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Okay, looking over this week's release list, I can't help but think that maybe a few of the games that were caught in last week's flood of titles should have been held back for this week. Folks, there is really nothing to get excited about here. Best I can say is that if you haven't had a chance to pick up Gears of War yet, the newly released version is certainly a nice buy. You'll get the game, some making of videos, a sneak peak at Gears 2 as well as all the downloadable map packs released for the game.

Yup, Gears of War gets the nod for the week I love the game, but still - it's not like I had much of a choice here. Just… ugh…

• Gears of War (360)
  • Gears of War gets a re-issue with all the extra goodies that have been released in the Xbox Live Marketplace. Please note that the additional content that was created for the PC version of the game is NOT in this pack.

…and the rest of this week's releases - look upon this list and… pick up some used titles or something;

• 1 VS. 100  (DS) - 7/1/2008
• AMF Bowling Pinbusters  (DS) - 7/2/2008
• Ducati Moto  (DS) - 7/2/2008
• Gears of War (Re-issue w/ DLC) (360) - 7/2/2008
• Hail to the Chimp  (PS3) - 7/2/2008
• Journey to the Center of the Earth  (DS) - 7/1/2008
• Purr Pals  (WII) - 7/2/2008
• Roogoo  (PC) - 7/1/2008
• The Immortals of Terra  (PC) - 7/1/2008
• Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2  (DS) - 7/2/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

At long last, Blizzard Entertainment has made the announcement so many have been waiting to hear… Diablo III is now in production. While just about any other details about the game are scarce at this point, what we do know so far is that the game will take place some 20 years after the events of Diablo II & Lord of Destruction.

“Two decades have passed since the demonic denizens, Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal, wandered the world of Sanctuary in a vicious rampage to shackle humanity into unholy slavery. Yet for those who battled the Prime Evils directly, the memory fades slowly and the wounds of the soul still burn.

When Deckard Cain returns to the ruins of Tristram’s Cathedral seeking clues to new stirrings of evil, a comet from the heavens strikes the very ground where Diablo once entered the world.  The comet carries a dark omen in its fiery being and it calls the heroes of Sanctuary to defend the mortal world against the rising powers of the Burning Hells – and even the failing luminaries of the High Heavens itself. “ - Diablo III official website

The game will feature 5 character classes, of which only the Barbarian and Witch Doctor have been announced to date, that can now be either male or female and run on a game engine custom built by Blizzard.

To celebrate the announcement, Blizzard has released a Cinematic teaser - which we now bring to you courtesy of GameTrailers.com.

As with just about any Blizzard release, there is no timeframe for the game’s release - they’re going to take their time and make sure they get it right. Blizzard has announced that the game should ship for both PC and Mac simultaneously.

• Diablo III - Official website
• Diablo III - Debut Teaser - GameTrailers.com

A demo of LucasArts' LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 619MB.

Please note: As of late November, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures - Official website

Just a quick note here for owners of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Guitar Hero III. A new (and free) track is available in both the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store. The track, "I am Murloc", is a song about World of Warcraft and was created and performed by a band that one of the developers belongs to. Enjoy!

• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock - official site

Just a quick note here for anyone out there looking to pick up an Xbox 360 - Buy.com is currently selling recertified Xbox 360 Premium systems for $199.99. Not sure how long they'll last at that price, so if you want one, I'd suggest jumping on it ASAP.

• Xbox 360 Premium System (Recertified) $199.99 - Buy.com

A demo of Sony's Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 506MB.

• Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds - Official website

A demo of 2K Sports Top Spin 3 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 442MB.

• Top Spin 3 - Official website

A demo of 2K Sports Top Spin 3 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate file size is 394MB.

Please note: As of late November, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• Top Spin 3 - Official website

I'm keeping this short because… well, because I spent most of the evening playing Metal Gear Solid 4 and really just want to go to bed now. Anyway, those of you who picked up the Xbox Live Arcade version of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 will be happy to hear that, as promised, Capcom is now opening the doors to the beta test of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and the game is your ticket in.

"A closed beta version of the game is scheduled, with Ken and Ryu as playable characters and a single environment available to fight in. Players wishing to apply must purchase the Xbox Live Arcade version of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. The beta is scheduled to be released on June 25, 2008 and run for eight weeks, the purpose of which is to test the network code behind online play." - Wikipedia

While I can't confirm it because my Xbox 360 is awaiting warranty service, I've heard that the beta will actually feature two different stages (as opposed to just the one quoted above) and will indeed only offer Ryu or Ken as characters. While this may sound cheap, keep in mind this is a beta test. No one ever said you were going to get the full game for free - and if you're wondering, I believe the beta is scheduled to run through the third week of August.

Finally, before you go searching the Xbox Live Marketplace like a crazy person for the download, the beta is accessed via Commando 3's main menu.

• Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - Official website
• Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - Wikipedia entry

It's another Xbox Live Arcade double feature as Sega's Happy Tree Friends False Alarm and Playful Entertainment's Ticket to Ride make their way to the Xbox 360.

