EQUILIBRIO

Wii Points: 500
Game Type:Puzzle, Action
Control Type: Wii Remote, Balance Board
Players: 1-4
Publisher: DK-GAMES

"In EQUILIBRIO, you must finish a series of levels by moving a ball toward an exit. To move the ball, hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and turn it to tilt the playfield. You can also play using the Wii Balance Board (sold separately with Wii Fit). The ball is fragile, so don't let it fall too far, and be sure to avoid deadly obstacles such as spikes and acid pools. The difficulty of the game adjusts according to your skill. Will you be tough enough to complete all 64 levels?"

Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Simulation, RPG
Publisher: KOEI

"Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is a game set in the Age of Discovery, the golden era of European global exploration during the early 16th century. There are six different characters to choose from, all with different backgrounds and different motivations. Once you've chosen a character to play, you're free to sail the world's oceans as you wish, visiting a variety of exotic ports and making thrilling new discoveries."

Twisted Pixel, the talented people behind the Xbox Live Arcade hit The Maw, have revealed their new project - dubbed 'Splosion Man.

As his name suggests, 'Splosion Man 'splodes things. 'Splosion Man is a side scrolling platformer where you must destroy your surrounding to escape your captors. The game will also include a 4 player multiplayer mode.

Currently all that is released are several pieces of art for the game. 'Splosion Man appears to be quite early in development, and its announcement may have been done a little hastily due to the announcement of a similarly titled but completely different game headed to WiiWare and the PlayStation Network. Still, just from the artwork and Twisted Pixel's previous efforts on the Maw, this game is one to look out for in the future.

Check out all the new artwork of 'Splosion Man here.

"Protect your cornfields and lock up your livestock, because Flock! is here! Pilot a UFO around vibrantly-colored landscapes in this charming sandbox puzzle game where you must herd animal life back to the Motherflocker. Using a powerful physics engine that drives many of the game's elements, Flock! features over 50 pastoral puzzles.

"Pick up wood to form bridges, move boulders to create obstructions, and flatten fields into pathways all to help deliver your herd before time runs out! Flock together with a friend and even create and share your own crazy levels online!"

Flock! will cost 1,200 Microsoft Points this Wednesday.

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

"The puzzle game of the future has arrived with Puzzle Quest: Galactrix! The original best-selling Puzzle Quest franchise is back in an all-new dimension with its signature match-3, turn-based battles in a masterful hybrid of the RPG and puzzle genres. Take on the role of a rogue pilot scouring the galaxy to uncover clues in an intergalactic mystery that affects the fate of the entire universe. Build up a fleet of ships, discover hundreds of different weapons, and master the new puzzle board!"

Puzzle Quest Galactrix will be 1600MSP this Wednesday.

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

This week's Deal Of The Week is another Xbox Live Arcade title - Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1 is now available for 800MSP if you have a Live Gold account. A 50% saving, and considering the XBLA version is usually the most expensive of the lot this is quite a good deal. If you haven't picked it up beforem now is the time to.

Click here to download the trial version of Penny Arcade Episode 1 via the Xbox web marketplace.

It's a very busy week. I've got to say, it kind of sucks for Capcom on the Xbox Live Arcade. Almost all their releases over the past year, including Commando 3, 1942: Joint Strike, Mega Man 9, Bionic Commando Rearmed and Age Of Booty have all been a part of double release weeks. This week is technically a triple release with Penny Arcade. Out of all the publishers, you'd think Capcom would get more breaks. How did Uno Rush get its own week but Flock or Galactrix don't? Boggles the mind.

Zombies are all the rage nowadays. We've got Burn Zombie Burn, Zombie Wranglers, Plants Vs. Zombies, Left 4 Dead, Zombies!!!, Zombie mode in Call Of Duty and now Zombie Apocalypse, a new dual stick shooter for the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Published by Konami and developed by Nihilistic, and originally revealed by Gamerbytes earlier in March, Zombie Apocalypse is in essence is similar to Burn Zombie Burn - you're in a level, a lot which look similar to the themes of Left 4 Dead, and blow up as many Zombies as possible. The game will include both offline and online cooperative play, and seven different environments.

It's a little odd seeing this announced just after the release of Burn Zombie Burn, a similar idea but with a more cartoon-like aesthetic, as well as with two other games that will end up having an identity crisis. Still, as this is also coming to the Xbox Live Arcade, it'll be an entirely new experience to those players.

