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Return to Ostagar With More Dragon Age DLC

2009-11-20T16:00:00Z

Are you one of the large number of people upset about the day 1 Dragon Age: Origins DLC? Well it looks like Bioware has listened to your complaints and will be releasing more DLC after the game's release too. See, Bioware and EA do care about you. And your wallet.

The following may contain story spoilers from the first few hours of the game, which have probably already been spoiled for you by now anyway.

The first piece of fresh DLC content was announced yesterday titled Return to Ostagar, which let's you, wait for it, return to Ostagar. After the tragic battle of Ostagar the darkspawn have taken over, and this DLC allows you to return to the battle site to fight back the darkspawn and reclaim the fallen King's armor. The DLC also gives you another opportunity to recruit the dog character into your party if you missed his side-quest in Ostagar the first time around.

Personally, I'll be holding off from getting this particular DLC since the King's weapons and armor seems to be the main draw and my mage character would have no use for them. I also have yet to find a use for the dog in my party, so I can't really say that people who missed out on him are missing that much. It will be interesting though to see if the content will take full advantage of the implications of wearing the armor of a recently deceased King, which I imagine should cause some unfavorable reactions from most other characters you meet during the game.

The content has been set at a price of $5 (400 MS points for Xbox 360 gamers), and though no exact date has been set yet for the content the claims of "available this holiday season" seem to imply an imminent release.

Playstation Network Getting Premium Subscription Content

2009-11-19T16:00:00Z

Today Sony held a media/investor conference to discuss some of the company's future plans. While not all of it is relevant to gaming, there was, of course, a portion of the conference that touched on Sony's plans for the PS3 (and to a lesser extent the PSP). Some interesting details were revealed which non-investors can learn all abut through the conference's slides made available here. Sony sees it's motion controller and 3D gaming (via special glasses and a firmware update) as two of the PS3's key advantages over the competition, all good stuff. But under the Playstation Network section of the presentation there is a tiny detail that might seem a little out of place.

The line "New revenue stream from subscription" appears on the slide detailing how PSN is one of the PS3's key advantages. Of course, this is meant for investors, so new revenue would be seen as an advantage. But as a gamer, this is worrying news. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I had always thought that that one of the PS3's key advantages over the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live was that PSN access was free.

Don't worry, at least too much yet. Online play will still be free through PSN. Shortly after the conference, Sony's Kaz Hirai commented on the subscription plans to reassure gamers that the current free services will stay the same.

"SCE will further increase sales by offering users new entertainment through the combination of hardware, software, peripheral and PlayStation Network. Especially in the online area, we are studying the possibility of introducing a subscription model, offering premium content and services, in addition to the current free services."

Premium content could mean any number of things ranging from more Qore-like content on PSN, to an MMO game, to exclusive Home channels, to early access to game betas and demos. It's good to know that the things on PSN that are currently free will stay that way, but I am very curious to see how Sony will introduce the new premium subscription content into PSN.

Hirai - Current PSN service to remain free, subs for "premium content and services" [VG247]

Modern Warfare 2 Hidden Multiplayer Modes Could Be Future DLC

2009-11-18T16:00:00Z

It's no secret that PC gamers are none too happy with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. While some saw boycotting the game as the solution, others have decided to take a much more productive approach and tear into the game's code for buried treasure. And buried treasure they found, with three multiplayer modes hidden on the disc that aren't currently available to play in matchmaking.

The three multiplayer modes are: One Flag CTF, VIP, and Global Thermonuclear War. The first two operate as you would expect them to, having appeared in countless online games in the past. The third mode, Global Thermonuclear War, sounds far more interesting with players racing to capture and detonate a nuclear bomb. The three new modes have been tested on the Afghan and Favela maps and are fully functional game modes.

Activision has already claimed that new multiplayer modes will come out for Modern Warfare 2 in the form of DLC, so it is very likely that future DLC will simply unlock these modes on the disc. The real question then is how much Activision is going to charge for it. I would hope, especially now that ith as been revealed that the content is already on the disc, that it would be a free download in a couple of months as a way of keeping players interested with new content. But considering how successful the boycott of the game has been, the message has been loud and clear: When Call of Duty is involved Activision can name its price. I expect it to cost at least $9.99.

Unlocking Hidden MW2 Game-Types [Modern Warfail 2]
[via Destructoid]

3D Dot Game Heroes Gets US Release Date, $40 Price Tag

2009-11-17T16:00:00Z

Last month Sony let it slip that 3D Dot Game Heroes would be getting a US release, but no release date or US publisher was given. Late last night a press release appeared from Atlus announcing that it would be the publisher bringing us a heaping helping of "pure retro sexy", accompanied by the release date of May 11, 2010.

The fact that Atlus is publishing the game isn't much of a surprise. Atlus has a history of bringing niche Japanese RPGs to the overseas audience, most recently having huge success bringing Demon's Souls to the US market, so to publish From Software's next RPG is a no-brainer. What is more of a surprise, and a very pleasant one at that, is the price. 3D Dot Game Heroes will release in May for the budget price of $39.99. I guess Atlus must be worried about how the US market will accept the intentionally blocky graphics (Atlus had less success with the similarly styled, and personal favorite, Gamecube game Cubivore) and set a budget price to match the visuals. Personally I would have gladly paid the full $60 for the game, so a discount is just icing on an already sweet retro cake.

Atlus has put up an official US 3D Dot Game Heroes web site that will be updated in the future months leading up to the game's release. The game has also already started appearing for pre-order on the usual suspects of sites, which might actually be necessary if Atlus does another one of its limited releases. Check out Atlus' full press release after the break.

]]> ATLUS LINKS TO LEGENDS PAST, ANNOUNCES 3D DOT GAME HEROESTM FOR PlayStation®3 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Hey, who put game cubes in my PS3® system?

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17, 2009 - Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today revealed that it has licensed the rights to your childhood memories. Pixels rule again in the ultimate retro action-adventure game 3D Dot Game Heroes™ for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, slated to land in North America on May 11, 2010.

