New Releases (Week of 29/6/09)

It's children's movie adaptation week in this week's new releases as both Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs get turned into games. Both games will be available for every platform imaginable including the DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360.

Other big releases include BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, a 2D fighter for the PS3 and Xbox 360, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, a Western shooter for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, and ArmA II, a military simulation shooter for the PC.

Also available this week is the next entry in the Mega Man Star Force series, Mega Man Star Force 3, which will be released on the DS in two versions, Black Ace and Red Joker.
The full list of the rest of the new releases can be found below.

DS

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
3. Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace
4. Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker
5. My Dress-Up
6. My Make-Up
7. Roogoo Attack!
8. Treasure World

PC

1. Airport Mania
2. ArmA II
3. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
5. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
6. Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War

PlayStation 2

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

PlayStation 3

1. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
2. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
4. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

PSP

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2. Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament

Wii

1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
2. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
3. Googoo: Twisted Towers

Xbox 360

1. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
2. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
4. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

New Releases, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii…

New video game releases on Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PS3 and PSP, Nintendo Wii For the week of June 07 through June 14.

Rock Band Unplugged - PSP: Rock Band Unplugged will feature over 40 master-recordings including nine brand new, exclusive songs for the PSP system for a limited time! Plus, Rock Band Unplugged will include the first fully-featured in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system in the North American and European markets, leveraging the PSP system’s wireless capabilities. The in-game store will be powered by PlayStation Network, and players will be able to use their existing PlayStation Network account to purchase tracks, similar to the Rock Band console experience. Release Date: Jun 9, 2009

Prototype - X360,PS3: A genetically mutated man without memory, armed with amazing shape-shifting abilities, hunting to discover what created you and determined to make those responsible pay. As Alex, gamers tear through a densely populated contemporary New York City moving with free-roaming Parkour-style fluidity, consuming anybody that gets in his way…assuming their physical form, memories and abilities. Release Date: Jun 9, 2009

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 - WII, X360, PS3, PSP, PS2: Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 brings to life the spectacle and drama of tournament golf, featuring highly innovative online modes, an all-new character progression mode called Tournament Challenge where you can recreate golf history, and a true sports motion experience on the Wii, along with a host of other exciting enhancements. Release Date: Jun 9, 2009

Virtua Tennis 2009 - WII, PC, PS3, X360: Create your own player and join the new World Tour where you will be trained by a real-life legend of tennis to compete for the #1 ranking against the biggest stars. Then take your character online and prove you’re the best with the new online ranking system! With brand new courts, a new roll call of tennis stars to compete against and even more court mini-games, Virtua Tennis 2009 is set to be the #1 tennis title once again!. Release Date: Jun 9, 2009

Ghostbusters The Video Game - X360, PS3, WII: Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise and featuring a completely new story, is coming to six game systems in 2009. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film’s original theatrical release, the game reunites original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation. Penned by original Ghostbusters writers Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters: The Video Game brings members of the original cast together for the first time in 20 years. Release Date: Jun 16, 2009

Guitar Hero: Smash Hits - X360 PS3 PS2 WII: Turn down the lights, crank up the amps and prepare to command center stage with some of the most famous AND infamous tracks from Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero II, Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Step into the spotlight in the most epic, full band jam session to-date — Guitar Hero Smash Hits. Release Date: Jun 16, 2009

New Releases (Week of 15/6/09)

After a long, strange, developmental trip that involved no less than three publishing houses, Ghostbusters is finally ready to ship for the DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii and Xbox 360. The game, which is essentially the third Ghostbusters movies, will be released in a three different versions. The PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 version will have realistic graphics based on the likenesses of the actors. The PS2 and Wii version will feature a more cartoony look based on the animated series. Finally, the DS version will make extensive use of driving Ecto-1 as part of the gameplay.

If busting doesn't make you feel good, Activision plans to release another Guitar Hero spinoff for the PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 this week, Guitar Hero: Smash Hits. Smash Hits will be a greatest hits compilation of songs that appeared in Guitar Hero I, II, III and Rocks the 80s done in the full band style of Guitar Hero: World Tour.

Here's the full list of the rest of the new releases.

DS

• Big League Sports: Summer
• Divagirls: Divas on Ice
• Emergency Room: Real Life Rescues
• Flower, Sun and Rain
• Ghostbusters

PC

• 4x4: Hummer
• Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
• Defnse Grid
• Ghostbusters
• The Hardy Boys: The Perfect Crime
• Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People

PlayStation 2

• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero: Smash Hits

PlayStation 3

• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero: Smash Hits

PSP

• PDC World Championship Darts

Wii

• Big League Sports: Summer
• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero: Smash Hits
• Let's Tap
• PDC World Championship Darts
• Vertigo

Xbox 360

• Black College Football: The Xperience
• Ghostbusters
• Guitar Hero: Smash Hits

Sony Unveils PSPgo, New Prices on Development Hardware

Sony Computer Entertainment on Tuesday made several announcements during its press conference at the E3 gaming convention in Los Angeles, but none seemed more relevant to iPhone and iPod touch game developers and industry watchers than the introduction of a new mobile system called the PSPgo, and news that Sony was dropping the price of PSP development systems.

The long-rumored PSPgo is a new PlayStation Portable system with a smaller form factor, designed especially for users who are content to download games and videos. It's planned for an October release in North America, Europe and Asia for US$249.

