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  Presenting A New, Different Street Fighter Movie Poster

  The Street Fighter movie poster we’ve seen so far? Bit rubbish. This is the “international” version. Does the addition of some hot Vega claw = improvement? Other changes: gone is the confusing montage-on-white motif of the US poster, replaced by one that looks more like the poster to a movie about martial arts. Also helps…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 22, 2009
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  Game Journalist In Murder Suicide

  Former game journalist Jason Montes, 33 years-old, and his estranged spouse, 25, were found dead by police on January 11. He is suspected in this apparent murder suicide. The bodies were found at the home of his wife Serena Montes. Police reported that a man in the area had threatened suicide, and when they arrived…

  By Brian Ashcraft Published January 22, 2009
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  Ether Saga Online Closed Beta Cutely Approaches

  Perfect World Entertainment have announced the closed beta of their latest anime-flavored MMORPG Ether Saga Online is just around the corner, and loaded for with bears. Ether Saga Online is based on the Chinese literary classic, Journey to the West, which means absolutely nothing to a man not well-versed in Chinese literary classics. What does…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009
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  Weekly Japanese Hardware Sales Still Takin’ It Easy

  Japan is in no rush to get back to its regular video game hardware buying habits, with sales cooling across the board. Even though we have a bunch of new releases, they aren’t spurring sales. Hardware rankings stay as-is, with the Nintendo DSi still grabbing the biggest slice of the hardware sales pie, with the…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Flight Simulator Devs Grounded By Microsoft Job Cuts

  Microsoft are slashing jobs. 5000 of them. While most of those won’t affect gaming divisions, some of them are, with sweeping cuts announced for the company’s Flight Simulator development studio. According to sources speaking with Gamasutra, “a large portion” of the staff at ACES Studio – based in Redmond, and wholly owned by Microsoft –…

  By Luke Plunkett Published January 22, 2009
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  Mega Man Changes Things Up In Star Force 3

  Mega Man returns two times to the Nintendo DS this summer, as Capcom announces two new titles in the Star Force Series – Black Ace and Red Joker. Mega Man Star Force 3 continues the Star Force saga, combining the tried and true blend of action and RPG with an all new “Noise Changes” mechanic.…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009
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  The ‘Mario Kart Love Song’ Now In New, Improved MP3 Format!

  Remember mustachioed singer-songwriter Sam Hart’s lovely Mario Kart-themed ballad? Of course you do. It made grown men weep and girly knees weak—and now you can buy it, like a good person of the internet. Mr. Hart has, at the behest of his trusted circle of friends, recorded his original “Mario Kart Love Song” all professional-like…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  PlayStation Store Update: Time Is Money

  This week’s PlayStation Store update for North America features a refreshingly honest dose of Skate 2 downloadable content. It’s for the “busy or just plain lazy,” says the official description. Yes, it’s one of those pay-to-play affairs, unlocking everything for a price. If you don’t feel like paying, there are a pair of new PlayStation…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Hydro Thunder Spiritual Sequel On The Way? [Update]

  Arcade Heroes is reporting today that the team behind the original Hydro Thunder is developing a spiritual sequel to the Midway arcade classic, set to debut at next week’s ATEI show in London. Arcade game manufacturer Raw Thrills is set to reveal H2Overdrive, a powerboat racing game developed by the original Hydro Thunder team, creators…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  LEGO Batman Deemed Oppressive And Destructive To Young Kids

  The Boston-based organization Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood has given the stink-eye to Warner Bros’ LEGO Batman, nominating it as one of the most “oppressive and destructive” toys of 2008. Congratulations, WB! I mean… Why does the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood find LEGO Batman, of all games, so distasteful for our children, nominating it…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Black Thursday

  To: Ash From: Crecente Re: Small Car Or Big Car, That Is The Question Wow, today was a dark day in the industry, what with Sony, Microsoft and EA’s employment news. I heard earlier that a bulk of the 1,400 people let go at Microsoft today came from the Devices and Entertainment Division (aka Zune…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009
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  Enjoy Double The Bikini Zombie Slaying In February

  D3Publisher reaffirmed today the release dates of its two jiggly, gore-filled hack and slash games, Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers and Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad. That’s twice the bikini fun—just in time for Valentine’s Day! If you haven’t been keeping up, D3’s T&A cash cow series Onechanbara has been delighting fans of cheap, flesh-exposing action in…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Rumor: EA Canada GM’s Leaked Memo to Surviving Staff

  Earlier today we broke the news that Electronic Arts Canada laid off more than half of the staff from Black Box, the day after the studio launched their latest game: Skate 2. EA spokespeople decline to confirm the layoffs to Kotaku, but they have confirmed them to Joystiq. We did receive, from unofficial channels, what…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009
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  Metal Gear Online Set Up Us The Bomb Mission!

  Konami’s keeping the legion of Metal Gear Online fans in fresh content by announcing an all-new mission for the PlayStation 3 online tactical shooter. What is it? It’s the Bomb Mission! Due to land on January 27th — no need to do anything regular Metal Gear Online players, it will coincide with regular maintenance —…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Left 4 Dead — Now For Kids!

  If the zombie apocalypse broke out a few decades earlier than it did in Left 4 Dead, it might look a lot like this. (And no, this is not concept art for the Wii version.) Artist Jason Chan — who also happens to work for concept art house Massive Black, partially responsible for the visual…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  Is My Champion Super-Heroically Hot Or Not?

  Cryptic Studios makes a game out of the vast character customization options in their upcoming superhero MMO Champions Online with the addition of a new “Rate My Champion” section on their website. It’s basically “Am I Hot Or Not?” for the superhero set. Characters generated in the beta version of Champions Online appear in the…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009
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  Student Showcase Finalists Include Tetris-Meets-SimCity Game

  The Independent Games Festival today announce the ten winners finalists for their annual Student Showcase awards. As usual, the finalists include some interesting titles like City Rain, a blend of Tetris and SimCity, and Zeit Squared, a shoot-em-up that allows you to go back in time to assist yourself through the game. All ten finalists…

  By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009
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  Noby Noby Boy Is Just Five Bucks

  Namco Bandai’s American arm confirmed the updated release date of Noby Noby Boy today, putting a low, low price on the PlayStation 3-bound thing-eating game. It’s cheap. Five measly bucks cheap. Due on February 19th, the PlayStation Network release will let plays stuff the titular BOY with everything in the game world, letting him stretch…

  By Michael McWhertor Published January 22, 2009
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  BFG Begins Taking Orders On Their New, Expensive Gaming Rigs

  Need a state of the art gaming PC? Got $3,000 to $8,000? No? Then you probably don’t want to head over to www.BFGSYSTEMS.com, where the BFG’s new Phobos systems have just gone on sale. Most people know BFG for their graphics cards, but they’re looking to make a splash in the high-end gaming / home…

  By Mike Fahey Published January 22, 2009
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  An Exceptionally Old Game Reviewed… In Song

  If you’re going to sing a song about a game, reviewing it while you do so, I think it would be a good idea to take the Adam Sandler approach and not the Jewel one. Hotel Dusk Review [Game People]

  By Brian Crecente Published January 22, 2009