"The 8- and 16-bit classics many gamers cut their teeth on are magical, down to their blocky sprites and elegantly simple gameplay," mused Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales for Atlus, while twirling his rattail and wearing a poorly coordinated denim-on-denim outfit. "3D Dot Game Heroes captures all of that legendary charm and more, bringing classic visuals, familar sounds, and a grand sense of exploration and discovery into stunning next-gen realization, all the while giving countless winks and nudges to the fans those iconic games mean the most to. This is pure action-adventure gaming at its finest, a true love-letter to a time-honored genre," he added while putting baseball cards in the spokes of his 10-speed.

Dripping with old school charm, classic gaming pizzazz, and pure retro sexy, 3D Dot Game Heroes is the ultimate homage to the industry's golden era.

3D Dot Game Heroes is scheduled to release on May 11, 2010 with an MSRP of $39.99.

For more information, visit the game's official website: http://www.3DDotGameHeroes.com

About 3D Dot Game Heroes
A long, long time ago, the Dark King Onyx brought an age of darkness upon Dotnia Kingdom. Only by the bravery of a hero with a legendary sword was Onyx sealed in an orb, restoring peace to the world. But Fuelle, a powerful Dark Bishop, has stolen the orb, and with it, peace. Dotnia requires a hero once more! Can you live up to the legend?

Key Features
• Ultimate retro love letter - Seamlessly fusing new and old, the golden era of gaming is felt in every detail of this lovingly-crafted adventure. Eye-popping visuals capture the nostalgic charm of pixel graphics in cutting edge 3D. Simple, but deep action-adventure gameplay is a throwback to the 8-bit era. Veterans will find references and jokes that pay homage to the great games of yore.
• Awe and adventure live again - Embark on the next generation of classic exploration and discovery in a grand story-based quest. A hero sets out to gain the power of the six sages and the six orbs that protected the kingdom of Dotnia, which now stands on the verge of destruction.
• Customize your hero - When pixels are your building blocks, the possibilities are unlimited. Freely edit the look of your character, or design one completely from scratch, and then trade designs with friends via a compatible USB storage device. Your hero's blade is also upgradeable, letting you add length and width to create a sword that fills the whole screen!

3D Dot Game Heroes has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

About Atlus U.S.A., Inc.
Located in Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is renowned for its proud tradition of publishing exceptional role-playing games with strong niche appeal. The Atlus library of critically acclaimed video games includes Demon's Souls, Odin Sphere, the Trauma Center series, and the award-winning Shin Megami Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.

For breaking news, special promotions, insider info, and more, visit http://www.atlus.com/faithful to join the ranks of the Atlus Faithful!

Nintendownloads - 11/16/09

2009-11-16T16:00:00Z

With today's Nintendo download update, free WiiWare demos will finally be available so you can try before you buy. If you've ever wanted to try BIT.TRIP BEAT, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Dark Lord, NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits, or World of Goo well then now is your chance since those are the first games to be getting the demo treatment. In addition to the demos Nintendo will also be releasing Pokemon Rumble, which lets you battle wind-up toy Pokemon to add to your collection. Bradamantium gave us a preview of the game not too long ago, but if you're still not sure about a purchase there's a demo available for Pokemon Rumble too.

On the virtual console things get kinky with the whip wielding Indian Jones' Greatest Adventures. The SNES Indian Jones game featured levels from all 3 films and was akin to the Super Star Wars series in both gameplay and difficulty. Also available is the TurboGrafx-16 version of Street Fighter II': Championship Edition. Come on, there are already 4 other versions of Street Fighter II on the Wii, do we really need this one too?

Despite WiiWare getting demos, nothing demo-wise is happening on the DSi front just yet. But don't worry, Nintendo has not forgotten about DSi owners with three new games released today. Art Style: DIGIDRIVE offers traffic controlling puzzles as you guide cars through an intersection, Arcade Bowling brings the classic Skeeball carnival game to your handheld, and Robot Rescue tasks you with guiding robots through a series of labyrinth puzzles.

Note About WiiWare Demos: It appears the demos aren't going to be around forever. A message on the Wii Shop home page lists "WiiWare Demos Available for A Limited Time!" When you click on the note to read more it says at the bottom of the message that "The demos will be available at least through the holidays." It is unknown if this applies only to the current demos or if Nintendo will stop releasing any WiiWare demos after the holidays. As soon as we know more we'll let you know.

Check after the break for each game's full description and details.

]]> WiiWare

Pokémon Rumble
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 1,500 Wii Points
Description: Available exclusively for the WiiWare service, Pokémon Rumble is an action game in which you control Toy Pokémon (referred to as "Pokémon") and take on wave after wave of other Pokémon in a variety of stages. You can befriend some of the defeated Pokémon along the way, which lets you add them to your collection and grants you the ability to use them in battle. Switch between collected Pokémon at any time, taking advantage of the fact that the amount of damage you deal depends on the type of move used and the type of Pokémon hit. Be the last one standing to gain the right to compete in the Battle Royale and test your skills against many Pokémon at once. You can also team up with three people for some multiplayer action (additional Wii Remote controllers required), working together to take down tough Bosses and earning points that can be used toward recruiting or training Pokémon. You can even save your favorite Pokémon to your Wii Remote™ controller for exchanges with friends. Combining beautiful cel-shaded graphics and exciting game-play features, this is one rumble you won't want to miss. Note that a demo version of Pokémon Rumble is also available for zero Wii Points.

BIT.TRIP BEAT Demo
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points
Description: BIT.TRIP BEAT brings retro action back as you use the Wii Remote controller's motion sensor to bounce beats in this rhythm game. Retro visuals, classic game play, four-player multiplayer and an 8-bit soundtrack will get you in the zone and rock your world. Pay attention, though: As with most classic games, the challenges are mighty. If you can stay cool as the difficulty increases, you'll discover the beginnings of the BIT.TRIP saga.

