Duck Hunt, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mario Kart, and Mortal Kombat are just a few of the classic games that Gamerpaper gives the achievement treatment, to varying degrees of funny. Button mashers will enjoy the Mortal Kombat "No Luck" achievement, which requires that you actually do a move intentionally. I'm not sure the Roller Coaster Tycoon achievement that requires you to create a coaster that ends instead of killing the riders is realistic, and the TMNT "Leonardo? Psh..." achievement means nothing to me, as I was always a Donatello fan, but all and all its an excellent selection of achievements that makes people in video game website comment sections want to add their own *hint hint*.

If Classic Videogames Had Achievements [Gamerpaper - Thanks Emily!]

No details and no teasing words. Just a simple image popping up on Titan's website. Subtle. Classy. Pirates. Ninjas. New job classes for the game, or does someone over there just really love pirates and ninjas? The world may never know.

Oh of course we'll know, eventually.

Avast! [Titan Studios - Thanks David!]

Every first-person shooter needs an enemy that can disappear and reappear at will, and the Assassin here fits the bill quite nicely. He has sort of a Karl Ruprecht Kroenen from Hellboy vibe going on, which is good, as Kroenen is definitely the sort of Nazi you don't want to run into in a dark alley. Of course I'm not sure there is any sort of Nazi you'd want to run into in a dark alley. Do they make Cupcake Nazis? If not, I think they should.

It was almost a given, seeing as how chesty ninja Rachel was a playable character in the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma, but during GDC Producer Yosuke Hayashi would only say, "Maybe you'll see her. She's a very important part of Team Ninja..." Well that maybe is now a definitely, and Rachel joins Ryu, Ayane, and Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword's Momiji as a playable character in the Sigma 2.

Though Rachel was announced, the demo I played had me hopping about as Ayane, who plays just as you would expect her to play in an environment far less constrained than the fighting ring or beach volleyball court, flipping, spinning, and just basically being Ayane. A worthy addition to the roster.

Mini Ninjas tells the story of Hiro, a tiny little ninja killing machine on a quest to restore harmony to the world by battling the Evil Samurai Warlord and his army of evil Samurai. Well I'm sold.

“Mini Ninjas represents a truly special game for us,” said Niels Jørgensen, General Manager of Io Interactive. “The whole team is very excited about it, because it is unique in so many ways. From the art style to the characters and the depth of the game – Mini Ninjas has that exceptional appeal, which is sure to keep both young and old very entertained.”

The game is due out this fall in North America and Europe, with versions being released on the Nintendo DS, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Check out the gallery below for screens from the DS, Wii, and next-gen versions, and watch the announcement trailer to see just how freaking awesome ninjas can be, regardless of their size.

Introducing The World's Smallest Hero

'No one trips over a mountain; it is the smallest pebble that causes you to stumble'

Monday 19th January/...It is with great pride that Io Interactive unveils their latest videogame creation in a brand new game - MINI NINJAS™, due for release Fall 2009 on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PC Games for Windows and PlayStation 3 – Rated E10+, PEGI 7+

Prepare yourself for a Ninja adventure like you have never seen before! Join Hiro, the smallest hero on the biggest adventure, as he embarks on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Use your skills and mighty Ninja training to battle a magical army of evil Samurai. Harness the power of your Kuji magic and utilise the special skills of your Mini Ninja friends as you travel through a perilous world to reach the final confrontation with the Evil Samurai Warlord in his Fortress of Doom.

“Mini Ninjas represents a truly special game for us,” said Niels Jørgensen, General Manager of Io Interactive. “The whole team is very excited about it, because it is unique in so many ways. From the art style to the characters and the depth of the game – Mini Ninjas has that exceptional appeal, which is sure to keep both young and old very entertained.”

Visit www.minininjas.co.uk for trailers, screenshots and information.

Sure the action looks intense and the enemies look immense...none of this matters when your main character looks like he rode the short bus to ninja school. The first thing they do when teaching you to be a deadly killer is to cover your face, unless you're an attractive woman. Ken Ogawa is not an attractive woman. I checked.

