Gaming Bits

Gaming Bits Gaming Bits is your source for daily videogame news reports, gaming gossip and game reviews. http://www.gamingbits.com 2009-11-21T01:24:00+01:00 text/html 2009-11-20T22:21:54+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com BioShock 2 Special Edition details and pre-orders begin http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6941/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/general_bits/bioshock2_specialedition.jpg"> This is one Art Deco-ed out package for BioShock 2. If you've been waiting for the announcement of the BioShock 2 Special Edition, well here it is. It's a unique bundle for the hardcore BioShock fans, which includes: - BioShock 2 game - Vinyl 180g LP with BioShock orchestral score - Audio CD with BioShock 2 orchestral score - Three vintage Rapture advertisement posters (rolled) - BioShock 2 Art Book, 164 pages and hardcover The BioShock 2 Special Edition will be a limited production, and will be available for $99.99 for Xbox 360 and PS3 or $89.99 for PC. If you want to secure your Special Edition, you best do it as soon as possible. It's available for pre-order now from <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Bioshock-2-Playstation-3/dp/B001NIP3EG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1258753669&sr=1-2&tag=gamingbits-20", target=new>Amazon.com</A> and GameStop (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=3bIri0dJodw&offerid=121938.793653821&type=10&subid=", target=new>PlayStation 3</A>, <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=3bIri0dJodw&offerid=121938.793653822&type=10&subid=", target=new>Xbox 360</a> and <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=3bIri0dJodw&offerid=121938.793653824&type=10&subid=", target=new>PC</a>). Although it won't include a Big Daddy figure like the <A HREF="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/2220/0/">original BioShock Limited Edition did</A>, you can order the new <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/BioShock-Daddy-Deluxe-Action-Figure/dp/B002PAH9NE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1258755457&sr=8-1&tag=gamingbits-20", target=new>BioShock 2 Big Daddy figure now</A>. See more details and a larger image of the BioShock 2 Special Edition at BioShock's official <A HREF="http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/bioshock2se.html", target=new>The Cult of Rapture</A>. text/html 2009-11-20T18:57:35+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Need For Speed SHIFT gets new Team Racing Mode, plus 5 cars, for free [screens, video] http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6940/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/general_bits/nfs_teamracing_dlc.jpg"> Get ready to experience an all new racing mode and select from more racing cars in Need For Speed SHIFT. Electronic Arts has announced the Team Racing pack, a free DLC expansion for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It's the first expansion to arrive for Need For Speed SHIFT. Included in the Team Racing pack is a new gameplay mode, Team Racing, and five new cars. Xbox 360 players will be able to download the Team Racing DLC on December 1st (worldwide), while PlayStation 3 players will be able to get the DLC on December 3rd (Europe) or December 10th (US). Here are more details on the Team Racing mode: "The Team Racing mode brings a fresh new challenge to SHIFT by completely redefining online racing. In this mode, two teams of up to six racers will battle against each other for online supremacy. Individual driving strategy and playing it safe won’t work as team tactics and 200 mph split-second decisions are required to push your team to the podium." <a href="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6940#video">See a video trailer of the new Team Racing DLC below</a>. Here are the five new cars included in the Team Racing pack: - 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427 - 1967 Shelby GT-500 - 1969 Dodge Charger R/T - 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T - 1998 Toyota Supra Mark IV <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamingbits/sets/72157622842777344/show/" target="new">See screenshots of the five new cars here</a>. Need for Speed SHIFT is available for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias=videogames&field-keywords=need+for+speed+shift&x=0&y=0&tag=gamingbits-20" target="new">PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP</a>, and mobile. It will be coming soon to the iPhone. Visit the official website at <a href="http://www.needforspeed.com" target="new">www.needforspeed.com</a> for more information on the racing game or read <a href="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6732/43/">our review here</a>. text/html 2009-11-20T16:03:59+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Rock Band Weekly Releases - week of 11/23/09 http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6939/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/logos/rockband2.jpg"> Next week, we have some great tracks coming out for Rock Band which include Kelly Clarkson, Go-Go's, P!nk, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. A 6-pack will be coming out titled "Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Anthology Pack 01" which will feature tracks from the upcoming album The Live Anthology. There are no Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) tracks announced for next week. Single Tracks - $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points or 200 Wii Points) per track "Our Lips Are Sealed" by Go-Go's (L) "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson (L) "Who Knew" by P!nk (L) Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 01 - $9.99 (800 Microsoft Points) "A Thing About You (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (L) "American Girl (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Even the Losers (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Here Comes My Girl (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Mary Jane's Last Dance (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "Refugee (live)" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (Tracks with an "L" are compatible with LEGO: Rock Band) These tracks will be available for the Xbox 360 and Wii on November 24th and will also be available on the PlayStation 3 on November 26th. From Harmonix and MTV Games text/html 2009-11-20T13:58:20+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Dragon Age: Origins 'Return to Ostagar' downloadable content announced for Holiday 2009 release http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6938/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/general_bits/dragonage_dlc1.jpg"> BioWare and Electronic Arts have announced a new upcoming downloadable expansion for Dragon Age: Origins. Coming this holiday, Return to Ostagar will be a new quest for Dragon Age gamers on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. The new DLC will be available for $4.99 (or 400 Microsoft Points for the Xbox 360). This new adventure will lead you on an a journey for King Cailan's arms and armor, sure to make for some good loot. Details on the Return to Ostagar DLC from BioWare and EA: "Return to Ostagar, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, summons players to a new quest in which they will return to the fateful battleground in Ostagar where the Grey Wardens were nearly wiped out. Players will discover King Cailan’s top-secret political agenda and go behind enemy lines to revisit a place that many feared had been lost to history." Features include: - A return to the battlefields of Ostagar, now thick with darkspawn encamped amidst the snow. - An opportunity to reclaim the lost arms and armor of a king. - A second chance to add Dog to your party. Watch for Return to Ostagar soon. See more details on Dragon Age: Origins <a href="http://dragonage.bioware.com" target="new">here at the official website</a>. text/html 2009-11-20T13:03:32+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Resident Evil 5 gets new DLC and a new Gold Edition at retail http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6937/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/general_bits/residentevil5goldedition.jpg"> Early next year, Capcom will release some new downloadable content along with a new Gold Edition of Resident Evil 5. What can be expected? To start off, Capcom plans to release two new downloadable episodes, with new costumes, and a new mode titled "Mercenaries Reunion." The "Mercenaries Reunion" mode will feature 8 new playable characters and some new weapon load outs. The first new episode will be called "Lost In Nightmares" and it will be released alongside the Costume Pack 1 on February 17th, 2010 for Xbox 360 and February 18th, 2010 for the PlayStation 3. The Second Episode (no title yet) will released alongside the Costume Pack 2 on March 3rd, 2010 for Xbox 360 and March 4th, 2010 for Playstation 3. See a chart below breaking down the release dates for North America and Europe. Here is more information from Capcom on the "Lost In Nightmares" episode: "Previously only seen during cut scenes of the original RESIDENT EVIL 5, the first new episode titled “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, finds BSAA agent, Chris Redfield, working with his partner, Jill Valentine, as they investigate Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway. Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this grotesque evil standing in their way as the two enter deeper into the catacombs beneath the mansion." If you haven't purchased Resident Evil 5 yet, you will be able to purchase the Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition which includes the original game and all of the downloadable content for an MSRP of $49.99 on March 9th, 2010. The PlayStation 3 version will include Resident Evil 5 and the extra content on a single Blu-ray disc, while the Xbox 360 will include a DVD with a download code for the extra content. No prices have been announced for the individual DLC as of yet. Here are more details on the release dates of the DLC, from Capcom: <table width="470" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td>Platform:</td> <td>DLC:</td> <td>US:</td> <td>Europe:</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Xbox 360</td> <td>Lost In Nightmares</td> <td>2/17/10 </td> <td>2/17/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Costume Pack 1</td> <td>2/17/10 </td> <td>2/17/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Episode 2 (title TBA)</td> <td>3/3/10</td> <td>3/3/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Costume Pack 2</td> <td>3/3/10</td> <td>3/3/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>PlayStation 3</td> <td>Lost In Nightmares</td> <td>2/18/10 </td> <td>2/18/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Costume Pack 1</td> <td>2/18/10 </td> <td>2/18/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Episode 2 (title TBA)</td> <td>3/4/10</td> <td>3/4/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Costume Pack 2</td> <td>3/4/10</td> <td>3/4/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td>Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition: ($49.99 MSRP)</td> <td>US:</td> <td>Europe:</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Xbox 360</td> <td>Disc and download token</td> <td>3/9/10</td> <td>3/12/10</td> </tr> <tr> <td>PlayStation 3</td> <td>Blu-ray disc with all extra content</td> <td>3/9/10</td> <td>3/12/10</td> </tr> </table> From Capcom text/html 2009-11-20T12:23:12+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Find more PSP gamers to play with using adHoc Party on PlayStation 3 http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6936/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/psp/adhocparty.jpg"> Sony Computer Entertainment America released a free new downloadable application on the PlayStation Network called adhocParty. If you own a PlayStation 3 and PSP, you can now easily host or join games from other PSP players. If your PSP game supports Ad Hoc mode, adhocParty basically uses the PlayStation 3 as a bridge to join other PSP games online. Here's how SCEA describes it: "PSP titles with adhoc mode traditionally require you to play within close proximity to each other. AdhocParty takes advantage of the interoperable capabilities of the PSP and PS3 systems. It enables you to play games featuring Ad Hoc mode, such as Gran Turismo and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, over the Internet through the PS3. Your PSP connects to the PS3 via Wi-Fi, allowing you to chat online with fellow gamers in North America before jumping into competition from the comforts of each of your respective living rooms." See a <A HREF="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6936#video">video from the PlayStation Blog below</A> on how you can setup an adHoc Party using your PSP and PlayStation 3. adhocParty is a great way to meet other PSP gamers online as well. You control a simple looking avatar and can join many different rooms when you sign on. Once you select a room, you can find other players and enter their homes to join a PSP game, or setup a home for yourself. You'll have to give it a try and experience it for yourself, but it's a great new function that finally gets PSP gamers more connected than ever. Download adhocParty for free from the PlayStation Network. text/html 2009-11-19T21:11:49+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com All Konami iPhone and iPod touch games are .99 cents each for a limited time http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6935/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/iphone/mgs_iphone.jpg"> Konami has announced that all of their iPhone and iPod touch games are available for .99 cents from the App Store today, until November 30th. Below is the list of games priced at .99 cents with links to them on the App Store, so go get them. Some very good franchises are included and even more classic remakes. All of this is to celebrate Konami's most recent release, Field Prowlers POLICE RUSH! See the details on the games below, from Konami: <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/field-prowlers-police-rush-us/id338139876?mt=8">Field Prowlers POLICE RUSH!</a> - In this all-new exciting car chase game, players assume the role of a police officer sworn to protect and serve by chasing down criminals and arresting them. Gamers will draw lines on the touch panel with their finger and guide their two patrol cars to hunt down bomber vehicles on the run from the law. To succeed, players will have to capture all the criminals across 30 missions over several distinct stages. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frogger/id286115722?mt=8">Frogger</a> - Help guide one of Konami's most beloved characters safely across the highway while avoiding oncoming traffic and other obstacles. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/metal-gear-solid-touch-us/id307338306?mt=8">Metal Gear Solid Touch</a> - The award-winning commercial warfare adventure brings Old Snake to the iPhone though five chapters spanning 20 stages in which familiar enemies attempt to keep Snake from accomplishing his mission. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/silent-hill-the-escape-us/id300626088?mt=8" target="new">Silent Hill: The Escape</a> - Enter the fear-provoking town of Silent Hill where players must solve puzzles, uncover dark secrets and gather clues to avoid grotesque monsters and survive. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/silent-scope-us/id311888040?mt=8">Silent Scope</a> - Players will fight to save the President and the First Family from terrorists by using their marksmanship skills in this fast-paced rail shooter. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/krazy-kart-racing-us/id329373629?mt=8">Krazy Kart Racing</a> - Pick one of ten classic Konami heroes and speed across 16 themed racing circuits in this 3D cartoon styled racer. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dancedancerevolution-s-us/id305609386?mt=8">DanceDanceRevolution S</a> - In this addictive music rhythm game, choose from up to three gameplay modes with 26 songs and 18 playable characters. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dancedancerevolution-s-us/id300655935?mt=8">DanceDanceRevolution S+</a> - Groove in classic DDR style, but with an added bonus of being able to download new tunes to tap to on the go. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/power-pros-touch/id322521391?mt=8">Power Pros Touch</a> - Experience the crowd cheers, fight songs and over 120 variations of play-by-play baseball commentary as players chose from 25 to 162 game seasons. I will definitely be picking up Frogger and Metal Gear Solid Touch. Let us know which Konami games you are picking up and feel free to leave a brief review in the comments. text/html 2009-11-19T13:23:11+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Aardman Animations creates Flipnote Studio animation on Nintendo DSi http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6934/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/nintendo_DS/aardman_dsi.jpg"> Aardman Animations LTD. has created an animation using Flipnote Studio on the Nintendo DSi. Aardman Animations is the studio you may know from popular stop-motion animated features like Chicken Run, Creature Comforts and the Wallace & Gromit series. They put their animation skills to play on the Nintendo DSi's free application, Flipnote Studio. It basically works like a flipbook, where you draw out frames using the Stylus. You can also share your creations online. See the <A HREF="http://www.nintendodsi.com/flipnotestudio/wishlist", target=new>Flipnote Studio animation from Aardman Animations here</A>. This is one of the unique features the Nintendo DSi system offers, through downloadable applications. See more on Flipnote Studio <A HREF="http://www.nintendodsi.com/flipnotestudio.jsp", target=new>here at the official website</A>. The Nintendo DSi is <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dvideogames&field-keywords=nintendo+dsi+console&x=0&y=0&sprefix=nintendo+dsi&tag=gamingbits-20", target=new>now available in various colors</A> for $169.99. text/html 2009-11-19T13:08:04+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com Skateboarding Dog plays Tony Hawk RIDE? [video] http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6933/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/general_bits/skateboarding_dog00.jpg"> A skateboarding dog has appeared on YouTube, playing the recently released Tony Hawk RIDE. Judging from the facial markings of the skateboarding bulldog, it's hard to tell <A HREF="http://www.google.com/search?q=skateboarding+dog", target=new>exactly which one of these skateboarding dogs</A> it is. Either way, it looks like the skateboarding dog in this video clip knows how to perform of few tricks on the skateboard peripheral. Watch the <A HREF="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6933#video">video below</A> of the skateboarding dog playing Tony Hawk RIDE. You can find <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=skateboarding+dog&search_type=&aq=f", target=new>many videos of dogs skateboarding</A>, but is this particular video of his gameplay real? <A HREF="http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6933#video">Watch it below</A> and you decide. text/html 2009-11-19T12:34:49+01:00 http://www.gamingbits.com PSP Firmware Update 6.20 now available; prepares you for Digital Comics http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/6932/0 <img src="http://www.gamingbits.com/images/stories/psp/digitalcomics_pspgo.jpg"> New features have been added to the PlayStation Portable with the release of the new system update 6.20, now available for download. Download the PSP Firmware Update 6.20 by going to your [Settings] menu and selecting [System Update]. Here is what is noted in the Main Features Revised in Version 6.20: - The importing of playlists from the Media Go application is now supported under [Video]. - The importing of playlists from the PlayStation 3 system or the Media Go application is now supported under [Photo]. - The [TV] category has been integrated into the new [Extras] category in the XMB (XrossMediabar) menu. Compatible Models: PSP-2000, PSP-2005, PSP-3000, PSP-3005, PSP-N1000, PSPN-1005. In addition, the <a href="http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/11/psp-firmware-v6-20-update/" target="new">PlayStation Blog</a> notes: - Digital Comics Reader: PlayStation Network Digital Comics is a new service launching in December. It will allow you to download hundreds of classic and new comics from the PlayStation Store and read them page by page or frame by frame on your PSP system. Firmware update (v6.20) includes the Digital Comics reader application, which you’ll find under a new section called “Extras” on the XMB. Please note, the comic reader is an additional download; once you’ve loaded (v6.20) onto your system, simply click on the comic reader icon under “Extras” to download it to your PSP. In addition, you’ll be able to try out a free digital comic sample from the service soon. Visit <a href="http://www.playstationcomics.com" target="new">www.playstationcomics.com</a> for more information. - Export video/photo playlists : This is a new feature that allows you to export your video and photo playlists from your PC to your PSP system through Media Go. Download the latest version of Media Go (v1.3) for this and a few additional enhancements. So make sure you look for a "+" [Extras] icon in your XMB to install and run the Digital Comics Reader. There won't be anything to read just yet, but as noted in the update, a sample will be coming soon before the December 2009 rollout of Digital Comics.