Gamertell

Tecmo announces North American releases for Again and Monster Rancher DS

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-11T01:44:09+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Handhelds, DS, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, Adventure, Role-Playing, Sim

Tecmo’s going to have a busy March. The company has announced it will be releasing two DS games in March, 2010 - Again and Monster Rancher DS. It’s a case of something old and something new. Again is a brand new release for both Japan and North America, while Monster Rancher DS was released in July 2007 as Kaite Shabette Hajimeyou! Monster Farm DS.

The Monster Rancher DS game allows players to raise and battle monsters. In the PlayStation entries in the series, people would use CDs and DVDs to create new monsters, and the Game Boy Color and Advance versions used passwords. Monster Rancher DS uses the GBA slot, touch screen and microphone to spawn new monsters. It also offers local and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection multiplayer.

Again, formerly known as Again: Eye of Providence, is a an adventure game along the lines of Hotel Dusk and Trace Memory. It figures, because the Again developer, Cing, made both of those games. In it the detective has psychic abilities that allow him to see the past and discover evidence and crime scene clues.

If I remember right, it’s been around a year since we’ve seen Tecmo release a DS game in North America. Maybe Ignition’s North American release of Nostalgia, which Tecmo published in Japan, has inspired the company to release more of its Japanese DS games overseas.

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Destructoid]

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Register for Starfleet with Star Trek Online on February 2, 2010

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-10T18:29:52+00:00

Section: Gaming News, PCs, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, MMO, Role-Playing

Atari and Cryptic Studios have just announced a release date Trekkies worldwide have been waiting for - the offical debut of Star Trek Online. It will be released February 2, 2010 in North America and three days later on February 5, 2010 in Europe and Australia.

Star Trek Online will be available in two versions, the standard edition which costs $49.99 and a $79.99 collector’s edition. The collector’s edition comes with a special game box, an art book, a Starfleet communicator badge and buddy passes so your friends can play. If you preorder it at Amazon, you’ll get guaranteed access to the open beta and a Borg Bridge Officer character. If you place your preorder at GameStop, you’ll get a special Starfleet Constitution Class Starship with extra features.

Star Trek Online follows along the same storyline as the recent J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie and is set in 2409. Players get to explore space, starships and planets as a Starfleet officer from any established species from the series or their own unique species. If you’ve been eagerly following any Star Trek Online news, you probably already knew all this.

If you’re a Star Trek fan who really wants to get into this by knowing the stardate for when Star Trek Online debuts, then it gets complicated/ The whole system for determining stardates was pretty much different for every Star Trek show. Depending on what online converter/calculator/generator you use, you’ll get different stardates. For example, the Stardate Calculator at Star Trek USS Dragonstar says that it would be released around stardate 63587.4. The Sector 001 Stardate Converter says it would be around 63508.1. Really, it’s best not to overthink it.

Read [PR Newswire] Via [Joystiq] Also Read [Gaming Nexus] Site [Star Trek Online]

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Majesco’s throwing a Hello Kitty Party, and all DS owners are invited

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-10T17:03:08+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Handhelds, DS, Game-Companies, Publishers, Genres, 2D, Action, Casual, Children's, Puzzle

Majesco has decided the best way for the company to honor Hello Kitty’s 35th anniversary is by bringing joy to DS-owning children and Hello Kitty fans with Hello Kitty Party. The game, which will be released November 23, 2009 in North America and is already out in Europe, is a mini-game collection starring Hello Kitty and a number of other iconic Sanrio characters.

The game features Hello Kitty and characters like Keroppi, Badtz Maru, Cinnamon Roll, My Melody, Kuromi, the Twin Stars and some rabbits that I don’t recognize. There are 25 mini-games included and, based on the screenshots, it appears that Hello Kitty isn’t the star of them all. Keroppi, Cinnamon and the Twin Stars all seem to have their own games in the screenshots, so perhaps all of the Sanrio characters will have their own mini-game.

Yes, it looks incredibly simplistic, but kids love these kinds of games. It’ll probably end up being popular among little girls this holiday season. Parents, grandparents, etc will see Hello Kitty on the cover, the “Everyone” ESRB rating and the notice about 25 mini-games being included and will pick it up figuring it’d be a perfect gift.

Seriously though, does anyone recognize the three additional bunny characters in the screenshot at the right? I know I’ve seen the pastel patchwork rabbit character and just can’t recall its name, but I’ve never seen the white and pink and brown and beige bunnies before.

Read [Gaming Angels] Also Read [GameZone] Site [Hello Kitty Party]

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Halo Legends animated short films expand game’s mythology

Christian Morlotte — 2009-11-10T15:32:50+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, Xbox-360, Ads & Media, Movies, Game-Companies, Developers, Genres, FPS

Microsoft Studios and 343 Industries are taking the Halo universe one step further with a series of computer-generated and anime-styled new short films called Halo Legends. The stories will focus on the origins and history of the Halo universe as well as its characters.

Halo Legends comprises seven stories told throughout eight episodes and will be presented in a similar fashion to The Animatrix, in which each episode is created by a different team employing different styles of animation.

The creative team features an all star cast of anime directors and animators including Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), Shinji Amaraki (Appleseed), Hideki Futurama (The Animatrix), Daisuke Nishio (Dragon Ball Z) and Koji Sawai (Ranma 1/2, Patlabor) among others. Five Japanese studios are in charge of production, including Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., Studio 4°C, and Toei Animation.

The first episode, “The Babysitter,” is available to Xbox 360 users via Halo Waypoint.

I saw it a couple of nights ago and I think it’s really good. It was created by Studio 4°C and it has an old school look that reminded me of the Macross series. Those not familiar with the series, or for that matter new to animation may not be blown away by this episode since it doesn’t employ the extreme action sequences and camera angles of more modern productions. Even so, I think it’s important to present different influences and styles of animation and a compilation like this one wouldn’t be complete without some old school stuff.

Halo Legends will be available starting on February 9, 2010. It comes in three different sets: as a single DVD, a special edition double DVD and in Blu-Ray. The individual chapters will also be available in digital, downloadable formats.

Read [Cinemablend] Website [Halo Legends]

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Gamertell Review: Dead Space Extraction for Wii

Kirk Hiner — 2009-11-10T04:30:59+00:00

Section: Reviews, Features, Opinions, Consoles, Wii, Genres, 3D, Action, Shooter, Horror & Suspense

Title: Dead Space Extraction
Price: $49.99
System: Wii
Release Date: September 28, 2009
Publisher (Developer): Electronic Arts (Visceral Games)
ESRB Rating: “Mature” for blood and gore, intense violence and strong language.
Pros: Engaging story with great characters, excellent action and controls, fantastic graphics, a couple decent bosses and great two-player co-op.
Cons: Prolonged dialogue hurts replay value, froze at one point, somewhat short, too many hallways and not enough scares.
Overall Score: Two thumbs up; 91/100; A-; **** out of 5

Caveat Lector: This review contains spoilers.

Electronic Arts should be ashamed of themselves.