Oh well. Check out the new screens anyway, and enjoy the fact sheet that comes along with them.

Ninja Blade Fact Sheet
Title: “Ninja Blade”

Age Rating: Rating Pending

Availability: Q1 2009

Product Overview: Step into the dark and mysterious world of “Ninja Blade,” where gamers will be given the epic task to defend Tokyo and ultimately humanity itself from a horrific, genetically mutating disease.

High atop the towering skyscrapers of modern-day Tokyo, Ken Ogawa and his team of skilled ninjas are deployed to destroy the infected monster horde and stem the spreading disease as humanity hangs in the balance. Matters quickly take a turn for the worse as Ken and his team are betrayed from within their own ranks. After narrowly escaping death, Ken is left to fight the daunting battle alone while also attempting to understand the motivations behind his betrayal.

Armed with an extensive arsenal of specialized ninja weapons, tools and skills including the powerful forces of “Ninja Vision” and “Todome,” players must fight insurmountable odds, and once again bring peace and order to Tokyo.

Features:
Unique Ninja abilities. To help defeat the genetically mutated monsters, players will have the special abilities of “Ninja Vision” and “Todome” at their fingertips. Enabling “Ninja Vision” will allow players to detect and analyze potential enemy weak points, secret paths, and hidden information within the environment. Beware though, while using “Ninja Vision,” characters become susceptible to excess damage. “Todome” is a special attack that destroys an enemy character’s core (heart), by dealing a fatal wound. Balanced and calculated use of both these abilities will be critical to progressing through the game
Variety of weapons, tools and “Ninjutsu” – specialized Ninja powers - offer an enticing array of options. Varied environments force players to think strategically about which set of weapons and tools will be most effective at conquering thier way through different levels. Everything from dual wielding swords, to grapple wire hooks, to grenades each have distinctive features and characteristics, so choose wisely! “Ninjutsu” is a special power that results in an explosive electrical force to either stun enemies or protect oneself from attack. Only true Ninja Masters can achieve this technique
Interactive quick-time events. Scattered throughout integral parts of the storyline, characters will come across various quick-time events where players will have the opportunity to directly interact with in-game cut-scenes. Quick reflexes will be rewarded as players interact with controller buttons as directed on screen during intense battles
Modern Realism. “Ninja Blade” offers a fresh twist to the classic ninja saga by basing all 3D gaming maps directly from the actual skyscrapers and building tops in modern day Tokyo

Developer
Information: FromSoftware, Inc. Founded in 1986 as business application developer, and has been releasing popular franchises such as mechanic action “Armored Core” and stealth Ninja action “Tenchu,” since its entry in console game development in 1994. FromSoftware, Inc is currently making the most of its technical knowhow to run a 3D online virtual world metaverse “meet-me” where real world is virtually created in the game. FromSoftware’s developer team was awarded GameSpot’s”Most Surprisingly Good Game” for “O¥TO¥GI “developed for Xbox.

There will be a total of three hundred and fifty levels exclusive to each platform: two hundred single player, one hundred "co-op" and fifty "versus." Players will be able to download new levels from the N server as well as show off their design prowess with a level editor. In a rare treat on the DS, player designed levels will be able to be shared with friends free from the ties of the cumbersome Nintendo friend code system. Levels will also be able to be previewed before download so you know what you're getting yourself into. Due to space limitations, the DS version will only be able to hold up to eight downloaded levels at a time, but the PSP version will be able to hold as many as your memory stick will allow. There are plenty of unlockables available to access during the game as well such as game skins, level packs, new gold goals and special music tracks. Speaking of music, all the soundtrack for the game has been created by "chip tune" artists using old consoles to orchestrate the tunes.

One of the more interesting and fun multiplayer modes is a new "tag" mode. Two players chase each other about various levels, one trying to tag the other. Being tagged makes you "it" and you lose a few points in the process. Running into obstacles also knocks points off and the game ends when one player loses all their life points. I tried this mode out with fellow journalist Travis Moses from Gamepro and it was a blast. Being an N expert, he trounced me roundly, but no hard feelings, Travis. Just pray I don't see you on the streets...

