wight Festival

Colossal Competition To Culminate In Performances of 

Guitar Hero III - Legends Of Rock on the Festival's Main Stage

The Isle of Wight Festival today announced a unique collaboration which will see Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock performed by fans on the same stage as The Sex Pistols, The Kaiser Chiefs and The Police in front of thousands of concert-goers throughout the Isle of Wight Festival 2008 which runs from June 13 - 15, 2008 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight.

Event attendees will have the opportunity to unleash their inner rock star in dedicated Guitar Hero areas, with the best rockers projected onto big screens throughout the festival grounds. A few of the best players will be invited to perform on the main stage in what will be one of the biggest public performances of the game ever.

“We’re delighted to have Guitar Hero at the festival. A few years ago, this sort of activity would have seemed out of place,” adds John Giddings, Isle of Wight festival organiser. “Guitar Hero has shown that video games are for more than just the hardcore gamers. The game provides so much entertainment, we’re bringing it into as many aspects of the festival as possible. The main stage event is going to be truly spectacular.”

Additionally, to celebrate this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, Activision will debut a three song downloadable track pack for Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock featuring past and present headliners. 

The three songs are Kasabian’s master recording of “Shoot the Runner,” the Kaiser Chiefs’ “I Predict a Riot” and a live rendition of The Sex Pistols’ “Problems.” The track pack will be available beginning June 12 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION Store for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

Guitar Hero III - Legends Of Rock offers the ultimate rock experience with new wireless guitars, freshly added content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status as they riff through a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns 'N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is now available and is rated 12+ by PEGI and 12 by the BBFC.

Fatal Intertia exclusively on PlayStation network June 19

KOEI's futuristic racer reaches gold status. The free demo and complete version will debut simultaneously and exclusively on PLAYSTATION Network on June 19, 2008.

Fatal Inertia EX has reached gold status and will be available on June 19, 2008 exclusively on PLAYSTATION Network, and only for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. A free demo of Fatal Inertia EX which includes an online multiplayer mode will also be available on the same day.

For more information visit the newly re-launched website and developer blog at www.fatalinertia.com.

ABOUT FATAL INERTIA EX FOR PLAYSTATION 3

Set in the middle of the 22nd century, Fatal Inertia EX is an evolutionary sporting event that draws from the combined disciplines of rally racing, demolition derby, and tactical air warfare. In this brave new world of combat racing, players pilot their gravity-defying machines through the untamed wilderness, while unconventional weapons move and react to realistic principles of physics and magnetism rather than follow pre-scripted motions.


Fatal Inertia EX features a never-before-seen environment exclusive to the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Situated amidst scorching desert dunes, the Fatal Inertia Proving Grounds is a mecca for aspiring flight jocks driven to prepare themselves for the mental and physical punishment of low-altitude combat maneuvering. Along with offering a restructured training curriculum, the Proving Grounds are also home to the game’s eight new tracks.

A re-tuned flight model improves handling and achieves higher speeds than previously seen. Flight controls take advantage of the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller and the option of using SIXAXIS motion sensing technology. The game’s newly-added “Master” level Quick Races will push the fastest men and women to their limit.

Fatal Inertia EX delivers heightened visuals which include new weather effects, significant scenery enhancements, and an overhauled garage for racecraft customization. Spread across 59 courses in seven exotic high-definition environments including lush rainforests, massive glacier fields, and canyons of razor-sharp rock, the beauty of Fatal Inertia EX could easily mask the harrowing thrills in this high-speed contest of champions.

Fatal Inertia EX provides a glimpse into the future of racing in stunning 720p HDTV and in-game Dolby Digital audio. Multiplayer features include split-screen two-player races, online and LAN races for up to eight players, plus leaderboards.

Crysis Finally Gets Playable at 2560x1600 with...

When NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 280 hits e-tailers next week, gamers who are running 30 inch displays with a 2560x1600 resolution, will finally be able to play Crysis with a solid framerate. In order to do so it will require 2 GeForce GTX 280 video cards running in SLI.

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New Unreal Tournament 3 Screenshots

Midway released all-new Unreal Tournament 3 screenshots for the upcoming, highly anticipated first-person shooter. Unreal Tournament 3 for the Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft boasts five exclusive levels, all previously released downloadable content, two new characters and supports a splitscreen mode.







Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the world's premiere first-person shooter to the PC, and its debut on PlayStation 3. Unreal Tournament 3 unleashes the full power of Unreal Engine 3, taking graphics, gameplay, and challenge to a whole new level. Players engage in intense battles with other human players online, or against Unreal artificial intelligence that sets the industry standard. With the most powerful futuristic weapons and vehicles available, this is FPS action at its best!

The return of R-Type Tactics for the Sony PSP announced

R-Type Tactics for the Sony PSP. 

Available across Europe from September 26th 2008, this next instalment sees the classic brand reinvent itself as a tactical game, growing up with its fans throughout its 21 year legacy.

With a pedigree which includes a reputation for being one of the best side-scrolling shooters in gaming history, the R-Type franchise is considered to be a cult masterpiece of the shooter genre. Celebrating its 21st year since first appearing in Japanese gaming arcades in 1987, R-Type Tactics melds this classic brand with state-of-the-art tactical gameplay.

About the Game

In a desperate war against the mysterious alien race known as the Bydo, humanity sends wave after wave of fighters into Bydo space none of which are ever heard from again. Mankind's main hope now resides with a lone commander sent to lead a small armada on a perilous mission into the heart of the Bydo Empire. Low on fuel and forced to scavenge resources and equipment from the surroundings, the commander must use all his cunning and wits if he hopes to succeed, let alone make it home alive.