In Dead Space Extraction, they’ve got the best rail shooter (or light gun) game available on the Wii - and arguably on any platform - and they’ve done next to nothing to let anyone know about it.

The developer videos made available did little to pique my interest and it wasn’t until well after its release that a former coworker convinced me to give it a try. That’s why this review is so late but you should trust me on this: Don’t miss this game.

Dead Space Extraction is the prequel to last year’s Dead Space for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. That game saw a comic book and an animated movie—Dead Space Downfall—tie-in to promote it. EA must’ve thought that was enough momentum to help sell Dead Space Extraction but I knew nothing of any of these (and I still don’t care to). Even now that I’ve completed Extraction, I’m happy enough to keep this entry contained within itself.

It’s that damn good.

Understand, though, you have to be willing to accept certain things to share this view of the game. As mentioned, it’s a rail shooter, so you have no control over where you’re going; you just aim and shoot.

On Rails, No One Can Hear You Scream

Don’t get stuck visions of House of the Dead, however. Extraction is not just another mindless variation of shooting carnival ~~zombies~~ ducks in a row. Presented in the first-person, camera movement is designed to make you feel like you’re actually there. You don’t just stare straight ahead, you react. You may be shooting at oncoming aliens but, if you hear something behind you, you’ll turn to look.

You seek exits and cover. You check on your companions. You’re still given the necessary time to kill what needs to be killed, but the developers use this to create actual space. You feel like your part of the environment, even though you’re actually just being pushed through it.

Another element that could be good or bad, depending upon your expectations, is the story. It’s basic—bad things are happening, eliminate bad things, escape—but it’s told from within the gameplay, not through the standard cut scenes at the beginning and end of each level. This keeps you drawn into the game, as the interruptions to the action are relatively short.

However, you can’t skip them. You won’t care on the first play through but, if you have to replay a level, you’ll quickly grow impatient.

Rail shooters are generally great for playing with friends, but if you’ve gone through Extraction once, you likely won’t want to do it again anytime soon, even with someone who hasn’t previously played the game.

Ishimura, We Have a Problem

This brings me to co-op play, which is perfectly implemented.

A second player can hop in and out of the game at any time without breaking up the action. The limited camera control and weapon slot selection is still left up to player one, player two simply provides more firepower. If you’re on level four and a friend wants to play, let him join you right there. No need to create a new game profile or start from scratch (although you can certainly go back and replay any completed level).

Sacrificing replay value is worth it in this case, however, as it makes the first run-through much more engaging. This game is not played for comic value, as in House of the Dead: Overkill.

These characters felt real. I liked them. I wanted to see them get out alive. Even some of the secondary characters (a couple of which you actually control for a level). They take turns showing moments of strength and weakness and develop a logical relationship with one another as moments of fear and relief take over.

It’s very, very well done but, if you don’t care about story and character and just want to slice up aliens, you’ll find all of this getting in the way.

Nice Planet. We’ll Mutate It.

Unfortunately, Dead Space Extraction isn’t all that scary. It’s intense but never frightening, working better as sci-fi action than as a horror-survival game. This may be due in part to the similarity of the aliens (and their behavior) throughout. If a species is going to take over and mutate dead human bodies, into how many forms would they mutate?

I don’t really need a wide array of aliens for a game to hold my interest but a wider array of locales would’ve helped. Whether on the surface of Aegis VII at the beginning or the spaceship Ishimura for the final three-quarters, you’re largely just running through dark hallways. I never got the sense of what either location actually was.

Likewise, the developers never really explain what you’re fighting. Yes, there’s this crazy suicide cult and a bunch of people flipping out (told in the game and in the bonus video comic included) but who was I fighting? The couple of bosses you face give the impression it’s something very large and plant-like, but you have no idea how this thing fits in with the Marker.

Also, the game froze on me at one point, a rarity with a Wii title. The game didn’t lock up, it just left me stranded in front of a door that wouldn’t open.

Extraction. It Was Fun While it Lasted.

Still, upon completing Dead Space Extraction, I felt a bit empty. This may be due in part to its unnecessary cliffhanger ending (unless Visceral is planning a sequel, they really should’ve just made up their mind) but is largely because I wasn’t done with these characters. I grew to like them, thanks to some excellent acting and mostly believable dialogue. I want their adventures to continue.

Ten levels was too short, especially since it took until level 10 before you see Lexine stomping on a dead alien out of anger and frustration. Totally hot.

So, I hope there’s a sequel. Not Dead Space 2 but Dead Space Extraction 2. Sales of this game have not been great, though, no thanks to EA, so I don’t have much hope. Considering what the protagonists go through in this game, however, I guess that’s in line with the general theme.

Site [Dead Space Extraction]

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EA to lay off 1500 employees

Danielle Riendeau — 2009-11-10T02:17:20+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Game-Companies, Publishers

Ouch. Some very difficult news is coming from Gamasutra today, which just announced that Electronic Arts will cut 1500 jobs by April 2010. It’s being called a cost-cutting strategy (as all layoffs are, really), and it comes hot on the heels of the company’s acquisition of casual/social game publisher Playfish.

From Gamasutra:

“About 1,300 of those layoffs are part of a wide-reaching restructuring plan that will include “the closure of several facilities.” The move, which will cost EA between $130 million and $150 million, is expected to save $100 million annually (just over a fourth of what the company said it lost this quarter).”

Combined with the news about Playfish, this certainly feels like an attempt to go after the lucrative (and more budget-friendly) social/casual gaming space, as opposed to the massive, big-budget titles that EA’s been pushing hard for the last few years. Speculation aside, my condolences to all the folks who have just lost their jobs.

Read [Gamasutra]

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Black Friday 2009: Kohl’s video game sales

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T20:30:54+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, Wii, Handhelds, DS, Gear, Accessories, Ads & Media, Print, Advertisements

The Kohl’s Black Friday 2009 ad has leaked its way onto the internet, so add that to the list that also includes Kmart and Sears. In terms of video game sales, the Kohl’s ad is rather anticlimactic.

The main Kohl’s video game sale is fairly general. Every DS and Wii game in the store is between 20 and 30% off the normal price. Also, every video game accessory in the store will be between 20 and 50% off the normal price. If there’s something specific you’re looking for, perhaps you should stop by your local Kohl’s before November 27, 2009. See if there’s something you’re interested in. That way you’ll know if its worth going in while the sale is on.

Kohl’s is also going to offer a Kohl’s Cash promotion during its Black Friday 2009 sale. For every $50 you spend in the store or online, you’ll receive $10 Kohl’s Cash. So if you spend $167 at Kohl’s during the Black Friday sale, you’ll get $30 in Kohl’s Cash coupons. It’s hard to make out the fine print, but it looks like you may only be able to redeem the Kohl’s Cash coupons you’ve earned between November 30 and December 7, 2009.

