Snowboard Riot

Wii Points: 1,000
Game Type: Snowboard Racing/Battle
Control Type: Wii Remote, Nunchuk, Wii Balance Board
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment

'This snowboard racing and battle game can be enjoyed by multiple players and is compatible with the Wii Balance Board accessory. In an intense scramble for first place, guide your character down the slopes while snatching up items to attack and defend against rivals along the way. Up to four players can battle and participate in various ranking modes via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection."

Click here for screenshots of Snowboard Riot

Lonpos

Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Puzzle Game
Control Type: Wii Remote, Nunchuk
Players: 1-2
Publisher: Nintendo

From Wikipedia: "Lonpos is a puzzle video game by Genki for the Wii, based on the logic puzzle of the same name. The object of the game is to fit a fixed number of beaded puzzle pieces of various shapes, called pentominoes, into the remaining empty spaces on a rectangular game board. The game features a number of puzzles of increasing difficulty, and co-operative and competitive multiplayer"

After the reveal of the first screenshots of Bubble Bobble Wii in Famitsu Magazine two weeks ago, the Famitsu website has now added an full article with far higher resolution screenshots for us to all look at.

It certainly has a bit of a bizarre graphical design to it - the backgrounds and levels are very much taking the style from the original Arcade and NES game, while the character sprites are enhanced to a much higher resolution.

The article shows off the additional expert modes, available as downloadable content, as well as the Wi-Fi Rankings included in the game - something very much needed and usually omitted from WiiWare titles. It will split the rankings in both worldwide and region based ranking.

Finally, the German rating board has recently rated the game, giving it its official western title Bubble Bobble Plus! Look out for it soon, and check out the rest of the screenshots below.

Source: Famitsu: Bobble Bobble Plus! article (google translated)

It's been an awfully long time since we've done an article on what needs to be a digital download - the last one was way back in July. After a bit of inspiration and some number crunching, GamerBytes has brought back What Needs To Be on Digital Download?

With the upcoming release of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (or Sega Megadrive Ultimate Collection for those in Europe) for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for retail, it's been said that there have been several games missing from the collection. Not that we're complaining, but it does bring up some other questions about titles that have been released on the Genesis, and were created by Sega, that don't have much of a chance of being revitalized in a retail product.

In the late eighties to early nineties, Capcom were busy creating games based off of the Disney Saturday morning shows (which we will definitely discuss at a later date), but the 60th birthday celebrations of Mickey Mouse in 1988 was a huge success, and brought the character back into the spotlight. Subsequently, Sega nabbed for a short time the exclusive rights to create games around Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, bringing many excellent Genesis titles to the table likeCastle Of Illusion to Quackshot, while continuing to bring quality platformers to the Master System with Land Of Illusion to Lucky Dime Caper.

It appears that NHL 3-On-3 is not making its way out this week. According to the NHL Arcade page it looks like it'll be out next week instead.

This week you can grab R-Type Dimensions, a collection of the first two R-Type games, for 1,200 MSP.

"The coin-op classics, R-Type and R-Type II, are together at last in R-Type Dimensions! Fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics, and swap back and forth on-the-fly. The classic gameplay remains untouched, and a new Infinite game mode allows continuous progression from game start to the final boss. The Bydo will not evade you this time! Game modes can be played as single player or multiplayer missions, either locally or over Xbox LIVE. Pull yourself together, save the Earth, and strike down the evil Bydo Empire!"

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

The Xbox.com collection of splash pages has once again updated, this time with the highly anticipated Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. Something's a little different this time - a date has also been added.

Xbox.com is claiming that Galactrix is making its way to Xbox Live Arcade in February 24th. First things first - it could not be coming out on the 24th as it is a Tuesday, not a Wednesday which would be the 25th. The date also says 2008, not 2009. The said date is currently the release for the Nintendo DS version of the game, while Xbox Live Arcade, PC and PlayStation Network versions have previously been suggested as "early 2009" releases, but with the page showing up on Xbox.com, it means it's not far away.