While the gameplay may appear the same as Burn Zombie Burn, it still appears quite different mechanically - the multiplier appears to be based on kills, while BSB is based on amount of Zombies on fire. BSB is also not a twin stick shooter despite appearances, while Zombie Apocalypse is. Regardless, the key to both games are high scores, so you've got to be in it to get the best score and beat your friends.

The game is set to be released later this year. Check out the preview over at IGN.com for the full gory details.

IGN - Zombie Apocalypse First Look

It's been a hectic last few weeks at GamerBytes, and we've tried to keep up with all the news, but one thing we missed out on were release dates.

Several new release dates for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and WiIWare titles have been revealed. To make up for it, we've compiled all the latest known release dates for April and beyond for all the download services. Now you can make sure you've got your wallet ready for a month of top tier releases.

Xbox Live Arcade

Fudzilla are reporting that Lode Runner will be making its debut onto the Xbox Live Arcade on the 22nd of April, the very end of the Days Of Arcade promotion, for 1,200MSP. Going by this information, this would mean that OutRun Online Arcade is set for release next week.

According to this Joystiq article, Space Invaders Extreme will be coming out at the end of April, which would have to be April 29th.

Star Trek D.A.C is set to be released alongside the new Star Trek movie, so expect that to be released on the 6th of May.

PlayStation Network

It has been revealed that at least one of this week's releases in Europe will be the PSN version of Worms, released last week in North America. It will be retailing for £7.99 or 9.99Euros this Thursday.

This week's US release will be both Flock!, which will retail for $14.99 and Rag Doll Kung Fu. Whether either of these games will be joining Europe's release list is currently unknown.

WiiWare

Square Enix have revealed that Crystal Defenders R1 will be making its way to Europe on the 24th of April, with Crystal Defenders R2 making its way later this year. The R1 and R2 variants of Crystal Defenders are both in the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network versions of Crystal Defenders which cost $10USD, while the Wii versions have cost $10USD each in Japan. Whether the pricing is changes elsewhere in the world is unknown. Expect the US release around the same time.

Both Bubble Bobble Plus! and Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure are also planned soon for European WiiWare release. Bubble Bobble Plus! will be release this Friday, 10th April and Rainbow Islands will be hitting in May. Expect the American releases around the same times.

Do you remember the old Tiger handheld games that your parents would buy you? Those incredibly simple Game & Watch styled games based off your favorite franchise which you played when you were just too poor to own a Game Boy? Well you're in luck - you'll be able to play them all over again on WiiWare.

Alten8 media has revealed a brand new project Squibs Arcade, which intends to bring back those memories of LCD game playing to the console. Instead of recreating previous experiences, these games will parody the games of today. You can play Gun Cogs, which looks just a little similar to how Gears Of War might look like as an LCD game or Jack-a-motor, which makes fun of Grand Theft Auto.

Other titles that will be in this collection include Clown, Crowd Wader (Assasins Creed), Button Basher, Fantasy Turn Base, Call of Honour (Call Of Duty),Lots of Levelling, Cardboard Axel Mush (Metal Gear Solid), We're Fat (Wii Fit), and Regret the Fist. So there is quite a bit of content to be made for the collection.

It's certainly an interesting premise, there have been several applications on the iPhone that effectively emulated classic Game & Watch titles too, though the choice of WiiWare seems a little strange - a DSiWare title would perhaps be more interesting for quick play.

Check out the new screenshots of the several different games within (game title) over at Kotaku. The game is currently slated to be released in Q2 of this year, so expect it within the next few months.

Alten8 are planning on several new WiiWare released over the coming year, including Tractor Tom’s Puzzle Farm, which is based on a children's TV show, Eternity's Child, the game by Luc Bernard that is taking an Eternity to be released, Alien Autopsy and more, so keep a look out.

Source: Kotaku - Handheld Game Parodies Heading For WiiWare

Vogster Entertainment, the people behind popular Nintendo DS title Robotalypse, have revealed that they will be expanding the brand with new ventures - starting with a new Desktop Tower Defense title for WiiWare.

Robocalypse: Beaver Defense is set in the world of battling robots, where you must strategically place various defense mechanisms around the level. While it may look a little like PixelJunk Monsters, the addition of both static and mobile defenses certainly will change up things compared to many previous DTT games on consoles.