Image Source: TheBlackFriday.com

Read [TheBlackFriday.com] Also Read [BlackFriday.info] Also Read [Gamertell] Site [Kohl’s]

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Nintendo Ultrahand returns in a Japanese Club Nintendo WiiWare game

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T19:42:10+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Japanese Imports, Consoles, Wii, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action

Nintendo has a history of offering exclusive games as Club Nintendo rewards, but until now they’ve only been DS games. The latest Club Nintendo Japan reward is the 50 point WiiWare game Wii de Ultrahand. It’s based on the 1966 Nintendo Ultra Hand toy.

The original Ultra Hand plastic toy came with three balls and stands to place the balls on. It made cameo appearances in Wario: Master of Disguise (DS) and Mario Power Tennis (GameCube, Wii).

Wii de Ultra Hand, on the other hand, involves grabbing meat in place of balls. The Wii remote and nunchuk serve as the two handles for the virtual Ultra Hand, and players move the handles in and out to grab meat off a grill before it burns and place it on a plate. You can play it alone or with a single friend.

The 50 points does not, unfortunately, get you a replica Ultra Hand. It only gives you a code to download the WiiWare game. It would have been a nice little extra if it did!

There’s no telling whether this will see a release outside of Japan or not. Nintendo is trying to establish the Club Nintendo promotions outside of Japan though, and the first Club Nintendo Game & Watch DS game was a reward in North America. Also, Wii de Ultra Hand probably wouldn’t be too difficult to translate and localize for worldwide audiences.

Read [andriasang.com] Site [Club Nintendo Japan]

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Joris de Man’s Killzone 2 soundtrack now on iTunes

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T17:46:03+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Gear, Audio, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, FPS

Those who loved Guerilla Games’ PS3 game Killzone 2 can now pick up the soundtrack. Sony has just announced that Joris de Man’s Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame is available to download thanks to iTunes. The 29 track soundtrack is available immediately.

If you purchase the entire $9.99 soundtrack from iTunes, you’ll also receive the digital booklet to go along with it. Since the tracks on the Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame cost 99¢ each when purchased separately, $9.99 for all of them is a great deal.

Here’s the Killzone 2: Original Soundtrack from the Videogame tracklisting:

“Opening - Birth of War (Retribution)”
“The Second Helghan March (Helghan Forever)”
“Battle Preparations”
“Bridge is Down”
“Ambush”
“Protecting the Convoy”
“Flight into Blood Meridian”
“Fight Your Way Through”
“Heavy Resistance”
“An Unexpected Guest”
“The Police Station”
“Resistance on the Bridge”
“Taking the Bridge”
“Petrusite Revealed”
“The Academy”
“Fight the A.T.A.C.”
“A Day of Mourning”
“Suljeva”
“Next Stop Tharsis Refinery”
“Question Time with Radec”
“Dante Garza RIP”
“Going Up”
“Templar’s Last Stand”
“The Exoskeleton”
“Nuked”
“Radec’s Personal Guards”
“Visari’s Lament”
“End Credits Suite”
“Fight the A.T.A.C. (Remix)”

If you’re interested in other Joris de Man video game soundtracks, iTunes can help. There’s a three track EP featuring “The Way of the Ninja,” “Strange Loop” and “The World is Mines” from N+.

Read [PlayStation.Blog] Via [Joystiq] Product Page [Apple] Product Page [iTunes]

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Nintendo downloads for November 9, 2009

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T16:50:34+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, Wii, Handhelds, DS, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Shooter, Music, Racing, Role-Playing, Game-Genres-Other, Updates, Nintendo Downloads

This week’s Nintendo Download marks the debut of two expected releases. Excitebike: World Rally, an updated and improved entry in the Excitebike series is out on WiiWare and a slew of Electroplankton downloads have been released on DSiWare. Two other major releases include Frogger Returns (WiiWare) and Bomberman Blitz (DSiWare).

If you’re considering one of the five Electroplankton DSiWare games, then you’ll probably want to get a new Nintendo Points card and look up information on the original game. Half of the 10 different kinds of plankton from the original game have been released on DSiWare, and each costs $2/200 Nintendo Points. It also sounds like the downloads only include the Performance Mode from the original Electroplankton.

Gamertell’s Nintendo Download picks for the week are Excitebike World Rally (WiiWare), Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap (Virtual Console) and Bomberman Blitz (DSiWare).

WiiWare

Dragon Master Spell Caster
Price: 500 Nintendo Points / $5
Publisher: Stickmen Studios
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: “Everyone 10+” for Mild Fantasy Violence
Players: 1-2
Description: You must battle against Dragon Lords and their Champion warriors to try and protect the world. There are multiple champions to choose from and four different paths to follow. You can also battle against friends.

Excitebike: World Rally
Price: 1000 Nintendo Points / $10
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Racing
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1-4
Description: Remember the Nintendo game Excitebike? This is essentially the same thing, only with better graphics and a control scheme that uses the Wii remote. It is a motorcycle racing game. It also offers Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support to race against friends online and a Track Editor to make your own tracks that you can race on or share.

Frogger Returns
Price: 500 Nintendo Points / $5
Publisher: Konami
Genre: Arcade
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1-2
Description: It’s classic Frogger, the game where you help a frog make it through traffic and a treacherous path to reach the other side, only now in 3D and updated with new content. There’s also a two player mode where you can see who can help Frogger to safety first.

Virtual Console

Cybernoid
Price: 500 Nintendo Points / $5
Originally Appeared On: Commodore 64
Publisher: Commodore Gaming
Genre: Shoot-em-up
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Mild Fantasy Violence
Players: 1
Description: You must take town pirates who have raided Federation storage warehouses, and must reach the pirates’ depots to recover the stolen goods. If you don’t, you’ll be penalized.

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap
Price: 500 Nintendo Points / $5
Originally Appeared On: Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Action with some RPG elements
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Mild Cartoon Violence and Tobacco Reference
Players: 1
Description: Wonder Boy III takes place right where Wonder Boy in Monster Land left off. Wonder Boy has been cursed, and can now shapeshift into a dragon, and as he beats other bosses he gains additional animal forms. You must help him find a way to return to his normal, human self.

DSiWare

Bomberman Blitz
Price: 500 Nintendo Points / $5
Publisher: Hudson
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: “Everyone” for Comic Mischief
Players: 1-8
Description: It’s your basic Bomberman game, but it’s worth it for the multiplayer. You can play with eight friends using local multiplayer or the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Electropankton Beatnes
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $2
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Music/Misc
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: While an NES game plays, you can tap the five multisegmented Beatnes to have them play and repeat certain sound effects or musical notes.

Electropankton Hanenbow
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $2
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Music/Misc
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: Here you mainly move leaves rather than exactly touching the Hanenbows. You first arrange the leaf on the water where the Hanenbow will jump out of the water from, then arrange other leaves for them to hit before they return to the water, which will make them make noises.

Electropankton Nanocarp
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $2
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Music/Misc
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: The 16 Nanocarp make noises based on how waves, created by tapping the touch screen, hit them and how the player directs their movement with the DSi microphone.

Electropankton Rec-Rec
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $2
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Music/Misc
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: The four Rec-Recs record sounds, then repeat them back to you in an endless loop. You can also alter their pace and the beat that occurs in the background.