The date will most likely be removed from Xbox.com in a matter of hours, so I've captured a screen above. If it does come out that week it would be a large change from the original Puzzle Quest, which took a good six months between the DS and XBLA releases. Since the PlayStation 3 version was only recently announced to exist, I would assume that it may be further away than the rest of the versions.

Keep watching this space for more information as it comes.

Source: Puzzle Quest Galactrix Splash page, courtesy of CHR_AeON

The age of Death Tank is almost upon us. That Sega Saturn classic, hidden away in a copy of Duke Nukem 3D, will be born anew in the world of actual 3D graphics and 8 player online modes. So Snowblind Studios have released this new trailer to help with the wait until its release.

The rumor still goes that the game will be 1,200 MSP, which seemed like the talk of a crazy person before, but with the release of R-Type Dimensions this week for the same price I'm not so sure anymore. It really needs to come out at 800 MSP, and no more.

Check out the new video above. If you want to see the high quality version, click the right side icon and click "HQ". A new feature I did not know about until now - kind of cool.

While not a Xbox Live Arcade or PlayStation Network release, the Sega Megadrive Ultimate Collection, or Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection, may be the last time we see Sega release Genesis, Master System, or any classic games on the console.

While the game comes out in America in a week's time, the European and Australian release is at the end of the month. In celebration, Sega Australia and outlet JB Hi-Fi have revealed a little surprise for those who pre-order the game - a blue vinyl record of some classic Sega songs.

While the record does not appear to contain any Sonic or Streets of Rage music, the inclusion of Star Humming, the ending credits theme from Ristar, makes me smile ear to ear. Absolutely one of my favourite songs from any Mega Drive game. Just listen to it.

An awesome gift which only seems to be coming out in Australia. I've pre-ordered mine already.

(Man I wish they'd make a Ristar sequel on the DS...)

Source: JB Hi-Fi Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection page

CellFactor: Psychokinetic Wars is a bizarre game. A multiplayer shooter for the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, it allows you to fly, allows you to thow things at people, and allows you to jump ridiculously high.

But as this new trailer shows, they have a bit of humor too. Check it out up top, and check their more-serious trailer after the break.

Wayforward Technologies have revealed that LIT will be making its debut on WiiWare next week, and for 800 Wii Points.

LIT is a 3D horror action puzzler that follows Jake, a typical, apathetic, slightly emo teenager, who’s trapped in his high school when it’s overrun by dark creatures. Players must guide Jake through 30 classrooms, using the available light sources to create paths to each exit. The goal is to reunite Jake with his girlfriend Rachael, who’s also trapped in the school and calls Jake from time to time on the school’s phone system. Stay in the light and Jake’s safe. Step into the darkness and he’s pulled under."

LIT is looking like a very cool puzzle platforming title, and for 800 Wii Points it's a great price. I just hope it makes it out in Europe soon. Check out the new trailer above, just click the "high quality" button on the left.

Source: Official LIT Website

R-Type Dimensions

Developer: Tozai Games™
Publisher: SouthEnd Interactive™
Genre: Shooter, Classics
Price: 1,200 MSP
Availability: Worldwide

Click here for screenshots of R-Type Dimensions

Click here for the Xbox.com splash page.

Click here for the Xbox.com marketplace page.

With the first season of Sam & Max making its way to Wii retail, and WiiWare being pushed to its limited with the episodic Strong Bad game, Telltale Games' upcoming Wallace & Gromit game looked to be only coming to PC. Well good news, it's also coming to the Xbox Live Arcade.

"We've long believed that XBLA is an excellent platform for episodic games, and we're super excited to be making our debut with Wallace & Gromit" says Telltale on their blog, "We even designed a new UI specifically for the Xbox controls".

If you're not familiar with Telltale Game's previous episodic series, throughout February if you join their newsletter you can grab a free episode of either Strong Bad or Sam & Max. for the PC. Neither are graphically intensive so any computer should play them.

