Gallery: F1 2009

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Codemasters’ upcoming Wii and PSP exclusive licensed racing game F1 2009 is coming this fall, so here’s a look at some beautiful screens from the Wii version. I can almost heat the whine of those engines! It’s certainly great news to see the Wii is finally getting more realistic racers. PS3 and Xbox 360 F1 fans interested in this one may have to make the jump, especially with the upcoming $50 Wii price cut this weekend. If the game is as good as (or better than) Paradigm’s stellar F1 World Grand Prix back on the N64, Codemasters will have a hit among Wii-owning Formula 1 fans.

Of course, buying a console for ONE racer isn’t a smart idea. Thankfully, there are a load of other titles in different genres that you might like. go do some research after you ogle these screens – I’ll wait…

Left 4 Dead Crash Course DLC Coming 9/29

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

The gift that keeps on giving gets its second DLC pack as Valve is about to whack L4D fans over the head with some cool new content for everyone’s favorite PC and Xbox 360 Source Engine-powered co-op zombie killing masterpiece.

Quick details below:

Crash Course delivers new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay to both platforms, and bridges the gap between the end of the “No Mercy” campaign and the beginning of “Death Toll” in the original game.

While containing both Survival maps and a Co-operative Campaign, the primary goal of Crash Course is to deliver a complete Versus mode experience in just 30 minutes, resulting in a streamlined version of the game’s existing Versus campaigns. A recharge timer for infected teammates has also been added, and item spawn behavior has changed for more balanced gameplay.

L4D: Crash Course DLC will be available on September 29, 2009 – hit the official L4D web site for more information!

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Goes Gold

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Just a little bit longer… Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising has gone gold and is set to hit retail on October 6, 2009. Naturally, Codemasters is going all out with a bunch of cool stuff happening on the game’s official web site. Peek below for a few screens, boogie on over to the game’s site and go pre-order what’s looking to be one of the best modern tactical military games to date.

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Half-Minute Hero Demo #2 Arrives On PSN

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

Xseed Games loves you, y’know – they just released the second of two demos for their upcoming PSP exclusive, Half-Minute Hero through the PlayStation Network Store and it’s a doooooozy. Fun and ridiculously funny, but it’s short and really cool to the point that you’ll break a nail or something after playing it so much. Xseed is of course, hugely unapologetic about your busted fingernail and has released the following statement:

We are excited to release the second of two downloadable demos for our upcoming hi-speed RPG, Half-Minute Hero. This demo will feature Evil Lord Mode, a real-time strategy game where players will take control of the powerful, and obnoxiously gorgeous, Evil Lord.

In this mode players must summon monsters to fight enemies.

Summon monsters are divided into three types: Brutes, Nimbles and Shooters. Enemies are also divided up into the same categories. Each type of monster or enemy has advantages/disadvantages towards another type of monster or enemy. Figuring out the best strategy to use against each type is the tricky part. When the time limit reaches zero, the reign of evil is over.

See? Totally unapologetic! Anyway, go download the demo and try the game out – keep the Band-Aids handy just in case your nails are weak (more calcium and natural gelatin in your diet helps, as well). Half-Minute Hero will be released in October 2009 at retailers across North America.

Left 4 Dead 2 Ratings Update (UK, Australian and NZ Versions)

Posted on September 25, 2009 by geelw

G’day to all my UK, Aussie and NZ readers! In case you’re wondering about the status of Left 4 Dead 2’s ratings, here you go – news directly from Valve. Let’s all hope cooler heads prevail thanks to a dose of simple common sense. Note to ratings boards around the world: It’s a GAME, folks – there are no real-life zombies and this isn’t going to inspire someone to run around looking for them with a squirrel gun.

Of course, if there’s someone out there that’s THAT far off the rails, well… there’s a pill for that, I hear. Or therapy… Anyway, off the soapbox and on with the news…

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Nintendo Drops Wii to $199, Introduces "World of Nintendo" Gaming Events

Posted on September 24, 2009 by geelw

Of course this has NOTHING to do with all the other console price drops and oddball rebates, folks (*wink, wink*). It’s merely a recession fighting move by Nintendo to keep those Wiis rolling into homes across America (*wink, wink*).