Electropankton Trapy
Price: 200 Nintendo Points / $2
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Music/Misc
ESRB Rating: “Everyone”
Players: 1
Description: Originally called Tracies, the six Trapies follow the triangles you draw on screen and make different sounds based on how you drew the triangle and what color the Trapy following it is.

Site [Nintendo]

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Spore spawns on Facebook

NEWS — 2009-11-09T16:23:22+00:00

FROM APPLETELL - Not content with just one “weedy species” franchise in the form of The Sims, Electronic Arts now wants to take over your gaming garden with Spore.
MORE »

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Apple App Store gaming update for the week of November 3 to 9, 2009

Kris Rosado — 2009-11-09T14:00:07+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Handhelds, iPhone & iPod Touch, Updates, Apple App Store

The Apple App Store gaming update is Gamertell’s weekly look at the previous week’s Apple App Store game releases. We cover them all - good and not so good - in their respective categories with a breakdown of the great games and the free games right where you want ‘em, at the top and in your face. The list is available every Monday, right as you are about to start that long work week.

Short list this week folks, not a whole lot to pick from but your best gaming app bets for this week are Jelly Car 2, EGO City Invasion, RPG Quest Minimae and Anagram Fun. Maybe next week will bring a more plentiful bounty.

What’s Free

EGO City Invasion Free
“EGO City is under attack. You and your jet-propelled tank are its last line of defense. Using strategy, cunning and a mind-blowing array of weaponry, you will save EGO City from destruction.”

iShotMino
NOTE: Description was in Japanese, but this looks like a very basic vertical scrolling shooter.

Climber - Action Heroes EP3 Lite
“You are the shadow hero stuck in the bottom of a destroyed city. Use your claw to climb back to the free sky.”

invaders 3D
“Tilt your hand to move your ship, press onscreen button to shoot aliens.”

Bayou Beats
“Play this rhythmical music game to meet characters from the upcoming Disney film, the Princess & the Frog, and hear the brand-new soundtrack! Tap along with the music to get high scores and unlock special content. Game also includes extra features like animated character clips and the just-released Ne-Yo “Never Knew I Needed” music video!”

Oil Tycoon 2
“Game “Oil Tycoon 2” is a development of this genre, where you have to lay a pipeline from sources to consumers of ready-made elements by their rotation in opposite directions.”

What’s New

Action

CYEARS ShootingSimulator: Price: $2.99
“Pilot through many different types of missions and survive through attacks from numerous types of enemies! The results and play data can be shared with other players through our ranking and Twitter!”

Rope Raider: Price: $0.99
“Choose one of the three different game modes and plunge down from your trusty old hot air balloon. Use your grappling hook with accuracy and time your swings right to gain speed and reach new heights. Immersive city filled with atmosphere amplifies the entertaining experience. Customize your gaming experience with three different game modes and three different difficulty levels. Rope Raider will get you swinging in no time!”

Major Warhead: Price: $0.99
“Major Warhead is a blend of real time strategy and tower defense game. Your objective is to defend your military outpost in the desert of Al Dusra. Protect your base from hoard of incoming enemies that include soldiers, suicide bombers, rocket launchers, Tanks, Jeeps, All Terrain Vehicles, Armored Personal Carriers loaded with soldiers. Most of your soldiers have been shipped off and you are left to defend your base with one Apache and two artillery. See if you can survive the waves of enemy who specialize in targeting your individual units and buildings. Protect the oil derrick to ensure enemy units don’t hide behind the smoke. Save your helipad so you can spawn more apaches when they are brought down. Watch out for the tanks. Try to win without loosing any of your buildings.”

Swing Boy: Price: $0.99
“The play is the easiest game ever. When the ball appears, tap anywhere of the screen to swing the bat. But watch out. there is not only the ball but also other things you should not swing. If you hit more and more balls, the ball appears faster, and many different objects will appear. Can you play to challenge world’s greatest players?. The score will send to server and you can compare your record with others.”

Adventure

Gnome’s Treasure: Price: $1.99
“Wandering around levels, gnome is looking for precious gems to gather into his sack. On the gnome’s journey to his cherished goal through mysterious dungeons with horrible monsters guarding flawless gems concealed inside, he is certain to encounter dozens of strange worlds and discover magnificent mysteries. The gnome can either runaway or elude the guarding monsters. Evading monsters implies two possible actions. The gnome can either dig a pit or drive the monster into a dead end. The gnome’s primary objective is the key. The only way to get the key is to collect all of the gems on the level. The key is then used to open the door and sneak into the next level. The game consists of 40 levels with gradually increasing difficulty.

Arcade

Angel Spoiler: Price: $2.99
“Angel Spoiler is a shooting arcade game which Devil(user) keeps Soul from going to Heaven by shooting arrows.”

Board

Crosslogic Ultimate: Price: $0.99
“Crosslogic, also known as Nonogram or Griddlers are picture logic puzzles in which cells in a grid have to be colored or left blank according to numbers given at the side of the grid to reveal a hidden picture. In this puzzle type, the numbers measure how many unbroken lines of filled-in squares there are in any given row or column.”

Card

NOTHING

Casino

NOTHING

Dice

NOTHING

Educational

My Firefighter: Price: $1.99
“Explore the fire engine as it heads to the fire and see if you can make the ladder go up, the wheels turn and many other hidden surprises. Touch the siren and hear it roar. Push the horn and listen as it blasts out its warning. Then you can try to put out the house fire by positioning the Firefighter’s hose up or down and spraying water. But wait, it starts back up again keeping the action going.”

Family

Just Me and My Dad: Price: $3.99
““Just Me and My Dad” is an interactive picture book based on the popular children’s book by Mercer Mayer, featuring Little Critter, one of the most beloved characters of all time. Follow along as Little Critter reads you the story of what happened when he went camping with his dad. Then play with each page of the story by touching the screen and discover hidden animations. Surprise animation scenes are hidden all over each page of the story. Touch each word of the story and Little Critter sounds it out, reading the word back to you. Little Critter will help you learn to read.”

Miximen: Price: $1.99
“With beautifully designed characters that you shake up and spin back together, or mix up even more, decorate, save to your photo library and send to friends. Wow! What strange mixed up miximen can you create? …oh yes, and kids love it too!”

Music

Rock Band Trivia Quiz: Price: $0.99
“How well do you know your famous rock band trivia?”

Rhythm Stage: Price: $3.99
“Just tap the screen to the rhythm!”

Puzzle

BamBoy: Price: $0.99
“BamBoy is a fun, addictive, strategic action/puzzle plat-former game. The goal is to collect all the fruits by maneuvering through the deep forest environment. “Bam Bam” to kill the enemy by creating a pit hole and escape through the exit ladder. Take the “BamBoy” through 23 progressing levels and achieve a new high score.”

Racing

Ground Effect: Price: $3.99
“Ground Effect is one of the most fun, exhilarating, addictive & visually impressive games to arrive at the App Store. Think flying, think driving, think racing, then think again! Skim land and seacapes in your high performance ekranoplan at low altitude and breakneck speed, supported by a cushion of air.”

