Cooking Mama 3 Shop and Chop on Nintendo DS video game

Majesco Entertainment today released box art and 10 screens from Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop for Nintendo DS. In the latest addition to the 4.5 million-selling franchise that started the cooking video game craze, Mama returns to the kitchen after her very successful foray into the garden. While Mama proves she is still untouchable in the kitchen as she showcases more than 80 new recipes, it is the new modes - "Let's Shop" and "Combine and Create" - that separate this from any previous Cooking Mama game to date.

For the first time, future chefs can purchase food at a grocery store and then use their imaginations to concoct new culinary creations from existing ingredients available in other recipes!

Mama is back, and she's traded in the trowel for the truffle in Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop! The stylus becomes the ultimate cooking utensil as players chop, grate, slice, stir, spread, sprinkle, roll and more through over 200 mini-games. The new box art and 10 screens included with this email show Mama making candy apples, donuts and more - a mere fraction of the new recipes available throughout the game. Additionally, six gameplay modes keep players on their feet, as they learn from mistakes in "Let's Cook" mode, compete with up to 3 friends using local wi-fi play in "Time Challenge" mode, and keep a scrapbook of favorite dishes in "Picture Diary" mode. While progressing through the game, recipes go from simple to difficult and dishes advance from small to large, but Mama awards players who learn with bronze, silver or gold medals based on the quality of their cooking!

Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop for Nintendo DS is expected to release this November for the SRP of $29.99.

Holland fights bird flu with video game

From the BBC

Like many other nations, the Netherlands is battling swine flu on many fronts.

At the forefront of the fight against the pandemic are the ranks of specialised doctors and millions of anti-viral tablets. But it also has one unusual weapon to call on - a videogame designed by experts at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam.

Dubbed "The Great Flu", the game is based on the threat that the emergence of a new flu virus and its rapid spread across the globe would pose to humanity.

"The game is based on the need to increase public awareness to the threat posed by a pandemic and the measures in place to contain it," said Albert Osterhaus, head of virology at the Erasmus Medical Centre and one of the experts involved in creating the game.

Full post on the BBC website here...

F.E.A.R. 2 free download content - SloMo Deathmatch - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

From September 3, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin fans will be able to download four all-new single-player levels in the exclusive F.E.A.R. 2 - Reborn DLC campaign from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Studios, for a brand new gamezplay experience on the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn lets players experience four new single-player missions that coincide with the events in F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and a simultaneous automatic title-update provides a free Slow-Mo Deathmatch multiplayer mode for use with F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin multiplayer content. A robust game demo of F.E.A.R. 2 Reborn will be released on August 27.

Four All New Levels: Face the chaos of Alma's aftermath from an entirely new point of view: that of Replica Soldier Foxtrot813. As gamers begin the mission as part of an orbital Powered Armor drop to reinforce their squad, the ruined city of Auburn emanates supernatural events and familiar voices, beckoning Foxtrot813 to go against orders from Replica command. Be careful, not everything is as it seems?



Slow-Mo Deathmatch: Through a free title update, gamers obtain a slow-mo power-up to slow down enemies in multiplayer deathmatch, thus gaining a distinct short-term advantage. The longer players hold onto the slow-mo powerup, the more objective points are accumulated, contributing to the overall score. Watch out though, whoever has slow-mo ability becomes a bigger target to everyone else!

Additionally, launching on August 13 is a brand new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin premium theme for 240 Microsoft Points and picture pack for 80 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360, as well as a new theme for PlayStation 3. F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn is the third robust DLC pack available for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and will become available for Windows PC at a later date. The Toy Soldiers map pack launched April 16, with the Armored Front map pack following soon after on May 21.

In F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin a routine assignment to locate the president of Armacham Technology Corporation in connection with an unfolding hostage crisis turns into a desperate battle for survival after an explosion decimates the city and unleashes Alma Wade, the terrifying supernatural menace at the center of Armacham's highly classified Project Origin. As Alma's power swells out of control, special forces Sgt. Michael Becket and his squad must battle through an apocalyptic landscape of shattered buildings and buckled streets in search of clues for how to destroy her. The more Becket learns about Armacham's secret experiments and reckless agenda, the more he begins to suspect that he's somehow linked to the crisis and may be the only one capable of averting total disaster.

Sixth and final closed beta for Aion this Friday August 14th

After five successful closed beta events, NCsoft is excited to announce that our sixth and final closed beta event for Aion begins this Friday, August 14th at 21:00 CEST (8 PM BST) and will go thru Monday, August 17.

Closed beta testing will conclude with a series of story driven in-game events which will hint at the upcoming content changes.? We will be treated to the story players will find in the 1.5 update called The Shadow of the Balaur. The events in the game will showcase the transition the world of Atreia and the players will experience from 1.0 to 1.5. We are retaining the level cap for both Elyos and Asmodians at 30 in order to allow players to focus on getting to the same level so they can explore the lands of Atreia together.

