The Week in Games: Let’s Roll Out

One big multiplatform release this Tuesday – Transformers: War for Cybertron, High Moon Studios’ take on the Autobot/Decepticon backstory, unfettered by the requirements of a movie tie-in – or the looks of the robots in them. Today, June 20 Need for Speed World (PC) Monday, June 21 TNA Impact: Cross the Line (PSP) Legendary Wars:…

Kotaku’s Top 5 List of Top 10 Lists

Each week throws off several new video game lists ranging from the humorous to the trivial. What’s better? A list of those. Here’s a roundup of the rundowns out there. •The 10 Greatest Video Game Characters with Daddy Issues [Ranker] This Father’s Day themed list catalogs those most in search of approval. Not here, but…

Driver: San Francisco Collector’s Edition Spied Overseas

A Dutch listing for a Driver: San Francisco Collector’s Edition gives up more details on Ubisoft’s car-chase sequel with out-of-body experiences. The game itself will feature “more than 120 licensed cars,” says the product description, with “more than 200 km (124 miles) of drivable roads in and around San Francisco’s iconic locations. Nine multiplayer modes…

Swank Shank Swag Giveaway: We Have a Winner

Kotaku commenter Jessifer‘s correct answer to our trivia giveaway was chosen at random from 291 correct entries, winning her the coveted Shank maquette signed by the game’s creators, Jamie Cheng and Jeffrey Agala. We’d asked why Cheng was banned from playing his Super Nintendo on weekdays as a child, and the correct answer is that…

Chicago Gets EA Sports’ NHL Cover Two Years in a Row

Catching up on some E3 news, last week EA Sports put up – then removed – a page depicting Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews in a definite cover art pose. Operation Sports snagged that screengrab before it was taken down. Though EA normally waits until a little further in the offseason to announce its cover subject,…

Kane & Lynch 2 Impressions: Take Cover

The first Kane & Lynch was much like its antihero protagonists – someone whose potential was washed out by dysfunctional and self-destructive traits. IO Interactive’s sent the series to rehab and vows it’s gotten clean with Kane & Lynch 2. To recap: Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days puts the focus on Lynch, who’s emigrated…

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Up the Wall Edition

McWhertor spied this list of Rock Band songs covering a wall at Harmonix’ E3 booth, and many readers spied a surefire ‘Shop Contest. Even if you did ‘Shop early, you’re not exempt from today’s assignment. Gurfinki, I’m looking at you. I’m not sure I should have to explain the possibilities for this one. They’re that…

Sunday Comics

Penny Arcade published June 16. PvPonline published June 14. ActionTrip published June 14. EXTRALIFE published June 14. Ctrl+Alt+Del published June 16. Dueling Analogs published June 17. Nerf NOW published June 14. Rooster Teeth published June 17. Monday Night Crew published June 14. Virtual Shackles published June 16. Little Gamers published June 14. Dotgif published June…

Kotaku Off-Topic: A Real Vacation

While I’ve just gotten back from Los Angeles, my folks have hit the road for their first true vacation in years. Dad’s a tennis umpire, so he’s usually officiating tournaments in enjoyable parts of the country, and in the best locations he brings along Mom, since the hotel room’s already paid for. This time, however,…

Sins of a Solar Empire Publisher Produces Free Vuvuzela-Buster

We’re two weeks into the World Cup and the obnoxious drone of the vuvuzela hasn’t abated. Fear not, Stardock, which published Sins of a Solar Empire, made a free app that strips the horn’s noise from streaming broadcasts. World Cup fans have no doubt seen other vuvuzela filters and how-tos for driving down the range…

Kotaku ‘Shop Contest: Is This the 3DS? Edition Winners

Putting the Nintendo 3DS’ rumored design to a vote makes for somewhat anticlimactic results a week later, since Tuesday we learned what it actually looks and plays like. But let’s turn back the clock to Sunday, when we didn’t. There were some serious entries that got commenter raves, and they’ve been recognized here. tsozikds merged…

Sleepmaker Micro-Review: The App That Saved E3

It’s almost axiomatic that the worst snorers I know are also the nicest people. It adds an element of dread to vacations, road trips and working hotel stays one would otherwise look forward to, and it needlessly strains good relationships. I’m reminded of something my comedy friend Kenny said about another buddy of ours, Bruce,…

Get Blitzed with Monday Night Combat

Monday Night Combat, the class-based shooter coming soon from Uber Entertainment, is one of the “Summer of Arcade” titles releasing over five weeks beginning in July. Here is the game’s E3 trailer and some new screens detailing its Blitz mode. According to Uber, Blitz mode will face players with various challenges to protect their Money…

Games Not Announced at E3, but We Wish Were

What would be bigger news, a GTA-Spider Man crossover, or an E-rated GTA? Knockoff spied in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on the Singapore border, as seen originally at Qisahn

Monday Night Combat Screenshots, June 19, 2010

Microsoft Confirms Kinect Bundles, New $199 Xbox 360

Ask the right questions, get the right answers. An internal marketing Q&A for Microsoft about confirm that Kinect will be bundled with consoles, and a $199 configuration of its new Xbox 360 will be available this fall. In its document, Microsoft said Kinect would be available as a standalone device and as “part of a…

A Quiet E3 Foreshadows Sports Gaming’s Biggest Rivalry

Looking back, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s what I didn’t see at E3 that will provide, again, the juiciest story for the year in sports gaming: The showdown between NBA 2K11 and NBA Elite 11 Last year, both games were the closest they’ve been, in critical reception, since 2004, although NBA 2K thoroughly…

Enter to See Mark Ronson and More at The Creators Project Launch Event

You know Mark Ronson as the co-producer of Amy Winehouse’s Back In Black and/or SamRo’s brother. But did you know he idolized Donny Hathaway and rocked a power bang as a teenager? The Creators Project chatted him up at his Williamsburg studio. Mark Ronson, mix-master and professional gadabout, is a featured Creator of The Creators…

Win Some Sweet Shank Swag from E3

Who says you can’t get your hands on the best goodies given out during E3? Klei Entertainment, makers of the heavily anticipated Shank, gave us this badass maquette based on the game, and we both want you to have it. Klei founder Jamie Cheng and creative director Jeffrey Agala both autographed the box, which is…

Madden NFL 11 Cooperative Multiplayer Impressions: Ready on Three, Teamwork!

Last year, Madden introduced cooperative two-man multiplayer. This year, the gang at EA Sports Tiburon beefed that up to a three-on-three and blended in some features to draw out teamwork and communication among teammates. On offense, the available positions are quarterback, running backs and receivers (including tight ends). Selecting the latter two groups allows you…