A "not so subtle hint" at the end of the Telltale blog post adds that "additional XBLA announcements will be coming in the near future!". Could we see Strong Bad or Sam & Max ported over to the Xbox Live Arcade as well, more than likely during their "down time" between projects? Do they have any plans for the PlayStation Network? Hopefully we'll hear more in 2009.

Source: Telltale Games blog.

It's been hinted at for some time, but Hudson have finally revealed Onslaught - an first person shooter on WiiWare with an online multiplayer component.

"Being the first FPS on WiiWare, Onslaught gives shooter fans the action you’ve been waiting for. Taking advantage of the precise motion controls of the Wii Remote, you’ll be in full command of your soldier as you tread through treacherous terrain. The action stays tight by aiming with the Wii Remote. You'll need steady hands if you're going to survive the horrors that await. When running low on ammo, give the Wii Remote a shake to get back in the game. When the odds get overwhelming, a supply of grenades will keep enemies at bay by throwing them using the Nunchuk. Get set to play an FPS unlike any you’ve ever played before!"

It's looking okay given the 40 Megabyte limit, but as with many games it'll all be up to how it looks in motion.

The most interesting thing about this will be that, considering all WiiWare Hudson games have been created in Japan, this will be a Japanese made first person shooter. Now that's something to keep watch of.

It appears that this week's release of R-Type Dimensions is a case of flipping around dates at the last minute via Microsoft - the release for NHL Arcade is still on track for America this week on the PlayStation Network.

Matt Mahar, Lead Designer of 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, popped into the PlayStation blog to talk about the game and answer your questions. The game will cost $9.99 on PSN and 800 MSP on XBLA.

Source: PlayStation Blog - 3 on 3 NHL Arcade Coming to PSN Tomorrow!

[Every week GamerBytes' editor Ryan Langley passes along the top console digital download news tidbits from the past 7 days, including brand new game announcements and scoops through the world of Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and WiiWare.]

This week we return with an old favorite articles of GamerBytes with "What needs to be a digital download?", where we discuss either classic games or a concept that has yet to show up on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network or WiiWare platforms.

For the latest installment, we explore the classic Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck games that Sega created for the Genesis and Master System, and how it could possibly work within the current workings of each platform.

As for other news, this week on Xbox Live Arcade sees R-Type Dimensions, a recreation of the first two shooters, debut. PlayStation Network sees Savage Moon and the beginning of PopCap's reign of casual puzzlers with Bejeweled 2, and WiiWare sees Snowboard Riot and LONPOS.

GamerByte Specials

What Needs To Be A Digital Download? #10 Mickey / Donald Classic Collections
We take a look back at classic games that need to be revived for digital downloads. This week we look at Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in their many Sega Genesis and Master System adventures.

Xbox Live Arcade

R-Type Dimensions Now Available On XBLA
Play R-Type I and II with whole new graphics right now for 1,200MSP.

Rumor: Final Fantasy IV: The After Coming To XBLA?
Stretching reason as far as it can go, 1UP.com think Final Fantasy IV is coming to XBLA. Do they know more than they let on?

Texas Cheat'em Splash Page Online, First Screenshots
A new take on poker - making cheats in integral part of the game. Will it pry players away from playing UNO or Texas Hold'em?

New Death Tank Trailer Makes US Want To Blow Up Stuff
Death Tank is almost here. Are you ready for action?

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix Coming To XBLA Day And Date With DS?
You may be playing Galactrix by the end of this month.

PlayStation Network

NA PSN Store Update: Savage Moon And Bejeweled 2
Tower Defense returns to the PlayStation Network, while the first of many PopCap classics are makes its mark on the platform.

Gamasutra Postmortem: Capcom/GRIN's Bionic Commando Rearmed
Producer Ben Judd discusses the highs and the lows of creating one of the most quality packed XBLA and PSN titles to date.

CellFactor Developers Have Sense Of Humor
Multiplatform multiplayer shooter CellFactor gets machinima treatment.