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: My Life as a Darklord Demo
Publisher: SQUARE ENIX
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 0 Wii Points
Description: Step into the royal shoes of the Darklord's daughter as she installs traps and monsters inside her tower to fight back the endless waves of invading adventurers in this world-conquest role-playing game. Filling your demonic tower with monsters and traps called Artifacts is your only hope to keep the adventurers from destroying the Dark Crystal on the top floor. Fly your tower across the land and conquer every stage on your way to dominating the entire world.

NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits Demo
Publisher: Over The Top Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 0 Wii Points
Description: NyxQuest: Kindred Spirits is the awesome story of Nyx, an enigmatic winged girl who must descend from heaven in search of her missing friend, Icarus. Fly over the ruins of ancient Greece and avoid falling into blazing sands or perishing in the claws of cruel harpies and hydras. You'll need the help of Zeus and other benevolent gods from Olympus to summon their powers. They will let you cast rays, modify the scenery and control winds at will. Fly, aim and shoot using the Wii Remote controller. Play with a friend and maximize your abilities: While one player controls Nyx, the other will control the powers from the gods.

World of Goo Demo
Publisher: 2D BOY
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 0 Wii Points
Description: World of Goo is an award-winning, physics-based puzzle/construction game made entirely by two guys. Use living, squirming, talking globs of goo to build structures, bridges, cannonballs, zeppelins and giant tongues. The millions of Goo Balls that live in the beautiful World of Goo are curious to explore, but they don't know that they are in a game, nor that they are extremely delicious.

Virtual Console

Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures™
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: LucasArts
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Grab your trusty whip and slash your way through all three Indy classics in this no-thrills-barred adventure. If it happened in the movies, it happens here: the giant boulder from Raiders of the Lost Ark, the mine-cart chase from Temple of Doom, the three trials from Last Crusade, Rene Belloq and Colonel Vogel - it's three times the action, all in one fully loaded game.

STREET FIGHTER II': CHAMPION EDITION
Original platform: TurboGrafx16
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) - Mild Blood, Violence
Price: 700 Wii Points
Description: This is the classic PCEngine (TurboGrafx16) version of the two-player fighting game that started it all. At the time, a large capacity HuCARD was used to allow faithful recreation of the dynamic arcade game and its features, including bonus stages and sound effects. In the game, players select one of 12 characters and face opponents in a no-holds-barred battle to decide the top fighter. Master a character's special moves and combos to defeat your rivals around the world. In "V.S. BATTLE" mode, there's a convenient handicap feature. Using this feature to adjust a character's performance, a novice player can be evenly matched against a seasoned player to enjoy an intense, head-to-head combat experience.

Nintendo DSiWare

Art Style™: DIGIDRIVE™
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: It's traffic control with a twist as you try to direct identical cars down the same road in Art Style: DIGIDRIVE. This constantly moving puzzle game combines an easily understood playing field (an intersection) and a simple goal (create fuel), challenging you to properly guide a never-ending stream of cars. Stack similar cars five deep to create some fuel, then use that fuel to continue your progress in the game. Play in ENDLESS mode to see how long you can last, or compete against the computer or a human opponent in VS mode. Use combos to your advantage and see if your reflexes can handle the intensity of Overdrive mode. When all is said and done, you may never look at gridlock quite the same way again.

Arcade Bowling
Publisher: Skyworks Interactive
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: From Skyworks comes another addictively classic game, Arcade Bowling. It was designed by video game legend David Crane, one of the original founders of Activision and one of the most critically acclaimed game designers of all time. In the tradition of everyone's favorite Boardwalk bowling game, use your stylus and steady aim to flick "laser" balls down the alley and up the ramp into the scoring holes. The farther away the scoring hole is, the more points you'll get. Arcade Bowling features three futuristic sound tracks, state-of-the-art 3-D graphics and two addictive game modes, Classic and Progressive. In Classic Mode, roll up to nine balls to score as many points as you can. In Progressive Mode, enjoy multiple levels of game play with increasing score plateaus and bonus targets.

Robot Rescue
Publisher: Teyon
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Robot Rescue is a fun logic game based on a simple but entertaining concept. Your mission is to free robots trapped in 45 evil computer labyrinths while avoiding deadly traps. Sound easy? Not so fast. Each robot shares linked controls, so when you move one, you move them all. It will take clever planning and nerves of steel to pull off this electronic escape. You'll need to avoid many traps, such as mines or electrical circuits, and take advantage of special elements like glue stains. Choose one of three difficulty levels and get ready for a challenge.

Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/13/09 - Happy Friday The 13th!

2009-11-13T16:00:00Z

Yay

Armor Valley - 400 MS points. Armor Valley is a strategy game where you build units that get sent out to conquer the enemy base, as well as defeat any enemy forces met along the way. Unlike a typical RTS, all of the units travel on pre-determined paths, so the strategy comes from picking the right amount of the right units taking into account aspects like their speed, strength, and the number of enemy units coming back at you. You control a helicopter-like craft that flies above the battlefield to give you a full view of what's going on, while also letting you unleash machine gun fire and missiles as support. I should also mention that this is one of the better looking games in the Xbox indies section with high production values and detailed 3D unit designs. It's not as involved as an RTS, but it's more pro-active than a tower defense game, and all fun.

Avatar Rockets - 80 MS points. Avatar Rockets is a fairly simple game where you blast your Xbox avatar into space, collecting fuel along the way to reach further into the stars. It has a nice hand-drawn art style, which is complimented by the ability to draw designs on your rocket ship like a coloring book. There are also three great multiplayer modes where the "just one more try" gameplay meets head to head competition making for a hugely addictive experience.

Flytrap - 400 MS points. Flytrap is an arcade-style game where you control an anthropomorphic venus flytrap as it defends baby flytraps from frogs, wasps, and other enemies. Since you're a venus flytrap, you not only need to stop enemies in their tracks with a spray gun, but also swallow them down Kirby style. The balance you need to strike between shooting and eating enemies keeps the game's intensity high throughout. I do feel like the game should have been released at one price level lower, but it's still a great game.

]]> Ay?