Beaver Defense will also allow players to upgrade their skills, weapons, hero units and defenses, and will also include a four player multiplayer mode.

The game is set to be released in Europe and North American in Summer 2009. Check the original article for the latest screenshots of the game.

Source: Kotaku - Robocalypse Applies Beaver Defense To WiiWare

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

Developer: Infinite Interactive
Publisher: D3 Publisher of America, Inc.
Genre: Puzzle and Word
Price: 1600MSP
Availability: Not available in India or Korea

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

Click here for the Xbox Live marketplace page to download the demo.


Flock!

Developer: Proper Games
Publisher: Capcom Entertainment Inc.
Genre: Puzzle and Word
Price: 1200MSP
Availability: Not available in Japan

Click here for the official Xbox.com splash page.

Click here for the Xbox Live marketplace page to download the demo.


This week's Deal Of The Week is another Xbox Live Arcade title - Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1 is now available for 800MSP if you have a Live Gold account. A 50% saving, and considering the XBLA version is usually the most expensive of the lot this is quite a good deal. If you haven't picked it up beforem now is the time to.

Click here to download the trial version of Penny Arcade Episode 1 via the Xbox web marketplace.

Here's a strange one for you - the Korean Games Rating Board has revealed that Garou: Mark Of The Wolves, known stateside as Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves, has been rated by Microsoft of Korea, meaning that it should be bound for the Xbox Live Arcade.

Released in 1999 for the Arcades and later on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2, Mark Of The Wolves was the very last title in the Fatal Fury line of games. For its time it was considered to be a pinnacle title, receiving excellent reviews all around.

The game was also one of the last released for the Neo Geo system, and pushed the Neo Geo's graphic capabilities to its limits. SNK have already released Fatal Fury Special on the Xbox Live Arcade and are planning to release King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match this year, and with the addition of the rumored Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, it looks like it might be a resurgence of fighting games is on our hands. Possibly too many, but I guess beggars can't be choosers.

Now I just need to find me one of those Capcom Fight Pads.

Source: Romancia Korean Blog

Previously revealed through the Australian Classification website, it's been unveiled that Fish'em All is now WiiWare bound courtesy of Abylight.

Fish'em All is not your standard fishing game, but a selection of fishing-based mini games. It has three modes - Arcade, Challenge and FishTris. In Arcade mode each of the nine scenarios see if you can catch as many fish as possible and get the high score. Challenge mode makes you attempt to get specific amounts of certain colored fish in order to continue, and FishTris requires you to connect 3 fish of the same color in order to remove them from a tube - fill the tube and the game is over.

From the trailer it's looking okay, but perhaps a little too basic. The multiplayer mode is where the game will shine though, with two players fighting for the top scores at the same time.

The game is set to be released quite soon. You can check out the latest screenshots here , and check out the official website here.

Today it has been revealed that Microsoft have teamed up with Amazon to sell Xbox Live Arcade download codes through their online store.

How does it work? Simply go to www.amazon.com/xboxlive and buy yourself some codes - it's that simple.

This allows two things which many people have been wanting for quite some while. First, you can now view Xbox Live Arcade games in US dollars. Some people are still confused by the points-to-money calculation, so now they don't have an excuse.

Secondly, this now allows Xbox Live Arcade players to gift people games. There was a system in place some time ago to gift people games through Xbox.com, but it was short lived. Now you can buy a code and send that code to a friend. Easy done.

The code will get directly sent to you once payment is complete. You can also buy your standard point codes as well as Xbox Live subscriptions as well. Currently this is only available in the US, but as this is only a beta it should expand to Amazon UK and Canada as well. Hopefully we'll one day see the XNA Community Games, as well as Nintendo and Sony giving gamers similar options.

Source: Amazon.com Xbox Live Store

The guys at Rare are always up for a joke, something to entice their fanbase and get them all fluttered. Yesterday was no different, with the reveal of the Banjo-Tooie NXE theme.

On the theme are several references to other games - The Stop 'N Swop theme for example, but the one most noteworthy is the blurry image of Joanna Dark's face.