WiiWare

EU WiiWare Update - Pop'em, Drop'em, Glide'em
Europe gets the classic SAMEGAME, as well as Glide Hockey.

NA WiiWare Update: Snowboard Riot, LONPOS
Hudson's Snowboard Riot makes its American debut, as well as America finally getting a Japanese WiiWare launch game.

Direct Feed Screens Of Bubble Bobble WiiWare, Plus Official Name Revealed
Old is new again with Bubble Bobble Plus! on WiiWare.

The New York Comic-Con is on over the weekend, EA have announced Battlefield Bad Company 2 for retail Xbox 360 and PS3 for the end of the year, but another title has apparently been announced via a press release accidentally released to French website Jeuxactu.com - Battlefield 1943: Pacific.

While rumors have popped up over the past few days due to a Comic-Con schedule mentioning the game, this report by Jeuxactu came with some additional information. - making it sound like it may be an Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network release.

The article has since been taken down by Jeuxactu, but Planet Battlefield has since pasted the translated news report on their website:

"While the first images of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 are still waiting, Electronic Arts and DICE have announced a new variation of the Battlefield license, which will operate the latest version of the Frostbite engine: Battlefield 1943 Pacific. This umpteenth FPS on the Pacific will allow players (to fight in) social Conquest mode on three of the most famous maps of Battlefield 1942: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Wake Island. Destructible buildings, vehicles flying, rolling or floating, the worshipers of the series will not be at home but frankly can unwind in the idyllic scenery, galvanized by the soft roar of 23 other angry. Hostilities begin this summer on X360 and PS3."

From the sounds of it, it is a separate release from Battlefield Bad Company, but uses the same engine. The three maps mentioned were some of the most popular in the original Battlefield title, but now will include the destructibility of Bad Company.

It's certainly an interesting plan, considering that the upcoming Battlefield Heroes would have been more of a candidate for release on those systems. It looks like EA are giving their triple A teamsa chance to tinker with digital download games, with the NHL team releasing NHL Arcade and now this.

What else could we expect from the core EA teams? Criterion making a downloadable Road Rash? Maxis re-releasing the Sim City iPhone game for consoles? Oh the possibilities...

It's still rumor at this point - they don't specifically mention the "Live Arcade" or "PlayStation Network", but we'll keep you posted.

Source: Planet Battlefield: Battlefield 1943 Pacific the Next Battlefield?

Semnat Studios have released the first trailer of Eduardo the Samurai Toaster this week. If you thought you had an idea on how the game played due to the name, prepare to be wrong.

Somewhat of a side-scrolling platform shooter, Eduardo travels though levels filled with scribble, paint and the most bizarre level design shooting at everything in his path.

It certainly looks interesting enough, but will it end up being a great addition to WiiWare? Are you looking forward to Eduardo? Nintendo seems to have courted quite a few indie developers now after the success of World Of Goo, but can they match it in quality software?

Let us know in the comments.

Source: WiiWare World - Eduardo the Samurai Toaster - First Look Video

It appears that the PlayStation Monkey has pushed several buttons while being chased around the office this week, with 3 new titles for download, as well as the Killzone 2 demo sans any ridiculous preordering scheme.

NHL Arcade 3 on 3

NHL Arcade 3 on 3 (£6.29 / $12.95AUD) Demo Available

Category: Sports / Arcade
Publisher: EA Studios
Players: 1-6

"EA SPORTS welcomes you to the fast paced world of arcade hockey. From the same team that brought you NHL 09 comes a 3 on 3 experience that throws conventional hockey, and its rules, out the window. Choose from 40 of the NHL’s top players and bring them into this no rules hockey game where big heads and big hits rule the day. With loads of power-ups falling on the ice to the ability to level a guy clear out of the rink, this is definitely not your typical simulation experience."

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket Powered Battle Cars (£7.99)

Category: Battle
Publisher: Psyonix Studios
Players: 1-4

"Get ready for non-stop action as you take control of a rocket-powered super car! It is a sport like no other, where supersonic cars jump, flip, and rocket boost their way to victory!"

