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  Weekly Nintendo Update: Rock Out With Wonder Boy

  It’s something old and something new this week in Wii downloadables, as Nintendo releases one rockin’ classic virtual console title and one rollin’ WiiWare game to their line-up. First up this week, Bplus brings Niki – Rock ‘n’ Ball to WiiWare for 500 points, a throwback to the arcade games of old in which all…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 26, 2009
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  Three New Levels Coming to The Maw Via DLC

  Twisted Pixel is hard at work on three new levels for The Maw which they plan to release on the Xbox 360 as downloadable content over the coming weeks. All three levels will play as “deleted scenes” from the game, and will be playable by selecting “Deleted Scenes” from the menu, once purchased. Each of…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 26, 2009
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  Look What You Get For Being On Japanese TV!

  To: Crecente From: Bashcraft As you know, back in December, I was on Japanese TV talking about Arcade Mania. (Here’s a refresher for those who don’t know!) I lent a copy of the book to the producers so they could film parts of it and quote from it for the program. Earlier this month, I…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  Want To Take A Real Quick Look At Pandemic’s Batman Game?

  Then take a look at these. Don’t expect much – the two clips are using raw character models and little else – but hey, it’s not like you’re ever going to see anything better. The first clip up here shows a rooftop chase. Batman could be…either of them, really, but we’re thinking the latter, because…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  So Which Is Faster: XP, Vista Or Windows 7?

  Windows 7 is out and up for download, provided you’re OK with using a beta operating system. It promises a raft of improvements over Windows Vista, but how’s it shaping up for games? FiringSquad have taken a look at how it runs across two systems: a mid-spec one (AMD Athlon X2 5000+ Black Edition) and…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  GlaDOS & Shodan, Sitting In A Tree…

  OK, maybe not a tree. More like a tangled mess of cables, wiring and cold steel. And maybe not kissing. What they’re doing looks a little more “after dark” than a childhood rhyme could manage… Code Sharing by peganthyrus [DA, via Offworld]

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  World Tour Outsells Rock Band 2

  News flash. The NPD Group have compiled the all-format sales of 2008’s biggest music titles, Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band 2, and found that the Activision franchise was the winner. Combined sales of GHWT were 3.4 million. Combined sales of Rock Band 2? 1.7 million. That’s a convenient 2:1 ratio. Why/how did this…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  Tecmo Koei Merger Creates Koei Tecmo Holdings

  It’s official. Tecmo and Koei announced today that the two companies have merged, giving birth through stock transfer to a joint holding company called Koei Tecmo Holdings as of April 1. Last fall, Tecmo rejected Square Enix’s offer of a friendly takeover. Instead, Tecmo commenced merger talks with Koei, stating that both “companies have excellent…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  Presenting The Lost & Damned “Box Art”, Halo Wars Gold Membership Card

  Two pieces of Xbox Live-related cardware on show for you today. The first is the redeemable points card you’ll receive when you buy Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & the Damned. The second? A special Halo Wars-branded version of the fancy 12+1 Xbox Live subscription cards that have started turning up. No word on…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  Teeny Tiny Retro Arcade Cabinets

  How tiny? O scale. How small is that? Model train small — 1.75 inches to be exact. Good thing, because these assemble-them-yourself arcade cabinets are intended to inhabit your Lionel Train universe. Each is priced at US$7.49 and can be illuminated internally, but they do not come packaged with light bulbs. Available cabinets include Defender,…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  A Giant Ken Action Figure, For The Street Fighter Fan Who Has Everything

  This Ken figure is big. Real big. Like, quarter-scale big, which translates to a figure that stands 18″ tall. Due in June, there are only 300 being made, which may explain the $250 price tag. Still, these are tough economic times. $250 for a Ken figure maaaay just be stretching it, but then, Sideshow Collectibles…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  Another Iroha Figure For The Fire

  SNK previously let Samurai Shodown character Iroha get ravaged [embedded link NSFW] in “combat picture book” Queen’s Gate. Now, SNK is letting her do the ravaging in figure form! Granted, there could be way more ravaging, and there are slightly more explicit pictures in the link below for those with discerning tastes. The Iroha figure…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  Dynasty Warriors PSP Getting Carnival Color PSP Bundle

  New PSP carnival color “Radiant Red” is getting bundled with Shin Sangoku Musou MULTI RAID, the PSP version of Koei’s popular Dynasty Warriors franchise. The pack will consist of the game, a MULTI RAID pouch on the Radiant Red pouch. The color was selected as “image color” for this bundle because it best captures the…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  Brain Age Does Not Work Say French Researchers

  Just as researchers in Scotland say Brain Age works, researchers in France say it doesn’t. According to data from University of Rennes, Brittany, Brain Age failed to show any significant jump in memory. What’s more, the game apparently made memory worse. The research had a sample of ten year-old children split into four groups: The…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  Games For Windows Live Boss Sacked

  We heard last week that Microsoft’s Games for Windows team was facing layoffs. Weren’t sure how many were going to be affected. Turns out that one of the group’s bosses is among the casualties. VentureBeat report that Chris Early, former general manager of Games for Windows Live, was among those given their marching orders last…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 26, 2009
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  Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 Screens Will Elbow Your Face In

  If you still don’t believe Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 is the most amazing looking game of next month, then this new batch of screenies should do it. If that doesn’t do it, then well. There’s fighting, beachwear, hostesses, sad children, golf and karaoke mini-games. Something for everyone! All that’s missing is a Western release date…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  PSP Gets “Carnival Colors”

  The PSP is getting not one, but four newish colors — two of which have already seen release via Sony Computer Entertainment Asia. On March 5, “Vibrant Blue” and “Radiant Red” PSP-3000s will be released in Japan and are priced at ¥19,800 (US$223). These same colors were released by Sony Computer Entertainment Asia on January.…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 26, 2009
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  A Dependent Editorial Voice

  To: Brian From: Owen Re: Newspapers, Yes, They’re Dying Since you brought it up and we worked there — and this Friday, as the last one of the month, could very well see the last edition of the Rocky Mountain News — I figured I’d say my piece about it and the business here. The…

  By Owen Good Published January 25, 2009
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  Week in Games: Afro Thunder

  Afro Samurai and Front Office Manager are your big multiplatform drops this week. The lineup: Six titles for DS, five for PC; three for Wii; two for 360, PS3 and PS2, one for PSP. Monday (Jan. 26) AC-130 (PC) MLB Front Office Manager (360, PS3, PC) Niki – Rock ‘n’ Ball (Wii) Tuesday (Jan. 27)…

  By Owen Good Published January 25, 2009
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  Study Debunks Crime/Game Connection, Takes a Poke at Researchers

  A prof supplies data showing exposure to violent video games has “no significant relationship” to mass shootings. In other news, exposure to “Dancing with the Stars” has no significant relationship to train robberies. Before you go all “No shit, professor, I could have told you that,” realize the guy is trying to answer the question…

  By Owen Good Published January 25, 2009