Role Playing

RPG Quest - Minimae: Price: $2.99
“After years of peace, the offspring of evil has arisen. Prove yourself, brave knight! Seek the 8 rings of power and bring peace to our land once again! RPG Quest - Minimæ is a neo-retro RPG in the tradition of classic 8-bit RPGs. Discover a large world filled with creatures to battle, towns to explore and secrets to uncover.”

Simulation

Space Master: Price: $1.99
“You’ve guided planes and mastered boats. Yet in Space, you need more skills to claim success!
Are you ready to engage in the challenging career of a Space Master? Land your space vessels on five different planets and secure Earth’s resources. Consider distance, speed and angle of each ship, then draw a line to fire the thrusters. Catch a falling ship until it hovers, move it sideways, let it fall freely before giving it a final burst to land safely, all triggered with you drawing a single line. Before you know it, this natural and unique approach will get you conducting an elegant and beautiful ballet in space.”

Armored Train Charlie: Price: $0.99
“Armored trains aren’t available to everyone, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t pretend to be a commander of one. Armored Train Charlie is a simulator of a war zone with 6 different missions. Navigate through the network of rails and deliver supplies, while defending your train from tanks, military jeeps and cannons. Attach loose wagons by bumping into them. Detach wagons at designated areas by sliding them with finger. Tap railroad switches to change your route and explore the playground.”

Sports

NOTHING

Strategy

NOTHING

Trivia

NOTHING

Word

Speed Scrabble: Price: $1.99
“Speed Scrabble, also known as Take Two!, is a fun, fast-paced word game where you try to form connected words from your available letters as quickly as possible, in a race against your opponents, or the clock. Form words and new letters arrive. Incorporate the new letters and win the round. The game can be played offline in single player mode, or test yourself against other players by joining the online community.”

Hebrew Hangman: Price: $0.99
“Hebrew Hangman has many different categories ranging from car makes through local singers to chemistry and special categories just for Hebrew speakers.”

Anagram Fun: Price: $0.99
“Anagram Fun takes a word, scrambles it, and challenges you to solve the scramble by rearranging the letters in your virtual letter rack. There may be more than one valid solution!”

iPhone and iPod Touch Links

Appletell: [Appletell reviews three accidentally educational games for iPhone, iPod touch] [Macintosh/iPhone software update roundup - November 6, 2009] [Free Apps roundup for November 6th, 2009]

Full Story » | Written by Kris Rosado for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

10 best unintentionally educational games

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T12:34:41+00:00

Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Lists, Consoles, PS2, Wii, Consoles-Other, PCs, Windows, Handhelds, DS, PSP, Genres, Action, Casual, Educational, Music, Puzzle, Role-Playing, Sports, Strategy

Video games are often berated for the lack of educational content found in them. They’re often considered a waste of time. But, if you look closely, even games that aren’t slapped with the edutainment label or feature educational material can be teaching valuable skills to the people playing them.

Gamertell’s put together a brief list of some video games that weren’t created with the developers aiming to educate the masses, but can end up helping players build some valuable skills. With some, the educational value is pretty obvious, but with others you probably could spend hours playing without even realizing you’ve learned something from it.

Bookworm Adventures & Bookworm Adventures Volume 2 (PC): You have to create words from letter tiles in your possession to defeat opponents. As you get further into the game, more difficult letters tend to pop up. It boosts you vocabulary, and helps better your spelling skills, without you even knowing it.
Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village & Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (DS): Both Professor Layton games get players thinking critically. They help boost math and reasoning skills, and also encourage creativity. Unless, of course, you visit a blog like Professor Layton and the Curious Village Walkthrough.
Scribblenauts (DS): Here’s another vocabulary booster. When you know the game is capable of recognizing, and creating, objects for over 20,000 words, it makes you want to plug in as many as you can to see if the game will recognize it and what kind of items the words will spawn.
Pokemon (DS): An unusual series you probably didn’t expect to see here. However, Pokemon is a great way to get kids reading without them realizing it, and also is a good way to help develop patience and reasoning skills. After all, players have to know the weaknesses and strengths of each kind of pokemon.
Wii Sports (Wii): Its a great way of developing good hand-eye coordination.
Line Rider (PC, DS, Wii): While many people probably just tinker around with Line Rider for fun, or to see the little sledder crash, it also can teach some physics lessons along the way.
Final Fantasy (NES, SNES, GBA, PC, PS1, PS2, DS, Wii, PS3, Xbox 360): Like Pokemon, it gets players reading. Plus, the language typically isn’t dumbed down in the games, so players could be building their vocabulary as well. Critical thinking and reasoning skills can also come into play when players need to figure out how to defeat tricky bosses or overcome the occasional challenging mission.
Half-Minute Hero (PSP): It’s a surprisingly good way to teach players about proper time management. While you can usually pay an in-game character to extend the 30 second deadline in each mission, you also have to figure in how to raise money to extend the deadline or reach that character in time.
Space Channel 5 & Space Channel 5 Part 2 (Dreamcast, PS2): It’s a great way to learn to accurately follow directions and boost memory skills. After all, you have to repeat the motions back exactly the way you heard them if you want to succeed.
Patapon & Patapon 2 (PSP): Both games help players learn to stick to and follow a rhythmic pattern and memorize patterns. If you don’t memorize the correct patterns and follow the beat, your Patapon warriors won’t do anything.

If you can think of any other games that could be unintentionally educational, let us know in the comments!

Read [The New York Times] Also Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Assassin’s Creed 2 extended preview airing during South Park episode

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-09T01:21:33+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Xbox-360, PCs, Windows, Ads & Media, TV, Advertisements, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action

If you’re eagerly anticipating the forthcoming release of Assassin’s Creed 2 and have cable, then you’ll want to watch South Park at 10pm, 9pm Central time on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. Well, technically you don’t want to watch South Park, you want to watch the commercials during South Park. There is going to be an extended sneak preview during the show. I’m guessing it’ll probably happen during the last commercial break. That’s when they usually sneak the hyped commercials in.

Assassin’s Creed 2 comes out for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on November 17, 2009. A version for Windows PCs tentatively scheduled for an early 2010 release. The PSP game Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines will also debut on November 17, 2009.

If you don’t have cable or aren’t able to catch the show on Comedy Central, then you may want to check YouTube or GameTrailers the Thursday or Friday after the show aired. I’m sure someone will upload it to the internet in case you miss it.

Site [Assassin’s Creed 2] Site [South Park Studios] Site [Comedy Central]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Child’s Play charity is up and running

Danielle Riendeau — 2009-11-09T00:50:19+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Web-Sites

Gamers, the holiday season is upon us. And while we’re all ogling the amazing games (it is the prime time for big releases, after all) and scoping out the big sales, it certainly doesn’t hurt to give back. Child’s Play (run by the guys at the Penny Arcade) is a charity that purchases games, toys and books for children in hospitals who could use a little cheer. This year, the charity has expanded to several countries, and there are currently 70 partner hospitals - you can choose to give to any one you’d like (should you want to help local kids, for example), or simply send some cash to the whole organization.

