Today 505 Games have announced the forthcoming release of Backbreaker, a technologically ground breaking and ultra accessible American football title from developer NaturalMotion. Backbreaker will boast the most realistic player movement seen in a game of its type when it launches on 28th May for Xbox 360 TM and PlayStation 3® exclusively with GAME.

Following the outstanding success of Backbreaker: Tackle Alley for iPhone TM and iPod TM Touch, Oxford developer NaturalMotion has now brought the big hitting action to Xbox 360 TM and PlayStation 3® with Backbreaker. Utilising its famous euphoria engine, NaturalMotion is able to bring a revolutionary in-game animation system to the on field action, meaning no two tackles will ever be alike.
The Tackle Alley game for iPhone includes a link for customers to directly pre-order Backbreaker for Xbox or PS3 from GAME, marking the first time an iPhone game has facilitated pre-sales for a full console version of a video game.

“GAME are very excited about Backbreaker.” said Kathryn Hinton, Head of Third Party Buying from Game “It’s the show piece of British based NaturalMotion Games and it deserves every accolade. And we are pleased to be working with 505 Games as the exclusive retail partner We’re also delighted to be working with 505 and NaturalMotion Games to promote Backbreaker via iPhone. It’s a perfect example of how we intend to embrace new digital technology to inform and engage with our customers.”

Backbreaker offers intuitive 11-on-11 gameplay which even the greenest of American Football fans will be able to pick up with ease. A comprehensive set of tutorials will ensure beginners get the best possible start, while more experienced players will be able to increase the complexity of moves and strategies available in single player mode, local multiplayer and online. ...

Today Bannco Corp announced the release of its cross platform "x Scorch 360" controller (Scorch).

Scorch 360 is a high quality wireless game mouse and grip for the xbox 360 and PC. It is compatible with all games on the xbox. Scorch is the twin to Bannco's highly rated FRAGnStein controller for the PS3.

Features include a complete customizable xBox controller button set, with a right-hand mouse for targeting prey and a left-hand WASD grip for movement. Scorch can be programmed, has digital sniper buttons and can be upgraded by firmware. This allows gamers to customize their controller and game experience.

Scorch is also a full-featured wireless PC gaming mouse with extra buttons and a left hand control for WASD movements, making it a universal cross-platform FPS tool for both the xBox and PC gaming. The suggested retail price is $79.99 USD making it in the same price range as a regular PC mouse but with the added bonus of full xBox support.

Scorch is the ideal console controller for PC gamers looking to move to the console.

The 1600 DPI, 500Hz refresh rate low-lag laser mouse meets all high-end PC mouse needs. Rapid fire, aim lock and on the fly adjustments are some of the Scorch features.

Scorch can be purchased now by locating sellers on the Bannco sales map.

A short video with Scorch 360 and Halo can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIYfY95Ez8s . Scorch users are looking forward to using Scorch with Halo Reach. ...

When it first appeared on PC screens in 2004, Cave Story captivated gamers with its mysterious plotline, imaginative characters and otherworldly sense of adventure. Now, for the first time ever, fans and newcomers can experience this extraordinary game on the Wii™ system. Available for download via the WiiWare™ service, this version of Cave Story delivers all the action and intrigue of the original, plus added enhancements by creator Daisuke Amaya and a newly remastered soundtrack.

Meanwhile, the Nintendo DSiWare™ service offers five new titles for on-the-go enjoyment, including three games from the classic Game & Watch™ series, which Nintendo first began releasing in 1980. Experience a piece of Nintendo history as you master each title's two modes of play, presented in all their old-school glory. Racing enthusiasts can get their high-speed fix with Drift Street International, while fans of strategy-driven action will dig the pulse-pounding thrills of Libera Wing.

WiiWare

Cave Story
Publisher: Nicalis, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language
Price: 1,200 Wii Points™
Description: Cave Story takes you into a rare world where a curious race of innocent, rabbit-like creatures called Mimiga run free. You wake up in a dark cave with no memory of who you are, where you came from or why you're in such a place. Uncovering Mimiga Village, you discover that the once-carefree Mimiga are in danger at the hands of a maniacal scientist. Their only hope rests squarely on the shoulders of a quiet, amnesiac boy who can't remember his own name. Take control, learn the origins of this world's power, stop the delusional villain and save the Mimiga.

