Ah, Fall 2008. It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, because early on in a year, Fall 2008 seems to be the Promised Land of game releases. Everything's coming out in that pleasantly hazy "Fall 2008" window.

That is, until the delays begin. "Fall 2008" is liable to become any date from October to February, and that's exactly what's happened with the impressive-looking Afro Samurai, now delayed to January 27th. Feels funny calling it a "delay" when we never really had a date, huh?

Afro Samurai Delayed to January 27 [Shacknews]

Namco-Bandai Rescuing Hellgate From Sinking Flagship?

Namco-Bandai may be stepping in to rescue Hellgate: London from embattled Flagship Studios, who recently suspended private testing for Mythos in the wake of widespread reports that the studio was shutting down.

We've approached Flagship for comment and they've yet to explain their status to us. Then, a posting appeared on Hellgate's official forums from Namco-Bandai's senior director of business development, Zack Karlsson, stating:

Hello Hellgaters,

I know everyone is looking for an announcement, and we'd love to make one — but right now, many things are in flux and we don't have all the information yet. As soon as we do, we'll post here on the forums, on the website, and anywhere else we can find you.

The posting continued:

Namco Bandai To Release Video Game Training DS (Seriously)

It's come to this has it? Namco-Bandai's Video Game Training DS? It would appear so, as the latest issue of Famitsu Weekly features details, screen shots and more on the WarioWare clone that features over two dozen Namco arcade and console classics. Video Game Training DS will see an adorably anthropomorphized arcade machine walking players through 500 mini-games across all genres. Micro-gaming tests of skill from titles like Galaga, Family Stadium, Mappy, The Tower Of Druaga, Star Luster, Sky Kid, Metro-Cross and more will be featured.

It's really quite brilliant. Now that Nintendo has convinced millions upon millions of "lapsed" gamers to start buying software, the opportunity to remind the masses that actual video games are pretty fun is only going to make the suits at Namco-Bandai that much richer when it hits in March of '08.

Namco Bandai Announce Videogame Training for DS [1UP]

The official Soulcalibur IV website (of the Japanese persuasion) has updated with a half-batch of new and semi-old screen shots. Yes, I said "old", so you don't have to. However, more than a handful are new. Actually, that's not true. I just wanted to write "more than a handful" as it seemed appropriate. For anyone who has forgotten that Namco-Bandai is aggressively targeting the D-cup fans, a gallery is below.

Our cups runneth over with new screens and artwork from Namco-Bandai's Soulcalibur IV, giving us a clear look at the unrestrained breasts of returning fighters Sophitia and Cassandra. In a cruel twist that will interfere with your enjoyment of studying Soulcalibur IV's top-heavier than ever female fighters, new screens of fighting freak Voldo are also interspersed.

He, too, looks to be sporting a more voluminous codpiece. We're really concerned about the unchecked growth of to the unspeakable bits of our favorite fighters, but as long as they gyrate well, we'll keep our mouths shut. Enjoy!

King of the Puck Men