But it might not be all good news. We know that Goldeneye was originally being developed for the Xbox Live Arcade and eventually got canned. When details on the game were leaked, Xbox Evolved wrote this in an article about the game:

"One of our sources has revealed to us a few screen shots of the upcoming game, and the icon that you see for the game’s info in the dashboard is that of the PDZ Joanna Dark for placeholder purposes, but the games title is not Goldeneye 007; it is instead Bean Project"

So the icon appears that it might just be an icon left over from the incomplete Goldeneye 007 project. A shame if that's the case, but lets hope that the DS team is now making some quality XBLA titles instead.

Source: Banjo Blog - New Premium Banjo-Tooie Theme Released on 10th April

[Every week, sister site 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 on the Xbox Live Arcade we've got the long awaited Flock! and Puzzle Quest Galactrix, as well as Penny Arcade Adventures now available for half the price for the rest of the week.

The PlayStation Store in North America got Comet Crash last week, this week they'll be grabbing Rag Doll Kung Fu as well as Flock!

Finally, Wii owners in North America can now buy Equilibrio, a ball rolling puzzle game, and those in Europe can now buy Zelda: Majoras Mask.

GamerBytes Originals

GamerBytes Analysis: XNACG Regional Sales And Conversion Rates
We see how XNA Community Games are selling in all regions.

Xbox Live Arcade

Flock, Puzzle Quest Galactrix, Cheap Penny Arcade Now Available On XBLA
Herd Sheep and Match three with the Xbox Live Arcade this week.

Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves XBLA Bound?
Classic Arcade and Dreamcast fighting game on its way to the XBLA?

Twisted Pixel Announce 'Splode Man For XBLA
A man made of fission is coming your way, courtesy of the people who brought you The Maw.

Amazon.com Now Selling Xbox Live Arcade Games
US residents can now buy XBLA codes through Amazon - with dollar prices.

PlayStation Network

Zombie Apocalypse Brings More Zombies To XBLA / PSN
Left 4 Dead meets Burn Zombie Burn in this twin stick Zombie shooter.

NA PSN Store Update - Tower Defense With Comet Crash
Haven't go enough of Tower Defense yet?

EU PSN Store Update - Have You Got Enough PAIN Characters Yet? Have Some More!
Just how many more characters are going to be available for PAIN?

WiiWare

Defend Against Beavers In Robocalypse: Beaver Defense
More Tower Defense, this time on the Wii and against Beavers.

Furry Legends Rolling Your Way
Physics based ball platformer on its way.

Squibs Arcade Brings LCD Games To WiiWare
Ever feel like going back to the old Tiger handheld games? This game lets you do that, complete with parodies of new titles.

EU WiiWare Update - Zelda: Majora's Mask On Virtual Console
All Zelda games now available on the Virtual Console.

NA WiiWare Update - Equilibrio
This ball rolling title now available on iPhone and WiiWare.

Flock!
Flock! (Full Game, Demo Available)

Category: Puzzle
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
Price: €14.99 / £11.99 / $23.95AUD

"Protect your cornfields and lock up your livestock, because FLOCK is here! Herd cute, cuddly animals through over 50 sandbox puzzles with the help of your UFO tractor beam! Flock together with a friend, and even create and share your own crazy levels online with the built-in level editor! With so much to do, the potential for fun is out of this world! Download the game today!"

Rag Doll Kung Fu
Rag Doll Kung Fu (Full Game)

Category: Fighter
Publisher: SCEA
Players: 1-4
Price: €9.99 / £7.99 / $15.95AUD

"All the puppets were kung fu fighting! Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic is a unique party fighting game featuring hilarious, customizable kung fu puppets that deliver a sharp jab to the funny bone!"

Hail To The Chimp
Hail To The Chimp (Full Game, Demo Available)

Category: Fighter
Publisher: Gamecock Media
Players: 1-4
Price: €14.99 / £11.99 / $23.95AUD

"Hail to the Chimp is a fast-paced party game that delivers exciting gameplay, lush interactive environments, and a comic look at politics. It is a bare-knuckled fight to win the crown of President of the animals."

(Note: This is a very interesting addition to the store. Hail To The Chimp was a retail game released last year, and did quite poorly at retail. It really felt like it should have been a digital download - and now it is. That's some 5 or 6 games now that have gone both retail and digital download. I wonder how much more of this we'll be seeing this year.)

