Expansion Mode download for FIFA 09 Enables Fans to Create Their Fantasy Team

Electronic Arts announce that a new downloadable game mode called FIFA 09 Ultimate Team is available now to download to the award-winning EA SPORTS FIFA 09 on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system.

FIFA 09 Ultimate Team challenges gamers to collect the most talented players in the world, develop them into a dream team and then compete online. Feel the exhilaration as you take your carefully assembled squad into matches and tournaments online against the most formidably talented teams ever assembled—and out play them. Here is the ultimate test of your skills as a player and manager.

Collect bronze, silver and gold virtual cards, including Player, Staff, Contract, Formations, and Tactics, to create a fantasy team. Strategically collect and manage players and different types of cards, and then set the match strategy to win. Carefully select or trade for the right Manager, then choose the best Tactics and Formations that forge the team chemistry necessary to take your club to the top.

Write your own legend with FIFA 09 Ultimate Team. Create yourself in game, line up alongside your heroes and captain your squad to glory. Customize everything from players and stadiums to the kits and badges, creating the world’s next great football club. Compete offline and online to earn more valuable cards or trawl the market for the ones needed to complete a winning team. Climb the league table or compete in knockout tournaments for the most coveted trophies.

FIFA 09 Ultimate Team is available now as a download to FIFA 09 for 800 Microsoft points or £7.99. Fans are able to experience the new game mode by creating a team with a starter package of players and virtual cards and play a five game trial before deciding to purchase the FIFA 09 Ultimate Team mode. FIFA 09 is required.

Halo Wars Sells One Millionth Game, Becomes Best-Selling Real-Time Strategy Title

Microsoft today announced that sales of “Halo Wars” have reached more than one million units worldwide, making the exclusive Xbox 360 title the best selling real-time strategy game on any current generation console. With a revolutionary control scheme designed expressly for the Xbox 360 controller and a riveting story that takes “Halo” fans deeper into the “Halo” universe, “Halo Wars” is breaking new ground for the strategy genre by introducing a new wave of fans to strategy games and reminding existing fans why it’s so fun.

Set in the year 2525, “Halo Wars” takes players on a perilous journey through the famed “Halo” universe. As players take the command seat in the early, epic battles between the UNSC and Covenant, they will begin to unravel events 20 years before “Halo: Combat Evolved” that shaped the franchise into what it is today.

Since the game’s release throughout Asia on February 26 and subsequent launches in Europe and the Americas, fans around the world have been taking full advantage of “Halo Wars’” rich Xbox LIVE gameplay.

To date:

• There have been more than 2.6 million multiplayer matches played
• More than 118 years of time has been spent in multiplayer matches on Xbox LIVE
• On average, more than 200,000 “Halo Wars” fans have taken up arms in battles between the UNSC and Covenant each day
• For more statistics and game information, fans can visit the official stats page at: http://www.halowars.com/stats/globalstats.aspx
But these initial explosive battles in “Halo Wars” are just beginning. Microsoft is working closely with partner and newly formed studio Robot Entertainment, which is comprised of “Halo Wars” and “Age of Empires” veterans from Ensemble Studios. More Halo Wars content is being prepared, so stay tuned.

Platform game, Minon: Everyday Hero will be released for the Nintendo Wii on the 24th April 2009

Nordcurrent, the exciting young European publisher who scored a recent success with 101-in-1 Explosive Megamix, today announces that Minon: Everyday Hero will be released on the Nintendo Wii on the 24th April, 2009.

“Even though we’re a young company, Nordcurrent are continually striving to bring titles to market that are unique, fun and expressive” said Alexander Bravve, MD of Nordcurrent. “Minon: Everyday Hero contains the same imaginative features and quirky nuances that give other Japanese titles their unique gameplay characteristics, and really takes the player to a world unlike any other. Nordcurrent, as a publisher, is focused on bringing something different to the publishing party and Minon: Everyday Hero fits this remit perfectly.”

An original and imaginative platform game, Minon: Everyday Hero will be released for the Nintendo Wii on the 24th April 2009, with a retail price of £29.99. It is being supported by a strong PR and marketing campaign, with advertising appearing in key specialist outlets such as Official Nintendo Magazine and Edge.

Fun with Picture Logic from Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles on Nintendo DS

Oxygen Games introduces a gamezplay video for Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles: the next in a new range of games designed to entertain and stimulate your mind.