Meant to come out last week, however instead of the full game being uploaded, the paid download was the demo instead. That has been rectified this week.

LUMINES Supernova

LUMINES Supernova (£8.99 / Not Available In Australia)

Category: Arena Battle / Sports
Publisher: Psyonix Studios
Players: 1-4

"Indulge in the fusion of puzzle, lights and music! The latest installment to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment is packed with brand new skins and modes, exclusive to the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Puzzles, block-dropping beats and video entertainment combine to create a pulse-pounding experience that will keep you playing day after day!"

Burnout Paradise

Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Bundle (£29.99 / $54.95AUD)

"Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Bundle - Get the full version of Burnout Paradise - 2008's Racing Game of the Year - and get the brand new Pass the Pad Party Pack as well.
Paradise City is the ultimate driving playground, set in a vast open-world, filled with gameplay that will push your driving and riding skills to the limit."

Burnout Paradise Party Pack (£7.99 / 15.95AUD)

"Want to play Burnout Paradise at home with your friends in some offline multiplayer action? Burnout Paradise Party introduces fun, quick-fire challenges around Paradise City that can be played by 2-8 players of all skill levels."

Cuboid

Cuboid ($9.99USD)

Category: Puzzle
Publisher: CREAT Studios
Players: 1

"A stunning 3D puzzle game in which players navigate ancient ruins and lush environments, maneuvering a rectangular block through mystical exits. Cuboid’s 66 twisted levels will bend your mind with their addictive puzzles, and engage the senses with amazing graphics and soothing music, immersing you in a surrealistic puzzle world."

NHL Arcade 3 on 3

NHL Arcade 3 on 3 ($9.99) Demo Available

Category: Sports / Arcade
Publisher: EA Studios
Players: 1-6

"EA SPORTS welcomes you to the fast paced world of arcade hockey. From the same team that brought you NHL 09 comes a 3 on 3 experience that throws conventional hockey, and its rules, out the window. Choose from 40 of the NHL’s top players and bring them into this no rules hockey game where big heads and big hits rule the day. With loads of power-ups falling on the ice to the ability to level a guy clear out of the rink, this is definitely not your typical simulation experience."

Burnout Paradise

Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Bundle ($29.99)

"Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Bundle - Get the full version of Burnout Paradise - 2008's Racing Game of the Year - and get the brand new Pass the Pad Party Pack as well.
Paradise City is the ultimate driving playground, set in a vast open-world, filled with gameplay that will push your driving and riding skills to the limit."

Burnout Paradise Party Pack ($9.99)

"Want to play Burnout Paradise at home with your friends in some offline multiplayer action? Burnout Paradise Party introduces fun, quick-fire challenges around Paradise City that can be played by 2-8 players of all skill levels."

High Velocity Bowling

High Velocity Bowling: Dwayne ($0.99)

It’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Add Dwayne Harper to your High Velocity Bowling roster. It ain’t easy being a gangsta thug bowla, but Dwyane manages by combining good aim and power for an awesome shot. Download includes Dwayne’s special Urban Assault ball, plus the new Inner City Alley lane, set in a back alley of a major city with unique audio.

High Velocity Bowling: Candy ($0.99)

It’s time to bowl – High Velocity style! Add Candy Lincoln to your High Velocity Bowling roster. Candy’s a clash of old school and new tattoos. Her aim is great, but her ball is a bit too heavy for her. Download includes Candy’s special Candied Cherries ball, plus the new Jumpin’ Joe’s Diner lane, with a rockin’ retro atmosphere and unique audio.

It appears that we were right - Battlefield 1943: Pacific is in fact a downloadable game for the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC.

Using the same Frostbite™ engine, Battlefield 1943 takes players back to WWII. The game offers endless hours of 24 player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Delivering the award-winning through-the-gun and vehicle warfare online experience DICE is best recognized for, Battlefield 1943 will have players battling in ruthless aerial dog fights and intense trench combat. Players can see the game in action at New York Comic Con (Booth #1441) from February 6th-8th.