Kissy Poo - 80 MS points. Kissy Poo is billed as a game for very, very young children, and in that respect the bright colors and inability to lose make this game an excellent choice for the 3 and under crowd. The gameplay consists of moving your Kissy Poo character around to kiss sad animals so that they can be happy again. As if the game were at risk of not being adorable enough, any button you press makes baby-like noises. The best part though is how at the end of every level a rainbow shines announcing that it's dance time with happy animals dancing around the screen. It's worth at least downloading the trial version to see the dance time, but only small children and stoners should make the full purchase.

Experiment 12 - 80 MS points. Experiment 12 seems to be the child of N+ and fellow Xbox indie game Pixel Man. You jump and wall jump through obstacle filled levels and a steep difficulty curve. Unfortunately, the wall jumping doesn't feel quite right, which can be a problem most later levels rely on that skill. But if you can overcome the wall jumping difficulties there's a fun, challenging game to be had.

Head Shot 2 - 80 MS points. Head Shot 2 is, surprise, the follow up to the previously released indie game Head Shot. A dangerous criminal is hiding among a crowd of people, and you need to find and shoot him before he can harm innocent civilians. It's like "Where's Waldo" with a sniper rifle. I think in the end I preferred the original Head Shot to this sequel, but this version is still a decent game on its own merits.

StarField Battle - 240 MS points. StarField Battle is a twin-stick shooter that has, for whatever reason, added an ammo limit to the gameplay. The game also lets you weild two weapons at once for double the firepower, but since there's only one fire button you'll use both weapons' ammo at the same time. If there was a way to switch between weapons to compensate for the ammo restriction, then it could elevate this average shooter to a higher level.

Tank-tastic! - 240 MS points. Tank-tastic! is an overhead tank game that puts some more modern gaming conventions in the classic gameplay. Typical overhead tank games essentially break down to a multiplayer deathmatch mode, and Tank-tastic! has that but then adds other modes like survival and capture the flag to the mix. There's a brief single player mode that introduces the player to each of the new modes, but the multiplayer is real focus. Even with the new modes the slow tank controls feel very dated, but the gameplay is considered classic for a reason as the game is still fun to play.

Nay

Lemonade Ltd. - 80 MS points. Have you every wanted to make an insane amount of (virtual) money? Lemonade Ltd. is a lemonade stand tycoon game that is almost completely transparent about how much money you will make, creating an incredibly easy business sim. Weather tries to add some depth, but it's not hard to figure out that you don't keep a lemonade stand open in the rain.

yOm_fury - 80 MS points. yOm wasn't an especially good Pac Man clone when it was released a few weeks ago at a higher price point, so this "lite" version isn't much to get excited about. I appreciate that there is less content in this version, but that is hardly a compliment.

The Flashlight - 80 MS points. Really? There is so much wrong with a flashlight app being made for the 360. Pathetic.

Updated Games
Flash Cards for Kids
Sqong
Megalopolis
Division Omega
World Clock
シャイニング　ブラッド shining blood
Game Training Vol 1: Dexterity
Beat Hazard
Drop Zone

Indie Game Developers Get Edge-y

2009-11-12T16:00:00Z

Tim Langdell of EDGE Games is a bit of a trademark troll. He waits for a game with "Edge" in the title to be a financial success, then springs a claim to ownership to all uses of the word "Edge" in a videogame title, and demanding a portion of the game's profits. EA's Mirror's Edge is still in litigation on the trademark, meanwhile the PS3 RPG Cross Edge has been completely ignored, likely due to lackluster sales for Langdell to prey upon. The hit iPhone game Edge was removed from the app store twice at Langdell's request before finally reappearing with the new name Edge by Mobigame. Langdell's latest target, iPhone game Killer Edge Racing, is especially interesting since shortly after the game's removal from the app store Langdell applied to register his own trademark on the very same name (presumably in a bid to block the game from returning).

This seems to have been the last straw for indie game developers, who have banded together in the most amusing way possible. As of this writing I've seen 22 indie developers that have either announced a renaming of their existing games or brand new ones simply to include the word "edge" in the title. Some personal favorites are Fedge, Canabedge, Critter Credge, rEDGEonance, And Edge it Moves, Edge Yes, Not So Octopus, and of course the pictured Edgeward McEdgington.

Admittedly, most of these game name changes are meant in jest (though Canabedge and Edge Yes, Not So Octopus are fully functional games), but it is uncanny how quickly this movement built up. Will this unconventional faux-protest actually have any effect and shame Tim Langdell into relenting his crusade against games using the word "Edge?" Considering that Langdell's legal trolling forced him to step down from the International Game Developers Association board, and he is still going at it, not likely. But maybe, just maybe, a unified group of game developers could have an impact. I'm sure Miles Edgeworth would take the case.

Langdell Troll Day [TIG Source]
Edgeward McEdgington [Art and Game Development]

Rumor: Project Natal Launching With 14 Game Lineup Next November

2009-11-11T16:00:00Z

Some new information about the release of Project Natal was leaked today thanks to some behind-closed-doors UK studio tours Microsoft is holding to help garner publisher support for the device. According to an MCV tipster, we can expect to get our hands (and arms, and feet, and body) on Project Natal in a year's time next November. Also revealed is that Project Natal is expected to have a launch lineup of 14 games when it comes out next November. Of course, this could simply mean 14 "Natal supported" games with the device only used sparingly. It's also possible that these 14 titles could include previously released games with downloadable Natal updates, as I would expect to happen with games like Madden. But still, there's bound to be at least a few games in the bunch that make heavy use of Project Natal. Considering Rare's deep involvement in the device, I would be absolutely shocked if a Natal-capable Viva Pinata 3 wasn't among the 14 launch titles.

The most interesting news to come out of the studio tours though is the price. Claims are that Project Natal should retail on its own for under £50 (about $75 US), and possibly as low as £30 (about $45 US). There are also expected to be Natal/console bundles, which is about as predictable as the sun rising in the morning.

