For those of you who are excited about tomorrow’s release of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, there is another option that is headed to the DSiWare which will let you take the thrill of Need for Speed with you anywhere. Need for Speed Nitro-X is now available for download in the DSiWare Shop and is looking to fully utilize the Nintendo DSi’s features for an ultimate portable racing experience.
How you may ask? There is a custom tag editor which let’s the player snap photos with the built-in camera and plaster racing environments with your personal tag. Not only will customization be a top feature, but Nitro-X also features 18 supercars within the game such as the Pagani Zonda R, Porsche Carrera GT, and Lamborghini Gallardo. You can also play in the exclusive Super Pursuit Mode that lets you drive as the Cop. Players can lay down the law in 6 never-before-driven police cars, including the Hummer H2 SUT.
With 16 different tracks and 3 streamlined tiers as well as local multi-player, Need For Speed Nitro-X is looking to run over DSiWare’s racing scene and at a cool price of just 800 points. For more information you can check out the official page for the newest DSiWare racer by clicking here.
‘That lovable scamp’ from Mafia II Joe Barbaro is back, in Mafia II : Joe’s Adventures on November 23rd. Sporting dozens of new City based missions, many new locations in Empire Bay and filling the gap during the time that your main character in Mafia II, Vito, was locked in the slammer; working for the Mob has never looked so good (just check out that sanchez mustache!)
See all the cars, cons and canoloie below
Mafia II: Joe’s Adventures is available November 23rd for Xbox LIVE, SonyPSNetwork and PC for 800MSP ($10.00)
There really hasn’t been too much buzz for Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem which hit stores yesterday on the Nintendo DS so I think it is about time to explain why this is a worthy title for any of you DS owners out there wanting a new and innovative title for your portable collections. Now if you have played any of the Mario vs DK series in the past, you know about the fast paced action-puzzle themed gameplay already.
Mini-Land mayhem takes that solid formula and adds a fresh coat of paint on it with more creation and levels than ever before with over 200 areas players must guide their mini-Marios through to save the Princess Pauline. Using simple stylus controls, players can place girders to cross pits, build conveyor belts, set springs or strategically place warp pipes to make their way to the next level. The new Mini Pauline joins the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series’ roster of familiar toys (including Mini Mario, Mini Toad, Mini Princess and Mini Donkey Kong).
The construction mode seems to be where the most replay value can be found though as players can build their own crazy map and upload them to the Nintendo WFC. Players can also download other maps made by gamers all over the world as well so this seems to be almost a whole different experience on it’s own.
“Mario vs. Donkey Kong games are known for providing endless fun due to their unique combination of platform and puzzle elements along with the compelling usage of Mini Marios,” said Marc Franklin, Nintendo of America’s director of Public Relations. “Play this latest hand-held adventure for just a few minutes and you’ll understand why it’s so hard to put down.”
I am glad to the the continuation of this series as it certainly plays to the roots of Mario and Donkey Kong’s careers in the gaming world. Mini Land Mayhem seems to be jam-packed with content allowing for many hours of play as well so this is without a doubt a heavy contender for the Nintendo DS this holiday season as is now available in the states at a price of $29.99.
2K Sports has announced that Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Roy Halladay, will be on the cover of Major League Baseball2K11. Halladay is one of 20 pitchers in Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game.
“I’m honored to be on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K11,” said Halladay. Roy also pitched a no-hitter in this year’s Major League Baseball postseason and has been nominated for a Cy Young Award.
Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development for 2K says, “In the ‘Year of the Pitcher’, Roy has truly distinguished himself as the best pitcher in baseball. Between his dominating season that included baseball’s 20th perfect game, and his exciting performance during the postseason, we believe there is no player more worthy of representing our revolutionary pitching mechanic on the cover of Major League Baseball 2K11 than Roy Halladay.”
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars is all set to release next year and will include characters from the animated television show and the rest of the Star Wars universe. With the feature list announced so far, this may be the best Lego game yet.
Over 60 missions and levels
A new story that will hopefully actually be new and not just a rehash like in past Lego games
Ground battles that will allow you to take BATTALIONS of trooper into combat and build bases, deploy vehicles, etc. I don’t know about you, but I always wanted to have a massive Lego army.