From the site:

“This year, we have continued expanding across the country and the globe. With almost 70 partner hospitals and more arriving every month, you can be sure to find one from the map above that needs your help! You can choose to purchase requested items from their online retailer wish lists, or make a cash donation that helps out Child’s Play hospitals everywhere.”

This is a great cause - and a perfect example of gamers doing good. If you can, please consider giving.

And on another charitable note, the folks over at Eat-Sleep-Game have put together a charity fund for the Children’s Miracle Network. If you have a bit of extra cash, it’s another great cause, and a gamer-friendly way to give.

Site [Child’s Play] Read [Eat-Sleep-Game]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Opinion: Visually impaired gamer’s suit against Sony may be a bit frivolous

Christian Morlotte — 2009-11-08T17:53:19+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Law-Politics, Opinions, Consoles, PCs, Handhelds, Game-Companies, Genres, MMO

A visually impaired gamer named Alexander Stern is suing Sony, Sony Online Entertainment and Sony Computer Entertainment America for not offering features that make their games accessible for people with visual disabilities.

According to Stern, by not including these options, Sony is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The law suit claims that Stern has written several emails and letters to Sony requesting these features for games - mainly on MMOs - and Sony hasn’t complied. The suit also mentions how other companies, including Blizzard, have allowed the use of mods or other third party programs to incorporate features including visual cues or voice overs for gamers with “disability impaired visual processing”.

The suit also states that Sony’s denial in including these features are costing Stern money. Sony runs an auction site where users can sell their in-game loot for real money and, since Stern can’t participate in the auctions, Stern claims that he is losing money.

I’m really sorry for this guy and I think that everybody should have the right to entertainment and, in this case, video games but I think he’s just trying to work the system for easy money.

Video games are a visual form of entertainment and I don’t think it’s realistic to suppose that a company is going to modify the code in their games to fulfill the needs of an individual or a comparatively small group. By this same logic all movie studios and book publishers should alter their products to offer versions for the visually impaired.

I think it’s great that some companies offer the possibility of including mods or other programs into the game but. in my opinion, demanding them is totally different. Hopefully, technology that allows visually impaired people to have a better enjoyment of games will come along soon but I don’t think suing is the best way to accomplish or accelerate this process.

Read [Destructoid] Also read [GameSpot]

Full Story » | Written by Christian Morlotte for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

PlayStation Store Update: A war on the moon and monkey business on the PSP (November 8 to 14, 2009)

Lucy Newman — 2009-11-08T16:50:31+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Nostalgia, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP, Ads & Media, Movies, Web, Advertisements, Other Media, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s first featured downloadable game is Military Madness: Nectaris for $9.99 on the PS3. This remake of the original Military Madness for the TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment System back in 1986, features two opposing forces battling for supremacy on the moon. Players choose a commander for their Army and strategically use up to 20 unique abilities by plotting their attacks on an overhead map and watch the battles unfold in a cinematic view of the action. Up to four players can choose the maps they wish to fight on in multiplayer mode, set the number of turns and time limit for each game, and customize their armies. This game allows controller share for players who don’t have enough controllers for everyone playing on the same console. Check out Military Madness: Nectaris for the PS3:

The next downloadable game this week is Numblast for $4.99 for the PS3 and PSP. In this game a young boy accidentally changed his friend into a monkey while trying to solve the Numblast stones. Players must help the boy change his friend back by lining up the correct stones together. Check it out:

Price Drops

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Weapon X Arena Pack (PS3/Now $4.99)
TV Show King Price Drop (PS3/Now $6.99)
Mercury Bundle 2 Sale (PS3/Now $9.99)

Bundle includes:

Archer Maclean’s Mercury
Mercury Meltdown

Qore Subscription

Qore Episode 18: November 2009 (PS3/$2.99)
Qore Annual Subscription: November 2009 (PS3/$24.99)

Here is what else is new:

Downloadable Games

PSOne Classic: Gex (PS3/PSP/$5.99)
Crimson Room: Reverse (PSP/$7.99)
Creature Defense (PSP/$7.99)
Ben 10: Protector of Earth (PSP/$14.99)
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground (PSP/$14.99)
Ben 10 Alien Force (PSP/$19.99)
Ghostbusters The Video Game (PSP/$29.99)
Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (PSP/$29.99)
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron (PSP/$29.99)
Class of Heroes (PSP/$39.99)
Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP/$39.99)

Free Demos:

Trine Demo (PS3/Free)
Military Madness: Nectaris Demo (PS3/Free)
MotorStorm Arctic Edge Demo (PSP/Free)

Bonus Game Contents:

LittleBigPlanet Anniversary Costume (PS3/Free)
LittleBigPlanet Spaceman Costume (PS3/Free)
Brutal Legend Tears of the Hextadon Map Pack (PS3/Free)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character Compatibilty Pack (PS3/Free)
Topatoi: Arcade Style Pack (PS3/Free)
Way of the Samurai 3 Weapons DLC (PS3/Free)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Juggernaut Playable Character (PS3/$1.99)
Dragon Age: Origins Warden’s Keep (PS3/$6.99)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Character and Mission Pack (PS3/$9.99)
Dragon Age: Origins Stone Prisoner (PS3/$14.99)

Rock Band Pack:

Nirvana Bleach Pack (PS3/$5.49)

Individual Tracks:

“About a Girl” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)
“Blew” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)
“School” by Nirvana (PS3/$1.99)

Foo Fighters Pack 03 (PS3/$6.99)

Individual Tracks:

“Best of You” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
“The Pretender” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
“Wheels” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)
“Word Forward” by Foo Fighters (PS3/$1.99)

Individual Song Tracks

“Fake Friends” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Unplugged bonus content:

“Toxicity” by System of a Down (PSP/$1.99)
“Waking the Demon” by Bullet for My Valentine (PSP/$1.99)

Free Game Videos:

Pulse 11/5 Edition (PS3/PSP/Free)
PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – “Candle” (PS3/PSP/Free)
PlayStation 3 TV Commercial – “Montage” (PS3/PSP/Free)
Numblast Trailer (PS3/PSP/Free)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars “Out For Revenge” Video (PSP/Free)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Trailer (PSP/Free)
2 for 1 Mercury Bundle Trailer (PSP/Free)
God of War Collection Trailer (PS3/Free)
Assassin’s Creed 2 Dev Diary 4 (PS3/Free)
Dragon Age: Origins City Elf Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
Dragon Age: Origins Dwarf Commoner Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
Dragon Age: Origins Mage Origin Trailer (PS3/Free)
NIER TGS 2009 Trailer (PS3/Free)

Wallpapers and Themes:

Tekken 6 – Returning Characters Theme (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 – The Fight Card Theme (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 – The New Faces Theme (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 Alisa Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 Asuka Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 Hwoarang Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 Jin Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
Tekken 6 Kazuya Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
FIFA Soccer 10 Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
Let’s FIFA 10 Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
FIFA Soccer 10 Blanco Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper (PS3/Free)
FIFA Soccer 10 Rooney Wallpaper 2 (PS3/Free)
Lemmings PSP Theme (PSP/Free)
Roadkill – Animal PSP Theme (PSP/$1.49)
Roadkill – Human PSP Theme (PSP/$1.49)
Roadkill Theme (PS3/$1.99)
Family Guy Theme (PS3/$1.99)
DarkMatter Quadrilogy PSP Theme Pack (PSP/$4.49)
DarkMatter Quadrilogy Theme Pack (PS3/$5.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog] Site [PlayStation]

Full Story » | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Spike TV to premiere Assassins Creed: Lineage short film

Jessica Moen — 2009-11-08T15:48:01+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Ads & Media, TV

With the rising success of Ubisoft's Assassins Creed and Assassins Creed’s 2 (which comes out November 17, 2009 for Xbox 360 and PS3), Spike TV will be premiering in high-definition ,Assassins Creed: Lineage, a live-action and CGI short movie based on the video games.

Lineage takes place just before the events in AC2. It revolves around Giovanni Auditore da Firenze, the father of main character in the second game, Ezio, and provides a little insight on the back story of first game and the premise of the next.

The film was developed by Ubisoft’s Hybride Technologies, the visual effects company that worked on movies including 300 and Sin City.

It would be cool to check out this movie since it will give you a segue into the new game which comes out November 17th, just six days later.

The short film will premiere in it’s entirety at Midnight on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, on Spike TV. Check your local listings to see which channel Spike TV is for your cable company and tune in to watch the premiere.

The come back to Gamertell and let us know what you thought.

Site [Ubisoft] Site [Spike TV]

Full Story » | Written by Jessica Moen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Walmart announces multiple online-only video game deals

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-08T02:12:40+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, Wii, Xbox-360, Handhelds, DS, Gear, Accessories, Ads & Media, Web, Advertisements, Web-Sites, Official-Sites

Walmart has some great online-only specials that have just appeared on the website. The only catch is, there’s no knowing how long these deals will last. The site specifically states that it is while supplies last, but it doesn’t mention how many of each item are available. So if you see a deal you like, better pounce on it quickly.

There are six video game deals that go along with this online special. Five out of six relate to Nintendo systems or products for Nintendo systems, and the other sale pertains to an Xbox 360 item.

Let’s look at what online specials Walmart is selling:

Make your own DS Lite value bundle with a DS Lite (you choose the color), Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and one of four Nintendo Expression Accessory Kits for $149.00. The page also gives you the option to add on an additional game, but the additional game will full price.
Wii Fit Plus with balance board and DreamGear 5-in-1 fitness bundle for $119.00.
2 Wii games for $30. You can choose from 33 titles, which include Cooking Mama: Cook Off, Lego Batman, Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures and Lego Star Wars: Complete Saga.
Wii with Wii Fit Plus with balance board and $25 gift card for $299.00.
Wii Rock Band 2 or Rock Band Track Packs for $20 each. You can choose from Rock Band 2, AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack, Rock Band Metal Track Pack, Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock, Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 or Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 2.
Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit for Xbox 360 for $79.00.

Site [Walmart]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Appletell Review: Three accidentally educational games for iPhone, iPod Touch

NEWS — 2009-11-07T16:20:57+00:00

FROM APPLETELL - In this review, we look at three educational iPhone applications; Polynx, QuizQuizQuiz and Whirly Word. Each one is slightly different, but each is great to play.
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Free Apple Apps roundup for November 6, 2009

NEWS — 2009-11-06T21:25:48+00:00

FROM APPLETELL - Another great week for freebies on the App Store. Lots of information, apps and games, which is good news if your weekend was going to be bland. Now it can be full of icons instead!
MORE »

Full Story » | Written by NEWS for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Hallmark’s Christmas 2009 Galaga arcade cabinet ornament

PJ Hruschak — 2009-11-06T20:36:55+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Collecting, Nostalgia, Gear, Figures & Toys, Gear-Other, Genres, Arcade

As a followup to the 2008 Pac-Man mini arcade cabinet ornament, Hallmark is sticking with the same theme.

This year’s ornament is a miniaturized reproduction of the Galaga arcade cabinet (QXI1365) complete with mini buttons, mini joystick, lights and sounds. Press the buttons and you are treated to several seconds of classic tuneage including the intro and what sounds like the first wave of diving aliens. The top panel of the cabinet also lights up so the Galaga logo glows a bit. Aside from the effects, the cabinet also features a mini “screen shot” of the game.

Galaga is one of the great early arcade shooters and was released in arcades by Midway in 1981 (in the US). It features a flying-in-formation row of aliens that periodically swoop down and try to zap your semi-fixed ship. It was a followup to the 1979 release of Galaxian.

The battery operated ornament is all plastic, only 4.25 in. tall and retails for $18.50. I’ve already spotted it in a few non-Hallmark stores.

Although Hallmark has not yet called this a continuing series it sure is starting to shape up as one. Here a list of previous game-themed ornaments:

2008 - Pac-Man mini arcade cabinet ornament with sound effects ($18,50 QXI2154)
2007 - Player 1 game controller ornament with sound effects ($15.00, QXG2119)
2006 - GameOn ornament (QXG3346) featuring the words “Game On” in bright green, the image of a joystick and a modern game controller with stars and a few explosion-esque graphics behind it.

Hey, if Hallmarks released a few more mini arcade cabinet ornaments you can create your own action figure-sized video game arcade.

Other ~~geeky~~ noteworthy ornaments include Robby the Robot a la Forbidden Planet ($18.50), three classic theme Star Trek ornaments including a Starfleet Phaser ornament with sound effects ($18.50), four Star Wars ornaments including Luke’s landspeeder from Star Wars: A New Hope ($22.50 and the Han Solo ornament looks like it’s been done before unless I’m thinking of action figures), seven comic book heroes and a “Jingle Bell Rock” guitar with sound effects ($16.50).

They also snuck in the Ectomobile from Ghosbusters with sound effects ($18.50). Finally, for those who have the purple-pink PSP, there is a Hanna Montana ornament as well ($16.50).

Product Page [Hallmark Keepsake Galaga Ornament] Read [Gamertell]

Full Story » | Written by PJ Hruschak for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Warhammer Online’s free trial now endless

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-06T20:21:09+00:00

Section: Gaming News, PCs, Mac, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, MMO, Role-Playing

Mythic Entertainment and EA have announced that, instead of only offering a 10 day free trial for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, they will begin offering an endless free trial. I guess EA wants to lure in new customers. This means that you can try and play Warhammer Online for free for as long as you want. In addition, if you ever had a 10 day free trial account, you can now use it again to play in the endless free trial.

There is now also a new Warhammer Online streaming endless trial client that will make it easier for people to begin playing the game. It’s still a pretty substantial download, since it’s larger than 1gb, but it’s smaller than it was before and streams additional required content while you play so you don’t need to download everything to play.

