“Pole Position: Remix is a fun and intuitive game that anyone can take for a spin,” says Scott Rubin, senior vice president, Namco Networks. “Similar to playing a racing game in an arcade, Pole Position: Remix makes you feel as if you are actually getting behind the wheel and racing on the track, screeching around turns and breaking to avoid a crash.”

In a fit of nostalgia I downloaded the game this morning. It's solid, and the controls are fun, both the tilt steering and the on-screen thumb-controlled steering wheel options. It's just the gameplay really hasn't aged all that well. I need some sort of nostalgia alarm that locks my wallet when the feeling hits. If you just can't resist, PP:Remix is now available at an Apple Apps Store near you.

Namco Shifts Into High Gear With Pole Position: Remix on iPhone and iPod Touch

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of mobile games and entertainment for the mass-market casual gamer, today announced the worldwide availability of Pole Position: Remix for play on iPhone and iPod touch devices. The game is available for purchase from Apple’s App Store.

Pole Position: Remix takes full advantage of iPhone and iPod touch’s unique features and offers three intuitive control modes:

Tilt to Steer Mode allows you, via the device’s accelerometer, to steer your car by tilting the device either to the left or to the right, simulating the feel of an actual steering wheel.
Touch Wheel Mode allows players to rotate the on-screen wheel to control their car.
Slider Mode lets players slide their finger across the on-screen slider to steer with a touch of a finger.
Each mode offers realistic control during sharp turns and a touch-to-break option perfect for power slides. Game play can be customized for left handed and right handed users.

“Pole Position: Remix is a fun and intuitive game that anyone can take for a spin,” says Scott Rubin, senior vice president, Namco Networks. “Similar to playing a racing game in an arcade, Pole Position: Remix makes you feel as if you are actually getting behind the wheel and racing on the track, screeching around turns and breaking to avoid a crash.”

Each track in Pole Position: Remix can be played in four racing modes: Practice, Single Race, Grand Prix and Sudden Death. Points are earned for the distance traveled and for passing competing cars. If players race well, players can unlock reversed or mirrored versions of the tracks, race in new cars and experience different themes, including those based on favorite Namco games such as PAC-MAN®, Galaga® and Dig Dug®!

Similar to the iPod version of the game, Pole Position: Remix for iPhone delivers an entertaining quality game experience anywhere, anytime. Visit www.NamcoGames.com/polepositionremix for more information.

Be warned, though. To experience Sonic the Hedgehog in FULL HD (1280 x 960 resolution), you might need a beefy PC. Recommended system requirements list a 2.4 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM and a 512 MB graphics card. Not particularly outlandish, but not something you might be able to run on your mom's laptop.

***Tech Demo Release!*** [Sonic Retro Forums - thanks, Jack! ]

Japanese fan board 2ch has popped up a rumor concerning a possible remake of Biohazard 2 (aka Resident Evil 2 - but you knew that, right?) that will be exclusive to the Wii.

If the rumor is correct — and when has a random post on a Japanese fan site ever been wrong? — then we will be treated to a full Wii-ified remake, with some additional story elements. There will be a new 'swordsman' enemy (sword waggling minigame, anyone?) and 'Resident Evil 4 Viewpoints', which could mean anything - possibly 3rd-person over-the-shoulder stuff?

Its more than likely just bobbins, but even the slightest hint of RE2 is better than no RE2 at all.

Biohazard 2 Remake on the way? [The Horror Is Alive via N-Europe]

It's just odd that such a screw-up would occur with nothing even vaguely FF-related coming out this month. Disgaea 3 ships on the 18th, and while for some of us that is more exciting than a FFVII remake, I can't see some hapless sign-monkey mixing the two of them up. Odd.

[Project AM2R - Another Metroid 2 Remake]

We've already seen some screenshots of Prince of Persia Classic and now we get to see it in action. Looks pretty sharp with the use of the Sands of Time style graphics. I don't remember every frame and level of the original like some of you do, but it looks to be a pretty faithful recreation to me. This will definitely be a must have when it debuts on XBLA sometime in the near to distant future. Flynn De Marco

Hot on the heels of the news that Final Fantasy IV is getting a 3d makeover for the DS comes the quiet launch of the Japanese website for the game. Now don't get too excited, there really isn't much there at the moment apart from a rather pretty opening animation and some soothing music. Although, I suppose calling it an animation is overstating it a bit. It's more like a pan over of a painting, part of which you can see above. You are then presented with the logo and a link to a fact sheet which is, of course, all in Japanese. Still, if you are a big Final Fantasy fan it's definitely worth a look see.

Final Fantasy IV DS Website

It's official, June 29th is the day to go ape cuckoo as Nintendo is set to release Resident Evil 4 in Europe. No official release date is set for Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, but it's still set to hit the stores by the end of this year.