Nintendo DSiWare

Drift Street International
Publisher: Tantalus
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Drift Street International is the ultimate high-speed, white-knuckle street racing experience, made exclusively for Nintendo DSiWare. Slide and boost your performance car around challenging city streets in high-intensity midnight races across the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. Precise, responsive controls give you total control of your car - push yourself to the edge and own your opponents. Drift sideways through corners, building your nitrous meter to let you boost past opponents on the next straightaway. Test your skills against challenging, aggressive AI drivers, or take on your friends in four-player head-to-head wireless races. Additionally, each track plays host to arcade-style checkpoint races and challenging speed trials in which you must keep the speed close to the max to avoid elimination. Unmatched speed, smoothness and draw distance are only possible by taking full advantage of the Nintendo DSi hardware.

Libera Wing
Publisher: Pixel Federation
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Earth Union controls a large part of outer space. Suddenly, the connection with some of its stations is aborted and there are rumors of enemy ships approaching. Only the captain of the elite fleet Libera Wing can save the people from destruction. Become the captain of Libera Wing and save Earth Union from destruction in this tower- defense-style action-strategy game. Your objective is to combine the right strategy, item usage and abilities of your command ship. There are 36 story levels and 24 quick-play levels waiting for you.

Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Conveyor belts carry tubs of cement to the mixers below. Use the elevators to move Mario to different levels of the factory, dumping cement from the top mixers to the mixers below and into the trucks. Earn points for every load of cement you drop from the mixers to the cement truck. Receive mistake icons by letting a mixer overflow with cement, trying to get on an elevator when you are not level with it, or hitting the floor or ceiling while riding an elevator. Receive three mistake icons and it's game over!

Game & Watch: Chef
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Move the chef to catch and flip the falling ingredients before they hit the floor. Contend with three ingredients in GAME A or four in GAME B. Earn one point for every ingredient the chef successfully flips into the air, or a mistake icon for each time you drop an ingredient. Receive three mistake icons and it's game over!

Game & Watch: Judge
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: You have a split second to decide: whack your opponent or duck out of the way? Numbers appear on two large signs. If you think your number will be as big or bigger than your opponent's, whack him with a mallet. Dodge if you think your number ...

When it first appeared on PC screens in 2004, Cave Story captivated gamers with its mysterious plotline, imaginative characters and otherworldly sense of adventure. Now, for the first time ever, fans and newcomers can experience this extraordinary game on the Wii™ system. Available for download via the WiiWare™ service, this version of Cave Story delivers all the action and intrigue of the original, plus added enhancements by creator Daisuke Amaya and a newly remastered soundtrack.

Meanwhile, the Nintendo DSiWare™ service offers five new titles for on-the-go enjoyment, including three games from the classic Game & Watch™ series, which Nintendo first began releasing in 1980. Experience a piece of Nintendo history as you master each title's two modes of play, presented in all their old-school glory. Racing enthusiasts can get their high-speed fix with Drift Street International, while fans of strategy-driven action will dig the pulse-pounding thrills of Libera Wing.

WiiWare

Cave Story
Publisher: Nicalis, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Cartoon Violence, Mild Language
Price: 1,200 Wii Points™
Description: Cave Story takes you into a rare world where a curious race of innocent, rabbit-like creatures called Mimiga run free. You wake up in a dark cave with no memory of who you are, where you came from or why you're in such a place. Uncovering Mimiga Village, you discover that the once-carefree Mimiga are in danger at the hands of a maniacal scientist. Their only hope rests squarely on the shoulders of a quiet, amnesiac boy who can't remember his own name. Take control, learn the origins of this world's power, stop the delusional villain and save the Mimiga.