Now, I'm going to start off a bit more serious than I usually do, because unless you've seen the Happy Tree Friends cartoon, you may not know what to expect here. Despite the overly cute appearance of the characters, Happy Tree Friends False Alarm is not for children. Not in the slightest way… unless, of course, you feel like paying for psychiatric counseling later on down the road.

You see, Happy Tree Friends is all about those cute, cuddly critters dying the most horrible deaths you could possibly imagine. It's violent, it's graphic and it is oh so gruesome. So, consider yourselves warned - they really do mean that "M" rating this time around - it's not a misprint.

Now if you are an adult, and are a fan of the series, I really don't know what to tell you to expect here. This one hit me completely out of the blue - I just never saw it coming. Kind of like Lumpy and that bear… From what I can tell, it sounds like a game built around a premise not unlike Lemmings - you take the role of Lumpy and attempt to stop the rest of the friends from meeting their gruesome fates. In short, be sure to have a strong stomach and be sure to download the demo before you decide on purchasing this one.

On a side note, you just know somewhere out there, somebody is going to look at the cute characters, not pay any attention to the ESRB rating and then freak. You know it and I know it.

Title: Happy Tree Friends False Alarm
Developer: Stainless Games Ltd.
Publisher: SEGA of America
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/25/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: M (Mature) - Blood & Gore, Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Based on the popular and twisted Web series, Lumpy and his accident-prone friends face one gory, horrible disaster after another in Happy Tree Friends False Alarm™! Armed with a helicopter pack, Lumpy rescues his pals by blasting open areas where they may be trapped with flaming napalm or explosive nitro, or he can put them into a deep freeze if they are about to stumble into danger. Try to keep the friends from peril in ten exclusive disaster-filled scenarios, each with three frantic levels, and brand new cutscenes.

• Playable Happy Tree Friends characters: For the first time in 3-D, control Lumpy who must save his Happy Tree Friends such as Cuddles, Toothy, and Flaky from life-threatening disasters!
• Exciting disaster levels: SEGA and the creative minds behind Happy Tree Friends have teamed up to create ten original and engaging disaster scenarios including Mine Shaft, Candy Factory, and the Museum. Hazardous items abound to surprise and challenge the Happy Tree Friends as they try to escape.
• Gameplay true to the franchise: Experience non-stop hilarious action Happy Tree Friends-style where their accident-prone universe means gore and mayhem are inevitable. 
• Exclusive Happy Tree Friends content: Check out the cutscenes created exclusively for the game.
• Xbox LIVE® Arcade features: Use the leaderboards to compete with friends, track your progress as you advance through Story mode, and earn new Achievements." - Xbox.com

The second of this week's releases is even more of a mystery to me. I don't even know what kind of game to expect from Ticket to Ride. Is it a strategy game? Is it a board game? I just don't know - and the screenies in the Xbox Live Arcade product description don't do anything to help that perception. Because of that, I'm just going to stick with my age old "Try the demo" motto and leave it at that.

Title: Ticket to Ride
Developer: Next Level Games, Inc.
Publisher: Playful Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/25/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4 / 2-5 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"All aboard! Travel from coast to coast and visit all the stops on the exciting train adventure Ticket to Ride™. Plan your routes and connect your cities across the country to become the ultimate traveler. Earn points as you claim your tracks and complete your tickets for your chance at the big score. From sea to sea, crisscross the nation as you build the longest route and take home the prize. It's hours of fun for your family and friends. Who will come out on top when the steam clears? Get your Ticket to Ride and see!

• Variable difficulty levels: Either locally or in Xbox LIVE® matches, choose Easy, Medium, or Hard A.I. opponents to challenge your gaming skills.
• Multiplayer: Play with up to three of your friends on a single console, or take on Ranked or Player matches over Xbox LIVE with up to five players.
• Leaderboards and achievements: Post your Xbox LIVE match results to the leaderboards. Follow game stats for each player such as Highest Score, Total Trains Played and their Time Spent Playing. And track your progress with twelve new achievements.
• Camera support: See yourself and your friends during gameplay with Xbox LIVE Vision Camera support." - Xbox.com

Not much to say about last week's Live Arcade releases - mainly because I didn't have an Xbox 360 to try them on. Yeah, I'm not a happy camper at the moment. At least I finally got my repair order processed. *grumble*

A demo of 2K Sports Don King Presents Prizefighter for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace in The United States, Asia and Canada. Approximate file size is 620.31MB.

Please note: As of late November, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• Don King Presents Prizefighter - Official website

I just saw this over at Kotaku, and while it doesn't seem to be listed anywhere easily accessed by the general public, it is up at a link over at  PlayStation.com, so it should be official. According to the notice, the PlayStation Network will be down today between 11am EST and 5pm EST. Both online gaming and access to the PlayStation Store will be affected.