There has also been new content added to the free trial. You can play test all 24 careers, search the tier one Nordland and Norsca Empire vs. Chaos areas, visit Hunter’s Vale, play through a New User Journey tutorial and go through Nordenwatch, Khaine’s Embrace and Gates of Ekrund scenarios. There is a catch though, you can only get your character up to level 10 and you can only explore those tier one areas and experience the scenarios listed above.

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is available for both PCs and Macs, and is rated Teen for mild blood, suggestive themes, use of alcohol, use of tobacco and violence. If you like it and decide to pay to play the full game, it’ll cost $14.99 a month.

Read [WELT Online] Also Read [VG247] Site [Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Hypertension headed to the Dreamcast and all computers

Jenni Lada — 2009-11-06T19:30:51+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, Consoles-Other, PCs, Linux, Mac, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, FPS, Role-Playing

TDGMods is working on a reimagining of the Blood and Blood II: The Chosen first person shooters called Hypertension. What’s unique about this project is the systems it is appearing on. In 2010, it will be released not only for PC, Mac and Linux computers, but also for the Sega Dreamcast. The Dreamcast’s life cycle just won’t end!

Hypertension will be based on the original game, but will also feature a number of new features. For example, while Caleb will still be around to fight against the various monsters and enemies that assail him, Aurelia is a new 2028 character introduced to expand the storyline. The game will also have some RPG elements that weren’t found in the original game, as characters will be able to talk with NPCs to progress or bribe them for crucial information, modify their weapons to make them more powerful and heal themselves. A single-player deathmatch side mode will also be included.

Blood, the original game, was a Monolith Productions PC game released May 31, 1997 by GT Interactive. It was a first person shooter set in 1928, with an ominous storyline surrounding a man named Caleb who going against a cult called The Cabal and its dark master, which he once served as an elite general, to save his love Ophelia. It even spawned a sequel, Blood II: The Chosen, that was released for PCs on October 31, 1998. The sequel was set in 2028, and once again Caleb is facing off against the same cult, although now The Cabal has become a massive corporation.

There’s even a trailer up on YouTube. Before you click through the link to watch it, be advised that it features graphic violence, lots of blood and strong language. If you’re under 16, you probably shouldn’t be watching it. The trailer makes it look like a pretty good FPS option for people who’re looking for a creepy new one.

Read [MCV] Site [Hypertension by TDGMods]

Full Story » | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Rumor: Warner Bros. had no interest in wrestling game, rights may return to TNA

Brian Allen — 2009-11-06T18:27:42+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Features, Rumors, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, Ads & Media, Web, Genres, Sports

When Midway filed bankruptcy, one of the potentially lucrative licenses it had was the right to make games based on TNA Wrestling. When Warner Bros. bought the company it picked up the rights to several Midway games but PWInsider said the TNA game wasn’t one of them.

PWInsider’s TNA sources said the rights may bounce back to TNA since Warner Bros. wasn’t interested in purchasing them. TNA officials won’t comment on what, if anything, is happening with the game. TNA Impact sold one million units with reviews being just so-so.

Still, wrestling games have a built-in fan base and TNA is still basking in the publicity glow of a partnership with wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Wrestling needs more competition in terms of programming and video games, so here’s hoping something works out.

Read [PWInsider] Also Read [Baltimore Sun]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Madden NFL adding collectible card element courtesy of Ultimate Team

Brian Allen — 2009-11-06T17:33:11+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Xbox-360, Game-Companies, Publishers, Genres, Sports, Strategy, CCG & TCG

EA’s Madden franchise often comes under fire for a perceived lack of innovation but here’s a feature that certainly promises some unique wrinkles.

Madden NFL 10 will soon contain a game mode that will combine elements of fantasy football and trading card gaming.

Madden Ultimate Team is a free downloadable addition on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network coming January 2010. In this game players will collect virtual packs of cards ranging from “platinum” to “bronze.”

You’ll be able to select everything from your team’s playbook to its uniforms and player cards include legendary statistical years such as Randy Moss’ 1999 Minnesota Vikings campaign. The download will come with a starter pack and you can purchase other cards through the in-game store or win them through in-game accomplishments.

This is definitely a different step for the franchise. It has had card collection modes before but this is the first time they’ve been folded into a separate game experience. I wonder if hardcore Madden fans will consider this a worthwhile distraction and, if this is successful, could we see the cards branch into other games?

Read [Gamertell] Read [Electronic Arts] Also Read [Joystiq]

Full Story » | Written by Brian Allen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Star Trek Online will beam in on February 5, 2009

Danielle Riendeau — 2009-11-06T16:29:06+00:00

Section: Gaming News, PCs, Genres, MMO, Web-Sites

There are just too many easy Star Trek jokes (“Phasers set to stun!” “Warp speed!” “Beam me up!”) - so, I promise I’ll stay away for the remainder of this post. Trekkers and MMO fans, here’s what you need to know - Star Trek Online has finally received it’s official release date. The game will be available on February 5th in North America, just in time for a particularly exciting Valentine’s day. Are you ready for a little klingon-on-vulcan action? I so am!

1Up has the scoop:

“Star Trek Online allows you to join either the Federation or the Klingons as the commander of your own starship. Players will be able to go on away missions, engage in ship-to-ship combat, and build their own crews from scratch.

Official release date is February 5 in North America.”

The game looks excellent - allowing all Trek enthusiasts to actually go in and captain their own starship sounds like the ultimate way to apologize for the sins of the lesser Star Trek movies. Undiscovered Country, I’m looking at you.

Read [ 1Up]

Full Story » | Written by Danielle Riendeau for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article »

Epic Games offers Unreal Engine 3 Development Kit for free

Christian Morlotte — 2009-11-06T16:00:13+00:00

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Wii, Xbox-360, PCs, Linux, Mac, Windows, Game-Companies, Developers

Epic Games is making a breakthrough in the games community by offering one of the most acclaimed game engines, the Unreal Engine 3, free to the public.

Now anyone can get their hands on this technology by downloading the UDK, or Unreal Development Kit.

The Unreal Engine 3 has been used in blockbuster first-person shooters including the Gears of War franchise, Unreal Tournament 3 and Rainbow Six: Vegas 2. It has also been adapted for other genres including RPGs (Bioshock and Mass Effect) and action games (Mirror’s Edge).

The UDK offers advanced tools including a physics engine, video encoding, particle effects, destructible environments, audio encoding and an AI system.

Although the UDK is targeted mainly at the development of games, other areas including design, architecture and construction can also benefit from the engine, so there’s much to like here for everybody.

This really got me excited and if my PC wasn’t a piece of junk I would be toying with the UDK right now. Epic Games has taken a huge step in the right direction by putting this engine on the hands of what could potentially be a huge crowd. I’m sure this will drive forward the development of games and I can’t wait to see what the modding community can do with this.

The minimum requirements for the UDK are:

Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista
2.0+ GHz processor
2 GB system RAM
SM3-compatible video card
3 GB Free hard drive space

Read [

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