Look for N+ to stealth it's way to your DS and/or PSP on August 12th.

Buccaneers are pirates too, but a bit subtler than their burning-bearded brethren. They steal and loot, but also manipulate the black markets. Some would call them gentleman adventurers, though few are true blue bloods. Buccaneers do not have the raw power of cutthroats, but they work well in groups and can help friends and cripple enemies.

1.4 Skill Changes: The Buccaneer [PotBS Community Site]

UPDATE: Monolith contacted us to let us know the wrong vid had gone out with the release, and the better one has replaced the...less than better one.

A Lone Ninja
The single player game is exactly what you would expect - stage after stage of increasingly complicated obstacles separating you from your door. At first you might simply have to jump from column to column, but soon you'll be introduced to homing missiles, rotating lasers, roaming electric sentry balls, and a whole host of diabolical little devices trying to keep you from escaping. Each of the game's levels is split up into five stages, with a timer counting down that can be refilled by collecting the gold in each stage.

The only real problem I had with the single player game was that the difficulty is all over the board. There really doesn't seem to be a steady build in difficulty, with some of the most difficult stages followed by the simplest. I suppose it's nice to take a break from the grind now and then, but it can tend to put you off your guard as you progress.

As you play you're sure to find a level that completely kicks your ass. I found quite a few as I progressed through single player, and while I was frustrated I wasn't discouraged. The small stages really lend themselves to repeated attempts, keeping the frustration level at a dull roar. I personally spent two hours retrying one level that was particularly tricky without even realizing the time had passed. That's a very rare occurrence for me, and a testament to N+'s brilliant design.

Team Ninja
Single player is great and all, but the game really transforms itself in multiplayer mode. I'm not talking about the Survival Mode or the Race Mode here, but the four-player co-op. Teaming up with three other (good) players completely changes the experience. Playing over the same levels in single player mode the teams I have gotten with have come up with some truly innovative and entertaining ways to use our numbers to our advantage. Common tactics include sacrificing yourself to take out a batch of mines, allowing your teammates safer passage through tough areas, or having one player keep a homing missile busy by moving in circles while the others pass safely. All in all, N+ might be the most fun I've had in a multiplayer Xbox Live Arcade title.

For the most part, co-op multiplayer runs smoothly, though I've noticed some particularly nasty lag at times that can completely screw up a well-orchestrated plan of attack. Still, overall I haven't had too many problems finding a match to show off my utter lack of skill in.

Choose Your Own Ninja Adventure
N+ includes a level editor, and while I've not spent too much time with it, I can see where creating your own challenges could be a blast, especially when tailored to your own particular strengths so that you can let your skills shine. My experience with the editor is limited to seeing how many homing missiles I can avoid at one time. Answer? Not many. I hate homing missiles.

Go Ninja, Go Ninja Go!
N+ might not look like much, but it doesn't have to. The game is a triumph of substance over style, delivering raw gameplay without worrying about any of the bells and whistles game publishers feel are so necessary in today's high-end titles.

N+ on XBLA this Wednesday (the 20th)!! YES!!!!!!! [Metanet Blog - Thanks Michael!]

I've had a pet project I've been working on for years, three of them if my memory is right. It started as a simple idea: You can judge a lot from a person's desk. I bet you could judge just as much from their home entertainment system. So I decided it would be fun to try and track down some pictures from the work desks and home gaming set-ups of the people who work in and cover the video game industry. Simple right? Not so much.

Turns out that many of the people are either too busy or too private to want to participate in such a project. To make matters worse, there's always fear that something sitting on someone's desk, that ends up in a photo, could actually be news worthy. Like a secret project or the next big thing. But I didn't give up and about once a year I'd harass a bunch of game developers for photos. Finally, this year, the harassment paid off.