"The PLAYSTATION®Network will be taken offline during the following times for a scheduled maintenance:

Starting on June 24, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Time

Ending on June 24, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time 
 
During this time, access to the PLAYSTATION Network will be restricted, including:

• No access to the PLAYSTATION®Store
• No access to play online games on the PLAYSTATION Network" - PlayStation.com

The only reason I stick a question mark on this one is that according to the PlayStation Network Status Page, there are currently no maintenance periods on the schedule. 

So there you have it, if it is down, it's not your connection and it's not a network failure - it's scheduled maintenance. Move along folks, nothing to see here.

• Scheduled PlayStation Network Maintenance - PlayStation.com
• PlayStation Network Status Page - PlayStation.com
• PSN Down For Maintenance Tomorrow - Kotaku

Somehow, I just knew that the Xbox 360 would see a ton of releases this week - not because I looked at the schedule ahead of time, but because once again my 360 has died. I'll be griping more about this in a full post later this week, just for now know that I am not a happy camper and the fact that Microsoft hasn't been able to process repair requests for over 6 days is a big part of that.

Anyway, we've got a ton of releases this week, but nothing really stood out as being head and shoulders above the rest. I mean, sure I love both Rock Band and the Guitar Hero series, but we've given Rock Band top kudos twice now I think and Gutar Hero: Aerosmith, while a new release, still seems a little forced. Alone in the Dark, on the other hand, has a ton of promise but has been dogged by a lot of early negative reviews…

So while I wish that I could take the thrill I got from the first Alone in the Dark title back in 1992, I just don't think it's going to happen - meaning I'm once again going to give the nod to Rock Band. If you have a Wii and haven't had a chance to experience the fun of playing the game with friends, now may be the time to get on board. (A quick note for Guitar Hero fans - I chose Rock Band over Guitar Hero: Aerosmith on the grounds that Rock Band has a more balanced set list - with GH:A, you're basically going to love it or hate it.)

Anyway, here are the more notable titles releasing this week …

• Alone in the Dark (360, PC, PS2 & WII)
  • The series that started the survival horror genre is back and hoping for a fresh start.
• Battlefield: Bad Company (360 & PS3)
  • Electronic Arts humorous FPS comes to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. I list it here as I know many who are eagerly anticipating the game - personally, I hated the demo.
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (360, PS2, PS3 & WII)
  • Love them or hate them, Aerosmith headlines the latest in the Guitar Hero franchise. By now, you should know what to expect from the series - just expect a lot more Aerosmith mixed in with the usual.
• Rock Band (WII)
  • Wii owners finally get to take their shot at forming a band as EA's music game takes the stage on Nintendo's console.

…and now, the rest of our very full release list;

• Alone in the Dark (360) - 6/24/2008
• Alone in the Dark (PC) - 6/24/2008
• Alone in the Dark (PS2) - 6/24/2008
• Alone in the Dark (WII) - 6/24/2008
• American Girl: Kit Mystery Challenge  (DS) - 6/24/2008
• Baseball Mogul 2009  (PC) - 6/24/2008
• Battlefield: Bad Company (360) - 6/24/2008
• Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3) - 6/24/2008
• Battlefield: Bad Company (Gold Edition) (360) - 6/24/2008
• Battlefield: Bad Company (Gold Edition) (PS3) - 6/24/2008
• Big Beach Sports  (WII) - 6/25/2008
• Cake Mania 2  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Code Lyoko: Fall of XANA  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (360) - 6/24/2008
• Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm (PC) - 6/27/2008
• Elements  (PC) - 6/24/2008
• Final Fantasy Tactics A2  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Gourmet Chef  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (360) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PS2) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (PS3) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (WII) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Bundle) (360) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Bundle) (PS2) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Bundle) (PS3) - 6/29/2008
• Guitar Hero: Aerosmith (Bundle) (WII) - 6/29/2008
• Hail to the Chimp  (360) - 6/25/2008
• Hail to the Chimp  (PS3) - 6/27/2008
• Hellboy: Science of Evil  (360) - 6/25/2008
• Hellboy: Science of Evil  (PS3) - 6/25/2008
• Hellboy: Science of Evil  (PSP) - 6/25/2008
• Mega Man Star Force 2 Zerker X Ninja  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Mega Man Star Force 2 Zerker X Saurian  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Midnight Play Pack  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• My Weight Loss Coach  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress  (PSP) - 6/25/2008
• Operation Darkness  (360) - 6/25/2008
• Overlord: Raising Hell (PS3) - 6/25/2008
• Political Machines 2008  (PC) - 6/24/2008
• Rock Band (WII) - 6/23/2008
• Rock Band: Special Edition (Bundle) (WII) - 6/23/2008
• Smart Kids Game Club  (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Supreme Commander  (360) - 6/24/2008
• Supreme Ruler 2020  (PC) - 6/24/2008
• The Sim City Box  (PC) - 6/24/2008
• Top Spin 3  (360) - 6/24/2008
• Top Spin 3  (DS) - 6/24/2008
• Top Spin 3  (PS3) - 6/24/2008
• Top Spin 3  (WII) - 6/24/2008
• Wall-E (360) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E (DS) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E (PS2) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E (PS3) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E (PSP) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E (WII) - 6/25/2008
• Wall-E  (PC) - 6/24/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

A demo of Wideload Games' Hail to the Chimp for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 374MB.

