Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

It seems that Aerosmith isn’t the only band staking their rhythm game claim with Guitar Hero III: Gwen Stefani’s semi-ska/pop outfit No Doubt is set to hit the game … well, today. It should be available on Xbox Live now as a matter of fact, and on PSN later today.

500 points will net you three songs from the band’s Tragic Kingdom album, “Don’t Speak”, “Excuse Me Mr” and “Sunday Morning.” Admittedly we’re not hardcore fans, but these seem like weird choices. No “Just A Girl”? No “Spiderwebs”? Oh well, at least they’re master tracks. Song choice aside, is this something you’ll be picking up?

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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After seeing screen after gorgeous screenshot of the fabled Wiiware title Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King, we may finally have a day to mark on our calendars. I say may because the source of this news mentions they were informed by "a Square representative" of the release date and price, but the Square website still says "coming soon" in regards to the game’s release date.

If it is true, the game will coincide with the launch of Wiiware itself on May 12th and retail for 1,500 Wii points. As much as I am excited about the game, I’m actually more excited about seeing Wiiware finally debut and what may come along with it. I’ve seen multiple game concepts for it that all left me more excited than I have felt about Wii in a while, and I would love to see what this service can possibly do.

[Via The Wiire - Thanks, Jonathan]

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Alright, so remember how I said that Mario Kart for the Wii will support text chatting? Well I was completely wrong. Or rather, Nintendo has no idea what the hell texting means. Here’s the deal, Mario Kart will only support pre-determined phrases that people can send to each other, which Nintendo will provide. So phrases like "Hello", "Lets race!" and "Lets have fun!" are some of the things that are safe to assume will be available. 

Thank God you’re here to protect us Nintendo! I was really worried you were slipping. Thank you so much for babysitting the fan base and keeping them safe from the pedophiles and creeps of the Internet. If you’re mad about this, than you’re obviously one of the evil people. No doubt that you want to send children messages like "Your tears turn me on." and "I have a lollipop in my pants for you." You people make me sick. 

[Via Kotaku] 

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After a long hiatus due to world traveling, I am back with some more songs about videogames. This week in the Mushroom Singdom, we’ve got Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards for the Nintendo 64 and Psychosis, which was on the Turbo Graphix 16.

In terms of the songs, I find it funny because I spent literally ten minutes writing the Psychosis song that I thought came out really well. Especially compared to the Kirby 64 song, on which I spent the better part of an hour. Just goes to show you can never tell what’s going to stick and what isn’t. 

I wouldn’t classify either of these games as a sure thing. Psychosis is one of the most by-the-numbers shmups Nintendo has released on the Virtual Console thus far. Just absolutely nothing original in it. Kirby 64 is all right, but doesn’t even come close to comparing to the original game, or even some of the others that came before it. This was the first time I had played it, and even though I was enjoying myself, I felt somewhat cheated by the faux-3D nature of the graphics. Look at Mario 64 and then look at this. Yeah.

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Attention kids, tweens, and teens! If the outrageous rock n’ roll lifestyle that comes along with the peripheral-based Guitar Hero and Rock Band are a bit too much for your virgin tastes, Disney has the answer. Naked pictures of that chick from High School Musi — wait, no! We don’t speak about that.

Introducing Ultimate Band, a rhythm-based music game being designed for the Nintendo DS and Wii. While no songs have been announced, Disney claim to be working with some of the biggest names in rock, alternative, pop, emo, and indie rock music. Of course, this covers everything from the Jonas Brothers to Hannah Montana. We hope.

While gameplay specifics for both versions haven’t been announced, each version will take advantage of the console’s specific strengths (waggle and touch, baby!). In particular, the DS version sounds pretty neat — gamers will be able to create their own original songs with the touchscreen and stylus to lay down tracks. Timbaland never had it easy. 

Ultimate Band hits shelves this "holiday season." (Which "holiday season"? There are so many left this year! It’s only February, man!)

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I thought I had seen the worst video game port ever. I was wrong. Today, news hit our internets that this summer, lucky Japanese Wii owners will have the opportunity to buy Resident Evil Zero for their beloved show stealing console. By Resident Evil Zero, I do not mean the Resident Evil Zero that has been available for the GameCube (and therefore, the Wii) for more than five years. That Resident Evil Zero is barely interesting, which is probably why it’s probably the least popular numbered game in the series. No, this Resident Evil Zero has a difference. From an early, unofficial translation of this page of the latest Famitsu, Resident Evil Zero Wii edition will have Zack and Wiki style point and click controls. 

Ugh.