Is that pricing attractive enough to bring on the Natal early adopters? That will probably depend on what those 14 launch games are. So far Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft have all signed on board to make Natal games, so next November should be an interesting, and active, time of year.

Natal Details Leak From Secret Microsoft Tour [MCV]

Henry Hatsworth Dev's Next Game: Project Monster

2009-11-10T16:00:00Z

After creating the amazing Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, developers Peter Ong and Ryan Pijai broke off to create their own game studio: DreamRift. For those that haven't played Henry Hatsworth, the game seamlessly combined Mega Man-esque action platforming sensibilities with a puzzle game on the touch screen for powering your character. With a history of such excellent genre blending, it's a gross understatement to say that I was eager to discover what the developer's next game would be.

DreamRift has revealed its new game to be yet another DS genre mash-up with Project Monster. Project Monster puts players in control of Ellie, a girl who can "kick some major butt" and fight through a side-scrolling adventure on the top screen Metroidvania style. On the bottom screen is Ellie's pet monster, adding a Pokemon element to the game as she trains the creature with items found on the adventure. Ellie can also call the monster up to the top screen to use abilities ranging from shields and projectiles to jumping on it like a trampoline to get to new areas. As Peter Ong explains the monster training aspect:

You have direct influence of how your pet grows based on what food, toys, equipment, and items to give to him, as well as how the pet is used throughout gameplay. For example, your pet will grow differently based on how you use its abilities, which forms you use, which screen it lives on most, what types of enemies it encounters, and many other choices.

The blend of Metroidvania and monster training is a promising premise for a new game, and if anyone can pull the combination off it would be creative minds of DreamRift. DreamRift doesn't have a publisher yet for the game, but expects to release Project Monster sometime in the second half of 2010.

World Debut: Project Monster [IGN]

Nintendownloads - 11/09/09

2009-11-09T16:00:00Z

Nintendo's been bringing out some great games for its download services lately, and that trend continues this week. On WiiWare things start out with the much anticipated release of Excitebike: World Rally, which brings back series' classic 2D racing, track editor, then adds online multiplayer on top of it. Also this week on WiiWare is Frogger Returns, which thankfully ditches the mascot platformer style of recent Frogger games in favor of a return to the game's arcade roots and gameplay. WiiWare releases are rounded off with Dragon Master Spell Caster which looks to be a competitive dogfighting game with dragons.

DSiWare gets plenty of excitement as well this week with the release of Bomberman Blitz, which brings 8-person online multiplayer to the touchscreen handheld. But what I personally find even more exciting is the wealth of Electroplankton content. Electroplankton Trapy, Hanenbow, Rec-Rec, Nanocarp, and Beatness all come to the DSi in downloadable form. If you missed Electroplankton before (which was quite easy to do since the game never saw a retail release and was only available online) it is a brilliant musical experience, and one of the most unique games in the DS library. These are the first 5 Electroplankton games, with presumably the remaining 4 to be released in the near future.

Finally, on the virtual console things are a bit less exciting with the release of Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap for the Master System. Considering that the superior TurboGrafx-16 version, Dragon's Curse, was released on the virtual console over two years ago, the Master System original isn't going to turn many heads. Also on the virtual console this week is the Commodore 64 shooter Cybernoid, which is known for both its amazing chiptune soundtrack and punishing difficulty.

]]> WiiWare

Excitebike: World Rally
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Prepare to face daredevil jumps, crazy obstacles and other racers in the newest installment in the venerable Excitebike franchise, available exclusively on the WiiWare service. Choose from multiple camera angles as you tilt your way to smooth landings using motion-sensitive controls. Compete in races around the world in four championship circuits. Use Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection to invite friends to a race. Or if you're feeling brave, take on anyone else looking for a match. Feel like tackling a challenge of your own design? Use the intuitive Track Editor to choose from the available obstacles and put together your dream course, then share courses with friends to see whose creation skills reign supreme.

Frogger Returns
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Frogger Returns takes the heart-pounding challenge of arcade Frogger and moves it into the next dimension. Classic top-down 2-D game play is updated with colorful 3-D graphics, a new perspective, new levels, new enemies and game-changing power-ups. A local multiplayer mode lets you race a friend.

Dragon Master Spell Caster™
Publisher: Stickmen Studios
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The Dragon Lords have returned to the magical world of Nakiha, bringing ultimate power to whoever controls them. Choose your champion, then master amazing magic and fierce dragon attacks to defeat the rival Champions and their Dragon Lords. Choose from four different paths and decide the fate of the world in the fantastic story mode. Battle your friends in two-player split-screen arcade mode and tailor your tactics with different dragon and rider combinations, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Marvel at the effects of mind-blowing spell collisions. Mix spells and unleash their ultimate power. Control your Dragon Lord and crush, bite and burn your way to victory.

Nintendo DSiWare

Bomberman Blitz
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Bomberman makes his downloadable debut on Nintendo DSiWare with Bomberman Blitz. Dive into a classic multiplayer Bomberman experience with eight-player local or online multiplayer using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Hone your skills and learn the maps, then take the battle online. Change map and item preferences for enhanced customization. Delivering unparalleled multiplayer excitement, Bomberman Blitz lets Nintendo DSi users enjoy the addictive fun of Bomberman anytime, anywhere.

Electroplankton Trapy
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Trapy plankton make sounds as they swim over graceful lines made up of linked triangles. The creatures follow the lines you trace along the water. There are six types of Trapy in all, each with a unique color and sound. All Trapy plankton produce different tones depending on the direction they swim. They produce the lowest-pitched sounds when they swim to the right and produce higher-pitched sounds as their path veers to the left.

Electroplankton Hanenbow
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Normally aquatic creatures, Hanenbow sometimes use floating leaves to launch themselves out of the water, creating strange sounds and melodies as they bounce off the leaves. Entire schools of Hanenbow have been known to launch out of the water, one after another. As a leaf is repeatedly hit by flying Hanenbow, it gradually changes color. This also alters the sound made by bouncing Hanenbow. When all the leaves turn red, a flower will bloom. It remains unclear why the Hanenbow display this curious behavior.