In what I am thinking is a totally new addition, SceneSwap is “a new feature allows players to take control of multiple teams in separate locations. Working together to complete various objectives, players will control each team through the press of a button, while playing in single player or in multiplayer co-op modes.”
Space battle with your favorite Star War’s spaceship through multiple levels of space.
New abilties like lightsaber cutting, lightsaber throwing, and lightsaber climbing and new grappling maneuvers. Also there will be Force powers. Plus new Clone accessories like weapons and vehicles.
Game:Tetris Party Deluxe Platform:Nintendo Wii Publisher: Majesco, Nintendo Developer:Hudson Soft Genre: Puzzle Release Date: Out Now Price: $29.99 / £19.99
Tetris is one of those rare games that has transcended boundaries with practically everyone, gamer or otherwise, from John O’Groats to Timbuktu having owned or at least heard of a version of it.
Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnovon in 1984 and it was not until 1989 that Nintendo jumped on the bandwagon and produced the first videogame version, originally bundled with the Gameboy, that has gone on to be universally loved across multiple formats and via multiple developers to this day. Yes Tetris has certainly come a very long way in the past 25 years and having been featured on pretty much every major platform it is somewhat comforting to see the latest version, Tetris Party Deluxe, released on a Nintendo machine, in this case the Wii, just in time for it’s silver anniversary.
Tetris has never really been one to follow a story with the main crux of the game generally being to line up the falling blocks into a form or pattern, usually of the same colour, with the objective being to clear the screen whilst aiming for highest score. So what’s new this time around..? Well for starters Tetris Party Deluxe builds on the success of Tetris Party, a predecessor available as a download on the Nintendo Wii’s WiiWare some two years ago. In Tetris Party gamers got to play the evergreen puzzler in a new, fun and funky way. Nintendo has built upon the success of the downloadable version with a fully formed and upgraded sequel that is literally bursting at the seams with plenty of fresh surprises, new game modes and some almost ingenious ways to continue the Tetris legacy.
Gameplay
Tetris Party Deluxe offers players six new game modes plus a host of additional ‘enhanced’ modes to enjoy. Renowned Bomberman developer Hudson Soft have all bases covered here and whether you are a veteran Tetris fan or new to the game altogether be prepared for a new addiction! Game modes include:
Bombliss: Players have to deal with non-standard Tetris pieces – including bombs! Clear the lines and the bombs to cause chain reactions.
Sprint: Clear 40 lines in the quickest time possible
Vs. Sprint:Players compete locally to see who can be the first to clear 40 lines.
Master: This is for those real hardcore Tetris fans out there! Players see themselves starting out on the games highest difficulty and speed. Instead of falling pieces, Tetris blocks appear at the bottom of the screen and lightning fast reflexes are a must if you have any chance of surviving in this mode.
Co-op vs. Co-op:You and a partner pair up to take on another team.
All Clear Sprint: Achieve 20 perfect clears in the quickest time possible.
Field Climber:This mode drops a tiny climber into the playing field. The climber will scale the mountain you create for him in an attempt to reach the goal zone but be warned – the poor little guy can only climb one block at a time! There are checkpoints to reach on each level so Field Climber requires a more methodical approach and is a nice change of pace.
Shadow Mode:This mode has you creating pictures by dropping Tetriminos into their silhouettes. An edit feature included within this mode allows players to create their own shadow puzzles to play.
Tetris Party Deluxe does not disappoint those looking for a multiplayer experience with the inclusion of online battles over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as well as local multiplayer fun for groups of friends and family.
The Wii release also has some pretty unique ways of playing the game and players can use the Wii Balance Board, Wii Wheel, Wii Speak or their own personal Mii to customize the gameplay experience!
The Wii balance board mode is a particular favourite and throws up a unique twist to Tetris. When utilising the board the game is played on a smaller grid using the more conventional blocks of the original Tetris with the goal also being the familiar make lines/clear lines/score points. The controls are actually really straight forward and moving left or right will move the blocks accordingly as they make their way down the screen whilst leaning forward or backward drops them into place. Squatting on the Wii board will rotate the Tetris blocks ready for you to position them onscreen. Although fairly easy to master these controls don’t make for a particularly precise gaming experience but do offer an amusing diversion as well as a light workout!