• Hail to the Chimp - Official website

I don't know about you, but trying to keep tabs on the storyline surrounding the Metal Gear franchise has always given me a headache -luckily, a database of all things Metal Gearish is now available as a free download in the PlayStation Store.

"Information on characters, weapons and plot elements from Metal Gear (1987) to Metal Gear Solid® 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008), accessible from three different perspectives: an encyclopedia, a relationship map, and a timeline. This digital supplement is a must-have for every Metal Gear fan!" - PlayStation Store

Best of all, the game will look at your hard drive, and if you haven't completed Metal Gear Solid 4 yet, will lock out any spoiler information about the game.

• Metal Gear Solid 4 - Official website

A demo of Koei’s Fatal Inertia EX for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 543MB.

• Koei - Company website
• Fatal Inertia EX - Wikipedia entry

A demo of Electronic Arts’ NCAA Football 09 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.51GB.

• NCAA Football 09 - Official website

What would a week be without a MAME update? Incomplete, that's what. Yes, Version .125u6 of the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator is now available for download. As with most interim updates, this one focuses on bug fixes, driver updates and background changes - so unless you've been having difficulties with your current installation, I’d recommend holding off on upgrading until the next full release.

Those of you interested in testing this build for the dev team should download the update and then head on over to MAME Testers to find out how to get started.

The updated emulator files can be found at the official MAME development page at Mamedev.org. You can Click here to see the full list of what’s new in this update.

• MAMEDev - Official site of the MAME development team

A demo of Electronic Arts’ NCAA Football 09 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in Canada and The United States via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.44GB.

Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• NCAA Football 09 - Official website

As I mentioned earlier this week, I'm currently on vacation from my regular day job, so as you've probably noticed, updates are running a little late as I try to cram in as much relaxation as I can. While the relaxing thing hasn't been working out quite as well as I'd like it to, I'm still holding out some hope.

Moving right along, we've got two new Xbox Live Arcade titles this week - Elements of Destruction and Sea Life Safari. I don't know much about either title, but I can say that at first glance, Elements holds the most hope for a quality release, while Sea Life Safari seems destined for the delisting pile. We'll start off with Elements;

Title: Elements of Destruction
Developer: Frozen Codebase
Publisher: THQ
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 06/18/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: T (Teen) - Mild Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"In Elements of Destruction™, you are the master of disaster! Use tornadoes, lightning, earthquakes, and other forces of nature to do your bidding. Fired from your job as a top research scientist, you have built a machine that allows you to control nature and exact revenge on the corporation that fired you. Your quest for revenge takes you to locations across the globe where you must use the forces of nature in challenging ways. Shake down buildings with earthquakes, suck up and throw objects with tornadoes, and strike down aircraft with lightning to cause mayhem in cities and towns across the earth.

• Forces of nature: Use your power to create lightning, tornadoes, earthquakes and many other forces of nature to exact revenge.
• Complete destruction: Blow buildings apart, start raging fires, and blast with lightning as you cause mayhem in towns, cities, and the countryside.
• Multiplayer matches: Compete in two online and split screen multiplayer modes including Destruction (go head-to-head with another player to see who can cause the most damage) and Cooperative (work together with other players to destroy the corporate menace)." - Xbox.com

And finish with Sea Life Safari;

Title: Sea Life Safari
Developer: Wanako
Publisher:Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 06/18/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Embark on a journey the whole family can enjoy in Sea Life Safari™! Make a splash as an underwater photographer tasked with capturing the most incredible pictures of wild sea animals. Entice your subjects into playful poses, provoke photo-worthy reactions, and reel in those picture-perfect scores!

• 60+ animated creatures: Photograph the sparkling personalities of fascinating underwater sea animals to build memorable albums and your own personal scrapbook.
• Five jaw-dropping environments: Explore unique destinations from the colorful Coral Reef to the murky Ship Graveyard, filled with countless treasures to discover!
• Family-friendly tutorial: Experience a fully interactive tutorial teaching simple step-by-step instructions on how to become a great deep-sea photographer!
• Educational photo evaluations: Learn the names of each of your sea creature subjects and see how your photographs rank as you are scored on four different criteria: size, orientation, centering, and interaction with each fish. 
• Endless replayability: Discover secret routes, collect hidden items, and encounter special appearances by unique day and night creatures." - Xbox.com

As for last week's Live Arcade releases, I found Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 to be an enjoyable, though overly straightforward old school arcade experience. I wouldn't give it a wholehearted recommendation, but I don't regret picking it up either. Frogger 2 on the other hand seems to have been built with the best of intentions, but somewhere along the way, things went wrong. It's a good re-take on the classic game, but the timing just seems a bit off, making for quite a few frustrating moments.