“R-Type has one of the strongest brand heritages in the gaming industry,” said Martin Defries, managing director of Rising Star Games. “Many fans have grown up with R-Type, grown older and more mature. It’s fitting that in its 21st year the franchise has acknowledged this and created a game for these fans that is both refreshingly new and familiar at the same time.”

Key Features:

• Upgrade your fighters to take maximum advantage of the battle field
• Battle the gigantic enemies which occupy multiple hexagonal grids
• Your arsenal includes fighters, warships, carriers, EWACS, re-supply vessels and bombers
• Customise your aircraft for optimal effectiveness
• Employ tactics and strategy with every different weapon in your armament
• Capture enemy units and integrate them into your own fleet
• Create your own fighters from cannibalised captured units
• Discover hidden maps to gain access to the secret stages
• Browse the 3D model data vault
• Unlock the Gallery Mode and savour the beautiful graphics

Create Your Very Own Levels Using A Magic Shovel as Dungeon Maker on Nintendo DS

Dungeon Maker exclusively for the Nintendo DS. The title will be available for the first time to PAL territories from September 19th 2008 at a suggested retail price of £29.99.

Dungeon Maker offers the opportunity to create unique dungeons by giving the player total control over where they choose to place tunnels and chambers. Having created a maze, traps can then be set in order to entice monsters to enter. The more desirable the dungeons are, the more colourful monsters that can be attracted, resulting in catching rarer and larger beasts. Having lured a monster into the dungeon, defeating them and taking their treasures boost strength and gives access to new skills.

“For the first time on the Nintendo DS players get the opportunity to dictate where they want battles to take place,” says Yen Hau, product marketing assistant. “Have a room filled with ogres by placing a few bars in the room or wild boars by placing more feed barrels; it’s entirely up to them.”

Key Features:

• Design your own battleground
• Choose where distinct monsters spawn
• Set traps and attract rare beasts
• Kill monsters in order to create recipes with their meat
• Gain strength from recipes derived from fallen foes
• Different meals have different effects on your strength

Brave - Shamen's Challenge Fast-Paced Action Puzzler Coming to Nintendo DS

Brave - Shaman's Challenge for Nintendo DS this summer. The title is a puzzle game with an intricate storyline and thoughtful, strategic gameplay. Taking place in a land called Native America, Brave - Shaman's Challenge follows a young boy named Brave in his quest to protect everything he holds dear.

"The Nintendo DS is an outstanding platform for a story driven puzzle game," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "There have been some great games released in this subgenre recently, but Brave: Shaman's Challenge aims to raise the bar."

Developed by Collision Studios, "Brave: Shaman's Challenge" features a cast of intriguing characters, a richly developed game world, and more puzzles than you can shake a shaman's stick at! As Brave progresses in his mission he encounters friends and mentors from the past, as well as a slew of new faces. He must master Shamanic Arts, learn new powers, and explore dangerous territories.

"With all the magic spells, story elements, and various types of gameplay Shaman's Challenge is shaping up to be a considerably deep puzzle game," said John Kaiser III, Creative Manager of Product Development for SouthPeak Games. "We want to leverage the unique controls of the platform to create an instinctive, engaging gameplay experience that fans will be able to get into instantly."

International Track and Field on Nintendo DS from Konami

Released on June 20th, New International Track and Field celebrates 25 years of the arcade classic and retains the ultra competitive multiplayer game play that made the original such a success. Utilising the handheld’s touch-screen and stylus, 24 athletic events await, spanning the 100m sprint, high jump, long jump, through to archery and skeet shooting, pole vaulting, javelin and rowing, amongst many others.



With competition at the heart of New International Track and Field, the European developed game offers a stunning online element that throws it open to players all over the globe. Using the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi connection, players can link into a server that constantly updates the World Records as and when they are broken. Global high scores and world rankings are instantly logged and players are kept updated via an innovative News Feed service and regular messaging. Likewise, it is also possible for friends to send predefined messages to each other, ranging from congratulations to taunts when a record is smashed!



The online service is further extended with players unlocking new characters by registering on the official site www.newtrackandfield.com, while Community Trophies and various rewards are detailed to visitors of the site. Similarly, New International Track and Field also allows up to four players anywhere in the world to get together and compete. Players in Europe, Japan, Korea and the US can find each other in lobby areas, and take each other on in real time – an absolute first for any DS title.



Konami has also announced it is to host a series of official local and worldwide tournaments after the game’s launch. Shortly after release, visitors to the official site will be invited to compete in the Konami Cup with their results used to determine the world’s greatest DS athletes and great prizes up for grabs. Full details of these will be confirmed shortly.

Pro Cycling Manager - Tour De France 2008 - 2nd trailer online

Track Racing gameplay revealed

Pro Cycling Manager – Tour De France 2008 is the latest version of the popular racing management game for PC and PSP. Ascaron and 93 Games have released a second official trailer showcasing the track racing mode, one of the game’s many new features.

Watch the trailer here
http://www.cycling-manager.com/pcm2008/trailer2/



Track cycling offers a different type of gameplay to the other classic and stage races, allowing you to control and experience the intensity of the race as a single rider, rather than as a whole team.

You are required to manage a cycling team, handling finances, training and press relations. A new characteristic editor tool can be used to customise individual rider traits, such as names, nationalities and future potential, ensuring that your team is built the way you want it. A new scout recruitment system will search all over the world for potential talented riders, tracking their race results to ensure you don’t miss out on signing the next big star.

These new features, combined with engaging gameplay, ensure that Pro Cycling Manager – Tour de France 2008 is a highly realistic professional cycling experience.

Visit http://www.cycling-manager.com for more information.



Fast facts:

Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / 93GAMES
Web: www.ascaron.com / www.cycling-manager.com
Developer: Cyanide
Release date: 27th June 2008
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC / PSP
Genre: Management / Racing