Nintendo DSiWare

Drift Street International
Publisher: Tantalus
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Drift Street International is the ultimate high-speed, white-knuckle street racing experience, made exclusively for Nintendo DSiWare. Slide and boost your performance car around challenging city streets in high-intensity midnight races across the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. Precise, responsive controls give you total control of your car - push yourself to the edge and own your opponents. Drift sideways through corners, building your nitrous meter to let you boost past opponents on the next straightaway. Test your skills against challenging, aggressive AI drivers, or take on your friends in four-player head-to-head wireless races. Additionally, each track plays host to arcade-style checkpoint races and challenging speed trials in which you must keep the speed close to the max to avoid elimination. Unmatched speed, smoothness and draw distance are only possible by taking full advantage of the Nintendo DSi hardware.

Libera Wing
Publisher: Pixel Federation
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Earth Union controls a large part of outer space. Suddenly, the connection with some of its stations is aborted and there are rumors of enemy ships approaching. Only the captain of the elite fleet Libera Wing can save the people from destruction. Become the captain of Libera Wing and save Earth Union from destruction in this tower- defense-style action-strategy game. Your objective is to combine the right strategy, item usage and abilities of your command ship. There are 36 story levels and 24 quick-play levels waiting for you.

Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Conveyor belts carry tubs of cement to the mixers below. Use the elevators to move Mario to different levels of the factory, dumping cement from the top mixers to the mixers below and into the trucks. Earn points for every load of cement you drop from the mixers to the cement truck. Receive mistake icons by letting a mixer overflow with cement, trying to get on an elevator when you are not level with it, or hitting the floor or ceiling while riding an elevator. Receive three mistake icons and it's game over!

Game & Watch: Chef
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Move the chef to catch and flip the falling ingredients before they hit the floor. Contend with three ingredients in GAME A or four in GAME B. Earn one point for every ingredient the chef successfully flips into the air, or a mistake icon for each time you drop an ingredient. Receive three mistake icons and it's game over!

Game & Watch: Judge
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Comic Mischief
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: You have a split second to decide: whack your opponent or duck out of the way? Numbers appear on two large signs. If you think your number will be as big or bigger than your opponent's, whack him with a mallet. Dodge if you think your number ...

Square Enix Europe, today announced that Just Cause 2 will ship to retail this week across North America, Europe, Middle East and Australasia.

“Just Cause 2 sets a new benchmark in freeroaming games with one of the most fun and entertaining sandboxes ever created,” said Lee Singleton, General Manager of Square Enix London Studios. “It’s the largest freeroaming action game yet with over 400 square miles of Panaun paradise to explore, and its ‘go anywhere, do anything’ attitude is unparalleled in the genre.”

As Rico Rodriguez, the Agency's most powerful weapon, players must take on the island of Panau and its military regime in order to track down Rico's former boss and mentor, Tom Sheldon, who has gone rogue with millions in Agency cash and intel. Using a unique grapple and parachute combination, there is no vertical limit as the air becomes your playground: grapple a passing plane in flight, hijack helicopters, BASE jump from the tallest buildings or mountains and leave a trail of chaos and destruction in your wake. Just Cause 2 offers players the freedom to tackle missions any way they choose and, with over 100 vehicles and countless upgrades and collectibles, the choices for relentless adrenaline-fuelled action are limitless.

Just Cause 2 will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows® and will be released under the EIDOS brand portfolio. All formats will release in-stores on March 23rd, 2010, in North America and March 26th, 2010, in Europe, Middle East and Australasia. More information is available on the official website at www.justcause.com. ...

BioWare today revealed an all-new playable character to the Mass Effect™ 2 universe, a master thief named Kasumi. Coming this April in North America and Europe, the Kasumi – Stolen Memory PDLC pack will introduce Kasumi Goto, the galaxy’s most enigmatic and cunning master thief. In addition to being able to recruit Kasumi in all new missions, players will be able to utilize her special skills as a member of Commander Shepard’s squad throughout the entire game. The Kasumi – Stolen Memory PDLC pack will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system at a cost of 560 Microsoft points, and on PC for 560 BioWare points.

“Mass Effect 2 is BioWare’s highest Metacritic game to date, and we are excited to be able to expand that experience by introducing another engaging new character in Kasumi,” said Aaryn Flynn, Studio General Manager of BioWare Edmonton. “Kasumi – Stolen Memory is a testament to our promise to continue to provide fans with new, compelling, high quality post-launch content.”

