Harmonix and MTV Games announced today 18 new tracks coming this week to the Rock Band™ Music Store catalogue of downloadable content for the Wii system, including seven tracks from 80s power rockers REO Speedwagon and Styx. This week's music update also includes songs from All That Remains, The Clash, Devo, Hautewerk, The Ramones, and System of a Down.
Three of Styx's biggest singles were recently re-recorded for Rock Band, including "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)" and "Renegade" originally featured on the band's eighth studio album Pieces of Eight (1978), plus "Too Much Time on My Hands" originally featured on the band's 1981 concept album Paradise Theatre.

REO Speedwagon's timeless classics "Ridin' the Storm Out," originally featured on the band's third album of the same name (1973), "Roll With the Changes," originally featured on the band's seventh studio album, You can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish (1978) and "Take It on the Run," originally featured on the band's 9-times platinum 1980 album Hi Infidelity will also debut in the Wii Rock Band Music Store this week.

"Can't Stop Rockin'", the new collaborative song between Styx and REO Speedwagon, which the bands recorded together in anticipation of their upcoming Can't Stop Rockin' tour, which kicks off May 13, will also be available next week.

Hautewerk adds three tracks from their debut album Stop Start Again (2006) including "Stop Start Again," "Alone in My Head" and "I Know Where You Came From."

As previously announced, the tracks from Styx, REO Speedwagon and Hautewerk were released last week to owners of Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.

This week's Wii update also includes eight tracks from the Rock Band back catalogue starting with three songs from Massachusetts-based metalcore band All That Remains – "Two Weeks" and "Chiron" from 2008's Overcome as well as "This Calling" from Fall of Ideals (2006).

Politically-charged hard rockers System of a Down add two tracks with "B.Y.O.B." from Mezmerize (2005) and title track "Toxicity" from the 2001 album. Two classic punk tracks are also on the way courtesy of The Clash's "Complete Control" from the band's self-titled 1977 debut album and The Ramones' "Teenage Lobotomy" from Rocket to Russia (1977). Rounding out the content updated is Devo's "Girl U Want," the first single from the band's album Freedom of Choice (1980).

Wii fans can expect a rollout of previously released downloadable Rock Band content until the entire back catalogue of more than 660 songs is available.

Release Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change *

Tracks: REO Speedwagon "Ridin' the Storm Out"
REO Speedwagon "Roll with the Changes"
REO Speedwagon "Take It on the Run"
Styx "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)"
Styx "Renegade"
Styx "Too Much Time On My Hands"
Styx/REO Speedwagon "Can't Stop Rockin'"
Hautewerk "Alone in My Head"
Hautewerk "I Know Where You Came From"
Hautewerk "Stop Start Again"
The Clash "Complete Control"
Devo "Girl U Want"
The Ramones "Teenage Lobotomy"
All That Remains "Chiron"
All That Remains "This Calling"
All That Remains "Two Weeks"
System of a Down "B.Y.O.B."
System of a Down "Toxicity"

(All tracks are original master recordings)

Price: $2.00 (200 Wii Points) per track

Location: In-game Rock Band 2 Music Store (Wii Points must be purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel)

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change **

Rock Band 2 is available now for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PlayStation 2 systems and the Wii system. The Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content.

Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Store using Wii Points purchased through the Wii Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the memory of the Wii or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.

To view a complete list of the more than 660 tracks available in the Rock Band music back catalog please visit www.rockband.com/music. With the addition of these tracks there are now 130 tracks in the Wii Rock Band Music Store.

Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans' and gamers' voracious appetite for rock with more than 40 million paid downloads since its launch on November 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com ...

Fans of the popular Animal Crossing series can enjoy a pair of downloadable -- and practical -- debuts this week via the Nintendo DSiWare service. Whether you're telling time or doing arithmetic, these handy applications will give your daily number-crunching a critter-friendly boost. A new WiiWare game also takes a fun peek into the animal kingdom, while the latest Virtual Console release sends players underwater for classic Commodore 64 action.

Nintendo DSiWare

Animal Crossing Calculator (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Need to figure out what you owe Tom Nook or the amount in your savings account? Animal Crossing Calculator features the full functionality of a traditional calculator, including a Memory key and the ability to display up to 13 digits, adding a layer of atmosphere unique to Animal Crossing. Use the Unit Converter to turn one unit of measure into another (such as length, weight, volume and age), or track the history of calculations you've performed. Listen to the Animalese pronunciation of numbers when you press them, and watch for a favorite Animal Crossing character to appear when your result meets certain criteria. Get ready for an inventive and practical way to experience the charm of Animal Crossing.

Animal Crossing Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Enjoy the atmosphere of Animal Crossing in a whole new way with Animal Crossing Clock. Select from either an analog or digital clock and set up to three alarms (with snooze functionality for those who need it). Make your own Town Tune or use sounds created in Nintendo DSi Sound, then assign them to the alarms you've set. Use the system's internal clock or offset the time however you like. Then sit back and watch as different characters from Animal Crossing appear and the color of the sky changes as time passes. You'll never miss an important appointment with one of your Animal Crossing friends again.

WiiWare

Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish! (Gammick Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The penguins are hungry and need your help. Catch all the fish you can before someone steals them from you. Strategy is fundamental in this exciting game. Keep moving ahead of the other penguins so you don't get trapped, and try to get to the ice floes that hold more fish. One to four players can play Penguins & Friends at the same time, provided they can handle the polar cold. The board is made up of ice blocks with a set number of fish under them. The ice blocks are hexagonal and form a structure like a beehive. The starting position of the ice blocks can change, creating different game boards.