So remember to log in this Friday and see what Aion has in store! If you do not have a beta key, respond to this email and we will get you set up. This is your last chance to experience the beta events before open beta begins.

Army of Two - The 40th Day video game out in January 2010

Start off 2010 with a bang! EA Montreal, a studio of Electronic Arts, today announced ARMY OF TWO - THE 40th DAY will ship on January 12, 2010 in North America and January 8, 2010 in Europe. The sequel to the 2008 multi-platinum co-op shooter sees the return of the ultimate two-man private military team, Salem and Rios.

Trapped in the middle of Shanghai as it falls under attack, the two must work as a team to survive relentless enemy assaults and escape the city collapsing around them. Gamers who pre-order* ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY now will have exclusive access to the game’s all-new explosive multi-player mode, ‘Extraction,’ at launch. This mode will be unlocked for all other players one month after the game ships.

ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY features a more robust and redesigned multiplayer experience with four unique multiplayer modes including ‘Extraction’. ‘Extraction’ pits a team of four players against a series of unique enemy waves as they move from point to point in the ruined city. Players must strategize as a unified team to combat the different forces of the 40th Day Initiative while trying to get out alive.

In ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY, private military contractors, Salem and Rios must fight their way through Shanghai to survive a carefully orchestrated series of catastrophes that are dragging the massive city to the brink of ruin. Jonah, the mastermind behind the 40th Day Initiative, has amassed an army of skilled soldiers to level the city in his attempt to rebuild an empire according to his vision and ideals. Now, the Army of Two must fight their way through ravaged city districts as they try to beat the odds.

ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY will be available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the PSP(PlayStation Portable).

Marvel v Capcom 2 out now on PlayStation Network

The wait is over for PlayStation 3 owners as Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is available today through PSN or through a limited retail release exclusively at GameStop in North America for $14.99.

The GameStop retail box includes a redemption code to download the game over PSN and a code for a month's subscription of digital comics at Marvel.com.

Only 15,000 copies of the retail box are available, so get moving.

Either way, PlayStation owners can now face off online in one of the finest fighting games ever made.

TouchMaster 3 puzzle game on Nintendo DS and Game Party 3 on Nintendo Wii video games announced

TouchMaster 3, a puzzle compilation game for Nintendo DS and Game Party 3, a social party game for the Nintendo Wii system announce by Warner Bros. TouchMaster and Game Party are multi-million unit selling franchise additions to the company’s casual and family line-up scheduled to launch in Autumn 2009.

TouchMaster and Game Party are fan favourites, with Game Party selling more than three million units worldwide and TouchMaster selling more than one million units worldwide.

Appealing to players of all ages and abilities, both titles offer casual and family gamers a fresh take on the popular Game Party and TouchMaster franchises, incorporating new games and puzzles along with an enhanced variety of the franchises’ past fan favourites.

“We are very pleased to add the successful Game Party and TouchMaster franchises to our portfolio in the growing casual games space,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “As we continue our strategy of offering a broad mix of quality casual games, Game Party 3 and TouchMaster 3 are great options for players and holiday gift givers with new features and group gameplay.”



Game Party 3 features 19 different game options including eight new party games like Billiards, Croquet, Racquetball, Smack-a-Troll, Miniature Golf and Bumper Pool. It supports up to four players in co-op mode, or up to 16 players in tournament mode. The game also offers “Create a Player” and “Profile” features, allowing gamers to customise the look of their character, as well as save high scores to earn tickets that unlock character customisation options and unique in-game equipment.

In TouchMaster 3, up to two players can work through a collection of 20 puzzle, action, card, strategy, and word challenges with new elements such as Badges, Trophies, and Wizard points to give players endless hours of replay. The game features action, card game, strategy and trivia genres in competitive single player, two-person multiplayer and download play options. Game options include Triples Plus, Slime Assault, Bumperball and Dice King 2.

Game Party 3 is under development at FarSight Studios and TouchMaster 3 is under development at Hijinx Studios, LLC.

Need for Speed NITRO on Nintendo Wii with Lamborghini Gallardo, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger R/T, Volkswagen Type 2 and Subaru Impreza WRX

EA Montreal announce that it is collaborating with lifestyle brands tokidoki, Upper Playground and i am 8-bit to create exclusive in-game car designs and artwork for Need for Speed NITRO on the Nintendo Wii. Each brand has created custom skins for a wide variety of vehicles including the Lamborghini Gallardo, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger R/T, Volkswagen Type 2 and Subaru Impreza WRX. They have also provided over 140 stylistic brushes that players can use to paint and personalize their ride. The cars in Need for Speed NITRO have style, personality and edge unlike any racing game.