Electroplankton Rec-Rec
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Rec-Rec are fishlike plankton that feed on sound waves. They absorb sound waves transmitted through water and use them as a form of nutrition. The sound waves that the Rec-Rec eat are then stored inside their bodies until they have been digested. Once the digestion process is complete, they play back the sounds in perfect four-second intervals. While these sounds are playfully emitted, wave patterns can be seen pulsating on their bodies. Rec-Rec always swim side by side in schools of four. When they swim at different speeds, the frequency with which they emit sounds also changes.

Electroplankton Nanocarp
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Nanocarp have very sensitive hearing. Using their two ears to sense vibrations coming through the water, these plankton can distinguish sound quality and frequency. They display very interesting reactions to the sound of humans clapping or breathing. Nanocarp are also excellent swimmers. They have a tendency to swim in formations of 16 and react together when they detect sounds. These plankton emit sounds on their own when they sense waves on the water's surface. When this happens, the pitch of sounds they produce changes depending on where the Nanocarp is located.

Electroplankton Beatnes
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Beatnes are curious plankton with geometrically shaped heads that form vertical strands like seaweed. Their bodies are made up of eight sections, each featuring a distinctive diamond-shaped tail. The sound of a Beatnes can vary wildly depending on which segment of the body is tapped. However, all of the sounds closely resemble the short-wave and triangular-wave sound effects from a Nintendo Entertainment System™ sound chip. When Beatnes are tapped in time with a rhythm, they continue to repeat the sounds in perfect time for a short period.

Virtual Console

Wonder Boy™ III: The Dragon's Trap
Original platform: MASTER SYSTEM
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Tobacco Reference
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap is widely considered to be one of the best games produced for the SEGA MASTER SYSTEM. The direct sequel to Wonder Boy in Monster Land, it starts in the final lair of the previous game. This game is the first in the series to allow Wonder Boy to roam freely by using various animal forms, but as with previous games in the series, Wonder Boy can also buy various weapons, armor and items to help him in his quest.

Cybernoid™
Original platform: Commodore 64
Publisher: Commodore Gaming
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Federation storage depots have been raided by pirates, who've taken valuable minerals, jewels, ammunition and the latest battle weaponry. You have been commissioned by the Federation to retrieve the cargo and return it to storage within a specified time limit. The pirate craft have activated all planetary defense systems, which you must negotiate along with the pirates themselves. If you fail to reach the depot within the time limit, or if the value of your retrieved cargo is insufficient, you must forfeit one of your Cybernoid ships.

Weekly Xbox Indies - 11/06/09

2009-11-06T16:00:00Z

Hey all you closet indie fans, why not come out and show your indie pride? Check out the new Xbox Indies app on Facebook and show off your favorite indie games to friends. It's a great way to show indie game support, as well as get back at your friends for clogging up your news feed with pointless personality quizzes.

Yay

Squid Yes! Not So Octopus! - 80 MS points. In my mind, the name alone makes the game well worth a look, but there's actually a very solid shooter here. Unlike the modern trend with shooters, SYNSO! does not use a dual stick control scheme. Instead you fire in whichever direction you are facing, making for a feel that is both familiar and refreshing at once, and just all around fun. There are also a ton of options in the game, ranging from difficulty level changes to how psychedelic the graphics will be. SYNSO! has actually been around for quite a while on PC, for free I might add, so you might also want to check it out (and it's sequel SYNSO!: Squid Harder).

Antigrav Racing Championship - 400 MS points. Do you wish that the Xbox 360 had a futuristic racing game like F-Zero and Wipeout? Well now it does thanks to Antigrav Racing Championship which boasts 8 vehicles to choose from on 20 well-designed tracks. Anyone looking for their futuristic speed junkie fix need look no further.

Space Milkman - 240 MS points. Space Milkman is a platformer with cute graphics and a nice selection of power-up abilities. Unlike other platformers, you can't just jump on an enemy's head. Instead you need to whip enemies in front of you, or use a move where you jump and slide into the enemies. This jump and slide move also becomes integral to navigating the levels since it is the only way to fit into smaller passage ways. The jumping physics felt just a little off to me, but it never caused a death in-game, and overall the game is just so fun that I can't not recommend it.

Mirror - 80 MS points. Mirror is a unique puzzle game. Each level gives you a line that acts as a mirror, and you are challenged to predict where objects will appear when reflected on the other side of the mirror line. It's a simple and surprisingly fun concept that I highly recommend for people to go out and give a try.

]]> Ay?

Lodestar 1000 - 80 MS points. Lodestar 1000 is a Simon-style memory game that uses not only the face buttons, but both analog sticks and the d-pad for commands. As far as Simon-style games go Lodestar 1000 is the best on the Xbox, but are there really that many people craving this style of game? I can see it as a mini-game inside a larger experience, but to me this style in general isn't worth a purchase on its own.

Snaker Ace - 400 MS points. Snaker Ace is a take on the classic Snake game. You collect eggs strewn around the level to make your snake get longer, which in turn makes levels more difficult to navigate without crashing into your own tail. The new twist on the game is both a blessing and a curse however with the ability to shoot venom projectiles. Shooting is a nice addition to the Snake formula, but shooting also causes your snake to careen at break-neck speeds so that you'll more likely crash into whatever you were trying to shoot.

Nay

Scare Me - 80 MS points. Huzzah! Another screamer app. Sarcasm aside, Setup a scare sequence then put the controller down and wait for the app to scream at you and flash weird/creepy images.

They Came From The Ground - 80 MS points. They Came From The Ground is yet another take on the Slime Volleyball style of gameplay. This version adds the ability to grow and shrink your character for maneuverability, but it doesn't save the core gameplay from being shallow.

Updates
Block Fight!
Puzzle DeFusion
Reef Rave
Light's End
CaveIn - Miner Rescue Team
Chick Chick Chicky
RC-AirSim
Project Alpha
Gamerbots: Third-Robot Shooting
Flash Cards for Kids

Hold It! Phoenix Wright Is Wii-Bound?