While the price for the PSPgo seems steep compared to a PSP-3000, which retails for $170, It's certainly competitive with the iPod touch, which costs $229 for an 8GB model or $299 for the more comparable 16GB model. And the PSPgo emphasizes the "portable" in PlayStation Portable thanks to a neat design that's lifted from some smartphones and Sony's own Mylo Internet communicator.

The PSPgo measures 5.04 x 0.65 x 2.72 inches (128 x 16.5 x 69 mm) and weighs 5.6 ounces (158g). It retains a 16:9 aspect ratio display that measures 3.8 inches and 480 x 272 pixels, like other PSP models). Compare that to the 6.7 x 0.7 x 2.7 inch dimensions of the PSP-3000 and you can see where Sony made the cuts -- the PSPgo is easier to stick in a pocket and lighter, besides. It's worth noting, however, that the PSPgo's display isn't a touchscreen, like the iPhone and iPod touch.

The 3.8-inch TFT display slides upward to reveal control surfaces, just like a smartphone. Only instead of a QWERTY keyboard you'll find a directional pad, specialized buttons, a small analog thumbstick, start and select buttons -- the same interface you find on the full-sized PSP-3000 that Sony will continue to sell even after the PSPgo's release.

That's not the only reason the PSPgo is smaller, however. Sony has also removed the Universal Media Disc (UMD) optical drive from the PSPgo, emphasizing the unit's suitability for digital entertainment content transferred from the PlayStation 3 or directly over the PlayStation Network, an online service Sony has created for PS3 and PSP users, which offers video content and games for download.

This puts the PSPgo squarely in the same territory as the iPhone and iPod touch as a game-playing system, at least as far as downloads are concerned. No more UMD disks to lose; simply download your games from PSN and take them with you on the go. Sony promises loads more downloadable games from the PlayStation Network in time for the PSPgo's release.

The PSPgo features built-in 802.11b Wi-Fi and support for Bluetooth 2.0 wireless peripherals, including headphones, headsets and PS3 wireless controllers. The PSPgo can also be attached to a television or home entertainment system so you can watch videos stored in the unit. The PSPgo includes 16GB of built-in flash memory, along with a Memory Stick Micro flash storage card slot that can be used to further expand the unit's storage capacity.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen propels players straight into an adrenaline-pumping battle for supremacy across the globe where every second and every choice makes the difference between mankind's salvation and annihilation.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game lets gamers step into the shoes of the Autobots or Decepticons, select any available mission and pick from the largest, most diverse range of playable Transformers - each with their own distinct abilities and weaponry. Set in unique environments across the globe such as Cairo and Shanghai, the game allows players to instantly switch between vehicle and robot modes as they drive, fly, fight and blast their way through intense, pressure-packed levels. After engaging in single player action, players for the first time ever will be able to go online and battle friends in all-new multiplayer modes.

In addition to Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox, Peter Cullen (Optimus Prime), Mark Ryan (Bumblebee), Jess Harnell (Ironhide), Charles Adler (Starscream) and Robert Foxworth (Ratchet) reprised their film roles for the game. Voice-over veterans John Di Maggio (Sideways) and James Arnold Taylor (The Fallen) also join the roster.

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  Playable characters includes
  

Autobots:

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  Optimus Prime
  Ironhide
  Breakaway
  Bumblebee
  Ratchet
  Aerialbot (Multiplayer-exclusive)
  Protectobot (Multiplayer-exclusive)

Decepticons:

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  Starscream
  Sideways
  Grindor
  Long Haul
  Megatron
  Seeker (Multiplayer-exclusive)

Key Features:

• 
  
  
  Players can take on the role of their favorite Autobots and Decepticons such as Optimus Prime, Starscream, Bumblebee and Ironhide, along with new characters making their first appearance in a game. With two distinct campaigns that allow players to save or destroy the human race, players can unlock and play missions in any order and with different characters for a whole new experience.


• 
  
  
  Instantaneously convert from a colossal robot to a dynamic land or air vehicle such as a diesel truck, sports car, military chopper or fighter jet. New, ultra-fluid transformations can be performed in-motion anytime and anywhere, allowing players to strategically propel through and decimate hordes of enemies with incredible agility.


• 
  
  
  For the first time ever in the Transformers universe, players can engage in full, multiplayer action, taking the epic war between the Autobots and Decepticons online to play with friends in a multitude of competitive game modes as they utilize their characters? unique weapons and abilities to lead their teams to victory.


• 
  
  
  Each Transformer can unleash a unique array of assaults on its enemies ?ranging from powerful missile attacks and rapid-fire chain guns to explosive energy blasts and visceral melee strikes ?allowing players to pick from a variety of weapons and moves in their character抯 arsenal and experience diverse gameplay in every brutal encounter.


• 
  
  
  Every second counts as players drive, fly, fight and blast their way through gripping, pulse-pounding levels straight from the film and beyond to determine the ultimate fate of the world.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game is currently in development by Luxoflux for the Xbox 360 and the PS3, and for PC by Beenox Studios.

Also, Krome Studios is developing distinct Wii and PS2 versions, utilizing the individual platform features to deliver an intense 3rd person action adventure game that combines dynamic robot combat with arcade-style vehicle sequences and flight-based levels. In addition, two completely different titles are being developed for NDS by Vicarious Visions, allowing players to take on Autobot or Decepticon-specific campaigns. For the PSP system, a unique, fast-paced action arcade title is being developed by Savage Entertainment.