An active demonstration of how a puzzle unveils itself before your eyes! Is it a house, a flower, a fish? Part of the fun is setting yourself against the clock and seeing how fast you can work out what the puzzle is – keep at it and you’ll increase your powers of observation and puzzle-solving abilities – go on, exercise that brain!

Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles – Relax, Play and Improve Your Mind!

Arriving in a store near you on 27th March, RRP: £19.99

Hours of fun with Jewel Quest Solitaire on Nintendo DS

Jewel Quest Solitaire is a new casual puzzle game for the Nintendo DS soon to be released by Avanquest Software Publishing. Following on from the hugely popular PC and DS Quest games, this new Nintendo DS title will provide puzzle enthusiasts with a fun, modern twist on the traditional versions of both Jewel Quest and Solitaire.

Jewel Quest Solitaire features two types of gameplay including Just Cards Mode, for playing classic solitaire; and Full Quest Mode, which allows players to follow the mysterious storyline and access special jewel boards. The adventure takes place in the South American jungle, where cards need be matched, causing jewels to drop. Players can then try to match three jewels to turn the board to gold. With 684 different scenarios, Jewel Quest Solitaire provides hours of fun for puzzle fans.

Jewel Quest Solitaire features unique tri-peaks solitaire and 114 new jewel themed card layouts for varied and endless gameplay. As players unearth buried cards, special moves must be uncovered and cursed jewels avoided in order to progress through the levels. The cards behold riches and glory, so must be played wisely or the journey will end.

Players can use the stylus to drag a card that is one number higher or lower than the active card onto the deck. When no more eligible cards are available, the stock pile can be clicked to receive a new active card. There is also an undo button to step back one move if a mistake is made. After each round of cards, the jewel board will become unlocked, enabling players to try for a bonus by matching the jewels and turning all the squares to gold.

Bonus scores can be achieved in various ways; playing cards of the same suit as the previous card in the deck; playing long runs of cards without flipping over new ones from the stack; using certain Wild Cards that increase the score by the value of the card; and for each card left over in the stack after the hand is won.

Fast facts:
Publisher: Avanquest Software Publishing
Developer: iWin
Distributor: GEM, Centresoft, Interactive Ideas, Ideal Software and Music Box Leisure
Release date: 10th April 2009
PEGI: 3+
Format: Nintendo DS
Genre: Puzzle
SRP: £19.56

Pre-Registration for the Dragonica Closed Beta begins on Thursday 19th March 2009 - With five videos...

Register now to be in with a chance of trying Dragonica first

Dragonica is the brand new free arcade-style 3D side-scrolling MMORPG. It will be available to download across Europe this Spring from the www.gpotato.eu gaming portal. As the gPotato Europe team prepares for the game’s launch, we are proud to announce that we have opened pre-registration for the Closed Beta on Thursday 19th March 2009. Spaces on the CBT are limited, so register early to be in with the best chance of getting an invite!

From today, you can pre-register for the Closed Beta Test by visiting http://dragonica.gpotato.eu, and CBT dates will be announced in the coming weeks by the gPotato Europe team. For two weeks, players will be able to participate in an exclusive first look at the world of Dragonica and all its features. The gPotato team will be actively taking player’s feedback during this time as we prepare to offer the gaming public the best gaming experience ever.

Having fun is important in the world of Dragotaka, so during the CBT the Dragonica team will be on hand to host a wide range of entertaining events for players. There is a packed schedule of events planned and organised by the Dragonica community managers, and players will have the opportunity to meet them in game. The events will also give players the opportunity to earn some fantastic rewards at the end of the test.

With these special CBT events, the gPotato team aim to entertain players and give them the opportunity to discover the wide variety of community features available in Dragonica.
Because it’s all completely free to play, you’d be silly not to try Dragonica, 2009’s brightest and most frantic arcade-style MMORPG!

Wheel of Fortune video game coming to Playstation Network

Wheel of Fortune captures the spirit of the popular TV show with high-definition graphics and realistic gameplay and is now available on the PlayStation Network! Players can create their own character and experience Wheel of Fortune as never before. Fans of the hit show can now take turns spinning the wheel and calling out letters to reveal the puzzle from the comfort of home.
Players can also challenge their friends online, play in a local three-player match, or play solo and compete against the AI to earn PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system trophies!