2009-11-05T16:00:00Z

Get ready to yell "Objection!" while striking a dramatic pose with your Wii remote, because it looks like the Ace Attorney might be venturing to Nintendo's console in the future. That is, according to Germany's USK rating system which recently posted a rating for a Wii Phoenix Wright game.

Currently, suspicions are that Phoenix Wright's first console foray will be a WiiWare rehashing of his first handheld adventure. Last year in Japan the first Phoenix Wright game was released via digital distribution for PCs, which would make for a fairly easy port to a WiiWare game. In Japan the PC version took an episodic form, breaking the game's 4 cases into 17 chapters. However, given that the German USK rating only lists one Phoenix Wright game, it would be safe to assume that we'll be getting the whole package in one shot. Now, fans of the series might have noticed that I just said that the PC game had 4 cases, while the DS game had 5. This is because the PC version was based on the original GBA game, which was lacking the DS version's touch-screen intensive 5th case.

While it is a bit disappointing that the first Phoenix Wright game to hit consoles will likely be an older port, it is good to see the franchise expanding to new platforms. Of course, nothing is official at this point, but please tell me I'm not the only one that gets really excited thinking about the possibility of presenting evidence with an over-dramatic flourish of the Wii remote. Maybe this will help to make up for Phoenix Wright's glaring omission from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Coming To The Wii [GamerBytes]

Auditorium Bringing Musical Puzzles To Consoles Next Year

2009-11-04T16:00:00Z

Great news came for music and puzzle game fans today with the announcement that the fabulous indie game Auditorium will be making the jump to XBLA, PS3, and PSP early next year courtesy of Zoo Games. What is Auditorum, you may ask? Auditorium is a musical puzzle game in which you control a stream of particles to trigger music in the environment. Reading it back, that sentence probably made very little sense if you haven't played it, which I highly recommend you do, but trust me that it is simply an amazing audio experience.

Auditorium currently goes for $10.99 for the PC version (which is totally worth it), so expect the XBLA and PSN versions to be priced similarly. And though nothing has been announced specifically about it at this point, Zoo Games has a history of publishing on the Wii, DS, and iPhone, all of which would also be a perfect fit for Auditorium. Check out the full press release after the break.

]]> Indie Developer Cipher Prime Signs Multi-Platform Publishing Deal for Auditorium with Zoo Games

Zoo to Release 2BeeGames Competition-Winning Title in 2010

New York - November 4, 2009

Zoo Games, a publisher of casual and family-friendly video game titles, has inked a publishing deal with Cipher Prime, an independent, Philadelphia-based studio, for their award-winning title Auditorium. William Stallwood and Dain Saint, the creatives behind Auditorium, won the first 2BeeGames.com Indie Game Competition in July, winning the grand prize of $10,000 and a newly signed worldwide multi-platform publishing contract. Early next year Auditorium will be available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, PlayStation®Network, and PSP®Go.

"Playing Auditorium is an experience anyone can enjoy, so we wanted this truly independent and homegrown game to be available on multiple platforms, reaching a wide range of gamers," said Mark Seremet, CEO, Zoo Games. "A game with the creativity and ingenuity of Auditorium doesn't come around very often and we're proud to have signed this project through our 2BeeGames Indie Game Competition."

Auditorium is really all about the experience, both visually and aurally. There are no instructions to teach you how to play. The game is about exploration and discovery. Each level is a unique puzzle with several possible solutions. You play the game by manipulating "the Flow," a constant stream of moving particles of light and sound. The goal is to manipulate various controls in order to guide the Flow into Audio Containers. As you fill the containers, light transforms into sound. Given enough light, the containers will begin to sing together in a symphony, providing the ultimate Harmony of Flow.

"We always knew we wanted to create games professionally, but we never expected our first game to take off like this," said Dain Saint, half of the two-man team at Cipher Prime. "For us to be in a position to publish our first title on all these platforms is like a dream come true."

"Auditorium is our baby and we're so happy to see it growing up," says Will Stallwood, the other half of Cipher Prime. "Auditorium in HD will be a beautiful and breathtaking experience."

The full PC version is available now for $10.99 by visiting www.playauditorium.com.

Auditorium can be played by visiting www.2BeeGames.com.

Auditorium for consoles will be available beginning early in 2010.

About Zoo Games, Inc.
Zoo Games, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zoo Entertainment, Inc. Run by industry veterans, the company is focused on licensing, developing, and publishing a wide variety of casual and family-friendly video games for Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Playstation®2 system, PSP (PlayStation®Portable) system, iPhone™, and PC through their wholly owned subsidiary, Zoo Publishing, Inc. Product highlights include Order Up! and Deal or No Deal for Wii™, and multi-platform releases of titles for Showtime, Chrysler, and Jeep. Zoo Games, Inc. is headquartered in New York, NY and Zoo Publishing, Inc. is based in Cincinnati, OH. European publishing is through Zoo Entertainment Europe Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zoo Games, Inc. More information on Zoo products can be found at zoogamesinc.com.

Safe Harbor
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Zoo Entertainment, Inc. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements, based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Zoo Entertainment, Inc.'s management, are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: general economic conditions; geopolitical events and regulatory changes; requirements or changes adversely affecting the businesses in which Zoo Games is engaged; demand for the products and services that Zoo Games provides, as well as other relevant risks detailed in Zoo Entertainment, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. Zoo Entertainment, Inc. assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release.

Video: Prince Of Persia Movie Trailer - Needs More Shirtless Gyllenhaal

2009-11-03T16:00:00Z

Let's face it, the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time movie is first and foremost an excuse to get Jake Gyllenhaal to jump around with his shirt off. And I fully support that. But what are we supposed to make of this trailer that was just revealed for the film? Not only does it feature very little shirtless Gyllenhaal action, but it actually looks like it might be a decent movie. This could disrupt the years of a cherished history where movies based on videogames are abominations not fit even to be used as torture.