Cerberus has procured the service of Kasumi Goto, the galaxy’s most enigmatic master thief. In return for her help, Kasumi has asked for Commander Shepard’s help on a dangerous heist to infiltrate the vault of a deadly master criminal named Donovan Hock. Players must gain Kasumi’s loyalty on the planet Bekenstein, where Hock is throwing a party for some of the galaxy’s richest and most deranged criminal minds. The mission: recover data of great importance to Kasumi, and to the galaxy at large. In addition to this new mission, players will also receive a new research upgrade, one new weapon, and a new achievement in this PDLC pack.
Prior to the launch of Kasumi in April, also being released on March 23 through the Cerberus Network is the Firewalker DLC pack, which includes five heart-pounding missions taking place on five uncharted worlds. Players will be able to explore planets and engage in combat in the new Hammerhead hover-tank.
Mass Effect 2 was released to worldwide critical acclaim on January 29, 2010, and is available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and the PC and is rated PEGI 18+. For more information, follow the development team on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect2 or visit http://masseffect.bioware.com/. ...

TikGames today announced its action-packed, critter racing game Hamsterball for the PlayStation3® computer entertainment system. Offered for only $9.99, Hamsterball is coming this Thursday for download via the PlayStation®Network in North America.

In Hamsterball, players take control of a hamster-in-a-ball as they run the most frenzied race of their lives! The clock is ticking and EVERYTHING is out to stop them – with crazy obstacles around every turn, unexpected twists and dramatic drops, each level will immerse and challenge players in new and inventive ways! Gamers can race solo, play split-screen against a friend, or battle up to six buddies in Sumo Mode to determine whose hamster is “King of the Hill.” With over 50 levels and three different game modes, Hamsterball is sure to provide hours of non-stop, critter-racing action.

“Hamsterball is one of those games that everyone will have a great time playing. It’s inviting, humorous, fun and delivers edge-of-your seat action,” says Anatoly Tikhman, CEO of TikGames. “With great features like 2-player, split-screen Hustle Mode, players can compete to see whose hamster can scurry to the goal fastest. The game is packed with replay-ability as players discover a ton of unlockables and earn PlayStation® trophies along the way.”

Hamsterball has been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform. Visit www.tikgames.com for more information. ...

Blazing Lizard and Trine Games have joined forces to bring high quality entertainment products to all gaming platforms.

The first game born from this partnership, Big Brawls™, is an arena-style, fighting game designed exclusively for console digital distribution. The game features over a half-dozen, iconic characters battling across an equal number of highly destructible arenas where combatants use a variety of brutal melee, object, and siege attacks with one goal in mind - to knock each other out of the arena!

Big Brawls™ features a plethora of single and multiplayer modes for up to 4-players locally and online. Look for additional details to be released in the coming months.

“Big Brawls combines’ next-gen graphics and technology with gameplay suited for digitally distributed experiences. It’s been a true labor of love of ours and we’re incredibly excited to share this with fans of this seemingly abandoned genre.” stated Christopher Stockman, Studio Director of Blazing Lizard.

“Big Brawls fills a large hole in a genre that gamers have long demanded for.” said Sangam Gupta, Managing Director of Trine Games. “We’re equally thrilled to be working with Blazing Lizard on what will truly be an amazing experience.”

Big Brawls™ will be available for download on yet-to-be announced home console systems in the fourth quarter of 2010. ...

[Matthias Hullin], the creator of the snega2usb let us know that its name has been changed to the Retrode. We watched this device go through the development cycle and learn to read SNES and Sega Genesis cartridges via a USB connection. Now it’s seeing some hacking to extend those capabilities. [Jon] managed to rig the Retrode up to read Virtual Boy cartridges. The Virtual Boy was a Nintendo console from the mid ’90s that used two different screens in a glasses format to produce a 3D gaming experience. Now that the cartridges can be easily dumped you have a chance to replay the titles using an emulator.

http://hackaday.com/2010/03/22/snega...ns-new-tricks/ ...