FEATURES: Features Include:

• PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system trophies
• Realistic graphics and sounds that make you feel like you’re on the actual game show set
• Nearly 9,000 puzzles to challenge your mind!
• Customizable characters
• Single-player, multiplayer and network/multiplayer modes
• Eleven different playable cities across America (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, New Orleans, Charleston, Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale)
• Studio sets and sound effects straight from the TV show!
WHEN: Beginning today, Wheel of Fortune is scheduled to be available for purchase from the PlayStation Store for $14.99 (plus applicable taxes).

Lemuria - There are secrets under the Ocean.

You’ve heard whispers – children’s stories of underwater people, mermaids and naiads. Or myths of ancient civilizations, lost in the depths of the ocean floor. And you’ve ignored those stories. You’ve laughed them off as idle fancies. But you’d be wrong.

There are people in the sea, but they are nothing so gentle nor so tame as mere mermaids. They are the Lemurians, the last of an ancient race of cold blooded lizard-men. Once, they worshipped the Bleak Ones, vengeful gods who devoured the souls of their followers upon death. The Lemurians turned from their gods in fear, forsaking also the ability to change shape and trapping themselves forever in human forms. Their own pride sank them into the depths of the Indian Ocean.

Once, they ruled half the earth. Once, you would have bowed in fealty to them. Once, you would have cowered in fear when they went to war. And they went to war often. Their dream was not merely world domination, no. Their dream was immortality, and if they had to conquer all the world to unearth the secret of eternal life, then so be it.

Listen very closely and you will hear whispers. You will hear of a civil war in the ocean trenches, of a king deposed and desperately trying to retake his Kingdom. You will hear of the Mandragalore, a weapon so deadly, so vast, that it destroyed an entire continent. You may even hear that the Bleak Ones have returned.

If you are very lucky – or very, very unlucky – you may be able to convince the captain of the Aegir to take you there aboard his submarine.

Welcome to Lemuria.

Disney Pixar UP video game now on Nintendo Wii

The Up video game will take players on an exotic adventure with Carl Fredricksen and his young sidekick, Wilderness Explorer Russell, as they set off on a wild journey through the undiscovered jungles of South America. Players will be able to experience all four main characters from the movie - Carl, Russell, Dug the lovable dog or Kevin the prehistoric bird - while playing as a single-player or with a friend cooperatively throughout the entire game.

Players will encounter exciting, new environments as they navigate through treacherous jungle terrains, battle dangerous creatures and trek the slippery slopes of the Amazonian Tepuis. In addition, the game also features multi-player game modes, including an epic level that will allow up to four players to compete in aerial combat.

Features:

* Exciting Jungle Exploration - Navigate treacherous terrain and explore caves, rock gardens, mazes, raging rivers and Paradise Falls.

* Battle Beasts and Villains – Compete in aerial ‘dogfights’, evade man-eating plants and battle exotic animals, such as giant anacondas and ferocious crocodiles.

* Two-Player Co-Op – Experience all four main characters from the movie including Carl, Russell, Dug and Kevin, each of which has special abilities to help players in their journey.

* Collection Adventures – Gather merit badges throughout the game in order to earn Quest Cards. Each Quest Card provides instructions on bugs and other hidden collectibles that players can gather in order to unlock bonus art and film clips.

* Conquer the Environment – Experience uncontrollable weather and dizzying heights, move boulders, jump on teeter-tooters and sing on vines to progress through the game.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on Nintendo DS, launches in UK on Friday 20th March

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, launches on Friday 20th March at Gamestation – exclusively for all you Nintendo DS owners out there.

Taking DS games into a whole new league, Chinatown Wars pulls together over a decade's worth of Grand Theft Auto's groundbreaking design and innovation. With the use of the DS touch screen you’ll navigate your way through the streets as character Huang Lee, to uncover the truth behind an epic tale of crime and corruption within the Triad crime syndicate.

Features of the game include integrated touch screen functionality, in-game economy based on a trading system with fluctuating prices, tons of mini-games including rampages, odd jobs and street races, a GPS map system and an all new Police evasion system.

All this action in your hands, delivered in unprecedented depth and a rich, fast-paced intensity - can you handle it?




Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is available from Gamestation stores nationwide as well as online at www.gamestation.co.uk