Sure, the movie isn't following the exact plot of the game, and the game's signature acrobatic puzzles are nowhere to be seen, but I am still optimistic. Gyllenhaal's prince seems to take the Sands of Time character minus the angst of Warrior Within and Two Thrones, then adds a bit of the more recent Prince of Persia's snark. At the very least, it looks like it'll be a good popcorn flick to kick off the movies of summer when it hits theaters on May 28.

Nintendownloads - 11/2/09

2009-11-02T16:00:00Z

I don't know what the special occasion is, but this week Nintendo is releasing twice as many games as per a typical Monday morning. First up on WiiWare we've got three new titles. Carnival King brings all of the fun of a carnival midway to your home without any of the creepy carnies. "Aha! I Got It!" Escape Game gives you three challenging puzzle rooms to escape from. Meanwhile Family Card Games brings you popular(?) card games like Daifugo, Speed, and Memory.

The virtual console gets two new entries this week. Fighting Street is a TurboGrafix port of the original Street Fighter arcade game, which featured the first appearance of the fabulous Eagle. But if you're more in a mood to shoot things, then check out the classic R-Type, which this is the Master System version that had a bonus level not seen in the arcade or other ports. Then again, the near-perfect arcade port of the game is already available in the TurboGrafix version, so the Master System port may be a tough sell.

The DSi gets plenty of love this week with three games of its own. Sparkle Snapshots lets you add some glamor and glitz to your DSi photos. If you're more strategically inclined, Viking Invasion brings some Nordic tower defense action to the handheld. And to top things off, Battle of Giants: Dragons - Bronze Edition lets you, well, battle dragons.

WiiWare

Carnival King
Publisher: Incredible Technologies
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 700 Wii Points™
Description: Carnival King is a fun-for-all-ages video game that brings the spirit and energy of competitive carnival games to the screen. Players compete for top scores and prizes while visiting three different amusement parks: Arcadia, Dreamland and Lagoon Park. Each park has four sets of games and a Bonus Round to test players' speed and accuracy. For novices or sharpshooters, the games are continually challenging, and the difficulty level can be adjusted to match each player's growing confidence.

"Aha! I Got It!" Escape Game
Publisher: Ateam Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Play alone or with family and friends to solve this puzzling adventure game. Today is Milo's birthday, and he just got an amazing present from his dad: a room full of puzzles. Milo needs to solve all the puzzles to escape from the room. Shake, push and twist the Wii Remote™ controller to collect and use in-game items. There's plenty to solve - see if you have what it takes to figure it all out.

Family Card Games
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy are back for some good ol' card game action. Try your hand at one of three card games: Daifugo, Speed or Memory. Family Card Games offers appealing cel-shaded graphics, endearing music and friendly, competitive match-ups. You can play one-player Daifugo or play against up to three other random players in an online match. You can also view your ranking and see how you match up with players around the world. Test your reflexes against another player in Speed and see who truly has the fastest hands. Memory will test your mental capacity as you try to remember where cards and their respective matches are.

Virtual Console

Fighting Street
Original platform: TurboGrafx16 CD-ROM
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Blood, Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: A port of the arcade version of STREET FIGHTER, the legendary fighting game that started it all. Players control RYU or KEN and battle against unique fighters from all over the world. The first fighter to knock out an opponent and win two rounds is the winner. Power up your attack to three different levels - the longer you hold a button, the stronger your attack. Input commands to perform special attacks and deal serious damage to your opponent. Combine your normal and special attacks effectively to fight your way to victory.

R-TYPE™
Original platform: SEGA Master System
Publisher: SEGA
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: R-TYPE is a classic, side-scrolling arcade shoot-'em-up that was developed by Irem in 1987. It's the 22nd century, and you are humanity's last hope against the evil Bydo Empire. Your ship is called the R-9a "Arrowhead" and comes with a standard gun, but power-ups and upgrades are available in each mission. Navigate through eight challenging levels that will test even the best gamer's reflexes. The SEGA Master System version features an exclusive secret level not found in any other release.

Nintendo DSiWare

Sparkle Snapshots
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Take photos and embellish them to your heart's desire with Sparkle Snapshots. Choose from a large variety of fancy frames, backgrounds, stamps and funny outfits to decorate your photos, or use the powerful paint program functions to manipulate them in detail. Want to take a new photo and add it to your collection? Adjust the lighting conditions and lens type to match your subject and even use a shutter timer to allow yourself some extra time to get everything perfectly in place. Save your favorite snapshots in your Nintendo DSi Camera album and use Nintendo DS wireless communications to send your masterpieces to your friends. It's all the fun of a photo booth - and more - in the palms of your hands.

Viking Invasion
Publisher: BiP Media
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: They come from the North, and they're about to invade your Nintendo DSi system. Beware of Olaf the Viking and his motley crew. Even now, their drakkars are sailing up the rivers to attack your castles. It's up to you to construct fortifications to prevent them from pillaging everything you own. The more you defend yourself, the more ferocious they'll become. Before you know it, they'll be invoking legions of fantastic creatures straight out of the mythical land of Asgard. Fortunately, the experience you gain will help you to build even more powerful defenses. Thwart all your assailants' ruses and unlock new kinds of buildings: tornado-blowing windmills to repel the ships, monoliths that strengthen your fortifications or canons that shoot studded shells. Discover more than 10 levels, tons of units, a Campaign mode, a Survival mode and three difficulty levels. There's even a little surprise at the end. Can you rise to the challenge and stop Olaf from taking your treasure home to his sweetheart Olga?

Battle of Giants: Dragons - Bronze Edition
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: As last of the noble and rare Bronze Dragons, you must defeat the evil SALMU dragons and reclaim the 25 exclusive bronze gems they stole. Explore 10 maps and travel through the great jungles of Earth, the scorched grounds of Fire, the frozen wastelands of Ice and the floating islands of Wind. Customize your dragon's appearance by changing its body, wings, tail shape and colors - even add stripes. Test your dragon's fighting skills against your friends in head-to-head combat or four-player tournaments.