Just a quick note here, because I'm lazy and on vacation from my paying job - the trial version (free) of the Spore Creature Creator is now available for download. 

If you wind up liking it enough to shell out the $9.99 for the full version, it should be available from Spore.com tomorrow.

• Spore - Official website
• Spore Creature Creator download page - Spore.com

It's going to be another slow week at retail, so don't expect all that much this time around. We've got one interesting title in the form of Guitar Hero: On Tour - the series' first appearance on the Nintendo DS, which seems to me to be a bad idea, but gets the pick of the week nod for the simple fact that there really is not much else to get excited about.

Here are the more notable titles releasing this week …

• Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
  • As stated earlier, the Guitar Hero franchise comes to the DS, but at first glance seems to be missing that special something that made GH so much fun… you know, a guitar.
• Spore Creature Creator (PC)
  • Whether it's the free version or the $9.99 full version, Spore fans will at least have something to keep them busy for awhile.

The full release list, so to speak…

• Arkanoid DS (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Code Lyoko: Fall of X.A.N.A. (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS) - 6/22/2008
• Imagine: Rock Star (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Luxor 3 / 7 Wonders Ancient World  (PC) - 6/17/2008
• Petz Dogz Fashion   (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Political Machines 2008  (PC) - 6/17/2008
• Secret Agent Clank  (PSP) - 6/18/2008
• Space Invaders Extreme  (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Space Invaders Extreme  (PSP) - 6/18/2008
• Spore Creature Creator   (PC) - 6/17/2008
• Tamagotchi Connection Corner Shop 3  (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Wacky Races: Crash and Dash  (DS) - 6/18/2008
• Wacky Races: Crash and Dash  (WII) - 6/18/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

I had a chance to play around with the limited version of the Spore Creature Creator this past weekend, and while I didn’t find it to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, I did have a bit of fun with it. That said, what I’ve got for you today is a little video of my first creation using the tool - nothing amazing, but I figured it could be of interest to some of you. Enjoy!

The Spore Creature Creator is scheduled to be released as a free, limited demo on June 17th and in a $9.99 full version available on June 18th.

• Spore - Official website
• Spore Creature - YouTube

A demo of id Software's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.30GB.

• Enemy Territory: Quake Wars - Official website

Okay, apparently this one slipped into the PlayStation Store last week while I was distracted with fits of coughing. Tiki Games' Novastrike is now available for the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Store.

"NOVASTRIKE™ is a top-down arcade shooter in which you take control of a prototype advanced Scythe fighter and combat invading Draelus aliens over four different planets. You’ll take on both air and ground opponents ranging from enemy fighters to capital ships and ultimately the end-Boss. As you progress the Scythe unlocks its full potential through upgrading its weapon systems and overall capabilities." - PlayStation Store

The game is priced at $9.99 and no demo is available. (A preview video of the game is available in the PlayStation Store) - While I'm a fan of shooters, the lack of demos for PSN games has caused me to avoid quite a few of them. 

• Novastrike - PlayStation Store 

A demo of Digital Extremes' Dark Sector for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 497MB.

Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• Dark Sector - Official website

I'm still sick (go figure) so I'm keeping this one short - We've got two Xbox Live Arcade releases this week - Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 and Frogger 2.

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is another sequel in the classic Commando arcade franchise (earlier titles in the series were Commando and Mercs) in which it's you (or you and a friend) facing near insurmountable odds in a top down shooter. In an interesting turn for the Live Arcade, the game will also include beta access to the Xbox Live Arcade version of Super Street Fighter II: Turbo HD Remix. (Please keep in mind that this is a limited time beta - it does not mean you get the game free) - A demo version will be available, and as usual, I'd suggest you try the game before you commit to a purchase.

Title: Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher:Capcom, Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/11/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-3
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: T (Teen) - Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"One of the most popular arcade shooters is back! Wolf of the Battlefield™: Commando 3 revives the classic Commando franchise with an all-new adventure. Fight solo or recruit two other specialized commandos to defeat the evil tyrant General Ratiev. This frantic war-fest combines precise, old-school gameplay with hi-def 3-D graphics. 

Play as Codename Wolf, Coyote, or Fox as you take on waves of soldiers, rescue POWs, and blow up armored vehicles through a variety of dangerous battlefields. With loads of weapons and power-ups at your disposal, gear up and blast your way to victory! 

• Exhilarating visuals: Experience the classic and immersive arcade-style gameplay blasting onto your TV in 1080p high-definition graphics!
• Multiplayer action: Fight solo, or recruit your friends on a mission in three-player, online or local cooperative play.
• Weapons and vehicles: Unleash an advanced arsenal with power-up capabilities, with co-op armed vehicle control at your disposal.
• Bonus content: Purchase the full game to receive an exclusive beta version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix." - Xbox.com

This week's second release, Frogger 2, is yet another attempt to bring the much loved 1981 arcade classic Frogger into the present. The game appears to be built on the same concept as the original title with a few twists turned in. It should be noted that this is an original game - it is not the same game as any of the previous titles that have gone by the name Frogger 2. As always, be sure to try the demo before you pick this one up.