What started as a trickle of photos turned quickly into the collection of galleries you'll find on the jump: More than 40 different photo galleries from 17 studios, seven publications, two industry movers and shakers and a couple of fun surprises.

You'll get to see the desk of such greats as Sid Meier, Peter Molyneux and Tetsuya Mizuguchi along with plenty of others. Remember you can comment both on the next page and on each individual photo if you click on them.

If I find there is interest, I will try to periodically update this gallery of galleries with more developers, journalists and industry movers and shakers. Have fun.

DEVELOPERS
2K Games

ASTRO Gaming

Buzz Monkey Software

Capcom

Eat, Sleep, Play

Electronic Arts

Firaxis Games

Flying Lab Software

Gearbox Software

Harmonix Music

Incognito Entertainment

Insomniac Games

Kojima Productions

Lionhead Studios

NanaOn-Sha

Naughty Dog

NCSoft

NetDevil

Neversoft Entertainment

Ninja Theory

Pandemic Studios

Petroglyph Games

THQ

Q Entertainment

JOURNALISTS

Blue's News

BoingBoing

EGM

The Escapist

GameLife

Joystiq

Kotaku

MTV

Slashdot Games

VE3D

VH1

INDUSTRY FOLK

MISCELLANIES
I AM 8-BIT

Penny Arcade

Whorecraft

Video Games Live

Which writer’s father bought a Playstation 3 specifically to play Grand Theft Auto 4?

December 5 - Annual Day of the Ninja [Official Page]

WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

October 22, 2007

Autumn leaves aren't the only reason your October is about to get a lot more colorful. The latest additions to the Wii Shop Channel deliver a brisk, eye-pleasing mix of classic gameplay for fall. Dive into this pile of vibrant titles for a timeless dose of fun and fantasy.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Lunar Pool® (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Lunar Pool takes the historical game of billiards and reinvents it with a unique and futuristic flair. The rules are simple: All you need to do is use your cue stick to hit the white cue ball, causing it to hit the other numbered balls and make them go into the pockets. You can enjoy nearly unlimited game play with 30 tables, two different ball arrangements, and the ability to change the degree of friction on the table. You can play against a computer or another human player, so try challenging someone once you've got the hang of the game.

Ninja JaJaMaru-kun® (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points): Take on the role of a ninja called JaJaMaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game, previously unreleased outside of Japan. JaJaMaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuu's many hideouts. JaJaMaru has to be careful though, as each monster has its own unique weapon and method of attacking. The only way for him to advance is to break the floor bricks above him and move up and down between the levels of each round, defeating monsters as he goes. To help him, broken bricks sometimes reveal items that JaJaMaru can use to his advantage, possibly leading to the ultimate power-up: a ride on Gamapakun, the giant frog. Throw in some bonus stages and you've got a game with a style all its own.

Golden Axe™ III (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points): The once-peaceful kingdom so familiar to fans of the original Golden Axe is under threat once again. The Prince of Darkness has stolen the invaluable Golden Axe, taken over the kingdom and rendered its warriors harmless with an evil curse. One warrior breaks free from the curse and must defeat the prince and regain the Golden Axe to save the kingdom. In this one- or two-player action game, play as a giant, a panther or a sword-wielding human and fight your way to victory once again.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

ARRRR! FLYING LAB SOFTWARE CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE PIRATE DAY IN SEATTLE THIS WEDNESDAY Seattle-based Flying Lab Software is developing online video game Pirates of the Burning Sea for the PC

WHAT:
Citizens of Seattle, video game fans and pirates alike, will all gather together to celebrate "International Talk Like A Pirate Day" in honor of day's the official video game, Pirates of the Burning Sea, this Wednesday. The event, sponsored by local video game developer Flying Lab Software, will feature the local pirate group, SeaFair pirates who will be offering free tours of Seattle's waterfront to guests on their pirate ship, The Moby Duck, hands on play-time with the soon to be released Pirates of the Burning Sea video game, a chance to mingle with the development team behind the game, and much more!