Unfortunately the US release date is still TBA, but Gamestop is claiming they will be shipping pre-releases June 25th. For anyone who wants to grab the import on release should know that the dollar is at an all time low in fourteen years to the British pound, so importing the PAL version means paying practically double. Kim Phu

Resident Evil 4 Wii Release Date Confirmed [ONM]

Essentially it's the same game as the PlayStation 2 version released two years ago, complete with Ada's special missions, new weapons, etc. What's new is that special Wii flavor, allowing you to aim with the controller or participate in Wiimote knife fights, paving the way for my dream West Side Story game.

No word on a US release yet, but you know they will.

Also featured in the article is new info and screens from Umbrella Chronicles for the Wii, which reunites several series favorites on a mission to shut down Umbrella Corp for good. Looks like a first person rail shooter. I'll wait for RE:5, thanks. Michael Fahey

This Week's Famitsu News [NeoGAF Forums, via GoNintendo]

The long in the works fan remake of the classic Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time looks like it may be progressing, with a release candidate coming "soon". While the authenticity of the project has always been in doubt, the newest screens of the game, regardless of whether it actually exists, are still very pretty.

A Something Awful forum poster updated the long running topic with new information about the remake's creator and the status of the project.

Daniel Barras, an old friend of mine, has announced that Release Candidate 1 of OoT2D will be released soon. He's waiting on his laptop to be airmailed to him (and he probably needs to put a couple finishing touches on it).

Sounds promising, but I'm a skeptic and still have my doubts. Still, I simply cannot wait to be proven wrong and try this out for myself. True believers can check out more screens at the links below.

Thanks for the tip, Gourry. Michael McWhertor

Ocarina of time: 2D - RC1 (Release Candidate 1) Beta - Release will be soon [Something Awful Forums]
OoT2D - The Original by TRM (New Graphics upgrades too) [Zelda Fan Game Central Forums]

Keep in mind this is a beta release, one that was pushed to make a near-holiday live date, so expect some buggy behavior. I'm away from my gaming PC at the moment, but I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow when I return to LA. Michael McWhertor

Goldeneye Source Official Site

A wee butternut dumpling for my fellow PSP owners. Prince of Persia: the Two Thrones is coming to PSP, but the port will be different enough from the original that Ubisoft saw fit to give it a different name.

Prince of Persia: Rival Swords is due out by the end of 2006, and will feature level changes, multiplayer mode and new levels.

I'm a little worried about the controls, but I will invoke Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror once again as proof that it can be done properly. We shall see, yes? More PSP multiplayer would be fantastic. Eliza Gauger

From here [Games Are Fun]

Final Fantasy III for the DS will be hitting North American store on Nov. 14, Square Enix says.

The game will include a dynamic job-changing system, a new 3D graphics look and DS wifi support. The game, which will sell for $40, also lets you use the touch screen to explore, fight and cast spells, according to the press release. Brian Crecente

*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***

SQUARE ENIX TO SHIP FINAL FANTASY III ON NOVEMBER 14, 2006


Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® III for the Nintendo DS™ hand-held system will ship to retailers on November 14, 2006. The only FINAL FANTASY to never reach North American shores has been reborn, incorporating the latest in portable gaming technology. Featuring graphics that have been reworked and remodeled in full 3D, FINAL FANTASY III provides a brand new experience while maintaining the mythical FINAL FANTASY look and feel.

STORY
Protected by the crystals of light, the once peaceful land has forever been changed by the great tremor. Without warning, the earthquake pulled the crystals into the earth, upsetting the world's fragile balance. It seems as if all hope is lost—but as the Gulgan prophecy foretold, four souls blessed with the light shall once again restore balance to the world...

Near the small village of Ur, fate guides Luneth to a sentient crystal that changes his life forever. As the light of the crystal fades, Luneth embarks on a journey to seek three others who share his destiny to search for the remaining crystals, and fight the battle of light and darkness...

FEATURES
Ÿ The missing link in the evolution of FINAL FANTASY is unveiled—North American gamers experience a legend reborn
Ÿ A dynamic job-changing system brings a nearly infinite number of party variations
Ÿ The touch screen interface takes full advantage of the DS capabilities—explore dungeons, dispatch foes and cast spells by using the stylus
Ÿ A complete visual overhaul breathes new life into a classic—colorful 3D graphics bring FINAL FANTASY III into the new millennium
Ÿ Take advantage of the DS Wi-Fi feature to access the Mognet and communicate with other players as well as NPCs, and uncover hidden dungeons, quests and items

FINAL FANTASY III is rated E 10+ (Everyone 10+). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.com for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY III will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99(USD). Additional information on FINAL FANTASY III can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ff3.

Apparently, Konami's absolutely thrilled by the positive buzz over the upcoming thank-god-its-Uwe-Boll-less Silent Hill movie. They sniff a marketing opportunity: a release of the first game with the protagonist — Harry Mason — replaced with Mason's wife, who is the heroine of the film.

Silent Hill is pretty close to the creepiest and most atmospheric world that gaming has managed to produce. Every pixel drips with the dread and delirium of the plotless nightmares it means to evoke. Even a remake of the first game is something to get excited by, especially if they tweak the plot to be about Mason's wife. A Silent Hill 1.5 could be a very great thing.

Silent Hill 1 Re-Release? [1UP]