The official trailer can be viewed above. This will be an interesting year for the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network - a lot of games have included multiplayer, but with the week-to-week movement of players their lasting power tends to only last for so long until its dead - and the ranked / player matchmaking systems certainly don't help the situation.

With XBLA getting Battlefield 1943 and CellFactor, and PSN getting both of those and Punisher: War Zone on top of that, it will be incredibly interesting to see how everything weighs in. I hope the 24 player multiplayer is server based too.

In the latest edition of PSN catchup, the German USK rating board has revealed that Worms is making its way to the PlayStation Network.

The game has sold incredibly well on Xbox Live Arcade, raking in over half a million downloads since its release in 2007. Whether this is the exact same game as the Xbox Live Arcade version is currently unknown - but if every other XBLA to PSN game goes, it more than likely will be.

Team 17 are currently busy working on a reworking of Alien Breed for digital download, along with the new Leisure Suit Larry retail title, which looks like it will be released by Codemasters.

For a while it was assumed a new Worms may be in the works for both systems based on Open Warefare 2, since the initial game's shortcomings (Lack of level designs, sounds and so on) were due to the 50 megabyte limit their XBLA contract stipulated as their maximum filesize, much like how R-Type Dimensions and The Maw barely sit under 150 megabytes.

Most likely the game will be announced soon, so keep a look out every Thursday.

Source: USK Rating Board.

[In this Gamasutra-exclusive postmortem, NinjaBee explain what went right - and wrong - while creating Avatar-enabled Xbox Live Arcade worldbuilding game A Kingdom For Keflings.]

A Kingdom for Keflings is NinjaBee's fourth self-published Xbox Live Arcade game for the Xbox 360 (after Outpost Kaloki X, Cloning Clyde, and Band of Bugs). Following our usual passion for something new, we created an original IP and designed a new game with unique game mechanics.

We hoped a happy avatar-themed city-builder with a focus on the inhabitants of the world would appeal immediately to sim game players and be easily accessible to anyone else who wanted to give it a try.

The core team was the usual mix of programmers, artists, and designers, but in this case most of them had worked on one or more of our previous Live Arcade games and brought helpful experience with them.

After the release of A Kingdom for Keflings, we made a particular effort to play the game online with strangers and hang out in forums, listening to feedback, helping with questions, and generally collecting notes.

The total response to the game has been more positive than we ever expected, and playing with enthusiastic players has been a joy. On the other hand, there's plenty of negative feedback to go with the positive, and we've dutifully taken our lumps there as well.

Continue reading Gamasutra's Postmortem of A Kingdom For Keflings

In this round-up, we highlight some of the notable jobs posted in big sister site Gamasutra's industry-leading game jobs section this week, including positions from Snowblind Studios, Diesel Games, Pandemic Studios, RealNetworks, Armature Studios, and more.

Each position posted by employers will appear on the main Gamasutra job board, and appear in the site's daily and weekly newsletters, reaching our readers directly.

It will also be cross-posted for free across its network of submarket sites, which includes content sites focused on online worlds, cellphone games, 'serious games', independent games and more.

Some of the notable jobs posted in each market area this week include:

In a strange announcement which I don't think anyone expected, Paramount Digital Entertainment and CTXM have announced a brand new side scrolling brawler coming to Xbox Live Arcade based on The Warriors movie.

The game is very reminiscent of classic beat-em-ups like Streets of Rage. It includes 4 player cooperative multiplayer and such classic maneuvers as "Get out of the way there's a bus about to run you over".

It looks... okay. The fighting seems a bit clumsy and working in a 3D world rather than 2D one makes swinging in thin air even more bizarre. With this and Watchmen making it out this year, will it be able to grab onto the same people who made Castle Crashers such a huge success? We'll have to see.

Source: MTV Multiplayer: ‘The Warriors’ Returns To Video Games This Summer On Xbox 360