I was trying to make this post funny some how, but really, my heart’s just not in it. This is truly the worst idea for a port ever. Not only is RE0 for the Wii already available for about $20 in it’s GameCube disk form, and not only would RE0 not be improved at all by the addition of Wii controls, but RE0 is not even that good of a game. Capcom should be trying to make us forget that RE0 existed, not shove it in our faces again. I feel like a dog that’s getting his nose pushed into his own crap as punishment for crapping on the family rug. But it’s not fair, because I didn’t crap out RE0, Capcom did. How come I’m the one that’s being forced to smell it again?  

[Via GoNintendo] 

 

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I don’t know about the rest of you folks, but I can’t help but stare. Just look at that marvelous head of hair, slick with gel. And what eighties/nineties woman could resist that glorious George Michael-esque “no razor has touched my face in days” look? *Sigh* Oh, Boris…if only we had met fifteen years ago; if only 2K Sports had achieved this digital doppelgänger on the Genesis; if only I were a member of the fairer sex…we could have been something special.

But alas, that cannot be. Now, in lieu of stroking your grizzled face, I shall have to settle for tearing through the tennis world with you on our way to the World No. 1 ranking. What’s that? You retired in 1999? No matter; we can make it if we try…in 2K Sports’ Top Spin 3. Here, let me show you some of the men who will fall victim to your blade racket: Andy Roddick, Gaël Monfils, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. They may look threatening, but they will be no match for your “Baron von Slam” serve — or your pensive gaze into the distance.

Wait, where was I? Um…anyway, 2K Sports has just released the list of international tennis stars, past and present, who will be playable in their upcoming game. In addition to 16 of the top players in the world today (17 on the PS3; more on that later), Top Spin 3 will feature three “classic legends” of the sport, roughly split up by decades — one each for the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Hit the jump for the full press release, including the official cast of characters. Top Spin 3 will be out this spring for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS.

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I don’t know about the rest of you folks, but I can’t help but stare. Just look at that marvelous head of hair, slick with gel. And what eighties/nineties woman could resist that glorious George Michael-esque “no razor has touched my face in days” look? *Sigh* Oh, Boris…if only we had met fifteen years ago; if only 2K Sports had achieved this digital doppelgänger on the Genesis; if only I were a member of the fairer sex…we could have been something special.

But alas, that cannot be. Now, in lieu of stroking your grizzled face, I shall have to settle for tearing through the tennis world with you on our way to the World No. 1 ranking. What’s that? You retired in 1999? No matter; we can make it if we try…in 2K Sports’ Top Spin 3. Here, let me show you some of the men who will fall victim to your blade racket: Andy Roddick, Gaël Monfils, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. They may look threatening, but they will be no match for your “Baron von Slam” serve — or your pensive gaze into the distance.

Wait, where was I? Um…anyway, 2K Sports has just released the list of international tennis stars, past and present, who will be playable in their upcoming game. In addition to 16 of the top players in the world today (17 on the PS3; more on that later), Top Spin 3 will feature three “classic legends” of the sport, roughly split up by decades — one each for the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Hit the jump for the full press release, including the official cast of characters. Top Spin 3 will be out this spring for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and DS.

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Before you watch the video above, I highly recommend you catch the first episode of the Real World Rules series, so that you’ll get a better idea of what Alone in the Dark 5’s engine has to offer.

In this episode, we learn that swinging a giant pipe at your foe isn’t as easy as hitting a face button. Much like skate. before it, Alone in the Dark 5 has adopted a control scheme that allows you to use the right analog stick for greater precision.

We’ve all heard the complaints about current game controllers being overly complicated, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Also shown in this tech demo is the ability to turn a can of disinfecting spray into a flamethrower. If I had to choose between additional health and burning monsters with a makeshift flamethrower while accidentally catching myself on fire and getting a game over, I’d undoubtedly pick death. Wouldn’t you too?

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Filed under: Features, PC, Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs, Interviews, GDC

Right after our demo of the PC version of Mass Effect, we had the chance to sit with BioWare founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuck for a quick catch-up on recent events. The two men were overjoyed to talk about Mass Effect’s success and critical reception, as well as the uplifting effect the EA buyout has had on the company.

The impression the two give are of guys who have just been given a chance at the brass ring. Their comments, intimating that BioWare itself is now a micro-publisher, praising their new co-worker’s common sense, hint at a new era of opportunity for the company. We’ve already posted the audio from the interview, but for a full transcript of our discussion just read on below the cut. You can get a better sense of Ray and Greg’s cheery outlook, see them again discuss the reason Mass Effect on the 360 had the UI it did, and watch them stonewall on a question about their in-development MMO title.

The bottom line, unsaid in the interview itself, is a clear message: “Fans shouldn’t worry. We’re not, and neither should you.” Here’s hoping that they’ve got the right of it.

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Continue reading BioWare founders: ‘We’re not done yet’

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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