The tokidoki brand is one of today’s most popular lines of apparel, accessories, toys, skateboard decks and other merchandise. The brand is characterized by a colorful, high-energy artistic style, while the word tokidoki means “sometimes” in Japanese. The name represents the company’s world view around identity and destiny. tokidoki was founded by Simone Legno and his partners and started as a personal web site before it evolved into an internationally celebrated brand.

Upper Playground is a cutting-edge, San Francisco based brand that brings graffiti culture to all types of street wear such as t-shirts, hats and hoodies as well as housewares and wall art. The Upper Playground punk rock art style has defined it as one of today’s hottest brands among musical tastemakers and Hollywood trendsetters.

i am 8-bit is an artistic collective that brings together over 100 artists reinterpreting their favorite old-school video game characters in a variety of media, including paintings, plush, sculpture, and even interactive pieces. The art is showcased at an annual exhibition held in Los Angeles, California every year since 2005.

“tokidoki, Upper Playground and i am 8-bit create art with distinct and cutting edge personalities,” said Gil Rimmer, Art Director, EA Montreal. “With Need for Speed NITRO, we wanted to give players a variety of ways to customize their vehicles, introducing vivid and fresh urban art styles that have never been seen in racing games before.”

Developed specifically for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS, Need for Speed NITRO delivers the fun and exhilaration of high-speed racing with blazing visuals and deep gameplay. Need for Speed NITRO features a deep and intuitive visual customization system that lets gamers trick out their car’s appearance as well as design a unique art style to attach to their ride. Ultimate bragging rights are at stake as the player’s personalized art style overtakes the world when they edge out their competitors for first place, vibrantly painting their story of racing dominance.

Shipping on November 17, 2009, Need for Speed NITRO recently received IGN’s “Best Racing Game” award for the Wii and Nintendo DS. Need for Speed NITRO is developed by EA Montreal and is not yet rated by the ESRB and PEGI.

Scooby Doo! First Fights video game trailer released

In Scooby-Doo! First Frights, the complement to the upcoming live-action and CGI Warner Bros. DVD release Scooby Doo: The Mystery Begins, players take on the role of young Scooby-Doo and teenage versions of the newly formed Mystery, Inc. crew to solve their very first cases.



Scooby-Doo! First Frights is intended for Scooby-Doo fans of all ages. Fans will be able to explore spooky environments as Scooby, Shaggy or any of the super-cool teen Mystery, Inc. team. The action-adventure game features co-op play allowing two members of Mystery, Inc. to work together to solve puzzles, combat enemies, and collect clues before unmasking each episode’s mysterious villain - all while gaining prestige as world famous sleuths!

Once players have solved the mystery, they can return to completed levels in Explore mode with any unlocked character, costumed character or villain to access new areas. With ghosts and ghouls around every corner, high school has never sounded so fun!

PRODUCT FEATURES:

Multiple Mysterious Environments: Featuring four all-new mysteries spread over more than 20 levels; explore the Phantom Cruise Ship, Haunted High School, Foreboding Castle and more!
Sleuthing times Two: Switch between characters or play with friends at any time using two player co-op with easy drop-in, drop-out gamezplay.
Spooky Disguises: With access to a variety of spooky disguises, players can camouflage themselves in super-powerful costumes with new abilities unique to each character.
Back to the Beginning: Become part of the Mystery, Inc. team and solve their first cases with hours of entertainment in Story or Explore mode.
Solve Exclusive Mysteries: Each story has a new setting with a mysterious villain created specifically for the game. Collect clues and try to solve the mystery!

RELEASE DATE: Autumn 2009
PUBLISHER: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
DEVELOPER: Torus Games
RATING: Pending
GENRE: Action Adventure Game
PLATFORMS: Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2

Trauma Team, Nintendo Wii medical video game, launch website

Atlus opened the doors of the official Trauma Team website, the upcoming medical entertainment experience from the makers of Trauma Center and exclusively for Nintendo Wii. This first major site update introduces fans to Dr. Gabriel Cunningham, a brilliant albeit cynical diagnostician whose personal challenges seem to have dulled his passion for the job. Expect new sections of the site to open over time, revealing more characters, details, and media from the game.

Encounter unprecedented depth across six distinct fields of medicine: play as a general surgeon, diagnostician, E.M.T., orthopedic surgeon, endoscopic technician, and forensic examiner. Follow the drama as never before with all-new dynamic story sequences inspired by Japanese animation and comics; each chapter comes vividly to life with a style seen nowhere else! Hand-drawn art, innovative animation, and quality voice acting perfectly capture the raw intensity, excitement, and danger of every heart-pounding moment!

Bigger, more exciting, and more balanced than ever before, Trauma Team is the ultimate medical drama! Trauma Team is scheduled for release in Spring 2010.

Visit the official website:
http://www.atlus.com/traumateam