Or something like that – press release below.

Hell, a price drop is a price drop and at $200, the Wii is a more attractive deal now to budget-minded gamers, especially now that more quality games are here or on the way. Personally, I do like those “World of Nintendo” events, which will be PACKED to the gills once word gets out.

Anyway, here you go…

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Pinball Hall of Fame: The WIlliams Collection Rolls Onto PS3, 360

Posted on September 23, 2009 by geelw

In the “It’s about time!” department: Crave has announced that Farsight Studios latest collection of classic pinball tables (in handy digital form), Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection is now available at retail. If you’re looking at that cover art and wondering “What’s pinball?”, well… that’s exactly WHY you need to spend the $40 on this one. Me, I grew up playing pinball (back in 1972, Gottlieb’s ‘Batter Up!’ was my introduction to the silver ball) and I was a big fan of FarSight’s PHOF: The Gottlieb Collection from a few years back, so this new set of silver ball oldies should be a real treat.

Anyway, here’s a bit of the press release:

“The Pinball Hall of Fame franchise was built on delivering the highest level of authenticity to the most discerning pinball players,” said Betsi Gijanto, executive vice president, Crave Entertainment. “With three brand new Williams tables, leaderboards, the 4-player multi-play option and high-definition graphics, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection for Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 upholds that standard while providing gamers with everything they’d expect on the latest game systems. Value-priced at $39.99, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection is destined to become a classic in many gamers’ libraries.”

True to the franchise, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection, developed by FarSight Studios, offers 13 Classic Williams tables from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, including three new tables: Medieval Madness™, The Tales of the Arabian Nights™ and No Good Gophers™. In addition, the award-winning franchise is marking its debut on Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 with online leaderboards and trophies, multi-player for up to four players and HD Compatibility (1080i and 1080p). The game also features expanded table goals and bonus features throughout.
Rated “E10+,” (Everyone 10+) by the ESRB, Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection is now available at major retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $39.99

– go buy a copy already!

Natsume’s Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition Now In Stores

Posted on September 23, 2009 by geelw

Natsume really wants to grab your photo safari gaming dollar, that’s for sure. First, Afrika gets announced as gold status for the PS3 and now, Wii owners get their own exclusive snapshot adventure with Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition, which should be in stores as you’re reading this. This is a pretty smart move by the publisher, as this type of niche game seems to find wider appeal among all types of gamers and by having two similar but different games on two different (and not necessarily competing) platforms, gamers with either console will have their simulated safari without having to fork out cash for a new system.

Of course, folks like me with every console will have to end up buying BOTH games, but hey, it’s good news for Natsume, right? A little press release action and screenshots are below the jump.

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Update: Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Challenge!

Posted on September 23, 2009 by geelw

I hate these darn coded messages. Either I get a rock thrown through a window here, a message-toting pigeon pooping on my windowsill or a big headache after someone conks me on the head and i wake up afterward with top-secret game info taped to my forehead.

Anyway, this latest dispatch came in from Codemasters. Yes, it was in code, and as I’m no master, I had to have some kid down the hall translate this. Cost me five bucks and when he found out I write a game blog, I almost went deaf listening to his whining for cheats and tips and such on games i don’t even play. Darn kids…

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Agetec & UFO Announce Way of the Samurai 3 for PS3 and 360

Posted on September 19, 2009 by geelw

In a unique co-publishing agreement, Way of the Samurai 3 is set to hit stores on October 13, 2009 thanks to the fine folks at Agetec (PS3 version) and UFO (Xbox 360 version).

According to the press release, Acquire’s latest entry in the ongoing swordplay saga is an all-new Action/RPG that promises a “completely new, highly refined style of gameplay, a rich weapon crafting system, beautifully detailed graphics and a deep branching storyline that that will unfold multiple endings based upon player’s actions.”

With that in mind, here’s a look at the game’s story (click the pic to enlarge and read) and characters (ditto) as well as a nice set of screenshots and a pair of CG stills from what looks like the intro movie. In addition, an exclusive iPhone/iPod Touch app has also been announced – see below the jump for all the details…

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