Graphics/Sound
Taking into account the limitations of the genre the graphics here look great whilst remaining on the right side of functional and never becoming overwhelming. Overall presentation is bright, punchy and most importantly given the sheer amount of gameplay options menus are fluid and easy to navigate.
The Sound for this game is also very pleasing with some upbeat melodies bolstered by the classic theme making for a catchy soundtrack that is rarely an irritation.
However more attention was definitely needed on certain modes of the game as it limps along with what appears to be one background and a single music track on a loop. That said you can customise this mode by choosing which song and image you want to have but that is the extent of the game’s tweaking options so be prepared for some repetition during extended sessions which could become either tiring or very hypnotic depending on which way you look at it.
Overall
The best versions of Tetris remain those that have been true to the original formula. Adhering to this golden rule whilst introducing new elements and modes aplenty gives Tetris Party Deluxe a facelift that is more than a case of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ . Despite this the more traditional modes were still the most enjoyable elements with beating your own high scores the surprisingly addictive long-term goal. I also found myself immensely enjoying the battle mode and the ability to use power–up items during play. In this mode you can stop your opponent’s tetriminos from rotating, shoot blocks onto their grid or force them to use a single type of block for a limited period of time. These items are always fun to use and add strategy to the otherwise straightforward tactic of clearing rows faster than your opponent.
Tetris Party Deluxe offers a huge variety of different gameplay modes that arguably make this release the definitive version of the game. Despite being a quarter of a centaury old it still feels as vital, instinctive and most importantly, downright addictive as it ever has. Here’s to the next 25 years!
Boomin’ and jammin’ into a release date of November 17, 2010, NBA Jam is only a quick dribble away. Already released on the Nintendo Wii, NBA Jam on Xbox and PS3 looks like it will be as cool as ice. HD visuals, online play and unlockable politicians? It is a home run… err… slam dunk! Take a quick look down the lane at these new videos. One features the features that will be available in the game, and the other takes a look at the politicians available to play as. The next NBA Jam should totally have donkeys and elephants. Who doesn’t want to play a game of B-Ball without an elephant?
Fox has joined Hulu, ABC, NBC, CBS and a whole bunch of other shortsighted companies in blocking Google TV from accessing streaming video on the their respective websites. GTVhub.com has a list of websites still allowing Google TV to access video. USA (Psych) Spike (Entourage) and PBS (seriously?) are a few of the awesome companies still allowing internet and TV to be harmoniously together. Dish Network is also offering a $179 deal that includes”variety of content on the Web with DISH Network’s onscreen programming data, DVR and Video on Demand content.” You can read more about that here. Hopefully, we can soon all settle our differences and have a fantastic world free of DRM, net neutrality issues and licensing disputes… Oh wait.
An all new game from Brad Borne, Over the Top Games and EA, The Fancy Pants Adventures will be coming to XBLA and PS3 in the spring. Fancy Pants got its start with two flash games. However, The Fancy Pants Adventures will be a totally new experience. Fancy Pants Man must rescue his sister, Cutie Pants, by exploring a plethora of unique levels and using new abilities and weapons. Get ready to Run Fast and Run Fancy. Looks to be a pretty sweet game. It also gives rise to a new experiment: Will enemies cower before us if we start wearing some fancier trousers?
With a release date of February 25th of next year Bulletstorm isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to bringing the hardcore action. People Can Fly and Epic have brought us yet another crazy over the top video which shows us some gameplay and some voicework. If being told to pull up your skirt and strap on a dildo shows us anything; it is that Bulletstorm is ready to bring some comedy to it’s destruction.
Set to Hey Man, Nice Shot by Filter this video demonstrates the fast paced action with giant monsters, big guns and big mouths so to speak. Showing off is obviously one thing that Bulletstorm does well, especially considering their tag phrase is to kill with skill eh? Regardless though I don’t believe I’ve heard so many one liners spoken during an FPS since the old Duke Nukem days.