Title: Frogger 2
Developer: Voltex, Inc.
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/11/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1 / 2-4 Online
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Hop along with Frogger® 2 as you travel through more than fifteen challenging levels filled with new enemies and obstacles. Each of the five exotic environments provides a new set of challenges, but beware of the bosses that try to thwart your progress. Compete with up to four friends in two different online multiplayer modes, and hop your way to victory.

• Gameplay: Dodge new enemies, obstacles, and engage in thrilling boss battles.
• Hours of fun: Take on more than fifteen levels of action across five exotic environments.
• Multiplayer modes: Challenge your friends as you compete in two new online multiplayer modes. Try Race Mode to see who can finish an enhanced version of the original Frogger level first. Or hang on to the jewel in Jewel Duel, and prevent your friends from taking the jewel." - Xbox.com

Not much to say about last week's Live Arcade releases. I played around with Aces of the Galaxy, but just couldn't get into it and completely avoided Roogoo on principle alone. That's it, I'm done - I'm taking my sick self back to bed now.

It wasn't until I was preparing this week's Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays post that I realized I hadn't posted this bit of PlayStation 3 news from last week yet. Capcom's Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for purchase via the PlayStation Store.

"One of the most popular arcade shooters is back with a vengeance! Wolf of the Battlefield™: Commando 3 revives the classic Commando franchise with an all new adventure. Fight solo or recruit two other specialized commandos to defeat the evil tyrant, General Ratiev and his army of Zalestad soldiers. This frantic war fest combines precise, old-school gameplay with High Definition 3D graphics.

Play as codename Wolf, Coyote or Fox as you take on waves of soldiers, rescue P.O.W.’s and blow up armored vehicles through a variety of dangerous battlefields. The missions become even more chaotic in 3 player local or online co-operative campaigns where the game adjusts its difficulty, so don’t let your guard down. Jump into tanks and jeeps together to boost up your firepower. With loads of weapons and power-ups at your disposal, gear up and blast your way to victory!" - PlayStation.com

Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 has been rated (T) Teen - Violence by the ESRB and is priced at $9.99 - no demo version is available.

As a new week dawns, I can't help but wonder why, even with the medicine my doc gave me, I'm still coughing up a lung. While I ponder that, you should be thinking of this week's pick o' the week… Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. You know, I haven't been a real fan of the series since the disappointment that was MGS2, but I'm hoping that in closing out Snake's story, director Hideo Kojima will be giving us a title worthy of closing the modern renditions of the series started with Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation. If he can do that, I'll be all over this one.

Here are the more notable titles releasing this week …

• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3)
  • Hideo Kojima's epic series (or at least Solid Snake's part in it) comes to a conclusion in this highly anticipated title.
• NASCAR 09 (360, PS2 &PS3)
  • Another year of making left turns for EA's licensed stock car racer.

The full release list, so to speak…

• Backyard Baseball '09  (WII) - 6/11/2008
• Blast Works: Build, Trade & Destroy  (WII) - 6/11/2008
• Don King Presents Prize Fighter  (360) - 6/10/2008
• Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (360) - 6/11/2008
• Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit (PS3) - 6/13/2008
• Jake Hunter: Detective Chronicles  (DS) - 6/11/2008
• Looney Tunes: Cartoon Conductor  (DS) - 6/11/2008
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) - 6/12/2008
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Limited Edition (Gamestop Exclusive) (PS3) - 6/12/2008
• My Fashion Studio  (DS) - 6/11/2008
• NASCAR 09  (360) - 6/11/2008
• NASCAR 09  (PS2) - 6/13/2008
• NASCAR 09  (PS3) - 6/13/2008
• Snood Deluxe  (PC) - 6/10/2008
• The Incredible Hulk  (PC) - 6/11/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

A demo of Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden II for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in Canada and The United States via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 858MB.

Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• Ninja Gaiden II - Official website

A demo of Electronic Arts’ NASCAR 09 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 658MB.

• NASCAR 09 - Product page at EA.com

A demo of Electronic Arts’ Battlefield: Bad Company for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.39GB.

• Battlefield: Bad Company - Official website

A demo of 2K Games' Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 1.27GB.

• Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution - Official website

Okay gang, if you've been having a hard time finding a place to reserve one of the 80GB PlayStation 3 Metal Gear Solid 4 bundles, this may be your lucky day. I got an e-mail from Amazon.com advising me that they will be taking orders for the bundle on a first come, first served basis this morning starting at 10am PST / 1PM EST.

They expect to sell out quickly, so if you want a crack at one, I'd suggest getting there just before the sale starts. Good luck!

• PlayStation 3 80 GB Metal Gear Solid 4 Pack - Amazon.com 

A demo of 2K Games' Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in Canada and The United States via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 1.25GB.

Please note: As of late November 2007, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.

• Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution - Official website

Okay, first off, please forgive the Family Guy reference, but I felt that if I was going to gripe about something in today's post, I may as well at least start with a little bit of humor. Secondly, please keep in mind that I'm really unsure exactly how this would affect gamers if it became a widespread practice, because I'm really not sure just how much data gets passed back and forth during the average multiplayer game. (Though I think I'll start trying to find out) - While I'm tossing out disclaimers, let me also say that my head is still splitting, so my mind isn't quite firing on all it's cylinders… in other words, sorry about the rambling.

Here's the deal… the other day, I came across this story over at Yahoo! News - it seems that Time Warner has begun testing a plan to sell capped internet usage plans instead of the unlimited usage packages we've all grown accustomed to. Now, the last time I checked, we had successfully moved on from the 1990's and the whole idea of pay-as-you-go internet at home, but apparently Time Warner is feeling nostalgic. Under the plan, which is being rolled out in Beaumont, Texas, new subscribers will have the choice of a $29.99 plan which caps at 5GB of data transfer (upload or download) at 768kbs per month or a $54.90 plan which sets it's cap at 40GB of data transfer at a speed of 15Mbs. Any usage above those caps would be charged at $1 per GB.

Naturally, depending on the amount of data passed back and forth during an online gaming session, this could cause a bit of a problem for the average gamer, as could the slower speeds some plans would carry. When you think about it, in today's day and age, it's pretty easy o blast past those limits, despite what the cable companies may say about only 5% of their users coming close to those numbers. When you take into account online games, streaming video from places like Netflix and YouTube, music and video downloads and the rest, it's pretty easy to see how quickly costs could add up.

Perhaps the most worrying part of all of this is that, unlike most other businesses, there really isn't any competition in the cable industry - so if your provider decided to get "cute", you could be stuck with no recourse but to pay. Because of that, my advice to you is to let your local government representatives know that you want them to support net neutrality - and to fight any efforts your internet providers may try to push on you regarding limited bandwidth or "enhanced" internet packages. Vote with both your voice and your wallet and maybe these jokers will get the point.

• Time Warner Launches Bandwidth-Capped Internet Plan - Yahoo! News 

Okay, I'm keeping this one short because, once again, I'm feeling like death warmed over. It's probably a good thing too, as I don't know too much about either of this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases. From what I do know, Aces of the Galaxy is a rail shooter along the lines of Star Fox,while RooGoo is some sort of puzzler. Both are priced at 800 points ($10) each - and I would definitely recommend you download the available demos before purchasing either.

We'll start off with Aces of the Galaxy;

Title: Aces of the Galaxy
Developer: Artech Studios
Publisher: Sierra Online
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/04/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-2
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E10 (Everyone 10+) - Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"3-2-1 blast off! Launch yourself into the intense space-shooter Aces of the Galaxy™, a non-stop, old-school arcade thrill-ride for the twenty-first century and beyond. Utilize an impressive arsenal of upgradeable weapons including high powered missile launchers, devastating torpedoes, and the ever-reliant chain gun to annihilate the ships of the wretched Skurgian Empire. Save planet Earth cooperatively at home with a friend or join up on Xbox LIVE®.  

• Co-op multiplayer: Fun multiplayer mode allows you to play cooperatively, both locally and online over Xbox LIVE.
• Unique temporal shift feature: Use the temporal shift to slow down the hordes of enemies and prepare yourself for the battle.
• Retro action, next-gen gameplay: Classic retro-arcade shooter action mixes with stunning next-generation visuals to bring the action up close and personal." - Xbox.com

And follow up with Roogoo;

Title: Roogoo
Developer: SpiderMonk Entertainment
Publisher:SouthPeak Games
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/04/08
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone)
Demo?: Yes

From the Xbox.com product description;

"Roogoo updates the square peg in a round hole premise to a whole new level. Help the Roogoo defeat their enemies, the evil Meemoo, in Roogoo, a new and innovative action-based puzzler. Players line up multiple platforms on different levels to allow shaped blocks to pass through and once enough of them stack up, that particular shape closes off. A simple premise becomes more complicated as Meemoos begin to obstruct players' paths, and butterflies attempt to steal blocks away. Players must swivel, roll, and boost their way through 45 puzzle-filled levels alone or with up to four friends in cooperative party mode play. For those with a more competitive spirit, Roogoo offers a two-player multiplayer mode over Xbox LIVE® where players battle to solve the same puzzle and can build up attacks to thwart their competitors' efforts.

• New puzzle mechanic: Roogoo features unique 3-D puzzle mechanics where players guide shaped blocks through rotating disks in order to bring them to the ground for high scores while defeating the evil Meemoo.
• Gameplay: Race through 45 progressive action-based puzzle-filled levels.
• Multiplayer mode: The game features robust head-to-head two-player split screen competition over Xbox LIVE for a seriously fun race mode.
• Attack meter: Race to build up your Attack Meter and place enemy Meemoos on your opponents' disks to give you that extra edge to knock out your competition.
• Local party play: Play with one to four players in one game to complete any level. Work as a team and as an individual to get the best score." - Xbox.com

As for the last week's Live Arcade releases, while I ignored Boku Sudoku, I was extremely pleased with the way Warlords turned out - so much so that I actually prefer this new enhanced version of the game over the original arcade version. Good stuff indeed.