Virtual Console

Tower Toppler (Commodore 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Weird things are happening on Planet Nebulus. Someone or something has begun building huge towers on the sea floor without a construction license. Your mission is to ascend each of the eight cylindrical towers, passing various obstacles along the way, and to trigger the tower's destruction mechanism to demolish the evil threat. Praised upon its original 1987 release for its graphical innovation, this is considered to be the most outstanding game from Hewson. Don't miss out on this classic favorite.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. ...

Fans of the popular Animal Crossing series can enjoy a pair of downloadable -- and practical -- debuts this week via the Nintendo DSiWare service. Whether you're telling time or doing arithmetic, these handy applications will give your daily number-crunching a critter-friendly boost. A new WiiWare game also takes a fun peek into the animal kingdom, while the latest Virtual Console release sends players underwater for classic Commodore 64 action.

Nintendo DSiWare

Animal Crossing Calculator (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Need to figure out what you owe Tom Nook or the amount in your savings account? Animal Crossing Calculator features the full functionality of a traditional calculator, including a Memory key and the ability to display up to 13 digits, adding a layer of atmosphere unique to Animal Crossing. Use the Unit Converter to turn one unit of measure into another (such as length, weight, volume and age), or track the history of calculations you've performed. Listen to the Animalese pronunciation of numbers when you press them, and watch for a favorite Animal Crossing character to appear when your result meets certain criteria. Get ready for an inventive and practical way to experience the charm of Animal Crossing.

Animal Crossing Clock (Nintendo, 1 player, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Enjoy the atmosphere of Animal Crossing in a whole new way with Animal Crossing Clock. Select from either an analog or digital clock and set up to three alarms (with snooze functionality for those who need it). Make your own Town Tune or use sounds created in Nintendo DSi Sound, then assign them to the alarms you've set. Use the system's internal clock or offset the time however you like. Then sit back and watch as different characters from Animal Crossing appear and the color of the sky changes as time passes. You'll never miss an important appointment with one of your Animal Crossing friends again.

WiiWare

Penguins & Friends - Hey! That's My Fish! (Gammick Entertainment, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The penguins are hungry and need your help. Catch all the fish you can before someone steals them from you. Strategy is fundamental in this exciting game. Keep moving ahead of the other penguins so you don't get trapped, and try to get to the ice floes that hold more fish. One to four players can play Penguins & Friends at the same time, provided they can handle the polar cold. The board is made up of ice blocks with a set number of fish under them. The ice blocks are hexagonal and form a structure like a beehive. The starting position of the ice blocks can change, creating different game boards.

Virtual Console

Tower Toppler (Commodore 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): Weird things are happening on Planet Nebulus. Someone or something has begun building huge towers on the sea floor without a construction license. Your mission is to ascend each of the eight cylindrical towers, passing various obstacles along the way, and to trigger the tower's destruction mechanism to demolish the evil threat. Praised upon its original 1987 release for its graphical innovation, this is considered to be the most outstanding game from Hewson. Don't miss out on this classic favorite.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com. ...

News via Retroaction

If you're a top sci-fi author and have just completed your fifth novel, what do you do next? Develop a Speccy game based on your latest novel, of course. And that's exactly what Andy Remic has done with BIOHELL. The novel was released in February 2009, and is now available in Speccy form via an intriguing looking first-person graphic adventure. The plot is, as you'd expect for a game based on a novel, quite detailed and follows your character's journey through a zombie-infested city to find out just what is going on. Fortunately, you've brought along a few essentials to fend off any threats with an assortment of guns and bombs. With advanced battle AIs, aliens, zombies, Speccy graphics pushed to the max, and a plot to outgun the Resident Evil franchise, there's no reason why you wouldn't want to play this game. To get the download, and to take part in a great competition, go to Andy Remic's website now.

http://www.andyremic.com/ ...

News via Retroaction

The May issue (#60) of Retrogaming Times Monthly is out with another great mix of retrogaming nostalgia.



Gaming Studies With The Tomy Tutor - Car-Azy Racer
Phoenix Is My Game! What Is Your Game?
Game Reviews Go On The Air
RTM Idiocy: The Misadventures Of PIGBEAR
Apple II Incider - GBA Championship Basketball
The Thrill Of Defeat
Creating Atari 2600 Games With Batari BASIC
Videological Dig - 1983 Atarisoft Radio Commercial
Laughing Pixels: Video Game Confessions
You can get the current issue, as well as back issues, at the RTM Website .

http://www.retrogamingtimes.com/ ...

News via Retroaction

Another informative issue of Commodore Free is out. As usual, issue 29 (April 2009) is available in PDF, HTML, Text, and D64 formats.

The complete history of Lemmings
The rise and fall of the pulpit
Business calculator description the masterpiece!
Listing of: bizcalc.prg
Readers information for the c16
Outro 2 "the end of the beginning (tutorial)
Retrovision 2009 review - beer, games and curry!
Mossycon5 report by lord ronin from q-link
Interview with Spiro Trikaliotisp
You can get the current issue, as well as back issues, at the Commodore Free website

http://www.commodorefree.com/ ...

News via Aep

The worlds largest and most accurate C64 SID Collection, the High Voltage SID Collection (short HVSC) has been updated.

http://www.hvsc.c64.org/ ...

News via Aep

A new version of the Nintendo DS emulator DeSmuME has been released.

http://desmume.sourceforge.net/ ...

News via Aep

cdrVirus is a CD-ROM plug-in for Playstation 1 emulators.

http://virusdev.ovh.org/ ...