The event is free and open to the public. Non-press members please RSVP http://pirates.meetup.com/111/calendar/6376562/

WHEN:
Wednesday, September 19th
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Seattle Aquarium
1483 Alaskan Way # 59
Seattle, WA 98101

The expansion's final locale is a mountaintop campsite complete with a wise old hermit you probably shouldn't let the children hang around. The mountains do strange things to a man. You'd probably be better off with the Ninja or the pirate corpses.

The expansion will feature new activities like glass-bottom boat tours (more pirate corpses, only bloated), meditation, building sand castles, and a variety of other interesting things you should probably go do yourself but don't have the time and/or money to do. Living vicariously through little fake people is going to be so much better come September. Until then, chew on this press release.

SIMS FANS EMBARK ON EXOTIC TRAVELS AS EA ANNOUNCES THE SIMS 2 BON VOYAGE Fans of the Popular Video Game Series Escape to Exciting Destinations with their Sims Chertsey, UK — July 26, 2007 — Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that fans of the popular video game franchise, The Sims™ 2, can whisk their Sims away on exciting trips to discover exotic locations, including the Far East, Rustic Mountaintops - even a Tropical Island! The Sims 2 Bon Voyage will allow fans to travel with their Sims on a variety of magnificent vacations featuring a myriad of all-new activities when the expansion pack launches this year.

Whether your Sims are relaxing on a lush tropical island in a luxury suite, camping with the family on a pristine mountaintop, or exploring the culture of the Far East, they'll enjoy new activities to relax and rejuvenate. From building sand castles and catching rays to meditating in the Zen garden after a visit to the pool, players can quickly transform their Sims from bumbling tourists to savvy international travelers. Sims will also learn new customs including local greetings and traditional dances to take home and teach to their friends. With The Sims 2 Bon Voyage, players can send their Sims packing for the trip of a lifetime!

As your Sims travel, they'll interact and learn from a variety of real and mythical locals including the wise old hermit, fire dancers — even Big Foot! Like all true vacationers, your Sims will be able to decorate their homes with unique souvenirs from their trips that are available only at destinations within The Sims 2 Bon Voyage. They can even buy unique jewelry to wear or take home as gifts! Fall in love with the hula dance lei from your Sims tropical beach vacation? Bring it back and flaunt to the neighbors! Love the moves your Sim mastered doing the Slap Dance at the rustic lodge? Teach fellow Sims the tricks of the trade back at home. What your Sims learn and collect, is up to you!

"The Sims 2 Bon Voyage brings so many new experiences and locations to the game, there's almost no end to the surprises that fans and their Sims are going to discover as they travel to each of the three exotic travel destinations. It's a perfect break from the everyday home routine!" said Vice President and Studio Head of The Sims Division, Rod Humble. "Every member of the family should be able to find activities that suit them—Mom can get a massage at the spa, Dad can practice Tai Chi in the Zen Garden, kids can explore the ruins of our largest object yet - the Pirate Ship! With The Sims 2 Bon Voyage, you can take your Sims - even your family - on the trip of a lifetime!"

The Sims 2 Bon Voyage will ship in Europe and across the US in early September as a PC expansion pack* that builds on the original The Sims 2 PC game experience.

KEY FEATURES
• Travel to Three Exotic Destinations: Each location offers unique landscapes and local residents, such as the Fire Dancer and Ninja, for your Sims to meet and learn from. Try local cuisine and admire cultural landmarks as your Sims explore these new locales.
• Send Your Sims on Tours: Glass bottom boat rides, adventurous van tours, and other excursions are fun new activities for your Sims, but there may be some surprises in store!
• Buy or Find Unique Items: Shop for rare items found only on your Sims' travels, including unique jewelry they can wear or take home as gifts. Stumble upon hidden locations, collect shells on the beach, or dig up treasure.
• Stay at New Travel Accommodations: Splurge on a luxury suite for your Sims or choose a cozy cabin. Your Sims will enjoy the comfort of room service, get pampered at the spa, and more.

* Requires The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition , The Sims 2 Holiday Edition or The Sims 2 Deluxe for PC to play.