I just spotted this over at Kotaku and all I can say is wow. Just… wow.

Tomonobu Itagaki (of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series fame) has apparently just resigned from Tecmo as the result of a dispute centered around bonus payments for his work on Dead or Alive 4. He has also apparently filed suit against Tecmo in regards to the same dispute.

"Tomonobu Itagaki is leaving Tecmo and suing the company for unpaid bonuses. The Dead or Alive creator cites an unfulfilled Dead or Alive 4 completion bonus, stating, "President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, but also turned defiant, telling me 'if you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.'"" - Kotaku

I guess Ninja Gaiden 2 really was the last title he was going to work on in the series. Naturally, I think it's safe to say he won't be working on Dead or Alive 5 either. However, given his love of the Xbox 360 and close ties with Microsoft, it wouldn't surprise me if the company (Microsoft) made a move to quickly bring him into the fold.

• Itagaki Leaving Tecmo, Suing Tecmo - Kotaku 

Wow, never has one plan been clarified so many times. Okay, so that is probably more than just a slight exaggeration, but Microsoft has once again attempted to clear the air regarding what exactly is going to happen with "delisted" Xbox Live Arcade titles.

In an interview with MTV Multiplayer (found by way of Kotaku), Xbox Live Product Management Director Aaron Greenberg admitted that Microsoft essentially botched the announcement and caused a lot of unnecessary negative feedback. According to the article, the games that are delisted will still be available for re-download to existing owners and can still be purchased by customers if the titles are recommended to them by other owners of the game, using what will apparently be a new feature of Xbox Live.

"While not entirely removed, they aren’t readily accessible for purchase by users. They’re removed from the store front, but if you delete it, you can download it again. If a a friend users the recommendation feature, you can actually buy it. Still, Greenberg sympathizes with people’s frustrations over removed content in the age of digital distribution that promised unlimited shelf space." - MTV Multiplayer

Personally, I'm not sure if I like the idea of having to track down someone who purchased a delisted game in the event I want to buy it. One thing that I'm hoping will be an alternative would be the option to keep the trial version of a game on your hard drive, giving you the opportunity to purchase it at any time. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

• Microsoft Admits Negative Reaction To XBL Arcade Delisting Policies Was Their Fault - MTV Multiplayer
• Microsoft: Delisted XBLA Games Aren't Gone Forever - Kotaku
• Microsoft Clarifies Live Arcade Delisting Rules -NYLatenite.com
• Microsoft to Fix Xbox 360 DRM Issue, Remove Underperforming Arcade Titles - NYLatenite.com

The sun rises on a new week, bringing a couple of big titles to retail. Of those titles, one stands well above the others… Ninja Gaiden II. Tomonobu Itagaki's latest creation promises to deliver plenty of excitement and, given the difficulty of the original game, quite a bit of cursing as well. It should be one heck of a ride.

Here are the more notable titles releasing this week …

• GRID (360, PC & PS3)
  • Realism meets racing in this driving simulation. I've heard there may be a freezing issue with the 360 version, so be prepared for the possibility of having to wait for the game to be patched if you go that route.
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (360, DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP & WII)
  • The original Indiana Jones trilogy gets the LEGO treatment this time around. Luckily the game won't be touched by the horror that is Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
• Ninja Gaiden II (360)
  • Ryu Hayabusa returns with a new adventure… and combat system.

The full release list, so to speak…

• Cabela's Trophy Bucks  (WII) - 6/4/2008
• GRID (360) - 6/4/2008
• GRID (PC) - 6/4/2008
• GRID (PS3) - 6/4/2008
• Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2  (PSP) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (360) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (DS) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (PC) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (PS2) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (PS3) - 6/4/2008
• Kung Fu Panda (WII) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (360) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (DS) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (PC) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (PS2) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (PS3) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (PSP) - 6/4/2008
• LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (WII) - 6/4/2008
• Ninja Gaiden 2  (360) - 6/4/2008
• Robert Ludlum's: The Bourne Conspiracy (360) - 6/4/2008
• Robert Ludlum's: The Bourne Conspiracy (PS3) - 6/4/2008
• Stronghold Crusader Extreme  (PC) - 6/4/2008
• Summon Night: Twin Age  (DS) - 6/4/2008
• The Incredible Hulk (360) - 6/6/2008
• The Incredible Hulk (DS) - 6/6/2008
• The Incredible Hulk (PS2) - 6/6/2008
• The Incredible Hulk (PS3) - 6/6/2008
• The Incredible Hulk (WII) - 6/6/2008

Please keep in mind these are only estimated release dates and could change at any time.

One last note here, if you're a fan of CAD, be sure to be prepared for the worst before you read today's strip. Sometimes four panels can convey more than words ever could.