Worms PSN
Worms PSN (Full Game)

Category: Action
Developer: Team 17
Players: 1-4
Price: €9.99 / £7.99(Not In Australia)

"Run for cover! The Worms are coming to PLAYSTATION 3, and this time they mean war! Battle up to three other players offline or online on one of six landscape themes, utilizing a selection of classic Worms weaponry: from the famed Bazooka to the devastating Banana Bomb. With a fine selection of single player battles and plenty of ways to customize your annelid army, it’s a package sky-high on entertainment!"

Also this week on the European PSN Store is the Anniversary Sale. For a limited time these games have dropped in price. Get them while you can.

Blast Factor (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
Calling All Cars (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
Crash Commando (Now €5.99 / £4.79 / $9.95AUD)
Dark Mist (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
echochrome (Now €5.99 / £4.79 / $9.95AUD)
Elefunk (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
High Velocity Bowling (Now €5.99 / £4.79 / $9.95AUD)
Nucleus (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
PAIN (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
PixelJunk Racers (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
Piyotama (Now €2.99 / £2.39 / $4.95AUD)
Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty (€9.99)
Rift: Everyday Shooter (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
Siren Blood Curse (€19.99 / £14.99 / $29.95AUD)
Snakeball (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection (€14.99 / £11.99 / $23.95AUD)
Toy Home (Now €4.99 / £3.99 / $8.45AUD)
WipEout HD (€14.99 / £11.99 / $23.95AUD)

Flock!
Flock! (Full Game, Demo Available)

Category: Puzzle
Publisher: Capcom
Players: 1-2
Price: $14.99

"Protect your cornfields and lock up your livestock, because FLOCK is here! Herd cute, cuddly animals through over 50 sandbox puzzles with the help of your UFO tractor beam! Flock together with a friend, and even create and share your own crazy levels online with the built-in level editor! With so much to do, the potential for fun is out of this world! Download the game today!"

Rag Doll Kung Fu
Rag Doll Kung Fu (Full Game)

Category: Fighter
Publisher: SCEA
Players: 1-4
Price: $9.99

"All the puppets were kung fu fighting! Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic is a unique party fighting game featuring hilarious, customizable kung fu puppets that deliver a sharp jab to the funny bone!"

Bubble Bobble Plus!

Wii Points: 800
Game Type: Puzzle Action
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-4
Publisher: Taito Corp.

"Bub and Bob are back in this brand new WiiWare update to the classic arcade game! Bubble Bobble Plus! includes a new version of the original game, support for up to four players, online scoreboards, and even new, downloadable levels!"


Family & Friends Party

Wii Points: 1,000
Game Type: Board Game
Control Type: Wii Remote
Players: 1-8
Publisher: Gammick Entertainment

"Have fun with all your friends and family as you take on some very exciting challenges! This is an interactive board game for all ages and for one to eight players. The object of the game is to complete all the challenges set by Family & Friends Party. The first to complete them all is the winner! Teams take turns to play. The team selected in each turn must complete a specific challenge. The challenge will be played by one or two players in the team depending on the type of challenge you have been given. Nevertheless, the other the players in the team can help and support you. You can never get enough help! There are six different "Single" challenges. These challenges must be played cooperatively by members of the same team. Sometimes, Family & Friends Party will also suggest playing "Versus" challenges, which must be played competitively by all the teams at the same time."

EQUILIBRIO

Wii Points: 500
Game Type:Puzzle, Action
Control Type: Wii Remote, Balance Board
Players: 1-4
Publisher: DK-GAMES

"In EQUILIBRIO, you must finish a series of levels by moving a ball toward an exit. To move the ball, hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and turn it to tilt the playfield. You can also play using the Wii Balance Board (sold separately with Wii Fit). The ball is fragile, so don't let it fall too far, and be sure to avoid deadly obstacles such as spikes and acid pools. The difficulty of the game adjusts according to your skill. Will you be tough enough to complete all 64 levels?"

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 Fuel Industries, Infinity Ward, THQ 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:

The Xbox Live Arcade leaker has once again leaked some screenshots of an upcoming game - this time the port of Wolfenstein 3D, leaked through the ESRB rating a couple of weeks ago.

The writer Pure De Garbanzos states that the game is a straight up port of the original game, not a remake and with no major additions. Looking at the above screenshot we can see that the aliasing of the walls has been cleaned up, similar to that of the recent iPhone version.

Now the question is - would you buy a straight up port of Wolfenstein 3D for the Xbox Live Arcade? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Videogames by puredegarbanzos